MASKTOURN

And here they were! Once they were here, Kal turned to Kallum eagerly. "Alrighty! First, we're gonna start off with some basic stretches, just to get our muscles all loose and ready to go!" Kal smiled. "We're just gonna do a little of this, and a little of that.." Kal rambled on as he began to do a few basic stretches. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum did not return Kal's eagerness and did not copy him. He remembered his own routine of stretches, of course, the ones repeated over his entire life- for something far too short- shut up- he did what he wanted, what he knew, not what Kal told him to. It was enough of the same for him, for his muscles, his body. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Alright, great job!” Kal spoke after a few good moments of stretching. “Now that we’re all warmed up, we’re ready to go!” Kal beamed. Homeboy was the literal light in the darkness. Insane. “Now, the big thing with rock climbing is that you gotta be real careful about things. You gotta be careful where you place your hands and feet in case the rock gives out under the weight of your body. Not so good things’ll happen if that happens, so you gotta be real careful!” @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum did not like how bright Kal was shining, metaphorically. Even though it wasn't literal, he still wanted to squint when forced to look over at Kal. So he wanted to squint a lot. "Okay," was all he said in reply, arms crossed. He had done worse than rock climbing. More dangerous. Kal was an amateur, especially compared to him. Truly, he was the superior Kal Pal- he wasn't a Kal Pal. But if he was, he'd be the better one. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Awesome!” Kal gave him two thumbs up and a bright smile. He looked at the mountain face. “If you want, I can start climbing first, and then you can copy where I grab and put my feet at. That might make things a biiiiit easier!” @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

"No." Kallum did not need to copy anybody. "I can do it first." He stepped forward, tentatively, then stepped back, because he had no clue how to rock climb. Not really. Climbing was important but- well, there weren't mountain faces where he was. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

"Heck yeah, Kallum! I believe in you!" Kal beamed. "I'll be right behind you every step of the way!" @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

No time like the present.

soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

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# 21
Details:[d20+4 (17)]

oh my god kallum

12:53 AM

Kallum scrunched his face up at Kal's encouragment but tepped forward again. This was just like a building. Mountains and buildings were very similar. Both were... surfaces. Both were... feasibly climbable. So he stepped, grabbed - more like scrabbled - for foot holds and- wait this was kind of easy. He began to climb. Autism be damned that boy can rock climb. (edited)

12:53 AM

@Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

"Heck yeah, Kallum! You're doing great!" Kal encouraged. With that, Kal started to climb as well.

Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

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# 16
Details:[d20+5 (11)]

He was doing pretty well, too! He was a bit behind Kallum, humming happily as he climbed. He seemed a bit reckless with his climbing, swinging across one rock to another. Homeboy was just having the time of his life as he climbed.

12:56 AM

@soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum huffed and tried to speed up to get away from Kal. Rude.

soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

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# 22
Details:[d20+4 (18)]

(LETS FUCKING GOOOOO)

(KALLUM YOU NEED THESE GOOD ROLLS FOR LATER KALLUM

12:58 AM

Really faking it til he made it, Kallum managed to quicken his... climbing pace? Climb faster, yeah. He managed a pretty risky move, lifting his leg slightly higher than comfortable to cling to the Perfect foothold, and to get away. And it paid off! @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

"Nice! That's awesome, you're doing real great!" Even though Kallum couldn't see it, Kal gave him another thumbs up. He continued to climb.

Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

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# 19
Details:[d20+5 (14)]

Kal picked up speed, humming to himself as he used his adrenaline to give him a quick boost upwards. It was fairly easy to keep up with Kallum's pace, though he still lingered a bit behind to offer some space. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum ignored Kal and continued on.

soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

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# 15
Details:[d20+4 (11)]

With the only concern being a pebble shifting out from under him, which he quickly recovered from without a blink, Kallum climbed higher, not even casting Kal below him a glance. He was actually getting pretty into the zone. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

The pebble gave Kal a little bonk on his head, which got a good laugh out of him. He continued his ascent.

Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

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# 25
Details:[d20+5 (20)]

(BRUH)

(OH MY GOD)

Maybe it was the little pebble that gave him the boost he wanted and needed. With a great show of strength, speed, and stamina, Kal leapt from foothold to foothold, practically zooming his way up the mountain. He even passed up Kallum, giving him a wide grin as he did so. "Come on, Kal Pal!" Kal beamed. "Keep at it, you're doing great!" @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum had to pause as Kal zoomed past, staring at him in disgusted confusion. What the hell. He huffed, certainly not wanting to be worse at something than- than that. That being Kal.

soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

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# 15
Details:[d20+4 (11)]

(i was so prepared for him to die)

(Kallum, looking at Kal:

1:08 AM

Kallum took a deep breath, stared hard at the mountain in front of him, and above him, and below him, and next to him, an- he looked around and continued to climb, speeding up slightly and getting slightly more reckless, like Kal. Anything to beat him. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

Kal continued to hum as he climbed, smiling when he saw Kallum hype himself up. "That's the spirit, Kallum!" Kal cheered. "You're doing great!"

Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

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# 13
Details:[d20+5 (8)]

Kal slowed down a little in pace, perhaps wanting Kallum to overtake him. He continued to hum, jamming out to a song that was on replay in his brain. Shawty's like a melody in my head that I can't keep out, got me singin' like, "Na-na-na-na", every day, it's like my iPod stuck on replay, replay-ay-ay-ay~ @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum glared at the humming but tried to focus on the rock climbing.

soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

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# 17
Details:[d20+4 (13)]

Despite the interruption, he was truly in the flow of climbing, more confidently leaping to the holds in the mountain face. For once, he could somewhat tune out the irritating noise of the world, though mostly Kal. Kal was most of that noise. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

"You're like a pro!" Kal praised as he continued to climb. "Ten out of ten, Kallum! You're doing a great job!"

Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

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# 6
Details:[d20+5 (1)]

(HGJSFKDGHJKFSDLG)

1:16 AM

(WHAT DID I FUCKING SAY GHJKSFDGHKJLDF)

(KAL NOOOOO)

(Alright based on the amount of damage he takes we’ll see if he hits the ground or not)

Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

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# 3
Details:[2d5 (2 1)]

(NAH HES GOOD LMAO)

1:56 AM

The rock that Kal leapt for was loose, which was something that he didn’t expect at all. As he fell, Kallum would hear the idiot giggle as he passed him by. Kal was having fun. Perhaps he was the luckiest unluckiest man around, because he only fell a few feet down the mountain face when he managed to grab ahold of a ledge. His hands got scraped up a bit from trying to grab ahold of a ledge, and the rock that had slipped out from above bonked him in the head. “And that’s what you don’t do, Kallum,” Kal laughed easily as a bit of blood began to run down the side of his face. “Don’t fall! It’s okay to fall if you do, though! Accidents happen, and that’s okay!” @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

1:56 AM

[Kal’s at 22 HP]

Kallum didn't look as Kal fell, only glancing down once he stopped falling. He scowled at the joy Kal seemed to experience, and he turned away. Accidents didn't happen to him. No.

soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

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# 9
Details:[d20+4 (5)]

oh my god

(They’re faILURES)

(oh my god

(i thiiiiink he wouldn't fall just. be forced to stop. almost fall bc. 9)

11:54 AM

Except- that handhold, it wasn't quite deep enough, too shallow to grip properly on. Kallum felt rock underneath his fingernails as he scrabbled for purchase, forcing his feet to hold his weight. He stopped, glaring at the mountain. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“It’s alright, just recenter yourself and find a better hand placement,” Kal called out. “You’re doing great!”

Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

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# 21
Details:[d20+5 (16)]

Despite the fall and being bonked in the head by a rock, Kal continued climbing to catch up with Kallum. He was getting pretty close now, woo! @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum was still glaring at the mountain but just know it was also directed at Kal!

soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

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# 16
Details:[d20+4 (12)]

More cautiously, he began to climb again, just so Kal couldn't immediately overtake him again. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

Humming, Kal continued to climb.

Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

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# 12
Details:[d20+5 (7)]

Albeit, a bit slow, but he was moving and grooving! Blood was starting to get into his eye, making it a bit of a hassle, but he was still going. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum ignored Kal. As he is wont to do by this point.

soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

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# 13
Details:[d20+4 (9)]

Another pebble fell as Kallum tentatively poked a foothold, so he had to quickly readjust. He was not getting away from Kal fast enough and moody about it. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

Kal continued to climb, ducking his head so the pebble wouldn’t hit him in the face.

Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

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# 16
Details:[d20+5 (11)]

Up he goes! He was still the same distance away from Kallum. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

10:55 AM

(Wanna do like four more rolls and then call it there?)

(sounds good

10:59 AM

Kallum was not letting Kal win. #1 Kal~~Pal~~lum.

soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

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# 5
Details:[d20+4 (1)]

OH MY GOD

10:59 AM

KALLUM

soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

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# 7
Details:[2d5 (5 2)]

KALLUM

11:00 AM

(i think he's just gonna fall

(OOF)

11:01 AM

(Can Kal try and catch his arm)

(yeah!

11:02 AM

Well. Looked like destiny decided that Kallum was not going to win. The foothold that had previously held his weight decided to stop doing that as he began to move his other foot, and his handhold decided it didn't like him either so- he fell. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

(Kal grAB HIM fbdkdndn gonna count this as dexterity so he can use his speed to grab him)

Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

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# 20
Details:[d20+6 (14)]

(Thank goD)

WHOOO

11:05 AM

(cackling rn oh kallum)

As soon as Kallum began to slip, Kal was ready to reach out for him. As the other fell passed him, Kal reached out and grabbed onto his arm, tightening his grasp on his hold on the mountain so both of them wouldn’t fall. Maybe this sudden stop would hurt Kallum’s arm or make him bonk the side of the mountain, but at least he didn’t fall and die. “You alright, Kallum?” Kal asked. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum yelled as he fell, was caught- the electric- and slammed against the mountain side. He grabbed at the rock desperately and tried to push away from Kal, although that was very difficult considering Kal was the one keeping him from plummeting to his stupid death. "Don't- touch me!" He yelled, his voice roaring with fire at the corner of his mouth. "Off!" @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

(Kallum’s struggling against him right because for funsies should I roll for strength for Kal’s grasp on the mountain and if it fails, they both fall? DHDKDJD)

(GDJEJWA yeah sure

take em both out)

(Lmaoooo let’s see)

Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

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# 9
Details:[d20+5 (4)]

(FHDKDNDKDKD)

11:13 AM

(OH THE DOWNFALL OF THE KAL PALS)

(OH MY GOD)

11:13 AM

(KAL PALS)

“Hey, hey, it’s okay- I will, just as soon as you grab onto the mountain, just-” The rock that Kal was supporting himself with wasn’t strong enough to carry the weight of two people. He felt as the rock gave away under his hold, and he quickly tried to grab onto a different piece, only to narrowly miss it. The two of them quickly began to plummet down the side of the mountain. Kal quickly tried to pull Kallum close to him so he could try and cushion his fall, but it was a bit difficult given how much Kallum was moving. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

11:20 AM

(DoWN THEY GO)

Kallum was not having Kal pull him close, absolutely not. His body set alight, though quickly was put out as they fell, and didn't cause any harm anyway. He was falling, and he was falling with this absolute idiot trying to hold him- electric and fire and wind rushing through and in and around him- he was going to die- Kal wasn't going to let go- @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

As they fell, Kal couldn’t help but smile. He always enjoyed the fall. The rush of adrenaline, the feeling of the wind rushing to greet him, the feeling of impending danger- Oh, it was always such a blast. Such a blast- It always made him feel alive- Oh, here was the ground- Splat!

Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

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# 4
Details:[2d5 (2 2)]

(OH FINE FHDKDBDJ)

Kallum was not so keen on hitting the ground.

soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

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# 7
Details:[2d5 (3 4)]

(OOF)

(ouch)

(KALLUM)

11:35 AM

And for good reason because it fucking hurt!

As Kal hit the ground, it wasn’t a splat, it was more of a bounce. Kal bounced off of the ground, rolling a small distance away from Kallum, before he sprang back up to his feet. He stumbled as he regained his balance. “O-oh man!” Kal laughed as he ran a hand through his hair. He looked up at where they had been on the mountain. “What a fall! That was crazy!” [Kal’s at 18 HP] @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭 (edited)

Kallum was very much a splat. He hit the ground and stayed down, blearily glaring daggers at the mountain face, head throbbing angrily. "I hate you," he grumbled under his breath. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

After doing a few bounces on his feet, Kal finally calmed down enough to remember that he didn’t fall alone. He looked to Kallum and made a face. “Oh man- How’re you doing, Kallum?” He asked as he stepped a bit closer. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum heard Kal dare to step closer and forced himself up. "Fine. Go away." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“You sure? Do you want me to help you want or something? You hit the ground pretty hard. There’s no shame in accepting help,” Kal smiled. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

"No- yes- no- shut up." He stumbled over his words, then his feet stumbled backwards. Yes he was sure. No help. He did hit the ground hard- but that wasn't a question, didn't need an answer. "Don't touch me." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

Quiet for a moment, Kal reached into his pocket and held out the sparkler that Asha made him. “Would a sparkler help make you feel better?” Kal asked. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum stared incredulously at- that. "Wh- what is that- no? No! No." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“It’s this cool thing that lights on fire, and it makes sparkles,” Kal spoke nonchalantly. “It’ll be red and green, because I like green, and it’s red because if you had to be a color, you would be red. Kal Pals sparkler. Sparkaler.” @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭 (edited)

Kallum scowled. He was red. He was supposed to be red. Red was- his colour. "I don't need a sparkler for fire," he spat, embers crackling at his fingertips. "We're not friends. We're not pals. Shut up." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Do you wanna see how it looks, though?” Kal asked, raising his eyebrows slightly. The temptation of a sparkler was always strong. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum glared at Kal. Didn't say anything. Just glaring. Angry boy. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

Kal gave the sparkler a little wiggle wiggle. Come on, get it, get the sparkler. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum squinted as Kal wiggled it. "Stop that. I don't need it." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“It’s not a matter of needing it, it’s more, like, would you like it?” Kal smiled. “Do you think it’d be fun?” @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum's face burned- anger, angrily. "No. I don't." He stepped backwards, still unsteady but ignoring that. "It's your sparkler. I don't want it." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Technically, it’s our sparkler,” Kal chuckled. “I got it for the both of us.” @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum scrunched his face up. "Why? When- no." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Because I thought it’d be fun to do with you,” Kal smiled. “Is red not your favorite color? I could ask for one that’s your favorite color, if you want. I was just guessing with the red.” @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum stared and stared and stared. Then he looked away, answering with a mumble: "Red is my colour." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Red? Aw, sweet!” Kal beamed. Literal sunshine of a man. “Then I got it right, then!” @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum glared at the ground. Stupid mountain. Stupid sparkler. Stupid Kal. He stepped backwards, still unsteady. Why wasn't he better yet? He just wanted to leave. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

Not really noticing Kallum’s struggle, Kal held up the sparkler. “I could light it if you want, and then, we could watch it glow together! Or if you wanna light it, you can, you just gotta hit the tip of this against something. Hey, you could hit it against the mountain! Teach the mountain a lesson!” @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum turned around, though his head didn't feel good doing it, and began to walk- stumble- walk away, like he had before. His head was full of- not that, but not fire, a heavy thumping lump in his head banging against the bone of his skull. His eyes decided to blur. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Or- We could do it next time!” Kal smiled. He pocketed the sparkler. “Do you want me to help you walk, Kal Pal? I could lend a hand.” @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum did not reply, because that would mean stopping- he couldn't walk and talk at the same time, because both took focus, and it took all his focus to know where to step. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

Kal lightly jogged to catch up to Kallum. He held a hand out to him, giving him a kind smile. “Come on,” Kal hummed. “I’ll help you get to someone who can heal.” @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum stopped- not to let him catch up, no, he'd run if he could, he almost tried it with another step that threatened to give way, he would never let Dm- Kal win- catch up- not again- no. It was to speak. He had to speak. "No. Go- away." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

A soft padding of footsteps could be heard descending the mountain path, to where the Kal Pals were. Naiyta turned to face the pair, gold eyes wide in surprise, and smiled. "Oh! I didn't expect to see you two here, especially not all bruised and banged up. What happened?" @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭 @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Oh, snap, Naiyta!” Kal looked up from Kallum to look at the newcomer. He smiled brightly and waved. “Hiya! Good to see you! We started climbing the mountain and got into a liiiiittle accident, but we’re alive, so hey, that’s a good thing!” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭 (edited)

Kallum glared at the newcomer but said nothing, because Kal did a fine enough, if stupid, job at explaining. It was his fault- Kal's, not his. And they were alive. He was alive. Again. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

"Mhm. I can see that. Well, then it's certainly a good thing I showed up when I did. I can help you two out." It turned to Kallum. "It's rude to glare at someone when they're trying to help you." The statement was authoritative in tone- not quite an order, but close to something like it. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭 @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Can you heal him first?” Kal asked. “He had a harder fall than I did. I bounced off the ground. I didn’t even know you could bounce if you hit the ground that hard!” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum's glare almost immediately dropped- gone, because he recognised the tone- and his reaction was instinctual. So he stared at the floor, then narrowed his eyes toward Kal. His words. So stupid. This person had to see it. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

"Of course," Naiyta replied to Kal, then turned to Kallum. "Give me your hands." That was an order. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kal gave them both two thumbs up.

@innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum looked at Naiyta- then at his hands. Orders. He tentatively held his hands out, shoulders tensing- didn't disobey orders- shouldn't, so didn't. Braced himself for the electric. Followed orders. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

Naiyta wrapped their cold, bony hands around Kallum's, and in a hot, tingling numbness, Kallum would feel the aches and pains of his injuries gradually fade and heal. Naiyta's hands lingered on Kallum's hands a moment longer after the healing had faded. "How does that feel?" @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

8:53 PM

@Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

(You can have Kallum respond, Kal’s just joy2

in the background @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭 )

Kallum tensed, almost jerked away- cold and electric, horrid, horrid, horrid. But his body fixed itself, faster than ever before- and he recovered quick, had to, this was a new fast, unnatural fast, a fast that could never be part of the Guardians. He did not pull back- because that was rude- didn't pull away from an order. "Fine," he mumbled, because he was made to answer. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

Naiyta held onto Kallum's hands, its thumbs pressing into his palms. "And what do you say when someone does something nice for you? You were raised with manners, weren't you?" @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭 @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

Kallum stared at the floor, shoulders stiff when its thumbs pressed, biting electric. "I- thank you. Yes." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

"Good." Naiyta praised, and finally let go of Kallum's hands. It turned to Kal. "Do you also require healing?" @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭 @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

Alright, all of that was kinda weird. Kal didn’t entirely like the vibes of it. When the attention was brought onto him, he perked up and smiled. “Yes, please! I’m not as banged up but I did get a good tumble on down.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Praise. It burnt itself into his ears, his skull. Kallum stared at the ground, not at anybody, didn't move. Just- waited. For what? He wasn't sure either. Orders. They seemed to be back. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟 (he's just gonna stand here until addressed naiyta got to him)

"Hands, please." Naiyta extended their hands out to Kal in much the same way they'd done to Kallum. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Yeah, of course!” Kal held out his hands to Naiyta. They were a bit bloodied and roughed up. “Sorry for the blood and stuff, that happens when you, you know, try to grab onto a mountain as you’re falling.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"It doesn't bother me." Naiyta took Kal's hands in its own, and healed him in the exact same way it had healed Kallum. They removed their hands once the healing was done, though, and licked away what of Kal's blood had ended up on their hands. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟 (standard naiyta freak behavior)

“Oh- Oh wow,” Kal nodded. “That’s one way to clean your hands.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"It's better than getting blood on my clothes." Naiyta shrugged. "How do you feel?" @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Oh- Yeah- Feeling great! Hands feel great, back feels great-” Kal stretched, letting his spine crack a few times. “Feeling good!” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Good." Naiyta nodded. "Try not to hurt yourself again." It turned to Kallum. "You. Albanes spoke to you, didn't she? Do you know what I am?" @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟 @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum looked up when addresed- his neck hurt, moved too fast, never mind. "The woman..." He shook his head, but muttered, "She said she could heal. Like you did." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Oh, Albanes? I haven’t met her yet- What’s she like?” Kal asked with a smile. “Thanks for healing me, by the way.” @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭 @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Albanes is my successor. My inferior. Even if you did not listen to her, you will listen to me." Naiyta said, mostly to Kallum. "Healing is what I do." It said, as an aside, to Kal. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟 @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

"She said she knew me. She doesn't," Kallum said, to both of them. Aggression directed to Kal. Nod directed to Naiyta. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Oh. Gotcha.” Kal nodded his head. “A healer. Cool. Doesn’t know you, also cool.” @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭 @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta seemed at least slightly surprised by Kallum's statement. "And how, exactly, is it relevant if she knows you or not?" It challenged. @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭 @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

Kallum furrowed his brow. How to explain. "She said she would look after me. When I died. Because she knew me. But she doesn't- I don't know her." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟 @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

“Ohhhh- Maybe she knew a different universe you,” Kal said. “I found out that there’s different universes and timelines and stuff- Crazy, right? Maybe she knew a different version of you.” @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭 @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"She was lying." Naiyta retorted, in contrast to Kal's explanation. "She was lying to you, about everything." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟 @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

It was a simple explanation. The simple was more true. Anything explained that easily had to be true. She lied. Of course. Like- like she had lied about- constantly lying- yes. Of course. It was what they did. "I thought she might be," Kallum agreed, nodding. "She doesn't know me." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟 @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

( @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs you can respond if you’d like)

(kal rn:

"Mhm. You're smart, then. She was lying to you, to try and weaken your defenses. You will need to be strong here, you know." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭 @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

Oh no Naiyta is saying the very right things. How could it possibly know how to talk to Kallum, who is soo difficult to read? He raised his head and nodded, more insistent, more confident. "I'm strong. I knew it- knew she was lying. I won't be weakened- never- never, no." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟 @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Really?" Naiyta leaned close to Kallum, to where he would almost feel their breath on his cheek. In a whisper, they said, "I don't believe you." @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭 @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

Okay- That was enough. With a smile, Kal stepped forward. He set an arm between the two. “How about we respect each other’s personal bubbles? That sounds pretty great.” Kal smiled, though there was something behind the smile that felt a bit off. “I like bubbles. Did you know they made bubbles with flavors? I know, because I’ve tasted them. I like to imagine my personal bubble tastes like watermelon.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum froze, face dropping back down to- he wasn't confused. He didn't- no. Didn't think like that. No. "Believe me," he repeated, more like a beg. And then Kal intervened. And started saying words- stupid words, just like- no- idiot- both of them idiots- liars. "Shut up," he growled at Kal, fire flickering up his face as he spoke. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

Naiyta stepped back as Kal interjected, and a brief flash of rage passed across their features. "Don't tell me what to do." It warned Kal. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟 @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

“I don’t really tell people what to do,” Kal spoke nonchalantly. He continued to smile. “It’s more like- Suggestions. I’m not the kind of person to give out orders.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum said nothing, glaring at Kal. No orders he could ever give would be good, anyway. "You made me come here," he still found himself saying. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

"I did not ask for your suggestions." Naiyta spat, evidently the kind of person to give out orders. "So stop making them." It didn't acknowledge Kallum, for the time being. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟 @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kal glanced to Kallum, his smile becoming more genuine for a moment. “Technically, I said if you wanted to come, you could. I never said that you had to come, Kal Pal. You came on your own free will.” He turned back to Naiyta, his smile returning to the one he had on previously. “Yeah, you didn’t ask for a suggestion, but I made it anyways. That’s part of the point of free will: Being able to make suggestions, follow them, or make the choice not to. The same goes with orders: You can go against them.” Smiling brightly, Kal spoke. “I’m choosing to go against that order in particular. Sorry, Naiyta- Thanks for the healing, though! Appreciate that big time!”

12:09 AM

12:10 AM

@innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum stared at Kal, disgusted but also- confused- no, just surprised how stupid he could be. Didn't go against orders. That was the point of orders. He chose - chose - to ignore that fast part, that he had chosen to come. No he hadn't. He looked back at Naiyta, waiting for its move - see how it handled whatever- whatever this was. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

"You can go against what I say," Naiyta agreed, at least at first. "But I genuinely implore you to ask if that's the right thing to do. I remind you- for as long as you're within my Citadel, your life is in my hands." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟 @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

“And I get that,” Kal nodded. He raised his arms to the sky and stretched, just chilling. “That’s another thing about free will, too. You can say what you wanna say, do what you wanna do, because it’s what feels right, but you gotta be prepared for any consequences that come your way. Yeah, I’m prepared for any consequences. At least I’m not a bully, pushing people around.” Kal looked to Kallum and smiled. “You don’t ever gotta worry about me giving orders or trying to force you to do something, alright? It’ll just be suggestions- Here, this sparkler could be, like, what seals the deal. It’s a promise.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭 (edited)

Kallum glared at Kal. The way he spoke to Naiyta... it was in charge. They had to listen to it. "I don't want your sparkler. I don't want anything from you," he said, face scrunched up. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

"Are you prepared for the consequences? I think if you were, you wouldn't be so callous with your words." Naiyta hissed As Kallum spoke up again, it turned back to him. "Hush. I don't want to hear your voice." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟 @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

“You sure? It’s the Kal Pal sparkler. Red and green. I’m sure you’d think it was cool if you got to see it light up.” Kal hummed. “Callous- Oh- I don’t really know what that word means. I’ll add it to my list of words to look up when I get home. I learned how to read not that long ago, so I’m still learning what a ton of words mean. My bad.” Kal responded. Callous, callous- Oh wait. “Pretty sure that’s the thing that you get on your foot.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum didn't respond, obeying Naiyta. He didn't have anything to say, not anything he couldn't do with his eyes. Fiery glare. Somewhat literal - little flickers of flame in his eyes, toward Kal and his stupid face and words. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

"I wish not to hear your voice either." Naiyta said back to Kal, "but it doesn't matter. I have business to attend to." In that sour mood, it began descending the mountain.... @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭 @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Byeeeee Naiyta!” Kal waved as Naiyta made their leave. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum stared as Naiyta left. "I don't want your sparkler," he said firmly to Kal before he too began to walk away. Rude boy. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Okay, we can always light it another time.” Kal pocketed the sparkler. “Just- I’ll see you around, okay? Be safe, Kallum!” @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Ignored. Sorry Kal.