[6:46 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

The two friends first made their way into the dining hall to start looking for Isi's buddies. Yuga was too tense to feel hungry, but he figured they could probably grab something small to keep their energy levels up while they were here as well. A certain familiar, homey smell made him pause. He sniffed the air, and looked around. Something fresh and woody...

@sketti | Eben 🕶 + Isi 🍁

[6:49 AM]sketti | Eben 🕶 + Isi 🍁:

Isi similarly paused when they entered, a little confused by the smell. That's not the type of smell you get inside, usually. She walked forward, trying to find the source,

And then she saw..a tree. Just, uprooted in the dining hall. The hell?

She looked at Yuga.

"What's this doing here?"

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[7:00 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

Yuga followed Isi's gaze, and spotted the tree. He looked at it with confusion, and then his ears shifted back.

"I don't know... could be a trick."

@sketti | Eben 🕶 + Isi 🍁

[7:05 AM]sketti | Eben 🕶 + Isi 🍁:

Isi looked around, the only other people here seemed to be other contestants.

"This feels too random to be a trick" Isi replied, but still acted cautious as she approached.

Aside from the familiar tree smell, this specific tree smelled...familiar in a different way. She couldn't place it right now.

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[7:11 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

The tree looked like a normal tree. It seemed like it belonged on a rocky seaside, braving the winds that had made it grow all twisted and made it remain rather small. It was a pine with long, dark green needles and its reddish brown trunk. The tips of its needles were rusty brown here and there, and there were plenty of needles on the ground around it. What made it kind of ominous were charred, stiff strips of burned fabric that hung off of the pine's branches and trunk, or were tangled with its roots. Yet, the tree had not even been singed.

Yuga followed a few steps behind Isi, looking at the tree suspiciously, and glancing around at the other two contestants - the other one looked rough, and the other vaguely familiar - and at the otherwise empty dining hall for signs of danger.

@sketti | Eben 🕶 + Isi 🍁

[7:15 AM]sketti | Eben 🕶 + Isi 🍁:

Isi looked a little concerned.

"It's in rough shape...how long has it been in here?"

Isi noted the fallen needles and the rusty brown colour of some of the others.

Isi also looked at the other contestants for a moment, and then back at the tree. They hadn't seen any trees like this one on the island, either.

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[7:24 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

Yuga looked at the tree, and its roots.

"There's some... erm.. ground with it. Looks dry. It's probably been here for a while."

@sketti | Eben 🕶 + Isi 🍁

[7:34 AM]sketti | Eben 🕶 + Isi 🍁:

Isi didn't reply at first. They sniffed the air more, they noticed the burnt fabric.

Why was this so familiar? Trees don't really have specific smells, and it's not like she was acquainted enough with any trees to-

Oh.

Oh.

Isi's look of curious concerned morphed into that of horror, she stepped back, a hand covering her mouth.

"Yuga- I think- I think this is Taisto, hes-" she shook her head.

They remembered how much Taisto had talked about his home, his parents, two long-dead, great big trees. It hurt to think that if this was Taisto, he was so small and choked in comparison.

They shook their head in disbelief, completely forgetting Yuga likely had no clue who Taisto was, or why he'd be a tree.

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[7:39 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

Yuga glanced at Isi, alarmed when they stepped back with horror. Yuga also backed off, looking at the plant like it had just threatened his friend.

When Isi talked, Yuga turned to look at them again, now a little confused.

"Who...?" The name sounded familiar. Where had he heard it?

"Oh... shapeshifter..." he looked at the tree, and tilted his head. "...Why is a tree?"

@sketti | Eben 🕶 + Isi 🍁

[7:56 AM]sketti | Eben 🕶 + Isi 🍁:

Isi lifted the hand from her mouth, calming herself a little.

"Yeah. Taisto. I talked with him before he got imprisoned, he told me about how his parents were long dead trees, how haltia like him could inhabit different forms..and if he's like this, then-" she glared at the ground.

They really, really wished they'd beat up Yeonaixho in the tunnels instead of just running.

"It's probably because Yeonaixho took his powers." They finished quietly.

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[7:59 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

"Oh..." Yuga's ears lowered.

"...Um. How is he here? Did he walk up with his. Those." He pointed at the roots.

@sketti | Eben 🕶 + Isi 🍁

[8:02 AM]sketti | Eben 🕶 + Isi 🍁:

Isi shrugged. It didn't look like Taist-tree weighed very much.

"Maybe they carried him up, I don't think he can move."

They crouched down to look at the branches and needles again.

"It doesn't seem like they thought about how he'd survive...there's gotta be a better place to put him than here"

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[8:08 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

"Who did?" Yuga asked, before he came to think of it.

"Did people get free from the prison?" Yuga brightened up a bit. He tilted his head as looked at the tree. "I guess... Would it be better outside?"

@sketti | Eben 🕶 + Isi 🍁

[8:20 AM]sketti | Eben 🕶 + Isi 🍁:

Isi looked at the boxes of stuff labeled with the names of different contestants, all who had lost, and she looked at the two in the room she wasn't familiar with, assuming that one or both of them had been jailed before she'd gotten a chance to talk to them.

"I think so, that or the staff here brought him up. maybe they were planning on planting him or something?"

Isi looked at Taisto, then at the box with his name on it.

"Maybe we should plant him. I don't think he's doing great."

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[9:25 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

Yuga hummed.

"Maybe..." He watched as Isi looked over the boxes.

"I don't know how to plant a tree. Can we even plant it in the snow?" he mused, and startled when someone stormed in. He flinched, and bared his teeth, but his fur sleeked when he saw who it was,

"Ryuu!" he gasped, relieved. "He lives", he continued, watching the man march to the other two contestants. Yuga continued being distracted by the group, and overheard what they said.

"We're leaving? Did you hear that, Isi?" he glanced at Isi with a brighter expression.

@sketti | Eben 🕶 + Isi 🍁

[9:32 AM]sketti | Eben 🕶 + Isi 🍁:

Isi also jumped when Ryu stormed in, but was at least relieved that he looked okay if pretty angry, nodding at Yuga's statement.

They smiled at Yuga a little at the thought of leaving, but the smile faded when they looked at Taisto.

"Would he survive the trip back? Maybe we could find something- some kind of pot, something we can keep him alive in. I'm not leaving him here" they insisted.

They barely even had a chance to wonder again where Roy and Darcy were, if they heard the news.

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[9:37 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

Yuga's enthusiasm died as quickly as it had ignited. Leaving the horrors of the island was good, but returning to the city... well. The end would be slower and more agonizing there. He shook his head lisghtly and decided to focus on the present. He looked at the tree.

"Mm. Maybe. It would need to be a big pot", he said, nudging the roots that sprawled wide on the floor.

@sketti | Eben 🕶 + Isi 🍁

[9:40 AM]sketti | Eben 🕶 + Isi 🍁:

Isi frowned, ears lowering. "The only other thing to do would be to plant him here, but-" Isi was interrupted by the crackle of the announcements, and the unfamiliar voice.

Instantly she looked more upset.

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[9:48 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

Yuga flinched again, and looked angrily at the speakers. He growled silently. He didn't know who that was, but he hated her. Apparently this farce was all because of her.

"Who the hell would want to stay here?" he snarled, his eyes flashing red. He. He wanted. Or he had wanted, and... he still wished he could have. The light in his eyes flickered, and his eyes started to gleam with tears.

@sketti | Eben 🕶 + Isi 🍁

[10:54 AM]sketti | Eben 🕶 + Isi 🍁:

Isi seemed even more resolved to not leave Taisto here after that announcement, despite the apparent invite. They struggled to try and lift Taisto up, trying to get a good hold.

"We need to get him to the docks." They said firmly.

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

@innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[10:56 AM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

Zeydein walked into the dining hall to see the horror of two teenagers trying to lift a tree.

"Stop! You're mishandling it!" He demanded. "It's already ill, can't you see? You're only going to make it's condition worse." @sketti | Eben 🕶 + Isi 🍁 @Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[11:00 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

Yuga blinked, and glanced over when Isi talked. He sighed sharply, and shook his head, moving closer to the prickly branches and trying to help Isi carry the pine.

He jumped, when a new, sharp voice spoke in their direction. He looked, and saw one of the church staff. The fox dropped the tree, and backed off, showing his teeth and growling.

@innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄) @sketti | Eben 🕶 + Isi 🍁

[11:27 AM]sketti | Eben 🕶 + Isi 🍁:

Isi took her hands off the tree, but stayed in-between Taisto and Zeydein. She did recognize him, but didn't quite trust him, though she was relaxed a tiny bit by his obvious care for the tree.

"Yes, we can see. We're trying to get him out of here, and I'm not letting you near him until I know you're not with Yeonaixho."

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

@innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[11:39 AM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

"Of course I'm not with him! He's a homicidal maniac!" Zeydein protested. "Let me heal the tree. I can fix it." @sketti | Eben 🕶 + Isi 🍁 @Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[11:42 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

Yuga's growling trailed off into a surprised whine. Hmm, to his ear Zeydein sounded pretty convincing. The fox scanned him for any weapons, and moved closer to Isi, looking at her for her opinion.

@innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄) @sketti | Eben 🕶 + Isi 🍁

[11:54 AM]sketti | Eben 🕶 + Isi 🍁:

Isi looked genuinely a little surprised at Zeydeins statement, but fought the urge to smile a little inspite of it. She'd been right to like him, apparently. Isi slowly stepped aside, knowing full well that if Zeydein didn't heal the tree he probably wouldn't survive.

"Are you coming to the docks, then? Can you help us take him there too?"

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[11:56 AM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

"Yes. I'm leaving this place." Zeydein said. He quickly pressed his hands to the tree and began healing it. "Yes. I will help you move it to the docks, too. I can continue caring for it during the boat ride, and then... we'll figure something out." @sketti | Eben 🕶 + Isi 🍁 @Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[12:05 PM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

The thirst and despair the tree was experiencing eased, and there was yet again a sense of relief under Zeydein's hands. Its needles seemed to grow greener again, and their posture improved.

Yuga watched quietly, listening to the conversation. He made a quiet hum, close to a scoff, and crossed his arms.

@innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄) @sketti | Eben 🕶 + Isi 🍁

[12:15 PM]sketti | Eben 🕶 + Isi 🍁:

"Do you know how this tree got like this?" Isi prodded, wanting to know if Zeydein was just passionate about trees, if he knew this tree was a person, or both.

Isi looked at Yuga, going to stand beside him as they watched Zeydein work. They gently elbowed him and mouthed a 'you okay?'

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[12:18 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

"Lack of nutrients, most likely. I tried to care for it while it was still underground, gave it a sunlamp and everything, but when they moved it out..." He trailed off. @sketti | Eben 🕶 + Isi 🍁 @Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[12:22 PM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

Yuga nodded to Isi, shrugging as well.

"Who moved it out?" he asked Zeydein.

@innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄) @sketti | Eben 🕶 + Isi 🍁

[12:58 PM]sketti | Eben 🕶 + Isi 🍁:

Hm. Seemed he maybe did not know or care to acknowledge, and to be quite honest, Isi did not feel like explaining. Zeydein had already agreed to help.

Isi stayed silent after Yuga's question, also wanting an answer.

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[12:59 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

"Someone who obviously has no idea how to care for plants." Zeydein huffed. @sketti | Eben 🕶 + Isi 🍁 @Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[1:06 PM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

Yuga grunted in reply. Fair enough.

@innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄) @sketti | Eben 🕶 + Isi 🍁

[1:13 PM]sketti | Eben 🕶 + Isi 🍁:

Isi shrugged, then nodded. Yeah, fair enough.

"Is he okay enough to move?"

Isi knew they had time, but even the chance that they could get left here made her so antsy.

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[5:30 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

"He should be... if we do it carefully. If I keep my hands on it, I should be able to support it til we get it settled." Zeydein hummed. "We could also get some soil and a sunlamp from the greenhouse, for the journey." @sketti | Eben 🕶 + Isi 🍁 @Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[4:00 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

Yuga couldn't help but roll his eyes, but he turned away from the two to hide his annoyance. He looked over the boxes of people's belongings, his ears tilted back.

@innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄) @sketti | Eben 🕶 + Isi 🍁

[6:07 AM]sketti | Eben 🕶 + Isi 🍁:

Isi looked a little unsure, looking at Yuga. "Do we have time to get soil? Could we get enough for it to even help?"

Over the course of the conversation, she'd been unintentionally moving closer to Yuga, maybe a sa reflex.

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[9:40 PM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

@innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[9:40 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

"We have until sundown. We should have time, if we move swiftly." Zeydein thought. @sketti | Eben 🕶 + Isi 🍁 @Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[8:21 AM]sketti | Eben 🕶 + Isi 🍁:

Isi nodded uncertainly. "alright.." Isi looked at Yuga again, she probably didn't want to go to the greenhouse alone with Zeydein, but she would if Yuga wanted to stay.

@innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄) @Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[8:30 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

Yuga sighed lightly. He glanced up at Isi, noticing they had come closer. He looked at her for a moment, before shrugging.

@sketti | Eben 🕶 + Isi 🍁 @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[8:33 AM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

Zeydein hummed. "You two should go get it. It's in the storage area of the greenhouse, on the bottom shelf. I'll stay here with the tree to keep its condition from getting any worse." @Twig | Taisto + Yuga @sketti | Eben 🕶 + Isi 🍁

[9:23 AM]sketti | Eben 🕶 + Isi 🍁:

Despite Zeydein's actions thus far, Isi still didn't really want to leave Taisto alone with someone who was part of all this. She also wanted Taisto to live, she also also didn't want to fight.

"You sure his condition can get that much worse in just the time it takes to get the stuff? Maybe Yuga or I could stay back and you could go with one of us to the greenhouse- yknow, just in case we can't figure out where the stuff is"

@innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄) @Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[1:12 PM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

Yuga's tail whipped a couple of times, not happily, but in agitation. He tapped his foot and crossed his arms. He tried to refrain from further displays of annoyance and frustration, but was getting impatient.

@sketti | Eben 🕶 + Isi 🍁 @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[1:18 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

"I'd rather not risk it," Zeydein frowned, "But if either of you would watch over him, I could go get the soil." @Twig | Taisto + Yuga @sketti | Eben 🕶 + Isi 🍁

[1:23 PM]sketti | Eben 🕶 + Isi 🍁:

Isi looked at the tree, at Taisto, and even though Zeydein had healed him somewhat he didn't look too great, and she looked back at Zeydein.

"No, you're probably right. Me and Yuga can be pretty fast, too" they looked at Yuga. "You okay with that?" She asked, just because he hadn't spoken for a minute.

Zeydein's willingness to cooperate seemed to lend him more trustworthyness in Isi's eyes.

@innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄) @Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[1:26 PM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

Yuga glanced up at Isi again, and nodded curtly.

"Yeah," he grunted. He looked over to the exit, and sighed through is nose, before starting towards the doors.

@sketti | Eben 🕶 + Isi 🍁 @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[1:27 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

Zeydein nodded, and remained by Taisto. @Twig | Taisto + Yuga @sketti | Eben 🕶 + Isi 🍁

[5:40 AM]sketti | Eben 🕶 + Isi 🍁:

Isi followed Yuga out, giving Zeydein a little wave. As she left, she looked at the box of Taisto's things. She'd have to grab those, probably. But for now it was off to the ⁠greenhouse .

@innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄) @Twig | Taisto + Yuga