the earth my feet

Colors speak louder than words

She arrives a few days later, skipping down the street in a shimmering new jacket that looks like rippling water. Rain slides off its silvery blue material, dripping onto the cobblestone in light sprays of droplets that fall like crystal pieces. They look almost like glass, sparkling and shattering apart without the usual crashing chime that follows. 

Nova doesn't take notice, her magic shielding the basket of blueberry muffins in her arms. She'd asked the baker to make them extra big this time, expecting the dragon (now hydra) to appreciate the effort, even if they barely fit amidst the wicker container. She also thinks he'll appreciate her own addition to the treats: a little bit of edible glitter shimmering within the batter. 

Wearing a bright smile on her face, she stretches a little higher on her booted feet, searching ahead for signs of the creature who's promised to meet her.

Nova

// did you think I would keep this bitter tongue //

Hidden behind the variety of trees and buildings, Sunjata’s running a little bit late. Why, you might ask? Because one of the three heads is hauling a variety of wood and rock, leaving them in a pile in the meeting spot. And only once he’s satisfied he has enough to begin does he finally make the appearance to find Nova waiting for him, just as promised. All three of the draconic heads pinpoint their attention on her, with the center one dropping down and forward to inspect the glittery muffins that are quite a bit larger this time than they had been previously.

Appreciation dances in the attuned bond, just in case he doesn’t have a chance to admit it aloud. You made it! He chimes to her with a nod, stopping at the smooth foundation they’d poured days before, slick and wet from the rain but hard from the days it took to set. And you brought giant muffins.

Sunjata

// behind crooked teeth and angry gums? //

Colors speak louder than words

Spotting the three heads, Nova rushes forward, feet splashing against the ground as she giggles. I DID! Both make it and bring giant muffins that she offers out the large basket with a beaming grin. The weight of it tips her forward, ignoring the strain in her arms as she basks in his appreciation. I had them made special for you! There are blackberry ones mixed in! Although she made sure the baker included her favorite of blueberry. 

Nova lifts her head when she's close enough to peer more closely at him, eyes narrowing as she tries to remember where she's seen the creature before...

Her blonde and lime green hair shift when her head tilts before snapping upright again. Wait a sec! Were you at the House of Midnight when we were throwing eggs?!

Nova

// did you think I would keep this bitter tongue //

Ooh, my favorite. He hums with a soft snort, pleased that she’d remembered even if he would’ve been content with the small blueberry ones of before. It’s really not that hard to please him, though the idea of blackberries (especially when this was the prime season for them) was something he’d never say no to.

So the hydra watches Nova as she surges forward to show the muffins to him and the one head closest to her inspects the muffins with appreciation. They look great. Thank you, Nova. He offers even as he’s being inspected.

And before he has a chance to snag the muffin closest to him, her question reaches him and he straightens up – all three heads focusing in on the young woman. Yeah, I run it. He explains with a soft laugh. You guys had my niece show up and throw ducks at me. Comes the slightly playful whine.

Sunjata

// behind crooked teeth and angry gums? //

A group of Speaking Squirrels bursts into view, chattering excitedly as they scramble over roots and stones. Tails flick wildly as they wave their little paws and shout in unison.

“Come!” one calls, racing ahead a few steps before stopping abruptly. “Follow!” another adds, pointing in a direction that leads directly into a dead end or an entirely unremarkable patch of ground.

They regroup quickly, whispering among themselves before trying again, utterly convinced of their own usefulness. Whether they ever manage to lead anyone anywhere is doubtful, but their enthusiasm never wanes.

---

Speaking Squirrels Areas Found: Hollowed Grounds, King's End, Greatwood — Common Appearing like a slightly larger version of a common ground squirrel, the speaking squirrels - as their name suggests - can speak. Or they appear to. Their vocabulary is limited to "yes", "no", and "follow me!" Though it is entirely unclear whether or not they understand actually speech and the words they are saying, they nonetheless will answer questions and will lead wayward souls further astray. Calls of "follow me!" have led a number of victims to their death, as the squirrels have absolutely no idea where they are going. Challenge Rating: Easy HP: 38 | To Hit: +30 | Dmg: 9 Movement: Scurry 30 ft.; Climb 30 ft.; Leap 15 ft. SPECIAL SKILLS Limited Speech: vocabulary is only “yes,” “no,” and “follow me!” and it’s unclear they understand the words; Misleading Guide: will confidently lead wayward souls astray without any sense of direction; Chorus Echo: nearby squirrels pick up the cry, creating a misleading chorus from multiple directions; Gap Squeeze: slips through holes and hedge tunnels too small for most pursuers

TRAITS Slightly Larger Ground Squirrel: looks like an upsized ground squirrel with bright, curious eyes; Tree & Wall Climber: agile on trunks, ruins, and hedges; Hedgerow Local: nests in the twists and hedgerows, popping in and out of tiny gaps; Fearful but Curious: skittish at noise yet drawn to travelers and their shiny gear ACTIONS Chatter Reply: answers any question with “yes” or “no,” regardless of sense; “Follow Me!”: darts a few bounds, stops to look back, then scurries on, luring travelers deeper; Tail Flag: flicks its tail to signal others or draw attention to a false turn; Dart & Vanish: bolts up a trunk or into a hedge-gap, reappearing on a different branch a moment later

Colors speak louder than words

It's hard to pick which head to look at, and Nova finds that she alternates between them all like a bee picking its favorite flower. However, as the one head reaches for the muffins, it becomes the soul focus of her excited gaze when all the pieces fall into place. OH! So you're Sunyada! The name is pronounced with some odd variation to the syllables, but she knows his name, nonetheless. 

There's not an ounce of remorse on her face despite the whine he gives. She'd found the whole incident hilarious and couldn't be bothered to apologize for the splattering of ducks on his head. Instead, Nova lets out another giggle, rocking back on her heels as she openly admits, I didn't recognize you in your shifts!

Setting the heavy basket onto the ground, Nova lifts one of the muffins out to offer it towards the hydra - whichever head decides to go for it. But just at that moment, a shout rings out through the street, her head snapping around to spot the squirrels. Too busy enjoying the company of her new friend (whether he wants to be or not), she huffs an annoyed breath. "Leave us alone! We're busy!!" She tries to compel them away through the bond, but the rodents just snicker amongst themselves, shouting more for them to follow.

Nova

// did you think I would keep this bitter tongue //

As recognition falls into place, he can almost feel it glitter down the attuned bond. Amusement flares back at her, the hydra dipping a couple of his heads in agreement. The one and only. Which meant that it might be better for her not to mention him to her mother. But that’s neither here nor there, he imagines, especially as he focuses on the other subject of his shifts. Well, I’ve got more than just the two you’ve seen so far. So keep an eye out. He teases lightly.

But then she’s offering one of the very large muffins and one of the heads cranes toward it to snag just in time to hear the speaking squirrels dart through and begin to cause all kinds of a ruckus, chirping along their follow mes! like it might be worth it for them to indulge. Instead, Sunjata indulges in the muffin, ignoring the squirrels for the time being. They’ll get bored and move on. He confirms, because they’d been a regular annoyance the longer he works on things here in New Haven.

The muffins are great, thank you. He offers to her with a draconic grin, before he’s withdrawing to snag a wooden post to put in the corners, holding it into place with one of the hydra’s heads while the other nudges it into place.

Sunjata

// behind crooked teeth and angry gums? //

Colors speak louder than words

Nova accepts the dip of his heads with another bubbly giggle through the bond, clasping her hands proudly on the basket and puffing her chest like he's praised her for an impressive discovery. But as he mentions having more shifts, the fluffing of her ego gives way to undeniable delight, the emotion flashing bright in her eyes as much as the bond. Really?! I only have two, but I can't wait to get more! Maybe she'll even get a dragon shift one day, one with giant wings and teeth like Sunjata's! Although, she'd much rather it has colorful scales. 

Letting the hydra take the muffin from her hand, she glares icy daggers at the squirrels. It's annoying that her compulsion doesn't appear to extend to rodents, although just as the Archon says, they are quick to move on once they figure out that nobody is taking them up on their offer. 

So Nova lifts her head again, lowering her now empty hands with a tiny bounce and shower of sparkles. You're welcome! Then she turns her attention to the wood he maneuvers into place, magic rising in preparation to assist as she asks, What do I need to do?

Nova

// did you think I would keep this bitter tongue //

The stronger you get the more shifts you’ll probably end up having. He explains, because that’s precisely how it had worked for him – and each one sits in his skin awaiting the potential to be used for anything that might come up, even if he’d relied more heavily on his magics lately. For now, though, it’s very clear which of the hydra’s head had taken the muffin, given that its muzzle has a little sparkle of glitter glinting with his movements.

With the speaking squirrels scurrying off as they don’t get engaged with, Sunjata starts getting to work placing the support beams as she asks. We need to make sure the support beams stay in place and line the edges with brick. He explains, one of the heads swinging over to gesture to the carts loaded with bricks and the mortar to be laid out, possibly dried with magic to speed up the process when it's finally put in.

Sunjata

// behind crooked teeth and angry gums? //

Colors speak louder than words

Puffing her chest again, Nova takes out a smaller muffin from the pocket of her jacket. I'm pretty strong already! She lifts her head to take a proud bite of the pastry, grinning around it to think of all her awesome magics and abilities. It hasn't even taken 'practice' like people claim. It's all come so naturally, flowing through her with endless possibilities. 

The same magic that rises to the occasion when Sunjata gives his directions. I can help with that! Her earth and air magic work in tandem, supporting and directing bricks and mortar while keeping the beam upright. She does it with the ease of a single hand, glitter lining her lips as she snacks on a muffin, humming to herself as they get to work. 

[FIN]

Nova