- Toris -

Uh, I can still hear sister, even from here.

Or at least I can sense how she's totally overreacting again.

I don't really know how that works, but she's totally panicking.

Seriously, she became such a worrywart.

How can she have an army and be so insecure?

(M)

Oh no.

Ever since I drank this strange liquid, Miwa could always tell what I'm thinking.

It's almost scary.

She was already very good at predicting what I'm intending to do before, but now I have no chance.

If I had known this before drinking it I might have had second thoughts.

They really are a bit too much if it's about my sister.

But it was not as bad as my sister apparently thinks.

Mum told me this drink was something similar to what took her voice, but not as strong.

While this sounds quite bad I wanted to talk like mum.

I hope if more do this it helps her not to feel like she's standing out.

Also, I don't think it was such a big deal.

Only my throat burned for a while and occasionally it still prickles there.

No biggie.

But I'm also slightly worried.

It's the first time I'm this far away from our new home.

Everyone is nice here but it's still sooo big.

And I don't know if I can do well.

Sister, mum, dad, they all made such a big thing of this, and now I might do poorly.

Still, I can't chicken out here.

Miwa brings me to the place I still remember from last time.

I know there comes a big hall after this tunnel.

And in front of the entrance stands one of the tallies.

I call them like this because they're so much taller than the others while at the same time quite thin.

They seem to be nice if a bit strange.

Still, they're so impressive that I don't know how to talk to them.

Miwa on the other hand just approaches that one.

(M)

(L)

Oh, I know that one.

It's the tallie that we met last time when I came with my sister.

And ever since I had that other changing stuff, that for the nose, I could hear them like this.

But it's weird, while it makes sense there's some kind of difference to normally formed words it's ... harder to pinpoint.

As if it's more than just what is said but at the same time a bit vague.

Yet now we enter.

As soon as I enter, the scholar bows to me before coming a bit too close.

Miwa steps in between.

(M)

(L)

Oh, I'm sure he means this speaking drink.

(M)

(L)

Miwa looks at me as if she wants something.

Oh, she's asking me.

(T)

I don't even know why I'm talking like this.

It's kinda weird to think that I'm understood.

And it clicks funnily in my throat whenever I speak in this way.

(L)

(T)

(M)

The tallie bows so that he's really close.

(L)

It's a bit scary, but he's just looking, right?

I do and the tallie comes really close, looking directly inside.

It's a bit uncomfortable

(L)

(M)

(L)

(M)

I think I could say something here.

(T)

(L)

(M)

(L)

(M)

(L)

Uh, my head hurts.

This was far too complicated for me.

Something about my mouth still changing?

Miwa is extremely stressed now.

It's kinda weird to know about how someone else feels.

"Ehm, I feel fine." (T)

(L)

Miwa feels now a bit more at ease.

(M)

(L)

Finally, we can now go in.

It's such an awesome place.

Those halls are so large and totally round.

A bit further in waits another tallie, together with a... Mini?

Huh, that one looks just like the tall ones but is so much smaller.

(L)

Ah, so he belongs to my sister.

(T)

Is it right this way? I thought it would be better to speak familiarly to him.

(D)

"Uh, well. She's my sister." (T)

(D)

(L)

(D)

I'm not too sure if I can befriend him.

The hunters aren't as stiff as he is.

(L)

He brings each of us a pod and opens them in front of us.

(L)

Okay, that's the same as last time. This wasn't so bad back then.

Having those pictures and thoughts in my head that weren't mine was weird, but I don't think it's a big problem.

I notice the scent and have again the same sensation.

I see the big strand in the middle of this super cave and where it's located.

But it's not completely the same, as there are slight differences.

I know, since I just saw it on the way here.

Then I somehow draw closer and it's as if I'm observing the different parts of it from the outside.

I know, and in my mind can see, how there are nurses caring for eggs.

Then I switch to a place where they care for little worms.

One by one, I can see every single place within the big strand and learn how they work there.

It's a bit much at once as I see all those places and somehow what I see sticks.

I don't directly forget it, even if it's so much.

Suddenly, I wake up again.

I notice that the pod in front of me got closed.

(L)

I think about what I just saw, or... felt?

I don't really know what would be right to describe it.

Anyway, it was so much.

And cool.

I was never before in the nursery and now I know about all the places there.

I saw how they are working in this place and everything else that's important about it.

And well, that it's called the nursery.

"I would really want to see it myself." (T)

(D)

"It's just not the same! Being there would be much cooler." (T)

(P)

Makes sense.

While I'm a bit curious about how this place looks for real, I am very sure that I wouldn't learn anything new.

I guess they already know well enough how their own stuff works.

(L)

(T)

(M)

(L)

(D)

(L)

The tallie gives Dimion another pod and he smells it.

When I think I am ready I get mine as well.

It's about the mushroom fields below.

Like this, we continue.

All in all, this is really much and a bit difficult.

But I'm also seeing so many interesting things at once.

I think I like it here.

- Erys -

Worriedly waiting for my family members to return kinda becomes a habit.

But how is something a bad habit if others are responsible for it?

However, what one could hold me accountable for would be that I'm using the messengers Liseti gifted me back then to watch them.

My own messengers still need around a week to be able to fly proficiently enough for such a job.

Yes, okay, I know that I shouldn't stalk my family.

It's just that so much can happen and I at least want a little bit of control.

Like this, I in advance know when my little brother returns.

I'm waiting a bit before I tell dad, so I can avoid raising questions regarding how I know this.

Mum is meanwhile at Honiu's place, like most of the time.

Should I be concerned about the fact that she seems to get along with her?

Anyways, I'm the first to hug my brother when he comes back.

"Toris!" (E)

"Ehk, sister. You-you're a bit too loud." (T)

Huh?

I called out to him, but I wouldn't say I was especially loud.

Oh, he means inside his head.

Yes, takes a bit to get used to this.

I have to tone down my excitement.

"And, how was it?" (E)

(M)

Well, I never expected Toris to become a perfect information processor.

Especially not on his first day.

He's still a child and should enjoy himself.

"How was it Toris? Did you have a nice day? Was there anything unpleasant? If it was I'll do anything to remedy it!" (E)

"No. It was nice. I met a mini tallie." (T)

"Mini-... Tallie?" (E)

Isn't that contradicting itself?

"Oh, I meant a... scholar. Is that right?" (T)

"Yes, yes I guess it is." (E)

This means Toris met the one I just recently laid.

Am I fine with this?

I mean, everything that has to do with laying eggs is quite a peculiar topic for me.

On the other hand, I wouldn't consider my... offspring a bad influence.

It's just terribly weird.

It doesn't take much longer and dad returns as well.

Toris gives us a rundown of the things he experienced today.

In reality and in mind, although the distinction between those might become a bit difficult.

Mum doesn't return until late.

Apparently, she had to manage a greater laying after Honiu went to sleep, which took a bit longer and is just a weird reason not to get home on time.

However, it's soothing that everything went well today.

At least it's nice to know that there are no imminent problems.