Thread three

Cole stayed near Taylor -- he wasn't sure why. Call it a gut feeling, a healer's instinct. But he felt like he should be there.

Anika gave Kyra a raised eyebrow

Ella rubbed her left arm. "So where's the [Redacted] who did this to me?"

Taylor was flexing their fingers, not even wincing. They looked at the old scars on their hands from fights long ago.

"You mean the person who owned the chess pieces I told you not to touch?" Callyah asked.

"Yeah. But the LAST time I listened to someone like you was 14 yeas ago and I am NOT breaking that record."

"Someone like me?" Callyah raised an eyebrow.

Holden was doing something in the glamps, waiting to become relevant

"Yeah, in charge of something they believe in, has interaction with her Majesty prissy crown every day, and someone who says 'I told you so'." Ella informed her

Anika turns to Ella, “How ya doing?” she asks, implying that she had heard what she said and did not like it.

"Fine, like you care." Ella muttered

Anika raises an eyebrow, “I’ve heard it all honey.” she says simply, “Your insults are some of the dryer ones.” she says as if she doesn’t even care.

"Good. I really don't care if you die or not, I just want to be around when you do." Ella folded her arms

“Mhm sorry hon but some people already bought seats to that.” Anika says all snarky like. She doesn’t know where this confidence came from but heck it was fun

Callyah let Anika handle it.

"Well I'll just take their seats." Ella murmured

Callyah snorted at that.

"I can. And will." Ella said

“That would be amusing.” Anika says with a snort, “Although my mom wouldn’t appreciate that or maybe she would, could you dress up like a hot person? My mom would loveee that.” she says.

Ella rolled her eyes, "There are TWO kinds of thieves, a thief of possessions," She held up a pair of Anika's earrings, "And a thief of lives,"  She pulled out a knife, "I'm both. And have been for six years."

Anika raises an eyebrow, “Impressive.” she muses, “Now give me my earrings back.” she says in charm speak which would make her do it if she liked it or not.

"Oh, so you've killed people. Lovely," Callyah deadpanned.

Ella tossed the earrings at her face, which would happen even if Anika told her to give them back nicely or not.

Anika caught them with quick reflexes which she picked up from having to avoid many thing which I will not name.

"Yeah I have killed people, that's what happens when you were raised in The Alleys"

Callyah rolled her eyes.

Ella grinned and hung upside down from a tree again.

Anika didn’t give Ella the pleasure of rolling her eyes instead turned back to Kyra

Ella closed her eyes and focused on the fallen leaves, soon all of the leaves on the ground blasted Anika and Callyah in the face.

"But what are *you* doing *here*?" Kyra asked Anika. "Why would you be with them and the queen?"

"YOU THINK I *WANT* TO BE WITH THE QUEEN? I'd rather take my chances with the- at least ten bounty hunters after me!" Ella shouted

"Again," Callyah said, "if you don't [redacted] want to be here, feel free to leave. So far the only thing you've done is get paralyzed because you didn't think, so it's not like you're useful or anything."

Taylor continued looking at the various scars on their hands

Ella telekinetacally shoved move leaves in her face. "I didn't do nuthin'!"

"My point exactly," Callyah replied. "Either leave or stop whining like a baby about how you want to leave."

Anika smirks at Kyra, “Oh me and the queen are *very* close.”

Ella was very upset, but she like fighting with people.

Holden was being 🆄🆂🅴🅻🅴🆂🆂.

Callyah stood up. "Ani and I'll be back in a little bit."

Taylor walked up to Kyra. "Why." Is the only think they said, voice deadly calm

"Why what?" Kyra snapped.

Cole stayed with Taylor, careful to make sure he could read both their lips and Kyra's.

"Why did you paralyze me. That's the main one." Tay snapped back

"Well, I had to paralyze you if I wanted to escape," Kyra started. "And I was hoping to paralyze more of you, but unfortunately, you're not as stupid as I thought you were. Not that you aren't all idiots--you are--I just--"

Cole watched Taylor's face carefully.

"You also misgendered me when you KNEW that I was they/them." Tay sounded emotionless. Their eyes were anything but.

She had? Cole had missed that. He wasn't Kyra's biggest fan to begin with, but the fact that she'd deliberately misgendered Taylor made him want to punch her. It wasn't a feeling he was used to, and he wasn't sure he liked it.

"Well--what was I supposed to do? I had to make you hate me somehow! I have to be the villain--" Kyra tried

"You don't have to, Queenie. At least you didn't." Taylor said quietly. They looked... almost dissapointed. "Any misplaced trust I might've placed in you..." They made a shattering gesture

Cole brushed his arm against Taylor's, a silent gesture of support. But this was their fight, not his, so he didn't say any of the words swirling in his head.

Taylor gave their head a small incline in his direction as acknowledgement

"Trust?" Kya asked. "TRUST? You absolute--absolute IDIOT! You met me when I put my dagger to your neck and threatened to kill you. Why would you trust *me*? You're not supposed to trust me," Kyra practically shouted at them, her stomach curdling with disbelief and--hurt. And hatred. Hatred towards herself for being a cruel husk of a human. If she was human at all.

"BECAUSE I THOUGHT I SAW GOOD IN YOU!" They yelled. Quieter, they said "Because I thought I saw... It doesn't matter. You broke my trust." Taylor said coldly. They looked at Kyra with a strange emotion. The foreign emotion disappeared, replaced by blankness

Cole fought the reflex to ask Taylor if they were okay. Now was not the time for the healer part of him to drive.

Taylor looked calm as a still pool.

Kyra was confused. Tay was being...confusing. They were supposed to hate her--to not care. And they didn't. But it was still...confusing.

So Kyra just glared at them and said, "I'm fairly sure you need your eyes checked--there isn't any 'good' here." She hated herself. She hated that she couldn't just give this up. She hated that she was digging her own grave, deeper and deeper.

Taylor tugged on their hair. "I had hope for you." They said quietly. They walked away, throwing one last glance at Kyra.

"I--huh," was all Kyra said--rather dumbfounded. Hope. This day was getting crazier by the minute. She failed her plan, then Anika showed up--she hadn't seen her since--since the *thing*. And then there was Tay, telling her they had *hope* for her. She didn't know how she felt about it. The 'hope' thing. It was just so...weird. Like a--a move she missed in a game of chess--a place where the other player could've won. Kyra didn't think she liked this--this 'hope.' It seemed fishy. Suspicious. Out of place.

Taylor dissapeared into the forest.

Kyra wanted to go after them. Don't ask why, she couldn't tell you. She just--did. She tried to scooch over in their direction.

She only moved two inches.

Lucky people with untied legs!

Kyra swore, "[REDACTED], I hate this damn--rope."

Taylor was in a nearby tree, watching Kyra curiously. How they got up there with their hurt hand was a mysetry

Kyra glared at the ground. What else was she supposed to glare at? She just felt like glaring at something at the moment. She didn't know why, she just...did. She really hated Tay. She hated them for being so...hard to hate. And she hated herself for not hating them. Kyra scrunched up her nose, and her eyebrows knitted together in frustration. Why was this so [REDACTED] confusing?!

Taylor looked at Kyra with amusement. *Heh.*

Kyra's hands struggled to free themselves, twisting around in the rope. She was definitely going to have some serious rope-burn after this. She could feel it grating against her skin, reddening it to a raw and sensitive state. She looked around, her eyes wide and--well--terrified. Just--panicking. She didn't like being trapped. Especially when there was no way out.

Taylor climbed back down the tree, feeling bad.

Kyra forced herself to calm. She just had to...do something. Yes. Something. What the [REDACTED] was she going to do?

Taylor leaned against a tree, just in sight and earshot

Kyra glanced at Tay. She wanted to--say something to them. Something to make them--I dunno--like her? No, that wasn't it. Nope, not at all. She just...felt bad. She'd been an [REDACTED], and she just...whatever. But Kyra was being an idiot, so she just blurted out, "So--uh--hey."

"Hey." Taylor waved a little, having cooled down a lot. They walked closer

Kyra looked up at them as they walked towards her. She wanted to say something clever--something other than, "Hi."

Taylor smirked. They continued walking over until they were just out of reach. "Are you ok?" *You are not supposed to ask the prisoner if she's ok! She's obviously not!* They scolded themself

*You're asking me if I'm okay????* Kyra wanted to ask, but her eyes were wide and she just hummed, "Mhmm. I mean, yes--no--no! No, I'm not."

"Is that a yes or a no?" Taylor asked, tugging on a dread (Btw, I think you know this but dread refers to their pirate-like, dreadlocked hair)

"Um--uh--" Kyra's eyes watched as Tay tugged on a dread. They did that sometimes. Kyra hadn't noticed before.

Taylor waited for the answer, small smile on their face

"I'm fine. No--I'm not. I am not fine. I'm tied up and sitting on the dirty forest floor. And there's no way out, because I [REDACTED] it up!" Kyra ranted, looking away from Tay. She was afraid she'd lose her train of thought again if she looked at them.

Taylor sat down. "And?" They prompted softly, trying not to be distracting

"And now--even if you don't kill me--*they* will! They know I'm in this forest. And now that Artinious is dead--they'll blame it on me--and--and they're probably looking for me right now. Or not. They were waiting for me to send up a flare--I was supposed to do that when I captured the queen--but I haven't sent it up. And it's been far over my time limit. They're going to kill me. And you. And everyone. They're all up on a hill--just northeast of here," Kyra rambled on, her panic rising again. She didn't know why she was telling them this, so don't ask.

Taylor nodded sympathetically. They had no idea why they were playing therapist.

Kyra looked at Tay like they were insane, "Are you even listening to me? There's a group of--I don't know--20--25 rebels on a hill, that know we're in here, that want to kill us!"

Taylor smirked. "[redacted]s. We should be fine. And don't worry, I'll protect you." They half teased

Kyra looked at them seriously, "You are NO match for them--trust me. They'll massacre you."

Taylor laughed harshly. "I didn't flinch when your knife was to my neck. And this time, I'll hopefully be with others who will help me kill the rebels." Taylor didn't notice that they took  lengths to make sure Queenie wasn't included in the grouping of rebels

"Did you not just hear what I said? There are 25 of them--or more! Probably more. They aren't kids, they're fighters--they were born for this. And once they free me, they are going to kill you. And then, when they're done with that, they'll kill me when I don't have any information for them," Kyra ranted, continuing her pessimistic attitude. "I--I should be happy about this. You-you're all going to--die. Yay."

Taylor got up and moved so they were sitting next to Kyra. "We'll be fine, you'll be fine. Quit worrying that much, Queenie"

Kyra drew in a sharp breath, "I--I don't think you're supposed to be sitting this close to the prisoner," she practically whispered to them.

Taylor snickered. "Since when do I listen to anyone?"

"Fair enough, I--" Kyra said, still very, extra aware of how they were sitting so close to her. Too close. Yes. This should be illegal--stealing someone else's train of thought.

*Aw.* Taylor thought. *She's tongue tied. I'm sure it has nothing to do with me, though.*

Kyra became very focused on her breathing. It was a bit breathless--this was not what she signed up for. Nope. Nopity nopity nope. "I--um--" Kyra attempted to regain her train of thought again. But Tay kept--breathing so--loudly! Yes. That was it. So, like an absolute idiot, she said breathlessly, "You're breathing very loudly."

"Should I try to stop?" Taylor sounded amused. Their heartbeat was always this erratic. Yep.

"If you stop breathing, you'll die," Kyra said, stating the obvious because she didn't know what else to say--that idiot kept stealing her train of thought!

"Not for a bit though." Taylor pointed out. They tugged on a dread

"I--um--yes," Kyra stammered, staring at the dread that Tay just tugged on--for no reason at all.

Taylor tugged on a strand of Kyra's hair gently, almost playfully. They frowned at the bonds on Kyra's hands and feet

Kyra had to remember to breath so she wouldn't die. Her eyes were glued to the strand of her hair that they'd just pulled on. She cleared her throat. For some reason, this seemed more terrifying than the rebels that wanted to kill them. She had no idea why.

Taylor reached for the bonds on Kyra's hands

"W-what are you doing?" Kyra asked shakily, as she felt Tay's hands connect with hers, and her bonds.

Taylor's eyes flicked up to Kyra's. "Do you by any chance have a dagger? Or a knife?"

"Uh--um--no--that Huntress girl took them all--" *Why would the prisoner have a knife? More importantly, why did Tay need a knife?* Kyra thought

"I guess we'll do this a different way. Bite the rope. Rip the rope." Taylor prompted Kyra

"You want me to bite the rope," Kyra said incredulously. "Tay, I've been trying to rip this thing for the past three hours--don't you think if I could rip it, I would have succeeded by now?"

Taylor made a hm sound. "When you put it like that..." They wondered if ordering the rope to break would work

"Why do you want to rip it anyway?" Kyra asked. "I'm the *prisoner*, remember?"

"Because it looks uncomfortable and I trust you." Just like that, Taylor's trust in Kyra was fixed.

"You're not supposed to trust me," Kyra mumbled halfheartedly. She was much too aware of Tay's fingers brushing hers. They were warmer than she'd thought they'd be, considering their environment. It wasn't the warmest out there in the woods.

Taylor snorted softly. "As if." They started fiddling with the knot. *To charmspeak or no?*

"I don't think the others would be too happy about you freeing me," Kyra whispered to Tay.

"Eh. Only two people's opinions matter to me. And no, I am not specifying." Taylor eyed the knot.

Kyra followed Tay's gaze to the rope that bound her hands. Tay's hands were still resting on it, making it extremely difficult for Kyra to form any coherent sentences. "I--uh--um--how--how exactly are you planning to--um--free me?" She asked, wishing that her voice sounded a little less shaky.

"Give me a sec, Queenie." Taylor got ready to charmspeak the rope "Untie." They charmspoke it before slumping over, passed out

Kyra rubbed her wrists--the skin was raw from the rope. She was free. She looked at Tay, who was passed out on the ground, "Um--Tay?" She poked at their arm. "Tay--" she hissed again.

Taylor was out cold

Kyra was going through some serious inner turmoil. On one hand--she was free. She could do what she had to do now, send up the flare, and kidnap the queen. On the other hand...Tay.

Taylor made a quiet snuffle noise in their sleep

Cole came running over -- he'd left when Taylor had walked away the first time and had been checking Anika's arm. "What the hell did you do?" he asked, dropping to the ground next to Taylor and checking them over.

Cole somehow managed to glare at Kyra and check Taylor for their pulse and breathing at the same time.

Taylor was just snoozin' (Because Taylor. The reason for everything is because Taylor)

"How the heck are they asleep?" Cole muttered, sitting back on his heels.

Anika was continuing to be Anika as she walked Desire down the beach.

Paisley flounced over to Klay, “Hi cutie.” she purrs.

"If it isn't Anika's annoying little sister." Klay said.

Paisley scowls a bit, “Her actual little sister is almost as pathetic as she queen herself but it’s funny how you called me Queenies little sister isn’t it. Associating everything with her?”

"Well you do act like her." Klay says.

Paisley looked offended but slightly curious, “How so?” she purrs but there is definitely a bit of bitterness in her tone.

"Well first of all, you both are crushing on me, though with Anika, its a lot harder to tell. Second of all..you seem like an annoying little sister type." Klay informed Paisley

Callyah was keeping a close eye on the queen. She wasn't going to let the group get that close again.

Paisley turned up her nose, “Oh please, have you ever met a girl? I’m obviously just flirting with you.” she rolls her eyes like that’s completely normal, “And second watch what you say about me.” she snaps before turning on her heel and stalking away.

Anika was sitting on Desire somewhere down the beach.

Taylor launched awake, looking around frantically

Klay smirked a bit. That girl.

Anika looked around and finally walked back to the others, “Okay guys, we should probably get going, we need to get somewhere we can train...” she looks like she was considering something.

Taylor was still sitting next to Kyra and rubbed their eyes

Kyra looked at them, rather relieved they were awake. Now she didn't have to make that impossible choice. Of course, since this was Tay, she stated the obvious, "You're awake."

"Yep. Dissapointed?" Tay teased

"No--um--no, I'm not. If you were asleep, then the others would see that I'm free, and think I knocked you out or something," Kyra said, looking just to the side of Tay so as not to lose her train of thought.

Taylor got up and offered Kyra a hand

Kyra stared at the hand that they offered. It was a hand. But it was their hand--that's what made her cheeks pinken slightly as she took it and let them help her up.

Anika saw Kyra and Taylor and she raised an eyebrow, “Kyra, care to join us?” she asks.

Paisley scowls, “Oh your highness why should we bring *her?”* She had given away who the queen was without knowing it.

Taylor smiled at Kyra. They didn't move to take their hand from hers

"Your highness?!" Kyra asked, still holding on to Tay's hand--tighter now. There was no way that meant what she thought it meant. Nope. No possible way.

Taylor didn't even wince when Kyra tightened her hold on their hand even though their hand was getting squished

Paisley rolls her eyes unaware of what she had given away, “Obviously.” she snorts.

Anika stays calm and she raises an eyebrow at Kyra.

"You--you're the--the queen. *You're* the *queen*," Kyra said, her eyes wide with shock.

Anika doesn’t deny it and just smiles a bit, “That’s me.” she says her head tilted slightly.

Kyra felt anger boil inside of her, "[REDACTED], you're the queen. You do--what you did--and you become queen, while I get blackmailed into a rebellion and play chess in bars. Life is just so fair, isn't it?"

Taylor tapped a finger on Kyra's hand. "Calm down. She may not be who you thought she was but she's still the queen and NOT FUN when you piss her off."

Anika stops smiling, “I was young Kyra.” she says, “and I had no idea.” she promises.

"That still doesn't excuse--that--you--[REDACTED]," Kyra said, trying very hard to ignore the fact that her hand was still entwined with Tay's. The world was just set on stealing her train of thought today, wasn't it?

Taylor squeezed Kyra's hand gently. "Calm down" They said again

Against her will, Kyra's eyes flitted to Tay, and...well, all chance of a coherent argument was lost--like how certain moves on a chessboard made the player have to resign, or meet a very embarrassing endgame.

Taylor smiled at Kyra. "Finally. Now, what's the deal between you two?"

"Train? Why--I--I mean I agree with you, the rebels have my location and are probably looking for me, since I haven't sent up the flare yet, but...um..." Dang Tay and their--their train of thought stealing eyes! Kyra had to stare at the ground to finish her sentence, "And they'll probably kill us all when they find us." Not that she'd ever admit it, Kyra kind of liked how she was part of the group. She liked the 'us.' She'd never admit it though.

Anika knew how to read Kyra, reading people—-what a useful skill. She studied Kyra, “Well I think we both know where we need to go then.” she says and a very mischievous smirk grows on her lips, as if maybe she wasn’t a queen and maybe she could be a normal girl for once.

Taylor was lost in the convo

Kyra decided she didn't like the smirk on Anika's face. Especially because she was *queen.* And she'd lied to her--for years! And she did that--that thing. And Kyra was supposed to capture her and kill her.

Taylor squeezed Kyra's hand in warning

Anika smirks as if she knows what Kyra is thinking. She knows how to get to Kyra, mostly cause they had been so close for so long and she—well she had messed up big time. She sits down on a rock and crosses her legs, “So Kyra how are you planning to capture me?” she asks looking bored.

Kyra glared at her, Anika was teasing her and she knew it. This--especially after what happened--just--[REDACTED] her.

Anika rests her head in her hands, “Come on Kyra——we were so young.” she says looking wistful as she tilted her head, “But I guess you never were one to forgive and forget where you.”

"Not after--after you--you knew that I--I--" Kyra became aware of the others in the clearing and stopped.

Anika glances at the others then back at Kyra, “It was a stupid thing to do——and it wasn’t respectful or something a-“ she was about to say friend but knows Kyra wouldn’t like that.

"Damn right it wasn't respectful," Kyra grumbled.

Callyah sighed. "Taylor, I don't even have words for you right now," she said, gesturing to them. "She's your responsibility while we're here -- if anything else happens, I'm putting it on you."

Cole messed with his hands, trying not to say any of the things he was thinking.

Anika sighs, “We better get going.” she says and she doesn’t exclude Kyra from the *we*

"I knew that when I let her out." Taylor pointed out to Callyah

Kyra stared at the ground. This--this was just--[REDACTED]. [OH SO VERY REDACTED]. Kyra loosened her grip on Tay's hand, but didn't let go. Don't ask why--it's not that she doesn't have an answer, but if you ask, she'll club you over the head with a frying pan.

Callyah sighed. "Look, you two are really cute and all, but she's still dangerous. And she paralyzed you, don't forget."

"She won't do that again." Taylor argued, hand tightening a little on Kyra's

Kyra's face pinkened, "Trust me, I'm already tried to convince them of that. That I'm dangerous--not--yeah."

"You might trust her, but I don't," Callyah told them. Then, to Kyra, "They won you a chance to be treated like an equal and not like a prisoner. Don't blow it."

Kyra glanced at Tay--their train of thought disappeared--just like that! So all she said to Callyah was, "Mhmm." "Yes. Um--okay. Uh--I mean, I'm still dangerous, but I--I won't--um--yes."

Anika watched this a small smile creeping onto her lips, even if her former best friend hated her she wanted her to be happy, “Callyah leave them alone, everyone pack up we’ve got to-“ she’s cut off by a group of press rushing down the beach, “I swear-“ Anika swears, “Okay guys let’s go, Desire!” she calls and Desire trots over for Anika to hop on

"[redacted]." Taylor cussed in Latin. "We should probably start running now."

"Um--okay...so unless you've got an extra horse, I'm sharing with someone, correct?" Kyra asked

"Kyra, you're with me," Callyah said. She held out a hand to help her onto the horse.

Cole blinked. "Still can't ride," he mumbled.

Kyra looked between Callyah's hand an Tay's.

“Kyra listen to Callyah, Cole go with Taylor or Valerie, Klay get Fate.” Anika orders.

Kyra reluctantly let go of Tay's hand and let Callyah help her onto her horse. She wished she could ride with Tay, but...no--that was not what she should be thinking right now. Why was she even thinking of them?

The press was gaining speed and Anika’s calm expression barely faltered but when it did she was nervous so she tried to stay calm as she ordered everyone around and got on Desire.

Klay mounts Fate.

Callyah sat behind Kyra so she was barring the smaller girl in place with her arms as she held the reins -- and so she wouldn't get stabbed in the back. She liked Taylor fine and all, but she didn't really trust their judgement in this case.

Taylor looked at Cole. "Get running." They ordered

Paisley mounts Minnie and gets ready to go.

Anika makes sure everyone is ready before glancing around and realizing they have to go down the road to get away, “Okay guys, do not, I swear do not get caught by them,” she says before going into a gallop to lead them.

Cole nodded and started running.

Anika glances back and sees Taylor and Cole not on a horse and she swore under her breath, she stops Desire which are precious seconds she could be losing and she waits for Klay to catch up on Fate and she tells him to get on with her and she calls Taylor and Cole over to ride Fate.

Klay dismounts Fate quickly, and mounts Desire,"It's okay girl" he murmurs to Fate

Valerie existed once more.

Anika was in front of Klay on Desire as she waits for Cole and Taylor to get on Fate so they can get out of there.

"Welp. We have a horse now." Taylor remarked

Cole was busy running and didn't notice anyone speaking to him.

Taylor took a hold of his arm. "Go to the horse." They ordered

"Oh. Sorry," Cole said, heading for Fate, his cheeks growing warm.

Valerie got on Tug, glancing around. She was mildly confused as to why Kyra was free, which she didn't trust AT ALL. But she was on Tug, waiting for someone to tell her what the plan was.

Kyra sat on the horse in front of Callyah, "Why am I in front? Afraid I'll stab you or something?"

Taylor followed Cole to Fate. They eyed the horse as they walked up

"Hello." Klay whispered to Anika.

Valerie rode over to Callyah and Kyra. "I'm not going to ask why she's free, but what's happening and where are we going?"

Anika smiles a bit at the breath of warm air on her neck when Klay talked, “Hi.” she replies.

"And 'cause you're shorter, so your face isn't awkwardly pressed into my back," Callyah replied. Then, to Valerie, "Taylor untied her, and we're heading to where Cole grew up and running from the reporters." **Don't tell her we're siblings just yet,** she signed.

Taylor got onto the horse.

Cole got on behind Taylor, because he was taller and that made it slightly less awkward. And because he didn't know how to drive a horse

Holden mounted Buttercup.

Taylor had no idea how to ride a horse either. "No time like the present to learn. Walk, Horse."

Anika had Desire go into a fast-paced trot and had her follow the others. She could feel Klay very close to her and despite what she might tell you it made her happy, and calm.

**Okay**, Valerie signed back.

Holden had been watching the Kylor floofiness from above in the treehouse, so he was feeling all sappy.

Taylor poked the horse's side with their foot

Klay smiled a bit. He couldn't shake the thought of their earlier kiss out of his mind.

After Anika got Desire into a comfortable trot and the press where far enough behind her leaned back a bit into Klay.

Kyra rode with Callyah, grumbling about how she wasn't that short.

"So where are we headed?" Holden asked

"Us tall people find you very short," Valerie told her, "Now shut up before we leave you here."

Kyra stuck her tongue out at Valerie.

Valerie rolled her eyes and rode up to where Cole was. "Where are you from?"

“Hi.” Anika says again as she leans back into Klay.

"Question--where are we going?" Kyra asked the others.

Taylor poked the horse's side with their foot again. "Move it."

"[name of town -- I haven't decided yet]," Cole replied. "And I think they're having a little trouble getting the horse to move," he added.

Taylor made a face. "So you want to play this way, huh Horsie. Listen to us." They commanded, charmspeak mixing with the words. They promptly passed out

Kyra looked back towards where Tay was passed out on their horse.  "Are they alright...?" she asked Callyah. "I mean--not that I care--I--I was just wondering..."

Valerie nodded. "Yeah, I still think I know a place over there that's out of the way for us to train or stay where we won't draw too much attention."

"Whoa," Cole said, catching Taylor as they leaned to one side. "You have got to stop doing that," he told the back of their unconscious head as he adjusted so he was holding the horse's reins and they were leaning back against him, in between his arms. He turned to Val. "How do I drive a horse?"

"So, I do suppose you have never rode a horse with anyone else? I want to be the first." Klay whispered back.

Val let out a withering sigh. "Pass them to me."

“Nobody else.” Anika responds.

Paisley was riding quietly needing interaction.

"It's fine," Cole said quickly. "They're smaller than I am. I can hold them. I just need the horse to freaking go forward."

The horse walked forward. Taylor sneezed

"I'm going to teach you how to ride somewhat properly before you can have them back. Besides, if we need to run, it won't be very helpful if you drop them and I have to go back and grab them. Now, pass them over." Valerie told him firmly, momentarily dropping the reins and holding out her hands for Taylor.

"That's good."Klay smiles, though she can't see it.

Holden pulls Buttercup back, going to talk with Paisley

"Um okay," Cole muttered to himself, momentarily ignoring Valerie -- he'd turned away from her by accident when the horse had started moving, anyway. "Follow Tug."

The horse followed Tug.

Paisley was still riding Minnie.

Anika smiles a bit, “Cant see a view like this from the palace” she says, and she meant the ocean and the crashing waves as the rode past.

"You really can't-" Klay agreed

Tug tossed his head and looked back at Valerie. She shrugged at him. What works works, I guess. "Now Taylor?" She prodded.

Anika watches the ocean quietly her head turned a bit, she liked the warmth of Klay’s arms around her waist as they rode down the empty road.

"I got them," Cole said. "It's fine."

Fate continued following Tug. Taylor was exhausted

"If you say so," Valerie said skeptically.

"You alright...?" Kyra called over to Tay where they were sitting on their horse. "You don't look so good. I--I mean, you always look good--but--um--I--that's not what I meant--I meant--um--you know what? I'm going to shut up now."

Taylor was asleep

"They're passed out," Valerie told her. "Did we bring your chess set with us?"

"Yes--I think. You better have, I don't think I would survive without chess. I can disinfect the pieces with the antidote if you like," Kyra said, her cheeks still pink from what she said to Tay just a moment ago. Thank goodness they were asleep.

"You can do that when we stop," Callyah told Kyra. She let go of the reins with one hand and signed to Cole, **How's  T-A-Y?**

**Fine,** Cole signed back, keeping his hand as still as possible so he didn't knock them off the horse. **Just sleeping.**

"What's your horses name?" Holden asked Paisley

"No, I want to leave the rest of it here and just bring the white queen with us." Valerie told her. "We can get you a new one."

"It is really inside of one of the pieces, you know," Kyra said. "And you do really have to play the right game to get it. NO," Kyra said. "I--I mean--that one--it--can't exactly be replaced. It was my first chess-set. I am NOT losing it."

"No, it's not that I care about the poison. It'd leave a message to your group." Val explained.

"Valerie," Callyah said, "we can do it a different way." She had felt Kyra stiffen when Valerie had suggested leaving the chess set. "How were you supposed to signal them that you had the queen?"

"A flare," Kyra said quickly, eager to preserve her chess set. "It's in my boot. I was supposed to send it up an hour ago."

Callyah leaned down and took the flare out of Kyra's boot. "Didn't think to mention this, huh?"

"I did mention it. I told Tay," Kyra said defensively.

Callyah made a mental note to have a good solid chat with them later. "I meant to someone who would actually do something about it. Valerie, can I have one of the knives you confiscated from her?"

Kyra stiffened. Callyah wasn't going to stab her or something, was she?

"Yeah," Valerie said, quickly pulling one out of its sheath and handing hilt first to Callyah.

Callyah directed the horse over to the tree, got off, and stabbed the knife into the tree sideways, then balanced the flare on top of the knife. "There. Message sent. Ta-da." She put one of her gloves back on and put all the pieces and the board into their case, then put it in Kyra's bag and got back on the horse.

Anika made sure not to use her left arm while holding Desire’s reigns because she was afraid Desire would move her head too much and her arm would jerk, she looked like she was struggling immensely to hold it with just her right arm.

Quinn was riding her hose, sighing to herself.

"Hmm." Valerie said, "I still think my idea was better, but we can do that next time."

"There won't be a next time. Right, Kyra?" Callyah said in a way that suggested *There better not be a next time*

Paisley snorts, “I can’t believe we are trusting her.” she grumbles.

"I--I'm not sure that's a good message to send..." Kyra said nervously. "They'll either think that you have me hostage, or that I joined you. Which is kind of true...but now they're definitely going to kill us. Oh, what the [REDACTED], I don't even give a [REDACTED] anymore."

"Always assume there will be a next time- then you won't be surprised when it happens," Valerie told her dryly. She didn't realize how negative she seemed to the others. No, to her this was just being realistic.

"Oddly enough, I trust her more than I trust you," Callyah fired back at Paisley. "At least I know where she stands."

Valerie watched them passively. "While that may be true, why would anyone trust anyone else here? So far we've barely know each other two days."

Paisley scowls, “Oh please, she told us she was working for the people who tried to kill your charge, the ahem queen and you trust her more than me?”

"R.I.P" Holden said

Taylor sat bolt upright. "[redacted] horse."

Kyra's eyes immediately shot to Tay, "You alright?"

Taylor looked at Kyra. "I'm fine." *[redacted] nightmares.* They rubbed at their eyes

"I do," Callyah said. "Because I know when she's lying."

"I mean--you don't look so good. I mean--you always look good, but--um--that's not what I meant--gosh, this is the second time I've said this--I--sorry," Kyra said, her face turning beet red. She'd fallen into the same hole twice. [REDACTED].

Callyah forced herself not to laugh. "I would have thought a master chess player would have better pattern recognition," she told Kyra.

Cole still technically had his arms around Taylor, although he wasn't really thinking of it like that. He was just keeping them on the horse and holding the reins.

"Oh shut up," Kyra grumbled.

Anika snorted as she rode up next to them.

Valerie shook her head at them. *I wonder if I was like that when I was younger.*

Tug shook his head at her. *Yeah right.*

*Probably, I don't think I had any friends when I was their age.* Val agreed. She did not realize she just had a conversation with her horse. To be honest, this was normal for her. And she knew that Tug could understand her. Mostly. Hopefully.

Taylor eyed the horse that they and Cole were on. "Did the horse start behaving?"

Tug snorted. *I put them in their place, thank you very much.*

*Enough with the sass,* Valerie scolded.

*But it's true!* The small horse shook his mane.

*You always get the last word, don't you?* Val sighed.

Cole felt Taylor speak but he didn't know what they were saying.

**Did the horse start behaving?** Callyah signed to him, pointing at Taylor.

*Interpreter sister to the rescue!* Cole thought. "I told it to follow Tug, and it did," he said aloud.

"Finally. [redacted] stubborn horse." Taylor muttered

Kyra was very, very, very happy that Taylor hadn't responded to her comment. Her face was already flushed enough.

Callyah interpreted for Taylor with one hand, steering the horse with the other.

Cole made a mental note to thank her later. "I don't think it helps that neither of us know how to ride," he admitted.

"Eh. We don't need to know how to ride now. Right, Horse?" Taylor smirked

"Tug thinks that your horse is an incompetent fool." Valerie announced. "Well, at least I think so. We can ask Klay later. But he seems like he's talking to me, and that's what it seemed like he was saying."

Anika is smiling a bit, she was actually enjoying herself for once, “Okay guys, I think I see an abandoned mall and we are stopping.”

Callyah interpreted for Taylor, then Valerie, *then* Anika, and then added, **Last time, little brother. Fess up.**

"Tug has a big vocabulary for a horse," Cole called back to Valerie. "And I can't read your lips on the horse," he added to Taylor, "so I'm not sassing or ignoring you if you say something and I don't respond. I mean, I'll know you said *something,* but I won't know what it was."

Taylor tilted their head a little. "Cool." Was all they said

"He agrees," Val said, shaking her head.

Callyah took hold of the reins with both hands again and steered the horse around a hole.

Quinn snickered at their comments.

Kyra wanted to break the silence. She didn't know what to say. She didn't know what to feel either. She was...angry at Anika--very angry at her. Especially for acting like--like nothing had even happened, because something had definitely happened. And she was frustrated with Callyah, for being so annoying. And she was really annoyed at theHuntress Girl. And she was confused with Tay, because well...Tay was...Tay.

Taylor tugged on a dread

"What should we expect at [Insert unnamed town where Cole and Callyah grew up]?" Valerie asked.

Callyah rolled out her shoulders. "We should be at the place Ani saw in a minute or two," she said, signing so Cole could see.

Now Kyra was really, really, really frustrated with Callyah. She called Anika 'Ani'. No one else did. But that was before...

Quinn craned her neck, trying to see the place that the Queen was talking about.

Anika frowns a bit and rides alongside Callyah and Kyra, “I wish I could take it back, I wish I could get my friend back.” she whispered to Kyra quiet enough so the others wouldn’t hear before riding ahead.

Klay frowned a bit.

Kyra pursed her lips, "I think all chance of friendship was lost when you--whatever."

Anika glances back and sees Klay frowning, “What is it?” she asks.

Valerie existed with Tug, still filling in the blanks of their one-sided conversation.

Anika nods at Kyra, “Yeah I figured that out.” she mutters, her eyes regretful.

"Nothing."Klay replies.

"You just--after all that--and you wouldn't even tell me you were queen! *Queen!* That's not the sort of thing you keep from your best friend. At least, that's what I thought I was," Kyra said bitterly.

"You knew her?" Klay asked Anika.

“I didn’t tell you because people don’t just take that fact and continue being friends!” she says stopping Desire, “Then it’s different and nobody will ever view you the same.” she says all the bite drained from her voice. Anika nods at Klay, “We were best friends.”

Valerie was listening intently, biting her lip. This seemed- complicated.

"Hmm." Was all Klay said.

Callyah stayed quiet, but there were a lot of things she felt like she should say.

"We *were,*" Kyra emphasized.

“Trust me Ky, you made that very clear a few years ago, and again today.” she assures her not noticing she used her old nickname for Kyra.

"Don't call me that," Kyra hissed.

Valerie wondered if she should go between them. *Should I?* Tug shook his head. *That's a them problem.* She considered. *Yeah, true.*

Anika looked confused for a second then realized, “Yeah......” they got to the mall and Anika used it as a distraction to look away and force herself not to get upset. “Okay guys, we can go inside, grab whatever you want.” she says.

Callyah got off the horse and helped Kyra down. "Stick with a buddy," she told everyone.

"Horse, stop," Cole said right before the horse bumped into Tug.

"We're stealing?" Kyra asked as she was helped off the horse. "Seems like you're more like me than I thought."

Anika raises an eyebrow at her, “I have my moments.” she tells her simply before turning to the mall.

"What do we even need?" Valerie wondered, quickly dismounting Tug.

Quinn hopped off her horse, eyeing the mall. "Looks...interesting."

"I'm not allowed to get a new dagger, am I?" Kyra asked, her eyes still focused on the shop.

Callyah shrugged. "Whatever you think you need. Th-Ani and I need to find her a shirt, since her sweater is kind of ruined. And no," she told Kyra. "You can go with Cole and Taylor. Don't let her buy a dagger."

"You can have yours back if you want," Valerie offered evenly.

Klay wondered what exactly would be in an abandoned mall-

Anika scowls, “I can shop for myself.” she retorts.

"I know," Callyah said, "but I'm still going to go with you."

Anika shrugs, “Go ahead.” she says to Kyra.

Quinn patted her horse, before saying, "I don't think I have anything I want to take. I guess I can watch the horses?"

"Awww, I need a new one anyway--but if you say so," Kyra said playfully as she went to stand by Tay.

Cole got off the horse and helped Taylor down -- both because he was taller and because he didn't trust that they were going to be steady on their feet.

Anika bites her lip a bit before walking into the mall. She smiles as memories from when she would sneak out flooded her brain at the sight of the mall.

Paisley practically skips inside the mall and starts going to all the very expensive shops.

Kyra was staring at the mall when she suddenly scowled. She knew this place. Figures Ani--Anika would bring her here.

Taylor gave Cole a small smile. "Thanks."

Anika doesn’t glance back at Kyra but she doesn’t have to, she smiles just slightly and goes over to a clothing store.

Callyah went with the queen; Cole, with Taylor and Kyra.

Klay stared with excitement at the book store...

"Any particular reason you chose this particular place to stop?" Kyra asked Anika, her voice filled with bitterness.

Anika glances at her, “Is there a reason you can think of?” she asks basically daring her to tell her.

Valerie wandered over to a camping store, looking for anything that might be useful.

"Obviously," Kyra spat. "It's not like I could forget."

“Well neither did I.” she says calmly——she had always been the calm one of the two of them and she never said the truth of what she felt unless her emotions were running high otherwise she was very vague

Kyra stood silent for a moment, daring Anika to continue. She--she didn't even know what to say.

Anika considered saying many things but finally went with, “I am sorry I didn’t tell you about well——being queen.” she starts, “I honestly didn’t think you would want to be my friend just to be my friend anymore.” she mumbles.

Callyah flipped through a rack of dusty shirts, trying not to eavesdrop.

Cole didn't have to worry -- he wasn't looking over, so he wasn't listening.

"I--I don't--" Kyra remembered to chose her words carefully, "I don't *feel* that way towards you anymore. And for the record, I would've stayed your friend no matter your status as queen. I just--what you did--it--it hurt, you know? It really, really [REDACTED] hurt."

Valerie liberated a few packs of matches and a mice looking backpack from the store before wandering around, looking for the others.

Anika bit her lip, “I know and it’s something I can’t take back.” she says with a sigh, “I still don’t know *why* I did it. I was so young and confused and you were--well you were my best friend.”

"That time was...pretty confusing," Kyra said honestly. It was confusing. Very, extra confusing.

Anika nods in agreement, “Yeah it was, and I didn’t do anything right and I still am pretty sure I mess up as much.” she says with a nervous laugh at how honest she was being.

"I--I don't even know why I did what I did either," Kyra said, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "I was just--I don't know. Hurt, I guess."

“You were hurt and I was stupid.” Anika says with a small smile playing on her lips.

Quinn leaned against her horse, closing her eyes.

"You were being an idiot," Kyra agreed. "And I guess I'll admit, I wasn't the...wisest back then either. Not that you could call me 'wise' now."

Anika nods with shrug as if she deserved that, “We’re getting better.” she says, “At least I hope we are.” she says with a small laugh.

Klay was silent. Why hadn't Anika told him?

"I agree--although, the situation we're in right now was brought about by a different kind of stupid," Kyra said.

Anika snorts, “I guess that’s true.” she says, “I blame Gus.” she grumbles glancing at Kyra out of the corner of her eye to see if she remembered. Gus had been the most idiotic person they had ever met together.

"Me too," Kyra said. "That guy is more stupid than all of us put together. Including Holden, and that's saying something."

Anika laughs then, “They could have a competition.” she says between laughs.

Valerie found Callyah, who she thought was looking for clothes for herself and Anika. "Did you get good boots and socks? One think you won't want is blisters."

"Yes, the...um..Idiot Competition. Who can be more idiotic? The winner wins the title of the most Idiotic Idiot in all of Idiot Land," Kyra said, smiling at her ridiculousness. She'd missed this.

Anika snorts, “I think it might be a tie.” she says, “Then again Kane was also an idiot.” she says-he was a guy who tried to flirt with Anika and get her to kiss him.

"Oooo, I really hated that guy. Did I tell you that I gave him a black eye after that night in the square? He totally deserved it." Kyra grinned

Anika gaped at her, “Kyra!” she exclaims but laughs, “He definitely did.” she eventually says.

"I can't believe you didn't wonder why he never bothered you again. He was too afraid to even be six feet in your vicinity," Kyra grinned.

Anika’s eyes widened and she grinned, “I can’t believe he actually was smart enough to leave me alone after that.” she says.

"What can I say? I might be short, but I pack a very strong punch." Kyra’s eyes held a spark of smugness

Callyah smiled, listening to the queen and Kyra. "I have good shoes, but you're right, Ani needs some."

“Well obviously if he never came back!” Ani exclaims and she is laughing so hard she has to clutch her side.

"No, no he did not," Kyra said--and now she was laughing too. "He was such an idiot."

Paisley was wandering and she found Klay eavesdropping, “Whatcha doing?” she whispers after she had snuck up.

Anika couldn’t say something cause she was laughing so hard, “Remember-when I...shoved his face....into a....chocolate fountain?” she asks through laughs.

Val nodded. "And Cole?"

"I told you I'd never forget that moment--gosh, that party was fun." Kyra’s eyes were alight with humour

Holden was in LUSH and smelling all the bath bombs. Then he went to Freedom Board Shop. He was bored

Ani nods, finally able to stop laughing as hard, “We killed those [rEdAcTeD rEdAcTeD] in the games.”

Callyah shrugged. "He won't tell you if you ask, but go right ahead." She signed something quickly, the general idea being **stupid stubborn healer types and their self-sacrificing stupid.**

Valerie laughed and moved on to find Cole.

"Ah yes, the games. I liked those. Speaking of the games, how on earth did you get away from your palace to play? Someone must've noticed," Kyra said to Anika.

Anika smirks, “Charm speak goes a long way when you tell someone to forget they saw you.” she says with a mischievous glint in her eye.

"You have charmspeak? Or did you have Tay with you?" Kyra asked

“Yeah, doesn’t exactly help against more than like a small group of people but.” Anika shrugs, remembering last time she used it at the protest and how drained and dead she had felt, “And speaking of this Tay.” she says with a smirk as she put her chin in her hands.

*Here comes the gossip,* Callyah thought, only half-annoyed. She kind of wanted to hear this.

Holden snuck up behind them. "Hi guys." he breathed. "Eavesdropping?"

Kyra's cheeks pinkened. "Shut up," she grumbled half-heartedly.

Anika grins, “Aw come on, you like them.” she whispers and playfully leans into Kyra.

"I--I am so not having this conversation with you right now," Kyra insisted, her face flushing even more.

Anika grins again, “Pleaseeee?” she begs.

Paisley jumps a bit, “The heck Holden!” she hisses quietly.

"It's nothing!" Kyra insisted. "Well, maybe it's something. Just something. The tiniest of somethings. That's it!"

**It's cute,** Callyah signed, because she wanted to say something but not interrupt.

Anika keeps grinning, “Okay then.” she says.

"What about that guy you sat on Desire with? What's his name again? Klay?" Kyra challenged.

Anika flushed then, “Yeah it’s Klay.” she mumbles.

"Oooo, Klanika, huh?" Kyra teased.

Holden grins and leans closer to the convo.

Klay blushes from his hiding spot.

“Yeah.--I mean well I uh--“ Anika says, flustered.

Callyah put a hand on Holden's collar and pulled him back. "Nope," she hissed.

Paisley liked eavesdropping and she pushed her way closer so she could hear.

"ack! This is about kLaY. Don't you want to know too?" Holden asked

Meanwhile, Cole and Taylor were, I don't know, looking for a medical supply store so Cole could get more gauze, because between Seth's ankle and Anika's arm, he kind of needed it. Cole didn't know whether they could hear everyone else, but he definitely couldn't, being, you know, deaf and all.

Taylor was wandering the shelves, Occasionally resisting the urge to pocket something.

"I can hear just fine from here," Callyah told him. "Stop talking and listen, maybe you'll be able to hear them too."

"Hmmm...well, you better hope he's not an idiot, because if he is, then I owe him a black eye," Kyra said protectively.

*There's a line,* Callyah thought, almost making herself laugh. *You can punch him out when I'm through with him.*

Anika smiles a bit, “I don’t think he is.” she assures her quickly.

Holden holds back a snicker

"Famous last words," Kyra says, shaking her head playfully.

Paisley snorts quietly.

"Audrey. Audrey! Are you hearing this?" Holden whisper-hissed.

Anika snorts, “I’ve got nothing to say to that.” she announces.

Paisley elbows him to get him to shut up.

"Mhmm," Kyra says smirking. "I think you'll have to formally introduce me to your boyfriend, Ani."

"We can arrange that." Holden forced out, trying to be quiet, but also trying to not laugh

Valerie existed somewhere in some store.

Kyra's head whipped towards where Holden and the others were eavesdropping, "You were there the entire time, weren't you?"

Holden tried to hide behind Callyah

Ella was living, she had no horse...

Cole started signing to himself, something he did when he was fidgety and his hands had nothing to do.

"Oh no, cygnet, you're on your own," Callyah told Holden, stepping to the side.

"I can still see you Holden," Kyra deadpanned.

"Yeah we all can." Ella was doing a handstand,

"Question," Kyra murmured to Anika, "Do they...um...know about...you know--what happened...?"

Klay listened intently.

"Between you two?" Callyah shrugged. "I don't, so that's a general no for everyone."

"Huh--at least you kept that promise," Kyra said to Anika.

"Oh fun, are we keeping secrets?" Ella asked

Taylor pocketed a bandaid thing. They're very sneaky

"Oh, please don't go back to the catfighting," Callyah groaned. "You guys were bonding just a minute ago. Here, the ugly duckling and I will leave. Come on, Klay. You too." She grabbed Holden's collar again and tugged him away.

"Very secret secrets," Kyra smirked. "So not even your boyfriend knows Ani?"

"WHAAAAATTT! I KNEW IT!" Ella shouted

Taylor pocketed a tiny thing of hand sanitizer

"Taylor," Cole said, finally noticing. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing." Tay said innocently

"OH let her take stuff! I do it." Ella said

Cole gave Ella a look. "Them," he said firmly.

Kyra glared at Ella. She decided she didn't like her either.

"YEAH, OH SORRY!" Ella shouted

Taylor stalked out of the store. Cussing came from outside.

Cole sighed. "I'll go talk to them." He went outside

"I REALLY AM SORRY!" Ella screeched

Taylor punched the wall again. They cussed louder. They have a very impressive vocab, just so you know.

Kyra followed Tay out of the store. She came upon them punching a wall.

Valerie found the group and then noped it out of there, going to wait with the horses. She had gotten herself a backpack with clothes and other supplies.

Cole didn't bother trying to read their lips -- he knew it was bad.

"Tay," Kyra said, hoping to catch their attention and stop them from punching the wall again.

Taylor paused, about to punch the wall again. "Yes?"

Kyra cautiously stepped up closer to them and took their bruised hand in hers and lowered it away from the wall. "You're hurting your hand."

"Oh." Tay looked kinda surprised. "Oops"

Kyra looked down at their bloody knuckles, "You should--you should have a cover on these--a bandage so that they don't get infected. I mean, I'm no healer--that's Cole's job--but I--I'm not an idiot."

Taylor took the bandaids out of their pocket with a sheepish smile

"That works too," Kyra said, a smile tugging at her lips. She was still holding Tay's hand in hers, not that she cared or anything.

Taylor continued smiling at Kyra. The smile wasn't a grin or anything. Nope.

Ella felt guilty, or that could be the blood rushing to her head.

Kyra stared right back at Tay. She had no idea what she was doing. And at the moment, she didn't particularly care.

Anika was bright red--the perfect teasing opportunity, but it quickly turned to glaring at Ella.

"WHAT? I THOUGH THAT WAS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A REPORTED ASKED IF YOU TWO MADE OUT UNDER A BENCH WHILST HIDING FROM AN ASSASSIN!" Ella screeched

“I--why would--well.” Anika was flustered, she was in a very honest, flustered mood today apparently.

Klay blushed bright red from the shadows- he was, however, wondering what exactly had happened between Anika and Kyra

"Friend it's okay to admit your feelings," Ella said standing right side up, "To be honest I've never even had a crush."

"Hi," Kyra said softly to Tay. She was fairly sure her face was beet red.

Paisley smirks at Klay and shoves him out of the shadows over to Anika.

Anika didn’t notice Klay at first and she glanced at Kyra over with Taylor and a grin spreads on her face.

Taylor wasn't blushing. They were fighting a grin. "Hey Queenie." They whispered.

Kyra was suddenly very aware of how close they were, and the possibilities for that moment. Not that it was a--okay, yeah, it was a moment. "We--um--we should probably go back inside..." And then she lost her train of thought.

"Um, yeah." Taylor sounded faintly dissapointed. They didn't move to take their hurt hand from Kyra

"Yeah," Kyra said, but she didn't make a move to leave. She just sort of...stood there, holding Tay's hand in hers.

Taylor held out the box of bandaids

Kyra took them, still not saying anything and began to bandage their hand. Her face was nuclear now. Gosh, she was so screwed. Whatever plan she had for this was looooooooong gone.

Anika spotted Klay and her cheeks were turning red.

"AWWW, look at you two, admit it-." Ella grinned

Anika glares at her, “Oh shut up or I will make you.” she growls.

"Okay fine, Your Majesty prissy pants." Ella taunted

Taylor held still, letting Kyra bandage their hand. "Thanks Queenie"

Anika gives her one last glare before Paisley rushes over and drags Ella away, “Oh please let them be alone.” she says.

Holden was with Callyah, whining about lost floof.

"You're welcome," Kyra said softly, looking up at them again. She would've said something else, but *someone* stole her train of thought.

Klay sighs.

"Well you said 'please'." Ella said

Anika looked flustered and unsure what to say then.

Taylor booped Kyra's nose. "We should get inside." They were trying to hide how flustered they were

Paisley sighs and let’s go of Ella after dragging her a bit away.

"Yeah," Kyra said, flushing at the way Tay booped her nose. If it had been anyone else, she probably would've strangled them. But this was...Tay.

Taylor grinned at Kyra, starting to lead her back inside

"Thanks, oh I should let you know, my job is legit just breaking every law, and common sense rule ever, so that's you're one free pass." Ella told Paisley

Kyra followed Tay back into the store, almost forgetting that she was still holding their hand.

Taylor didn't even try to steal anything.

Paisley glances at her, “Yeah....okay then.”

Anika spots Kyra and Taylor walking inside and holding hands and she gives Kyra a goofy smile.

Holden sits next to Paisley

Ella was tired of all this *love* stuff, she just wanted to hurt someone.

Paisley glances at him, “Shouldn’t you be with Audrey or doing your job?” she asks with a smirk.

Kyra felt her face flush at Anika's goofy look.

Anika grins at her a bit more before turning to go find a different outfit.

Taylor glanced over at Kyra with a grin.

"I was fired remember?" Holden reminded her

Paisley blinks, “You were? Wait no I’m not surprised.”

Kyra raised her eyebrow at Tay, smirking.

"Yeah he hit Kyra, honestly I was proud to see him take a chance." Ella shrugged

Taylor's cheeks turned a tiny bit pink.

Holden bumped her with his shoulder and gestured to a store. "I personally hate shopping, but I need new clothes and have NO taste." he said gesturing to his outfit. "Would you like to go shopping with me?"

Paisley snorts, “Come on.” she says with a laugh and pulls him up.

Ella climbed on top of a shelf she pushed over.

Anika was shopping in some store which I don’t care about and she was having trouble cause she didn’t think she looked good in anything thanks to her moms terrible views of her.

"I wonder if I could make a game out of this..." Kyra mused. "Make Tay Blush--what do you think?" she asked Tay with a grin.

Cole looked at Taylor's hand and sighed. "That's sweet, but bandaids are not going to fix that," he told them and Kyra. "May I?"

"Ya know what would be more fun, Queenie? Making you blush." Taylor shot back, grin on their face.

Paisley pulled Holden into a store and started to shop for him.

Kyra reluctantly handed Tay's hand over to Cole, her eyes narrowed at him.

"wOOah!" Holden said as he was dragged

"Queenie, calm down. He's probably right." Taylor looked reluctant as well

Anika went into the changing rooms and put on this outfit and she frowns at herself in the mirror.

Paisley rolls her eyes at Holden as she shops and brings out a ton of shirts and pants.

"I'm calm," Kyra insisted, but she continued to eye Cole with suspicion.

Holden reluctantly grabs the clothes and goes into the dressing room. "This one is super tight." he said, regarding a blue shirt.

Paisley nods, “Okay try on the next then.” she orders, standing with one hand on her hip.

Cole held up his free hand in the universal don't-kill-me gesture. "I just- whoa." He carefully ran the fingers of his free hand over their knuckles, checking the bone. "Taylor, you seriously need to stop punching solid things. See that?" He pointed to one of the areas around their knuckles, rubbed raw by all their punching. "You bruised the bone."

Holden awkwardly threw the shirt over the dressing room stall and held up the next one. Pulling it over his head, he went out the stall, showing her how it fit.

"I've been worse. I've punched harder." Taylor’s fists were covered with scars

“hmm.” Paisley considers it, “That one is much better.” she tells him.

Holden nodded his head side to side.

Kyra's forehead crinkled.

"It's not about how hard you punch. Although that isn't helping. You're doing it so much you've literally damaged the bone." Cole was a *little* annoyed

Anika sighs and keeps studying herself in the mirror, lost in her throughts.

Taylor looked proud of themself.

"I like it." Holden decided.

Cole pinched the bridge of his nose. "That isn't a good thing," he told them. "Unless you want to break your knuckles, you're going to have to let me wrap it."

Paisley nods, “Good, now some shoes.” she says before starting to find some.

Anika was frowning then.

"Broken shmoken. But fine." Taylor smirked

"You can't do much with a broken hand," Cole told Taylor as he started removing some of the bandaids from their hand. He cleaned the bleeding parts, wincing when he got a closer look at some of the scar tissue on their knuckles. "Who treated these?" he asked, half to himself.

"No one." Taylor eyed him, seeing if he would give them unwanted pity.

Holden smirked to himself and snuck out of the store. He was gonna find a gift for Paisley, hoping that she would keep looking for shoes.

Paisley didn’t notice him leave as she was too into shopping. Paisley turns around after finding some shoes to find Holden not there, she frowns, “Holden?” she calls.

Holden wandered through the stroe, trying to find the thing that she will love the most.

Kyra stood there with her arms crossed, listening to Tay and Cole. Mostly Tay.

Cole bit his lip, but didn't say anything. Instead, he put gauze over the cuts and abrasions on their hand, careful not to press down too hard on the bruised knuckles. It wasn't pity. Cole didn't pity people. The number of times he'd heard "oh, you poor thing" had made sure of that. It was more of an... empathy. Being in pain, hurt with no one there to fix it -- he could understand that. And internally, he resolved not to let them feel that way again.

Taylor made a quiet hm sound, keeping their hands still

Paisley stalked out of the store, where had that idiot gone? She thought as she glanced around and noticed Anika was also missing, she stalks over to Kyra, “You seem close to Her royal stuffiness can you help me find her and if you see the idiot Holden let me know.” she did not like it when people disappeared on her.

"I--um--" Kyra looked to Tay, as if asking whether she should stay or not.

“Well?” Paisley asks impatiently, she was already upset that Holden had vanished.

Taylor looked at Kyra. "Go explore. Maybe we can steal stuff later is Doctor clears me." They rolled their eyes at the title doctor

Holden found a simple necklace with a small crystal in the center. "Yes," he said softly and went to find some more.

Cole rolled his own eyes at them and started wrapping their hand. "Tell me if it's too tight," he said.

Kyra gave Tay a little smile before going to look for Anika.

Anika was frowning at herself in the mirror of a changing room.

Kyra knocked on the door of the changing room, "Hey--Anika?"

Callyah was somewhere near the changing room trying to decide if her transparent cowl was too noticeable. She looked up as Kyra passed, but didn't say anything.

“Wha-oh hey Kyra.” Anika says sounding a bit surprised.

"Hey, you alright in there?" Kyra asked

“Um--Yeah..?” Anika says but it’s more like a question.

Cole continued wrapping Taylor's hand, occasionally moving their fingers out of the way so he could wind the bandage around the knuckles properly. He finished and secured the bandage on the back of their wrist. "Can you still move your fingers?"

Paisley stalked through the mall calling for Holden.

Taylor didn't even wince as Cole wrapped their hand Taylor couldn't move their fingers. "[redacted]"

Anika sighs quietly and opens the door a nervous and doubtful expression on her face as she holds her arms out as if saying, *how bad do I look?*

Cole sighed. "Well, frick." He started unwrapping the bandage, but stopped when he reached their knuckles. "[actually a bad word and not just frick]," he muttered, seeing the way their hand was swelling. "Congrats, Taylor, you need actual medical attention."

Holden heard his name and hurried with the necklace

"Yay me." They said dryly. "I've gone this long without seeing a doctor, what's a bit longer"

Paisley frowns, “Holden?” she calls again.

"I can fix this," Cole said slowly, "but it really needs to be fixed. Like, now." He looked around and saw a bathroom. "Hopefully the water still works. Come on."

"Paisley! Your supposed to still be shopping." Holden snapped the necklace, along with the other gifts he had got her away. They were going to be a surprise.

Paisley scowls, “And you were supposed to be helping me.”

Anika bites her lip waiting for Kyra’s response

Taylor followed Cole reluctantly

"I was -um- shopping," Holden admitted, "for you."

Cole turned on the water, which was clear. He gently pulled the now-bloody gauze off their hand and dropped it in the trash can. "Okay. Stick your hand under that. Fair warning, it'll hurt." He pulled soap, clean gauze, and an aerosol can of something out of his bag, along with his Swiss Army knife, and set everything on the counter.

Taylor eyed the knife wearily. They stuck their hand under the faucet with a quiet hiss of pain

Paisley’s eyes widen, “Why?” she asks.

"Why not?" Holden challenged.

Paisley smiles a bit, “Okay then, hopefully you shop for me better than you shop for yourself.” she jokes.

"Hold it there until the water runs clear," Cole told them. His hood kept falling in his face as he tried to find the tiny bottle of isopropyl in his bag. Irritatedly, he flicked off, forgetting momentarily that Taylor was in the bathroom with him. He found the isopropyl and set it on the counter next to the aerosol can, but noticed Taylor in the mirror and froze.

Taylor was staring at their hand with annoyance

Holden's mouth muscles were sore from being stretched into a smile. Something about Paisley made him smile constantly.

Cole quickly flipped his hood back up over his head. He could see his own expression in the mirror -- he looked pretty freaked out.

Paisley gives him a flirty smile, “What did you get?” she purrs gently.

Taylor looked up to see Cole's hood. They had forgotten about the hood thing.

Holden snapped, and a glittery item fell into his palm. He held up the item proudly.

Paisley’s eyes widen slightly, “Ooh it’s so pretty!” she exclaims.

"Its got a diamond on it, because your birthday is April right?" Holden asked

Paisley nods quickly and her eyes are watching the beautiful necklace.

"Sorry," Cole said, not sure why he was apologizing or what he was apologizing for. He took a deep breath and tried to force himself to calm down. He'd completely lost his train of thought so he closed his eyes for half a second. *Right.* He looked at their hand. "That looks a lot better," he said. "Put your hand flat on the counter."

Taylor obeyed. Their hood was long forgotten

Cole picked up his Swiss Army knife and flicked out the little magnifying glass thing. He held it over their knuckles, inspecting them carefully to make sure there was nothing in their hand that he needed to get out. Unfortunately, there was. He sighed and flicked out the tweezers, expertly pulling a small sliver of -- you guessed it -- tree bark out of one of their knuckles. He held it up to them. "This is why you're not supposed to punch trees."

"Do you like it?" Holden asked

Paisley nods, “Its so pretty!” she says again.

Kyra existed.

Anika opened the dressing room door and nervous expression on her face as she held out her arms as if asking Kyra, *How do I look?* And she looked ready for series discrimination and rude comments.

Callyah glanced up, hearing the dressing-room door open. She noticed the queen, who didn't look half bad, but she didn't say anything and went back to grousing about how overpriced good shoes were.

"But punching trees is fun!" Taylor protested

Cole gave them a look like, *even you don't believe that*, and went back to checking over their hand. He found a few more splinters and pulled them out of their hand. "Now for the fun part." He washed his hands in the other sink and dried them, then picked up the bottle of isopropy. "On three. Hold still, or it'll hurt worse."

Taylor made a face and steeled their nerves

Kyra smiled, "Great--Paisley wanted me to find you."

"One. Two." On *two*, Cole poured the isopropyl onto their hand. It was low concentration -- and he'd even diluted it -- but he knew it would still sting badly.

Taylor's eyes watered and they locked their jaw to keep from yelling at the pain.

"I know," Cole said, twisting the lid back on the bottle and setting it aside. He put his hand on their wrist, blurring it for just a second to take some of the pain away -- he still needed them to be able to feel some of it, though, even though he hated to do it. He didn't like hurting people. He counted to thirty, then removed his hand and told them, "Rinse your hand off and put it back down."

Taylor obeyed, making quiet whimper noises.

Cole couldn't hear them, but the look on Taylor's face made him swallow hard and close his eyes for a second. "This is going to hurt less," he said as he washed his hands again, this time in cold water, "but it's still going to hurt. Tell me if you need me to stop, okay?"

Taylor nodded. They thought to themself *Never again. I'm never letting him near my hands again with that- mediciny stuff- in his hand.*

Anika didn’t look convinced but shrugs, “Why did she want me?”

Cole dried off his hands and gently -- as lightly as he could -- felt the edges of their knuckles. He had used cold water to make sure his fingers were cold enough not to irritate the swelling areas, but this couldn't be avoided. If it could, he would have done something else. He *hated* hurting people. "Okay," Cole said, forcing himself to breathe. "This part isn't going to hurt, I promise." He shook the aerosol can and sprayed it over the cut and bruised skin of their knuckles.

Taylor closed their eyes and looked away, making a face

"I know," Cole said again as he carefully put gauze over their hand. "I'm sorry."

Taylor's hand was shaking more than they would've liked

Paisley was grinning at Holden.

Cole gently -- careful of the top of their hand -- lifted their wrist and started wrapping their hand. "I'm sorry," he repeated.

Taylor hissed a sound of pain

Cole's hand went blurry on their wrist, drawing out some of their pain, but he didn't notice. It was a reflex, an instinct, and he was too focused on carefully wrapping their hand correctly to realize he was doing it.

The pain lessened. Taylor looked over and swatted at Cole's arm, seeing his blurry hand.

"What? Oh." Cole sighed through his nose, annoyed with himself for not having a better handle on his ability. He concentrated for a second, and his hand went still. Gingerly, he wrapped their knuckles, making it just tight enough to support the joints and keep the swelling to a minimum. He finished and secured the bandage on the back of their hand.

*I'd rather be passed out from charmspeak.* Taylor thought grumpily. They poked the wrapped hand with their other hand like a foreign object

"Don't do that," Cole said out of habit, knowing they wouldn't listen. "Try not to use that hand too much, okay? It needs to heal. And no more punching things with that hand for the near future."

"Yes Doctor." Tay said sarcastically.

Cole cocked an eyebrow. "No 'thank you for preventing me from losing my hand'?"

Taylor did a pretty bad impression of Cole's voice. "Thank you for preventing me from losing my hand" They parroted

Valerie continued to exist with the horses, waiting for everyone to finish shopping and having her therapy session with Tug.

It was lost on Cole, because Cole couldn't hear them. "You're welcome. Let me know if it starts to hurt more, and I'll find an icepack and readjust the bandage." He knew they probably wouldn't, but he was going to say it anyway.

Taylor nodded and fumbled with the door with their bandaged hand. "[redacted]"

Cole sighed through his nose again and resisted the urge to tell them not to use that hand. Instead, he just reached around them and opened the door.

Taylor walked out the door like they hadn't just failed to open it

Kyra was somewhere.

Anika sighs, “Okay should we go back?” she asks ignoring that she still needed new shoes.

Seth was, uh, somewhere?

Callyah waved to Seth, still grumbling about overpriced shoes and ridiculously thin feet.

Seth waved back.

Taylor walked near Callyah, cussing at the bandage on their hand

"Please do not teach my little brother those words," Callyah told them over her shoulder. She caught a glimpse of their wrapped hand and turned around. "Whoa. What happened?"

"Cole did. All I did was punch a few walls and he tortures me by cleaning the cuts." Tay complained

Callyah smile-sighed. "That's my brother. The isopropyl, huh?"

"I thought it was called liquid torture but yeah." Taylor grumped

Callyah laughed. "Yeah, that stuff hurts like [only slightly redacted]. I've seen what happens when the doctors don't use it, though." She made a face. "I don't know how Cole does it."

"Neither do I" Taylor muttered. They pawed at the bandage with their free hand

"I'm guessing he told you not to touch that," Callyah reminded them. "Why'd you punch the walls?"

"Got misgendered and figured Cole and Kyra would be more mad if I punched the one who misgendered me." Taylor rolled their eyes

"Ella? She didn't do it on purpose. But you have the right to be angry." Callyah paused for a second, not sure if she wanted to ask her next question. "And the trees?"

Taylor snorted. "That was from when Queenie misgendered me on purpose."

"And you trust her-- you still like even after she did that? And paralyzed you?" Callyah asked

"Yes. She had no choice." A look in Taylor's eyes said that nothing would change their mind.

Valerie continued existing with the hoses, wondering what was taking everyone so long. "Should I go look for them?" She asked Tug. *Nah, they'll be fine,* He said, tossing his mane. "Maybe some of them, but some of them are seriously mentally underdeveloped and ridiculous," she argued. *Not your problem,* he countered. Valerie threw up her hands. "Why am I even talking to you. You're a horse- you don't understand." She marched off towards the mall. *Fine, just run from me! Coward!* Tug neighed derisively. Valerie wondered how crazy she was going.

Callyah nodded, even though she kind of thought that was misguided. Taylor reminded her a little of Cole in small ways. She resolved to give them the benefit of the doubt on this. A different idea occured to her. "Next time you need to punch something, you can come find me instead. I can block it, and you won't hurt your hands. And Cole won't yell at you for it," she added.

"That would be great." Taylor smiled at Callyah

Callyah nodded. "What are people for if not to punch them without hurting yourself?" she joked.

"Nothing" Taylor grinned wickedly

"Exactly." This was probably the weirdest conversation Callyah had had since she'd left home, and she and Holden had once had an argument about whether or not to chase a racoon that had gotten into the castle with a toy sword.

Taylor yawned and rubbed their eyes.

Valerie was wandering around the mall, looking for a trail of mutilated body parts. At least, that's what she thought she was looking for. Surely no sane person could possibly spend this long shopping. She paused. None of them were entirely sane, were they?

"You need to sleep?" Callyah asked. "And before you lie and say 'no', let me remind you that I lived with Doctor Self-Sacrificing for thirteen years, and he forgets to sleep more often than you all forget he's deaf."

"Are you looking for something?" Cole asked Valerie.

Taylor made a face. "... Maybe."

"Well, sort of. I was looking for you guys. I don't understand how it takes you that long to shop." Valerie told him, shifting awkwardly from foot to foot.

Callyah cocked her head to one side. "I'll take that as a yes. Come on." She headed for a door near the entrance.

"I was working on keeping Taylor from losing their hand," Cole replied. "The twins and Holden are the ones shopping."

Taylor followed Callyah

Val rolled her eyes. "I swear, if they come out of the store with more than three outfits I'm leaving them behind for Kyra's group."

Callyah found what she was looking for -- the department store. Specifically, the section with the bedding, and the fake half-beds. "Here you go."

"Not her group," Cole said. "She's not a part of them anymore. I think. I hope, at least. We should call that group something, though. The Checkers, maybe?"

"Thanks." Taylor laid down and immediately fell asleep

"While they do need a name, I'm not calling them The Checkers. We can ask her."

Callyah smiled, then sighed. Where the [redacted] did all these mother-hen instincts come from? She was a warrior, not a mom. Then she remembered how she'd sat with the queen when she cried over her past boyfriends, how she'd reminded the queen of her own power when she was afraid of her mother. Maybe she was both. Could she be both?

Taylor's semi permanent smirk melted

"Aw, why not?" Cole grinned. "I like that. Or the Pawns."

Callyah decided to set aside her internal monologue for a few seconds and keep an eye on them.

"I refuse to believe that the whole rebellion is just a group of crazed, chess-obsessed fanatics," Valerie informed him.

"The other guy's name was Rook," Cole protested. "And Kyra said she joined them after a chess game. I'm pretty sure that's exactly what they are."

Taylor snored softly

Callyah sat down and leaned against one of the shelves. She didn't get quiet -- or well, mostly quiet -- like this enough. It was a nice break, to be honest.

"Then they're at least getting a more sinister name than The Pawns, or The Checkers. Checkers and chess are completely different," Val argued.

"I know," Cole protested. "I'm trying to be funny. Am I doing the tone wrong?"

"No, not really. I just don't have much of a sense of humor," Valerie admitted with a dry laugh.

Cole shrugged. "It's hard to tell sometimes," he admitted.

"My humor or your tone?" Val asked

"Tone." Cole gestured vaguely to his ears.

"That makes sense," Val agreed. "Oh, right. I just remembered I was going to ask you if you had good shoes and socks. Blisters are not your friend."

"I'm good," Cole assured her.

"Cool." Val fell silent, not really sure what to say. *Why can I have better conversations with my verbally abusive horse than with a real person?* She wondered.

"Any idea where Cal went?" Cole asked, realizing he hadn't seen his sister in a while.

"I've been with the horses for ages, I have no idea. I can help you look for her though." Val offered.

"Why not?" Cole said, shrugging. "I'm sure she's got something to yell at me for anyway."

Taylor continued sleeping. Been a while since they slept this long

Callyah continued sitting and just kind of chilling.

Valerie laughed again. "You know, I'm glad I would've been the older one in that relationship-" She cut herself off.

Cole tilted his head a little but didn't say anything except, "You'd make a good big sister."

Val shrugged. "I guess we'll never know."

Cole tugged on his hood, not sure what to say.

Taylor woke up, sitting up slowly. "Giygedl?"

"I'm going to go with no," Callyah said, standing up. "Careful of your hand," she reminded them.

Taylor looked at their hand. "Eh"

"We should find Callyah." Va.l said, unable to stand the silence she usually welcomed. "Oh- she doesn't want Kyra to know you're siblings yet." she added.

Callyah cocked an eyebrow. "If you don't want Cole to lecture you, you should probably start taking more care of your hand." She deliberately didn't phrase it as a question or an order -- they could take it or leave it.

"Yeah," Cole said. "That makes sense. Where should we start looking for her?"

"He's going to lecture me anyway, might as well make it worth it." Taylor pointed out. They hopped off the bed, almost falling over

"How should I know?" Valerie asked, raising an eyebrow under her hood.

"Seriously," Callyah said, steadying them. "You just-" She cut herself off with a sigh.

Taylor smirked at Callyah. "Something to say?" They asked sweetly

Cole shrugged. "You guys are a lot alike. I figured you would have a better guess."

"We're alike?" Val echoed. "How? We are so very much different."

Callyah rolled her eyes. "I can't tell if you think you have something to prove, or if you're just stubborn as hell."

Tay snickered, not answering. "Should we go find the others? Naptime is over."

"Fighters," Cole began. "Generally very sarcastic and dry, but you have your nicer sides, Or at least I think you do. You fight for the people you care about, and sometimes you just want everyone else to back the frick off." **And you sign,** he added.

Callyah fought the urge to order them to go back to sleep. Stupid mother-hen instinct coming out of nowhere. "Why not?"

"Why not what?" Taylor rubbed at the dark circles under their eyes.

"Never mind, I have my answer. When's the last time you really slept?" Callyah asked them, her voice *slightly* more gentle than usual.

Taylor tugged on a dread. "I slept just now. And earlier today. And a few times the day before that."

"So now, for like twenty minutes, and then on the horse when you [redacted] passed out? That is *not* healthy." Callyah sighed

"Meh." Taylor waved their hand dismissively. "Sleep is overrated and all it is wasting hours at a time staring at the inside of your eyelids. Not my idea of fun."

"Taylor-" She cut herself off with another sigh. "Look, I'm probably the last person who should be telling you this, except maybe Cole, but you need to take care of yourself. Okay?"

"I'm fine, Mother." Taylor nudged Callyah's hand playfully

Callyah made a little *tsk* noise and then promptly realized how much she sounded like her mother. "Come on," she said. "Let's see how many new outfits the twins have liberated from the stores."

Taylor followed Callyah

"Oh, hey," Cole said, seeing the two of them over Valerie's shoulder. "We were just looking for you."

**How's T-A-Y?** he signed as he greeted them.

**Okay, I think. They slept some.**

**Not enough,** Cole signed. **It's only been half an hour.**

**I know,** Callyah replied. **And they keep using their hand.**

Cole looked up at the ceiling and signed, **Stubborn, proud, won't accept help.**

**I know.** Callyah smiled wryly.

Kyra came back to the others, her arms empty except for a black t-shirt that said, “I’m surrounded by idiots.’

"Cute," Callyah observed. "Really endears you to the team." She smiled to show she was teasing, though.

Taylor looked at the Tshirt in Kyra's arms. "Accurate" They muttered

"Hey!" Cole protested. "I thought I wasn't an idiot."

“Why thank you—this one really hit close to home,” Kyra said with a grin. “Eh—you’re more on the idiot side of the Idiot-Scale,” Kyra said to Cole.

Callyah shook her head, making her brown hair come loose from its bun and spill out of her hood. "Crap," she muttered. "And don't call him an idiot," she added, reaching into her cowl to untangle her comb from her hair.

Taylor was pawing at the bandage on their hand again

"Stop that," Cole said. "You have no pattern recognition."

Taylor looked at Cole with confusion, hand pausing. "What?"

"If you poke your hand," Cole said evenly, "it will make the wound hurt more and take longer to heal. So don't touch it."

"Doesn't hurt, it'll take forever to heal anyway." Taylor pointed out

“As much as I hate to admit it, Cole is right,” Kyra said.

"Why are you so stubborn?" Cole asked them, tugging his hood lower over his face.

"Because it's fun to be annoying. And I'm right." Taylor’s hand moved away from the bandage

Cole rolled his eyes, but inside, he was happy that they'd at least stopped messing with the bandage.

Tay eyed the bandage with disgust and contempt.

Cole tugged his hood lower again, ducking his head.

Taylor's hood was long forgotten and left behind as they tugged on a dread awkwardly

"So are we just going to stand around and tug on our hair and hoods, or...?" Callyah asked.

"No idea. What are we supposed to be doing right now?" Taylor asked

"I don't know," Callyah admitted. "Ani, Holden, and the twins are still looking for their stuff."

"So what do we do while we wait?" Cole asked.

"You could sleep," Callyah replied without missing a beat. "When's the last time you did that?"

Cole went quiet.

Kyra shrugged, “Don’t ask me, I’m the prisoner.”

Taylor looked at Cole. "I actually agree with Callyah. And no, before you say anything, I don't need sleep too, I just slept."

"For what, twenty minutes?" Cole replied.

"I slept enough. And you have not slept nor are you sleeping right now. So go take a nap."

"Yep," Callyah said. "And regardless of the fact that you *also* should sleep some more, Taylor, Cole is going to go take a nap."

"Where?" Cole asked.

Callyah gestured to the department store she and Taylor had come from. "There are beds in there."

Cole sighed. "Fine, but only if they rest too."

"Fine." *I won't* Taylor thought

Valerie existed once more, still trying to process how she and Callyah were alike.

“So it’s nap time for everyone now?” Kyra asked.

"Oh, both of you just shut up and sleep," Valerie said distractedly.

"Come on, you two," Callyah said.

Cole followed his sister to the department store, grumbling in sign language about overprotective sisters.

Valerie followed them, ~thinking~.

Taylor stalked after C^2, (Cole and Callyah) grumbling under their breath

Callyah gestured to the weird little half-bed things that were everywhere in the bedding section. "Good night," she said.

Cole stuck his tongue out at her and settled down on one of the beds.

Taylor lay down on the bed, arms crossed. They tried to keep their eyes open just to be defiant

Kyra sat on a weird half bed thing.

Taylor's eyes drooped a little. They shook their head, refusing to sleep.

Valerie studied them, thinking deep, meaning thoughts beneath her stoic face.

Cole slowly fell asleep -- you could tell because his eyes finally fluttered closed.

Callyah pretended like it wasn't weird to be watching her brother sleep.

Taylor eventually fell asleep however reluctantly

Paisley had flopped down on a bed in a furniture store and was immediately asleep.

Anika was still wandering around despite supposed to be asleep.

Kyra was not asleep. She was very awake. Extra awake. She became aware of how she could just...slit their throats, kidnap the queen, and steal one of their horses to go meet up with the rest of the rebels. She been talking about the rebels as if she wasn’t one of them. She was. She didn’t belong here.

Taylor woke up, sitting bolt upright. *[redacted]* They thought

“Tay?” Kyra whispered to them, so as not to wake the others.

Valerie was also very much awake. Granted, she had napped with Tug earlier and she wasn't tired.

I'll just say Seth was asleep where everyone else was.

Dally the ferret prowled over to where Taylor and Kyra were.

"Yeah?" Tay asked softly. *[redacted] nightmares, always keeping me awake.*

“You alright?” Kyra asked, just to make sure. They looked a little shaken.

"I'm fine. No reason to worry, Queenie." Taylor whispered. Their hand was itchy under the bandage

Paisley mumbled in her sleep and tossed and turned.

Anika snuck over to the stairs of the mall and went upstairs.

Dally jumped up onto a nearby bed and curled up.

Kyra felt something flutter at the nickname. She squashed it like a bug—that was not what she was supposed to be thinking about. “You actually fell asleep,” Kyra informed them.

"[redacted] sleep." Taylor muttered, scratching at their hand

Kyra caught their scratching hand and gently pulled it away from the bandaged one, “You’re not supposed to do that, remember?”

Taylor sighed. "Yes." They didn't exactly mind that Kyra had made them stop scratching their hand.

Kyra looked down at where she was holding their hand and her face flushed.

Cole rolled over, muttering something under his breath about cupcakes.

Callyah quietly watched the Tayra fluff.

"And that's a point for me in the Make Queenie Blush game." They teased

Dally tried to find some food, he was hungry.

Valerie was also watching Tayla fluff, a small smirk playing across her lips.

"Whose mammal is this?" Callyah asked as Dally passed her.

“Hmmm, it seems that I’ll have to step up my game then,” Kyra teased. “You’re one point ahead of me now.”

Anika had snuck upstairs and was now sitting in a bean bag chair in a store.

Valerie quietly held out her hand to Dally. "I think I saw it with Holden earlier."

"Seems that way." Taylor forgot that other people were there.

"He doesn't have any pets," Callyah told her. "He just plays with other people's."

Kyra racked her brain for something that would make them blush. While she was thinking, she absentmindedly brushed a dread that had fallen in their eyes out of their face.

Taylor blushed

“One point for me,” Kyra said smugly.

**Should we start keeping score?** Callyah signed to Valerie.

Taylor sighed in defeat, tugging at a dread

**Sure. I'll score for K-y-r-a and you can score for T-a-y.** Valerie signed back. Hopefully. She wasn't entirely sure she didn't call Callyah a lump of mold.

She didn't -- although Callyah was confused for a moment as to why she had suggested knifing the two of them. **One to one,** she signed.

Klay was walking around the mall,doing nothing at all.

**Okay,** she agreed, turning back to keep watching Tayra.

Anika didn’t think anyone was awake and she was walking around in silence, messing with the hem of her new outfit.

Dally looked at the people who were looking at him. He cocked his head.

Seth was zzzzzz.

Taylor reached out and tugged on a strand of Kyra's hair with a smirk.

Kyra’s face split into a grin and she let out a giggle. A giggle! Since when did she giggle?

Taylor snickered. "I like your giggle" They informed her

**Another point for T-a-y.** Val signed.

**I think T-A-Y should get two points for that,** Callyah signed back to Val.

Kyra rolled her eyes, and mumbled, “Oh shut up,” halfheartedly. But she was smiling.

**Definitely two points,** she agreed.

Taylor was grinning at Kyra, obviously happy.

**3 to 1,** Callyah signed, smirking. **K-Y-R-A  better step up her game.**

Anika was sneaking back and she saw Callyah smirking and she smirks too and sneaks over, tapping her on the shoulder, “You have a fun side?” she whispers teasingly.

Valerie nodded, hiding a grin as she watched the pair.

Callyah rolled her eyes. "Don't tell Paul."

Anika snorts, “I would never.”

Kyra, being...well—Kyra, decided to step up her game.I do not know what her exact thoughts in the moment were, but I’m fairly sure it went something like this: *Oh what the [REDACTED]—screw it.* And then, obviously, she kissed them on the cheek. Just the cheek. Very quickly, for she came back and her face was nuclear.

Taylor's mouth opened but no sound came out. Their entire face was red. "Squeak?"

**[redacted]. 5 points for K-Y-R-A,** Callyah signed, surprised as [redacted].

Anika gaps slightly then was grinning and jumps on the bed next to Callyah so she could watch.

Valerie gaped, **Screw that, ten points for K-Y-R-A.**

Kyra’s face was red when she said softly, “Five points for me. Or maybe 10. That might be 10.”

Seth woke up.

Dally went back over to Seth and jumped into his lap.

**3 to 11,** Callyah signed. **T-A-Y's move.**

"15, I'll never catch up" Taylor responded.

“I dunno—you might,” Kyra said smirking. She was enjoying this.

Seth sat up in wherever he was, stroking Dally.

Taylor put their arm around Kyra's waist

Right on cue, Kyra flushed again. ”Yup—that—that works,” she squeaked.

Anika was smiling slightly as she was watching from a corner.

Taylor's face was still red.

**Two points. They're catching up,** Callyah signed. **I'm adding extra for the cute little squeak she made.**

Anika glances at Callyah, “Who knew fluff brought the cute side of you out.” she teases.

“Hmmm...I do believe I’m still ahead,” Kyra teased, grinning.

"My cute side is still a highly trained warrior," Callyah replied.

"Enjoy the lead while you can, Queenie." Taylor said with a smirk

Klay wondered how the horses were doing outside. He should probably go check on them-

**20 points to whoever kisses the other first,** Callyah signed quickly.

If Klay was there, he would have smirked. He and Anika would be at a tie-

Kyra inched closer to them on the half bed thing.

**Deal,** Valerie signed back, intently watching them. **How long do you think we have before they notice us and Taylor starts punching things again?**

Anika decided to give her friend—well she hoped they were friends some space and she heads outside to check on Desire.

Klay saw Fate was eating some grass, alongside Desire.

Callyah waved her hands dismissively, the ASL equivalent of the *pffft* noise. **They're a little too absorbed in each other for that, don't you think?**

Anika had walked up to Desire and was running her hand down her mane and she didn’t notice Klay.

Cole was asleep and *super* missing all the drama.

**You know, you're probably right,** Val agreed.

Paisley had woken up to see the drama unfolding and her eyes widened.

Klay looked up and saw Anika, "Hey Anika," He said.

Anika squeaks in surprise, “Oh hey.” she says with a smile which he probably couldn’t see super well in the dark.

"They seem like good friends," Klay gestured to the two mares.

Kyra was very aware of...everything. She was very close to Tay—especially since she used her ‘move’ to inch closer to them.

Anika nods, “Yeah they do.” she says with a smile.

Valerie wondered if they seriously didn’t know they were being watched or if they just didn’t care.

“Your move,” Kyra breathed.

*Did she- did she just say “your move?”* Valerie shook her head. Not that she had any experience with this, but she was pretty sure that wasn’t how flirting worked.

Paisley was mentally facepalming, sure it was cute and all but, ‘your move’?

Kyra mentally slapped herself. This wasn’t a chess game.

Callyah sighed internally

"So..about the kiss." Klay started, uncertain of whether this was a really good idea, or a really, really bad idea.

Anika glances at him out of the corner of her eye, “Yeah?” she asks in a cutely shy voice.

Paisley scowls at Kyra, this was terrible flirting.

Dally ran off.

"Hey, come back!" Seth exclaimed. He dashed after Dally.

"Well..gosh I'm terrible at this. I suppose I'm supposed to ask you out?" Klay smiled hopefully.

Dally ran downstairs to the others

"Guys?" Seth yelled. "Have you seen Dally??"

Callyah held a hand out to Dally. "Found her," she called to Seth. "Or him. Or them. Or whatever your small mammal's pronouns are."

"Him," Seth said gratefully. "Thanks"

Anika smiles a bit, “Yeah.” she says quietly.

"That's good." Klay said awkwardly. "How about tomorrow?"

Anika nods, “Okay.” she agrees with a smile, but *was that the right thing to do?* She thought. *Your supposed to be saving your world and a boy—well especially this boy will cloud your thoughts....but he’s cute and I like him. But—* she stopped herself from thinking these thoughts and just smiles at Klay but it lurks in the back of her head, *here you go again, being a bad queen. bad queen. bad queen.*

"Well..just as long as we don't have to run from crazy people again," Klay adds, knowing it's possible that they won't even get to their date.

Anika laughs a bit, *“Yeah, and Callyah might try to kill you.”* she adds.

Seth had no idea what was going on. Dally nuzzled against his head.

"True,"Klay agrees, mentally putting that on his list of things to worry about.

Anika smiles, “But I won’t let her.” she promises scooting a bit closer to him.

"I owe you." Klay grins.

*So, everyone's pairing up now, huh,* Seth thought.

Anika smiles her cheeks were turning red, “Okay.” she says.

"Okay," Klay repeated, blushing a bit.

Seth had no idea what was going on.

She smiles and looks around realizing the sun was coming up just a bit, it was around 5 am, “Hop on.” she says after swinging herself up onto Desire.

Dally ran over to Anika.

Taylor was very aware of how close Kyra was. How easy it could be to... *[redacted] it. You chicken.* Taylor scolded themself. Taylor pecked Kyra on the cheek, face turning atomic red

Kyra couldn’t stop the smile from forming on her face, “I guess we’re even now.”

**Fifteen to ten, T-A-Y,** Callyah signed.

"I guess we are." Taylor grinned at her

“But then again...” Kyra said, counting up the points in her head—“Nope, you’re ahead five points. Any ideas what I should do to catch up?”

"Hm. I need to think about that for a bit." Taylor said with a wink

Paisley groans loudly as she stuffs her face in a pillow, “Just kiss already.” she says into the pillow but if nobody was listening they wouldn’t be able to hear her.

Kyra, who had abandoned all attempts to regain a coherent train of thought (and who was also completely ignoring the others) did not wait for them to think about it. Instead, she used a finger to turn their face towards hers and leaned in, “I think I’m about to win.” I’m fairly sure you know what she did next.

**K-Y-R-A wins,** Callyah signed. **Hands-down.**

Paisley looks up and rolls her eyes, “Finally.” she grumbles.

Anika had walked up just in time to see and she squeaked and covered her mouth to not bother them.

Callyah shushed Paisley.

Cole was -- you guessed it -- still asleep.

Paisley rolls her eyes.

Taylor's eyes widened. *[redacted] WHAT. EEP*

Kyra pulled back from the kiss. She took in their blush and said, “Yeah, I definitely won.”

"I- Uh-" Taylor didn't have any words left.

Kyra just grinned.

Taylor continued stuttering, unable to string together a sentence

“Speechless?” Kyra asked with a smirk—totally not noticing that they were still in kissing range.

Holden’s face was incapable of smiling more. “It’s so cUtE!”

Taylor nodded, their eyes on their bandaged hand.

Kyra’s gaze followed Tay’s.

Tay scratched at their hand again, trying to gather their wits. *[redacted]. [redacted] broken mouth that doesn't speak.*

Callyah sighed and tried really hard not to yell at Taylor to not touch their bandaged hand. She would not ruin the moment. She stifled the urge by elbowing Holden mostly gently in the side for ruining the moment.

"And here I was, thinking that nothing could stun me speechless." Taylor joked once they'd found their words

“Well, you’ve been stealing my train of thought since I tried to kill you in the woods, so I had to steal it back,” Kyra said logically. But she was suddenly reminded that they were enemies. She had tried to kill them.

“While that was adorable, you ruined the moment. Also, we should get going.” Valerie butted in. “And yes, don’t worry, Kyra won, hands down. I’m pretty sure it was 30-15 by the last kiss.”

Taylor booped Kyra's nose before looking at Val. "Fine and yep."

Kyra flushed again. She just kissed someone. She just kissed Tay. And she liked it!

Taylor smirked at Kyra. *You're adorable* They thought

Kyra rolled her eyes at Tay, but she was grinning.

Taylor nudged Kyra's leg with their hand. For no reason other to be annoying.

Kyra reached out to trap their hand in hers with a smirk.

Taylor didn't move their hand from under Kyra's. "You win" Again

Valerie sighed dramatically. "Do I need to separate you two? Also, what's the name of your group? And did you all get when you were looking for?"

“Again,” Kyra voiced Tay’s thought aloud. “First of all,” Kyra said, “You probably couldn’t separate us if you tried. Second of all, why should I tell you? And third, yes, I believe so.”

"I was just looking to steal stuff." Taylor shrugged

Ella was doing a hand stand on top of the shelf she pushed over.

Valerie shrugged. "I have no interest in trying. But because unless you'd like us to just refer to them as Kyra's group or a rebellious group of chess obsessed fanatics then you'll give us a name for them."

Kyra grinned, “Well, you’re right about one thing—we are all obsessed with chess. It’s a thing. We were called the ‘Queen’s Gambit.’ The ‘Gambit’ for short. It’s a chess opening.”

"Wait, Cole was right about you guys being chess obsessed fanatics?" Valerie asked dubiously.

"What is it with you and chess? I don't see how you have tie it into everything." Ella was confused

“It’s my ability—I see a chessboard.” Kyra looked up,   “On the ceiling.” And sure is enough, there it was. Not that anyone else could see it.

Taylor kinda zoned out, not listening to the important information

“You probably think I’m crazy, don’t you?” Kyra said, looking at from her little world of white and black squares on the ceiling.

Taylor's focus snapped back onto the conversation. "Hm?"

"Cole said that?" Callyah laughed. "My- that kid, everyone." She gestured to where he was still asleep on one of the half beds.

Kyra fell back on the half bed thing and stared at the ceiling—or rather, the chessboard.

"Who's crazy?" Taylor asked

"No one. Kyra apparently sees a chessboard on the ceiling, but Cole can sense pain, and Valerie has Spidey-sense, so it's not too terribly weird."

"Cool." Taylor tugged on a dread.

“But only on the ceiling. I can’t see it outside,” Kyra said, still looking at the ceiling.

"That's oddly specific." Taylor murmured to themself

"Oh are we listing weird stuff we can do? I'm insanely quite- when I wan to be- but I do it so often I like to have a break from silence." Ella said, still upside down.

"If we're listing insanity... Hm. I can order things around and annoy people until they try to hit me. And then I can punch walls very well." Taylor listed off

"Really? You can be quiet?" Callyah asked incredulously.

Kyra justlay there, lost in her world of black and white squares.

"Yeah." Ella flipped down and went out side to the trees, and hug upside down in peace, offended.

Callyah shrugged. Why were teenagers so temperamental?

Taylor reached for Kyra's hand

Kyra just entwined her hand with their’s.

Taylor laid down next to Kyra.

”I wish you could see it,” Kyra said to Tay. “The chessboard. It’s so...beautiful.”

Taylor had fallen asleep again and snored quietly

Callyah wandered off to find some lemons and some Kleenex. Don't ask her why, because she won't tell you.

Cole flinched in his sleep, curling in on himself and making some sort of whimper-y noise.

Cole cried out in his sleep, and a bolt of pain shot through both Seth and Ella.

Ella fell of the shelves she had stacked, not being able to stop her fall- she regretted climbing up at least 20 feet.

Cole cried out again, sending another jolt of pain through Ella and Seth, this one stronger and sharper.

Kyra bolted upright, “I—I think someone should stop that—“

Ella gritted her teeth in a silent scream.

Seth was just sitting down, Dally in his lap. He felt a jolt of pain and flinched. "What? OW!"

"No!" Cole yelled in his sleep, sending a third bolt of pain. This time, it was stinging, jabbing into Seth's and Ella's chests and making them struggle to breathe.

Ella closed her eyes, *Oh Lord, Oh Lord Oh Lord, help.*

Seth felt like he had been stomped on. He tried to stand up, but couldn't flopping on the ground. Dally ran away and hissed.

Callyah was too far away to know what was going on.

“Tay—“ Kyra poked them. “Tay,” she said again. They didn’t wake. So she shook them a bit more, “Tay. TAYLOR!”

Taylor sat bolt upright, eyes flashing open. "[very redacted]!" They yelled

Dally ran into the room Kyra and Taylor were in and started hissing his face off.

Seth was still convulsing on the floor (what a mood-).

Ella was yeah same as Seth.

Taylor looked around the room. "What did you do?" They demanded from everyone

“I think Cole inflicted pain on them,” Kyra said, gesturing to Cole, who seemed to be having a nightmare. “On accident,” she clarified.

Dally ran towards where Seth was, glaring at Taylor and Kyra as if to say Follow me you idiots!

"[redacted]" Taylor muttered, attention divided between Cole and Dally

Dally ran over to Cole, hissing angrily, ready to scratch Cole.

Cole made an "nnn" noise and covered his face with his arms, still curled into a ball on his side. Ella and Seth's pain lessened, but wasn't completely gone.

Ella forced all of her energy and breath into one telekinetic shove- she toppled over a shelf two feet away from her.

Taylor wanted to punch a wall. They didn't know what to do and were in panic mode.

Seth was gasping.

Kyra, who seemed surprisingly levelheaded, crossed over to Cole and shook him, attempting to waken him.

The shelf crashed into the floor.

Dally ran back to Seth.

Seth's eyes rolled back into his head and he collapsed.

Cole shot awake, nearly bumping heads with Kyra. He looked around, wide-eyed, and saw Ella curled up on the floor. Had he done that?

Dally sqeaked and booped Seth's face with his nose.

“I really want to smack you right now,” Kyra deadpanned. “But I’m not going to, because you’re a healer, and they need medical attention. I know—when did I get so...sappy?”

Cole didn't hear her or know what she was saying. He was shaking his head -- well, all of him was shaking, but he was deliberately shaking his head and muttering "No, no no no."

Taylor glanced at the door like they wanted to run from the drama and chaos

Ella was still collapsed- unconscious, From the lack of air and using her telekinesis on a shelf that big.

Taylor sighed and walked over to Cole. They knelt on the bed next to him, poking his shoulder. "Up."

Holden had slept through it all, curled around a small panda stuffed animal.

Dally sqeaked again when Seth didn't respond. Seth was breathing shallowly, but also was unconcious.

Cole pulled away from them, hiding his face in his hands, still shaking. Why was he so scared? Why couldn't he get ahold of himself?

Ella was REALLY going to regret accidentally shoving the shelf over- she was an idiot, more like the queen of idiots, so that meant she's the queen of Anika.

Taylor rubbed Cole's back in a sisterly way

Cole didn't pull away again, at least. He stiffened a little, but tried to at least calm down his breathing. He'd talked other people through this a hundred times, so why was it so hard?

"Cole, I know you have no idea what I'm saying but I'll say it anyway." They whispered something that even they couldn't hear themself say

They were right -- he couldn't. But he could feel them talking and breathing, so he focused on that, trying to erase the scenes from his nightmare in his head.

Taylor continued saying little nothings

Cole finally managed to breathe normally, but he still kept his face hidden behind his hands and hood. He wasn't ready to deal with communicating just yet.

Taylor looked at him. "You ok now?"

Cole still wasn't looking at them -- he still had his hands over his face -- , so he didn't know he needed to answer.

Taylor poked at his hand. "C'mon."

Cole peeked through his fingers, just enough to read their lips. He still hadn't realized he was inflicting pain on Seth and Ella -- he was still pretty rattled, so they were still in pain, but now it was just a general dull ache.

"You're ok." Tay said, getting up.

**Wait,** Cole signed. **E-L-L-A?**

Taylor looked at him with confusion. "What do these mean?" Taylor waved their hands in the air

Cole shook his head and gestured to where Ella was curled up on the floor, unconscious. **Is she O-K?**

"[redacted]" Taylor muttered.

Cole had no idea what they'd said. He pulled his knees to his chest and wrapped his arms around them.

"Hello?" Taylor said to Ella

Kyra didn’t know what to do. She wasn’t really used to all these people...caring about each other. When she was with the Gambit, if you had a meltdown—you dealt with it on your own. No one was there for you. People just...didn’t care. This was different. Now she was with—friends. If that’s what they were now.

Taylor poked Ella gently with their foot/toe/boot "Are you ok?" Taylor wasn't usually the touchie feely type. Kyra has flipped their world upside down.

“She does not look so good,” Kyra said, kneeling beside Ella. Sure, she hated this girl, but that looked pretty [REDACTED] painful.

Taylor tried to take something out of their pocket with their bandaged hand. More than a few cusses came from Taylor as they tried to get the bandages from their pocket

“I—I’m not sure that’s going to help, Tay,” Kyra said. “I mean—I’m no healer, but what she’s going through seems to be more...internal.”

"[redacted] inside injuries. Duck tape and bandages should always work. No exceptions. YA HEAR THAT, INTERNAL INJURIES? NO EXCEPTIONS!" Taylor stopped fumbling with their pocket

Anika was being .+\*Anika\*+.

Seth was still unconscious, Dally with him.

Dally sat protectively on Seth's head.

Anika walked inside and noticed Seth and Ella on the floor and Cole—-she gasps and rushes over to Cole and shakes his shoulders, “Snap out of it,” She orders in charmspeak.

Cole pulled away from her, tucking his head down onto his knees

Anika frowns unsure what to do so instead she lifts his head up from his knees so he can see her, “Stop.” she mouths gently.

Kyra watched from the sidelines. Her hands were shaking. She didn’t know why her dang hands were shaking.

**Stop what?** Cole signed, his hands shaking a little.

Dally screeched, trying to get Seth to wake up.

Paisley woke up and stalked out over to them, “Whats little miss queen doing now?” she asks with a mischievous smirk, “Getting with a new boy already?” she tsks.

Anika wasn’t sure what he said but she figured he was asking her something, “Your hurting them.” she says pointing to Seth and Ella.

**I'm not-** He stopped, looking at his shaking -- his blurring hands. He was using his ability to hurt Seth and Ella. Cole forced his hands to still, holding them so tightly his knuckles turned white. Seth and Ella's pain stopped.

Seth's body slumped. Dally squeaked and jumped off of him.

Anika put her hand on his shoulders to force him to calm down, “It’s okay, they will be fine.” She promises.

Cole shook his head, still holding his own hands tightly. He'd hurt people.

“Hey.” Anika says and her grip on his shoulders would force him to look up, “They will be fine, trust me I know it’s hard to hurt someone but they will be fine.” she says firmly.

Seth's eyes slid open, he tried to stretch but every inch of him was sore.

Cole shook his head again, harder this time. I'm not supposed to hurt people, he thought, but he wasn't about to let go of his hands to sign that. In case he started doing it again.

Anika looked unsure of what to do next and she looked behind her for some sort of help.

Paisley was just glaring at Anika--why? Well she didn’t get to take everyone there was and Cole was much cuter than Klay who she should be with and--Paisley glanced at Cole and her mind rambling came to a halt. She sighs inwardly and stalks over, pushing Anika out of the way and she knelt down, “Hi.” she mouths.

Cole raised an eyebrow at her, like, *hi?*

**Are you okay?** Paisley signs sending a glare at Anika.

Seth glanced at everyone. "Whuh... whuh happened?"

Dally hissed at the others, glaring at them.

Cole shook his head. He didn't think he particularly looked okay, either. And he didn't -- he was pale and a little wild-eyed.

Anika glances at Seth, ignoring Paisley, “I think Cole accidentally did something or his ability...I don’t really know.”

Paisley furrowed her eyebrows in concern**You need to rest.** She decides.

"I'm sorry," Seth said. "It can't be your fault. Are you okay?" (but pretend he said it all slurred)

Dally looked at Seth, like, *What? How can you be nice to him after he made you unconscious?*

Cole hugged himself and shook his head. He wasn't going back to sleep. Not if it would make him do... that again.

Paisley took one of his hands in hers and made him look up at her, **Okay**. She signs simply.

Cole pulled his hand back -- he didn't know if he was controlling it yet. He didn't want to hurt anyone else. And he hated it when people held his hands in general -- he hated having them restrained. You couldn't sign like that.

Seth reached out his arm to pet Dally, still laying on the ground. It kinda hurt to move-

Paisley looked slightly annoyed that he pulled his hand back because well....she’s Paisley but she didn’t say anything.

Cole felt kind of bad for pulling his hand away from Paisley, but he didn't say anything else, just wrapped his arms back around his legs and ducked under his hood so that only his eyes could be seen.

Paisley’s eyebrows furrow in concern as if she already forgot about him pulling his hand away, she was about to sign something when Anika says, “Guys we need to go the crazy psychos caught up!” she says glancing out the window of the mall.

Paisley turns to glare a bit but turns back to Cole, **We need to go, you can ride with me on Minnie if you want?** she signs but she signed Minnie wrong.

Cole shook his head, holding himself tighter.

Callyah came back. "Stupid press-- what's wrong with Cole?" She sat down next to Paisely and put her hands on her brother's shoulders.

Seth was still on the floor. He got up with a groan, wincing.

Dally jumped on to his shoulder.

Paisley frowns a bit she didn’t know they were siblings and she got slightly jealous but just said, “He accidentally hurt Seth and Ella and now well.” She gestured to the pale, sick looking Cole.

Callyah sighed and hugged Cole for a second before pulling him off the bed. **Have a breakdown about it later, okay? We need to go now.**

Cole nodded and followed Callyah

Kyra was still rather shaken. This whole thing was confusing.

Seth walked over to König the horse and climbed onto him, biting his lip.

Taylor scratched at their bandaged hand for no reason.

Callyah and Cole seemed to be riding together this time, so Kyra automatically moved towards Tay, hoping to ride with them.

Seth watched Taylor and Kyra with interest.

Dally sat on the horse's head.

Anika hopped on Desire wincing slightly when her left arm bent but she didn’t say anything.

Taylor forced themself to stop scratching at their hand. "[redacted] hand. [redacted] horse." *I wonder if the horse would still listen without us holding the reins.*

“Aw, I don’t think the horse is that bad,” Kyra said.

"The horse at least was that bad." Taylor muttered before wandering off to get the horse

Kyra followed them, “So, you want me to take the reins, or do you want me to hold on tight as you gallantly ride into the line of fire?”

"We'll see if we need the reins and yes." Taylor smirked. The effect was ruined by them tripping

Kyra smirked at them, holding out her hand to help them up, “I didn’t know my Oh-So-Gallant-Rider was clumsy.”

"Only around you, Milady." Tay teased, still looking for that [redacted] horse

Anika watches them from Desire and smiles a bit, she turned Desire around and said, “Okay guys, let’s go we don’t have long before the [redacted] press catch up.”

“Tay—the horse is over there,” Kyra said, pointing to the horse.

Taylor sighed. "C'mere horse." They called

“Maybe it would help if you called the horse by their name,” Kyra hinted to Tay.

"Why would the horse have a name? And if it does, what is that name?" Taylor asked Queenie

Kyra shrugged, “Anika’s horse is named Desire, so I assumed that this horse would have a name too.”

"Maybe we should call it [redacted]" Taylor snickered

Kyra rolled her eyes, “Or maybe we shouldn’t.”

Fate could understand them and she whinnies loudly and snorts.

Taylor walked over to the horse. "Fine. We'll call it Beaker."

Fate whinnies and shakes her head indignantly.

"Good gods, Horse. Be quiet." Taylor looked at Fate as they said that.

Kyra made her way up to the horse carefully, attempting to calm her.

Fate whinnies and shakes her head gently but nuzzles Kyra.

“Aw, you’re not so bad after all, are you?” Kyra said to the horse.

Taylor raised an eyebrow. "Well that answers my question. I think I'll run. Horses don't like me and the feeling is mutual."

Köning whinnied, trotting in place.

Seth winced.

Dally screeched.

Fate whinnies softly and keeps nuzzling Kyra.

Taylor eyed the horse before scratching at their hand furiously

"Stop doing that," Callyah told Taylor, helping Cole onto the horse. She got on in front of him and signed **Hold on.**

Cole put his arms over her shoulders -- they had about an eight-inch height difference -- and held on to the reins next to her hands

Paisley wishes she were riding with Cole but she quietly gets on Minnie.

Anika is on Desire and she is waiting for everyone else.

Taylor ignored Fate's existence. "Should I start running so I don't lag too far behind?"

"Taylor, just get on a horse," Callyah told them. "You won't be able to run fast enough to keep up with the horses."

Seth patted König's head, moving the reins.

Taylor sighed. "Fine." They got up on Fate without using their hurt hand. [redacted] horse

Kyra hoisted herself up on the horse behind them and wrapped her arms around their waist with a smirk.

Fate whinnies and trots up to Desire and Anika with Taylor and Kyra on her back.

"Listen to me, Horse. If you don't cooperate I will find a way to \*Insert threat\*. If you cooperate, I won't do that. Got it?" Taylor hissed to Fate

Seth was a little ways away from everyone, he still could see them but he couldn't hear them.

Kyra chuckled, “I’m not sure that’s how you get the horse to cooperate, Tay.” She rested her chin on their shoulder.

Fate whinnies and stops moving as if being stubborn.

Anika snorts as she glances over at them.

"Move, Horse." Taylor ordered, struggling not to charmspeak it.

Fate shook her mane indignantly.

Seth rubbed his sore arms and petted Dally.

Cole rested his head on his sister's and closed his eyes.

Callyah sighed in annoyance, but she didn't really mind.

Anika turns to Taylor and Kyra, “Maybe calling her by her name, she’s a bit...well she doesn’t like being yelled at and is a stubborn softy.” she says with a smirk.

“Told you,” Kyra whispered in Tay’s ear, still resting her chin on their shoulder.

Taylor sighed. "Move, horse. Please?" They practically spat please.

Fate shakes her mane again and stamps her hooves.

"Why not?" Taylor sounded annoyed

Fate stamps her hooves again and basically is saying, because.

Taylor clicked their tongue. "Horse, walk."

Valerie apparently existed the whole time because Ploofy was kidnapped by her mom who invited her friend over.

Fate took a step forward but made sure to do it harshly so they would be bumping up and down.

"You can do better, Horsie." Taylor chided

Fate snorts and shakes her mane and walks smoothly with a bit of whining.

Cole still didn't look great -- Callyah could feel his heartbeat pounding as he sat behind her on the horse.

Val trotted over to Cole and Callyah. "How far behind are they?"

Taylor made a pleased hum noise. "Thanks."

Fate calms down a bit and keeps pace with the others.

"What do you mean?" Callyah asked.

"You said the rebels were coming, didn't you? Or was that Anika?" Val shook her head. "I don't even remember anymore."

"Oh." Callyah laughed, which was hard to do and keep her head still at the same time -- Cole still had his head rested on top of hers. "Not the rebels. The press. But we should be at Durnsee by noon if we don't stop."

"That's both concerning and relieving, at the same time." Valerie told her bemusedly. "But you're from Durnsee?"

"Yeah," Callyah said. "Why?"

really talk about my parents." She shrugged.

Callyah now had qUeStIoNs, but she wasn't sure if Valerie wanted to talk about it. She knew she wouldn't if she were in Valerie's position.

Breaking the awkward silence, Val said, "What's so bad about the press, besides the incessant questions and complete and utter nosiness?"

"If they know where we are, they'll tell the world," Callyah said. "Which includes-" she made a face- "the Gambit. Ugh, that's such a stupid name."

Val rolled her eyes in agreement. "Seriously. Do you think we can rename them?"

Ella I guess was riding on a horse with someone.

Taylor let Fate take her own reins, knowing that she would walk where she was supposed to

Fate was keeping pace with Desire she occasionally whinnies quietly.

Ella i'm assuming is still unconscious

Cole just quietly had a crisis behind his sister on the horse, completely tuning out everyone else with his head down.

Ella pinched her nose, oh she was an idiot.

Kyra not so subtly leaned into Tay while on the back of the horse, her arms wrapped around them.

Taylor smiled, their hand holding their other hand.

"Ewww," Ella said from her horse where she could see them, "Guys stop."

Paisley rolls her eyes and tries to stay where she can’t see them.

Valerie rolled her eyes at them as well. "At least save it for when we don't have to watch," she complained.

Kyra stuck her tongue out at Ella.

"I agree with Valerie! HEY I KNOW YOUR NAME!" Ella grinned triumphantly

Valerie sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose.

Paisley scowls.

Anika rolls her eyes and laughs, “Okay guys come on let’s speed up a bit.” she says urging Desire into a gallop

Taylor tapped Fate's shoulder "Gallop, please"

Fate whinnies and goes into a gallop to keep pace with Desire.

"Okay. But I have no idea how to ride a horse. Plus I think the fact that my head is still foggy from being inflicted on and falling 20 feet isn't helping." Ella said

Valerie decided the falling from 20 feet part wasn't her problem and she urged Tug into a canter as well.

Ella was offended- but then again when is she not.

Seth was falling behind, so he had König go faster. He was still sore, and it hurt a bit

Ella was far behind everyone.

Callyah told the horse to go faster. Cole held onto her a little tighter, continuing to berate himself for losing control and hurting Ella and Seth.

Valerie kept pace with them since they were the ones who actually knew where they were going, mostly.

"Left," Callyah called as they reached a fork in the road. She turned the horse to the left.

Taylor knew that Fate would take them and Kyra to where they needed to go

Val reined Tug in to makew sure everyone knew which way to go. Tug tossed his ead, annoyed. *But we were winning*! he complained.

*Shut it, horse,* Val told him*. It wasn't a competition.* He snorted with disbelief but fell silen*t.*

Seth caught up with the others. "We should wait for Ella," he said.

Dally leapt off of König and over to Val.

"Hey-!" Seth yelled.

Valerie rolled her eyes. "Calm down. Animals just like me, I guess. I can wait for her."

"He's been doing that a lot," Seth said. "First Holden, now you."

Val shrugged. "And? Can't you figure it out later?"

Ella completely stopped, "Whoa guys I think I need to rest."

“Your on a horse whose doing all the work.” Paisley said flatly.

Taylor looked at Fate "Stop please"

Callyah stopped too, sending a glare Paisley's way. "Are you okay?"

Fate stops obediently.

Anika stops, “You okay?”

Ella shook her head, fell off the horse and puked.

Paisley cringes and couldn’t look.

Anika cringes a bit too but at least tries to be polite and hide it before jumping off Desire to help.

Callyah slung off her own horse. Cole followed suit, but hung back. This was probably his fault.

"Hey," Callyah said, coming to stand by Ella. "What's wrong?"

"I'm fine I-" Ella puked again. "It's not Cole's fault."

Taylor looked a little grossed out.

"You're not fine," Callyah said gently -- clearly the stating the obvious when it came to medical stuff was a Dennison family trait. "And you're right, it isn't."

Cole was watching, but he couldn't see what they were saying.

"I am fine, I just- my mind- I used to much of my mental energy. And no not THINKING energy." Ella gagged

"Anything you need? I know Cole has some stuff in his bag," Callyah said.

"No, just-" Ella took a deep breath and after coughing a few times stood up, "Sorry ya'll had to see that."

Paisley had a grossed out look on her face.

Anika shook her head, “Hey no sit down, you aren’t okay.”

"We can wait," Callyah promised her. "We made good time already."

Valerie dismounted Tug, glancing concernedly at Ella.

"No I'm fine." Ella said-although she was now VERY dizzy.

“Sit.” Anika commanded trying not to charm speak but a bit slipped into her tone.

Ella sat.

"We're going to wait," Callyah said definitively. "You can't ride a horse like that."

Paisley scowls at them and dismounts Minnie.

"Hey," Cole said, seeing Paisley's scowl. "We'd do it for anyone else, so give her a break." It was the first time he'd spoken since he'd woken up, and he could feel the rawness in his voice.

Val rolled her eyes at Paisley. "Calm down. Riding horses isn't easy."

Paisley sighs, “Okay fine.” she mumbles looking slightly ashamed.

Cole tugged on his hood and wrapped his arms around his chest, going back to hugging himself under the cloak of his hood.

Paisley had lost her mask in the chaos earlier and was now realizing everyone could see what she looked like and she frowns.

Taylor's hood was long forgotten

Callyah's hood-cowl-thing had never done much anyway -- it was a sheer fabric, unlike her brother's red hood-and-cape-duo-thing. She pushed back the hood and started pinning her curls up with her hair comb.

Anika swung herself back onto Desire.

Callyah helped Ella back onto her horse and then climbed onto her own horse in front of Cole. **You need to hold on,** she signed to him when he didn't let go of himself.

Cole took a deep breath and reached around/over her to put his hands on the reins. Callyah leaned back against him a little more than she technically needed to, wanting to make sure he knew she was there for him.

Taylor talked to Fate "I'm sure you know exactly what I'm saying so if  someone says something like an order, please listen to them. I know you know this but this is a refresher"

Fate whinnies and shakes her mane in response.

"I don't know what that means but I'm assuming you understand" Taylor shrugged

Fate moves her head in almost a nod.

"Thanks." Taylor smiled

"We ready?" Callyah asked.

Anika smiles a bit and is sitting on Desire when she hears a loud clang. She jumps a bit but then turns around and can’t see over the bushes so she stands up on Desire, wobbling a bit but she looks over the bushes.

Taylor flinched slightly at the loud sound

"Careful," Callyah said, nudging her horse closer as well.

Anika spots the sound and gasps, “It’s the rebels- guys we need to woah-“ she says as she almost falls over.

Callyah jumped off the horse and flicked out her knives. "Sit back down," she told the queen.

Anika didn’t need to be told twice, she carefully sat down and said, “Callyah, i think training starts now and you’ve got about 60 seconds.”

"Protect your head and chest, and remember your legs are stronger than your arms. Stay on the horse. You've got the high ground, so use it to strike down. Gravity is your friend. And the second you get the chance, tell Desire to run and get out of here. Cole will go with you, and the rest of us will catch up." **Stay with the queen,** Callyah signed to Cole around the knife. He nodded.

Anika scowls but knows she shouldn’t argue.

Paisley nods and swallows hard.

"If you have a weapon, get it out now. Don't waste time." Callyah turned to Taylor and Kyra. "You two need to run, too. We don't want them to know--" she gestured in Kyra's general direction. "Stay with her and Cole."

Anika unsheathed her secret dagger and grins sheepishly at Callyah but doesn’t explain it as she grabs Desire’s reigns with her other arm.

Callyah shrugged -- it was about [redacted] time. She flicked open her other knife and grounded herself.

Anika swallows and gets ready as the rebels come out of the bushes she grips her dagger.

Taylor tried not to cuss

Callyah gave them a look like *dudes, you are so bad at your jobs.*

Valerie had gotten back on Tug and was trying to untangle her quiver and bow so she could actually do anything from a distance.

Taylor eyed the people coming out of the bush, a smirk not unlike the one they wore when a knife was at their neck crossing their face.

Callyah sized them up. She and Valerie could probably take three between them, which meant she only had to really worry about one.

Paisley squeaks and rides Minnie behind Cole.

Taylor dismounted from Fate, snickering softly. They had no idea what was so funny though

Cole ignored Paisley and her horse, watching his sister and Anika instead.

Finally managing to untangle her bow and quiver, Valerie fitted an arrow to the string. Tug was standing very still, as if he knew the importance the moment.

Anika had her dagger ready as she rebels advanced, she was about to yell a command when one of them throws back their hood and Anika would have stumbled back if she hadn’t been on a horse. She gasps and stutters when she sees her mother.

Callyah didn't hesitate -- she knocked the queen's mother down with a well-placed kick to the back of her knees and pinned her arms, holding the tip of one knife in front of the woman's eye. "You have twenty-seven seconds. Start talking."

Valerie didn’t recognize Anika’s mother so she watched passively, ready to shoot at any moment.

Anika’s mother just looks pretty comfortable. “Well hello Callyah and Anika what a surprise.” she says calmly.

"Don't waste time with formality. I know who you are. Twenty-three and counting. Go." Callyah spat

“Well can’t I say hi to my daughter?” Anikas mom says still calm.

"Nineteen." Callyah locked eyes with Valerie and slowly spelled out **l-e-f-t  s-h-o-u-l-d-e-r.**

“What do you want to know Callyah, you’ve always been smart, smarter than my idiot daughter who couldn’t even tell the one she was looking for was right under her nose.” The former queen praised

"Thirteen. Not good enough. Keep going and maybe I'll let you keep the other eye." Callyah hissed

Val raised an eyebrow Well, that was unexpected.

Tug snorted. Not to me. It was obvious.

Valerie shook her head. It literally wasn’t though— and even if it was, shut up. I’m trying to listen. She readied her bow, knowing exactly where to aim.

“Isn’t it obvious Callyah?” Anika’s mom says coldly, “I’m here to kill my daughter.” and as soon as the words leave her mouth the other hooded rebels have their hands on Callyah and one carefully rips the knives from her hands and another one grabs her shoulders and restrains her.

Anika couldn’t move, she was frozen in shock.

As always, the idiots forgot she had legs. And a head. Callyah slammed her head backwards into the head of the person holding her, then kicked forward at the one who had taken her knives, connecting with their chest and knocking the air out of them. "Be faster next time," she told them calmly.

Taylor was trying not to snap.

A few more hooded people came out of the bushes but then there was more surrounding them, Anika's mother stood up straight and calm, “Now I don’t care who dies as long as I get to kill her.” She points at Anika who pales then but her face is steely.

Taylor raised their fists

Callyah signed **Go** to Cole.

Cole reached over and somehow managed to get Anika's horse to move forward, running towards one of the figures.

Callyah rolled out her wrists. "Let's do this, [redacted]s," she said, picking up a good-sized tree branch off the ground.

Valerie released, firing into the farthest figure. They collapsed and she said, “Not another step unless you want to join your friend.”

Anika lurches forward but manages to stay on Desire as she runs towards a figure and knocks them down but more surround them and there was no way to get out without a fight.

Cole pulled out his Swiss Army knife and flicked out the actual knife.

Callyah waited for one of the figures to make their move.

Paisley was cowering and unsure what to do.

Anika took a breath and raised her dagger and glances at Cole with a look that said, Little help? As she had to stab someone and she gags.

Taylor started punching the nearest person, pain flaring in their hand

The figures advanced on Callyah, at least 5 of them and one got a stab at her and made a small cut in her arm.

Cole swung off the horse, somehow managing to knock over a figure as he dismounted and landed on his feet.

Callyah swung her branch, catching three of them in the head, and spun out of the way. "Congrats, you made me bleed," she said sarcastically, dodging another blow as she scooped up one of her butterfly knives. "Let's trade," she added, swiping her knife at them and leaving a long gash along their arm.

One of the figures lunged at Callyah and grabbed her legs and two others got the idea and grabbed her arms and another got a cloth wrapped around her head.

Taylor was whimpering. "Ouch" They whispered, hand throbbing painfully

Callyah thrashed and flipped the knife around in her hand, managing to stab one of the ones holding her in the wrist.

"Stay with me," Cole told Taylor. "And please stop hitting people with that hand, okay?" He handed them his knife. "Use that."

The figure yelps and loses grip on her wrist as Anika’s mother advances behind her.

Kyra was ducked underneath some bushes. They couldn’t see her—she couldn’t let them see her.

Taylor passed Cole the knife back with a scary smile. "I don't need petty blades." They smirked at the rebels

Val fired at Anika’s mother, hitting her in the flesh part of her calf— a very painful wound that would also keep her from doing anything too drastic in the fight. She rapidly fired at a few more hooded figures.

Callyah flipped her knife back around and swung it at the cloth around her head, cutting it off -- along with her hood. She jacknifed her body, bent her legs, and then shot them out straight again, jerking the one holding her legs around (and possibly into a tree)

Kyra watched people’s feet rush past—she didn’t know if they were on her side or not. But which side was her side?

Cole shrugged and made a mental note of where Kyra was.

Taylor walked away from Cole, looking strangely calm.

When the arrow hit the former queen’s leg there was a loud clank and she looks down and back up with an evil grin- her leg was prosthetic.

Valerie gaped and immediately shot her other leg. Surely she couldn’t move that easily with two prosthetic legs?

Callyah took advantage of the figures' momentary distraction to jerk herself to the side, rolling out of their grasp. She kicked out the legs of the person who had been holding her arms and elbowed them in the back of the head, knocking them out.

Kyra wanted to help. She just—she didn’t know who to fight.

This time she was ready and stepped aside and grins madly and goes faster toward her daughter who was fighting off a few figures.

Cole had stayed with the queen, like his sister had ordered -- now he stepped into her mom's path.

Kyra had no idea what was going on—

Taylor ran towards Anika's mom

Anika’s mom pulled out a long blade that was jagged and looked like it could slice someone in half.

Sighing, Val decided she didn’t have a choice and shot Anika’s mother in the lower back, hopefully hitting her spinal cord and severing it. Her attention was quickly drawn to several approaching figures, who were alarming Tug. He skittered out to the side nervously and Val dismounted, firing at two of them.

Taylor grinned. "Oldie Queen!" They called to Anika's mom

Kyra peeked out of her hiding spot and saw Tay running towards the Queen’s mother—she couldn’t let them do that—they were going to be killed—so she jumped out and tackled them into the bushes.

Callyah fought like a whirlwing, quickly knocking the figures down and out with precise hits. She was no longer taunting or being snarky -- she was in full warrior mode.

Anika’s mother whirled around and somehow dodged the arrows, she was looking for the one who called at her.

Tossing her bow to the side, Valerie unsheathed her knives and leapt at the figures, slashing them in places she knew would be painful or crippling.

Taylor went flying, landing hard on their back in the bushes. "Hey Queenie." They managed to say, wind knocked out of them "Nice to see you too"

Anika’s mother finally caught up to Anika and grabbed her shoulder. She snapped her fingers and the other figures came over and tied up Anika who was struggling, “Your coming with me and you will not resist or you will have much pain before death.” she hisses and the figures grab Anika and vanish into the woods and Anika’s mother chases after them.

Cole stifled his panic and grounded himself the way he had seen Callyah do.

Callyah, meanwhile, had recovered her other knife and was even more effective, targeting weak and pressure points like nobody's business. She knocked out the last guy near her and chased after the group that had taken the queen, followed closely by her brother.

Kyra pinned them down, “You can’t do that—she’ll kill you. I’ve seen her spar with 15 of us—she’s ruthless,” she said, her eyes wide with panic.

Growling, Val finished dealing with the figures attacking her and Tug and she ran over to help Callyah.

The rebels disappeared and Anika was unable to fight seeing as she was terrified and in shock and panic.

Anika’s mother stayed behind and her blade was pointed at Callyah.

"[REDACTED]!" Callyah yelled. "[Redacted redacted redacted wow so very redacted oh my gravy]!" She slammed into the queen's mother, ducking under the knife and driving her own blade into the woman's stomach.

The fight in Taylor's eyes dimmed. "I have to help, Queenie. I can't be useless"

Anika’s mother gasps a breath and loses breath and falls to the ground.

Seeing Callyah dealing with the former queen, Valerie took off after the rebels, grabbing her bow and quiver on the way.

Callyah pulled her knife out of the woman's stomach and put a knee on her chest as she checked her pulse.

Anika’s mother was barley alive and she rasped something, “Good luck Callyah......the queen won’t live much longer, and soon the world will witness her death.”

"Tell me where she is right now," Callyah ordered, digging her nails into the woman's throat. "Or I swear I will kill every last one of you to find her."

“She’s were she needs to be.” she rasps, “Where she will die.” she rasps before her breathing stops.

Kyra opened her mouth to tell Tay that they were an idiot when she was interrupted by a rebel stamping into their clearing. She knew this one.

He grinned, “Good to know you’re alive—though you won’t be for much longer when the Queen sees you—maybe you can bring his head back to her as tribute.”

He misgendered Tay.

Kyra looked at Tay, then at the rebel, “Oh, I don’t know—I think your head will do just fine.”

Callyah stood up and stalked away, her expression murderous.

Cole knelt next to the woman and checked her pulse more gently than his sister had. "She's dead," he announced, straightening.

Taylor looked at the rebel before turning to Kyra for a second. "He did not..." They silently asked for permission to kill the rebel

Paisley looked like she was going to puke.

Valerie was still running after the rebels.

Callyah raised an eyebrow at Taylor and Kyra, as if to say You got this, or should I end him?

Kyra ignored the others as she launched herself at the rebel—she didn’t have a weapon, but he had one, and she knew where the rebels hid their weapons—she was one of them. Soon, she had secured a knife in her hand which she used to slit his throat. ”I never liked that guy anyway.”

Callyah nodded and walked off into the forest. At least I know whose side she's on.

Taylor got up and dusted themself off. There was no trace of that scary smile from when they thought they were going to die. Taylor offered Kyra a hand up

Paisley climbed down from Minnie and tried not to look at all the dead bodies as she went and sat down on a log, shaking hard.

Callyah leaned against a tree, far away from the others, and cried.

Cole sat down and flicked his knife closed. Oh my God.

Noticing it was getting dark, Valarie slowed to a walk so she could track the group. When she came to a stream she decided it wasn’t the time and headed back to the group.

Kyra took their hand, allowing them to help her up. “I guess I’m officially on your side now.”

"Guess so, Queenie. You're stuck with me." Taylor smirked

Kyra was about to respond when she realized someone was missing, “Wait—where’s Ani?”

Cole bit his lip. "They took her," he said quietly.

“THEY WHAT?” Kyra roared.

Paisley was hugging herself looking very shaken.

Cole didn't stay anything, tugging his hood down over his face instead.

"[insert as many cusses as you can think of times at least two]" Taylor tried not to scream with frustration

Valerie do coincidentally bumped into Callyah. Shaking her head, she said, “It’s getting too dark, I couldn’t follow their tracks anymore.”

Callyah quickly wiped her eyes, glad the darkness kept Valerie from seeing her tears. "It's okay," she said quietly. But it wasn't. It really [redacted] wasn't.

Paisley couldn’t look up without seeing a dead body and she hugged herself tighter.

“They won’t kill her.” Yet. Val assured Callyah

"I know," Cole said, standing back up. "We have to find her. Kyra, do you have any idea what they're planning to do with her?"

“I know where they’ll take her—“ Kyra said. “Unless they know I’m with you, they’ll change their plan then. But only he saw me, right?” Kyra gestured to the body, “and he’s dead.”

"How do you know that?" Callyah yelled angrily. She immediately felt bad, but she didn't apologize.

Cole nodded and sat down next to Paisley. "When Callyah and Valerie get back, tell them everything you know," he told Kyra.

Paisley was too shaken to even care that Cole was there let alone flirt.

Taylor grimaced, trying to keep their eyes away from the body. I've done many things but I've never killed someone

“Because they’re going to. Eventually, but they said they wanted to make a spectacle of it, did they not?” Val said calmly, numbly. She had decided the numbness was better than actually feeling things.

"I know," Cole said quietly, putting a hand on her shoulder.

Paisley shudders a bit, “They’re all-“ she was to shaken to continue as she looked at Cole so he could see her.

Callyah slumped against the tree. "I should have been faster," she muttered. "I shouldn't have worried about not killing them. I should have-" She cut herself off, knowing there were a lot of things she should have done. Too many to list.

Kyra looked at the dead body once more, “He tried to kill Ani’s mother once—challenge her for leader. That’s where he got that scar,” she kicked him over and pointed to an ugly scar on his face.

"Not all of them," Cole promised. "I know Cal. She wouldn't have killed anyone unless she had to."

Taylor avoided looking at the body.

Paisley nods but doesn’t seem convinced, “Still and I-“ she shuddered and just scoots closer to Cole not because she was flirting or trying anything for once but because she needed warmth and comfort.

Kyra looked away—she suddenly remembered the reservations these guys had about killing. There was another thing that set them apart.

“We should have been a lot of things. But we weren’t so now we know what to work on for next time. Come on, if we’re lucky we’ll still get there before the sun completely sets.” Valerie said firmly, still working to keep the numbness from turning to pain and guilt. Her adrenaline was still pumping and her hands were shaking slightly so she just gripped her knives tighter.

Taylor looked at Kyra's face instead. Much better than any mountain sky

Kyra couldn’t meet their eyes.

Cole put his arm around Paisley's shoulders in a brotherly kind of way. "Yeah," he agreed, remembering the way Callyah had killed the queen's mother. She hadn't had to then. It was a scary side of his sister to see.

Callyah sighed. "You're right," she muttered. Compared to Valerie, Callyah was perfectly still. Scarily still.

Taylor tugged at a strand of Kyra's hair. "C'mon Queenie. We need to find Anika."

Paisley didn’t relax much but she did calm a bit

“I—yeah,” Kyra said. She wanted to apologize for killing that rebel, but...she didn’t feel sorry. He misgendered Tay—he deserved death.

Taylor led Kyra to Fate

"Where are you guys going?" Cole asked.

Callyah didn't say anything more to Valerie as they made their way back through the forest.

“I know I am,” Valarie told her, not in a proud way but in a tired way, as if she wished she wasn’t. “We need to get back to the others.”

“We’re going to save Ani—and this time, I’m going to have a talk with her mother,” Kyra spat.

"The queen's mother is dead," Cole said flatly. "Cal- Callyah killed her."

Tay mounted Fate

"Wait," Cole said. "Please. Just long enough for Callyah and Valerie to get back. It shouldn't take them long."

Kyra raised her eyebrows, “Well—that takes care of that then. But we still need to find Ani.”

Callyah and Valerie came back then. Callyah took everything in -- the bodies, Cole and Paisley on the log, and Tayra on the horse, and said, "[lots of swear words]."

Taylor clapped for Callyah "Nice vocab" They remarked

Valerie ignored her and moved around the bodies, collecting what arrows she could. For the ones with bent shafts she simply tugged them out of the bodied and broke off the head.

"Now is not the time," Cole told Taylor.

"We need to find her," Callyah said sharply. "Where did they take her?"

Val waited for the answer, cleaning the arrowheads and arrows.

Paisley just shuddered and hugs her knees.

Cole held onto her a little tighter, feeling her shake.

Callyah was still. Unmoving. She didn't look away from Kyra, waiting for her to answer.

Paisley stopped shaking as much and just sat there quietly.

“Well...” Kyra hesitated before continuing, “They probably took her to the Eastern Facility—it’s about  2 and 1/2 leagues from here. They’re probably still on the move—come to think of it, Ani might be able to escape before they make it there.”

Valerie immediately shook her head. "We shouldn't risk it."

“You’re right—we should probably get going as soon as possible—see if we can catch them before they make it to the facility. They’d be easier to attack that way.” Kyra said

"No, I'm saying we shouldn't go after them," Val corrected her and braced for the imminent backlash.

"Why the hell not?" Callyah asked.

“What else are we supposed to do?” Kyra snapped at the same time Callyah responded.

"Because we aren't ready. At all." Valarie glared

“And why aren’t we ready? I’m ready! I’ll cut down as many rebels as possible to get to Ani—she’s my friend. My best friend, actually. Even if she did kiss me and lead me on—“ Kyra stopped, flushing. “But that is NOT the point. The point is that if we don’t go now, it’ll be a lot harder to get to her. The security at the Eastern Facility is made for battle—they will set a trap—and they will use Ani as bait.”

"Look at them!" Val snapped, gesturing to the others. "Sure, you and me and Callyah are ready, and maybe Holden too, but not everyone. Maybe this wasn't how was on their side, but we don't value one persons life over another here."

Kyra grit her teeth. Damn these people and their Oh-So-Good-Morals.

Taylor had been listening carefully. They tugged on a dread thoughtfully

Kyra was trying not to think about the fact that she just revealed her kiss with Ani to just about everyone. She shouldn’t be thinking about that right now.

"I want to get her back as much as the next person, but I'm not risking their life to do it. That's not my job." She continued. "In fact, I wouldn't even be here if it weren't for her, so I have half a mind to just leave right now and forget this ever happened. Because of our queen, all of our lives were put in danger without our consent or even a warning of what might happen. We helped her and supported her after she'd done nothing to change things for her kingdom all these years because she was too focused on finding this group. Because of her, I killed a [ReDaCtEd] person. I've been killing things all my life and that's fine-- I'm cool with it, it's not hard. But you know the scary part? Killing them wasn't harder. So yeah, forgive me for not wanting to sacrifice everyone who's trying to help her in some half-planned attempt to rescue her." By now Valerie was panting slightly and glowering at Kyra.

Taylor flinched at Val's rant.

“You know what?” Kyra said, hoisting herself up on Fate, “I don’t give a [REDACTED] if you’re going or not—it’s my fault the rebels found us anyway. I’m going to find Ani.”

"And risk yourself and lose your only advantage against them?" Val snorted derisively. "Go ahead. I'm not going to stop you."

“I’ll have you know Huntress—I’m going to get Ani back—I don’t really give a [REDACTED] about my life.”

"Bet they do," Valerie told her, gesturing to Taylor.

Kyra looked at the ground.

Taylor looked at Kyra "Of course I give a [redacted] about your life, Queenie." They looked annoyed that anyone would think otherwise.

“I still have to go. I—I can’t just—just wait while Ani is being carted off by those heathens—I worked with them for almost half my life—they are brutal.” Kyra fisted her hands

"But they won't kill her, will they?" Val pressed, crossing her arms over her chest.

Taylor waited for the answer, putting their hand on Kyra's

“No, they won’t kill her. They’ll do much, much worse. Especially because Ani’s the Queen.” Kyra said grimly, her hand tightening around Tay’s. “I—I’d rather die than be kidnapped by them. They like to have fun with their prisoners.”

Taylor faked enthusiasm "Torture! Great! Sounds fun!"

"As horrifying as that sounds, she'll manage. She has to." Valerie said.

“She’ll manage?!” Kyra raised her voice, “torture isn’t something you just ‘manage!’”

"What would you like me to say? That she'll be permanently scarred and have trauma and all sorts of other horrible things?" Valarie asked

Taylor grimaced at the thought. Cold fear prickled at their spine

“She will be—unless we save her first. You’re forgetting—I can walk into that camp without being attacked. Sure, I’ll have to bring them something to make them accept me, but I’ll think of something. Maybe I’ll tell them that I killed you all—then they’ll stop looking at you while the others heal.” Kyra said

"I could be your prisoner." Taylor offered

Kyra sucked in a breath, “Tay—“ she started.

"No, that's an terrible idea. Truly horrible. And they would never believe you." Valarie scoffed

“They actually might—but that doesn’t mean we’re doing it. I don’t want to put you in danger like that,” Kyra said to Tay.

Taylor blinked innocently "I can be quite convincing when I want to." They said, sweet as honey

Their charmspeak washed over Kyra, and it was difficult to resist their tone.

Taylor shook their head, fighting sudden exhaustion. "[redacted]" They stopped charmspeaking

“If you went, it would just make it harder to get you both out of there,” Kyra’s said, struggling to clear her mind.

Taylor tugged on a dread "I need to be helpful." They muttered

Val watched them.

“You can be helpful without risking your life,” Kyra said—But there was no bite in her voice.

Taylor raised an eyebrow at her "Oh really? The only major ways I see to be helpful all involve danger." There was no bite in their voice either

“You help me fine without a dagger,” Kyra mumbled.

"Ah, yes. I'm so helpful that I nearly started crying from the pain in my hand in the middle of a fight. Very helpful." Taylor said dryly

Kyra rolled her eyes, “I would probably have helped kidnap Ani if it weren’t for you.”

"Not as soon as you realized who she was." Taylor argued

“Well—I—I would probably still be tied up—I’d probably have gone with the rebels just now if you hadn’t—I dunno, been...you.” Kyra flushed.

Taylor smirked at her, face slightly red

Kyra forced herself to hold their gaze for a moment as she sat up on Fate.

Valerie quietly listened to them and watched them out of the corner of her eye as she unobtrusively tucked her arrows and arrowheads away and then swung herself up on Tug.

“Changed your mind, did you?” Kyra said to Val.

The exhaustion that had been trying to drag Taylor into sleep finally won. Their last coherent thought was This is what, the third nap today? [redacted]

"No. I want to get to Durnsee before nightfall." Val corrected her.

“Aaaaaand, they’re asleep again—“ Kyra managed to pull Tay up onto Fate before they hit the ground, leaning them against her gingerly.

Taylor snored softly

Ella had no part in any of this seeing as I was sleeping. But she did watch the fight unfold from a hiding spot. "LET'S GO!"

"Take me," Callyah told Kyra. "To the rebels. As your prisoner."

"That it a truly terrible idea."  Valerie said, shaking her head.

Taylor made a face of fear in their sleep

Paisley stood up a bit shakily trying to avoid looking at the ground, “If your going shouldn’t we all?”

Klay paced, worriedly. His amber eyes looked off into the distance, and he was clearly thinking about Anika-

Taylor looked terrified as they slept

Paisley was still sitting on the log, avoiding looking at the dead bodies.

Holden's eyes were knit in concentration as he sharpened his small knife.

"I can protect myself, and I'm not injured. I can fight. And I'll be a good bargaining chip for Kyra. Why the hell not?" Callyah asked, still eerily still. Her hair had come out of its twist, leaving the comb tangled in her loose brown curls, and she hadn't bothered to wipe the blood off her knives and put them away. Long story short, she was a little terrifying.

Cole didn't say anything, but he wasn't going to let her go.

Taylor woke up with a start, terror on their face before they schooled their features into a smirk

Paisley didn’t bother to say anything.

“You expect me to manage everyone by myself? God knows you and Anika were the only reasons we hadn’t fallen into a complete disorderly mess.” Val told her evenly, reasonably.

A figure steps out of the woods and gasps, “Kyra?” they ask.

Valerie tiredly unslung her bow and fitted an arrow to the string.

Callyah whipped around. "Make another move and I will seperate your head from your shoulders." She didn't sound angry or menacing like she had earlier, just exasperated with, well, everything.

Cole looked to Taylor. "Are you okay?" he asked them quietly.

The figure held up one of their hands, “Woah-woah no need to be hostile,” They grumble.

Taylor snickered "I'm fine." They turned to the newcomer with a smirk and a casual wave, acting like they had any idea who that was

"Who are you and what the [redacted] do you want?" Callyah asked, still sounding more annoyed than menacing.

“Just tell us why you’re here,” Val snapped.

“I’m Advika.” she says simply, “and I don’t want anything from you.”

"Then why are you here?" Callyah asked.

Taylor continued smirking at Advika, eyes half closed lazily

Advika tugs at her hood, “Same as Kyra, I’m assuming she told you as she looks a bit guilty right now, well I was blackmailed just the same as her into the rebel group.” she says flatly.

Klay noticed the girl, her brown hair- and her eyes. And backed away, clearly remembering...

"And we're supposed to believe you because..." Callyah twirled a knife, flashing the blood still on its blade.

Valarie sucked in a breath. This changed things. And she wasn’t sure how. But she had a good feeling about it.

Taylor snapped to attention, any tiredness dissapearing. They eyed Advika

"I saw you," Klay blurted out.

“Why would I lie about that?” Advika asks sounding bored. “And what do you mean?” She asks Klay.

Cole had very little idea what was going on -- he couldn't read the hooded figure's lips and everyone else was facing away from him. So he just sat there with Paisley.

Paisley was very confused.

"You were there," Klay mumbled, lost in his thoughts.

**What do you think?** Valerie signed to Cole. Hopefully. She really wasn’t sure she hadn’t said something completely ridiculous.

“Your going to have to be a bit more descriptive.” Advika says with a smirk hidden under her hood.

"She was at least bright enough to convince people to touch a paralytic agent," Callyah said. "I would be seriously disappointed if you wouldn't lie about that."

"She was one of the people there, trying to kill Anika." Klay told Callyah.

Holden was reading to go snappy snappy and have ropes on her.

**I have no idea,** Cole signed back. **I still don't tryst K-Y-R-A all the way, let alone this new person.**

She nodded to Cole. “I have a good feeling about her,” Val butted in, studying Advika.

Taylor hopped off Fate, eyes not leaving Advika

Advika hms sounding impressed and bored at the same time.

Klay took a good long look at her- she was beautiful, he had to admit.

Holden stood. "Advika, what are your pronouns. I have to be sure."

Taylor tugged on a dread thoughtfully as they paced back and forth

“She/her.” she says simply and she had unsheathed her knife and was absentmindedly messing with it.

Callyah sighed wearily and sank down. "So Advika and Kyra can take me, then."

"I'm coming too." Klay told her.

Taylor looked at Callyah "Nope. I'm going"

Advika raises an eyebrow, “We should take everyone if you are implying we take you to the queen.”

"I'm going. Where are we going?" Holden asked

Taylor scratched at their bandaged hand

“Well where is the only place that would be most humiliating to be murdered that can also be broadcasted to the world?” Advika asks obviously enjoying herself.

"No, guys. As a captive. They won't believe that they managed to catch me and someone else, and Taylor, you're injured. I'm not letting you go, and I doubt Cole or Kyra will either." Callyah told everyone stubbornly

"OOOOOoooO where?" Holden asked intrigued

“Also, we still aren’t finished discussing who is and isn’t going.” Valerie added.

Taylor smirked at Callyah "They'd believe I was easier to catch since I'm hurt"

"You aren't going," Cole told them.

"Still not happening," Callyah said at the same time.

“Oh please, they would believe it if we got all of you, we aren’t exactly new at this.” Advika says.

Kyra glared at Advika, “What the heck are you doing here anyway?”

Taylor leaned against Fate, arms crossed, smirking

Advika glances at Kyra, “Oh you know, carrying out orders.” she says but there was a lie in her tone as if maybe something else had happened.

"You want to try that again?" Callyah asked Advika. "The truth this time."

Klay went back to pacing.

Kyra leapt off her horse and stalked towards Advika, her hand on her newly acquired knife, “Orders? Orders from whom? I think you’re forgetting, Advika—I’m a higher rank then you—I could order you to leave here and never return and you’d go.”

“Fine, I got in trouble.” she mumbles, “They sent me out alone to look for anyone with abilities but not before they cut me with the Carnage. The Carnage was the punishment blade of the rebels and Advika rubbed her arm that was covered by her sleeve. Advika turns to Kyra, “Oh please, you know I never listen to orders anyways.” she bites. “and apparently neither do you. And just so you know, after you left they promoted me which was a bad idea but heck they are full of them”

Taylor looked a bit unnerved. They continued scratching at the bandage

"Stop doing that," Cole told them.

"Oh, yay, another one," Callyah grumbled from her seat on the grass.

“Great, just what we needed. Another on of her without a fail safe.” Valerie muttered, gesturing to Kyra and then Taylor.

Taylor dropped their hand with a sigh

Holden face palms.

“Shut it, Loverboy,” Val snapped.

Taylor looked annoyed. "I'll be back." They stalked off into the forest. And impact sounded followed by lots of cussing.

"[redacted] it, Taylor," Callyah grumbled, standing up and following them. "We had a deal. No tree punching, remember?"

Taylor had the decency to look guilty. "Oh, yeah." They rubbed their fist

Kyra looked between Advika and the way that Tay had gone. "I--I have to go--I'll be back in a moment." And then she disappeared into the woods.

Callyah sighed. "Cole didn't hear you, and it doesn't look too bad, so I won't tell him if you don't want me to. Still need to hit something?"

Letting out a long sigh, Valerie tugged her hood lower over her face.

"Nope." Taylor snickered

"Tay--oh my goodness--" Kyra reached out for Tay's now bloody fist to hold it in her hands.

Taylor set their hand in Kyra's with a small smirk. A fake smirk, but a smirk no less

Callyah cocked an eyebrow. "Cool. Come find me next time, though." She walked back into the clearing and signed, **is it cute or annoying at this point?** to Valerie.

"We should get back to the group." Taylor took the bandages out of their pocket

Kyra looked at Tay with worried eyes. She couldn't let them get hurt--and now Advika was here--gosh, she hated that girl--all sense of order and planned things were crumbling, and Kyra didn't like it.

Advika was standing with her hands on her hips.

Taylor started wrapping their hand in bandages, looking like they had done this part before

Paisley was just sitting on the log but she glared at Advika a bit.

Kyra looked down at Tay's bloody knuckles, "I--I wish I was a healer--then I could help you."

**It's a liability,** she signed back, hoping she said the correctly.

"No worries, Queenie. I got this." They tied off the bandage without a wince. "Let's get back to the group"

Advika hood had flow back in the wind but she didn’t particularly mind, actually it was just another rule she broke so she couldn’t care less.

Holden looked at Advika, with curiosity sparking in his eyes.

Kyra's eyes hardened as she thought of seeing Advika, but she said, "Okay," and reached out a hand to Tay.

Taylor took her hand and led her to the group. They smirked at the assembled people for no reason

Advika raises an eyebrow at Kyra and Taylor’s hands and a smirk grows on her face.

Kyra gave Advika a death glare and stepped in front of Tay protectively.

Taylor didn't notice

Advika snorts, “Dont worry Kyra I’m not here to hurt them.” she says and surprisingly she doesn’t misgender Taylor.

"I don't care if you're 'not here to hurt them.' If you harm a hair on their head I will kill you--just like I did to Romulus," Kyra gestured to the dead rebel on the ground.

Holden examines Advika, judging if she is a threat.

“I wouldn’t dare.” Advika says mock sweetly with a smile.

Taylor stayed quiet, looking at Advika with more curiosity now.

Kyra still stayed in front of Tay--she didn't trust Advika, and she never, ever would.

“Huh-“ Advika muses studying Taylor and Kyra.

Callyah sighed. She walked over to Kyra and asked her, "You know this girl. What's your take?"

Cole didn't miss Valerie's sign, or the bandage on Taylor's hand.

"She's a no good, trouble causing, scumbag," Kyra deadpanned. "I knew her from my training camp--before I advanced and left her in the dust."

Holden winced. That wals rough.

Advika snorts, “You know I could have easily past you but I’m just too much fun for the rebels.” she says.

Taylor was rubbing their fists gently

"Fun. Right." Kyra mumbled

Valerie, who was still on Tug, muttered a few things about villains and complicated relationships.

Paisley got on Minnie and frowns.

Advika smirks, “What? Still upset about the snake? Or was it the mud one?” she asks with a mischievous grin.

"Fine," Callyah straightened up and faced everyone, signing so Cole could follow. "We need to train. Aside from me, Valerie, and maybe Holden and Kyra, you are all hopelessly unprepared and hilariously undertrained. That needs to be fixed, and fast."

“Excuse me?!” Advika says mock offended, she may be a complete goof ball but she was good. Crazy good at battle.

"I don't care about whether you can hold your own or not," Callyah said dismissively.

Taylor didn't look concerned

Klay stroked Fate's head.

"Very fast." Holden said

Advika blinks, “Well fair enough.” she shrugs.

"Save it, Paul. This isn't a conversation. This is me telling everyone what needs to happen."

"Excuse me--I am very, very prepared," Kyra said.

"You hid in the bushes the whole time," Callyah reminded her. "I'm not impressed yet. Any other objections?"

Advika had been fidgeting with a long, flat knife this whole time and she smirks at Kyra, “You hid in a bush Kyra?” she tsks

Valerie watched, considering things.

Taylor thought [redacted] this and started taking the bandages off their hands

"Taylor, seriously," Cole said. "Don't do that."

"I need to train and I can't do that with these [redacted] bulky bandages" They pointed out

"I killed a rebel because they misgendered Tay," Kyra spat. "And I'd do it again. You saw how fast I slit that guy's throat--and he was two ranks higher than me--sure, I trained with him and knew how he fought, but he is dead now. And I killed him."

"You aren't hitting anything with your hands," Callyah told them immediately. "And punching is overrated anyway. Your legs are much stronger than your arms, and no one ever [redacted] uses them. Leave the bandages on."

Advika dismissed what Kyra said with a wave of her hand, “Oh please he was an idiot anyways.” she says.

"Fine." Taylor stopped messing with the bandages

"That wasn't in the actual fight," Callyah pointed out. "And my point still stands. I would like to at least try to get through this and kill as few people as possible."

Holden was wary about going near the two rebels. They were scary.

Advika snorts, “she got you there.” she says unhelpfully.

Aurora had been following Advika. She had hidden behind a tree.

"You can save it as well," Callyah told Advika. "You aren't a part of this team and no one here trusts you yet, so I'd advise against antagonizing anyone."

Klay hated everything about Advika. What she was going to do to Anika. The fact her name was far too similar to Anika's. And her attractiveness.. If only she had been ugly- and she didn't have those eyes!

Advika frowns a bit, she whirls around and in a split-second her knives are out and aimed at the tree Aurora was hiding behind.

"Advika! Found you!" Aurora said laughing, but then her look turned murderous as she saw Kyra. "YOU!" she lunged at Kyra.

"I changed my mind, she's a bad idea." Valerie decided.

Advika smirks and grabs Aurora with her open arm and kept her from hitting Kyra.

Taylor gave Aurora a look. One that said If you try that again [insert threat here]

"AGH LET ME GO I NEED TO KILL HER!" Aurora said, writhing in her arms.

Advika rolls her eyes and smirks, “Chill Aurora.”

Holden stepped back from all the rebels. What the heck...

"Oh [REDACTED] you!" Aurora said, but stepped down.

Taylor looked right at home among the rebels.

"It's like you multiplied," Val complained.

Advika smirks, “Okay so now that everyone’s looking at me.” she looked very comfortable, “I can take you to the Queen.”

Kyra just rolled her eyes at Aurora.

Advika raises an eyebrow, “Kyra I’m sure you know where it is.” she says, “The palace balcony. Only place where they can broadcast it to the world.”

Aurora rolled her eyes like it was obvious

Taylor didn't look at all worried. They looked eager even

Holden glanced between all of the rebels.

Advika looked very comfortable standing there.

Holden broke the silence.  "Sooooooo, are you gonna take us?" he said, directing the question to Advika

We're still not ready," Valerie reminded him.

Aurora looked confused. She pulled out a cigarette and lit it, hoping it would clear her mind.

Taylor yawned

Advika rolled her eyes at Aurora then said, “Well obviously but none of you are ready,”

Taylor tugged hard on their hair

Aurora's face twisted in anger as she turned to Advika. "you TOLD them where we were going to execute the queen?!"

"We didn't know that she would be executed exactly so thank for that, Newbie" Taylor said snarkily

Advika smirks at Aurora, “Stay in your place, as your leader you will follow orders.” she says, and she was serious for once.

Aurora muttered something about hating life, and hung her head.

Advika ignores her and turns back to the others.

"We might not be great at this, but you guys aren't experts either," Val noted.

Taylor balled their hands into fists to keep from scratching at the bandage

Holden nodded to Valerie. "And we have specialties," he said

"And we're not all chess-obsessed fanatics." Val added.

“Not experts, oh please, I can sneak you into the castle, unnoticed. It’s kinda my specialty.” she winks and motions to a snake that was slithering up behind Valerie, “Hers too.” she says as the snake comes over to Advika and slithers up her leg.

Taylor had to snicker at that

Paisley gasps and hides behind Holden, “It’s a snake.” she whispers scared.

"And they have me," Callyah added. "I took out eleven of your guys and killed the queen's mother."

"It's a snake." Valerie scoffed at Paisely.

Taylor looked near their feet for a snake.

Paisley scowls at Valerie.

Advika looks mildly impressed with Callyah, “11 hmm not past my record isn’t that right Kyra.” she says with a grin.

"You do not want to antagonize her right now," Cole told Advika as Callyah flicked her knife around and gave her a look.

Advika shrugs, “Not exactly my strong suit. Antagonist is kinda my unofficial title.”

"Not past my record either," Kyra snapped.

“They are the same record.” Advika points out.

Taylor wandered away, having heard enough of the fighting. They went over to Fate and talked to her quietly

"Then maybe don't say anything?" Cole suggested. He knew that look on Callyah's face -- that was the if-you-mess-with-me-I-will-impale-you look. Except now he knew it wasn't an exaggeration.

"Its a sNaKE!" Holden said, trying to protect Paisley, but freaked out.

"What same record? If we're talking about how many people we've killed, then I think I beat both of you put together." Kyra bluffed, glancing to the left. She'd only killed one person--and she'd killed them today.

Aurora sighed. "Stop bickering."

"It isn't a competition," Callyah said, personally thinking I would care more about how many people you can incapacitate without killing them. "And it's not about us. It's about them." She gestured to the others, groaning inwardly at Holden and Paisley.

"God, you guys, you make it sound like killing is a good thing, something to be proud of!" Valerie snapped, glaring at all of them.

Advika raises an eyebrow, “Things changed since you left Kyra.” she says darkly, “I doubt you’ve-nevermind” She says looking distant.

Taylor existed elsewhere, tired of all the bickering

"It isn't," Callyah said immediately. "Which is why we aren't going to teach the others how to kill people."

Paisley cowers from the snake that was now wrapped around Advika.

"Your right, Advika. Lets kill her!" Aurora said

"Yeah, I know that," Kyra spat angrily.

"But they need to be able to defend themselves," Val argued.

Advika suddenly seemed to stop, her eyes widened and she flinches a bit.

Paisley glares at the snake.

"And so what if I've 'changed?' People change. That's how life works Advika," Kyra said.

Advika rubs her neck and shakes her head, “Okay look, you probably are going to have to kill someone, and if not your going to at least have to knock them out.” she glances at Kyra, “You haven’t changed Kyra, except for them.” she gestures to Taylor, “Your the same person. But the rebels changed things and it’s not pretty.”

"You don't have to kill someone to defend yourself," Callyah argued. "I only killed one person today. And that was--" She cut herself off. "It was the exception. Killing someone is always the last resort. So. We're getting on the horses and we're riding to the abandoned mall we were at before. There, Valerie and I will work on training the rest of you, and we'll get the equipment we need and make a plan. Any objections?"

"Yes." Valerie said immediately. "They already know we've been to the mall and if we go back they'll find us again."

"Um--yes. We need to get to Anika sooner--" Kyra started.

"You always tie them up, not kill them." Holden said

"What if they get out of the ropes?"  Aurora challenged.

Taylor came back, bandages off of their hands.

"Oh shut up," Kyra said to Holden and Aurora. She hated Aurora too.

"Why would they be looking for us?" Callyah replied. "And how soon are they planning to execute her?"

"Tay--what--where are your bandages?" Kyra ignored the others and asked, taking hold of their hands.

"You learn how to tie better knots," Cole told Aurora before turning to Taylor. "What the heck?"

Advika just smirks, “This might take a while.” she comments.

"Currently, we're the only people who knows what happening. It would make sense for them to kill us so we can't stop them later." Valerie pointed out. "And I'm confused with her," She said, gesturing to Aurora. "Is she with us, against us, what?"

"I got annoyed. The bandages are in shreds somewhere that way" Taylor gestured vaguely in the direction they came from.

Advika glances at Aurora, “She does what I tell her and for now that’s help you.”

"Tay--" Kyra started, still holding their hands with hers.

"And why are you helping us?" Valerie pressed.

Cole sighed in annoyance. "Taylor-"

Callyah shook her head. "They just know we know they have her. They don't know we have Kyra-- she was in the bushes and killed the only person that saw her."

"Nope! Neither of you are guilt tripping me into putting those [redacted] things back on my hands" Taylor tested their hands

"Rude." Aurora said to Advika

Advika just smirks at Aurora.

Kyra gingerly pulled Tay towards her by their hands, "Tay--we just don't want you to be hurt."

"It's not a guilt trip. If you don't take care of your hands, you're going to lose function. The bone is bruised and you have a mild infection," Cole reminded them.

"I already am hurt, Queenie. What's a few more injuries if I can help?" They shrugged "And my hands will be fine."

"Awwwwwwwww look at the bullcarp between them!" Aurora said to Kyra and Taylor. "She's just manipulating the girl"

Valerie sucked in a breath, momentarily forgetting that no one answered her question.

Kyra immediately turned to Aurora, whipped out her dagger, and held it to her throat.

Advika backed away, “Welp you asked for it.” she told Aurora.

Cole gave Taylor a look. "No, they will not."

"Okay, first of all," Kyra hissed. "Taylor is they/them. Second of all, never misgender them, unless you want to die. Third, I would never, ever manipulate them. Ever."

"Warm fuzzies" Taylor said dryly before turning to Cole "My hands will be fine." They insisted

Klay was leaning against Fate as though she was the only thing keeping him upright.

"If you call immobile fine," Cole replied. "As in: you won't be able to move your fingers."

Advika glances at Klay and she was good at reading people and her eyebrows furrowed and she walked over smirking, “Well while my charge gets totally killed over there-“ she gestures to Aurora with a smirk and fidgets with her knives.

Taylor didn't like the sound of immobile fingers "Shouldn't moving my fingers more keep them loose and therefore mobile?"

Valerie watched them all, trying to remember what her uncle had told her.

Kyra continued to press her blade into Aurora's throat. She was inches away from killing her--she better choose her next words carefully.

"Queenie, don't" Taylor warned

"Why not? She deserves it," Kyra said dangerously.

Klay didn't look up, he didn't want anyone to see the worry in his eyes.

"She doesn't and you know that." Taylor chided, reaching up to take the knife

Advika’s smirk doesn’t fade, “You know you can look at me you won’t melt.” she says.

Kyra gripped the knife even tighter, not allowing Tay to pry it from her hands.

"Queenie. Put the knife down." A tiny bit of charmspeak leaked into their voice

Kyra struggled to resist the charmspeak, "I would never manipulate you," Kyra said again, her voice strained. "I--I--"

"Kyra, you can kill her if you still want after we've used her." Valerie finally spoke, her gaze focusing on them.

"I've never believed you would manipulate me, Queenie. Now put the knife DOWN." They commanded, blinking quickly to stay awake

Kyra immediately dropped the knife.

"Yeah," Klay still keeps his gaze down.

Taylor stopped charmspeaking, swaying on their feet. "I hate sleeping" They said as they passed out.

Advika stops smirking, “You good?” she asks.

Kyra tried to catch Tay, but only managed to lower them to the ground.

Aurora allowed herself to breath, gulping for breath

Paisley was still standing by Holden.

"No, I'm not 'good'. My girlfriend just got kidnapped by some evil people- her own mom was trying to kill her, and you were one of them. I just can't take it anymore." Klay’s voice broke

"I--you don't know--I--I can't--I'd never--" Kyra stammered, kneeling beside Tay.

Holden had been gripping Paisley's hand, unaware.

Taylor was yet again asleep

Advika scowls a bit at the accusation but finds it fair enough, “We are trying to save her now.” she says.

Paisley was also gripping Holden’s hand.

Aurora was going to find every way to be annoying to Kyra, but she had no quarrel with Taylor. "Sorry Taylor," she said, with remorse in her voice. "I regret misgendering you."

Kyra hated Aurora. She hated her so, so much. She would NEVER manipulate Tay--not again. She couldn't describe how unbelievably guilty she felt about paralyzing them. She just--she--

"How do we know you aren't leading us into a trap?" Klay glared at her.

Taylor snored quietly in a response.

"But kYrA," Aurora said, the hatred practically dripping, "I didn't expect you would be so defensive of he-aHem- them"

Advika smirks at him, “You don’t.” she says simply but adds, “I’m not trust me if I was i would be following orders and that’s stupid.”

Kyra glared at Aurora, "You [REDACTED] idiot--I [REDACtED] love them, how [REDACTED] thick can you [REDACTED] get!" Kyra didn't even flush. She was too angry--too--I dunno--frustrated. She didn't even care about what she just said. It didn't matter--that's just how she felt in the moment. Deal with it.

Valerie coughed awkwardly. "Not to burst your bubble or anything, but you've known each other for literally a day, maybe two."

"I wish I could get Callyah to murder you." Klay mutters, "But she hates me, so not likely."

“Why? I haven’t done anything to you yet have I?” Aurorasmirks.

"I don't really give a [REDACTED], Val. I don't even really know how I feel--I don't understand it and I don't need to. All I know is that if Aurora misgenders Tay one more time, I'm going to kill her. Slowly." Kyra glanced down at Tay

Taylor smirked in their sleep

"Don't call me Val. And fine." She said, shrugging.

Kyra glared at Aurora. She'd stopped thinking. And she didn't really care.

"I'm not killing anyone," Callyah snapped, her voice practically dripping with venom. "And enough of the drama. We need to find the queen and get her out of there, now!"

Cole stepped in front of his sister and signed **breathe, C-A-L. Arm?**

Callyah closed her eyes, but she let Cole clean and bandage the cut on her arm.

"I agree," Kyra said shortly.

Advika turned, “Yeah we better hurry, this guy can’t live without his girlfriend, it’s slowly killing him.” and she was completely serious.

"You're going to have to make some sacrifices if you want to rescue her," Valerie snapped back. "Unless you think you might go and have some afternoon tea while you negotiate."

Callyah kept her eyes closed and didn't say anything.

"She meant what Klay said," Cole told Valerie, sounding surprisingly calm. "Not the rebels."

Val faltered. "Oh. Sorry."

Advika didn’t look very bothered because she was used to being yelled at and keeping calm.

Cole checked to make sure Callyah still had her eyes closed before signing, **She's really shaken up about this. I don't know how much more she'll take.**