Undergrowth (Log 17)

**FrankenSoul**

"Wha-" Would he be okay with that? He paused and slowly blinked, beginning to bob his head up and down. Yes, he was okay with it. Should he not be? Oh no, was he doing something strange? He really hoped he wasn't doing anything strange, he just wanted to make sure she would be okay.

"U-Um you don't have to, it's only if you want to that is, I uh-- I just-- Ummm--"

A brisk chirp from Bumble hushed him, having begun to work himself up into a bundle of nerves. The sharp sound brought his attention back and with effort he began to cool his face, breathing deeply and giving a small smile.

"Yes, I'm sure." He finished somewhat lamely, pausing a moment in their walk now to lean down on his knees. He moved to offer a hand out to her to help move onto his shoulder. Her weight wouldn't be a bother at all.

**PhoenixAshes**

Worry crossed into the pixie's face as Lu got worked up. She hadn't meant to get him in a frazzle like that, but before she could even try to smooth out the situation, Bumble took care of it with his chirping.

“I didn’t mean to fluster you.” Ciya apologized, taking his help.

**FrankenSoul**

His lips pressed together into a thin line while his large hand secured her own and helped her up, although his grasp was surprisingly light. He retained his silence as he began to slowly stand, making sure to lift the shoulder somewhat to angle it so she wouldn't slide off.

"Lu gets overwhelmed sometimes," Slick chimed in, tone pleasant and looking up at her. "He's our delicate little giant."

Oh. "Yes..." Lu gave a small nod, glancing sideways at Ciya. "I'm sorry." He was doing his best to get better, but... "Have to be skittish when you live on a mountain of giants that tower over you."
He began to move forward again, following after Slick. From the vantage point, it would perhaps look a little different. It was far easier to see into the trees, and many animals blinked from the branches at them as they passed. A mother bird was already fussing at them from a nest of babies, upset at the disturbance.

**PhoenixAshes**

Ciya was surprised at how easily he lifted her. It seemed that Lu spent no more effort than if he was picking up a feather. She sat rather comfortably on his shoulder, her arm lightly wrapped around the back of his neck for support to keep her from either bouncing off or sliding when he would begin walking again. Even if it was only four feet higher than she was usually used to the ground seemed a long way down. It amazed her actually, her legs, from the knees down, barely passed under his collar bone. If she pointed her toes they’d be in line with the juncture from arm to torso.

At Slick’s words she smiled gently, her attention turning to Lu when he spoke to her. “You don’t have to apologize.”

The world did look quite a bit different from his shoulder. The trees, even the tallest and oldest ones seemed much smaller, but she dared not look down again to the grass and dirt, for fear that she’d cling too tightly and worry their giant friend. “Wow, so this is how you see everything?”

**FrankenSoul**

"Yes...?" He answered, once again looking towards her for a moment. He wasn't sure what she meant. He saw things from his height just like anyone else. But it was probably weird to switch from being small to a little bigger...

He appreciated her being so kind to him. It was already very hard to talk to people without breaking down in anxiety and wanting to leave immediately. Her softness helped comfort him.

"Is it too high?" He questioned. He could always slouch a little more to be closer to the ground. Black- a tree branch brushed against his face and mouth, and he stuck his tongue out briefly to rid it of needles. Right, pay attention to where he was going.

"Wow Ciya~!" Slick called back again, having moved to the front of them when they resumed moving. "Perhaps you should live up there. You can be Lu's pet parrot!"

**PhoenixAshes**

"No it's fine I usually-- oh! Look--!" The pixie tried to warn him as the branch approached far quicker due to his naturally larger steps.

She laughed softly as Lu tried to dislodge the needles, more with understanding empathy than in amusement. "I'm not doing a very good job as one!" She replied to Slick while she helped brush away a few flecks of dry sap that had stuck to the giant's face. "Parrots would give better warnings!"

**FrankenSoul**

"It's okay," He reassured her now with a small smile and couldn't help but give a low chuckle. "Things like that happen a lot." It was part of being a little taller than average.
He could see Slick grinning still before giving a shrug and beginning to turn around, and speaking almost to himself, "It's good to see you smile again."

The quiet statement was just loud enough for Lu to hear, and he cast a quick glance towards Ciya in surprise. Smile again...? That sounded as if something bad had happened.

**PhoenixAshes**

"Still, it would have been helpful if I had." The pixie said apologetically. She leaned forward slightly, not having caught what the naga had said, which painted light confusion across her face.

**FrankenSoul**

"Careful," Lu said as he brought up his hand to gently push her back on his shoulder, giving a small smile and feeling himself blush terribly before withdrawing. He didn't want her to fall off or anything.

She must not have heard the words the snake-man had uttered. Lu's curiosity peaked, but now that he thought further on it, maybe it was better to not say anything... Aahh but he wanted to help the nice lady if he could!

Deciding to test the waters on the subject, he purposely slowed and shrank his steps to allow their friend to move a bit ahead. If this subject was sensitive, he didn't want her to have a spectator or anything.

"Um..." He cleared his throat, turning his head to look at her the best he could. "Slick said - a minute ago - that he's glad to see you smile again. His tone... did, did something happen? Oh!" Again, he cleared his throat and pressed a hand against his chest as if to steady himself.

"You don't have to talk about it if you don't want, but... did something make you sad?" His tone was sympathetic already, softened and kind. He only wanted to help shield her from whatever pain she had.

**PhoenixAshes**

She moved back at his requesting motion, smiling gently at his concern. Really she shouldn't do that. It was quite a way up here and she wasn't sure how she'd fall if she slipped. Broken bones would really not be welcome on this trip. The thought made her hold a little tighter where she was.

The relay of the naga's words caught her interest. Her honey gaze flicking forward warmly. Everyone really had been worried about her, hadn't they? Worry flattened the line of her mouth. She hadn't been too glum had she? This had been hard but the idea of them having to tiptoe around her and her emotions bothered her a bit.

"Hm?" She pulled out of her thoughts when Lu made his quick, anxious sounding clarifications that she could be silent on this. "Oh, no. You're fine." She assured. "Yeah. But it's more like," She paused looking for the word. "Someone." The situation in general was the something, but it wouldn't exist or involve her too much if she didn't feel as she did for Franky. A sigh came from her as she remembered: Luke. He's called Luke. Franky was Aunty Anne's name for him. 'And yours' a tug in her heart reminded.

There was a lot to this. Where to begin? Meeting Franky and unknowingly protecting an evil imp? That was the beginning but it really was too long of a story to tell the giant in detail from there.

**FrankenSoul**

Oh, she seemed okay talking about it... Well, okay was subjective. Her tone wasn't dipped and drowned in sorrow, so that was good. Someone? Ooohh... at once, his mind went to romance. That was usual the problem in such situations, huh?
"It's okay... you can simplify it... I'm slow and might get lost, otherwise." Although... he gave a small smile, and guessed with as much gentleness as he could, "Someone you loved?"

**PhoenixAshes**

"Someone I still love." Came her reply, gentle and warm as a late spring breeze. "We came to Jozef's looking for answers he needed." That was the best summary she could make for now, but it felt only half done to her. "On the way we got close."

**FrankenSoul**

"And?" He encouraged, not wanting to be too pushy and giving a long pause now. Answers... that sounded complicated already. Answers could change things. Answers could be very messy. Is that why this person she still loved was gone? Because things got messy after the person found answers?

**PhoenixAshes**

She sighed, unsure how to really go on. "He found a few, some good--" Like Aunty, finding out she was the one who first found him had been amazing and wonderful. "Some though were...hard." The book, his name, what he'd been doing before he became Franky. "I think he's dealing with those now, but..." In her pause something hit her. Hadn't Slick mentioned Lu before? Yes, just before they left. "Actually...You know him."

**FrankenSoul**

Uh oh. A sigh. That wasn't a good sound. But she went on, and it was as Lu thought - some things were good, and some things were bad. Complicated.

More so when she mentioned that Lu knew who this person was. He lifted his brows and turned more fully to face her, his question both visible and verbal. "I do?"

**PhoenixAshes**

The question raked up debate in her. Should she say? Well, she already mentioned it, it would be rude to leave him in confusion like this. "Franky." Unintentionally her voice seemed to shake on the last sound, but at least her vision hadn't blurred with tears...yet. She wasn't about to fool herself into thinking she was over this.

**FrankenSoul**

He had been raking through his brain, trying to figure it out. He didn't know that many people. Just Jozef, Slick, the few occasional travelers, his dragon friend, and- yeah. Franky. His lips formed in an "o" and he accepted it immediately. Yes, he had heard of the other and seen him around. Lu and he weren't exactly best friends, but the other had been nice enough. Really quite, though. So the quiet-friend had been searching for answers, and had fallen in love? And then things happened...

It took a moment, but he caught the waver in her tone and stopped in his steps. His hands moved towards where she sat, and gingerly he moved her at an even pace so that he could bring her to his chest and help her there. Perhaps cradled would be a better word, large arms supporting her form and turning his face down to look towards her. An expression of blind understanding was there, and sympathy for her pain.

"It's okay," Speaking with her so close, his chest rumbled slightly. "It's all okay. Franky is a good person. I know... And he loves you, so he'll come back."

He didn't care what had happened. Even from the brief times he had seen the other, he could easily read his spirit. It was full of affection, warmth, and love. To give someone that spirit meant something, and he wouldn't and couldn't ignore that.

**PhoenixAshes**

She watched, waiting for him to understand, since it wasn't entirely guaranteed that he'd remember Franky immediately. For all she knew their meeting could have been very brief. Her mind wandered slightly from that thought, leaping quickly to things she had tried not to think on too heavily.

Was Luke anything like who she'd come to care for? There had to have been something to Franky's personality that was something of who he was before. Perhaps he was what the previous man could have been given a chance, away from the things that shape people and the way they are. She'd started out wanting to help Franky get his answers, but now she desperately wanted a few of her own.

Ah, there was the recognition, she thought watching Lu's expression change. Although, he seemed a whole lot more wobbly--oh, oh no. Quickly, her hand went over her eyes, a little embarrassed to be moved this way in front of someone she'd only recently met. Even so, she didn't squirm or object to Lu taking her down from his shoulder and holding her like a child. "I know." The pixie replied to the gentle reassurance. "I know he is--I just don't know if he still--" She felt far smaller than she must have actually been. He'll come back, hm? She hoped so.

**FrankenSoul**

If he still...?

"If he still loves you?" Lu mumbled, eyes softening. He resumed his pace with her in his hold, his arms mildly rocking back and forth from the motion. There was no easy answer to that. Lu was probably far too simple to understand or work out what was fully going on in either persons head, but yet...

"We all love you." He finally concluded, giving a slight nod of his head and looking ahead. He already did and would protect the small one with his life. Slick did too, worrying and fretting over her like some sort of naga mother. And surely Jozef and Vivica did too, and would reassure her almost immediately if asked. No matter what, she would always have love. Maybe... maybe not from Franky. Maybe things would change, and it would hurt. But in the end, it was going to be okay.

**PhoenixAshes**

That was what she was worried about it seemed, and the pixie nodded, unable to speak yet. The outburst of tears had stopped now, not because she lacked the sadness of not knowing or the fear of the worst end, she still felt those things without the tears. It just seemed that being cradled this way helped in a similar way being hugged by a person of a similar size would have.
At the giant's answer she looked up at him. Yes, she knew that--well, she knew the rest of them did, Lu was apparently a new addition-- but that didn't answer her wondering. Still she felt a smile come to her as she put her head down again. "Thank you, Lu."

[**FrankenSoul**

Lu merely smiled down towards her, feeling a twinge in his chest as he spotted the tears on her face. It's okay, little friend... For now, he would try to protect her from the big, bad emotions. They didn't know she had a bigger ally to shield her.

He would have gladly wiped at her face, but the way he held her made that impossible. He moved with her like this for a while longer before asking if she'd like to move back to his shoulder so that she could see around them.

They had already traveled a decent distance by then, and the sun was beginning to lower itself. Longer shadows were stretching and readying themselves to blend together into the night, the animals settling down and beginning to yawn. By the time the light had started fading further, Slick had found the right landmarks and turned towards where Jozef had instructed. Lu gently picked Ciya from his shoulder and placed her on the ground, his large heart beginning to pick up in excitement. They were so close now!

Indeed, it was easy to find the flower now. It was indeed ill, but in the slight darkness was still glowing. Delicate petals attempted to unfurl but dropped and wilted, it's stem bending as if pushed down by age. Utterly white, it pulsed dimly as they approved as if to greet them.

"There we are~" Slick chimed. "One moon flower."

**PhoenixAshes**

She agreed to moving back to his shoulder, now that her episode of emotion had passed she was beginning to feel a little embarrassed again about being held like a child. Still, she was glad when her feet met the ground again, but thanked the giant for letting her basically ride most of the way here.

Her expression brightened at the glow of the moonflower, but worry quickly darkened it. "Jozef was right. It is sick." It wouldn't have taken a plant pixie or other flora expert to determine that. The wilting stem was a tale-tell sign of weakness. Realizing herself she looked back up at Lu, "But I think I can help it." She hoped that helped ease him, at least a little bit.

**FrankenSoul**

Oh, oh no.... Lu felt worry clamp down on his stomach, so he appreciated it when Ciya turned back to reassure him. The poor flower looked so sick... in fact, peering closer, the area around it didn't look so good either. The grass was turning brown, and the plant life looked dull and tired. Was... was there something wrong with the soil?

He gave a nervous smile and stood back, lingering nervously. To calm himself, he looked at the snoozing Bumble upon Ciya's back. The little guy had been snoozing this whole way, and only now began to open an eye to peer out at them all.

Slick himself did what he called a crouch to look at it closer, eyes round. "It's fascinating! Even when it's sick, it looks... very pretty. I wonder if..." He didn't finish his thought, fingers twitching. It would make a very nice gift. But that wasn't what they needed it for.

"I'll just... let you work your magic," He said towards Ciya, wiggling so that he moved back a bit. He was honestly eager to see her work.

**PhoenixAshes**

The pixie nodded at Slick's suggestion, before turning her honey eyes back to examine the area in the ever dimming light. She observed what Lu had. Everything was lacking water, which was odd given how close they were to the river. Gently she moved forward to the moonflower itself, kneeling next to it. There was no magic yet, she had to know what the plant needed before doing anything. Give the wrong treatment to the poor thing and she might harm it more than she helped.

Her touch was featherlight along the leaves, lifting them to look for insect damage and to see how flimsy they were. As she suspected they were thin, and starting to rumple from lack of water. Her hand dropped away and her finger went to the soil just beyond the base. Yep, dry about half an inch down. It likely had been without for two days at the least, but no more than four-- which was also odd, given the more extensive browning around it. Carefully she scratched more dirt back, finding the soil a little lower was still moist, but not nearly as wet as the moon flowers were said to need. The stem's weakness appeared to be from the same problem, the head of glowing petals too heavy for the black tube.

"Lu," She turned to look at the giant again. "Can you go scoop up a bit of water from the river? That's mostly the problem for this little thing." After requesting she looked back to it. It amazed her this flower had managed to grow here at all, let alone still be alive. The soil was fine on it's own as this was along a higher part of the stream flood plain. The darker color showed the richness just as a lot of plants liked and it was not too rocky or sandy as it would be along the banks, although it did have trouble with little granduals of ground rocks along the surface. It was just surprising that it was so dry. "I don't get it." She said aloud.

**FrankenSoul**

Both friends watched quietly as she observed and prodded, looking at the plant to see what was wrong. Lu had expected her to simply give it magic to make it better, so he was a little surprised when she asked for water. He wouldn't protest though and nodded before turning and moving to do just that, heading back towards the water. He was at least glad he could help!
Slick would be lying if he didn't half expect Ciya to zap it better himself, but merely settled down in silence as she continued to observe. His brow lifted at her words.

"Get it...? What do you mean?"

Bumble was growing restless on Ciya's back. The warm critter yawned and began to stretch before hopping down onto the ground with a soft thump. Shaking himself, the furball turned and eyed the moonflower and gave a cautionary sniff.

"Bumble," Slick warned. The last thing they needed was for him to eat the flower!

The creature in response only gave a low sound, concentration solely upon the flower. One might say Bumble frowned in concern then, a low whine building in his throat.

Something wasn't right with this flower. And it smelled... bad. Like sickness and other dark things. Spotting Lu coming forward with the water cupped in hand, Bumble waited for it to be closer before letting out a low and angry yip, even going so far as to bite at Lu's hands as he tried to drizzle the water unto the plant.

Startled, Lu withdrew his hands and looked back at his friends, confusion and hurt prevalent upon his face.

"Bumble!" Slick scolded, now growing angry and beginning to reach for the small fiend. "That's enough. What's gotten into you?"

The fluff allowed itself to be picked up, albeit reluctantly, but continued to look towards the water in Lu's hands and emit low whines, making low sniffing sounds.

**PhoenixAshes**

The pixie looked to Bumble in confusion, since the creature hadn't shown any reaction like this before. She looked back at the signs of sickness. Drier ground, dead grass when it should be at least somewhat green-- none of it really made sense. "Slick, let him go for a minute." Came her request, the concerned curiosity making something of a pinched frown on her lips. "Let him smell the water, Lu."

**FrankenSoul**

What was...?

Lu blinked, his eyes round before glancing towards the strange little creature. What could it want? Slick too had similar thoughts and expressions, squinting and lifting a brow before rolling his shoulders in a shrug. He released the pressure on Bumble's strange coarse fur, and at once their small friend was bounding towards the lowered hands of Lu.

Sniffling and rooting, Bumble emitted forth several snorts of disgust until finally Lu gave a startled whimper and pulled his hands away.

"Owie.... aahh, they, bit me...?"

The movement had caused the water to dribble down upon a fresh patch of grass, and satisfied, Bumble gave a few trills before pawing at where the water had fallen. Curious, Slick leaned forward... and let out a low whistle.

Already, where the water had touched the grass was beginning to brown, its lush green color fading. "Aah," Slick mumbled, shaking his head. "I've heard of tainted water, but this? This is almost, magical. Like..." He squinted. "Like it's rotting the plantation. Ciya, have you ever seen anything like this before...?"

**PhoenixAshes**

Usually the bite would have been worth a scolding of the fluffy creature, but the falling water, those misleading clear droplets, confirmed the pixie's unrealized fear.

Her shoulders tensed and her chest suddenly tightened, not wanting to expand for air as the realization set in. "Like the wastes...."

**FrankenSoul**

"The wastes?" Lu questioned, his confusion even more evident now as he nursed his finger. It had stung, as the little creature had sharp teeth, but he had thick skin. He supposed the surprise of it was what had him hold it now. At Bumble's nudging though, Lu gave a small smile and lowered his hand and finding Bumble lucking the wound with a tongue that held a remarkable texture to a cat.

This time, Slick understood immediately. Crossing his arms firmly over his chest, green orbs widened. "You've got to be joking. But we're miles from the border of there! How could there possible be signs of the wastes this far out...?"

"The wastes?" Lu questioned again, quietly. Slick turned and gave him a very small smile. "Ah, I suppose you wouldn't know about them in the mountains, huh buddy? Well I've heard of them myself and seen them a few times, and that's enough for me. Some sort of blighted earth that spreads through the water and land like a disease. Everything dies. Animals, plants... even the sun feels colder there."

"And it's coming here??" Slick heard the fear in his old friend's voice and moved to place a comforting hand upon his shoulder. Woops. He shouldn't have unloaded something so heavy onto Lu's shoulders.

"Hey, hey we can't be sure of that. Maybe... it's just a fluke." Though, he doubted it. Normally, this was how it started. Small spots, and then the deadness would creep steadily until it had consumed its new area. But like hell was he could to be the one to tell their giant child here.

"Oh..." Slick's words seemed to help, albeit only somewhat. Bumble pressed against his hand in additional comfort, which also helped. "...if... if the water's bad now, how can we help the flower?"

His heart began to pick up pace. Without the flower, then his friend was in deep trouble. In response, Slick moved to bite his lip, a shark tooth jutting forth. "....Ciya. Hey, Ciya? Can you continue helping the plant if you had a bit of clean water then?"

He looked at her, and his words and subtle expression seemed to ask her, 'Please, let's talk about this later.' When they were away from Lu, and perhaps could even ask Vivica for assistance.

**PhoenixAshes**

As the other two talked, Ciya's hands curled, balling tightly to control her worry. They couldn't save this flower with bad water. What was this curse doing here anyway?

As Slick had explained, this spot was too far in, away from the main spread of deadness, that was only a good walk from her and Vivica's home.

"I was hoping that we could perk it up naturally with the water, had it been good. Since that's what it needs. It's too dry here." The pixie bit her lip, pondering. "If we're going to get it to your friend," this she said for Lu, "we'll have to dig it out and take it with us...We can't risk it being here."

With a small sigh she uncurled a hand and rubbed it through her hair in slight frustration. "I can perk it up a bit, but it'll need water if we want to take it anyway."

**FrankenSoul**

Oh no... the poor lady seemed stressed. Lu shifted, wanting to reach out and comfort her too. Everyone had been trying to make him feel better, but what about her? She seemed better after a few moments at least, and Lu smiled at her. Okay! So they would dig it up and take it with them, back to Jozef's home. It seemed almost fitting, with all the rest of the flowers.

Oh no, but it needed water anyway...?

"Well!" Slick's voice rang out, oiled and with a hint of excitement. Despite the situation, the smirking grin remained as he place his hands upon his hips next to the river. "It seems it's my time to shine! I wondered if I'd ever get to try this again. It's been a while."

He turned his face towards the water and gave a quick nod.

"I can get us some water, no problem~! If you didn't know, my people have a certain bond with bodies of water. And most of us have at least some magic regarding it. I may not be as talented as some of my brothers or sisters, but I can manage." He began to shift and peer into the deceivingly clean looking water.

"....Alright Lu, get ready to scoop it up, okay? I'm going to clean up a patch here but it won't be very large, and it won't be for very long."

"Wait," Lu spoke, brows pushing together. "You're going to go in there?" After what they had seen it do to the grass? It hadn't hurt him so much, likely do to his thick skin and temporary contact, but if Slick was going to go in it... "You could get sick!"

"...eeeehh..." Moving to push his already slicked hair back, the naga man gave a mild shrug. "Possibly. Probably. It won't kill me though, and we need that water for your friend, yeah?"

"I guess..."

**PhoenixAshes**

Ciya blinked, surprised at such news. Had Viv been here she probably would have nodded right a long and knew such things already. The witch probably could have found a solution by now, come to think of it.

**FrankenSoul**

The first attribute that became quickly noticeable was the chilly nature of the water itself. Unsurprising, considering the source of the stream was likely the mountain. The snake man carefully lowered himself further into the potentially dangerous water, slithering onward and only sparing a moment to look back and flash a bright, unconcerned smile. “Still alive!” He chimed, hoping to hide any trace of his nervousness with false bravado.

When the stream moved to his waist, he paused and surveyed the area. Hah, the sand bottom tickled his belly scales a little…

“Okay Lu!” He called. He began to lean forward, shoulders and body tensing. “Get ready to scoop, would you? I don’t want to stay in here longer than I have to.”

“R-Right!” The giant replied, concern pushing his eyebrows up. How was Slick going to…? Oh. That’s when he noticed. The naga had curled himself with his tail, encircling a section of water that he now twisted to face. Spreading his hands wide, Slick closed his eyes tight and concentrated, features bundled up. No incantations or spells were spoken, neither were any further gestures or commands issued. However, soon enough, an effect began to become very apparent.

The glow began along the tip of the naga’s tail. Bright blue in color, the pure hue slid up the dark scales to fill circular shapes that were previously unseen. The shapes were exotic and yet simple, elegant in design that only nature could product. Onward the bright luminance moved, until touching Slick’s human back and arms, twisting along the spread appendages until ending at his fingertips.

The sensation of the magic was one of tingling and soothing, and once finished Slick opened his eyes to hear Lu gasp. Oh. He supposed it might be startling. He forgot. His eyes were now completely encased by the blue-white aura, glowing ominously. His body marked, the magic at last did what he wished it to do, directed into the looped area between his tail. It too began to glow and shine, as it suddenly lit from beneath by thousands of tiny organisms. When it became so bright that Lu began to have trouble looking at it, he finally was given the command by Slick, “Now Lu!”

The giant plunged his large hands into the pool before pulling them back out. The sensation was… odd. He was beckoned to leave them in the water, as after submerging he was flooded with a feeling of sudden peace. All anxieties and fears were banished, and he sighed, a smile flickering to his face before he forced himself away and felt the feeling fading. The liquid, once taken from the source, began to quickly diminish and return to its previous state. Now, however, it would be without taint.
Cupping it within his large hands, Lu glanced towards Ciya. “S-Should I give it the water now…?

Behind him, Slick was already moving back to shore. Whatever trance or magic he had performed, he was ready to be done with it. The glow vanished from his skin and the water the moment he broke concentration, and slogged back towards the shore to pull himself up. He managed a half smile, chuckling. “For such a light show, you’d think you’d get more bang for your buck, huh?” Lines of exhaustion were evident in his features, but he held himself tall. He would be fine.

**PhoenixAshes**

The pixie felt concerned tension rise in her again as the naga slipped smoothly into the water, only to have her worries burst by what he called back. Ah, Slick. She shook her head to hide amusement, his confidence bluff being successful.

She watched with interest as the patterns began to show. Awe at the display clearly showing in her expression. It was so different from Viv’s magic,her own, and so pure compared to everything they’d seen in their recent trouble, that Ciya couldn’t help but stare.

The sweet giant’s nervous question pulled her back, the word “yes” near the tip of her tongue when the realization hit. “Wait a minute!” She spoke faster than she intended to, and for the moment probably seemed a bit strange to the others as she reached to the sash-like fabric at her waist and untied it. “We’re going to need something wet for it to be wrapped in.” She explained, and motioned for Lu to lower his hands.

**FrankenSoul**

Her sudden outburst nearly caused the giant to drop the cupping of water, jolting where he stood and halting him from any further motion as he turned to look towards the pixie woman with an expression of timid shock. Though easily startled, her general disposition and gentleness did well to sooth him, and he gave a small nod before lowering himself to one knee and bringing his cupped hands to the ground.

He was, confused. He wasn't sure what exactly to do. But his thought process was that she would wet the fabric, before the rest of the water might be given to the poor plant...? He would be sure to wait for direct instructions, as this flower was vital for the health of his friend, and he couldn't afford to make any blunders and mess everything up. The mere thought of it made his heart race.

Slick, from where he had begun to curl himself in a small patch of sunlight between the leaves of the trees, watched wearily as he began to lay his head upon his thick coils. A smile plucked at his features as the yell. Ah, leave it to the young lady to remember exactly what to do in order to ensure the health of the plant. He wondered how much of her knowledge was instinct, and how much she had learned.

**PhoenixAshes**

Gently Ciya dipped the fabric into the water, pressing it down when it tried to bob back to the top. Once satisfied that the sash was thoroughly soaked, she carefully wrapped it into a ball. “Alright, Lu, thank you.” With that she moved out of his way. “Try not to hit it directly. We don’t want to knock any petals or leaves off.”

**FrankenSoul**

Lu gave her a timid smile, watching her small hands work at soaking the sash. She had a gentle touch. That he could notice even now, in how she moved and the pressure used against the water.

With her permission, he included his head and gave a nervous hum. "Okay..."

Don't mess this up. Don't mess this up...

With her advice, carefully and very slowly, he tilted his hands and allowed the purified liquid to drip down his far more awkward and large fingers. He aimed for the lower sections near the base of the plant itself, as to hopefully not harm any of the vital petals. Nonetheless, the movements caused the flower to move in place slightly, causing the giant to suck in a quick breath before realizing all was well. Just over-reacting...

When he saw the color of the soil around the plant turn rich and dark, he moved and allowed the rest of the water to trail into the ground. Even with his small knowledge of plants, he was aware that he shouldn't drown the poor thing. Looking back, he bit his lip and watched, but saw no immediate results. The wilt and discoloration of the flower remained.

"Umm..." He pushed his brows together anxiously, and upon seeing this, the drowsy Slick spoke from his resting place in a warm voice.

"It probably just needs another moment~ I made the water pure, not magical, and even then it likely needs time to heal. Am I correct, Ciya?" The snake man glanced over to the other, hoping for further reassurance for their nervous friend.

**PhoenixAshes**

Ciya placed her hand reassuringly against the giant’s hand. He’d done well.

She nodded simply at Slick’s comment. “That’s right.” Gently she pat Lu and moved closer to the flower and crouched by it resting the wet sash on her knees.

“Normally I’d let it try to heal itself but,” Her gaze turned to the giant now, “we don’t have a lot of time. Right? “ The nervous Lu had come to help his ill dragon friend after all. Without waiting for a full answer, she leaned forward. Her fingers barely brushing and lifting the stem back into a more upright position, the touch lighter and softer than a duck feather.

Slick had done his magic, now it was her turn.

Her right hand held the flower up as it should be, offering it support and strength, her left went down to the now dampened earth and her finger tips pressed into the small hole she’d dug earlier to check for moisture.

Honey eyes closed and the pixie focused down her arm, to her fingers, into the soil, where her senses found the root system. The white, spread tendrils searches back, but not for her magic, but the fresh, pure water in the soil.

They were weakened, starved, but the pixie pressed and they began to drink. She could feel the pull, the swirl of capillary action going from the roots and ball up into the stem, where her supporting hand lay waiting at the bend.

While it wasn’t as flashy as Slick’s purification, it was still miraculous in its way. It was sudden, the new firmness the stem took on, lines of fiber suddenly appearing much plumper. Withered leaves unfurled, and the delicate, dark and light patterned petals began to revive.

**FrankenSoul**

Shifting his weight back and forth between his feet, Lu felt the shivers of panic despite the words of Slick. Though, again the strangely comforting touch of the small pixie assisted greatly, their gentle touch somehow radiating calmness and security. Almost like magic.

Though the true magic came next, and as Lu watched, he couldn’t help but allow the wonder to appear on his face at the events unfolding. First the water for Slick, and now she was able to do something like this…?

‘She healed it.’ Lu thought to himself, still staring as she worked. Somehow, simply by her touch, she was capable of encouraging life where sickness had once been. He had already seen her to be kind, but now, the word wonderous came to him.

The life-giving plant stood tall once again, and to Lu it was remarkable of a miracle. A sudden sound caused Slick to look over with a start, a low-pitched tone issuing forth from Lu’s chest. The giant reached for his face, pressing his palms to his eyes, which Slick now spotted were extremely moist and already beginning to leak heavy tears.

“Aah…. Aaah everything’s g-going to be… a-alright?” The giant, overcome with a sudden emotion of hope, couldn’t help it. He was doing his best to stop the flow of moisture but was having little success, now sniffling too as coolness touched his cheeks.

**PhoenixAshes**

Ciya kept her hand to the ground, still coaxing the flower to take in what it could, but her eyes opened and she gingerly I inspected the plant. Closer now, looking for tears or spots, or browning along the edges.

The sound from their larger friend caught her attention and she looked to him, her heart near bursting at the tears he had. “Yeah,” She replied, her eyes pricking with tears as well in empathy. “Yeah, big guy, it is.”

She looked away again, feeling out again for where the roots were thickest. Quickly a line was traced out around the flower. “We’ll need to dig around here to get it up intact and—“ She breathed and searched. Shallow roots still. “Four inches down.”

**FrankenSoul**

"Hmmm..." The giant continued to struggle with his tears, surprised at himself. He normally wasn't one to simply let loose like this, at least not in front of others. He had taught himself to contain his emotions, as his far larger cousins of the mountains viewed it as weakness and would torment him all the worse for it. With a flicker of thought, he supposed it was that he felt safe here. As well as, he was carrying far more anxiety about the potential death of his friend than even he had known. These were tears of relief, and happiness.

Still, he wiped heavily at his face, nodding at her reply and following it with, "It's going to be okay... I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."

A groan signaled the rise of the naga from aside, shaking his head to clear it and give some energy to his bones. He was extremely weary from the exertion of magic - damn he was out of practice - but he could survive a bit longer. The big guy, blubbering as he was, was going to be out of commission for a time longer. So, he would help instead. Wiggling himself closer and lowering himself to the ground, he blinked hard and breathed out through his nose. Four inches? Easy.

"Oh I've hunted rabbits deeper than that. Here," Flexing his hands, capped with their hard, sharp black nails, Slick pushed them deep into the earth and began to move soil from where Ciya had indicated. This was made easier due to the wetness of the earth itself, scraped easily out from around the roots issued forth from the plant.

Not looking up from his work, Slick commented, "I think I have it mostly loose. Are you ready with the sash?"

**PhoenixAshes**

The pixie observed Slick, making sure by way of her temporary connection to the plant, that he didn’t accidentally snap any thing vital. At his mention of he sash she started slightly, a little jolt before moving herself to actions. “Hang on.” The words quickly fell from her lips as she unwrapped the still wet ball of fabric at her knees, adjusting it over more to one side. “Pull up with both hands on either side,” She instructed, “try not to yank, we don’t want to snap the center root—it’s thick, and where the flower keeps what it gets from soil. Ready?” There was a nervous tension through her shoulders now. As always, healing a plant where it stood was easy, transplanting was rough. Even if this wasn’t a recently wilted medicinal flower, she’d have her worries. Her hands cupped under the sash where she wanted Slick to set it and reached out with it, so the recently wetted earth around the roots wouldn’t have time to dry as they moved it.

**FrankenSoul**

"You got it, *lysath*." The mumbled message held a friendly disposition, the last foreign word rolling from his smiling lips. He couldn't help it, he was simply put in a better mood by witnessing her compassion and knowledge regarding something she so obviously cared for. It pushed his mood upwards, even through his weariness.

"Up you go, you troublesome thing-" Slick continued, his hands diving on either side and the wet soil pressing against his fingertips. Slick lifted the flower easily from its unhealthy home, exposing the many small roots which clung to large clumps of soil which already began to fall in a small rain of dirt as he moved it towards the sash. Still, from what the snake man could see, it appeared just fine. What a strange thing they were doing - really, the only roots he saw often were those of large trees felled by powerful storm winds. These were so much more... delicate. Breakable.

He wondered, if his hands trembled and he dropped the flower, would that spell the end of this fragile thing? Ciya sure seemed to think so, based on some of the nerves she had showing. The thought of such a thing happening due to his own error caused his stomach to twist, and he was all too happy to finish transporting it to the sash and Ciya's care.

**PhoenixAshes**

The pixie let out a small sigh of relief when the weight of the root ball settled into her hands. “Perfect.” She praised, sending a warm smile at the naga across from her. They’re little team had done well, but now it mostly fell to her. Gingerly she settled the sash and its new inhabitant onto the ground, so she’d have an easier time to wrap it. Folding the short sides up around the portion of earth that had come with the roots, she encased, leaving only a little strip and the stem free, from there she tied the long edges to hold the upward fold. From there it was just a matter of laying the rest of the loose fabric about and securing it into place with knots wherever it could be managed.

The result wasn’t beautiful, but serviceable. The sash looked a bit lumpy with the earth and root it contained, but the moonflower stood tall and straight from it. “That should do it.” She said, bringing the plant off the ground, making sure not to touch it too her clothing where the water would transfer.

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