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Sparkling Basket
221205
The group comes to another clearing in the forest next to the river, except this time without dormant engines of ancient destruction.
"We can stop here, I think," says Scanner 3. "Nothing of concern for miles around. Well, except the machine but we're far away enough from that now, I think."
The group sits around in a circle, save for the two soroi, who have already started drinking from the river and splashing themselves and each other with water.
Zu looks up to the sky. "It's so bright."
"It's getting darker," says Scanner 3. "We'll need to put up shelters soon."
"Shelters?"
"Calliope's built them for us before."
Calliope nods. "I'm good at making a little ichor go a long way by now." She absently blows an ichor bubble, plucks it from her mouth and pops it.
Zu tilts its head. "We are creatures of living magic. Hot, cold, rain, snow, none of it should affect us."
"Maybe that's the case for creators," says Render. "The longer we've been independent, the more the wear and tear of the environment becomes something that matters."
"Also," says Calliope, looking at the two soroi, "we aren't all ichor creatures anymore."
Typhoon raises her head. "We can sleep under the stars. We've done it a lot before."
Monsoon stands up. "It's been getting colder, though. I think we're getting closer to torpor."
"Torpor?" Zu tilts its head the other way.
"It's like winter for the soroi," says Scanner 3. "They have different seasons in their homelands. "
"Winter?"
"Things get colder and darker. Wow, you were not kidding about never leaving the storm islands."
"Dark rain as a constant means never being surprised by the environment."
"Winter," says Typhoon, sounding the word out. "So that's how you say that word. Still, I feel a little sad we don't know a fire soroi rulebreaker, a little fire would be nice right now."
"I can make a fire," says Render.
The others look to Render expectantly.
"...I'll make a fire," says Render, gathering up bits of loose twigs and sticks and scraping his blades together.
"Wow, you look good at that!" says Typhoon. Calliope nods and moves up to Render, pressing up against his back as she tries to study whatever technique he's using to create a fire.
Render blushes and scrapes his blades together harder.
"You feel really tense, Render," says Calliope.
Render doesn't say anything but shifts his legs closer together.
As the group watches Render, Monsoon trying to keep from laughing, the sun lowers in the sky. It is not yet dusk, but night is approaching, and they seem unsure of whether to set up a temporary camp or try to establish their settlement here with more permanence in mind.
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