[muffled spooky scary skeletons playing in the distance]

[geonomy]

Who: You! Me! Everybody!
Broadcast: idk but we've sure got a pretty broad cast of folks eh, eh
Action: HECK YEAH PLANET MINGLE
When: 10/7 until plot update or recaptcha

It's a deep, deep forest filled to the brim with fungi, mysterious life forms, and pitch black darkness. Explore if you dare and discover all these things and more! Just don't get lost...

Comments

[exothermia]

I don't know what lessons you've learned, Charles. [He moves away from the subject of Nina, warding off the tightness that would otherwise descend on his heart.] Unless you mean how to operate the VCR in the media room.

[axiomed]

[ He splutters lightly. ]

I know how to operate the VCR!

[exothermia]

Yes. Because the students taught you.

[axiomed]

That is patently false.

[exothermia]

[He hums genially, at once both accepting and irritating about it.]

[axiomed]

[ He huffs. ]

I didn't need my students to teach me about technology.

[exothermia]

It was a joke, Charles.

[axiomed]

[ Charles gives him a baleful look. ]

[exothermia]

But it seems I struck a nerve.

[axiomed]

I'd like to see you work the VCR, Erik. Since that was the first thing that came to mind.

[exothermia]

[Blithely:] I've never owned one.

[And that's fine with him. The DVD player in Epona had been enough to come to grips with.]

[axiomed]

I'm sure there's some device around that resembles one. We are near some impressive junkyards, after all.

[exothermia]

Please don't dig up an alien VCR just to prove yourself right.

[axiomed]

I'll think about it.

[exothermia]

Well. [If Charles can find something like that, he can do what he wants with it. Erik points over the other man's shoulder with his flowers.]

Do you want to start heading back?

[axiomed]

[ He looks at the sky before glancing at Erik. ]

Yes. Before it gets dark.

[exothermia]

[With a nod, Erik steps around Charles's chair and starts walking, expecting him to follow along. The shadows are starting to lengthen, which hadn't escaped his notice either. Thankfully, they were only about half an hour's walk from the Heron's landing point.]

[axiomed]

[ He finds himself looking back to the forest a few times before the presence leaves him behind. ]

[exothermia]

[At least it's an uneventful walk, beyond some eagle-sized birds flitting through the trees ahead of them. If the undergrowth ever becomes obstructive, Erik cuts it away with his knife, keeping his ears pricked for any rustling that might indicate something large and unfriendly approaching.

After a few minutes journey, he glances over at Charles.]

Have you been sleeping better?

[axiomed]

[ The sudden topic makes him blink and he seems faintly uncomfortable. ]

I have. Not all the nightmares have that kind of intensity.

[exothermia]

[Erik looks away again, letting out a breath. That's enough for him; he hadn't thought about it much beyond the question.]

Mm. [He hacks through another vine in their path.] I haven't been, much.

[axiomed]

You sound unsure of that. Is it a good thing, Erik?

[exothermia]

I don't know. [It's only been the last couple of days. He shakes his head, uncertain why he brought it up to begin with.]

[axiomed]

[ Charles shakes his head. He can think of a few reasons, but it's not his place to voice them. Charles' fears may have calmed but they're still there. The Atroma are still there. Another powerful creature will come along and again . . . ]

Well. Perhaps it's better not to know and just let them pass.

[exothermia]

[They won't pass. He hopes they will for Charles, at least. Instead, Erik rolls his shoulders and sheaths his knife.]

If we find some kind of vegetable here, that should be the first thing we take.