Permafrost: Thunderbird

Chapter 6: A New Friend

⭐️Chapter 6: A New Friend

The next day, Ryn woke up to her phone alarm. That was odd, she had a dream that she met a kid in the woods that night. Oh well, maybe it meant something, like help was on the way. Or it could be a villain, she didn't know. As she got ready and made her way to the front room, she stared at the sleeping humanoid on her couch.

Oh.

So it wasn't a dream.

Well then...

Oh right, she remembered now. The kid's name was Bird and Ryn was going to tell the rest of the Infernos about her. God she needed to stop doing things late at night, because then she wouldn't be prepared the next day!! Sighing as she made her way over to the kitchen area, Ryn started on breakfast. Since she was running this house solo, she used money from turf as well as help from others to ensure stability. There had been some raised questions about a kid living alone in a house without parents, but luckily for Ryn, her neighbors said they'd watch out for her.

They'd especially believed in her after the whole adventure with the Rinklings, because if she was brave enough to do that then running a house was surely no problem. Bird was still sleeping on the couch, so Ryn theoretically could leave her here...but no, she would make the two of them breakfast with what she had. As much as she was...weirded out by this newcomer, she had no reason to be mean to her yet. There was still time to figure out what had happened, but for now it was time to relax a bit more. Focus on cooking for now.

Ryn had decided on seabird eggs (naturally unfertilized) and some fruit, which she'd bought at a market. Silvia had taught her some cooking before too, so she at least knew how to fry an egg. Bird began to stir as Ryn finished up cooking, and looked over to see Ryn setting down plates of food. She immediately perked up and scrambled to get off the couch to dash over. Once she got to the food, she took a good, long stare at it.

"Woah! What is this??" Bird gasped, eyes wide with curiosity and awe.

"I assume you've never seen-or eaten, for that matter-eggs and fruit?" Ryn asked, chuckling a little.

"Well...I remember seeing the scientists eat before...and I do remember eating something too...but the memory's too hazy, and I think I might've gotten food through weird lab technology or something," Bird replied.

"Fair enough."

Ryn proceeded to explain to Bird how things worked, how to eat the food and what to avoid on some fruits (stems, non-consumable seeds, etc.), and at least basic table etiquette/manners. After Bird took in every word, she began to eat after Ryn, and the two were able to eat breakfast without any problems. As Ryn finished up, she went to find some spare clothes for Bird, since she probably needed to clean up anyways. She found a simple t-shirt and shorts, and ran back to Bird who was finishing eating. Bird turned her attention to Ryn as she saw her, since she'd been so focused on eating that she didn't see Ryn leave.

"Oh? What's this?" she asked.

"We need to clean you up, because who knows what you've touched...wherever you were," Ryn replied.

"Oh yeah, cleaning up. Forgot that was a thing, hehe..."

"Yeah...anyway, are you done?"

"I am. Shall we start cleaning up now?"

"Do you know how to clean yourself? With ink or water or whatever it is? And how to dress yourself?" Ryn asked.

"Um...not really," Bird sighed, disappointed. "But I'd hate for you to have to put all these dishes away and do all the-"

"I've lived here, alone, for a few years...I think I can manage," Ryn replied.

"Well, if you say so! Tell me where you want me to go and I'll wait while you do your thing!"

"Alright, alright..."

-----

It took less than an hour, actually. Bird was a quick learner, and the two had accomplished the task of cleaning up and basic hygiene in no time. As Ryn and Bird made their way back to the front area of the house to converse about what else had and hadn't been learned, Ryn heard a noise coming from the kitchen counter.

Her phone had buzzed.

Oh right.

Her friends were waiting.

Ryn scrambled to pick it up as she now realized the situation. She quickly got her purse and tied a jacket around her waist in case the weather got colder. Bird watched with confusion, noticing the red Inkling's panic.

"What's going on?" she asked.

Ryn looked at her as she huffed from making sure she had all her things.

"Remember how I said I might have to introduce you to friends?"

"Well yeah, but...aren't I also a secret or something? Should I stay here while you go see them?" Bird asked.

"I have to meet them for an event we have today, so I might as well knock out two birds with one sto-wait no, I mean I might as well get more things done in one go than do the things separately," Ryn explained.

"Can't they come here and meet me?"

"Like I said, you coming with us easier, just turn into squid form and I'll carry you to keep you hidden."

"Oh! Um...okay."

Once Ryn had gotten ahold of herself, the two made their way out of the door, Ryn locking it once they were outside. As instructed, Bird transformed into her squid form and hid in an internal pocket that Ryn's jacket had. She didn't weigh too much either, so it wasn't a problem. In no time, the two had reached the bus stops where the other three Infernos were waiting.

"There you are, Ryn!" Jack angrily exclaimed. "We've been waiting for an hour!"

"Actually, it was way less than that, but...yes, we were waiting for longer than you usually have us wait," Silvia corrected.

"Did something happen on your way here? Or this morning?" Cosmo asked worriedly.

Ah, so they were onto her. Well then, might as well get this out.

"So you know how I told you there was a new person I wanted you all to see?" Ryn asked nervously. "You know, the text I sent?"

"Uh huh..." Silvia nodded slowly.

"Yeah, I saw the message this morning," Jack replied, still a little grumpy.

"Mhm!" Cosmo smiled.

Ryn cleared her throat as she reached into her jacket pocket. Bird had overheard her, so she made things easier for Ryn by allowing herself to be picked up and brought out. Ryn took in a deep breath.

"Everyone..."

Ryn set the squid form girl down and let her turn into her humanoid form in front of her teammates.

"Meet Bird."