Wanderlust ✧ (Milo Thatch)

nine

The princess left the castle shortly afterwards, making her way down the stone steps.

"There she is," Challis nudged Milo's arm and he tucked the Shepherd's Journal away so he could concentrate. "I'm ready," he said. "Okay Milo, don't take no for an answer," Challis whispered. "Hmm, how does this sound? 'Look, I have some questions for you and I'm not leaving this city until they're answered,'" Milo glanced at her for approval. "Yeah, that's it, that's good, that's good" she nodded and Milo gave her a thumbs up.

As they cautiously peered from behind the pillar, Kida was nowhere in sight. 

"Did you see where she went?" puzzled Challis. "I didn't. It's like she disappeared in thin air," Milo replied. Unbeknownst to them, the Atlantean was observing their every move from above. As they slowly emerged from behind the pillar inquisitively, Kida stealthily descended and startled them by placing her hand over their mouths.

"I have some questions for you and you are not leaving this city until they are answered."

"Yeah, well...I, okay," muttered Milo.

"Shh, come with me," the Atlantean suddenly whisked the two outsiders away.

Challis was in awe of the enchanting city of Atlantis. Thinking of her hometown, she couldn't help but wish her own looked just as captivating. "Where are we going?" she pondered aloud. "Keep up. You'll see," Kida answered. The trio crawled their way through the waterfall rocks that were coated with tree roots and eventually found themselves wandering in a vast forest clearing.

"Oh, there is so much to ask about your world. You are a scholar, are you not?" Kida pulled Milo down a moss rock by the hem of his pants, accidentally showing his underwear, "judging from your diminished physique and large forehead," she flicked his head which shifted his circular glasses out of place, "you are suited for nothing else." 

Milo appeared a little flustered as he tugged his shirt down.

"And you," the Atlantean's attention turned to Challis, "do you work for your lover? I assume so by your similar clothing style and your constant presence together since our first encounter," Kida pointed at the two who were leaning against each other.

Milo and Challis chuckled as they separated. "Oh no no, nothing of the sort. Actually, I work as a waitress and journalist. Milo works," she paused for a moment, "I mean, previously worked in a museum," Challis clarified, disregarding any further assumptions. Kida sceptically raised an eyebrow but chose to speak no more of the matter. 

"I am most fascinated by your arrival. Do tell me, what is your country of origin? When did the flood waters recede? How did you..." Kida playfully donned Milo's glasses, leaving him to navigate the now-distorted world before him. "Wait a minute, we appreciate your enthusiasm. Truly we do but we have some questions for you too," Challis smiled, holding her hand out.

The glasses were handed back and Challis carefully wiped them clean on her shirt before placing them on Milo like the many times she had done before. "Let's do this, okay? You ask one, then we'll ask one and well...You get it," Milo suggested. "Very well," Kida spoke calmly "what is your first question?" 

"If you do not mind me asking, have visitors always been welcomed here in the city, or were any denied at the entrance?" Challis inquired.

"You are the only visitors to ever make it to Atlantis. But, had you visited many years ago, we would've slain you on sight. Now, I cannot bring myself to do so."

"I'm very glad about your change of heart," the journalist let out a nervous chuckle "Milo, what about your question?"

"Well, okay, uh, how did you get here? Well, I mean not you personally but your...your culture," Milo gestured around, "I mean, how did all of this end up down here?"