--Building a New life --Tech x Reader Bad Batch

Chapter 55 -- The jungles of Rishi -- Part 2

Your walk was a little ways away from the village but mainly an uphill climb along a path that was overgrown and cumbersome to walk on. It was difficult but you didn't mind the climb because of the beautiful greenery you got to be surrounded by, and the few chances Tech got to reach out and help you up over something. Your group was one of many ascending the mountain and you were surprised at how many people there were. Many of them also had similar clothes and tattoos to those you had already met, but there were some who were different, possibly from a different village.

Eventually you started to approach the clearing Tori had mentioned. Its location is evident from the singing, drums and other instruments you could hear. As you came closer you could see people moving about dancing in the center of a clearing and milling about talking around its edges. There were also large bird-humanoids which you assumed were the native Rishii. A few of these natives were flying about or playing with children and there seemed to be bright colorful things everywhere. The main three colors were a bright red, teal and yellow which could be seen on clothing among the dances, painted onto trees and decorations or in the dried flowers being passed about. There were plenty of people talking, dancing and trading things back and forth with the Rishii.

The energy was happy and inviting and before you knew it Tori had pulled you and Omega away from the boys to start dancing.

"If the ladies dance the men will too!" she had laughed and you started to join her doing your best to copy her more tribal dance moves with Omega. As soon as you ladies joined the dance a floral necklace was thrown over your head and a small crown put on Omegas head.

"sa karangalan ng mga bulaklak" the woman said as she laid another dried flower necklace around Tori's neck.

You looked confused asTori turned to you "in honor of the flowers."-she translated- "We celebrate their new beauty before the season turns".

You smile in understanding and turn to see Wrecker, Brick and Device joining in the dancing. Brick comes over and spins away with Tori, while Wrecker and Device join you and Omega before all of you are separated again as the dance changes. Given the more tribal nature of these feastivities the dances are either in pairs or circles with repeating moves so you are picking it up quickly.

Simmy walks up to your side taking a turn to dance with you, now adorned with his own vestment of flowers and part way through he motions someone over to join you. Hunter sidles up, evidently cautious to join in but Simmy grabs his hand and throws him your way making you laugh. Hunter is actually a good dancer and soon catches on like you did, easily able to stay on beat with the dance. He's a bit distracted for a while, looking back over his shoulder every now and then to check on Omega's location but as he starts to loosen up he remains focused on the dance and holds eye contact with you. You even manage to get a few gruff chuckles by pulling some faces when you misstep.

A pause in the music allows for you to stop for a moment and you look around trying to find Tech. Hunter notices you glancing about and puts a hand on your shoulder with a grin "he's over that way".

You chuckle and blush knowing Hunter knew exactly who you had been looking for and you look to see your nerdy introvert happily socializing with a group of Rishii. Tech had abstained from dancing but had become very engaged in conversation with the Rishii. Even while he wasn't one for needless parties, the intricacies of culture were just as interesting to him as they were to Omega. He was drilling the Rishii and locals about the different means and customs being displayed and had started to participate in the trading that was happening throughout the party.

This is also when you noticed Wrecker helping himself to the banquet table accompanied by Tori, Brick and Omega.

"Looks like they've found the food" You comment as the music starts up again.