A Journey Across Terra

21

"Ahh. Good morning world!" An energized Uage triumphantly jumped out of the truck as she took in the cool Kjeran morning breeze.

"You sure are energetic this morning."

Utage jumped at the noise before looking to her side and seeing Yuki sitting there as he pocketed something into his jacket.

"Oh jeez, it's just you Coral. You scared the crap out of me." She let out a sigh of relief. "Why're you up so early?"

"Just enjoyin the scenery." He looked on towards the mountain scape in the horizon. "I hear Karlan has a goddess. I wouldn't mind meeting her one day."

"Umm. Coral, you got a little blood on your lip there." Utage pointed to the corner of Yuki's lip. "You okay?"

Yuki's eyes widened for a split second before licking the blood from the corner of his lip. "Yeah. Just bit my tongue earlier."

"Hm. As long as you're okay." Utage shrugged. "You're the only one who's keeping this whole trip alive for me so try not to die, kay." She smiled as she got up into his face.

"Wow. So I only serve as entertainment for you?" He crossed his arms in mock offence.

"Whaaaat. Noooo, you're far from being only entertainment."

"Like?"

"Hound bait."

"...Is that so?" Yuki stood up.

"Wai-Coral, we can talk about this!" Utage jumped and took a steb back in fear.

"Utage, you got until three to start running."

"Eek!" Utage wasted no time in making a mad dash across the snowy plains.

"Three!" Yuki made a mad dash towards the fleeing girl.

"AHHHH!!! That's not fair!!!" Utage screamed as Yuki closely followed behind.

{ - Adventures Across Terra - }

"Crownslayer." A cloaked person walked towards a red haired Lupo who was sharpening one of her daggers.

"Yes?" She didn't take her attention off of the dagger. "Did you observe the target?"

"Of course I did." They replied. "However, there was someone keeping watch for the whole night."

"Hm." She nodded. "Tell me about this person."

"Yes, they seem to be a Pythia, Liberi Hybrid." They scratched their neck. "There was no way we could get closer to their vehicle. Any move we made; it would draw their attention."

"Hmm...Well that's too bad." Crownslayer sighed. "We'll keep an eye on them until we find get enough information on them. Until then, we stay put. We dont want to make any brash decisions."

"Right, that's all. I'll leave you be." The cloaked person ran back to her group.

Crownslayer looked on in silence before sighing and placing her dagger into its sheath. "Should I?" She pulled out her phone and dialled a number. "Nah, what'd he even say?"

The Lupo laughed to herself. "Eh, who am I kidding. Like I'd ever question something like this." She steeled her resolve before calling.

*Ring Ring*

Only a few seconds passed before the person picked up. "Hello Lyu, what is it?"

The lupo was caught off guard by the sudden nickname as her red wolf like ears perked up. "...Lyu?" Crownslayer fiddled with her dagger.

"Yeah. Is there something wrong about the little nickname I gave you?"

"No, it's just that not many people call me by a nickname. It just caught me off guard, that's all." She awkwardly chuckled. "Yuki, are you free?"

"Eh, can't say I am." He replied casually. "Running a little errand that may take a few days at the very least. What's up?"

"I was just wondering how your tracking skills are."

"Tracking skills, eh?" Yuki said nonchalantly. "Don't you think it's a bit odd to ask someone you've only met once to do such a thing as stalk someone?"

"Ah-Well I..." Crownslayer was caught off guard once again as she fumbled over her words.

She had never really had a friend outside of her work in the Reunion. All these years, she's been only work, work, and more work. There haven't been too many people she was comfortable with. Not even the other reunion leaders. She was new to this non-work-related friend thing.

"W-Well, you said to call if I needed your help." She stammered.

A light chuckle could be heard from Yuki's side of the call. "Don't worry, I'm just messin with ya. You're pretty sneaky right? You can go ahead and do it yourself while I deal with this."

"Hmm...Okay." Crownslayer lowered her head in defeat. "Right, I'm sorry for wasting your time."

"Oh, no no. Don't apologize." He said in a hushed tone. "Never apologize for asking for help. You got that."

Crownslayer only let out a hum of acceptance.

"Good. I should be apologizing. If I didn't have this thing happening, I would have gone right over to help you."

"Hm. That's good to hear." Crownslayer lightly smiled to herself. "That's all...I'll see you around."

"Yup, I'll see you around."

{ - Adventures Across Terra - }

"Hum...Looks like he's even got the reunion on his tail, eh?" A lone woman could be seen on a distant cliff from the campsite. "Looks like your bad luck has come back to rain on your parade once again."

The woman let out a light chuckle before jumping off of the boulder she stood upon, her tail whipped in the cool Kjerag air as she rubbed her hands together for warmth.

{ - Adventures Across Terra - }

"Honestly, he really didn't have to stay up all night to keep watch." Frostleaf sighed as she placed blanket over top of the sleeping Yuki sitting beside her. "You could have just asked us to take over for a bit."

"As if that was an option." Utage laughed. "You were starin daggers at him for the entire drive yesterday. Probably scared him off or something."

Frostleaf glared at Utage. "Nonsense...If anyone was to be scared off it would be you."

"Nooo~ What makes you think that? " She avoided eye contact with the annoyed Vulpo.

"Don't pretend like we all didn't hear you praying on your knees for mercy this morning."

"No, that's...He gets scary when he's chasing you like that."

"Oh, he can be much scarier."

"Yeah, I know but still..."

"It's okay, Utage." Vigna who was quietly listening along to the conversation spoke up, keeping her attention to the road. "It's okay to say you're scared."

"Hey! What's that supposed to mean!"