Overstepped

Inexplicable

 ((Warning: This part contains mention of a dead animal & light description of the state it's in. Reader discretion is advised.))

  The journey down the mountain was much easier than going up. After a few pitstops at other mountain villages and smaller settlements, Zenyatta and Addie eventually reached the bottom of the other side of the mountain. They were a long way from home... "So, how do we get home from here?" Addie couldn't help but ask, taking a look at the wilderness around them. "I actually plan on making the journey to the bigger city that you and Genji likely went through when you first arrived," Zenyatta replied, "Then, we will take the train back." "Oh... So, we're not going through the mountain again?" Addie replied, seeming confused. Zenyatta shook his head and gave a light chuckle, "No, my student. I wouldn't do that to you." Addie chuckled as well, but in a relieved sort of way. "Do you know where you're going from here, by the way?" She asked after, stopping to admire a patch of flowers. "Hm... I'll figure it out," Zenyatta said, "After all, wandering is more fun when you've no destination." "I cannot believe you're my legal guardian," Addie replied bluntly, seeming unamused. After a moment, they gave a small laugh and spoke again, "Kidding. I can't imagine anything more fun than traveling with you, actually..." "The feeling is mutual, my student. You've been a wonderful companion on this journey." About to reply to their master, Addie halted as an awful stench filled their nose. Zenyatta seemed to notice it too, despite lacking nostrils. "What is that..." the young adult asked, making a face. "It's likely... Pardon the bluntness, but it's likely a decomposing animal. Wild animals are out here, of course," Zenyatta explained slowly, watching Addie's brows furrow. Regardless, they nodded in understanding. The two carried on until they spotted what the stench was emanating from--a dead raccoon. It wasn't horribly decomposed yet, but it very clearly became a bigger animal's snack at one point. "Aw... Poor thing... Oh shoot, she had babies!" Addie remarked, noticing the nearby den. Upon further inspection, this mother raccoon seemed to have perished protecting this den... Zenyatta and Addie both crouched to take a look inside, noting it to be completely empty... Wait, no! Going against her better judgement, Addie reached in, and... "Master, look... It survived!" They held out a small, primarily white and brown raccoon, probably no older than a few weeks. The kit was alert and didn't seem too weak, implying its mother's death was recent. Zenyatta carefully took the small creature into his own hands and observed it for a moment. "Typically, raccoons don't have young this late into the year... It's too young to survive without its mother, so I suggest... We locate a wildlife rehabilitation for it." Addie nodded and accepted the kit back as it was handed to them. "You're gonna be okay, little guy," they said in an almost baby-talk voice, carefully petting the raccoon. The kit was too young to sense any danger from this exchange, so it easily allowed Addie's touch. "Master... Can we keep it?" Addie asked, mostly as a joke. "...Maybe," was the response, which caught Addie off guard. "I wasn't being serious! Is that even legal? ...Now I really wanna keep it..." Zenyatta laughed, saying after that they would see what the rehabilitation center recommended. Now, the omnic monk and his apprentice carried on through the woods.

  After a few hours of trekking, the woods gave way to a clearing--which opened into a bustling town. There were many merchants offering goods, several shops, and many folks browsing wares. "I see what appears to be an animal clinic. I will take our new friend there and see what can be done. If you would like, you can take a look around," Zenyatta explained. Addie nodded, giggling a bit at how the raccoon kit was their 'new friend'. She handed over the kit to her master, watching him walk off after. Now, they looked around, mainly on the hunt for food stalls... But they were distracted by a crowd forming nearby. "What's going on there?" Addie couldn't help but ask herself, walking a bit closer. Upon further inspection, it appeared to be a street performer! A familiar-looking Chinese opera singer was putting on quite the show with her troupe... "Oh, hey! That must be Ninghong; the girl I saw on those advertisements!" Addie recalled, watching her performance. "If I could just chat with her after she finishes... I bet she'd be the perfect fit for Ren's festival!" With this epiphany, Addie waited patiently for Ninghong to finish her performance. The universe had different plans, however, as a single gunshot suddenly rang out in the crowd. Remembering this sound all too well, Addie flinched before realizing how familiar the gunshot sounded... The market was dead silent now. It seemed nobody was injured--the gunshot must've been aimed upwards to get the crowd's attention. "Nobody move. We received word that a bounty of ours is in the area... Anybody seen 'em?" A Talon agent asked, a few others behind him. As he spoke, another agent held up a photograph of Addie--but luckily for her, they looked different now... Could they actually get out of this?! Innocent bystanders exchanged terrified glances, obviously confused. Now, Addie slowly started to creep away from the crowd, knowing full well that once an agent got a closer look at her, they'd realize. The various agents were busy scanning over the crowd, so it seemed like Addie had a pretty good chance to escape... "You! Where do you think you're going?" The main agent asked, "You know somethin'?" "Wait a sec," another agent continued, "That's our guy!" "Oh, fuck this," Addie mumbled, darting off after. Leaving the crowd, the agents took off after the young adult, not opening fire quite yet. Based on their last reports, Addie was powerless... But even still, what were they doing all the way out here?! "You thought you could hide from Talon out here? They've got eyes everywhere!" An agent exclaimed. "Actually, I'm on a spiritual retreat," Addie replied, grabbing a discarded bamboo staff, "Namaste!" They turned and threw it with all their might after speaking, managing to hit one of the agents, who then fell backwards and toppled a couple others. "I can't believe that worked! But one's still after me, what can I do?!" Addie thought, assessing any possible escape route. There! A different clearing into some woods... Wait! But Zenyatta... Where was he?! As if on cue, the residual energy of one of Zenyatta's orbs practically flew in Addie's direction--which they were quick to duck to avoid. The Talon agent wasn't so lucky, as it clocked him right in the head, which caused him to black out temporarily. The other agents were finally recovering... Addie quickly ran to her master and took his hand, not even bothering to speak as they retreated into the woods. "We lost 'em... We'll scout the woods later," an agent said, taking a bitter retreat with the others as to not get caught.