Aythea

Did That Really Just Happen?

Eidri

For a moment, I didn't move. I was still trying to process everything that had just happened. So much occurred in the last hour or so that my mind was completely overwhelmed. I was staring at the ground in front of me when I heard a voice from beside me.

"Hey, are you alright?" Jay asked.

I gazed up, his hand hovering over my shoulder. After taking in a long breath, I replied, "Yeah. I'm okay. Just... baffled. A lot has happened."

He patted my shoulder gently and replied, "Hey, I get it. Let's follow him before he ditches us or loses track of us. We hardly know our way around as it is. 'Kay?"

"Yeah, you're probably right." I nodded slowly, following the sound of Tyrian's rambling voice with Jay beside me.

Tyrian was still rambling on when we caught up to him. " - and soon we'll arrive on the main path! It is called Flora Road. I do hope you two Earthlings are as thrilled as I am to introduce you to this small city."

"We aren't in Kansas anymore, eh? Like, what the heck is this?" Jay reached out and poked a small burnt orange bush on the side of the trail.

I looked in his general direction. "Jay, we don't even live in Kansas. And I wouldn't touch things you know nothing about."

"Pfft. It's fine." Jay bent down and got a closer look at the plant. "Hey, cat dude!"

Tyrian turned around. "Pardon?"

"Um, cat dude. I forgot your name." Jay smiled sheepishly.

Tyrian lit up with understanding. "Ah! My name is Tyrian."

"Got it, T-ran. Thanks!" Jay pointed at the bush he was observing. "What's this?"

He nodded his head. "The pleasure is mine. That's a burmip. It has been used for its basic healing properties for millennia. As far as I know, that is."

"Whoa. Cool." Jay pokes the bush one more time, then gets back up. "Alright. I'm done now."

I rolled my eyes and sighed, following quietly behind Tyrian and Jay, listening to their conversation.

Tyrian and Jay continued to talk for the next few minutes, Jay reaching out to touch nearly every different plant he passed and Tyrian occasionally telling him not to touch anything.

The city grew closer with each passing minute, and once they arrived at what appeared to be the entrance, Tyrian exclaimed, "And here lies the wonderful city of Floraina!"

Jay's eyes widened, and he bowed excessively. "My condolences. I'm genuinely sorry for your loss."

"Ahem... much appreciated. But why might you be sorry?" Tyrian glanced at him, puzzled.

"You said here lies the city. So, I thought you meant everyone died." He looked towards the city and laughed awkwardly. "But there are people here, obviously..." He marched forward. Well hey, now's the time to explore!"

Tyrian and I shared a look. I shrugged, and he bowed his head then continued after Jay. I took in the entrance for myself, then followed along as to not get left behind.

While keeping an eye on Jay and Tyrian's general direction, I stared up and around at the buildings around me. What surprised me the most was how developed, clean, and green the town looked. Just like the area where we first met Tyrian, the plants here are a multitude of colors. The infrastructure worked surprisingly well along with it. The greenery was manicured yet still looked natural. Plants grew everywhere from the rooftops to the ground, and some even through buildings. It was unlike anything I'd ever seen in my life.