Prompt: Free day
Stress respawned back in her ice castle, suddenly back in control of her body. She slowly got back up, flexing her fingers in awe. She remembered a vague dream about her ghost or something. Probably not important. Stress sat back down, trying to figure out what to do. She could go back to where the others were, but would they try to attack her before she could plead her case? What should she do? Fireworks exploding over her base made Stress go to grab her bow, quickly realising it wasn't on her because of her recent respawn. She stepped back as Doc landing. He took a step towards her, trident raised, before lowering it.
"You're not a spectator, right? He said, looking curious.
"No, aren't you?" Stress replied, similarly confused.
"No, I took some fall damage and respawned as myself!" he exclaimed, relief in his voice. "It's so good to be back, right?"
Stress nodded, happy that Doc was himself again. She suggested they should head to Hermitville. Doc agreed and the headed off into the afternoon sun.
-=+=-
The hermits were chatting about whatever came over their minds. They were currently talking about how to find the others.
"One of them is going to decide to come over here, we can just wait here" pointed out Scar.
"But if we go for them, we'd have the element of surprise" argued Jevin.
"It doesn't matter whether we go or stay, they'll beat us" decided Cub. "We have to be more tactical here."
Cleo opened her mouth to speak, but was cut short as Stress and Doc touched down in front of Cherry on top. The hermits immediately grabbed their weapons, but Stress reasurred them.
"It's OK! Me and Doc are ourselves!" Reassured Stress.
"Prove it" asked Cub, looking at them cautiously.
"I was part of the HIB" Doc supplied, looking towards Scar.
"I'm the one and only ice queen!" Stress grinned, happy everyone was still okay.
Cub still seemed suspicious, but Scar welcomed them in. Stress and Doc sat in the rough circle the were all in, like a bunch of school kids.
Soon, everyone was happy that no one was an imposter, everyone joking and laughing together. As the sun set and plans were created, everyone settled down for the night in a makeshift cave hidden beneath the shop. Everyone quickly fell asleep, needing lots of sleep for the days to come.
Nobody noticed one of them get up, shadows obscuring their figure. With a quick strike, Scar was possessed in his sleep. Their plan was in motion, everything planned out. As the shadowy person retreated back to bed, Scar shifted as the consciousness entered his head. Nothing further happened until the first hermit woke up in the morning.
