Lucidity

Chapter Seven: Of Strangers and Dangers

By the time Libros had arrived at the camp, everybody except Nokia and Kosa was awake. The two sleepyheads were actually cuddled up together and incredibly cosy, yet as soon as the large man appeared, Anwyn nudged Kosa awake.

There was no greeting or anything from Libros, he simply turned around. For a moment, everyone tried to figure out what to do, then they all settled on following him.

Since Junior was being an insufferable flirt once again, Yaz decided to make her way towards Anwyn and Kosa. There was something about the two girls that just made Yaz levitate towards them. They seemed happy, genuinely friendly people. Sure, their seemingly close bond could be rather intimidating for others, but Yaz didn't mind. After all, she'd been putting up with Junior and Hazhil's interesting dynamic these last few days.

"Hello! I just wanted to thank you for helping with making the translating amulets. It's greatly appreciated, I mean it," said Yaz with a beautiful smile, that Kosa immediately complimented. Then she added, "Also, nice headscarf, dungarees and eyes. You know, you're as pretty as a phoenix."

"Uh, thanks...", replied Yaz awkwardly, not enjoying the attention. Sure, Kosa's intentions had been good - without a doubt, in Yaz's mind - but they made her feel uncomfortable. Before Kosa could chuck out another compliment, Anwyn took the chance to ask, "If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would you choose?" Anwyn's stomach rumbled. It had been a few days since she'd had a really nice meal.

Yaz's reply was not satisfactory for Anwyn. The young woman had stammered around before confessing she didn't know. That simply wasn't good enough, so Anwyn began to rant.

"Look, it's not about thinking about the pros and cons, nor the practicalities and impracticalities of the choice. If your choice would make you sick - so what? It's only fictional, so make your choice count. You can just dream without a negative effect. Sure, I'm judging your answer, but what does it matter? You could judge me for hoping Nokia grows giant one day so that I can ride on his back, but what does it matter? We're free people, we can say what we want and feel how we want. So just answer!"

Yaz was a bit bewildered by the attack, but partly impressed. Even though she came across as childlike, Yaz couldn't help but think that this girl was wise beyond her years. So she smiled nervously and admitted, "In that case, oranges coated in tomato sauce."

Kosa's twisted her face in disgust, whereas Anwyn wooped, "Now we're talking!"

It wasn't as if Anwyn had said anything groundbreaking. She had, however, been a decent person and proven herself to be, well, special. That's when it clicked with Yaz. She didn't want to be the chosen one, not really. To be honest, she didn't want there to even be a chosen one. When she looked around, she saw so much potential - admittedly she barely knew Oburon and Caitlyn - but she was convinced that they all deserved to be the chosen one. So when she thought about it, she wanted them to remain a group because they all of them deserved a chance and, after all, wasn't it more likely they'd succeed together? Sending everyone except one of them home seemed like a waste.

The little crowd reached an odd sand structure, a sort of building. Upon entering, Yaz passed Hjalmar and declared, "Deal's off." Before he could argue or anything, she'd already sped up. Her current plan was trying to help everyone get through the tests.

Libros gestured at them to sit down on the benches, so they did. Caitlyn made a conscious effort to sit as far away from everyone as possible. Yaz sat on one side of Hazhil, but when Hjalmar tried to sit on the Rindea's left side, Junior forced his fellow soldier to sit by Yaz so that Junior could sit between Rindea and Kosa. Just as he was about to make a comment to Kosa, Kosa opened her bag and pulled out a little box filled with the slugs from the lettuce she'd bought. "I will flick one at you," she threatened.