Cloude

YeS

He didn't know how to communicate any other way, so he just sorta pointed to his throat. The skin looked like old burns and the remains of a lost battle.

Everest stopped mauling the chunk of wood and turned to face her. He had tears staining his cheeks. He tried saying something, but blood drops slowly started going down his jaw. He quickly closed his mouth to stop it.

"Nah, i'll frame it on Everest." He said before laying down beside her. He made sure there was space because he didn't want to make others uncomfortable. He yawned and closed his eyes.

"I hope you don't sleep forever, someone would have to bury you! You know how suspicious that would be?" He questioned jokingly. He didn't exactly get to joke around at home. "Y'all gonna stress me out already and I barely know you!"

"You better promise!" He said, jokingly axting like he was offended. "I'm not going into this group alone! I don't know who the heck these nichelings even are!"

"Fine, but if I join, you join too. Need to make sure you aren't rattin' on me." He said in a joking manner. He smiled at her. Everest was just sorta fighting a fallen piece of wood.

He glanced at the entrance. "Yeah... First hand witness of her power.... He didn't deserve it..." He said, seeming to hint towards Everest. "Wouldn't be surprised if we came home to the meat plant." He said, letting out a half-hearted chuckle. He was trying to internally convince himself he was alone.

Everest started to let out a low growl before walking out of the den. Jest looked down. "Mother 'Pression. The Silencer... Our goddess... She took care of us...." He rambled, getting quieter and quieter.

"Like Mother 'Pression?" He asked, tilting his head. He tried to hide the fear in his eyes that came from uttering that name. Everest's head jolted up. He was looking the opposite way but it was obvious he was listening.

"One question, what is a parent?" Jest questioned. He seemed genuine for somebody named Jester.

"Miss?" He said, almost as if it were a joke. "Our home can...!" He was about to diss his home, but looked over at Everest and seemed to wince. "Can use a hug or two...?" He weakly questioned. Everest hid his face. Whatever happened seemed to have something to do with him.

"Rather not talk about.... Them..." Jest said unenthusiastically, almost as if he was afraid of something. Everest looked away at thought of his home.

Yes, sick the ramfox on 'em

Jest kept looking back towards the entrance until he saw the new figure. "Welcome to the club." He said half-heartedly. Everest sorta gave Juniper a calm look before getting up and walking back in. He seemed to be waiting for someone else.

Everest went back outside, staying near the entrance. He seemed content with the rain. He sat in the muddy grass, lifting his head and closing his eyes. Jest was about to follow, but stopped himself. "They aren't here right now... I don't have to..." He whispered to himself. He sat back down and turned back towards Snowdove. "It is just another Willowisp in disguise. A tree with a tiny bug inside. Nothing more."

Even though Jest looked like he agreed, he fought it. "It's a tree. Only abnormal feature is the talking." "Hello." Jest said. Everest looked over and smiled, still not having said a word.

"A'ight, seems like a deal. Also, Pathfollower? You guys named a tree?" He questioned as he walked in. Everest followed Jest into the den. Everest seemed to be very excited about something, but was also shaking. Everest just sorta started making weird faces while staring at the ground.

"Yeah, those were the names! Honestly not used to remembering names... After..." He seemed to trail off a bit. He shook his head and looked back at them. "Anyways, the name is Jest! Riddle Jest. And my.... Friend.... Behind me is Everest." He said, hinting to the one bouncing behind him.

"Well, a tree told me to find a few nomads with certain descriptions that seem to fit your little group. Do you guys happen to know SnowSpring.. was it?" He seemed to question himself.

(Wait, marking is on the top, just forget what I said about it--)

"In your situation, it doesn't look like you need my help doing that." He said with a smirk on his face. He had black fur with a giant peach square for a marking on his jaw and stomach.

The original figure snuck a little closer to the den while the newer figure happily bounced after. "Calm, we are just humble travellers." The first figure said in a calm but steady voice.

Suddenly, a second figure came into the picture, knocking them both out of the shadows and into the light. The first one clawed the second ones eye before getting up.

The figure seemed to blink, one eye being slightly delayed. They paused when meeting eye contact. Their ears perked up as they squinted.