"That's actually a pretty good question." Froggy gave Ace a hesitant smile, but it disappeared the moment she mentioned Leon. He nodded in understanding and didn't ask any more questions about the boy. "It's a really long story...but you have to hear it." He shot a glance at the hooded figures, wondering how much he could say. "It's really complicated and it kind of involves you."
Marina's eyes were focused on her feet. "It involves all of you. They tracked each of us down, told us it would be the only way to save everyone."
"I didn't believe them at first," it was Froggy speaking once again. "I mean, they're kind of um, wanted criminals."
Othello raised a glass of melted caramels, "and their story was one whale of tale, not exactly believable." The sky pirate beamed at the humans. "Plus, they kind of have a few screws lose...kind of like your friend, erm, Mado, right? Oh, no offense, guys!" He stuffed his mouth full pastries. "Thish ish real good shtuff." He swallowed it all in one go then gave Sacha a thumbs up. "Speaking of Mado... "
Ise shot Othello a glare and he quieted down. The table was anything but pleasant, and while the hooded figures spoke, the humans also spoke amongst themselves, some even going as far as to insult the hooded figures.
Thankfully Gary was kept busy by food and Numair did his best to explain things in a civilized manner. However, the more people spoke the more unruly things became. Soon, the boy with the spear was insulting them and things started getting a little unruly.
"WHAT is your PROBLEM!?" A blonde boy joined the fray and the only adult in the group decided to back him up.
Ise turned to Ran and Toby with a grateful smile, "thanks you two." It really was good to see them again. The dragon rider in training missed their enthusiasm, so when Toby began telling her a kajillion things at once and when Ran started playing with Cobalt, she couldn't help but laugh. It was a shame their reunion had to be under these circumstances. Cobalt gave the duo a thankful look and Ise nodded, "it's really good to see you again. This might sound strange, but what they have to say is important."
“We’re trying to get the items in the List so we can get home. That's the top priority,” "And we'll all be going home. All of us. We'd be working together so we can do it faster."
"No offense," Harper couldn't help but agree with Inadi. He wasn't as harsh, but the look on his face showed he didn't trust the hooded figures either. "But why do you suddenly want to help us? Last time you hit one of our friends on the head and tried to take the list." His eyebrows furrowed in confusion, "if you really wanted to help us, couldn't you have told us from the beginning?" Despite his irritated expression, his voice was soft. Harper's eyes landed on Numair and he sighed, he remembered him from the Starfisher, but didn't understand how their fellow human had gotten here. Well, if they didn't hurt Numair then maybe they weren't really hardcore criminals. "Then again," he sighed at how confusing these people were, "you also saved us from the witch. Why did you do that?"
Lesley pursed his lips and frowned. He didn't want to disagree with Numair. Oh lordie, that man was a heart stopper. "Hey cutie," he gave Numair a wink. "We're a little confused right now, but we don't want to fight, so if you could just clear it all up?"
"Your memories are fading, aren't they?"Riley stared at him. That part was true, so at least she could say they weren't full of crap. She didn't know how much time had passed, but ever since she stepped on the train things like dates and faces started to blur. It was getting worse, and now memories would skirt out of reach and out of nowhere a wall would pop up, and she'd draw blanks. Riley found herself forgetting things like a classmate's name, a friend's favorite book, and the place where her grandparents lived. "They are." She gave Sacha a long look and leaned forward, eyes filled with curiosity. "Are...are your memories gone?"
Luke popped a grape into his mouth then shrugged. He didn't remember much, but at this point it no longer bothered him.
C caught Sacha glancing at her and she nodded her head. They had to tell this batch before it was too late. "If you forget everything then you won't be able to leave." She stared at the humans one by one before focusing on Inadi. Her expression was blank, but if one listened close enough they'd detect a hint of annoyance in her voice. "If you forget everything
you'll turn into a bunny guard."
"We've seen it happen a few times before," Luke sighed.
Harper wasn't sure he believed them. "That's impossible."
"Impossible?" Luke was grinning from ear to ear. "Oh! Oh! You should meet Penelope Waterdale, she's this hugeeee fish that lives on Pastel mountain..." the boy continued rambling on about the cool things they had seen but Harper was drowning him out. THIS COULD NOT BE REAL. He looked at Ace then Jasper, "it sounds silly."
Riley was quiet. The thought of turning into a bunny guard wasn't exactly pleasant. The little things were mute and she wondered if that was so they couldn't talk about what had happened. It sounded crazy with a capital c, but they had just met a turtle dragon and even though she didn't want to think about the possibility, anything could happen in Nowhere.
Luke laughed, "where do you think everyone else is? On vacation?"
"They're bunnies now..." C mumbled quietly.
"SO," the young man turned to look at the humans with a smile, "wanna join the team?"
IT IS TIME TO MAKE A DECISION
Scout
