Sadu — Roleplayer Guild

Alias ran up to the big Paopu Fruit tree that they all used to sit on or under to talk about any and everything. It seemed he was the first to arrive. He thought he was going to be late. This gave him some alone time with the tree. He brushed against the long side of the tree that formed a bench for everyone. It always amazed him how the tree was shaped like that. It was as if it had grown with the purpose of sharing with the humans that'd come to collect its fruit. Perhaps the tree wanted to experience more time with people and bond with them. The thought didn't seem so far-fetched anymore. With magic and other worlds being real anything seemed possible. And that's what excited him. 

“I'm gonna miss you, tree.” As if confirming his thoughts the tree seemed to respond by dropping one of its fruits. He caught it and looked at and then at the tree once again.

"So, the king of the beach overlooking his kingdom one last time before the big adventure?" Levi said, as he walked slowly towards Alias, smiling as he did.

Alias turned his head at Levi's voice. He slipped the fruit into his pocket. He didn't know why he was hiding it. It just felt right to. He laughed nervously at his taunt. “Yeah… I just can't believe all that happened today. Even with the physical evidence.”

"I cooked up a cover story for the rest of us. As far as everyone's parents know, I'm going to another island for work and taking you knuckleheads with me. I mean, it's more feasible than 'this guy fell from space and now we're hopping in his starship to parts unknown', right?" He chuckled slightly to himself at the sheer absurdity of everything. A part of him still didn't believe it all, honestly. But it was true. The bruise on Alias' torso and the crater further down the beach were testament to that.

He quietly took a seat on the tree, looking out at the reddish hues of the sunset. "The others should be along any second now." He mentioned, as he got comfortable on the natural bench one last time, knowing full well that with whatever surprises fate had in store meant there was a good chance that they wouldn't want to, or be able to, come back. "I wonder if the sun sets red on other worlds. I mean, it should, with how light works and all. But there's only one way to figure that one out."

Lucian joined them next, smiling as he leaned back against the tree. “Feels weird, doesn’t it?” he said quietly, glancing between them. “Leaving all of this behind. It’s like… all those times we sat here, talking about what might be out there—it’s actually happening now.” He gave the tree a pat. “I’m sure the tree will miss us too.” He said with a chuckle.

“Not that I’m typically the voice of reason or anything, Hoshi strode across the bridge, coming into earshot just in time to hear the others musing about the upcoming adventure. “But we’re forgetting one small problem: Zac only has two seats for passengers; there’s no way all five of us are leaving all at once.” She hopped up, claiming her usual spot on the paopu tree’s trunk. 

Morgan who had been keeping to herself for a while waving her hands in the air like a crazy person as if doing... something, didn't have as much of a connection to this place as the others. When she heard mention of the limited seating on the ship though, she finally spoke up. "There is still a chance I could open the way. If I could only remember...". Her hands lowered though, and she let out a sigh. 

"I wish I could be excited. To find out where I came from, to remember, to show you all my world. I should be excited at the idea that I might get to go home. But... every time I think about it, I feel... sick to my stomach. I just wonder, if there's a reason I'm here. Maybe I don't want to go back... maybe it's not something worth being proud of." She turned to the group, before confessing "This place, doesn't mean as much to me as it does all of you. I wish I had that, a place that I loved, a place I could think of as home. But I don't even know what I have to return to, if anything..."

“Hey…” Alias said, approaching her. “None of that gloomy quitter talk before we get going. You could be right, though. Your world could be terrible. Could be the coolest one out there. I mean, it has magic and dragons, after all. But that's the fun of an adventure. Even if you end up not liking where you're going there will always be a place that you do.” He rubbed the back of his neck hoping his words were making any kind of sense. He was just winging it, but the feelings behind his words were true. “My dad always said, home is where your heart is.” He paused before turning to the others. “All of you, including you Morgan, are in my heart. No matter what happens, where we go, or if we split up, you guys will always be home.”

Now that the motivational speech was out of the way he plopped himself on the ground and got into a thinking position. “As for how we're all gonna get out of here, I have no clue. I wish his ship could carry our raft. But I think Taivas should have a spot. He's not from here and is desperate to go. I worry about what'll happen if he stays behind. So that leaves one spot… One of you guys take it. Now that I know it’s possible I'll find a way.”

“Are you kidding me?” Lucian exclaimed. “Alias, you’ve been wanting to get out of here more than any of us. You should have a shot.”

Alias was beginning to decline the offer, but didn't have to.

“No,” Hoshi interjected, looking over at Lucian. “Alias is right. Taivas getting on the ship is a must. He only just got here; he has nowhere to stay. At least if he goes with Zac, he can stay on the ship until he finds where he’s from… or somewhere he can settle down.” She looked out across the water towards the village. “I think it should be Levi. He already has a cover story; he’s old enough no one can really stop him either.” She eyed the older friend. “And you can find a ship of your own out there, and come back for the rest of us… assuming we haven’t found another way!”

Lucian nodded thoughtfully. “I hate that we have to make this choice at all, but she does have a point…”

Alias nodded in agreement. “I agree. Plus Levi can take care of himself. I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving either of our still very capable ladies with two strangers.” He made sure to add the last part, because after getting sucker punched by some ice he didn't need either of them thinking he thought they were weak and needed to be protected. 

“Yeah,” Hoshi chuckled. “And you’re too hot headed to go out there unattended.” She beamed jokingly at her friend.

“Hey!” Alias exclaimed with a laugh. ”I prefer passionate and headstrong.”

"... A part of me hates that you all have a valid point." Levi said, almost emotionlessly. He'd watched their backs for years, and talked them out of some of the more... harebrained schemes over the years. They were all older now though, and that made him suddenly feel very old himself. It felt like just yesterday he was running troublemakers out when they decided to move in after Kitsu had… left. Levi knew how to hold his own, and he'd spent a few years now mastering the art of keeping out of trouble... mostly. He was probably the least likely to end up either mugged or arrested before the week was out. He was the oldest, the most likely to be taken seriously... or even be allowed to buy a ship. There was probably some age minimum for that. Still... that would mean leaving everything he'd ever known. Everyone he's ever loved. Even if only for a brief few days or weeks. 

"Alright... I'll make first contact. And I WILL be back with a ship. Shouldn't take me too long, so don't go doing anything reckless while I'm gone." His demeanor shifted then, a smile crossing Levi's face. "Last thing I need is to get back, and learn you all got your necks broken by jumping off a cliff looking for a portal." He said, laughing a little at what he just said, even if he was only half-joking.

“Hey, don't underestimate us. We'd definitely make sure there was a portal there first. So that leaves the four of us doing what? Using the raft to actually go to another island?” Alias asked now that they confirmed that the free spot was going to Levi.

“Would be cool to see more of this world.” Hoshi shrugged. Stretching like a cat, she lay down on her back, allowing her legs to hang down on either side of the tree trunk. “Guess 
we’ll need to keep the raft project going after all.”

“Yeah…” He said, looking at her and the setting sun behind her. They've explored all that their beach had to offer. To think they were planning to jump to another world without seeing what the sand was like just across the sea. “One final adventure in this world.”

Morgan had turned away from the group after the mention of hearts, a hand over her chest. When she eventually spoke up, she said "You should never say final. No goodbye is ever final, no journey ever ends. Every person and story you ever hold dear will stay with you in your heart, and even when you're gone, yours will live on in the hearts of others. So always hold on tightly, and stay true to your heart, because it's no different than staying true to everything and everyone you hold dear." 

None of what she said sounded like something she would normally say. Ever since her arrival, she had never been quite so insightful.

Alias dropped his head, not realizing how ominous he had made things sound. He lifted his head with new resolve. Morgan was uncharacteristically right. Just how much was going to change on their journey?

Hoshi nearly fell from her spot in shock. Propping herself up on her forearms, she looked, in pleasant awe, at Morgan. “Wow. Who are you and what have you done with Morgan?” A hearty laugh burst from her lungs. “But you’re right. Even an ending is just a new beginning. And we’ll never be apart as long as we hold true to one another.” She swung her leg back over the trunk and sat upright. “Let’s make it a pact… that we’ll all always hold each other in our Hearts… or am I being too corny with that one?”

Morgan meanwhile had turned at the sound of Hoshi falling over, and looked, pretty confused honestly. "Wha... I said that? I don't think I said anything of much value..." Maybe the others would think she was just playing shy and using her bad memory as an excuse. Problem was... she really didn't have a clue what they were talking about, and had no recollection of saying anything along the lines of what Hoshi just claimed she said... nonetheless, she simply stayed quiet, and nodded along as Levi started talking.

Levi chuckled slightly at that, but nodded his head in agreement. “I think it’s a good idea. I mean, I wasn’t intending on letting you all go any time soon anyways. Doesn’t matter if we’re just going to different islands, or different worlds. Nothing could keep me from remembering you all.” He set his gaze back towards the setting sun, an almost sad smile on his face. “And nothing will stop me from seeing you all again. Come hell or high water, I’ll always keep you all in my Heart.”

Lucian’s eyes welled up with tears. “I promise I’ll never forget any of you. I love you all too much for that!” He opened his arms wide. “Come on guys, group hug!”

Alias held back his tears, trying not to cry again so soon. “You heard me earlier. Together or apart you'll always be in my heart. It's fitting we're under the Paopu tree. As much time as we've spent here our lives are forever bound.” He stood and walked up to Lucian and began the group hug.

Levi was next to join the group hug. As he did, he allowed himself to falter, to display an emotion that wasn’t joy, concern, or anger. For him, it was sad and terrifying, but he still was spending these moments with his friends. He wouldn’t have had it any other way, as he allowed the tears to fall. “I’m really gonna miss all of you.” He managed, his voice choked with emotion. Tomorrow, he’d put those walls back up. But for today, he’d wear his heart well and truly on his sleeve.

Hoshi slid gently down from the paopu tree. Though she rolled her eyes ever so slightly, she cast a brimming smile at the trio embracing each other. These guys. She sprung forward, practically tackling her way into the hug. “Just be sure to stay safe out there, Levi. We’ll hold down the fort here.”

Morgan once more sat in silence, watching the others gather in together, accepting each other, loving each other... something she wanted for herself. No, it was something she dreamed of for herself. With no small amount of hesitation, she took a step closer, and raised a hand as if reaching out. But there was something there, something more than just doubt. A voice both her own and not rang in her head. "No, we don't deserve this. Not after what we have done." Her hand retreated, and before anything could be said, there was a distant rumbling in the sky that took everyone's attention.

It seemed like a storm was coming toward the island. Without hesitation, Morgan pointed up to the sky, simply saying "If anything can put us in danger it's that, we should get the raft secured before the wind blows it out to sea without us." And using that as an excuse, Morgan ran off across the wooden bridge that connected the smaller island to the main one, though she didn't run toward the raft. She needed to get away from this situation, as her head started to buzz. She needed to go somewhere quiet.

Even as the tears streamed down his face, Lucian couldn’t help but smile as his friends gathered for the group hug. He squeezed them all a bit tighter, not wanting to let go, savoring the moment for as long as possible.

After Morgan pointed out the impending storm, he looked back at the others. “She’s right,” he said softly. “We should make sure our ride to adventure doesn’t get blown away without us.” Lucian quietly pulled away, and made his way to the raft, followed by Levi thereafter.
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