[ Another year, and now the kids are fifteen. Big news this year, though! Not necessarily good news, though.
An exploration group, which had headed out to the northern ruins a few years back, has finally returned—though they aren't quite in one piece. Most of them are injured, and they lost a few members as well. The dangerous beast that lurks there is still alive, they say. Even worse, all the puzzles. Should anyone else attempt to investigate the ruins, they should bring along a genius (on top of, you know, better fighters) who can solve those, or else they'll never be able to advance further.
Still, that probably won't stop future groups. After all, the allure of treasure is too great to resist.
I feel like I should also specify that Hishi's parents are not among the group. They still nebulously exist out there, maybe. ]
[ Today, at home, Hishi is surrounded by books. They all seem to be of the same few themes: ancient civilizations, the local wildlife and plants, maps, and solving puzzles, as well as a book titled How to Survive in the Wilderness. Oh, and copies of puzzles that, if they've been paying attention, Hilda and Alyssa might recognize as those the explorers brought from the ruins. Also, she's amassing a lot of bottles of poison lately?
[ Moms!! Hishi looks a little like she's been caught doing something she shouldn't be doing. ]
If that's the case, then your expertise would be greatly appreciated for this trip. [ She pauses, before she covers her mouth with her hands. Muffled— ] ... That Kaiza said I'm not supposed to be talking to people about yet.
[ ever since the exploration group came back (whenever that was), it's only been a matter of time before hishi went to do something about it. they shouldn't be surprised, though hilda lofts up a brow in concern. ]
If that's the case, you guys need to work on your sneaking around.
[ but she's glad they caught her. ]
Alyssa has a point. I think maybe you should include us in your plotting, hm?
[ hope hishi has gotten used to hair ruffles because alyssa loves giving them... ]
Honestly, Hishi, you're a smart girl, but when you have books about ruins, maps about ruins, and puzzles that sound just like the ones from the ruins... well, let's just say that doesn't take a genius to figure out what's going on. Even though both of your moms are.
We're hoping to avoid the beast entirely, but if it comes down to it, I'll be designated with undoing the puzzles while he guards me.
[ Hishi is quiet for a moment. ]
... It's going to be dangerous, and not only because of the beast. They say that nearly a decade ago, it killed a child. Or almost killed... I can't remember. Since then, there's been a strange energy in the ruins, and it might be part of why those kidnappers were inspired to take children. There could be dangerous spirits lurking there.
[ all joking aside, hilda looks worried. this has already been a tough task, trying to guide a kid to a bright future. now she has to make sure she survives, and support her no matter what they find or what it takes... it's a lot to get right, and a lot that can go wrong.
still, even if she's apprehensive, she's not going to leave either of them to fend for themselves. ]
None of that sounds like a good time to me, but if we don't do anything, people might just keep kidnapping kids... [ they may have stopped one pack of goons, but more could always show up as long as the promise of treasure is there. ] So we'd better come along and figure out what's going on, once and for all. Besides, it's way too dangerous to let you two go off on your own!
[ in truth, a lot of alyssa's enthusiasm is a little exaggerated... but it's hard not to have gotten legitimately attached and invested over the years. human nature is surprising like that. ]
If we didn't... what right would we have to call ourselves your "guardians"?
[ Kaiza is also perusing several books and maps, which is rare for him—he doesn't usually have this many books out unless he's studying for a test, and usually with more despair and grumbling involved. ]
Where is it... Wait, no, I remember. I lent that to Hishi... Well, she can probably make better use out of it, anyway. All right, weapon...
Haha! Of course we'd love to go! Besides, what, were you not going to take your dads on an incredibly dangerous mission? Were you really going to hold out on me, a known adventure lover?
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[UNSUBTLE FORESHADOWING]
An exploration group, which had headed out to the northern ruins a few years back, has finally returned—though they aren't quite in one piece. Most of them are injured, and they lost a few members as well. The dangerous beast that lurks there is still alive, they say. Even worse, all the puzzles. Should anyone else attempt to investigate the ruins, they should bring along a genius (on top of, you know, better fighters) who can solve those, or else they'll never be able to advance further.
Still, that probably won't stop future groups. After all, the allure of treasure is too great to resist.
I feel like I should also specify that Hishi's parents are not among the group. They still nebulously exist out there, maybe. ]
GROUP H
Hm. ]
no subject
Oh, I know a scheme when I see one.
[ child you are plotting something. ]
no subject
You know, if you had just asked, you would have learned that one of your super cool moms actually has experience exploring ancient ruins...
no subject
If that's the case, then your expertise would be greatly appreciated for this trip. [ She pauses, before she covers her mouth with her hands. Muffled— ] ... That Kaiza said I'm not supposed to be talking to people about yet.
no subject
If that's the case, you guys need to work on your sneaking around.
[ but she's glad they caught her. ]
Alyssa has a point. I think maybe you should include us in your plotting, hm?
no subject
Honestly, Hishi, you're a smart girl, but when you have books about ruins, maps about ruins, and puzzles that sound just like the ones from the ruins... well, let's just say that doesn't take a genius to figure out what's going on. Even though both of your moms are.
no subject
... Kaiza doesn't want people worrying about us just yet, or trying to stop us. We don't plan on leaving for at least a year—maybe two.
But if you want to come with us...
no subject
in which case, there's only really one option. she lets out a long-suffering sigh, dramatic enough to be fake. ]
I guess it can't be helped... we'll have to make it a family field trip.
no subject
[ she shoots a sidelong glance at hilda, but otherwise says nothing. moving on. ]
Let me guess—he's the brawn, you're the brains?
no subject
[ Hishi is quiet for a moment. ]
... It's going to be dangerous, and not only because of the beast. They say that nearly a decade ago, it killed a child. Or almost killed... I can't remember. Since then, there's been a strange energy in the ruins, and it might be part of why those kidnappers were inspired to take children. There could be dangerous spirits lurking there.
... Still, will you come with us?
no subject
still, even if she's apprehensive, she's not going to leave either of them to fend for themselves. ]
None of that sounds like a good time to me, but if we don't do anything, people might just keep kidnapping kids... [ they may have stopped one pack of goons, but more could always show up as long as the promise of treasure is there. ] So we'd better come along and figure out what's going on, once and for all. Besides, it's way too dangerous to let you two go off on your own!
no subject
If we didn't... what right would we have to call ourselves your "guardians"?
(no subject)
(no subject)
GROUP K
Where is it... Wait, no, I remember. I lent that to Hishi... Well, she can probably make better use out of it, anyway. All right, weapon...
no subject
[LEANING OVER HIS SHOULDER]
Seems like a wild test you're studying for there. Unless there's no test at all.
no subject
[spill, child. spill.]
no subject
... Oh. [ This is awkward. ] Well... good timing, I guess. I needed to talk to you two anyway.
[ Also yeah, I hope these two have been teaching Kaiza how to use a weapon. ]
You know the ruins up north?
no subject
I sure do. What, are you planning to go there?
no subject
[bring your dads on your dangerous teen adventure challenge.]
no subject
But... yeah, I'm gonna go there. Maybe in about a year or two? I'm bringing Hishi too, since if there's anyone who can solve the puzzles, it's her.
... Though I really wish I didn't have to. I'm definitely not taking Ohmi and Riu. If anything happens, then at least they...
[ Kaiza doesn't finish that thought. He's quiet, before— ]
... I wanted to ask if you could come with us.
no subject
[He looks stern, before-]
Haha! Of course we'd love to go! Besides, what, were you not going to take your dads on an incredibly dangerous mission? Were you really going to hold out on me, a known adventure lover?
[Reaches out to grasp his shoulder.]
Yeah, we'll be there.
no subject
[he says that dryly, but:]
And I should like to see these ruins for myself. There may be a history there which remains unknown.
no subject
Make sure to kick its ass. Then, people can finally stop dying to it, too.
[ ... ]
But thanks. This is... important to me, so I'm really grateful for your help.
no subject
[Kaiza....is such a good boy.]
Yeah, yeah, I get it. [Enjoy the ruffle to the hair, Kaiza.] We love you too.
no subject
If it is of such import, then we would not let you loose alone.
[but, hm.]
Just why are you so invested in it, Kaiza?
(no subject)