Dice Our Shenanigans

[Zer0]

- Barn -
"Western Outskirts of Elunore, Eastern Edge of Windshear"​

Moss laughed again. "Yes, of course. You can tell me these things, Isa~" he smiled teasingly. "Give me ten minutes!"

And so, after Isa had finished with his tinkering, the late evening found their sleeping bags together, him in the fluffy fur bosom of the orca, one fin arm under Isa's head like a pillow, the other around him, holding Ninjas of Love I, Honorable Intentions , as Moss low whale humming reverberated in his chest, surrounded by the southern lights.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

- Barn -
"Western Outskirts of Elunore, Eastern Edge of Windshear"​

“O-Okay.” Hunching his shoulders in discomfort, Isa shook his head ‘no, he wouldn’t say anything more about this.’ and sat by the iron bull once more. Distracting himself by tinkering. He’s shaking like a leaf, embarrassed beyond belief.

When he tinkered no more, with their sleeping bags close, boots off, and his trench coat over the orca; Isa snuggled his still red face into Moss’ orca fur. Sighing in pure joy as he shyly hugged Moss. Gosh, this is soooo embarrassing, b-but it’s worth it! He gets to stay warm, surrounded by fluffy goodness who’s a friend- nothing can get better than that-!

Okay, scratch that. There’s one thing that can be better than that— but it’s a close second! A very very close second-!

The redhead sucked in air when he felt Moss’ humming reverberating from his chest, pressing a pointy ear on his chest to hear better. He sighed again, smiling happily as he felt the brush of softness on his cheeks. He seriously wants to take off his gloves too . . . But . . . Moss might be . . . disturbed . . .

Without knowing, Isa let out a soft ‘mwee~’ as he snuggled his face into fur again. He couldn’t resist the soft fluffy~

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Barn -
"Western Outskirts of Elunore, Eastern Edge of Windshear"​

The orca put his book down and then looked at Isa like he was a cute little puppy, and squeaked trilled as though he was the most adorable thing ever, and the flipper arms slowly, as though asking for permission first, made to completely wrap him.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

- Barn -
"Western Outskirts of Elunore, Eastern Edge of Windshear"​

Isa jolted at Moss’ squeaked-trill, looking up with wide sparkling eyes and an awkward smile-frown. Like he was caught doing something bad but is happy about it. He flinched again when he saw and felt the flipper arms slowly wrap around him. Hiding his embarrassed face into the fur once more.

He nodded, shaking in excitement? Or embarrassment. It’s one of the two or both, knowing the redhead.

”W-Why are you okay with this?” Isa asked quietly, gently clenching on a bit of fur only to sooth it out apologetically with a flat palm. When he felt himself delve deep into more fluff, he ‘mwee’ed in joy. Just snuggling and wiggling a bit.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Barn -
"Western Outskirts of Elunore, Eastern Edge of Windshear"​

The orca was chittering something that Isa couldn't understand but it sounded like delight caused by cute aggression and an overwhelming desire to squeeze, which he did. Plunging Isa into his warm whale belly and sinking him into the blubber, before letting go so that he could breathe.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

- Barn -
"Western Outskirts of Elunore, Eastern Edge of Windshear"​

A fine brow raised up as he looked up again. Only to sink into his fur and blubber. The body heat gave him tingles — like how the cold gave him chills—- and he couldn’t breathe. But that’s okay! He’s soooo warm! It’s like being near a fireplace without getting burned and he loves the sensation!

Isa lets out a gasp to breathe in air once Moss let’s go, shocked written on his flushed face. Sparkling eyes wide open as he stared at Moss. Thinking for a moment....

“You’re calling me a fluff again, aren’t you?!” He accused, scandalized as if he wasn’t just snuggling in joy. Then he huffed, pouting, and snuggled into his fur. Not coming up this time.

” . . . “

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Barn -
"Western Outskirts of Elunore, Eastern Edge of Windshear"​

The orca looked away in thought and then back at Isa and put the tip of one chubby forepaw and thumbpaw just an inch apart. The orca smiled and made soft crooning squeaks, looking at Isa like he was an adorable puppy and hugged him again, gently this time and kept his flipper arms there. It was like being wrapped in a fuzzy blanket that breathed.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

- Barn -
"Western Outskirts of Elunore, Eastern Edge of Windshear"​

Isa melted in said fuzzy blanket that can breathe called Moss. Pondering if he should take his gloves off . . . But what if Moss gets grossed out? The aftermath of what his uncle did is not pretty and he can understand why, but he doesn’t want the merman to reject him too. It’s bad enough that everyone he knew rejected him when they found him in his old home.

Fear strikes in his heart and Isa started to tremble. Nuzzling and snuggling into the fur without any qualms. He’ll just forget it for now. Just imagine that he is normal.

“Not a fluff.” Isa’s voice muffled in the fur. “You’re a fluff.”

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Barn -
"Western Outskirts of Elunore, Eastern Edge of Windshear"​

The orca trilled in laughter and nodded amiably. It squeaked questioningly at Isa when he felt him trembling, and then wrapped its fins around him more securely, making sure there were no gaps for the cold from the blizzard outside to reach him.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

- Barn -
"Western Outskirts of Elunore, Eastern Edge of Windshear"​

He blinked when he felt fuzzy fins wrapped around him more securely, letting out a quiet gasp. Touched at the simple action. Maybe he wouldn’t be like the others?

He will never know.

”Thanks . . .” Isa muttered, wrapping his arms around the orca as much as he could and squeezed. Feeling the bouncy fluffy fur sink his arms. His body heat luring the redhead to rest. Eyes fluttering slowly. “Née . . . Moss? You’re really warm.”

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Barn -
"Western Outskirts of Elunore, Eastern Edge of Windshear"​

The orca made humming whale sounds and patted Isa's back. It then relaxed, it's small beady eyes blinking sleepily.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

- Barn -
"Western Outskirts of Elunore, Eastern Edge of Windshear"​

“I’m glad that...I met ya....mhhh...” Isa slurred and slacked within Moss’ fins. Eyes closed, stressed expression softened and relaxed; mouth slightly parted as he quietly snored. His trembling body stilled.

In the early morning, the illusion of the southern lights was gone. Isa is dead to the world, head tucked under his chin and on his chest. Arms still hugging him close like he’s holding a teddy bear and his body curled around the merman. With a bent leg over his legs. There was an inkling of a soft smile on his sleeping face as his breath gently swayed his trench coat’s furred hood.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Barn -
"Western Outskirts of Elunore, Eastern Edge of Windshear"​

That night the orca smiled, once again overcome with the feeling to protect this sweet cinnamon bun.

The next day. Well . . . This was a first for Moss, waking up with a man draped over him. Yet he didn't mind to his surprise. Seemed like he had gotten used to Isa's touching. Now . . . How does he get out without waking Isa up? Or should he wait for Isa to wake up and then tease him? No, no, he was horribly embarassed last night giving in to the hugging of fluff. Hmmm . . . How does he avoid that for him? . . . Maybe if he turned into an orca again it would be less awkward? No,no, the glow of his magic might wake Isa up.

He will have to try to surreptitiously remove himself from the biker's embrace. Veeery slowly, Moss started to part Isa's arms . . .

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

- Barn -
"Western Outskirts of Elunore, Eastern Edge of Windshear"​

Isa whimpered, nuzzling his cheek on Moss’ chest. With his brows slightly furrowed and lips frowning softly as if he felt a disturbance and slurred.

”Nyooo~” His hand curled like he was looking for something.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Barn -
"Western Outskirts of Elunore, Eastern Edge of Windshear"​

Moss froze. His mind stretched blankly for what to do. Oh! A switch! He should do a switch! And he groped for his bag, glanced back at Isa to time his movements with his motions, and switched! And realized too late that he had grabbed the bull head instead.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

- Barn -
"Western Outskirts of Elunore, Eastern Edge of Windshear"​

“COLD-!”

Isa sat up straight, sleepily glaring at the offending metal he grabbed. His body visibly shook as he silently questioned why that thing was there in the first place . . .

He looked at Moss. Confusion swimming in his half-lidded indigo eyes.

“ . . . Why . . . is this thing here?” He asked tiredly. Not exactly aware of what’s going on or what’s happening. He rubbed his eyes with loosely curled fists and sighed. “What did I do?”

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Barn -
"Western Outskirts of Elunore, Eastern Edge of Windshear"​

"O! You didn't do anything wrong, Isa, I was trying to switch my body with my bag so that you would wake up hugging it so that it wouldn't make you feel embarassed and awkward when you woke up?" Moss explained hastily.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

- Barn -
"Western Outskirts of Elunore, Eastern Edge of Windshear"​

“Huh?” Isa mumbled, yawning and blinked blearily at the merman.

Then he snorted. Grinning in sleepy amusement. “So you pushed the bull’s head? I can’t tell if I should laugh or be annoyed from waking up cold.” Ruffling his own bedhead, the motorist stretched his arms up and hummed when a satisfying crack was heard from his back; and hunched.

“ . . . Thanks though. You tried.” Isa smiled, cheeks plumping up, and eyes closed. His tone, while tired, was teasing and honest. “No more cold things, please.”

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Next Day -
"Barn,Eastern Outskirts of Elunore, Western Edge of Windshear"​

"No, no, I was trying to switch with my bag, and looked back, and then grabbed the bull head instead." Moss clarified. "And yes, no more cold things." he nodded in agreement. "I will repair the coldness with breakfast."

The morning was bright, cool and crisp. Their barn was covered by four feet of snow and they had to dig a path out for Smoky. In the distance towards the Eastern gates of Elunore there was no sign of mammoths or the giant shepherd, to the West the end of the ravine that opened up to a meadow was covered in a thick hill of snow. It seemed that an avalanche had fallen over the path last night, but it was smooth enough for Smoky to travel through.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

- Next Day -
"Barn,Eastern Outskirts of Elunore, Western Edge of Windshear"

​

“Yaaaay~” Isa cheered lazily, arms raised with curled fists like an excited child if he was low in energy. The redhead crawled out and tuck their sleeping bags away. Then he started to pick up everything and started the fire again so Moss can make breakfast. He looked outside through one of the many holes of the barn and hummed, watching a light dusting of snow falling; the waking sun reflecting light.It’s like watching glitter falling from the sky.

Once the pair was full, warm, and ready to leave, Isa had the bright idea to use the same loose piece of metal as a shovel and dig themselves out of the barn. Only to have a pile of snow drop on top of him from the roof, creating a little hill, and his red hair peeking out at the top. Once they reached the ravine and towards the open meadow, Isa sighed in relief.

A path! They can ride on Smoky again instead pulling her across this time. With a sneeze from a chilled Isa, they made their way in the west. Once again, finding their path and recognizing a tall pillar monument with a red flag that’s pinned by an arrow. The pillar of Reizinbull.

Moss and Isa weren’t lost anymore.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- 4 Days Later -
"Heart of Windshear Mountains"​

Fog curled around Isa and Moss' camp tucked away under the ruins of an ancient gateway atop a howling peak at the heart of the Windshear Mountains. Beneath them lay a sea of clouds whipped by furious winds that blanketed the land in swirling mist and heavy snow. To the west, the valley of the old kingdom once guarded by Elunore lay quiet, the silence broken every now and then with the echoing Hooms of striding frost giants that had been hunting the loud Smoky since Moss and Isa crossed Reizinbull. They got away thankfully, Smoky being too fast and furious for the giants to catch her.

Now the two friends were half-way through the mountains. A careful scouting of the land this morning revealed three paths before them: an ancient highway from Elunore that crossed the old kingdom valley then curved south close to The Thousandcut Badlands that would greatly hasten their journey. Second: a trail that wound its way northeast, traversing the mountain tops, climbing higher and higher, where they saw frozen travellers long dead in the ice still standing. This path looked like it had no enemies, only the alpine mountains and the harsh weather to contend. And thirdly: the ancient structure that they were sheltering under, Isa was able to read the runes engraved in it and found out that it was a portal. A portal that led to many places, one of which is the bygone city of Alu-Taris. A city that is presently known in Isa's knowledge as the Sunken City located under the sea north of The Highlands, where the only remains of the once great capital that wasn't swallowed up by the sea, was a small island where a ruins called The Sunken Temple still stands. Moss and Isa just have to figure out how to make this portal work again for just a few seconds long enough for them to pass through.

What would Isa like to do?

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

- 4 Days Later -
"Heart of Windshear Mountains"​

“I vote for portal.” Isa told Moss, leaning on Smoky as they talked about their next course of action. After scouting that morning and discovering all three routes, the redhead didn’t want to take chances with the other two.

“We won’t be frozen to death or get ambushed by strong demons if we just researched what the portal needs for it to work.”

Okay, it’ll take time to research, but they’ll be staying in one spot and the redhead can hide them through illusions at night. Plus if the portal works, they can reach the highlands faster.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Mysterious Portal -
"Heart of Windshear Mountains"​

"I trust your judgement." Moss pointed a bony fish tail at him in agreement, before tossing it into their small campfire that was sheltered from the winds by a mound of rocks, firewood, and snow. The whistle of his vintage oriental kettle was barely heard over the wind. Moss poured a cup of tea for Isa and himself. This afternoon it was Pai Mu Tan, peppercorns, dried strawberries, and safflower, a light tangy blend with spicy notes and a sweet layer from the strawberries.

Moss shook his blue coral box where he kept his tea blends near his ear. It barely registered any swishing of dried herbs. "Running low on tea. I wonder what herbs I can find down in the valley . . . Isa, I'm going to go hunting and foraging later. If there are any parts you need to get this portal working, I can scavenge some for you too."

An examination of the ruins would reveal that it needed a power source, something as strong as the ragnite that powered Smoky would be enough to keep it open for a few seconds, some machine parts of specific shape to replace the rusty metal that confinded the magical boundaries of the gateway, and the enchanting of the metal parts with some unknowm runes to complete the portal spell engraved in the stone and metal work. Time had faded many of these runes. The architecture of the portal was similar to the Elunore buildings, perhaps in the valley of the old kingdom below, they could find a book on the missing runes of the portal and the metal parts they needed to fix it. If only they had a forge, Isa could craft the specifically shaped metal parts needed.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

- Mysterious Portal -
"Heart of Windshear Mountains"​

Isa nodded, accepting the hot cup of tea, and holding it close to his chest with both hands. “Yea. I’ll look around too, in case there’s a forge or some sort of metals that we might need.”

”or a cave.” He muttered under his breathe, slightly glaring at the snow around them. He doesn’t trust the weather being stable for a day or night. Sighing, ruffling his wild hair, Isa looked up at the ruined portal. Wondering if he should sacrifice the ragnite in his bike to reach the highlands or hope to find one nearby —— that’s a big if. There’s little chance of finding raw ragnite and even if he did find some carvern filled to the brim, he’d still need to cut a right amount for the portal. He’d rather not have a frost giant follow behind them-! No. Just no.

“Stay careful while scavenging.“ The redhead warned quietly, sipping his tea. “We might see demons later when it’s starting to be dark.”

Later in the early afternoon, Isa went back to the portal. Once again tracing his gloved fingers over the carved in stones as he read the archaic text silently. Then he began to search around, climbing on each step and digging through the snow in case of a secret treasure or an underground door.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Mysterious Portal -
"Heart of Windshear Mountains"​

"I willlll, Isa~" said Moss in a singsong voice, grinning. "I hope there won't be demons." he added, looking at the red head in concern. He left some of his stuff behind before he hiked down the mountain. He told Isa that he'll be hunting in the autumn forest at the foot of the mountain, and that he'll be back around dusk. "If something happens, I'll blow this horn once to tell you to stay away, twice if I'm in trouble." he patted at a carved ebony battle horn hanging from his belt. "Or I'll send you a ley message. See ya later, Isa!"

And off he hiked, climbing down the black rocks and disappearing into the swirling mist and whipping wind below the mountain peak.

Later at six in the evening, Moss wearily trudged back up into camp, grunting and huffing as he slowly walked up the snowy slope with a sleek white black horned erupe buck over his shoulders.

Katsuya