Welcome to Gaia! ::

There was an overcast sky the day Emerwyn returned to the village. The sun only peeked out every so often in a reminder that he was still there, even if she couldn't see him.
The words were beginning to drain her. So many words, pages only half-remembered. She was reverting again - she had a fever that morning.
So, it was time to return. She needed rest, rest in a bed. There was no choice, if she were to fully recooperate.
She stepped lightly out of the tangled trees and vines.
Emerwyn was to make a beeline for her duplex. No stops along the way, no hellos, no strange lion men. She coughed a little, and looked around nervously.

Emerwyn had failed in entering the village undetected. Just cutting off her path, from the cafeteria, came an enormous frog. She wasn't going to turn and run away from him - that would just be rediculous. So, she kept walking, figuring she would simply offer a simple greeting. Which she did.

"Good morning," she said as she came in closer to it. Ironically, her own voice was rather 'froggy' that day.

A tired voice in the back of Emer's head sighed. Something always stood in the way.
But, Emerwyn was not going to leave the poor thing face-down in the dirt.
She leaned down and took his arm gently, holding out her other hand for him to take.
"Are you alright? I am very sorry. I did not mean to startle you."

She remained squatting down beside him, her half deer-legs bent strangley.
And she smiled gently as he flustered for words. Was he always this nervous? Still, it was a more welcome run-in than Rex...
"I am certain you will get the hang of it soon enough.
I am Emerwyn."

"Newton. It is a pleasure." She cleared her throat, as her voice faded in and out of audibility. He really was a sight to see. The man's eyes were so large, and gave him a perpetually frightened look, and it took him a good deal of time to string together one sentence. But, Emerwyn felt he was a pure, innocent soul, and while she was sad for him and his fate, it was a refreshing thing to meet someone like him.
"And where are you headed today, Newton?" She was now distracted from her prior task of tea and words; the words could wait.

And the words fell farther back. Newton would be a fine distraction from her toils. She deserved the break, after three days of non-stop puzzling.
"Would you mind much if I accompanied you? I am certain I could use some refreshment. And there is safety in numbers. I have had my share of unpleasant experiences in the jungle."
After she said that, though, she wished she hadn't. The man was so nervous already...

Emerwyn noticed the logo as it was revealed from concealment. A few thoughts played across her mind. Did this man work for Moreau? Did he volunteer for experimentation? He did not look like he worked very high-up. In fact, the jumpsuit suggested he was on the cleaning staff. Had the hapless man angered Moreau in some way?
But, she did not bring it up. It seemed it would be a sensitive subject, and it was hard enough to get a simple greeting out of the frog.
"Then you can protect me," Emerwyn said playfully. She rose again to her feet and gestured to him with her hoofed hand.

Emerwyn smiled and laughed softly. Though it was obvious she was not laughing at him condescendingly. He was a sweet man. "It is Emerwyn. And you are Newton. And, we are going to the river. Come along, before the sun grows too high."