The rainforest was still wet.

A strange thing to be annoyed about, as the name itself would seem to imply that a rainforest is always wet, but Grus was still grumpy nonetheless, pressed underneath some of the roof that she had managed to rebuild. A small toolbox sat by her left foot, in it the bare needs that she could filch from her father's garage tool desk. Her inexperience had already lead to a few split boards, but she quickly got the hang of choosing good wood, and now almost a third of the roof was standing again. It protected the table with the crane engraved on it, something Grus was intent on keeping safe. Of all the things that she had found in her trips to space, this was the largest, and so far, the prettiest. The not so quiet pitter patter of rain was soothing, and even though it poured, Grus's arms remained bare, and her legs had no sign of goosebumps. It was still warm and it felt like when the shower was too hot and filled the bathroom with steam. Sometimes hard to breathe, but not unpleasant. Her back was to the wall, away from the window that still stood open like a gaping mouth. The new butt wings she had acquired recently made leaning back slightly difficult, so she shifted, laying on her side with her arms as a pillow.

Across the house where the rain was not repelled, there was another window, and a pile of rubble she was keen on searching. This house was the largest nearby, and as far as she could tell, had at least one other story. That story wasn't accessible, but maybe someday she could get a rope up there to investigate. Being on Grus had taught her a lot about what her people used to be like. They had parties, and lived in houses wrapped around trees. Music and color were important. All these things she found fascinating, but something weighed on her mind every time a new bit of information was revealed.


What happened to the people of Grus?


It was a rhythm, the rain. A song that turned into a lullaby. Lately Grus had found herself troubled when it came to sleep. he had not used her Eternal attack since the battle with Lesath, when she saw just how bad it could get. This horror woke her with night terrors that left her gasping for air in the dark. She also had not been out to patrol since then, and knew that it wasn't ok. But she was afraid. Afraid of hurting someone like she did Lesath.

Her eyelids were drooping. That was the nice thing about being here. There wasn't anyone to attack you or boss you around. Just Grus and the trees. And the rain.

She wasn't surprised when the vision came to her. Nowadays, they were much clearer than before, and she attributed it to her Eternal status. Halfway between awake and asleep, Grus's mind wandered into the vision of the past.

The sudden movement frightened Grus. One second, the girl was crying. The next, she was rolling for an egg and looked ready to kill the other girl. What in the world had she done to offend or make the girl angry? She held out her hands, hoping this too wasn't a show of aggression. If only Miss Translator were here! Then just as suddenly, the other girl was poking her in the back. Grus twisted, and laughed at the swaying motion the other girl was making. "Is that dancing?" She asked, trying to imitate the movement. Her's were not so fluid, and she laughed again. "My name is Grus. Well.." she paused, putting a finger to her chin. "I guess that's not my REAL name. My real name is Svelte. Svelte Singer. What's your name?" She held out her hand, expecting a return shake.

Acubens cocked her head at the other girl, brows in a thin line across her brows. What did that mean? Acubens leaned forward carefully, watching Grus as she did so. She sniffed at the girls fingers, wondering, perhaps, if she was offering food of some sort. Acubens smelled none, and sat back on her heels, feet curled under her if she needed to sprint away. She balanced her weight on her hands, which were splayed out in the sand before her as she watched the other girl curiously.


Acubens? A frown crossed Grus's face. Now who was that? Surely she hadn't met them before!

Acubens roared in time with the Walker, puffing herself up to look bigger. It wasn't the biggest she'd seen. In fact it only stood about a head taller than she. Still, even the smallest Walkers were deadly if not handled properly. As it's tail thrased, Acubens swung her arms and tossed her hair. She shrieked at the Walker as it roared at her. When it tried to come closer to them, Acubens threw sand in it's face. The Walker wailed, shaking it's great head, and lunged at Acubens again. The girl let out an even greater roar and dug her fist into the eye of the Walker. It wailed and backed away, deciding his dinner should not fight him so hard. As he left, Acubens shook with the adrenaline as sweat trickled down her back. That was close...

Grus blinked and watched in awe as Acubens fought and chased away the Walker. She hand was clutched to her chest above her pounding heart. The Walker dragged itself away, but Grus remained on the ground, though she rose to a sitting poistion. "That was amazing!" She said, forgetting that she wouldn't be understood. Tears threatened at the corners of her eyes. "Thank you."

Now she is saving my life...my life? But my name is Castille! Maybe this...Svelta is an old Grus?

Rattling her wrist, she loosened the multiple bracelets from the higher part of her arm and selected one from the bunch. It was made of beads the color of pearl, with one dark red and one dark blue where it tied together. Small black feathers were tied in every few beads, and overall there was a nice pattern to it. She removed the bracelet, and laid it flat in her hand, holding it out to Acubens. "Gift." she said, holding out her hand. "I have to go now. But I will see you later, ok buddy?" Buddy, such a strong word in Grucian life. A buddy was somene that you knew was going to be close for the rest of your life, almost like family. And this girl had saved her life. Grus would be forever in debt.

"Vee seet. Veeseet." Her eyes darted from the translator to Grus and back again. "Seeveeltea veeseet?" It was hard, harder than she expected to form the words she needed to in order to speak. Had she said anything that made sense?

The brunette nodded, green eyes shining. "Yes, Svelte visit."

The girl with the wild hair looked so happy, but didn't seem to speak the same language...and Svelte's face was a shock to Grus. Her olive skin and green eyes were so different than her own pale skin and blue eyes. Could they really be the same person? Her eyes opened fully now, and she sat up, rubbing the left one with the heel of her hand. Acubens.....she would have to remember that. Maybe she too was reincarnated on Earth. Grus smiled, crawling to where the edge of the reinstated roof and putting out her hand to check how hard it was raining. So I did have friends in the past.

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