Welcome to Gaia! ::

Xavier had set out with a portable sleeping-sopor bag in order to explain the areas around lower Busthind and the neighbouring Four Fronds. As he planned to be away from his hive for more than a night, Anu accompanied her jadeblood. The plants had been watered, and the hive locked up so the trip wouldn't be a cause for concern. With nothing but the company of his lusus, and the sounds of nature the troll had set out in the late afternoon intent on making as much progress as he could once he'd packed everything he felt they'd need. Anything could be found off around them afterall. On the first night he found a cave to sleep in safely after pushing rocks against the entrance. Once food had been secured and water heated from the stream they had set off again, venturing further north than ever before. The exercise and familiarity with the great wilderness all around them was right up the pairs alley.

This pattern went on for several more night, until Xavier finally came to the edge of the map territory. He compared his coordinates with the purchased map. Xavier had also brought a compass although his proficiency with the thing was still greenhorn at best. According to the data, beyond this point, was essentially uncharted. Squinting he folded up the paper and tucked the map away. Shouldering his satchel, he slipped off the path. In the distant tree lines, a murky quagmire. The soft planes leading out of the four fronds connected the two in an otherwise picturesque scene.

Anu lifted her head, glancing around almost curiously as the mothergrub's claws shifted as she moved along. Coming to a halt, she paused near an enormous old tree. The colorful floral design of the alternian forest was a sharp contrast to the large lusus and small jadeblood close by. We should turn back soon. She mentioned in a calm, yet firm tone. A click of her tongue followed, as if she wouldn't take no for an answer.

Glancing at Anu, Xavier nodded in understanding as he placed a hand on the tree. His brows furrowed as he toed at some leaves sprinkled against the ground, debating if he should get going. Surely there was no-sane troll out this far out? It seemed nice enough but perhaps they had come far enough on this adventure. "Yuh, we will I just wanted to see how far we could go." He smiled at her sheepishly. Xavier looked for a rock of some kind to stash in his bag to take back as a momento for having come this far in the meantime after explaining this lusus they would be leaving soon, promising her in their common language consisting of clicks, hisses and chittering here and there outside his mothers affectionate cooing noises she made now and then.

Xavier had been surprised by the sheer number of trolls that had attended Bloodfest. The fact he could get back to what made him comfortable was a relief at least. Going out exploring had been a wonderful stress relief thus far. Xavier had discovered he had a natural knack for crafting while at the festival. Running his own booth had also been eventful, he'd met more trolls than ever before in this manner. While he'd occasionally felt overwhelmed, it had been thrilling occasion...aside from the friendship drama. During it he'd spent time fretting over his friends, and their problems. That and the brief session he'd allowed himself to fall asleep. The weird clown dreams that had followed were odd to say the least, Xavier still wasn't sure what to make of it. It had reminded him the value of getting some semblance of sleep with sopor. He never wanted to experience anything like it again.

The real issue he walked away with from bloodfest was revealing to a more trolls they were jadebloods. It made him worry just how generous he and Amonee should, or namely should not be with the information. From his brief time reading public information about rainbow drinkers and jadebloods..the fact some trolls might treat them differently was unsettling to say the least. Xavier tried not to take it to heart, but concern for his closest friend and his own safety was still fresh on the young troll's mind. For the here and now, Xavier tried to shrug off all his doubts and fears.

Surrounded by nature, the worries of city life seemed distant somehow. Every troll had an opinion, some would like them..and some wouldn't right? Xavier could only hope it didn't cause any problems in the foreseeable future. He'd have to talk to Amonee, or perhaps even Nucleo about keeping an eye on his friend when he couldn't be around. So far they'd both been pretty lucky he felt.

What was that sound?

As he looked around, there was a sudden disturbance in the tranquil evening. Xavier had just looked up in time to see the moon glowing high above and a shape silhouetted in it's beauty. Unfortunately that figure seemed to be plummeting to the ground. Drawing in a deep breath as if to sigh, Xavier instead froze in place as his thinkpan registered what was happening. Blinking in dismay as the events unfolded before him systematically he watched in disbelief. The scream had alerted the troll to the danger, and without hesitation he moved forward. "Mum...?" He sounded worried, as he gestured towards the falling figure. "I...Let's go see if we can help!" Xavier was already rushing forward, although he had his glaive strapped to his back ready if things turned bad.

Anu had sat up, and was alert as she watched the strange site unfold. Her gaze turned to Xavier as he spoke with her. A click that sounded almost like a resounding Yes. The mothergrub inclined her head in agreement. She was quickly up and moving, her claws scuttled across the ground effortlessly keeping up. She followed along just the same, moving after her troll.

Sprinting across the clearing, he made his way towards the swampy waters he'd seen the troll land in. Xavier was naturally curious, how did trolls fall from the sky like that? Not only that, were they alright was the real question. The jadeblood's gaze scanned the area as his boots sloshed in the mud. The squishing sounds hardly deterred the freckled boy, he just wanted to make sure they weren't injured. If the troll was dead of course, he would leave them be after paying a moment of silence respect as was customary. For now however, Xavier came to a halt at the water's edge. "Hey! Are yuh alright!" He called, shouting as he scanned frantically for whoever he'd seen. Xavier's boots crunched in the mud as he approached the waters edge. He was prepared to go wading in the swamp if the troll was actually still breathing.

Xavier didn't even care as the mud squished and turned under his boots. The jadeblood went to the fallen trolls side he had seen drop from the sky of all places. Murky water sloshed at him as he crouched down on his knees beside the troll. "It's going to be okay." He looked concerned as he glanced back at his lusus.

Anu reached down to gently hoist up the little troll as her insect-like limbs gently pat a the trolls back trying to help clear any water the child might have swallowed. Look to see if there was anyone else my love.

Xavier squinted, looking around. Had he heard a weak cry for something or troll in particular? Unsure Xavier looked around the muddy water. "Hey, who were you calling for? Can you hear me?" Xavier went back to the troll his lusus was holding with concern on the jadebloods face.