Sylvie scratched at her neck, using what little flame she had left to keep her plume of spacedust flaring brightly. Her eyes flicked across the ocean, only glancing at the upcoming mainland when it seemed safe to do so. Cherry, on the other hand, had been busy whispering to her on a myriad of topics.

 “You know I’ve always wanted to explore! Lyla made it sound so fun and Amber always loved going on and on about famous adventurers— I adore our village but after you live in the same town for so many years… well, it can get a little boring.” She picked at her fur, brushing out what salt she could. 

 Sylvie chewed the inside of her cheek, finding herself staring at where Trench’s head would be if he wasn’t keeping look-out underneath the waves. A paw hesitantly rubbed her neck, whatever had been stuck to them had dried out hours ago but the vile pressure of those jaws still lingered. Batting around the scene in her mind, the attack felt so… targeted. Of course the territorial merruffs were an oddity, but they wanted Trench.

 Why? It didn’t even sound like he knew those merruffs, unless he was an even better liar than I thought. It sounded like he didn't even know a town existed! But…

 “Hey Sylvs,” Cherry shook her, raising a brow. “ did’ya hear me?”

 Blinking rapidly, she locked her attention onto the nebulruff. “I—”

 “She’s ignoring you because any sensible being would!” A growl snapped from the back of Trench’s shell, Maddox piping up. “Have to respect her for listening to your pitchy howl for as long as she has.” 

 “No, she is not!” Cherry snapped, hackles rising as she twisted her head to glower at the fox. “If you don’t lighten up we might as well send you overboard, you didn’t even help with directions!”

 He snorted, not using the energy to turn his head to meet Cherry’s glare. “Why would you need directions when there's only one direction to go?” Maddox shook his head.

 Sylvie’s eyes darted between them, tensing her jaw as Cherry refused to turn her attention away. “I was just… zoning out, I’m sor—” She snapped shut as Cherry glanced at her, eyebrows still arched in irritation. Heart fluttering she lowered her eyes, rubbing the grooves of the shell.

 After a few seconds Sylvie heard her sigh, though her voice was now tinged with anger. “You’re fine, I know you can get a bit… spacey.” Sylvie winced at the remark, Cherry continuing. “I just asked why you never stuck around long, it was nice having you work around the shop.”

 She thought for a moment, picking her words carefully. “I didn’t really… enjoy the hustle and bustle, I’m not like you… I’m not really any good in groups.” Seeing Cherry’s expression change, Sylvie quickly added. “I am excited to move back though, sand-lice aren't really any good for talking to.” She managed a small laugh.

 Fortunately, the nebulruff mimicked her, Cherry nodding her head in agreement. “I am too… sucks that you just got there only for all… this to happen.” A more genuine smile grew. “I’m glad you’re here.”

 The words rolled in her mind, guilt weighing her down. She didn’t deserve this, not if what Cherry said was true. “Cherry?” Her claws clicked against the carapace.

 It’s better that she knows about the daughter and— oh, I can’t mention that only two of us are capable, she’ll just get competitive! 

 “Yeah?” She tilted her head, so… unassuming.

 She’ll immediately tell Trench, and he’ll tell Maddox and of course there's gonna be a fight, there's four of us! Maddox is gonna get mad, Cherry’s gonna be mad and Trench is going to be too busy separating them—!

 “Sylvie?”

 Why didn’t I just say it before!? It would’ve been so much more easy if I had. Oh, but they’d never keep it to themselves, why did that lady have to say anything!

 “Sylvie!” Cherry shook her again, the phoeline’s claws unlatching from the claw as she looked up at the nebulruff. “What did you want to say?”

 She opened her mouth to say more but Sylvie interrupted. “I just wanted to say I’m happy to be here too!” She blurted much too loud, wishing she had her scarf to hide in. “I… I don’t know what I’d do if I was stuck at the village— not knowing how you all are doing.”  Glancing around she noticed Trench’s head breach the surface, immediately looking up as they reached land. A small town bustled, only a short walk from the shore.

 With a small bump they hit the sand, a small splash sounding after. Cherry hopped down with Sylvie in tow, a now canine Trench shaking the water beaded on his pelt. “Alright, seeing as it’ll be dark in a few hours we should hurry up and see if we can gather any supplies.” He eyed the town. “Keep close and don’t lose each other, got it?”

 Cherry scoffed, bounding ahead. “We’re not pups, Trench. Now hurry up before all the good stores close!”

 Sylvie stuck by Trench’s side, the merruff rolling his eyes before perking up. Maddox dragged himself from the water, completely soaked as his growl caught their attention. “Next time warn me when Cherry’s being serious about tossing my overboard.” The fox shook out his pelt, rogue spacedust melting into the sand with a hiss. “I personally think we should let her wander, it’ll be much more peaceful.”

 Left to do nothing but follow, Trench padded behind Maddox with Sylvie keeping close. She couldn't help but look up at him, questions circling her mind as his attention was on the two in front of them bickering into town. Sylvie attempted to clear her throat, only to sound as if she’d caught a hairball. The merruff was still fixated ahead, part of her wondering if it was on purpose before guilt quickly washed the thought away. As they trotted under the arch welcoming them to Caylido, shacks decorated in colorful seashells and marine life lined what one would call a street. A jaw lined with rows of teeth hung over a parlor, a stached merruff advertising all sorts of meals that made Sylvie feel queasy just thinking about it. A small pool full of pups splashed around giddily, covered in seaweed as one took the role of a ferocious beast, screechy giggles erupting from the school.

 Another screech, somehow more pitched from ahead, Syvlie puffing up until she watched as Cherry glued herself to the window of a store. Pacing ahead, Cherry squealed. “We have got to go in here! Look!” She pointed into the shop, rows of gleaming armor hanging on walls, some decorated with gold lining, fur, shells, all sorts of patterns etched into their surface. Cloaks hung on racks, dyed golds and blues similarly with fur and shell additives. Before anyone could argue she rocketed inside, Trench muttering annoyance as he followed. Sylive caught Maddox in the corner of her eye, the fox glancing around the town with a permanent grimace souring his face. The two entering, Cherry was already ogling over armored cuffs.

 “We don't need this, we need non-perishables and supplies for living out in the woods!” Trench took a helmet in his webbed paws, looking down at the price tag. “Eugh! It’s going to be hard enough working with what little we have, do you think we have the money to buy this frilly nonsense?”

 “We could just steal—” Maddox suggested before being quickly shushed by the pair, Cherry quickly piping up.

 “A girl can dream! Plus if Sylvie can buy us these nasty little bracelets I’m sure they sell other supplies here.” The phoeline’s heart dropped at the mention of her name, hoping to not have to explain how she didn’t have enough or worse— it's all been a fib. “The sign said something about traveling gear, that can’t just be cool armor.” Cherry stated quite matter-of-factly despite the fact anyone mentioned seeing food or gear. 

 Trench tensed his jaw, Sylvie watching as the gears turned in his head to somehow drag Cherry out of the store without causing a fuss until a pale nebulruff snuck up behind them. “We do sell gear here if that’s what you’re looking for, and have fishing grounds if you need food.” The group jumped, for such a quiet voice it seemed to echo in the shop. Her fur dragged against the ground, almost like a wispy mop with bits of grit and sand stuck to the very edges. She scanned over them curiously, seeming interested in the small fox still dripping water onto the boarded floor. “I haven’t seen you around, you must be travelers. I’m Lily.” The nebulruff bowed her head, a crown of small shells clinking as she did. “My daughter overheard you were in need?”

 “Now we’re alright, my friend here is just—” Trench began to try and hush the inquisitive shopkeeper but she called deeper into the shop.

 “Fleck!” For once Lily spoke above a whisper, but now it seemed she was just speaking at normal volume. Soon after a short merruff wheeled her way around the counter, nose wiggling as she used her forepaws to cart herself around the racks of clothing. As she reached them, the merruffs nose still explored, hovering over each of them. “She loves dressing customers up, somehow my lovely Fleck can pick just the right set!” Lily cooed pridefully.

 “No, we're fine.” Trench attempted again, stepping back as the wheels threatened to roll over his paws. “We don’t have the money for anything in here, I’m sorry but your daughter’ll have to wait for the next—” He paused, staring out the window.

 Following his gaze a pair of soldiers marched down the street, barely able to turn their heads before Trench had dove underneath the window sill. Lily squeaked as she turned her head back to the remaining three, mouthing words that never sounded. Sylvie couldn’t peel her eyes away from their pikes, only turning her head when Fleck bumped into her side. Fleck mouthed something but all Sylvie could focus on was her severe lack of a tongue. Just as quick as they appeared the soldiers walked pass, only when the coast was clear did the shopkeeper speak up.

 “Nasty, nasty dogs…all of them.” She shook her head. “I don’t blame you for hiding, they planted their soldiers here just a few weeks ago, they’re all cruel.” Lily looked to her daughter, though no words were spoken, an untold story hung in the air. “Our poor town has been blighted since then…” After a few moments of silence, she shook out her fur and moved on. “I did hear you didn’t have the funds… but I’d be willing to take in favors as it’s been so long since my lovely Fleck has been able to dress anyone up.” Lily chuckled, the merruffs tail wagging at the mention. “I have some friends who need assistance, older folk, those tyrants won’t help.” Her voice barely hardened but the anger was there.

 Before Cherry could squeak an excited “Really!?” Maddox interrupted. “Woah, woah, woah. Who are those tyrants exactly? I for one am not risking my neck for some flea-bags just for some fancy armor when I have much more to do like find the boys?” He glared at Cherry pointedly.

 Despite the rude interruption, Lily only nodded. “I understand, these ‘officers’ belong to Queen Mira, she’s been crawling her way up the coast on a war-path for anything that may even be tied to Luana… though she doesn’t seem to wander too far into the mainland.” All this information rattled Syvlies brain, from what she noticed it sent a ripple through all of them.

 Another Queen? One on a warpath for Luana?

 Noticing the change Lily quickly added. “I’m not sure why, we didn’t see ourselves under either as we aren’t avid ocean-dwellers but her people won’t listen to us. Here,” She turned to Maddox. “ if you help Marie and Swab, I’ll give you whatever my daughter picks out, a way out of here and directions to a fishing hole.”

 He narrowed his eyes at her, seemingly unconvinced but Cherry pushed him to the side to the spotlight. “Deal! Trench and I call dibs on Marie.” She hopped, ignited by the prospect. “Where are we heading?”

 Lily chuckled, amused by the wily display. “I’ll take you to her, Fleck will bring your small friends to Swab, I think your little cat friend will be quite fitting actually!” Syvlie attempted a smile, hoping what the hound said was true. Lily pressed her nose against Fleck’s head. “You be careful now, once you pass them on to Swab come back here immediately, alright? The tunnels are no place for my daughter.”

 Fleck nodded, her mother pulling away as she guided Trench and Cherry toward the changing rooms. Maddox inquiring about tunnels being ignored as Fleck wheeled around the shop, expertly maneuvering around the one or two customers and boxes of fresh stock. They slipped behind a counter, Sylvie looking around anxiously as the merruff dipped into the closet, a click ringing before a ramp leading downward fell. Fleck carefully padded down, Sylvie careful not to bump into her wheels as they slowly rolled down at the merruffs pace. The looming darkness didn’t seem to bother Fleck, Sylvie grateful her flames dimly lit the walls, seeming less and less finished the further in they went. After a seemingly short walk, Fleck stopped in front of a wooden door, knocking until a shuffle could be heard inside. Another merruff opened the door, much older with long whiskers draping from it’s face. 

 “Hrm? Oh, Fleck! How are you doing, my little anchovy?” It patted her head with a webbed paw, sand popping off of its arm with each pat. It’s eyes slowly made there way to Sylvie, only a small glint tell her they were even open. “Oh, you bring me guests?” 

 Fleck tapped her feet at random, sometimes bobbing her head. Being lost to them, it only seemed like Swab understood. “Helpers! How lovely, how lovely. Well, come in, cat! Fleck go run along to your mother, I’ll send ‘er back when it's done.” She gave Sylvie one last smile before wheeling herself past Maddox.

 It wobbled into the room, Sylvie following with Maddox close behind as Swab closed the door and lit a few candles. As her eyes adjusted she noticed they were in a basement chock full of barrels, Swab’s long eel-like tail rubbing up against them as it lit the last candle on the wall. “I’m ashamed to say that I have a bit of a vermin-problem, nasty little things.” It dragged itself onto the stairs, turning as its tail slithered to safety. “Whenever I come down with fresh supplies those furry little bandits nip at my whiskers! Those Mira’s goons won’t help, so I’m more than glad you’re here. When I close the door, just hop up here and stomp down the steps so they think it's me then get rid of ‘em! Don’t care how you do it…” It turned back, continuing up the steps. “Oh and if they do run, dont let them the walls, they’ll burrow into the sand and never come out again. In the case you get overrun just squirm around, they’ll follow eventually.” Before Sylvie or Maddox could question, Swab had crawled up the stairs and slammed the door behind them. Only their hums told their pair it’d walked into the house above.

 “Great.” Maddox rolled his eyes, picking a barrel to hop on. “Alright, go smush some bugs or whatever it is.” He brushed the sand away, curling into a ball. “You ran off to a beach, I believe in you.”

 Sylvie only gave him a desperate glance but the fox had already closed his eyes, clearly unwilling to help her. Sighing, she made her way up the stairs, using all the force she could to hop from step to step without tumbling over. As she hit the boards… nothing happened. No scuttling, no darting blobs, if anything it’d become more deathly quiet. Sylvie tried again, hurriedly running up the steps and stomping down to no avail. After the seventh attempt she heard Maddox groan and slide off the barrel. He slid past her and up the steps, waiting expectantly.

 After a few moments, he rasped: “Get up here, we’re doing it together seeing as that's the only way we’ll even get close to that clam-muncher's weight.”

 I can see why Cherry didn’t like bringing you around…

The thought flashed through her mind as Sylvie joined his side, Maddox counting down before the pair hopping down in unison. The thumps did echo louder, but doubt still wormed in her mind as they reached the bottom of the steps. After the final hop they stood still, Maddox’s ears flicking around as he snorted. “If Trench were here this’d be so much easier.” He took a few more seconds to listen before stomping around the barrels. “In my opinion I think this fish-brain’s whiskers keep getting caught on these gnarled floorboards.” Maddox kicked away a loose nail, it skipping somewhere between the barrels. “I don’t even trust that Lily, her or her creepy daughter. Oh but of course Cherry’s interested because she gets something for free instead of working for something for once in her— YEOW!” Sylvie’s heart dropped as the fox wailed, sprinting out from behind the barrels with a pale form attached to his tail. Maddox kicked and bucked, whatever had attached itself to his tail was holding firm, gnawing at his spacedust. “Get it off, get it off, get it off, get it OFF!” He threw himself into a barrel, Sylvie unable to get close without getting slapped by some flailing limb. 

 The fox ran in circles, snapping at his tail and missing most shots as Maddox spat spacedust into the ground. Finally he clamped down on something that wasn’t himself, a shrill holler filling the room as the louse squirmed in his teeth. Its beady rat nose wriggled while its mandibles gnashed angrily, armor crunching under Maddox’s crooked teeth. Sylvie looked away, screwing her face shut as she heard him shake it around before spitting it into the ground. After a few pants he spoke up. “That is vile.” 

 Sylvie cracked an eye open, Maddox poking the vermin's body. “Sylvie, don’t tell me you actively dealt with these things.”

 She shook her head wildly at the accusation, horrified at the thought. “No! Mine were so much smaller and… didn’t have teeth.” She peaked over from behind him, the sight making her stomach churn. “I understand why Swab wants them gone now… how many more do you think there are?”

 Maddox turned to face her, jaw open to speak but his eyes continued past her, grimace falling to shock. “There's ah…” He nodded toward their right. “Y’know, why don’t you count? You’re a smart girl.” Before another rat could leap at him Maddox clawed up a stack of barrels, hopping from lid to lid as he left Sylvie stranded.

 Turning, it took everything for Sylvie not to shriek, a horde covering every inch of the ground as they advanced. She was able to slip under the first few but seen felt teeth pierce her spacedust as they affixed themselves onto her tail. She rolled against the ground, only seeming to pick more up as they crawled over her body to target the flames bursting from her flared tail. Trying to do as Maddox did, she nipped at their ends, the pests only dropping for two more to take their place. She could only watch as her light slowly die the more that they gnawed, a light-headed sensation staggering her movements. Sylvie looked around for something— anything to help her and could only see Maddox watch helplessly from atop the highest barrel. What could she even do? Thrash until she was all out of flame? Sylvie did not dare attempt to shift into her form, for all she knew it’d just snuff her out faster! Cherry, Trench, Fleck, Swab, none of them would know what happened, not unless Maddox somehow had the strength to… strength? Quickly she pawed at the dust around her neck, feeling around until her claws wrapped around a small bracelet with a pink iridescent amulet.
“Maddox!” She staggered, using her tail to bat the jewelry up to him. “Put it on— your form!” Sylvie had do idea what the etched in pattern entailed but it had to be better than this, even if it just gave him the courage to do more than watch.

 The fox grabbed onto it, Sylvie clawing at the lice around her chest. He took the time to examine, raising a brow. “What does it do?”
“MADDOX!” She snapped, kicking as a trio crawled up her leg.

 He squawked, quickly slipping it around his wrist. “Fine, fine! Now… right…form.” Maddox shifted his weight, brow furrowing in concentration. 

 After a few moments of Sylvie doing whatever she could, tears welling in her eyes at the sheer panic of the situation, her voice broke. “What are you doing!? Maddox, help!” She couldn’t even flare up her spacedust, it became harder to crush each and every louse.

 “Do you understand how long it took for me to work up the heart to use my dragon form!? Last time I did I was put in jail!” He tightened his eyes shut, whispering to himself things Sylvie didn’t have the power to strain and listen to. After a few moments, a small poof of glitter and he was… gone? She whipped her head around looking for any sign of her would-be savior. “Maddox?” Sylvie winced as a rat bit into her wounded shoulder. “Maddox!” She felt her body crumble, hitting the wooden floor as even more crawled over her body.

 Sylvie swore she heard wings flap, rapid little movements as the pressure of hundreds of tiny claws leave her back in one smooth movement. For a moment she debated if she was even alive but the ache around her joints proved that she was indeed. Lifting her head she watched as the louse gathered in a tight circle, whiskered snouts peering up at a glimmering form. A small fluffy moth with yellow buggy eyes glanced around, Maddox’s new antennae twitching. Wherever he flew the rats followed, Sylvie taking the chance to limp her way toward the door and open it.

 “Lead them away…” She rolled out of the way, using the rest of her strength to climb on top of a barrel and grab for a candle.

 And so Maddox did, his small shimmering form veering out the door with the colony in tow, Sylvie barely able to watch knowing what they were capable of. Instead she pressed her paw against the wick, the candle dying out as she stole what little flame it had left to hold herself over until she was able to produce more. Slumping over, Sylvie rolled off the barrel, taking no care while she walked up the stairs one final time and shouted.

 “The vermin are gone!” She questioned if Swab had even heard her but pawsteps followed soon after, the merruff opening the door and quickly slipping down the steps as all Sylvie could do was follow.

 “Oh delightful! Good job little one!” Its praise barely lifted her spirits, feeling a small clamshell be shoved into her paws. “Here, give this to Lily and she’ll do whatever you need, you’ve earned it, doing it all on your own!”

 Well… it’s not wrong about one thing. The spiteful thought entered before an overall numbness silenced her annoyance, not having the energy to bring up what had happened.

 It ushered her out the door. “I’m sure you want to go see your friends! You remember how to get home, don’tcha?” Before Sylvie could answer, it slammed the door closed behind her.

 Now with barely any spacedust to guide their way, Sylvie tottered down the caves. At some point Maddox had joined behind her, following the weak torch until the ramp was visible. Fortunately for her, her spacedust had grown enough to not be worrisome, if luck was really on her side no one would question what had happened. Sylvie clambored up and around, turning the corner. Cherry and Trench were already chatting with Lily.

 As soon as Cherry saw he she squealed, Sylvie catching leather strapping armor against her neck. “Look Sylvie, look!” She hopped in circles, giggling to herself. “Doesn’t it fit me so well? Look, I even have pointy bits!” Cherry lifted her paw, spikes on the cuffs of her wrists. “Trench was lame, he only took some hand-me-down armor from one of Luana’s guards, why not something new, right!?” Her tail wagged, Sylvie barely able to muster a smile.

 “Thats amazing Cherry, you look ferocious!” She slipped by, offering the token to Lily as she turned away from her conversation with Trench.

 “Oh good job! Pretty easy work, hm?” Lily chuckled, Fleck already having pale cloth draped over her back. “Fleck knew you’d make it, your friends told me all about their little adventure!”
Trench puffed out his chest, taking the opportunity to chime in. “Ay, Marie had us search for some treasure in a shipwreck he marked out, turns out it was chock-full of some jewels! Reminded me of my early years exploring n’ such.” He pushed Sylvie’s shoulder playfully, almost knocking her over. “He let us keep some extra for the next town, what did ya’ll do?”

 “Clean out some rats.” Sylvie answered flatly, wanting nothing more than to just pass out forever— or at least until all the aches were gone. “We did good according to Swab.”

 Trench nodded, clearly glad Cherry had chosen Marie first. “Good… good. Why don’t you get those on so we can get goin?”

 “Ah, yes!” Lily piqued, tapping the cloth coat. “This is actually enchanted— the coat has the ability to mimic your environment when you recite the incantation on the tag. Your pink friend told me you can get in quite the pickle so I threw in some silks, they can soothe aching sores but don’t expect them to heal it fully— I'm not that versed.” She chuckled lightly, finally turning toward the purple fabrics. “She also said you lost your scarf… this can’t do anything special and it doesn't really fit… but both me and Fleck think you should have it. For good luck!”

 Sylvie only nodded along, idly soaking in the information before she staggered into the changing rooms. The coolness did help the burning sensation over her wounds, laying on the layer of fabrics before wrapping the scarf around her neck. It did help somewhat, while it wasn’t her old one it was better than having nothing and the thought did warm her up a bit. 

 When she exited, Maddox was nowhere to be found, Cherry and Trench standing before a large mirror. “I can tell we’re in for some greatness!” She chirped, Cherry pulling out as many poses as she could. “I’m ready for it! Aren’t you Sylvie?”

 When Sylvie nodded, joining her side, Cherry looked over to Trench. “Are ya feelin’ it, Trench?”

 “Greatness? I’m not sure greatness is what this feels like, we have a long journey ahead of us with barely a direction to go… thankfully Fleck here even glimpsed the beast.” He nodded toward the smaller merruff, Fleck’s tail wagging as Lily ushered her out of the way.

 “Don’t be such a sourpuss.” Cherry rolled her eyes, dancing on the tips of her feet. “Maddox is feeling great, aren’t you?”

"Fantastic."