another part of my liminal series.

this doesn't look like light island

As usual whenever it finds a captive audience to listen, Ink is talking.

"So, the guy asks you if you'll give him your name. And obviously you think this is just some introduction thing so you tell him your name, all that jazz. And all of a sudden you don't got a name anymore. Cuz you GAVE IT TO THE GUY. Cuz the guy is the FAE and he TRICKED YOU WITH FUNKY WORDING. And that's why I thought-"

Its monologue is cut short and it stops dead.

"Oh hey, Iris. I think I may have found a solution to the sun blinding you."

It pointed ahead into the trees.

Iris: hm, reminds me of the sea weed... *they walk under the trees.*

“Kinda. We have land versions of kelp forests like this where I’m from. Tree forests!”

It was definitely a welcome change of pace from the endless sun and empty fields. Perhaps Ink liked forests like this once.

Iris: better than looking at the giant ball of fire up there. *they chuckle.*

"Oh for sure." It snickered. "Love the sun but this is definitely an improvement."

Iris: So... I doubt your lab is here in this forest.

"You never know. This would be one heck of a place to hide it." Ink peered through the trees.

Iris: I mean it is unbearable up here, so good place I guess.... *they scratch at their gills.*

"It's not so bad if you acually live up here."

Okay well the road itself kinda sucks.

"On land, I mean. But, well, obviously..."

Iris: I'm sure if I was able to die in this realm being up here would kill me..... *they keep scratching.*

"I guess that tracks." It snorted.

It looked up at them, head tilting. "You alright there? You're uh..." It vaguely gestured, sort of dancing around it. Just in case.
~We are NOT having a repeat of the tail thing.~

Iris: I really hope not, it's already unbearable up here.

It nodded, staring ahead.

~Maybe I shouldn’t have brought her up here…~

It should’ve expected she’d be uncomfortable on land. It wasn’t surprised at all. It just felt guilty if anything, putting her through this.

It jolted suddenly.

~That guard machine outside one of the labs. The one that kills entities. Iris isn’t an entity but… if that thing thinks she is…~

Its expression betrayed its newfound terror.

~Can I talk a machine out of doing its job? Am I just bringing her along to die?~

Did it dare say anything about it to her? It didn’t look at her. It kept its swirling eyes pointed straight ahead.

~What the f**k was I thinking?!~

“Sorry.” Was all it managed to mewl.

Iris: is... something on your mind? *Iris seemed to have noticed Ink's internal freak out.*

"NOPE!" Ink replied far too quickly.

Iris: . . . you sure?

"I'm always sure!" It reassured in the least reassuring tone possible.

Iris: . . . . . . *they side eye ink.*

“I-…” It can’t meet her gaze. “Seriously, it’s nothing. I was just…” it straightened up, “wondering how things were going back at the other lab, the one I came from? Aha, speaking of, I could just-“

~Incredible dodge!~
It reached for the comms device.

“Hi guys! How are *you* guys doing?” Okay dude, no need to be THAT loud.

Iris: f**king... hell.... *they keep scratching their gills, eventually they draw blood.* go***amn it... *they tear off one of their sleeves and wraps it around their neck.*

Ink straightened up, stiff with sudden panic. "What's wrong? What's going on?" It may as well have been fluffed up like a cat.

Iris: I'm fine... it's just SO annoying. *they cough slightly.*

“What is?” Its fingers twitched anxiously.

Iris: something in the air. it's so itchy... *Ink can faintly see pollen in the air.*

"Oh. Oh I get it!" It jumped. "I think you got allergies, dude!"

Iris: I hate it.

"Unnnnfortunately I don't see any way to deal with it... It's kind of in the air." It looked away. "I mean even if I did I dunno if it would work with gills anyway. As far as I can tell our best course of action is probably just keeping ourselves moving until the trees clear up or we find something." It shrugged, drooping a bit in shame. "Sorry I can't help much more than that."

Iris: it's fine... not like you're the one putting the stuff in the air. *they go back to walking.*

Ink follows after them, watching the trees curiously. "You think those shadow guys hang out here when it's still day? I mean, it's one of the only places outside with any shade." It mused out loud.