The Forgotten Zodiac

((WOAH VEROLEN MATERIALIZED.))

L'arc sighed and knocked on the door. "We've been running errands for about three hours now. I would have assumed... ugh," he let the sentence trail off and ended on a sigh.

((I MEANT TO SAY REETAH

I WAS GROGGY))

"Stay back, L'arc. This is a delicate stage. We're trying to convince the Library to wake up again. It's not very inclined to let Rush out. The vessel is in such a state of agony because of that arm..." Nana said quietly from the other side. "It's a pain that you wouldn't be capable of bearing. He'll definitely be...delicate, after all this."

L'arc grimaced. "I suppose I can understand that," he said quietly, but loud enough for Nana to hear. He sighed and looked around, then glanced up to Reetah.

"Do you see Verolen yet? I really thought he could run faster."

"I don't think any being that isn't a cheetah can run faster than a horse," Reetah tutted, but she raised her head and peered into the distance. "There he is. He's just passing the human camp. He'll be here before too long."

"Five minutes, L'arc. Almost done." Nana said.

"Good, good," L'arc said to both Reetah and Nana at once. He sighed and sat down against the doorframe, his arms crossed as he waited out the remainder of the time.

It seemed to crawl. But finally, after what honestly felt like another hour, the door opened. Rush was unconscious, carried by Horace again. Nana waited by the door. "There you have it. I'm in trouble, you know. I shouldn't have lost that and mother's upset with me. But..." She shrugged. "A deal is a deal. What's done is done. Take him and go. He'll wake up soon enough, and you lot can talk with him then. His eardrums were fixed, but the scarring is still there. He could easily pass for still-deaf, if he wanted to." She shrugged.

L'arc stood up. "Thanks," he said, nodding to them as he looked Rush over. He reached out and brush his fingers against the Chimera's forehead once, then said, "I guess Reetah can just take him. We have to wait on Verolen to get here, but it shouldn't be long. I hope you don't get in too much trouble," he said, smiling slightly.

"It's not like I'll be executed, but it's pretty serious. It's not your fault, though...I made a gamble that I shouldn't have. I made up for it a little by having my small amounts of research on the Dragonstones. So I'll be okay, for the most part. See you around," Nana waved. Horace set Rush into Reetah's waiting hands, then turned and went back inside. Nana turned and headed back inside as well, shutting the door behind her.

L'arc watched her go until the door shut, then he turned his attention back to Rush. "Think he'll wake up anytime soon?" he asked. "I wouldn't want him to have a shock if he wakes up while we're in the air."

Reetah pressed his nose to the chimera-thing. "I don't think so. I'll make a quick landing if he starts waking up mid-air, though. Don't worry."

"Am I late?" Verolen puffed, finally reaching them. "Oh, we're about to leave. Right, then!" He stopped a little closer to Reetah, then pulled on his blindfold again. "Ready!"

L'arc grabbed Verolen's arm and led him over to Reetah so he could get settled, then pulled himself up onto the manakete's back. "I'm set. Let's go on back. I think I could do with a nap..."

"You and me both, although I don't think I'll be able to sleep, with the whole defying gravity thing..." Verolen held still, though, holding on tightly to Reetah's back.

And just like that, they were off. The flight back to the palace took much shorter than expected; Reetah had flown fast, eager to get home to Ullar. "You're back!" Manny greeted them on the balcony, taking Rush out of her hands. The dragoness landed, holding her head on the balcony so L'arc and Verolen could climb off.

L'arc helped lead Verolen to solid ground before heading off on his own seperate way, apparently going to find a bed to rest in for a while. Bermuda had accompanied Manny to the balcony at the sounds of Reetah's return, and looked at Rush for a moment. "So he's really back, then," he said with a nod. "I guess he'll wake up soon. Manny, let's get him in to his bed. Thank you, Reetah," he added.

"Yep. He appears to be, at any rate." Verolen nodded. Manny started towards Rush's bed, but before he could put Rush down, the Chimera lurched and rolled away from Manny, snarling. He landed in a defensive position, slowly opening his eyes. He stared around for a long moment, then practically collapsed on his bed.

"Great skies above...you actually pulled it off." He sighed, running his fingers through his hair.

"Rush? How do you feel? Everything okay? You can hear us?" Verolen hurried over, questioning feverishly.

"Back up," Rush snorted, pushing the demon prince away a bit. "I feel...better. A bit numb, but much better." He held his scaled arm gingerly, and didn't seem inclined to move it. But he smiled regardless. "How hard was it, getting me back?"

"Israel did most of the work." Verolen nodded.

"Ah...where is that silly Siren? I should thank him."

((AND JUST LIKE THAT, RUSH IS BACK

This feels odd. Not normal. I don't usually do this, do I? I imagine you were expecting some complication, perhaps...were you?))

((No, though I should have. You think after four years I'd see it coming and not be blindsided every time. XD))

"...I'm here," Israel called in a soft chirp, emerging from under his blankets with Verdi. "I didn't really do anything much..." he said modestly, keeping his voice low as he shifted Verdi around, putting him back in the bed where he could continue sleeping. "I'm just glad you're back and you're okay, Rush," he said.

((Hahaha, yeah...

There's actually a pretty distinct pattern I've picked up on. Too lazy to explain it, though.))

"Nonsense. I'm sure you did what you could to help, and I appreciate that. I'll pay you back someday." Rush shrugged with his not-scaly shoulder, smiling still. His eyes then fell on Kendra. "Uh...who's this?"

((I thought Kendra was still in the greenhouse but okay I will go with this.))

Bermuda spoke up at the question, making the introductions. "Rush, this is Kendra. She's a demon that accompanied Eve and Manny back to the Surface. She's been a big help since she got here; she claims alliegance to our Verolen, too, so there's nothing wrong with her as far as I can see," he said, smiling warmly at the girl.

Kendra rose and gave Rush a small bow. "Well met, Rush. I hope our aquaintance will be a pleasant one," she said.

((It's been three hours. xDD))

"I hope so too." Rush nodded. He looked around, then smiled. "Well, looks like we're all here, then. That's good...no search-and-rescue missions for now. Let's keep it that way. What's the plan from here, though? Hide out here until something happens, as usual? I feel like we should do something..."

((So? XD))

"...I went to Treefort," L'arc said. "Verolen and I both. They were... downright shocked to see me. Apparently... most of the forest doesn't know I'm alive and... Aries?" L'arc called, turning to find the Viera. "I met some of your kin, too, and they... put an idea in my head that I can't get out," he said.

"The forest needs a King again. I don't believe myself ready... but I think what I believe is of little consequence. If the forest had a leader to rally around, then they... we might have a shot at finishing this war soon. And... I guess I'm the only one eligible." Here, he paused, looking around at the rest of the group, which had fallen into collective silence. He waited for a moment or two longer, then said, "Well...? What do you all say?"

((It's plausible that they would move away from the greenhouse in that time. xDD))

Verolen went quiet. "You know that's a bad idea, L'arc...even if we did manage to arrange the crowning, we'd...be attacked. Father wouldn't allow it."

"Well, why don't we let him come, then?" Rush frowned. "We could set traps for him. Easily. L'arc is right, Verolen, the forest needs this. They need a king."

Verolen looked down, frowning slightly. "I agree with that...but...it just seems too risky."