The Forgotten Zodiac

L'arc headed over to Allie's father, smiling at him. "Hey," he greeted. "I'm glad to see your girl made it back all in one piece. You weren't the only one worried, I'm sure," he said. He shifted slightly, then asked, "So, ah, who's in charge, here? I need a word with them."

Allie's father smiled slightly. "Me, actually. My name is Tobias. According to Allie...I'm the mayor of Tinyville." He chuckled.

Verolen laughed. "That's great. Tinyville should stay even after the war; these plains are quite fertile, I'm sure you'll have no problem with plants and livestock."

"Actually, we were planning on it. We've decided to hold off on any construction until the forest is out of this war, though. We don't want to damage the trees with our building, after all..." Tobias smiled slightly.

"Very wise. But don't worry, the forest will be more than happy to provide you with wood and the like once it's back to its former glory. Heck, you could probably even grab some seeds and grow your own." Verolen grinned. "Replant and the like. They'd like that."

"Indeed. So," Tobias straightened his shirt. "What did you need to speak about?"

"Well it's... a bit much to ask," L'arc said. He shifted somewhat uneasily, then figured he should just say it. "Two seers have predicted a forest fire in the next couple days. We were hoping... that is, if it's not too much trouble... that we could relocate the citizens of Treefort here, until... until we find somewhere else for them to go." He paused, then added. "If... it's any consolation, both Seers have predicted the end of the war. It's... close."

Tobias blinked. "If it would repay my debt to them, for ensuring my daughter's safety, then I will gladly do whatever I can to help. We have a few extra tents, and enough fabric to make a few more..."

"Druids mostly sleep in tree form. That's the majority of who's coming." Verolen nodded.

"I see. That does help, somewhat." Tobias nodded. "I'll let the others know."

"Thank you," L'arc said emphatically. He looked to Verolen, then back to Tobias. "I hate to just drop by and run off, but we'll need to tell the citizens where to come. Thank you," he repeated, nodding gratefully.

"Certainly. We'll go ahead and get the other tents pitched, and maybe request a second water source from the witches. They've been quite kind to us." Tobias smiled. "Fare well, the both of you. And may your seers be true; if the end of the war is nigh, then it is good news for all of us."

"You bet it is." Verolen smiled. "See you soon," He turned and walked off, expecting L'arc to follow.

L'arc nodded at Tobias' words, then hurried to catch up with Verolen. He stopped at the edge of the camp and looked back, however, taking the time to wave to Allie before going back into the woods.

"Well... seems like everything is falling into place," he said.

"Seems like it." Verolen frowned. "I...still have a bad feeling about this. I dunno." He sighed, shaking his head as they started the long walk back. "I think we should evacuate the animals, too."

"Well, of course," L'arc said. He brushed his fingers against the closest tree, looking up in its branches. "Any squirrels or birds up there?" he called.

"Squirrels or birds, squirrels or birds," A voice snorted. "No, none up here. If there were, I'd be happier. Stuck up here for two days now." A cat called from apparently inside the trunk. "I chase a woodpecker in here, of course, and BAM. I'm suck. Stuuuuck. If you'd like to help me, I'd be happy," He grumbled.

"Uh, yeah, sure," L'arc said, blinking as he heard the voice. He circled the tree a couple times before climbing up the tree a little ways and finding a hole. "Sure, I can get you out no problem. Just ah, don't claw me," he said. He could see the cat now, and reached out towards it. He focused for a moment, hardening his skin to be more bark-like, then said, "Okay, just climb onto my shoulder, right?"

"Right, right." The cat scrambled up, clinging to L'arc's arm almost desperately. "Thank goodness...hey, you're L'arc. I've been hearin' stuff about you being back. Thanks for helping me out, pal. Now, I heard you needed something? How can I repay you for saving my tail, hm?" The cat, a tabby yellow and brown, blinked calmly at L'arc as he was lifted up from the tree's trunk.

L'arc got out of the tree, holding the cat on his shoulder gently. He dropped down next to Verolen, smiling at the cat. "No problem," he answered the cat's thanks, before answering the cat's question. "Well, our seers have predicted a forest fire, and soon. We need to evacuate the animals from the area around Treefort," he said.

"Ah. I can see the issue, then. Can't get birds to squawk loud enough." The cat dropped down to the ground, licking his paw and cleaning his ear before saying something else. "Alright. I'll do it, in return for saving me. But before I go, could I get you to scratch me behind the ears?" He smiled. "It's been awhile. I ran away from my humans and have been living in the forest ever since. I like it better here, but if there's one thing I missed, it's being scratched behind the ears."

L'arc smiled and laughed softly, "Yeah, sure," he said, kneeling next to the cat and rubbing its head gently. "Am I doing this right? Never had a cat of my own," he said.

"Oh yes, just a little to the left," The cat pushed his head against L'arc's hand, purring. "Scratch a bit, use your nails," He flicked his tail smoothly, his rumbling purr reminding Verolen of his dog's growling.

Speaking of, where was that mutt? Hopefully with Arachne.

((Verolen can always just call him. :3))

L'arc smiled anddid as the feline asked, before pulling back after another minute or so. "... we good?" he asked.

((Sure, why not. xD What was his name again? Ceberus? .3.))

"Yes! Thank you very much, sir," The cat rubbed itself against L'arc's leg, then hurried off. "I'll tell everything I see to evacuate, don't you worry!" He called over his shoulder as his tail disappeared behind the bushes.

"Heh. You have a way with animals," Verolen grinned. "I don't like cats, personally, but that one sure seemed to like you."

((Lumpy and Gumpy. :3))

L'arc straightened up and shrugged. "Well, I don't know. Just trying to be nice," he said, looking back to Verolen. "That said, we need to get moving. So the citizens of Treefort can evacuate quickly."

((Oh yeah. xDD))

"Yeah. Oh, wait, I know someone who can help with the whole evacuation thing..." Verolen pulled a familiar whistle from his pocket, blowing hard on it.

Nothing happened. "Huh. I guess he's with Arachne...oh well. Let's go." He shrugged, starting back on the path to Treefort.

((He'll come to Sylas' aid when the time is right.

Also, I haven't worked out who saved Sylas when he had the broken legs and was being gnawed on by wolves. I was thinking an existing character, but I forgot who I had in mind. .3.))