IoQ: A Lovely Afternoon- Kaiyo, Thumby, Sid, Val

The weather was less than hospitable. Grey clouds moved in from the horizon, light speckling the gloom. Thumbelina was beginning to question leaving her house at all. Why did she leave? Right herbs. She had been cooking a lot and found her supply was running low.. also she never finished cataloging the autumn vegetation before. But future weather aside, it wasn't so bad out.. but she hoped she wouldn't be out long.

Sidney was sniffing around the herbs as well. ...True he was a little rusty on his herbology... but some of the plants smelled interesting, so they must do something right?? The little dog was a little wary though, last time he'd been here.. WELL... It had not been fun.

Kaiyo on the other hand had had a blast the last time she had been at the light lagoon. She didn't run into any sprites or anything unpleasant.

"Greetings Sidney." Thumbelina noticed the pup in her area and gently offered him a treat from her pocket. "You should be careful, there is a storm on the horizon."

Sidney took the treat with a quickly mumbled "thank you". He sat down do gnaw on it, turning it into little bitty chunks before eating it. the dog looked up. "a storm?" He looked at the sky. "oh. I suppose there is. Thank you, I'll be careful."

The fairy smiled softly, straightening herself out as she returned to her herb search. "So what brings you out today?"

Kaiyo just happened across the fairy and the dog by chance, but she was pleasantly surprised to have other people to hang out with. "You got a new dog, Miss Thumbelina?"

"I'm inspecting the plants here, I'm thinking about working on some potions..." Sidney froze and fluffed up. If there was one thing that got on his nerves it was when people assumed he was owned by someone. He understood the confusion, he just... He reaaaaallly didn't like it. The dog looked up at Kaiyo. "No."

"Ah, No. This is Sidney, he lives on the island..." Thumbelina turned to Kaiyo, forcing a smile on past the awkwardness. "It's good to see you Kaiyo."

"Oh....." Kaiyo stared at him awkwardly for a moment. Considering the amount of time she had spent on the island, simple things like a talking dog shouldn't freak her out... but it still did. "I'm...." Sorry? Pleased to meet you? Speechless?

Sidney stared back and gave a slight sigh. "I'm used to it, nice to meet you, what's your name?" He'd heard Thumby say it, but it seemed like a good prompt to keep her talking. The trailing off thing was uncomfortable to do; he'd done it enough times himself so he knew this.

"My name is Kaiyo," she was glad that he 'threw her a bone' there. "It's nice to meet you as well."

Thumbelina watched the two for a moment, but the rattle of thunder on the horizon reminded her that she shouldn't dally too much, besides they were talking. Once again she ran her hands through the patch of herbs she'd found, trying to figure out what exactly was there.

Sidney looked back at thumbelina. "so, what are you doing? as you mentioned, the weather isn't exactly nice at the moment."

Kaiyo also turned her attention to Thumbelina, watching her closely. The mermaid knew very little about herbs.

"Gathering things for cooking." She smiled at Sidney and bent down to scratch his head. Behind the ears. "As you may have gathered, I have a rather large family." Thumbelina turned some of the herbs in her hand.

"How large is your family exactly?" The mermaid had heard Thumbelina talking about her children before, but had yet to meet any of them. After meeting Waldor, she wasn't entirely sure she wanted to either.

Sid's tail wagged. "ah. Well, that's nice." The little dog knew nothing about spices or cooking, but he could apreciate the idea. So far the dog had met the demon child and the very nice little boy, but apparently she had more kids.

"There is Waldor, Jonathan, Melanie, Reynalt, Jamal, myself.. and we have an egg.. so shortly we will have another child in the house.. I think that's a fairly large family." Thumbelina rubbed one of the leaves between her fingers in thought. Was this one any good?

The little dog stared at the Fairy in awe. how could she mannage all of them?? His nephews had been a handful, and there were only two of them.

"Oh, I had forgotten that you took Jamal in"

"Yes." Thumbelina smiled softly, placing some herbs in her pocket. "He is a very dear little one to me, his past life was my first true friend." She glanced over at Kaiyo. "What of you? Do you intend to have children?"

"You knew him before?" Kaiyo imagined her father being reborn as a child and adopting him... That would be weird. "I would love to have children! Do you know anyone looking to be a father?"

Sidney sniffed around, listening to the ladies talk.

A strange way to ask. "Wouldn't you rather have children with someone you love dearly?" A single brow raised as Thumbelina stared at Kaiyo.

Kaiyo wasn't sure how to answer that.

"I love everyone."

"That's... Hmmm.." Thumbelina shrugged. "It isn't quite the same. I am not sure how else to say it."

"I'm afraid I don't understand."

He's a dog currently he doesn't think too much about romance or starting a family. Sid rolled around in a patch of interesting smelling grass.

"Maybe someday you will? It's very hard to explain without knowing the feeling personally." Thumbelina frowned. She hadn't even believed in the feelings existing before her first love.

Kaiyo nodded. "There are some people that I like better than others."

Sidney ate a bit of a random plant and spat it out. well, Ew. that wasn't a good idea. The little dog sniffed around some more.

The triclops was at it again, wondering through the island alone. When will she learn? But as she moved closer, she started to hear voices. Valdoma blinked at newly found lost people as well, nodding her head at them.

"It's a wonderful feeling." Thumbelina noticed the new woman. She was sure she had never met that woman before so she waved hello. "Are you new?"

Sidney looked up. "hello," The dog waved a paw. That person had more eyes than normal. Huh.

Was that a puppy- She pointed at Sidney then looked around to see if anyone else heard him before bending over and patting his head. "Ello?"

I am new." Valdoma stood to her feet, making sure not even to look Kaiyo in the eyes. She bowed her head slightly to Thumbelina. "I am Valdoma."

"Hello Miss Valdoma," Kaiyo waved in a friendly manner, "Ramses said I should appologize for looking at you the other day, so I'm sorry."

oo. Pets. Sidney's tail wagged, despite the fact he did not know this person. "I'm Sidney, nice to meet you." He then turned his head at a noise in the surrounding area. hm.

Thumbelina mimicked the motion, bowing her head slightly as well with a faint smile on her face. "I am Thumbelina. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Whoa what- The triclops was caught off guard at Kaiyo's apology, she blinked madly at the girl before speaking, "It..It's alright. I am uncommon, its natural to stare..." Valdoma turned her head to Thumbelina once more, "The pleasure is all mine. Though, with some many people I do question, Are you all lost here as well?"

"Oh goodness no. I was simply collecting herbs. My home is down in the village.." Thumbelina paused slightly. "Are you lost though? I could lead you back to the village."

Kaiyo smiled, she was glad that Valdoma had accepted the apology, now they could be friends.

Sidney continued to listen to everything. He was supposed to be doing something, but he was a little bit nosy.

The girl only chuckled "I am always lost, but that would be wonderful, thank you.~" She was not used to this island at all, nor its..creatures that walked.

Thumbelina nodded and smiled. "I would be happy to." Placing the few herbs in her pocket she started leading the way back to town, she was weary of the statue though.

Oh. Also. Do not touch the statues, they are full of little flying childlike demons."

"Flying.... like...." Kaiyo's eyes widened, "You don't mean sprites?" Kaiyo actually did NOT love sprites.

Sprites? She did not understand but she nodded her head at the dog. "Thank you." Quickly, the triclops followed after Thumbelina and looked at the other two to follow her.

Kaiyo followed, obedient to the mystical eyes of Valdoma.

Sidney paused. He could follow too and not be alone. Which could come in handy if some monsters decided to pop up. Handy indeed, some extra fighters. The little dog started to follow as well.

There was a flicker of light as an earth sprite flied over. Strange to see them so far from the valley except... "Oh no..." Thumbelina watched the small sprite as it giggled and landed on the statue grinning at the group as a large swarm of earth spripes joined it.

The original sprite charged at Valdoma, wiping out more than half her health in a single blow.

Sidney yelped, then threw a wall of light around himself for protection. He should have known better than to come here...!

She grunted in pain, backing away and griting her teeth. Quickly she threw a dizzy spell over the sprite that made it go completely numb. "Are these the demons?"

Kaiyo was impressed with the defensive spell that Sidney cast, and decided to attempt her own, even though she knew it would likely be much less effective.

Thumbelina took her staff from her waist and summoned vine like roots from the ground. The roots twisted around her creating a barrier to protect her from damage
   

Sidney barked anger at the sprites, then looked at Valdoma. "They're sprites, but yes, demonic." he hesitated, thinking about attacking the sprites, but then he remembered his true strength was in his magic so... Sidney cast a spell and a wall of light surrounded the triclops.

Thumbelina was grateful that Sid protected their weakened member. That left her to charge into the sprites, smacking one down with her staff.

The woman blinked softly at the wall and smiled gratefully at the puppy. She used her misfortune spell(offensive magic) on the sprites closest to Sidney. If you protect me, Ill protect you.
   
Kaiyo attacked the nearest sprite with a classic swing of her staff.

The sprite laughed at Kaiyo mockingly as it gracefully floated out of the way. Thumbelina frowned. First things first, lessen the crowd. Than she could focus on barriers. Once again, Thumbelina swung down on a sprite, dissolving it into raw essence.

Sidney ran after the nearest sprite with much barking and growling, attaching himself to the nearest one's leg and wiggling around trying to inflict more damage. He didn't like dying very much, sorry.

She rolled her eyes softly, throwing her hand up and casting the misfortune magic once more. The sprite was given bad luck instantly and fell to the ground.

Kaiyo refused to accept defeat, she continued to swing her staff.

Finally success! Kaiyo took down a sprite! Thumbelina was curious about sort of magic Valdoma was using, but it wasn't the time to ask such things. Once again Thumbelina swung down her staff on a sprite.

In retaliation one of the sprites attacked Valdoma, taking out her barrier and dealing damage to the three eyed lady.

Sidney let go of the sprite long enough to mutter a light protection spell for Valdoma.

Valdoma just watched everyone and groaned to herself, she quickly was about to jump away but a new spell was put up. So she stayed within her place and nodded a thanks to the dog.
   

Thumbelina swung down on another sprite, though this one took her hit and kept standing.. or rather.. floating.

Kaiyo chose to try swinging again since she had success the last time.

The sprite, while already weakened still was able to move out of the way in time to avoid the Mermaid's attack.

Sidney re-enforced his own light barrier and nodded back at the chick with three eyes. He didn't want anyone to die.

With the sprites down for the moment. Thumbelina used the lull to cast a barrier around Kaiyo.

Valdoma threw another Misfortune spell to the closest sprite and knocked that one down as well. She sneered softly before moving over to sidney.

Sidney Charged a sprite, the whole time yapping and barking and growling. He was a strong powerful creature not to be messed with!

The sprite looked down at Sidney as if mocking the tiny dog.

This time Kaiyo decided to try some magic. She used a water spell to attack a sprite.

The sprite simply flew up and laughed at Kaiyo. Thumbelina continued to reinforce barriers while she could. this time she strengthened the one around Valdoma.

This was taking too long. Instead of using magic and girl simply punched a sprite and hoped it wouldnt wake up from its KO dream.

Down went the sprite under the fist of a mighty triclops!

Sidney fluffed up, irritated. He was... not as strong as he'd thought. Crap. The little dog sighed and made his barrier a little stronger-Alas he was out of magic. Now he was useless. YAAAAY. The possessed dog grumbled and bit.

Thumbelina, noticing Sidney's weakening energy handed him some DELICIOUS LEMON MARMALADE!

Sidney stuck his head in the jar of lemon marmalade and ate. He ate the whole jar. He was once more bursting with energy! or was that the sugar rush...? It didn't much matter.

Her magic proving useless, Kaiyo once more chose to swing at the remaining sprite.

Thumbelina watched, waiting for more sprites. They did always come when the battle happened. Continuing to prepare she strengthened the barrier around Sidney with her own magic.

Kaiyo, no more booze before battles. There was more laughter as the sprite easily dodged the attack.

Hey, muscle won before, so once more Valdoma struck her fist at the remaining Sprite.

Not this time! But hey, at least Valdoma hit it. The little sprite rubbed it's arm looking offended.

Sidney, now full of empty calories, proceeded to draw all his strength together and run around the last sprite barking his head off and growling. He fake attacked once, twice, three times, then bit. He was a wild animal to be feared and respected and maybe worshiped if anyone was in the mood.

Thumbelina swung down on the remaining sprite. Taking it out instantly. Not long after it fell, from the shadows four timid earth sprites approached the group, hiding behind them. Those other sprites were scary.

Ah! More sprites! Kaiyo held her staff in a defensive way.