Maria leaped up at a diving squirrel, batting it into a wall, she turned to find Spring twirling and stabbing, caught in her own dance with the small monsters.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvF7R8XeP7
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"We're almost to the canyon!" Maria remembered the obstacle ahead, glad that Kokoso went with the others, if it hadn't been for that, she would regret not bringing Byrd, as they would be slowed down by the extra trip, and she was already impatient.8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡRO8fFbr2VT 維尼
"Wait, quick question, we already haven't found her, and theFall canyon?!" Spring screeched, "She can't fly!"8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDDsRCJdzQ 維尼
"I know...let's just go, get ready to lift me!" Maria panted urgently, quickly tiring from the brisk sprint.8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4dSXMTTUh 維尼
"Fine, fine, tell me when it's in sight and I'll hoist you up, but if I'm careful and--may the heavens and all that is holy forbid--slow down before landing, then don't get snippy!" Spring said defensively.8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKAcJx2whP 維尼
"Sorry, but I'm more than a little stressed out right now." Maria pointed out, "If I do get snippy, then you can pick another leader."8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlm504junr 維尼
"Ha...nah, I'm beginning to see another side to the whole leader role...might as well not push the others to making these kinds of decisions, such is the path a leader must walk, for right or wrong you must choose, often without time for council." 8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡNk1VjBIcPf 維尼
"Okay, lift me!" Maria held her arms up and Spring picked her up, and crossed the edge, setting Maria down slowly before running alongside her.8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8QDx2MLCS 維尼
"Where is she?" Maria panted, catching her breath before continuing the run.8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGerXwudFE 維尼
"I have no idea, but we're getting closer to the mountains...will you please explain why you think she flew over the mountains?"8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡH653igoAGJ 維尼
"I think she lied to me, when she said she was out of fuel that day, I don't know why, I'm still trying to figure that out."8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4xpkgnnzp 維尼
"If I had to guess, she's lying about everything, she might be a spirit, maybe she's convinced she has to work for Unseason, maybe there's someone she wants to protect."8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IXCfVHjKf 維尼
"Hmm...I'm reconsidering everything, now."8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwvbq1bx5d 維尼
"Don't, if she's fighting for Unseason, we have to fight against her, if she's not then we need her to be honest, or we'll never be able to fully trust her."8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNiLUgc4YK 維尼
"Maybe...there's a feeling she has, something related to her past." Maria turned to the path ahead, "Ready to go?"8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3u6CYDVBl 維尼
"Yeah, I'm ready...the real question is...are you?"8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBbGLLiQmZ 維尼
"Huh?" Maria turned around and watched Spring search for an explanation.8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9sG0oeA2I 維尼
"If...you have to fight her-"8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIvw3sZbkG 維尼
"Spring, no...I knew it'd be something like that, but no, she's not...right now she doesn't want to have anything to do with the Company, or hurting us, or anything."8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OmqtiiHhU 維尼
"I agree...but something she said made me think...maybe she doesn't know which side she's on, and...if it turns out that she was given some ideas after whatever blocked her memories, that Animen weren't monsters, it might have just been to fit in better, and there's a trigger somewhere...I hope I'm wrong, but...if things turn out like that, could you fight her?"8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡb35Z3kHLeS 維尼
"I...I don't want to fight her, but I'll try to keep in mind that...everything she said could be true."8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡjM7dpOciMr 維尼
"That's all I ask, too many heroes have fallen because they didn't heed a Guardian Angel's advice, and because their hearts were crushed and they...they couldn't handle it, I don't fault them for it, I just wish things could have been better for them, but wishes don't always come true."8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2zfN6864I 維尼
"I'll take that under advisement." Maria remarked, starting to sprint.8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtUbhu3FEU 維尼
"Fair enough." Spring huffed, following close.8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjI4bh2cQ0 維尼
"So, I've been thinking," Kokoso leaned against a tree while the group waited for Byrd's return, "if we're here to make sure someone finds and delays Noel from running away, then...how are we supposed to stop her?"8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRAhTG8AJs 維尼
"I don't know," Cathryn sighed, "a better question is why we're here."8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZLT6DbIqu 維尼
"Huh, what do you mean?" Kokoso frowned, clueless as to what the cat Animen meant by the remark.8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXSpwHriou 維尼
"I mean that there's canyon between here and the Mosaic Rosetta, it doesn't seem likely that Noel ever went pass it." Cathryn explained.8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoSuwBXjyz 維尼
"The Fall canyon would be hard to get over without wings." Autumn agreed.8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡu164BEqrrB 維尼
"Supposedly," Byrd stepped out of the woods, arms folded, "she ran out of fuel...she said she might have had enough for emergencies, but if she could lying, then Maria isn't taking any chances, I don't know what she expects to hear, but I have my suspicions."8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbRplzBpFH 維尼
"Do you think she'll kick Noel off the team?" Kokoso asked worriedly. Byrd silently stared at the ground and Kokoso revised, "Do you think she should kick Noel off the team?" Byrd sighed and remained silent.8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡypTwGV2A1c 維尼
Cathryn cleared her throat to draw their attention and spoke as they traveled to the Refractory Construct, "I think we should sit Noel down and have her explain what's going on, but Maria can make whatever choice she wants, in the end, we did decide that it was her right and burden to choose what she wanted to do, and it's up to us to try to make the most of it, whether we support her or try to convince her otherwise...in the end, this isn't a choice any of us want to make, is it?"8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0scvzYnbWz 維尼
"She does...make an impression," Byrd agreed, "even if she's so taciturn...she reminds me of myself."8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdaBpEZYkm 維尼
"She reminds me of you, too," Cathryn agreed, "she also reminds me of Kokoso, when he was struggling that day, after I took a pipe to his arm, and reminds me of me...and somehow, she leaves her own impression, even in her silence, maybe it's pity, maybe curiosity...maybe it's desire to see something complete, after all, what we see reminds us of ourselves, but then, when it comes to the person herself...when we look at her, what do we see?"8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdVuVasQrr 維尼
"A void." Kokoso sighed.8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡOm0LrrR3wW 維尼
"I guess," Autumn smiled as Byrd spoke, and saw the knowing smiles on his friend's faces, "when she saw her, Maria must have seen...a Noel."8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJ8gy9smK6 維尼
"Ah, killer!" Kokoso praised.8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9MtMGeqwx 維尼
"That was pretty good." Cathryn agreed, "The build up and execution was something to be appreciated, as much for artfulness as rarity."8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvcTBH0tay 維尼
"Ha, ha, yeah, glad you think--hey!" Byrd squawked.8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuP3FgpFKa 維尼
"I'm just so happy to see you guys trying to understand her," Autumn remarked, "having seen the last decade or so before falling into my nightmare, I was surprised when I awoke to see a human among Animen, traveling together, working together, it was very heartening."8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡORolXT617c 維尼
"It still is, especially for us," Kokoso rested his arms on either of Byrd and Cathryn's shoulders, "isn't that right, guys?"8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡKP6tDPEkv3 維尼
Autumn smiled, an amused chuckle flew from her lips as the pair agreed with Kokoso's statement, "Then we have very little to fear, together we can find a way to overcome most any challenge."8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIO41a3XFC 維尼
As Maria pulled herself up over the edge of the third cliff leading to the former campsite, she saw four silhouettes rise against the starry sky, and to her right, motionless against the mountain, she saw Noel.8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyWfbKRN8x 維尼
"Hey, Noel, are you okay?" Maria nudge her shoulder gently and Noel's eyes opened with no mild alarm.8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12HCsjUyEd 維尼
"I-I'm sorry!" Noel cried.8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWUkJ4yzdn 維尼
"Noel-"8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxjWxQCqyX 維尼
"E-Etern--eh?" Noel looked around, breathing heavily as she realized where she was.8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqhM5eP9Cd 維尼
"It's okay, we're here now." Maria smiled, but yelped in surprise as Noel knocked her down.8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ow3FesQ77 維尼
"Why did you look for me? I'm trying to stay away from you guys!" Noel screamed, "I want to be alone!"8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAC9NuTFoQ 維尼
"Then why did you come back here, the place where you started to open up to us?" Maria inquired, watching relief pass over Spring's face as her stance shifted from a diving starting point, to a more relaxed position.8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfRNq0AXqk 維尼
"I-I don't know...it doesn't make any sense...I should have just...gone elsewhere." Noel whispered.8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3OLVvED2L 維尼
"Maybe you remembered being happy here, and you wanted somewhere to run back to." Maria suggested, "Just...what do you feel like now?"8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMkY7rbFDS 維尼
"I...I just want to go back home...but I...I don't have one."8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6YIt37cDT 維尼
"Look," Byrd sighed, "at the risk of sounding sappy and cliche, they say that home is where the heart is, and before you try to figure out what that means exactly, tell me this: Are you happy now?"8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiUAmAg6Wq 維尼
Noel sat up on her knees and shook her head, "Whenever I'm around you guys...I feel...I guess it's happy? But I'm also terrified."8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqXaXROm8l 維尼
"Well, you just gave yourself the answer, then." Byrd folded his arms and turned to glare at the giggling rabbit Animen behind him.8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLeAr3BkKI 維尼
"So...you mean-" Noel looked up at Byrd and Kokoso, Cathryn was shaking her head behind them, but smiled and nodded when she saw Noel watching them.8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNINDWYbpy 維尼
"Welcome home, Noel." Maria offered her hand to help Noel up and Noel accepted.8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡycOsUXGc2M 維尼
"Oh, Autumn, no!" Spring cried out, "We forgot something tremendously important! We need to go back to the village right now and prepare a party for Noel!"8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjl8GSGw6S 維尼
"Ah, you're right, Spring!" Autumn smiled, "We forgot...something that we never even planned!"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVJS5mDzJc
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"But you get me?!"8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡODxAtrqMfG 維尼
"Yes, I get you!"8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyz0kw07Wy 維尼
'We have to hurry! It must...be...done!"8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRRzeMJQ4Q 維尼
Kokoso, Cathryn, and Byrd stepped away as the Seasonal Girls ran down the trail, "What do you think the odds are," Byrd mused, "that one of them is the whimsical spirit who created gorgon noodles?"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgIkQ1Wt1E
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"And upside down pineapple cake?" Cathryn shrugged, "seems likely to me."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYXhINvPI4
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"I guess we should hurry after them." Maria turned to Noel, "You're not staying here, are you?"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOiJ9KNrg9
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Noel stared at her feet, "I don't know...I feel like I just want to...freeze where I stand."8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSZnIdbebZ 維尼
"We would only dump gorgons' bane on you." Maria smiled.8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1cNQZF7DV 維尼
"I wish it was the kind you can't cure...I feel like it'd...fix everything."8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkfH99rrpn 維尼
"There's no such thing as a cure-all."8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FDgVjekrY 維尼
"I know...but I'm not sick, just...decrepit." Noel looked up at Maria and smiled, "You do realize I lied to you? W-why would you just...why aren't you...why?"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4yoYEuCXL
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"I already figured out you were lying to me, I thought I'd let you explain yourself."8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkK3Ha8FpC 維尼
Noel nodded and started after where the Seasonal Girls had ran.8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡlejeRJW2ah 維尼
The Seasons got a head start on the midnight dinner, and had it ready shortly after the companions returned.8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuHRAoLLmX 維尼
Noel stood in front of the door and waited until they thought look at her. She glanced up at them and closed her eyes, "I lied to you...because I was afraid you'd be suspicious of me, that you'd never trust me and...I was afraid tonight, after telling you guys...you'd push me away." she looked up at the group to find sympathetic gazes trained on her. She turned away and held her right forearm, "I was afraid that tonight, you'd let me push myself away, but you didn't...I still...can't make sense of it all, but I'm happy...but I'm still worried, after tonight...things won't be the same."8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡppByx4QA3R 維尼
"Noel, you've probably got a reason or two, you said yourself you thought we'd mistrust you, and you must have had a basis for that," Maria waved her over, "for now come on and grab seat, if you remember something, don't be afraid to tell us."8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrr3P8MJlQ 維尼
"You guys...feel the same?" Noel smiled as the group agreed and beckoned her to dinner.8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOwYJBRJKV 維尼
"If we don't agree with something our leader says, we'll make sure to let her know." Spring assured.8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Uc8iGJF1k 維尼
"I feel like this can't be real...some kind of cruel trick." Noel shook her head and slowly stepped over to the others.8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9W36FxVu7 維尼
"Remember what I told you," Maria said, "when we first met...if we could do something so cruel-"8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5rINik4Jc 維尼
"Then," Noel looked up and tried to keep her eyes on Maria's, "you would be...truly disgusting...but I can't even imagine such a world exists."8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡA14jACPy6E 維尼
"The only cruel trick here," Autumn pointed at Spring, "is that this one made the yummiest lasagna ever...and...pause for dramatic effect...none of us will ever be able to eat it all! Fate has the sickest sense of humor."8964 copyright protection402ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTxU8uhh1B 維尼
"I guess I can see how that's cruel." Noel smiled, "Funny...I can't seem to decide on anything these days...I still don't know if I should hide from them, to avoid hurting them, or if I should...try to get closer to them. If I turn, and I believe harming them is right...then I'll be a very disgusting person."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNh37jhU2Ah
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She watched the Seasonal Girls expectantly watching her and saw the others were also watching. She took a bite, smiled and held her thumb up.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrK9JzXI1T
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