*At the same time in the sky*
Lou Ban glides through the night sky, the ocean of stars over a blanket of clouds, the sound of the wind blowing though as he went. He'd usually enjoy these sounds, as they'd bring him peace. Remind him of his rightful place above all below him and the freedom that HE and he alone possessed....at least relative to his rank. Lou Ban was the Spire Cheif of the southern sect of Striders. He had power, authority, everything about him was absolute. He could say jump and every strider in the area would jump immediately! But somehow a MONGU of all things managed to disobey him?!
Lou Ban: "These blasted pebble draggers dare disobey me. And at such a critical time?"
Lou Ban sits down on his current rider, letting his feet dangle as he held onto the steering stick.
Lou Ban: "hhhmmm. No, they aren't anywhere close to being that aware to think of rebelling. But the evidence is right in front of me...."
An idea of an underlying sneaking around and sabotaging the [Miraisco]. But it was quickly dismissed, even if that was the case then that would cause too many issues for Striders as a whole. Reports of even Mongu disobeying would be flooding the eagle carriers delivery rooms and no one is ever allowed near the [Miraisco]. So that possibility was out. So that meant this had to be an isolated event, a pure coincidence.
Lou Ban: "If this event is some illogical anomaly then I suppose I have less to worry about. I'll just have to look over reports for anything unusual or out of the ordinary. Make sure that if any more of these animals are out of line. And then."
Lou Ban clenches his fist, speaking in a shaking, wrathful voice. Exhaling heavily, A burst of wind shooting out his nostrils and punching yard long hole in the clouds below him. Coincidentally making another strider fall off their wind current.
Lou Ban: "Then I make that entire village suffer for what they've done. I've let these animals flourish for much too long! They think they can kill my lover and munch fruit after?! Bah!"
Lou Ban stand up on his current mount and with a flick of his wrist shoots a breeze behind him. Rocketing him through the night sky, a snark on his face making the air feel almost sinister.
Lou Ban:"These blasted Mongu don't learn anything peacefully! Tomorrow the tournament starts early and I'll thin out their numbers!... actually these animals are like crabs in a pot. Turning on each other so easily....."
*Lou Ban grins, clasping his hands together then slowly pulling them apart. A thick almost slimy, rubber like bubble of air between them*
Lou Ban:"I'll give them some motivation to excel. And make sure there is no confusion, no forgetting, no more than the upmost example of why."
Lou Ban pops the bubble with a clap of his hands.
Lou Ban:"I'm the man in charge."
Lou Ban says as he starts cackling, the sound banging out through the night sky and putting even other Striders who flew by feel unnerved at his passing aura.
*Meanwhile with Jukku and Noya*
Noya is literally jumping with excitement, shaking Jukku by his shoulders as she rants about the moon.
Noya:"It pretty Jukku, like yellow thing but Noya's eyes don't hurt when look. Look like good rock, magic Rock! Can Jukku bring Noya there?! Jukku, Jukku, Jukku look!"
This continued for all of one minute before Jukku was contemplating throwing himself or Noya off the mountain. OR both, both was good. Then promptly grabbing Noya with his tail and glaring at her, making Noya shut up instantly. Putting her on his back, Noya grips onto him hard but much less than before. Jukku walks to the edge of a cliff and looks down below. Seeing nothing but a blanket of steam, clouds and fog as Noya asks a question.
Noya:"Jukku, how we go back?"
Jukku:"Jump good...or fall"
Before she could let out another sound Jukku jumps into the mist feet first. Quickly picking up speed as they drop feet by feet, Noya's grip on the boy tightens even more as they fall. Screeching with tear filled eyes even as Jukku lands on a giant branch, making it sway and bend downwards slightly. Before it snaps back into place, launching them off the branch and onto another, more slicker and thin branch. One that is jagged line and covered in vines. This makes Jukku crotch and balance, as he slides down the branch. Gaining speed with each passing second before reaching the end and jumping off over a flat valley fifty feet below. Then grabbing onto vines growing on the side of the mountain as he smacks face first into the side of the mountain. Nearly dropping Noya and making her scream louder. Then to Noya's joy Jukku pauses briefly before he starts climbing down the mountain on the vines. The rest of the descent was quiet and slow. The only thing breaking the silence was the herd of over fifty giant chinchillas gliding down the mountains in migration to the west. This immediately caught Noya's attention and she gazed at them in awe. She had no clue what they were, but Jukku gave them no mind. This wasn't the first time he'd seen these creatures and it wouldn't be the last, plus they didn't taste good so he did care. Noya couldn't even imagine creatures could look like that, the only animals she's seen were fuzzy creatures with pink noses and smelled of dirt. A infant of the herd, a ball of fluff and floppy ears flying into Noya's face, startling her before she started giggling as it ran up her hand and through her hair onto the top of her head. Then jumping off, amazing the girl even more as she saw it return to it's herd. And instead of asking Jukku she just watched until they left.
Eventually when they reached the ground Jukku puts Noya on her feet and they walk through the village back to Zani. Stopping several times because Noya stopped to try and poke everything she hasn't seen before. Several plants with peppers in their vines, beetles and bugs crawling in the ground. Birds caught in small net traps, and even the other Mongu who were asleep on the street. Who either rolled on their sides and swatted at Noya or awoke up only to be put back to sleep by a punch from Jukku. Then they stop in front of their hut and walk inside or at least try to as a crude spear zips past their heads as Jukku barly manages to pull Noya out of the way.
Jukku"Gran it Jukku an Noya! NO SPEAR!"
Jukku says knowing he'll be scolded again for not knocking first. After stepping inside they see Zani yawning and curled up on her stomach, her long thin tail splayed out on the ground behind her.
Jukku "We bathe. No Stink."
Noya"YES! Smell like purple thing in water!" (shes reffering to a
*Zani nods and lets out a low growl of acknowledgement*
Zani "Zani know. Zani can not smell musk of Hippo Goose hoard. Come, runts rest. Zani will tell what do tomorrow."
Zani says then immediately collapses back onto her stomach and starts snoring hard enough to fill the room with vibrations. Making Noya whimper and cover her ears.
Noya"How Zani do that? Hurt Noya ears,."
Jukku: "Zani old, old Mongu do many strange thing. Bathe lots, but smell of dust always there."
*Jukku lays on top of Zani, not caring where his body laid on her before wrapping his tail around Zani's. Noya hesitates before doing the same.*
Finding the feeling instinctively comforting, it was much better then cold metal poking into her back.