IT LIVES!
okay, so I had the first couple of paragraphs written a while ago but then deadlines at the end of april happened. After that? Lets just ignore those months. K?
Also I'm moving this to the sfw section.
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[X] Head towards Alip.
Waking up in Alip's arms was very different to waking up with your parents or siblings. Her warmth was both comforting and exhilarating to you in a way nothing had ever been before, as such when you felt the sunlight alight on your face you remained still within her arms instead of getting up like you normally would.
This small moment of tranquility where you can forget the fear of the last few days however is scattered by Melo before you can properly enjoy it.
"Big Sis Amaya, Big Sis Alip! You need to get up!" She calls out from right above the two of you.
The pair of you groan in concert at your sister's pronouncement, but long experience of your sister's attitude towards tasks meant you knew not to tally and give her further opportunities to encourage you.
You both pulled your arms apart, although your sides remained almost touching, and started pulling the nearby clothes on. Once covered you slipped out of your shared furs and exited the tent after Melo, Alip not far behind you. Waiting for you right outside the tent was your father, sharpening his spear with a couple of the other older hunters.
"Morning Nose" He said, his nickname for you as annoying as ever. "As you're awake now I'll let you know that you aren't to leave the camp today. None of you. The Sharman thinks that whatever the light was things aren't going to get safer. Especially with Dary dead. No the forest is dangerous now."
Your father's voice grew grimmer as he went on and you felt the last of the warmth of Alip's arms fade in the face of his reminder. The tribe wasn't safe anymore, but no one knew why; perhaps not even the Shaman. Nodding you give your father a smile, hoping to cheer him up a little, and yourself too.
You don't get to spend long with your family, before you all split up. Your father goes into the forest with the other hunters and quickly disappears into the darkness, only the least experienced of them leaving a trail you can casually spot. Your mother and elder sister no the other hand stay near the tents, repairing the tents and clothes of the tribe with the other wives. As for you, Alip, and Jai you are looking over the younger children while they play in the river.
Melo is one of the older kids in this group and is already starting to outgrow many of the distractions the tribe uses to keep her happy and still. As such it is a difficult job to keep her attention away from the forest and adventure, and you can't help but worry that your own impulsiveness is rubbing off on her.
As the guard duty is clearly meant to be a punishment you expected the morning to drag with nothing to do but watch the kids, and if the three of you had been older that likely would have been the case. Lucky though you were all still young enough that the games of the younger kids could interest you when bored. As such you all joined in with the fun, letting time fly by.
It isn't till hours later, a little while after your noonday meal that you realise your mistake. Melo has vanished. At first you check the camp, looking among the tents, but you can't find her and none of the adults have seen her.
After a panic filled few minutes one of the younger children admits to seeing her take one of the coracles down river. Swellow remembers that she had been jealous of your own adventure yesterday, talking about how it was unfair that you got one when she was just as good a hunter as you.
It is at this point that the panic transforms into a deep dread. The forest is a dangerous place at anytime for someone of Melo's age alone. With the spirits silent and the beasts restless it is practically a death sentence for her. As you look down the river you know that every moment you wait decreases the chance of you ever seeing your sister again.
You have to act, but once again you'll find yourself alone with none of the adult Hunters there to aid you. And this time you are perfectly aware of how dangerous it will be.
[] Act
[] Wait