Listen, And The Stars Shall Speak

Welcome to the Rainforest

As Permafrost and Cypress pretended to be clueless about Shore, Haze, Ember, Boysen, and Dusk's disappearance, Ander walked through the forest, Rin, Parrot, and Shadow trailing behind her.

"Uh, Ander? Where exactly are we going?" Rin asked.

"To meet our comrades." Ander replied. 

"I thought we were going to look for Apple," Shadow insisted anxiously. Apple was the only friend he had. He wanted to find her, to make sure that she was okay. 

"We are." Ander proclaimed. The others exchanged a glance and Rin shrugged. Ander was usually vague. It was something you got used to.

*~*~*~*~*

Shore and his friends had barely stepped out of the tunnel that led from the Sand Kingdom when Ander swung down from the top of the tunnel, appearing inches away from Boysen's face.

"Boo." Boysen let out a shriek  and jumped back. Haze threw a dagger his way, barely missing Ander as she swung out of the way and dropped to the ground. "Bienvendios! Gratissimum! Dobro pozhalovat'! Welcome, to the rainforest." she declared. She whistled and Rin, Shadow, and Parrot appeared.

"What is this?" Haze demanded, growling with a fresh dagger in her hand. Dusk silently struggled to pull the first dagger out of the stone wall of the tunnel. Shore sighed.

"Ander, what are you doing here?" he questioned.

"Please. I've been trusted with the secrets of the universe, Shore. I know why you're here." 

"We're looking for her too." Rin translated. Haze eyed them suspiciously.

"Oh!" Shore exclaimed, realizing the others confusion. "Haze, Boysen, Dusk, Ember- these are my sisters Ander and Rin, and that's Parrot and Shadow. Guys this is my Winglet from school."

Ander wandered towards them and stared at Haze with unblinking eyes, twisting her head like a snake charmer. 

"Interesting." she whispered, listening to her story. "Very interesting." Haze scowled and held the knife towards Ander's throat.

"Back off before I go stabby stabby mode on your face." she warned. Rin stepped forward and growled before Parrot held her back.

"Haze!" Boysen retorted. "Be nice!"

"I don't take orders- I give them." she replied.

"Just a suggestion." Ander flicked her attention to Boysen and her face softened. She patted his face solemnly. 

"Poor berry. You live a sad life." 

"You must have a death wish." Haze countered. "If so, I'd be happy to grant it." Shore looked slightly nervous. 

"So much for them getting along." Orange whispered. Shore nodded, but before he could respond, Ember took the opportunity to intervene.

"Let's not grant any death wishes okay?" he suggested. "How about we remember why we're here. Let's go look for Apple, and keep you two apart." Ander shook her head sadly.

"Your story makes the stars weep." she admitted quietly to Haze. "Only the saddest love makes them cry. It hasn't happened since Death's stubbornness ruined everything Love so delicately created." Haze frowned and eyed her cautiously.

"What do you know about me?" she demanded.

"Everything that has, is, and will be. Praeteritis, praesentibus, et futuris." Haze's eyes widened and she lowered the knife. 

"I have questions for you." she admitted quietly.

"All will be answered in time." Haze shook her head, looking more emotional than any of them had ever seen her.

"No. I want answers now." Ander eyed her carefully, reading what the stars requested.

"Perhaps. All things depend on the fragile future, and the content of the persistent questions you keep asking yourself." She paused and lowered her voice so that the others couldn't hear. "No matter how you may perceive it, it was not your fault. There was nothing you could've done. There is, however, something you can do."