Abby took Nyt's hand and followed Peter into the camp. It was very dystopian nomadic with all the well worn and patched up tents as well the occasional handmade lean-to. A few stray animals that could have passed as pets roamed around. The only evidence that would stay if the camp had to move was the small farm area.
As the people saw Nyt and Adar parents told their children to stay inside. Some grabbed their weapons, glaring in distrust, just waiting for the Aliens to make the first attack. But Abby lead them past the ”neighborhood” and towards the part that actually had solid walls.
Nyt looked around, nervous. She watched people scramble to grab weapons or move children away from her. She laid her ears down.
Adar laid his ear down as well. He looked at the condition of the camp with pity.
Caleb looked around. "Kinda feels good to be back." He said softly as he waved at a few people.
Abby watched saddened by everything she was seeing. She tried to wave to some familiar faces but her heart dropped every time someone ran. She felt like a complete stranger to her own home. There were a small number of people who did return the greeting half-heartedly and some from the group who actually greeted Nyt and Adar as well. She could only imagine what people were whispering to each other in fear. Out of a need for comfort she moved Nyt’s hand so it was wrapped over her shoulders and moved herself closer to her side. This is going to add to the fire against us… But I need her right now. she sighed.
Nyt greeted the people who said hi but was visibly very tense. She relaxed when Abby moved her hand onto her shoulder. "Thank you." She whispered.
Adar, on the other hand, looked like a mess. He looked visibly scared and kept jumping at the smallest thing.
Caleb watched this and sighed before grasping onto Adar's hand to try to calm him.
”I won't let anyone here hurt you.” Abby promised, her eyes darting everywhere. I already can't wait to get this over with and go home. She visibly perked up when she heard the familiar ringing of a heavy hammer hitting metal. ”You know how you call me a little Teddy Bear. Well, I'm about to introduce you to the biggest one in camp.” she smiled picking up her pace slightly.
"What?" Nyt asked, confused. There was another, bigger, Abby? "Like a bigger human?"
”Well, he is pretty tall, I guess.” Abby shrugged. ”But I mean that despite how he looks he is the sweetest guy. If anyone thinks they have a problem with him it's just because they haven't spoken with him.”
”Or cause he scares them.” Peter smirked, knowing exactly who Abby was talking about. ”HEY, TOBY! Drop the hammer! You got some surprise visitors.”
The burly blacksmith let out a loud hearty laugh at Peter’s entrance. ”Oh, yeah. And who would that be, kid?” he smiled his usual friendly grin as he set aside his work.
"Hey Tobes!" Caleb said waving smiling, hoping to make him slightly more comfortable before he got the shock of aliens showing up in camp.
Nyt remembered Toby. Abby had mentioned him. He was her…uncle? Nyt looked at the man as she took her hand off Abby. "Hello. I've…heard about you." She said with a slight smile.
Adar had laid his ears and tail down flat. He had almost had forgotten about holding hands with Caleb.
Toby let out another jolly laugh. ”Well, hey there killer! Glad to see you still in one piece. Didn't run into any more wolf spiders, didja?” His dark brown eyes trailed over Nyt and Adar before he saw Abby. ”And you young lady… Don't just stand there. Come and give this old man a hug. I ain't seen ya in so long.”
Abby chuckled as she launched herself into his strong arms that almost hid her from view. ”I missed you too, Uncle Toby. I'm sorry I disappeared for so long. I had something really important to take care of.”
"Nah! I'm feeling a lot better now!" Caleb said, still holding Adar's hand and giving it a gentle squeeze here and there.
Nyt watched the two embrace. "They look so happy." She thought, as a smile made its way across her face. For some reason it made her think back to when she first saw Abby. Scared and hurt in her shed. If she had seen her then and then been shown her here she probably would tell they were the same person.
”Good to hear. You just be more careful then or up your training a bit more.” Toby's eyes sparkled as he let Abby go. ”Now what was it that was so important you didn't let anyone come and help ya?”
Abby took a couple of steps back to make the introductions. ”Uncle Toby, this is Nyt and Adar. They’re both really good friends of mine. Nyt’s actually let me stay with her when I got hurt pushing the boundaries.”
Nyt waved at Toby. "Hi." She said, actually quite nervous around despite her happy demeanor. Actually, scratch that, because of his happy demeanor. It told Nyt that he cared and a person who cared, such as Toby or herself, would do anything to protect the ones they love.
Toby stared at the two of them for a few moments before he stepped up to Nyt, ”It’s Nyt isn’t it? My name's Toby. You took care of my goddaughter, huh? I owe you for that.” he took off his worn leather gloves and held out his hand in greeting.
Nyt breathed out a small sigh of relief. "Yes…sir. And you do not own me anything." She said as she shook his hand. "Your goddaughter is a very nice person."
Toby laughed again. ”You must have met her on a good day then. She can be a real firecracker when she gets all riled up.”
”Uncle Toby!” Abby blushed at his teasing.
He smiled and greeted Adar next. ”Now I know I’m gonna mess this up but it's Adam, right?”
Nyt chuckled. "I've seen her on those days too." She said, relaxing a bit more.
"A-Adar, sir!" He said, him snapping head head towards him, as he had been distracted looking at Caleb.
Toby grinned broadly and placed his hand on Adar’s shoulder, not a big reach for him as he stood at 5’10”. ”No need for the sir. Makes me feel older than I already am. Anyway, nice to meetcha. So aside from Abby gettin’ hurt, how do you all know each other and what brings ya to our part of the world?”
”You want to tell him, Rosa Parks? Or should I?” Peter teased, cuffing Abby's shoulder.
Abby jabbed him in the side with her elbow. ”You can stay quiet until we get to your unnecessary ”rescue mission”, hothead.”
"Alright," Adar said, nodding.
"I think it would be better for Abby to explain since it's her idea." Caleb said.
"I have to agree with Caleb. I think Abby should share." Nyt explained. "She's got one heck of a plan."
Toby raised a brow at Peter’s new nickname for Abby but waited calmly for an explanation.
Abby blushed at her friends’ support for her. ”It’s not really much of a plan but… I need to talk to the council. I want us to live peacefully together.” she ended resolutely as she took Nyt’s hand. ”I don't see a reason to keep living in hate and fear from them.”
Nyt nodded. "What happened between our races happened almost…a century ago. We didn't even think you existed until I found Abby. I don't want you hiding in the woods anymore." She explained.
Adar nodded. "We could start trying to create peace between our races and start trying to fix the breathing problem."
Abby smiled giving Nyt’s hand a gentle squeeze in thanks. She felt much more confident with Nyt and Adar aiding her point.
When they first walked up to Toby, a lot of the work around them came to a slow stop. Now everyone was at a complete standstill as they listened, some with skepticism others were curious but no one was brave enough yet to approach.
For a few moments Toby simply stood there, listening and watching their expressions. Slowly a soft smile settled on his face as he looked at Abby. ”It ain't gonna be easy bringing this to the council. But there is that open ”suggestion” meeting in a bit. Get a public audience.”
Nyt was a bit confused by the concept of 'meetings' and 'council' but she nodded. "We never thought it would but we are willing to try."
"The council is going to freak when they see a Sylvian though. Their imeadit reaction will be either to kill them or put them in chains." Caleb pointed out.
”Over my dead body.” Abby stated firmly before calming down. ”Uncle Toby, I know this is going to cause all kinds of conflict but aren't you the one who always said the strongest metal goes thru the hottest fires?”
”When did you grow up so fast, kiddo?” Toby nodded, smirking. ”Your folks would be proud of you. H€ll, I am too. And don't worry about any happening to your friends here.” He chuckled. ”No one’s gonna get close enough to do anything.”
Peter twirled his machete. ”That goes for me too, Abby. All you gotta worry about is mean old Mr. Myers.”
Nyt frowned when she heard what the council could do but smiled once everyone showed their support for them. "Thank you!" She said.
Caleb nodded and she pulled out his hunting knife. "I won't let them lay a finger on Ada-them! I won't let them lay a finger on Adar and Nyt." He said, blushing a bit at his mistake.
Adar's seemed worried but his ears turned a light gray when he heard Caleb's comment. "Th-Thanks Caleb!" He sputtered.
Abby and Peter shot each other a knowing look catching Caleb’s slip up while Toby just raised a teasing brow.
”I’ll be careful of the cranky soldier. I won't let him push me around.” Abby smirked.
Toby nodded. ”We should head over to the main hall. Meeting should start in a few minutes.”
