/-\CH#a%$wells /+\ = s(n)uB0lTower #PrinTar$

Becca embarked a step forward (Scar-Scepter still strapped leg'side with pearly Knob) to earnestly spout apology: "It was my own plan to double-cross your conditions. I underestimated you, Gurji'Flow. Please don't go pulverizing these other people for my own folly."

All sluiced through silence as stroBEacons scanned our stitcHorrified composiThoughts... save the Stingray twhumping out a slow rhythm on the musty mucus shelLobStretcher. **Embedded around the bone snout with gHazeNumerals, jeweLike clusters of triangLEYeeps flicke'Rods** The Shroom~flingo blinked 4x3=LaYellows enveloPinked out of sync, among contracting stalks and crevice#slits. "Cockatrice fathoms that you STROVE to uphold Loyalties. While an irritant, the reaction was partway assumed. In FACT, this calculated measure of treachery strikes Us as a VALUABLE opportunity. We intend no more MAYHEM between our interactions; for along the passage of time, we wish ventures to PEEL favorably in our Bounty. We extend motions of tranquility."

The boar's jaws solemnly parted, revealing an alarmed $untail snapper fish. Rather slender, it bub%BLEd from its mouth, smudging its dorsal stripes a pumpkin sheen. All 5 Monkey-moths swooped over to retrieve & then thrust the fiShquirming body onto the frilled neck of the Horsey'pine -- impaLEft like bowTie perversely adorning the Centaur as quills caused it to fidget its last.

"Greatly relievvved," Ruby measured.

The hunchback hyena whipped out striving yips, standing up straighter with a gust of wind seemed to enGorge this serenade. The display struck me uncomfortably. I wasn't ready to approve terms with any culture that attempted to demonstrate Reconciliation by butchering another life-form.

Gutterson addeDourly, "We are... indebted to oblige terms."

"Harmonious," gushed the Coarse powers. "Spare for previous ALTAR-CATION, we must now Aggrandize our agreements FURTHER."

Trent peeked between the Prowleys & their war-mongering instruments. "What could they want next?"

"Hold up," Rovone pursued. "How did you dissolve into so many parts at once?"

A grainy, straining voice issued from the Rhino's maw - "]"]Shall Contours reveal their secrets, and forfeit routes of surprise?[?[ Your posse wouldn't be the only creatures overhearing]"]

"{"Her PlowderaVeinest rather spins procedure more analytiContest this way,"{" a wheezy voice of unpinnable origin, bequeathed. "}"Immersing even unsanitary veins to part-Wishi*pate."}"

"Oh Kloxperle," reformed the Skull-capped one, batting a curly-straw arm down toward the arachnids. "You behave as if cli^Ants could interpret that." Its leaf^~^skirt hastened vibration. "NORMALLY, we are not inclined to BARE such matters unless a party has vowed to ENDeavor alongside us. But your grade meetSuperlative. We are Slipphibers, WOKEN of seven cyCoils, often referenced by your level, as Dryad. Not only will fibrous searches RAISE individual Hack*celleration, such feats should enhance your physique - not only aim to assist our Glamspotter Organization about filtration anatomy; Such pursuits serve to eliminate the RELIANCE on scav%Hinging messy materials. And it's beneficial you implore further, for we shall be'STOWING you to face Footstool~Ward challenges."

Amy's eyeshadow seemed to withdraw into whirlpools, unwilling to harbor this development. Anika's mossy orbs on the other hand, appeared eager to reel in a Hook - "What do you mean by Footstool?"

"You could harness dicellular-patterns: of Moat*fluxion, RIDGE, & ultimately swap#chain. You will rearrange and OPTIMIZE your fancy. Hear of our Origins," the Grand Peacock continued. "Amyong uncoordinated biomass we $wished, jAMP*EELements, web flound~Ring 'tween seams of pinch'$tinctual knoTangle, merged Bac'tea-Rayum & fostered free-thinking mavericks. Mon-NEW-Mental charge occurs when RICOCHooking buttons ofFarMask around ruBell into bubBelt: Ch@o-$TEAM uploads, we hurtled from withiNatural loop-eCh'oils... unlike you complex Giants, bundle-downloaded in cry'shells of Light. We are your inversion format."

"<Initially when we escaped tunnel Plantation pressure floes,>" coughed the Horseypine, "<We journeyed by title: Duplicated Blows of ShifTracers D. BOSTT>"

"But that dawned imprecise IMAGE," revoked Jelly~skirt. "As our emBARKS cultivated foggy links that wished to harden, we re-dubbed as SILPHs. Another acroNymph meaning: Sprout Integrate^Horn, Livid!~Pocket-whethered Heart*hopping Shacks. As from your Body, we now require a minimum SACRED seven to be summoned later this Moon*th, for transport to PRY half a dozen spuds from braid Slots; if SEW successful, there is plenitude of room to JOIN our staphlower NET. Albeit, un'sanitized cloth will not be WISE to cache along, if you don't fancy being $cented back to your larger domiciles - & familiar weapons will not hold frame there, as they revolve no NECK'TOWEAR."

Sig drug a hand down his oddly pert pug nose, reduced to grumbling over his Shotgun: "Gotta wonder if I been sucked into a Picasso pain*ing."

"So they expect us to roam around without our clothing?" Dallas fadeDeeper into our Battery... stringently raking his hair. "What a bunch of Pedos."

"Relax numbskull," Amy toasted him. "They didn't say we won't get replacement outfits."

"A uniCloak in fact," SILPH uttered. "In GasProx environment, SLOPE'stances are slippery & malleable. You'll sparkle like DraGod eye."

"Sounds sketchy," Pheo lowered. Damn straight ~ or would that be FrigGain crook'd?

"Regardless your opinion," the gusty garGlue speared away, "You've sailed into DIRE straits. If your Membrane declines, your triumphs so far will reduce as MUTE; the Rogues awaiting bayside then shall ripple such agitation, BURSTsunami upon your Livelihoods ferociously as any delays RAVAGE their repute."

"Givvve us a bit to mull it over?" Saul petitioned.

"Certainly!" howled the monkey-faces. "Pertinently!" They stirred corybantic.

On that note, we merged into a tighter huddle.

Falco caressed the side of his own jaw. "This biscuit don't seem worth the riskkk it's been dipped in - I'd first take my chances with the Pirate vermin."

Malibu advised, "FaeBrush may blindside at intervals, but they don't perforMass sting raids."

Capone spun around & whined, "Well we can't call off the Party - it's tradition! Who'd ever understand why we couldn't gatheRUMbling goods?"

I almost smirked, but remained looking merely speculative. "That one-night stand wouldn't concern half the people here," I stabbed.

"It better start to!" he flunGrowled. "Seven of you best get brave."

Nika extended, "I'm not overly concerned about running some extra errands. I think we stand to gain twice as much thrill from this pending offer."

Fin stared at his useless hand-gun chambers. "And twice as mess to sorThrough if we decline..."

"Except SILPH aren't concerned about anyone's personal discretion or schedule," BecCave challenged. "Not to mention it sounds like their planning to shrink our cellular orbit level back to braidSlot pressure... If they don't grant us a guide, nothing is predictable." The final phrases dredged from my memory bank, the Lava-beds of Vault-low-High's vicinity: landscapes in swifT'ransition...

"None of that was expressly stated," I determined.

Dudley scrunched his bulbous nose. "We're warriors!"

"Whetter submit or refuse," Siggy blanched. "We're hung up in nasTide broth."

Rebecca griTeeThen, reverting over her shoulder: "Alright, we got a question, Dryads. Are you flushing us down inside nucleo~Tides, and are we getting a Guide to to help us adapt?"

The answer was somehow comforting. "Indeed, on BOATh accounts."

"Life in the Fast-lane," Amy commented, "Frights me out of my wits. noWhat are nucleotides?"

"MolecuLEash basins," Fin simpliFined. "We've got enough wiles to compensate for any lack."

Pheo injected, "And wits are ALL you could rely on, in exotic terrain. I say we cut the losses here..." She appeared trying to shelter Rovo's sanity.

"Axe`Hooply what you'll havvve," flung Falco, "Is impetuSimilar as egggg patches grant you. You'll grow to jingle magggneTi/-\Prisms as if harPianOdorized keys."

"If anything aggravates me," Trent insisted, "I think I'll just dissolve wiTHroaToxin."

"Well what did a simple recipe lend me?" Pheo retorted. "Resistance."

He relented into a slouch, but mumbled... "Simple besides the fossils."

"It's a lot sharper than haphazarDistributed heat," RuBeacon clarified. "But yeah, the principle is that you can scatter or insulate any Charge."

"So we'll stay creative," I regarded. "Seems we've been cast a pretty straight-forward Proposition."

Bec@Hemoth ingested my persona harsher than before, fissuring hints she might be a little peeved. To the group she announced, "He's got a minor point - but we've been the only faction to shove underhanded ploy so far. And if i know dryads, they're a bit jealous of our crystalized nature. They'd like to break ya down a bit, & mock if you can't build back out."

"How rude," Pheo stated.

"That's fowl," her Brother counted.

"Like Capone," I honked. "And how long have we dealt with him?"

"I'll make sure to get sneakier," PROMist Dal.

Ruby shifted her body a stride to the left, making sure to click against my foot. (Falco kept everyonElse sidetract with dogtooth affirmations about miracles that befell Spanish pilgrims in rougHard seasons.) Meanwhile, I had to absorb emeralDishes: !_^ "You won't notice the strinGuilds of PuppetieReason nestled behind of a dozen Bellowmentals," she leveled. "They make the most of liquid & geo-crevices. You shouldn't volunteer a bunch of toddlers just because you're not susceptible to standarDemise."

"Customary... death?" I squeezed, reaffiliating with the leaFlourishing runes rivuleting across her ribcage. I couldn't calculate if that should be awesome for me or a curse. Was that why my suicide was prevented from undisclosed realms?

Ruby mushed a few short scarlet nails into her forehead like I was dense. "I dunno where you've been romping, but you're nearly 3 quarters Lick~we@Viced; they know once you glimpse the micro, you can play with tar like taffy - since you're adult by personal custom, they're geared to coronate you, not simply some common conversion. People who welcome it filtrate down to lesser bond ~ Scent lost just for starters. And they might shove a changeling in your topsoil place. And dissolving doppelgangers is... shudderous noise."

My pores dilated pin'vasively! = my symbiosis with slimy things began to ooze with clarity. Ever since the day I leaned out to pick an olive from a low-hanging branch over the Solomon SwaYong Exhibit & tumbled into the Fountain, I had felt almost like their was a scarf around my waist, rollerskates along my toes, & extra springs in my fingertips. "Truce," I emitted back. "I just figured the more troopers, the safer."

"No shortage, I have sisters to fill the gaps - and one who favors your headstrong ways, Ramboyler:" she mentioned. I wasn't sure what she meant completely, but favor sounded $well, so I flashed my teeth & spiced, "Deliver us, & Distribute me."

"She'll swoon when I tell your parts," she affirmed. Then Ruby went back to sort of Orchestrating matters. "Well folks, luckily not everyone has to participate, & some of you aren't showing temperament to match the determined tastes that are bound to come revolving with these Patrons. For those who do, when we get back to town I'll bring you up to speed where I can."

Amy Shimmjord stuttered, "I tr-rust the Sorceress judgment. But I don't have a stake in this fight."

"Oh really?" Fin flashed. "What if I wanna increase my energy pulse?"

"Then be a smug little want-it-all!" she stomped. "And continue dodging family matters as you've made habit."

"Oh my word," he sighed. "You know that's because of Liam's pickiness & Nadine's wheedling flatteries."

"Wait," Anika probed. "You're related to Liam?"

"Not in reality," Hooksclot decided. "That kid's adopted into our Tree."

"Whatever Fin," Amy gave up. "But you're only here for the paycheck."

Necks craned at Capone. "Don't look at me. 'Nika, Siggo, & the Prowley's are mine - not him."

I had kinda been wondering what the little muskrat was doing tagging along. "Guy knowsss how to pack gear," Falco relinquished.

"Forget their personal matters," SigGrunted through. "Fence-sitters or homebodies shoo make demselves clear if 'hey don't wanna get committed. I'm not digging the offer, but I'll bite."

Trent heckled, "You make it sound like we'll never rest again..."

Falco peaked over at Ruby. "I know you hate impulsive missions."

"Who else would know?" her cleft chin parted. "But my first decision was to socially integrate, and spur the unwitting."

He supported: "No ways I can back down then."

"Spur to wot?" Buck lost the plot.

BeccAsserted, "To inward-awareness & untapped Attributes... off-grid independence."

Ass`Fault ejected, "This is dancing with the devil; the only thing I'm about to visit is a Mass funeral."

That he couldn't be bothered to attend, was a gem of news! (but I voiced nothing upon it).

"I don't blame you for once," RovOgre deposited at him. "Say if the first trek goes alright, I'll reconsider joining up."

Tremendous weight congealed along Pheo's freckles like pepperonis. "Yeh, some of us already got a bunch of regular activities to keep up with." In that moment I wondered what had happened to her 'wrangle-any-defiance' Demeanor, as I ravenously wished to persuade Prowley services. But it was evident, this Bound stemmed roots far outside her own heart. Seemed like only Anika, Buck, & Fin had been allured for the pure adventure beside myself.

"AvailaBuild keen connections in front of us..." Siggy allotted. "We stan a lot to profit. BeatSaw heck outta tryin' to financially grine from Nowheres'ville."

"As intimidating as these punks are," Finley deposited, "I think their SILPH program is intriguing."

"Remember I warned you," Amy flipped, crossly. "Scamperors shake too many bushes in a neighborhood."

"I can identify with all sides of this issue," Trent addressed. "So it's hard to make up my mind."

"There are activities less magnificent," Gutter sliced. "But I'm past the Adventurous days of my prime, & I don't feel like leaving my Shack inoperative. Yet the critters have signaled Treaty for y'all," Gutt's wilted snow'tee encouraged. "And mages prefer to stick to their proclamations, since begrudgments against the time-Flux folk can forbid deep springs."

Flummoxing the lot of us, a verbal static gusted to know more on the matter: "Who are they?" & *How'd they get in charge of regulating?*

"Because they existed as long as solar systems have - the faairrest balancers of Preservation," Gutt's finger wiggled through the air. "Which is how they came commonly known to the public as Fae ~ clauseToidal phantombs spawned of momentum & orbital pressures. You should always watch how you conduct your treatment of biomes."

"A first lesson in Phantom Law:" Rebecca hatched. "If they get rough during future events, tempTheir greedy side. If they snap, they'll be drained of velocity for an entire week. Their charGesture is tied lower on the totem pole, so they have to behave unless we give permission."

"Charted," Siggy & I said. We shared a smirk. Too many days pretending Treehouse RECON together. "Have we covered where everybody stands?" I finished.

"Erm, I have to sayy," Trent spoke. "Without a potion, I'm not much in the way of a strategizer."

I gazed into his doughy face. "Whoever said a lookout or extra hands wasn't as good as reaction skills."

"Besidddes," stated Saul. "Ma Lady is gggonna provide tactical deaFence techniques."

"Thanks it means a lot," Trent stated. "But I don't wanna hang up the team during someTeam crucial."

"To each their own," Rovo flushed. "Guess that's all settled then."

"Hard tootin'," uttered Buck. "My lucky shark's comin' too."

Ruby chuckled, "Charmed." - before turning back to inform the awaiting company of SILPH. Steady as a diplomat, she directed down from the ledge: "We've got 8 willing and sold to take the plunge; and I'd request to bring a few sisters if it's no trouble."

Ram-helm accommodated, "You may all escort ONE blood-relative at that date, but they must NOT be prone to indecisiveness."

Becca shrugged. "Wheel take what we can get."

"SUITaBOIL," approved the Druids. "Now they whom politely be refusing to cooperate, please IDENTIFY by stepping forward."