deercountry | it was the silence underneath the stars

Then I guess that makes it even better that it's really just the two of us! [She gives a little laugh.]

I... guess we should get started then. Now who goes first?

It should be quicker.

[Although she wonders whether she should actually give voice to that thought. For all she knows, there may be new challenges that will make it even more difficult...]

I don't think it matter. We can draw sticks, or I have no qualms in starting.

Yeah, I'm sure it will be over before we know it!

[She continues to spread some optimism with a hopeful smile.]

Okay, then... Why don't you start us off! [She feels a little nervous, but at least she's able to brace herself to help her new friend with whatever she may roll.]

[She gives a nod, that level of calm remaining on the exterior as she gives a roll of the dice. There is that moment where time all but stays still as the piece moves... Leaning forward, Padmé starts to read.]

"This will not be an easy mission, monkeys slow the expedition." Monkeys? We didn't get this one last time.

[Giving a glance around.]

[Scorpia looks it over herself thoughtfully.]

Oh, neat! Maybe that one's not so bad. I hear monkeys are fun little guys!

[She's really trying to be optimistic about this! But almost immediately, all of the trees around them begin shaking. And a chorus of loud, uproarious monkey noises begin echoing from them...]

I don't have much experience with monkeys.

[Better or worse? But if they are fun little guys, then perhaps it wouldn't be too bad. Maybe they'd play as well?

Or maybe not?

Padmé stills, glancing around.]

Perhaps we should seek shelter?

Oh come on, I don't see a need for that. I'm sure we can make friends with them in no-

[She's cut off as an orange flies into the side of her head. Various other fruits are being flung inn their direction by the monkeys, some of them much larger and harder!]

Okay, shelter's starting to sound like a real good idea! Let- let's get moving! [She stands up straight in an attempt to shield the shorter lady from wayward fruits!]

[A monkey or two Padmé might be able to handle, but from the sound of it, it was far more than that. Maybe if they could find a place to hide before they descended, they would move on. Although neither are exactly dressed for being inconspicuous.

She is startled by the fruit, glancing up before, yes, moving.]

Maybe we can- [Giving a small surprised noise as one gets close enough to tug her hair, although she swats it away.] Distractions? What would distract a herd- flock? A mass of monkeys?

[They furry creatures are descending upon them! And they don't look friendly. At least Scorpia's good at keeping them at bay with her brute strength. She sweeps her tail around to knock a few of them back, and she even stings some of them to knock them out.]

Sorry, coming through!

[She frowns as she considers her new companion's question.]

That is a good idea and question! Really, I really wish I had an answer to that! I don't know a whole lot about monkeys. They... like bananas? [But they don't seem particularly hungry, if they already have fruits that they're throwing at them!]

[It seems a tail can be quite the handy thing to have, at least when dealing with monkeys that don't seem to stop coming. She darts to the side, but where, where? Everything just looks like trees, trees, and more trees.]

I'm afraid I'm fresh out of bananas... Up ahead, I think. It seems to be a bit more open.

[Can monkeys run that fast on ground? Padmé has no idea but they'll soon find out.]

Yeah, you know? I don't think I have any on me. Right, let's just keep moving for now! I'm sure we'll lose them eventually!

[Scorpia picks up the pace as they move into the more open area! But so do the monkeys. They seem to be everywhere, and practically multiplying. One of them manages to make it onto Scorpia's back and tries hitting her head while she tries to shake it off.]

O-okay, enough! It's not funny anymore, little guys!

[By the stars... What exactly are they supposed to do? Just keep running? Try to reason with them? That would mean some measure of intelligence and understanding from the creatures though... She swats and smacks at them in turn, yelping when the claws work at her face, half stumbling, but keeping upright.]

Yes... Maybe once we got out of their territory?

[The ground becomes a little flatter, easier to run on, and Padmé aims towards that open area.]

You okay?! [She calls back towards Padme after she yelps. It's hard enough to keep the monkeys off of herself, let alone protect the smaller person.]

Yeah! We just have to... find where that territory ends, and go past it! Eas- easy as that! [She chuckles nervously before shaking off some more more monkeys, and whipping one of off the back of her head. She gives a weary sigh before she presses on and tries to pick up speed as the ground becomes easier to traverse.]

Keep going.

[She calls in turn, as if the Trade Federation couldn't keep her, monkeys wouldn't either. They are rather driven, but as Padmé glances back, she can see that some have broken off now that they don't have the tree coverage. The noises still echo around them and Padmé strives to move even quicker in turn.]

A few are... Stopping. [More as the seconds roll on. A few particularly are motivated and Padmé gives a small kick, slowing for a few moments to try to push them away, before picking back up.]

They do persevere rather strongly.

They do! Y'know, I'd admire that about them if they weren't attacking us!

[She responds with a hint of a laugh while pressing on! But true to her companion's words, the monkeys due seem to be dwindling. Scorpia spins around to knock off the ones still clinging to her!]

But hey, good thing we persevere even more. Now let's leave these funny little fellows behind! [Time to try to leave the remainder in their dust!]

[It does earn a soft laugh as she swats at the last few persistent ones, who do finally decide that they are no longer part of a larger group. Padmé doesn't slow down, at least not for a little bit, watching as Scorpio knocks at one bothering her. Only when they had a good lead on them does Padmé slow, still casting a wary eye.]

And let us hope that they are willing to be left behind...

[She does her best to keep up a good pace! Sure enough, they seem to have left the monkeys behind them, and she gives a soft laugh as she starts to slow down.]

Yes, that is a good thing to hope for! [She looks back.] I... don't see them at least. We might really have lost them! [And boy is she relieved by that!]

Um... mission accomplished?

[A hand at her side, Padmé takes a moment to catch her breath. Running from monkeys had not been something that she had planned to do today, but there it is. It does make Padmé wonder what else might be on the board.]

Hopefully... Last time creatures seemed to be of their normal intelligence, so let us hope they aren't regrouping and plotting a new strategy.

[It was unusually tiring for such small creatures! But they were very energetic, and scratchy. Now they can recharge their batteries for a bit while keeping on the mood.]

Right, I am hoping right with out about that! Just, just putting all my hopes in the same basket as you! We should keep our eyes open for some kind of shelter just in case.

[There's that flicker of a smile that is tossed in her direction before Padmé straightens. The jungle has given way ever so to a flatter terrain, although there doesn't appear to be anything too helpful from what she can see. Glancing to the board, she wonders how many rolls one will need to make to get to the finish.]

Hmm. It is fairly open here, which I do not know if that will be better or worse. Anything approaching us must make itself known, although we are also in the open.

[Scorpia smiles right back, trying to keep her optimistic energy going, which is easier now that they've lost the monkeys. And there's no sign of any other threats.... for now.]

Hmm, yeah, that - that is kind of a two-sided thing, isn't it. Well, at least we can see anything coming, so that'll give us some more time to prepare. ...And I'm not sure if anything else even will show up! ...Not until we, uh, make more progress on the ol' board game at least. [She's not looking forward to it, but... it does seem to be the only way forward.]

We may as well take a chance then.

[Although she will poke around with her toe a bit on the ground before placing the game down upon it when it seems safe enough. Her pieces has moved four spots, although there still seems a long way to go.]

Yep, I guess we might as well... roll the dice!

[She gives a little shrug as she opens up her board.]

I guess it's my turn now?

[And now she gives a roll, and her piece moves forward by a good chunk of the board... but then the ensuing message appears.

Every month at the quarter moon
There'll be a monsoon in your lagoon.]

Okay, that does not sound pleasant! But, uh, does that mean it has to be night, or-

[There's the sound of rushing water in the distance, rapidly getting closer.]

[She keeps her eyes scanning back in the direction that they had come, lest the monkeys sneak up on them, preparing in case they need to run again.

She listens, not hearing anything and so she turns, brow furrowing as her gaze turns back to read the message. That shouldn't matter, should it? Are they at the quarter moon? That would be a coincidence, and it's not like they have a lagoon... Her mouth opens to say that, but there is that rumbling beneath her feet.]

... I think... We may need to run again.

[It seems the game has its own sense of time! Scorpia's eyes widen as she hears the sound, and she nods quickly.]

Very, very good. Let's do that. Right away!

[She's still winded from their flight from the monkeys, but they have something potentially bigger and more terrifying to worry about now! With that, she scoops up her board and starts running in... the opposite direction that the rumbling seems to be coming from! But the floodwaters might not allow them much time to flee.]

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steals from the movie

that's the name of the game!

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