Exploring the surroundings

While Riley wandered off to explore the upper floor and the spacious deck overlooking the cove, Desna and Eska moved together toward the large living area. Their steps were synchronized out of long habit, their expressions remaining characteristically flat.

On a low, elegant table near the main sitting area sat a polished black case. A small silver tag on top simply read: *For Desna and Eska*.

Eska tilted her head slightly as she opened it. Inside were several elegant glass vials filled with a shimmering silvery-white liquid, each one clearly labeled with small, neat icons and text.

“…Viles” Eska stated in her usual monotone. “How quaint.”

Desna picked up one of the bottles, examining the label that depicted a stylized moon and snowflake. He read the description aloud in the same dry, emotionless tone:

“‘Lunar Brew. Enhanced strength, speed, and stamina. Additional ice and cold manipulation for this variant.’”

He set the bottle back down carefully. “Useful. Though the warning about injection is… concerning. As if we would be that foolish.”

Eska picked up another vial, swirling the liquid inside with mild interest. “They glow. Slightly. Like diluted spirit water.” She glanced sideways at her brother. “Mother would approve. Or she would call it excessive. Possibly both.”

Desna gave a small, barely noticeable shrug. “At least the system has taste. These could prove valuable if we ever need to fight in this new world.” He paused, then added dryly, “Assuming Riley does not accidentally drink one thinking it is fancy water.”

Eska’s lips twitched in what might have been the ghost of a smirk. “Then we would have a very energetic wife. That could be entertaining.”

“We should scout the outside,” Desna said, gazing out the large window. “See if this world is… different.”

The waves crashed gently against the cove below, sparkling under warm sunlight.

Eska tilted her head slightly, watching the water alongside him. “How do you mean, brother?”

Desna’s expression remained flat, but his eyes narrowed faintly. “I do not recognize this mountain range. The tides move differently than they do in the North. I do not believe we are in the Northern Water Tribe anymore.” He paused, then added dryly, “In fact, I doubt we are anywhere near it.”

Meanwhile, Riley had wandered into a beautifully furnished study. Sunlight streamed through tall windows, illuminating a sleek wooden desk. Resting prominently in the center was a small black velvet box with a crescent moon emblem on the lid and a tag that read: For Riley Victsa.

She hesitated for a moment, then opened it.

Inside lay an exquisite earring. It appeared to be a delicate moon-blue crescent that shimmered softly even in the daylight. A thin silver chain hung from it, seeming to move with a faint, almost liquid quality.

Riley carefully lifted it, turning it in her fingers. A small note card was tucked beneath the earring:

“Earring(s) of Reading”

Have you ever wanted to know what a dog is feeling? Ever want to truly ‘put yourself in someone’s shoes? Well, that dream is a reality with these earrings! Just put these bad boys on and emotions will begin to reveal themselves to you as colors. The more intense the emotion, the more vibrant the color.

(If you begin to smell color and/or hear smell, please contact your local healer.)

Riley stared at the card, then back at the earrings. “...Fuck it” she muttered under her breath. She clipped one onto her ear. The silver chain melted and solidified almost instantly, securing it comfortably. The second one followed just as smoothly.

The world sharpened instantly — her vision becoming crystal clear in a way she hadn’t realized it wasn’t before. She blinked a few times, adjusting. She could already see faint, subtle colors beginning to flicker at the edge of her perception, especially when she thought about the two people waiting for her elsewhere in the house.

in combination with her hangover, this was not making her uneasy stomach feel better. she unclipped the earring and placed it back into the box softly.

She slipped the earring off and placed them back into the box with a huff. "I need to get dressed." Riley walked back into the bedroom and slipped on some clothes that (luckily) were very comfortable and fitting. A pair of overalls that connect to a pair of heavy brown pants that go up to the waist. A creme white T-shirt that show off her lean muscles and contrast against the brown pants and brown student cap she's wearing. (Very ENA esc).

"At least they still have my shit." Riley felt the clothes out for a bit before walking out of the bedroom to explore more of the house.

Riley stepped back into the living area just in time to catch the end of their conversation. She walked over and joined them near the window, peering out curiously.

The three of them stepped outside onto the wide deck together. From this vantage point, the view was even more striking. To the south, far in the distance, several massive cities stretched across the coastline. Their buildings were enormous — gleaming towers of glass, steel, and light that rose impossibly high, far beyond anything the twins had seen in Republic City. Vehicles moved along elevated roads like flowing rivers of metal, and faint streaks of light suggested flying craft moving between the skyscrapers.

Eska stared at the distant metropolises for a long moment.

“…Those structures are excessive,” she said flatly. “They look like they are trying too hard to touch the sky.”

Desna nodded once. “Much more advanced than anything we know. The scale is… inefficient. Yet effective.” His voice stayed monotone. “I see no obvious bending. No spirit portals. Only machines.”

Riley rubbed the back of her neck, trying to find the right words. “Yeah… those are big cities. Like, really big. Lots of people, lots of technology. Cars, planes, computers… that kind of stuff. It’s all pretty normal here, I guess.”

To the north, the ocean stretched out under the perfect blue sky. A small, vibrant island sat not too far from the coast, glowing with colorful energy. Lavish spirits — some translucent, some almost solid — moved across it in playful patterns. A few danced in circles like people at a festival, while others chased one another through glowing trees and across crystalline shores. Their laughter-like chimes carried faintly on the wind.

Eska’s head tilted again, observing them with mild interest. “Spirits. They appear… cheerful. Almost childish. I have never seen them behave quite like that.”

Desna watched the island quietly. “They play as if they have no concerns. Unusual. Almost… frivolous.”

Further beyond the island, on the far horizon, a massive shadowy silhouette loomed over the sea. It was colossal — easily the size of a small mountain — slowly shifting in place. Even at this great distance, its presence felt heavy and ancient, like a living storm cloud given vague form.

Riley squinted toward it, frowning slightly. She had no frame of reference for what she was seeing.

“Uh… I don’t know what that big shadow thing is,” she admitted, sounding a little uncertain. “Maybe some kind of… landmark? Or a really big cloud? It looks kinda weird, though.”

Desna and Eska exchanged a brief glance. For once, neither offered an immediate dry comment. They simply stared at the colossal spirit in the distance, their usual monotone expressions hiding the quiet calculation happening behind their eyes.

Eska eventually broke the silence. “This world is strange. Loud cities to the south. Playful spirits to the north. And something very large watching from the horizon.” She glanced at Riley. “You live in a complicated place, wife.”

Desna gave a small, barely perceptible sigh. “We have much to learn. “

“Well...“ Riley rubbed the back of her neck as she looked at the city in the distance. “I actually have no idea where we are. that city looks... different than the ones that I've seen in... my time. If that's the right word. “