ESCARABAJO !

     When Jaime hit the ground, only one thought crossed his mind: ow. The impact, and the fall previous to it, had been a complete and utter surprise. He had not even thought as he’d stepped off the building’s edge, an act he’d performed countless times. He’d expected his wings to emerge, for his flight abilities to kick in just as they always had. Clearly, that wasn’t on the shelf here. His plummet had been quick and brutal, only broken when Jaime crashed into a junkpile of half-rotted boxes. It took the breath from his lungs, caused pain to bloom throughout his whole body. Or, in the case of his arm, to snap through it like lightning. On landing, a terrible crack! had been heard, immediately followed by a starburst of agony: a clear sign that Jaime’s arm, had, indeed, broken. A groan had just left his throat when, in his head, Khaji Da spoke.

           Flight capabilities / non-functional.

       ❝ Now you tell me...? ❞

           Damage <Bone Fracture> detected.                             Healing: Commenced.

     Already, Jaime could tell that this place was strange. The people, the environment, the animals. Everything. He would be lying if he said it didn’t unnerve him, but he kept the feeling to himself. That is, until one of the strange creatures put itself right in his path, puffed out its little chest, and defiantly cheeped at him. An eyebrow was raised as Jaime crouched before the tiny thing, keeping a slight distance in case that beak really was as sharp as it looked. He was unsure what the little bird wanted, but out loud he asked, ❝ Scarab, what is this? ❞

           Subject / unknown.

       ❝ You don’t know? ❞

           Query: [ CONFIRMED ].

       ❝ Huh. ❞ It was rare to find something that Khaji Da didn’t know of, and it left Jaime even more curious as to what the chick-like creature could be. Tentatively, he held out a hand; it had soft-looking feathers, and he was almost tempted to touch them. He only hoped it wouldn’t peck him.

     An exasperated sigh left Jaime’s mouth as he stood on the street corner, a hand placed on each of his hips. He had been standing there like that for the past ten minutes, seemingly arguing with... himself. At least, that’s what it looked like.

           Problem: Lack of food / Lack of funds.                                              Solution?

       ❝ We’ve been over this. I don’t know what we should do yet, okay? Let me think. ❞

           Jaime Reyes / have plan?

       ❝ Okay, no, but— ❞

           Prediction: Reyes [ CLUELESS ].

     A noise that could only be described as frustrated left Jaime’s mouth as he slapped his own forehead, eyes closed in obvious irritation. He could only imagine what he must look like to bystanders, but at this point in the game, he wasn’t really sure he cared. Of course, that didn’t mean he was prepared when someone actually stepped up to him.

     There was a stone sitting at the bottom of Jaime’s stomach. It dragged him down, made it hard to breathe, made him want to do nothing but sitting down and bury his face in his hands. Which is exactly what he did, sinking into a crouch and gently placing his palms over his eyes. It hadn’t really sunk in, yet, just what had happened to him. One moment he’d been crashed on the couch, Milagro next to him as his mother made dinner in the kitchen. And then, suddenly, he had awoken in that terrible room. The words of the man on the screen had yet to fully register, but Jaime did know one thing: he didn’t want to be in this place. A single tear had escaped his eye, wetting his palm, when he felt a soft touch on his shoulder. A voice spoke, and Jaime lifted his head to stare at its source.