#joaquin 02

"Sisco!" Harry called out as she approached, her pack full and bursting, swinging on her back. The ground rumbled traitorously underfoot, the opening maw of the Labyrinth almost a snail’s, trees twisting like an undulating churning series of radula. And before it all stood Sisco, standing guard as a valiant knight.

"Sisco, I heard John's voice!" Harry said as she came up next to him, clasping his shoulder. She stared deep into his eyes, chest bubbling with acrid anticipation. "In the Labyrinth! It was him!" Harry hissed, looking towards the entrance to the Labyrinth. The ground undulated like a churning ocean. "He sounded confused... I have to go in after him... I can bring him back."

Mik wasn't sure what had taken him so long to go and see Joaquin. It had been maybe around a week since his fire attunement had manifested in a violent, horrifying way. And since then, every time he had felt any sort of emotion strongly he'd been a walking radiator needing to douse himself. He'd hoped he'd get that part under control before coming up to Joaquin.

Today Mik had finally swallowed his pride and made the trek to the upper-settlement and the farm there that Joaquin looked after. He found him with his hands dirty, bent over and weeding (or harvesting? Mik still wasn't that good with gardening). "Hey Joaquin." Mik tapped Joaquin quickly on the shoulder. "Turns out I'm a fire guy," Mik gave his best charming smile, like it was the best thing he'd say all day- except... His thoughts spiraled back, back to the sight of Nick's blistered wrist, the smell of smoke and Nick's pained cry...