“I think I just worked out why no one else lives on floating islands.”
“It’s fine. It’s just a glitch, they’re working on it!”
Normally, there would be much more activity at Savepoint, but recent Voidstorms had chased both Corruption and visitors off. The only client that had stopped by recently was a single Pentathax soldier who had gotten lost and needed directions. Outside of that, the visitors’ ship parking area was empty, but all the Thantir’s ships were somewhat grounded. But on top of that, the power had been fluctuating, as had the general temperature of the place, and no one was sure why.
To stop the place getting too cold, Phovos had managed to erect some stone walls around Savepoint, to deflect the harsher void winds and some of the lightning from the storms. But most of the Thantir were remaining inside, huddling up with blankets and extra layers, as the winds that were sneaking in were still very nippy. Electricity was currently at a premium too. While Kal, with some help from the Teekays, had started up the backup generators to keep the place running, it was recommended that people keep their power usage to a minimum, so that Tah didn’t need to go back down to the generator room and start powering things himself.
Not everyone was inside currently though. Other jobs still needed to be done, just in case, and right now, the four half-Synaisthyns were on guard duty. Ret and Kayel were patrolling, while Tanos and Nyssi were stationed around the bottom of Elksia’s watchtower, keeping a look out and chatting to themselves.
“It’s fine for you, Tenny, you’re covered in fur!” Nyssi snapped, rubbing her hands over the fire Kayel had made.
“I mean, isn’t it more on you for not putting more layers on?” Tanos tutted back. “I’ve got fur but I’m also wearing a hoodie.”
“You’ve shapeshifted your fur to be thicker. I can’t do that!”
“You’re also only wearing like two layers underneath the hoodie you’re wearing?”
“Well, I didn’t think it’d get even colder…” Nyssi paused, then glanced around. “Actually, I think it’s suddenly gotten a tad warmer. Has Phovos or Arkay fixed the… Oh, never mind…”
Nyssi found the source of the heat. Kayel had finished his little patrol around the living areas and had headed back to the team. He was carrying two mugs of hot chocolate with marshmallows, one cup of honey lemon tea which was much more honey than lemon or tea, and one mug of meaty soup.
“Hey guys. Heard you were cold, Nyssi, so I quickened up my pace and headed back here. Didn’t want you to be suffering too much.”
Nyssi perked up as she took the mug of soup from Kayel. “I appreciate that, mate. You don’t seem too bothered though?”
“I have fire powers now, I’m fine. Plus, before all this, I was always pretty good with the cold anyway. Skyan territories were always rather cold because of the lack of sunlight.”
“Eh, I always lived on Portalia, and Portalia was always warm, even in the winter…” Nyssi frowned. “I’ll be honest, I feel a little homesick right now, on top of being cold. Sure, it’s been two years since we met up and became weird, immortal freaks, but… well…”
“Yeah, I get it…” Kayel sighed. “Sometimes it’s nice to be… normal. I’ve gotten used to this life, but… it’s cold and lonely out here. Dunno if you feel the same way, Tenuk. Your life always kinda sucked.”
Tanos thought for a moment, sipped his tea, then shrugged. “Maybe not quite the same way, but I totally get what you mean. There’s something nice about just living a kinda normal life and being around other people, rather than seeing the same handful of guys all the time. It’s why I wanna go to a mall again, because that felt normal. Although I think we’re mostly complaining now because things aren’t working.”
“That’s fair…” Nyssi tutted. “Sucks that we’re having heating and power problems right now. That sort of stuff does make everything else seem worse. Even Retty is slightly grumpy right now, and he’s had basically everything going right for him.”
“Honestly, I think he’s just cold!” Kayel exclaimed. “Can’t really wear many layers when you also insist on wearing armour.”
“Eh, nah, I’m pretty sure it’s all this crap plus the argument he had with Kuta…” Nyssi suddenly trailed off and rubbed her head. “Ugh. Stupid fucking telepathy. The water, plant and toxin powers I have keep to themselves, but this fucking telepathy…”
“They… had an argument?” Tanos was immediately concerned.
“Yeah, about kids…” Kayel muttered, not realising he was borrowing Nyssi’s telepathy. “I think Ret is having second thoughts, thanks to the current base problems. At least he has Kuta. We’re pretty lonely now.”
“There are, like, a ton of other Threanics here though?” Tanos blinked.
“Sure, but they’re all busy with each other. It’s… awkward…” Kayel sighed, then changed the subject. He raised his hand and created a small bonfire between Tanos, Nyssi and himself. “Still, I’m wondering maybe we need to call in some help to get the place fixed up.”
“Like… call Sini again?” Nyssi suggested.
“Yeah. She knows more Life Goddess things than Arkay and Life Goddess Phovos do.”
“I mean, they’re probably already discussing it. It’s making everyone be in a bad mood though!” Tanos frowned. “I think the only person not in a bad mood is Akah, even though he can’t play his video games.”
“Akah is always mostly happy though because he escaped a life of slavery and misery…” Kayel countered. “Either way, is Ret done with his patrol yet?”
Heavy footsteps answered Kayel’s question. Those footsteps were followed by a shudder.
“It is cold…” Ret grunted, tugging at the cloak he had wrapped around himself. “Also there is no one here. I do not know why I am doing these patrols if no one is here.”
Kayel smiled, then handed Ret the mug of hot chocolate he had been saving for him. “Yeah, I gave up doing patrols as well. Come and stay here for a bit and warm up a little. We deserve a break.”
Ret perked up a little. “We do, yes. Thank you for the drink and the warmth.”
“No worries, big guy. Us four always stick together.”