(Agh! Sorry, go ahead! I've been away from the computer for a bit but I'll be more active starting Saturday!)
(No worries! The RP has been a little sluggish lately.) -TIME SKIP- The next morning, the group waited in the chamber where they had met the colony before. Natalia stood in the front, her eyes narrowed and her hands on her hips. The girl stepped out from the shadows, her luminescent gaze sweeping over the group. "Hello," she said. "You have taken our agreement, we trust?" Natalia hesitated and then nodded. "Yes," she said curtly. "We agree." "Excellent," the girl responded, her voice even. "Come. My colony and I will escort you to the Nevean Chambers. At her words, three young girls, their faces unwrinkled and youthful, emerged from the shadows and approached the group. Their gait was less smooth than the woman who they had spoken to, and Natalia guessed that they were indeed younger, not yet accustomed to their stride. The woman nodded and turned to walk back into the darkness, and the three girls surrounded the group and corralled them forward. Natalia bit her lip and began to walk, hoping that they weren't making a huge mistake.
Avice regarded the three new girls with caution, but made silly faces at them when they weren't looking, as a way to distract herself and kill time. This whole scenario seemed odd and new to her, but she would rather follow the leader than stay back on the ship and be bored.
Jack had been talking to Natalia in a low voice as they walked, his expression slightly worried. Natalia whispered something back sharply, and Jack frowned before nodding reluctantly and leaving her to think. He noticed Avice making faces, and his expression brightened. "What exactly are you doing?" he asked as he approached her, his head cocked with amusement.
"Nothing, obviously. Those are my natural looks. Didn't you know?" She crossed her arms. "You should've known by now."
"I have become quite familiar with your face and its many expressions throughout these last couple months. I can guarantee you that that is not what it looks like."
"I see your face every day," he pointed out. "You only see your face in reflections. Believe it or not, I think I may have more experience here."
"I'm not going to agree for the sake of not agreeing, because I like to be right. I will admit my face is not as terrifying as I hope, but I do say you are still wrong," she said smoothly, a small grin forming.
"God, you're stubborn," he said, raising his hand to his forehead, but beaming at her, content despite the uncertainty of the day. "Your face is wonderful. It's not terrifying in any way. Alright?"
"Hm. I appreciate it, but I'd rather be terrifying. Scare away people I don't like. I'll accept either way, though."
"Intimidating? Hm.. that will have to do for now. Until I become an old lady and learn witchcraft, I'll have to only remain intimidating."
"I was under the impression that you already do know witchcraft," he said pointedly, grinning over at her. "It's why I confessed to you in the first place."
"Oh, right. Cause I've got you under my spell. Of course!" She lifted a finger in mock realization. "I forgot."
He nodded, satisfied. "Yes, and one of these days you're going to say the code word, and I'm going to snap out of it," he said, with a cocky grin. "Fortunately, today is not that day."
"Fortunately. Good thing you don't know the code word, cause I like having you around." She pursed her lips. "You're trapped forever."
