Cutlass: Exploring
It’s odd, I’ve been alone for a lot of time in my life. Ever since my best friends got adopted at the orphanage as a child, I had to keep making new friends who would leave like the others. But this time, it’s different. Now I’m the one with parents and a home. Five parents. Five wonderful, adoptive parents with hearts of pure gold. I may be away from them, but it doesn’t feel as lonely. I can come back home whenever and they will always have my back. I feel like they’re still here with me. If I think hard enough, I can hear their voices.
Actually no. I can hear their voices anyway. From my pocket.
I reach in my pocket and feel around. I pick up the universe bead Boluomeng gave me and hold it in front of me. Out pops Medrash’s head, peeking out of the universe.
“Are you doing alright!?” He leans forward, more of his body leaks from the bead. “If you’re getting hungry, we can make some food for you! We’re all hoping you do well!”
I blush, though I hope Medrash doesn’t notice. “DaaaaAAD,” I whine, “You’re embarrassing me! To anyone who could be looking in this direction, it looks like I’m talking to a severed head perching on top of a pearl…”
Medrash glances around, hopefully realizing how odd this must look. “Oh right! Ehehe…” Medrash hops out of the universe. “Can I give you a hug?”
I blush more, and this time I’m pretty sure he notices. “Yes,” I say sheepishly. It truly is strange, why do I feel so shy about this? I embrace my dinosaur father.
“Mmm… We’ve all missed you!”
“It’s only been five hours since I’ve left the house, dad…” I chuckle a bit. I’m not really ashamed, more just unsure how to react to someone talking to me like I’m the center of their world. I want to say that I don’t mind it, but it will take a lot of getting used to. They really do spoil me.
Medrash makes a pointing gesture with his finger. “-Oh, gotta run some things by you quick! Daichi wants you to know that he’s asexual. He’s still figuring himself out and stuff and would appreciate your support.”
I smile. “Of course, anything for you all!”
“That’s my line,” Medrash replies. “Also, can you keep a secret?”
“...Depends, are you in trouble?”
“Oh no no no nothing like that! I made Boluomeng a surprise and I want to show it to you. Could you test it out for me, too?” Medrash pulls out a monocle with a thick frame. I recognize that the frame has the clairvoyance hex carved into it.
“Sure!” I’ve never seen him try to make something like this before. I’m really curious how it will work. I put it on and it seems to function as a magnifying glass. “The source is pretty close to the face… about two or three feet away…”
“Try adjusting the lens.” At his request, I fiddle with the frame, and the source grows closer to me. Turning it the other way, I get the source to move farther away. “Now…” Medrash continues, “Can you get it to look inside this universe bead?” He raises the bead in front of me, and I adjust the lens.
“Oh huh!” I am able to see the universe inside. “I see it!”
“Great, great! It’s a surprise for Boluomeng. Since he can’t feel with his hands anymore, I’m wondering if he can work around that restraint by seeing his hands like so?”
“That’s a great idea,” I reply, “I hope it works!”
Medrash sets the ball on the ground. “Well, that’s all the time I got, I should head back. If you need anything, just hop in and holler, okay? Bye!” Medrash hops into the bead, disappearing.
I put the bead back into my pocket. Having this new freedom while people are still there for me will take some getting used to…
In the distance, I see a figure. The person looks to have antlers, but also seems to be wearing an elementalist uniform as well. “Hey!” I shout, “Over here!” It doesn’t seem like they notice me. Maybe if I wave my hands around and jump up and down?...

Lysander: Friendmaking
Entering the forest, I see someone on a hilltop. I try to ignore them at first, but then they start waving their arms in the air. From their clothing, they look to be an elementalist, but I don’t have the time to go up to them and explain that I won’t be able to hear what they have to say. This is when I notice something interesting: That person is now trying to sign to me. “Hello, do you use elemental magic, too?” is what they are saying. Eager to meet this person, I dash up the hill.
I set my bag on top of the hill and begin signing back, now standing next to the individual. “Hello, my name is Lysander, and I go by they/them pronouns” I sign, “What is your name?”
“I’m Cutlass, and I go by those pronouns, too!” They seem like a kind-hearted individual.
I grin. “It’s so rare to find someone else who knows sign language. Where did you learn it, might I ask?”
“One of my best friends couldn’t hear well, and I learned sign language to get much closer to him.” Cutlass seemed to be a little nervous. “I’m really glad to meet you!” They offer to shake my hand, and I accept. “I’m really new to this elementalist stuff. I’ve only just recently mastered fire! Is it okay if I travel alongside you?”
“It’s not a problem at all,” I respond, considering how to divvy up supplies, “Although I don’t know if I brought enough food for us all.”
Cutlass grins, and I feel like I’m in store for a pleasant surprise. “I know where we can get some tasty food, very quickly!” They pull out a pink, shiny ball and stick their head inside. I have never seen anything like that, and I begin to wonder if they are alright? I poke his shoulder and they come back out. “One moment!” they sign, and then the dragon’s face goes back in.
After waiting a while, the dragon finally sets the ball down and interacts with me. “Sorry about that,” Cutlass sweats, “It’s how I interact with my parents. They live far away and this is like a…” the dragon pauses for a while, trying to find the right word, but ends up spelling it out anyway. “P-O-R-T-A-L, I don’t know the word.” I interrupt and teach them the word. “Yes, portal. There we go. They offered to make food for me if I ever needed it, and they’re going to prepare some food for us while we get set up.”
“It sounds like your folks really care about you,” I reply, “I can’t wait to see what they give us. Until then, can you help me set up this tent?” I open my pack and unload the supplies onto the ground.
“Sure,” the dragon excitedly replies, “What do we need to do first?”