i. rise and shine

[ Waking up here is disorienting if all else, because it's still a bit fuzzy how they got here. It feels like there's water in their ears, water completely soaked through their clothes...and most importantly, water has completely washed off the white powder that usually goes on their body, leaving them with a very, very glittery and dark appearance. Seriously, it's hard to look at them fully in the sunlight with how much they are shimmering.

And they don't seeem to appreciate that very much, because if anyone gives them the eye for more than a few seconds, they quickly let you know how they feel about it. ]

What? What are you looking at.

[ They're scowling right at you while moving to take their shoe off, obviously in a sour mood. They'd love to confirm their suspicions about how they got here with the person they just barked at, but first, they have to be grumpy about the staring. It's just like that sometimes. ]

ii. fishing trip

[ Of course, with how barren the island is, it's understandable that so many people are fishing. But what's also understandable? Mistaking the glimmer from their crystal hair under the water for something edible, like one of those tasty mutant fish!! Maybe your spear hits their head, or your line gets tangled up on their neck— either way, there's a squawk that comes from under the water, bubbles coming up to the surface. They're far enough out in the water that when standing at their full height, they're fully submerged, but being disturbed causes them to storm up a few steps, enough that their head comes up above the water. There's nothing human about their appearance, as light reflects all around them and onto the water, but at least they're not a siren...? Just a very irritated looking fae-crystal-person. ]

Do I look like a fish to you?

[ Is that sarcasm or a genuine question...? We'll never know, since they sound too annoyed to distinguish. ]

iii. they protecc, but they also attacc

[ Maybe the sirens are giving you some weird looks, or even blatantly talking about how they're going to eat you next, but the next thing you know, there's a smooth and cold hand at your shoulder, tugging you closer. ]

You don't want to get eaten or whatever, by those things, right. [ They leer in the direction of the sirens, watching them carefully. ] Stay close to me.

[ It's true that the sirens don't seem very interested in getting a mouth full of crystal, but it doesn't seem like that'll stop them from trying to snatch you away from them, since they're making an advance regardless. ]

iv. to the rescue!!

[ They're surprised when the boats come, when they see how many of the other inhabitants have come to rescue them. It's also a little bit disheartening, because... looking at those rickety boats, they're not sure they're going to be able to go on one of those at all, given their high density. Will they be able to go back at all? Those are the thoughts they're having while studying the boats from their hiding place in the brush...at least until they hear a noise behind them. Maybe you're a rescuee that came from the other side of the island that they didn't see, or simply another kidnappee looking to escape!

Either way, since they've been punching sirens left and right for the last few days, your approach will be met with a hard offensive swing from their fist!! Please duck in time to keep all your teeth. And bones. ]

v. build-a-gorm

[ As soon as the boat Cairngorm is in hits the shores of Chroma, they let out a long groan. Well, most of them does, at least. In order to get across the sea without sinking every boat they stepped foot in, they're missing both their legs and one of their arms— which of course, means, they're not in the greatest condition right now. ]

Ugh... are we here? [ They push themself up on the right arm that they still have attached, blinking wearily. That's right, in the midst of dozing off, they forgot someone else is with them, not to mention the identity of the person they are with. ] Took you long enough.

[ They don't seem to be in pain, but they do seem a little dazed, looking around confusedly at the land that's become home-sweet-home for the last few months. ]