ORP : Gonna assume they’re sharing bed then.
ʟᴏᴄᴀᴛɪᴏɴ : ᴛᴏʀᴇ
With agreement from both parties, they decided to call it a night and head for the bed to get some shut-eye. Yuuta was just about to reach his hands out for Flake when Rhydal scooped the dozing furrball up in his arms ever-so-gently that he languidly blinked a few times and drifted back into slumber once again. He caught the serene smile on Rhydal’s face before their eyes met and he nodded at their allocated room. ‘He’s a really caring person. He must have taken care of someone before to be so natural at this.’ Yuuta thought, but his smile faded a little, as the door creaked open to reveal one big bed in the middle of the room. So that was what Flayke meant by snuggling up with Flake. They exchanged an awkward glance and Rhydal immediately offered to sleep on the floor. Yuuta shook his head. The later it was getting at night, the lower was the temperature dropping. Instead of offering to take the floor for himself, Yuuta reasoned with Rhydal that it was most logical to sleep together, unless the other was really too against the idea. And so they did.
Flayke having mentioned no specified time for the commencement of the search, they both woke up pretty early. Yuuta came downstairs with Rhydal to be greeted by a delicious scent wafting from the breakfast freshly prepared by Flayke. Yuuta saw his lips moving in a greeting and he greeted back. [Good morning.] Flayke apologised realising late that Yuuta was deaf and Yuuta in return apologised for coming out himself and forgetting to introduce himself. Since anybody calling him verbally by his name, when he would not be looking, was pointless, it tended to easily slip his mind. In any case, he asked Flayke use the same “Friend” sign for his name as he had allowed Rhydal to use.
The breakfast itself was delectable. But what little information Flayke shared with them was still incomplete since his own investigation about the missing kid’s parents and potential bullies was overdue. But considering the gravity of the situation, they had to split their duties. Two of them would venture out in the open and Flayke would interrogate people related to the case. [We’ll try to stabilise him to the best our abilities, should we locate him. Please let us know what you gather from your investigation.] And after that they geared up and set out, taking heed of Flayke’s warning.
Going past the gates of the town, from there on stretched the realm of white to the unknown. Thick layers of snow forever concealed the land underneath, where the forest of coniferous trees stood tall, that never swayed due to frost weighing down their branches. [We would have frozen to death, if it weren’t for the cold resistance crystals and warm clothes.] Yuuta admitted gratefully as they trudged through the snow, taking in the sights but also vigilant and heavily focusing on his senses to pick up the miniscule of details. Aside from the trees, the signs of life were low in the extremities of living conditions. Whichever endemic species inhabited here kept their presence well hidden. The freezing air carried the mana of nature. That seemed to be their only. [Let’s focus on the concentration of mana in the air. If the kid’s magic is pouring out uncontrolled, the air would bear its traces.]
Eventually they arrived at the frozen lake in the middle of the forest, a spectacular landscape, which could as a landmark in a place whereever you laid your eyes upon, there laid nothing but snow-covered trees, all very identical to each other. The air seemed to hang each here solidly, richer in concentration of mana, perhaps due to the lake’s ecosystem. Yuuta looked at Rhydal wondering if they should keep searching together or spilt up here.
