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[cratecrasher]

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Post event, Jan 23rd ish

[polarvoid]

[Somehow, someway, Basil has made it to Lake Dala from Bavan. It's likely thanks to the help of another, who was able to get him this far but the rest of the trip back he'd have to make on his own. A little easier said than done when you're...well, very much human and ill equipped to navigate a massive lake like Dala on your own. It would be daunting for Basil on a good day, but this last week has been harrowing despite how little of it he can remember.

So when he comes across a little cottage nestled at the lake's eastern side...he's compelled to approach, hoping against hope that whoever lives inside isn't going to see him as a convenient snack delivered right to their door.

He knocks on the door softly. Nervously, before taking a quick step back from it.]

[cratecrasher]

[What day is it? What time is it? Those are the first questions in Crash's groggy brain as he trudged toward his kitchen while cracking at some strangely persistent aches and pains. Might be the right time to get himself a mug or two of strong coffee. His ears briefly attempt to flick upward toward the sound of the gentle knock, but honestly, besides looking up from his mug to squint sleepily at nothing while dribbles of the lightly steaming coffee cling to his bristles... maybe it was nothing. Maybe he's just hearing things.

Basil might have heard some shuffling noises mixed with the tapping of thick talons against wood flooring. But nothing that indicates that the initial knocking registered in their earshot. Maybe if the kid knocked again?]

[polarvoid]

[...hm! Those sounds are...more than a little alarming, knowing what monsters live on this Peninsula. But Basil has to remind himself that these monsters are just people. Most, if not almost all of them, have been friendly to him...and helpful. Though he doesn't like having to ask for help like this...he knows he has no other choice.

He knocks again, this time beating a bit at the door with the side of his fist.]

H-hello?

[cratecrasher]

[To that, the minotaur was finally startled into attention with a snort and unconscious clench at his mug that would be disastrous if it was made of the usual ceramic. But no spills or shattering here.

Soon enough, he made his way over to the front door, feeling steady and comfortable yet simultaneously unfamiliar on his feet. Crash doesn't recognize the voice, but once he opens the door... a kid? At the same time, Basil is greeted by the sight of so much orange (and yellow) that's roughly close to his own size and a boar's face peering curiously at him.]

[polarvoid]

[It was easy to assume that a monster lived here. Just by the structure of the home alone that seemed to be suggested. Never mind the sounds coming from behind the door. Needless to say, however, Basil is still wholly unprepared for the creature he sees when he does come open the door...and it prompts him to step back even further, his already hammering heart beating so fast it's a wonder he doesn't pass out right then and there.]

I-....I...

[Come on Basil, breathe.]

I'm sorry to...to bother you...I just needed...needed somebody's help...

[cratecrasher]

[Luckily, it's not hard for Crash to attempt to look smaller than Basil. The boy's state brings out a concerned frown on his face as his ears folded backward.]

Okay. It's okay.

[Can he get closer? Is that advised? The pig will slowly attempt it while hunching even lower from the teen's height in an unassuming manner as he can while keeping up eye contact, which isn't the most comfortable but Crash persists.]

[polarvoid]

[It does help, considerably. While Crash is not the largest monster he's encountered, any and all monsters still tend to startle Basil a little if he's not prepared. It does help at least to remember how friendly most of them are...and right off the bat, Crash seems to be no exception. He takes another few, slow breaths to try to calm himself, one of his hands curved up near his chest while the other grips at the bottom edge of his shirt.]

D-do you...know this lake?

[Lake Dala, of course.]

[cratecrasher]

[Where his ears pricked up and swiveled forward intently, the minotaur's expression lifted just slightly as Basil appeared to be settling down. But he has a gut feeling the boy isn't feeling totally relaxed. Is he also hurt in some way? Crash certainly can't smell any signs of bleeding on him.

Upon being asked, Crash stood back up into his usual stance before nodding.]

Mm-hm...!

[Then he reached forward with one hand, pulled it backward briefly with a level of uncertainty that depended on the kid's instinctive reaction, but then inched it forward again to ever so gently nudge for Basil's free hand to close the distance between them. Human hand resting atop a porcine head.]

[polarvoid]

[Basil stiffens, mostly because he isn't sure what Crash is going to do when he reaches out to take Basil's hand, and...oh.

His expression slowly shifts from fearful apprehension to...something a bit calmer than that as he feels the slightly-coarse fur beneath his fingers. Crash doesn't want to hurt him; he's trying to show him he's friendly without words. And...

It's enough to get Basil breathing a little slower. He shifts his hand, ever so slightly, so he can brush it over the top of Crash's head.]

...I'm trying to get back to the Palazzo. Um...this...really big house on the lake. But I don't know how to get there by myself.

[cratecrasher]

[Crash grins at the gentle strokes, his tail idly wagging behind him as he otherwise listened patiently. Once he registers what Basil is getting at, the minotaur seems to perk up even more like perhaps an excited puppy.]

I've seen it...! I can take you there.

[polarvoid]

Oh...you can?

[At that, Basil sags with relief, visibly. His expression relaxes a bit of that tension it was holding as well, because he was honestly expecting him to not be interested in helping...or, maybe just that he wouldn't be able to.]

Thank you...I didn't know how I was going to get there by myself. I'm sorry for bothering you...

[cratecrasher]

[Crash simply chuckled, then shook his head with a smile before moving to ruffle Basil's hair if the teen allows it. Regardless, the minotaur abruptly shuddered at the touch of a chilly breeze.]

Brr.

[He motioned for the human to give him a moment to grab a jacket, considering he's never been a cold weather creature. Not that Basil would be unwelcome to pop inside as well.]

[polarvoid]

[Allow it he does, if only because he's too polite not to, but also can tell now that Crash doesn't mean him any harm. Not if he's going to help him across the lake, right? He nods though, prepared to wait by the door as long as he needs to.

Fortunately with the cold, it's likely that someone in his sphere has gotten him a jacket and longer pants by now, which he woke up wearing as opposed to the shorter clothes he had on before. It feels a bit odd, not being in his clothing from home...but it's better than freezing.]

[cratecrasher]

[And so the minotaur pops inside, then as he nonverbally promised comes back out in a dark blue winter jacket and his talons bundled warmly. It's a simple matter to lock the door behind him before swinging his head for Basil to walk beside the pig. He's been around the lake long enough even without his navigation already kicking in, he knows the way.]

I'm Crash...! [Because if the kid lives around here, then it's nice to meet a new neighbor.] And you?

[polarvoid]

[Crash? ...Oh. Basil sure didn't introduce himself...at all, did he?

He flusters, lifting a hand to toy with a strand of blonde hair hanging down in front of his ear.]

My name is Basil... [He answers, sheepishly.] I just got here...a couple of weeks ago, I think.

[Has it already been that long? It has to have been...even if one of those weeks has been totally wiped from his memory.]

[cratecrasher]

[Poor kid, this is one of those extremely nervous types, isn't it? Crash doesn't immediately say anything further, not knowing exactly what to say or do here, but he does reach over to rest his hand on the kid's back and flash him a reassuring smile.

After all, the best thing to have in this place is a web of support.]

[polarvoid]

[Crash is...very much correct in that assumption. Basil's nerves have only been exacerbated during his time in Ryslig, after all, so he doubts he's made much of a good impression on people. So it's...nice, knowing that they're still willing to help, despite how needy he's been.

He manages a nervous smile, glancing down at his feet.]

Thank you for helping me.