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Alcyone was really just drawn by the adventure and going against the authorities. That was all very attractive but she decided to take a different route with her friends. Things would probably go a lot more smoothly and she was sure that they were going to hear stories about the CandyCane lane once they got back to school.

Surveying the group that she was traveling with, Alcyone noticed that quite a few of the students were battered up and took quite a beating already. Kind of wishing that she had taken a support item so that she could help, Alcie could feel their pain. Her body didn't feel quite the same after Battle of the Bands and constantly getting beat up. At least they didn't have to travel through snow for those battles.

Picking up her feet gingerly, Alcie continued through the snow trying not to think about how cold it was and how her feet were starting to feel numb due to the snow. These shoes were definitely not cut out for this kind of walking.

She felt movement at her sleeves and she quickly lifted her arm thinking it was some toy attacking her, sighing with relief and visibly relaxing when she saw it was only Luce. Good dog! She let go of Alcie to bend down and scritch behind Luce's ears, cooing to the adorable puppy until she was barked at by another dog. Well that was a curious looking dog! Was that one not someone's pet? "Why hello there!" She offered to Shehk, not realizing this was the ghoul she had met at Rain's booth. Junko reached over to give her an affectionate neckrub, smiling warmly. How sweet! When Malodore began to answer her question she looked up to him, tilting her head a bit. Indisposed? Like how--oh. "Oh, I see. I...oh. Alright." She stood up again, straightening out her clothes. "I'll keep that in mind." But Israfel made it look fun...sigh. Oh well.

"What're you doing getting plastered when you need to fight things?!" She huffed, grumpy as ever. Ugh! She wanted to move, damnit! This lack of FEAR was maddening! And unfortunately Her irritation was starting to get to Junko ever so slowly. They did share one mind, after all. Junko rubbed at her face a bit, silently pleading for Her to just shut up already.

"I'm glad you're alright, Riley." Junko told the girl with...why were her cheeks purple? Like, really purple? More purple than usual? And a different purple than the rest of her face? That was interesting. Junko blinked and looked from Riley to Malodore and back at Riley again when Malodore retreated into his tent. Huh. "We should probably get going...since these toys want to play and all, and we do need to get to Sandy Claws quickly." Not to mention the snow was starting to soak through her 'shoes'. Junko wanted out of the snow. She missed Quarria already.

Crunch

The pretty little canine that Junko was petting's head suddenly swivelled painfully as all sorts of lovely transformation joy worked at realigning bone-lengths and reassigning the position of things. Going from digit to planti-grade was very taxing and it was with some great effort, as it had been the times before, that Shehk's body took some time realigning itself into a humanoid shape.

Leaving the Pricolici sitting in the snow and panting tiredly, ears drooping as she huffed and puffed for air. She'd mentioned it a few days before, but damn if she wasn't going to die if her body kept trying to shift about as it had been. She did, however, manage to offer Junko a light grin.

"You've got good fingers for neck-scratches." she joked, righting herself up onto her feet and standing up straight, chest somewhat puffed out...before she attempted to NOT swoon from exhaustion. It wasn't even like she spent all day doing hard work either!! She wasn't attacked or any of that joy..which, on that note, Shehk pat Israfel on the head before turning onto Nuk with a tired look on her face.

"Can we rest....?" she asked, -pretty- confident that she probably could have just collapsed somewhere and he would have stopped for her... but with his partially-transformed arm the way it was, she couldn't just pander for him to carry her like that.

And sleep was very much conducive to NOT passing out when battling toys.

(( OOCly tenting here. Bedtimes! ))

C-crunch? That didn't sound healthy! Junko's head turned sharply down to watch the dog she had just been petting seem to spasm, gasping and looking unsure of what to do. She had to help it! Right? That looked and sounded so painful!

...Oh...this wasn't someone's pet, it was a student. Junko blushed a little at the teasing, her fingers pressed to her lips. "Um...thank you?" She pet a student! That was just strange! Though she didn't know until after so...eh...at least it was an accident? Not like she considered with Deacon or Faint who were very much in fact humanoid and there was no question whether they were pet or student. But the fact remained they had amazing kitty ears and Junko wanted to pet them. One day she'd maybe get the courage to admit it. One day. Not anytime soon...but in the future...

She wanted to rest? But why? If she just changed back Junko would be happy to carry Shehk! She was about to voice her suggestion when Riley mentioned that Shehk had been doing that constantly, blinking a bit before making a tiny noise of understanding. Right, right. They couldn't control it. Gabrian had had a bit of trouble himself. "It looks to be safe for the moment." And she was starting to shiver again. The snow had soaked through her makeshift shoes faster from her standing in one place too long. Why couldn't they go on though? Couldn't they leave Shehk behind? She had a tent. She'd be okay. She was a dog, she could run.

No! No, those were awful thoughts! Junko frowned again, playing nervously with a bit of her hair. Her agitation was messing with Junko's head.

Yes you can. You've proven yourself a mighty warrior and it's your task to keep our friends alive. I will stay up and keep you company, but you must stay vigilant. Always vigilant, Israfel.

She tried to sound very awe-inspiring, and tried not to be distracted by the mischievous toterror.

Movement in her peripheral vision caught her eye, and she finally noticed Junko shivering. She gave the girl a quick once-over, before staring at her 'shoes'. Where did your shoes go, Junko? You must be freezing in those.

Riley's back straightened just slightly, the only indication of the idea that had just formed in her head. Do you need to borrow shoes? Those must be soaking wet. I could let you borrow mine, if you want.. I'll just sit up on Jericho, so I won't need them. But.. you'd owe me one.

She held her long fingered hand out to take hers.

Would you like that?

Riley looked a touch surprised at her words, but made no mention of it. Well, that sounds terrible. You could definitely use my shoes more than me. And really, Jericho will keep me warm. Don't you worry about me. Just don't wear your wet socks in them, so that when you return them to me they will not be wet. Riley sent out a gentle and comforting caress in her mind, before continuing. Her hand was still held out, beckoning to be taken.

Then we have a deal?

The moment Junko's hand pressed against hers, Riley expected to feel herself marking Junko. She had all but forgotten what everyone had been complaining about on the train - something that hadn't even affected her until now. Riley assumed she had just marked Junko. But, in truth, she had not. Nevertheless..

Lovely. Here you go then. She untied half of the cords that held her long boots against her legs. Underneath, she still had thick black stockings to keep her warm, but she knew the moment she touched snow they would soak and freeze up. So, before she took her shoes off, she reached up to pull herself onto Jericho's long neck. Once settled, she grabbed one boot, then the other, and handed them down to Junko.

You keep them as long as you need them. Just.. don't throw them at any stray foul entities this time. She winked and sent a soft laugh.

Well, that was easy. One down, everyone else to go.