"So, where did you go these past few days?" Juniper’s curiosity had been nearly full to bursting since she’d run across Lily and Mist again. She’d been answering questions all morning and now it was her turn to get some answers! To learn a little more about Lily from her own mouth. Even if no big revelations came from a conversation, Juniper still wanted to get to know the woman. 

"Well, as you know, I watched you almost that whole first day,” Lily began as she walked. The two women continued toward the forest, seeking to use the path by the natural pool that would take them higher up. “After you settled in the shack with Aurora, I finally felt comfortable enough to be on my way. So, I started heading in toward the interior of the island. However,” Lily slowed but didn’t stop. She instead took the opportunity to look over and catch a glimpse of Juniper, amusement plain on her face. “I heard the strangest thing from a passing Lifmunk. "Apparently, some newcomer jumped off a cliff to save a Foxparks."

"Seriously, I told you that sounds much more impressive than it actually was. I mean, it was like what? 30 feet up?" 

Lil shrugged in response and subsequently continued on at her normal pace. "Still, you made quite the impact so I wanted to come back and see for myself. If you were doing alright, I wanted to be able to get you things on my trip. A ‘two birds with one stone’ kind of thing."

Juniper couldn’t help but smile while she walked before humming her appreciation. "That’s very sweet of you. I could certainly use the help."

"Don’t worry about it. And, I know you need help, I know what I did seems really cruel but I have my reasons..." For her part, Lily did manage to look somewhat bashful before she turned away and let her eyes fall towards the ground. 

"A little," Juniper started but paused to reach up and put a hand on Lily's shoulder. "But you stayed to make sure I was okay. And you came back to do the same. That counts for something, you know."

The encouragement and warm words caused Lily to look back over and hold her eyes for a few moments. "So, you aren't mad at me or anything?”

“Nope!” “Juniper followed the word with a shake of her head before shrugging slightly. “I'm not mad, maybe I was a little annoyed with you before but it's alright now.” It could’ve been a better start but at least Juniper understood some of the reasoning behind Lily’s actions. Even if she didn't fully agree with them.

“Good.” Lily nodded to herself and let out a breath as if she had been worried about the answer even after how well they had gotten along this morning.

The remainder of the journey up above the little mountainside facility didn't take long. By the time they cleared the air, the two had made it to the forest. A few minutes later they were at the pool and then ascending the stairs. As they went, their conversation shifted to speculation about what the purpose of the outpost may have been. Of course, it was all conjecture at this point and, no matter what they found, or didn’t find, it wouldn’t change their understanding much. 

When the pair arrived above the facility, they both cut a path through some taller grass to look out over the shack and the little field below. Juniper could see the four Pals moving around below and couldn’t help but stop and take in the sight.

“Alright, lazybones. No more gawking, we have work to do!” Juniper laughed as she turned and made her way back to where Lily stood a few feet from the cliff’s edge.

"So, what should I be looking for?"

Lily thought for a moment and let her eyes scan the surrounding area before answering. "The ventilation pipe for the oven would be a good start. I'm not sure how the electrical wiring is going to come out but smoke should be straightforward enough." 

“Right, I’m on it!” Juniper walked back to the edge and peered over to best approximate the position of the door. Once she had a point of reference, she began to walk away from the cliff, doing her best to move in the direction the kitchen would be in. Lily left her to it and was currently doing her best to approximate the location of the hypothetical communication room. 

The dense grass was making it difficult to see anything beyond her immediate area so Juniper had to part it with her hands as she walked. She went until she felt she’d gone too far, whereupon she turned with a huff and started walking back. It wasn’t until she kicked something that she knew she’d found her mark. 

“Ow! Fucking…piece of crap.” Juniper took a step back and rubbed below her knee. Of course, the sudden outburst caused Lily to look up and tilt her head in curiosity.

“Find something?” 

“I think so…” 

After rubbing her leg a few more times, Juniper bent over and pulled back the grass to reveal a pipe with a little cover that flared out far past the rounded sides. Around it was a little cage that no doubt also helped keep unwanted debris out. “Yup! Looks like a ventilation pipe.”

Lily nodded but otherwise didn’t move to confirm. “Nothing surprising there. That at least helps us get a better idea where this other connection might be.” If there was another connection. “Come on over and help me, would ya?” 

“Yes ma’am, Miss Lily!” Juniper exaggerated the words and bound over to where the other woman stood. Currently shaking her head and rolling her eyes. 

“Don’t you start that shit with me, missy.” 

“Mm, I’ll start whatever I please. Thank you very much.” Juniper shot her a wink before diligently getting to work. Earning her a chuckle in response. Unlike the pipe, she had no idea what she would find or what she should be looking for. What would a wire even connect to? If it was some kind of antenna, then it should’ve been visible from anywhere around here. Which meant that it had been taken for scrap long ago. Either by the people who used the facility or by others looking to gather material to make a life here. So, what would be left?

Another few minutes of searching found the pair on hands and knees crawling in an ever-widening circle. Searching for something, anything!

“Ah-ha!”

Juniper’s head shot up and she found Lily hunched over a few feet away, looking down at something. “What is it?"

“Come here and look for yourself.” 

Juniper wasted no time crawling over and gazing upon a broken concrete pad half buried in the dirt. “Oh, what is this?”

“Look here,” Lily raised her hand and pointed to a hole in one corner. Then moved it and indicated another. “Bolt holes, if I had to guess. A place to secure something to the pad. Like an antenna, maybe?"

“That’s what I was thinking,” Juniper nodded in agreement before reaching towards one of the holes and poking her finger inside. “I’m assuming whatever was here is long gone now.”

“Definitely.” Lily sighed and then sat back on her butt. “I guess it would be too much to expect some answers that easily, huh?”

“Considering what I’ve come to learn about what it takes to live here...yes, that is too easy.”

“Yeah, figures...” 

The two fell into silent contemplation then, while their eyes remained on the slab. Eventually, Juniper rose and brushed off her knees, removing some of the grass that clung to them. “Well, we have an answer of sorts. Kind of. Either way, staring at this isn’t going to do anything for us. Come one.” She extended a hand and then waited for Lily to take it. When she did, Juniper helped pull her up but kept hold of the hand.

“Where are we going?” 

“To gawk." And out of this fucking grass. 

Lily chuckled but otherwise let herself be led along. When the two reached a suitable place along the cliff’s edge, Juniper released Lily's hand and sat down before patting the space beside her. “Sit with me?"

"Of course. Lily did as she was asked and soon two pairs of feet dangled over the edge while their eyes roamed over the scene below. It was quite a different scene when compared to when they left or when they had observed when they first arrived. One of the sheets from the bed was currently floating about fifteen feet in the air, kept up and spinning by a particularly skilled Katress.

Under it stood Vesta with her head tilted back, launching a flame towards the sheet’s center. Aurora and Flora watched on from the side, the former cheering and clapping and the latter shaking her head with her hands on her hips.

“That has to be the most creative dryer I’ve ever seen…” Lily’s remark, as much as the display, had Juniper bursting into laughter. Quickly followed by Lily herself. 

“Right? I mean…points for creativity, I guess.” As Juniper settled, she shook her head before her eyes settled on Mist. “Your Pal is quite remarkable. I can’t even imagine what her true power looks like. Beyond making things float, of course.”

“You have no idea. It still terrifies me sometimes.” 

“Really? That sounds very intense.”

“Very. You should think about getting a more powerful Pal too. I normally wouldn’t recommend that for a newbie but you’re in a whole other league, Juniper.” 

“You think so?” Juniper turned her head and looked over, finding Lily’s gaze in time to see her nod.

“Yes. This world is dangerous, it would do you and yours good to have something like a Katress around. That or a gun.”

Naturally, Juniper smiled at the compliment, only for it to fade a moment later at the mention of the weapon. “You know how I feel about those, Lily.”

“I know but you have to be ready to protect yourself.” 

“From what? Pals? Other Humans?”

Lily didn’t answer right away and Juniper could tell she was struggling internally with how to answer. Was she going to tell Juniper what happened? “Both, honestly. Though, around here, you shouldn’t need to worry about Pals. They’re pretty docile unless provoked.” 

"People, then?” 

Again, a pause. However, it didn’t last as long this second time. “Not everyone is as kind as me.” So, she wouldn’t be telling Juniper, then. That was alright. It might take some time but she would be patient. 

“Or,” Juniper started and took the opportunity to scoot toward Lily. Once she got close enough, she bumped the woman’s shoulder with her own and flashed her a warm smile. “I could just keep you around and have you scare everyone away.” 

“Is that right?” Lily turned her head and looked down towards where all the Pals had moved on to the wool blanket, performing the same odd ritual to get it dry as well. “We going to build a white picket fence too? Take care of our little Pal family?” Lily shook her head then and brought her attention back to Juniper. “Sorry, darlin’. That just ain’t me.” Those last words were said with an exaggerated accent that reminded Juniper of a stereotypical rancher, which helped soften the words. But they didn’t need to be. Juniper didn’t actually expect Lily to go along with her idea. 

“No. I would never expect that of you, Lily. Or deprive others of your help.” Again, Juniper moved closer and tilted her head so their eyes remained fixed. "Instead, I'll have to make it so you want to come visit me all the time."

Lily's head tilted to match and a mischievous smile kicked up on her lips. "Oh yeah? How are you going to accomplish that?"

"I have a few ideas..." What exactly they were was left unsaid, and would remain so as Juniper finally closed the remaining distance between them and pressed her lips to Lily's neck. She left a soft kiss there and slowly moved to another spot before doing the same.

Lily didn't speak, only let her head fall back and to the side, away from Juniper so more of her neck was exposed. Juniper took this as an invitation and continued to heap affection upon her newfound friend. When her lips came up near an ear, Juniper paused and dropped her voice low. "Does this answer your question?"

"Yes..."

Juniper smiled at the answer and shifted her body so she could line up for a proper kiss. Her progress was slow, almost painstakingly so. She wanted to draw out this moment as long as she could stand. Both to make her irresistible to Lily and to have a little fun at her expense. A little payback wouldn't hurt. Her nose brushed past Lily's, lingering and using it to position the other woman's head just right. 

Finally, their lips locked together in a tender kiss. Followed by another, and another. Juniper didn’t increase the tempo of it yet. She simply enjoyed the more affectionate pecks and the warmth that bloomed in her chest. Sadly though, there wouldn’t be an opportunity for anything to escalate. 

Not even a minute later, the pair heard a few “Oo's” and “Ah’s” from down below. When they separated and looked to see who was responsible for the cat-calling, they found all four Pals looking back up at them from below.

“Jeeze, get a room!” Flora yelled, causing all of them to chuckle where they stood. 

“What do you think we’re waiting for? Finish up those blankets!” Juniper yelled back playfully before standing up. After wiping off her shorts, she looked down and offered her hand to Lily, who took it and stood up beside her. “Come on, let’s get back. Work first, play later.”There was always work to be done.

Following Lily’s nod of agreement, Juniper stepped off and led them all the way back down to the shack. They found the blankets blowing in the wind when they returned, almost dry already. Good, at least they wouldn’t be sleeping on a bare mattress tonight. Speaking of which, that could no doubt use a good dusting too. Most of the furniture could probably use it. Well, you know what they say, more hands make less work!

Once they were all gathered again, Juniper put her hands on her hips and eyed them each in turn. “Alright ladies,” she began and then pointed at the entranceway of the underground facility with a finger. “Everyone into my hole!” Five sets of eyes rolled back amongst a chorus of sighs. Lily even blew a raspberry and then turned to start walking away. She only made it a few steps before Juniper caught her arm and started dragging her towards the door. “Uh-uh, you too. The sooner we start, the sooner we’re done.” 

“Who says I have to help?”

“You would defy Miss Juniper? A bold plan.”

Again, Lily shook her head before letting herself be pulled along. “You are ridiculous. You know that right?”

“I do, yes.” 

Without any further argument, all six of them made their way into the dim hideaway and immediately began work in earnest. This time cleaning was made easier by the fact that Lily had a few rags to use. Combined with the water, it was just what they needed to at least get the dust off most surfaces. The furniture from the shack was also brought over and the couch cushions and pillows were soundly beaten and fluffed.

About halfway through the slog, Lily came to Juniper with Mist at her side and announced she would be going out to fetch dinner for everyone. Juniper didn’t know what they would be able to scrounge up but the prospect of something other than berries already had her mouthwatering. Her, Aurora, Vesta, and Flora all continued cleaning and managed to finish up before Lily and Mist returned. At least to Juniper's liking. So, they headed back outside and set about walking, talking, and gathering firewood. Vesta wondered why such a thing was necessary but Juniper explained it was more about camaraderie than utility at this point. Sometimes it was nice to sit around a fire with your friends. 

When Lily and Mist returned, Juniper and her Pals excitedly ran to greet them. "Got some Chikipi eggs for dinner along with a fish,” Lily announced before lifting her arms a few inches higher. “Taking Mist along is pretty much cheating."

"I'll say..." Juniper continued to marvel at the size of the catch and turned to Vesta ready to comment. However, her lips remained shut once she saw what looked like a sour look on her face. Instead, she moved to the Foxparks side and brought an arm up to lay across her shoulders, pulling the Pal close and causing her to look up and meet Juniper’s gaze. 

“Think you can cook all that?”

Vesta hesitated only a moment but started nodding her head vigorously. “I definitely can!”

“Good girl, I knew I could count on you.” Juniper followed her words by bringing a hand up and rustling the red hair atop Vesta’s head. When her eyes found Lily’s again, she noticed she’d been watching the little interaction with a smile on her face. 

Subsequently, Lily nodded in the direction of the shack and began walking once more. “Alright, let’s get this cooked!” Of course, such a declaration was met with cheers all around. On their way over, Juniper tried to offer to prep the meal since Lily had done the hard work of going out and getting it. However, Lily insisted and only asked that some kind of cooking area be set aside for her. Now that they no longer needed to live in the shack, Juniper offered the counter inside. No need to worry about the lingering smell of fish while trying to go to sleep.

After leaving Lily and Mist to it, Juniper and her Pals spent the next few minutes cleaning up the area around the fire pit and retrieving the chairs and sleeping bag so there was plenty of seating. Lily soon emerged with the eggs, some large fish fillets, and a medium-sized cast-iron skillet. That last item caught Juniper’s attention more than the food. 

“Wait a minute, where did you get that?” It certainly didn’t wash up on the beach and looked somewhat crude, but still functional. It only needed to cook food, after all. 

“This?” Lily raised the pan up and spun it around in her hand. “In my bag.”

“No,” Juniper blew out a puff of air in amusement and rolled her eyes. “Before that, dummy.”

A wide smile settled on Lily’s lips before she set down by the small fire that had been started while the Juniper waited. “Traded for it. This was actually made here on the island, believe it or not.”

“Really?” In addition to the question, it was also clear from Juniper’s face that she was skeptical. “Here?” 

“Oh yeah, these islands have resources just like any other place. An abundance of them, if anything. I told you; Pals are powerful and it was only a matter of time before people who knew how to make this kind of stuff washed up. Put those two things together and you get some vestige of civilization.” Lily continued to prep as she spoke and Juniper eventually settled on the sleeping bag before falling silent. She didn’t know much about what it took to go from ore in the ground to a frying pan in a hand, but it all seemed impressive nonetheless. 

Now that the cooking began, everyone similarly gathered around Lily and started to talk and share stories. The food smelled wonderful and Juniper spent the next few minutes listening and telling entertaining tales of little consequence. Lily cooked some of the fish first and then used the oil to help make a large omelet. Every time something was finished, it was placed on a plank of wood and passed around for everyone to take a bite. Whereupon it was sent back to Lily who took a bite and started the process anew with the next batch.

In this moment, it was easy for Juniper to forget her troubles. In fact, it was hard to remember they even plagued her at all. She didn't feel like she was stranded on an island far from home, trying to figure out how to even get enough food to eat every day. Instead, it felt like she was on a camping trip with friends, sitting around a fire and enjoying their time together. She laughed freely, ate good food, flirted endlessly, and felt at peace for the first time since she’d arrived. All that was missing were a few cold beers and she never would’ve been able to tell the difference. Even with a Lamball’s head lying on her lap or a Foxparks blowing flames beneath a pan. Yeah, this wasn’t so bad.