"Mystical Homhom back!" A Nopon hopped up and down. "Bring heropon Riki, too!"
"They bring strange people, too! Strange people!"
"People made of metal! Mechon people!" Another Nopon spoke. "No realize Mechon people exist!"
"Want to taste Mechon people!" The first Nopon approached Linada, drooling a bit. "Must taste yummy."
"We're made of silicone, I doubt we'll be that tasty." Linada awkwardly pushed the Nopon away from her leg.
"Very much not tasty." Vanea added. "Could we, uh, be let in? Your heropon seems to be injured."
"Heropon Riki injured? Oh no!" A Nopon cleared the way and gestured for them to go into the village. "Take heropon to Chief Dunga, quick quick!"
Egil didn't have to be told twice, following Alvis as he tried to avoid stepping on these eggs. The only problem was, of course, he had no clue what Chief Dunga looked like. All these Nopon blended a bit thanks to being very much out of his line of sight. All he could remember was the top of heads…
But then he saw a larger-than-average Nopon, with quite the tall bit of hair. Egil had no words as he approached, waddling along like the rest. "Ah, heropon Riki has returned! Alvis as well!"
"Hello, Chief Dunga." He nodded. "It seems your heropon has been injured, I'm afraid."
"I see, I see…" This Dunga hummed, looking the group over. "What a strange group you have brought, Alvis."
"These are Machina, the people of the Mechonis. They have goals on the Bionis and I am guiding them." He explained quietly as Egil handed Riki over to the Nopon surrounding them. "It was only right we brought Riki back here, we decided."
"Heropon Riki seems to be very injured… Nopon wings need time to heal." Dunga grumbled a bit. "Homhom Alvis and machine friends! I ask you to wait!"
"Wait?" Vanea tilted her head to the side. "Why is that?"
"If our machine friends are travelling through the Bionis, the Nopon would be glad to help!" He raised his little arms above his head. "I will see who destiny calls to as the replacement heropon and send them along with you!"
Egil frowned. "There is no need for that-"
"No need to be humble, machine friend!" Dunga pat his leg. "It will take no time at all, and is the least we can do in return for your help!"
Egil made a face, but Alvis stepped in. "That sounds wonderful, thank you Chief Dunga. We'll show ourselves around for the time being, if that's alright."
"Of course, of course! Meet me at the altar when things are ready!"
"We will do that." He smiled a bit and grabbed Egil by the arm, leading him away with a hum, the others following after.
"What are you planning?" He hissed, eyes narrowing. "We don't need more people along for this."
"It could be useful." Alvis hummed. "Call it a bit of Seer intuition, if you will."
"I'm not sure I want to trust your intuition." Vanea sighed, shaking her head. "But I suppose you aren't open to argument?"
"There's no room to argue now, it would be rude to stop the Chief, don't you think?" Alvis gave them all a small smirk. "We should use this chance to look around, perhaps buy some better armour for Eryth Sea."
Egil huffed and pinched his cheek. "If I find out you're leading us on, there will be hell to pay."
He chuckled, not at all affected by the pinching. "Don't worry, I'm sure you'll thank me for this soon enough."
The group had made their way to the altar after a while, some new armour in their packs for later into the trip. Alvis still seemed totally sure this was going to be worth it, but… The Machina all shared a look, clearly not nearly as sold on all of this.
And now, watching the Nopon as Dunga began his introduction of whoever this "heropon" was… Well, the feelings about all of this just got worse.
"I introduce to you… The second heropon of the year!" His voice was booming. "Oka!"
From above, a Nopon dropped down on them. The Machina couldn't believe their eyes, though Alvis happily hummed, catching the little creature and putting her on the ground. She hopped about a bit before twirling to face them, arms and wings up in the air.
"Oka happy to help you all!"
The Machina stared at her as Alvis held out a hand and allowed her to shake it with a wing. "A pleasure to meet you, Oka. You seem to be quite the lively, young Nopon!"
"Oh, Homhom flatter Oka!" She moved around a bit. "Oka is wifeypon of Riki! Oka have thirty-six years!"
"Thirty-six…" Egil blinked a few times. "That is quite young as far as I know."
"Machine People lifespans must be very different from Nopon!" Oka nodded surely. "Oka is quite middle aged for Nopon! Only Homhom young!"
"I'm actually older than I look." Alvis placed a finger to his lips. "Though my exact age is a secret."
"Oh by the Mechonis…" Egil groaned. "Is Alvis a literal child? I feel he is a literal child."
"He is making it sound like that, yes…" Vanea frowned. "Alvis, are you sure you cannot tell us your age?"
"Simply know my maturity is on about the level of yours, alright?" He turned back to Oka, turning the conversation away from his age. "Tell me, would you like to say goodbye to your husband before we go?"
"Oh, yes! Oka would like one more night with hubbypon. Must tell him how to take care of our littlepons!" Oka looked to the Machina. "Is that alright with friends?"
"Well if Egil tries to say it isn't, Alvis will force him into saying it is." Linada sounded way too amused to Egil. "So I suppose it is, yes. As long as you can find a place for us to stay, of course."
"No problem! Machine friends very much large, but Oka can make something work out!"
Egil groaned, ignoring the smile Alvis was giving him. "Thank you, Oka."
