As the herd began to march onwards, Noah walked to the back to find Aladar and the others. She passed by the bulls from before; by now, the one's injury had stopped bleeding. When she walked by them, sparing them a single glance, they all grinned and bobbed their heads.
Sneering, she swung her hip to the side and trotted faster until she reached the back of the herd.
Eema, Baylene, and Url were still plodding along. The lemurs were sitting on top of Eema's frill. "Hey, sleepyhead," Yar greeted.
She nuzzled him before taking her place next to Aladar, who was keeping pace with the others. "You okay?" he asked.
"I'm fine."
"Are you sure? You look-"
"-I don't want to talk about it!"
"Do you think you're the only one dealing with nightmares?" Aladar suddenly shouted, startling her. But the others didn't seem very surprised by his outburst. "I was right beside you when we lost our home and most of our family! I keep seeing it." His voice calmed, and his face turned to a haunted expression. "I dream of our island getting destroyed all over again. I can hear the lemurs, but I can't find them. And you... the fossas managed to kill you... and tossed you into the ocean and coral..."
"... I'm running from the falling stars," Noah said quietly. "Every time a star lands, it turns into a lemur or herd-member. And then, I see smokey shapes of fossas and raptors. When I look back... I see the island getting swallowed up by the smoke and fire." She decided to leave out the shadows turning into the shapes of Kron and Bruton, and her falling into the coral-filled ocean.
"I know I don't always show it. But I... I feel sad, lost, and confused too. I have our family... but I need my slowpoke of a sister too."
She smiled, even as tears fell down her face. "I guess I need you too, numbskull." She pushed her head under his chin.
He laughed as he nuzzled the side of his head against hers. "Us slowpokes and numbskulls stick together, right?"
"Right." Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Suri and Zini inch along Eema's frill towards the twins. She stretched her neck out, Eema leaned her head over, and all four of the lemurs jumped onto her head; Plio and Zini crossed over to Aladar. "The nightmares weren't what I was upset about this time, though."
"Then, what's on your mind, honey?" Eema asked.
"When I woke up, there were these three bulls standing around me. They seemed... excited that you were just my brother. And they began fighting... I think over me? A-and they were also strutting." She began to exaggeratingly strut and bob her head. Suri giggled as Noah's head jerked forwards and back, like it was a fun ride.
"That's weird," Aladar remarked, raising an eyebrow. "Why would they do that?"
"They were tryin' to impress you," Eema explained, "all that fightin' and struttin' along. You are the first new girl they've seen in a while."
"Hmph. Well, it didn't impress me at all. And they just wouldn't leave me alone! Even when I tried to sneak away, and when I screamed at them."
Baylene scoffed in disgust. "Such rude behavior towards a lady! Back in my day, it was quite uncouth for a boy to keep pestering a girl when she said no."
"It took Bruton telling them off to finally get them to leave."
"Bruton?" Aladar asked in surprise. "Why would he help you?"
"I don't know. He's helped me before." She told them all about when he attempted to help her up the dune, only for her to hit him with her tail, and how he had indeed convinced Kron to allow the herd to take a break due to her sleepwalking. "And all I've done is be rude to him," she said solemnly.
"I wouldn't be too hard on yourself. He might be doin' all that for a reason," Eema said with an ominous tone.
Baylene nodded. "Don't let yourself be alone with him. And if he tries anything, hit him again!"
"Maybe he likes her," Suri suggested.
"Yeah, I mean, he did chase away those guys," Zini added.
"I agree with Eema and Baylene," Yar said with a sour expression. "He's never showed that kind of kindness to anyone. Why treat Noah with respect all of a sudden? She's right." He patted Noah's head. "If he starts acting funny around you again, don't hesitate!"
"I'll be fine, Grandpa," she chuckled, rolling her eyes. "I know how to handle myself."
"What do you think, Aladar?" Plio asked.
He hummed in thought. "Yeah, the guy hasn't been very friendly with any of us. But he did ask Kron to let the herd take a break. He didn't have to do that, especially for Noah's sake. Maybe there's more to him than what's on the surface."
Yar humphed. "Let's talk about something else," Plio suggested. "Noah, you said you made some new friends?"
"Yes, I did! Two Parasaurs, named Paka and Chastain. Paka was the one who told me all the herd's species names. And Chastain is expecting eggs."
"Ohh, I can't wait to see all the little ones," Plio sighed. "It felt like it was only yesterday you and Aladar were tiny enough that I could cradle you both in my arms."
"Well, Aladar caught the eye of a girl," Zini teased. "Maybe there'll be little Aladars and Neeras running around."
"Neera? Kron's sister?" Noah asked. "You got her attention?"
"Well, kinda." Aladar glared up at Zini. "Thanks to him."
She shook her head with a sigh. "What did he do?"
"Hey, I was trying to help!" Zini protested, holding up his hands. "Y'know, a little advice from the love monkey."
Noah pretended to retch. "Never call yourself that again." She turned back to Aladar. "What happened?"
He grimaced, looking like he was regretting recalling the memory. "She called me a 'jerkasaurus'."
"I warned ya, didn't I?"
Noah shushed Eema turning back to Aladar. "I'm sorry. There might be a few single girls in the herd, if that's what you really want."
"Maybe," he responded, sounding distracted.
"You'll find someone, sweetie," Plio soothed.
"You can't just go with the first pair of pretty eyes you see," Yar said.
"Any girl would be lucky to have you. Now, Noah, tell us more about Paka and Chastain."
Noah repeated the sentiments to herself: I'll find someone. Any guy would be lucky to have me... just as long as it's not one of those three strutting fools. The idea that they were the first to try and catch her eye made her almost want to not find anyone at all. Almost.
A/N We kinda don't see that much in a lot of stuff, people talking out their frustrations and explaining why they're in such a bad mood. It's usually brushed off and gone back to the status quo, like nothing happened, and nothing is changed, gained, or lost. That's why I thought it was really important to show Aladar not only calling Noah out for being a brat, but showing that he's also traumatized from losing their home. And finally, them both coming together and coming out stronger. They ARE twins after all, and twins are usually portrayed as having a deep connection as siblings.
This is the last chapter before we're back in movie territory. If you're keeping up with the timeline, then you have a good idea of what's coming up next.