Chapter 15: The Nopon/Frontier Village

We entered the village and I couldn't believe what I saw inside besides the colorful Nopon all around. Besides more wooden platforms in the center of it all was more beauty of this place. It made me feel like I was home-

Home… Earth is my home, not here…

My voice sub-consciousness brought me back to the dark feeling I've suppressed. The thought of being stuck here forever and never returning home. It made me feel sick to the stomach. Home sick more likely.

"Hom Hom!" a Nopon cried out.

Out of my own mind, I found that all the Nopon were clustered around us, excitement filling their voices.

"Hom here, Hom here!"

"Hom who, Hom who?"

"Hom Hom everywhere!"

"Me want touch Hom Hom!"

"Me want nibble Hom Hom!"

"Hom Hom taste—!" The Nopon spat.

"Hom Hom scary!"

If everybody else was confused as to how they would take all the attention, I just accepted it and moved on. However, I did catch a strange look from Melia looking directly at me, as if observing me. It didn't last long, as she stepped before us unfazed by the Nopon around us.

"Nopon of Frontier Village! Melia Antiqua has returned. I request an audience with your chief," she raised her voice, saying, "Chief, will you hear my request?"

Anti-water? At least learning some Latin makes things like this very funny…

"Melia here!" one Nopon exclaimed.

"Bird Lady here!"

"Melia back!"

"Bird Lady back!"

I noticed that Shulk caught on of Melia being called Bird Lady, but I didn't wish to bring it up right now. We followed the Nopon clustered around us as they led us to their chief. I was focused on the beauty of this place and how well kept it was. I was the only who actually started to smile and chuckle at them, giving them praise for their home and they were so happy with just my simply kindness gave to them. Back on Earth, I hated being the center of attention, but here, I didn't take it too serious as everybody else but Samuel and Melia were confused about all the attention.

Inside of this place was breath-taking for a girl like me. The hollow inside was lit by endless amount of lamps not quite as bright as ether. Many rope bridges and wooden bridges were overhead and below them all on our level was a pool was water in the center of everything. In front of the pool was the chief Melia wished to speak to.

This one was different than the rest and he had to be the chief just by his appearance alone. His main fur was grey with his tall hair and beard falling to the ground were a rosy color. Nothing had to be said about his attire, clearly marking his status as their chief for all to see.

"My dear Melia, it's good to see you again so soon," he spoke just like an elder would, but not in the normal Nopon manner, "And you look so well."

Melia bowed her head, showing respect to the elder before I noticed how close Samuel was to her.

"And you as well Samuel."

Samuel mimicked Melia's gesture.

"And what of the other men?"

"They are at one with the Bionis," Samuel replied, not looking up to the chief/ "They sacrificed their lives so that Lady Melia and I could escape safely."

Melia looked up, firm as ever.

"But this is not our reason for coming," Melia spoke firmly, masking her sadness as she gestured towards us, "These Homs need your help. Will you be so kind as to listen to their request?"

"What could a Hom Hom need of me?" the chief Nopon asked.

"They require safe passage to Eryth Sea." Samuel looked up.

The chief Nopon chuckled. "I see no reason to deny them. And Melia, Samuel, what of you?"

"We have unfinished business in this region," Samuel then glanced to Melia.

"Once these Homs are safely on their way, we shall be on ours as well." Melia finished.

I watched as Melia walked over with Samuel after her. He looked back at me for a second before following Melia again. Sharla folded her arms as she faced us.

"That girl... Something's troubling her," Sharla said.

"And Samuel seems to being hiding something as well," Reyn thought aloud.

"We found her half-dead and with Samuel's condition not to great as hers," Dunban pointed out. "But I don't suppose they'll tell us the reason any time soon."

"Maybe we can help," Shulk suggested. "I'll go and talk to her."

"No Shulk, I don't think that's the best course of action," I disagreed with him, "Even if it's the best thing to do right now, bothering them about it might give them the wrong impression of us." My stomach growled as I finished me statement. "And… I think we need to attend to our own problems before helping theirs…"

Just then, I felt somebody touch my head and turning around, I found myself looking down at the Nopon Chief, who looked so happy.

"Friends of Melia! I welcome you to Frontier Village! I am Chief Dunga. You are our guests now. Is there anything you need?" I was a bit startled by him asking me of all people, but I tried to remain calm.

"Um…" I fumbled with words before glancing back at the others, "You guys want some rest and food?"

"Yeah, do you not want some rest?" Reyn asked me.

"Excuse me, Reyn, but I'd like to also bathe first and foremost; I smell gross. If you want go ahead and eat with the others. While you dine with that filth upon you, I'll be taking a nice bath before I had my meal."

"I second that," Sharla looked over at Reyn, "As hungry as I am, a bath would be very nice. We haven't had the proper chance to even wash ourselves."

"So are we going to eat?" Reyn asked and I ignored his thick-headed skull.

After that light-hearted moment, I was led by a Nopon to a secluded pool within the tree. Honestly, it felt weird to bathe outside a bathroom, but I had to make due with what I had available. A towel and bar of soap was resting by the pool. So they did have soap here, but no running shower or waterfall? Well, at least I can bathe in peace. I took no notice of the Nopon behind me as I removed the Junk Sword taking very careful note of my wounds still visible. Once I got that off, I placed them by the pool before I looked back to see the Nopon standing there, as if waiting for something.

"…Do you need something?" I asked, a bit concern as I place Telaensis by the towel for the time being.

"Hom Hom get clean in pool!" the Nopon said. "Hom Hom give us clothes to make new ones as guests!"

"Oh… is that so? Then, I guess I'll give them once I'm done."

I wasn't comfortable with stripping fully, but then again none of the boys were here. After taking time to strip, I handed off my clothing before submerging myself into the pool. However, I forgot how chilly the water could be, causing me to swim up to get air. The water chilly nature relaxed my body as I took a deep breath, feeling all the filth being washed away. My eyes widen noticing that my bandages were still on. They were all soaked up now; good job me.

"Great, just wait I need…" I grumbled, taking them off, "Sharla's not going to be happy about this…"

Removing them both, I found that the scars had fully formed and only numbing pains were present mainly on the one damaged by Monado Purge. It felt weird when I traced the scars, recalling the pain of that one art doing to my body. None of the other arts used did damage to me, which was oddly enough the one Shulk used when we were alone, away from the group.

"Monado Purge…Purge," I thought aloud to myself, letting myself sink up to just my shoulders, "That's like getting rid of something like monsters, but am I a monster then? A Telethia?"

I shook my head, letting my damp head fall over my face.

"No, that can't be right. If that was so, I'd take another form, not this one. I'm a Homs here, not an Outsider. I need… to tell Shulk and Reyn that soon… Let's hope they'll accept it like Dunban and Sharla did."

I rested in the pool for some time, deep in my thoughts before washing myself with the soap. During that time, I took notice of my hair, which had grown to be just halfway down my back. It made me smile, thinking back to how when I was younger, I'd wear my hair in two big pigtails. Now however, I prefer short hair as I grew up. It got me thinking about if I were to stay here, how should I have my hair styled? Emerging from the pool, I noticed that by the Junk Sword were clothes resting there for me. Wrapping the towel around me, I looked at the clothing and by it was a note, one that seemed to be written hastily.

Dear Neetz,

Here, I got you some clothes. It's not the best for a beauty flower like you, but it was best that I could manage. If I happened to come across more comfortable attire for your stay here, I'll give it to you. As for right now, just take these clothes.

Of course, I raised an eyebrow about who would have exactly written this, but then it clicked in my mind.

Is one of them… an Outsider like myself?

I looked at my clothes, looking very carefully at how they look…tribally? I really can't describe it, but it was a mix-match of things that would be considered pre-imperial Indian of African clothing back home. Since I had nothing else to wear, I dawned the clothing given to me and looked at myself in the pool, making sure that this was on right.

It wasn't my favorite clothing, but t least this one had some modesty along with it. Hell, it even came with accessories and I'd take them as souvenirs if I could back home. Firstly, I had a tank-top on, but it did reveal my stomach which I was questioning as to why it was needed. With the hot forest air, I couldn't complain as I tried my best to get adjusted to the new clothing. I was happy that I had shorts, even though they were short and hidden under a long skirt reaching just below my knees. The clothing was made out of scraps of cloth, animal furs and whatever else they could find. It did nothing to hide my scar however, so I was bit hesitant to go outside without them on.

I grabbed the Junk Sword and its sheath and placed it around my waist, finding it more comfortable around my waist. The bracelet still rested on my wrist; the only connection I had to summoning Telaensis. Alvis crept for only a second into my mind before I shoved it away. I needed to focus on that later, but I know that the others would be waiting for me outside. Looking one last time into the pool, I pushed my hand into my thick hair, thinking about how I should style it. Thinking as to how my hair looked right now, my discussion was clear enough. Grabbing my sword, I closed my eyes.

"If I'm going to be here for some time… I'm going to look the part."