Day: August 4, 2018

Back to the Lands of Fall

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Again, we wake up early because of a plane we need to catch. I’m the last one in the living room, as I was struggling to make the last of the omiscan antique knives fit into my luggage. The twins are already having breakfast, chatting about what they’ll tell their classmates about first.

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I have one last moment with Cléo while Cyril is in the bathroom, taking his daily hour-long shower.

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“I’ve always wanted to come here,” she tells me. “I didn’t expect it to be that overwhelming, but I loved it. Thanks for being the best guide.”

I’d like to tell her that it was my pleasure, but I’m just speechless — all I can do is hug her.

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And then, after a plane hop, here we are again. It feels odd to be wearing coats and jackets again. The change is sudden and sort of bleak.

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Our home has changed quite a bit while we were away, too.

Dancing Siblings

So what have we learned on our belomisian journeys?

First of all, to dance. We learned to dance — admittedly, some of us more than others. We also learned how to be a team, and how to know each other better. Funny how you can live with people from the day they were born and for the next fifteen years, yet still find so much to discover about them once you’re in the right situation.

Cyril, Cléo and I have always loved each other, but these few days in Selvadorada have helped us grow so much closer. It’s changed us in some ways, too.

The greatest victory of this trip isn’t the golden relics or the rare artifacts: it’s seeing my little brother, who was hesitant at first, get up from the couch and join us on our imaginary dancefloor. He let loose like I’d never seen him before — and we had so much fun together.

Studious Setting

The holidays are coming to an end, and Cléo suddenly remembers she had some homework to complete. Cyril has already finished it, so she spends her evenings working on it between two trips to the swimming pool.

In the meantime, I get a head-start on digging my discoveries out of their muddy coffins, then certifying their authenticity.

A Stroll in the Jungle

I’m not aiming for the temple this time — I just want to enjoy the jungle a little more before we have to go back home — and on the way, see if I can find a few more relics and artifacts to dig up and analyze. I intend to take every opportunity to build my collection of discoveries up!

Priorities

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In the early morning I head to the marketplace again. I know by now the poison takes a while to act, and I have to wait until some locals wake up anyway.

I ask one of the vendors if Sara is around. After all, I know for a fact she can cook up the antidote.

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But she’s not there. I’m starting to get worried now. I do, really need some help, and I don’t know whom to ask.

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The inn owner sees the spots on my body and intervenes. With a chuckle, she drops a glass full of green liquid in front of me.

“Drink it up,” she says. “And then come to the kitchen with me. If you’re going to keep getting yourself poisoned, you’d better learn how to cure yourself.”

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The taste is awful — and I didn’t know it yet, but it gets much worse when you know what’s in there.

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But at least, it works — and it works fast.

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After these high tension events, the twins go for a well-deserved nap.