Yuna POV

As I begin to wake up, I'm suddenly aware of just how uncomfortable hard the pillow under my head is. To my confusion as I turn to try and adjust the pillow, I find that it's not in fact a pillow. Ok think, what happened? Last thing I remember was being sent out to investigate rooms of goblins in the area. I'd rather just open up a clinic in the city, but Vivi was always craving adventure and I wasn't about to let her face it alone. Besides, you need experience to be a good healer and money to open a clinic. Two things she is fond of reminding me. So, we managed to locate a goblin village deep in the Asclepius woods. Fortunately, the two new party members we picked up had enough sense to not go charging in recklessly. We had decided to slip away quietly and report what we found. Unfortunately, we didn't get the chance as we were ambushed after barely making it half a kilometer. We managed to get out of it by ... by? My eyes shoot open and begin darting around as I spring up into a kneeling position suddenly remembering that I don't remember getting out of it!

I don't see any goblins thankfully. No enemies nearby is good news. Now where is everyone else. Looking around I spot Mark standing on a giant rock doing his best to keep watch and not fall asleep. After a bit more searching, I notice Vivi leaning against the rock not far from where I woke up sound asleep. Harold was laying not far away exactly where he was last night when I was ... trying to heal him. That realization sends another jolt of panic through my body as I rush over to check his stats. Thankfully he's fine. In fact, he seems to have regenerated a little bit on his own last night. I remember him being much closer to deaths door. It was all I could do to keep him from losing any more health thanks to that bleed effect.

The bleed effect seems to be gone thankfully. Now that my mind is clearing, I'm starting to recall more and more. One of those things I distinctly remember is the relief I felt watching the bleed effect slowly blink out. I don't think I could have poured enough healing magic into him to overpower the bleed effect if it wasn't for ... Taking a closer look at the giant rock my sudden suspicions are confirmed. It not a rock but a giant turtle shell. Looking closer I can see the turtle's head is resting on top of Barry's arm. Running my hand along its neck I can feel the healing aura radiating off of it.

Apparently sensing my touch, the turtle opens its eyes and slowly lifts its head before turning to look at me. As I gaze into its eyes, I suddenly realize that I know this turtle. Sure, it was much smaller then and in pretty bad shape as I recall, but it's definitely the same creature. I remember because I spent a total of a day and a half in the library trying to figure out what it was. Looking into its eyes I can tell it's not just the same species but is in fact the same creature. Not only that but I can also see intelligence and ... is that ... recognition? It knows me. Does it remember that I'm the one who healed it?

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Thomas POV

It took me a while to get to sleep. Not just because of the guy walking around on my shell, but also because sleeping with my neck expended just felt wrong. I mean it is weird that he decided to use me as a perch to keep watch, but after having a bunch of kids climbing on me I kinda got used to it. The next thing I know I feel something rubbing against my neck. Normally such a thing would have set off all kinds of alarm bells, but I doubt twitchy on my shell up there would let anything dangerous get that close. Not without making a racket anyway. Focusing on the sensation I realize it's a hand.

Opening my eyes I see the healer standing next to me. She must have woken up at some point. Ever so slowly, so as not to scare her, I lift my head and turn it to get a better look at her. Checking her stats to verify she is ok I smile internally. To be fair I would also smile externally if I could. Either way the smile seems to translate somehow as I can see her visibly relax. She continues to stroke my neck as I look over everyone's stats. I still don't like being petted but this time I'll make an exception. Besides have more important things to consider at the moment. For example, I somehow gained another 37 experience last night.

A quick check of everyone's stats shows that they've all healed slightly since yesterday. I guess I don't get notifications when I'm asleep. Also, I could definitely get used to a steady stream of experience like this.

Eventually the other woman wakes up and after a brief conversation the healer and old twitchy help her climb up on my shell. then the healer goes over to sleeping beauty and begins healing him some more. Eventually getting him at least healed enough to climb up on my shoulder as well. After another much longer conversation this time she looks at me and says ... something. I still don't speak whatever language that is. I understand when she points in the general direction of the city though.

Standing up slowly, so as not to cause anyone to fall off, I turn and start walking in that direction. Then I suddenly stop. Why should the healer be the only one who doesn't get to ride. Besides this is a perfect way to test my earth manipulation skill. She looks confused at first, probably wondering why I stopped. That confusion slowly gives way to realization as I use my earth manipulation skill to lift the ground and create a set of stairs leading up to my shell. After that I resume walking towards the city. I could run but I'm still not used to having cargo. Plus, there isn't that much room up there so any sudden movement will most likely cause someone to fall off.