Chapter 5: Communication

Aquamarine

The room I entered was thick with dried plants, the floor buried in leaves, needles, and dying foliage. A small but brilliant orb of light hung over the wooden pedestal a green gem stood atop of. A green mist rose from the gem as I entered, taking in the room that I could see the entirety of at once.

"What are you doing here?" a sagely and slow voice inquired. It's appearance was that of clear golden roots constantly growing and shriveling around a green light.

I answered in kind to his calm demeaner, "I figured it would be nice to meet the neighbor's" I shifted my focus from him back to the room around, "Looks like these guys could use some water." I said while focusing on the plants.

The old voice chuckled while saying, "Yes it seems they do, I have a nasty old habit of making these things even when they have nothing to drink." their voice grows somber as they continue, "I know I have doomed them to such an awful fate, but seeing them seems to soothe my addled mind. It probably isn't worth it though, as seeing them die puts just as much stress on me as them not being here at all." Their shifting slows as they continue speaking and another much more despaired chuckle is heard.

I first try to conjure some water before offering to help, a small drop falling from my form as I do, "Well maybe I can do you a favor," I say as I spread my form out over the ceiling and summon forth drops of water. The process is much more draining than normal but I manage to call forth a decently sizable storm. I could swear the plants had turned greener by the time I finished.

"Oh thank you so very much, it brings a smile to my face to see these plants shine so brilliantly!" The core's voice stayed slow but was filled with energy, "What ever could I do for you in return?" the man inquires.

"Well once I add a pond to my room perhaps you can help decorate it with me." I offer with a pained voice. The pins and needles became unbearable after I watered those plants, I wanted nothing more than to go home.

"That sounds wonderful" I could practically see a second sun shining within the core as it spoke, "I'll be sure to think of some plants in the meantime."

"Good to hear, I'll be heading out now." I say, beginning to phase through the wall.

"Ok you have a good one now." The Sagely plant bids me farewell as it sinks back into its crystal. Spouts started to erupt from the ground as I leave.

Aquamarine

After resting within my crystal I decide to head out to my other next door neighbor, this time vowing not to offer anything to whoever I meet. I really don't want to deal with that level of discomfort for a decent amount of time. I phase through this door with little hesitation at all.

This time no mist rises from the core, the gem maintaining its glow and the mind within.

"Leave." a stoic and feminine voice emanates throughout my mind. Solid and unshakable, yet lacking any force.

"I would at least like to meet my neighbor before I do." I spoke, my voice flowing slowly and steadily. Still the core remains unchanged, the voice gone silent. I merely stay in place, waiting her out. To pass the time I shift my focus to the room. It's barren, aside from the tiny patches of dirt on the ground I find little else to look at. I pass the time counting the tiny stones scattered on the floor.

Both of us remain in the room in silence for a great amount of time before the a gray mist finally rises from the gemstone. The silence remains unbroken as neither of us are really too interested in speaking the first words.

Her mist had coalesced and became completely solid, it was as plain as the room she stayed in and I couldn't even see her core. The gray mist then retracted back into the gem, so I took my leave. A simple and simultaneous, "bye" between us fills the room.

Aquamarine

After checking back in at my chamber and failing to see the Humamanders I take the liberty of heading to a neighbor residing further away as I would hesitate to call my last interaction 'social'. I come across yet another set of double doors but... something feels off. The waves that surround me start to slow as I phase through. Frost fills the air and nips at the walls, the moisture in the air all but gone. All the water here resided in patches of white Ice along the many faces of the room. A creeping suspicion that I might join them if I stayed here any longer.

A menacing cloud of crystalized cold creeps from its crystal, carrying itself over to me. The shards of ice blowing around it only intensifying the pins and needles. Its cold voice cuts through my body as it speaks to me "Well, well, well. It looks like someone is frozen solid" I shivered as the words washed over me, chilling me to my very core, "Good, saves me the trouble" the voice continued, cutting deeper with each and every word.

I try to speak, but find myself unable to. the wave around me steady, then stop. I need to get rid of this thing as soon as possible.

"You may go now, I unfortunately am unable to do anything to you at this very moment." The white fog slowly wraps around my frozen form, "But do not worry, that will change very soon." I stays completely still as the ice parts from my surface, the pressure on me slowly releasing. I coolly retreated from the room to at least try and keep my dignity, but as soon as I was out of sight I sped back to my core and immediately filled the room with mist, but am unable to no matter how hard I try because of the rock wedged in the doorway.

Even though my chamber is warm, I'm still shivering.