Chapter 6: Jrum spat out a mouthful of sand and resumed staring. “Who?” She rolled her eyes. “I already *told* you, I’m Iris. Though I suppose your ‘ickle adworable bwain’ cannot hold such vast information,” He bristled. “Gosh, calm down! I was joking, okay? But now you know who I am-“ Jrum really didn’t but kept his mouth shut “-who are you? And wh-“ she stopped herself, fidgeting with one of the many bracelets adorning her arm. “Anyway, at least tell me your name.” “I’m- I’m Jrumbot.” Smirking, she gave him an unimpressed glance. “What sort of name is *Jrumbot*?” Defensive at once, he opened his mouth to make some clever retort, already disliking this Iris, but bit it back. He had to at least stay polite, even if *some people* wouldn’t. After all he was talking to this complete stranger. “Why are you here?” Jrum asked instead (which wasn’t exactly polite but better than nothing). “wHy Am i hERe?” she put on a whiny voice, laughing, “Seriously?” Jrum grit his teeth. What was her problem? Perhaps catching his expression, she sighed, looking at her feet. “Ugh, I’m not very good at these things, am I?” “You’re avoiding my question. Why are you here?” “You- You wouldn’t believe it if I told you.” “Try me.” Against her will, a small smile spread across her face. Seeming to realise it, she scowled. “Alright. I will.” She cleared her throat dramatically. “Well – this sounds stupid – I’ve had these… Dreams… Nightmares? Visions? I don’t know what to call them. And… Well… You were in them.” Jrum stared at her, shaking his head. She shuffled her feet. “This is ridiculous- But yes. They sorta… Led me to you? Wow this sounds way worse out loud. You must think I’m crazy or something. Um… Maybe this will help.” She pulled out a slender, golden locket. Eyes widening, he pulled out his own. They were identical. “What… What does this mean?” Iris started to say something, but changed course at the last second. “How am I supposed to know?” Jrum paused, staring at her locket. It seemed to glow a ghostly silver, almost trembling slightly in her outstretched hand. “What’s inside your locket?” he asked before he could stop himself. Jumping, she snatched it back, holding it protectively against her chest. “Nothing.” She glared at him. “And even if there were, it’s *none of your business*.” That only added to Jrum’s growing pile of curiosity. As much as he disliked her, he had this strange, gut feeling that she held the answers he needed. He hoped it was right. After all, it had been wrong before… “Look. What do you want?” “I- I could ask you the same thing.” “This is not the time for games.” He clenched his trembling fists, letting the spark of anger ignite. “My parents are missing, and I-“ Jrum ceased at the surprised look on Iris’s face. There was something else there too, something he couldn’t quite read… And then it vanished. Perhaps he had imagined it. “Yours… Yours are gone too?” she whispered. He pretended not to notice the way her hands shook, and nodded. “So, your parents are also missing…” “I wouldn’t call him my parent.” She mumbled, suddenly finding her sleeve very interesting. “More like my creator. It just feels weird, I mean, to call him that after he-“ She stopped. “Oh.” Jrum wished he could say something else, piece together words that might actually help. But as usual, his brain refused to cooperate. They stood there for a while, each not meeting th other’s eyes. “I-can-help-you.” The words tumbled out of her mouth, and Jrum looked up to see her just as surprised as he felt. She scowled. “But it’s not free. I help you, you help me.” “Help you do what? Find your p- I mean creator?” If possible, she scowled even more, turning away. “Why would I want to find *him*? No what about a favour? An IOU?” He blew out a breath. Her creator must have done something really awful for her to talk about him like that. “Sure. Deal.” Jrum reckoned he was going to regret this later, but if it could help them… “Oh I can’t wait to use this!” Turning back to face him, she smirked. “But I’ll save it. For *later*.” The mischievous glint in her eye did not help his nerves. “Okay. Where do we start?” Jrum asked, plopping himself down next to her. “Well we’ve got to find who’s taken them.” “Who? So you also think they were kidnapped?” “Yes. I do.” She closed her eye. Then snapped it open again. “Wait,” she laughed mirthlessly, “You’ve forgotten to tell me one crucial detail. Who are your parents?” He could have smacked himself. “Grian and Mumbo Jumbo. They’re one of those Hermits.” Iris froze. “Did you say… Mumbo?” Jrum nodded. Shutting her eye again, she flopped down onto the sand, listening to the wind’s whispers. “I should get back.” He said after a while, breaking the silence. “Scar will be worried.” She just nodded absently, gesturing for him to go. Before he left, he turned and bit his lip. “So where can I find you? When?”
(Continued from instuructions, read that bit first!) | | | | \/ She gave a half-smile. “I’m staying here for now. I’ve got to think through some stuff, you know? We’ll meet tomorrow?” “No. Sooner. We’ve got to find them! And quickly.” Jrum clutched his locket, absentmindedly tracing over the strange runes engraved on its gleaming surface with a finger. “Then 7pm sharp tonight. Don’t bother about sneaking out, I doubt you’ll be able to pull it off. I’ll find you.” Deciding to ignore the insult, he opened his mouth to ask exactly how she was going to do that, but closed it again. That wasn’t important as of now. “Then goodbye ickle Jwumbot!” Iris called mockingly after him, “I’ll see you soon!” ______________________________________________________________________________________ Previous - https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/485721795 First - https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/467888420 Next - https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/499620627 ______________________________________________________________________________________Notes: Aaa sorry for taking so long to write this- I kept putting it off- But it's here now and that's better than nothing I guess I keep forgetting that Iris only has one eye lol :000 she has agreed to help! Jrum doesn't know who her creator is yet I wonder if she will tell him And what do you think she's going to do with that IOU? What's inside her locket? Oooo I wonder who's behind all this kidnapping stuff >:D Wow that's a lot of questions lol "Ickle Jwumbot" Hhh I don’t really like the thumb but oh well-
