Liberi Reader

Rainforest's same as ever, huh.

It's been a really long time, hasn't it, Gavial?

Never liked this place. Air's stifling, and the ground gives too easy. Can't place a single firm step.

A lot of tribes have moved into the rainforest, though.

That so? ...Hey, Doctor, looks like you're up. How'd you sleep last night?

Didn't I tell you, Doctor? Gotta be ready. It's not about to get any easier.

Here. Scrounged up what I could find nearby to make some soup. Go on, it'll wake you up.

Hey, speaking of which. Never realized it until I went looking, but actually, there's a hell of a lot of medicinal plants that grow around this rainforest.

...Gavial's actually taking care of people...

G... Gavial, I didn't sleep good either...

Huh? And you call yourself an Archosauria?

Archosauria... *wail* Gavial doesn't remember our original name...

Hmm? Oh, crap, I did forget. I mean Tiacauh, don't I.

Damn, I don't think I've used that word at all since I left. Doctor, you make a note to yourself. We don't divvy ourselves up by race here.

I mean, from that perspective, uh, lemme think... I'm an Archosauria, Zumama's a Phidia, and there's also Liberi... yeah, that's your three, more or less.

But we all count ourselves as Tiacauh. Means 'one valiant in war' in our language.

Also, not that I think you're gonna need it, but you might like to know we call this place Acahualla. 'Land where the forest overgrows.'

Alright, enough bawling your eyes out. Get your people in gear and let's move.

(Whimper)

Rhodes Island. Doctor...

Oh, yeah, right. So, a company is...

Ah, I know that! Since you left, Gavial, I've been learning about the outside world!

Oh yeah? That adds up. You dress different from how you used to, too, now that I think about it.

Yep! This is really fashionable on the outside!

I don't really get fashion. Is she right, Doctor?

Oh, yeah, Tomimi, how about you introduce the Doctor to our place? I've been away for forever. I don't know what's changed.

Sure!

Okay, let me think. What should I tell an outsider...? Right, let's start with the tribes.

I can picture it right now. Zumama setting her tribe up next to a mine. Yeah, ever since way back, she's loved making those weapons of hers or whatever.

Wouldn't have thought she'd be bossing a clan now, though. 'Eunectes' has a nice ring to it!

Yep. Zumama's Eunectes tribe is the strongest one too, now, and everyone thinks she's gonna be the next Chief.

Not surprised. Kid's been pretty capable for a long while.

So, um, Gavial, are you really not gonna be the Great Chief?

Nope. There's stuff on the outside I've gotta do.

Right, Doctor?

Hey, you said you were gonna go for it in your letter, right? And you were confident, even?

Um, mm-hm!

I trained a lot for it!

Then I'm looking forward to the show!

Hm? Do I hear fighting?

Over that way. Let's go see.

Will you say it or not!?

Like I would!

Keh, you've got backbone.

Oh, hey, they're fighting. Doctor, we can leave 'em. Let's just go. This happens all the time.

You're done for, Thin-Tails. I'm gonna make you admit Thick-Tails are where it's at!

Yeah, in your dreams! Like I'd ever give in!

Huh?

Hey! What's-your-face over there. What did you just say?!

Who're you? Don't tell me you're a Thin-Tails too?!

Like hell I am. But did I catch that right? You think thick tails are better?

What? Obviously! Take a look at mine! Sturdy! Strong! Plump and plush! What's better than a nice thick tail like this, huh?!

Tch. Whelp, can't pretend I didn't hear that shit!

Take a good look at my thin tail here. Slim, refined! Clean, distinct contours! Hell, I can actually grab things with it! Now this is a tail!

I hear that! Thin tails for life! *Cough,* *cough!*

Huh? You kidding? You can't even see a tail like that behind your ass!

Yeah, shout out to yours! I bet your ass loves when it can't sit down 'cause your tail's so fat!

Ah. Gavial's arguing with that one there about thin versus thick tails.

It's a pretty common topic for us. You might say the tail is an Archosauria's greatest pride. People compare them. Whole tribes have even formed on how thick or thin their tails are.

I think the one fighting with Gavial might be a Thick-Tails.

Xolopitlipol! Brothers, come out!

Today's the day! We will make it known that thick tails reign supreme!

Oh. That's a lot of people. Um, Doctor, I'm going to help Gavial.