#Unsure if it will be just Scott and Jimmy in addition to the hermits currently

[all54321]

A Siblings’ Chat

After struggling with part 2 of “A ‘Chance’ Encounter,” I decided to write a possible scenario. I’m not sure if it will be canon in the end, but I had the idea. This takes place soon after Grian is outed as a spy, which is far into this AU’s timeline.

In this AU, Grian, Pearl, and Jimmy are all siblings, and are also avians. Grian has parrot wings, Pearl has owl wings, and Jimmy has canary wings. Grian lived on this island for a while now, Pearl moved when things started getting serious and started helping Cub, and Jimmy just came in after hearing about Grian. Also Flower Ranchers is canon in this AU.

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Pearl stares past the quarantine police lines, at the mycelium and mushrooms growing out of the road, sidewalk, around and even through buildings. It’s done a number one the places it’s reached and spreading farther every day. She supposes that having someone on the inside helped stall a lot of their progress in keeping it from spreading, not that she enjoys thinking about it that way.

“Pearl!” A voice calls to her, a strange mix of cheery and mournful.

She turns to face her brother, “hey Jimmy.” Pearl wishes she can have more enthusiasm at seeing her brother again after so long, but it’s hard in this situation.

He walks up beside her, staring past the border, “I didn’t expect it to be this bad.” A pause, “it’s great to see you again, I wish it was in a better situation.”

“Yeah,” Pearl murmurs, unsure what else to say.

After hesitating, Jimmy quietly asks, “Grian’s out there?”

She nods, “after we found out he was infected, he bolted very quickly. Gone before any of us could say anything.” She sighs, “we haven’t seen him since.”

“Do you know where out there?”

Pearl shakes her head, “nope. No one’s brave enough to venture into that forest to find their camp. Especially since stepping foot on the mycelium immediately alerts Father Spore. No one has even gotten close to the forest before he arrives, either infecting them or chasing them off.”

Jimmy stares towards the trees in thought, “would Grian come?”

“Maybe,” she murmurs, “but is it really worth the risk to try? The area itself is rather infectious.” Pearl frowns in thought, “if we stay on the edge, we might be safe, but it’s unlikely they’d come out to speak with us unless we go farther out.”

Jimmy sighs, “I suppose so, it was worth a try at least. I’ll help you however I can, to get our brother back.”

Pearl’s only half listening now, thinking on Jimmy’s suggestion. She’s been studying this stuff for a long time now, she knows a lot about it. Her and Cub also have theories that would be interesting to figure out. Mostly, she’s just hoping to see her brother again.

Without a word, she ducks under the police tape and steps onto the mycelium’s territory. Only standing at the edge of it, firmly inside, but close enough to the edge to flee to safety.

“Pearl!?” Jimmy exclaims in confusion, joining her after a bit of hesitation. He looks around at the area nervously.

“It’s safe if we don’t stray far inside,” she murmurs, “but if we can get Grian’s attention… it’s worth every chance to speak to him.” Jimmy nods, looking hesitant.

It doesn’t take too long for a figure to exit the woods, approaching them carefully. He stops a decent ways away, both hands on his cane as he studies them. “What brings you here on this fine day?”

“We’re here for our brother,” Pearl says, staring him down.

Scar doesn’t seem bothered, “Grian is home now, he doesn’t want to go back.”

“We just want to talk to him,” Jimmy presses, looking at the mushroom covered man nervously.

After staring at them in silence for a minute, he turns around partially and glances into the woods, “they don’t seem willing to leave, songbird.”

Immediately after he finishes speaking, Grian himself emerges from the forest, joining Scar and staring at them carefully, “Pearl. Tim.”

Jimmy opens his mouth, before quickly closing it. Pearl studies her brother, taking in the full effect of his infection. Mushrooms sprouted from his lower neck, dropping down under his collar. Several are also spread along his arms and legs. How had they not noticed before? Probably because of his careful outfit choice. He’s now wearing a lower collar T-shirt in comparison to his usual turtleneck sweater. Pearl can only guess it’s to let the mushrooms on him breath. Same for the shorts he now wears and lack of gloves.

“Grian,” Pearl starts, suddenly unsure.

“I won’t go back,” Grian says, cutting any possible response off. “I’m not welcome and I have no interest in becoming your lab rat.”

“That’s not what we’re here for.”

“What are you here for?”

“To talk to you,” Jimmy says, eyes focused of their brother.

Grian softens a little, “I missed you a lot, Timmy. Unfortunate timing to visit.” He pauses, sharing a glance with Scar, “or maybe fortunate.”

He tenses, “what do you mean?”

Grian takes a cautious step forwards, closer but still a safe distance away. “Join us, connect to the mycelium and let it care for you. Life is better this way.”

Pearl shakes her head, “no. No way. That’s crazy.”

“Pearl,” he whispers, before sighing, “I get how it may sounds to you, but what I say is true.” He turns to look at Jimmy again, “this isn’t just an invite for you. You can bring Scott and Tango here too.” He looks back at Scar briefly, “you can feel connected to them in ways you can never imagine.”

Pearl steps in between them before he can continue, “Grian, we are not joining your weird mushroom thing.” He makes an offended noise but Pearl continues, “we’re worried about you and want to help.”

Grian’s expression suddenly turns steely as he steps back to stand beside Scar again, “I don’t need help. My life is perfectly fine, better even, since I’ve connected to the mycelium. This is home, it’s everything I’ve always wanted. The only thing I want now is for you to join me.”

Pearl shakes her head, “Grian, think logically please. We miss you and just want you back.”

He sighs, “this conversation will go no where. You’re always welcome to join us.” Grian turns around, “let’s go Scar.”

“Wait, Grian!” Jimmy calls, stepping around Pearl, but he falters when Grian looks back at him.

At his silence, he continues to walk away. After studying them for a few more seconds, Scar turns and follows him away.

Pearl can’t help but feel disappointed at the conversation and herself. She had so many things to say to her brother, but could barely get anything out. He’s not a lost cause, she just needs to work harder. Pearl will save him, no matter the cost. She places a hand on Jimmy’s shoulder, squeezing it lightly, “we’ll get him back, no matter what.”

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Edit: Forgot to mention that during the brief moment Scar was silent at the start was him talking to Grian through the hivemind. Him calling to Grian out loud was just to cover up that they can do that. They’re not interested in sharing that they can telepathically communicate via a hivemind to those not willing to join it. They vaguely refer to it, but not in detail.