Oak

     The new guy ran around the room, gently examining things and setting them back down. He picked up a bottle with some mystery liquid inside. "Don't do anything that'll kill you, bud." I warned. He uncorked the vial. "Buddy, read the label before you drink." He shot me a look, but brought it to his face, squinting at the label. "Bud--"

     "For God-sake, honey!" Dawn shouted, throwing down her book.

     "What?" I asked. Oh crap. She's pissed off. What'd I do?

     "Stop calling him bud!"

     "Do you have a name for him?" I asked as the new guy downed the mystery liquid. Meh...it was water-colored, so maybe it isn't that dangerous. I'm not into that kind of thing.

     "No, but it's annoying even me. I can't imagine how irritating it must be for him."

     The door opened and Spectre entered the room. "Hey, guys! Did you know that Fox installed zip lines everywhere? That's how I got back so quickly. By the way, soup's on!" Dawn ran outside to fetch the soup.

     "You didn't ride the zip line, did you?" Fox asked.

     "Um....No?" Spectre said, trying to sound innocent before cracking a mischievous grin. "Yes. It was amazing until I hit the wall."

"Hey, Spectre. What did our guest just drink?" I asked. "I can't read your writing."

"Hm? Oh, it says awkwardness. Where'd you get this?"

"He found it." I pointed. "What does awkwardness do?" The new guy rose to meet Dawn and get soup but tripped over nothing in particular. I struggled to restrain a laugh.

"Maybe you should just eat this on the floor until the potion wears off." Spectre smiled kindly. The new guy shrugged and plopped down, only to fall backwards and be caught by Fox.

"Woah! Easy there, New Guy." Fox smiled. His light green soul is a symbol of hope.

"Hey, what's that on your t-shirt? It looks like a dragonfly." Dawn said, handing out bowls. The new guy drank hungrily. "He must've been hungry. I didn't even hand out spoons." I saw him blush and begin the wait for a spoon.

"Yes, contrary to popular belief, we are civilized here on Skyrise. We have spoons."

"Darling, don't be rude." Dawn said.

"How was he supposed to know?" Fox asked.

I struggled to find the right words. "H-Hey! Don't all of you jump down my throat!"

I was saved by a throat clearing up. "Wow! Compliments to the cook! Whoever this Songbird lady is." We turned to see the new guy grinning. He pulled at the hem of Spectre's robes. "Hey, nice wizard costume, by the way. It looks great!"

"Right. Costume. Sure."

"Hey, would you object to being called Dragonfly? Because of your shirt?" Dawn asked.

"Hey, anything for you, miss. Why, I'd even kiss you if you wanted."

We both stiffened. Who did this guy think he was, anyway? "I have a boyfriend." Dawn said, not cruelly enough for my standards.

"Oh. Whoops. I'm sorry." He sensed the awkward tension in the air. "Hey, all of you have matching star-shaped stickers! Can I have one too? A red one would be cool! Or maybe the wizard's! Blue with orange."

I looked down at my chest where a blood-colored star glowed brightly. Oh, crap. The combat system. "They aren't stickers. They're our souls." Spectre stepped up to explain. "The source of our humanity. And our power."

"Do they leave when you die?"

"Yes."

"What do all of the different colors mean? Why does Dawn have a purple soul while you have a blue one and Fox has light green?"

"Our most prevalent traits. I have patience, Fox--"

"What's with the orange tips?"

"Oh. That was an accident I was in long ago. They mean bravery."

"Wow! I wonder what other colors there are?"

"You could bunk with me and I could explain." Fox spoke up.

That would be great!"

"Then it's settled. Come on, Dragonfly." He winked.