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Grian didn’t think through the wildcard nearly enough. Regression was the last thing on his mind as he planned out this series, and he didn’t think about it until he was there and experiencing it. This was basically the same mod not only they had on hermitcraft, but the empires also had. Sure it wasn’t the same thing, and was clearly different, but it was close enough to likely have issues with littles. He himself was having a problem; staying tiny with Mumbo and Skizz, hermits he could be around.
Although, this story isn’t going to revolve around Grian. There were several other regressors, and the one we’re focusing on is Joel; the mod almost immediately effected him, but luckily, his caregiver went looking for him straight away. She didn’t get to him immediately, but he was hanging around Gem for the time being.
Gem, as both a caregiver and regressor, could immediately point out the mod. As Joel got smaller beside her, she giggled, before making the quick realization of what the mod was close to. Due to also being on empires as well as hermitcraft, she figured this would be effecting both the emperors and hermits. She quickly took notice that Joel stayed smaller, running around and having fun. He seemed to get more playful as time went on, Gem knowing what was going on. She quickly sent a private message to Lizzie, telling her about the Joel situation (As he was both her boyfriend and she was his caregiver), only to learn she was already on her way. She made sure to keep an eye on Joel while they waited, helping him get started with basic materials, making it as fun as possible.
Soon enough, Lizzie finally showed up. She was a bit bigger than the usually was, reminding the little of his memories with her back in the first season of empires. “‘Izzie!” he shouted, quickly running up to her the moment he saw her.
“Hey Joel,” she said softly, allowing him to run up to her. She crouched down quite a bit, giving the little a hug.
“Me ‘n Gem got stuff! And, and, f’sh! Look!” he said, holding out the salmon that Gem had cooked for him.
“Awh, that's nice!” Lizzie said, smiling at him as she listened. “Do you want to go somewhere else or do you want to stay here?” She asked him when he finished, glancing over to Gem.
He looked over to her as well, and she slightly awkwardly waved. “We stay with Gem?” he asked, tilting his head at Lizzie.
“Would that be okay with you?” She asked, looking over to Gem.
“Oh! Yeah, of course!” she said, fidgeting slightly.
Lizzie hummed watching her fidget. “How about we get the two of you back to the area you set up, and maybe shoot Pearl a message?” she asked kindly, smiling at the two of them.
Gem nodded, turning and showing Lizzie the way, Joel helping as well. Soon enough they returned back to their setup, three furnaces and a crafting table. Joel went right for the sand by the water, sitting down and playing with it, While Gem took a seat closer to the furnace and crafting table, picking at the grass. Making sure she could still see Joel, Lizzie sat next to Joel.
“You doing alright, flower?” she asked, looking over to the ginger.
“Mhm!” she hummed happily, picking a dandelion out of the grass.
“Do you want me to message Pearl or anything?” she asked, checking with her to make sure.
“Mmm.. Maybe,” she replied sheepishly, picking longer pieces of grass.
“Alright, I can do that,” Lizzie said, smiling down at the other. She quickly pulled out her comm, sending a message to Pearl letting her know their coords and situation. Pearl replied thanking her, and said she would be on her way to help. “Okay sweetheart, she's on her way.”
“Tha’ks Liz,” she said, tying some pieces together. She seemed to be making a flower crown out of any sort of flower around; poppies, dandelions, and cornflowers. Once finished with that, she made one out of poppies, grass, and leaves.
Soon enough Pearl arrived, and immediately sat next to Gem. Gem handed her the poppy specific flower crown, then wearing the variety one herself.
“Aww, thanks flower!” Pearl said with a smile, fixing it atop her head.
“Mhm!” Gem hummed happily in reply, smiling up at Pearl.
Pearl scooted to be behind Gem. “Do you want me to braid your hair again, hun?” she asked, combing her fingers through it.
“Yes p’ease!” she replied, leaning her head back.
Lizzie smiled at the exchange, moving over to sit next to Joel now that Gem had her caregiver. He had made a sand castle that slightly resembled Lizzie’s ocean palace, her recognizing it immediately.
“Aww, is that my castle bubs?” she asked, looking between him and the castle.
“Uh huh!” he replied, giving her a thumbs up. “It has shells n’ stuff!” he said excitedly. “I building mine too!” he said, pointing to a small dome that slightly resembled his own palace.
“Awhh, that’s so cute!” she replied, gushing over it.
The two of them played in the water as well as the sand, splashing each other and getting their clothes all wet and sandy. It didn’t bother them at the time, due to just having fun, but afterward Joel began whining about it.
“Oh, whats wrong bubs?” she asked, looking at him worriedly.
“Itchy,” he responded, shivering slightly.
“Oh! Let’s get you in another pair of clothes, hm?” she asked, moving over to a bag she had brought over, knowing this may be the case. He nodded and followed her, going with her to change and get in a better set of clothes. Once they returned the sun was setting, and Gem was close to asleep on Pearl’s lap.
“I guess we’re staying here the night?” Lizzie jokingly asked Pearl, glancing at Gem laying on her.
“I guess so,” Pearl smiled, gently carding her hand through Gem’s hair, taking the flowers out of her braid so they didn't mess up in her sleep.
Lizzie built a small spot they could stay for the night, making sure to get some beds ready. Pearl gently moved Gem over to the bed, laying her down before setting herself next to her. Lizzie did the same, although she got in the bed first, allowing Joel to be able to cuddle up to her how he’d like. He yawned, snuggling his face against her, his eyes quickly closing.
Soon enough everyone was asleep, getting some rest for the next day to come.