This is part seventeen of a series of images followed by stories that follow Warren, a human. and Alice, a Tordenchi. As they both survive during the Rynar's invasion of earth.

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Click here to go to the OMAM folder! And see all parts!

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There is now a dedicated Twitter for Of Mice And Men! I Will post on it each time there is a story update, so you all don't have to miss it!~

https://twitter.com/of_omam  Twitter

Story idea base on a universe created by  Hetzer
You! YEA, YOU. Integration is an amazing story, delving into the inner workings of the UTOverse! This is an order to READ IT... pls x///x

The artwork was done by the amazing  Jadan commit many muns to commissions from him!~

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Sparse hours of sleep..? Check... My nerves wouldn't let me rest, especially with Pippy so close to me...

Every time I felt myself drifting off, I'd snap back awake from fear... Despite how beautiful and peaceful the scenery seemed, the distant sounds of Rynar and Humans fighting left me sleepless!

Hours passed as I laid back in the 'small' nook I had found... It's funny how something small to me is so big by comparison. Sniffing at the air, I took in the brief peace for a time. Tomorrow, somehow, I'll have to come up with some sort of plan...

Finally, the system's star shone through the trees, and I stirred myself up. My muscles ached from laying weirdly in the small cranny. Stretching, my hand idly went to my armors neck. Taking my Erastel battery, I lifted it to the sky... My suit slumped against me as it laid unpowered momentarily... I held the battery there for a few minutes, and there was no shine... Nothing...

My suit wasn't terribly heavy... It was far from a full combat suit like most of the UAF, but without power and my leg... Given a day or so, I'll have to be rid of it... But! UAF should be here soon! I just need to keep safe and keep my head down! In... Rynar territory...

I felt myself wincing while sectioning the battery into my suit's spinal plate. My ears twitched as a soft yawn reached them. Yet when I looked down, I spotted Pippy just sitting up. Clicking the battery back into my suit, I breathed a sigh of relief when its weight eased. Even at their small size, they acted similarly to just about every other species... Somewhat...

His eyes met mine, and almost immediately, he scowled. Even with how tiny he was, I felt in the spotlight, utterly vulnerable under his glare...

No doubt that with the show he did just a day before, he was well trained... Peak military? After all, he readily took on both me and a Rynar... That was either bravery or stupidity, and I'm leaning on the former!

As his stare drew through the minutes, I finally twitched and turned my eyes away. I'd have to carry him still, even if he doesn't like it... But with how quickly his kind was to muster a defense, there must be some form of protective place? A haven! Then again, anywhere where a giant wasn't around would probably feel home for him.

"So... Sleep well?"

My squeaks went unanswered like before, and the man only glared me down in response. As I fumbled to try and stand up, my hand instinctively went to my thigh as a spike of pain shot up me! I bit my lip to keep quiet, sucking it up as I steadied myself... After all, I at least had a leg...

Pippy watched me with his now-standard judging look. His stare didn't quite bother me; it was the motive behind it... Already he's tried at my life at least once... If I took him to others of his kind, would he marshal them against me?

The thought sent a shiver through me as I sniffled. As I offered my hand out, Pippy waved me off. Patting himself down as if to be sure he had everything. When he looked back up at me, I could tell he was troubled. Still harsh, but for once, I could see past his angry eyes...

Pippy began making noises, rubbing his face while glaring up at me. He continued on for a few seconds before throwing his hands back in annoyance. My ears wilted down as I glanced to the grass, unsure of how to respond.

There was still a dull throbbing pain in my leg. Etching at the back of my mind as I kept composed. Where would professionalism come in at a time like this? Being heartfelt wasn't precisely working... Maybe his kind is like the Falashai! Where doesn't he quite understand emotions? Err... He... She... It..?

Reaching my hand up, I brushed my whiskers in a motion as he did. Closing my eyes while rubbing my snout. When I peeked out from my fingers, I saw him puzzled. With one eyebrow raised, he looked me over for a time... Deciding that I was, in fact, not mocking him, he motioned to me and tapped his hand. Letting out a low annoyed groan.

I timidly hovered my hand closer, only garnering a grunt from him as he gestured at himself. Another mix of sounds came from him. As he spoke, a series of gestures were made with his hands. My confusion only amplified as he then pointed to me as if to ask a question...

With a shaky nod and a tilt of my head, I squeaked out. My smile waned while I tried mimicking his words. Despite my best efforts, my squeaks couldn't meld into whatever he was saying... Straining my throat, I fell quiet and let my gaze fall again.

Botched 'lesson' over, he waved his hand dismissively and gestured to himself. Making it clear he was ready to continue...

I forced a grin and brought my hand over... With how Pippy was perched, I could slip a finger behind his back. Helping him crawl up into my palm. He rested in my gloved hand, slowly shifting to get comfortable.

With nothing else to do, I rested my other hand on his rock and lifted myself. Sneaking out from the trees, my ears on guard for any sounds. Surprisingly there was no subtle shift or thump of Rynar... Just the soft tweets of birds in the trees...

I fumbled back onto the road, continuing down at a slow pace. Taking my earpiece off, I looked it over... If I lower the sensitivity, I can wear it again, I suppose... But translations were a no-go.

Thumbing it over, it occurred to me that I could wire it up to be an SOS device... Then again... Opening a signal like that... No telling who or what could find us... Best leave that to idle thoughts for now.

While I fiddled with it, Pippy tapped my hand. My eyes turned to him while a small smile formed on my face. He tapped again before pointing off into the distance. Oh! Some sort of building between the trees! Maybe friends? Or... Friends for Pippy at least...