Chapter 2

(Authors note: I'm not good with writing lisps, sorry.)

Karkat could hear muffled voices as consciousness slowly returned to him. Soon, he was able to make out what was being said.
"Psii, calm down."
"Calm down? We don't know thith guy! He could be a thpy."
"He's only a child."
"Tho? Maybe iit'th a part of their plan."
"Stop pouncing to conclusions!"
"Please Psii, he's not a spy."
"You don't know that."
"And you do?"
"Well, no. But-"
"Shh! He's coming to."
Karkat groggily opened his eyes, fully conscious now. "Urgh..." He blinked once before his eyes snapped open. "Ah!" He jumped slightly at what he saw. Signless was still there, along with three other trolls he didn't recognize. The one closest to him stared at him excitedly through large, olive green eyes. Out of her huge mass of hair protruded two large, cone-shaped horns, and Karkat immediately thought of Nepeta. "It's okay! You're purrfectly safe here." She smiled reassuringly as she spoke to him. Yep, definitely Nepeta. Then a snort emitted a little ways off. "Doethn't mean we are." Karkat looked over to the tallest troll, who had his arms folded and was staring at him with mistrust in his red and blue eyes. Sollux. Signless immediately proceeded to elbow him with a stern; "Be quiet!" Then finally, the fourth troll of the group kneeled down, concern showing in her jade green eyes. "Are you feeling alright? Do you still feel dizzy?" Her voice was soft and calming to the ear. Kanaya. Karkat shook his head, his gaze flashing to each strange, yet almost familiar face. "N-no I- Where am I?" He shifted his focus to his environment, which was now a large, rocky overhang. The immense forest where he had previously gotten lost in laid just nearby, looking like more of a maze then before. "Oh this place?" The troll resembling Nepeta chirped. "It's just one of our temporary homes. Nothing too special." Karkat stared at her in confusion. Temporary... homes? Do they not live in one place? "Okay.... who are you?" He asked, looking at the three unnamed trolls. "Oh! Right! How rude of us not to introduce ourselves!" This brought forth another snort from the tall one, but it was easily ignored. "I'm Disciple, but- you can call me Dis for short. She's Dolarosa, " Dis looked to her, and she nodded politely. "You may call me Rosa if you wish." Karkat nodded in response, leaving Disiple to continue. "And the grumpy one over there is Psiioniic. We call him Psii, and-" The Psiioniic stopped her in her tracks, saying his next words to Karkat with narrowed eyes. "To you, it'th justh Psiioniic, got that?" Karkat swallowed and nodded. He was pretty sure this guy didn't like him. Signless rammed him with his elbow again, staring him down. "Stop being so rude." He turned to Karkat, red eyes softening. "Would you mind telling us your own name?" Karkat hesitated slightly. It's fine. I'm sure that whatever's going on here, telling them my name won't hurt. Just don't sound as freaked the fuck out as you actually are, and it'll be fine. He took a deep breath. "It's, uh.. Karkat. My name is Karkat."