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Post by Red Irish Dragon on Nov 2, 2016 19:14:39 GMT
Not bothering to explain herself, she kept after bags, finally collecting the last before new men could come. By even that point, the first few bags she had grabbed were empty, already working on the fourth as they ran. As much as the footprints they left behind them in the sand, the bags that were dropped being as they were emptied acted as a guide to follow them.
The more she drank, the less she spilled, her desperation growing less in the cool air. Even her mood seemed to have mellowed, losing much of the edge in the quiet as they walked. Her limp, however, hadn’t lessened and in fact seemed to grow worse as she went, the sap still trying to drip down her leg.
It had been a few hours since she had tossed the last empty bag, still seeming to suffer from whatever affliction required the water. It was hard to tell for sure, however, with the shades of green and grey merging in the moonlight.
Suddenly, she stopped, sniffing at the wind intently. “Water,” she said simply, almost eagerly despite downing so much already. She began to rush off to the side, down one of the dunes they had been climbing over, with such determination and focus it seemed hard to believe she was making it up. It wasn’t the dizzy reaction to a mirage. Especially not with what she did next.
“Hurry up, mutt!”
The insult showed that she was indeed feeling a little better, and she still viewed her fellow escapee as a lesser being, but it also showed she was well aware of the situation they were in: being stuck together to survive.
Following her nose, the dryad discovered a small rocky outcropping that was just big enough for her to walk into, pushing deep into the cave it hid. Upon entering the cave, the slow, soft but audible drip began to echo, proving that she had indeed found water as she said. This was made doubly clear as splashing could be heard rather than clearly seen in the darkness, the dryad splashing the water from the small lake onto her face and neck.
She couldn’t help the sigh of relief as the water ran over her skin, finally beginning to feel revived. “Stupid two legged pigs,” she hissed, the venom tampered by the water. “Trying to kill me by drying me out…”
(Sy'reen scoffs at the idea of plans!!! not that that has helped her or anything... XD)
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Post by Kelathi on Mar 11, 2017 0:28:51 GMT
He growled in response to her reusing the hated nickname, but picked up his pace anyway, easily keeping up with his animalistic legs adapted for running. He slowed as he approached the rocky outcrop, ears perking as he listened for any sign of danger, even as his companion happily surged ahead. Making his way down, the floor dipping slightly beneath him as sand gave way to dusty rock, he was pleased to find that she was indeed correct, and not only had she found water- they now had shelter. He walked towards the pool, much calmer than she, and crouched to cup his hands in the water, to take a drink. Roweyan people could go about as long as humans without water, so even as he quenched his thirst, he was still astonished to see how madly the other creature responded to the liquid. When he had finished, he merely watched her silently for a few moments, before standing up. Without a word, he began to search the cave, checking the darkened corners, and finding that the only other exit was above, where the fresh water gently trickled down from a crack in the rock, much too small to press their bodies through. They were alone in the cave, and he found only old bones which crumbled to dust at the touch, meaning that the place had not been occupied in a while. They should be safe.
Now, the only problem he could foresee was a fire to keep warm... he had not seen any greenery since they had begun walking, and for the moment, he was out of ideas. He knew a way for himself to keep a little warmer, should he need it, and at the thought, his hand strayed to the place where the hidden pocket was sewn into the underside of his cover... But... he glanced at his leafy companion... he was not sure how well-received the transition would be. He had not used the Farafei when captive, for fear of wasting it. Even as a pantera, he would not have been strong enough to break free from the cage. It would offer him the added warmth of fur, but that might very well become his downfall the next day as the sun rose high in the sky... and once he changed back into his usual form, he would not be able to change to a pantera again until he consumed more of the fruit. With only one portion left and no trees in sight, he was loathe to use it just yet.
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Post by Red Irish Dragon on Mar 11, 2017 5:58:14 GMT
As her cage mate explored the cavern, Sy’reen remained focused on the water, but rather than simply drink it, she continued to splash it onto her skin, so by the time her companion had wandered back towards her she was dripping from head to toe. Her breathing was finally growing even, her expression no longer scowling but serene as a hand ran down her throat, almost as if the water was having a particularly rapturous effect on her.
The golden eyes slid over to study her cage mate in the darkness, their hard edge gone as well. Little did he know how he had now saved her life twice… once from the guard, and once from helping her grabbing the water bags. That had earned some tolerance.
“Do you eat?”
That… seemed like a rather random and obvious question, even if it was asked with some distaste. A few moments later, she tried to explain, even though it was clear she didn’t really want to. “I don’t know your kind… are you the kind who needs to eat, or the kind who can be sated by the sun?” Her similarities to a plant were starting to become clearer, suggesting that the two options would give her a means to understanding the other. If only the first option didn’t sound so difficult to deal with…
(I’m thinking Sy’reen (as more plant than animal) wouldn’t be as affected by the cold (although she’s more tropical plant, so she’s not like impervious to it), so maybe she’d be resigned but try to force Lentau into sleeping close for warmth because it’s better for her and he might need it? (pft))
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Post by Kelathi on Apr 19, 2017 20:21:42 GMT
"Of course!" Lentau found himself exclaiming. Before he could query why she would ask such a strange question, she had continued a few seconds later, presumably by way of explanation. He gave her an odd look then, the reason for which soon became clear as he spoke up again. "Sun?" He echoed questioningly. It was not a word he knew. Whilst many species spoke the Universal Language, there were still words that certain cultures held that others did not, such is the fluid nature of language. His kind referred to the great heat-giver in the sky as Maiki, and she was regarded as an ethereal, and mostly benevolent, being- the all-mother that gave birth to all the life of the world. Sun... Was not a word he was familiar with.
As he waited for her to explain, if she even chose to bother, he settled down into a crouch, resting his limbs for a moment. His tail flicked lazily behind him, the steady nature suggesting that whilst he may not fully trust the other creature... She was no longer considered such a threat, either.
((I love that idea!!! Snuggles here we come XD SO obviously Lentau would not ask for help, so maybe she notices him shivering etc. ?))
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Post by Red Irish Dragon on Apr 19, 2017 22:58:53 GMT
Any respect she might have been slowly building for her former cage-mate began to fall at his question, evidenced in how her eyes narrowed with some exotic mix of irritation, exasperation, and a proud attempt at patience. “Yes, sun. Lifeline. The world’s energy source…? The big light in the sky?”
Quite the clash of cultures, particularly when one’s terms and views of a natural phenomenon didn’t match another’s and the other was considered all the more lowly for it. She had hardly given him time to name the item in question before her tone began to drip with distaste, simplifying her explanation as if the mutt was too dumb to handle any bigger words.
The matter now settled, at least in her mind, she stood and shook, sending a light shower of water drops around her where they had collected against her skin and the leaves of her hair, shuffled off of her wings, still being gentle with her injured leg. With a stretch, she started to muse to herself, not at all caring if the mutt heard her or not. It was unclear if he should be insulted that she was including him everything she was saying as if he would follow her blindly, or complimented that she was including him at all.
“So we will need food… as long as hunting isn’t involved, that should be easy. Do I still - yes, I do, they didn’t get that off me… I’ll be able to do something with those after the morning, time enough to work out where we are. But not now, still need to recover strength…”
All decisions made, Sy’reen moved towards the wall as well, positioning herself with one taloned paw trailing into the water even as her wings shuffled to find a comfortable position. She made a face at having to rest against the rock, more used to the bark of home, but it was easier to lean back and rest. Rather than discuss anything with the other, she settled down to sleep, again emphasizing how she felt their dynamics had worked out.
(YUS XD Sy’reen isn’t going to be thrilled with the idea either… but she’s not going to let him get out of it when she’s decided it’s necessary haha)
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Post by Kelathi on Jun 18, 2017 22:17:40 GMT
If he noticed the scorn in her voice, he did not show it. His eyes were fixed on her in the gloom, they were… calculating. Evidently, something was on his mind. This thing she called ‘sun’… She… gets energy directly from Maiki? How is that possible? Sure, Maiki gave life to all things, and sustains it through making plants grow, which the beings of the land can then feed on… but she made it sound as if she fed directly from the sun itself. He studied her appearance intently, evidently not aware that it might appear to be improper to be doing such a thorough examination. She looked like a plant… but plants don’t move and speak and think!
He sat back on his haunches, torn, between how he had originally regarded her, and how he should regard her now with this revelation. He was sure the priests of his kind would have something to say about this… but would they treat her with scorn and claim her blasphemous? Or revere her?
Either way, he would keep the dilemma to himself. And watch carefully. If she was not to be trusted, he hoped that the spirits would let him know in their own way. If they even spoke to him anymore… He fell suddenly very cold at the thought. He had been exiled from his people… What if the spirits could no longer see him? What if they would no longer guide him when he asked for help? The thought was sobering and chilling all at once.
He decided to do as she had settled down to do- sleep it off. Hopefully his mind would be clearer after a good sleep. Although, he thought, as he curled up on the floor, moving away from the pool of water and lying with his back to the wall, so that he could see the room about himself as well as her- he was not sure how much sleep he was actually going to get on the cold-hard ground…
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Post by Red Irish Dragon on Jun 19, 2017 4:43:46 GMT
The intense study didn’t seem to bother her, as she was already so disgusted with the whole situation her scowl remained steadfast. Stuck in the middle of a desert - a DESERT! - with only some fuzzy mutt for company and assistance in getting home. Certainly, she felt as if a creature such as her was deserving of such awe, particularly from… well, any that weren’t her equal. But it was quickly becoming distracting.
She tried to push the feeling down, since he… had… helped her… with the water… so she was still trying to make nice with him. Only the occasional flutter of a wing showed her growing irritation.
Impressive, given how irritated she had already been.
To top all this off, there was the rocky wall, which was hardly comfortable, unyielding even as she scratched. Bark would come off easily at such a swipe. The ground was equally hard, making it difficult to fold up into a comfortable position. She tried, finally giving up on keeping part of her in the water, tossing and turning with gritted teeth and tightened eyes.
They had been still for a while when she finally sat up, her golden eyes reflecting every little glimmer of light to be had. What they had focused on was… surprising. She knew what would be more comfortable, something she had often used stacks of her home’s giant leaves for. Besides… she doubted his ability to become comfortable either. She was convinced she’d heard at least one shiver as he tried to settle against the cold stone of the ground, the desert air flirting through and removing whatever heat might have lingered against their skin. One long, teeth-bared yawn, and she made up her mind.
It was almost ironic, how she crawled over on all fours, not unlike the beasts she associated him with. One hand reached around the other’s back, unceremoniously sliding him away from the wall, only to curl up there.
There, as in where he was moved to.
With such long limbs, she easily coiled around her cagemate, parts of her beneath him, parts of him beneath her. Somehow, having a few limbs entangled and lifted changed her level of comfort, settling in like one might with a warm animal skin. It was warmer, she had to admit, or at least would in the morning. As it was, her eyes quickly closed, and sleep finally overtook her. Despite her pillow.
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Post by Kelathi on Dec 7, 2018 23:57:32 GMT
Despite the cold, he had managed to glean some sleep, albeit light. So when she first pulled him towards her, he had merely groaned in his sleep, hardly aware of the movement. But then, it must have been the change in temperature that had roused him, and as he slowly opened his sleep-drowned eyes to see what was up, at first he just saw darkness… but then he felt the cage of her arms and legs. Suddenly, realising what had happened, he cursed and tried to pull away, his struggle not unlike a house-cat that doesn’t want to be held. But it was very clear that she would not be budged. In fact… was she asleep?
She had grabbed him, wrapped around him, and then simply fallen asleep?! The incredulous discovery left him baffled, and after a while, he simply gave up trying to fight out of her arms, flushed and breathing harshly. He had to admit, if begrudgingly, it was indeed warmer, and strangely enough, more comfortable. The fact that she could manhandle him so easily was both unnerving and a severe blow to his pride, but with nothing else for him to do, he found his eyes start to close again despite himself. Silently promising that she would hear more about this in the morning, he finally let his body relax, and found himself drifting off to join her in slumber.
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Post by Red Irish Dragon on Dec 8, 2018 3:11:31 GMT
Sy’reen was blissfully unaware of the other’s attempts to escape her, but she wouldn’t admit her surprise at how comfortable the position ended up being for her. If she had noticed, he was very likely to have been kicked into the water to serve him right.
The morning came with as much cold as the night, but as the sun took over the air warmed, bringing the temperature of the cave back up to a more reasonable degree. The dryad tightened around her pillow in one stretch, then promptly pushed him away as she flexed the other way, yawning wide and long. As if drawn, even without her eyes fully open, she stood and began walking towards the light, stopping only once she was bathed in the mid-morning glow.
The dried, growing spots on her hair and body had gone, almost fully restored to their natural vivid hue. Her wings opened and stretched in the sun as she continued to wake, flexing in every direction, her body feeling starved despite having had more than enough sun the day before. But now she was healing, the injury on her leg already half gone. “Nnn,” was all she murmured as she enjoyed the sun, for once sounding genuinely pleased and calm, without an ounce of irritation in her.
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