Surviving Wanderers

Surviving Wanderers
Date of Scene:	16 October 2012
Location:	Bare Desert
Synopsis:	After the reunion with Lenn, Lily, and Shiki, Reize got some rest and then finally went back out in the desert to do some more exploration. However, his travel brings him to a familiar face and a new face that is in trouble.
Cast of Characters:	Reize Seatlan, Sassaral, Katyna Redsvaren

---

Reize Seatlan has posed:
It's been a day.

Finally got out of the desert. Got his pendant back. Found his friends again. Now, after buying new boomerangs, Reize is off to explore the desert.

It's nearly evening...
Reize is out and about in the desert, armed with his boomerangs and is drinking plenty of water from his waterjug. As the boy walks along the desert, his eyes drift about to feel around the surroudings.
"Whew.." He brightens. "I wonder what lies ahead! o/~"

Katyna Redsvaren has posed:
Indeed, it has been quite a 'day' to be sure. For Katyna Redsvaren, that meant watching a bunch of annoying 'heroes' interfering with her capture of her latest target. Unfortunately the strong armed 'Mister Marvel' proved to be not so strong of heart, and certainly not one of those she was looking for.

Prior to that, she had been recovering from the wounds received from another group of 'heroes' who had stolen a dalmation puppy from 'Miss de Vil', which had bruised her ego quite a bit, not to mention leaving her in quite a battered state in between battles. She had hoped to port directly back to Hollow Bastion, but after all the energy she had expelled battling those annoying heroes, she simply didn't have any energy left!

So here she is, wandering around the desert, draped in her lighter attire: A red tunic marked in golden flames, black leggings and boots, and her trusty sword slung at the hip. However, she still limps from her recent wounds, and really wishes she had parked her portal a bit closer to an oasis!

Darnit, there's gotta be an oasis somewhere around here, with her exhausted energy right now, she probably couldn't port herself to one, even if she wanted too..But that nasty gash in her arm's looking kind of infected, and she really needs to clean and rebandage it!

What else can go wrong?

Sassaral has posed:
Sweet, sweet nightfall.... and the abolishing of that oppressive heat. Or at least, /some/ measure of it..

.. the little wolf isn't at the hallucination of purple squirrels yet, but after what feels like /weeks/ (actually a couple of days') worth of wandering aimlessly, seeking some manner of salvation.... yeah. Nightfall offers the barest salvation. But there is always loneliness.

Oblivious to the young adventurer who wanders these dunes this early evening, a lone girl trundles her way along with the constant hope of finding civilization in her heart. Sick of walking in all manner of directions, even with the signs of a city laying just ahead, Sassaral could wander no further. She had to sit; had to rest just a 'minute'.

.. said minute has turned into about a half hour. She presents a small figure, crouched upon a swell of sand; shrouded in a tattered cloak with the scraps of a hood barely covering the crown of her head, the girl presses her forehead to her knees. A slight breeze, still warm, tousles her reddish-brown tresses a bit. How did she get so lost... how did she lose the portals...?

Sassaral ponders to herself, brow furrowing as her fingers knit into her clothing. <Maybe just a rest...>

Reize Seatlan has posed:
The young traveler had made his way through the surrounding desert, glimpsing at each path. However, he is seeing a familiar igure who is practically limping through the desert. "Huh...?" Reize peeks over towards the first girl in red.

"OOIIII!!!"

While he looks along the path, he can see another sort of figure that has been there for what looks like a while.

"Huh?"

Reize is slowly makin his way to the irection of whee the tattered cloak seems to lead towards. However, up ahead, it looks like a person. "!!!"

The boy is already running towards the figure that has fallen, "Oiii, I'm coming!" Time to deal with the cloaked one first.

Katyna Redsvaren has posed:
Well...Isnt this interesting? It's the boy 'from her childhood'...And that mysterious pendant of his. Damn. She doesn't want him to see her in this weakenned state! That would not do, at all!

Amber eyes narrow in frustration, pulling herself to her full height, and managing a cheerful smile as he makes his way towards her. It seems that the other girl in ragged clothing is not far from the two of them and so she quickens her pace to meet up with the other girl as well who is somewhere between her and Reize.

"Heey, you okay? You lost, miss?" she queries of the girl, before waving at Reize. "Hey, you! Nice t'see you again! Why do we always end up meeting in the desert, huh?" She chuckles a little, trying to lighten the situation, pulling the cloak further around her wounded arm so it doesn't show so easily. As for her bruised knee. Well now that she's kneeled next to the girl, her limp wont show so easily.

Sassaral has posed:
'Oiiiii'....

Was that.. a voice of sorts? After so long, not hearing anyone?

The hooded girl's head tilts upwards a bit and as a result, the hood falls back. The full brunt of her tresses are cast to the wind, but this is not to be likened to some 'wild vision of loveliness' on the horizon. Sassaral, devoid of a solid meal and clean drink for a few days now, looks like complete crap. Golden eyes are dull, her skin is slightly pale beneath sunburnt patches. She hugs herself and falls back upon her rump, knees drawing up toward her chest as she trembles. Had she been in 'full form' with the approach of these two wellmeaning souls, Sassaral would havev been exhuberant in her greeting. Alas...

Katyna Redsvaren, who arrives first, receives the small girl's plaitive look first. "W--water.." She whispers, though her nostrils flare. She can smell the beginnings of infection.. and her eyes droop toward Katyna Redsvaren's arm. "You're hurt.." She utters, barely above a whisper. Despite her best efforts, a tired tear escapes the little werewolf's eyes. That shall be answer enough, for the knight's query.

'Oiiii!' Comes the boyish voice, once more. Sassaral jolts in surprise, and spies Reize as he makes his approach. Despite her weariness, Sassaral is troubled.

"I've made a scene.." She whispers, despairingly.

Reize Seatlan has posed:
Luckily, Reize doesn't notice the frustration on her Katyna Redsvaren's face. SHe hides it well for a bit. While Reize is normally a bit more attune to the feelings of an individual, tending to the fallen takes priority of his focus.

A faint smile is given, "I suppose our path has been taking us here. Our base is out here in Fluorgis."

After a moment, Reize uncorks his waterjug and hands it over to Sassaral, "Hey, drink up..." He offers her a faint smile, able to see her condition. He sighs a bit, then he shakes his head, "...We'll have to get her to the headquarters..."

Then, he can see Katyna Redsvaren's injuries.

"You too. You need to come to the headquarters as well."

Katyna Redsvaren has posed:
Katyna Redsvaren frowns a bit as she surveys the damage that heat and starvation have caused on the poor girl. But she's really not the nursing type. "You must be strong! I'm sure there's an oasis here somewhere. Just..Keep yourself together and we'll get there!"

But when Reize interjects and offers to get them to 'headquarters', she arches a brow at him. "Hmm, out here, in the desert?" Well, isn't that interesting.

But she'd rather not be 'rescued' if she can help it..Even if his words are well-meaning. To be rescued after such embarassing defeats would be further proof of her weakness. And how would she ever become a Shadow Lord if she keeps failing like this?

On the other hand, she must learn more of this mysterious Reize boy and his even more mysterious pendant! What was this strange power that it held and who exactly WAS this boy? Was he truly her dear, beloved, childhood friend?

"Ehh...." She scratches her head, seeming hesitant to take his offer of help, although finally, reluctantly she nods slowly. "I guess you're right. There might not even be an oasis around here. But..I guess that means I owe you one, huh?" another impish smile and wink is tossed towards Reize.

Sassaral has posed:
A waterjug is now in the werewolf's face and instinctively, she accepts it. Tired eyes cant upwards to look upon the boy with the ahoge and for a moment golden eyes remain rivetted there. In gratitude, of course. "T--thank you.." Sassaral whispers, astounded at the hoarseness of her own voice. Quickly, she takes a few draws of the replenishing liquid and before she drains it altogether she passes the container to Reize. "Thank you.." The girl whispers, clearing her throat once.

Certainly not to disregard the resilient Katyna Redsvaren, the girl's eyes flit next to the knightess.. mainly due to /again/ scenting her wound. "I will be okay.. but I'm still concerned... you're injured.." She utters again, "I can smell the wound.." Sassaral utters, and presses her palms into the sand. Why, she is making to /stand/..! Shakily at first.. though, she lurches a bit and may very well stumble into poor Reize. c.c;

Golden eyes, set upon her small face, watch Katyna Redsvaren solemnly. "That needs to be treated, miss.."

Persistant, isn't she?

Reize Seatlan has posed:
"There is a city near by," notes Reize. "It's called Fluorgis. The Shard Seekers are set up." He considers the situation with Sassaral and then towards Katyna Redsvaren. "It's north of here. If you are able to stand still, then we will move."

He starts to pull himself up to his feet, his arms hook around Sassaral. He offers Katyna Redsvaren a faint smile, "...Don't worry about it. Seeing you two safe will be good enough for me."

And just a moment later, while he tries to help Sassaral up to her feet, she looks like she is getting up.

...At least, until her form stumbles onto the boy.

"Gah!"

He falls flat on his back. His arms move along her waist, yelping before he winces. "Guhh..."

Oh hey, up close and personal---hoo boy.

Katyna Redsvaren has posed:
Katyna Redsvaren shrugs when the girl expresses concern at her wounds. "Heh, I've survived worse. What sort of person would I be anyways, if I always asked for help? No pain no gain, right?"

She grins, watching but not offering to help as Reize helps the girl to her feet. "By the way, what's your name? I'm Katyna Redsvaren...Err..." O.o!

And then they get all tangled up and she cant help but chuckle. "Heh, aren't you two cute together? But y'know, if you dont wanna die out here before sun up, we'd better hurry..How far is Fluorgis from here?" she peers around, trying to make out the city from out here. It sure is getting dark though!

Sassaral has posed:
"A--ah...!" The girl yelps, and before poor Reize is left to support her for /too/ long her slight frame wobbles forth just a bit so that she may, for the time being, keep herself upright---

.. but even in the span of seconds, it's not enough to save oneself. The boy goes down and Sassaral only barely keeps herself upright, falling to her knees alongside Reizev though mercifully not completely over top. Fates above, should that happen.. c__C;

"I'm sorry..!" Sassaral cries out, cursing herself her feeble state. How could she be so /tired/..? Granted, she held up for days without 'giving in', but somehow being so feeble 'irks' her... and before she can sprawl upon the poor boy for /too/ long she is rearing up and trying her best to help Reize to his feet. Though, mayhaps, it may be the other way around. The red-faced werewolf looks upon Katyna Redsvaren tiredly, "I--I've been on the move for days.. I have no idea wher I'm at.. y--you say there is a town nearby?" She asks softly, her face getting redder. To Reize, she asks next.. "A base..?" A pause; she looks rueful. Sassral hates to intrude.. but Sassaral does not want to fall in the heat! She already escaped death once...!

Reize Seatlan has posed:
Guh.

Reize is out of it.

However, when the girl remains on top of the boy, his cheeks are starting to turn red. Even Katyna Redsvaren's comments earn glare her way, "Oiiii!" He grumbles, his antenna hair pointing at her.

After she gets up, Reize is starting to scoop her back onto his arms.

"Okay, you two... It's just ahead north." He offers a smile both of their ways. Hooking an arm around Sassaral, "Katyna Redsvaren, you help as well.. We'll be able to support each other better. Once we head north, we will arrive at the city. There are plenty of water and you both can rest at our quarters."

He smiles, "There is more than enough room for you both."

Katyna Redsvaren has posed:
"Hey, it's only a joke! Dont take it too seriously!" she grins, but as the girl speaks more of her hunger, Katyna Redsvaren searches in her cloak for something, anything that might at least temporarily stay her hunger if only a little.

"Ah..Hey! Lookit what I found!" And she triumphantly produces a half empty package of beef jerky, which she offers to the girl. "Hey, hopefully this'll help if just a little..Reize. How far til we reach this place, hmm? I still dont see it.."

When he asks her for help, she sighs and nods reluctantly, stepping under the girl's other arm to support half her weight. Unfortunately this lands the weight upon her injured arm, and she flinches a little, even as she keeps it to herself.

Finally she glances over at Reize curiously. "Gee, you sure are generous..Thanks, Reize!" Even so, how very naieve and trusting he is, to help total strangers and invite them to his home! For all he knows, they could be affiliated with heartless! And indeed, at least one of 'em is..But he doesn't need to know that, of course.

Sassaral has posed:
Water? Quarters..?! Sassaral can hear Reize's words and her golden eyes light upon his face briefly. Though, before she can respond outright to the boy's suggestion the wolfgirl turns her attention next to Katyna Redsvaren. Judging by her reddening face, Sassaral has 'missed' something.. and she chalks that up to having nearly smothered the young adventurer. ~.~;

"S--Sassral. You may call me that.." The girl offers feebly, though she manages a sweet enough smile. Twin points of color arise upon her cheekbones though not to be accounted as fluster. The werewolf is beyond exhausted. "Wish we could have met under better circumstances, miss Katyna Redsvaren.." She says softly, and even in her exhaustion Sassaral's voice is sweet; melodic. "You must get that arm looked at..." Se utters again, nostrils flaring once. Suddenly the girl is aware of an arm around her waist and she colors again, dipping her head so that her long ponytails hand low.

"Really, thank you... I did not expect to see anyone else again.. I had no idea.. I--I swear, I will repay." Sassaral insists, setting her exotic gaze upon young Mr. Seatlan. And then, Fates adore her, Katyna Redsvaren offers her support..! This, as expected, lands the werewolf alongside the kinght's injured arm. Think you can keep your flinch from a girl with powerful senses, Katyna Redsvaren..? Especially after her having caught winf of the nature of your wound?!

The girl's lips move and she may very well be felt slumping a bit....

Especially when the energies of a Cure arise and spirit in brilliant green sparkles along Katyna Redsvaren's arm. No doubt not enough to cure the brunt but.... assuage /some/ pain.

"Enough to.. get you through.." Sassaral whispers to Katyna Redsvaren, and she can be feklt lurching forth again. Not to pass out, but rather.. an obvious clue of her exhertion.

Bloody stubborn white mages.. the beef jerky remains in her tightly-curled fist, Sassaral's brows furrowing as she exhales sharply.

Reize Seatlan has posed:
"Knight's Vow #1: Always help a person in need."

Reize smiles towards the woman. Sassaral. "Sassaral, hrm..?" The boy then turns towards Katyna Redsvaren, thinking about her question, "It'll be about a couple of minutes. We aren't too far. I barely left the area."

Now, it is just the matter of getting there.

But then, she uses the energy of the cure. Reize's eyes widen and he gasps, "Sassral!" He places his hand along her form, keeping her propped up. He sighs, then he smiles faintly.

"Hold on for me. We're almost there..."

Katyna Redsvaren has posed:
"Sassaral, nice to meet you!" She smiles and nods to the girl, but continues to trudge on, inspite of her own wounds. And then suddenly, the girl showers her wounded arm in a cure spell and she blinks in surprise, feeling the blood heal up, even if the wound is not completely healed. "Ahh..Sass..Thanks but..You should really save your strength! It'd do no good to walk you out of here and to safety and then lose you before we get there. Like I said, i'm tough, I'll manage!"

Well..If she'd done the smart thing and sapped some energy off of these goody goods in the first place, she wouldn't be in this mess but..She had to see this headquarters and find out more about the myseterious boy named Reize!

...And maybe there was still a part of her that remembered the words of a gentle knight who had been her friend before he had perished, who had said words very similar to Reize's...She arches a brow at Reize when he makes that knight's vow, frowning some.

"Hmm..? Where'd you get that from? Are you a knight too, then? For real? Eh...A dear friend once taught me that cardinal rule, but..Guess it didn't help him in the end.." she seems somber for a moment as she thinks of dear Kastelin. In the end, maybe it's not always the best thing to stick your neck out for someone else, as Sass has just done.

However, she tries to pull herself back to the here and now, focusing on the problem at hand. At Reize's words, Kat peers up now, spotting the city in the not so far distance. "Oh yeah! I can see it now! Just a little further..Hang in there Sass!"

Sassaral has posed:
By now Reize is trying to shore the poor girl up, and despite it all she turns to face the valiant boy and manages the barest of smiles. "A knight..?" She says, though the words seem a bit... 'watered down'..

... for lack of a better term: dazed.

This should have been the first sign, and a greater one than even her own minimal weight becoming suddenly 'heavier'. Sassaral wobbles again, and her eyelashes flutter. To feel her skin is to feel a considerable amount of heat.. and this is not to be chalked up to her already substantial body temperature.

"I had to... r--really did... it's what I do--" The small girl whispers... head lolling. She is aware now of the residual heat of the sand, despite the onset of sunset, touching her bare toes within her sandals. The warm breeze is notable but Sassaral can only catch the scents of Katyna Redsvaren's wound; of sun-baked granules.

"I'm sorry.. s--sorrry.." The werewolf whispers, and it is all suddenly too much for her. Near-death, the loss of her pack, the endless wandering and the heat... Sassaral suddenly gives in, and her body will fall forth if her companions do not catch her.

For the first time in /nearly/ three days, Sassaral has given into complete unconsciousness.

Reize Seatlan has posed:
Reize gives a very sheepish smile towards Katyna Redsvaren, "...Not really," Reize admits. "My father was! And he taught me the vows." He brightens happily. Then, he looks over towards the girl.

"Uhh... Kat?" Pause. "Kat?" She seems to be dazed. This isn't a good time to be dazed! It's hot in the desert and mirages can strike! He furrows his eyebrows, exhaling a sigh.

And yet, when his eyes fall towards Sassaral, "...Guh!" Reize twists over to catch her from falling. The boy is looking towards Katyna Redsvaren, "We're going now!"

It takes about nearly thirty minutes. Nevertheless, the group finally make it to Fluorgis, and better yet.. the Shard Seeker headquarters.