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Post by observer on Feb 4, 2011 16:49:01 GMT -5
The long day of endless walking under the burning rays of the merciless sun finally came to an end, as the merciful darkness descended upon the barren lands. Or so it seemed for starters, and the trio had to enjoy that little time in between a burning hell of the sun and freezing hell of the night, that hour or two as things were slowly cooling off.
- C'mon, men! Erm... and women. Whatever, just keep moving. We have almost reached the place where we can stay for the night. - Soren whispered harshly, realizing his phrase went a bit awkward. he hoped to have reached the end of the desert by nightfall, but with speed these two were going that seemed to be a bit impossible - the girl was obviously not prepared for such long travels physically, and Impmon's legs were just too short. The renamon felt pissed for having to travel with such a snail-like speed, but at the same time thinking about himself being the most capable member of the group inflated his ego.
And during their march nobody asked him even one awkward question about what happened. Soren actually enjoyed this company. Sure they were silly and helpless, but nobody poked at him with fingers and called him villain and whatnot. They were even thanking him for all his help! Well this was rare. And maybe they'll even leave him that medicine bottle they mentioned, or so he hoped...
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Post by Mirei on Feb 4, 2011 17:29:06 GMT -5
"Wait, we aren't used to walk through the desert like you"
The duo was having a hard time walking on the 100% sand-filled desert, it wasn't the same as walking on firm earth and in the case of Manabi, her shoes were filling with sand while the impmon's feet were growing calluses from walking on the hot sand. It was almost magical the ability of desert dwellers to move so easily through this difficult territory and it was worth envy because this place put to test the ability to adapt to your environments so only those who adapted to life here lived while those who didn't died and become digieggs, hopefully being more competent in their next life.
During their journey they saw many oasis, most of them were mirages while a few ones were as Soren stated real, he knew very well how to distinguish what was real from what was fantasy and now their ability to differentiate what is fake and what was real was put to test as they found a quicksand next to them as soon they reached the fast walking renamon, blocking the path. It was rather large and it seemed to devour anything that came closer.
"This world is so strange that I bet that quicksand is a trap"
"Hmm ... yep, it looks like a trap but it could also be a normal quicksand we can simply walk around to reach the other side, what do you think Soren?"
After discovering that there were bandits hidden in the desert, it wasn't too far-fetched to imagine that the quicksands were created by a digimon, there were quite a few of them capable of concealing themselves underground and create quicksands to trap their victims ... but maybe it was a normal one. Nevermind, all they had to do was to avoid getting closer and nothing bad would happen
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Post by observer on Feb 4, 2011 17:47:21 GMT -5
- I think you talk too much. - Soren made a remark. Quicksand as a trap... Get real. No digimon was able to do that. And this "sea of quicksand" did not come from nowhere - he knew about it's location, saw it a few times. It was actually formed because there was an underground river below, and a very long, though rather narrow line of quicksands was formed on the surface along its path. Because of the length, it was hard to make a detour around it, so ... they'd have to go through it.
- I hope everybody knows how to swim... Quicksand is sand mixed with water, clay and whatnot. All that is way heavier than water, so ... you will float in it. - the fox said as he took off his cloak again, not wishing it to be stained by the dirty substance which formed the quicksand. After that, he went further, until sands reached his ankles, and turned around.
- You're coming or what?
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Post by Mirei on Feb 4, 2011 18:25:53 GMT -5
"Well, you are the expert here"
If Soren said it was safe, there was not reason to not believe him, it wasn't like he was a murderous digiegg destroyer bastard after all, he was simply a normal desert dweller with an attitude, no more, no less.
"Take my hand, we can pass easier together"
" Hmm ... ok "
She understood he was being serious about helping her as much as possible, but almost always his help consisted in having direct contact with her in one or another way, from sleeping together to holding hands ... but whatever, she can't be picky in this strange world and any help is was well welcomed, so she accepted his help and together braved those water-like sands holding hands.
"Eh ... the sand is already covering half my body, it's still ok to travel through it?"
She was getting nervous due how she was getting covered by the sand, and the impmon ... he was a bit of a midget so the sand covered him up to the shoulders.
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Post by observer on Feb 4, 2011 18:48:52 GMT -5
- I said "swim", not "walk". Like this... - Soren said as he saw the two entering the quicksands as well. Well, at least they didn't chicken out of this. To show proper example, the renamon dived into the sands fearlessly, he did it before several times after all. The "sand river wasn't that wide, and a few dozen strokes - and he reached the other side. Swimming through the sands was harder than through water of course, but he was a strong digimo after all.
- Brrrr... Now I feel dirty again. When was the last time I took a good bath? - the renamon complained as he looked upon himself, to see he's covered with that nasty mix of wet sand and clay. Not exactly good for his good-looking self, so he started shaking off said sand away. Considering his whole body was covered with it, it could take a little while.
- Hurry up there, will you?! - he shouted to the two, who were still struggling in the sands, being completely sure they'll manage to come across this tiny obstacle by themselves... I mean c'mon, how hard could it be? Tis only a dozen meters to swim through...
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Post by Mirei on Feb 4, 2011 19:18:00 GMT -5
"Hnn ... fine!"
The girl mustered all her courage, closed her eyes and then frantically "swam" if you can call that swimming towards the place where the desert fox waited for them. The impmon fared a bit better and swam closely to Manabi, he had plenty of experience swimming due living in the beach and .. that really didn't help as much as he thought, it wasn't the same "swimming" through sand than swimming through water but at least he managed to pull it.
Eventually both of them reached Soren, Manabi exhausted for using too much energy thrashing the sand with an unrefined style and Irmgard only slightly tired as he was more experienced.
"Is that .. *huff* ... the only quicksand here?"
Eww ... now she was all covered with sand and mud and needed of a good shower to get rid of the dirt. It was pretty tough for her to deal with a single quicksand and was really worried about having to deal with another one again
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Post by observer on Feb 4, 2011 19:43:49 GMT -5
- Yes, but not any we can't go around. Take a breather, and we should be continuing our march. Just over that dune I have built another hideout. We can take shelter there for the night... - Soren said and pointed the direction. These two were pretty tired after their swim, so he figured they could rest for a short while, so he sat on the ground for a bit.
- I have these built along the path I lead travelers across the desert. Shaitan is pissed off at me for that, I lead the people around his ambushes, so they can't loot 'em... - Soren explained as he looked away. It would be unfortunate if these two would somehow be caught in a crossfire of his feud with the desert gang leader. Tis why he was in such a hurry - he wanted them to leave these accursed places as soon as possible.
Then his eyes focused on the imp and the girl again, more on the girl though, because of her complaining and more pitiful state she was in. Her once frilly dress was now stained and mudded, and ripped in several places. It was quickly becoming a rag - useless pieces of cloth that only hindered movement. At these moments the renamon felt he was lucky he did not need to wear any of those - in this harsh environment clothes would have been wasted too fast.
- Were I you, I'd get rid of some of those useless fabrics, they'd only entangle your feet. - Soren sounded what he was thinking, and the next moment, without any warning, and without giving any time for either the girl or the imp to react, latched onto the raggish lower part of the dress and tore it off, making the dress shorter in half. - Better that way?
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Post by Mirei on Feb 4, 2011 20:14:42 GMT -5
"Thank goodness!"
Finally she could take a break after the non stop walking since the morning and while it meant to spend yet another night in the desert, it was better than continue traveling at night, when bandits thrived and the temperature plummeted to almost below zero in the worst cases.
"By the way, who is this "Shaitan"? Those bandits mentioned it before and now you are doing it."
Shaitan had to be somebody important the impmon guessed as he walked along Manabi and Soren, he was interested in knowing about and ... just what the heck that renamon was doing? The impmon felt anger when he saw the fox tear apart a piece of cloth from the human girl's skirt, and the vulpine digimon even dared to ask if she was feeling better now! That pervert, he should teach him some manners, but ... mixed feelings again, he couldn't get angry with their guide, he could easily abandon them if they showed any hint of ingratitude, so the impmon had to swallow his jealousy and simply continue walking towards the shelter.
"Eek, at least warn me before doing that!"
The girl was visibly upset from having the lower part of her skirt torn apart so suddenly but quickly calmed herself. It was genuinely easier to move around now and at least she thought that digimon showed no attraction towards humans, so she was safe from any pervert thing both of those digimon could try. After all they weren't of the same species and most likely none of them found her attractive due said difference in species.
The duo simply walked in silence towards the direction Soran pointed at and didn't not much else, they were tired from walking for so long and that little incident with the quicksands and the skirt left them in a bad mood.
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Post by observer on Feb 5, 2011 7:29:59 GMT -5
- Shaitan is the leader the exiles around here. He's also the one who leads the looting raids on those who dare crossing the desert for some reasons - that's how they fill their own supply piles. Strange he send those pathetic excuses for enforcers on me. When he needs to deal with somebody ... he usually does it himself. - Soren did not give that much details about the digimon itself, but he did explain in short what that one was doing around the deserts. It was easy to figure out these two were not in good relations - the renamon's actions effectively undermined Shaitan's efforts.
Soon they approached another abandoned hut which looked just like the one they were in earlier, only more crumbling, maybe. it was half, covered with sand, and Soren had to dig a bit to allow the entrance be seen. Obviously, this place was not used in a very long time. He opened the door, and a gust of stuffy air came out. Well, once again, not first class, but better than nothing. The renamon focused on his right hand for a second, and that one was soon caught in blue flames, which acted like a torch, lighting up whatever was inside with it's ghastly light.
- After you.
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Post by Mirei on Feb 5, 2011 9:52:03 GMT -5
"That explains it all, and maybe there's something else behind him using those three weak digimon after you"
Irmgard didn't know anything about how things worked in the desert, but if that guy was so interested in getting rid of Soren, sending those three was either a desperate movement or it was part of a cunning strategy that none in the team could understand. Something bad could happen if they sticked around the area for longer but they simply had no energy left to continue, so Soren't alternative of staying in another of his shelters was the best one and hopefully that foul desert lord didn't know about the shelter's existence.
Soren's "shelter" become visible after walking more and it was in even poorer conditions than the one from before, it looked like no one was there for ages and the stagnant air from inside smelled like death. Their guide created fire on his hand to illuminate the hut and asked them to go it. That was completely unneeded as the impmon could create fire to illuminate the area as well, but oh well, he lost yet another chance to look useful and competent, so the imp digimon resigned again to be one step behind the renamon and went inside the hut along Manabi
"This place need better ventilation"
"Beggars can't be choosers, we should simply accept it and try to sleep. We can keep ourselves warmer if we sleep together in the same place"
There he was again, suggesting things that got them closer than usual. He wanted to look more dependable using his book smarts and it was a nice bonus that he could sleep next to a cute human girl like her again.
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Post by observer on Feb 5, 2011 11:34:01 GMT -5
Oh, you'd want that now wouldn't you? - Soren thought with sarcasm upon hearing Impmon's proposal. Sure, technically it was a good idea, but the renamon was not blind, he saw how the little imp acted around the girl, and was able to identify which is which. He, however, didn't care, it was their personal affair after all. And he'd rather leave these two alone for the night xD Especially considering what he tends to do while asleep.
- Do what you will... - the renamon said, locating a similar pot with oil he lighted up back at his other shelter. The oil was covered with a layer of dust and dirt floating at its surface, but what was beneath was still usable. He cleared out whatever was there, and lit up the oil - it should do well for one night. After that ... he'll just find some more to fill the pots back in.
- ... But I have a nasty habit of thrashing around in my sleep, so I'd rather stay awake for tonight. Keep an eye on the outside, or ... something like that. - he added, and went towards the exit. This actually was the real reason behind it. This hut was smaller than the one they stayed in earlier, and he did not want to be embarrassed after slugging someone in his sleep or yell real loud. And besides, someone should keep watch, for any unexpected visitors.
- Help yourselves.
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Post by Mirei on Feb 5, 2011 13:02:12 GMT -5
"Thanks"
"I can finally sleep in peace ..."
The impmon had to reconsider his opinion towards the renamon. Surprisingly, he offered himself to act as guard of the hut while he and the human girl slept quietly in peace. Most likely under that layer of tough as nails wisecrack one liner attitude lied a heart of gold.
"Good night Manabi, good night Soren."
"*yawn*, good night everybody"
And then both of them lied on the straw bed to try to rest a little. Manabi, being just an average human, quickly feel asleep but Irmgard remained awake, the tales about bandits and this boss of theirs made him feel worried about the situation and tried to remain on guard for some more time, but the tiredness was stronger than him and eventually feel asleep as well.
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Post by observer on Feb 5, 2011 13:31:47 GMT -5
- Yeah, good for you. - Soren only muttered as he heard words those two said before going to sleep. Indeed, they are the tired ones around here, so they should rest. Soren really needed sleep only, what, 1 time per 3 or 4 days? Didn't matter. He closed the wooden door behind them, so that the could air would not get in. It would get cold enough during the night anyhow, and that feeble heat source would not do good enough anyway.
- Ok... What to do now... - the fox mused as he lend both of his hands forward, and focused on his abilities he inherited upon becoming a renamon. Soon, numerous crystals appeared, hanging soundlessly in the air, gleaming in the moonlight. It was pretty, and Soren focused on them for a little while. Then one of his hands clenched fist, and the chrystals started moving, melding one with another to create something that looked like a lance. A very pretty crystal lance. - Ah good. - Soren said, upon grabbing the newly formed weapon, and started patrolling the small perimeter around the hut, whistling some sort of a song to pass the time...
[end thread]
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