(no subject)

[ruin_mania]

[Good evening, explorers! After departing from Cair Paradisa, the path was south at first, but turned west fairly early on. Skirting well south of Eldritch Forest, the travelers had camped near the edge of the Amber Steppe, not quite within sight of the forest that marks the Totem Coast. The grasses are parched brown by the heat, though greener patches mark the presence of water. It's near one of these - a small, bubbling stream leading west that Raine has chosen to follow as it will almost certainly run into the river marked on her map - that the travelers have made their camp.

The carts and wagons are arranged in a defensive circle, though the campers are free to set up their tents outside them as well as inside wher ethe rest of them are. There are small cooking fires scattered around as well as a large bonfire in the center for socializing.

Play music? Sing? Teach those poor non-Earth kids how to make s'mores? Or just sit around and socialize with others.

Or hide in your tent and ignore everyone, if you really want to.]

Comments

[disciplines]

[You're right. Guess who quietly saunters up, sitting nearby, pretending like she's reviewing some notes and making sketches of the area. She sends Ruu off to go watch the area for her, flipping her cape's hood down and snorting a bit.

She's quiet. She looks like she has something to say, but she's letting her quiet intimidate you. Her eyes stay sharp, shifting to you now and again, sighing.

You are so being graded.]

[hedonic]

[ Oh yeah, she's very intimidated. If by intimidated you mean annoyed, which can have a similar effect on her at the very least. She had been expecting some sanctimonious speech or sharp remark right off the bat, but then there's the chance Alleyne doesn't even know and is just lurking to keep a general eye on her.

Appearing to casually stretch, Echidna tips her head back to get an upside-down glance of the older elf's posture, and she immediately knows that isn't true. Which only makes her grin. ]

The sky is beautiful, isn't it? Don't tell me you're drawing the stars. That would be sentimental of you.

[disciplines]

Bah, I'm making a map of everywhere we've been. The sentimental can wait for after the practical is done with. Romanticism won't find us our way home nor give accurate record for those that stayed behind.

[She puts down another negative notch by your name. Don't be such an invasive, peeking poophead.]

I've no time for trivial pursuits or other nonsense. Unlike you.

[That last part sounds especially damning and sharp.]

[hedonic]

[ Rolling over onto her stomach, a deceptively innocent position (it is what snakes do, hello), Echidna props herself up on her elbows while rolling her empty cup about with a fingertip. ]

Trivial is in the eye of the beholder, hm? Not that I would know of what you're referencing.

[disciplines]

[Well aren't you super adorable today? By which she means annoying. So an average day.]

I should have known you'd play dumb and coy with me, tch. You don't think I can't hear what goes on on this trip, do you? I've been watching since day one, snake.

[hedonic]

And yet you did nothing. Who's really to blame?

[disciplines]

I'm not about to make a scene. Not for your sake, but for everyone else. This trip should go as easy as possible. I don't care that you came along, but behave yourself.

[She sighs and rubs her head]

These expeditions are no games, snake.

[hedonic]

Who says I'm playing?

[disciplines]

[If she didn't know better, she'd have thrown you into the river about now. She grits her teeth and growls a bit, trying to keep cool, closing her book and looking Echidna dead in the eyes.]

Either way, just knock it off. If you make amends now, I'll drop it. It's not worth dragging this out all the way out here. Understood?

[hedonic]

[ Still sprawled on her stomach, Echidna's nonetheless poised for an attack, muscles taut and stray hand close to a knife. She'll only win if Alleyne loses her composure. ]

Dear dear, you may have to spell it out for me with one of your long and boring lectures.

[disciplines]

[She rubs her own neck, rolling it a bit and taking a deep breath. She can't lose, not to her, because for once it's not herself she's talking to you for.]

I overheard you took Aradia's dagger. I made that for her. You've no right to it.

[hedonic]

Aradia? Right right, isn't that your little pupil? I don't know why you would assume I took it. I heard quite a few things have gone missing, actually... You think I would be so tacky as to steal from them all? I do have standards.

Your own prejudices are blinding you to another thief in this camp. [ Not that she'll say who. ] Perhaps several, for all that you know.

[disciplines]

...She's one of my best friends here. She's done more for me and others here in her short life than you have used your unaging body for. Whether you took it or not, it sounds like you at least know of its whereabouts, and that you did possibly take something.

[She keeps her tone quiet the whole time, no matter how serious or sharp tongued she gets. She doesn't need anyone overhearing her like she heard you all.]

You're not as guiltless as you're making yourself sound.

[hedonic]

[ Her expression seems to sour a touch at the first jab. ]

You always were such a cruel mistress, weren't you? To any not worthy in your eyes.

[ Echidna's arms slide back against the ground, and she swiftly pushes back into a crouch. She appears to observe Alleyne for a moment, almost seeming to consider her offer. ]

2/2

[hedonic]

[ But her slow smile ought to make it clear she had made her decision before the theft was even carried out. Promptly standing up, the elf holds her arms out to her sides, the snake that had previously been wandering the camp now sliding up her thigh to wrap around her waist.

She raises her voice a considerable amount, haughty tone carrying a dark jingle; more than happy to get other people involved. Especially when it wasn't what Alleyne wanted. ]

You're welcome to search me, if you're so insistent, Combat Instructor! I'm nothing if not willing.

[disciplines]

[You disgusting wench. If she could disown you a second time, she would.

She tenses up just a bit, trying to still herself. Of course you're escalating it. You fucking exhibitionist, you want everyone to know and see. It's all about you. At this point, embarrassing Alleyne is just a bonus for you, isn't it? Especially in front of people that trust her.

She just folds her arms and stares. Man, you look silly. What if she had Ruu search you?]

No thanks, I'd rather not have to take a river bath so soon. I'm not about to give you the satisfaction of it, either. You can grow up and end this any time, you know. You're only going to make this harder on yourself.

[hedonic]

[ That makes her scoff, and she drops a hand to rest above her waist. ]

I can't believe you said that with a straight face. How many points is that?