paradisabeyond | (no subject)

[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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Just a look. ]

Your first expedition?

I'm just having fun and seeing where this goes. I'm not exactly with the group.

You probably won't find that attitude among a lot of us. [ Two years in this place. She doesn't want to be here for a third year. ]

Oh I'm already grossly unpopular for it. What can I say? I live in the moment.

[ There's a seemingly innocent shrug before she drops back to lie on the ground, the serpent around her waist taking the chance to slither away somewhere. Legs crossed and her hands linked behind her head, she feels just as comfortable as she looks. Fire always helps with that. ]

It's unfortunate that this place has worn down so many. But beauty like yours shines well in the dark, did you know that?

[ Her eyes follow the serpent for as long as it's in sight. When it disappears (is that safe?) she looks back at Echidna. She smiles a little. ]

It hasn't worn me down. I'm going to admit I'm ready to put up a fight to get out of here if needed.

[ She peeks over with one eye, appearing curious. Her own weapons (at least most of them) and her buckler are visibly strapped to her thighs, so feigning ignorance on the matter would be a waste of time. ]

A fight, huh? Is that what you're expecting, or just hoping for?

Have to consider the possibilities. I'd prefer if we have a smooth journey, but we don't know what's out there or who's watching.

First Gens are rarely chummy with us.

First Gens?

First Generation. They lived in the castle once, but most have taken off into the Dead Zone. They're usually hostile toward us.

Of course, I've heard of them... Though few have really been able to explain the hostility. Everything is such a sore subject around here.

Because we don't have the full story. Most of them hate us and have no qualms about trying to kill us. I assume it's for the same reasons as the townspeople; they don't trust us and are afraid.

Sounds like you people need a negotiator. Someone neutral.

"You people"?

Ah, forgive me. We're a team, aren't we... But you should know not everybody's priorities are the same. You don't strike me as the naïve type.

We're all stuck here together, whether we like it or not.

Of course. Yet it seems clear these 'First Gens' don't seem to see it that way.

The question is, do they want to leave like most of us or not?

That is a question... Has anyone asked them?

I think the First Gens have a "shoot first, don't bother with anything else" policy.

Isn't that interesting? To go so far into defense that they're right back into offense. And what usually makes people act that way?

Fear. [ Shrug. ] Possibly unhinged.

Is that all? Such narrow-minded thinking... You need to look into why they're afraid.

[ She leans, probably too close for comfort, but since when has she cared? ]

People that scared have something worth protecting. And something that valuable is usually worth attempting to retrieve. Just because it hasn't gotten them home doesn't mean it hasn't done something else amazing. If nothing else, it could drastically shift power.

[ She frowns, but doesn't shift back. ]

This place steals all sorts of things from us and eats at our emotions. Probably our souls if you believe in that. Might not even send you back to your home world and tends to implant fake memories when it shoves you into another place in this world.

Can't say I see what could be amazing about imprisonment. [ A beat. ] Nor do I have sympathy toward people who would attack us, along with a group of children, without as much as a second thought.

How honorable of you. I wonder if that impressive resolve holds under stress... I can't wait to find out.

Do you have a name?

[ Now she moves back, looking more unimpressed by the second. What is this, some game to her? ]

Kate.

(no subject)

hedonic - 2012-08-28 09:57 (UTC) - Expand