Lastlook: Entering the River

[ruin_mania]

[For the past day or so, it's pretty clear the Amber Steppe has been left behind and the Totem Coast is getting closer. The air is more humid and the undergrowth has gone from a burnt amber color to be thicker, greender, and almost bordering on jungle-like. Several other streams have joined the one that the explorers have been following until it's almost large enough to start sailing on. Raine had encouraged everyone to press on, though, not sure it was time just yet (and also because she doesn't particularly like boats, okay). The cliffs around them start to grow up as well, and it probably won't be too long before the jungle becomes a properly impassable one, leaving the river as the only choice.

But this morning, another large stream had joined up with their and now it was more like a proper river. In the late morning they reach a large pier with five boats. The river also begins to take a higher road from here downstream, while the jungle starts to clog the lower road. Looks like it won't be too much longer before they're in the very painting that led them here. It's time to investigate those boats - and unload the smaller onces Percy Jackson has packed. And if you don't trust either of these, there are some inflatable rafts that Raine has packed as well.

So let's load up, and they'll be on the water by the afternoon!]

Comments

[ino]

[to Korra] Exactly!

[and then to Sheena] He'll definitely have the skill and the tools to do it. If he can fix it, we can use all of the boats.

[polar]

[Grinning, Korra puts her fist into the palm of her other hand.]

Let's do this.

[ninjainviolet]

[Sheena looks at all of them before nodding. She has no idea what Ino may have in mind for them to do.]

Okay! Let's go!

[whichwayyoulean]

[The poor soul in question is way, way back away from the river, watching the flying fish fluttering up in the sky. Unsurprisingly, he looks very unamused by this entire venture.

A river. It had to be a river]

[heal_theworld]

[Martel zeroes in on him, walks over and calls to him.] Once-Ler~ We need your help for something!

[ino]

Something very important~!

[polar]

Also super special, so only you can do it as far as we know.

[ninjainviolet]

[Sheena's not good at this form of asking, but she manages at least one word while maintaining her innocent expression.]

Please?

1/2

[whichwayyoulean]

[Oh snap, where did all these ladies suddenly come from?

Did his milkshake finally bring all the girls to the yard?]

2/2

[whichwayyoulean]

[No. It can't be that.

He'll narrow his eyes suspiciously]

Does it involve the loss of limbs and/or excessive bleeding?

[hedonic]

[ From where she's been observing along the shore, elven ears having a difficult time not hearing this nonsense, Echidna can't help but laugh over this little event. Sup, a scantily clad elf is suddenly in your space, people, and the snake at her waist is eyeballing everyone. Oh hi Ino OH HI INO /drape ]

Beautiful women are flocking to you and acting like they need a man to do the work, and you're worried about getting injured? What has the world come to?

[heal_theworld]

[Martel looks over at the snake lady, and decides to ignore that she's there for a moment. Sounds like an excellent idea.] Of course it doesn't involve that. Don't be silly, Once-Ler.

1/2

[ino]

[give her a moment, once-ler, to glare REALLY ANGRILY at echidna. and also shove her really hard in hopes that she'll fall over, or at least move away from her]

[ino]

[and then she looks to onceler, smiling like nothing even happened]

Nope! Just fixing something. And you're the best man for the job!

[polar]

And don't worry about hurting your noodle arms, we'll take care of the heavy lifting.

[She glances at Echidna, but says nothing at the moment.]

[ninjainviolet]

[One thing about Sheena, she can be a quick learner. Seeing the others ignore the newcomer, she does, too. Not to mention use certain assets effectively.]

Like Ino said, you'll be perfectly all right. We'll make sure of it.

[whichwayyoulean]

[Wow and there's another woman who...Ino apparently doesn't like. None of this is making the Once-ler feel any more at ease]

...This isn't some weird lady thing is it? Because I'm not sure how comfortable I am with that...

[hedonic]

[ She's quick to hop back and out of the way. An elf losing her footing on solid ground would be pretty pathetic. But she doesn't appear offended by the 'rejection', only smiling more at Ino not at all the way someone looks while hunting and blows her a kiss before getting a good look at the other girls in the group.

...Why are they wasting their efforts on this boy again? She doesn't get it. ]

Why request his help at all, if he's clearly weaker than all of you? Don't tell me the ladies here rely on men to do everything.

[heal_theworld]

[Let's continue to ignore the crazy elven lady, shall we? And cut to the chase, before he says no.]

No, no, we need you to fix the boat over there.

[ino]

[ignoring that kiss, though she's clearly irritated now]

I'm sure you brought tools, right?

[polar]

[The others have this under control, so Korra just gives in and turns to Echidna, obviously curious.]

Okay, seriously, who are you?

[ninjainviolet]

[Sheena, meanwhile, keeps ignoring the other woman--especially after that last comment.]

Don't listen to her, Once-ler. You can do something that no one else here can do. That makes you pretty strong.

[Oh, yeah. The truth.]

[hedonic]

Hm?

[ The woman turns her attention on Korra, giving her a once-over...then a twice-over. The girl sure has on a lot of clothes, but Echidna can see muscle where the skin is exposed.

A slow, much more specific smile spreads at the invitation to an introduction, and Echidna soon abandons Ino to stand beside Korra. The snake that was previously around her waist is gone, by the way... Maybe someone should worry about that, but everyone else seems pretty focused on the little man. She could honestly care less about the pathetic attempt these girls are making... ]

I'm called Echidna, the Veteran Mercenary. Pleasure to make your acquaintance.

[whichwayyoulean]

Okay, first off, you? [He points at Echidna as he stands up] Are really rude. And very underdressed. Seriously, put some clothes on.

[That said, he looks at the other, marginally less frightening womenfolk]

Of course I brought tools, and I can take a look at it. [Pause] So that means we're actually using the boats? Like...floating in them? On the river?

[heal_theworld]

That's generally what you do with a boat, yes. [And now she's watching the woman-Echidna-very carefully, since Once-ler just kind of...insulted her.]