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

[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.]

[ino]

We have to head down the river if we're going to get to Lastlook.

[she'll be shooting onceler an appreciative grin, though -- SHE AGREES, WHOLEHEARTEDLY -- before glancing over to echidna. because yeah even though it's true echidna might get mad]

[polar]

Uh, yeah sure. [She resists the urge to comment on the name. Was it short for Echidna Goose or something? Who the heck names their kid after an animal, anyway?]

You friends with Ino or Onceler?

[hedonic]

[ Sorry, Korra, did you say something ridiculous? It doesn't matter because her gaze is pinned fiercely on Onceler after he shares his opinion with the group. Nudging her way past the girl, Echidna stops directly in front of Onceler, one hand on her hip. ]

Is that your name, boy? Onceler? Do I make you uncomfortable? Let me show you how I apologize.

[ She moves quickly, the twisting, double bladed sword originally hanging from her hip suddenly in her hand and swinging down. This got serious incredibly quickly Welcome to Queen's Blade and Onceler might literally get a hole in the gut if someone with quick reflexes doesn't immediately move him or block her blade. ]

[ino]

[she is sooooo not glad her suspicions were right. sigh, lady, why do you have to be such a pain in the ass!!!

still, she'll be immediately hopping protectively in front of once-ler. she's drawing the tanto from her belt and using it to deflect her blow]

[polar]

[Korra's already moving to forcefully yank Onceler out of the way with one arm while aiming a kick to knock the blade aside. Whether it makes contact with Echidna's arm, or if Ino's blade takes the blow, the lanky guy with the big mouth is out of harm's way.]

[ninjainviolet]

[Sheena reacts the second she sees Once-ler's far enough back before suddenly dropping and doing a sweeping kick towards the elf's legs.]

Your apology sucks. Maybe you need to work on it.

[hedonic]

[ She sees the flash of metal signalling another weapon just as her sword clashes with Ino's. In a moment's glance, she recognizes her blade as something Tomoe's former sidekick would have carried, but has no time to enjoy the clash and the sparks, since more than one woman appears at the man's defense.

Already alerted by Ino, it's easy for her to see the the kick coming right for her hand, so she gives a fierce shove against Ino's blade to buy herself just enough time to jump high, only missing Sheena's kick by sheer luck. With a flip, she lands behind Ino, both her buckler and sword now held out. Rather than be annoyed by the three girls attacking her, she appears...excited. If nothing else, she isn't attacking again right away. ]

Feel free to give me some practice then, dear. All three of you at once? This is almost nostalgic.

[heal_theworld]

[Martel is pretty sure they have this covered, and backs away, her staff held up just in case, and grabs Once-Ler by the arm, hopefully to pull him farther away, and whispers at him.] Why do you have to open your mouth?

[whichwayyoulean]

[He really, honestly wasn't expecting Rude Girl to try to murder him. Between the moments of his brain having a OMGWTFBBQ?!!! reactions, he realises he should probably be glad he knows a lot of women who are ridiculously good at fighting.

He'll let himself be dragged out of the way because, yeah. This is so not his thing. It's the least 'his thing' thing he's ever experienced]

Because I'm me and I mess everything up. Seriously, we just had this conversation a few days ago.

[ino]

[and ino's immediately turning on her heel to point her sword threateningly at echidna, glad that onceler's been moved out of the way! she won't make another offensive move until echidna does something, but she will lower her voice threateningly]

Touch him, and I'll kill you.

[polar]

[The Avatar's there as well, in a stance similar to bending, but more oriented for straight hand to hand. Her eyes are narrowed, indicating she's on edge, ready to move whenever she needs to. She tenses at Ino's statement, but stays silent.]

[ninjainviolet]

[Sheena has to pull back her blow when the elf misses it, but she's quick to leap to her feet and stand next to Ino, daggers that were once hidden suddenly in her hand.

For once in her life, she keeps quiet, letting Ino speak for all of them.]

[hedonic]

[ Gaze flitting between the three girls ready to apparently take her down (or die trying) for the weakling of a man that's currently being dragged away to safely, Echidna can't help but wonder if it's worth it. Not the fight itself, per se; she never needs an excuse for a good brawl.

But if these girls have such bad taste in who they take under her charge, does she really want to bother getting excited and spending time with any of them? It's almost pathetic, really, and only makes her want to mutilate the boy even more.

With a flash of her teeth, Echidna pretends to shiver, thighs squeezing together as she licks her lips and starts to crouch a touch. While she's still observing Korra and Sheena, the lewd look she's offering is directed mostly at Ino. ]

Those are heavy words, missie. I'm just aching at the thought of making you choke on them. You're all so daring and cute... Which one should I cut up first? One...two...

[heal_theworld]

[She hears that, and knows that Echidna is not going to let this go. If this gets out of hand, she'll have to protect Once-ler, because she'd come after him. Really, Once-Ler, why must you insult the truly dangerous ones? She leans up and whispers in his ear again.] Just stay behind me, all right? If she gets through them... [She doesn't finish that sentence, because she refuses to believe she'd get through all three of them. Hopefully.]

[whichwayyoulean]

[He's surprised by Ino's words, really. He knew they would have kept their world and not let him...die horribly out here. But to actually hear it, well. That was something else.

And yes, he must insult the really dangerous ones. He starts to nod to get ehind her and then pauses. Speaking quietly]

Uh...don't you guys have no powers here? Doesn't that put you all at a really bad disadvantage? [Guys don't die]

[ino]

[that gets you a wholly disgusted look, echidna. WHY ARE YOU SO CREEPY AND GROSS UGH. but she doesn't take her eyes off her, or lower her sword -- in fact, she's preparing to bring out even more sharp and pointy things if need be]

Just leave.

[polar]

[Same stance, no words towards Echidna, but she does call over to Onceler.]

Shut up now.