thebastion | [Day 206] Set my sail

Entry tags:

[Day 206] Set my sail

Who: Colin, Zulf, Tris, and Tobias
Open: Closed
When: 206
Where: On the Skyway, close to Terminal territory
What: It's time to make an offering of peace... Step one is finding the Ura group, however.
Format: Action?
Warnings: None planned, will be updated

The plague may have been taken care of on the Bastion's end, but there's still something that's been bothering two residents of the Bastion. The fact of the matter was that there was another group of survivors out there. Ura survivors. Considering the recent incident between them and a group from the Bastion, however, and it's clear that careful steps need to be taken.

That's why the group gathered for this recent expedition more or less looks rather harmless, which is just as Zulf prefers it, but can still take care of themselves, which is how Colin does. All the necessary items have been packed along with them, including a set of spare clothing for Tobias just in case and some of the cure for the plague. It's been a bit of a journey, but, well... here they are. The same place that the cure recovery group once was.

Instead of his usual attire, Zulf is wearing the outfit which a couple of the group might remember from Night's funeral. It's not his preferred wear, but... it's the most Ura kind of clothing he immediately has on hand. He'll have to rectify that for later... But for now he turns to the rest of the group. "Everyone's doing alright so far?"

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Colin falls silent and he lets Zulf talk, looking between Zulf and the scout. He also takes some time to scan around the area, aiming to pinpoint all the vital signs in the area. He has no intention of fighting these people, but if push comes to shove, he wants to know where the bullets will be flying from...

"A cure?"

The Ura looks surprised to hear that. Surprised, and a bit unsure of what to do. He glances nervously over to one of the bushes nearby, inadvertently revealing the hiding spot of one of the other soldiers, who also is probably this Ura's commanding officer. But as quickly as he looks away, he looks back to Zulf, and he speaks again. "But why? Every resource is precious now, why not keep it for yourselves?"

There is also near-silent movement in the trees around the group, as the hidden soldiers move into better positions. Not to attack, but to see more clearly. They are just as confused by this as everyone else is.

The patient look on Zulf's face softens into a smile for just a moment. "Just because I left for Caelondia doesn't mean I'll ever abandon any of my fellow Ura when they're in need. The fact that it's precious means it's all the more vital to share it with you." And just like that, he's back to being calm but serious.

"We've managed to use it on everyone else who needed it back in our camp. As of the moment, there is nothing for us to fear. The same can't be said for you, especially since we did not know if you would have anyone dedicated to Jevel amongst your ranks who could deal with such an epidemic. The fact that it is precious makes it all the more important to share it with you. Times like this are exactly why we should not divide ourselves with greed or fear."

It makes sense, in a way. If Zulf's group has already taken care of their sick, and they had extra, why not share it to try and build relations with other groups out there? Since there's so few of them left, and they're all going to be using the same resources, so getting along is vital.

But this Ura isn't the one who makes the call. No, it's another, older Ura, one who appears behind the young man suddenly, who does. Nobody else would know who he is, but Tobias would be able to recognize him. He was the one giving the orders back when everyone was getting shot at.

"Give us the cure and leave," he says, calmly but firmly, "Or we will make you leave, one way or another."

That is when a handful of Ura make their presence known, stepping out of brush or jumping down from branches above. It's not everyone surrounding them, but it's enough to outnumber the four people present. A couple of them are also from the incident in the terminals, but some are new faces too.

None of them are moving to act yet, but they're standing there to make it known that they will act if the group tries anything funny.

The appearance of the superior officer is- surprising, there's no denying that. At the same time, Zulf has been expecting him or someone similar to make an appearance. You couldn't leave a lower warrior to be your representative forever, after all. After the initial slight start, Zulf gives an obedient nod to the new face. There wasn't any plan to stay around, after all-

Then the group gets bigger and an abrupt change comes over him.

Anyone paying attention won't miss the way his shoulders get tense or how his skin gets all the paler, betraying the expression on his face that can be seen from the front- a deer caught in the headlights. Colin can likely pick up the fact that his heart is threatening to go out his chest. There's a belated pause before he turns his head to nod to Tris, not saying anything- his jaw is clenched shut. His hands are shaking too, nails dug into the back of one hand.

<Give me the bag. Drape it around my neck or give it to me to hold in my teeth. I'll take it over. They'll expect one of you to attack - not the horse. Not that I'm going to attack them, but I'm less likely to.>

Tobias takes a step towards Zulf and nudges him gently with his head.

"You okay, Zulf?" Colin asks quietly, taking GREAT note of his suddenly stressed condition. "You gonna be able to continue?"

Tris was introduced as the healer, certainly, but Colin was the one carrying the case of the medicine. Fortunately, he's got the bulk to look like he's the one who should be carrying extra supplies. He crouches, opening his bag, and producing a large case which he holds out to Tris.

"You're our 'healer', so I think it's up to you to decide how to hand this over. They can take it all," Colin tells her quietly, glancing to Tobias to ensure that both of them know it.

Edited 2014-07-30 23:19 (UTC)

Wow they suddenly got so friendly. Tris takes to twirling a braid about a finger for a moment, while Colin takes the cure out. It wouldn't be any surprise that the weather witch has decided she doesn't really like how they're behaving, and doesn't want to get that close to them.

Tris places a hand on Tobias's side, letting him know where she was while crossing around him.

"Go ahead and the case closer. You don't have to put it in their hands, just gently on the ground middle or more." Offering the case in turn to Tobias.

Edited 2014-07-31 01:18 (UTC)

Tobias tosses his head a bit and bites the handle, carefully walking over towards the Ura. He doesn't want to move too suddenly and have them get spooked, but he also wants to get this over with. He nears the middle of the distance, slows even more, and carefully lowers the case to the ground before letting go.

He turns and walks back towards the others more quickly and turns when he gets there so he's facing the Ura again.

The use of the horse is...odd, but it actually is a good choice, because it seems far less threatening. When Tobias sets the medicine down and walks back, the leader Ura will nudge the younger Ura, who takes a moment to respond (as he is watching Zulf worriedly. Don't think he didn't notice how pale Zulf got), into grabbing the case. While he's out grabbing the case, he says a quick, quiet, "Thank you" to the party, trying to express his gratitude without the leader seeing. Then he hurries back to where he had been standing before.

Then, with another nod to the other soldiers, the leader Ura gives the order for the others to stand back, giving the party ample room to leave, though any progress forward will still be blocked.

But before anyone can leave, the leader speaks once more. "Before you go, I am curious: how did you manage to find us?" He is looking out among everyone, not just at Zulf, as he speaks.

There's a small jerk of a nod at Colin's questions, although the fact that his heart rate and breathing aren't slowing down any betrays that small white lie, but it's Tobias' nudge that seems to help snap him out of it. He's still pale, and his hand is still clenched into his other one, but he seems to regain a bit of his self composure at least. "Just a bad memory," he murmurs back over his shoulder before giving a smile to the young warrior. It's shaky, but genuine.

They've accomplished what they've set out to do. Now they just need to leave... and he can catch his breath.

Zulf moves to Tobias' side as he returns to the group, a hand coming to unsteadily rest on his neck again. It'll be good for both of them, actually, now that he can think a bit through the instinctive panic. They're probably running out of time for this shape... He looks up at the question, however. Ah- of course. Making an effort to think and speak in Caelondian- easy considering how he was raised- Zulf speaks in a low voice to the rest of the group. Hopefully none of the other Ura know it too. "What do you want me to say? I'd prefer honesty... I was planning to leave my amulet for them anyway, in case they ran into anyone of ours again."

"I'm sure telling them that I can see images and hear sounds that the wind picks up will go over very well." Sarcasm, can you hear it? "No one in my world really liked hearing it, perhaps slightly modified honesty."

<And I'm sure that 'our horse can talk and change shape' is going to go over really well, too. But then again, if you explain that the Calamity hit more than one world, they might understand.>

Probably not, though. Most likely not.

Colin glances at the leader as he speaks, and then he smiles at Zulf. "If you're going to be okay," he says quietly. "But I think we should leave faster as opposed to sticking around for too long. I'd like to make sure they know we're up for help in the future, and I'd like to leave relations open for future contact, but make no mistake. That's military for 'We can manage just fine without you, get lost' and they mean it."

He reaches out to put a steadying hand on Zulf's arm then. They're all here for you, Zulf. "As for the answer to that question, remember what I said when you and Nathan had your little knockdown drag-out? A lie may go a thousand miles before the truth gets out of bed, but the truth is immortal, while lies are destined for a brutal, bloody death," Colin says gently. "Let's not make up any stories. We can just tell them that our last two expeditions bumped into each other, with less than stellar results, and we wanted to come and make things right. Between that, the tracks at the camp, and the remains of whatever happened..."

Colin shakes his head then. "If you can find out what they were shooting at, that might be helpful, but again, I speak military," he says. "And if we're LUCKY inquiring about that will get us a great big 'No Comment'."

If he were a bit more stable, Zulf would look positively exasperated at Tris and Tobias' statements. As it is, there's just a slight frown. "That's hardly what I meant." Colin distracts him then and the suggestion is a good one, although he won't blatantly say as such. There's just a nod.

"I won't make any promises about finding out in regards to that." With that said, although he doubts it really needs to be, Zulf looks back towards the group even as he reaches for one of the necklaces around his throat.

"When we were first looking for a starting point for the cure, an expedition was sent out. I heard that when they ran into one of yours, it wasn't a peaceful encounter. The four of us wanted to make sure that none of yours had been hurt, and to make sure you had access to more of the cure. Tris managed to find what was left of your camp. When we found it empty, with evidence shots had been fire at something... We only became more concerned. Well aware that we might run into whatever you had fought off or be perhaps mistaken as an enemy ourselves, we still resolved to see if we could find you. Your safety and health were still that important." He takes a breath and lets it out slowly, trying to calm his still rapidly beating heart. "Is there more you need to know?"

"No, that is enough."

This man sounds slightly less hostile now. But only slightly.

He nods to the younger Ura, who turns and walks away from the group, carrying the case. He's most likely taking it back to where these Ura are staying. The leader, however, stays for a moment to talk to the group. Yes, the whole group.

"If you really wish to 'leave relations open for future contact', leave us be for two weeks, so we can tend to our sick and make sure the cure is real. After two weeks have passed, you may send groups of four or less here to make contact with us. Come to this area specifically. Do not go further, do not 'explore' around, and do not wander."

Then, with his thumb and forefinger, he pulls on a small chain around his neck, revealing one of the amulets that everyone else is wearing.

"And bring more of these, so we can prevent any further miscommunication problems."

Secret test of character: passed, for the most part.

Ah.

Zulf's hand falls away from the amulet. "That makes things easier, doesn't it?" he says quietly, perhaps a bit numb and more to himself than anything. It looks like he'll be keeping his own for the time being. He keeps speaking in Ura- partially because there's others who don't have it, partially because his mind is still clinging to it as it tries to smother the panic still boiling about inside of him. His next words are spoken a little louder. "Two weeks, then. I'll make sure the amulets are brought." Hands folding in front of one another, he gives a slight bow. "Lemaign and Jevel keep you safe and well."

And with that, he'll turn to go, muttering under his breath.

"Let's leave, please." Without a 'script' for his mind to more or less follow, he's not sure how long he can keep himself together for much longer with this large of a group.

Tobias eyes the leader carefully and waits until the others turn, taking up the rear. He can always kick backwards if he has to. He needs to get out of this morph soon, but as soon as they start moving and are out of sight of the Ura he stamps impatiently.

<... We should bring food next time. They might appreciate it. But I need to find somewhere to demorph.>

"... Well, that would have been nice to know." That someone had lost an amulet before. They kept to being rather quiet anyway, so Tris isn't terribly bothered by that revelation.

She does purse her lips for a moment, and tug one of her breezes so that it loops from the Ura group to them. They seemed calmed down, so the threat of being attacked from behind was low, but anything interesting muttered would be brought to them.

Colin, unlike everyone else, actually laughs happily when he sees the pendant, and he nods. "As you say, two weeks" he says, and he bows his his head. "Thank you for your understanding."

He turns to Zulf, and he smiles. "Come on, Zulf. Let's get you out of here, you look about ready to pass out," he says gently, putting a steadying hand on Zulf's back.

"I'll be fine." Which is likely a boldfaced lie, to be honest, but Zulf is trying very very hard not to think about his own reactions. He just pays attention to Tobias. "I'm sorry for keeping you like this for so long- Tris, are we far enough now?"

<It's fine. It's better than being a bug.>

Bugs are the worst. No contest.

"Most likely. They seem content with being confused and somewhat hopeful back where we left them. Unless there are some still hiding around here?" And that would be to Colin. He seems to be able to Tell.

"They're spread a little thin for that, and frankly, that commander's confused as all hell by us," Colin says. "Nobody's following us now, though I wouldn't be surprised if he sends out a tracker to follow our tracks when he finally settles on a course of action. Whether anyone's WILLING to do that is another question. If our cure is real, we just saved a lot of lives there, and I don't think anyone wants to leave when their loved ones, or at least people important to them, are finally out of danger."

He glances at Tobias, and he grins. "I think you're good to shift back, in other words," he adds.

Edited 2014-08-01 02:54 (UTC)

"You could have just said that at the beginning," Zulf mutters from behind his hand.

"So... two weeks." That's something else he wants to bring up before anything else happens.

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