Spirits of the Earth

Essyrn => Moraki Desert => Topic started by: Blink on June 13, 2017, 03:43:30 PM

Title: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Blink on June 13, 2017, 03:43:30 PM
Half blinded by the crimson liquid streaming off her forehead Jaela trudged her way through the desert looking for some kind of solace. Mirages had aleady begun to cloud her judgement as she swore she had just seen a purple lizard slither through the sand. In the distance she thought she could see some rock formations that may offer shelter in some form, but again it could easily be another hallucination.

How long had she been out here anyways? Recalling the previous event's Jaela began counting her days hoping to find the answer to this very question. After one too many nights all of it seemed to blur together in some kind of hazy dream. There was the morning she awoke to a small scorpion climbing on her leg that she so stupidly swatted at. Next thing she knew her thigh was throbbing and a rather large rock was flying at her head.

What had transpired would make even the most skilled elemental want to slap her. The scorpion that had stung her was clearly poisonous, causing Jaela to not be in the right state of mind to use her abilities. What she thought was a small pebble to throw at the insect was actually much bigger, and instead of hitting the bug she managed to hit herself with it... right in the forehead.

"Silly me" she giggled, although the humor in her voice was all but gone. "Sand and rocks, sand and rocks... stupid sand and rocks" she repeated as she made her way towards the hopeful resting place. Normally the dunes of Essyrn were where Jaela felt most at peace, knowing she had protection quite literally everywhere. Except right now all she was thinking was how much she hated all of it.

The sand she used to love was now sticking to her sweat and blood covered wounds. The stones she used to think her best defense the very cause to her current state. And what a state it was indeed. Not only was blood coming from her forehead but Jaela had wounds all over her body. Her thigh where the scorpion had stung her was inflamed and the skin beginning to purple and blacken. Her arms and legs scratched and battered from the sandstorms she was not able to protect herself from due to her current condition.

Eventually the rock formation became more distinguished and Jaela was releived to see it was not an illusion. However, she was also quick to pick up on the fact it was occupied. Pausing for the breifest of moments she considered turning around but then shrugged and began limping her way into view.

"I assume that this is not the bathhouse" she mumbled before falling forwards, no longer able to hold the weight of her body beneath her. Catching her palms on the stone covered ground Jaela only added more wounds to her already battered body, yet barely even flinched at the pain. Instead she lifted a hand, extending a finger as if to make one final point. "If one of you could be so kind as to point me in the right direction that would be fantastic."

Her hand then lowered back down to support her weight as she barely held herself up from faceplanting into the ground. Even her back arched as she drew in heavy breaths, clearly exhausted from walking the unknown distance. At first it may have seemed she was crying, the way her body was jerking about but upon further investigation it would be obvious that this strange girl was actually... laughing.
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Marakai Trin on June 13, 2017, 04:19:20 PM
"I cannae believe we're stuck in this Gods forsaken desert again...." Itachi muttered, standing atop a rock, looking out into the dunes. In his hand he held a flat, palm sized stone, and at that point he was idly flipping it up and down like an oversized coin.

It wasn't until his thumb began hurting that he finally decided to hurl it, and his sharp eyes watched it's path as it flew over the sand.

In an ironic twist, today's target practice casualty was a scorpion, no bigger than his fist. The tail and stinger was knocked clean off of it, and the bandit smirked as he watched it scuttle about in confusion before it died.

"Boss!"

Itachi slapped his forehead, and whirled around.

"WHAT, ya blundrin' fool? I come up 'ere ta get away from you lot, an' so ya follow me?"

"Boss, I'm sorry, but I think you're gonna want to take a look at this. Some girl wandered into camp...she looks like hell."

Itachi blinked. "A bird, y'say? Well, why didn't y'say so sooner? Lemme take a looksee, and I'll find out how she can be helped. Mebbe she can pay, eh?" Without waiting for a response, he very nearly skipped down the rockface.

It's about time something happened.

When he came up on Jaela, he let out a low whistle. "A bird, indeed. Pretty li'l one, too. Whatcha gone and gotcher self inta,  hmm?" he asked, more to see if she was coherent than to actually strike up a conversation.

He could see the windburn from the sand, and various cuts and bruises, but from her kneeling position it was difficult to see much else.
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Blink on June 13, 2017, 06:00:45 PM
Still laughing at first Jaela made it seem she wasn't even going to acknowledge his question. But slowly her shaking subsided and she managed to meet the gaze of the man addressing her. This was not a pleasant position to be in, on her knees before some stranger as if she were beneath him in some way. It did not sit well with her at all, and it was taking everything she had not to jump up and introduce herself how she normally did in a typical 'Jaela' fashion.

"The real question is...." being as dramatic as ever Jaela paused, a smile on her lips as she made an effort to stand. "... are you hallucinating too? What kind of bird am I? Can I fly?"

Again Jaela was merely projecting her inner frustrations onto the men, poking fun at their questions like they were the ones who had just stumbled into the camp. After a few moments of effort, she finally managed to get her feet beneath her again, legs shaking as she placed the last bit of weight onto them.

Playing further into her barrage of crazy she went to bow, as she always did when meeting new people. But while swinging an arm behind her back she fell forwards again, unable to hold her weight any longer as she went crashing into the dirt.
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Marakai Trin on June 13, 2017, 06:12:10 PM
While she spoke,  Itachi mentally took notes. Either the woman was clearly insane, or (un)clearly delusional.

Physically, he facepalmed, and at this rate he'd have a permanent hand print over his face. When he spoke, he was much clearer than before.

"When I say bird, I mean girl. Specifically, the pretty ones, but I'm not picky."

Possible concussion from head injury... he thought, as he knelt down to help her stand again. He needed to get her away from the other Craol, if he wanted to properly examine her.

"Let's move elsewhere, and let me have a look at you..." he said quietly, just loud enough for her alone to hear. "The way your face is covered in blood, you've been wandering with a damned hole in your head for quite awhile."
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Blink on June 13, 2017, 06:31:15 PM
Accepting the help offered Jaela stood again, placing a little more weight than she would have liked to on him. She paid no mind to him calling her a 'pretty girl' as she did not see herself as such. Vanity was never something she paid attention to but instead relied on wits over brawn.

When he mentioned moving elsewhere her eyes widened a bit as she resisted inserting yet another witty remark. But then he pointed out her face was covered in blood, something she had completely forgotten about until now.

"Wonder how that got there" she joked, lifting a hand to touch her face for the first time. Beneath her fingertips, she could feel the grit of the sand along with her own fractured skin. "Well, that's inconvenient" another remark as she began walking in whatever direction he led her in.
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Marakai Trin on June 13, 2017, 06:53:20 PM
"You lot stay 'ere, and be'ave yerselves. I'm gonna 'ave a looksee at wha's wrong wit' this 'ere bird." He gave the group of men a good long look, and nodded to himself. He led her gently off to the side, close to where he was standing before.

"I'm gonna need you ta sit 'ere. Take off wha'ever clothes yer comfortable takin' off so I can see wha's all wrong wit' ya. I'm guessin' the blow to the 'ead idn't all tha's wrong wit' ya, yeah?"

Itachi let her go only after making sure she could stand on  her own, and stepped back up to his previous perch.

"Jes'...lemme know when yer ready, eh? Ya don' need ta be wandrin' out'n the des'rt at night."
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Blink on June 13, 2017, 07:37:11 PM
Again Jaela started giggling as he walked away from her, amused with this entire situation. Leaning back against a rock she placed her weight on it, spreading her palm over the surface of the stone as she made it seem she was balancing herself. As much as it was driving her insane to get the help she knew she needed it, or else face never getting out of this desert alive.

Forever the opportunist Jaela perked up a bit more, if that were even possible, at the mention of not being wandering the desert alone at night. Oh yes, that was a concern, the cold always such a fickle thing.

She began first with removing her gloves and arm guards revealing the extent of the cuts and bruises on her arms. She then followed by the white sleeveless jacket trimmed with green, although it was more colored with blood and dirt now to expose her torso. Reaching down she then rolled up the shorts beneath her skirt, exposing the scorpion wound in all its glory.

"Have you ever seen a rainbow?" she asked. Not only referring to the hues of purple and red on her leg but to the fact that she was ready for him to turn around. "I think it gives me character don't you think?"  In truth she knew it was bad, the darkening of her skin sending a chilling reminder of something she had seen before. This was decay as the scorpion's venom had corrupted the flesh around the wound.
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Marakai Trin on June 14, 2017, 05:40:46 AM
Itachi turned around at the sound of her voice, and immediately grimaced. He could see the large welted lump of flesh on her thigh, and knew immediately what the problem was.

"Yeah, bird, I seem rainbows b'fore, an' that'un don' look like it does ya any justice." He slid down from the rocks,  ending with a few short steps to kill the momentum.

"Scorpion sting, a few days old. Ya been seein' an' hearin' things what ain' there, I'm guessin'? Lost track o' time an' whatnot. I'll have to treat tha' first, or yer gonna be losin' tha' leg. An' I ain' carryin' yer ass through the desert."

He made his way to stand right next to her, and kneeled down to look at the wound in question. "Ya got necrosis startin'. I'll hafta cut it open an' get the infection out. An' I ain' gonna lie to ya, it's gonna hurt like a sonovabitch. Ya may wanna sit and get comfy while ya can, cuz if ya fall while I'm workin', yer gonna have more'n a sting an' some cuts for me to fix."
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Blink on June 15, 2017, 05:53:53 PM
"Matter of opinion" she laughed at first before he went on.

The small woman then shrugged, not thinking she would really be that inconvenient to carry. "Now that you say it I do recall seeing a scorpion on my...." her sentence fell flat as her eyes shifted from side to side. Again she found herself replaying the incident that had transpired what she thought to be the day before. However, who knew how long ago it actually was that this happened now.

Snapping back to reality Jaela whipped her head up, the pupils of her eyes straining to focus. Following his instructions Jaela slid down once more, lowering herself onto the hard ground. "You don't find screaming melodic?" At the tilt of her head, Itachi would see that maybe Jaela wasn't only delusional from the scorpion sting. There was much more going on in that brain of hers, the gears constantly spinning.

"Do your worst" she motioned towards her thigh, thinking there was no way he could ever inflict more pain than she had experienced before.
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Marakai Trin on June 15, 2017, 06:18:43 PM
"O' course I find the sound a screamin' melodic. Music ta me ears, but tha's cuz it usually means I'm makin' money. Now ya might be actin' all tough an' all now, but yer gonna be singin' a diff'rent tune when I start diggin' the infection out. Now hold still, hear me?"

While he spoke, he pulled his case of surgical equipment from somewhere within his oversized coat, and popped it open. The first thing he grabbed was a long wooden dowel, with multiple old tooth marks on it.

"Bite down on this if'n ya feel like screamin'. Dun' worry 'bout the tooth marks, it's sterile."

And while that was said, he pulled out a shining steel scalpel.

"Dun' move."

And then he started cutting, slicing down the spongey, inflamed flesh. Immediately, the pungent smell of rot filled the air as thick pus dribbled down.

Itachi's face resembled stone as he set the scalpel on the ground and instead pulled a small instrument with a hooked end, and began scraping the inside of the wound, pulling all the ick and gross out.

A second scalpel removed the necrotic flesh around the wound, and her leg was bleeding heavily. Hurriedly, he grabbed a jar of premade poultice, and packed the inside of the wound with it. An entire roll of bandages went around the wound to both protect it and to hold the poultice in place.

He looked up from his work, his bright green eyes searching for her own. "Ya still wit' me, bird?"
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Blink on June 15, 2017, 07:06:28 PM
Again Jaela giggled when he mentioned she would find this... uncomfortable. Jaela had experienced pain before, torture in fact. She knew how to handle herself when in discomfort, or so she thought.

When he handed her the dowel she simply set it to the side thinking she would not need it. "I may be many things kind sir, but I am no canine. Although I have heard that some..." she paused to breathe and as he cut at her flesh Jaela felt a pinch of pain.

"... some people find acting like a dog kind of enticing." Winking at him through the pain she could see how focused he actually was. Well, at least he seemed he knew what he was doing and she hadn't just let some idiot slice into her leg.

As he picked out the instrument with a hook her eyes only slightly shifted before he began scraping inside the wound. Picking up where she left off her words were very fast spoken and her pitch kept rising as he dug further into her flesh. "Let me tell you I have seen some... verystrangepeople... IN MY TRAVELS!"

When the scraping was over Jaela was able to bring herself to look down and see the profuse amount of blood escaping her leg. At this sight, her demeanor completely changed and her skin fell pale and her lips purpled. A cold sweat had already begun to form on her brow and it was obvious that even after he had packed the wound the sight of that much blood coming out of her own body worried her.

She didn't even have anything to say at first as he asked if she was still with him. Instead, she nodded before leaning her head back on the rock to try and regain her wits.

"Chirp chirp" Her chest rose and fell as her breathing began to steady. "Still here"
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Marakai Trin on June 16, 2017, 07:42:06 AM
His concentration had been so greatly focused on his work, he hadn't noticed her speaking while he was working on her. Now, hearing a coherent response when he was done was a welcome relief.

Well, perhaps coherent wasn't the right word. But in any case, it put a smile on his face.

"Good on ya. Now wha' I'm gonna due is jus' ask you some questions, an' yer gonna answer 'em ta the best o' yer ability, yeah? Jus' ta make sure that 'ole in yer head didn't do nothin' permanent, like. So, tell me yer name an' age an' what ya do fer a livin', eh?"
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Blink on June 16, 2017, 06:20:54 PM
With head still back her eyes rolled at his questions. "Awfully nosey..."

"I much prefer bird."

Jaela then chirped again to poke fun at her nickname. "As for my age...." She lifted a hand in front of her face as she pretended to count fingers. "... old enough."

Lowering her hand she rested it on her stomach and coughed, wincing from the pain. "What I do for a living, well one has to live to do that sort of thing right?"
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Marakai Trin on June 16, 2017, 06:33:14 PM
Itachi arched a single brow, tilting his head to the side. Then he chuckled, shoulders and chest shaking with his laugh.

"Well, those answers don' help much wit' me prognosis, bu' if'n yer feelin' good enough ta be dodgy, I'd say ya ain' got a concussion." He lowered one arm, and brought the remaining hand to his chest.

"Me names Itachi, leader of the Craol. Most wanted in all of Adela fer almost nine years runnin'. I'm 25, an' I'm th' bandit tha' likes to play doctor as a hobby."

He lowered his hand and tilted his head to the side with a grin. "So look at it this way: yer no' gonna lose nothin' by tellin' me anythin'. 'Ell, right now all ya gotta do is run yer skinny self to Ketra an' tell'm where I'm at fer a payout....though I'd just break out. Again."

He shrugged a bit. "Way I see it, one good turn deserves another. An' I've done ya two, so far."
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Blink on June 16, 2017, 06:52:37 PM
So Itachi was it? Immediately she began laughing as he continued introducing himself. Turns out the two had more in common than they thought. Same age, same home, some honesty. "Jaela, also from Adela, also 25."

"Never heard of you though." She played it off as a joke, but in truth, Jaela hadn't been to Adela in years. She couldn't even tell him where exactly she was from in Adela because she never had a chance to learn the name. Any memory of who she was before the Black-Hearth family took her was all but tortured away.

"I run errands" It wasn't a lie, but not the full truth either.

Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Marakai Trin on June 16, 2017, 07:00:30 PM
Itachi smiled, and nodded. "Well, then, that wasn't so damn hard, now was it? Still bein' a li'l dodgy, but I ain' gonna force ya to come completely clean. Still, bothers me ya ain' heard o' me. I might hafta do sommat abou' tha'. Hmm..."

Suddenly he snapped his fingers. "Oh, right. Yer gonna need somethin' fer the venom, or ya might end up right back where ya started. Gimme a sec, yeah?"

He knelt down to his case of tools, lifting the top layer up to reveal the rest of the box, completely full of small,  black, unlabeled bottles. He ran his hand over several before seemingly grabbing one at random.

"' Ere. Drink up, Jaela." He handed her the small corned vial with a smile.
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Blink on June 16, 2017, 09:39:47 PM
Her eyes had already begun to trail off but the snapping of his fingers caused her to focus again with a bit of a flinch. Watching on as he fumbled through his case Jaela was fascinated with all the instruments within it. Finally, he plucked out a black bottle lacking any kind of label and handed it to her.

"See this is why I should have never told you my name." She pursed her lips and scrunched her nose as she took the bottle from him. "Bird had such a lovely ring to it."

Popping off the cork she then brought the bottle to her nose and took a whiff. "Well, it's not rum... or whiskey." Rebelliously she then set the bottle down in the dirt beside her before crossing her arms over her chest. "... it'll do me no good."

"Ow' bout ya drink it instead...Aye? What say you?" Now she had resorted in mocking him and the unrefined way he spoke. Perhaps it was to try it out herself, not really knowing what kind of accent she would have if she had stayed in Adela. Even Jaela could say despite her very unpolite attitude she at least knew how to speak common properly enough.

Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Marakai Trin on June 17, 2017, 02:44:58 AM
When she refused to drink the contents of the bottle, he sighed. Well, there went that idea - she was either being simply stubborn, or she was smarter than he'd given her credit for.

"Well, it's yer leg. Ya wanna lose it, that's yer decision, no' mine. Be a pity to undo all th' work I did ta fix ya up, though."

When she turned around and used his own manner of speaking, and suggested that he drink it instead, he merely arched a brow and stared at her for a long moment. When he did finally speak, his voice was clear, lacking the unrefined twang.

"You think it's funny to mock people for the way they speak? Jaela?"

He then gave a small smile, and tilted his head slightly.  "Well. That bottle is a venom suppressant. It might help you, it might not. I've got the actual anti-venom as well, if you're nice. And if you're really nice, I've got a nice big bottle of rum in my tent...not to mention food and water, since you seem to be lacking any yourself."

So, the facade was dropped. Let's see her reaction to that.
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Blink on June 17, 2017, 10:51:12 AM
Narrowing an eye Jaela took in his reaction to her refusal to drink the liquid and returned the look he was giving her. It was as if in this moment the two were sizing each other up but in all honestly neither could get a real reading on one another.

But then he completely changed the way he spoke and Jaela was thrown off by it. "He was pretending!?" She thought to herself as she sat up a bit straighter, her leg still straightened in front of her.

"I think it's funny to mock everyone" she half joked.

When he tilted his head she mirrored his movement, tilting her own head to keep her face level with his. Everything he claimed he had actually sounded quite delightful, especially the water. In any other instance she might have played along, even may have gone to his tent full of all these things knowing that she could at least protect herself.

However, in her current condition, she was in no shape to do anything other than sitting right where she was. Her eyes then flicked towards the small bottle she had set on the ground as she weighed her options. It wasn't worth it even if it may help because for all she knew it could be something entirely different than what he stated.

"How about a wet cloth instead?" If he could at least bring her that she could know if he really did have fresh water. It would be killing two birds with one stone, confirming something while also having the chance to wipe some of the dirt and blood off of her face.
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Marakai Trin on June 17, 2017, 12:59:56 PM
"Yeah, well, you're lucky I'm me, and not one of the real people that have that accent. They'd have left you for dead, and stripped your body of anything even vaguely useful. And that's the best way things could go. Glad I got out of that place when I had the chance."

He glanced to the side, crossing his arms over his chest. "You're welcome, by the way, for not being a completely unrefined savage. Hmmph. I'll get your cloth. Don't go anywhere, bird."

He grunted a bit and stalked off, stepping over and around the littered stones with deft movements.

A few minutes later he returned with a bulging waterskin, something that resembled some homemade soap, and an old cloth that had seen better days. These he dropped beside her.

"Here. Wash up if that's what you want. Give a yell if you need anything. I'll be nearby...and don't worry about me peeking. I'm not that sort of guy...I may be a royal pain in the ass, but not much beyond that."

He peered down at her with a long, thoughtful look like he wanted to say something else, and then shrugged and made his way back to the others. His next words were half yelled, easily loud enough for Jaela to hear.

"'Ey, ya louts. Ge' some more food on th' fire, we gotta guest, an' th' 'princess' ov'r there's gonna need ta eat! Now HOP TO IT!"

The sound of multiple pairs of feet scraping on stone and sand would indicate multiple responses to his command.
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Blink on June 17, 2017, 01:57:01 PM
"I'd like to see them try" a silent thought bouncing off the confines of her mind in regards to someone ever trying to take what was hers. However, when he said he was happy he got away from them it made Jaela wonder if he really did associate with such a crowd. His attitude though only made the always present smile on her lips grow wider.

"Bird" internally she laughed at his placement of the word again.

At his return with a cloth and water as she requested Jaela clapped her hands in excitement. "Finally!" Immediately she wet the cloth and rubbed some soap on it, before applying the cloth to her face. Even if it wasn't a bath it was a welcomed feeling nonetheless. Ringing out the rag she was suprised to see how much of a darkened pigment it held. Was she really covered with that much grime?

After about a half hours time Jaea had managed to not only wash all the dirt and sand from her face but her neck, arms and stomach as well. Obviously there were some parts she could not clean to perfection considering the circumstances but still she looked like a whole new person. Washing off the filth also revelaed the severety of her wounds as scratches and gouges were easily seen in comparison to her pale complection. She was actually kind of happy she couldn't see her face right now as she was sure it didn't fare much better.

"Sand and stones sand and stones" she muttered to herself as she had during her travels as she wiped away at a bit of dirt on her knuckles. When she was done she set the rag at her side and her eyes once again rest on the bottle she had set on the ground. Okay so maybe he really did not intend to poison her. Why else would he take the time to clean the wound on her leg and bring her water? Seemed like a complete waste of resources if he actually planned on taking her life.

Reaching down she uncorked the bottle and brought it to her lips, quickly taking down the contents within it. Her face puckered at the taste of the aweful concoction and she choked a bit as it slid down her throat. "Uck!" Afterwards she made sure to place the bottle back on the ground in the same position so that hopefully Itachi wouldn't even notice she took it.

Next Jaela would look at her coat still laying in the dirt next to her. It was all but ruined as far as she was concerned, even noting the blood stains on the collar. Her face fell serious for a moment as she thought of throwing the jacket away. It was more than just a jacket to her, it was a symbol of who she was supposed to be, the essence of someone who was important. The death guard was  no more and so maybe wearing that stupid thing was just her way of living in the past.

Placing her hands in the dirt she pushed herself up as she left the jacket behind. Standing seemed slightly easier than before, her head seeming a bit more clear than when she had arrived. The pain was still there of course, but at least she didn't feel like the world was constantly spinning.

"Aye Itachi! The princess is ready to do something other than sit on the rocks!" 
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Marakai Trin on June 17, 2017, 02:11:47 PM
'So maybe princess wasn't the greatest word to use....now she's going to be full of herself. Great.'

Itachi sighed to himself and stood. "Get tha' done so she c'n eat. She's prob'ly gonna be aroun' for a bit till she's healed up an' good ta go. Get used to her."

Somehow he wondered if he could follow his own advice. He ran a hand over his face, brushing his odd gray-blonde hair out of his eyes as he did. He turned away from the fire and went to retrieve Jaela.

"Glad to see you on your feet..." he said, a vague and small smile on his lips. "The boys are putting something together for you to eat. And, you uh...seem to have forgotten something, there." He gestured to her jacket lying there in the dirt.
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Blink on June 17, 2017, 02:24:50 PM
Leaning against a stone for support Jaela turned back to see what he was talking about. "Oh, that! Silly piece of fabric always got in my way anyways..." Hobbling back around to face him she stood with her bad leg held up a bit from the ground.

"So I've been thinking since you oh so rudely left me alone to play in the dirt.." She was referring to the time he had given her to wipe away the dirt.

"I shall forever be known as Princess Bird... effective immediately of course."
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Marakai Trin on June 17, 2017, 03:07:20 PM
Itachi tilted a brow and shrugged. "Well, suit yourself, then. Seems like a waste, though...especially out here, with the sandstorms and whatnot. Though.....I may have something you could use. 'Princess.'"

He chuckled a bit, and shook his head slightly. "And if its the same to you, I think 'bird' will suffice. It might confuse the dullards as to who's in charge around here." He grinned, and tilted his head towards the flickering light of the campfire.

"Let's go get you fed, hmm? And...I'm sure you heard, but you're invited to share camp while your leg heals. I'll need to keep an eye on it to make absolutely sure the infection doesn't come back."
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Blink on June 17, 2017, 03:24:24 PM
She still wasn't quite sure what to make of Itachi. Even she was struggling to decide which front to throw at him. Crazy Jaela, funny Jaela... confused Jaela.

"I appreciate the invitation but I will be leaving by morning. I have things to do, people to see, and errands to run." Naturally, she wasn't even thinking of how she would manage to pull all of that off and in all honesty she had nothing to do, no one to see, and most importantly no errands to run anyways.

"Princess's like myself are very busy." So yeah, she was going to play on this as long as she could.

Jaela managed to hobble towards the fire just fine, only tripping up a few times before finding yet another stone to rest her body against as she waited for food. "Wonder how long I can keep acting entitled before they throw me out."
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Marakai Trin on June 17, 2017, 03:42:45 PM
The bandit blinked at her response, and chuckled at the way she hobbled and tripped herself up on the way to the fire. "Yeah, an' yer gonna make such great time hobblin' through the desert like a old woman. Yer I'm no condition ta wander through the desert wit'out supplies an' such."

He followed her to the fire, grinning the whole way. "'Sides. We're no' stayin' 'ere too long anyway. Might as well be travellin' wit us, eh? Headin' back up to Adela in a couple days, anyway. By then, ya should be good ta go on yer merry way, yeah?"

He grinned as he looked over his men.

"Whaddaya say, boys? Ya wan' th' pretty bird ta stay, yeah? Or ya wan' her ta die alone in th' desert?"

All in unison, as one:

"The princess can stay!"

Itachi slapped his palm over his face. "She's no' yer fuckin' princess, dammit!"
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Blink on June 17, 2017, 04:05:34 PM
"I suppose you lot are not the worst company to keep." Jaela shrugged from her spot on the ground. "Gets boring only having myself as entertainment anyways."

When all of them spoke in unison Jaela then laughed, cracking her head back and placing her hands on her stomach as her body shook in complete and total amusement. Her laughing was so intense it even caused pain in her stomach but it was completely worth it.

"So what concoction did you all manage to cook up anyways?" Jaela grabbed a bit of dirt in her hand and lifted it up, letting it crumble in her hands before it fell back down to the ground. "Nothing here but dirt, sand, and rocks."

Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Marakai Trin on June 17, 2017, 04:27:51 PM
"Well, yer part'lly right. I'm no' worst company ta keep." He gestured at the fifteen other men around the fire with one hand and a crooked grin.

"They are. AIN'CHA YA WORTHLESS LOUTS?"

"Aye, boss!" again, in unison. The grin on Itachi's face grew wider, as if he were trying to split his head in half.

"Usel'ss, bu' pretty damn loyal, yeah?" He turned that grin on Jaela, and stood.

"I'll getcha some rock an' san' souffle, bird, an' ya can be th' judge, eh?" He chuckled as he walked off to find a clean bowl.

In a moment he returned, having stopped at the large pot hanging over the fire. "Lookee 'ere, then. Venison an' vegetable stew, wit veggies as fresh as ya can expect in th' desert. No' half bad, if'n I say so myself."
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Blink on June 17, 2017, 04:41:55 PM
For a second Jaela seriously thought that Itachi was going to serve her just what he had said... sand and rocks. Thankfully though when he ladled from the pot was no such thing. She could smell the vegetables before he even mentioned them and already her stomach was churning in pure excitement.

She would have gotten up and taken the whole pot if she were able but unfortunately, her injuries made that impossible. Not to mention she guessed that maybe a bit rude.

She waited for him to bring her a bowl and happily took it when he presented it to her. Immediately she dug in, holding the bowl to her lips as she let the liquid first enter her mouth. She didn't swallow right away, instead, she opted to savor the taste for as long as she could manage before she finally gulped it down.

"Best sand and stone souffle I have ever had."

Already she could feel she was getting better. Her leg, although it hurt, didn't ache as badly as before. Her mind was already clearer and sharper than when she arrived even if she didn't show it. Not to mention the water and now food offered seemed to re-energize her as it provided her body with what it so desperately needed.

Jaela made quick work of the bowl and before long it was completely empty, every last bit of its contents now sitting in her stomach.
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Marakai Trin on June 17, 2017, 04:51:38 PM
Itachi watched her eat with an amused expression, arms crossed over his chest with a smile. His green eyes glinted oddly in the firelight.

"Y'know, I 'ad planned on gettin' ya a spoon 'r somethin' ta eat it wit', bu' tha' works too." He chuckled a bit, and took a seat on a rock nearby.

"If'n yer still 'ungry, help yerself. There's plen'y ta go 'round, an' mos' of us 'ave already eaten."

Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Blink on June 17, 2017, 05:18:17 PM
The thought of getting more did cross her mind but Jaela did not want to push it. She hadn't had a proper meal in days and chances were if she over indulged she would just wind up making herself sick.

Setting the bowl beside her Jaela's eyes then traveled across each of the men. In any other circumstance, she would have loved for all of the attention to be on her. However, right now it was almost making her uneasy.

Not to help matters any Jaela was also growing tired. She didn't know how long it had been since she slept peacefully. The last few days were nothing but a blur and she honestly couldn't even recall most of what had happened. For all, she knew she could have stood for a day talking to a rock as if it were a person.

It was at this time that while all the men chatted amongst themselves Jaela began to drift off right where she sat. At first, it was her eyes that began to close and before the end of it, her head was slightly slumped forwards while her arms lay like dead weight at her sides.

Pretending to be crazy all the time sure was exhausting.
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Marakai Trin on June 17, 2017, 05:54:44 PM
Itachi kept a close eye on her for several moments,  noting how she suddenly grew quiet. He smiled when she slumped forward.

"Quiet, ya louts. Th' bird fell asleep. Need ta ge' her in one o' th' tents so she don' freeze tonight. Any takers?"

Naturally, every man stood, anxious for a pretty thing like her to share a space with. Itachi grinned.

"Yeah, tha's wha' I thought. Tha's why she'll be in my tent. An' don'tcha be gettin' any ideas - I'll be ou' here by th' fire till mornin'. So get th' idiot grins offa yer idiot faces, mind."

He stood up, looking over the fire - it was rather comical, watching these men who were all nearly twice his size, cowering in fear. His grin was predatory.

He stepped over to Jaela, his evil grin softening drastically. He knelt down, slipping one arm under her knees and the other behind her head, and lifted her easily. Despite his small,  thin frame he was decently muscled, and lifting her was quite easy.

He walked as slowly and carefully as he could, so as not to jar her with his steps, and carried her towards his tent, a ways away from the others. Easily small enough to step inside without stooping, he entered and lay her on top of her bedroll.

"Pretty bird...I'll take care o' ya," he whispered, and stepped out again into the night.
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Blink on June 17, 2017, 06:43:03 PM
Hours had passed and the night was already upon them when Jaela's eyes finally flickered open. Immediately she sat up to find herself inside of some form of a tent with blankets and a bedroll that was not her own. "What in the hell" she whispered to herself as she began to access the situation.

She was still in pain but it seemed that with each passing hour her body had begun to heal itself. Part of it could have to do with where she was, a place full of an element she could pull the energy from. Another part could be from the sheer will she carried to not be so vulnerable. Whatever the case, she was happy that she could move around a bit more freely than before.

Then she picked up on an eerie and familiar sound from outside the tent. It wasn't the sound of snoring men or the crackling of the fire, but a heavy wind barreling in their direction. She could feel it, the sheer power of it coming towards them at great speed. Of course, Jaela could run and protect only herself but Itachi saved her so she guessed she owed them the favor.

In a flash, she was rolling out of the tent with peridot eyes scanning the horizon. It was dark and the only thing insinuating the oncoming doom was the heavy wind now ripping through the camp. Where everyone was she did not care, her only concern being that she wanted to protect the camp as a whole.

Running to the opening between the rocks Jaela could feel her leg screaming at her with each step along with the warmth building under the bandage. Her wound had reopened and the blood that had clotted the wound shut was now dripping down her leg. "Everyone take cover!" she screamed, her voice no longer the sarcastic high pitch she had been carrying all day.

By now the storm had already begun to hit and sand was blasting past Jaela as it went through the rocks like a wind tunnel. Falling to her knees Jaela slammed one of her palms onto the ground and began to chant as her eyes and tattoos seemed to glow.

At first, it seemed like the sand had stopped but the wind was still ripping past all of them at a high speed. "Dammit!" she screamed as she held one palm in front of her while the other remain pressed against the earth. She could push the sand back but the wind, that was an entirely different element. In fact, the wind was so strong that even Jaela had begun to skid against the ground backward, her knees and palm digging into the dirt as she was pushed in reverse.

Turning her head to look at the camp behind her Jaela found a new sense of determination. As her hair whipped at the sides of her face she turned forwards again to face the storm head on. "Dammit dammit dammit!" she screamed in frustration. Normally she could just hold up like this, keeping the sand from burning her skin as a storm passed by. However, the wind was so strong that even this method seemed useless.

Finally, Jaela placed both of her palms in the dirt, the sand picking back up as she was no longer holding it back. Her eyes were now closed and her head lowered as she placed all of her focus on the earth beneath her. With eyes squinted shut Jaela's lips moved again as she chanted something unrecognizable to anyone who wasn't an elemental. And then it happened...

The ground began to shake just in front of her and cracked before slowly new rock formations began to take shape. Tensing her muscles Jaela willed for the rock to build up to protect the camp. She wanted it just high enough to redirect the wind above all of them and strong enough to stand trial against a storm as severe as this. Very slowly the rock climbed higher and higher until it was standing at about 15 feet tall and as long as the opening in the original formation.

The moment Jaela felt the wall was good enough she lowered ever further onto the ground, pressing her forehead against it as she breathed heavily. It had been a long time since she conjured up something this size against something so strong.

Rolling on her elbows Jaela made it to where her back was now flat on the ground as she lay sprawled out. She was physically exhausted, acting as if she had just run 5 miles without rest. Slowly she lifted a hand in the air to make a point to anyone who may be watching her.

"If anyone is wondering... I'm okay!" she laughed.
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Marakai Trin on June 17, 2017, 08:12:02 PM
It was surprising how little the bandit boss really needed to sleep. He'd nodded off, perhaps for an hour or two, beside the fire. And then, seemingly without reason he roused from slumber.

Something felt wrong. Obscenely wrong.

The first thing he did - after stretching and popping the kinks out of his back and neck - was check on Jaela. He merely poked his head in, and nodded in satisfaction - she was sleeping peacefully.

He stepped back away and moved to the perimeter of camp, climbing up to his perch.

Sandstorms in this area were usually fairly uncommon, though when they crept up they could be fairly devastating. He'd chosen this spot - an area the Craol had used as camp for years on the way to Essyrn - just for that reason.

He hadn't wanted to tell Jaela just when they had planned on leaving, because of her injury and the fact that she really didn't need to be heading anywhere in her condition. They had originally planned on leaving the next day.

Well. That wasn't happening. And now...well. Hell was coming. And there would be a reckoning.

When the wind finally started, starting at first as a few hot, dry wisps and gradually growing to hurricane force, Itachi began to worry. Clouds of sand began to pop up here and there, and the bandit practically disappeared into his coat to protect himself from the stinging particles. Yet, he didn't move.

Grey-blonde hair whipped madly in the storm, yet he didn't move. He could see the storm coming, and he'd face it - if he and his men were to die, he'd be the first to go, their first wall. He'd not watch them die, not for his mistake.

And then...

"Everyone take cover!" he heard, and his head whipped around to find Jaela some ways off, facing the storm in the same fashion as he.

"Stupid...stupid girl...THE HELL ARE YOU DOING, GIRL!?  GET BACK TO THE TENT!"

And apparently he went unheard, because she stayed. And she surprised him.

Even as he felt the sand ripping at his skin, he watched wide-eyed as she appeared to be stopping the sand itself. And immediately he smiled, wide and crazy.

And then that crazy smile nearly ripped his head in two when she seemed to rip the very rock from the ground to form a wall. "Gods...this girl..."

He was wide eyed. He was ecstatic. If he was romantic, he might have been in love - luckily for the women of the world, he had no such inclinations.

When the wall formed around the camp, he bounded to her side in relative safety, a massive grin on her face.

"If anyone is wondering, I'm okay!" - he walked up just as she said this, and he stopped immediately behind her.

"Yer more'n okay, bird. Yer fuckin' amazing."
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Blink on June 17, 2017, 08:38:57 PM
Despite how exhausted she was Jaela managed to laugh at Itachi's comment. "I know I am.." Her usual perky demeanor back in all its glory.

"Could you do me a favor though since I just saved your life?" Perking her head up she still lay on the ground as she attempted to meet his gaze. "Could you maybe take a look at my leg. I think it's still there but not really sure."

Jaela than kicked her leg up before letting it hit back on the ground, causing more blood to drip from underneath the bandage. "Yep, it's still there."

After that she let her head rest back on the ground again as she attempted to catch her breath. "By the way what kind of idiot doesn't take cover in a sandstorm?" Jaela then thought about what she herself had just done. "... nevermind..."
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Marakai Trin on June 17, 2017, 08:45:10 PM
"Ha! Y'know, I think I know two idiots tha' don't give a damn 'bout the weather. 'Ere I was, plannin' on starin' the sand down till it ripped the skin fro' me bones, an' here ya come all....you!"

He laughed again, the sound echoing off the newly created stone wall, and then he knelt down to pick her up, like he had when she was asleep.

"Hopin' ya don' mind, bu' I carried ya ta me tent so ya could rest. Ain' the first time I've 'ad ta move ya." He glanced down at her, his green eyes smiling.

"Le's getcha patched up again, yeah? Then I'll break ou' tha' rum I mentioned."
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Blink on June 17, 2017, 08:56:54 PM
At first, she wasn't sure how she felt about Itachi carrying her. It wasn't because she was bashful or anything but just hated being weak enough to need it. Not to mention that for as long as she could remember no one had ever taken care of her like this. Jaela was so used to dealing with things like this on her own, even if it meant dragging herself across the ground to safety.

"Rum sounds delightful" she chirped as she placed an arm around his neck to help keep her weight balanced while the other lay on her stomach. I guess now was a good time to be so short, even though Itachi really wasn't much taller than her if at all.

"Thanks for that drug earlier by the way. I think it helped a lot." In that moment her voice was again not so high pitched just as when she shouted for everyone to take cover. "I never told you I took it so I just wanted to say thanks ya know?"

Immediately she went back to smiling like a cheesy idiot as she had been all day.
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Marakai Trin on June 17, 2017, 10:07:17 PM
"'Ey, no problem. Now, 'specially now, I know ya deserve it. Ya done wen' an' saved me life, an' the' lives o' me men. Yer worth more'n just what's in me doctorin' box, methinks."

He smiled down at her again, just as they entered the tent. Gently, he laid her back on the bedroll, and sat in front of her on the ground.

He drug his equipment box to his side, and spoke while he opened it.

"So. Ya said errands, eh? Now, who'd ya be doin' errands fer tha' needs tha' kinda power, eh? Must be makin' it worth your while."
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Blink on June 18, 2017, 12:49:02 PM
Again as he opened the medical box Jaela's eyes studied all the instruments within it. It really was a useful skill to have and she was almost jealous she never looked into it further. It would be so nice to not have to worry about something as simple as a scorpion bite.

Her attention though was brought around in full circle when Itachi asked a complicated question. Jaela was chosen, just as the Black-Hearth's used to choose everyone they involved themselves with. It wasn't even her sand tricks that got their attention either, it was something else. She knew she was one of the best at what she did, it was drilled into her brain for years.

As for making it worth her while, that was another story. At first, it wasn't even a choice, it was what she was told to do. Jaela wasn't a slave per say, but freedom was never an option. And now that the family she worked for had fallen and only three remained, two of which estranged before the incident had even happened, Jaela found herself bored more often than not.

"Iguanas" she joked, finally answering his question with a lie... sort of.
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Marakai Trin on June 18, 2017, 01:02:17 PM
Itachi had been digging around for his pouches of herbs, and his hands stopped when she replied.

"....iguanas. Really, now." He smirked, his eyes having never left the box, and he continued to rummage through until he picked up a four marked bags.

"Somethin' tells me yer not bein'...entirely truthful. Any iguana I've met didn't have much of'n interest in havin' people work for 'em." He dumped some water in a small pestle he kept in his case, and then dropped a liberal amount of herbs into it.

"Feverfew, embereyes, glow weed, an' golden serfina. Remember tha', bird, in case ya gotta do this y'self. Good fer pain, good fer healin', and good fer infection. Th' glow weed 'elps to 'old it all together."

He smashed the mixture together, the water soaking into the pulverized mush and bonding it together.

"So, then. I've been nothin' but honest wit' ya, bird. When're ya gonna quit dodgin' me questions? I don' judge - every'un's got skeletons in their metaphorical closets. Sometimes they're even real."

He began to unwind the bandage on Jaelas leg, the mixed herbs still lying beside him.
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Blink on June 18, 2017, 01:30:06 PM
As he told her the herbs to remember Jaela made a mental note, moving her lips to repeat the names as if it helped engrave them in her mind.

He was right, she wasn't being entirely truthful... but neither was he. For starters, her was still talking in that ridiculous accent despite the fact it was just the two of them.

Perking a brow Jaela sat up a bit, holding the majority of her weight on her arms as she tried to make herself seem as serious as possible. It had already slipped a few times, the facade she carried around strangers, and she was about to let it slip again. Except for this time she was doing it on purpose.

"I was a death guard soldier for the Black-Hearth family." Her tone was flat as if she were reading information aloud from a book. "Five siblings, two presumed dead, two estranged, and one still carrying out the family business." Jaela then flipped the page in her mental book as she continued. "Kaida Black-Hearth, youngest child to the Black-Hearth legacy and youngest sibling to the original five."

"She was the one I was assigned to and the one I still to this day carry out business for. I follow people when she needs it. I get information for her or simply take care of loose ends if she so desires. She was also the one that saw the potential in what I could do beyond the sand and stone tricks."

Falling back a bit into her crazy mantra Jaela repeated what she had said several times since she arrived. "Sand and stones, sand and stones.... sand and stones." Her face then fell serious again. "Stupid sand and stones."

"To become a member of the Black-Hearth death guard you had to first be submitted to living through Kaida's torture room. They would push you so that you would never break should you be interrogated or captured. They wanted to believe they took your mind so all that was left was a shell to do their bidding."

"So I became a shell and I play it magnificently. No one ever suspects me and everyone underestimates what I can do and I would like to keep it that way." And with that Jaela huffed as she let herself fall back in the bedroll, crossing her arms over her chest in a dramatic movement.

"Sand and stones, sand and stones... sand and stones and stupid iguanas." Despite how much she tried to sound crazy it was evident Jaela was irritated in a sense. Not so much at Itachi, but more at herself for caving and just blurting everything out like that. He had backed her into a corner, knowing that she owed him the same honesty he had shown her. Then to top it all off he saved her life. She owed him and for that, she hated herself for allowing it.
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Marakai Trin on June 18, 2017, 01:54:35 PM
While she talked, he worked, and listened. He could sympathize with her acting differently than what was natural - this was a tactic he employed in every waking moment of his, constantly speaking like an unintelligent fool so as to keep in practice.

He mumbled when she finished speaking, dropping the accent. "Yeah. Always good to be underestimated...."

He had finished repacking her wound, and had it wrapped expertly in several layers of linen bandages. He glanced up at her, and tilted a brow. Her face was still lined with cuts, and that nasty gash on her forehead. While he was being good to her, he figured he might as well finish the job. He grabbed a small glass jar of salve, and slid over to sit beside her head.

"Your story...it's different, but not too unlike mine. I wasn't inducted into where I came from...I was born into it. Up north, back in the Thunderblacks, there's a tribe, the people I was born into. Evil, savage people. People I don't dare go back to, especially not after all this time."

He unscrewed the jar. "This might sting a bit. Don't move." He dipped a finger into the pasty substance, and began to smear it generously over her cuts.

"These are the Sarbanes. Warbands that hunt anything with two legs for whatever they have, known occasionally for eating their victims when food is scarce. My parents...were a part of one such band. That's when I discovered that I didn't want to be around anymore. When a warrior is wounded, no matter how minor an injury, they are killed, and their possessions are spread throughout the tribe. My parents were one such pair. One day, the chieftain just....dropped my father's knife," with his free hand, he reached behind him, and unsheathed a large bowie knife, jamming it point down into the ground beside him, "and my mother's vambrace," he gestured to an archers wrist guard that dangled from the center support pole of the tent, "in my lap. I knew they weren't coming back. I was eleven. I left that night for Ketra. I've been on my own since then."

He finished applying the salve to her various cuts, and glanced down at her, jade-colored eyes hard. "That's me. Now we both know, huh?"
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Blink on June 18, 2017, 02:14:05 PM
The anger within her quickly subsided at his story. As he applied the salve to her cuts she barely winced, too focused on the words coming out of his mouth.

"I know... I mean knew someone who used to eat people..." she added with a smirk.

"I'm sorry about your parents though, I think it better to never have known mine than to lose them like you did." There was sympathy behind her eyes as she spoke, something Jaela NEVER expressed.

By now she could hear that outside the tent the sandstorm had since passed and the eerie night had overtaken once more.

"I swear I am not usually clumsy like this. I don't think I have ever been hurt so badly and to make it worse it was at the tail of a stupid insect."

Laughing to herself once more she began to almost sing the little mantra she had been repeating as she kept Itachi's face in view out of the corner of her eye. "Sand and stones, sand and stones... sand and stones and stupid iguanas and ridiculous scorpions."

When she finished Jaela was smiling again, chuckling to herself at how easy it was to sound crazy.
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Marakai Trin on June 18, 2017, 02:28:49 PM
Itachi nodded at her consolation, but really wasn't worried about it. He'd come to terms with it years ago, and wasn't really bothered with it anymore. Twisting the knife in that wound didn't hurt anymore - that part of him had died long ago.

"Don't worry about it - there's nothing to be done about it, anyway. I'm not nearly strong enough to take the whole tribe on by myself, and that's a sortie I'd rather do on my own. So, really it's a moot point."

He, too, noticed the waning of the storm, taking note of it as he replaced his medical supplies in their rightful place.

"And maybe next time you've got a scorpion crawling on you...just brush it off, eh?" He winked at her just as he closed his case. "I might not be around the next time your leg's about to fall off."

He reached into a small sack in the far corner of the tent, withdrawing a large dark glass bottle.

"I've been saving this, you know. But...no time like the present." He pulled a throwing knife from the confines of his coat, shoved it in the cork, and twisted it out. He took a long draw from the bottle, and passed it to her.

"Cheers, bird. To a couple of crazy people in the desert."
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Blink on June 18, 2017, 02:38:39 PM
When Itachi suggested brushing the scorpion off next time Jaela simply repeated what she had been singing. "Sticks and stones, sticks and stones.... sticks and stones and stupid iguanas and ridiculous scorpions." To anyone else it may have seemed her mind was already elsewhere, somewhere far off in la-la land. But now that Itachi knew her secret it would be easy to see she was just joking.

And then he pulled out the rum....

Immediately Jaela shot up from laying down and extended her arms out for it before he even had taken a drink for himself. After he did she happily took the bottle and took a long swig of her own.

"Cheers" she choked out before she lifted the bottle to her lips one more time to take another drink.

"Would have been so much better if you had just pulled that out from the beginning. And you forget it's not bird... I am Princess Bird."
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Marakai Trin on June 18, 2017, 02:47:14 PM
"No, just bird. If anyone's royalty to these louts, it's me."

He chuckled a bit, and laid back on the sandy ground, folding his hands underneath his head. He stared straight up at the tents ceiling as he continued to speak.

"If you're the princess, I'm the king. But that doesn't really matter because-"

He lifted one hand from beneath his head, and pointed straight at her face.

"You, bird, aren't Craol."
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Blink on June 18, 2017, 03:06:48 PM
When he pointed at her it almost made her eyes cross.

"What on earth are you talking about?" Thinking of the word Jaela immediately began thinking of a crab for some reason.

" I think that you may be crazier than me Itachi." The way she said it as if it were a well-known fact. It was almost refreshing for a minute, thinking that someone out there could play the crazy one for a bit.

Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Marakai Trin on June 18, 2017, 03:14:08 PM
"Eh? The way you put it, that's not hard, especially considering you aren't actually crazy." He lowered his arm and replaced it under his head again, and inclined his head just enough to see her.

"Anyway. The Craol. That's me and the boys. Bandits, thieves, warriors. All of us have one or two certain skills to fill us out. But, seeing what you can do, and knowing that kind of power is out there...I think I might be making another opening."

He laid his head back on the ground again, closed his eyes, and shrugged.

"Pity you're already employed, or there'd be a place for you, if you were interested."
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Blink on June 18, 2017, 05:02:52 PM
"Depends on who your asking" she thought in regards to not actually being crazy.

So the Craol were what they called themselves. This small group of misfits tucked away in the desert where no one could find them. They all seemed entertaining enough since Jaela found herself having more fun this last day than she had had in a while.

When he laid his head on the floor Jaela turned hers to look at him. Was he baiting her? I mean yes she was 'employed' but she hardly had any work nowadays.

"Well...." she let the 'l' roll off her lips for a few seconds as she mulled over what she was about to say.

"I mean I don't have anything going on right now..." That was a lie of course. Jaela was actually supposed to be back at the abandoned citadel guarding the library of scrolls and books hidden within it. She did do that for a few days at least, but it was just so boring. Not like Kaida would notice anyways...
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Marakai Trin on June 18, 2017, 05:35:16 PM
Itachi was quiet for several moments, his eyes still closed as his mind raced with possibilities. What most people didn't know, what Itachi carefully hid every day, was that the man was nearly a genius. He spent his off hours constantly planning, thinking of thousands of possibilities and variables. And this....if he could recruit this wonderful little woman into his band, it offered a multitude more of possibilities.

After a moment, his eyes opened, jade facing the ceiling again. He gave a small satisfied smile, and sat up. A deft movement of the hand snatched the bottle out of her hand.

He took a long pull from the bottle again, and sat it down next to him. Then he looked to Jaela with an amused sort of smile.

"So...you want to be a princess, then? We suddenly have an opening for mage royalty."
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Blink on June 18, 2017, 05:53:54 PM
This guy could definitely be useful in the future. Plus, he was the first person Jaela didn't scare away with her 'crazy' in quite some time. It was actually refreshing to have someone who understood why acted the way she did.

"Well it doesn't sound awful...." she made it seem as if she were actually thinking about it, allowing for a long pause as she let her eyes scan the ceiling of the tent.

"I suppose I could tag along."
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Marakai Trin on June 18, 2017, 06:02:25 PM
Itachi smiled. "Wonderful. Simply...wonderful." His smile quickly widened into a grin.

This was perfect! There were so many new possibilities opened now. A terramancer, here, under his employ? This was just too much. If he didn't know better, he'd pinch himself just to make sure he wasn't dreaming.

He removed the fingerless gloves from his hands, and extended an open hand to her.

"Welcome to the fold...Princess Bird."
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Blink on June 18, 2017, 06:13:14 PM
Even though she didn't completely show it Jaela was excited as well. Maybe life wouldn't be so boring now that she had something productive to do with her time. Plus Itachi was good company!

Turning on her side she held out her hand to shake his and after pulled it back. "Happy to be in the mix Itachi."

Jaela then rolled on her back again and folded her arms over her stomach. It was still night out and she honestly was exhausted. Between her body still trying to heal and the stunt she had pulled earlier she was running on fumes. Yawning rubbed one of her eyes as the ceiling of the tent began to blur.

"You know Itachi I th-" and she was gone. Drifting to sleep mid-sentence.
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Marakai Trin on June 18, 2017, 06:37:54 PM
It was amazing how easily this girl could fall asleep. Still, though, he was pretty satisfied with how the night had gone - even with the close call from the sandstorm. He'd gained a powerful ally, and added a new facet to the gem that was the Craol.

He smiled to himself, and leaned over to grab a blanket to toss over her legs. "Sleep well, princess." He grabbed his knife from the ground, sheathed it, and crept out of the tent.

Itachi made his way over to the dying embers of the fire, and worked to rekindle it with the remains of their firewood.

Then he reserved to make himself as comfortable as possible on the ground, wrapping himself up in his coat and staring at the stars.

Overall? Not a bad night.

____________


It took an age and a half for Itachi to fall asleep, and when he finally did he felt as if he slept for a grand total of ten minutes.

He cracked an eye open as the first rays of the sun shined down on his face. Quite suddenly, he wished he'd kept quiet about the rum, and he threw an arm over his face.

Well. Today was the day, then. Time to get packed up and get moving. Though the moving part would take awhile. Itachi felt as though he'd slept in the workings of a clock while it was ticking double time.

Very slowly, he dragged himself out of the sand, and began shouting.

"CRAOL! UP AN' AT'EM! FIRE, FOOD, LE'S GET MOVIN'!"

Shouting killed his head, but this was a routine he followed daily. Last to bed, first to rise, day in and day out.

So far this routine hadn't changed, and he almost forgot that there was one that wasn't a part of it, yet. He made his way back over to his (Jaela's?) tent, and brushed the flap open to poke his head in.

"Princess Bird, it's time to get up. Busy day today. Up and at 'em, chop chop, we don't have all day!" He grinned and grabbed the bottle still on the ground. He took a swig and set it back down.

Nothing like the hair of the dog to get you moving again. Though he wished he could hold his alcohol better.
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Blink on June 18, 2017, 06:58:50 PM
Jaela jumped up at the sound of his voice waking her up. Immediately she regretted sitting up too quickly and held a hand to her head from the pain. Alcohol mixed with a head injury really wasn't the best combo. Itachi's face was the first thing she saw after she opened her eyes, the next being the ongoings happening on outside of the tent.

She couldn't see much beyond the bit of fabric he had held open but it was still enough to see everyone moving around outside of it. "I guess we are moving then?" she asked as she stretched her arms over her head and yawned. "Alright then..."

Jaela then closed her eyes for a brief moment before shooting them back open, the wild glimmer behind them now present. She had her game face on and was ready to start the day just like every other.

Without another word she crawled out of the tent past Itachi and stood as soon as she was able, placing a hand on each hip as she took in the sights of the camp. "Great job everyone! Keep doing exactly whatever it is you are doing!" Jaela then clapped her hands together as she found all of this very entertaining.

With each step, she still limped and the pain in her leg was still present, but much less severe.
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Marakai Trin on June 18, 2017, 07:20:19 PM
With her exclamation about the daily activities of camp, Itachi winced and put a hand over his eyes, slowly running downward.

"I uh...don't suppose you could keep it down, could ya?" he asked. His next statement was mumbled. "Heads fuckin' killin' me."

He noted the way she limped, and pointed it out. "'Ow's th' leg, Princess? Need me ta take a look 'fore we start the day?"
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Blink on June 18, 2017, 07:38:36 PM
Still standing with a hand on each hip Jaela looked at Itachi out of the corner of her eye. "And who's fault is that? I bet it's a butter witch tryin' to get into your mind." Turning to face him then Jaela smiled. "I heard the best way to prevent that from happening is strap some horseradish to your head." Jaela stared at him blankly after that with her head tilted.

When he mentioned her leg she looked down at it and then back to him, her eyes flicking to everyone hustling around them for just a second. Then her eyes widened as if she believed everything she had just said about the butter witch. "You think it's trying to possess my leg too?"

Immediately she twirled back around "Quick! Does anyone have any horseradish! It's an emergency!"

Jaela even seemed worried for a second as she asked for the silly ingredient. "I never thought they would find me out here in the desert! I guess their evil truly knows no bounds."

"Damned butter witches."
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Marakai Trin on June 19, 2017, 03:41:40 AM
As one, the ragtag group of bandits turned to look at her incredulously, each with their brows raised. A couple even went to hunt for the ingredient.

Muttered, somewhere in camp: "Know there's some around here somewhere...where'd I put it?"

Elsewhere: "Wha's da 'mergency, Princess?"

Itachi facepalmed, before putting his hands on Jaela's shoulders and steer her toward the tent.

"Le's get ya looked at, even if'n it's ta keep them from takin' ya too seriously, mind?" With an exasperated sigh, he sat on the floor of the tent.

"Bad 'nuff I gotta be....picking the sand out of my hair all morning. Now I'll have to listen to that lot hunting for horseradish to ward off made-up witches. Now sit down, this has to be checked on every now and again."
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Blink on June 19, 2017, 12:55:09 PM
Jaela was just about to respond, even holding a finger up to make a statement, but was so rudely interrupted by Itachi shoving her back in the tent. However, despite his best efforts she still managed to get one last thing in before completely inside.

"It's a matter of life or death! All of our lives are at stake if you don't find it!"

Once inside the tent, Jaela was still smiling at her successful declaration. They really did take her seriously and she kind of loved that. Already she was thinking of the many things she could say and do to set things into motion for entertainment purposes. By the end of the week, she would probably have them all walking around with corn husks shoved under their shirts to ward off some kind of crop monster.

Obliging Jaela slowly lowered herself to the tent floor alongside Itachi, extending her leg straight out so that he could examine what lay beneath the bandages. "So how long is this hole in my leg gonna be around anyways? I really don't like it."

Her eyes trailed down to the bandage as she studied it. Jaela had never had this kind of wound before that wasn't healed by the Black-Hearth family's mage. She was used to going out and being as reckless as she wanted to be without any long lasting damage. Every scrape, cut, stab, and broken bone usually gone within an hours time at the hands of their healer.
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Marakai Trin on June 19, 2017, 01:37:52 PM
Itachi glanced up at her for only a moment before he got to work. "I think I'm about to tell you, actually. If you're lucky, you'll be able to go without the bandage in a couple of days. If you're not lucky, the poultice didn't do shit, and you're gonna have things crawling around in it."

He grinned and looked up at her again, the bandage half unwound from her leg.

"But I'm gonna go with lucky. I've always been lucky, and I haven't had to cut off any limbs yet." He unwrapped the last of it, and looked at her wound. His face gained a look of satisfaction, but also confusion.

"Well...the good news is....the infection is gone. The flesh doesn't even look irritated. But...for some reason, you seem to be healing alot faster than normal."

He glanced at her with an odd expression. "Leave the bandage off for today, and let it dry out. Just try not to bump it on anything...."

He settled back, no longer hovering over her wound, one hand raised to his chin as he thought for a moment. He mumbled slightly, thinking out loud.

"It can't have been something I've done...I've used that poultice a thousand times, and no one's ever...."

Suddenly, he snapped his fingers, and looked up to Jaela again. "It's you, isn't it? You're an elementalist, in your element. Fascinating..."

He grinned, and pushed his way up to his feet, and held out a hand to pull her up. "No matter! Let's get some food in our bellies before those louts eat it all."

While he spoke, the gears were turning in his head. Possibilities, angles, plans, and schemes. This man never quit.
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Blink on June 19, 2017, 01:51:35 PM
All she could do was blink at the mention of cutting her leg off. "That would definitely be inconvenient" Her worry though wearing off after he unwrapped her leg and delivered the good news. She was healing, so well in fact that he said she could leave the bandage off for the day.

Her attention was then on him as she watched him try and piece together why she was healing so efficiently. The entire in her mind she just kept going "Sand and stones, sand and stones, sand and stones" as if she hadn't already repeated it enough out loud already. And then he figured it out and it was a 'there ya go' moment for Jaela.

Pulling herself up with his help Jaela only smiled, having been quite throughout the entire process. It really was fun enough just watching Itachi try and figure things out without her added opinions. She also saw something she imagined others often saw in her, which is why she so easily noticed it. He was always thinking... his mind was always going some place where his body was not. That sparkle in his eyes the same as when Jaela was trying to figure things out.

The moment they stepped out of the tent the game was back on for 'Princess Bird'. Immediately she shot her arms straight out at each side while she walked, her palms flat as if she were signaling to stop. "No one come near me or you may be infected by my lack of infection." She then looked at Itachi over her shoulder. "It has to go somewhere doesn't it?"

"And what of that horseradish! We don't have all day people! Those witches never stop!" Of course, all of this was a way of keeping the men busy instead of going for the food that Itachi had mentioned.
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Marakai Trin on June 19, 2017, 03:19:04 PM
Itachi followed behind her as they exited the tent, quickly taking notice of her change in mannerisms. He gave a small smile, putting a hand over his eyes and slowly shaking his head.

"Yeah, i's gone somewhere, alright. Straight ta yer head,  methinks." He winked as he stepped past her, walking straight toward where the food was located.

He thought it rather comical, the way other native Adelans took straight to superstition, rather than fine proven facts. A little less comical was the way she had managed to wrap the lot of them around her little finger.

That thought had him turn slightly, and he glanced at her out of the corner of his eyes, stopping halfway through filling a plate of grub.

Silently, he resolved not to let that happen to him. While it was all fun and games to her, perhaps, he took his position seriously. He turned his attention back to the food.

She might be pretty. She might be powerful, and smart enough to perhaps rival even him. But he wouldn't be outdone.

Best stay away from that little finger. The gears turned.
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Blink on June 19, 2017, 03:42:42 PM
"Straight to my head!" she stopped immediately and grasped one of her hands on the crown of her head. Her eyes looked panicked as they jumped between members of Craol. "I told you! They've gotten me!" Then as if on cue Jaela just fell back, letting her body go limp before she fell to the ground.

Dust blew up from around her and even as it settled she did not move a muscle. She just lay there with her eyes closed and even her breathing seemed to stop. Of course, nothing was really wrong with her but Jaela had always been one for dramatics.

After a few seconds, both of her eyes shot open and her usual smile returned. "Just kidding!" she yelled as she pushed herself up, taking extra care not to injure herself for real in the process.

Once she was on her feet Jaela acted as if she had not just fallen down. In fact, she acted like there was no looming threat of 'butter witches' overhead at all. Casually she walked over to the firepit where the food hung over and then looked around for a rock to sit on. As if in deep thought she placed one hand on her hip while the other brushed her lips.

"... now where to sit." She tapped her mouth with her fingers at the thought.

Her hand then shot up as she extended a finger. "I know!" Turning her head she set her sights on a rock inconveniently nowhere near the fire. The rock then began to at first slowly skid across the earth and before long, had been scooted the perfect distance from the flames.

"Perfect" she chirped as she sat down, quite proud of herself for figuring that out all on her own.
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Marakai Trin on June 19, 2017, 04:42:38 PM
Itachi groaned at her dramatics, keeping an eye on her while he finished their plates. He knew it was an act, but he had to wonder....why? Was it to keep the others thrown off, or for her own personal amusement?

And so the gears kept turning.

After a monent, she seemed to shoot right back up again, just as he'd expected her to. He made the motions like he was still filling their plates, one jade eye kept on her at all times.

She's an odd one... came the thought, and idly he wondered if he could use her eccentricities to his benefit.

Eh. Probably not.

After a moment, he made his way to her, two plates piled with sausages and eggs in tow. He arrived just as she used her power to slide a seat towards her. He stepped next to her with a practiced grin in place.

"Wassat, then? No seat fer me Princess? Ya wound me, truly ya do. 'Ere, eat up. After every'uns fed we're breakin' camp an' 'eaded north. Back up ta the Serha."
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Blink on June 19, 2017, 05:08:01 PM
Happily, she took the plate offered to her and smiled at Itachi. As she went to take her first bite he would notice how a rock suddenly began to move forwards and stop once at a good placement at the fire. She said no words as she did it but merely giggled through bites of the eggs.

With every bite, she remained silent as her peridot eyes wandered across each man in the camp. Each one had a story of their own just as hers. That was usually how a lot like this ended up together in the first place. Pushed or driven away by something that led to banding together with others like them. Deep in thought, Jaela's eyes slowly became less crazy and softer as she thought further on it.

Just as he had been watching her out of the corner of his eye she did as well. Already he was beginning to forget the girl in the tent the night before. That was the plan, wasn't it? Start the day out acting so crazy that even he wouldn't be able to believe the real her he had met the night before. Her actions would be so outrageous that they would take over anything else remaining of the real Jaela in his eyes. Yes, that was the plan... that was always the plan.

Itachi was not the first person she had ever disclosed her true demeanor to and honestly, he probably wouldn't be the last. However, if you asked anyone she had ever told the truth they would still describe her as the crazy girl without a sane thought to speak of.

"And what after that?" she asked. An attempt to make conversation while she still sorted things out in her head.
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Marakai Trin on June 19, 2017, 05:52:43 PM
Even as he nodded his thanks and took his seat, Itachi's mind continued like a well oiled machine. Every so often, through a veil of gray-blonde hair, he'd glance at her out of the corner of his eye, sizing her up and trying to figure her out.

Her mind was a puzzle, an anathema compared to nearly every person he'd come across before. He'd scammed people, literally sometimes to death if necessary. He'd manipulated people into working towards his goals, his devices. People were easy.

Usually. Now he was faced with this girl, this three billion piece jigsaw puzzle that he desperately felt needed pieced together, if only to better know who he'd be working with. He needed to figure this girl out.

When she'd asked her question, he turned his head to look at her fully, his face again neutral as the game continued.

"Eh. No' much planned, jes' yet. Need ta resupply, an' tha' means we need coin. 'Sides, ya can't be takin' me tent an' bedroll forever. Sleepin' on th' ground is killin' me back." He winked, and turned forward again.

"Time ta get rich quick. How ya feel abou' robbin' Ketra, cuz they're too damn dumb ta stop fallin' fer th' same trick ev'ry year?"
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Blink on June 19, 2017, 06:01:26 PM
Taking the last bit of sausage Jaela plopped it in her mouth and chewed not only on the food but his statement as well.

"Get rich quick scheme eh?" Swallowing she then set the plate down beside her on the ground. "But maybe I like your tent and bedroll, it's already all worn in and comfy. So clearly the only option here is for you to get yourself a new one cause'... I stake a claim on the ones you have now."

"What trick do you pull in Ketra?"
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Marakai Trin on June 19, 2017, 06:32:49 PM
"There's a sayin' among the Craol, bird. 'Wha's mine, is mine.' I been nice so far, cuz yer hurt, but yer gonna have ta learn tha'." He winked again, glancing at her again with a grin.

He finished his plate, setting it at his feet, and turned his whole body to face her. He leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees. "Now listen. Me bounty is one-hunnerd-twenty thousand crowns, posted all ov'r Adela. 'Ell, ya mighta seen it an' no' even realized it. But 'ere's th' thing. Me boys? All unknown. So! I 'ave 'em take me in fer th' bounty, get th' gold...an' break ou' again. Works ev'ry time."

He grinned, teeth flashing. "So, whatcha think?"
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Blink on June 19, 2017, 06:41:21 PM
She would be lying if she said she wasn't disappointed in having to get her own tent and bedroll but then again... did she really need one? Constructing a shelter for her was child's play and a bed... she had slept on worse things than dirt.

Shrugging it off she continued to listen as he described their trick. It was smart, she would give him that but also risky. There were too many opportunities for something to go wrong, too many variables and unpredictable circumstances that played in a game of cat and mouse like this.

Even Jaela wouldn't risk getting herself imprisoned on purpose although her chances of escaping a stone or metal cell were probably much higher... and easier. But Itachi didn't know that in truth she had only scratched the surface on what she could really do. She had mentioned before that the Black-Hearth only took interest in truly 'unique' people and Jaela was the very essence of the word.

She could not only manipulate rock, dirt, and sand, but also basic metal types. And then there was, of course, the ultimate trick of all, the one that would burn if you got too close. Each of these abilities really not that impressive unless you could combine them all together like she did. Jaela was a jack of all trades when it came to earth magic, not only mastering just one or two different types but instead mostly all of them.

"I think you are an idiot..." she paused with a serious face before her mouth curled up in a smile. "... I love it!"

Jaela then jumped up from her rock, excited to get this show on the road. "Let's do this!"
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Marakai Trin on June 19, 2017, 07:16:10 PM
At first he frowned at the word 'idiot,' before grinning at her exclamation. "Yeah, bird, tha's wha' I like ta hear, now. Le's get our stuff together an' get on th' road, then, eh? Ya wanna 'elp me take down th' tent an' pack an' whatnot? Mostly jus' throwing it all on th' wagon..."

That made him think. Suddenly he stood. "Zamik! Where's the damn 'orses!? Ain't seen 'em since yesterday, ya bloody oaf! If ya lost 'em, yer pullin' us 'ome by yerself AN' breakin' the new 'orses!"

"Yes, boss, right away...where the hell did they get to..."

Itachi sighed, hanging his head between his knees. "It's gonna be a long fuckin' day, bird."

He turned his head to the side to glance at her. "Don't s'pose ya got a 'orse 'idden somewhere, do ya?"
Title: Re: Sand and Stones May Break My Bones (P)(Marakai)
Post by: Blink on June 19, 2017, 08:14:21 PM
Turning her head Jaela eyed the tent in question. It had officially made it on her 'mortal enemy' list at the mention of taking it down. Who knew traveling with a group would be so much work?

When Itachi began screaming about horses Jaela whipped her head around, her eyes scanning the parts of the horizon she could see for them. He was right, she hadn't seen a single one since she got there.

"Scorpions," she said under her breath. "They banded together to follow the one I swatted and took the horses in the night." Again her tone insinuated she was completely serious with her comment.

The statement of it being a long day was an understatement. Not only was Itachi practically asking slave labor to take down the tent, but now the horses were missing. "Sure thing let me just pull one out of my pocket." Her sarcasm dry.

Stepping away from him Jaela walked over to the tent and stared at it, a standoff of sorts happening between the two. It would be a battle of the ages, wrapping this alleged helper of man into a small bag. Jaela had never packed a tent before and as far as she was concerned before today, they were useless. What did you need them for anyways? She could easily construct something much better without having to worry about carrying it around.

Or it could just be the fact that she had no idea what she was doing.