tampered | EXPEDITION PLOT

EXPEDITION PLOT | landfall

When; September 21st.
Rating; R for swearing, otherwise TBA.
Characters; Luke, Asch, Guy, Jade, Tear, Dean, Sasuke, Yuri, Dave, Rose, and Klarth.
Summary; What is this strange new world?

| DAY 18 | A Brave New World
{music}

[At last, land. This doesn't look like anywhere in the City. Could it be a new continent? There's only one way to find out. The captain sends a small boat to shore with the expedition crew riding inside. The boat will be there when Luke and the others return to the shore in a few days; they have some repairs to make, after all.

The breeze rolling off the ocean is cool. The serene calm about this place isn't deceptive, just abandoned.]

[ooc: ~~Please wait until all sections are up before commenting!~~ DONE.

Threadjack, threadhop, backtag etc, you know the drill.]

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[The sky is a clear cerulean, and the sand is a deep gold color. Apart from the occasional rocks and a few scattered palm trees, there doesn't seem to be anything exciting on the shore.]

[ooc: Music! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eqetqwcWEo).]

[Less trees, more sand. This is looking like less of a beach and more like a desert. The cool wind is beginning to dissipate, replaced by pure heat.

A small white snake dances beneath someone's feet and disappears into the shadows of a rock.

And now the complaining starts.]

[ooc: Music? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55U2MlcRvbU)]

[A spot of bright green interrupts the monotonous landscape. It's a stand of tropical trees, and some of them are even bearing coconuts! The cacti are in bloom, too. But the best part is a large pool of clear, pure water from underground.

Beware the flora though. No one wants to sit on a cactus.]

[ooc: Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bo8Xr4cCsZc).]

[The night is surprisingly chill, almost icy. Something dark skitters just at the edge of the camp and stops.]

[ooc: because I can't help myself (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGu39FhiosE).]

[Luke is sweaty and disgusting and feeling a little sunburned. He's having flashbacks of chasing Asch across the desert and it isn't making this any better.]

We should probably camp here. We don't know when we'll get water next...

[He plops on a rock and proceeds to shake the sand out of his shoes.]

[Asch knows he heard something moving about from where he was keeping guard. He draws his sword and cautiously investigates the noise.]

[This sight wasn't welcoming in the least bit. It oddly reminded Klarth of a continent back in his own world; Frayland, one mostly covered by desert much like this one. He could feel it now... the heat building and the sweat that's about to run down his face in buckets. He gave a dreary sigh.]

To think this is what's beyond the City.

[He nodded to concur.]

Hm, I agree. It'll be the most ideal place to rest and restock, considering the uncertainties that may lay ahead.

[He knelt down by the lake to go take a sip of water and refresh himself. Goodness, did that feel good.]

No wonder the monsters want in.

[He sighs, too.]

Are we really the only ones...?

I think trying to walk any more in this heat might kill somebody. Mainly me.

[He runs a hand through his bangs, looking remarkably like Asch for a minute before his hair falls back down.]

[There's something crouching beneath the scrub. A few leaves tremble...

... and then a small brown lizard flies at Asch's face.]

[He's so ready to deal with some kind of dangerous monster that he's thrown off-balance when the lizard pops up. He plows his sword into the ground before grabbing the reptile, tossing it aside with a huff, rubbing at his face and feeling stupid.]

[Klarth took notice of Asch's movement and slightly peeked from underneath his hat that covered his face. He too heard something and slowly reached to grab his book when... he was taken by what happened next.

Poor guy, though nonetheless he couldn't help it. Holding in a laughter, a small bout of air escaped. Let's hope Asch doesn't notice.]

Well, there's only one way to find out. There have been those back in my world, who were used to this type of weather. I wouldn't be surprised if there were a small village somewhere. Even so, we can't assume that we'll be welcomed with open arms. It's best we stay on guard.

[Klarth lightly chuckled to that when he noticed the resemblance and simply stared for a moment. Oh, now that was interesting.]

[The lizard raises his tail and glances back as if to say 'FUCK YOU' before disappearing into the sand.]

If there's a village anywhere, it'll be near an oasis, right?

[He blinks back at Klarth.]

-- W-what?

[Really, Luke and Asch could pass for twins if they didn't dress completely different. And Luke's hair is shorter. But...]

[But Asch does notice and is collecting himself as he turns toward the perpetrator.]

Wh--What're you laughing at!?

Most likely, considering that would be the only available water for anyone to survive in such heat.

[He began to take a step forward to begin their journey through the desert.]

Shall we go?

[Man was it HOT. He could recall the torture he had gone through during his travel in search for Ifreet. If only they had fire charms...]

Goodness...

[He fanned himself with his hat as the sweat continued to drip down his face. His posture a bit slouched now from exhaustion.]

Hm? [Luke brought him out of his thoughts.]

A-Ah, I was simply thinking of the close resemblance you have with Asch. Are you two related?

[Oh shhhi-! Klarth quickly turned over to his side away from him as he laid his head onto his bent arm. Yes, the old "let's pretend to sleep" trick. It was a sneeze he swears!]

[Asch isn't convinced... though there is always that slight off-chance possibility that the old man is, in fact, asleep. But he doesn't buy it.]

What do you think I am, some kind of idiot!? I know you were laughing, old man--don't you dare try to hide it!

[He's not letting this guy get away with mocking him!]

[His body jerked when he was called out on it. Damn. Of course he wouldn't be able to fool Asch of all people but he had to try. Slowly turning over again, he sat up, weakly smiled and nervously laughed.]

Iya~ it was simply unexpected ~~especially from you~~. That is all.

[At first he's surprised, and then embarrassed, and then a little frustrated. To say he's conflicted would be an understatement.]

We're... related... sort of.

[Such a good job of explaining things, Luke.]

[He noticed the change of expressions that Luke went through and grew even more curious.]

Ah, what, one of those distant family connections?

It's complicated. But if Asch and I were brothers... I wouldn't mind.

[He lightly laughed and smiled.]

What's that supposed to mean, ha ha ha. I see. He's a bit hard on the edges but a good man.

He's... not gentle or anything, but he's kind. Even if you don't deserve it. [Your mancrush is showing, Luke.]

[He's definitely noticing it and raises a brow in the process.]

What makes you believe you don't deserve it, hm?

[Luke falls silent for a minute.]

I took something important from him.

[Oh boy... he could only imagine what that something is.]

..I see.. [He contemplates with a soft sigh before softly daring to ask.]

What is it you took?

[Luke avoids looking up, and he's definitely not raising his voice. He doesn't want Asch to hear.]

His home... his name... his life... everything.

You probably don't believe me.

[It's true. It was hard to believe though unless he meant... Klarth took a glance towards Asch. No. He can't imagine someone as Luke taking someone's life without reason. He clearly saw just how uncomfortable he was making him feel and gave a small cough and tugging his hat down a bit.]

Ah, my apologies for stepping boundary. I've asked one too many. Though I believe there must have been a reason behind it. [Unfortunate one or not.]

[He hunches his shoulders, curling in on himself slightly.]

It's okay. I told you it was complicated. Maybe someday I'll feel like I can tell everyone what happened, but for now, I...

[He watches Asch's silhouette, too. A very small smile appears, sad and lovely and lonely.]

I can live like this.

[If Luke ever did, he'd feel privileged but he wasn't going to push it. That look on the boy's face...]

Take your time... You're surrounded by good friends. [He wasn't completely sure why it was necessary to add that but something about the way he said the last naturally made him say it.]

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EXPEDITION PLOT | landfall

THE BEACH

HIKING INLAND

THE OASIS

THE DESERT AT NIGHT

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