The Caravan Inn }Open{

[Magicck]

Rock sang to himself in repetitive fashion as he always did when going about his chores. Usually keeping the tune centered around whatever it was doing, this afternoon it was sweeping the sand off the floor and back onto the beach.

"Sweep sweep sweep" ♪

Swish, swish

He'd been at it all day, though Rock appeared to be enjoying it. In all honesty he was more so enjoying the ocean breeze blowing on his clean skin and through his short dirty blonde hair. It had been so long since he had a bath that he had forgotten had good it felt to be clean! He didn't have a shirt on, only a pair of olive shorts and a white bandanna tied around his head to keep the sweat out of his eyes.

Nothing was on his mind other than his task at hand and how he was going to enjoying building sandcastles when the sun had nearly touched the horizon. It had been a wonderful day, he was happy that he'd accidentally stumbled upon this place.

[Gid the Almighty]

Gid shook what he could from the bottom of his glass before giving it a once over with a squinted eye, just to be sure, "Naw, I s'pose yer right, Ms. Asherah. Been a long day fer ev'ryone involved." He dipped the glass into the sink and cleaned it out before setting it back up with it's brothers and sisters.

"'Ll 'ave te say t'at 'll set up shop in numbe' seven, t'en, Ms. Asherah. Bit o' a lucky numbe', 'm sure. So unless t'ere's a bit more o' business te tend te, 'M off." With a nod, Gid made his way from behind teh bar and back over to his pack. Hefting it over his shoulder, he offered his new employer a two finger salute before stepping back out into the rain to find his new, albeit temporary, home.

[Gid the Almighty]

Back in his new home, Gid had taken what furniture that wasn't a bed or a desk and turned it into bookshelves. From floor to ceiling on every flat surface books were stacked, piled, and scattered in every which way in the sort of chaos only the originator could understand. Sadly, the originator, our mysterious and drug addled hero, was nowhere to be seen; however, the sound of running water and the feeling of steam on the air signified that he was desperately trying to rinse the sticky salt from himself.

It took quite awhile before the wolf felt he had been adequately cleaned and when he found his way back into the room, there was an addition to the smorgasbord of paperwork. A simple, sealed envelope laid on the floor by the front door. Covered in nothing but a towel, Gid tilted his head in obvious suspicion at the thing's arrival. There was no possible way the Siblings could have tracked him down already and he was fairly sure the X.N.A. had given up chasing him, besides, neither would have the manners to leave a note instead of kicking in his door.

So, giving a cautious sniff to the air, Gid approached the mail slowly; his hesitation ended as soon as he noticed the seal. Green wax was pressed down with the symbol of two crossing leaves. His worry had suddenly turned to perplexity.

He never took his eyes from the envelope as he made his way to the bed where his kukri lay. The blade made quick work of the paper and when some sort of alchemical poison didn't spray out and melt his face, Gid had never been more confused in his life. Well, not since he was given the speech about the "Birds and the bees" by his uncle Jae.

Inside, there was only a business card reading "The Esteemed House of the Clan Vorad" on one side and "Bungalow Number Seven, the Caravan Inn" on the reverse. As soon as he had pulled the stock card from it's resting place, the door to what had been the bathroom switched to a view of an extravagant mansion hallway with the sound of snapping fingers.

"Huh," escaped his lips as he tucked the card into the backside of his towel and stepped through the newly opened portal.

[Abyssal Majesty]

Quickly handing Gid a key and waving as he went off to his bungalow, Asherah's attention turned towards that of Ben, who was stepping out of the magic shop. Her eyes went to his shirt, then a meek grimace stretched her lips.

"Hold onBen, that shirts gunna be a bit of work to clean."

Heading into the Inn, Ash made her way into her shop, where some rustling could be heard. Drawers sliding, a few huffs as she tip toed up. But before one knew it, she was out with a small arm full of things.

"To the washing hut!"

[Von Fuzzball]

How she had managed to find her way here, she would probably never know.

There was little of the outside world that was registering in Roland's mind right now. The crunch of the sand beneath her feet, the wind that ruffled her hair and clothing; she was barely recognizing any of it. She steadied herself against the moments where her vision blurred, causing for a misstep as her judgment of depth was thrown off. When she started this small trip, she had at first thought it unusual just how emphatic her heartbeat seemed to be, reverberating throughout her whole body and echoing in her ears like a deep bass drum. And then she realized it hadn't been her heart at all.

It was what was killing her, attacking her very system one beat at a time.

In general, Roland was a young and healthy looking woman. She appeared to be in her early to mid 20s, her standard outfit one that wouldn't stand out in a crowd: a simple tan jacket that was zipped up to just below her chest, where it then spread open to reveal a simple black undershirt, leaving nothing to the view of others but for her neck and collarbone. The jacket seemingly finished a little short on her; only the beginnings of a tribal looking tattoo can be seen on just a tiny bit of skin showing before her pants took over; a black that matched her undershirt. There was a holster wrapped about her right thigh with the help of two tan buckled straps, but whatever might've been placed in said holster was missing at the time. There was also a buckled belt that rested loosely over her hip that had extra compartments, but for what these were for, a passerby would never know. Top this all off with a simple pair of black boots that came halfway up her legs and you've got yourself a relatively simple outfit.

As for her looks, Roland could be considered moderately attractive. Her one gift was receiving strong features from her mother. She had short blond hair, ending just above her shoulders, and the mild breeze only exaggerated the untapered and uneven ends. (It's in no way messy, but she preferred it because it required little maintenance.) Her eyes were a piercing blue, perhaps the most captivating feature she had. Her looks are what one would expect from a healthy traveling girl on average, but at the moment, she looked a little more pale and strained that what would be considered normal. At least, that was the perception of the man from which she acquired directions to this "Caravan Inn." She had only paused long enough to hear where to go and before he could acquire after her health and perhaps if she needed a place to rest, she was off again.

And somehow, between then and now, she had reached the inn. Or what she hoped was it, as it appeared to be the only building in the immediate area and she wasn't sure how much longer she could force herself to walk. She paused with a small wince just before the entrance, as there was a particularly strong 'beat' from whatever was flowing in her veins, before mentally recomposing herself and entering the establishment, attempting to look as normal as any person could look, even as she stumbled slightly and caught herself on the door frame. She waited until her vision cleared before attempting to take in the surroundings; though, in her current state, she took in very little.

"H.." She stopped after discovering that her voice wasn't being very cooperative and she cleared her throat before trying again. "Is anyone here?" The second try still wasn't as strong and clear as she preferred, but at least it carried. Somewhat.

[E is for Enigma]

Relived that his clothing was finally getting some attention, Ben almost didn't hear the faint voice that drifted into the dining hall from the foyer. He turned from following Asherah to wherever the 'washing hut' might be to see a young woman wandering out of the storm. She didn't look too steady on her feet.

"Madam?" Ben called out, striding to the foyer on his long legs to see if she needed steadying. "Are you alright?"

Ben hovered a little helplessly. All recent experience he'd had with women were that they did not like being touched unnecessarily, but he wanted to be helpful in any way that he could.

[Von Fuzzball]

She remained leaning against the nearest wall or sturdy object; she wasn't going to risk trying to walk around unnecessarily. The sound of a man's voice floated to her ears, but it became so fuzzy within her head that she only made out bits and pieces of it. All the same, she was able to locate the source of her voice, though the fashion with which her eyes locked on the man was slow. If anyone was paying attention, they would say her eyes alone looked drugged, but that effect only lasted for a brief second until her eyes focused on the figure.

She didn't know if he worked here or not, but she couldn't bother taking the time to figure out. "Antidote." She said simply. Once it was out, she realized that the stranger might need more than that, and she closed her eyes for a brief moment to concentrate, opening them once she spoke again. "Do you have any.. antidote?" She tried again, a small break coming in her speech as she fought off a spark of pain.

[Abyssal Majesty]

Whipping around at the female's voice, Asherah opened her mouth as if to greet her, only to make a light yelping noise. Shoving her ingredients to fix up Ben's shirt on the nearest table, Ash quickly moved towards the woman. Reaching out, she very gently put a hand about the woman's shoulder, grasping just enough to not let her fall. Looking up to Phoebe and Chloe, she pursed her lips.

"Phoebe, help Ben with his shirt. Liquids first, powders after. No order. -- Chloe, go fetch me an umbrella and once fore yourself. Open the door to the massage hut."

She didn't really need to know what the woman's name was, or why she was here, all she knew was she was needing medicine. Her instincts were telling her to get the girl somewhere comfortable, so she could further see the issue out.

"Can you walk alright hun? I'm going to take you out to my healing room.. It's not very far, I'll get you fixed right up.."

Chloe trotted over and handed Ash a large umbrella before rushing off to fulfill her orders. Using her strength, Asherah held up the girl's weight with ease.

"We're going to start walking again ok?" Taking the first step, Asherah made sure the girl could follow. "It's not very far, don't worry sweetie."

Repetitive, yes, but Ash knew that talking to an injured person could keep them coherent. And in her case, it was needed.

[Von Fuzzball]

Suddenly, there was another voice and Roland did what she could to focus on that one as well. The walk must've taken more out of her than she realized; she wasn't so much simply trying to focus on the world around as cling to it. She was a moment's pace away from unconsciousness, but she would be damned if she let herself pass out in such an unfamiliar territory.

Despite her best efforts, the woman's voice fell along the same fate as the man's. Fuzzy, unclear, and the most she could gather was that it wasn't an unfriendly voice. It caught her by surprise to feel a form beside her, practically holding her up. It was the woman, and Roland obligingly took the help, leaning more heavily than she would prefer against the other form as they walked off to.. Well, where ever it was that she was taking her. Hopefully, it wasn't very far and this poison would be removed from her system once there. She didn't know what she was saying, but she found it helpful to focus on her voice. It gave her another piece of reality to hold onto in her struggle to remain conscious.

[Abyssal Majesty]

"Almost there hun.."

Scooting their way across the wet sand, Asherah managed to hold the umbrella up decently whilst toting the girl. It wasn't long at all. Once inside the hut, Ash flicked on the lights and scooped up the girl a bit, helping her to the table to lay down.

"She's poisoned.." She said softly, digging under the massage table to find her customized little first aid kit. It was a special one she made for big emergencies. This, being one of them. Lugging out a sizable rubber maid tub, Ash dug further.

"What's your name!" She called out as her hands sifted, trying to find a particularly pinkish vile. "Tell me your name!" Still, it was something to keep the girl conscious.

Blue viles, green, white, black, brown, red. Pink! Where was the pink? Huffing a bit, Asherah tipped the tub to the side and let a few of the glass containers clatter against the ground. She knew it was there. It had to be ther--

"HAH!"

Jumping up, Asherah uncorked the vile and slid her arm under the woman's neck, propping her up.

"Open your mouth hun, this isn't going to taste nice, but it will help."

Awaiting the femme to open her mouth, Ash would pour the syrupy liquid past her lips. If she could taste it, it tasted like bitter herbs, dirt and honey. It was an antidote alright, the strongest Asherah had. The only one she had. It was a cure all, terribly difficult to make, and even harder to come by the ingredients. If all went well, a stream of cold blood would surge through the girl's veins, sweeping the toxin out. And but out, purge. Picking up a bucket with her foot, Ash held the bucket in front of the girl.

"Out with it."

[Von Fuzzball]

For the time that they were back outside, Roland's head tilted to the side as a thumping sound mixed in with her senses. She didn't bother trying to look around and at first she thought the beat within her had sped up. But she soon realized that it was.. rain. It was raining? Had it been raining while she made her way here as well? The questions had barely popped into her mind before they were gone again, and the next thing she knew, she had been guided to lay down. The feel of something stable underneath her whole body was very relaxing. She no longer had to focus strength into standing, or controlling her limbs in general. It wasn't long before she blocked out the blurry world around her in favor of the black of her own eyelids.

She probably could've drifted off into unconsciousness like that. Or perhaps something a little permanent than that, considering how fast she was spiraling downwards. It was tempting, though, and the only thing that prevented her from doing so was the piercing sound of the woman's voice. She was demanding something, it seemed. Her groggy brain tried to click into gear to translate the fuzz into actual words. Her.. name. That was it.

"Roland." She managed to reply. Whether it was loud enough for her to hear, she couldn't be sure. Beyond that, she became of a vague feeling of being lifted up and a liquid slithering down her throat. It tasted awful, whatever it was, and she could only hope it was the antidote she was looking for. Seconds later, her hope was answered as she felt her insides go cold. It was an instant relief from the throbbing as it seemed to settle in every corner of her body.

And then, it was all coming back up.

Constriction by forceful constriction, Roland's body was purging whatever harmful toxins (and everything else, it felt like) were inside of her until the most she could give were dry heaves. After her body had deemed itself satisfied and cleansed, something between a combination of a sigh and a groan escaped her lips as she slumped backwards.

[Abyssal Majesty]

Asherah didn't say a word as the girl vomited up the toxins, she simply held the bucket and rubbed Roland's back. It was an awful sight, seeing this poor girl like this. Hell, seeing anyone like this. And from the looks of the bile in the bucket, someone was out to get her good. Besides the regular tint of whatever it was that she last ate, it seemed there was a thick, swimming, dark greenish concoction pulsing in the ooze. Asherah hadn't seen anything that nasty in years.

Setting the bucket down, and further comforting Roland to the cushy table, Asherah sighed out and ran her hand over the girl's forehead.

"Ash?" It was Chloe, peeking about the corner of the door.

"Get some water." She said poignantly. "And bring the 15th box from the magic shop."

Looking down at the girl, Ash sympathetically pursed her lips. For the moment, she stayed quiet, as to not spook Roland. The antidote was a potent one, but it wasn't to say there weren't any adverse effects. The icy feeling in her veins would stay until about an hour. It was a fail safe to rid the body of any poison residue. Sweeping aside the viles on the floor with her foot, Asherah gathered a blanket and a pillow.

"Roland, I'm going to put a pillow under your head ok?"

Tucking her hand under, Ash slid the pillow in place before laying her head back down. She then unfolded the blanket, and covered the girl's body.

"Chole will be back soon with a few things, hang tight..."

[Von Fuzzball]

The icy feeling that had rushed through her body wasn't going away, but it was still much preferable to what she was feeling before. She wasn't sure if it was normal or not that it remained, or if she should even be feeling it at all, but whoever her current caretaker was, she trusted that she knew what she was doing. She wasn't dead yet, after all.

She felt a warm sensation brush across her forehead and she tilted her head to the side as if to follow it, even though she her head didn't actually move from its position. The woman's voice was still filtering in and without putting in the effort to focus, it was still a fuzz. However, the absence of the toxins from her body was enough to give her senses a break, which was enough to be able to register more words than before.

She heard her name and knew the woman was addressing a question to her, but she didn't bother answering, figuring that she would do whatever she was planning on doing, anyway. The effect that was going on inside made her feel colder than she remembered being but it was quickly dissipated by the sensation of something warm coming to rest on top of her. A blanket, she guessed. And a pillow must've come with it, for the surface under her head was suddenly much softer. She wanted to thank her. She repeated the phrase in her head several times, but she didn't think any of those times actually found their way to be voiced. Unless she was mistaken, it would appear that she would have to settle for doing it later.

[Abyssal Majesty]

Chole soon entered with a few bottles of water and the box Asherah had requested. Setting to Ash's side, she went to clean up the spilled viles back into their rightful home. Ash, on the other hand, wasted no time on opening up a bottle of water and carefully pouring it into Roland's mouth. She just puked up her insides and everywhichways, a little water would do her well to hydrate. Reaching into the box and bringing out a clean reed, snapping it in half before setting it to the side.

"Chole.."

"Yeah?"

"After you're done cleaning up the glass, take the bucket into the shop."

"Alright.."

There was no room for questions when Asherah asked for something to be done. She was a benevolent woman, but she knew what she wanted. Chloe finshed after some time, then took away the bucket. Ash brought the only chair in the hut and sat on it, keeping a hand on Roland's forehead.

"You should be alright now. I'm Asherah, and you Roland, are a very lucky gal.."

She spoke in hushed tones, she knew that Roland wasn't one hundred percent in the least.

"If you need anything, I'm right here."

[Von Fuzzball]

The water was a relief to her body, and since it was now essentially empty, Roland could feel the cool liquid travel all the way down to her stomach. It didn't do anything to relieve the frigid sensation but she knew her body was sore for just such an essential and it could only speed up the healing process. There was another voice in the room that she was just realizing; it was fainter and before long it was gone altogether. Or maybe her mind had already connected the other's with a familiarity and safety. Or at least, one that deserved her deepest gratitude.

Man, she would never mess around with that bunch again. What..? Ah, yes, "Crazy Earl" and his group. When she was fully functional again, she most likely wouldn't even remember how she got to this place, but she would remember that. But she had to get her locket back.. She wanted to feel in her pocket, to make sure it was there, but her hand wasn't responding to her thoughts and she wasn't going to push it.

The warmth that had brushed against her forehead before was now there again and it seemed like it was staying. She didn't mind and there was a part of her that quite liked it. If nothing else, it offered at least partial comfort, that the woman hadn't left just yet. She made an attempt to open her eyes and she managed to bring the world into view, though they only came to be half-open. She still couldn't make much out besides blurry objects and even though she immediately wanted to close them again, she kept them open until she could locate the source of the 'safe' voice, her head turning until a distinct blurry mass was in view. Her vision wasn't sharp enough to make out any features, but at least it was something.

She tried at speech again, not wanting to wait to let her know that she was grateful for her help. She licked her lips, noting for the first time how dry her mouth was, and the little help that offered seemed to be enough to encourage her voice to work. "..Thank you." It came out barely above a whisper, but she was satisfied with it, and allowed her eyes to close again.