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 Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2007 7:54 pm
Rylenn looked around and murmured. He sighed and snuggled a bit more against Weiyuan. He hoped the others wouldn't sense his fear. He looked at the water. Was that a person's head. He looked away quickly. "We... we need to be looking.. all right.. for something.. anything." Just not in the lake.. gods not in the lake.. "What have we seen.. the lunar caps are on the trees only..."
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Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 8:25 am
Tsk, he's back.
Kenth stood with his eyes blankly staring at the old stone structure that stood in front of him. Unlike the other time, this time the temple glowed...purple. A most unnatural color, indeed. Nothing else seemed to change, however, judging from the massive growth of "waterglass" plant around the stone building. Kenth sighed, and bent down, collecting some of the plants just in case they ran out of remedies along the way.
But being at the temple meant that he was close to the village. So far, he had not heard a single strange movement that could indicate a native human being around the area. There were plenty of movements alright, but all coming from his small group that consisted of Him, Alex, two students and the man of few words...besides himself. The group walked rather quietly along the way, and Kenth rather liked it. It made himself feel alone, and alone for him meant ability to think clearly. Although Kenth had to admit...there was really nothing to think about. What he was involved right now was not a doctor's strength, but rather danger caused by their own race, the very human beings around the area.
He hated diplomacy. Kenth had decided that a long time ago. Which was why he thought it was not a good idea for him to come face to face with the natives. Which was why he brought Herei, the smart-a** advisor along. And as a (disastrous) result, the place seemed to like a magnet and brought EVERYONE here. How many people were left in the school? Around half, less than half maybe? Kenth wasn't even sure this group was all...there might be other students hidden around the area, lost and confused, no doubt.
No wind. Kenth took a clear note of that. The weather was not yet hot enough to sweat, but no wind certainly made him uncomfortable. It signified something dangerous coming, and Kenth did not like the feeling of it. It could be his supersitition, and in that case Kenth tried hard to shake himself off from the thought. He was a scientist, not a shaman. Which was why he didn't mention the observation to anyone in the group. In fact, he didn't mention anything at all. It was all too quiet. Him and Alex knew the route, and the other three followed, and that was all.
Kenth coughed uncomfortably, and turned to the group.
"We are half way there, perhaps we should take a rest."
Did they realize that they have been walking for more than 6 hours?
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Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 10:41 am
It had to be here, didn't it. He would have to suggest resting here, in front of this god-forsaken pile of--
Alex scowled at the ground as she avoided looking at the temple. It was already making her edgy, bringing out the worst in her as it did last time. She didn't want to be here, didn't want to be near this place, and now they were going to have a little tea party in front of it. Not really, but they might as well, for nothing seemed absurd when in front of a glowing temple. She vaguely remembered her comments upon first seeing the place, trying to make light of it; on the heels of that thought was her relief in leaving the place, bidding it a bitter farewell for what she had hoped would be the last time.
Her green gaze eventually shifted to the building. It may as well have been the gates to hell for all she was concerned. This whole forest...it was wrong. There were no birds, no markings to show any signs of life, be it scratches on trees or fecal heaps, no nests or burrows. The ground was unusually wet, as though the ground was saturated, although the stale air in the area suggested that there hadn't been a cleansing rain since the last time they were here. No signs of nature, no signs of life...it was like walking into a different realm, and she hated it.
Alex gently exhaled through her teeth, almost hissing. Did she want to stop? No. Did she need to rest? Heck no. She'd carried a full grown woman on her back this far before and wasn't winded; she'd carried a full grown man through worse, while he was protesting, so the six hour excusion didn't bother her in the least. Her lips twitched in an involuntary smile; her thoughts reminded her of the old saying, walking to school in six feet of snow, uphill, both ways...
If only it were so silly and easy to disregard. The smile faded, leaving nothing but a neutral mask. No thoughts, no feelings, just the blank slate of carefully keeping herself under control. There was too much going on underneath the surface for her to feel she had anything adequate to add. Instead, she turned her bland expression to her commrades, waiting for their decision.
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Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 12:08 pm
Sable watched both the boys look at the lake and quickly look away. He blinked, turning to get a good look at the water himself. Huh. Shrugging he looked back at Rylenn. Yes, something. Looking for something would be good. He wasn't exactly sure qualified what as a 'clue'. Something out of the ordinary. Now, he wasn't used to China, so whatever this clue was, it had better be pretty obvious. "You know, even just observations might be alright. Then we have something to compare with, you know?" And he was good at making observations.
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Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 2:14 pm
((ACK!! Gomen ne! I've been busy lately. I'm going to try and update more, though!))
Dante pushed his way past a tree branch, eyes landing on the three as they were walking. His other hand was stuffed in his ear to keep from listening to Greg babble...and babble...and babble.
He didn't know what had gone on; he'd gone on ahead with Greg, for more inspection, and he'd never been too far, he thought. At any rate, he'd been able to sense his students. And...well...hear them.
The boys were very, very loud.
But whatever it was it appeared that it was over and done with, and all the boys seemed to be all right--no, wait, one look at Wei told him that only TWO were all right. Wei had...a problem.
Damn Greg and his pervy ways.
"We may have found a shortcut--there's a worn path up ahead that's fairly wide and bereft of trees. We might do well to see where it takes us."
Lina, meanwhile, had managed a miracle.
She had eaten Pocky. All three boxes she had brought.
She had done this after the first hour of their wandering. Practically inhaled the things.
Listening to her growling stomach she thought she might have wanted to pack more. Or bring something more substantial, like Octopus or squid jerky. Or roasted crabs. Now THOSE were good.
Lina turned around, waiting for the rest of her group to catch up with her. She had mostly been lagging behind for the first few times, but now for some reason she had a lot of energy.
She wondered why.
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Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 2:35 pm
Rylenn looked at Dante. He grinned. "That's good!" He looked at Weiyuan and smiled. He kissed Weiyuan gently. He turned and looked at Dante again. "Well.. what have YOU seen as of recent? Anything interesting?"
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Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 2:39 pm
"The most interesting thing I've seen is nothing at all," Dante said, hand going to Greg's face to shove the obnoxious man away as he made his way over to Rylenn and the other members of their group. "No other life, other than the regular flora and fauna of the area. Not even these 'zombie' people." He took a sip from the flask at his hip which contained the tea and made a face.
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Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 2:41 pm
"Uh.. well..." He looked to the lake, almost fearfully. "Dante.. there is.. something in the lake.. we don't quite know what it is.."
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Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 3:46 pm
Herei didn't mind Lina bounding ahead, as long as she stayed in view. He walked along in silence, his serene gaze moving over his homeland with scrutiny; it was odd, to try and find such madness in the place he once called home, especially in the people that could have very well been his friends. It was upsetting that in a time where the survival of humanity was tedious, that they were out in a small part of China, trying to stop their own kind from killing others. He was musing over what could possibly be driving these otherwise peaceful people into such rampages, both hoping he'd find a clue...and hoping he wouldn't.
RuiZhi had been watching Lina as his sister had instructed, and immediately picked up on the problem. He saw where Alex was worried, but her worry was ill-placed; it was not a disease, or a bug, or any other type of sickness that could be contracted. The boy knew very well the signs of pregnancy, as his mother was a well known and respected mid-wife in her time.
He padded to catch up to the woman, smiling widely. They'd already met, but he was still shy around her for some reason; maybe it was because his sister liked and respected Lina so much. "How are you feeling?" he asked nonchalantly, turning over what salves he had with him in his pack. RuiZhi's mother had also taught him many of the concoctions that she used to ease the symptoms before and lifestyle after birth; although a boy of thirteen should have been horrified by such thoughts, he was quite comfortable with them, hoping only to impart some relief for the white-haired woman if necessary.
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Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 4:55 pm
Greg had been talking to Dante, although he knew that the other wasn’t really listening. He had went with Dante as well, knowing that if anything bad happened Dante would interrupt him and tell him. As for Dante knowing… well Greg was just sure that he would. After all they hadn’t gone that far.
But it hadn’t mattered because when they had gotten back everything had been… well maybe not good, and fine, but okay sounded like it would work. So yes everything had been okay when they got back.
“Well if you found something would you like to show us?” Greg asked Rylenn as he followed Dante. “Maybe one of the two of us will have an idea of what it is.”
-=+=-
Irame looked over at Herei as they walked. She had never had problems of such magnitude in her home, but she could guess at what he was feeling. Wanting an answer to what was going on with everyone, but not wanting to have to get one because it very well might be a bad one. At the very least she could sympathize with that.
“Are you alright, Heru Herei?” She asked as RuiZhi went past them.
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Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 5:06 pm
Elijah perked up as RuiZhi went ahead to speak with Lina, though unlike the other he was unable to catch what was driving her to behave as she was. He continued to lightly move forward, watching their surroundings as they went, and all the while his mind drifted from subject to subject all related in one way or another to the topic of this trip. He hoped that some how some way they would be able to solve the mystery that was plaguing this gorgeous land.
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Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 5:13 pm
Dante blinked nonchalantly, looking at Rylenn and then over the expanse of the water. "Well, what do you think it is?" he asked casually. "What are the details? What can you remember about it?"
Think. Use detail. If you do that, the answer will come to you. If not, I can always give some help. Just because we are here, he thought, with something that might have been a devious smirk playing across his features, does not mean I have to let up on my lessons.
Lina wiped off some of the sweat that had gathered on her brow and was now trickling down her face. "I'm fine," she said casually, and waved it off with a laugh. "I'm a bit hot, though, and--
(ifeelbloatedandsickandihavecrampsbuticantletyouknowthaticantmakeyouworry)
"--I think I ate too much Pocky too fast," she laughed, trying to joke.
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Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 5:33 pm
Herei shifted his attention to Irame as she spoke, his ever-present smile at the ready. "I am well, Professor," he mused in answer, "simply trying to place these strange puzzle pieces." He was hoping his familiarty with the land would aid him rather than hinder him, although he wasn't afraid of it getting in the way; he was not really a man of sentimentality as Weiyuan was, chosing more to take a stance of advantage in knowledge rather than attachment.
"Thank you for asking." His keen gaze moved over Lina and the boys. "How do you think everyone else is holding up?" It helped to be objective; that's why they were in groups, so that others may see what everyone else might miss. He was a little concerned about Lina, but that was partially why he assigned himself to the group, and kept the more level headed of the whole group together. While Herei didn't exactly have the time to moderate each person, it helped that each of them could watch out for themselves.
"Oh, yes, that is very bad," RuiZhi said in a tone of voice that was almost cliched Chinese proverb-ish. "Eating so many sweets so quickly. Do you have any water? That'll help balance any nausea it may cause." He had to applaud himself for that one, keeping the conversation on her 'eating habits' while suggesting to keep hydrated. Maybe he could do this whole doctor thing!
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Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 5:48 pm
Lina laughed. 'That's a good idea. Hang on, I still think I have a little left...."
Her hand went to the canteen at her side and she sloshed the water around a bit--warm, and there wasn't much left. But she'd drink it. Unscrewing the cap, she gulped down as much as she thought she would need--about two mouthfuls before she screwed the cap back on. "I think I'll be okay. Thank you for the advice."
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Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 6:11 pm
Irame wondered about his smile. He always smiled, even more than her and even at a time like this, and she wondered really how much it was worth. She smiled back at him, pushing any thoughts like that into the back of her mind. She had obviously just misread what he had been feeling before. Or he probably was just better at dealing with such things than her.
“I think that everyone seems alright… Except, perhaps, Lina. She seems as if she is a little.. Sick, but that is why we have other people here, isn’t it? As for what is going on here…” Irame let out short clipped and mirthless laugh. “Well I am sure that you will come up with something that makes more sense than any conclusion or idea that I could draw.
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