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 Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2013 8:18 pm
Stepping up to a small pedestal, the six foot two man in his early sixties clapped his hands loudly to get everyone's attention. When everyone's eyes were on him, he began to introduce himself. "My name is Jeremiah, you can call me Jeremy." The group was just the right size for his voice to reach when he speak loudly, so he don't need to use a megaphone. "I am a close and long time friend of Kyou's, and I am the one who organized this search party."
"According to the villagers, Kyou departed from this village heading due north. So we will be heading in the same direction." He pulled a map from one of the pockets of his hiking vest before he continued. "I've marked down seven search grids on this map." Unfolding the map, he pointed to the seven areas he marked with a blue pen. "We will be divided into seven teams, each team will have four people and we will search according to our grids, all heading north. This is so we cover as much ground as possible."
Folding the map back up again, he motioned to a pile of supplies stacked up next to a black board. "You could pick up the map - two for each team at the supplies area over there later. Along with the following to aid you in the search."
One Lightweight portable tent
Two compasses
One lighter and a box of matches
One hunting knife
One Multitool
Some Tinder
Two flashlights
A basic first aid kit
A sewing kit
Four bandanas
A few fish hooks
A survival guide for newbies
"Of course, if you brought along sufficient supplies, you could opt to drop a few things from your supplies package if you want to." Then from a utility belt on his waist, Jeremy pulled out a bright orange flare gun. "This is going to be the only way we could communicate between each team. When your team is in peril danger; when a man is down, fire a red flare and the rangers and villagers over here will come to your aid. You have six red flares, including the one already loaded in the gun, just in case. The green flare." He said the following parts more loudly as he lifted the green flare up. "Only use it when you had found Kyou!! This is important, DO NOT GO NEAR KYOU when you found him, even if he seemed like on the verge of death. WAIT FOR ME!!! I will head on over as fast as I could."
Even though he worries for Kyou's life, Jeremy also worries for the safety of the participants. He is the only one here that had went on fel hunts with Kyou before, and only he know for sure what to do if they really did found the fel essence with Kyou. Which he thinks is the most likely scenario right now.
"This is how you load the flares." Jeremy went on to demonstrate how to c**k the barrel open, taking out the red flare within and replacing it with another red one, then cocking it back in place. "To fire it, just c**k back the hammer here like this, then pull the trigger while aiming at the sky." He further demonstrated without actually pulling the trigger, then he gently clicked the hammer back.
"It's late afternoon now, only a few more hours until night. When it's dark, it's best to find somewhere to make camp. Do not wander around at night!! It's dangerous." He could not emphasize that enough in this case. Since he had already heard some stories from the villagers.
"Okay, now you can go and pick up your supplies. The team info is on the blackboard next to the supplies, you can depart into the forest when you're ready. And uhm... what else.?" Jeremy thought for a moment before speaking again. "Oh remember to bring lots of water! There's a well at the edge of the forest, you could fill up your bottles there."
"Stay safe everyone!! And God speed!"
---------------------------------------------
WHO: Zeke + Anya + Iorek + Rhedefre
WHERE: Kahadlok
---------------------------------------------
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Posted: Thu Jul 18, 2013 12:47 am
Rhedefre caught his breath as he listened to Jeremy's announcement, his face stern, as though even breathing might get in the way of his remembering exactly what the older man had to say. This was important, all of it -- he could not escape the feeling that even looking around, looking at all the other people and Raevans, as they were, was important. It all seemed surreal, staged, somehow.
As they were? What had he meant by that? Alive? He caught the thought in his head and tried to shake it out.
He moved forward and read his own team, a slight smile of relief breaking over his features. He would have liked teaming with Xiu again, knowing how the sigel acted in times of crisis, or Zul, who always reminded him of a sort of godling in the not-so-hidden power that thrummed through him.
But Iorek had strength and a nature full of goodness, Zeke was trusted and capable, and Anya smart.
They would be fine.
Packing up the necessary supplies, Cesc went instantly to Reks' side, nudging the gargoyle.
"We are together, it seems," he said. "Perhaps we will see now how our powers go together, ah?"
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Posted: Thu Jul 18, 2013 8:15 am
Iorek was relieved to hear that they would be given supplies. After helping other folks back their luggage onto the bus he had realized how unprepared he was.
He listened quietly to what their guide had to say and hoped he'd remember all the instructions and advice once the team was deep in the forest. As Jeremiah spoke, occasionally Iorek would glance around to see the expression on faces in the crowd. Everyone looked uneasy. Should he be worried that there wasn't a confident face in the crowd?
Following others' movement at the end of the talk, Reks headed over to check his team. The tension in his body released in relief when he saw 'Rhedefre' just below his name. Thank goodness. Cesc was a smart guy with a good head on his shoulders. He'd probably be the one keeping everyone on calm. Plus it was always good to be paired with a friend in this kind of situation. On the bus, Cesc also had been kind enough to point out several members of the Lab that he didn't know. Lucky for Reks, Anya and her guardian Zeke had been two of them. From what his pink-haired friend had to say about them, this team would be a'okay.
Following that it didn't take long to gather up the supplies and find a spot to look for his team. Iorek didn't have long to wait on his own though. In no time Cesc was at his side.
The raevan was greeted with a wide smile from Iorek as he slung an arm around the small stag's shoulders, "Looks like it. Gotta say I'm happy and relieved we've been paired up." He grinned and playfully nudged Cesc back. "Perfect time to see what we can do 'when our powers combine!'". Reks held up his fist for a quick moment as he quoted Captain Planet. It was silly to think, but quoting a superhero had to be a good way to start off their search. He probably should of picked someone who didn't have a bright green mullet and had a deeper meaning but eh, good enough.
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Posted: Thu Jul 18, 2013 9:17 am
As soon as the announcement from Jeremy ended, Zeke had made a beeline for the table with their supplies. Although he had packed several things after his phone call with Alex had ended the day before, he figured it never hurt to have spares. Anastacia trailed behind him, not wanting to lose sight of her man when there were many different Raevans she didn't know...and one she did. She had heard Cruz's name called for a team and it was only through the grace of them not being teamed together did her teeth unclench and her wings relax just a little. Had they have been teamed together, she would have gone to the old buzzard leading this "operation" and demanded a reassign. Luckily it hadn't come to that.
"You want to hold onto this for me, Anya?"
The Frei turned from scanning over the crowd - god help that little green s**t if he was following her - and looked at what Zeke was questioning her about. In his hand was a small sewing kit and she took it without question, tucking it into the small zippered bag Zeke had told her to bring along.
"Thanks." He turned back around and finished stuffing his cargo pants and his backpack with the remaining supplies, although he struggled a bit with the tent. When everything was tucked away - the flare gun unloaded and stuffed into the vet's left pocket for easy access just in case - he turned, pointed to some place back near the bus, and motioned for Anastacia to follow. It didn't take her long to spot the pink-topped blur that was Cesc and the solid gray mass of a Raevan next to him that she didn't know.
"Hey guys," Zeke said as they neared the pair lingering together. His tone was cheerier than it probably should have been, but only to help along his teammates since he didn't know how they had reacted. He had seen the looks on peoples' faces and it was better safe to assume in this instant, but when he fully joined the group he found Cesc and Iorek in seemingly good spirits. "How you doing Cesc?" He smiled at the Stag Frei, then turned to the new face and held out his hand. "Nice to meet you, Iorek. I'm Zeke, and the lovely lady next to me is Anastacia."
"Good afternoon." Though it was anything but. She had slept a good deal on the bus ride over, but had she had it her way she wouldn't be here at all. The spider queen flicked her eyes over the grey Raevan's visage now that she had him within the confines of her clear eyesight. He was an ugly thing in truth, but with the oversized arms and stony-looking skin, he looked formidable. If anything happened, at least this one looked like a capable shield. And of course there was Cesc, whom Anya already knew and had interacted with. He was one of the lucky ones, one that Anya - in her own sense of the word - liked and got along with. It didn't take her long to sweep past Zeke to take up a space near the Stag. She didn't smile at him, but a nod and the fact she moved over to be nearer to him was just as good.
"Hello Cesc."
Zeke smiled a little at her doing that, but made sure not to linger. He dug into his pockets and pulled out the four bandanas that had been provided, reaching out and offering one to each Raevan he had been assigned to watch.
"One for each of you - you too Anya." His Frei had plucked hers last and was looking at the orange cloth pinched in her fingers with readily apparent disgust. He shook his head but didn't call her out when she simply folded it up and tucked it into her bag, wasting no time in ruffling his mohawk back into fluffy tufts of hair and tying the bandana over his head. "Do you guys have everything before we head out? And do you need anything, more to the point? I don't know how long we're gonna be in there, but if you need to eat or anything, best do it now." Thank goodness his work had a few dogs with Parvo in solitary that she had fed off last night, else wise the Virus Frei could have been screwed today.
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Posted: Thu Jul 18, 2013 3:55 pm
Cesc's smile became more earnest and genuine as Iorek spoke. He even laughed at the silly Captain Planet joke, shaking his head. He was a good companion, the gargoyle, strong and even-keeled. Rhedefre was about to rejoin when Zeke and Anya approached, completing their quartet.
"Anastacia, Zeke -- I wish we were meeting under better circumstances," said the stag politely, his face still clinging to its good humor. Everyone around them had begun their preparations to enter the forest, and there was a palatable change in the air. Everyone's faces seemed to turn from mild anxiety to a sort of determination, ready to face whatever the forest had to offer. He could not help but notice theirs was the only team lacking a Sigel... "But it is good to see you, all the same."
His eyes lingered on Anya, and he dipped his head slightly as he now felt he must every time they met -- greeting a lady in a jungle still meant greeting a lady.
"You do not know Iorek? A shame!" the stag continued with a smile. "He is a very strong and capable Raevan; we are lucky to have him."
Cesc pulled the pack up around his shoulders. He filled an extra water bottle -- Zeke, certainly, would need to eat and drink more than they. For himself, Cesc did not feel the least bit hungry, even though the hours had stretched now and dawn was long ago.
The stag drew in a slow breath, and steeled his smile. Calmness seemed to radiate from him, like warmth from a flame. "Are there any more preparations? Or shall we enter?"
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Posted: Fri Jul 19, 2013 7:34 am
"Oh!" Iorek swallowed his laughter and straightened up as their two remaining partners approached. Although Cesc had given him a heads up on the pair, this was a somber quest. It probably didn't look good to them if he was jubilant. He wanted to make a good first impression, especially now that they'd be relying on one another in the woods.
Instead of doom and gloom, they were greeted with a grand smile and kindness from Zeke. The spider raevan just looked him over and quietly moved beside Cesc. Maybe she was just shy? A quiet type? Judging from her looks alone, Miss Anya she was very much capable of holding her ground in a fight. Zeke looked pretty sturdy too so their rag-tag team would be just fine in the dark forest.
The thought of landing a nice first impression was still a hot topic on his mind. A little too eager to please his new acquaintances, Reks lurched forward for Zeke's hand. Iorek quickly shook the man's hand while remembering to keep his grip firm but not to the point of hurting, shoulders back, and a smile on his face. "It's very nice to meet you too, Zeke. Nice to finally be introduced. I like your hair."
Not forgetting her, Iorek turned to Anya next. He smiled, leaned past Cesc, and extended his hand to her. The mysterious woman might not take his greeting but it was still the polite thing for him to do. "And you as well, Anastacia. I'm glad you're on our team."
Iorek looked over the orange bandana before following Zeke's example and trying to put it on his head. But this simple task turned into a challenge for him thanks to a pair of pesky horns. "Uh...hrm..maybe...not." He grunted and growled when it just wouldn't go on right, but rather than keep fiddling with it, Iorek just tied it around his neck. It was too embarrassing to keep trying in front of a team he wanted to look strong for.
"Oh! Here, I believe I took enough." He pulled his backpack off to show how stuffed it was. "I fit as much as I could. Do you want me to go get more? I can carry more. Or would you like me to carry another bag?" Exactly where he'd put it would come later. But his strength could be put to use as the team's useful donkey. "And all I eat are rocks which should be easily accessible in the woods if I run out."
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Posted: Sat Jul 20, 2013 2:29 pm
Anastacia's wings unfurled and the Virus femme inclined her head ever so slightly when Cesc gave his bow. This was one of the reasons why she got along with the Stag - he treated her as she should be treated - and suffice to say another point was added in favor of him every time he greeted her with such chivalry. She was quite pleased to have this one on her team, no doubt about that, but as she watched the grey Frei's antics as he regarded Zeke and struck up a conversation with her funny haired Guardian the feeling she had toward Cesc did not extend to this Iorek.
He was smiling a bit too much and here and there tripping over himself as he interacted with Zeke and got his own act together. Although her face was kept as unreadable as always, her mind was being made up the more she watched; he was looking like a second Zeke. She wasn't sure she could put up with that for too long, even with the pink-haired Stag at her side along for the ride, but she knew she had no other choice. Maybe fortune would smile upon her and Zeke and the Gargoyle would become separated from herself and Cesc or perhaps eaten by some carnivorous jungle fauna because they went blundering on ahead without looking where they were going.
One can only hope.
"Thanks, Iorek. I like your horns." The greeting from the two male Raevans made Zeke feel good that his own antics hadn't been out of place, as well as happy in a sense that they weren't overly anxious or feeling the weight of the task ahead of them. Surely they would all feel the latter after awhile in the jungle, but to have a clear head about things to start with was always a good sign. Playfully the vet shook his hand out when the Gargoyle released it, the grin on his face spreading just a hair.
"You've got a strong grip, dude. I guess you'll be our muscle, huh?" The grey-skinned Raevan looked like he could take a beating as well as he could dish one out and his skin was most definitely stone...not that Zeke thought that any of them would need to get physical with anything in the jungle behind them. Certainly it was better to err on the side of caution but even with a Fel Essence loose somewhere in there and Dr. Kyou missing while on the hunt for it, the vet was trying to be optimistic that the warlock had simply run out of battery for his satellite phone or something. That would certainly explain the lapse in contact. Surely that was the reason and not...other things.
"I think the group is lucky to have you both, Cesc." The vet turned his gaze to the calm-eyed Stag and the spider queen beside him. Iorek had the muscle, Anya would have her wits and that ever calm rational, and Cesc had both calmness and smarts to him. Zeke figured he'd just be good for morale himself, but regardless, three of their party were creatures of the earth and forest. Even if this was technically a jungle, the vet figured he had himself a good group for this sort of thing. "And Anya too, of course."
He smiled as the spider queen passed her six-eyed gaze over him and chuckled when he saw her roll her lavender pair at him and shake her head. When Iorek floated forward and offered Anya his hand in greeting, the Virus looked at it and then the owner without a word before crossing her arms and giving a pointed stare. Zeke patted the Gargoyle on the shoulder and looked apologetic.
"Anya's not one for handshakes, but we're both glad we've got you guys in our group." His smile returned despite feeling Anya's eyes on his person and when the Stone Frei offered to get more supplies, the vet adjusted his own backpack before reaching down to tug at the various pockets and flaps on his cargo pants. "I visited the table before Anya and I came over. I took what was offered so I think we're covered there..." He pulled a spare flashlight, map, and compass out and held the items out to his companions. "They gave each group two of these. I've got the pairs in my pockets or my bag, but I figure it doesn't hurt to pass the extra around. Do either of you know how to read a map or a compass?"
Anya knew nothing of maps and compasses past what everyone knew about them in general. Not wanting to be saddled with something that would ultimately be useless to her, she took the flashlight from her Guardian and tucked it into her bag along with the rest of her things without so much as a second thought. It would serve her well. Even from here she could see the jungle beyond as a mass of green that got darker and darker as it stretched inward. She didn't like the look of it - hazy and undefined as it was - but with the bus now gone she had no other choice except to mentally curse Zeke once more and hope that they found the bumbling doctor as soon as possible.
"I've got everything I need and Anya has her things, if you guys are certain you're all set, I think we can get this search party going! The sooner we get in there, the sooner we find Kyou."
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Posted: Mon Jul 22, 2013 5:11 am
"I can take the compass and map spares," said Rhedefre, taking the objects from Zeke. There was a quiet sort of confidence in his voice, and just a slight tension in his jaw that gave him a determined aspect. He took the compass and glanced at the map briefly as Zeke continued to speak, then nodded, as though he had seen everything needed.
If there was one thing Cesc was sure he could handle, it was navigation.
"I agree," he continued as Zeke did, gesturing with his head toward the entrance of the forest. He folded up the map and held onto it, and gave the compass a cursory look. "Let us go."
And, just like that, it began. The jungle enveloped them, just as it had the other groups, and Cesc slowed, closing his eyes, trying to get a bearing on Kyou. Surely the doctor wanted to be found... surely he knew that he was lost? Just any kind of signal, no matter how dim, and he would follow it!
Quietly, Cesc trained his eyes on a faded pathway, the glow in his gaze just barely noticeable in the growing dark.
"This way," he said.
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Posted: Mon Jul 22, 2013 10:14 am
Iorek nodded and smiled to Anya when she refused to shake his hand. That was alright. Everyone was different, there were plenty of people who didn't like to shake hands. Perhaps she was worried about germs and forgot to bring wipes? Whatever it was, Reks knew to just shake it off and not take her response badly.
"I learned how to read them when we were traveling, but Cesc would probably have better luck with it." Plus Iorek didn't want to mess up and lead his group into a pit or a dead end. Cesc was smart, seemed fairly confident, and had a very handy power that could kick in at any moment. it was for the best that he kept on hand any equipment of the finding sort.
Quietly, Iorek followed after Cesc as they headed into the jungle. A part of him did find it exciting. This search and rescue mission was an adventure, with the unknown waiting around every turn. While Cesc concentrated and led the party forward, Iorek got to scanning and listening to their surroundings. It was unlikely, but if anything were to jump out at them he had to be ready to protect his team.
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Posted: Mon Jul 22, 2013 10:43 pm
Cesc's ability is surely convenient, as he would know well where they should be headed in. However that also mean that they are cutting blindly across the forest with a Frei leading them. Before he knew it, Cesc had walked straight into a large spider web. The little critter, just a little over two inches in length, couldn't help but jumped off for safety and landed on Iorek's head.
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Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2013 8:46 am
Zeke let the three Frei lead the way while he took a few moments before the plunge into the jungle to get his map and other essentials ready. The map was folded up neatly and tucked into his right front pocket and after it was secure the vet patted the opposite one. The solid metal of his knife pressed against his thigh and the vet felt good. Sure it wouldn't be used to defend anyone but jungles did have vines and it was a good thing to have in that case.
When the vet passed into the trees he immediately made a face of disgust. The humidity hit him like a wall and made it hard to breathe. It was an expected situation, but one he still hadn't been ready for. Zeke knew he was gonna be sweating like a stuck pig soon enough. Tugging on the collar of his bright orange tee shirt - better to be seen with after all - the vet paused again to grab one of his bottles of mercifully iced water and take a swig.
Anastacia, in the mean time, kept pace with her fellow Raevans although her focus was on everything but them. Ever cautious, and also feeling the unpleasant warmth of the jungle around her, she took her time to survey her immediate surroundings. Everywhere around her was green, spotted here and there with bursts of other colors that were obviously flowers. Anya had an 'it's okay/it sucks' relationship with the color green, but at the moment the jungles overbearing taste for several shades and hues of that one color sat firmly in the 'it sucks' category. This was not going to be a pleasant trip for her, nor anyone who decided to get on her already short nerves.
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Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2013 9:18 am
Perhaps he had been focusing a bit too narrowly, but it wasn't long before Cesc got an unfortunate mouthful of spider silk and bug carcasses. The spiderweb wound around his antlers as he started, waving one of his hand to get rid of the flimsy structure, then wiping off his face and hair of it. Out of the corner of his eye, he witnessed the massive spider leap off its ruined home -- into Reks' hair.
"Reks!" Cesc called, cautioning the other -- as if the gargoyle wouldn't be able to tell he had a gigantic, sharp-looking, furry spider right on his face. He pulled forward to try to help disentangle the two, but the feeling of spidersilk all over his face and ears was disorienting in the extreme. He yanked the web-remnants from his antlers and ears, still feeling like he had a mouth full of hair, trying not to spit, wiping his lips on his arm.
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Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2013 10:41 am
Iorek had been scanning their surrounding area as he drifted after Cesc. Nothing had gone awry so far. His attention was off to the side, looking out into the twisted jungle in search for clues, when Cesc ran into the web. Out of the corner of his eye he suddenly saw Cesc flail.
Quickly he turned to see what was wrong but before he could even raise his fists in defense something was on him. It was furry, squirmy, and felt like it had several legs. A SPIDER! His mouth clamped shut to hold back a shout as it skittered up his face and came to rest in his hair. Reks quickly shook his head in hopes it would fly off. When that didn't work and made the critter determined to stay put, Reks stopped. He took a deep breath and slowly reached up, his hands posed to reach for it. But he didn't grab it. Instead, he glanced about at his team.
"Should I just...pick it up? Swat it off? Does it look poisonous?" If so he'd be the best one to take it off. At least his skin was sturdier, and even though he didn't know if a spider's fangs could pierce it, better him than his teammates. They just needed to play it safe.
Sure, Iorek could easily crush the thing but he didn't want to hurt it. It was their fault for running into the spider's web. All Iorek wanted was for it to get off of him. As soon as it was gone, he'd be able to laugh about their quirky misfortune. But right now he was at risk of the arachnid becoming a permanent resident in his hair and that was terrifying.
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Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2013 7:39 pm
Judging from it's size as a tarantula, the arachnid was still a fairly young one. It had skittered to the highest point of it's new landing spot - Iorek's horns, and had gripped on for dear life when the Frei tried to swing it off. Tiny black beady eyes stared cautiously at all the sights before it, and was terrified to move.
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Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2013 8:52 pm
The cry from Cesc had Anastacia and Zeke reacting. The vet almost choked on his water and was sent dashing forward, almost tripping himself on an exposed root in the process. His eyes widened as he saw Iorek and the expression the Gargoyle wore before turning to Anastacia.
The black-clad femme had turned to face her party at Cesc's cry and she had to draw nearer to them to see what the fuss was about. When she saw the tiny tarantula, she rolled her lavender eyes. Her own pet was several times larger than this little thing and by the way it was chittering, it was just as terrified as Iorek looked in that moment.
"Are you serious?" Big, tough men weren't - or shouldn't be anyway - scared of little things like this. When the brute of a Frei began swinging to and fro to dislodge the tiny "terror", Anya had to shake her own head. "You're only making her cling tighter." Idiot.
A frown was firmly on her face by the time Anya had crossed the short distance between herself and Iorek. Without so much as a word, she stuck her right hand out, palm face up as though she were asking someone to hand over money.
"Hurry up and get off him; you're holding us up." Quest to find the doctor aside, it was too damn humid to be ******** around with the locals, thank you very much. Mercifully, with an offer for freedom extended by a fellow arachnid, the tarantula made the leap from hair to hand and was immediately dumped back into the tree where its web had been. Anya dusted her hands off as she turned back to the three males, raising her brow at each of them in turn before once more shaking her head and then taking up the lead.
"Uh...Nicely done, Anya." There were no other words for a display quite like that from a Frei like her.
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