[FIN Oba] At the Oasis ~ Saraf & Dem ~

[Orpheus Solon]

Riding on Grane's back Saraf was on his way toward the oasis to gather some water for his unit. It was one of those jobs that was a touch boring... and that was why they tended to draw straws to see who had to go. Saraf lost leaving him with the task and he was in a hurry to get to the oasis, fill up the mass of water skins that he had with, so that he could get back. He didn't want to leave his group without fresh water new after all.

As he reached the oasis he hopped down, patting the janarim on the side, and said, "Go ahead Grane, you can get a drink too." He said after he took the big pack of water skins off the janarim's back. He waited, allowing him to get his drink first since he was doing a lot of work having to carry him about in the desert heat. He walked away from that spot to an area where it the water didn't have dirt kicked up in it. Taking a knee he set to work filling up the water skins one by one, pausing from time to time to check on the janarim.

"Don't wander off!" He called out to the beast, not wanting him to get into any trouble. The order had Grane huffing a bit before he decided to walk into and splash around in the water instead of wandering off.  

[Heras Box]

Orpheus Solon

Since she traveled with quite the number of familiars she often sought out places to water them. When she found an oasis in the desert she lead them all in that direction. Of course she was not the only one to find it or have the same idea. V'demhe blinked as she watched a beast play in the water, knowing that her own playful Janarim would want to join in. "Ascale, behave." Her brown and grey beast snorted at her and seemed to move a bit faster with a spring to his step. Oh boy, she was likely going to have to tie him to a rock.

Her two radaku didn't seem too pleased with the aspect of sharing the watering hole so they hugged close to her legs as they walked. Her perzi, on the other hand, took off running toward the water. Dem swore Sindi was dropped as a kit. The thing just didn't act normal most the time. Still, her eyes went from her own familiars to the one already in the water then to the apparent owner of it. Deciding that she didn't want to startle the Oban she lifted one arm and waved as she gave a rather loud whistle to catch his attention.  

[Orpheus Solon]

Heras Box

As the perzi gave rushing toward the water Saraf gave pause in what he was doing, starring at the creature oddly. Was the kitten going to throw itself into the water? A question that he couldn't help but to ask himself as he watched it for a time, giving Grane a glance before he said, "No eating the kitten." The last thing he wanted to deal with was mouth wounds on the janarim because it ate a spiny perzi kitten. He turned back to the water then, working on filling up another water skin when he heard the whistle.

Jerking to his feet he lifted a hand to hover over the sword that hung on his back, turning toward the one who made the sound... the relaxed ever so slightly. It didn't seem as the though the woman was coming at him aggressively so he didn't prepare to attack... though it was obvious that he was on guard at the moment. She had various beasts with her, which had him wondering if the kitten was hers? A question that he kept to himself for now, instead keeping his eyes locked on her, taking a step toward Grane.

Saraf lifted a hand, holding it up in a manner that would still the well trained beast of war, "Hold." A single word that still the silvery beast to go still despite its desire to jump into battle against everything that was coming at Saraf and himself.  

[Heras Box]

Orpheus Solon

She watched as he jumped to his feet and let his hand hover over his blade. While Dem didn't want to fight she had no trouble with doing so. However, it looked like he focused more on controlling his beast and she let her hand drop to her side since she no longer needed to wave. V'demhe had both her blades on her, one hanging on each hip, but had made no action to reach for them. Not even a twitch of the fingers. When the reached the water she offered the Oban a smile. "Mind if we join you?" The tall woman didn't really need his permission but she was being polite.

Her head then turned so she could look at her perzi as it splashed in the water and even rolled in it. The feelers atop her head gave a small twitching motion and she shook her head. "If Sindi bothers your Janarim let me know." She could always call the kit back.  

[Orpheus Solon]

Heras Box

As the woman asked if they could join him Saraf seemed to consider it before turning back to the task at hand, "It's a free world." Now at least. Oba didn't used to be but it was now and he had to remind himself that he couldn't live in the past if he wanted to have a future worth enjoying. He had already told himself that he was going to try to be more open to others as opposed to being as he was in his youth.

He gave the perzi a glance as it splashed around in a manner that Elred would never do and he lifted an eyebrow at it. What a weird little cat... he was pretty certain that he'd never seen one act in that manner before. Of course he also had to keep in mind that he was used to dealing with Elred who was a spoiled little creature that was obtained from an official breeder of high quality perzi. This one might just be a mutt... or one that was dropped on his head? Hard to say without knowing much about the creature.

"It's fine. Grane knows better then to eat perzi, the spikes make them too dangerous a snack and therefore he leaves them be."  

[Heras Box]

Orpheus Solon

She noticed that the male seemed almost hesitant to let her join him and his beast. Still she was grateful when he didn't seem to have an outwardly aggressive stance on it. So she looked down at her own familiars and nodded her head. Maha and Tanou moved forward to drink from the water and Ascale, her janarim, went to join Sindi as the perzi splashed about.

Dem chuckled slightly at the man's last comments and she shook her head slightly. "Wish Ascale would learn that lesson." She couldn't remember the number of times she had had to baby her janarim because he had taken on a spiky critter without thinking.

The tall alkidike noticed that he was filling up a few water skins and tilted her head. "Long trip planned?" Surely some friendly conversation couldn't hurt.  

[Orpheus Solon]

Heras Box

"Some beasts can be a little slower to learn lessons then others. Perhaps with time yours will figure out what it shouldn't eat?" Saraf wasn't sure if it were the case but one never knew, it all depended on the beast and how stubborn they were when it came to wanting to try to eat things. If they thought something was tasty they would keep at it even if it hurt... a thought that caused Saraf to shake his head a bit. Glancing at Grane, who was still holding still he said, "At ease, Grane." Words that caused the silvery beast to return to his drink and splashing in the water.

As she asked about the water skins he gave a slow shake of his head, "No. They aren't just mine. I just drew the short straw and got water duty." Who knew that someone else was going to be here... but at least it made the task a touch less dull. This was most definitely something he would never have done back in his younger years, which made it that much more interesting to him. Here was hoping the chat continued to go well.  

[Heras Box]

Orpheus Solon

She guessed that was true. Ascale did have a lot to learn. "Well he is quite young still, so maybe he will learn as he gets older." V'demhe chuckled a little. When her janarim noticed that the other had finally moved rather than being a statue she saw him lopping over toward Grane. "Ascale.. no. I will not save you if you get bit." That was her only warning.

As the man told her that all the skins were not his she brought her attention to him and then cringed. "Ouch, well hopefully someone else will get the task next time." Dem nodded. Since the animals were enjoying the water she moved forward to kneel beside the edge and dip her hand in. From there she would cup water up to her lips and drink from. It was fresh enough to slake her thirst. Since it was also cool she brought some water up to drip over her neck. "Do you happen to know if there are many watering holes in the area?" It would be helpful if she could keep her pets hydrated.  

[Orpheus Solon]

Heras Box

As Ascale came closer Grane barred his teeth, giving a little growl, but didn't move to attack. Unless the other creature started a fight or Saraf gave the word he would merely puff up and growl, nothing more. His training was good enough that he wouldn't move on his own unless he or Saraf were in danger, then it was his job to keep them both safe. For the time being the big, gray beast would stand his ground and growl.

Saraf gave him a glance before looking back at the Alkidike woman once more, "On'os permitting it won't be me twice in a row." He agreed, not wanting to end up with the same job when it was such a dull one. Maybe he could insist next time that there be two losers just in case? At least that way he'd have company on the way to and from the oasis.

"There are a few scattered across the desert with more being found and lost as the sands dictate." He said, motioning to the one before them and said, "It's normally the big ones like this one that stand the test of time though. So if you find others like this make note of it, if you find a tiny one don't bet your life that it will be there next time. It's by the grace of Essd that they are awaiting us when we need them."  

[Heras Box]

Orpheus Solon

Dem chuckled when he brought up On'os. "I don't think On'os would make you do something so mundane twice in a row." Since she had taken in a half Oban girl and even looked after an Oban boy from time to time she had made it a point to learn about their gods. So she knew what Saraf was talking about. Or at least the general idea.

It was helpful to know that the smaller ones would not be worth committing to memory. That meant she just needed to keep her eye out for a big Oasis. "Then I shall have to ask Essd if he would show some grace to me when I travel again." V'demhe reached into the water to get another handful to bring to her lips.

As she sipped at it Ascale jumped like a pup and lowered himself as he tried to play with Grane, pawing toward him and wiggling his backside. Dem watched him with her eyes and felt her antennae straighten slightly. The tall woman would make no move to get him to stop or to keep him from getting messed up by the other janarim. He would simply have to learn his lesson as he had done with Regale, her son Draven's beast.  

[Orpheus Solon]

Heras Box

Saraf gave pause in what he was doing, turning to glance toward the Alkidike woman, giving her a once over. She was talking of both On'os and then Essd in a manner that didn't seem condescending... in fact she was acting rather respectful when speaking of them, which was something that actually impressed him a bit. He knew that everyone had their own beliefs and the fact that she would respect his was something that actually gave her points in his mind.

Pushing to his feet he said, "To be safe you will still want to boil the water that you gather given that animals like to get into it as much as we do." Best that he warned her, not wanting her to drink bad water since she would risk getting ill from it. The fact that animals played in the water as much as people did meant that it wasn't safe to drink straight away. Each of the water skins that he gathered were corked and put into his big pack, carefully so that they wouldn't risk spilling. He had to gather a ton of the stuff so that there would be plenty left after it was boiled and made safe.

Saraf stretched out all over, watching as the beast named Ascale jumped and wiggled around in front of Grane who was just watching him in a serious manner. He gave a little chuckle, unable to help it, before he said, "You're a good boy, Grane." He was allowing Ascale to bounce around him without picking a fight or trying to be the 'alpha' pleased him. He didn't want his beast starting a war after all by picking a fight with the wrong person's pet.  

[Heras Box]

Orpheus Solon

She had seen him give her a look when she spoke of his gods. V'demhe wondered if she had offended him in a way. Though since he said nothing she guessed not. With him giving the warning about the water she smiled. A bit late for that. She'd taken two sips already. Still, she nodded her head. "Noted." The alkidike got to her feet and looked at Ascale before she shook her head.

"He doesn't want to play with you, Ascale. Come." Dem gave a click of her fingers then patted her thigh gently. It was enough to get the playful Janarim to look at her and eventually lop over to where she was. He ended up splashing the pair of radaku in the process and that made her laugh.

Giving her attention back to the Oban male she gave a small nod of her head toward Grane. "You did well in training that one." With a wide grin she gave her own beast a pat. "Maybe I should ask you to train mine."  

[Orpheus Solon]

Heras Box

Saraf gave a nod, "If you go into any town on your travels I'd suggest getting yourself a fire starting kit. A good piece of obsidian can be a life saver since it will allow you start a fire quickly to boil your water." He suggested, feeling that if the woman was actually open to taking advice from an Oban then he'd offer it. It was pretty odd to him, actually sharing such information but he felt that it would show that he wasn't as closed off or cold... it was something that he was working on. It was difficult at times since he knew his temper could get the best of him but it was a trial given to him by Nerad. One that he meant to over come.

Giving Grane a glance he couldn't help but to laugh a bit, "You'd have to ask a member of my unit about that as she was the one to train Grane. I merely caught the beast, she did the hard work as far as his training goes. She's a bit of a hard a** but it's what makes the beasts respect her I feel."  

[Heras Box]

Orpheus Solon

"Obsidian?" She questioned. V'demhe hadn't thought about that when she'd packed for her trip. "I'll be sure to pick some up when I pass a town. Thank you." Dem had to admit that she was enjoying the conversation with this Oban. "On'os must like me today." The tall woman chuckled a little before she gave a nod of her head toward the man.

"My name is V'demhe, traveler." Since she had nothing else to call him she went with that for now. If he gave her something else to call him then she would be grateful, if not then she could understand that. Many earthlings still felt uneasy around her kind. Maybe it was the water that was between them, as well as his beast, that made him brave enough to speak with her in such a friendly manner? Dem couldn't say, but she was happy that he did.  

[Orpheus Solon]

Heras Box

"It's a type of black rock that looks almost like glass. Striking it against a metal surface produces sparks, the sparks become fire if tended to correctly." He explained as he stretched out all over, cracking his neck, then glanced over at her as she mentioned On'os. He gave her a look, trying to size her up, to see if she was being serious or not before he said, "He is one that you want to hope is on your side lest fortune might turn on you." He was one that Saraf felt everyone should always be mindful of and offer up prayers to keep their fortunes from turning sour on them. Especially those traveling in the desert.

"V'demhe." Saraf repeated the name as though making sure he got it right before he said, "I'm Saraf." This really was odd, sharing his name and kind conversation with one who wasn't either Oban or of the same unit as he was. It was good though, it showed that he could make conversation with those outside of his comfort zone without it becoming a full scale war instantly. Now if only he could have claimed the same during his wilder, younger years he thought to himself idly as he moved to put the pack full of water skins back onto Grane's back. He turned back to the woman only after the water laden pack was secure on the janarim.