Today was one of those days that Dusty found herself away from the spa. Out of the steamy air her head was greatly cleared. While Dusty loved her spa, she needed things to keep it going and these ruins held many answers. As the rose colored doe stepped through the crumbling bits of the crumbling rock and ever growing greenery. Dusty was hunting for something to help crush herbs that didn't waste them as much as she had been. The weather was seasonably warm in the ruins and made her think she could have left her saddle bag behind, but needed something to carry her finds home. "Need something like a bowl or... Something..." Dusty muttered to herself as it seemed that the ruins were well picked clean of useful items.
This was looking more the disappointment then anything else. Walking down the open pathway that had once been a road used by the others. Glass was broken everywhere from what looked like places where things were sold. Stopping at one broken window, Dusty gave a glance at what was still scattered about. Seemed that these were play things of the Others. Teddy bears and other such toys lay molding on what was left of shelving, the more durable ones showed signs of rust. Shaking her head, Dusty turned away to look at another shop front.
It was here that she heard something rustling behind the shelving. Ears giving a twitch Dusty watched the shadows as she wasn't sure what was there. Ready to balk and run her way back to Homewood, she took a couple steps closer, her hooves crackling on the glass. Stopping she looked down before leaping through the window and into the building. It was a mess, shelving and what looked like clay containers smashed against the ground. There was very little here that looked intact.
"Hello?" Dusty called into the shadows as something small perhaps dire rat sized, maybe a little smaller then even that sat up, red eyes looking in her direction through the dim. "Anyone there?"
Dusty called out again as the shape moved away from where it had been sitting. Dusty caught the motion as something moved in her direction, backing up more into the light, she watched. From she shadows a somewhat smaller rat came chattering towards her. Dusty wasn't too sure what was being said. An ear flicking backwards, Dusty backed up even more until she had to stumble backwards out the window she had come through.
"sorry, sorry. Didn't know that was your home. Was just looking for something." Dusty stammered as the dire rat followed her still, chattering and sitting up on its hind paws.
The white rat looked more grey/black as it staggered, red eyes didn't seem to focus. Dusty kept a healthy distance as the rat staggered again falling on its belly to screech loudly. She wasn't too sure what was going on, but it did look like this one was ill. Eyes wide as the rat pulled itself back up, a strange coin was wrapped on its tail, seem like it was something the rat didn't want to let go of.
"Hey, you alright? You don't seem to look too good. Do you need help?" Dusty asked as the rat screeched again, its voice was hoarse and dry.
Dusty took this as a yes as she was sure these dire rats weren't meant to sound like this. The sickness was clear in its eyes, the matted coat wasn't much better. Her heart went out to the rat as it seemed to struggle, she had to do something. Looking around, Dusty looked back at the rat whom had collapsed again, sides heaving as it was having trouble breathing. She had to do something and fast.
Throwing caution to the wind, Halen would scold her later for not being more cautious with these sorts of situations. Calling at her magic, a soft red glow came to her horn as Dusty stepped forward, looking to help the rat. It sprang up to rake at her with long claws, though it didn't get too far before falling flat on its face. This did make her back up for a moment, she had to be quick if she was going to do something.
"It's alright, I'm not going to harm you. Just take it easy, I will help you." Her voice was soft as the dire rat looked up at her, its strength was gone.
Taking this chance, Dusty stepped forward again to rest her horn on the rat. Letting the red glow brighten, she send waves of warmth towards the rat. Watching intently, she watched as it's eyes drooped into sleep before she e9ased off. Sleep would help until she could get it back to her home. The ruins were nice and all, but these weren't the places you did full on cures. Not without someone watching your back.
"Rest now, I will get you somewhere safe and help you more." Dusty said as she wiggled out of her saddle bag and used it to scoop up the dire rat and turn back towards Homewood.
Her adventure here had been cut short, but a critter in need was more important then material things. Saddle back secured the best she could, Dusty headed back towards home, unsure of how long the sleep would last, she had to more quickly...
WC: 900
