closed | shifting through the sun-soaked sands

[onethousen]

CHARACTERS: Chihiro and Patroclus
DATE: in the days following the Saloon Fire
WARNINGS: n/a, will update as applicable.
SUMMARY: Two people from vastly different timeframes join forces to track down a missing piece of ALASTAIR's ancient files.

Comments

[onethousen]

Chihiro pushed her sleeves back up past her elbows, careful that she rolled them properly this time. She understood the tracking and mapping system better now, after substantial use, and the coordinates that pinged for the possible holodisc fragment was blinking merrily in the midst of a place she wasn't keen on getting back into.

Nonetheless, setting off with Patroclus in the early morning, there'd been nothing for it but to face her own fears. She glanced around, nervous in her energy, wary and watchful of the frosted landscape around them. Dozens of footprints form animals of all kinds could be seen having broken through the frost. No human or Qorral shaped footprints, not along this path.

She didn't know how much she trusted that, considering her lack of any real knowledge when it came to tracking. "The Deemers attacked us last time we were in Boneyard Junction. We need to be aware. The Deemers work really well together without even speaking." She lifted up her device, indicating with one hand motion the map therein. "That dot's supposed to be near where we'll find the holodisc fragment. It's over that rise, then down in the valley in the ghost town. Ready, Patroclus-san?"

[achaean]

He decided to come with her to find the holodisc fragment because he wanted to make himself useful. He trusted her judgment and trusted his own instincts, carried with him a bevy of tools and weapons so that she could focus on reading the device.

Still, he was wary and alert, careful around these lands that he was unfamiliar with. "I believe their communications are not bound, like ours are, by sound. Do not fear, bright-eyed Chihiro, I have been a soldier for ten years." And only died once! "To answer your question: I am always ready." At this, he flashes her a quick smile and then sets his eyes back ahead of them, stern as ever.

He walks closely by her, light on his feet, memorizing the location on the map. Those devices really are handy, he thinks, much more accurate than the maps he's used to.

[onethousen]

She nodded in turn, taking his answer at face value and appreciating his preparedness. He didn't need to be aware of the same kinds of technology or world as she was in order to be a bigger asset on the team at present. She was aware of that, though she did feel she had her own purpose and worth here. If nothing else, she was proving remarkably difficult to actually kill.

So far.

Through blind luck and the talents and gifts of others.

"I've been in school for... half as many years. Yours sounds more impressive," she noted, offering a small smile before her expression settled back into one of determination. "All right. We can head over that hill," more of a ridge, really, "Then come in around town from the South-East. That should be the closest to what we're looking for."

On top of which, as they set off, it became apparent she'd recalled the approach with the least amount of ambush cover, and fewer easy perches for people fond of firing guns at those they took offense to treading close upon forgotten secrets.

[achaean]

He's unfamiliar with guns but he was told they could fire further and cut deeper than arrows. He doesn't question that, he assumes the weaponry here is much more advanced than the kind he fights with, but that doesn't take away from his learned instincts.

"To have begun training at such a young age, Chihiro, I understand where forth your wisdom springs. I received myself no formal education until the age of nine, ripened for childhood as doubtless you are." He offers a smile as light as his words, since he knows they are not particularly well-hidden.

The armor they have been awarded is sleek, unlike the armor he had previously worn. He doubted its effectiveness, but has since found it to be rather good. Lightweight but durable, strong. And more importantly, not flashy.

He is careful as they crest over the hill, looking around to ensure they are still alone. One of the things that has remained constant in this transition is the good old-fashioned concept of warfare. The reasons are similar, as are the rules of engagement, and he has no reason to think they have evolved much, but just about everything else had.

"I do not question our capability, but is it not strange they have sent only us two?"

i'm so sorry for the late

[onethousen]

She trusts his sense for all of this, while she trusts her own adaptability to the tools she's been teaching herself to use. Or asking others to show her, so that the technology at least responds to her requests and manipulation. Magitek didn't follow the exact rules of technology back home, but the familiarities are enough to bridge most her gaps once she'd picked up on the patterns.

"They're sending people out in small groups... I'm not sure if it's strange or not. I haven't been part of any big group thing, other than arriving in town." The train ride and the sudden, violent introduction to the local bandit population. "Maybe it's so we're less obvious while we go looking around?"

She pitches her statement as a question as they continue on, soon enough looking upon part of the ghost town so recently the site of a battle no one had expected. Not on Audentes' side, as far as she knew. "The Deemers moved in groups, though. So I'm really not sure if this is a good strange or a bad one."