log; there was going to be more danger except redundancy

[ofdel]

[A: SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW]

[Lief misses his friends. He can't say he misses home, given certain... complications, but he misses Jasmine and Barda and Doom and everyone else. It's foolish, he tells himself, for he has duties he must achieve and so missing his companions should be the last thing on his mind, but still, the feeling persists.

And besides, though he can do nothing about the obligations that he presently can't fulfill, perhaps he can and try fill the void in his heart.

Anyone passing by the area might see Lief, practicing his sword swings (and with quite the nice sword, at that). Barda, at least, would probably want him to keep up his training, even in a strange land.]

[B: YOUR RAINBOW]

[By which I mean your home country, thanks.

Greetings, (hopefully) kind and helpful stranger. A young man (or perhaps 'boy' would be more accurate still) will be approaching you, a polite smile on his face.]

Hello, my friend. Would you be so kind as to point out to a traveller where he may rest for the night? Preferably somewhere of low cost, as luxury is hardly needed. Merely a good, warm bed.

[C: DELTORA YO]

[You've probably been travelling for a while and are quite thirsty and hungry. Have no fear, though, as a stream is nearby, with trees bearing golden fruit growing nearby. Should you try eating the fruit, you'll find that the skin is disgustingly bitter, but the fruit underneath is rich and sweet. Unless you like eating awful things, you'll probably peel off the skin and eat the fruit on its own.

Afterwards... well, it's a pleasant area. Nice and peaceful. In fact, you're getting strangely drowsy. It's probably since it's early afternoon, and you just ate, so maybe take a break...? Before you know it, you'll find yourself lying in the (thankfully shallow stream). The water's nice and warm, though, and the stones that line its base are flat and smooth, so it's probably pretty comfortable in its own way. You're getting rather sleepy now, and a nap wouldn't hurt, right?

... Except it would, because that sure is a giant bird—as large as the trees—moving towards you. Congrats, you're its next meal (oh, and those stones you're lying? They're actually skulls).

This would be a good time to run—except you'll find that you don't even have the strength to cry out, let alone move a muscle.

That's what happens when you eat Sleeper Fruit flesh.]

Comments

C!

[eyedolized]

[ You would think that a young girl by herself would know better than to try unfamiliar fruit, but she's hungry, and fruit doesn't tend to be poisonous unless they're berries and so she's... probably safe.

And it is good, and she's not too concerned about any drowsiness (she had been walking for awhile) until she finds herself in the water and there's...

... a giant bird.

And she doesn't even have to worry about her eye ability kicking in, because she's pretty sure it's already making a beeline for her while she can't do more than sluggishly watch it approach.

What a day. ]

[ofdel]

[Poor Momo. Fortunately for her, she won't die a horrible death via being eaten by a giant bird (at least not today), as suddenly, accompanied by a shout, a skull is thrown straight at the monster. It doesn't do much harm, but at least its attention has been diverted away from Momo and now to its assailant.

That would be Lief, his sword brandished.]

Away, Orchard Keeper!

[In any case, he runs towards said Orchard Keeper, managing a slash across its body. It's hardly a fatal blow, but it's enough to annoy the bird, and that's apparently good enough. A single meal—and one of Momo's size, at that—isn't worth the trouble, and so with a screech, it flies off. Affirming that, Lief bends down in the water, looking at Momo as a relieved smile breaks out across his face.]

You still live! For that, I am glad. I shall be back in a moment.

[He... doesn't really need to tell her to wait there, but sure enough, after walking a bit away, he's back quite quickly, as he was just fetching some fruit from the trees. He's peeling the skin off now, as he discards the fruit underneath.]

My apologies—I realize that it is far from appetizing.

[Which is really the only warning he can give before he stuffs the vile-tasting skin into her mouth.

... Try not to spit it back out.]

[eyedolized]

[ If she had the energy to spit it out, she might have. All she can manage at first is a grimace, before she chokes on it a little and sputters. She might like the things that others would find bizarre, but this is disgusting, even by her more open-minded standards. ]

Ugh--

[ofdel]

[STUFFING IT INTO HER MOUTH.]

Please, eat! I know it is unpleasant, but it is an antidote to the fruit that you no doubt fed upon earlier. And we must make haste, in case the Orchard Keeper returns.

[eyedolized]

[ WHY IS THIS HER LIFE. SHE WANTED TO BE A NORMAL GIRL AND THEN SHE DRAWS IN CROWDS AND SMALL KIDS GET KIDNAPPED AND SHE'S ALMOST EATEN BY A GIANT BIRD AND NOW A TOTAL STRANGER IS CRAMMING GROSS THINGS DOWN HER THROAT--

But at least he's being about as polite as someone forcing disgusting things in her mouth can be, and she can't do much else but chew it. And swallow.

And look like she'd rather cry. ]

[ofdel]

[He feels you, Momo. He made faces when he had to eat it before too.]

Again, I apologize... When you feel that you can stand, please do so and tell me, so that I may help.

[It'll take a while before she regains enough strength for that. During that time, Lief remains vigilant by her side, sword out in case the Orchard Keeper returns.]

[eyedolized]

[ She'd be fine if she could stop reclining in water, but you know what, she'll dry. So after a bit, she'll-- try to sit up on her own.

And mostly succeed. ]

[ofdel]

[He holds his free hand out to her so that he can pull her up, if need be.]

Even if I must carry you, I fear we should hurry, as the Orchard Keeper may return. I have been told that it is bad luck to kill one, and whether that is true or not, I am not eager to fight the creature and find out.

[eyedolized]

R-right... [ and she'll grasp his hand, sucking in a quick breath as she wobbles upright. Her legs are nowhere near steady enough, but-- ] I'm not about to pick a fight with a giant bird, either.

[ofdel]

[He smiles wryly.]

I am glad we are of one mind, then. Can you walk, or should I help?

[eyedolized]

... If we have to run, I might need some help.

[ofdel]

I shall keep that in mind.

[Hopefully, the Orchard Keeper won't be coming back anytime soon, though Lief has learned not to rely on 'hopefully' to survive.

A less cynical 'hopefully' is that hopefully, Momo isn't the proud type.]

Fortunately, I am familiar with this area—enough, at least—and can guide us to a safer place. Less fortunately, though, it is not the easiest journey to make, but as long as we stay alert, we will avoid anything threatening.

[eyedolized]

Got it-- um, hold on. [ and she'll smile sheepishly as she takes a shaky step forward. ] I'll be careful!

[ She's not embarrassed over a whole lot, at least, just easily flustered. ]

a;

[deontology]

[He really does not know how he ended up over the rainbow HERE IN THIS MYSTERIOUS PLACE either, but you know--he does pause to observe Lief's swordwork. It'll always be of interest to him, after all, and that hasn't changed even if he's been transported across worlds.

But he knows better than to interrupt someone practicing, so for now he simply watches, arms crossed and silent.]

[ofdel]

[Lief doesn't have Jasmine's super tracking skills, but he can at least tell when someone in the vicinity is watching him, because you don't get to survive without being INCREDIBLY PARANOID.

And so, once Lief notices Sousei's presence, he pauses, looking over at him.]

May I help you, sir?

[deontology]

[He'll at least incline his head a little at that, because--]

My apologies for interrupting your training. I was simply observing your form.

[Because he's weird like that--okay no, because he likes swordwork and always wants to improve himself.]

It is well done.

[ofdel]

[There's a bit of pride that swells up in Lief at that—though not for himself.

He bows his head lightly.]

Thank you. I had a good teacher.

[deontology]

[He nods at that simply, because he knows how important it is to have a good master.]

You did. Your teacher should be proud of your diligence.

[It's important, after all, to carry on those teachings.]

[ofdel]

[He feels a slight stinging in his eyes, though he holds back any tears.]

Thank you for your kind words, sir. I am sure that if he could hear them now, he would be glad.

[deontology]

[...Ah, is that how it is? This kid is young to be deprived of his master so soon, but... Sousei supposes it was the same for him.]

I'm sorry if I've brought up any painful memories.

[ofdel]

[He shakes his head, looking down at the sword that his father forged for him, before returning his attention to Sousei.]

You need not apologize. It is good to remember, rather than to forget. Even if he is gone, his memory gives me strength.

[deontology]

[... mm.]

That is a wise way to look at it. [Especially from someone so young, but again, he'd been that way when he was young too. So he simply nods once, accepting. There is no need to belittle him for his age when he's clearly got a sensible head on his shoulders.]

Would you be willing to show me your form properly?

[Whether it be just going through the practice strokes again, or sparring, Sousei doesn't care.]

[ofdel]

[He blinks, surprised at the question.]

In what way, sir?

[deontology]

Simply your drills were more than enough, if you want to continue.

[And, with a tilt of his head--]

Alternatively, if you would like a partner. I would not be opposed to a spar.

[ofdel]

[Honestly—his mind first goes into cautious mode. Is a 'spar' really what it is? If this man were a secret assassin, it might be easy enough to disguise a killing as an accident. But... here over the rainbow, nobody knows who he is. As far as this man should be concerned, Lief is a complete stranger whom he has no reason to kill.

He has to remind himself of this fact.

Giving Sousei a bit of an appraising look, he smiles sheepishly.]

I fear that I may not be much of a partner, sir.

[He can tell that this man, like him, is someone used to more than just friendly matches—someone who's used to fighting for his life.]