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

[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. ]

[ofdel]

[He manages another smile at that. His hand's still there if she wants to hold onto it for support, at least.]

Good. I am sorry that I must rush you like this.

[eyedolized]

[ She might, very soon. ]

You really don't have to apologize... I mean, I'm pretty sure you just saved my life.

[ofdel]

Do not worry over it. My friends and I once fell prey to the same trap that you did, and someone came to our rescue. One good deed deserves another, does it not? I am simply thankful that I arrived in time, when I saw the Orchard Keeper in the sky.

[The path they're taking is kind of covered in tangled ferns and thickets of brush and bramble. Sorry, Momo...]

[eyedolized]

[ This is the person who jumps chain-link fences and falls out of trees and runs into poles and-- yeah, she'll be fine, even if she'll hiss a little when the bushes scratch up her legs. ]

T-thanks again, by the way... uh, sir.

[ofdel]

Lewin, of Broome.

[Using an alias for reasons! Presumably the same reasons why he's traipsing through a dangerous forest alone aka none that I can think of]

Your thanks are unneeded; the fact that you live alone is enough for me. I wish it were under better circumstances, but it is nice to meet you, miss...?

[... He hopes that she's unmarried, or at least, or that'd be pretty rude to assume otherwise.]

[eyedolized]

Momo! [ yep, unmarried. ] Maybe we'll get nicer times after we avoid a giant bird, Lewin-san.

[ofdel]

Momo, then. And I certainly hope so. Once we leave the forest, we may rest and eat. I fear that I do not have much, but what is mine is yours.

[eyedolized]

Shouldn't you be worrying about yourself? That... thing took away my appetite, anyway.

[ofdel]

I can manage with my share. And I understand, though you might think differently a few hours later.

[eyedolized]

Is that when my legs will feel like legs...? [ she's struggling a bit. ]

[ofdel]

[He smiles wryly.]

Let us hope so. Though, while I cannot do anything about your legs, I still offer my help, if you need it.

[eyedolized]

D-depends... do we have to run yet?

[ofdel]

Do not worry, my friend. As I said, we are not likely to be attacked by anything here. These plants are the most that we have to fear.

[And as far as plants go in Deltora, they're pretty benign.]

[eyedolized]

So just don't eat anymore strange fruits... and watch out for brambles. Got it.

[ofdel]

Well, it is perhaps difficult to say what is 'strange fruits', but you are right in that it may be best to err on the side of caution for now.

[If only Jasmine were here as their guide.]

You will be fine until we make it out of the forest, I hope?

[eyedolized]

Of course! [ well, she sure said that confidently. ]

[ofdel]

That is good to hear.

[... Since he knows from experience that, especially with the lingering effects of the Sleeper Fruit flesh, she's probably going to be exhausted by the time they actually get out of there.]