EVENT: Exploration

[rekindlemods]

There's a nervous feeling to this morning. More than a few people milling around the giant gates of Districts Five and Three. Among them are officials, giving safety and advisory talks on what to expect outside, and hoping that people will listen: it's not safe outside the walls, there is an energy drain in place that can only be held off by keeping in contact with someone (and that only lasts so long) plus a reminder on where the signal was pinpointed. Somewhere off to the north east of the city...And to be careful out there, above all else.

True to the announcement, the city gates open in the morning hours with plenty of heavy rattling noises to mark the occasion. And with that, all that's left is to step through the gates to the world outside.

Out there it feels like there's a near permanent coating of rust and ash on every surface, determined to work its way onto your mouth and into your lungs. Looming out of the shattered remains of streets and sidewalks are crumbled buildings that look like gaunt old skeletons of the familiar Saeng Seong locals. There's a stillness to the air that can weigh heavy on one's shoulders…And can probably get all the more heavy if you're not keeping up contact. You DID bring a buddy along to help you explore, right?

The company is probably needed, given how empty and desolate the outside feels. Save for the occasional groan of a ruin falling a little more apart...And perhaps a skittering of something close by.

Welcome to the dead zone ringing the city. Best look alive out there.

Comments

[fons_et_origo]

[After a moment he sits up, rubbing his face with his other hand.]

I was curious how far I could get on my own. I didn't expect that much trouble when I left the others. My apologies for the inconvenience, miss.

[lightstrike]

It's fine. Just don't do this to yourself again. Where are your companions?

[She's... probably just going to have to deliver the kid to them herself, honestly. Or bring him back to the city instead.]

[fons_et_origo]

I don't have any. I was with the others until I decided to go this way.

[Really, none of them would take him anyway. He knows better than to depend on others for that.]

[lightstrike]

[Damn. Who the hell let a kid go out on their own in a place like this?]

I'll just have to get you back to the city then.

[fons_et_origo]

If you do, I'll just sneak back out here on my own.

[It's not a threat, it's simply a statement of fact. If he'd wanted to stay at the city he wouldn't have come out here to begin with, after all.]

[lightstrike]

Fine. Then you stick with me.

[Great, babysitting duties.]

[fons_et_origo]

Don't sound so pleased about it, really... Were it not for this weakening, I would be more than capable of handling myself.

[lightstrike]

That's exactly the problem here.

[Light tugs at his hand. Stand up, kid, or she'll pull you up.] Now, we should go before something finds us here.

[fons_et_origo]

[He rises up after a moment. Still a bit shaky, but at least the contact helps.]

Between the two of us, I'm sure it wouldn't be a problem.

[lightstrike]

I'm not risking it.

[Odin comes closer, and Lightning lets go of the kid's hand in order to mount him again, but quickly offers her hand again so she can pull him up onto her horse behind her.]

[fons_et_origo]

You can doubt me all you'd like. When I feel better then I will be more of an asset.

[He sits on the horse carefully, attempting to find his balance.]

[lightstrike]

Right. In the meantime, don't fall off. You can hold onto me if you want.

[In fact, it's implied in her tone that she highly recommends it.]

[fons_et_origo]

[That must have been what he was waiting for, as there's no further hesitation in reaching around to hold on to her. He does his best to keep his hands proper and to minimize accidental contact between them as they go.]

I didn't want to merely presume. It would have been rude to just grab at you. You are not one to trifle with, after all.