fablelands | open log!

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open log!

Who: Lance and anyone!
What: Arriving, mostly, and trying to find people and not die.
Where: Northern Drifts and then the Lake area.
When: Early/middle of October
Warnings: None so far!

Northern Drifts:

[ What wakes him was the cold. Lance hadn't had the luck to be dropped indoors, and while his armor keeps him safe from pretty extreme temperatures, he doesn't have a helmet at the moment, so his face is getting snowed on. Snowed on. He's not used to snow! Not even a little!

After minimal time of getting his bearings, which is mostly to say, to his feet, he starts calling out for his teammates. ] What the... guys?! Keith? Hunk, Pidge, Allura? ... Anyone?

[ Resounding, snow-blanketed silence. He only briefly scans the contents of the pack, noticing his clothes and the rations, but not much else beyond that. It alarms him a little, after a moment, that it seems he's unarmed. He can't find his weapon, and the communicator on his suit's not working... but he also hasn't seen anything hostile yet. So he slings his pack over his shoulders and starts searching, picking a direction and sticking to it as much as he's able.

Once he gets to the cabins, he starts knocking on doors, and opening them when there's no answer, but nothing here really seems lived in. Periodically he still calls out a name or two, but the longer he keeps trying, the more he loses hope of anyone answering.

Eventually he slumps against a cabin wall, sighing, looking up at the sky. ] Come on...

The Great Lake:

[ The way is both longer and shorter than he expected. The climate changes so abruptly it kind of confuses him, but the snow gives way to green and then there's water. And there's people-- at least he's pretty sure he saw a someone or two on the banks of the lake, just too far away for him to recognize, or even be sure whether or not they're human.

So now he's having a field day using his jetpack to hop from tall tree to tall tree, keeping a vantage point and trying to find out where people might live around here. Of course that's not exactly a subtle approach. ]

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[ The teasing tone fades, and Lance suddenly feels-- caught? Called out? Something, anyway, and it's not a comfortable thing.

Not that he gives himself time to consider that in any kind of depth. ]

Uh, yeah, I haven't exactly been lazy while you were away. [ You know, to use that word you used, incorrectly! ]

[And that makes Keith's eyebrows raise a little as he turns his attention to Lance - ... Lances? Urgh.

He blinks a couple of times, trying to get rid of that double vision, turning his attention back to the houses. He feels nauseous, but he isn't going to stop.]

Yeah...? What did you do, then?

[Almost... Almost there.]

[ Lance actually stops, this time, looking at him. He sighs and moves over to him, picking whichever side isn't holding the dagger. ]

Come on. [ And puts Keith's arm over his shoulder to support him. He secures his hand with his own, Keith's chest plate dangling awkwardly from one arm, while his other arm secures Keith's waist. ] Sorry, I bet this still stings, but look, I'm not gonna watch you push yourself until you fall over. Okay?

[It takes Keith a moment to register that Lance has stopped. He stops too, then, and looks at him, a frown beginning to show on his expression. He is about to complain, ask him what's wrong and why did he stop, insist that they should keep going. But then--... Then Lance is moving towards him and, once again, Keith is taken by surprise.

He tenses up, slightly, at first. But then, he is hurting so much everywhere - and his head is feeling so heavy - that the tension doesn't last long at all. He ends up leaning heavily against Lance, hissing as his bag presses against his back, with the movement. His other arm, the one holding the dagger, is just dangling down beside his body and, for a second, he actually feels like he might pass out.

He doesn't, though. Not yet.

Instead, he takes a moment to try and recover some, to try and make it so his legs feel less shaky, so they can keep going. He doesn't want to stop. He doesn't want to be the reason why they are being slowed down. He doesn't want to not be looking for their friends.

But what he wants and what he needs, it turns out, might be two different things, here. He sighs through his noise, and the sound is a mix of frustration and pain. Still...]

... Thanks.

[ He doesn't like that hiss, though he expected it, considering. He doesn't like how heavily Keith leans on him - it lets him know how bad Keith is actually doing. On the other hand, it makes him glad he stepped in, and he holds on to him, making sure he's got him even if Keith does stumble or his feet give out from under him.

No chance of fighting like this, though. He can only hope it won't come to that.

The thanks makes him shake his head. ] Come on, let's just get to those houses.

[ As slowly as they need to, but as quickly as they can. Deep breath. It's gonna be okay, even though he can feel the heat Keith is radiating now, he knows a sunstroke, sunburn, whatever it is, it's not gonna kill him as long as they can get him shade and rest and water. Even so, it makes him nervous. He hates that there's no real fix for this. Nothing quick to just do. ]

We're gonna have to trust the others to figure this out. I mean, you know? Pidge and Hunk can brain their way out of anything, they've done it before, and Allura can handle herself no problem. Like, seriously, she can probably punch out a bear. Or... whatever they have for bears around here. Point is, if they're here, they're gonna be fine.

[ Now he's definitely rambling, but he doesn't know what else to do besides putting one foot in front of the other. ]

Edited 2018-10-13 21:00 (UTC)

[He will fight, if he has to. But it's true that, as things are right now, that wouldn't be exactly easy.

He nods at Lance's words and tries to focus, willing his legs to move. They do. Slower than what he would have liked, but still well enough to, hopefully, not take them too long to get to the small village-like place. Lance's support helps, too, making it easier to try and keep up pace, to not slow down too much... or fall over. It's probably a sunstroke and an upset stomach from drinking water too fast, and as much as all he needs is shade and rest and water, right now, that's not what he wants.

... And that feeling isn't at all helped, with what Lance says next.

Keith immediately tenses up once the words are out of the blue--... red paladin's mouth. He has a point, of course. They-- No, he isn't in a prime condition to start looking and, as Lance said, both Pidge and Allura would be able to handle themselves no problem, at least for a while. Same with his mom. But Hunk?... He isn't so sure about Hunk. He isn't sure about Coran or Romelle, either. And he... definitely isn't sure about Shiro. He hadn't even woken up, yet, after he had passed out again.]

No! [It's... really that simple, to him.] We--... We can't just leave them to fend for themselves. [His voice is lower than before, stretching. He's in pain, and it shows more than what he'd like, considering the case he is trying to make here.] You're right about Pidge and Allura... And even my mom. But the others--... Shiro wasn't even awake, yet. [He can't feel Kosmo, either.] They need our help.

[ Slow going is still going, and Lance hopes he won't have to carry Keith the last part of the way to the... village? Might really be a village. He also hopes that if anyone lives there, that they're friendly. Doesn't even care how little sense it all makes, a human settlement, an Earth-like place... none of that matters right now.

Of course, then Keith snaps at him. And of course, he snaps right back. ] Stop thinking you're the only one who can do anything, Keith!

[ Don't charge in recklessly. Don't go on your own. Don't just ditch everyone-- okay, deep breath. ] I get it. I know. I remember. We'll go right back to looking once you're better. But you know if they're here, anywhere here, they're all working on finding us and each other, too.

[And Keith is ready to snap right back, too. He turns his head, there's frustration and even anger on his expression, mixed in with all the tiredness and pain, but then-- Then Lance's voice is calmer. And what he says... He does have a point. Of course he does. Keith knows that.

He knows that if they are anywhere here, that they would be working on finding them and each other, too. He knows that, as he is, he could put them and the others in a bigger jeopardy than they are. But it still sucks.

Yet, the way Lance points it out and the way he tells him, plainly, that they will go right back to looking once he is better, does manage to calm Keith down. His teeth clench for a moment, and the frustration is still there, but the anger fades and gives place to defeat, resignation. Eventually, he looks down, sighs through his nose, and turns away, letting his head hang a little instead.] ... You're right. [And he hates it, he hates this feeling of impotency. What if something happens because they weren't looking? Thankfully, a wave of nausea does enough of a good job to distract him, and he ends up leaning a bit more heavily on Lance, as a result.] Shit.

[ It's a good thing Keith relents, but somehow it also doesn't quite surprise him. Of course, the situation is still bad, but now they're on the same page. Once, he might've held that admission over his head for a while, but now the look he gives Keith as he turns away and hangs his head is sympathetic. The truth is simply that they need to take things a little slower right now, no matter how much they both hate the team being all split up. ]

Whoa- [ He sways a bit when Keith suddenly puts a bit more weight on him, but catches them both no problem. ] You okay? [ He's talking at least, so he's not unconscious. He didn't trip, either. So... ] Do you need to, like, throw up?

[You okay?

His brain takes longer than usual to process the question. The nausea doesn't seem to get better and, to make it worse, he can feel himself begin to sweat. He tries to find some balance, tries to not lean so heavily on Lance, but when he does, when he lifts his head to look at him when that last question comes-- It just happens too fast.

For a second, everything is white. And, the moment after, everything is black. His strength leaves him and his body becomes uncontrolled weight, which will fall on the floor if Lance doesn't stop it from happening.]

[ It does happen very quickly. One moment Keith is on his feet, the next his knees seem to give out under him. Lance instinctively braces him, feels that dead sort of weight pulling heavily on him, sudden and frightening. ] Keith?

[ Nothing. He can see Keith's head lolling forward. ] Quiznak. Oh come on... [ Straining, he adjusts Keith's weight-- only to remember something. So he lowers Keith to the forest floor instead, just for a moment. ] Okay... uh...

[ He can carry his pack and Keith and the armor and really all of it, but Keith was still holding on to his Marmora blade, and now he's unconscious, so... time to pick that blade back up, shove it into Keith's pack. ] There. [ Then, time to pick up Keith, the chestplate balanced awkwardly on his stomach as he princess carries him the rest of the way.

It's not even that long a way. Lance doesn't check what is or isn't occupied-- he doesn't even check if there are other people. He just walks into the nearest house, shouldering the door open and trying not to get Keith's boots caught on the doorframe.

The place looks neither as good as he had hoped nor as bad as he had worried, nothing like the half crumbled cabins at the base of the mountain. ] Come on... [ He finds a living room sort of area-- there's a fireplace (who does that?) and a couch, and that's where he puts Keith down, as gently as he can. ] There... [ Carefully takes the backpack and sets that down next to him alongside the piece of armor. Then he slumps down on the floor with a sigh. ]

[It takes him a while to come back to.

Opening his eyes is hard, and, even after he manages, they don't immediately focus, taking their time to adjust. He's laying down and his head feels heavy. Soon, he realizes that's because there's some sort of wet cloth on his forehead - a scrap from a tablecloth? - which, it turn, helps him realize how hot he feels. And that's just before the pain on his back becomes evident and he groans, turning a bit on his side, to try and avoid it touching the cushions.

It's not very effective, but the movement allows him to see around the room a bit. He doesn't recognize the place, but he can spot his chestplate on a corner, next to his backpack. And, of course, sitting nearby is Lance.

He looks at him for a moment, before his eyes close again. It's hard to keep them open: his head feels like it's about to explode.]

[ The fact that it takes a while means that Lance has some time. Time to explore the rest of the house, to scrap a tablecloth so he can put a wet cloth on Keith's forehead. Time to strip out of his own armor and put his normal clothes on. It doesn't feel as safe, but it also looks more... normal, he supposes. They haven't exactly found or run into anything that would merit the armor, anyway. Besides the cold.

Otherwise, it's mostly time spent watching Keith, wondering if there's anything else he can do. The house, naturally, does not have an aloe plant, or anything else to put on sunburnt skin for that matter. He's restless, he's bored, he's anxious-- just, it's not a good time, waiting and worrying. He was just in the process of going through the rest of what's (apparently) in his backpack when Keith shifts and groans, and Lance is on his feet in the blink of an eye. ] Keith? Dude, don't push yourself, alright? Easy.

[ He catches the scrap cloth as it slides off his forehead. It's heated up now, but he folds it over and turns it around and drapes it back in place. ]

[Keith isn't aware that Lance is approaching, until he feels him grab the piece of cloth from his forehead and place it there again. It's fresher and it actually brings him some comfort in spite of the headache. He isn't used to being tended to, like this, but he isn't thinking about it either, mind as tired as his body.

Most of all, he's thankful. Thankful that he found Lance. Thankful that he managed to bring them... wherever they are. It seems safe, though. For now, that's what matters.]

... Sorry. [His voice is low, hoarse. His eyes still closer.] Are you okay?

[ He's been meaning to take like... a bucket or something and go to the lake with it, so they'll have some more water around. An apology is about the last thing he expects, it makes him frown. ] Dude, you're the one who passed out. Yeah, I- I'm fine. I took you to one of the houses we saw.

You want some water? [ There was a bottle in his pack as part of the supplies, it's sitting next to the bed. It's... something, at least. ]

[He did-- He really did pass out, huh? Yeah, he knew that. And yet, it still feels... weird. He's passed out before, of course, they all have. But he doesn't remember ever passing out due to his body failing him like this. He's been sick the usual times for someone growing up, but never had something hit him, like this.

And that's where they are. Makes perfect sense, of course.]

Thanks.

[And, again, he is. Thankful that Lance brought him here, all by himself. Thankful that, apparently, he's been doing what he can to lower his temperature. Thankful that nothing bad happened while he was out and that they were both okay.

The question makes him lick his lips and grimace. He should... But just the thought makes him want to throw up.] Yeah... I'll--... [Just wet my lips.] ... Yeah.

[He doesn't move but he does open his eyes a little, trying to meet Lance's.] How... How long was I out...?

[ Yeah, well. Lance knows how to deal with sunstrokes at least. He's seen them often enough, though to be fair, people who actually grow up where he grew up are usually cautioned about it and know better. ... Not that that means there's anything more to be done besides rest and shade and water.

He just nods at the thanks. It's normal, right? What was he gonna do, leave him out there?

Lance uncaps the water bottle and hands it to Keith-- there's not a lot in there, because he totally forgot about refilling it while they were at the lake. But that means it's light, at least. ] Here... can you-? [ hold it up? Drink by yourself? Let's figure that out first. ] Go real slow, though, don't drink too much.

[ He answers the question only after he's put the bottle back down. ] I... I dunno, I don't have a watch or anything. Like an hour maybe?

[Keith did grow up in the desert, but he had never been out in the middle of nowhere in it like this. With no proper preparation and no shade, he's actually glad he eventually found the way inland.

He only moves when Lance offers him the bottle. It's effort - and quite a bit of it - but he tries to lift his torso up with the help of his elbow, his head and back complaining the most at it. Still, and in spite of the grimace, he nods at the question.] Yeah... Yeah, thanks. [He stays like that for half a minute, as if gathering strength to just go through with it. And, eventually, he does.

He only takes a small sip, mostly wetting his lips, before giving the bottle back to Lance. In spite of everything, as he does, there is a small smile on his face. Thanks. Again.

Then, he lowers himself back down - urgh, his head really isn't happy - licking his lips one more time before closing his eyes again.] An hour... [He really was out for good, huh? ... Damn.] Any... news? [From the others? From anyone?]

Whose... place is this...?

[ It's kind of worrying how long it takes him. He waits for him though, not rushing him or trying to do anything for him when he says he's got it, finally putting the bottle back down when Keith gives it back.

... Yeah, he definitely looks as if he's feeling like absolute crap.

Lance sighs at the question, shaking his head. ] Nothing so far. I didn't run into anyone on the way, haven't gone outside since.

[ Another shake of his head. ] Annnnd... I dunno. It's empty. Seems abandoned. It's not broken down anywhere or anything, but like... nothing in the bedrooms to say who if anyone lives here. So it's ours now, for as long as we need it.

[It's Keith's turn to sigh. No news. That's not necessarily bad, but still.

He frowns a bit, when Lance answers the last question. Abandoned, huh...? Are abandoned houses usually this packed? He hasn't looked into the bedrooms - two? three? - or anywhere else, but the couch is comfortable enough, there's a fireplace that he spotted earlier that looked clean, a small table (and a bigger one in the corner) and a big rug on the floor, between the sofa and the fireplace.

Keith won't be complaining, though. Shelter is nice. Mainly shelter they don't need to share with people they don't know. Which-- Odd, too, that Lance didn't run into anyone on the way.]

... Where the Hell are we...

[It's not a question to Lance as much as a spoken out-loud thought. Where the Hell is this place? What the Hell is this place, even?

But well, he needs to shake this out first. Then, hopefully, they can focus on figuring things out.]

[ To be fair, it did take them about two days to meet up. Who knew where the others were in this place? And what if they headed in a direction not the giant lake? They gotta find them somehow, he knows that too, but... they can't go running after them right now.

He sighs at the question... it's more a general thing, he guesses, but even so. ] Beats me... but you know, looking around this place? Nothing seems alien at all. Like we really are back on Earth somehow. I mean, some stuff seems old, not like, worn, but like, super retro or something? There's no computers or screens of anything here. Just... in case you ran out of stuff that doesn't make sense.

[Two days... And given the light coming in from the window, the sun is probably setting on the other side of the lake. So it really has been a while. He is tired, and his eyes just want to remain closed, the makeshift towel on his forehead warm already.

Hearing what Lance says doesn't really make him feel better or worse. Just more confused. Which, in turn, makes his head hurt... and the feeling of dread and wariness grow in his chest. It's good that he isn't alone, at least. It's good that neither of them are.

... He just hopes that the others found each other, too.

His answer comes in the form of a sigh and a slight groan, as he tries to find a new position on the sofa. Eventually, though, he speaks, too.] We'll... figure it out. [Soon. Hopefully.]

[ It's been a weird couple of days alright. He... he doesn't know what to do, and he hates it. They need to look for their friends. But where to start? How to go about it? They don't even have any communicators, no skills to build any, no... nothing. If they're stuck here for a while, he doesn't know a thing about survival. Lance frowns down into his lap for a moment, feeling lost.

But Keith speaks, and he nods, looking up at him. ] Yeah. Yeah, definitely.

[ He sits back a bit, leaning on his hands as he thinks. ] Oh, right- you mind if I go back to the lake for some more water? Just... refilling our bottles and grabbing a bucket from here or something, because this place doesn't seem to have running water, either. I didn't wanna run off in case you woke up while I was gone.

[Looking for their friends is definitely a top priority. But Lance is right, too, of course. They don't have an easy way to find them, and with those rations coming to an end... They will need to find some other way to get food and survive, until they find them. They need to find answers, too, of course. Randomly waking up in a weird place like this with a backpack that wasn't theirs to begin with is not normal at all. Had they been brought here? If so, why? By whom?

But well, all in due time. Keith did know a thing or two about survival but, for now, he needed to shake this off. After that was done, they could start by making a list and go from there. Discipline helped. His mom had taught him a lot.

The question makes him open one of his eyes. Mind? Why would he-- But then Lance answers that question too, before he has time to wonder, and Keith blinks before smiling a little, again.] Go ahead. [His voice is somewhat calm, soft, even. The lake was-- Actually, he wasn't sure. He remembered the houses being close, but--

The smile fades, some.] It's... nearby, right? [It was getting dark.]

[ Lance wants to think about it more-- about who or what brought them here, why, and how. About where the others are. But he can't... can't keep at it right now, it's frustrating and it makes his head hurt.

So it's a good thing that Keith gives him the go-ahead and smiles at him. ... He's not sure he's seen Keith smile since before he left. Either way, he's getting to his feet before the question comes, smiling back at him. ] Yeah, it's pretty close by. I just don't wanna wait until it's actually dark out there.

[ He moves out of sight-- there's a sort of cleaning closet in the kitchen, which is also the next room. And yep, true to what he remembered, there's a bucket. Once he returns into view, he snatches his pack from the corner, which is mostly empty now, sitting next to his discarded armor and bodysuit and what rations he has left, then gets to Keith's backpack. ] Lemme just grab your bottle too...

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