[IC] Mentas: Sealing

[Lord Dragoon]

When Sun pointed at the moon (seriously what kind of name is Sun), calling it the sun before correcting himself as he remembered it was night. Mentally wondering if he was an idiot, the elf girl figured answering wouldn't hurt. "... Catiel," she mumbled. When he mentioned a secluded place, and offered to show it to her, her mind immediately came to a conclusion. So that's his plan, lead her someplace where no one would hear her scream in pain, and then let loose with the torture. Well, she's not falling for it. Especially when it was so obvious to her. "Are you an idiot?" She asked honestly.

[Metal Zeta]

"Probably!" he admitted, smiling and chuckling. He was a good nature fellow, if not a bit dumb. However, he wasn't dumb enough to not connect the dots.

"Oh! No, no! I wasn't gonna do anything! I just think, if you need to be alone, you need a place secluded, but out of the weather!" He said, nodding. "..Infact, here!" he said, holding out some gold. 300 pieces, in fact. Enough for two nights at the local inn. "You know where the inn is, right?" Turning around, he pointed north, at a large, circular building. "Right there! Plenty nice, I think!"

He turned back to look at her, smiling. "I was gonna get a room tonight, but I know a few other places to sleep. Nowhere near as comfortable...but free."

[Lord Dragoon]

Catiel unconsciously tensed up a little. He didn't come here to torture her or anything. No, his reason for being here was something that stung more. Pity. He pitied her. That had to be it. She remembered the times others took pity on her, how they'd give her something to help her out. Those things were always the first things that were taken from her, and the fact they were given to her by the few humans that actually cared enough about her to try to help her... It made it hurt more. "I... I don't need your pity," she denied, voice soft as she tried to bury those thoughts under indifference.

[Metal Zeta]

Sun stared at her, sighing.

"I'm not pitying you." He said, forcing the gold into her hands. "I'm trying to HELP you." He confirmed, looking at her eyes. His own eyes were...soft, but had a kind fire in them. "It's not because you're en elf, I would help anybody if they were sitting out in the rain. Because I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if I heard you DID get sick later on." He told her....never breaking his smile.

Catiel

He said the name in his head over and over again. It was a nice name..maybe using it would help.
"Catiel, please. I know we don't know each other, but I know when a person needs some help when I see it. Just take the money, go to the inn, and we never have to see each other again." After a few moment, he closed his eyes, nodded, and added one more word.

"...Please."

[Lord Dragoon]

"E-eh?" She blinked, confused. Catiel couldn't understand him, or his reasons. Hate and pity, those things she understood all too well. But this... A genuine desire to help? This was entirely an alien concept to her. As her brain scrambled to understand this, she suddenly became aware that her mask had slipped, the face she had carefully schooled into her features. In the instant before she brought it back up, Sun would not see one of the more proud or indifferent members of the elves. What he would see was a fragile girl who would likely be reduced to a crying mess if someone so much as insulted her. "W-well, if you insist," she cleared her throat, trying to pretend that she did not just show weakness in front of a human.

[Metal Zeta]

Sun's smiled grew bigger, glad she finally accepted help. He didn't even care about the wet droplets of rain washing over him anymore! But then he remembered what he said, that they never had to see each other again...that...made him kind of sad, for some reason. Ah well, as long as she's inside a warm room during the rain, Sun will feel alright.

"Here, follow me!" He smiled, reaching out to grab her hand. She was hesitant to accept his help... But still, she held out a hesitant hand for him to grab. He took ahold, realizing he could have asked what that was about. That moment she seemed...weaker, more vulnerable. More and more, he was getting interested in her...wanting to help her.

Without a word, he led her to the inn, stepping right aside of it, looking at her in the light of it's doorway. His face turned red, his knees suddenly weak. He thought she looked cute before, but now...in the light, she was absolute gorgeous. Like a goddess, geeze he thought, looking away.

"Anyways, here. It's small, but comfy. I...I guess, have a good nights sleep."

[Lord Dragoon]

Looking away, she muttered something. Practically feeling the confused look on his face, she tried again. "Thank you," the elven girl mumbled. "I... I don't have much, but I'll be sure to repay the favor someday." With that, she started to walk away from him. Her brain had been turning over the concept of someone just wanting to help her on the way to the inn, and even now she still had trouble wrapping her mind around it. And she persisted to try to understand up to the point where she passed out in a nice warm bed. She idly noted that this might be the first time in a long time that she slept in an actual bed.

---

The next morning, Catiel was briefly confused by the roof above her. It took her a moment to remember that she was staying in an inn... Thanks to a human. Who wanted to... Help her? Still a weird concept to her. Getting out of bed, she briefly wondered if she should straighten the sheets a bit, before deciding that they probably have people who's jobs is to do that anyway, and left. Moments later, she was walking out of the inn, looking at the clear blue sky.

[Metal Zeta]

Pay him back? He wanted to say there was no need, but she was already walking off. He gave her a small wave, leaving.

---

"...."
He rolled around, trying to get to sleep. He was sleeping in a small alcove, hidden beneath a bridge over the river. Kind of dangerous of he rolled over the edge, but it was spacious enough for him to sleep in, along with another resident of the small, makeshift bed.

"Raaaacky." He complained, turning around and looking at the alcove's other resident. A red crab, slightly bigger than a house cat. A dire crab, and Sun's pet. This was actually where he stayed when Sun was out adventuring. "Why can't I stop thinking about her?" He asked the crab. It walked over to him, lightly tapping the boy with his pincher, causing a chuckle to escape from his lips. "Well...I'll try to get to sleep, and...I'll check to see if she's okay, in the morning. THEN we'll say our good byes."

---

"Uuhhh...Hey." Sun said, waiting for her outside. Okay, he wasn't jut tired, she really did look that good. "I know what I said....but I wanted to make sure you wwere okay, still." He said, Racky laying by his feet.

[Lord Dragoon]

Catiel jolted in surprise when she heard Sun. Where did he come from? What did he want? To... Check up on her? "Erm, yes... I am well," she muttered, confused yet again. What is with this human? This went above and beyond pity, does this have to do with his claims of just wanting to help her? She briefly remembered her promise to pay him back, maybe he was here to collect that favor? However, that thought was derailed at the oddity at his feet. "Is that... A crab?" She questioned, confused. Well, this human just continues to get odder and odder doesn't he?

[Metal Zeta]

"A dire crab!" Sun correct, bending down and petting Racky. "They're like normal crabs, but bigger! And maybe magic." He looked up at her, smiling. "Well, just wanted ot make sure you're okay." He said, about to leave, but something stopped him.

What was she doing here? What would she do when she runs out of the money he gave her? Could she fight and hunt for money, like he did? If I just left...then would I really care? He asked himself, snapping his attention to her. "So...what are you gonna do now? Have anyways of making money? Can you fight?" He asked, realizing asking a bnch of questions wouldn't do anything but upset her, or make her mad.

"I mean...listen, anyway I can help you still? Just say it, and I'll do it! And you WON'T need to pay me back."

[Lord Dragoon]

Catiel was going to answer his first question, when he started asking at a rapid-fire rate. So, she was understandably getting kind of annoyed until he calmed down and asked that last one. "I... I don't need help," she denied. "I'm not helpless, after all. If anything, I'm deadly with my bow." Although it wasn't much to look at since it had been used so much that it looked kind of beaten up, admittedly. But, looks aren't all that matter, right? "If I need money, then I'll just kill some of the local wildlife. Granted... It's a bit more cost-effective to use them for food."

[Metal Zeta]

Sun, for once, frowned. He didn't disbelieve her...but he still had doubts. What if she was saying that to save face?

"You know...how about we go hunting together?" He offered. "Please? I'm not saying you're weak, but...I'm gonna be worried about it." He looked to his left, towards the nearby forest. "There's a bunch of wasps taking up a cave, just nearby, in fact! So...please?"

He just wanted to make sure she was okay, that's all he wanted. He...didn't know why through, why he cared so much about this elf! Something about her just seemed...special.

She was going to say no, but then she remembered last night. If last night was any indication, he's really not going to take no for an answer, is he? So, surrending to the inevitable, she nodded with a rueful sigh.
Sun sighed, deciding to just ask. He wanted to help, but she didn't seem to want it. He gave her a gentle look, trying his best not to seem judgemental.

"....I don't have to, I guess." He finally admitted. Maybe he was worrying too much? He was probably coming off as creepy, as well. "If you really think you can handle yourself....I'll leave you alone, no problem!" He said, the light returning to his face as he smiled.

She blinked in confusion. He was giving up? Just like that? How odd... Then again, she probably could trust him for a bit. "Well... If you really want to, I suppose you could come along," she coughed, trying to make it sound like she was the one offering. Sun caught onto this, chuckling. "Why, then I guess I'll come on along. Come on, this way!"

---

He brought her to a cave, ,a soft buzz emitting from it. "Alright, we don't want to go in TOO far." He pointed at several strains on the caves walls. They were dried and miscolored, but were obviously the blood of those who came unprepared. "There's only a small group we need to clear out, but they're still dangerous.

[Lord Dragoon]

"Hmm," Catiel looked at the bloodstains. "I see." Silently removing her bow from her back, she strung it. With practiced ease, she removed an arrow from her quiver, and notched it. Without another word, she started to sneak into the cave. She kept an eye open as she entered the threshold of the cave, not wanting anything to sneak up on her. At the same time, she thought about what she knew about wasps. Or at least, the stuff that is the most important right now. Let's see, they are aggressive predators. Their stingers secrete a paralytic venom, which they often use to drain nutrients out of their prey like a vampire or something. Oh, and they are highly susceptible to heat. Too bad she didn't know any magic, because it might have been very useful to have some fire magic in this case.

[Metal Zeta]

Sun followed, knowing it unwise to be behind an archer. He would let her lead and attack any enemies that came their way, stepping in if the got too close.

As they continued in, the buzzing louder and louder, and, Sun had to admit, filled him with some nervousness. Nothing he wasn't used to, it happened when he was fighting.

Suddenly, a black and yellow insectoid was flying at them, about the size of a wolf. "What the...?" Sun muttered, stepping next next toCcatiel. Something seem wrong, it was heading towards them. How did a single one notice them, and attack by it's self?

It was then Sun saw it's eyes. Black, with streaks of purple. "Get back!" He said, stepping in front of catiel, swinging with his blade. The wasp moved it's body, actually deflecting the sword. "Catiel, take aim!" He said, stepping to the side.

[Lord Dragoon]

Catiel was already moving when she saw the wasp, knowing that holding still might get her killed. The instant Sun's attack was knocked away, she already aimed and released an arrow. One that would pin the wasp to the wall by its head, if it hits. She then pulled out two more arrows, and fired them simultaneously to try to pin its wings. After all, if you can't get a killing blow, at least get a crippling blow. And if they all hit, then awesome. As the arrows soared, the elven girl allowed a slight smile. Whether they hit or not, archery was still fun in her opinion.

[Metal Zeta]

The wasp fell to the ground, dead. "Hey! Good job." Sun said, giving her a thumbs up. "Alright, now I'm feeling a bit more confident! Let's go!" He cheered, all nervousness gone form him. IF that was all these wasps had, they would be out of here in no time!

"Hey, Catiel, you're really good with that bow." He complimented, taking a look at it. "...Seems a bit worn out, but as long as it works, doesn't matter! So...how long have you been an archer?"

Deep in the cave, a black fog covered a figure. He stepped through the swarm of wasps, any of the flying insects that touched the fog dropping to the ground. "Weak creatures, to die so quickly." The figured mattered, holding a gem in it's hand. To think, it was here, a random cave. "Where it was matters not, I supposed." He said, looking up, seeing two figures. A human and....an elf. How odd. "No need for unneeded bloodsled." The figure said, the fog growing thicker and dark, soon disappearing, the figure with it.

[Lord Dragoon]

"I... Don't know," Catiel honestly admitted. "Must have been more then three years, since I already knew how to use a bow even though I couldn't remember when or how I learned it," she started to mumble to herself. Distracted by her own thought, she started to mutter about her missing memories. "I mean... 13 years is a pretty big gap in my memory." It was times like this that what she went through since waking up near a town years ago made her wonder, was something so painful that she just forgot to protect herself? And who taught her how to use the bow? No matter how many times she questions her amnesia, she just can't get anywhere. And unknowingly, she let out a phrase that summed up what she remembers of her life. "Such misfortune," she sighed ruefully.

[Metal Zeta]

"Amnesia?" Sun asked. That seemed to answer why a teenaged elf was all alone. "I...I'm sorry." Sun answered, figuring that's all he could say. Sure, he had some things he would like to forget, but...so does anybody, and to forget it ALL? He wouldn't be able to handle that, and especially ft if he was alone...wait, was she alone?

"Catiel...do you know anybody? Any other elves?"

Eyes downcast, she shook her head slowly. She could feel a tear trying to form, so she decided to preempt it by using her sleeve. Why is it that she alwasy starts crying she starts thinking about other elves?

All alone? Sure, he had to admit, Sun didn't have many people his self...but he CHOSE not to. TO be completely and utterely alone....he didn't want to try to imagine it. The mere thought lowered his spirits, a great sympathy growing for the elven girl.

"...So...if you have nobody....do you want a somebody?"

She didn't say anything, looking away. It seemed like she was mulling it over, her suspicion no doubt caused by years of having no one to turn to. Eventually she spoke. "We should probably keep going, if the wasps find us in the middle of a conversation, we'll be in trouble," she said quietly, moving on. It wasn't much, but she seemed to be a little happier the first times she said 'we' or 'us'. Before he could finish processing that, she was already a few feet ahead. "Hey, are you coming or not?" She called back, not even looking. Even though it was hidden... There was an ever so slight smile on her face.

Sun smiled, nodding. Guess this wouldn't be the last time they were together..and, he was fine with that.

He was NOT fine with the swarm of wasps they found as the caved opened up. Atleast 25...and even more on the ground, already dead.

[Lord Dragoon]

"What happened here?" Catiel asked, eyes narrowed. Glancing around, she had a bad feeling about this. Wasps do not just die for no reason, something or someone was here. And the fact there was no bodies that weren't a wasp's, that means they survived and were likely around here somewhere. But where? Not only that... If they could so easily kill so many wasps, why didn't they get rid of more if them so that they weren't this grossly outnumbered? Even if she were to start firing of arrows as fast as she could, the wasps could probably still get them through sheet numbers.

[Metal Zeta]

"...." Sun's eyes darted around, trying to make sense of this. No reason for so many dead wasps, yet the rest of them being fine. It just didn't make sense. But, now wasn't the time for that.

"Catiel." He said, getting her attention. He raised his hand up, a blue glow surrounding it. "I have some ice magic, but nothing much. " He explained, holding it's hand up to the wasps. "I'm gonna try to freeze them, and they'll probably scatter. If any of them come towards us, open fire, alright?"

And before even waiting for an answer, he sent a blast of ice magic at the giant wasps. They were close enough to the exit they could escape, and he was pretty sure he could pick up Catiel and run off before the wasps all came for them. But, here was sure trying to scatter them was the wisest thing to do.

And, if it works, then great! Infact, Sun was sure of it works well enough, he would feel like going in deeper and killing the queen!