outer_divide | voice; open

[Gaheris barely slept. Only as much as he needed to, and during the heat of the day when he could find cover under one of the randomly placed boats (boats?), or under the cover of a sizeable skull. He would have kept walking, when he saw the distant dome, investaged, went as far as to reach it.

But he reached half of his ration of water, and he decided it was safer to turn around and return the way that he came.

He's about halfway back when he finds Dylan. He's hunting for largish predators when he sees a more human shape erupt over the next rise. He's sandblasted, sunburned, and raw from days of travel, low on food and with just enough water to get him back. He knows if they're armed, even with his forcelance he could be at a disadvantage because there's no cover.]

Edited (type the words you mean, Binky!) 2012-04-23 07:26 (UTC)

[Tracking Gaheris through the Wasteland isn't easy, but at least he has good visibility. He hasn't seen another soul since he entered the desert, so when he spots a humanoid shape outlined against the sand about a half mile away he guesses (hopes) that it's Gaheris. Surely no one else would be mad enough to wander out into this desolate place, right?

Still, he's cautious as he climbs down the hill. He already had to deal with a few unfriendlies on his first day of traveling, about half a day from the Old City. He doesn't want to get caught unprepared, just in case he's mistaken. There's no way the other person hasn't seen him, so he raises his arm and waves. If it's a stranger he'll at least try to keep the encounter peaceful.]

Rhade is missing?

[a moment of silence, and then] If you're adamant on going alone, I can try to scrounge up some supplies from my ship.

I don't know if the Wastelands are prone to dust storms, but - hmm, I don't know if there are any dust masks about. Goggle, perhaps, and a scarf. You'll want to wear light colours. You might want to wear layers, as well, depending on how cold the nights get. That's when you should do most of your travelling.

I might be out there a while. I won't come back until I've found him. [Hopefully alive.] I can't let anyone else take that risk.

[Guilt. All the guilt and sense of responsibility.]

If you can spare the supplies, I'll be grateful to have them. Should I come by your ship?

[Gaheris's hand is near his weapon, but after a moment he raises it in a somber return of that wave. He can almost guess who it is from that gesture. He can be glad to see him- not let anything else muddy up the thought for him. Because he found something important.

Rather than pressing himself too hard, he walks casually in his direction and pulls back the hood of the loose white (or sand-brown now) garment he's wearing as he gets nearer.

Ignoring that his lips are chapped, he's on the verge of giving Dylan a report when he runs into him. But when he opens his mouth to speak to him, his voice is grated and scraping. The words are bitten back as he scrambles to get his bottle of water.]

I... [he sighs] I would argue with you, if I hadn't said those very words myself.

Yes - I'm on the outskirts of the Old City, not far from the ship.

I think I can help you with both of those.

...I wondered why I hadn't seen him recently. Are you going to need someone to come with you?

Edited 2012-04-23 14:18 (UTC)

Can I help?

....I fly.

Does he often explore such dangerous places alone?

How much about the desert do you know?

[An air search would be damn useful, but...]

It might attract the Authorities' attention and bring them down on you and him.

[And for all Dylan's worry, it's possible that Rhade is just fine. If he knew for certain that Rhade was injured or hurt he'd be willing to take the risk if Wing was, but without more information...]

But if I find him and he's in bad shape, I'll get back into communicator range and call you for an emergency lift, if you're willing.

[Dylan, on the other hand, starts running as soon as he's close enough to see that it is indeed Gaheris. He just spent the last two days afraid that he was dead, after spending two days before that brooding over having killed him in his time.

As soon as he reaches Gaheris' side, he puts a hand on his shoulder as if making sure he's real.]

You reckless idiot.

[He hands Gaheris another water bottle. He's got some water to spare and Gaheris looks like he could use it.]

I thought Nietzscheans weren't supposed to take senseless risks.

Thank you. [For the supplies and for understanding the guilt complex.]

I'll be there soon.

He's... [On the other end of the audio line, Dylan pauses to wipe his hand down his face.]

On duty, he's a good soldier, by-the-book, follows orders. Off duty...he takes risks. Sometimes too many. [Dylan has been on shore leave with Rhade often enough to see his risk-taking in action.]

[He's actually surprised by the fact that he does run up to him, and he's finishing off his own water when he greedily opts for the fresher bottle.

A few swallows later.] On the contrary, Nietzsche spoke highly of dangerous situations as a part of living life to it's fullest. [Still a touch scratchy, but-

Now he's standing there with the man that he must have let live in another universe, that he put his life before his own.] I only intended to be gone until- [-his mind settled? There were religious texts about wondering the desert that could have been written about the time it would have actually taken to settle his mind after that information. He doesn't know how to finish that statement anymore, so he just gestures.

And then clamps his hand over Dylan's, giving it a squeeze, before offering him his water back.]

Hypothetically? I know some. I received some training on wilderness survival in all basic climates.

But in practice, very little. [He had the training, had done simulations, but had never gone on assignment on a desert planet and used that training in a real life scenario. He smiles self-deprecatingly.]

I know shade is good and running out of water is very bad.

Thank you. Diziet, right?

I don't want to put anyone else in danger. [He feels it's his fault that Rhade's potentially in danger now.]

Next time you feel like living life to the fullest, don't just leave me with a note. [He doesn't say that he was worried, but it's fairly self-evident. He still hasn't removed his hand from Gaheris' shoulder.]

You shouldn't have come out here after me. [Gaheris's own concern seeping through, but Dylan always was the one that would jump into the brawls that he helped start. He always guessed not entirely to break them up, even if it was his primary focus. Loyalty to his friend. Enjoyment of the fight. There must have been something else there. So he adds] It's still good to see you. [Despite everything.

He doesn't shrug his hand off his shoulder.] I had a lot on my mind. Until I saw another dome, and realized this used to be a lake.

If you were in danger, I wasn't going to let you die. [Again. Only not, because this Gaheris isn't dead and was never dead. Time travel wasn't easy. He knew he shouldn't hold this Gaheris responsible for things he hasn't done yet, and might not ever do, but it was difficult, since he remembers Gaheris doing it. But he is grateful that Gaheris is alive. This expedition made him realize how grateful.]

Another dome? [He looked around. Not the most hospitable place. And definitely not very lake-like any more.] Do you think they drained the lake or was it a natural geological shift that dried it out?

The dome appeared to be still perfectly intact and directly in the middle of the desert. I saw no craters, no evidence of geological activity. Just the remains of the lake. [He wants to bring up the other topic. But they still have plenty of walking ahead of them.]

[He looks over Gaheris. He appears a bit dehydrated, but not severely so. They could both could probably use a little bit of a rest, though.]

Let's find some shade. I passed a rock formation about an hour back.

Any clues whether the domes are part of the same system, like a confederate of cities, or whether they're independent, or even hostile with each other?

Edited (missing word) 2012-04-24 07:01 (UTC)

Nap between noon and three, at least. Make sure you bring at least one good blanket, deserts can get bitterly cold at night. You'll want to search at night, at least when the moon is up enough to look for him. Don't use artificial light when it is, you'll just wreck your night vision. Wear light colors, and make sure you have a hat, something to keep the sunlight off your head.

I've got a canteen you take. I'll want it back.

[Nothing that would kill him, no. He wouldn't be able to handle a massive fight when he got back- a normal human would give him a run for his money. But he'd heal quickly and be stronger than before.

He pulls his hood back up as he starts to walk again, only then slipping out of Dylan's reach.]

I didn't get close enough. The dome seemed to be of the same manner of construction. [He seemed bothered by this. Even if they left, that meant the dome beside of the Old City could destroy their environment permanently. The Southern City could be the starting signs of irreparable damage.

The children there like unusual visitors. He rubs his hands over one of his armwraps, thinking about it.]

[Dylan takes careful note of all the advice.]

Thank you. And I'll get your canteen back to you as fast as I can. Where should I meet you to pick it up?

voice; open

[Spam] Dated to 1 1/2 days later

[Spam]

Voice

Voice

[Spam]

Voice

no subject

no subject

[voice]

no subject

no subject

[Spam]

Voice (Spam? Assume?)

[voice]

[Spam]

no subject

no subject

[Spam]

[Spam]

[Spam]

[Spam]

[Spam]

no subject

[Spam]

no subject