So Keep Pace, How Slow Can You Go

[tyrants_son]

WHO: Felwinter and you I guess
WHERE: Temba
WHAT: A warlord returns from his explorations
WHEN: Mid-July
WARNINGS: N/A
NOTE: Will match tag format/preference!


It's strange when you come to realize how acutely different it is to be traveling anywhere without company. True, with just him and Felspring, it had been easier to cover more ground. The old paranoias had never left, but it had been somehow easier to weather with even an additional two, even when one had needed more looking out for than the other way around.

These were thoughts that the warlord turned over in his head during his venture. Felspring had detected strange disturbances in the southeast, the source of the tremors, and they had gone to investigate without a second thought. It had been quite a distance to cover, but for an Exo who needed no food nor really any sleep, it was more than manageable. The terrain was certainly more forgiving than some of the wastelands and rugged mountains he'd crossed.

He took his time out there. He'd even taken a page or two from Dustin, gathering samples, not that he personally had any use for them, but at least someone would find them interesting. Plants. Rocks. Dirt once he and his Ghost had arrived where the newly formed mountains had begun to push up. Concerning, that. Mountains didn't just come into being, especially in such a span of time.

The return trip had been made as hastily as his departure from the city.

But now the warlord is back in the city, a bag over his shoulder, still wearing his helmet and greatcoat in spite of the sweltering temperatures. He starts back towards his tower, well, the communications tower, that is, but he'll be on the look-out for Dustin.

Even so, he can't help but keep casting distracted looks back towards the wilderness he had just come from.

Comments

[quark_assassin]

Dustin's only response at first is an unhappy hum in the back of his throat. He knows Felwinter is right - Dustin had said so himself, hadn't he? That this isn't a standard geological event, not by any standards. The size and distance of the fast-growing mountains can't be directly correlated to events he's read about from his own world unless he makes some pretty hefty assumptions.

Maybe they'll have to evacuate. The idea of picking up everything and leaving is an uncomfortable one, but not insurmountable. Dustin's pretty confident he can manage something.

Speaking of picking up and moving-- "It's fine," Dustin insists with a wave. "About the samples, I mean. It's not too much, I just, um. Well I have something to carry it with, but I'd have to go back to my shop and--I guess you should just carry it instead."

[tyrants_son]

Being paranoid is more or less a consistent state of being for Felwinter. Perhaps here he doesn't have to worry about warsats falling from the skies with the intent of crushing him, but if the very world itself decides to become hostile, there isn't much to be done there. It's quite frustrating.

He holds a hand out to take the bag back with a nod as Dustin reaches his conclusion. Less time wasted this way, and more importantly Dustin can be out of the sun sooner.

[quark_assassin]

Looking a little sheepish - and kind of anxious, as the thought of the new mountain on the horizon opening up and destroying everything sits in the back of his mind - Dustin awkwardly slides the sack back off his shoulder towards Felwinter. The process is not terribly graceful.

Suddenly, a realization strikes him. "...Do you know where my workshop is?"

[tyrants_son]

At least Felwinter meets him halfway, saving Dustin the trouble of getting too overbalanced. He slips the strap back over his own shoulder with almost irritating ease, at least until you remember he's solid metal.

And then he waits, because no, he in fact does not know where Dustin dwells, or at least, not specifically. He's observed the general area the boy tended to disappear to.

"I do not," he admits.

[quark_assassin]

Dustin nods, pensively, shaking out some of the tension and soreness that has already managed to sneak into his arms and shoulders. Though when it comes to actually telling Felwinter where his shop is, there's no hesitation. He deserves to know.

"I'll walk you there," Dustin says, twisting on his heel to start down the road. "You'll need me to let you inside anyway."

[tyrants_son]

It's not lost upon him, the readiness in which Dustin acts to show him where he stays, where he works. Their first meeting on a rooftop in the quiet of night seems like a long time ago, and he remembers how guarded the boy had been there. Some of it is still there, rough edges that won't ever completely be sanded down, as he's certain in some ways, he is much the same.

The warlord nods, starting off after him then.