☠ [001 - The Arrival]

[assworthsaving]

Who: Nathan Drake and anyone willing to deal with him.
Where: Espoir (nearby the cottages)
Style: Either style is fine! Will follow whichever you decide.
Status: Open

Comments

[nvrtheeasyway]

[The smile she gives him says a lot about how she hates it herself. Still, she has to consider herself lucky: she dreamed only twice since she's been in this world while others revealed part of themselves she's sure they wanted to keep secret.]

Welcome to the club. None of us like it, and even worse, some dreams will make you feel as if you are living them when you watches them. It's a temporary feeling, but it is still there. Not pleasant at all when the dreamer gets hurt in his dream.

[She raises an eyebrow slowly and leans even closer to Nate, ignoring all laws of personal bubble. Her arm brushes against his as she reaches for the Dreamberry (and that might have been a press on her chest against his biceps as well she leans over to see the screen) and Lara plays with the settings for a moment while letting Nate hold the phone. Managing to pull out a random dream from the network memory, she lets him watch it, waiting for his reaction.

This close, it's easier to see that the cuts and bruises are very fresh and Lara frowns ever-so slightly, the crease of her eyebrow barely staying there]

Tell me, Nate, what exactly you were doing before waking up here?

[assworthsaving]

[Ah, pretty dream girl why can't you deliver better news? The reality of the situation was beginning to set in. This was too elaborate and weird. When she told him about dreams hurting people he just about nearly tossed his hands into the air.

Don't misunderstand, he's thankful for the information- damn near appreciates it, but it just keeps getting worse.]

What? Is this some kinda Freddy Krueger bullshit now? [He huffs and places his hands on his hips.] I mean, not that any of this sounded good to begin with- but that? That's a little too ridiculous for me. [Sighs.] I guess shutting the phone off does nothing, huh?

[Drake took a deep breath. Okay. Relaxing. And...he relaxed further when he felt her chest press against his arm. He looked over at her with a raised eyebrow, though she was too busy looking at the phone, and smiled. She was putting up with him despite his confusion and bitterness at being ripped from his reality. It said something about her and he was glad he ran into someone that seemed understanding.

Now he focused on the dream she pulled up on his phone, not noticing she was looking him over. He watched intently, both eyebrows raised and a look of surprise on his face; nodding. Well there was the proof.

When it was over she spoke and suddenly the memory of the events that passed by so quickly came flooding back as if his reality had shown up to punch him in the face for distracting himself.]

Well, I had front row seats to some asshole blowing himself up with a grenade. Me and two others. [He reached up to wipe at his forehead, smearing some blood onto his hand and eyebrow.] Uh, we were back far enough, but the one... she was kinda close.

[He had been distracting himself, but he refused to lose hope.]

I-I'm sure she's fine. [He gestures around him and sort of chuckles to himself.] She's gotta be around here somewhere.

[And not wanting to think about the condition she might be in he changes the subject.]

What's around here? Clearly a village and I can see tall buildings off in the distance, but anything beyond that?

[nvrtheeasyway]

[Lara shakes her head slowly]

Even a turned off phone will record your dreams and any other that is fed to the network. The only thing that you can do is put filters on your dream, [here, she shows him the filter settings of the phone] though they may not always work. And luckily, you can skip watching everyone else's dreams if you want. Though sometimes, they are interesting and revealing about the people you meet here.

[Both her eyebrows raise in surprise at Nathan's story. Well, that explains the cuts and bruises. Her smile turns a bit more gentle at his obvious concern about his friends and how he seems to need to convince himself that they are all right]

I'm sorry to hear about that. As for your friends, you can always check the contact list for them. It updates the moment new visitors are brought over to this world.

[Understanding the need to change the subject, Lara doesn't push the matter further and looks at their surroundings for a moment]

The tall buildings you see there is the city of Somni. It surrounds the entire village, which is called 'Espoir' by the way. You can find anything you need, either in the city or in the village, though Somni is closer in looks and technology to our time than Espoir. There's public transportation, shops, entertainment, restaurants and anything else you might find in a city back on Earth. Beyond the city is the desert. It stretches for as long as you can see and no one has ever been able to get through it. So forget about walking out of this place. There's nothing much interesting in the desert. [She pauses there before deciding to add some more information] A few days ago, ruins were discovered though. I've seen them earlier and I will definitely need to explore them further later on. With the proper equipment, that is. [She grins, unable to hide her excitement at finally exploring something.

She then points to the the sky, where the floating mountain revolves over them] Lastly, there is this over our heads. I heard there was a flying castle instead, but it crashed before I got to this world. I haven't been to the mountain yet, but I heard that there is ways to get to it.

[assworthsaving]

[As she goes on explaining the functions on filters he listens intently and definitely makes a mental note to look into it more. Hopefully he won't be here that long to have to worry about it, but hey... his shit luck was usually the one that made all the decisions for him.

After she explains the use of the contact list he is already scanning it to see if either of their names are on it.

...Nothing. Not Chloe and not Elena. His eyebrows knit together in a pained expression, clearly distraught and now maybe more uncertain than ever.

Until she mentioned the desert. And ruins. Finally, finally something he can work with! The rather heartbroken look on his face soon fades and there is a glimmer of hope in his eyes and maybe a little of something else.]

Whoa, whoa-- desert? Ruins? That. [He points, though at nothing in particular.] That's where I want to go. [Then at himself. He sounds so certain of his abilities.] I'll get through it.

[And now that pleading look of his sets in, one mixed with determination. Gently he places his hands on her shoulders.]

Ah, look, I know I've probably taken up enough of your time and I appreciate all of your help, but if you could do me just one more favour I swear I will make it up to you however I can. However you want. Those ruins- can you take me to them? [He ever so gently squeezes her shoulders.] I might be able to find something out about, well, all this weird shit. [He gestures toward that... floating mountain? What the hell? He hadn't looked up.] Maybe even get home.

[Realizing his touches were lingering a little too long and suddenly not sure if he was invading some personal space, he sheepishly removes his hands from her shoulders. His expression remains unchanged and he seems to want to go this very instant despite looking like he took more shrapnel from the grenade than he originally let on.]

Please.

[He saw that spark of interest in her when she mention the desert and that's the side of her he was pleading to. As one curious and desperate soul to another.]

[nvrtheeasyway]

[At the heartbroken expression that passes over his face after going through the contact list on the Dreamberry, Lara reaches for his arm, gently squeezing it in a comforting manner, her eyes soft and understanding. Everyone wants to make sure their friends are all right after all.]

It's still early in the month. With some luck your friends will show up in a few days or so.

[While she touches him freely, the hands on her shoulders make her tense lightly but after a short moment, she relaxes. She listens to his plea and stays silent for a moment, looking at him to asses how much of a dead weight he could be during her exploration. But something in how he phrases his desire to see the ruins makes the Tomb Raider believe that he might be used to such adventure. Only seasoned archeologists and treasure hunters would have made the connection between the ruins and the possibility that it holds hints and information about this world. Sighing softly, she relents and smirks lightly at Nate]

However I want? Well, I suppose you can start with taking me out to dinner for all the information I've just given you. As for the ruins, even if I was to bring you there right at this moment, you wouldn't be able to get in. The place is crawling with policemen for now. We'll have to wait for the cover of night.

[Yes, 'we'. You are in, Drake.]

And even so, preparations are in order. The desert is filled with monsters and I have no doubts we'll meet some in the ruins as well. We need weapons and ammunition, first of all. As well as ropes and rations and lights. [And here she smirks teasingly] And more first aid supplies. Though I don't expect running into exploding grenades there, it might be a good idea to be better prepared.

[She crosses her arms in front of her, beneath her breasts, pushing them up slightly by doing so.]

It'll take me a couple of days to get everything ready, so I suggest you find yourself a place to stay, get some decent sleep and a shower and a meal. I'll let you know when everything is ready.

[assworthsaving]

[That soothing touch and the promise of ruins with answers made him feel a lot better. He looked at his phone and pocketed it once more, smiling at her.

And her request? Not bad. In fact, if all went well, he would look forward to it. So he flashed her a dorky smile and pretended to think it over.]

Dinner, huh? Is this a favour to you or me? [Ponder, ponder. Just kidding. Hell yes.] Well, all right then. You got yourself a nice dinner to look forward to. The best one you'll ever have.

[That's right, have. Because he owes you so damn much since even he knows he can be demanding and a pain in the ass.

Though he is a bit disappointed at having to wait, but maybe it was best. If people were still coming in then Elena might be one of them then he could think with a clearer head and really take a look at those ruins. Well, he'd wait till tomorrow at least.]

Just... police? I've [He pauses, half wondering if he should admit this, but hell. What harm could it do here?] sneaked into way more heavily guarded places that have gotten many, ah, "sightseers" killed and I live to tell the tale. [Pause. Ahh, fuck you Flynn.] Well, come to think of it you probably don't want the details of that one excursion.

[And of course she had a point. He wouldn't argue it since she was nice enough to lead him there to begin with. And he only had a single clip in his gun and that would be useful against the mon-- what?]

Wait... monsters? How do you say that so casually? [Then he kind of flails.] Who does that?

[Ugh. Well. Suppose it wouldn't have just been an easy waltz through some ruins. Gotta have monsters and shit. Why not.]

And clearly exploding grenades got nothing on me. I'd say I'm pretty resilient. But... you. You sound like you know what you're doing. [He looks her over.] So, can I ask what it is you do or will you have to kill me?

[nvrtheeasyway]

[She chuckles lightly at his pretending to think. Lara knows she's a looker enough for men to never really hesitate to take her to dinner, and the fact that Nate tries to look like he has to think about it is amusing to her.]

Mmmm, if you turn out to be an exceptional cook, I might have to keep you close then.

[Handsome, honest, resourceful and he can cook? She just hit the jackpot, hasn't she?

She raises an eyebrow slowly at his confession about entering off-limit places. So there is more than meets the eye with this man, as she has suspected.]

Oh no, please. I'm sure the full story will make an interesting conversation over dinner. I love adventurous tales.

[Oh Drake, you are not getting away with this. Lara is going to grill you about this little adventure you just mentioned. She offers a small shrug and restrains herself from laughing at his flail there.]

Yes, monsters. Sandworms and sandsharks to be more precise. And if we're in luck, we might even see Noctaraes. Those ones are the nastiest. And believe me, stay in this world as long as some of us have and monsters will be the least of your concerns.

[She shifts her weight to one leg, her hand coming up to rest on her hips as he looks her over. She offers him a little knowing smile and she tilts her head with some feigned innocence]

Oh, don't worry, I only kill people that double-cross me. Consider this as your only warning. [Although Lara has to admit that she feels the threat is an empty one. Nathan was fretting too much over his friends moments ago to be a backstabbing bastard. But one may never know and Lara is not about to repeat the same mistake she did in her world.] As for what I do, I suppose we do in the same line of work.

[assworthsaving]

Oh, no, not me. I won't be cooking. Uh, not unless you're impressed by a mean bowl of ramen. [Gives a sort of helpless shrug.] Afraid I live the stereotypical bachelor lifestyle when it comes to dining. Don't worry though, I still plan to make you one happy girl when the time comes.

[Yeah. No chef Nate here, unfortunately. However he feels he more than makes up for it in other areas.

He then shrugs his shoulders and gives her a defeated look. Nothing says impressive like spending three months in a Turkish prison. It's the story every man wants to tell to a woman they find attractive!]

Well, let's just put it this way; if you ever have the urge to say out loud 'what could possibly go wrong?', just know that something will. But, fine, I'll tell you the whole sordid tale over dinner. Just promise not to laugh too hard, it'll hurt my manly feelings and I'll feel significantly less cool.

[Because, you know, he actually wanted to try and impress you should all things come out okay. Or maybe you're the type to offer long, comforting hugs to men that were thoroughly screwed over by people they thought they could trust. He'll take that, too.

Also, seriously lady, too casual about those monsters. He may have seen his fair share of scary shit before, but he wasn't any less creeped out by it. But was he really that surprised that a seemingly harmless place would have such dangers? Only he could manage to find those places.]

Of course, of course... [Throws his hands up in the air.] what else would be in a desert, right? I don't know how I feel about a peashooter verse things that sound so, so... big. Sure we shouldn't just commandeer a tank? A tank sounds nice. Not too discreet, but nice.

[Comforting. Really, it was. Having someone around that places such value on trust was refreshing to him. Even if he tended to be the dick in some situations- but he had good reason for those.]

Y'know, pardon me for being forward, [Sly smile.] but I think we're going to get along just fine.

[nvrtheeasyway]

[Lara leans in closer to Drake, green eyes looking up at the man with a twinkle of amusement in them, giving him a long look at his face.]

Mmmm, I did thought the deal sounded too good. But I’m fairly sure you make up in other departments, no?

[Like changing blub lights. She’s totally thinking of light bulbs here. Yes. Of course. What else would she be thinking of? For a moment, she look like she wants to add something, which would have been along the line of ‘how happy’ he plans to make her, but she keeps it to herself. The man could clearly connect the dots on his own.

Actually, Nate would gain some ounce of respect from Lara for surviving that long in a Turkish prison. She’s never been to one, but it’s not hard to assume that the conditions there are more than horrible. And she can deliver long comforting hugs to you, if that’s what you need. Providing you behave at the ruins. She smirks lightly as she leans and nods]

Bad karma catching up or simply bad luck? And I promise to try not to laugh too hard.

[His suggestion about the tank makes her laugh lightly before she rolls her eyes playfully, her tone teasing.]

Not only it wouldn’t be discreet, I am not even sure this world has some. And don’t worry, the monsters are rather easy to kill. A bullet between the eyes usually does the trick. You do have that kind of aim, do you?

[Lara returns his sly smile with a charming one of her own]

Oh, I do believe so as well, Nate.

[Taking a step back, she waves slightly at him]

I suppose I should let you get back to your initial looking of this world. If you find a place that's inhabited, a house, a cottage or an apartment, it's yours for the taking. Try not to sleep on the streets all right?

[And her teasing smile returns before she turns around to get back to her mansion]

And please do apologize to that poor tree you abused! You never know, it might come to life and return the favor one day!

I'll let you know when I'm done gathering what we need for our little expolration of the ruins. Take care, Nathan.

[And with that she waves again and leaves the man to his own thoughts]

[assworthsaving]

[He raises an eyebrow, he knows where she is going with that just by reading her smile. Assuming things pan out all right and he can relax a little it wasn't something he would object to.

The girl was interesting.]

Guess you'll just have to wait and see. Wouldn't wanna ruin any surprises.

[He chuckles and shakes his head at her question. He won't say, yet, but it was a bit of both- karma and bad luck. Those two just didn't mix well for him at all.

And, really, it is refreshing to know the monsters go down easily enough, but at the end of that day they are still big, scary monsters and that kinda freaks him out a little. Good thing he can hold it together for the sake of appearances. Or at least he hopes so.]

I'm a good shot, don't you worry... but I'll put two bullets in their head just to be sure- you can never be too sure. Just look at horror movies.

[Housing information is also good to know and he was going to get on that right away, though he had a feeling he would still be wandering around all tonight to look for Elena and Chloe as well as finding out where to... well, squat.]

Ah, good, I get to be a squatter. I'll take it over living on the streets though. [He smiles, though he is still worried he looks to be feeling a little better.] Thanks for everything, Lara, I mean. And... keep in contact with me, okay?

[Then he gives a short wave and checks his phone again before going his own way.]