Camping

[arisenfromashes]

Who: Asch, Jay
Where: Middle of the woods
Why: A behemoth has taken up residence near the World Tree, and someone's stupid heroic child has set out to slay it. Now it's up to Asch to rescue the child from this dangerous beast...and hopefully eliminate the threat while he's at it. Meanwhile, Jay has followed him out there to observe his abilities.

Comments

[iknowjj]

[Jay was somewhere in the woods, gathering even more valuable items from the monsters he had just killed. As he placed the gald and gels into his item bag, he perked up as he heard a loud roar in the distance. He could also sense something...that it was a powerful monster. He could also hear a man's cries...someone was fighting that monster. Better go see what's going on.

Moving through the woods, he eventually came upon the source of the commotion. It was Asch, fighting some large black monster. It certainly looked powerful, and it certainly looked like a losing battle for Asch. On top of that, he appeared to be guarding a small boy. Jay gasped softly.]

Asch...

[For now, Jay decided to hold back. He'd been wanting to see what Asch was capable of in battle, plus he also wanted to observe this monster's attacks and devise some possible battle tactics.]

(What is that thing? It looks almost like those fiends on the Legacy, enhanced by the black mist...ridiculously powerful, and even able to cast magic spells.)[As the little

[arisenfromashes]

[Asch extended his left hand as the behemoth lunged, this time, a scarlet sphere of energy appearing in his hand. Just as its maw threatened to snap off his good arm, he narrowed his eyes and thrust it forward

[iknowjj]

[Jay watched as the boy ran past him, down the game trail back to Blessenwood. The boy didn't seem to notice Jay at all. Jay smiled as he turned his attention to the God-General in action.]

(He's just as strong as I imagined he would be...and he can cast spells. Unfortunately, none of us on the Legacy have been able to use both iron and crystal eres...)

[But he could think of plenty of enemies on the Legacy with those capabilities. Jay shook off his thoughts and continued to watch the battle.]

(Go, Asch...)

[arisenfromashes]

[Asch sized up his enemy--sure, he could have used a Magic Lens for a more accurate reading, but his eyes worked fine, last he checked. It's not like he needed to know just how much it would take before it went down. Either way, he would have to hack it apart until it stopped moving.

The behemoth had sustained more injuries, and had shifted more of its weight onto its uninjured leg. Asch's breathing slowed as he felt a small wave of relief. He must have done some damage.]

(The question is, can I keep up? I don't even know if the kid got out of here safely...Damn it, I've done this much damage, and I'm still alive. If I don't kill it, I'll at least make sure that it can't cause trouble for a while...until someone can kill it.[That was Asch's first mistake. He should have taken note of his increasingly sore body and played the escort long enough to complete his quest. Unfortunately, his familiarity with a similar monster that dwelt in the Inista Marsh convinced him to stay. It was unsafe to let such a creature roam so close to

[arisenfromashes]

[He sighed in annoyance as he recalled the incident.] That idiot thought he could kill it, so his parents sent me out to find him before he was eaten.

[Asch stared at his new tools, contemplating how to approach his predicament. He needed to use the sticks as makeshift splints, then hold them in place with the bandages. Unfortunately, he doubted he could keep the sticks still as he wrapped them to his arm. He looked at Jay for a moment, then back at his arm. No, he would not ask for his help. He could tend to his own injuries, thank you very much.]

[So, he started his first attempt, which resulted in sticks clattering to the ground and Asch muttering angrily. He might have tried again, but he chose to answer Jay's question instead.]

...No.

[iknowjj]

Hmm...all right.

[Since Asch wasn't going to eat, then Jay decided that he wasn't going to eat either. It would just seem awkward.]

(Well, then I'm not hungry either...)

[He pulled out his dagger and picked up a decent sized rock from the ground. Then he began to stroke the dagger gently with the rock, sharpening and cleaning it. A slight smile crossed his face as he secretly enjoyed this time alone with the God-General. Of course, it would be better if Asch wasn't injured, but then he wouldn't have actually agreed to camp out with Jay. It's not as if he was agreeing to camp out now. Jay also thought back on his previous encounters with Asch and came to a small realization.]

(I'm surprised he hasn't asked me what I was doing out here yet...)

[arisenfromashes]

[Asch tried again--he could have sworn his dexterity had weakened since the fight, but then again, he was using his left hand. He fumbled with the materials once again. Given the silence, it must have been obvious...But Asch's pride refused to accept such a thing. So, he opted for the next best plan: distract Jay with conversation. Once the boy was busy talking about himself, Asch would be able to draw less attention to himself. It bothered him, since he usually preferred to tend to his wounds in solitude, but it seemed that was not an option at the moment.]

So were you on a mission or did you come all the way out here just to follow me? And why did you join the fight?

[Asch held back on repeating his comment about interrupting the fight. If Jay had been meddling for the sake of meddling, Asch would not have woken up hours later with a broken arm and a gash in his side, among other injuries.]

(...I refuse to believe he came out here just to save me. There must be some other reason he was out here...He didn't seem to know about the

[iknowjj]

[Jay gave him a glance upon his question.]

(Looks like I was thinking too soon. He's not too happy that I saved him, is he? He seems to be the type that doesn't like to require assistance. I used to be like that myself...)

I...It was not my intention to follow you. I just happened to be in the area. I come out here often - at least once a day - for hunting and training. I heard the sounds of the battle, so I came to see what was happening. I hadn't intended to join the fight either...but when that beast wounded you like that, I...I just couldn't restrain myself any longer.

[Jay shot yet another glance at the dead behemoth.]

In all the times I've been out here, I've never seen any monsters like that...

Wh-what??

[iknowjj]

I...I don't want...anything from you...

(It's not like I can get anything from him anyway...but it's still hard not to act on my feelings...)

That's a classic.

[arisenfromashes]

[Asch narrowed his eyes in suspicion, then chose to watch the fire instead. Jay had saved him...while he associated most affection with coercion, he did owe his life to the boy.]

(It's just too similar to the way Van would treat me...after all that crap he said about emotional attachment, that kid might just use me. This is why "team playing" is overrated.)

[He paused to contemplate his previous thought process, realizing something.]

(Wait...a kid is trying to use me? Just how low have I sunk?)

[He continued to watch the fire, but he spoke anyway.]

Just how old are you anyway?

Re: That's a classic.

[iknowjj]

[Jay watched the fire as well, also lost in his own contemplation...his conscience was eating at him to tell the truth...so that's what he did.]

Let me...rephrase that. I...I don't know what I want. All these feelings I have...I know it's pointless. We're from different worlds...and I know I wouldn't be able to get anything from you anyway. But at the same time...I just can't help myself...

[Jay gave him an odd look, somewhat surprised to be asked about his age.]

I'm....16.

Re: That's a classic.

[arisenfromashes]

[Asch's eyes widened upon hearing Jay's response. Sixteen? He looked no older than Sync! It was hard for him to imagine the boy older than fourteen. Of course, another term had him on edge.]

..."Feelings?" (...I don't know if I should be even more suspicious of him now. Either I was completely off or very right to question him...)

[iknowjj]

[Jay flinched as Asch doubled over.]

Of course it's me. Who else can it be?

[He looked over at the dead behemoth, realizing something that he had forgotten to do - check it for any valuables that it might have been carrying. Placing his canteen in Asch's lap, he dashed over to the furry corpse, checking it carefully. As he lacked the strength to move it, he simply reached underneath it. Eventually, he felt something solid, and pulled out what looked like a golden helm.]

My, my, what have we here? This looks like it might be worth some gald once I get it cleaned up.

[Stuffing the helm into his item pack, Jay returned to Asch.]

Well, are you ready to head back? Do you think you can make it?

[arisenfromashes]

A monster...or Yuan--

[He stopped when a canteen suddenly appeared in his lap. After examining it for a moment, he removed the cap and took a swig of some of its contents. He hadn't realized just how parched he had become overnight until that moment.

As Jay ran over to the Behemoth, Asch pulled out his sheathed Maestro Sword and jammed it into the ground as he brought himself to his feet. Then, returning it to his belt, he watched Jay retrieve a golden helm, raising an eyebrow.]

(...They said the behemoth in the Inista Marshes carried a golden helm with it too...Weird.)

[When Jay returned, Asch had already motioned to go.]

Of course I can. Let's go.

{Affection: Jay + 1}

(That kid...he's dangerous, but he saved my life. Whether I like it or not, I'm indebted to him. Also...I don't remember what we talked about before I fell asleep, but I think it was a good thing...)

[iknowjj]

[Jay smiled as he picked up his item pack and walked alongside Asch.]

Very well. Don't worry; I've got you covered. It's my responsibility as a fellow Ad Libitum member after all.

{Asch: +1}

(Well, I'm glad I finally got to see his abilities and to spend time with him like this. I am a bit disappointed that he kept trying to push me away. It's a shame I couldn't help him with his image problems. I suppose it's not my strong suit.)

{OOC: Well, that was certainly interesting. BTW, I fixed Jay's journal with a Mixpod of his own. =)}

[arisenfromashes]

Tch. [Upon hearing the words, "I've got you covered," Asch took more interest in the twitter of the birds and the faint cry of monsters in the opposite direction of Jay. This time, however, he bit his tongue: He lacked the energy to bicker for once.]

{OOC: Cool! Whatever tune is playing on Jay's page right now is very fitting for this scene.}