The Alkali Woods

[Attn: Open]

Pyra glances up as she sees Kameo coming in. "Oh, hello, Kameo, where is Cane? Is he still roaming around."

{Attn: Pyra}

Kameo shrugs "He is off exploring some of the ruins. I think he is reliving his childhood. If you are worried about him we can send Lance after him."

[Attn: Open]

"And what reason would I have to worry for the safety of a mere thief? His whereabouts are simply a necessity as he is one of two members within the group who is well equipped to fight should the issue arise."

{Attn: Open}

"I guess you are right, he is good for that...being a meatshield that is." Kameo leans against the wall arms crossed. She has an almost pensive look on her face debating whether to tell them about the mural. What good will it do at his point? She cannot show it to them. She didn't even get that close of a look at it, besides Cane know more.

[Attn: Open]

"Is something bothering you, Kameo?" Pyra says.

{Attn: Pyra, Open}

Kameo blinks and looks at Pyra. Wondering if Pyra could somehow sense her apprehension about the mural. "It is nothing for you to be concerned about, however we should probably check on Cane. Knowing him he probably got himself in some trouble."

She doesn't feel like answering a slew of questions from Pyra and Lance. It is not like she would have the answers for them anyway.

[Attn: Ghost Town]

Suddenly Pyra hears a crash but from a different direction than that which she knew Cane was in. "What in the name of the Goddesses?" She then gets up and rushes to where she'd heard it with the others. A wall had collapsed. "That's strange..."

"Indeed, it is, Princess. Perhaps we should leave."

"No. We're in no condition to press on from here at the moment. We'll simply sleep under the open sky."

{Attn: All}

I guess it is better sleeping outside than around where crashing walls are." Kameo wonders if that wall had a mural on it too. "Although are you sure we shouldn't find a nice camping area out in the open where we don't have to worry about buildings falling on us?"

[Attn: Kameo]

"I think we will be all right. I will fetch us some food. Perhaps I can find a boar nearby or a deer," Pyra says, drawing her blade. "Lance, you stay and watch over the area. Kameo, you may come with me if you like. I would understand if you would rather stay here to rest." Pyra then turns and walks off towards a more wooded area.

{Attn: Pyra, Lance}

Kameo looks from Lance to Pyra. "What kind of friend would I be if I let you go alone." Kameo walks next to Pyra. "I could use some fresh air too."

[Attn: Open]

"Okay, I guess I'll sit here and hold down the- and they're gone already," Cane says, sitting in the grass. "So, pony boy, what's new with you?" Lance only glances in annoyance at Cane.

Meanwhile, the girls look through a wooded area for food and drink. "I can hear it...running water...It's nearby sure enough."

{Attn: Pyra.}

"The stream may be a good place to get some water and look for fish. I only hope the guys behave themselves while we are gone." Kameo states with a half hearted smirk on her face. She can only imagine what is going on back at camp. "I am in no hurry to get back."

[Attn: Kameo]

Eventually, the two girls manage to find a stream...along with something else. It turned out be the a stream located at the back end of small, deserted village. The place looked to be an extension of the ruins from before but much more recently built. "Whoa. I didn't expect to see anything like this."

{Attn: Pyra}

Kameo looks around the village. "Yes it is quite unexpected, and disheartening at the same time. Makes you wonder what happened here." She cautiously takes a few steps forward as she looks around the village more. "At any rate the buildings here appear to be in better shape than the other place. Maybe we should retrieve the guys?"

[Attn: Kameo]

"Huh?" Pyra says, entranced by this place. "Oh yes. Please go and get them," she says.

{Attn: Pyra}

"WE are going to get them. I am not going to get beaten by either one of them if I come back without you." Kameo walks over and takes Pyra's arm. "Plus you are my main responsibility. The guys are just along for the ride."

[Attn: Kameo]

"You could stand to be more independent, Kameo. I can take care of myself believe it or not. I just want to look around a bit. They aren't far anyway. What could happen in the short time it'll take you to get there and back?"

{Attn: Pyra}

“I know you can, but the guys will have my head. Oh well I will just tell them you outrank me. Just don’t wander too far off.” Kameo doesn’t know what she is more nervous about, seeing Pyra angry or having to face the guys if something did happen to her.

She leaves Pyra behind and heads back to the guys. She isn’t afraid of the wooded area. She likes the darkness.

[Attn: All]

Cane and Lance sat there, keeping guard when they heard the rustling of the bushed. Preparing for battle, they ready their blades, only to find it to be Kameo. "Oh, it's you," Lance says, sheathing his sword. "What brings you back so soon?"

"Eh. Pyra probably sent her to get us for something. Am I right?"

{Attn: Cane and Lance}

Kameo was happy when she made it back to the guys. There was a tense moment, as she makes her approach. “Nice to see you too, Lance.” She replies with a smirk.

“You are correct, Cane. We found a more stable place to spend the night. Pyra told me to get you guys. So come on let’s move out. I don’t like that Pyra is there alone.” Kameo walks away expecting the guys to follow.

[Attn: All]

The boys return with Kameo and find Pyra standing alone, observing one of the old houses. It was covered in moss and looked like it'd just been left rather than the people here dying out. Something had to have happened here worth mentioning. "Oh, there you lot are," Pyra says. "I was just looking around. I got some fish for us. I'm sure you crossed the little stream back there to get here. So we'll stay here for tonight and be in Ufaria tomorrow."

{Attn: All}

Kameo leads the guys back in silence. She seems to be looking at an old moss covered house. She mentioned that she got some fish for the team. Kameo walks up to Pyra. “Thanks Pyra. Did you discover anything while I was gone? She takes a closer look at Pyra. “Are you alright? You seem a bit…off.”

[Attn: Kameo]

"No, nothing is wrong. I am fine. We should eat now. It is getting late."

{Attn: All}

"Yes, let me help prepare the fish." Kameo insists. Unlike the other village this one is not in ruins. It was quite easy to find the means to cook the fish. After eating she stands outside the houses, looking around. Some people may find it spooky, but she like the peace and quiet.

[Attn: Party]

The quiet didn't last. All too suddenly was it interrupted by the roaring skies. Thunder from overhear. There was a storm brewing. As Pyra slept, she had nightmares. She awoke suddenly, breathing heavily as if she'd been running for miles with no stop. Outside there is a sudden clash of lightning. The bright flash startles her until she comes to realize what it was. She all too quickly gets up and rushes outside to find Kameo. This wasn't for comfort. She'd noticed something in looking around. Both Lance and Cane had disappeared. She was certain they were there prior to the lightning. "Kameo!" Pyra says. "Kameo, Cane and Lance, they're...they're missing!"