Set a couple of days since being found
After a few days of rest and revitalization, Carnelian was able to walk about the camp, surveying his surroundings and kept tabs on everyone who came and went. He had not seen the red healer yet this morning, wanting to converse with her to discuss the next steps.
His sister, Peridot, had woken fully; though weak and unsteady, she would live. Watching her teeter on the edge of life had been terrifying, but he was grateful for the healers who pulled her back. He did not know what he would have done if his sister have succumbed to her weakened state.
After a quick jaunt around the camp, he returned to her, nudging his nose against her shoulder as she slept. She murmured unpleasantries, causing him to chuckle.
“Wake up, sleepyhead. We have a big day ahead of us. Reina should be back soon and we need to talk to her about what to do next. And,” he paused to dramatically sniff her, scrunching his face up as he did so, a twinkle in his eye as he continued,
“You need a bath.”
He bounded away, laughing, as she went to swat at him, a small smile playing on her lips. He was glad to see some life return back into her eyes. Both had grown a bit stronger since their ordeal, but they had a long ways to go before they were back in fit form.
She stirred, mumbling something obscene to her brother before fully waking at his jab. Her swat missed him as he dodged her advance. She couldn’t help but smile, for they were alive and in better spirits.
“Ok, I’ll go wash, you fathead. Don’t leave me, ok?” Peridot had always been considered a nervous wreck, a child incarnate of fear and anxiety. Her tremors started as she trotted softly to the edge of the stream, making her steps feel wobbly and unsteady. It was something she hated about herself, but Carnelian had always reassured her that it made her unique and special—and nothing was wrong with being different.
Her head remained on a swivel, frequently turning to find her brother—still watching her like he promised—and she dove into the water. The water was cool, not like the ocean where they had been found, but it was refreshing and rejuvenating. Though fear started to settle in as she felt herself getting cold and she scrambled to get out of the water. Tail tucked and steps quick, she reached her brother’s side, cowering.
He watched her dive into the waters and he saw the shift in her. He was always able to see it, to tell when she was about to become a ball of anxious energy. Curling back around to where they slept, he retrieved the fox pelt lent to them by the red healer, draping it over his sister who had plastered herself to his side. He clucked softly, but braced himself against her in an attempt to settle her tremors.
He knew it was not the cold that made her shiver. She had always been like this, and probably will always be, but she had improved since leaving the Gilded Sea. Their mishap on the cliffs may have derailed her by the strength of them. A sigh escaped him, then. Not out of annoyance, but merely a small breath of sadness that his sister must endure this.
“Let’s dry you off, get you back into the bedding, and get some food into you. Reina left some fish broth and a pretty hefty piece of deer meat for us to share. I’ll call for her to come join us and we’ll dig in.” He sent out a howl for her, short and quick as to not bother others around them.
The boy’s howl reached the ears of the red healer, she had not been far. Reina had been out gathering more herbs and berries for her skin pouch, building up her own portable cache to carry with her. Her pace picked up, wanting to see the children and make sure they were well.
She arrived to camp, her eyes searching the kids for any injuries or any misplaced hairs on their young heads. The boy, Carnelian, was cuddled around his sister who, for some reason, was soaked under the fox pelt. Her ears twitched in slight annoyance, worry scrunching her brow. The girl did not need to be wet again.
“Hi, kids. Have you been up long?” She sat in front of them on the other side of the broth and deer meat she had left for them.
Soft greens eyes peered up at the red woman before them, eyes slightly whaling at the sight of annoyed ear flicks. Oh no, she’s mad. What did I do? Peridot turned to her brother, noticing that he did not seem the least bit concerned. Following his lead, she settled herself the best she could, her tremors visible, but less so.
But, she couldn’t help the apology that spilled from her.
“I’m sorry I went into the water. Carnie told me I stank and I didn’t want to be stinky…I’m sorry, Reina.” Her ears had drooped, her body low and hunched as she looked up with slight whale eyes.
“We ju—“ Carnelian stopped as he was cut off by his sister. His head shook at her apology, wishing that she didn’t feel the need to apologize all of the time. She hadn’t stunk, not really, but she sometimes takes things slightly too literal. The young male lightly pushed into her should, slightly letting her know it was okay.
He cleared his throat before speaking again. “We just woke up not too long ago. I might have joked with Dotti, telling her that she stank, and she went for a quick dip in the water. She really wasn’t in there long.” Turning, he grabbed the fox pelt and pulled it up over the girl’s shoulders more. He got a grin from her in thanks.
“I wanted to ask you what we do from here? I am feeling well, and Dotti is regaining her strength. What happens now?”
Maybe she had been too quick to react, or at the very least, should have had more of a handle on her own body language. She did not mean for the girl to feel the need to apologize. Her gaze softened as her eyes landed on Dotti’s.
“Sweet girl, don’t apologize. I’m merely worried for you. You gave us quite a scare over the past couple of days.“
Peridot had come to and was more coherent after a full day of resting, eating, and drinking, easing everyone’s fears and worries. But, she was such a small and fragile thing, one breeze could knock her over. The fact she was in the water, even for a little bit, could have sent her off the edge, again. But, all was well, her brother quick to dry and cover her.
Reina sighed, releasing pent up anxious energy, before tearing into the deer meat and portioning out pieces for the children. She took the moment to mull over Carnelian’s question, not sure how to really answer it. What
were they going to do? They hadn’t come up with any information on them, no one had come forward yet. So, essentially, they were stuck here.
“I don’t…know. We are still trying to figure that out. I must talk with my companion, @Tybault. Once I do that, hopefully, we will have a plan for you.” She gave them a sympathetic look; this was difficult for them, she knew.