[closed]

[oceanaria]

Who: Jude and Riko
Where: Outskirts of the forest
When: Day 131
Open/Closed: Closed

[ Past few days were all about the downpour, but Riko didn't mind all that much—she always preferred to stay indoors, after all. Well, it didn't bother her at the beginning, but after some time she came to a realization that staying at home on rainy days is enjoyable, yet it doesn't apply when you're in an unknown world, sitting in a small hut with nothing to do.

That's why, when the weather conditions finally have improved, Riko stepped outside the hut and walked around the base camp for a while. It's unbelievable how quickly a month has passed—thinking about that, she didn't realize when she wandered off rather far away. Right to the outskirts of the forest.

The forest she's been afraid to enter alone for quite a while. It's not her fault that there are so many dangerous animals just waiting for her to walk inside and attack her!

She might or might not be dramatizing a bit. Or maybe not just a bit. ]

It should be fine if I don't go too far in, right...I'm sure I'll be fine.

[ Trying to convince herself, Riko takes her first step...only to realize that there's, in fact, a sizeable boar sitting behind one of the trees. ]

EEEEK!!

Comments

[talim]

[ jude is lingering nearby when he hears a startling, high pitched shriek coming from the direction of the forest. he doesn't even think about it before racing there to see what the commotion is about.

what he finds is... a poor, trembling wreck of a teenage girl, and a boar. a large boar.

well, that's not what he expected, but he has no idea what he did expect. ]

A-Are you okay?! What's going on?

[ she doesn't look hurt... and the boar isn't moving an inch, but its eyes are locked right on her. he should exercise caution. ]

... Just back away, slowly. It won't hurt you.

[oceanaria]

O-Okay. I'll do just that.

[ Yet...she's not moving, paralyzed with fear. Not even an inch. Neither is the boar, so at least there's that. ]

Or...maybe I won't.

[talim]

[ jude carefully steps in front of her, shielding her from the boar's piercing gaze. ]

Go ahead. I've got this.

[oceanaria]

You've got this.

[ Yes, he's got this. Still, Riko's not backing away just yet. ]

But what if it attacks you? You'll get hurt...

[talim]

I've dealt with things like this before.

[ not just "things like this." jude mathis here has, indeed, fought an actual boar. with his fists. ]

Don't worry about me. Just take care of yourself.

[oceanaria]

[ Jude Mathis the boar executioner. ]

You did? [ Okay, maybe she shouldn't sound so surprised. ] Still...

[ Riko's scared. Not for the first time and definitely not for the last. This boy seems reliable, but how could she simply leave him behind?

There's no way she could. ]

Let's go together?

[ Taking his hand would be way too embarrassing, but gripping the fabric of his coat and tugging it should be fine. ]

[talim]

[ he turns to glance between her and the boar, slightly conflicted, but... jude would always, always prefer to avoid fighting when necessary. he's not the type to look for a fight when there doesn't have to be one. ]

Okay. That's a sound plan.

[ jude offers her a reassuring smile before taking several slow steps back, himself, keeping an eye on the boar the entire time. sure enough, the boar still doesn't budge, and so he grasps riko's slender wrist and leads her out of the forest, stopping when they reach a wide clearing. ]

Phew. Glad that was avoided.

[oceanaria]

[ Riko lets out a sigh of relief once they're far enough and finally relaxes. Crisis averted. An apologetic smile is all she can offer, which bothers Riko a little. ]

Thank you so much. I'm getting into all sorts of trouble ever since I arrived...maybe I really should just stay in the hut at all times.

[ Is there a point in going anywhere if she can't even protect herself? The conclusion Riko reaches is a bit harsh, but she doesn't want to be a burden to anyone. ]

[talim]

What?

[ jude immediately shakes his head, giving her a concerned frown. ]

But what would be the point of that? Where will hiding get you?

Besides... wouldn't you be lonely?

[ she has friends, doesn't she? ]

There's nothing to thank me for. I'm just glad you're all right.

[oceanaria]

[ These are all very good questions, Riko has to admit. Her smile drops right away when he gets to the being lonely part. ]

I can't protect myself, that's a fact. And it would be rude to rely on others every time.

[ If she can't even walk through a forest how is she supposed to survive in another world? ]

What are you saying...this boar was huge. There's a lot to thank you for.

[ At least she's smiling now, even if it's just a small smile. ]

[talim]

You look much better with a smile on your face.

[ and he returns it, but when he speaks, his tone is on the serious side. ]

It's not rude to rely on others. You aren't a burden. We all need to rely on others sometimes, even those of us who can fight to protect ourselves. It's unavoidable.

And I don't mind.

[oceanaria]

W-What...

[ Congratulations Jude, you've unlocked Riko's blushing face. ]

But it's rude to put them into danger. I don't want anybody to get hurt because of me.

[ She's not even sure if rude isn't too weak of a word in this instance. ]

Does someone who can't fight be of a help to the ones who can, I wonder. I'm just a plain girl, but there must be something I can do...

[talim]

And nobody wants you to get hurt, either. I'm sure if we brainstorm we can come up with something. Everyone has something to offer.

... What's your name? I'm Jude. Jude Mathis.

[oceanaria]

Aren't you a little too optimistic here...well, maybe next time I should try this.

[ Honestly. Riko might be sighing now, but Jude's words did cheer her up. ]

It's nice to meet you, Jude-san. My name's Riko Sakurauchi. Please give me a moment.

[ What did she mean by this, he might wonder. The answer will come up soon enough, in a form of knee and elbow protective pads, a sports helmet and a baseball bat which she draws after introducing herself. ]

[talim]

That's just who I am—

[ ......... ]

What... What did you just do.

[oceanaria]

Um...I've made my own equipment? [ Because that's what people do, clearly. ] Armor and a weapon...am I missing anything?

[ She's Serious about this. ]

Do you want your own set?

[talim]

No, I...

[ jude is truly at a loss here. she looks... well, he has to bite his lips to hold back a laugh. ]

How did you do that? Magic?

[oceanaria]

Y-Yes...?

[ The question surprises her—how would she be able to create stuff just like that if it wasn't magic? ]

It's going to disappear after a while, but I'll just have to draw it over and over again.

[ Good luck with that, Riko. ]

I wanted to have a power like that when I was a child, but to think that it would happen for real...

[talim]

Sorry, that was a silly question.

I'm... not sure that armor's exactly strong enough to protect you from rabid boars, though.

Hypothetical rabid boars, I mean! There are no rabid boars around here. Don't worry.

1/2

[oceanaria]

Rabid boars...?

[ JUDE WHAT HAVE YOU DONE. Riko please breathe. ]

[oceanaria]

Hypothetical or not, suddenly I wish I could draw mecha...