2019-07-08: An Arrrow to My Needs

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  • Log: An Arrow to My Needs
  • Cast: Riesenlied, Noeline, Jacqueline Barber
  • Where: Mi'ihen Highroad
  • Date: 8th July 2019
  • Summary: The Fereshte arrives at the refugee camp, with a Hyadean having taken an arrow wound...


<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.

In the last couple of days, the refugee camps around the Mi'ihen Highroad have seen a lot of familiar faces -- it's the Outreach, and if there's one thing about Drifter refugee relief the Caravan Kinship and the Outreach can often be seen working hand in hand.

But it isn't until today that the mainstay of the Outreach itself arrives -- looking rather ruddy and damaged from its brief interaction with the Guard in their escape from Luca. The Fereshte lands on the shores not terribly far, and a wave of responders and refugees arrive as they flag and set up camp for a different group of unfortunate people:

People who were caught and thrown overboard around the docks.

And in the midst of this? A particular gurney is bringing along a particular Hyadean who seems to have caught a stray arrow at her arm. She looks a bit feverish as she's carried along, probably by her very certain loved one.

"The camp's over there!" calls one Tainted responder as she runs ahead. "Miss Jay should be there somewhere. We'll fetch more medical supplies."

<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.

"Understood!" Noeline barks back, trying to hit the sweet spot between speed and haste and not exactly reaching it. She's panicked before - spent most of her time doing so on Elru - but the feel of it had faded and become unfamiliar in the time since. The thought of a poison or a magical effect with Riesenlied's recent constitution is a terrible one, and she grits her teeth as she tries not to make the trip too bumpy.

She herself has seen better days, still soaked from repeated lunges into the water. She's not a great swimmer, but she has the strength to be able to simply pull people out, and wasn't about to stand around while other people worked to rescue refugees, channeling her pique and anger at the Guard into exertion.

"--Jay!" she calls the moment she hits the camp perimeter. 'Miss Barber' is a lot more syllables.

<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.

With the increased activity in the Mi'ihen Highroad area, Jacqueline had volunteers acting as lookouts to warn her of potential trouble heading their way. Usually it was bandits, which they could usually handle, but today Jacqueline received word of a familiar vessel landing nearby.

Jacqueline was already planning to head out and go check on them...but then she heard a call from the camp perimeter - one of the Tainted, followed soon after by Noeline...but she's calling for 'Jay' rather than 'Miss Barber'.

Something's wrong.

Jacqueline picks up the pace, quickly making her way to the perimeter of the camp.

She lets out a gasp of surprise at the situation, her expression quickly shifting to one of concern and determination.

"Follow me, we have a first-aid shelter set up not too far from here." Jacqueline says, turning and walking away. "What happened?" She asks.

<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.

The Tainted responder looks concerned as she explains, "We stayed to retrieve and evacuate the people at the harbour at the time of the attack, but we ran afoul of a galleon from the Guard. Miss Noeline and Lydia were around to drive them off, but..."

She kind of gestures to where the Fereshte looks like it's taken battle damage too.

Riesenlied blearily stares up and mumbles, "... I'll be... okay..." she grimaces as she starts to pull herself up, looking at Noeline. "I can do this. I can..."

Her hand begins to shine as the Medium at her neck starts to gain a glow, but... then it falters.

"... nng--" she falls apart at that. The Tainted responder shakes her head. "We're sorry to impose, but we're low on supplies from treating everyone."

<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.

Noeline's lips thin; there's relief there, but also a great deal of tension, and one is kind of interfering with the other right now. Immediately, she turns the gurney in the direction of the first aid tent, letting out the tiniest of breaths as as she nods. "Thank you. We were escaping Luca when the Guard took offense at our being there," she mutters, her voice tight as she rests a hand on Riesenlied's shoulder to keep contact with her. The arrow more or less says the rest.

She frowns when her partner looks up at her, and that's what makes her soften - applying just enough pressure to stop her from rising too much. "You're exhausted," she complains gently, and tries a quiet smile through her concern. "That's no time to try exerting yourself more. It's alright - with Miss Barber, you're in safe hands," she adds, and that part is certainly genuinely meant.

<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.

Jacqueline looks up at the responder and Noeline, nodding quietly as they both explain what happened. Her eyes narrow a little in a rare flash of anger.

"Seriously...attacking evacuees? What are they thinking...?" She murmurs, in a bit of a huff. She looks toward Riesenlied then as she speaks, frowning slightly before looking back to the responder.

"It's alright, we're here to help." She says. She can't help but smile a little as Noeline says that Riesenlied is in safe hands - coming from her, it truly meant a lot.

"Don't worry. Everything will be fine." She says.

She leads them to what looks like a small building made of stone close by - it was definitely formed through Sorcery, if the way things are far too even are any indication. There are a few rooms inside, and Jacqueline gestures to a bed before heading over to a nearby cabinet and drawing out a few potions.

"I need to get that arrow out. It might hurt a little, but bear with me, okay?" Jacqueline says, standing nearby. She won't do anything until she gets the okay. "In the meantime, take this - it should help makes things easier. Noeline, do you think you could...?"

Jacqueline hands Noeline a potion - it might be easier for her to apply it than Riesenlied herself.

<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.

"I can still do it, I'm not..." Riesenlied murmurs with no small amount of distress, perhaps the feeling around not being able to pull through with her acts of Ley Channeling to heal people at a critical moment being more distressing than her own wounds.

... as is usually the case with Riesenlied. Others over herself.

"... okay," she responds, however, after Noeline starts reassuring her. She trembles just for a moment at Jacqueline's words. It doesn't even register to her that they're in a magically created building. Jay's mastery of Crest Sorcery truly was advancing...

"A-all right," Riesenlied answers at Jacqueline's warning of the arrow. She looks to Noeline. "The ring might make it hurt. You might want to-- take it off for a moment?"

<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.

"They are thinking nothing. The complete absence of thought." Noeline's tone is harsh all of a sudden - but she catches herself, and softens her tone for Riesenlied's sake. "At least, those who willingly join in the attack certainly are. The Four Heroes - hmph, what a poor name."

She accepts the vial with one hand, keeping her other on Riesenlied's shoulder; she squeezes it every so often, out of an attempt to reassure the both of them at once. "You have helped a great many people today," she insists gently, but with conviction. "You have done far, far more than your fair share already. It's alright to rest, at least a little. The Fereshte can handle itself in the meantime."

Her eyebrows raise - and even with Jay there, she leans down to kiss the other Hyadean's forehead as she lets out a rough chuckle. "I will assume that offer is the delirium talking. I would not remove it for an instant," she puffs out her cheeks - before turning more solemn as she raises the potion to Riesenlied's lips. "Carefully, now."

<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.

"That sounds about right." Jacqueline agrees with a disgusted shake of her head. The thought that anyone could willingly involve themselves in something so horrid...

She lets out a sigh and shakes her head. Right now, there were more important things to use her mental energy on - namely, Riesenlied's current condition.

"It'll be alright. Like Noeline says, you've got good people working under you - they can take care of things for now." Jacqueline says reassuringly.

She can't help but smile a little at Noeline's gentle gesture. She doesn't comment on it, though, instead moving to Riesenlied's side closest to the arrow.

"Okay, I'm starting now..." She says...and then, she gets to work. She does it as gently as she can, but it's still removing an arrow - it's not easy work, but eventually, it's removed and Jacqueline applies a healing salve to where it used to be.

"...There. I hope that wasn't too painful..." She says, then looks to the arrow. She picks it up, taking a brief moment to look it over for any signs of a poisonous payload it might have carried.

They weren't so far gone as to use poisoned arrows on refugees, were they...?

<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.

Riesenlied doesn't seem to have much to say about the Four Heroes and the Guard's invasion of Luca. She doesn't really know how to process it right now. It feels like it's bringing Adlehyde and Arctica back to the surface of her mind. And she feels more helpless than ever--

"I-- I know..." Riesenlied whispers slowly, before pausing as Noeline reprimands her. "I'm sorry. I--"

-cucco!-

She cups her mouth as she whimpers, punctuated by her horns primping upwards, and as the salve is applied, they sag into dog-ear-like position.

Fortunately... it doesn't look like poison was involved. But it would probably speak a lot to the kind of damage that Riesenlied can take with her constitution as she is now. It may have more been a case of inflammation from prolonged exposure, with how they needed to keep going.

"I'm glad you're all right. We... well, we cannot return to Kilika or Luca right now..." Riesenlied mumbles. "So we cannot continue our reparation work. We are thinking of bringing our refugees to Djose, if you'd like us to help relocate...?"

<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.

Noeline also takes care not to stray too close to the thought of what will happen to Luca under the Guard's supervision, knowing that such thoughts will affect Riesenlied in turn. Instead, she focuses on feeding Riesenlied the potion with care, steeling herself ready for the jolt of empathic pain she's about to feel. (She's not sure how to steel herself for that, honestly, but she's had a lot of practice when it comes to mental defences. Something will work, probably.)

The surprised hiss of air she draws through her teeth is a sharp one nonetheless, and she rubs at Riesenlied's shoulder as she mutters something soft and affectionate. "It's alright," she huffs through the ache, "I know you want to help more. When we can, we'll get back to it," she promises, watching Jacqueline work with a frown and sizing up the size of the wound and Riesenlied's reaction to it.

When it's over, she sighs quietly with relief, then carefully helps the other Haydean sit up a little. "I would recommend it, frankly," she chips in. "It would be safest for everyone to get out of this area for the time being."

<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.

Jacqueline does look a little relieved as she confirms that there wasn't any poison involved. But she still can't help but be a little worried...still, for now, the best she can do is to make sure Riesenlied had the medicines she needed to recover.

She looks toward Riesenlied, though, as she begins to speak. Moving toward Djose... Jacqueline frowns a little, taking a moment to consider this.

"I didn't want to admit it, but...I've started thinking that might be best, too." Jacqueline admits after a while, shaking her head. "This place might be secure for now, but if the Guard really wanted to do anything about it, I'm not sure if I would be able to protect everyone..."

Jacqueline sighs, and then nods.

"I'll do what I can to help, and I know there are some reliable people around here who would be useful, too." She says.

<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.

"Djose is slightly out of the way," Riesenlied finds herself musing. "If Yevon is to respond, I imagine they would send forces from Bevelle, down through the Thunder Plains and Guadosalam..."

She winces a bit more in the midst of that explanation as her mind starts to stir from her wounds. Noeline's encouraging her further, to not do too much of it. She nods in turn, a few tears coming up to her eyes.

"... well. That was my thought, anyhow -- best that the refugees steer clear of the war path between the Guard and Yevon..."

She nods at Jacqueline when she says there'd be others who would be useful to help with the efforts.

"The Fereshte might have to stay in Besaid for the time being... I know a few locals there who might be sympathetic."

<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.

Slowly, Noeline draws in a breath and then lets it out, feeling rather conflicted at simply leaving this situation alone; as much as she's concerned for Riese, she doesn't particularly like telling the other Hyadean to slow down, especially because she knows just how much stock her beloved places in wanting to help.

"It would at least be a lot more secure, and probably more reliable. I am sure that the Caravan members can look after each other, and themselves - but being on the front line of a war means shifting position a lot. Better to get set up elsewhere now, than to have to do it in a distinct hurry." Her words are a little blunt, but she delivers them with a sympathetic and rather wry smile.

She chews at her lip for a moment before she looks to Riesenlied's suggestion, nodding her head as she brushes away a tear with a finger. "Besaid should at least be quiet, I think," she admits with a frown. After all, if the Guard are going to be pushing their way anywhere, it's probably the Yevon Temple. And perhaps Besaid being the Summoner's hometown will count for something.

"... I'm sorry if I was harsh," she adds quietly, dipping her head a little as she places her hand in Riese's.

<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.

Jacqueline listens as Riesenlied explains her reasoning - if Bevelle were to retaliate, their forces would likely bypass Djose. Jacqueline nods consideringly.

"...That's a good point. I think you've got the right idea." Jacqueline says, though she pauses with a worried frown as Riesenlied winces. Noeline gets a nod too, though.

"Right. And...the last thing any of us want is to get caught up in a war. Our main interest is looking after those who will be caught between the two forces." Jacqueline replies. "...And we can do that better with the proper set-up."

She listens as Riesenlied suggests leaving the Fereshte in Besaid, and Jacqueline nods quietly.

"That might be the safest place for it. Somewhere far away from the fighting... I would like to think they wouldn't bring their full military might down on a small fishing village." Jacqueline says.

<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.

"... ... it's okay. I'm... I'm ranting a bit too," Riesenlied admits in return to Noeline as she finds herself shifting a little closer to her if only for comfort, as she's tended to more and her wound becomes sealed. That should do her for the time being.

"I'll try to recuperate and not make things worse," she promises as well. She looks down towards her Medium for a moment. It feels terrible and unusual to be so far away from the Ley, faint as it is here in Lunar...

They hold hands, and she expresses, "I would hope so... but Kilika was..." with a frown, as she shakes her head. "... no. I don't want to be negative right now..."

<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.

"All we can do is our best. If that means we have to change our plans later, so be it," Noeline says to both of them, puffing out a breath as she does so. "I think it should be enough for now to get everyone to somewhere a little safer, and the rest can be worked out from there. I suspect it might be worth letting the Al Bhed know of our situation, as well," she decides. "They seem to be in the best place to help us get around, given how well they manage it themselves."

She hesitates, and gives Riesenlied a quieter smile, clasping the other Hyadean's hand in hers, gathering her a little closer. "... I understand. Honestly, I want to yell and complain endlessly right now myself," she mutters. "Even though I'm well aware it will do no good to meet anger with anger. Ugh, what a mess..."

She draws in a slow sigh, and then lets it out again, feeling more centred in the wake of it. "It's our best plan right now. The sail over there will give you some time to rest, as well," she suggests - one of the benefits of sea travel, she's finding. Rather than dwell on the negatives, she hums to herself. "Mikaia would give me such a lecture if I let you push yourself too far, but there's a lot of shaken children that could use some stories told to them, don't you think?"

<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.

Jacqueline smiles a little and takes a step back from Riesenlied. She's done all she can do, for the time being - from here, it's up to Riesenlied herself.

"Good. Do you still have a fair supply of your medicine? If not, I have some more you can take with you." Jacqueline says, as Riesenlied promises to try and recuperate.

With that said, Jacqueline takes a seat.

"The Al Bhed...that's a good idea." Jacqueline agrees with a nod. They would probably be a big help...

She smiles, though, as Riesenlied stops herself from being negative.

"It won't be easy...but with everyone working together, I'm sure things will turn out okay." She replies, then chuckles good-naturedly as Noeline suggests story-telling.

"I think that'd be perfect for you. Right now...putting smiles on as many faces as possible is as important as any other work." She agrees, nodding toward Riesenlied.

<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.

Riesenlied stops to think about that question, then admits, "I may require... a resupply. Mikaia's been working very hard, but I don't want to put her unnecessarily on the spot." It doesn't seem like potions were terribly gelling with her (or perhaps, they're gelling /too/ much instead of remaining liquid).

She nods a bit as she breathes with Noeline, nodding at her own frustration. She feels it too. She doesn't quite push it out in the form of words like others, but...

"... that's right. I'll do that. Trying to be kind to myself... right?" Riesenlied nods, remembering that promise she and Jay made to each other.