Private - The Chief of Roses and Sweet Words

As the group decided to settle down and set up camp in the deserted area, Alpha pulled out a sleeping bag and watched as Ornson lit the logs and illuminate the general premises. Nalani had Terry in her arms and Alpha couldn't help but flinch at the sight of the singed and torn dingo. The dog was unconscious and Alpha didn't try to stir up, knowing it's been a tough day for all of them and the dog needed some rest and quiet. She piped down, as if all the energy had been sucked away from her, as realization dawned on her. The health potions hadn't worked as efficiently on Ornson as it had on Aaron and, with Terry, Alpha wasn't sure if the dog would be alright. The lingering presence of death still wafted heavily on the group and Alpha was wary and ready for anything to happen.

Mix feelings rose within Alpha. On one hand, the detached part of her that reminds her that it's just a game and it had been a fun event of thrills and rides tells her this raid has been the best there ever was. That she should revel in the excitement. The other hand, however, couldn't help but worry for Terry and, to a much smaller, more marginal degree, perhaps Ornson as well. The man, despite his status as an NPC, had done nothing wrong yet Alpha couldn't connect to the man as she did with the animals and creatures that inhabited Terrasphere. Perhaps it was because of her Beast Taming mastery, maybe it was something else. Regardless, she couldn't change how she felt and she was tense, her teeth gritting as she looked away from Terry's prone body. Although Nalani hadn't been struck as hard as Aaron and some of the others, she still felt guilty that she had let her best friend come to harm. The girl was kind and had even carried Terry throughout the journey yet Alpha had let danger come her way. She resolved to never let it happen again and gave Nalani a friendly glance, hiding the guilt that had before stained her features.

"Do you think Terry's gonna be okay? Are you okay?" she asked hesitantly, as if fearful that the answer might be negative and that they'd been hurt more than she expected. She reminded herself to go and check up on Aaron after to see if he was doing better, but right now her best friend and best dog needed a bit more attention. Aaron was fine and mature already, Terry was still a pup and Nalani was, perhaps, the only girl that brought out Alpha's maternal instincts of sorts despite the very large, obvious age and size difference. The girl was too nice for her own good and Alpha did her best to remind her of that, not wanting a situation to go out of hand like the entire statue debacle ever again.

"Weird stuff happened back there, if you need anything or if anything happens, you can just tell me, alright?" she stated with creased eyebrows, Then, remembering that the tension could inspire anxiety in Nalani and the group, she forcefully relaxed her shoulders and wore a downturn smile. "First off, let's go get some food, I'm starving!"

@Nalani Rosa

 

After everyone had settled in, Nalani, who doubted she would be getting enough sleep, quickly volunteered for the first shift of keeping watch. But before she headed out to around the outside of the camp, she decided to check in with her little friend and Terry, who still seemed to be in pretty bad condition. As she sat there beside the dog and the girl, she watched them with a worried gaze, reaching over to gently rub her hand around Terry head soothingly, trying to give the unconscious pup at least a bit of comfort. His health and state worried her more than the repetitive words in her head, and as she looked up at Alpha, she felt her heart sink with guilt as she asked her if she was okay.

However, her lips split into a warm smile, reaching over to pat her little friend on the head, "Alphabet, I'm fine~ You don't need to worry about me, I can take care of myself, y'know~" she said with a laugh, albeit forced, it sounded happy enough that she'd be able to deflect any of the worry that rested inside of her. She didn't want to worry her little friend more with the thoughts that kept rolling through her brain, so she wouldn't be telling her about it. Actually, she was unsure to if she would be telling anyone about it right now, with the way things were looking. It would probably be a good idea, but honestly, half of them might not care, Aaron seemed way too depressed, she didn't trust Lucia enough to let her know, and Jack was too busy organizing the group. She didn't need to bother them with something that was probably her fault right now- Besides, she could carry that burden for the sake of the group.

"Yah, yah, I'll let you know. Just stop worrying," she said as she got to her feet, nodding. She would grab something to eat, and then she would head over to begin her semi-long night, "You're right, let's just grab something and then I'll go and get ready for watch. You need to sleep and Terry needs all the love and attention he can get, k?~" That should keep her busy for a while.
​

@Alphabet Chocolate

 

"But—," Alpha paused, hesitating, before turning away. It seemed as if she was about to disagree but she held her tongue and nodded. "Terry should be a bit hungry," she answered honestly. Still, the concern that plagued her face did not go away as she followed Nalani in getting a meal. The girl had seemed more distracted than usual along their journey to the campsite. It was as if her thoughts enraptured her and she had a difficulty concentrating. Alpha knew her attempts to investigate would be unwelcome though. She might be a bit childish, but Alpha had nineteen years of life experience to teach her the basic nuances and social tact needed to get through life.

Silently, she marveled at Nalani's selflessness. Even through their recent experiences, the woman still worried more about Alpha than she herself did for her own well-being. Nalani reminded Alpha of a mother-like figure and she couldn't help but be a little protective over a person that cherished her so. But, on the other side, there was also Terry who makes prioritizing one of the other difficult. She sighed as she picked up some food rations and ate a prepackaged granola bar. The taste was sub-par but comparable to some brands she ate in real life.

"If you ever need something..." Alpha trailed off. Nalani would know what she meant and Alpha didn't mean to be pushy. "I'll be with over there with Terry," she gestured to the sleeping pup before walking away, the plastic cover of the energy bar crunching in her tight grip. Today just hasn't been her day and she still had Jack to talk to. Deep down, she hoped Nalani was alright. Right now, however, she had suspicions to ease and a dog to tend to. As she slumped down next to the dog, she thumbed over the egg she had brought with her. The egg was like the physical manifestation of the bond Alpha and Nalani had together and, after seeing it, it had eased her consciousness a little more.

"Alphabet, I'm fine~ You don't need to worry about me, I can take care of myself, y'know~"

Those words repeated themselves over and over in her mind. Nalani really was too nice for her own good.

@Nalani Rosa

 

Nalani couldn't even to begin to imagine how Alpha was feeling right now. Looking at Terry struck her with guilt every time, even though she had rescued the scorched doggy. She knew who had done it, thrown the fish stick out into harms way, but part of her didn't want to tell Alpha. She wanted to protect the friendship she had with the other person- Even if she might give him a little bit of a talking to after. What had happened was not okay, Alpha was like a little sister or a daughter to her. And Jack? Well... He was just a really strange guy that she enjoyed being around. It was weird for her too, but now was not the time to reflect on that.

It was silent as the two picked out some food from the pile, and Nalani didn't say much as she ate the fraction she needed, in the middle of munching her own granola bar as Alpha decided to turn away and head for some sleep. Her eyebrows furrowed at this, knowing something was up with the smaller girl, but she didn't say much- She needed her space. In a time like this, Nalani didn't want to overwhelm her best friend with worries and questions, and instead just nodded a little bit with a small smile, "Alright, Alpha. Be safe~" Andt then she turned back to her food, nibbling away on the last small bit of her bar.

She wasn't in the right sense of mind to give her support right now. Nalani needed her own support, but with no one to go to, it was kind of... Suffocating. She let out a small sigh before walking away from the rations and heading over to where she needed to sit for her night shift, taking a seat on a rock she had discovered and staring out into the darkness. She hoped her little friend would be okay, she hoped everyone would be okay... But sometimes hope wasn't always enough.

~ Exit ~
@Alphabet Chocolate​