[Paul had figured that there was something strange about Susan's ship, and that it had some sort of camouflage feature. It's impressive.] She's certainly a remarkable ship. Larger on the inside than n the outside, too. I don't know if you've had the opportunity to see any of our ships, but they're nowhere near as far along as yours technologically. And your method of space travel is entirely different.
Good. I want to cause as little disruption as I can to anyone. [He listens to the descriptions of wildlife with interest, and like Susan he's alert for the undergrowth and the streams, watching his step and ever cautious.] I'm thankful to your ship. Translation will make negotiation much easier if it's necessary when dealing with intelligent species. As for the terror birds, just from the name and your description I can imagine it's better to stay out of their way. I'd rather not be anybody's meal.
[Paul's more worried about the Eight Legs, though. Animal predators he can deal with, and their appetites are fairly simple. An intelligent species may find another use for captives - particularly powerful psychics - than simply food, though Paul would not be an easy prisoner to keep.]
So the bugs shouldn't be interested in my blood. That's good. The upside of living on a desert planet is that there aren't any native bloodsucking insects. They tend to like swamps and marshlands, humid places where they can lay their eggs and multiply. I'd rather stay away from the cave wolves, though. I trust you to show me the safest path to go.
{OOC: Sorry for the delay! Long work shifts have been leaving my brain entirely fried by the time I get home...}
Gallifrey is home to one of the oldest civilizations in the universe. [The oldest, they claim, and it might be true in this version of time at least. But Susan doesn't want to make it sound so intriguing.] And civilizations don't advance on a linear path... while our technology is advanced, I found Time Lord society to be close-minded and incurious. They allow little space for different ideas.
[They come to one of the wider streams. There don't seem to be any rocks poking out of the water, which they could use to step across, as they've done with a few narrower ones. Susan stops and looks around.] Hm. We might have to wade across this one. I could've sworn there was a fallen tree bridging this area, but it's certainly not here.
[Susan looks a bit worried. She bends down and begins cuffing the bottom of her trouser legs, rolling them up close to her knees. There's another of those whooping calls, markedly closer now. And the smaller animals... have fallen silent.]
That's unfortunate, if not particularly surprising, for such an advanced civilization to become stagnant. [Though Paul doesn't state it outright, he's afraid of a similar fate for humanity, and a civilization unable to adapt is at increased risk of extinction.] I suppose that's why you've taken an interest in humanity?
I don't know the area, so I'll leave leading the way to you. [Paul is constantly observant, and the fact that the smaller creatures have gone quiet isn't lost on him. That means there's something in the area that they don't want to draw the attention of, and the whooping call suggests that something is approaching. He urges for quiet, though he has an unpleasant feeling that they're on the territory of one of the predators being discussed. Not one of the wolves, that leaves...]
Don't tell me that those terror-birds you were discussing sound like that? [He's already reaching for his knife to defend himself. Human opponents are one thing, a large predatory animal is another. Predators aren't ones to take chances and prefer easy meals - Paul is making the gamble that if he can make himself seem threatening enough and doesn't come off as frightened, the creature will recognize that they aren't worth the trouble and leave.]
I was hoping that we'd be able to move through this area quickly, [Susan admits. She wades into the water, testing the depth and the speed of the current -- it seems relatively safe.]
Those are the terror-birds... though they seem to be coming from just one direction right now... [Susan speaks urgently, softly,] Come, Paul, let's at least get across the water.
We need to move. You said they're fast. [Paul doesn't need telling twice - he joins her in the water, hoping that they can cross before the birds arrive. He's able to track the calls, trying to measure how far away they are. They might be able to get away in time.]
I'll follow you. Show me the way to go. [Paul is wary, checking the path he's treading on while he watches out for any more signs of the terror birds. If they're hunting, he might not hear them, so he's careful as he wades beside Susan. Hopefully the birds can't swim well.]
I'm going to hold onto the back of your shirt so that we stay together. [And it leaves his arms free to use that knife, if needed. Susan matches action to her words and begins leading the way across the stream -- testing for any drop-offs in the stream-bed where it might get unexpectedly deep, and sometimes moving them away from spots that seem dangerous.]
[There's a sharp cry in the distance, and then the cracking and snapping of undergrowth, followed by the terrified, pained bellow of a ram "Me-a-a-aah!".]
It wasn't after us, [Susan says, with a relieved sigh. She hurries them the rest of the way across the stream, only relaxing a little bit when they're both on the opposite bank. But sheep might mean those human colonists that Susan mentioned before. To Susan's mind, however, it's more important to keep Paul and herself safe.]
[Paul gives Susan a firm nod, letting her grab his shirt as he follows her, knife in hand and ready for use if it's needed. Thankfully, however, it's not. He goes wherever Susan does, making sure that he doesn't step anywhere that's dangerous for them. His attention is divided carefully on trailing behind her and paying attention to the environment, making sure to keep track of whether there are any more sounds that can be traced to the hunting terror bird.
From the sound of the ram in the distance, the predator already took its prey and the victim wasn't human. There's concern for the colonists, but that would mean facing the territorial bird over its kill and Paul wants to move in case the bird notices them. Even if it's not hungry, it would still not want intruders on its territory.]
We should move on. The ram will keep it busy for a while. [He looks back, with a flicker of concern. His hope is that the bird will eat its fill and not bother the colonists. While Paul has encountered dangerous wildlife before, he doesn't know about this species or its behavior patterns enough to try confronting it and doesn't want to endanger either of them.] Where should we go next? I hope we don't encounter another one of those.
The blue crystals repel the terror birds. I think they don't like the resonance that the crystals emit. If we make it to the deposit, we won't be bothered by them.
[Susan turns more to the north and points.] This way. It shouldn't be far, and they're feeding now. We should take advantage of the distraction.
Good - so once we reach the crystals, they won't be a danger anymore. Good to hear it. Interesting to hear that the crystals keep the birds away. Do they have the same effect on other animals?
[Paul straightens and follows Susan.] Lead the way. We can get away while they're eating, you're right. The distraction is something we can use to our advantage.
[Susan leads the way further north. The trees begin to thin out, and the ground gets more rocky as they leave the jungle area. A few insects buzz around them, but fly off soon after, disinterested.]
If I remember correctly, terror birds bleed blue as well. Like the reptiles. I have not checked before, but I wonder if the crystals also repel the reptilian life here.
[Susan is focused on the path forward, and also listening for any sounds of the terror birds. She won't notice a scuttling sound among the rocks behind them, though Paul just might. Something new, something that noticed them when they entered this quarry-like area...?]
[As the terrain shifts, Paul focuses his efforts on keeping his step on the increasingly rocky ground. The place they’re looking for can’t be too far away now, but he wants to move quickly to avoid the birds and other dangers.]
So there’s a good chance that the wildlife reacts to the crystals overall. Fascinating. This really is a very interesting planet, I have to thank you for taking me here…
[Paul taps Susan on the shoulder when he hears the scuttling. He has a few ideas of what could be making that sound, and none of the guesses are good. He doesn’t see what the creature is, though, which is discouraging.] Susan, look out. We’re being watched - there’s something or someone behind us.
[Susan looks over that same shoulder that Paul tapped, and her brow furrows. She speaks quietly,] I think we have to forge on. The ground here is too uneven for us to fight well if whatever it is attacks. And there might be a chance that it's only following us to mark where we go, like a single scout.
[A scout implies the possibility of a larger force, which is worrisome. But Susan does have a point about the terrain. When she continues in the direction she's been leading them, toward the crystal deposit, her steps are slow and cautious.]
[It's up to Paul if he follows her right away, or if he lingers and tries to catch a glimpse of whatever is tailing them.]
[The best Paul can do is follow. He doesn't like that the creature's following them, especially since he agrees it's a scout. Which implies that it's an intelligent creature - which only really leaves one possibility about what the creature could be. There are two sapient species on this planet, human beings and Eight Legs. The scuttling clearly isn't from a human. But Paul doesn't want to face the Eight Legs alone, and certainly doesn't want to upset the scout.]
I think it's one of the Eight Legs. We need to move on, and hurry - where there's one, there are probably others. We have to be careful not to provoke them now they might know we're here.
[Susan is right about the terrain. Paul doesn't fancy his odds in hand-to-hand combat on this territory.]
You're most likely right on both counts -- the Eight Legs might be alone now, but it can surely contact others.
[Susan weaves a path among the larger rocks in the quarry. The sounds from the Eight Legs scout seem a bit more... uncertain. The gaps of silence between its noises are getting longer. Perhaps it is losing sight of them? Or maybe it is being cautious as well, having realized that they know it's there.]
[There is a natural cave opening in the wall of the quarry up ahead. Some short, scrubby bushes partially obscure the cave and dull, semi-crystalline stones are scattered around the dusty ground before it. However, from a particular angle, when the opening is shaded from the sunlight, a faint glow seems to be emanating from the cave.]
[Susan doesn't point; in fact she doesn't say a word. Her gloved hand taps on Paul's arm to get his attention. She breathes, quiet as she can while still being heard,] Almost there.
{OOC: But will they make it? Or will they be attacked again? ;) Your call!}
You said they’re telepathic, so there almost certainly are other Eight Legs out there. We should let it be.
[Paul doesn’t trust the Eight Legs, but he isn’t looking for a fight with them, either. He’s only here to take a crystal and leave in peace. He had enough enemies in his life that he doesn’t want to add any more to the list where he can help it. The scout’s noises are growing weaker - maybe it’s thinking the same thing.
Susan did mention that they had lost some of their power over the planet, and might have been a little humbled by the defeat. Neither side probably has the motive or will to start conflict. Instead Paul focuses on the cave. From the glow inside, it looks like that might be what they’re looking for. Paul intends to select a crystal and leave. Hopefully the Eight Legs will see they aren’t here for trouble.
He crouches, so it will be a little easier for him to wriggle in. He’s not a child anymore, but Paul is still lightly built for his age.]Lead the way, Susan. I’ll follow you in.
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branchandroot
(no subject)
Date: 2022-09-26 05:36 am (UTC)Good. I want to cause as little disruption as I can to anyone. [He listens to the descriptions of wildlife with interest, and like Susan he's alert for the undergrowth and the streams, watching his step and ever cautious.] I'm thankful to your ship. Translation will make negotiation much easier if it's necessary when dealing with intelligent species. As for the terror birds, just from the name and your description I can imagine it's better to stay out of their way. I'd rather not be anybody's meal.
[Paul's more worried about the Eight Legs, though. Animal predators he can deal with, and their appetites are fairly simple. An intelligent species may find another use for captives - particularly powerful psychics - than simply food, though Paul would not be an easy prisoner to keep.]
So the bugs shouldn't be interested in my blood. That's good. The upside of living on a desert planet is that there aren't any native bloodsucking insects. They tend to like swamps and marshlands, humid places where they can lay their eggs and multiply. I'd rather stay away from the cave wolves, though. I trust you to show me the safest path to go.
(no subject)
Date: 2022-09-30 03:52 am (UTC)Gallifrey is home to one of the oldest civilizations in the universe. [The oldest, they claim, and it might be true in this version of time at least. But Susan doesn't want to make it sound so intriguing.] And civilizations don't advance on a linear path... while our technology is advanced, I found Time Lord society to be close-minded and incurious. They allow little space for different ideas.
[They come to one of the wider streams. There don't seem to be any rocks poking out of the water, which they could use to step across, as they've done with a few narrower ones. Susan stops and looks around.] Hm. We might have to wade across this one. I could've sworn there was a fallen tree bridging this area, but it's certainly not here.
[Susan looks a bit worried. She bends down and begins cuffing the bottom of her trouser legs, rolling them up close to her knees. There's another of those whooping calls, markedly closer now. And the smaller animals... have fallen silent.]
(no subject)
Date: 2022-10-02 04:57 am (UTC)I don't know the area, so I'll leave leading the way to you. [Paul is constantly observant, and the fact that the smaller creatures have gone quiet isn't lost on him. That means there's something in the area that they don't want to draw the attention of, and the whooping call suggests that something is approaching. He urges for quiet, though he has an unpleasant feeling that they're on the territory of one of the predators being discussed. Not one of the wolves, that leaves...]
Don't tell me that those terror-birds you were discussing sound like that? [He's already reaching for his knife to defend himself. Human opponents are one thing, a large predatory animal is another. Predators aren't ones to take chances and prefer easy meals - Paul is making the gamble that if he can make himself seem threatening enough and doesn't come off as frightened, the creature will recognize that they aren't worth the trouble and leave.]
(no subject)
Date: 2022-10-03 02:16 am (UTC)Those are the terror-birds... though they seem to be coming from just one direction right now... [Susan speaks urgently, softly,] Come, Paul, let's at least get across the water.
(no subject)
Date: 2022-10-03 06:34 am (UTC)I'll follow you. Show me the way to go. [Paul is wary, checking the path he's treading on while he watches out for any more signs of the terror birds. If they're hunting, he might not hear them, so he's careful as he wades beside Susan. Hopefully the birds can't swim well.]
(no subject)
Date: 2022-10-04 07:02 pm (UTC)[There's a sharp cry in the distance, and then the cracking and snapping of undergrowth, followed by the terrified, pained bellow of a ram "Me-a-a-aah!".]
It wasn't after us, [Susan says, with a relieved sigh. She hurries them the rest of the way across the stream, only relaxing a little bit when they're both on the opposite bank. But sheep might mean those human colonists that Susan mentioned before. To Susan's mind, however, it's more important to keep Paul and herself safe.]
(no subject)
Date: 2022-10-08 07:52 am (UTC)From the sound of the ram in the distance, the predator already took its prey and the victim wasn't human. There's concern for the colonists, but that would mean facing the territorial bird over its kill and Paul wants to move in case the bird notices them. Even if it's not hungry, it would still not want intruders on its territory.]
We should move on. The ram will keep it busy for a while. [He looks back, with a flicker of concern. His hope is that the bird will eat its fill and not bother the colonists. While Paul has encountered dangerous wildlife before, he doesn't know about this species or its behavior patterns enough to try confronting it and doesn't want to endanger either of them.] Where should we go next? I hope we don't encounter another one of those.
(no subject)
Date: 2022-10-09 04:37 pm (UTC)[Susan turns more to the north and points.] This way. It shouldn't be far, and they're feeding now. We should take advantage of the distraction.
(no subject)
Date: 2022-10-10 05:26 pm (UTC)[Paul straightens and follows Susan.] Lead the way. We can get away while they're eating, you're right. The distraction is something we can use to our advantage.
(no subject)
Date: 2022-10-11 04:43 am (UTC)If I remember correctly, terror birds bleed blue as well. Like the reptiles. I have not checked before, but I wonder if the crystals also repel the reptilian life here.
[Susan is focused on the path forward, and also listening for any sounds of the terror birds. She won't notice a scuttling sound among the rocks behind them, though Paul just might. Something new, something that noticed them when they entered this quarry-like area...?]
(no subject)
Date: 2022-10-11 01:45 pm (UTC)So there’s a good chance that the wildlife reacts to the crystals overall. Fascinating. This really is a very interesting planet, I have to thank you for taking me here…
[Paul taps Susan on the shoulder when he hears the scuttling. He has a few ideas of what could be making that sound, and none of the guesses are good. He doesn’t see what the creature is, though, which is discouraging.] Susan, look out. We’re being watched - there’s something or someone behind us.
(no subject)
Date: 2022-10-12 02:12 am (UTC)[A scout implies the possibility of a larger force, which is worrisome. But Susan does have a point about the terrain. When she continues in the direction she's been leading them, toward the crystal deposit, her steps are slow and cautious.]
[It's up to Paul if he follows her right away, or if he lingers and tries to catch a glimpse of whatever is tailing them.]
(no subject)
Date: 2022-10-12 02:53 am (UTC)I think it's one of the Eight Legs. We need to move on, and hurry - where there's one, there are probably others. We have to be careful not to provoke them now they might know we're here.
[Susan is right about the terrain. Paul doesn't fancy his odds in hand-to-hand combat on this territory.]
(no subject)
Date: 2022-10-12 04:25 am (UTC)[Susan weaves a path among the larger rocks in the quarry. The sounds from the Eight Legs scout seem a bit more... uncertain. The gaps of silence between its noises are getting longer. Perhaps it is losing sight of them? Or maybe it is being cautious as well, having realized that they know it's there.]
[There is a natural cave opening in the wall of the quarry up ahead. Some short, scrubby bushes partially obscure the cave and dull, semi-crystalline stones are scattered around the dusty ground before it. However, from a particular angle, when the opening is shaded from the sunlight, a faint glow seems to be emanating from the cave.]
[Susan doesn't point; in fact she doesn't say a word. Her gloved hand taps on Paul's arm to get his attention. She breathes, quiet as she can while still being heard,] Almost there.
{OOC: But will they make it? Or will they be attacked again? ;) Your call!}
(no subject)
Date: 2022-10-13 01:23 pm (UTC)[Paul doesn’t trust the Eight Legs, but he isn’t looking for a fight with them, either. He’s only here to take a crystal and leave in peace. He had enough enemies in his life that he doesn’t want to add any more to the list where he can help it. The scout’s noises are growing weaker - maybe it’s thinking the same thing.
Susan did mention that they had lost some of their power over the planet, and might have been a little humbled by the defeat. Neither side probably has the motive or will to start conflict. Instead Paul focuses on the cave. From the glow inside, it looks like that might be what they’re looking for. Paul intends to select a crystal and leave. Hopefully the Eight Legs will see they aren’t here for trouble.
He crouches, so it will be a little easier for him to wriggle in. He’s not a child anymore, but Paul is still lightly built for his age.]Lead the way, Susan. I’ll follow you in.