Isaac Fishblatt
The Greenways were eager to offer their help, as was Father Marek. The priest felt both excitement and trepidation at the thought of meeting fellow Vampires - excitement to see more of his kin after a long time, but worry about what sort they would be, having met both the good and the troublesome kinds in the past - but regardless, agreed that they should provide all possible assistance to the newcomers, at least until given a reason to do otherwise.
Searching for an antenna also proved a wise next course of action. It was difficult to spot out among the jagged rock faces, but Riff would see it eventually. The tiny stalk was surrounded by a small ring of tents and makeshift shelters, perched precariously out among the cliffs. He would be able to make a good guess that he had found the right place, based on the attempts at sun-proofing with dark tarps and added panels that would protect the UV-sensitive inhabitants.
The tiny settlement would be difficult to access. That was probably by design - it had been hard enough to spot, let alone to mount an attack against. The rocky cliffs would act as a natural choke point, limiting how many potential attackers they would have to face at a time. It would make it difficult to mount a rescue, though, too...
Yet Isaac found it oddly reassuring.
"Doesn't look like they're planning to make trouble for people, all the way out there," Isaac noted, also peering through the telescope after Riff. "I don't think they came to fight Lycans. It looks like they came to be left alone. I hope they'll change their minds about that once assistance is offered, but at least it doesn't seem like they're a major threat."
Other than the natural defenses of the location, there seemed to be little in the way of weapons or fortifications. These weren't mariners, and they didn't appear to be soldiers, either.
Camping Is Always An Option
Re: Camping Is Always An Option
Riff
"I think you're right - it looks like an outpost. Like the beginnings of a village."
Riff paused, contemplating the options.
"I think we might want to bring the vampires from the wreck to their friends on shore to avoid any misunderstandings. If we take them away, then bring them back, the people in the outpost may doubt our sincerity. I think we should throw a few extra coolers of blood into the boat as a gesture of good will. I mean, if we're right and they're peaceful."
While Riff wasn't a master sailor by any means, he didn't get seasick and he was steady on the tiller. If nothing else, he could play a support role. He had years of experience working with vampires and the temperament to keep his head around the historical enemies of lycans. It was a lot easier to help people move past old prejudices if they were in a position to understand that working together would improve the lives of everyone.
As they drove out toward the troubled ship, Riff tied weights onto the edges of a tarp. He was hoping there was enough ship left to toss the tarp up and over the space between the vessels. It would create a sort of corridor of safety. That is, if there were any vampires left alive above the surface once they got there.
"I think you're right - it looks like an outpost. Like the beginnings of a village."
Riff paused, contemplating the options.
"I think we might want to bring the vampires from the wreck to their friends on shore to avoid any misunderstandings. If we take them away, then bring them back, the people in the outpost may doubt our sincerity. I think we should throw a few extra coolers of blood into the boat as a gesture of good will. I mean, if we're right and they're peaceful."
While Riff wasn't a master sailor by any means, he didn't get seasick and he was steady on the tiller. If nothing else, he could play a support role. He had years of experience working with vampires and the temperament to keep his head around the historical enemies of lycans. It was a lot easier to help people move past old prejudices if they were in a position to understand that working together would improve the lives of everyone.
As they drove out toward the troubled ship, Riff tied weights onto the edges of a tarp. He was hoping there was enough ship left to toss the tarp up and over the space between the vessels. It would create a sort of corridor of safety. That is, if there were any vampires left alive above the surface once they got there.
-
Monkey Kitty
- Posts: 850
- Joined: Thu Oct 29, 2020 7:31 pm
Re: Camping Is Always An Option
Isaac Fishblatt, Ellen and Nick Greenway
"I agree," Isaac said. "Once they're no longer in immediate danger, we'll take them straight back to their people. If they're a threat... well, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it, I suppose. But I like to think that once they see we're reaching out in good faith, they'll respond in kind. We'll see."
The Greenways rendezvoused with Isaac and Riff out on the water. Both boats were fairly small, so having the extra capacity would definitely be an advantage. The Greenways had been eager to help. Although nothing was said, Isaac got the impression that they were eager to repay the help they had been given a few months earlier when Nick had been captured. Not that any debt was owed, of course, nor repayment expected - but having neighbors willing to help was a benefit on both sides, and clearly all involved wished to maintain it.
As they approached the wreck of the Persephoneia, Isaac drew in his breath. The ship was still upright, and enough of her was still above the waterline that Isaac thought it was likely at least some of the people aboard were still alive. The issue was going to be getting to them. The ship perched precariously, ready to detach from the rock at any moment - and damaged enough that if she did so, she would immediately start taking on water and would probably sink rapidly. Too rapidly to save many of those aboard, if any. They needed to prevent that.
"We'll need to keep the ship balanced as we're getting people off," Isaac mused, half to Riff and half to himself. He wished he could have gotten a count of how many souls they had aboard before the radio went dead - that would make it easier to plan - but it couldn't be helped. "Hopefully they stay calm. If they all rush us at once, we're going to have a problem, whether they mean to or not."
"I agree," Isaac said. "Once they're no longer in immediate danger, we'll take them straight back to their people. If they're a threat... well, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it, I suppose. But I like to think that once they see we're reaching out in good faith, they'll respond in kind. We'll see."
The Greenways rendezvoused with Isaac and Riff out on the water. Both boats were fairly small, so having the extra capacity would definitely be an advantage. The Greenways had been eager to help. Although nothing was said, Isaac got the impression that they were eager to repay the help they had been given a few months earlier when Nick had been captured. Not that any debt was owed, of course, nor repayment expected - but having neighbors willing to help was a benefit on both sides, and clearly all involved wished to maintain it.
As they approached the wreck of the Persephoneia, Isaac drew in his breath. The ship was still upright, and enough of her was still above the waterline that Isaac thought it was likely at least some of the people aboard were still alive. The issue was going to be getting to them. The ship perched precariously, ready to detach from the rock at any moment - and damaged enough that if she did so, she would immediately start taking on water and would probably sink rapidly. Too rapidly to save many of those aboard, if any. They needed to prevent that.
"We'll need to keep the ship balanced as we're getting people off," Isaac mused, half to Riff and half to himself. He wished he could have gotten a count of how many souls they had aboard before the radio went dead - that would make it easier to plan - but it couldn't be helped. "Hopefully they stay calm. If they all rush us at once, we're going to have a problem, whether they mean to or not."
Re: Camping Is Always An Option
Riff
"Balanced, you say." Riff mused, squinting at the craft and its unfortunate position. Isaac was right - if that ship tilted, those vampires would have to get out in a real hurry and that meant they'd likely get exposed to light. How were they going to get in there and support... Get in there.
Riff pulled off his hoodie, then his shirt, before working at his belt. Belatedly, he realized he should explain what he was planning to do.
"So, I figure if I go in, I can swim up and hold the boat tight against the rock before they even notice we're here. I know you'll have to pull up tight in order to keep them covered, but I am sure I can hang on."
Riff dropped the rest of his clothes, looked down at the cold water, rubbed his arms twice - and changed. It was fortunate that he had the years and the experience to pull off the change in mid-day. It was going to be a challenge even with his enhanced strength. The cold of the Atlantic Ocean was not to be trifled with.
But he was going to trifle. Jumping in, he swam toward the boat, ducking around the rock holding it in place. Riff reached around with his long arms and dug his claws into either side of the bow, pushing the rock away with his legs in an attempt to hold the ship in place.
"Balanced, you say." Riff mused, squinting at the craft and its unfortunate position. Isaac was right - if that ship tilted, those vampires would have to get out in a real hurry and that meant they'd likely get exposed to light. How were they going to get in there and support... Get in there.
Riff pulled off his hoodie, then his shirt, before working at his belt. Belatedly, he realized he should explain what he was planning to do.
"So, I figure if I go in, I can swim up and hold the boat tight against the rock before they even notice we're here. I know you'll have to pull up tight in order to keep them covered, but I am sure I can hang on."
Riff dropped the rest of his clothes, looked down at the cold water, rubbed his arms twice - and changed. It was fortunate that he had the years and the experience to pull off the change in mid-day. It was going to be a challenge even with his enhanced strength. The cold of the Atlantic Ocean was not to be trifled with.
But he was going to trifle. Jumping in, he swam toward the boat, ducking around the rock holding it in place. Riff reached around with his long arms and dug his claws into either side of the bow, pushing the rock away with his legs in an attempt to hold the ship in place.
-
Monkey Kitty
- Posts: 850
- Joined: Thu Oct 29, 2020 7:31 pm
Re: Camping Is Always An Option
Isaac Fishblatt
Isaac nodded. It was a good plan. He was impressed by Riff's quick thinking.
There was, of course, one potential snag. It couldn't be helped, and the plan was still, on balance, the best choice. And yet Isaac wondered what was going to happen if the Vampires attempted to flee their vessel and saw a fully transformed Lycan. He thought they had probably given enough hints over the radio that they were immortals too, but he couldn't be sure, and he was worried the passengers would either refuse to evacuate or would do something reckless like charge into the sunlight to try to escape.
Well, there wasn't time to wait till dark, and this was their best hope. He would just have to try to prevent that.
"Persephoneia!" he called. He wished the stranded Vampires still had a working radio. Or that he at least knew the actual name of someone he might be addressing. "Permission to come aboard if necessary? Or at least as close as I can? For purposes of evacuation."
He saw movement. Apparently someone could hear him. He heard an accented voice call back faintly, "Yes, okay."
Isaac took a deep breath and added, "We're Lycans. Despite the war between our species, we're not here to harm you. We're here to help you. I don't have any way to prove our intentions - I must just ask you to trust us for now. Your lives depend on it. Your vessel is secure now, but it won't hold for long. We need you to come across to us under cover as quickly as possible."
There was a hesitation, but only briefly. Then the Vampires seemed to decide that whatever risk the Lycans might pose, the sun and the relentless sea posed a more immediately and inescapable one. One by one, the tiny crew and handful of passengers began to disembark with Isaac's help.
The Greenways waited nearby, waiting to move their boat into position to take over when Isaac's was full. All seemed to be going well. Then there was a sound of cracking planking, and a splash. Someone was in the water. Isaac hoped they had gone completely under - a Vampire was probably more equipped to handle the cold water, at least for a short time, than the sun above.
Isaac nodded. It was a good plan. He was impressed by Riff's quick thinking.
There was, of course, one potential snag. It couldn't be helped, and the plan was still, on balance, the best choice. And yet Isaac wondered what was going to happen if the Vampires attempted to flee their vessel and saw a fully transformed Lycan. He thought they had probably given enough hints over the radio that they were immortals too, but he couldn't be sure, and he was worried the passengers would either refuse to evacuate or would do something reckless like charge into the sunlight to try to escape.
Well, there wasn't time to wait till dark, and this was their best hope. He would just have to try to prevent that.
"Persephoneia!" he called. He wished the stranded Vampires still had a working radio. Or that he at least knew the actual name of someone he might be addressing. "Permission to come aboard if necessary? Or at least as close as I can? For purposes of evacuation."
He saw movement. Apparently someone could hear him. He heard an accented voice call back faintly, "Yes, okay."
Isaac took a deep breath and added, "We're Lycans. Despite the war between our species, we're not here to harm you. We're here to help you. I don't have any way to prove our intentions - I must just ask you to trust us for now. Your lives depend on it. Your vessel is secure now, but it won't hold for long. We need you to come across to us under cover as quickly as possible."
There was a hesitation, but only briefly. Then the Vampires seemed to decide that whatever risk the Lycans might pose, the sun and the relentless sea posed a more immediately and inescapable one. One by one, the tiny crew and handful of passengers began to disembark with Isaac's help.
The Greenways waited nearby, waiting to move their boat into position to take over when Isaac's was full. All seemed to be going well. Then there was a sound of cracking planking, and a splash. Someone was in the water. Isaac hoped they had gone completely under - a Vampire was probably more equipped to handle the cold water, at least for a short time, than the sun above.
-
Monkey Kitty
- Posts: 850
- Joined: Thu Oct 29, 2020 7:31 pm
Re: Camping Is Always An Option
Asif and Family
In Asif's life, there had been many moments of fear. Moments of danger, where his own life hung in the balance - and worse, the lives of others did too. He had learned to power through. To do the job. To tackle whatever came his way.
Today, his palms were sweating a little.
"Today, you are going to learn to drive," Asif solemnly told Shazia, Samira, and Charu. "I have borrowed Isaac's car. We must return it without a scratch, or I will never live down the shame."
Truth be told, it was past time. The girls were old enough. The older two had been old enough for awhile, but when they'd been living on the run, there had been no vehicle to practice on. Cars needed to be registered, inspected, insured - all things that left a paper trail that exposed them to too much risk - and being found to be driving without them was an even greater risk. There was only so much you could learn from a driving manual. Today, they would practice with the real thing.
Asif was nervous - not so much for the girls, they had good heads on their shoulders - but for his own instructional capabilities, and for the weight of responsibility operating a vehicle entailed. But it was time. For now, Shazia and Samira could take the bus to the university and Charu could walk to the high school, but Asif knew that might not always suffice for their needs. What if there was an emergency? What if they wanted to travel beyond the range of the bus? Or what if someday they simply wanted a car of their own?
He took a deep breath. "We should begin. Who will go first?"
The next few hours were a blur for Asif.
"Perfect, Shazia. Yes. Excellent."
"Good, Charu. Do not forget to use your turn signal."
"Slower, Samira. Slower! Brake, brake, brake!"
At the end, though, they were all unscathed, as was Isaac's little station wagon, and Asif was proud. They had done it - all four of them, working together, as it should be.
In Asif's life, there had been many moments of fear. Moments of danger, where his own life hung in the balance - and worse, the lives of others did too. He had learned to power through. To do the job. To tackle whatever came his way.
Today, his palms were sweating a little.
"Today, you are going to learn to drive," Asif solemnly told Shazia, Samira, and Charu. "I have borrowed Isaac's car. We must return it without a scratch, or I will never live down the shame."
Truth be told, it was past time. The girls were old enough. The older two had been old enough for awhile, but when they'd been living on the run, there had been no vehicle to practice on. Cars needed to be registered, inspected, insured - all things that left a paper trail that exposed them to too much risk - and being found to be driving without them was an even greater risk. There was only so much you could learn from a driving manual. Today, they would practice with the real thing.
Asif was nervous - not so much for the girls, they had good heads on their shoulders - but for his own instructional capabilities, and for the weight of responsibility operating a vehicle entailed. But it was time. For now, Shazia and Samira could take the bus to the university and Charu could walk to the high school, but Asif knew that might not always suffice for their needs. What if there was an emergency? What if they wanted to travel beyond the range of the bus? Or what if someday they simply wanted a car of their own?
He took a deep breath. "We should begin. Who will go first?"
The next few hours were a blur for Asif.
"Perfect, Shazia. Yes. Excellent."
"Good, Charu. Do not forget to use your turn signal."
"Slower, Samira. Slower! Brake, brake, brake!"
At the end, though, they were all unscathed, as was Isaac's little station wagon, and Asif was proud. They had done it - all four of them, working together, as it should be.
Re: Camping Is Always An Option
Riff
While he had shifted, the cold of the North Atlantic still seeped into his immortal bones. He grit his teeth and held onto the boat, trying not to let his snout protrude around the rock holding the boat in place so as not to frighten the vampires inside. It was with no small amount of relief that he heard the vampires moving over to the other vessel. They were going to be okay. He fully believed that until he heard the splash.
Someone in the water. Unprotected from the sun. Unprotected from the cold. That man was gong to have to just hold on a little longer until he could make sure that he wasn't going to doom the rest of the vampires by letting go of the ship. Isaac's vessel backed off, the Greenway's pulling in, and Riff took a chance to stick his head underwater and look for the lost vampire. The man was under the hull, looking back at him with terrified eyes. Riff nodded his head at the man before going up for air.
He needed to tell the others what was going on. Looking around the other side of the rock, he saw Ellen pull an extra tarp over a huddled mass in the back of their boat. Riff took a breath and transformed back into his human form.
"Hey! Throw me a blanket! Quickly!" Riff waved his arm in the air until he snagged a blanket. It was about to be a wet blanket, but it was the best chance this vampire had of not combusting on his way to safety.
The vessel groaned and began shifting away from the rocks, belching air. Sinking. Oh now. Riff took several deep breaths before taking one large one and disappearing beneath the waves. The blanket provided a lot of drag, even folded up as it was. The boat sunk down with him and he desperately clawed his way along the hull, racing gravity. He finally got under it and allowed the ship to press him deeper, which gave him the support he needed to unfold the blanket.
The man was clawing toward him, albeit weakly. Riff's lungs were burning, but he pressed onward. He slowly slung the blanket around the man, tucking it around his head in particular. He couldn't see how well his legs were covered, but he hoped the man would forgive him a few burns for his life. He rolled the two of them along the bottom of the boat until they were free of the vessel. He used its roof to kick off and get them to the surface. It felt like an eternity until he broke the surface, gasping and blinking the burning salt out of his eyes.
"Here!" he called, holding the cloaked vampire close, floating on his back, hoping one of the other vessels was near enough to grab them before he ran out of strength. The cold. The abysmal cold. It called to him. And he kicked his legs to let it know he wasn't interested.
While he had shifted, the cold of the North Atlantic still seeped into his immortal bones. He grit his teeth and held onto the boat, trying not to let his snout protrude around the rock holding the boat in place so as not to frighten the vampires inside. It was with no small amount of relief that he heard the vampires moving over to the other vessel. They were going to be okay. He fully believed that until he heard the splash.
Someone in the water. Unprotected from the sun. Unprotected from the cold. That man was gong to have to just hold on a little longer until he could make sure that he wasn't going to doom the rest of the vampires by letting go of the ship. Isaac's vessel backed off, the Greenway's pulling in, and Riff took a chance to stick his head underwater and look for the lost vampire. The man was under the hull, looking back at him with terrified eyes. Riff nodded his head at the man before going up for air.
He needed to tell the others what was going on. Looking around the other side of the rock, he saw Ellen pull an extra tarp over a huddled mass in the back of their boat. Riff took a breath and transformed back into his human form.
"Hey! Throw me a blanket! Quickly!" Riff waved his arm in the air until he snagged a blanket. It was about to be a wet blanket, but it was the best chance this vampire had of not combusting on his way to safety.
The vessel groaned and began shifting away from the rocks, belching air. Sinking. Oh now. Riff took several deep breaths before taking one large one and disappearing beneath the waves. The blanket provided a lot of drag, even folded up as it was. The boat sunk down with him and he desperately clawed his way along the hull, racing gravity. He finally got under it and allowed the ship to press him deeper, which gave him the support he needed to unfold the blanket.
The man was clawing toward him, albeit weakly. Riff's lungs were burning, but he pressed onward. He slowly slung the blanket around the man, tucking it around his head in particular. He couldn't see how well his legs were covered, but he hoped the man would forgive him a few burns for his life. He rolled the two of them along the bottom of the boat until they were free of the vessel. He used its roof to kick off and get them to the surface. It felt like an eternity until he broke the surface, gasping and blinking the burning salt out of his eyes.
"Here!" he called, holding the cloaked vampire close, floating on his back, hoping one of the other vessels was near enough to grab them before he ran out of strength. The cold. The abysmal cold. It called to him. And he kicked his legs to let it know he wasn't interested.
-
Monkey Kitty
- Posts: 850
- Joined: Thu Oct 29, 2020 7:31 pm
Re: Camping Is Always An Option
Isaac Fishblatt
"Got him!" Isaac said. He grabbed the Vampire - careful to keep the blanket wrap in place to protect him from the sun - and yanked him into the boat. Isaac's wiry frame was deceiving; although he would never be the brawniest of werewolves, he still had plenty of Lycan strength to apply to the task.
Once the Vampire was aboard, Isaac reached down again for Riff, offering him an arm to help him into the boat too. "Good work," he told Riff. "You saved lives today."
The Lycan leader turned to the Vampire who had appeared - at least in the radio communications - to be de facto in charge. "Did we get everybody? Is that everyone?"
"I think so... I think..." The Vampire did a quick count. "Yes, that's everyone."
"Good," Isaac replied, relieved. "Let’s get out of here."
There was harsh, metallic grinding sound as the Persephoneia shifted against the rock. She was going to dislodge herself - and soon. Then she would inevitably sink. They needed to be far enough away by then that they wouldn't be caught in the resulting suction.
It seemed the Greenways had the same idea. Once Isaac had signaled that all the Vampires had been rescued, they too began moving away.
"We're going to take you to the camp your people have set up," Isaac told the Vampire leader. "They aren't going to start shooting at us or anything, are they?"
The leader - at least as far as Isaac could tell beneath the thick blanket - seemed bemused by the question. "No. We are not warriors. You will be safe."
Isaac watched solemnly as the Persephoneia made her final plunge beneath the waves. Thank goodness all hands were no longer aboard.
The two boats picked their way carefully to shore, avoiding the rocks and sunkers that would have left them in the same position as the beleaguered ship they had come to the rescue of.
Before long, the camp was in sight. Time was of the essence to get the rescued Vampires to shore. Even immortals couldn't survive indefinitely without being warmed up, and there was the sun to consider. The tents and yurts of the camp were covered in UV-resistant cladding, at least.
But there was another problem. The camp looked deserted.
"Where is everybody?" Isaac wondered aloud.
"Got him!" Isaac said. He grabbed the Vampire - careful to keep the blanket wrap in place to protect him from the sun - and yanked him into the boat. Isaac's wiry frame was deceiving; although he would never be the brawniest of werewolves, he still had plenty of Lycan strength to apply to the task.
Once the Vampire was aboard, Isaac reached down again for Riff, offering him an arm to help him into the boat too. "Good work," he told Riff. "You saved lives today."
The Lycan leader turned to the Vampire who had appeared - at least in the radio communications - to be de facto in charge. "Did we get everybody? Is that everyone?"
"I think so... I think..." The Vampire did a quick count. "Yes, that's everyone."
"Good," Isaac replied, relieved. "Let’s get out of here."
There was harsh, metallic grinding sound as the Persephoneia shifted against the rock. She was going to dislodge herself - and soon. Then she would inevitably sink. They needed to be far enough away by then that they wouldn't be caught in the resulting suction.
It seemed the Greenways had the same idea. Once Isaac had signaled that all the Vampires had been rescued, they too began moving away.
"We're going to take you to the camp your people have set up," Isaac told the Vampire leader. "They aren't going to start shooting at us or anything, are they?"
The leader - at least as far as Isaac could tell beneath the thick blanket - seemed bemused by the question. "No. We are not warriors. You will be safe."
Isaac watched solemnly as the Persephoneia made her final plunge beneath the waves. Thank goodness all hands were no longer aboard.
The two boats picked their way carefully to shore, avoiding the rocks and sunkers that would have left them in the same position as the beleaguered ship they had come to the rescue of.
Before long, the camp was in sight. Time was of the essence to get the rescued Vampires to shore. Even immortals couldn't survive indefinitely without being warmed up, and there was the sun to consider. The tents and yurts of the camp were covered in UV-resistant cladding, at least.
But there was another problem. The camp looked deserted.
"Where is everybody?" Isaac wondered aloud.
Re: Camping Is Always An Option
Riff
He'd pulled a pair of sweatpants and hooded sweatshirt on as soon as he'd jumped aboard in his human form. Well, at least as quickly as he good with the violent shivering that plagued him. Between the shift and the cold water, Riff's body was in vociferous protest at its treatment. He threw a bright yellow raincoat on over everything and huddled up against the protected side of the boat. The shaking had subsided by the time the reached the shore.
As they approached the camp, what struck him was the silence. Of course. The people there had gone into hiding, fearing the worst. He lifted his head to try to catch any scents lingering in the air before pulling back the hood of his coat and giving Isaac a look that meant while he was surprised, he also wasn't.
"Hello? We aren't here to harm you or kick you out or anything. We just brought the people you were talking to from the boat. The one that was sinking. They're all here - and they need help."
He hoped that by keeping things simple - no intention of harm and what was needed - that they might get some kind of response.
He'd pulled a pair of sweatpants and hooded sweatshirt on as soon as he'd jumped aboard in his human form. Well, at least as quickly as he good with the violent shivering that plagued him. Between the shift and the cold water, Riff's body was in vociferous protest at its treatment. He threw a bright yellow raincoat on over everything and huddled up against the protected side of the boat. The shaking had subsided by the time the reached the shore.
As they approached the camp, what struck him was the silence. Of course. The people there had gone into hiding, fearing the worst. He lifted his head to try to catch any scents lingering in the air before pulling back the hood of his coat and giving Isaac a look that meant while he was surprised, he also wasn't.
"Hello? We aren't here to harm you or kick you out or anything. We just brought the people you were talking to from the boat. The one that was sinking. They're all here - and they need help."
He hoped that by keeping things simple - no intention of harm and what was needed - that they might get some kind of response.
-
Monkey Kitty
- Posts: 850
- Joined: Thu Oct 29, 2020 7:31 pm
Re: Camping Is Always An Option
Isaac Fishblatt
Isaac looked around - and sniffed around - too. There didn't appear to be anyone present. The tents and shelters were empty of inhabitants. They had been there, though. Recently. Isaac could tell that, both by the smell and what they had observed from a distance when they were planning the rescue.
They aren't here. But they can't have gone far...
Even a small group evacuating the site should have been visible. So where...?
Underground.
The idea came to Isaac unbidden. They couldn't have fled by land without being observed, and with the cliffs hemming them in, their escape routes that way would have been limited. A boat launching would have crossed their own path. Unless they had somehow disappeared by magic - which perhaps the Fae could, you never knew with Fae, but Vampires certainly couldn't have - that was the only route left.
"I think they went underground," Isaac said aloud. "Some kind of tunnels or caves? Probably something natural that they found here, they can't have excavated solid rock, but maybe there was something here already they could use. We need to find them. Reassure them that we mean them no harm. Ask for their help with their compatriots."
There was only so much the rescue party could do for the Vampires from the shipwreck. All of them were cold, at least one had been fully submerged, several others had gotten wet, and all of them needed to be protected from the sun.
"In the meantime, let's get them inside. These shelters will protect them from the sun, and let them warm up. I realize we're sort of inviting them into someone else's house, as it were, but I think we can be forgiven under the circumstances."
A further idea came to him.
"If I'm right about the tunnels, I think I can narrow down the location. They wouldn't want to have go outside in the daylight more than absolutely necessary to access their escape route. I'm willing to bet at least one of these tents or huts is built over it, to provide a buffer. We can get people inside and then start looking. Unless some of the rescuees already know."
The rescuees did not already know; they were a second party following the one the had landed first, and had never been here before. Isaac's hunch proved right, though; there was a thick mat covering the floor in the largest of the structures that seemed to be an impromptu office and mess hall. The mat would simply fall back into place after it was pulled aside to access... yes, there it was. A tunnel entrance. The first few feet had been crudely chipped by hand, but beyond that, a natural cave system stretched down into the darkness.
"They probably didn't go far," Isaac mused. "They'll want to be able to keep tabs on what's going on back on the surface."
Isaac looked around - and sniffed around - too. There didn't appear to be anyone present. The tents and shelters were empty of inhabitants. They had been there, though. Recently. Isaac could tell that, both by the smell and what they had observed from a distance when they were planning the rescue.
They aren't here. But they can't have gone far...
Even a small group evacuating the site should have been visible. So where...?
Underground.
The idea came to Isaac unbidden. They couldn't have fled by land without being observed, and with the cliffs hemming them in, their escape routes that way would have been limited. A boat launching would have crossed their own path. Unless they had somehow disappeared by magic - which perhaps the Fae could, you never knew with Fae, but Vampires certainly couldn't have - that was the only route left.
"I think they went underground," Isaac said aloud. "Some kind of tunnels or caves? Probably something natural that they found here, they can't have excavated solid rock, but maybe there was something here already they could use. We need to find them. Reassure them that we mean them no harm. Ask for their help with their compatriots."
There was only so much the rescue party could do for the Vampires from the shipwreck. All of them were cold, at least one had been fully submerged, several others had gotten wet, and all of them needed to be protected from the sun.
"In the meantime, let's get them inside. These shelters will protect them from the sun, and let them warm up. I realize we're sort of inviting them into someone else's house, as it were, but I think we can be forgiven under the circumstances."
A further idea came to him.
"If I'm right about the tunnels, I think I can narrow down the location. They wouldn't want to have go outside in the daylight more than absolutely necessary to access their escape route. I'm willing to bet at least one of these tents or huts is built over it, to provide a buffer. We can get people inside and then start looking. Unless some of the rescuees already know."
The rescuees did not already know; they were a second party following the one the had landed first, and had never been here before. Isaac's hunch proved right, though; there was a thick mat covering the floor in the largest of the structures that seemed to be an impromptu office and mess hall. The mat would simply fall back into place after it was pulled aside to access... yes, there it was. A tunnel entrance. The first few feet had been crudely chipped by hand, but beyond that, a natural cave system stretched down into the darkness.
"They probably didn't go far," Isaac mused. "They'll want to be able to keep tabs on what's going on back on the surface."