Tanrial sighed, "You are… the worst at trying to comfort people, you know that?" She shook her head, jumping over a small puddle in their path, "It's times like these where I wish Bernon was here, he'd understand."
(the poor baby :(( he no understand)
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(yeah TvT)
Mike fell silent, glancing up as he noticed the rain that had started filtering down through the tree canopy. Eventually he spoke again, hitching up his backpack. "Well….hopefully you'll get to talk to him once we're back at the fishing village. In the meantime, let's hurry. I don't want to get caught in another storm like the last one…..although so far this rain seems much lighter."
"Do you think he made it back okay?" Tanrial asked, "Like don't get me wrong, he's a string dude but we only just survived that storm."
"Honestly," Mike replied after a pause, "I have no idea. It's hard to remember the details of what happened, but I think he was on high-enough ground that he avoided the worst of the tidal wave. On the other hand, there's no telling what happened to him after that. We'll just have to wait and see…."
He trailed off without warning, going still as a stone. His eyes were locked on something up ahead. Very slowly, he lifted his hand and pointed at a clearing in front of them.
By now, it was raining quite heavily, and mist was starting to build around them, making it harder to see. But it was impossible to miss the huge, thickly furred shape lumbering through the trees only a few yards away. It was a bear, limping slightly and holding its head low. Its fur was singed and badly burned in places. When it reached the clearing it stopped, turned in a circle, and lay down, letting the cool rain soothe its wounds.
Mike glanced at Tanrial. "It's the forest beast," he breathed. "We'll have to find a way around. Be very careful."
Tanrial took a moment to just look before her eyes widened ever so slightly, "No, no it's… there's a chance that that bear is Bernon, Mike. Not the beast."
Mike stared at her uncomprehendingly for a minute. Then his eyes widened as well. "Maybe. But be alert. If it's not, we could get mauled." He seemed deliberately cautious, not want to jump to conclusions in case he was disappointed.
"Come on Mike, how could that not be Bernon? The burns? Bernon can control lightening, remember? That was probably him back at the camp. It all makes sense now." She headed off towards the bear, clearly not caring that Mike could potentially be right on this.
"Tanrial, be careful–"
Mike raised his voice a bit too much, and the bear suddenly stirred, lifting its head. Its gaze came to rest on the pair, and its muzzle wrinkled into a bitter snarl. Stiffly, it got to its feet, growling a warning as Tanrial got closer.
Its eyes were Bernon's eyes, without a doubt.
Tanrial grinned, placing a hand out in front of her through she didn't stop walking towards him, "Hey, Bernon, it's me, and Mike's here too."
The bear hesitated, peering through the rain as if it was having trouble seeing them. Then it huffed in surprise and reared up, breaking into Tanrial's thoughts weakly. Tanrial? Mike!? I….I thought you guys were— Bernon dropped back down to all fours and limped forward, bumping his head against Tanrial's shoulder joyfully. Oh man, you're okay—I've been out here for days, and all this time I thought….I thought……where WERE you!?
Tanrial let out a light laugh, petting Bernon on the head, "We'll have time to discuss all of that later when we get back to the village, for now, we need to focus on getting back and your wounds too how did… was that you back at the camp? With all that lightening?"
Bernon stepped back a pace. Yeah, I was….in a kind of a bad headspace and the storm just….started happening. Then some bandits came and attacked me with torches. It's…it's fine though, I'm not hurt too bad. His tone suggested otherwise, but he lifted his head a little higher to try and hide it. I think I'll stay in bear mode for a while longer, if that's all right. I feel bit better with four feet on the ground.
Mike approached slowly, and Bernon happily nudged him as well. "What's he saying?" Mike asked, glancing at Tanrial.
"He's going to stay like this for a while, the storm was his doing, too," Tanrial replied to Mike before turning back to Bernon, "I'm not an idiot, Bernon, I know you're hurt more then you're letting on. Can you at least walk a little further? Once we find some shelter we can rest."
Yeah, I can walk, Bernon replied. Listen, there's a place a little further along that I've been staying. I've got everything hidden there–the map, the data drive, all the food and stuff I was carrying–I didn't lose any of it, don't worry. Follow me.
Mike watched him start off through the trees. "We need to tell him that we told those bandits to attack him," he said to Tanrial quietly. "If I hadn't told them to use fire, he wouldn't be in such bad shape right now."
Tanrial bit her lip, worry creeping into her features, "Not right now… let's just wait until we get to Bernon's hide out, then we'll tell him…"
"If you say so." Mike started after Bernon, glancing around at the mist-wreathed forest. "Can you ask him if he still has any control over this storm? If not, that's fine, it's probably helping to cover our tracks anyway."
Tanrial nodded, looking towards Bernon, "Hey Bernon? Is this storm still under your control? Or is this just natural rain at this point?"
Not sure, Bernon replied, glancing back. I'm definitely the one that started it, but right now I think the weather's just running its course. It's not bothering you guys, is it?
Tanrial shook her head, "No no, we're not, it helps cover up our escape route, anyway. Mike was just curious."
Oh, gotcha. I'm really, really happy that you guys are okay, by the way. Can you let Mike know I said that? I'd tell him myself but I know he doesn't like telepathy much. I was so worried about you two…I feel like it was my fault kind of, that you got swept away like that. I made it through because I changed form, but then I couldn't find you anywhere, and I just….. He broke off. Just let him know how happy I am to see you both, okay?
"It wasn't your fault at all. Why would it be? If anything it was the tidal waves fault. You had nothing to do with it," She sighed softly, "Bernon said that he's very happy to see us both, Mike."
(gotta go, my or may not be back on tonight)
"I'm happy to see you too, Bernon," Mike said. His expression didn't change, but he was clearly telling the truth. "Is it much father to your hideout?"
Bernon pointed with his forepaw up the slope. Not much farther. Watch your step here, there's still all kinds of sticks and loose dirt from the first storm.
(All good, I have to go out in a bit anyway, see you soon)
"Gosh, if only the first storm hadn't happen in the first place, then we wouldn't even be in this mess." Tanrial mumbled, trying not to fall over.
"Yeah, and I think we all know who to blame for that storm," Mike added darkly. "That maniac Torres might have given us a great map, but I don't think it was worth the cost at all." He climbed up onto a large boulder jutting out of the hillside and offered his hand to Tanrial so he could help her up as well. "Spying on us before we even met him, making super intelligent maps, brainwashing a whole village, whipping up a hurricane like it was nothing…. Somehow I don't think he's just a "dabbler in magic" like he claimed."
Tanrial snorted, grabbing Mike's hand as she was hoisted up onto the boulder, "Only a fool would believe that this wasn't him. There's no way in hell a hurricane like that was 'natural' it was him, no doubt. He's just too much of a sketchy guy."
Mike nodded, continuing to follow Bernon uphill. "I'm still not sure why he's so interested in us at all, and it's making me nervous. He must think we're useful somehow."
We're here, Bernon called, stopping outside a very large burrow sheltered by a rocky overhang. The sides of the burrow were built up with dirt as if long ago a human had lived there, but now the only sign of life was Bernon's backpack sitting in the corner. It's not much, but make yourselves at home.
(Not sure if you're still online but I have to go to work now, seeya later!)
(Just droppin in quickly before I have to head out, don't know if you'll be here when I get back)
Tanrial offered Bernon a small smile, "Thank you. We'll rest here for a little while, well, until you're feeling a bit better to continue on then we'll have to move. The quicker we get back the better."
(just got here lol. Yeah, I'll probs be in bed when you return ^^; )
Yeah. Bernon sat down heavily. I should be fine soon, once these burns cool off.
Mike set his backpack next to Bernon's, watching his friend intently. "We need to give you first-aid, Bernon. Turn back into a human so we can do it more easily."
Bernon hesitated for a long moment. …..Alright. Slowly, he shrank and changed shape until he was his old self again. He looked terrible. His injuries were even worse without fur to hide them, and he'd clearly lost some weight. His eyes had bruises underneath them and his skin was a bit too pale, as if he was ill. He smiled weakly, sitting down and dropping his gaze to the ground as if embarrassed. "I just need some rest, that's all," he rasped, having not used his voice in days.
Tanrial shook her head, “Gosh Bernon… why didn’t you go back to the village? Try and get help? I know you were worried about us but… You should have gone back.”