Friend Or Foe

[Bellamy Blake]

Tag: Isa

whatever

THE HELL WE WANT

Bellamy was currently out in the woods, hunting for what he hoped to be enough food to last them for at least a day or two. Now that they had guns, it made it increasingly easy to not only catch their prey, but to defend themselves against the threat of Grounders. Axes and blades were far too primitive, even though Bellamy saw significant in training the others with them as well. Guns though, guns gave them a massive advantage. They could fight long range, they could have snipers set in place. It opened up huge opportunities and allowed them to better fortify and protect themselves.

Only a few had gone out hunting, and Bellamy ensured that the others were in groups of at least three. He could handle himself however, and would rather anyone who would have otherwise be with him, be with someone else to help them out. They'd all agreed to meet back at the gates of the drop ship before the sun set, which would be in a couple of hours. He certainly hoped the others were having better luck than he was. He was currently armed with a gun, and a dagger . . . and he had not used either thus far. A sudden rustle in the leaves around him prompted him to raise his weapon, aiming it in the general direction he heard it come from. Another rustle came from behind him and he spun around. Then, there was another from the left, and right and Bellamy found himself circling, trying to determine the source.

He was quickly realizing however, that there was no one source. He was surrounded by whatever it was that lurked out there. Taking a deep breath, he quietly began to step backward, seeing a pair of eyes peer at him through the thick bush ahead. It reminded him of the panther he had seen shortly after arriving. While he could take one down easily . . . there seemed to be an entire pack here. He took another small, slow step back . . . the creature stepping out of its concealment. Along with the others. Do not panic. Do not panic. A growl emitted from deep within the creatures throat and its position to pounce, caused Bellamy to spin around and run as fast as his two legs could carry him. Once he got some distance on them, he may be able to shoot, but for right now . . . all he could do was run.

[Isa]

❅AI GONPLEI❅

AI SWIS

The creature that Isa was stalking turned, haunches down low, and sprinted away through the brush. Isa may not be familiar with the lands she was moving through, but she knew a predator when she knew one. She also knew when a predator caught wind of prey. It was an opportunity she could not turn down, so she continued to tail the creature.

She stopped when it did, watching as it lowered itself to the ground in preparation to pounce. It was not alone in stalking its prey. A small pack of the creature's growled a warning towards its prey. Her eyes moved past them, catching sight of the stranger seconds after he turned and sprinted off.

A gust of wind moved her hair and she cursed as some of the creatures lifted their snouts to the air and caught her scent. Not one to turn tail, she took a running leap over them, catching one with her swinging blade before her feet hit the ground. 

She took off after the Sky Person without any intention of assisting him. These ravenous creatures only needed to catch one of them and she was smaller, faster, and more adept at moving through the shrubbery. All she had to do was take advantage of the distraction he offered, circle back, and dispatch the creatures while they were feasting on his corpse.

Luck was not in her favour. One of the creatures had flanked her and its claws sliced into her sleeve. To make matters worse she recognized the area. She had fought here, years past, and had been cornered by the enemy. The only way out was to fight or to scale the remains of some old building. The latter of which would just take too long. 

Deciding to fight rather than risk climbing free of the dead end the stranger was about to discover they had trapped themselves in, she turned and swung at the closest creature. A few rushed past her, going after the Sky Person, but the few that remained clearly planned on having Isa for dinner.

created by lilith

[Bellamy Blake]

Tag: Isa

whatever

THE HELL WE WANT

Bellamy heard something else in the not so far distance behind him. He glanced back, seeing a figure and able to immediately tell by the attire that it was a Grounder. Not his concern. His head turned forward again, hoping the creatures would grow distracted with her instead of him, but he could hear them behind him. He had no idea where he was, not taking the time to orientate himself. It was more about running for his life, well aware that he wasn't being strategic.

He saw a dead end up ahead, inwardly cursing. Glancing behind him again, he noticed a few creatures assemble around the woman, swearing he saw one already attack her. He had two on his trail as well. But suddenly, running for his life didn't seem like the top priority. He didn't know why, but something was compelling him to stop and turn his attentions to the woman.

Perhaps it was because he had been raised in protecting a woman, or maybe it was just a general protectiveness he felt. He shouldn't care. He knew that. This was a Grounder. They had killed so many of his people. And yet. He stopped. The abrupt movement, caused the two creatures to race ahead for a moment, and Bellamy knew he only had a couple seconds to work with before they would turn back around.

Logically, he also knew that saving her could save him. Surely, she knew her way out of this. But that was secondary in his motives to save her. He ran back to where she was, firing his gun at the creature who had appeared to have pulled its claws out of her. The bullet pierced it, as it let out a whimper of pain. She was fighting them off, and he was going to help her do so. "GO!" Bellamy yelled at her, firing a couple more shouts at the other creatures. The loud noises prompted the two ahead to turn around. If they didn't weasel their way out of here . . . they were going to get surrounded. So Bellamy hoped the woman ran, because he was going to follow her.

[Isa]

❅AI GONPLEI❅

AI SWIS

The gunshot startled her, as did seeing the panther-creature who had sliced her arm whimper as the bullet struck it. For a second Isa thought that the Sky Person had horrible aim, but he shouted at her. She realised then that instead of defending himself he had helped her.

Isa did not know how to cope with that, so she buried the complex emotions and questions. Her blade sliced into another creature, catching its leg, and clearing a path to her right. Vague memories of the area got her moving into the clearing. If her memories were correct, there should be a gap hidden behind some shrubbery.

"Get your ass moving!" She shouted back to the male, telling herself that she was only helping to repay the favour. He was still her enemy, but at that moment the war was not a factor. 

Nearing the shrubbery she dropped down, sliding into the opening and scraping her elbow against the rocks. She scrambled out of the gap and moved aside to press her back against the rock and raise her blade. If it was an animal that followed instead of the male, its head would be cleaved before it could be a further threat and the body would slow down the panthers enough for her to get away. If it was the male then she would aim higher and strike the loose rocks above the gap to knock them down and slow the panthers that way.

created by lilith

[Bellamy Blake]

Tag: Isa

whatever

THE HELL WE WANT

Bellamy hadn't the slightest clue how she was going to react. She could just as easily slice him and leave him vulnerable for the creatures. But instead, she cleared a path and told him to get moving. He turned his head to the side, quickly watching where she went and seamlessly disappeared into. Well damn. He would not have figured that out quick enough to evade the creatures. He fired a couple more shots towards the animals, and followed suit.

The opening was extremely narrow, especially for him. Fortunately, his jacket provided a little padding though it also made the space more confined. He slung the gun around his back, sliding through it as fast as he could. He pulled himself out and saw her, blade raised. It wasn't a surprise, considering that for all she knew, he wouldn't have made it. But he also had no idea if she was going to kill him now. She could. But he wouldn't go down without a fight. He grabbed his gun again, getting to his feet and standing near the opening of where they came out of.

His finger was on the trigger, uncertain where to aim. She wasn't going at him though . . . so he didn't aim his gun at her for the time being. Instead, he aimed it at the opening as he took a few steps back. He could hear the creatures trying to make their way through, and Bellamy's mind, in tune with hers, wondered if they could loosen the rocks. He locked up at them, going on the assumption that she had a similar plan. With a nod, he repositioned his rifle, holding it almost like a bat as he prepared to hit the rocks up ahead in sync with her.

[Isa]

❅AI GONPLEI❅

AI SWIS

Waiting to see what came through the narrow opening had her gritting her teeth in anticipation. If she reacted too slowly and it was the panther, its claws or teeth could find her leash again. If she reacted too quickly she might behind the stranger that she owed which would leave her with a favour unrepaid. 

He got out and out of the corner of her eye she saw him raise his gun. It grated at her tense nerves to not have him well within her sights like that. For all she knew he could be aiming for her. No gunfire rang out and she saw him move a bit further out of her peripheral view, but he repositioned his gun. Her tension faded, just a bit, but she had no time to allow herself to feel relieved. 

The man had caught onto her plan. 

"Now!" Her blade sliced through the air and met stone hard enough to ring and send pain shooting up both her arms. This would dull her blade quite a bit. If she managed to get back to the Trikru settlement she would have to sharpen it. For the moment she just hoped that the rocks would break free and prevent the creatures from coming after them. 

created by lilith

[Bellamy Blake]

Tag: Isa

whatever

THE HELL WE WANT

Bellamy remained prepared and the second she called out, Bellamy used all his strength to slam the rifle into the pile of rocks above. With their combined effort -- as she was evidently quite strong as well -- the rocks began to tumble down to cover the opening. Bellamy moved back, instinctively stepping in front of her in the process, moving her back as he stepped back too, shielding her of the rocks as they piled down. Protective instinct, that was what it must have been. He couldn't explain it.

Just as he couldn't before when he had gone back to help her. Not necessarily because he needed her -- which he technically did -- but because it just, had to. For his own conscience. When the rocks finally stopped tumbling down, Bellamy realized that he had managed to catch his breath during that time. He had ran for his life, fought for his life . . . and now, he may need to do it again.

He turned around to casually face her, holding his gun in his hand, but not aiming it at her or showing any sign of defense. That, could be a mistake. A very big mistake. "Is this the part where we try to kill each other now?" He asked, almost sarcastically. She had helped him though, saved him. Surely it wasn't for just trying to kill him in the end. Then again, he didn't know these Grounders and where their heads were at. Nothing would surprise him.

[Isa]

❅AI GONPLEI❅

AI SWIS

This Sky Person was strong. She saw that when the butt of his gun hit the rocks. He was also weird, stepping in front of her and backing her away from the tumbling rocks. Was he protecting her? Again? Isa swallowed thickly at the odd, inexplicable feeling. 

She stepped back from him, suddenly needing a bit more space between them.

"It could be," but she did not raise her blade. Sure, she had intended on using him to save herself from the creatures and leave him for dead, but killing him herself was not her intention then and still was not her intention now. If he attacked she would defend herself, but Isa had a feeling that he did not want to fight her.

Isa did something she rarely ever did. She slipped her blade into the straps on her side and turned her back on an enemy. Favours had been repaid and they were even. It was clear she intended to leave, but she stopped and glanced back at him.

"Next time you're hunting those things step lighter and smear some mud on your skin. They can smell you a mile off."

created by lilith

[Bellamy Blake]

Tag: Isa

whatever

THE HELL WE WANT

It could be. Her response was less than reassuring, but it was her actions that he based the answer on. She sheathed her blade. He slightly raised his head, watching her. Whatever hostility existed between their people, was set aside for the time being. They seemed to have developed a mutual understanding . . . though Bellamy knew that it could just as easily vanish. He wasn't naive, but nor was he going to be the aggressor when she had done something that indicated her own lacking desire for combat. So Bellamy returned in kind. He strapped the gun over his shoulder so that it hung on his back. For now. Of course if they encountered another threat -- one apart from each other -- then he would ready his weapon, just as he was certain she would draw hers.

She seemed to be leaving, Bellamy wasn't even certain if there was something he wanted to say to her. She stopped, turning and giving him a piece of advice that . . . surprised him. She was still helping him. Funny how that was. They had never met prior to today, yet they seemed to be rather similar in thought: willing to help each other. "Thanks for the tip," he told her, his voice lacking any sarcasm or lack of appreciation. He just wished he'd been able to catch one for dinner. His eyes looked over her, resting on an area stained with blood, and bleeding still. It was where the animal had clawed her. "You're bleeding," he pointed out the obvious, but not without reason. If she was going to continue on, best ensure it didn't get infected.

There were natural remedies that could be used to avoid that but right now, they didn't have the luxury of accessible medicinal plants surrounding them. Instead, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small scrap of cloth. It was what he'd wrapped his blade in but the weapon was tucked away elsewhere. "Here," he said, extending it to her as he slowly took a step toward her, moving cautiously since he didn't want any abrupt movements to be taken the wrong way. "You can use it to clean the injury or I can tie it on the wound for you to stop the bleeding. It'll also avoid infection until you get back to your healer." He didn't know how far her village was, but it was all he had to offer. Why he was giving even that much, he didn't know. It was for the same inexplicable reason that he had helped her in the first place.

[Isa]

❅AI GONPLEI❅

AI SWIS

"I've had worse." She turned back to him and looked at the cloth scrap he had offered her. Her eyes darted back to his face and she frowned as she studied him. They were enemies, bound to meet in battle one day, and yet he was offering medical assistance rather than let the wound weaken her.

Isa contemplated turning down the help, but that would only harm her further. The wound still bled freely and infection was likely. She did not trust the Triku healer well enough to let him tend to her wound, so she decided that risking infection was better than allowing bloodloss to weaken her. She had no intention of returning to the camp right away.

Wordlessly she held out her arm for him to bind, not taking her eyes off his face. For an enemy he was handsome, but far too kind. The war would one destroy that kindness with death or cruelty.

Today would not be that day. Not by her hand, at least.

created by lilith

[Bellamy Blake]

Tag: Isa

whatever

THE HELL WE WANT

Her words were not indicative of whether she wanted the cloth, wished him to bind it, or none of the above. His eyes locked onto hers as she just stared at him, finding time had slowed as he awaited her response. He wasn't nervous but he felt . . . uncertain. This encounter with her was re-evaluating his opinion of Grounders. The fact that his sister had fallen for one didn't exactly help matters either.

But this particular one seemed . . . different. Eventually, her answer was known through a non verbal response. She held her arm out and Bellamy gave a small nod, taking the few steps toward her. He reached into his pocket, pulling out his pack of water. Bringing it to his lips he unscrewed the top and poured a little water over the wound to clean it.

He could feel her eyes on him, though his were fixated on the task at hand. He set the water pack down and proceeded to wipe away what he could of the blood. Her skin was softer than he had imagined it would be, though couldn't let himself get distracted with such things. He wrapped the cloth around her arm, tightly binding it so that the pressure would stop the bleeding.

His eyes then slowly went to her face. This was the closest he had ever been to a Grounder, and he had to admit . . . this particular one held a rare beauty to her; an exotic one. And an undeniable strength that added to it. Realizing that he was just staring, and his hand was still on her arm, he quickly regain his composure and took a small step back from her. "It should hold until you get back to your village." Whichever one she was from. The woman was clearly a warrior, but that was all he knew about her and basically, their culture.

[Isa]

❅AI GONPLEI❅

AI SWIS

For a moment she wished there was not a war, but she dashed that thought away as quickly as it came. Thoughts like that were an unnecessary distraction and that was one rabbit hole that she could not travel down.

"Ai laik Isa kom Azgeda," Perhaps she had not been quick enough to focus her thoughts. She found herself revealing far too much about herself, but was thankful she had not spoken in English. Turning her gaze away from him to the bandage she pretended to inspect it. "It won't hold that long, but it'll do until I can treat it."

The entire situation was weird and Isa was uncertain how to deal with it. This was not something she had trained for and she frowned as she contemplated what to do next.

She should leave. When he released her arm she turned to leave but the sound of a familiar horn in the distance froze her in place and made her eyes widen. They did not need horns like that in her home, but she had spent enough time in the area to be well versed in what they meant. The yellow cloud rolling towards them in the distant confirmed that.

Acid fog was heading straight for them.

created by lilith

[Bellamy Blake]

Tag: Isa

whatever

THE HELL WE WANT

Bellamy had no idea what she had said. She could have been threatening him, insulting him, or saying thank you in a long way. The tone in which she said made him assume it wasn't any of the former possibilitis that entered his mind . . . but who knows. He gave another small nod as she seemed to inspect it. He was readying himself to go their separate ways, though it may seem that they were going in the same direction . . . but a sound in the distance caused him to freeze. He turned his head toward the direction of the sound. Acid fog. He could already see the cloud of it approaching them. He doubted they would be able to outrun it.

Usually, he just used a sheet to cover himself up but they didn't have that option right now. His eyes scanned the area, seeing what appeared to be a passage of some sort. "This way," he said, hurrying toward what it was. He pushed it but it didn't budge. Taking a deep breath, he pushed again, harder, putting all his strength and weight against it until it finally budged forward. It was open just enough for them to slip through, and he turned to her, waiting for her to go first before he followed.

Once they were both inside, he began to push the heavy door, this time to close them in. It closed just in the nick of time and Bellamy turned around, leaning his back against it as he eyed their surroundings. It was clearly abandoned, built with stone that appeared to be worn and old. It was open enough that they didn't have to worry about lack of oxygen . . . since they would be stuck in here for a bit it would seem. So long as they were in here and not exposed to the acid fog . . . it was all good.

[Isa]

❅AI GONPLEI❅

AI SWIS

Isa did not fight with him. She ran and slipped into the building once he got the door open. The fact that she had allowed herself to be closed into what could be her tomb with an enemy did not occur to her. Even if it had, she would not have hesitated.

She had seen the results of the fog and that was definitely not how she wanted to die. 

"That fog is the worst part about visiting this land." Isa grumbled as she moved away from the door to pace the space they were trapped in and familiarize herself with the area. There was no way of knowing how long the fog would last, but she was never the type to just sit idly by and wait.

She found some tattered cloths, stained with age and fragile, and briefly considered a fire. A glance towards the door made her rethink that. There seemed to be enough air here and the fog was not getting in, but it would be unwise to pollute what air they do have.

Instead she wadded up the fabric and dropped it on the ground as she continued to poke around to see if there was anything worthwhile underneath some of the useless debris.

"I see that wasn't your first fog," She did not know why she was engaging him in conversation again. Maybe to ward off the mind-numbing effects of being trapped in a confined space for an unknown amount of time. 

created by lilith

[Bellamy Blake]

Tag: Isa

whatever

THE HELL WE WANT

Bellamy's eyes searched the area, but they fell to the woman once again when she revealed that the fog was the worst thing about visiting this land. Visiting. She wasn't from here? She wasn't one of the other Grounders? He wondered how many there were. How many groups, how many commanders. And did -- would -- all of them share a similar opinion about the Arkers? "Where are you from?" He asked, unsure if she would answer but was curious enough to inquire about it. He pushed himself off the wall and took a couple steps forward, though not too close to her.

It appeared she was scavenging, looking for whatever could be found in here. Her next question brought his mind back to his first experience with the acid fog . . . of losing Atom . . . of losing many others. "I've lost a lot of people because of it," he explained to her. He wasn't sure why he was telling her that, instead of just offering a blunt 'no it's not'. Could it be that he . . . actually wanted to converse with her? That he wanted to make conversation with her?

"Do you know anything about where it comes from, or what causes it?" He wondered. Was it just a result of the nuclear war? Something toxic in the air due to the radiation? Or was there more to it? They had no idea, but maybe the Grounders -- maybe she -- did. Then again, he couldn't exactly assume or expect her to tell him. They may not be enemies, but they weren't exactly friends he supposed. He had no idea how to categorize their . . . whatever this was. He only felt that it wasn't bad. It wasn't hostile. And right now, that was all it that mattered for the time being.