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Tales of Symphonia: Aftershock (Part 1- Darkness Returns)

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Jeremy turned his head as he heard someone following him. It appeared to him that the girl he had helped earlier that day was trying to catch up. Curious, but feeling a distinct warning in his mind, Jeremy stopped in his tracks and waited for the girl to catch up, looking back to see if the others had came to their senses and were moving out also.

"Yoshiko, right?" Jeremy said, it was his way of greeting, but he wasn't sure if she would catch on or not.
 
"Yup, I'm Yoshiko." she replied, smiling slightly.

However, her cheerful visage soon became a worried one. "Umm... I don't know if this is my place to ask or not - but why wouldn't you want us to get to know you?"
She spoke on hurridly. "I mean, we need teamwork and trust to get through this journey alive, and I think - in my opinion, that the first step to trust is by getting to know each other..." she finished, looked up at Jeremy with slightly pleading eyes.

I really hope that we'll get to know each other - and fight together....
 
"You don't want to know about me, trust me," Jeremy said, chuckling a bit, amused at how straight forward Yoshiko was being. Looking into Yoshiko's pleading eyes, something broke down inside of him, did this girl really want to get to know him? If she did, she wouldn't like what she would hear.

"Fine," Jeremy said motioning for her to follow him so they could talk on without interruption or eavesdropping. "I was abandoned when I was young, forced to survive of the streets. I'm wanted for several charges, all theiving. I'm a criminal," Jeremy admitted, but something in his voice hinted that the title of "criminal" he put on himself was a false title. In the back of his mind he knew he wasn't a criminal, if he didn't depend on the stuff he stole he wouldn't be doing it at all, and would be out there catching the theives. "I steal because my life depends on it. Before I was thrown in this dimension I had just stolen a loaf of bread from a baker. I have no money, and I've spent all my life literally living on garbage and living in a cardboard box," Jeremy added, a deep resent for his livings obvious in his voice.

'Is that who I am? Am I truly who I said I was? There has to be more to me! THERE HAS TO BE!' his mind shouted at him as he ended what he was saying. Tormoil over what he just said showed heavily in his expression as he walked on.

"I guess that explains why I'm dressed like this," Jeremy said weakly, looking down at the rags he wore, a lump forming in his throat, utterly repulsed by what he had become, and now that he had time to consider what he was doing, it was all wrong. He never considered it before, since he didn't have time or the lesiure to. It was either steal or die.
 
Yoshiko stood there for a few seconds, trying to comprehend all that Jeremy told her.

What's there to comprehend? He was very straight foward...

She managed to give a small smile. "Being a thief doesn't mean that it's you." she said, "it's only a small part of you." she said as she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "There's more to a person - at a first glance, people may brush you off as a thief, but I believe deep down, you're a good person."

"Besides, it's not like you wanted to be a thief." she said, smiling at him.

Yoshiko sighed, "I don't know what I would've done in your situation." she said softly. "But - I think that you're a very brave person to have survived." she said, nearly whispering.
 
Jeremy shook his head as he turned to face her, tears brimming his eyes as he said through gritted teeth, "I'm a coward. If I was brave, I wouldn't have stoop to such a level, I would have worked hard to beat the streets, I would have worked hard to prove to myself and to others that I'm better. The truth is, I was a coward, and I still am a coward. I was afraid of what might happen if I didn't turn to stealing, I was scared that I wouldn't survive and that no one would want me. So I turned to stealing freeloading off of others hard work."

Jeremy was shocked by what he said, he never examined it like that, he always thought of himself cunning and clever for being able to steal, it never accord to him how much of a coward he really was.

"I never wanted to be a theif, never wanted to turn into what I am. I didn't have to. I took the easy way out, I didn't want to work hard, for fear that the hard work would still get me nowhere," Jeremy said more determined to get his view across. "This is my last chance I have to prove to myself that I am not who I say I am. I don't want to blow it," Jeremy said in all seriousness, his expression very grim set.
 
"If that's the case, why have you been acting so negatively?" I asked Jeremy as I appeared behind a nearby hill of sand. I was honestly astounded that they didn't notice me sneak over there in the first place. "What's important now, is not that you're a thief, nor that you're poor, but rather that you're a good person, despite the fact that we've been going at each other's throats since we met! We've all done our share of bad deeds, but everyone works to correct them. Well, any good person would."

After saying my fill, I began to walk ahead to Triet, expecting Jeremy to yell at me for listening in. Did what I say even make sense? I hadn't really thought about what I was saying.
 
Jeremy, who managed to calm himself before he let himself go on a rant, just glared at David as he made his pass. Jeremy just snorted loudly and stomped off, trying not to follow the boy, but ending up right on his tail, still fuming. He didn't want everyone in the group to know, and he figured he start with the first person to ask him about it.

Which had been Yoshiko, not David. And for that, he was ungrateful that he even had the nerve to eavesdrop. Jeremy felt that it wasn't David's responsibility to make unwanted comments when he only want to confide in one person for the time being.
 
"What, not happy?" I called over to him as I noticed him trailing behind. "I'm not going to tell anyone, geez!" I felt so trusted in this group... not. I had only been trying to make him feel better too! Why had he followed me in the first place? I was assuming that if he became mad, he'd try and avoid me, unless he had something to say. Curious of what may happen, I stopped, burning in the scorching sunlight.
 
"This is the only way to Triet," Jeremy said as he pointed to the city that had come into view. "Believe me, if there was anther way, I'd take it," Jeremy added sourly as he marched passed David, continuing on his way to their first destination, not knowing what to expect. He didn't trust anyone, and after the talk with Yoshiko, he wasn't sure he even trusted himself.

OOC: Sorry for the short post...can't think of anything else to say.
 
Yoshiko walked behind them two - still unnerved from David's sudden appearence.

She didn't know how to respond to Jeremy's troubles, but she still thought that he was very brave. It took a certain amount of courage to pour one's thoughts and heart to a near stranger... she thought, looked at her bandaged wounds.

Still, she hoped that Jeremy still trusted her...

((OOC: Going to be gone, so wherever this RP goes, Yoshiko will follow. o.O; ))
 
I've only made him hate me more. I thought to myself as I continued through the sand to my destination, the taste of salt from my sweat upon my lips. As I drew closer to Triet, I found it much harder to breathe, and the sweltering heat seemed to increase more and more, until finally I collapsed into the sand. Most likely from heat stroke or dehydration. Of course, nobody probably cared, and they'd be better off if I just died here, even if they didn't know it. Maybe I was best left to be devoured by monsters...
 
The least expected person of the group went to the aid of David as soon as the boy thudded again the sandy ground. Going to one knee, Jeremy examined David to make sure that an arrow any other type of attack didn't hit him. "Water..." Jeremy muttered to himself, he, too, was tired, thirst, and about to faint now that he realized how hot it was getting. But living on the streets, where the temperature of the side walk could sizzle anybody's feet, he was used to extreme conditions, maybe not this extreme, but extreme enough.

Lifting David into his arms, despite his fatigue, he looked frantically around, trying to find a stray river that was close enough. At last, the only place that obviously had water, was Triet. Triet was only a 100 yards from their location, so it was very close and easy to get to. Running, or jogging, he tried to get to Triet before the boys' health could further worsen.

OOC: And Jeremy will never let David live it down! XD
 
?You idiot! Don?t run, we don?t need two of you dead now do we!?? She ran just to the side of Jeremy and placed her hands on his shoulders, trying to slow him down ?I have water here!? She announced, taking a canteen full of water from her belt ?There was a small river back in that forest, I filled up there knowing that the desert wasn?t going to be an easy journey?

?Now don?t be a fool and don?t try to take on the role of hero?It will only mean you failing!? She held the water in front of his face, hoping he would accept her offer and not try his earlier approach of trying to run to the desert Oasis. There would be plenty of time to stock up when they arrived at the Oasis.

She took deep breaths; the heat was starting to get to her as well now that she had stupidly ran after Jeremy in an attempt to slow him down as well. The Oasis didn?t seem that far away, but battling against the sun was a foolish way of handling such a problem.

?Please? Rei pleaded, shaking the canteen in front of his face.
 
"You realize that Triet is within feet now? A bit late, dontcha think?" Jeremy asked, not criticizing for once, but in a teasing manner as he willingly accepted the cantina. He grinned and then threw his arms to his side, letting David fall helplessly to the ground; shrugging Jeremy sighed, "Sorry, I couldn't help myself."

Opening David's mouth, Jeremy preceeded to pour a bit of water into the dry hole of a mouth. Then with a flick of his wrist, he let some of the water splash on David's face, "Wake up you lazy bum!" Jeremy shouted, waiting for David to come to. He twisted the cap back on the cantina, not wanting to waste the whole thing, just incase his little "technique" didn't work. He was beginning to sweat more rapidly now.

"Help me get 'im, to Triet, there has to be a spring there to dump him in," Jeremy said, lifting his already soaking shirt to his face to wipe off what he could of the beads that were running down his face like he just dumped a barrel of water on his head.
 
Rei shrugged, ?you saw how the heat got to him, and he was only walking, running was foolish, even if it was in reaching distance? She watched as Jeremy dropped the boys form to the floor, and glared at him through her bangs of brown hair, she rolled her eyes at his statement and watched as the boys mouth was tilted back so that Jeremy could pour a good deal of water into his mouth.

"Help me get 'im, to Triet, there has to be a spring there to dump him in," he stated as he whipped the sweat from his brow?this only reminded the young teenager of her own trembling body and the heat that engulfed them. She swallowed hard and took a deep intake of breath before stooping low and flinging one of Davids arms over her shoulder.

?Ill take one arm, you take the other. It will be easier on us all that way? She announced, raising to her feet and waiting for Jeremy to take the other arm. ?I am not carrying him on my own, stupid heat is getting worse and worse?oh and you didn?t have to get all teasing on me now, did ya? She huffed, glaring once again at the other ?I was only trying to help you?make it easier you know?anyways, lets get going?

(OOC- is it me...or are my replies getting small oO;; )
 
Jeremy shrugged helplessly, and then turned on his heels. Starting off like he was going to leave Rei with the fainted boy, he didn't turn back until he was a good way away from them. Seeing her glare at him and say something about teasing that he didn't quite comprehend Jeremy said exasperated, "Oh come off yourself! I was just having a little fun! You know, lighten the mood a little!"

He then jogged over to them, which seemed to take more energy then it should have. He took the other arm and helped Rei drag him the extra few feet to the city where they could find (hopefully) a spring. "I hope the others are alright, we'll probably have to go back to them and see if there's anyone downed," Jeremy said as he prompted the motionless boy in the shade of one of the buildings. He then proceeded to look for any spring near by that he could dump him. "I mean I'll go back," Jeremy said not wanting to vulenteer the other for anything that he was going to do.

OOC: Yes so are mine. Just hope dave gets back soon so Jeremy doesn't end up drowning his character... XD
 
Rei growled, was this person seriously trying to make himself hated by everyone he came across? What could have happened to make him hate people so?why was he such a secretive character? Rei didn?t know this, but she had never met a person like him, so unwilling to make friends.

They made it through the gates of Triet and immediately made their way with the fallen boy to the shade of a tall building. They set him down and slowly after, Rei slid down the wall to sit beside him, she looked up at Jeremy as he blabbed on about the others and declared he would go back and check on them, she shook her head ?No, they will be fine?.I hope?

She looked around in search of any sign of water and remembered back to the game, she cast her eyes upon Jeremy in a worried glance ?Didn?t that man by the Oasis in the game say that the Oasis was protected dude to lack of water in Triet? Then do you think they will let us drop him in?? She cast her eyes then upon David who lay still unconscious at her side ??their gonna have to...? She muttered.

Sighing she ran a hand through her sweat soaked hair and grunted softly ?Then perhaps we can rest at the inn?? Granted she had never been so tired in her life, her body was drained and the heat was most certainly getting to her.

?Jeremy? Can I ask you a question?? She waited for no reply but gave her question none the less ?Why do act the way you are?? wait?that sounded stupid??I mean?you act that way because that?s you but?y?know?why are you?why don?t you like anyone??

?Nice going, Rei?get yourself laughed at even more?weldone!? She grumbled low and looked away in embarrassment.

(OOC- XD, yeah...don't think Dai will like that XD)
 
OOC: I say we throw David into the oasis and forget about him just to see what Dave has to say. XD

IC: "Someone has to stay here and help revive David and someone has to go after the others. I'm actually enjoying myself out here in the heat," Jeremy said in all seriousness, apparently ignoring her question until he had his say.

He then looked at her, seemingly to just now comprehend the question she threw at him. There was no humor in his expression, no laugh that followed her oddly put question and recovering, just a resolved and grim set expression as he said, "My trust is not easily earned, and I don't expect anybody to trust me. I prefer my privacy. Let's just say I have a darker past and present than I care to admit."

"Is there some sort of Cleric or healer in this town that will be able to restore him? How far is the Oasis? Do you think we can make it there in time?" Jeremy said, pushing his answer to her last question and the question she previous threw at him far in the back of his mind, deeming both unimportant and irrelevent to their present situation.
 
Lauren healed her broken ribs with a quick healing spell and glanced at the three who were now in Triet. She could still make them out a little bit. "Way to let the rest of us catch up..." the girl muttered as she quickly walked to Triet.

It wasn't that far, about a hundred yards or so, but Lauren still was tired out by the time she reached the Desert Oasis. The hot weather had really done her in. It couldn't have been the cold town, no, it just HAD to be Triet. The blonde leaned on her staff to catch her breath. She noticed that David was still unconcious, and that the other two, Jeremy and another girl about her age, were trying to revive him...or at least, that's what Lauren thought they were doing. However, she was pretty sure she was right.

She stumbled over to the shade near the trio and sat down. "Woah...what happened to him? Heat stroke?" she said, exhausted, as she wiped the sweat from her forehead.
 
After their first battle with the Egg Bears, Sayuri gave Lauren a quick hug. It was her little apology for making her fall from such a high distance. She was extremely relieved when she saw her healing herself, at least now she wouldn't have to worry.

The group had then carried on forward to Triet. With the scorching heat, Sayuri found herself at the end of the group, heavily breathing. "I never knew the desert was this hot!" She cried to herself, picking up her pace to catch up with the others.

Oh, it was quite a bother to be so short.

Don't worry, Sayu, it's only a few yards away~ it'll be fine then!

When she had reached their destination, she made her way to where Lauren and the others were. She unfortunately for her, she tripped on a small dent, which is hardly visible, on the sandy, erm, sand. She fell right next to David, who was unconscious?

"Why is David sleeping?" She inquired, poking him gently on the ribs. Granted, she knew it was partially because of the heat, but he seemed like those strong~tough guys in most games; it was bewildering to see him faint.
 
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