Hot As Hell|Clan Fira, Naurorod

[Kender Bard]

"This place feels like the ass end of Erif," Dreamwarp snarled a little.

She'd managed, through time and hardship with treks outdoors with her family, to allow them enough exposure to the sun that they need no longer fear immediate burns and pain and blinding. She'd still packed their hooded robes and cloaks just to be safe, but now wondered why she'd even bothered.

She'd grossly underestimated both the heat of the desert as well as what protection her sign would afford. Before the first day in the 'true' desert (where the scrubby grasslands gave way to sand) was over, she was considering walking around nude if it would afford some relief. Their black Soahcian clothing was murderously hot.

"I don't like it here," Kura said for the millionth time. At first her words had been laced with annoyance, then petulance, and then discomfort. They were beginning to sound a little desperate. She clung, currently, to Drake, seeking comfort in his presence, even though he could hardly bully the heat and sun itself.

"Why'd we come here again?" Dreamwarp sighed, wiping her sleeve over her forehead. "Maybe we should turn back."

[Northen Light36]

Ann had been out for a ride, testing the paces of a horse she'd been considering replacing Moondust with, when she'd heard the voices of the group. Her scout training had taken over and she'd dismounted at once, releasing the horse to return to Fira alone while she hid and waited to see who was coming.

Now, seeing the trio of priests and the children, she both relaxed and winced. They were either very dedicated, or very crazy, to wear black in the desert. Either and both were likely for Soahc's priests, she thought wryly and stepped out of her concealment to approach the group. "Greetings," she called, smiling. "I was about to ask that question myself, priestess."

[tuo]

Adam wiped his brow again before raising his hood again and thanked Soahc that most of his regular black Soahcian robes weren't cleaned before they left and he had to take his light blue robes instead. "I don't even remember..are you all sure you don't want to borrow my extra robes? I think they might help.." While Adam was doing a little better off then the other adults, he still wasn't exactly enjoying himself that much.

Lysander on the other hand seemed to be the only one who was trying to be happy as kept trying to skip around this new place only to stop every few seconds to cling to Adam's robes, trying to wrap them around himself for some relief.

That is of course until the scout revealed herself. "Wow, where did you come from miss? Why are you wearing clothes like that? Does it help keep you cool here?" Lysander suddenly shot a few questions her way.

[Kender Bard]

Dreamwarp frowned a little at Ann and moved to stand a little more protectively in front of Adam and Lysander. She trusted Drake to protect Kura.

"Hello," she greeted with wariness. "We're travelling here for... fun I suppose though it's decidedly lacking. We're from Flux. This is my family; my two husbands, our daughter, and her friend."

Though it feels like we've unofficially taken him on too, Dreamwarp thought wryly as she cast a backwards glance at Lysander snuggled protectively under Adam's robes.

"Don't mind the boy, he's a Curious in training," she added.

[Northen Light36]

Two husbands? Ann raised an eyebrow slightly at that, but said nothing and instead simply, "He seems to be a good learner, in that case. Welcome to Naurorod, and to Clan Fira," she greeted the group, smiling. "I'm Ann, and to answer your questions, child, I came from Fira and yes, my clothes do help keep me cool. Though it's not yet particularly hot - by Naurorod standards anyway." She grinned at the group and added, "I imagine you are all quite hot in those robes. Would you care to come into the clan proper and have something to drink and a rest in the shade?"

[Kender Bard]

"That'd be great," Dreamwarp sighed and relaxed a little. It seemed this woman wasn't some hostile savage come to chase them away.

Kura let go of Drake's hand and scurried over to Adam, trying to join Lysander inside the sky blue fabric. "Thank you," she called out as an afterthought.

[tuo]

Drake grunted somewhat dryly. "Thanks..we'd really appreciate it.."

Adam smiled and sheltered the kids with his robes. "How long of a walk is it miss Ann."

[Northen Light36]

"Not long at all," Ann replied, smiling. "Actually, I'm surprised you haven't run into any of Fira's scouts already. I was just out for a pleasure ride myself. Come on, follow me."

It really didn't take long to return to the clan. Gemma, having been watching Alyssa for Ann, smiled when she saw Ann. "Get thrown?" she called, laughing. "Liam's tending to Silverwind."

"I never get thrown," Ann shot back. "I sent her back when I found we had guests."

Gemma looked over Ann's companions she handed Alyssa back to her mother. "Welcome to Fira," she greeted them. "Priests of Soahc?" she added, curiously.

"Honoured Leader!" Artica hurried up to the group. "Are you all right, Ann? We were concerned something had happened."

Ann smiled at Artica and shook her head. "I'm fine. Just playing scout a bit."

[Kender Bard]

Dreamwarp nodded to Gemma. "Aye, from Flux."

"Everyone's dark!" Kura exclaimed in surprise. She'd come out from under Adam's robes, finding it hot and stuffy from bodyheat. She was staring at Gemma a little. There were dark-skinned individuals at Flux, but most people tended to be very pale.

[tuo]

Lysander peeked out as well and grinned as he darted up next to Kura. "Wow, they are! Did the sun do this to you all? Or maybe the sand? We don't get much of either back in Flux."

Adam chuckled at the children's antics before digging around in his robes for some kind of gift to offer.

[Northen Light36]

Ann, Artica and Gemma laughed. "Well, Gemma and I were born with our skin colour," Ann laughed. "But Artica used to be like you and look how dark the sun turned her."

"Come on, there's a little shade near the water hole and you're welcome to get a drink, or a swim there," Gemma offered. "And... uh, no offence but... Those robes are a terrible choice to wear around here. Would you like me to find something more suitable for the heat?"

[Kender Bard]

"Please," Dreamwarp murmured. "I've never been to Naurorod. In fact, we barely leave Flux. Had no idea it was going to be so bad. And to think, I thought a few marks in the sun outside the gates would harden us to the desert." She gave a snort of contempt at her own idiocy as she headed for the water pool.

"Wow what's this?" Kura asked as she looked over the water hole. "Look at all this water in one place!"

"Don't mind the childrens' enthusiasm," Dreamwarp added as she knelt by the water. "Neither have been out of Flux before. This is their first time seeing the world."

[tuo]

Lysander dashed over to the water and looked at it in amazement. "Wow..is this an ocean? Don't you have to worry about it getting dirty?"

Adam smiled and sat under a shade gratefully, soon followed by Drake. "Oh, also I hope you can accept this gift." He(Adam) says as he finds something to give and holds out a small bag of coins, he didn't think they'd appreciate or understand some random gift of..randomness so money it is.

[Northen Light36]

Ann considered refusing, but Shadow had taught her enough about Soahcian's that she could guess Adam was on the Generous path and she didn't want to offend him. "Thank you," she replied, accepting the gift as Gemma headed off to arrange for clothing to be found for their guests.

"This is a waterhole," she tells the children as she sets Alyssa down in the shallow water at the edge of the waterhole to allow the toddler to splash and play in the water. "The ocean is much bigger then this. And no, we don't have to worry about it getting dirty, there's a small undeground spring here that makes sure the water stays fresh."

[Kender Bard]

Kura splashed her hands around in it energetically, giggling.

Dreamwarp casually stripped off her clothing, trying to watch reactions discreetly. She'd never been to Naurorod and wasn't sure how people felt about such casual nudity. As she did, she slipped into the water with a shocked gasp, followed by a pleased sound as the water cooled her off.

Kura didn't bat an eyelash at Dreamwarp disrobing. Her mother was always getting naked. She was more interested in trying to splash Lysander. "Hee hee, this is fun!"