The Hunt for God's Gem (Private Desert Warrior & PurpleDiamond)

Ayries Copper​

"Hah, I like that. Running off with a man that I met only the day before. I'm going to tell Alyss that I've decided to run off with the circus and marry the freak show who can stick knives down his throat." Ayries laughed at the prospect of this. Awh, if only dad could see me now... she thought. I think he'd be proud.

"But yeah, it's best if we head back and tell her. I don't think she'll be all that happy, but I can't let her get hurt. She's only a child and I know that my parents would be upset if she tagged along. I don't see a point in going back so quickly though; I'd prefer avoiding the temper tantrum for atleast a few more moments. Let's go to some shop or restaurant and get something to eat. I'm not an anorexic person, I require food to survive. There's a cute place down the street called Cookes n' Cream that sells some pastries like muffins."

After finishing this phrase Ayries took off running down the block suddenly; without mentioning that she was going to.

"Gerik, hurry up you slow poke!"

 

Ayries Copper​

Ayries kept running as fast as her legs could possibly go. It kind of felt like she wasn't touching the ground going at the speed that she was currently at. It was as if, one second her foot would be on the pave and half a second later the other one was already off. I'm liable to trip if I keep this up. Adrenaline was pumping out of her a mile a minute and it felt as if she were a child again. Ayries took a peek behind her and noticed that Gerik was starting to catch up to her. Fast. Oh man, I might not beat him or maybe I can. The shop must not be too far ahead, she thought.

As Ayries peered ahead of her she noticed that Cookies n' Cream was only a few shops away. She kept sprinting, but she knew that she couldn't last much longer. Ayries was getting far too tired for this. She had to stop and lean on the nearby store in order to catch her breath.

"Okay Gerik, you're so going to beat me. I need a break. It's all that breakfast I ate this morning." she laughed at the thought of this and was amazed because she didn't feel sick from running so quicky in such a short period of time.

"Hey better yet, come give me a piggy back ride. It's only four shops away."

 

Ayries Copper​

"Okay, just to clear things up it was breakfast that slowed me down. I gave you the light meal while I ate all of the heavy duty cereal. I could outrun you in a race any day of the week." Ayries proclaimed with a hint of pride glowing on her face. She walked over to where Gerik was kneeling and jumped up on his back. I can't even remember the last time I got a piggy back ride from anyone. This feels so preschool... she thought

"So you can see the shop from here right ? It should only take you a few minutes to get there. I probably could have walked though if I really wanted to." Ayries thought about this for a second then added, "Hey, if you find I'm too heavy or anything you could always put me down. I kind of feel lazy doing this. It wouldn't be a good thing either if I put out your back." she giggled about this for a few seconds and felt like she was insane for laughing over something so simple like that. He's going to start to think that I lost all of my marbles soon.

As she was dangling on Gerik's back she decided that she might as well get over it and said,
"You probably do run a lot faster than me."

 

Ayries Copper​

Ayries heard the comment of the elderly lady and couldn't help but smile over it. She leaned over near Geriks ear and tried to whisper as quietly as possible, "Did you hear what she said ? Old people are so adorable! They're even more cute than babies! We should come back and try to visit her sometime or take her with us." she said in a playful manner. Ayries legs kept swinging loosely while she pressed against Geriks' back. I wonder if he's ever been in love before...

"Gerik, have you ever been in a relationship before ? Like while you were in school or something ? I'm just curious as to whether or not you're a lonely guy." she thought about this for a second and realized that this might have come across the wrong way, He's going to start to think that I like him soon. Man, why do I always do this to myself.

"Oh and by the way, you're paying for my food at Cookies n' Cream, right ? I don't care if you think I'm fat, I just want my muffin." Ayries blurted out.

 

Ayries Copper​

Ayries jumped off of Gerik's back with little to no fuss or problem at all and made her way into the magnificent Cookies n' Cream shop. It was a small little place, but sold some of the best pastries in all of Catara. The interior walls were a soft pink colour on top with an ice cream cone wallpaper lining the bottom half. The chairs were also hot pink or plain white with a light pink rim going around the cushions. It was as if Barbie had set up the place herself.

She turned towards Gerik and said, "I thought you'd feel right at home here. Nice place, eh ?"

Ayries walked up to the counter of the store and pondered on what type of muffin she should get. There was blueberry, raspberry, banana nut, chocolate chip... The list could go on for ages. This must be the most difficult decision that I'm going to have to make all day, Ayries thought. After another few seconds she finally decided on what she would like.

"I'd like a banana nut muffin please. The fine young gentlemen behind me will be paying for that." The employee, who looked to be around the same age as she was, handed Ayries her muffin. Since she had her order in hand, Ayries decided that she might as well stand next to Gerik.

"She's pretty, don't you find ?"

 

Ayries Copper​

"We can just claim that we're brother and sister if that makes you feel better." Ayries muttered. "It's not like they would know one way or another. Besides, you'd be lucky to have me as a girlfriend." she walked out of Cookies n' Cream with already half of the muffin in her mouth. No matter what the circumstances were, they always tasted delicious and practically melted in your mouth. It was one of those heaven on earth moments.

Once she was a few steps out of the shop, Ayries turned towards Gerik and said, "We should go see Alyss now, I wish I could just send her an e-mail. I know she won't be happy. Will you be waiting inside or outside of the apartment ?" She didn't really wait for a reply because she knew that Gerik would follow her if he was coming back to the apartment. Ayries began to mosey along home, in no hurry at all. Hopefully she'll be understanding, she thought.

"Do you have any tips on how to break the news to her ? That is, if you still want me to be coming along with you on this adventure. "

 

Ayries Copper​

"You sounds like a cheesy postcard." Ayries replied to Gerik. I can't imagine sitting there and telling Alyss that she better be a good girl and take care of herself. She's not 7 years old, she thought.

As Ayries made her way back into the apartment, leaving Gerik outside, she noticed that Alyss was now finally wide awake and sitting down on the couch. "Hey, I've got to talk to you for a second." she said to Alyss, placing herself right next to her and looking directly into her eyes. "It's something very important."

"What is it ?" her sister replied, rubbing at her face. Wow, she must have just woke up..... Ayries realized.
"I plan on traveling with a new friend. We'll be gone for a while, but you know I'll always come back because...umm... You're going to have to stay here; at the apartment." Ayries said as blunt as she possibly could manage.
"What do you mean I have to stay back ? Why can't I come ? You can't leave me here ! " she retorted angrily.
"Alyss, the real world is dangerous and you're still young. You have to stay back ! This isn't up for discussion. There's money in the bank account if you need it and you have a job now. You can live on your own for a few months. " Ayries said, becoming a little frustrated.
"This isn't fair !" Alyss replied. "Why do you get to go ?"
"I get to go because I'm the eldest and you're only 16 years old. I'll be back for you I swear. You know I love you." Ayries said.

With that, Alyss marched off into her room and slammed the door behind her. I guess that went better than expected, Ayries thought. She got off of the couch and decided that she might as well go see Gerik again. Once she was outside again, she looked over at him and said,

"I told her about it. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be."

 

Ayries Copper​

"I'm not a damsel in distress. I can't fight my own battles." Ayries retorted back. "However, do you really think we'll be fighting anybody ? I was hoping only the casual drunks would be causing a stir. Why would anybody be searching for something that's considered a myth ?" she paused before adding, "Well, of course we are but I consider that a different case. "

She continued walking a long the streets at her usual pace but her mind was haunted by thoughts of her sister. I hope she'll be all right; she's never been away from me for a lond period of time before. I know that the neighbourhood is fairly friendly, but there's always the chance that something might... Ayries shook her head and realized that it was pointless thinking about 'what could' happen. Absolutely anything 'can happen' but worrying about it never solves anything.

She turned towards Gerik and asked him with a hint of vulnerability present, "Do you think my sister's going to be all right in Catara ?"

 

Ayries Copper​

"Yeah, you're right. Alyss should be perfectly fine here." Ayries replied slightly blushing. She continued walking right next to Gerik and realized that he wasn't such a bad guy after all. Maybe we'll would end up being friends for a long time. Or atleast until one of us bites the dust, she thought.

"If you really think that we'll run into some fights I might as well get myself a weapon too. I'm going to prove to you that I'm a strong person and that I can fend for myself. However, as opposed to your town there's no real good blacksmiths found in Catara. There's only the accessories ones who can make weapons, but they're the type that you hang on the walls of your house; not used for actual combat. The good news is that in order to find God's Gem we have to head westward and not too far from here, around 40 km, is Mesmera. It's one of the huge metropolis' found in this region and it would be a great place to get a sword made. Mesmera is found due west from here, so we were going to end up running into that place at some point. Besides it would be nice to check out that city! I've never been there before and it sounds amazing! " she exclaimed.

Ayries was now walking with a bit more of a spring in her step. This could end up being a fun little adventure...

 

Ayries Copper​

"Somewhere between here and Mesmera. Hmm..."

Ayries started pondering on this. She knows the geography of this region fairly well and she was trying to figure out a place that would be practically between the two cities. It clearly wouldn't end up being a large metro area or anything of that sort, but small towns we're always a nice place to stick around for a night. After a few moments of scraping through her mind she finally remembered a village that was nearby.

"Oh, well there's always Fenery village. It's only around 18 km away from here; not even half of the distance between Catara and Mesmera. We could walk there with little to no problem, I mean it's still early in the day. Besides we could always use our exercise!" Ayries said gleefully.

She latched on to Gerik's hand and began running down the street as fast as she could. I've got to get him moving somehow... After a few seconds she stopped and let go of him again with a huge grin on her face.

"You know we won't get anywhere if you keep standing around."