Survival Used To Be Everything

[Ninia]

Aeron poured a little water into to lid and held it out to the other. Aeron decided to voice the question that had been nagging at the back of his mind. “What were you doing out there? No-one lives on the trash heaps. Most stick with their group but you’re alone, why?” Everything about the man went against the type of person who would survive here. He was small, delicate and just looked like he needed protecting to Aeron.

Aeron glanced outside seeing the sun start to disappear behind the land. He’d have to leave early tomorrow if he had any hope of meeting up with the others. “I don’t like others owing me, it just makes things complicated. Just accept that I helped you and leave it at that.”

[chocobeast]

Venice tried to fly over to the proferred cap. But for some reason, he was still unable to get airborne. His wings were fine. They flittered perfectly. So why couldn't he fly?

He pouted, "Could you set it down? I can't fly."

As he carefully, made his way to the ground. He explained, "My family was kidnapped from Earth when I was like 6. We were all killed. Except, I guess they didn't do it right for me. I woke up in the trash pile and have lived there ever since. Because I'm small I guess, I was able to hide pretty good from the raiding parties. When I found that can was one of the happiest days of my life."

He waited patiently for the other male to set the water cap down. "And as per my indebitedness, I owe you and that's final."

[Ninia]

Aeron frowned but set the cap down on the floor next to his leg then gently picked the other up and helped him off his leg and onto the floor. He was sure he hadn’t damaged the others wings.

He listened to the others story, his sympathy growing for the other. He was one of the few that hadn’t done anything wrong but still ended up here. Most people who were dumped here were criminals or had crashed but a unlucky few were in this man’s place and had been kidnapped.

He was silent for a while before he sighed “I’m Aeron, if you’re going to be staying with me until you feel you’ve paid your ‘debt’ you might as well know my name.” He glanced outside again, making sure no-one was going to find them. “I’m planning on leaving early so you might want to get some sleep. I’ll stay up on watch”

[chocobeast]

Venice let himself be grabbed. He wasn't use to it though and stayed stiff in the boy's soft hands. Carefully, he stretched his wings when he was set down. He wasn't sure why, but he couldn't fly. He was going to have to look into it soon. He didn't like being helpless.

Venice drank deeply. The water was the best tasting thing he had had in AGES. It was sooooo clean. He nearly choked, he drank so fast. Finally, when the cap was almost licked clean, he looked up and held out his hand. "I'm Venice. Born on Earth. And I will be your protectorate."

He smiled when he saw he saw how diligent Aeron was at keeping watch. "As soon as you are ready to sleep. Let me know. I'll take over guard duty."

[Ninia]

Aeron looked at Venice with a raised brow but nodded. He’d been planning to keep watch most of the night, Venice was so small he didn’t know what the other would be able to do if someone did find them. He knew from experience that he shouldn’t judge him by his size but…

“Just try and rest. As I said, we’re leaving early. We need to make it back before my group move on.” They’d only wait so long before deciding he was dead or had joined another group. They may have a little more time as Damon would try and make the group wait as long as he could but it would still be close.

Aeron remained silent after that, watching the sun disappear and soon they were in darkness the only light from the glow of the moon.

[chocobeast]

Vence frowned that Aeron didn't wanna shake his hand. But he could understand Aeron's trepidation. They just met and the boy obviously didn't know that even though Venice looked small and frail, he could lift 70x his weight and was trained in self defense. He could take a man down in 4 moves.

Venice climbed up Aeron's shoe...then his leg...then his hip...then up his belly...until he reached Aeron's chest. There, he curled up comfortable on the warm and soft surface. It had been sooo long since he had actually and willingly been in the company of another. This was comforting in and of itself. He relaxed his featherlight wings. All too quickly, he was sound asleep.

[Ninia]

Aeron could see he’d upset the other slightly by ignoring his hand and he felt a little bad about it but it was probably for the best. It was a bad idea to let others close. He was lost in his thoughts and jumped when he felt the Venice start to climb up him. Aeron didn’t move, not wanting to cause the other to fall.

He waited until the other was settled before turning his attention back outside, confused about how he was acting. If anyone else had done what Venice had Aeron would just shake them off and leave. But this time he didn’t have that feeling, instead he was content to just let the other stay there. Aeron shook his head and focused on staying up and stared into the darkness outside for any sign of movement.

The night went on with no sign of anyone. Aeron’s eyes started to feel heavy as he forced them to stay open. In the end he knew he would just fall asleep so he decided he’d have to trust Venice and wake him to take the watch. He gently shook the other. “It’s your watch, wake me if you see anything.”

[chocobeast]

Venice had been dreaming of the old days again. Him and his brothers racing through the Redwooods in the forest. He always won. Hw as the oldest. Of course he won.

Goggily, he cracked open his eyes. The fiirst thing he noticed, the headache was gone. The second, Aeron was shaking him. He was about to make a grumpy comment when he heard that it was his shift. He stood at attention and asked, "Set me on your shoulder and then you can go to sleep. I got this."

[Ninia]

Aeron nodded and picked Venice up, placing him on his shoulder before closing his eyes and trying to get some rest. It took him a while to relax with Venice around but eventually he managed to get to sleep.

Aeron’s dreams weren’t as happy. Instead he dreamed of his time on Jeskara, on the streets with his brother. They’d barley managed to get by, stealing from others, delivering messages for gangs. He’d hated his life then but know he’d do anything to get it back, to be off this hell hole. His brother’s mistake meant Aeron had to fight for survival every day.

[chocobeast]

Venice stood totally still looking out into the vast moonless darkness. He had done this every night for forever. Watching to see if anyone would come around and try to attack him or something. Finally after what seemed like a year, he found the relative safety of that can. He could actually sleep at night again when he closed the lid of the can.

Venice stared out silently. His mind wandered back to his days in the forest again. Him playing with the fireflies without a care in the world. He smiled. His memories lead to more and more and he actually was feeling good.

Before he knew it, the dark blackness of night was giving way to a grey tint and then a light hazy amber.

[Ninia]

Aeron woke when he felt the sun on his face. He opened his eyes, squinting as the light started to enter the cave. He pushed himself up, careful not to knock the other off his shoulder. He moved to the edge of the cave and looked out, seeing if he knew where they were. There was no point leaving if they didn’t know where they were going.

It didn’t take long for Aeron to spot a dark, river nearby. Like most of the other rivers on the planet, this one was also polluted. If it was the river Aeron thought it was then this should lead them to his group. He grabbed his bags and prepared to leave.

“Do you want a drink before we go? I don’t want to stop until we reach my people.”

[chocobeast]

Venice actually enjoyed the sunrise. The colorful hues and the silent passing of the clouds. If there wasn't so much toxins and death, this place could possibly, actually be nice. He let the early morning sun warm his tiny body and wings but stayed extra still so as not to wake Aeron.

But eventually, it happened anyway. Aeron began to stir under Venice's tiny feet. He actually got worried that he might fall when Aeron sat up and stretched. He clung to the rags that were Aeron's shirt and rode it out with a smile.

Venice stayed quiet still. For some reason, he just didn't feel the need to talk just yet. Maybe it was the fact that they were still out there unprotected and hiding from unknown bandits. He really wasn't sure. But he stayed quiet as he watched Aeron search the horizon.

That was until the large man's eyes turned on him and asked him if he was thirsty. Sheepishly, he nodded. "Yeah, because I don't know when I may get another fresh cup of water like that again."

With that, he strectched his wings preparing to fly down. And that's when he saw it. One of his four wings were broken. It probably happened when he was rolled in the can. It was bent sideways. He frowned, "I can't believe it's broken. I can't even feel it." He wanted to cry but that would show even more weakness. "Could you please set me down on the grround to drink?"

[Ninia]

Aeron grabbed his canteen again, pouring water into the lid. He set the lid on the ground then held his hand out for the other to climb onto. But before he set Venice down near the lid he held him up to eye level to look at the broken wing. He was careful not to touch it as he studied the wing.

Aeron set Venice down near the lid after a while, thinking about something. He was hoping that Venice would leave but the other had insisted on staying, and now his wing was broken. It would be cruel if Aeron left him like this.

“Back at camp we have someone who may be able to help you. He’s the medic of our group, I can’t promise anything but he could take a look at your wing if you want.”

The man was a young doctor before he was dumped on the planet. Damon and a few others had found him a few years back and they immediately took him in when they found out he was a doctor. He was a huge help to them but with limited supplies he could only do so much. Aeron stretched and looked outside once more, they should leave soon.

“I’ll carry you until we reach them. I’m quicker than you while you’re that size and I think I know the area.”

[chocobeast]

Venice carefully stepped out on Aeron's hand and expected to be set down at tthe water instantly. What he hadn't expected was Aeron inspecting him like a baby bird. He couldn't help but blush as the large man eyed him seriously.

"A doctor? I didn't think doctors existed here." Venice asked totally shocked. He suddenly had realy hope of healing. Without a doctor, there was just no way he would ever fly again. "I would owe you even more Aeron. Thank you."

He then drank deeply knowing full well Aeron was planning on a long day of hiking. Finally full, he stepped back and smiled. Almost silently he asked, "How Aeron, do you want me to come with you?"

[Ninia]

“There aren’t many doctors here. We were just one of the lucky ones to find one. One who’s willing to help us rather than leave and join a larger group.” Aeron didn’t bother telling the other that he didn’t owe him anything, he would probably keep insisting like before.

When Venice had finished drinking, Aeron tightened the lid back on his canteen and hung it on his shoulder. Then he grabbed the bags before holding his hand out for Venice to climb onto.

He paused at Venice’s question, thinking about what would be the best way to carry him without causing more damage to his wing. “Do you think you’ll be alright in my pocket again? It’ll be easier for me that way but I don’t want your wing to get worse.”