>> Lude etc go >> The camp is pleasantly quiet as people unwind after the impromptu trek through the underground passage; most of the group are either dozing or doing their own thing, while Saki is over to one side away from most of the group, keeping an eye on a simmering pot and turning the blackened bracer over in her hands. * Saki seems more relaxed - as close as she ever gets, anyhow - as with a deft movement she flicks open a worn travelling knife with one hand and absently cuts off a slice of carrot to eat. Chef's perks, clearly. * Ryllan watches Saki as she cooks, lazing back on his bedroll while playing absently with a bit of the protective field around the camp, bouncing it between his fingers. After a moment, he gets to his feet and walks over to Saki, "Hey, Saki." He starts carefully, quite ready to back off if it turns out the relaxation is only temporarily. * Saki glances up from where she's sitting - apparently in a slightly awkward meditation position, made sloppy by her having to reach back and forth between her utensils. Her eyes are perhaps a little less haunted... though she still looks rather dour. "Mm." she briefly acknowledges before turning to raise an eyebrow at the pot. * Ryllan tries to mince the words, but fails miserably, "You alright? You said I should ask you later back in the ruins... so, well, I'm asking." He rubs the back of his head a bit sheepishly. * Saki doesn't make a sign she's noticed - just another "Mm." of response. Methodically she finishes up with the carrot, sneaking another slice for herself and tossing the rest into the pot, and only then does she sit back just a little and come into focus, frowning slightly. "... answer me something first, and maybe I'll tell you." * Ryllan drops down unceremoniously to sit on the ground, "Oookay... Shoot." * Saki sends a rather steely glare Ryllan's way, becoming quite blunt. "I realise that nothing went as planned during the final, but the fact remains that you got there by Yuriko becoming injured. Was that you, or the--" she hitches just slightly at the name, "--Prophetess, or random chance?" * Ryllan shakes his head, "Yuriko's injury wasn't the work of me or any of mine. I can't answer as to whether the Prophetess was involved or not." He sighs, spreading his arms, "It was a shock to me when I heard." * Saki glances sharply over at the phrase 'any of mine', but doesn't follow it up; instead, she grins in a slightly feral fashion. "I bet. She'd have taken you apart." * Ryllan nods, "In all likelyhood. I had a plan worked out that SHOULD have worked, but it relied on her doing roughly the same things she did to you." He shakes his head, "I knew it was a long shot going in, but I had very little to lose by trying to get to the final, and quite a bit to gain." * Saki leans back against the ruined wall she's been using as a windbreak, and frowns at the gently bubbling pot for a long moment. Then she closes her eyes, and mutters; "It... it feels like someone left it for me." * Ryllan looks up at Saki, "What do you mean..? Do you recognize it? * Saki opens her eyes again, frowning down at the bracer. "That's... a trickier question. You've heard of them, right? People getting strange hallucinations and odd flashes of memory?" She's not making eye contact, and fidgeting with the thing a little. * Ryllan nods, "Remembering things that never happened, or knowing someone you don't. That sorta thing." * Saki rubs roughly at her forehead with her spare hand for a moment, but she pushes on. "I think... this might be one of those things. But maybe not. It's hard to be sure; it... happens a lot." * Ryllan hmms softly, "...You get a lot of these... odd flashes, as you put it?" * Saki barely nods, a quiet 'mm' of assent being the only answer. She looks like she's trying to put it into words, and tries again, turning the jewelry over in her hands. "It's easier to deal with if I keep myself occupied. No time for stray thoughts." * Ryllan nods, "Can I ask... what it feels like? Just like someone left it for you, or something else?" * Saki actually looks almost helpless for a second, and makes a couple of false starts before giving up on whatever she was trying to say, shaking her head with a sigh. "It's... different. The same. Like it doesn't belong but it does. Sorry... not easy to be specific." * Ryllan frowns down at the jewlery, "Do you know /what/ it might mean to you, or is it too vague?" * Saki shakes her head, shrugging one shoulder. "I could have tens of answers. No clue which it might be." She regains a little of her colour, tends to the stew for a moment, and grins in a slightly unpleasant manner. "Yes, my condition's as stubborn as I am." * Ryllan chuckles, "Nothin' wrong with being stubborn, you know." He rolls his shoulders back, wincing a little as he hears one pop. "Heck, I'd say it's a positive trait." * Saki sighs as she slumps back, looking defeatedly at the irritating lump of blackened metal before tossing it unceremoniously to the side. "I remain unconvinced. So; who's this 'you and yours'? Or should I ask that when we're not hot on the chase of..." She gestures offhandedly. "... something." * Ryllan peers at Saki, "You don't think I plotted to embarass Bree in front of all New Meribia and take advantage of it all by my little lonesome, do you? A guy needs allies to pull something like that off." * Saki frowns and crosses her arms. "Bear in mind I don't know anything about this. Not just who but why or how, either." * Ryllan deflates a little, chuckling, "Sorry, Arrogant of me to assume everyone knows my business. But still, now that I've oh-so-intelligently revealed my failed secret plans, you can draw the conclusion that the 'mine' I was talking about were my allies in that." * Saki chuckles to herself, then leans back, her eyes a little unfocused. After a moment she shakes herself back to reality, and checks the pot again. "I'll have to ask another time. This is about done." * Ryllan stands up, "I'll go kick the others like I promised, then." He grins, "Thanks for makin' supper, Saki. I appreciate it." * Saki corrects her position and gives a brief bow; whether it's to Ryllan or the pot it's hard to tell, with Saki. Then she shrugs lopsidedly. "It's no problem. I enjoy doing it." * Ryllan walks off to wake people up, "Still, thanks. If you didn't, we'd have to convince Tanan too or something, and who /knows/ what he cooks like?" >> End there because woahmgs 8am