Because I love this group to pieces.

Tuesday, August 31st, 2004
12:21 AM

Early On

"Yuan, please walk slower." Kratos sighed. "I know you're excited, but Mithos was ill recently. So much time in the sun could be bad for him." The blue haired boy paused, and turned around. Looking at the blonde, he did look pale. Granted, not as pale as he had been a few days ago, but not particularly well. Noishe didn't seem to object to letting him ride, so it wasn't as bad.

"Okay. I'm getting a little tired anyway. Why don't we all take a rest for a bit, then head on?" Even as he spoke, he sat down on a nearby rock. Martel sat down next to him and leaned on his shoulder for support. His face flushed, but he put his arm around her waist.

"I'm sorry," Mithos apologized, trying to climb off of Noishe. Kratos reached up and helped him down, then went about petting Noishe while Mithos sat on a near-by tree stump. As the youngest of the group, he was naturally the weakest. Not that he was weak, it was just comparatively. He was, unfortunately, getting over having a fever. It had been going around the town they were in last, but again, they had been banned, and the townspeople refused to sell him any medicine.

Martel's eyes were closed as she took an almost-nap. "Don't apologize, you haven't done anything wrong, little brother."

He frowned. "I was sick , and if I wasn't, they wouldn't have noticed the difference between me and the other humans... We would've had somewhere to settle down now..."

"As half-elves, you are ostracized. It is not your fault, merely closed-minds of the humans." Kratos spoke up, not even turning around and continuing to pet Noishe.

Mithos gave a little smile. "I guess so." He paused. "Wait... Is Noishe purring?" He asked ludicrously.

"Not purring, no, but it does sound similar."

"I see."

Yuan made smiled almost evilly. "Martel makes that noise sometimes." He said. Mithos blinked innocently, not understanding what he was implying, and Martel's face turned red. Kratos sighed, and shook his head.

"I'm going to get some water. I hear a stream from that direction. Mithos, give me your bottle and I'll fill it for you." The brunette said, putting his hand out. Mithos handed the almost empty bottle to him, and still looked completely confused.

"Why would big sister make purring noises?" He asked innocently, tilting his head and looking at Yuan. Martel made a strange groaning noise and buried her face in Yuan's shoulder to hide her deepening blush.

"Well, Mithos, when a man and a woman lo-" Yuan started, interrupted by Martel. She smacked him lightly in the head.

"Stop it!" She insisted, but she was still flushed and giggling at once.

Mithos frowned. "But now I'm curious! Tell me."

"Err..."Yuan paused thoughtfully, thinking of the many ways Martel could kill him and get away with it. "I don't think I can. Kratos isn't too fond of me, and wouldn't save me, most likely."

Already, Kratos was coming back, the water having been in the form of a small stream that was very nearby. "Probably wouldn't." He agreed, handing Mithos the newly-filled bottle. The young blonde gave a nod of thanks.

"So, are we ready to head off again?" Yuan asked, nodding towards the path. Noishe made a whining noise, but Kratos nodded anyway.

"We should get going. Mithos needs to be in a bed and get some rest, which can't be provided here."

The youngest half-elf stood slowly and stretched before leaning forward onto Noishe. "I am tired," he admitted. Yuan gave him a wry look, as if to say 'as if it wasn't obvious,' but stood as well, adjusting his travel bag and handing Martel hers.

Not long after setting off again, Mithos had fallen asleep on Noishe's back, leaning forward with his head between Noishe's ears.

Yes, that was pointless.