=Written in Ringabel's POV=
Dogs are loyal, willing to throw themselves in the way of harm if it holds a chance to save the ones they love.
'He can be so stubborn at times.' I thought to myself, following behind my companions. Our group is a bit on edge, considering that since the Eschalot's sky crystal broke it has left us to travel on foot for most of the time. Normally I wouldn't complain but out of all the places to be stuck walking through it was the sands of Ancheim. The air is still quite stagnant as the winds had only just returned, and with the blazing sun beating down from above, it's starting to get hard to breath. Even plants here having a hard time surviving. Most have withered and the scent of rotting vegetation was starting to overpower our group.
It was bad enough that we had run low on water and are too far from the oasis to backtrack and still be able to get to the ship by sundown. However our need to stay hydrated took control of the situation and with a collective groan, we started back. Everyone was exhausted, dragging feet along as they walked. Edea took to trying to shade her eyes while Anges even resorted to removing her gloves in an attempt to stay cool. I couldn't help but chuckle at them but I seemed to have earned me a glare from Edea. I slow my pace and suddenly I feel something bump into my back. Stumbling forward a little I spot Tiz nearly falling on his face behind me. When had he gotten back there? "Sorry..." His voice is rather quiet and I can tell he's tired. "It's not much further to the oasis. Just hold out a bit longer." I try to reassure the others, if not myself.
It feels like forever but we make it back to the small body of water. The sun is already starting to set, covering the sands in a dull orange glow. We all know better than to try traveling in the dark in our current conditions, so I guess we're camping tonight. I look between my friends, letting out a sigh. The girls have already started to doze off, the two sitting back to back. Tiz is at the water's edge just a few feet from me gathering the crystal clear liquid. As hot as the desert was during the day, it's already starting to get cold now that the sun has dropped low. Although that is the easy portion of sundown. When it gets dark, monsters get aggressive. I may not always seem like the most caring type, but seeing us in such a state screams for us to get someplace we can at least be warm and safe. I wait until Tiz returns to my side before I speak up."It's getting late you guys. We should probably find some shelter if we're going to stay out tonight." Edea's head snapped up as she turned to listen, my voice no doubt startling her awake. "I have to agree." Anges added, rubbing her eyes and looking over to me. "It's not safe to be sitting out in the open." Nods of agreement all around. I guess it's settled.
We pull ourselves together once more and move towards the cliffs, hoping that there might be an outcropping or small cave we can claim for the night. Thankfully Tiz was quick enough to spot a small cavern that would work perfectly. But as it tends to go, with something good, comes something bad. I took lead to make sure the space was safe only to be greeted with glowing eyes staring out at us. It was only a few at first, small monsters that were not difficult to defeat but as it seems now that the more we take down, the more are showing up. I can tell I'm nearing my limit, my muscles straining to hold up my heavy sword. I steal a peek over at my companions and things are looking grim. Edea is backed against the cliff wall with Anges not far off trying to keep Tiz on his feet. "They're not going to stop showing up unless we can take them all down at once! Throw everything you have at them!" The others each offer a sign that they heard me and gathering what's left of our strength, prepare to finish the fight. I use what I have left of my black magic, calling forth a hail of elements, destroying the creatures around me, save for one. I didn't see him in time, that strange cat like monster that spat magic and curses at me. It doesn't feel like anything happened to me though. I reel back a little holding my hand high only for nothing to happen. Silence. Just what I need right now.
I stumble backwards in an attempt to put distance between myself and the monster. My arms are bruised and bloodied without enough energy or adrenaline to hold my weapon up to even attempt to defend myself. The creature pounces fourth, fangs and claws bared with intent to kill. I reflexively hold my arms up, expecting pain to find it's sought target. The sounds of ripping cloth and tearing flesh reaches me, something warm spatters onto my skin. Yet I feel no pain. I open my eyes as I hear a low hiss, the sound slipping from the creature as it falls and I'm surprised. Tiz is standing in front of me, his sword held out in an offensive stance. He stepped in to help me even when he clearly could barely help himself just a few moments ago. "Thanks..." My voice is no more than a rasp thanks to the curse. He doesn't turn to look at me at first, instead lowering down to a knee, dropping his weapon. "Tiz?" I feel a sting of worry and rush forward to his side. He's holding his right arm weakly against himself. Blood was already starting to soak through the thin fabric of his shirt making me panic a bit. The commotion brought the attention of Edea and Agnes over to us, both carrying concern in their expressions. "I'm fine. Really! It just caught me a little off guard." Tiz tried to reassure us, but it was pretty obvious that he wasn't as fine as he says he is.
We hustle ourselves into safety, seeing to our wounds as soon as we're hidden from any possible wandering eyes. I force Tiz to sit down and roll up his sleeve while I gather out what supplies we have on us, finding some cloth wraps and a few medicines. Using some of the water he collected while at the oasis I run the cold liquid over the gashes, seeing just how bad they are. He makes a noise of discomfort and I offer a hushed apology, dabbing the water and fresh blood with an old cloth from my pack. I tell Tiz to hold it tight while I wrap up his arm only to be argued with. "Don't worry so much about me will you Ringabel? You're worse off than I am right now." He huffs at me, and tries to hand the cloth back to me, much to my irritation. I try to concentrate on keeping the wrap tight but Tiz won't stop squirming. "Will you cut that out? Hold that on your arm before you bleed out." My voice sounds more like a wheeze than an actual threat and I can feel him smiling at me. I scrounge a fresh cloth from my pack and pull his arm close, replacing the cloth on his arm and wrapping it tightly. He stays quiet until I'm done, letting his arm fall into his lap as I let go.
Anges, who had just finished seeing about Edea sat down beside me, tugging my own arms around, forcing me to pull off my gloves...or at least what remains of them. After cleaning and bandaging I am given a approving nod from Anges. "Your arms should be alright but I cannot say the same for your voice. Neither Edea or I have anything on hand to help." She had a small frown but I reassure her it's alright. It's not like it's the first time I've had this and from past experience it normally doesn't last more than a day or two. "How are you two holding up?" I look over at Edea, then back to Anges. "We'll be alright after a good night's sleep. I suggest you try to do the same." She moves to Tiz's side and tells him to rest as well before settling in just a little ways away from me, Edea by her side. I scoot back a little to rest myself against the stone wall, hoping to avoid laying on either of my arms for the time being. I barely close my eyes before I'm asleep, blank to the world around me.
I hear something that pulls my eyes open. A rustling from the entrance of our temporary resting space. I scan the area, waiting for my vision to adjust. I can only hope to myself that it's not any more monsters. I doubt we'll be able to pull a miraculous victory twice and I don't feel like testing that theory. I wait a few moments more, and the noise occurs again, this time closer. I tense up, ready to jump up and react when a shadow steps into view. It's hard to distinguish just what it is, but I can make out a person-like shape. I wait another moment, listening and watching as it moves closer to me. It's no more than a foot away from me now and my eyes have finally adjusted enough to tell me that I'm in no danger.
"Why are you up Tiz?" I whisper, curious as to why he's still awake. He flinches slightly before seating himself next to me, holding out his closed hand. "Uh...here..." I raise my eyebrow before holding my hand out, feeling something light drop onto my palm. I pull my arm back and see just what I've been given, a pang of guilt ringing through me. Hushleaf. "Where did you find this?" I question him, knowing the answer already but still hopeful that what he tells me will be different. "I saw some on our way here. I didn't think to grab it then but I remembered where it was." I glare at him, knowing that he would have had to go quite a ways to find the plant. "You went out in the dark by yourself even after what happened earlier? What were you thinking?" I try hard not to raise my voice above a disgruntled whisper, taking care not to wake the girls. Tiz lowered his head, avoiding eye contact as he seated himself about a foot away from me. I can barely hear him mutter out a small apology before he turns away from me. I can't help but let out a loud exhausted sigh before I shuffle myself over to be resting right up against him. "I'm not mad Tiz. I was just worried. You were already injured once thanks to me." He squirms a little at my side before he turns back to face me again.
We're pressed up together, our collected warmth becoming very relaxing. I offer an honest smile as he lowers his head onto my shoulder, breathing deeply. He knows I can't stay mad at him, even when I'm not beyond tired. I watch as he tucks his injured arm up onto his lap, curling in a bit to get comfortable. Even after saving my life he still tries to help me. Then to top it all off, he's there for me even at the end of the day, no matter what. I may not always be able to protect him like he does me, but I can certainly try.
Author's Notes:
A little side note to those who may want to read more than one chapter, but any of the 'dog' chapters will be written in Ringabel's POV, while the 'cat' chapters will be from Tiz's POV.
This was one of the most reoccurring topics when I asked around about what makes a dog, a dog, and how people could be seen as similar.
To those who are still waiting on Quitter and Flawed, don't worry! I'll post new chapters very soon! I got a new keyboard so I'm stoked to actually use it.