Dedication (Nina / BlueSlime)

[Guan Yu]

Re: Nina (BlueSlime)

As Nina pulls the tube away from Iris' mouth, the blind girl confirms that she's still alive, coughing up a glob of purple liquid. She doesn't manage to give any confirmation about recognising them, but doesn't put up any resistance as Momi takes hold of her legs. The two of them gently lower the now violated girl to the ground. Iliana looks at the plug with Nina, giving her a slight nod.
"I agree, it pains me to see her like that..." the mistress says to her. Iliana lowers herself to her knees next to Iris, taking he blind girl's hand. "Iris... It's me. What happens next might be hard to bear, but you can endure it, as you always have."

With that, Nina gets the signal to take the sticky plug off Iris. As the green-haired girl scrapes parts of the amber away, a trickle of light purple fluid starts to drip out, intensifying into a bigger flow when more of the sap is peeled away. Iris stars to claw at the ground with her free hand as small saplings start to exit along with the liquid. This goes on for a while, the blind girl's tummy returning to normal size as the last of the liquid pours out. A puddle of the stuff has formed under her womanly area, the saplings within quickly burrowing into the wet ground to shelter themselves. With that release, Iris goes limp, her head falling to the side as she passes out.

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: Nina (BlueSlime)

Nina shuddered as the purple liquid and the saplings all came out of Iris, flooding over the earth and burrowing into the soil for protection. What a strange and utterly un-plantlike way to procreate... and all at the expense of Iris.

Well... at least she's alive, Nina thought. And she had to admit that if it weren't for these plants, Iris might have continued on down the river and drowned. Still... some might consider being forced to become a breeding mother for saplings a fate worse than death. She was just thankful that the whole episode was over.

"We need to get her to a safe place to rest, Momi," Nina said to the wolf-girl. "Is there any friendly place nearby that you could think of?"

 

[Guan Yu]

Re: Nina (BlueSlime)

Momi gets a thinking look about her as she ponders, going through the surroundings in her mind. As Iliana picks up the practically-naked Iris, Momi finally remembers something. "There's no proper friendly and safe places nearby, but some distance away, there's a cave near the river that's been used as a camping site by many of Momi's kin. We should head there before more of these come to defend their chosen tree." she says, pointing to the twin piles of dead plant matter. At her suggestion, the trio leave the gloomy breeding site behind.

After about an hour of further travel, the group arrive at the suggested spot, only to find another young girl there. The girl sits next to brightly blazing fire, staring into the flames as the group come in. She is of average size in both height and figure, has a ridiculously long stream of white hair that's decorated by a few random ribbons applied to it and wears a rather boyish set pants and a shirt. She takes a quick look at the crew, not caring about them much as she turns back to the flame. Momi moves in to hug her, but is pushed away by the taciturn girl.
"You should know I don't want your affection by now, but feel free to enter, it looks like you have an abuse victim with you." the girl says, her expression not changing at all as she keeps her gaze in the fire.

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: Nina (BlueSlime)

"Thank you," Nina says quietly to the girl by the fire. She would have helped Iliana carry Iris, provided her mistress let her share the burden. Obviously Momi knew this girl, but there appeared to be an unknown rift between them. Best to not interfere just yet, if at all, Nina thought.

She set about making a comfortable space for Iris to be lain down near the fire.

"Maybe we could rest her head on your lap, my lady," Nina suggested to her mistress. "She is very partial to your touch. I know it would comfort her."

 

[Guan Yu]

Re: Nina (BlueSlime)

The mistress sits down again, keeping Iris in her arms. "Hmm, that is true. I'll keep her comfy then." Iliana tells Nina, setting the blind girl on her lap. As she starts to caress Iris' cheek, Momi sits down near them, taking the heavy gear off her. She sets the equipment aside, leaning back against the cave wall and relaxing. The flame-gazing girl doesn't move away, lost in her thoughts as she eyes the warmly crackling fire.

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: Nina (BlueSlime)

Nina didn't know what else to do. Iris was made as comfortable as she could be, and that was all Nina had planned on doing, at least until Iris woke up on her own and was able to communicate with them.

Nina looked from Momi to the flame-gazing girl. There was tension there that she didn't want to disturb, so she just sat back and tried to rest. It wasn't difficult since they'd fought three times and been walking for hours. Her muscles ached and needed the break in action.

 

[Guan Yu]

Re: Nina (BlueSlime)

Some moments of resting later, Nina almost dozes off in her weary state, but she is brought back from the sleepiness by the girl getting up. She gives them a quick look, the red eyes scanning through the group. Wiping her hair back, she walks out from the cave. Listening to the sounds she makes, Nina determines that the girl settled down in a spot not too far away from the cave entrance.

Momi has been looking after the girl after she settled down to rest, looking somewhat dissappointed now that she exited. Iliana and Iris remain in the same situation, the mistress now whispering words of comfort to the unconcious warrior.

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: Nina (BlueSlime)

Though Nina knew it was wrong, she felt a pang of jealousy for the way Iliana so obviously loved Iris. It made her feel, perhaps quite rightfully, that she was just a side interest, a flavor of the month for Iliana. Iris though - she was precious. If only her mistress could somehow feel that way about her.

Nina sighed and chastised herself silently. That wasn't how she should be looking at things at all. She should be better than that - and happy for Iris to have Iliana looking after her so much. It was a beautiful thing.

She saw the strange girl leave in obvious discomfort of being in their presence - or perhaps it was just being in Momi's presence.

"Um, Momi?" Nina ventured once the girl seemed to be out of earshot. "Is there something the matter between you and that girl?"

 

[Guan Yu]

Re: Nina (BlueSlime)

Momi looks at the cave entrance, then back to Nina. "Between Momi and Konoe? She's always been like that, not wanting to bond with anyone, and you know how Momi likes people. Konoe keeps telling Momi that she's tired of losing loved ones."

After that brief remark, Momi moves closer to Nina. Speaking in a lighter voice, she continues. "Momi heard something about Konoe being several hundred years old. Not sure how that is possible, as even the kitsune live some 150 years at best." With that said, Momi quiets down, saying no more on the matter.

They try to settle down and rest, but an intense crackle and light coming from the outside bring them back to alertness again.

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: Nina (BlueSlime)

Nina got up and then motioned for Iliana to stay down with Iris.

"I'll go check it out, my lady," she said, trying to sound brave and dutiful. "Momi... can you come watch my back?" She pulled her sword clear of its sheath and marched carefully to the cave entrance to see what that flash of light was.

"Konoe?" She called out as she came near the entrance. "Is everything okay?"

 

[Guan Yu]

Re: Nina (BlueSlime)

The light keeps on blazing, a crackling of fire audible from the outside. Iliana's face turns serious, but she doesn't get up. "If it's something threatening, call for me and I'll come to help too."

With Momi brandishing her sword, Nina closes towards the entrance. Not getting any response from the mystery girl, she steps outside to find Konoe there. The girl has spawned an intense aura of flame as she stands over a writhing plant creature. Nina can make out it's form for some time before it burns away, it was a slimmer, more agile-looking version of the guardian they finished when rescuing Iris. Having pocketed her hands, Konoe keeps the flame on, kicking the creature till it stops moving.

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: Nina (BlueSlime)

Glancing about to see if there were other plant creatures around, Nina decided to speak straight to the point with Konoe.

"Do you think there are more out there?" She asked, indicating the surrounding woods with her sword as she approached Konoe.

"If one of them knows where we are, perhaps there are more coming? I don't want to be trapped in this cave, but I don't think Iris is ready to move on her own and we can't outrun pursuers if she's on one of our backs."

 

[Guan Yu]

Re: Nina (BlueSlime)

The girl doesn't make a move to interact with them properly, speaking back with her back turned and still keeping her flame aura on. "If any more of them come, they'll meet the same fate as this one did." she tells Nina, kicking the smoking remains into the river. "You can go back in, they won't get to you with me here. You people have each other to take care of."

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: Nina (BlueSlime)

"You'd stand watch for us?" Nina asked, a bit of doubt creeping into her voice. "That is very nice of you, but... well... We haven't even been properly introduced. I know your name is Konoe. I'm Nina. My lady Iliana, and my injured friend Iris would both thank you for your concern. As do I."

She wondered if Konoe would bother responding to this, or as Momi suggested, scoff at her attempt to show gratitude and form some sort of bond with the fire wielder.

 

[Guan Yu]

Re: Nina (BlueSlime)

The girl is quick in her reply to Nina "I don't care what your names are. The only thing that matters is that you make it to the next day. With my help, you'll get there. I'll tell you now, I won't betray you people. Or fall asleep. You can have something resembling a peaceful night." she tells them bluntly, not bothering to face Nina or Momi as she talks.

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: Nina (BlueSlime)

"Then you've my thanks again," Nina said, and then nodded to Momi.

"C'mon. There's not much point in pushing the matter. Let's go back in and tell Iliana that everything's okay."

Konoe certainly had some issues, but Nina was not sure she was in any position to talk about such things to a woman who had lived so long and seemed so determined to avoid an emotional connection. Such things couldn't be forced,, and she didn't want to insult Konoe by trying - especially when despite her hostile tone she was doing the a very kind favor.

Nina went back into the cave, her weapon sheathed. "Konoe has offered to keep watch for us all tonight. She seems very capable, my mistress. I believe her when she says we may sleep easy tonight, and I think it a good suggestion."

 

[Guan Yu]

Re: Nina (BlueSlime)

The flaming girl casually waves at them, motioning the girls to go back inside. Momi stays behind to look at Konoe for a bit more, but soon follows after Nina.

Once they enter again, Momi sheathes her sword and sets it back among the rest of her stuff before curling up near the fire. Iliana listens to Nina inform her about the situation. "We'll trust her then, if she wants to help us. I doubt any of those plants want to approach her if she can burn them away in the blink of an eye."

With those words the mistress lays down on the cave floor, taking Iris into her gentle embrace. She looks at Nina, holding out her other hand. "You too, get over here. We are a team, and will stick together through all this." she says to Nina, wanting the green-haired girl to join them in a close night.

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: Nina (BlueSlime)

Nina's heart jumped at the invitation, and she probably moved a bit too eagerly to Iliana and Iris' side, but she didn't overly care. She put her sword and shield propped against the cave wall within arm's reach and then took a curled position next to her mistress and her fragile companion in arms. She placed a hand upon Iris' brow and then placed her own head upon Iliana's shoulder, happy in that moment to be sharing the warmth of her two friends, grateful that they were all right.

Wow. This is just a game, Nina, get ahold of yourself.

Nina smiled inwardly and pushed the chiding inner voice aside. These two seemed so real, and she was very fond of them. It didn't matter that it was just a game, they reacted to her like real (albeit strange) people, and she liked them very much. They were her in-game family, and in a way, that made her - the player - responsible for them. I won't let them down.

That thought stayed with her as she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep on Iliana's shoulder.

 

[Guan Yu]

Re: Nina (BlueSlime)

"Now now, no need to be so pushy. There's no hurry" Iliana says to the slightly over-eager Nina, letting her come next to them both. With all three females holding each other close, the three doze off into the land of dreams, escorted there by the other two's warmth.

When Nina wakes up, she finds her companions still asleep next to her. Momi has rolled some distance away from the fire and gotten a bit closer to them. Konoe can be seen leaning against the wall near the entrance, holding onto one knee as she sits there, staring into a miniscule flame hovering over her other palm.

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: Nina (BlueSlime)

When Nina woke and looked around she was hesitant to leave Iliana and Iris' sides, but she eventually unwrapped her arms from her lady and rose to walk over to Konoe.

"It's morning, you've protected us as you said. You should take the time to rest a bit now. I'm up and soon my companions will be up as well. No need to push yourself any further." Nina patted her sword and stood at the cave entrance, looking out at the morning sky in this green land, so different from the desert town where Iliana lived.