Finding Andromeda's Ship -Andromeda's Ship-

Ember wrote:

AndromedaWolf wrote:The unlikely trio walked on for what seemed like forever in an awkward silence. Andromeda led -with Ember's guidance- and Ember stood between her and Catarina. Andromeda's anger had been simmering and cooling down on their way. After all, this was going to be just a small event in her life. No need to get so angry, I'll be back to my work soon." She thought as the party approached this ship. She gazed carefully at it and saw the damage done by the crash. "Or not."

CaterinaJest wrote:My ears perked up as I saw the ship in front of me. It didn't seem to be in too good of shape though. "I guess this is where the wolf came from." I thought to myself. "Anything in there that could help us get home?" I asked the wolf stiffly, trying to be civil. The walk here had helped me to calm down and get my emotions under control. "I can't believe I lost my temper that quickly," I berated myself, "I mean I know I haven't really spent time with other people but...". I mentally shook myself, "I'll have to be careful around the wolf." I thought, "It shouldn't be too hard to get along with Ember, but better be cautious anyways."

Ember wrote:"So this is a form of transportation?" Ember asked, surveying the wreckage with interest. When she first saw it a few days ago she had no idea what it was, just that Andromeda was inside it. "Is it supposed to look like that?"

CaterinaJest wrote:I couldn't help but snicker at Ember's question, "I highly doubt it."

AndromedaWolf wrote:"You should try falling at the speed it fell at and we'll see how you look." Andromeda snaps, snarling. Andromeda feels a mixture of heartbreak and hopelessness. The ship had become as familiar to her as a friend over the years. So much of her life happened inside, so many beautiful discoveries. Unfortunately, the large crack in the ship was just the beginning.

Andromeda squeezes in through the crack and unlocks the hatch. She starts to throw debris out of the ship while she's fighting back tears. She clears out the bridge first. When the largest pieces of debris are gone she goes to examine the storeroom in the back. It held most of her equipment when she was traveling. Everything looked ok, she had it tied down pretty well. Andromeda then checked her lab.

Anything glass was pretty well smashed, apart from from a few specimens and jars. Thankfully Andromeda was always extremely careful about and this room and all the equipment inside was safe. When most of the debris was cleared from the lab, Andromeda fell on her knees, hung her head, and sobbed.

"Why... ... ..."

CaterinaJest wrote:I followed the wolf into her, well what was left of, her ship. I heard something coming from a room in the back. As I got closer I realized that it was someone crying. I crept through the door only to find the wolf sobbing on her knees. My eyes widened as I took her shaking form in. I definitely did not expect this. She seemed so mean earlier, like she couldn't care less about every one els-.. My heart lurched as I finally understood. She was just like me. Blocking people out and putting up a front. I frowned, took a deep breath, and walked over to her. "Andromeda?" I asked crouching next to her cautiously putting my hand on her shoulder. "are you okay?" I couldn't keep the worry from leaking into my voice.

AndromedaWolf wrote:Andromeda laid her ears back -not in a menacing way, more as a sign of great sadness.- "This..." She says between heaving breaths, "is my home." She lays her muzzle in her hands, both of which now have streams of tears running down them.

"My work was all that I was and now it's gone.." Andromeda cringes at this realization.

CaterinaJest wrote:I didn't know what to say. I sighed looking down in defeat. "Look, I'll be honest with you." I said glancing at her. "I'm really not good with this whole comforting thing." I admitted. "But, what I can say is that I'll try to help you as best I can." I said, "I know we got off on the wrong foot but I'm willing to try again if you are." I told her looking away embarrassed. I was not good at this type of thing at all! I cringed, just knowing that she will turn down my offer.

AndromedaWolf wrote:Andromeda stays silent for a moment, then speaks. "There isn't much to be done... Everything is over now. Everything I know is useless in this environment. I am useless. If Ember hadn't found me I'd be dead."

CaterinaJest wrote:I couldn't keep from gaping at her. "She did NOT just say that!" I angrily thought to my self. "Don't ever say that, you hear me!" I scolded her, " Trust me, I know what it feels like to think you have nothing left to live for." I continued, cold facade completely forgotten, "I've been there before, and I know you can't just give up like that! You are not useless! There is always something that can be done and we need your help to get out of here!" I stated, my voice quieting down near the end of my little tirade. "please... just don't ever.. feel like your worthless cause your not." I whispered sadly. We really were a like. I wasn't kidding when I said I knew what it felt like. I remember when my family died, remember the feeling of being so close to them but not being able to help, of having to watch them die and not being able to do a single thing to stop it. I let out a shaky breath, "My uncle once told me that everyone has somewhere to belong and someone to help." I said looking over at her, "Maybe we're here to help each other."

Ember wrote:As Andromeda and Catarina entered Ember had stayed outside marveling at the ship. She was intrigued by the blinking lights and strange designs. Nothing like this existed where she came from. She was just examining the symbol on the side of the ship when she heard a commotion coming from inside. Worried she poked her head through the opening. "Is everything okay in there?" she asked.

AndromedaWolf wrote:The wolf stayed silent and still through Rina's speech. She was going into shock and was rapidly losing her ability to think rationally. Muddled thoughts poured into her brain, confused voices spoke to her through them.

"...Make them leave..."

"...This place isn't real..."

"...This isn't happening."

Andromeda gathered just enough cognitive energy to whisper "Please leave."

CaterinaJest wrote:My ears flattened back on my head. I could feel tears welling up in my eyes. "She wants me to leave?" I thought sadly as I withdrew my hand. "Al-Alright." I whispered, feeling hurt. I should have expected it, I mean, after everything I had said and done why would she want me to stick around. I kept telling myself this, over and over as I made my way back out of the ship towards where I heard Ember, but no matter how many times I did, it still hurt... more than it should have. In the end, I just couldn't stop the tears from falling.

AndromedaWolf wrote:"Sorry." Andromeda whispered. She could hear talking outside the ship, undoubtedly coming from Ember and Rina. When she could no longer make out the words, she felt an overpowering urge to sleep come over her and quickly succumbed. Dreams of fire and falling flooded her mind throughout the night. She would have a long day ahead of her in the morning...

Ember wrote:Ember's worry increased when Catarina, crying, stepped out of the ship. "What happened?" she asked. Andromeda still hadn't appeared. "Are you hurt? Where's Andromeda?"

CaterinaJest wrote:I looked up into Ember's worried gaze. "I'm f-fine..." I whispered, "but Andromeda wants to be a-... alone right now." I looked down at my feet. "We should probably find someplace to rest and check on her in the morning." I said, sniffing and wiping away the tears that had trailed down my face. "Come on," I told her, starting to rummage around, "let's get started looking, I don't know about you but I'm kinda tired." As, I looked around I couldn't help but to think about what happened with Andromeda. I was still hurt, but I was more sad than anything now. Sad... and determined. I felt protective of her... both of them actually. Surprising, seeing as not even 24 hours earlier I wanted to get as far away from them as I possibly could. Then again, a lot has happened since then. With that thought, I knew what I had to do.

"I'm gonna help Andromeda through this," I thought determinedly, "whether she likes it or not."

Ember wrote:Ember nodded. "Alright, but you must be hungry. There's a herd of deer not too far from here, I'll go fetch us one. You can join me if you like or you can stay here and rest." she said as she readied herself for the hunt.

CaterinaJest wrote:"Nah, I think I'll just rest here for now." I said as I pulled my knapsack in front of me. "I should have my book in here.." I said, more talking to myself than her as I rustled through my bag. "Ah, there it is." I said triumphantly. I held it to my chest and stroked the cover, smiling softly to myself. "This is my most treasured possession." I told Ember. "It was my mothers." I whispered, smiling sadly. I shook myself, "Anyways, you go ahead, but be careful, okay?" I told her sternly. "I don't need you getting hurt."

"Geez." I thought to my self, sarcastically, "I sound like uncle."

Ember nodded. She then left briefly to gather a few branches and twigs. When she returned she placed them into a pile near Catarina and gently blew a shower of silver flames on it. The flames caught the dry twigs in an instant and erupted into a nice little fire. "Don't worry about me. I won't be gone long." Ember told her. Then she turned around and trotted into the woods.

On to the Forest.