Out of the Frying Pan (Open)

[Victoria]

Although Tori hesitated to cross that metaphorical line in the sand, she'd already done the deed. Evidence of her magic was plain, both in the scent of scorched flesh - hers and her attacker's - and in the latter's unmoving body. Rigor had already begun to set in while she deliberated, glassy eyes staring her down all the while, wasting what would no doubt become precious time in short order. Tori avoided the dead man's face as she breathed into her burned palms, each breath coming in shuddering bits, the damp only soothing her injuries enough to tease at the concept.

But at this point, she had to do something. Just because the wildlife would take care of the body didn't mean the problem was wholly solved. The brigand had been but one of many, and when he failed to report, with or without her, someone would come looking for him.

The slight blonde closed her eyes with a sigh before finally dropping her hands, collecting what had been taken from her earlier as well as the waterskin slung over his shoulder. It felt about half full when she squeezed the leather, and it was better than nothing. A small voice in the back of her mind reasoned that it wasn't quite looting, that it had been self defense ... but also that she had erred. Tori ignored that voice to the best of her ability as she tossed her satchel and the waterskin a few feet behind her, and drew a deliberate, collected breath before passing her shiny palms over the corpse.

Her lips moved in a near soundless incantation, this time taking care not to botch it. One accident had hurt, probably would hurt for a few days. A second might cause permanent damage. Transient energies coalesced at her murmured bidding, and fire proved once again easier to control than electricity when embers caught. Tori shielded her nose from the stench of curdling meat as she stood, for a moment faltering from the toll of her back-to-back spells, but took cover in the trees to supervise the destruction of their evidence. With dusk setting in, the fire bore its own risks of drawing attention, but no more did it guarantee a human's interest over a beast's.

Blistered hands or not, Tori pulled herself off the ground and - hopefully - out of sight, out of mind for whoever it would concern.

[Dawson]

Dawson walked along the path leading through Etruria...the same country that he's pretty much an enemy to thanks to his loyalty with the Illian resistance that he is hiding out with in his attempts to avoid the sights of Draco Guro and his minions. Unfortunately, it didn't do much good since one, Black Wolf, managed to find him and put some acquaintances of his in danger as well. To be honest, he was quite surprised that he's still alive considering how long hes been away from Illia and staying in Bern. Though that luck may run out considering that he was almost taken for a slave by bandits the day after he defeated Black Wolf. Dawson grunted when he thought of that day. He put his hand over what was once the stab wound he acquired that day. Though it has long since healed, it still felt like it has been yesterday that attack happened.

He then paused when he saw flames up ahead. I'd best avoid it for now...it could be another one of Dracos minions that set up camp for the night or one of many Etrurian soldiers that are out patrolling the countryside. Dawson thought. He could see that the fire seemed to be burning some strange material that was not wood. It almost looked like...flesh? Whatever it is, he surely can smell it from a distance...and it smells awful! But...who would leave a fire like that unattended? It couldn't be Bee, a mage that he met in Illia that is also being hunted by Draco and his minions that he reunited temporary in Bern when he heard rumors of Gargoyles attacking a village.

Though whoever it was that left the fire, he couldn't...and wouldn't take any chances. Dawson slowly pulled out his Flux tome from his satchel as he looked around the area. "I don't know who you are, but I know your around here...If your friendly, then I advise that you come out and I won't hurt you" he said. Though Dawson likely painted a target on himself if it truely was one of Dracos minions or an Etrurian soldier, it was either that or risk getting ambushed when he passed by. He wouldn't take any chances. He tightly gripped his Flux tome, waiting to see if anyone responded.

[Gorou]

Lost in the forest Gorou was thinking on where to go, he looked around the path, having no idea where he would go to next. He simply continued walking somewhere, he though on his mind 'Uhh...I think I am lost, I don't know how I got here! I was supposed to meet someone...perhaps...a Village can help me.' He continued walking with no direction where to go.

He was supposed to go meet someone in a village, somewhere in Etruria, a part of Elibe he was always scared of since it was one of the greatest nations of Elibe alongside Bern, however he was more scared of Bern than anything else, so he would rather stay in Etruria, Lycia or Sacae if something were to happen in Ilia. He loved the Ilian nation, but he also liked visiting other nations, like Lycia and Sacae. However his thoughts were interrupted when he noticed someone in the middle of the field and something on fire.

He picked his Trinity tome, and carefully looked around the area, he then heard a voice and hid himself behind a some trees. He noticed the Shaman in the field and backed away of the area, trying to not make any noise he was backing away, however, there was a Bandit that was following the Young Mage wanting to steal him. As the Mage turned around, he noticed the Bandit and accidentally shouted "Waahh!!" The bandit immediately attacked him, the Mage dodged and picked his Trinity tome, ready to fight the bandit.

[Victoria]

[Dropping this thread. Feel free to continue between yourselves if you'd like.]

[Gorou]

(Oh...well then, I'll drop out of this thread then...)

[Dawson]

Dawson relaxed slightly when he saw that nobody was showing up. Though he was still quite concerned. "Must have been just the wind then I guess" he said as he put his Flux tome away. He was still quite concerned that it was one of Dracos minions or an Etrurian spy that is seeking intelligence for Etruria. No matter, it was time to get moving anyways. He needed to keep going and not die yet. He was not going to break his promise to Bee and not be able to defeat Draco Guro. One of those days, Dawson will stop running and take the fight to Draco himself and let him know that his actions will not go by unpunished.

As Dawson shifted his satchel up his shoulder, he could still remember what his involvement with Draco caused. Already it costed the life of one of Bees friend. The guilt still weighs upon him greatly, but he knew that if Bee was here, she'd scold him for having that keep him down. He needed to keep going, keep getting strong, get strong enough to defeat Draco and hopefully end Etrurias invasion of Illia once and for all. "I swear upon my name Draco Guro, I will not rest until your corpse lies upon my feet dead. I will not rest until you pay for all the suffer and death you and your followers have caused!" he said to himself. For the first time since leaving the company of Ito and the young archer in Bern, Dawson actually felt hope. (Dawson exits thread)