Submission (#6388) Approved

Traveling through the desert is a task DE001 hasn’t been acquainted with yet. He’s always found the rough grit of the dunes… distasteful, and it gets in all sorts of places. Looking over the array of items he’s gathered on his bed, the kittom rubs at his chin.

“What’s something I may not have thought about already?” DE001 throws over his shoulder, turning to look at Nono. “I’m quite learned when it comes to traveler care, but I’ve never experienced Ahza first hand.”

The Elnin is putting together his own traveling kit. Unlike DE001, though, he has actual experience traversing Ahza’s harsh climate. Humming, Nono pads across the room. There’s a brief second where he gets a bit too close to DE001, but the kittom simply takes a step back to provide more space.

A lofty breeze knocks against the tarp constituting a front door, and DE001 has a second where the light reflecting off of the sea of sand blinds him. He’s already regretting the fact that he rejected Zephyrus’s offer to take the boy’s goggles.

Even now, he can’t erase the kittom’s presence from his mind. Self discipline, DE001 reminds himself, you’re here for a reason.

“What you have looks decent,” Nono starts, picking a compass out of the pile and tapping the glass surface. It lazily spins, but still lands on North. “I also have an extra physical map you can borrow for the first leg of the journey.”

“Much appreciated.”

DE001 pulls the first aid kit out and takes an inventory of it. He’s running low on a couple minor items, but the burn cream, band-aids, sunscreen, and other various essentials are well stocked.

A hunting knife joins the first-aid kit in his traveler’s pack, clipped to the outside for easy access. Their tent remains rolled and secured by a thick strap, and DE001 pushes a long coil of rope in the pack with it. The kittoms sleeping bag also fits easily in the main compartment alongside toiletries.

Three spare changes of clothing have already been previously selected. The expectation is that they’ll reach a marked oasis long before they’ll need to wash any clothing, but just in case, DE001’s also bring a spray cleaner.

“Did you want to take a quick look around before we head out?” Nono asks, almost finished stuffing his own backpack to the brim. There are a multitude of charms tied to the zippers of various cartoon-ish depictions of himself and another Elnin, which jingle and catch his attention. “Most of the Elnin around these parts just want a quick buck, but the goods are genuine. Some of the time, at least.”

It might prove useful to see what the locals had for sale; especially since the two of them had a couple hours before the sunset.

“It’ll be better for us to travel at night,” Nono had explained earlier that week. “We’re leaving the night of the full moon; that’ll be more than enough light, and leagues less energy spent.”

Which reminds DE001—

“Do you have a spare lantern?” The kittom asks. DE001 had a heavy duty, brass lantern with two full sets of wicks. “As well as fire starters.”

Nono grins. “I suppose we have something to buy besides food, then!”

Stepping outside, the pair is met with a wall of heat and grit. Sand whips their faces and sinks into their fur, tousling hair and slipping into every crack and crevice. DE001 steps over a couple stray bones; the kind of great knuckles that must have belonged to a beast of burden.

The collection of tents and caravans congregate at the beginning of a well-traveled trail that lopes lazily through Ahza. Various merchant’s station themselves with a variety of goods both foreign and familiar—ranging from the useful to the superstitious—and troupes advertise safe passage through the deserts.

Food carts relentlessly mark their territory near the few watering holes surrounding the oasis, enticing newcomers to ‘pay’ them for the free amenity.

Nono, thankfully, has experience in handling peddling—though he does explain the tactics to DE001 in detail when he asks.

“It’s a hustle like any other,” Nono explains as they purchase some packs of dried jerky and fruit preservatives. “Elnin just trying to make a living where they can. Doesn’t give anyone the excuse to be an asshole, but I can understand having mouths to feed.”

“Do you have children?” DE001 asks, tucking his portion of the consumables into his bag.

Nono sputters out a choked laugh. Scratching his ear sheepishly, the crimson coated Elnin grimaces and shakes his head.

“Not really, no. Just got good at handling strays.”

Is that what Nono thinks of me? DE001 wonders. It’s a humorous thought, consider who he is. Not that the kittom can—or even wants to—explain his situation to what amounts to a civil acquaintance, but the thought is amusing enough.

The pair finish their shopping at a quaint little stall offering a selection of survival gear. It’s run by a pair of Elnin with matching outfits; they’re decked out in head to two with metal bangles, sheer fabric, and piercings. It’s quite pretty.

“We need two alternate lanterns and some fire starters,” DE001 requests, and the shop owners rush to suggest a range of products for each. “Something simple, please.”

But even as Nono peers over the merchandise with an attentive eye, DE001 finds his own gaze traveling to a light blue scarf tacked up against the backboard of the stall. It has swirling, baby blue cloud patterns across the top, and fades to white along the bottom of the garment. He must stare at it for a couple moments too long, because the wife hurries to take the fabric down so he can feel it.

“Quite soft, you see? Made from yak fur and cotton; breatheable in the desert, and moisture wicking!”

DE001 doesn’t actually care about all that—it looks pretty, is only slightly overpriced, and just so happens to remind him of Zephyrus. Of course he buys it.

Nono prods at him as they’re walking away from the stall and towards the start of the trail, but nothing too invasive. With his supplies tucked away in his bag and new scarf tucked around his neck and over his shoulder, DE001 and Nono make their way onto the trail just as the sun starts slipping back behind the dunes.