Description: As Antoine continues his journey through several countries, he found himself in a mess when his supply of water ran out. In an epic battle against Nature, Antoine fell before the desert winds. ...Thankfully, he was saved by an Arabic Angel.
The land of Asia has many parts. Some are from the sections of China and Japan while the others are more mysterious such as Malaysia. THen, there is the other part that would be considered the Middle-East. In particular, there is the path of Saudia Arabia. With the humidity companying the massive heat, the sun's presence does not help make things better for weary travelers. Sand are all about and there is even a bad sandstorm scaling.
It is the everlasting battle against man vs nature. It has been proven that nature has always had the advantage. Yet, one should never count out the perseverance of man. For they can achieve the supernatural if they try hard enough.
In particular, a young African-American man is wandering through the desert, wearing nothing but his wushu attire, carrying a duffelbag with one hand and a jug of water in the other. Unfortunately, that jug had ran out of water...
This leaves for Antoine to wander along the sandy way. He must succeed. He must try. With each step taken, Antoine moves forward. However, the heat exhaustion is getting to him to where he can no longer sweat.
...Unable to take one more step forward, Antoine falls flat onto his face.
...The desert wind howls.
To an unknown face, the desert is an unknown threat. Many have perished thinking that simply water and some degree of 'never say die' will see them through. That they have faced so much else - how could a bit a heat wear them down? Many do not understand the nature of the sands, and the heat.
But Antoine is not the only one who has undertaken such a foolish attempt.
As the man crashes against the sands, a woman, having seen the sight before, looks on. He does not seem to be a native - he does not seem to know how deadly an opponent the heat is. How unassuming. What he may see next is the sight of an angel's face as he is lifted from his sandy mattress, patting him off - and then the taste of the heaven's cool springs.
In really, Pullum is nursing the man, holding his head against her chest as she works to get the water of life into his mouth - "Another one... and you don't seem to be a trader. What would bring you out here to die alone, hmm?" She asks.
Antoine did not expect to find anyone...
He expected it to be the end of his journey, as short as it was. How foolish of him to try to face off against nature as of now. He is apparently not strong enough to best her. After all, Mother Nature is probably R7! Anyway, Antoine is resting...
Though, when he does open his eyes, he can vaguely see a angelic beauty gazing down at him, giving him a taste of the spring. At this point, any form of water can be considered heavenly, unless it came from raw sewage.
Nevertheless, when he does start to come to, he finds himself out with a visitor. He takes simple sips of the water, then he coughs up. While remaining on her chest, Antoine looks up at Pullum. "I..." He coughs, then he exhales a sigh. "Wh--where am I?" It comes back to him. "..Hmm." He pauses, "Thank you..." He finally explains, "...I actually came wandering through the world, seeking to learn of different cultures and improve myself."
Unlike many of the more busy merchants, Pullum had only heard stories about travelers so foolish to venture out into the sand! Once her training began, however simple it was to her ( in this case, it was like teaching a fish to swim ), it was a beginning. She had seen the various shows where fighters had fought on mountains, in kitchens and on/in many other odd and dangerous places.
It still didn't make Antoine's actions any less reckless, or stupid, to her!
As he comes to, Pullum simply hands him the canteen - after all, she's not going to baby him. "Really, where are you?" She laughs a bit to herself, "Somewhere in the desert." She responds letting him sit up, or at least to give him room. The Saudi woman looks down, tilting her head, "You as well? I haven't actually been wandering the world, but my goal, as well, is to improve."
But something bothers her, slightly. "There must be better ways to learn of a culture than to plunge yourself so haphazzardly into the most dangerous parts of it." She's certainly dressed for the culture she represents, her stomach bare - her top two different pieces that don't overlap, and her 'pants', silk. Almost some kind of princess.
"But you're very welcome. It wouldn't do to see your journey end so quickly if you've only just started!" She seems to traverse the sand without much effort - and the heat doesn't seem to bother her in the slightest.
Taking the canteen, the young man s slowly starting to pull himself up from her lap. Now, he is capable of fending for himself. So as he withdraws from herlap, the young man turns to face the lady. "Sometimes, plunging into the dangers is the best way to learn of the truth of how harsh reality can be." He shuts his eyes, "...Besides, I've been through the worst of it so far." He admits. Antoine offers a faint smile.
"...No." He frowns for a moment, "The journey ending before it can really begin would be a shame." He shuts his eyes, internally chastizing himself. Then, he looks over towards the attire of the oung princess. "I have actually traveled out from China to a few of the areas of Europe. France, Germany..." He offers a smile, then he completely seats himself.
Taking a sip of the water from the canteen, he finally realizes something. That realization has him jump up in surprise, "Oh! I am Antoine." He extends his right hand towards the lady, glancing at her attire for a moment before he concludes. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
"I know very well how harsh reality can be," She responds, leaning a bit forwards, and still looking down at him, before she pulls back and stands up. "It's the reason I am out here, now - and perhaps the reason you're alive now, too." How funny! A terrible thing leading her onto self growth.. and to become a savior.
Her father would be proud - no, she thinks, will be proud.
"It couldn't have been the worst... unless you have fallen at them as well, hmm?" She teases, a playful smile stretched across her face. "And it would be - but it hasn't. So it's in the past, Antoine." She meets his hand with her own, grasping it and shaking, "Pullum of the Purna family. It is quite the pleasure!" She has had plenty of time for 'fancy' introductions, so even the most mundane meeting isn't quite.
"You're looking much better now though-" Her hand recoils, "You must be just as hardy as you say, having been to all of those places as well. I haven't yet left the city, but I'm sure it'll change soon - Blair's been talking about how she's signed me up in some sort of Fight on Saturday!"
She gives a short laugh, "I don't think they'd put it in this desert, either." Her hair bobs as she paces a bit forwards, looking towards the city - the outline barely visible - almost as if it was a mirage.
"...Heh. I suppose so. Forgive me for assuming such." Antoine considers for a moment, then he finally places a hand towards his face. He laughs a bit, then he quirks an eyebrow. "No. I have not. I have seen the people's state. I, sadly, could not help them more than I could already." Ahh, Taizhou. Antoine shakes his head at that place. However, when she introduces herself, "Oh! It is a pleasure to meet you, Pullum." He then blunks for a moment as she pulls the hand away.
"A fight on Saturday?" he asks. He looks rather curious, tilting his head over. While he gazes over towards her eyes, his direction falls over where she is looking at. "...Wait." He furrows his eyebrows, "How far from a city are we?" He turns to face her once more.
"Yes, a fight. How else would I be able to practice? Even if I train myself, unless I actually participate on combat it won't matter. I'm sure it just might, as well. Even if I have Duran to protect me." She admits.
But his words do catch her offguard a bit - mainly 'how far is a city?'. "You don't even know the landscape - or have a map? You could go forever without finding a city if the winds don't co-operate!" She chastizes, but is quick to forget. "There is a city a few dunes over... I was just returning to it." She answers, turning back towards Antoine.
"Are you injured? Or perhaps you're still tired... I can treat you to some of our finest food if you're hungry..." She shakes her head. "I shouldn't be speculating when you're right there!" She leans on a leg, arm bent, hand on her hip.
"Well?"
% "A fighter's path is a noble path." Antoine muses, "...I was just curious as to where are you fighting at this Saturday." He quirks an eyebrow. Then, he starts to come to realization, "...Oh. Is it at Southtown, I take it?" He finally discerns this. When he stands up, he ooks over towards the woman. "No, I can still stand... But... a bit of rest in the city sounds good, and food." He pauses for a moment.
"I thank you for your hospitality. I'd love to stay for a bit. It'd be rude to turn down the offer from a gracious person." He gives a slight bow. He kneels back briefly to pick up his duffel bag, then he slings it over to his back.
"I'm not sure - they pick for it, don't they?" She asks - she's seen a few episodes, at least, when Blaire made it clear that's what they're going to do. She watches as he picks up his bag, slinging it over his back, and then thanks her. "Oh, you're entirely welcome."
"And maybe, when you're rested, you'll accept a friendly match - if you are a fighter... and you certainly seem to be." She notes, looking up and down the man. Very little on him - unless he's a wandering hobo.
That's not entirely odd for fighters though, is it?
"Hospitality, after all."
"To be honest, I am uncertain." The young hobo drifts his gaze towards the princess. He offers her a faint smile, bringing he duffelbag over until its comfortable. When she asks about a friendly match, Antoine shuts his eyes. "I would love that." He re-opens them, "I like seeing other people's fighting style. It brings great interest to see the differences of another person's art." He finally concludes, "It would be an honor to have a friendly match once I'm rested."
Antoine stretches his other arm up, then he looks over at Pullum, "I'll let you lead the way."
"I've always wondered, why they call it an art." She muses aloud, "Perhaps I'll find out for myself."
She begins to lead the way, just as he agrees to a match. "Darun will want to watch, I'm certain. I'll introduce you to him later - he's a family friend." Bodyguard. As she runs up the nearest dune, she kicks off the sand - without even the telltale cloud forming.
She flips in the air, landing right after the crest of the dune, sliding down the dune far faster than one could walk, but not roll. The latter being the ... worse of the two options. "Come, come Atoine! It's still aways away. The last dune is far larger than the rest. I wouldn't wish for you to collapse again either!"
She doesn't seem to be waiting for him though. She's not the most patient of people. She's not the least, either, but that's hardly notable! Her hair disappears behind the dune. It must be a long way down!
Log created on 20:55:18 10/19/2010 by Antoine, and last modified on 00:05:14 10/22/2010.