(rq) (o) the devil went down to georgia

AISHA

good lava, we all know you wanna

The guild was running smoothly, duties as a Shield were as they had been, Aisha's responsibilities now turned towards the citadel as a whole. With Frey's assistance a greenhouse was to be made within the city, a place where Halovians could farm, begin their own form of agriculture in a previously inhospitable area. They could be self sufficient, and Aisha was all for helping the cause.

She'd offered to lead an expedition to recover the volcanic rock from Angel's End. Only a few days after the last trip to Frey's Breath for the hot springs water, the woman found herself back out in the volcanic region, feeling far more confident this time. A pack strapped to her back for carrying the stones, she held caution but no trepidation as she'd made her way out into the wilderness, the sea of black stone unfurled before her. The wind was warm and ashy against her face, she arrived at the meeting spot and awaited those who would aid her, patiently observing the new surroundings.

---

This thread is for the Halo greenhouse RQ! At least one other character please, to help Aisha collect volcanic rock from Angel's End.

see this pretty girl flow, good lava

KOVA

Kova peers around at the desolate blackness, finding nothing in the way of... well, anything. Covering his eyes are a pair of too-large goggles that take up half of his face.

"There appear to be no signs of life..." he mumbles to himself as he rakes his gaze across the land. That is, he stops short at the appearance of a... distinctly human figure. "Wait a second..." his brows scrunch down over his nose and he spins a little gadget on the side of his goggles, which prompts the lenses to switch with an audible click.

Better able to see into the distance now, his eyes widen. They seem to almost pop out around the rims, big and blue. "Ha!" He whoops, pushing up the goggles to rest over his locks. Immediately, he springs into jubilant motion to begin to close the space between them. With nothing but the tattered clothes on his back and a canteen of water slung across it, he approaches.

He calls out, attempting to catch the person's attention, "Yo~!"

He comes to a halting leap on the hardened ground, assuming a non-assuming stance and folding his hands behind his back as he leans forward a bit too far. His chest heaves from the run but he tries to pretend he's not catching his breath.

He looks her up and down without hiding it. Grinning, he's particularly stricken by her very-yellow eyes, so he quite happily tries to peer up at them. "Are you... lost?!" He asks her in such a way that it might sound like he'd be thrilled if she is. He tilts his head, still bowing forward with cat-like interest.

Every moment just came together like
Two feet hangin' in the water

AISHA

good lava, we all know you wanna

Aisha had expected to find a shield, or a monster hunter perhaps, or some other citizen of Halo bold enough to venture out into the Climb. But instead there came someone entirely different. Someone younger, surprising, adorned in goggles and traveling gear, looking like he'd been living on the run forever. Not a Halovian, she decided, stepping back and pulling her sword just out of it's sheath, revealing the silvery steel beneath.

He's jaunty, jubilant in a way that she isn't used too with Caido's people. Somehow, he reminds her of someone from her old home, maybe she can feel his animal shift in his bond, or maybe it's his locs, his complexion that reminds her of a childhood friend. She let the steel slide back into it's holster, still watching him cautiously but with less antagonism.

He's got a mischievous tone, Aisha looks him up and down with equal interest. "I'm right where I need to be," she replied with her usual confidence, brows furrowed tightly. "Are you?"

see this pretty girl flow, good lava

KOVA

The fact she draws her weapon does little to perturb Kova. Sure, he slows down a bit so she doesn't think he's bum-rushing her, but otherwise he continues boldly forward. A lot of people in Caido are this type; the guarded, gruff sort that think everyone's guilty of something until proven otherwise.

He's actually more surprised that she puts her weapon away so quickly, his own brows arcing upward. Looking at it, he can see plainly that it's built for her, and it's built real well too. It's a little dainty for his tastes, but then... his tastes aren't very refined.

When she says she's right where she needs to be, Kova straightens right up with an incredulous scrunching of his face. His smile remains, of course, because as he makes a show of looking around, this woman is the only thing he can see.

So he barks out a loud laugh. "Need?!" He shakes his head humorously, "What would anyone need to be here for, lady? You're funny." He waves his hand at her dismissively and turns, sauntering away a few paces, looking thoughtful. He finds something on the ground and kneels down to it.

"So you're not lost, and you need to be here. You lookin' for somethin'?" He pauses and quirks his head over his shoulder to glance back at her.

Every moment just came together like
Two feet hangin' in the water

AISHA

good lava, we all know you wanna

He's so expressive with his responses, speaking without words with every turn of his face. It's amusing, having been around so many lately who would barely bat an eye. "You're here too aren't you?" she replied to his incredulous response with one of her own. The hand that'd hovered by her blade landed on her hip, she relaxed into it.

Golden hued gaze followed him as he turned and shifted through the volanic surface. "I'm collecting some of these volcanic rocks," for why wasn't important, though she knew it sounded dumb without the explanation. Still, she was stubborn and owed him nothing more, there was an almost playful sass in the purse of her lips.

see this pretty girl flow, good lava

KOVA

Kova tilts his head so far to the side that it almost touches his shoulder. "Maybe I'm lost," he replies smoothly, shrugging his shoulders.

What he focuses his attentions on as he kneels down isn't something to bat an eye at. Certainly not. No, it's evidence of something else having been here recently. He picks up a chip of splintered rock, eyeing it curiously. "They sure do leave a lot of crumbs!" He announces, as if she'll have any idea what he's talking about.

So he looks over his shoulder with the bit of rock pressed between his lifted fingers, an expectancy in his gaze as he awaits to hear what she's looking for. He peers back at the rock in his hand pointedly. "Looks like you're too late," he remarks matter-of-fact, a little retort to her sass, "those lava dogs got here first. They eat this stuff." He makes a face at that.

He straightens up, dropping the pebble and wiping his hands off on his tattered pants. "If we track 'em, they'll lead us to more," he turns back to her, placing his own hand on his hip to subtly mirror her body language. He tilts his head down to peer up at her again, one brow arching up, "as long as you're not too scared."

Every moment just came together like
Two feet hangin' in the water

AISHA

good lava, we all know you wanna

Maybe he was lost, and just had a confident way about him. There was always the chance that she'd been followed, but she didn't get creepy vibes off the boy, he was different but not frightening. She scrunched up her nose a bit to his short and unhelpful replies, but didn't ask more about it. Instead she watched him lift the rocks, told him what she was looking for then, scowled at his answer.

Us, we? Aisha was here alone, she'd expected to be joined by another Halovian if anything. She wasn't against a sudden hunt and a bit of tracking, but something about his assertiveness made her want to challenge him, push back, toy with it, "I need your help to find them, huh?" There was a sharp yet playful edge to her voice, she glanced from the dark volcanic range beyond back to the stranger and his pose.

see this pretty girl flow, good lava

KOVA

Kova eyes her scowl, finding her expressiveness fierce in a contradictory sort of way. Fierce in the way that she's a fighter, no doubt about it, and he thinks she could cut him to pieces in the blink of an eye if she wanted to. But, somehow, she wears her heart on her sleeve - and he's willing to call her on her bluff.

"Well, yes, since I know Caido like the back of my hand, miss thing! If I remember correctly, you were just standing around until I got here. But- suit yourself. Y'know, they say that heroic deaths are the most memorable. I'm sure this is one of those. Lady Dies Trying to Save Rocks from Lava Dogs! What a riveting story!" He straightens, growing more rigid as he lifts both hands to shoo her in the direction the fyrhounds had went, "Off you go, then! No time to waste! They'll eat all the poor, defenseless rocks if you don't hurry!" He gives her a very encouraging grin then, stopping to show that he doesn't intend to follow.

He watches her with attentive blue eyes and an almost expectant sort of smile, wondering if she'll relent and ask him to come with her - or if she really will stick to herself.

Every moment just came together like
Two feet hangin' in the water

AISHA

good lava, we all know you wanna

He was infuriatingly amusing, in a way that made her want to snarl and snark back, but also laugh it off and invite him along for the company. Aisha's scowl breaks into a grin at miss thing, and even as he mocks her she smiles. He was right, contingent on the fact that he actually knew what the lava dogs were like, and how to deal with them. If that much was true, she should have him along and she knew that. No one else had showed up to help with her task anyway.

He finished his bit and stood there, expectant, waiting, and Aisha pursed her lips, narrowed her brows, "Mmmm, fine. You can come with since you practically begged," came her reply, teasing but assured, not giving in completely to the bait but asking for his help in her own way. She turned the direction he'd pointed, "So where are we going?" she asked, squinting off into the dark and fiery expanse.

see this pretty girl flow, good lava

KOVA

Kova's eyes light up electrically at her relent, and he breaks into a charming laugh. "See, I knew you were smarter than that," he taps his temple a few times in emphasis of it and smiles at her. He doesn't mind that she says he practically begged, shrugging it off as her being just a little too proud {or stubborn} to admit she wants - or needs - his help. That's okay. A lot of people are like that, and it's good to know she is; he can work around it.

With one big inhale of breath to ready himself, he sets off after the trail. He's already gotten his eye on it, saw in which direction it led, and he's quite confident he knows where they're going anyway. So he marches on, hands swaying confidently with each stride. "Oh - you're gonna like this," is all he says at first in response to her question.

It takes them a bit of time to reach this place, but they'll be able to see it even from a distance. The crust opens up into a glowing red mouth with heatwaves that emanate from it. As they near, Kova looks over his shoulder at her with a mischievous smirk. Then, he turns around, continuing to swagger backwards as he speaks. He folds his arms over his chest. "This is the heart of the Climb, you know," he says, "the pits. Have you heard the stories?" Black brows tilt upward curiously, "They say there's treasure down-" his voice breaks off suddenly as he nearly falls over a stone. He catches himself just in time, but decides it's probably best to walk facing forward from here on out. "Down here." He finishes with a sheepish grin.

"But no one's hardly ever brave enough to go down there, 'cept us!" He brings up two thumbs to point at himself, peering at her with a smile that never seems to go away. He doesn't expect her to back out. She seems like the brave sort. "But you're just looking for rocks," his voice flattens and he waves his hands down in a big shrug, "we'll find those for sure. And maybe we'll find more!" It's a hopeful little comment at the end.

By the time they reach the mouth of the cave, however, he's lost track of the fyrhunds. Their trail could lead down into the pits, and it's likely that it does, but he can't see it anymore. Not that he'll mention that. No, instead he stops and spreads out his arms, closing his eyes to welcome the heat. "Ah! Home sweet home!" It's not his home. "Here we are," he opens his eyes to look at her again, wondering, "What do you think?" He places his hands on his hips and angles himself to face her, "It could use a little TLC, but it has its... charms."

Every moment just came together like
Two feet hangin' in the water

AISHA

good lava, we all know you wanna

Aisha snorted at his returned remark, but turned before he could see the smile that pulled her lips. She loved to play these teasing games, especially when both players were equally invested. She waits for him to pass, leading the way onward before setting off after him, falling into step just behind him off his left shoulder. "If you say so shorty," she hummed in response.

They walked for some time before reaching an opening, a massive maw that gargled and spat it's glowing red blood. The lava radiated madly, the heat was more than Aisha had felt in years, ever really. She pulled the silky long sleeved shirt off, maneuvering it underneath the pack then tying it at her waist. She'd need it when she returned to the tundra, but for now it was only a sticky hot burden.

The boy turned to face her, giving a little speech before tripping over a rock. Aisha's expression broke into a toothy grin, quirked a brow as she watched him choose the safer route of walking forwards. "What kind of treasure?" she asked, catching up to now walk by his side, a bit further to walk ahead. Brave was a funny word choice, stupid seemed equally as applicable. But at the same time she liked it, and was prone to trading caution for boldness every now and then. "How do you know all this?"

They met the entrance, where caves split and spun before them. Apparently this was it, Aisha huffed and took a deep breath of the hot and mildly sulfuric air. "I think it smells like shit, but in a fun way," she replied with a playful glance, looking to the side of the cave where some large black chunks of rock were strewn. "Plenty of these guys," she added with her usual level of sassy sarcasm, she slung her pack over her shoulder and began to collect the pieces.

"I'm Aisha by the way," she called over to her companion.

see this pretty girl flow, good lava

KOVA

Kova snorts at her. What kind of treasure, she asks. "See? You wanna know, too!" Which is to say, he hasn't very many ideas on the specifics. He casts a broad grin back at her, before it humbles and he asks curiously, "You're the kinda person that likes shiny things, right?" His blue-eyed glance is directed at her sword, almost in emphasis, "There's gotta be diamonds down here. Heat and pressure makes 'em form, and, well... this is the perfect place for that, huh?"

His nostrils shrivel up in response to paying closer attention to the smell. "Ah, that was me, sorry," he jokes, cracking a small huff of laughter. He stays put, facing her and watching with mild interest. But as she continues to collect her rocks, he looks around with a stressed pinch of his brow and his smile fades. Their surroundings are ordinary enough, but this only arises some amount of suspicion in Kova, who knows better than to trust that. Where did they go?

He only tosses his head back in her direction when she says her name. He smiles suddenly. "Name's Kova, don't wear it out," he shoots a pair of finger guns in her direction, making a clicking sound with his tongue. Then, he decides reluctantly to abandon his post and come over to join her. He'd help, but... he doesn't really see the point in this and so he just watches, leaning over with his hands on his knees. "No offense, Aisha," he arches his brows downward into a puzzled smirk, "but you do know you can get rocks anywhere, right?"

Every moment just came together like
Two feet hangin' in the water

AISHA

good lava, we all know you wanna

Aisha's first question is addressed but the boy skirts around the other, he remains a mysterious traveler with interesting information. So she entertained; part of her is just bold and curious about this 'treasure' and whatever else he had insight on, and yet another part is just social and enjoys the fun of it. "Of course I am," she purred her reply, because who doesn't like shiny things?

His joke earned a huff of laughter, a grin shot his direction. Though her own expression altered when she saw the levity being drained from him, both from his face and through the attuned bond. She recognized that pull now, that projection of emotion that was not entirely hers. It was odd, he'd been so excitable and confident this whole time, now he was standing watch as though he was waiting for, or expecting something to happen. The hellhounds maybe? She honestly hoped that was it, the leopardess would so loath to get double crossed by the kid after all this.

Hazel eyes were narrowed to watch him, but she continued with her collecting. Name's were exchanged, more teasing from Kova. Aisha rolled her eyes, pausing to place her hands on her knees, "Can you just let me do what I need to do?" It was accusatory yet playful, she was almost done collecting anyway, then they could be off to do whatever Kova felt was so urgent. She looked back to her dark stones, "Are you nervous?"

see this pretty girl flow, good lava

KOVA

Kova raises his brows silently and leans back into his full height with an unimpressed expression. "Well excuuuse me! I wasn't aware that I was hindering you," he flashes back with a sassy toss of his head, crossing his arms over his chest and letting his gaze rake across the ground around them. Secretly he's looking for signs of creatures having been here before them.

She asks if he's nervous and he looks at her with a surprised expression. He offers a crooked smirk and tilts his head, though his arms do remain crossed. He snorts in response.

Well, maybe he is nervous - and maybe he should be - because suddenly there's a sound coming from the mouth of the cave that resembles rocks grinding against one another. Kova grimaces and turns around slowly to see exactly what he didn't want to.

Crouching between them and their escape is a fyrhound, a big one too. An adult, by the looks of it. There's a rock in its jaws that it crushes with a snap of its jaw easily, but it's then that it makes eye contact with Kova, who feels suddenly very small.

"I'm not nervous, no, but I do have a weird sense of impending doom!" Kova immediately takes a stance, ready to bolt at any second, but he remains placed between Aisha and the beast with his hands extended out past his sides. "You uh- y'might wanna hurry up!" He warns sharply.

Every moment just came together like
Two feet hangin' in the water