seasonsrpg | hange, yes: vol. 1 (burning the midnight oil)

[The mission seemed simple enough. Those tasked with potion making were able to offer up a fairly detailed description of the plant they were looking for, even providing real samples of the flowering cactus, which Hange naturally took photographs of in order to help them on their quest.]

[They had been informed that it only bloomed during a sandstorm, likely to do with the pressure placed on the plant or something similar, Hange would guess, but debating the semantics can wait for a later time.]

When they said sandstorm, I wasn't expecting anything like this!

[Hange was equipped in the same way they would be for any mission outside of the ~~walls~~ city; in full survey corps gear, the hood of their cloak and goggles providing some necessary protection against the winds. The weather wasn't too bad yet, but it was certainly a little irritating with how they were constantly being assaulted by grains of sand.]

Are you ready, Jean?

[Jean is also dressed up in his Survey Corps gear, with the additional floating cape under his Survey Corps one (he was lucky and the additional item fit there perfectly without being uncomfortable) along with some gogggles - something he really regretted not having last time he was here. He learns from his mistakes, at least.

It wasn't Jean's first time seeing a sandstorm either, but it still felt like a completely different thing from the ones he had seen. They're going to be cleaning sand out of his clothes for a while.]

Yeah, I am. Be careful of any cactibirds that might be stuck in the storm.

[It would be rather uncomfortable, getting a bird made of cactus in your face. There would also be scorpions, but those are likely burrowed deep enough into the ground.]

[Looking good, Jean! isn't this nostalgic, being out with the ~~commander~~ fourth squad leader? Hange certainly seems to be in a chipper mood, despite the seriousness related to why they are gathering items to begin with.]

The goggles are a nice touch! Efficient while also existing as a fetching fashion statement!

[Jean mentions cactibirds and in that moment of silence you can see the wheels turning inside Hange's mind.]

...I'm picturing a giant cactus plant with wings, right now. Or perhaps a smaller one would cause more trouble? At least with a large one you'd see it with plenty of warning, but a smaller one perhaps.. Hah! It may end up taking out my other eye!

[Good thing these goggles offer double protection then!]

Last time I was here I had red eyes for a few days thanks to all the sand. Never doing that again.

[Back then the sandstorms weren't even that bad, so imagine what this would have done! Other than cactibird to face.]

They're more cacti shaped like... birds. They come in different sizes, just like birds. Normally they don't attack people, but if they're caught in the storm I don't think they have a choice.

Everyone should have goggles for missions, just in case they end up in a situation such as this. It was hard to justify in the past when every expense item had to be evaluated and signed-off on, but everybody here owns plenty of funds, right?

[Shouldn't be any problem with them getting a pair to have on hand, even if their eyesight is perfect!]

[Bird-shaped cacti.. they certainly sound interesting, and Hange wouldn't mind seeing one, but Jean is right in the sense that having one slammed into you because it can't find its way in the storm sounds like an uncomfortable time for everyone involved.]

Mmm.. I suppose we'll have to be as mindful as we can. The hoods give us some protection at least.. but maybe we'll get lucky and the winds die down. 'Sandstorm' doesn't mean it has to be absolutely raging, after all!

Maybe we should make a list of equipment that would be useful for everyone to have and see to it that everyone gets them? To be prepared for anything out here.

[They may not be able to force anyone to buy them all, but you know. They could recommend.]

I'm pretty sure as long as there's enough sand in the air, the flowers will be blooming. But if it does require the wind aspect to it, we can probably anchor ourselves onto the ground to get closer.

That wouldn't be a bad idea, especially since so many of us are here. Hah! So much for you and Mikasa having your quiet life here in Ellipsa, hmm?

[Though he probably likes seeing so many familiar people, at least Hange hopes so. Procuring some supplies is a good idea though. Guess a commander's work is never done.. ]

Have you explored this area of the world before? If not, let's keep going forward until we find anything notable. As long as we stick together, it will be fine! It's just sand.

[Jean chuckles a little at that.]

We've had a quiet enough life for years now. What's a little action when you get to see friends again?

[He's pretty much confirming what Hange suspects there, but he is glad to see them all again.]

I have been in this desert once, but we didn't explore it a lot. We just did the quest and headed back as soon as possible. Though there are quite a few ruins we can take shelter in whenever the sandstorms gets too bad.

Well, I'm glad you're enjoying it here as much as I am! I'll just stay here, thanks!

[Not that they have anything to go back to!! H-haha!]

Since we're both summer power holders, we can manipulate flames if we want for some extra light. At the very least, it should stop us from losing each other..

[Hands on hips and taking in a big breath to psych themselves up, Hange then reaches out with a hand, finger pointing east.. no north... now north-east..]

That way! I have a good feeling about it!

[Jean's already made it clear he's not going anywhere either, so he just nods with a smile.

Though the smile does falter a little at the seemingly random path choosing. Would they be alright? Probably.]

Then let's go that way. I'll watch our backs as we go.

[It leads them in the general direction they want to go, but so they aren't walking into the winds so much. Hange could argue that it is a decade of scouting experience that leads to such decisions, but it's also equally likely that they simply picked a random direction and went with it.]

Alright! Let's head out then~

[And so the pair set off on their trek, further out into the windy desert.]

[And for a while it seems like there's only a whole lot of nothing out here, but eventually in the distance is what seems to be a giant sand dune?]

...Let's see what's on the other side.

[It's definitely windier here than it was last time. An ideal weather for finding the flowers, at least. It's not a full sandstorm yet, but he has no doubt they could end up in one soon enough.

A whole lot of nothing meant, at least, that there are not cactibirds flying at their faces.]

It's worth a try. Hopefully there's more than just sand over there.

[Up the dune they go. Good thing they're used to hiking. Jean's slightly taller so he can see something a little before Hange does.]

I see some cacti in the distance. At least something that could be.

hange, yes: vol. 1 (burning the midnight oil)

[closed to jean] daytrip with the favoured child;

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