Chapter Text
The ruffling sounds of the forest could be heard all around. and ambience type of sound that are usually used in those ASMR videos to help someone fall asleep. these videos helped us by easing some of our senses and primal urges at a safe place that is our home. making us fall asleep with that feeling of safety. but, it couldn't be the same if we were trapped in some deep forest for 5 hours now.
The two doctor of Rhodes Island have wondered through this forest for what felt like a whole day. aimlessly wondering around in one direction. They were in a Joint operation with the LGD. an operation to sweep the nearby forest in Yan. there have been suspicion of illegal Originium transactions happening in this deep forest. and after settling on 4 squads, in which, Dr. Kal'tsit herself are willing to join in too. they were off. but, a catastrophe hit the joint squad, forcing them to scattered in a panic, just like a wasp in a sudden flame blast.
and, after that separation, both Dr. Kal'tsit and Dr. Danielton are trapped together in some sides of the forest. alone, without any rations or any Operators on sight. the commander have tried contacting the Land ship using his phone, only resulted in static due to the dense of the forest. and without much of a choice, the two adults choose to walk and find their way back to the squad, or at least, some land of civilization.
Dr. Danielton walked behind Dr. Kal'tsit much to her insistent. and of course, the commander knew that arguing with Kal'tsit, is a fool's game. She grunted as she walks forward and cutting some of the branches that are in the way, and trying to avoid every mud on the ground. only succeeding in a small chances.
"you know, it'll be better if i walk in front, Kal." The doctor suggested.
Kal'tsit still continue walking without looking back at him "we went over this. no operators are in our disposals now beside me, i will not let anything harm you, Doctor." Kal'tsit answered with a cold tone, making her words that seems caring have no meaning.
The doctor sighed as they walked "i'm flatter that you care about me, but, in this example and conditions that we're in. it'll be better if me, being the one with better physique to walk in front."
his words is not an exaggeration, the commander of Rhodes Island have started working out since Sideroca join Rhodes Island. and after a couple of years, he have a toned and quite a muscular build for someone that uses his brain and imagination in a battle. yet, Kal'tsit sighed.
"it's not about physique, Doctor. it's about your safety. you could be the strongest male to ever exist. you could topple even the beast king of Siracusa himself. yet, you are still the Doctor, Dr. Danielton. you are still the commander, One of the executive of Rhodes Island, and the hearts of Rhodes Island. if anything were to happen to you. there will be many dominoes to fall afterwards." the white feline answered with her usual stoic diminuer. her tone was cold and empty. sounded more like an order for him to shut his mouth and not continue with this arguments. yet, the doctor is not known for being a yes man.
"you might be right, i am the hearts and core of Rhodes Island. many people need me. and my position are critical." The doctor sighed as he clears his throat to give his point to Kal'tsit.
"But, your position are also critical, Kal'tsit. You are the head of the medical department. And you have stated yourself that, the medical department are the core of Rhodes Island. If anything were to happen to you, doesn't that also mean a lot more dominoes would fall?"
Kal'tsit fall silent after hearing his words, she even stopped on her tracks for a bit. Only to continue on walking through the forest, much to the annoyance of the doctor.
"...You're right, i might be one of the important and core member in Rhodes Island too. And my influence are as or greater than yours in Rhodes Island." Kal'tsit went silent for a bit, making the Doctor believed he has won. Only, to realized to not feel happy too soon. "You have many more Roots that is placed under you, Doctor. Those roots, the sources of many tribulations. Could all disappear and shakes the ground on it. And if the ground itself is shaken. Then, the foundation and life on top of the earth could be gone in matter of seconds." Kal'tsit answer in her usual coping mechanism, the mechanism that the Doctor have already got used too. When she feel like she is cornered, she would speak in a long dialogue form, like a monologue with many words with many meaning behind it.
The doctor sighed as he scratch behind his head in annoyance and confusion.
"You're doing your usual move when you're cornered, Kal. We've been coworkers for many years now. You know you can talk to me and give me a straight answer right?"
Kal'tsit doesn't reply, only continue on walking through the woods, much to the annoyance of the doctor. But, he knew. that if, Kal'tsit is silent after monologuing, that meant that she is closed to being checkmated and he would won and ended her overly protective acts towards him.
After clearing his throat as he is preparing to launch his final move that is the deciding factors in this game of an argument. He could hear the rustling of leaves around them as he open his mouth.
"Those roots, they may have been placed under me. Those 'roots' those 'connections' and 'bonds' that i have established and kept in Rhodes Island for years now. All of them are the key as to how Rhodes Island is still afloat even after many tribulations and conflict she faced. The one above that is me, the one who is around and are the center of those 'roots'. Like you said, if anything were to happen to me. The ground, or Rhodes Island may crumble and that could be devastating for the company. And i would agree." He look around the dense forest as they continue on walking. "But, the one above those 'roots', myself. Are not a simple being like the metaphor that you used, Kal. I'm not a emotionless 'Tree' that would shake my leaves around as the wind blows at me, like the trees at this dense forest we're in. I'm a human being, Kal. And i have emotion. And seeing you forcing yourself like this for my well being, when i myself are alright on my own. Pains me, Kal. It makes me sad."
Kal'tsit finally stopped in her tracks as she heard his words. After seeing her stood still beside her breathing, The Doctor sighed.
"You have a fever right? you can't hide it from me, Kal. I may be a warlord and a commander. But, i'm still a doctor."
Kal'tsit continue to stood still. But, her ears fluttered upwards as she heard his guessed. which is, correct. She tried to deny it by raising her voice to give him a counter arguments-
"And you can't shrug it off and deny it." The doctor kept her silent. "the first proof, is that you're not using Mon3tr to cut through all this trees, and choose to hustle yourself. The second, is your breathing. This forest may be dense and are filled with many trees. Yet, the trees only gave off small sounds. Not enough to muffle the way you're breathing heavily." The doctor smiled as he saw Kal'tsit stood still in defeat. Even if she doesn't look at him and still standing looking in front of him, he knew that with his last move. He will win.
"And finally, your face is red. the only reason is because of the increase in blood flow due to the fever. And you can't deny this. Because, the other reason is for you to fall in love with. Which, i hardly believe."
The doctor gave her a teasing chuckle to conclude his arguments. To which, there were silent between them for a minute or so. She is not responding after his last statement and are only standing still while breathing quite heavily. The doctor started to worry and raise his voice,
"Kal?" then, her legs gave up on her, and she fall forward. The doctor move swiftly and manages to catch her before she meet the ground and dirt. He then placed her on his arm and he finally saw her face.
She is panting heavily, her face is red all over, even her expose neck because of her usual green coat is red. There are small tears on her closed eyes. the doctor whispered a curse when he saw her condition.
"You should've told me sooner, Kal'tsit. You're being a hard head for no reason."
Kal'tsit panted as she tried to speak,
"....I'm not going to let you be unprotected, or even....try to protect me...."
Kal'tsit still tried her best, even when her whole body is shuddering. She still tried to stood back up from his arms. To which, The doctor push her back down gently with his other hand.
"stop being a hard head, Kal. You're sick. And as a doctor, I'm not making you burn yourself up for the likes of me"
The doctor stood up and placed Kal'tsit on his back, carrying her as they continue to walk through the forest. Kal'tsit tried to struggle a little. But, due to her condition that is starting to get poorer and poorer. She stopped fighting it and just let herself lie on his back. Slowly losing consciousness as she spoke her final words,
"...Sorry."
The doctor sighed with a smile hearing that. He continue on walking through the forest while carrying her for an hour or so. Not seeing the end of the woods, he felt something dropped from above, something wet...It's water. A rain is coming.
with a panic, he started running and his mind races as he is trying to find somewhere to protect himself, to protect Kal'tsit from this rain. There's only trees and rocks present. Not even a cave have they spotted. As the rain started to pour more, he started running around the forest. Trying his best to use his eyes and brains to seek some sort of cover. Then, he saw it. A run down old Shed. In his racing minded state, he knew that there's a chance that a homeless man, a wild animal, or worse. A criminal could reside in the run down shed. But, this is his last gamble that he knows he must take.
He run towards the entranced of the Shed and kick it open. Readying himself to pounce himself at a person if someone is inside it. In a miracle, there was no one there.
the shed are surprisingly empty, only having a run down and dusty mattress, and a old cabinet on the other side of the room, that he hoped doesn't have any rats or other animals in it.
He walked to the mattress and blew on it for a bit to get some dust out of it. Then he gently placed Kal'tsit on it. She is completely out because of her fever. She is still panting heavily.
The doctor inspect some the cabin some more as the rain started to pour down. The Shed was quite dusty and looks very old. But, surprisingly. It is not run down too bad that they can't stay inside it. There aren't even holes in it. he got near the cabinet, and prayed before he opened it. And to his luck again, there was nothing in it. Just a peck of dust. He sighed in relief.
After some time, he take off his coat, leaving him in his white shirt and placed the coat on the sick Kal'tsit. He ribbed a tiny bit of his shirt's sleeve, and wetted it in the rain. Then, placed it on the forehead of Kal'tsit to act as a compress. He rummage through his pocket and smiled as he found a lighter and 4 small packets of crackers in it. He stored the crackers back inside his pocket to save it for later. Using some force, he broke some part of the old cabinet. And he group them up and light them up with his lighter, making a good and warm fire.
He sighed and relief to be able to find a shelter from the rain and to be able to make a fire to warm them up through the cold. Though, he does feel suspicious by this shed. For a rundown shed that feels like it have been abandoned for years. To be in an alright condition, and almost empty beside a mattress and a empty cabinet.
'...Maybe, this is the place where some girls are.....'
He cut his thoughts of and shakes his head. having a bad thought in the condition that he is in right now, is not going to help him in any why. As he saw, Kal'tsit sleeping while panting heavily. He sighed and smile.
'At least. There's nothing here that signified that something like that happened here. I should get some sleep while I can...'
Then. He heard a howl through the pouring rain. A howl that could be coming from a wolf. He turn his head back to, Kal'tsit. And sighed.
'...I guess, there's no sleep for me tonight. I guess, I could think of a plan for tomorrow...'
the rain continue to pour as he sat beside the sleeping, Kal'tsit.