08-08-2015, 09:19 PM
Zack stepped back as they let go of each others' hands, taking another look out at the bleak terrain for a second. He shook his head as he milled everything over yet again. At the same time, he figured, if it didn't make sense then it was best not to worry about it. He had a feeling they might meet those strange attackers again, which was absolutely fine by him. For now, the priority was getting back on track.
He didn't know where Miranda was, but he had a pretty good feeling that she would keep going towards the fortress if she had made it away from the lava. Common sense said not to bother walking in circles for too long looking for each other, and instead just proceed to the agreed upon destination. He had been standing here for long enough, and given what he knew of her, he understood there was a chance that she might just keep going without waiting. She always was a little quick tempered in his brief experience, and he knew her type well. He didn't expect to be waited on. He turned to Colonel for a second, deciding to make an offer. After all, working together was always ideal in this type of environment.
"Miranda and I were looking for Bowser, of the Koopas. We've heard a few rumors there's some bandits causing trouble out here, and we were going to see if we could fix that problem and maybe get rewarded for it," Zack explained, briefly. "Don't know where you're from or where you're going, but I'm not going to turn down a traveling companion in the Steppes, if you're interested."
Granted, he didn't know anything about the guy, including if he had any combat prowess. What he did know is that he'd demonstrated enough athletic ability simply getting here that Zack felt confident with the assumption he did. Not to mention the guy just had that look, what with being partially mechanical and all. Beyond the look was the personality. Years as a warrior made Zack pretty good at identifying others by simple body language and demeanor.
He shrugged if off, though, and glanced to a somewhat flat spot near them. With his last bike submerged in lava, he would have to summon a new one. He remembered how long it took the last few times he'd summoned something, and groaned a bit as he thought about going through the process again. It made him realize that he'd be relying on this Omnilium substance as little as possible, for the simple fact that he couldn't stand to sit still that long.
Just as he was about to start though, he heard the rumble of an engine in the distance. He squinted to see a small skiff heading towards them. He waited for a moment, wondering if it was those two from earlier, or just another unknown friend or foe. As it became a little more clear in his vision, he suddenly had to grin. He could see a Koopa piloting the skiff, and Miranda standing on board as well. Maybe he didn't know her type, after all, he mused as he walked forward a few steps. He held his left arm up and waved a few times, making himself slightly more visible in the thick, ashy air.
Miranda was the first to see Zack and Colonel, and they could see her suddenly point at the two of them. The Koopa banked hard and turned the skiff in their direction. In fact, he turned it so hard that Miranda actually grabbed the railing at the sudden and abrupt change. Zack laughed as he took a few steps forward. She'd obviously intimidated the poor thing into helping her out, and he was following her orders very quickly and abruptly. As the skiff stopped and lowered to the ground just a bit, Zack grabbed a ladder and climbed halfway up.
"I thought you were going to head on and have all the fun, yourself," Zack jokingly said to Miranda, then gave an appreciative nod to the Koopa. He then turned a bit, keeping his left foot on the ladder and his left hand gripping the railing as he looked to Colonel. "How about it, then? At the very least, we can offer you a ride."
He didn't know where Miranda was, but he had a pretty good feeling that she would keep going towards the fortress if she had made it away from the lava. Common sense said not to bother walking in circles for too long looking for each other, and instead just proceed to the agreed upon destination. He had been standing here for long enough, and given what he knew of her, he understood there was a chance that she might just keep going without waiting. She always was a little quick tempered in his brief experience, and he knew her type well. He didn't expect to be waited on. He turned to Colonel for a second, deciding to make an offer. After all, working together was always ideal in this type of environment.
"Miranda and I were looking for Bowser, of the Koopas. We've heard a few rumors there's some bandits causing trouble out here, and we were going to see if we could fix that problem and maybe get rewarded for it," Zack explained, briefly. "Don't know where you're from or where you're going, but I'm not going to turn down a traveling companion in the Steppes, if you're interested."
Granted, he didn't know anything about the guy, including if he had any combat prowess. What he did know is that he'd demonstrated enough athletic ability simply getting here that Zack felt confident with the assumption he did. Not to mention the guy just had that look, what with being partially mechanical and all. Beyond the look was the personality. Years as a warrior made Zack pretty good at identifying others by simple body language and demeanor.
He shrugged if off, though, and glanced to a somewhat flat spot near them. With his last bike submerged in lava, he would have to summon a new one. He remembered how long it took the last few times he'd summoned something, and groaned a bit as he thought about going through the process again. It made him realize that he'd be relying on this Omnilium substance as little as possible, for the simple fact that he couldn't stand to sit still that long.
Just as he was about to start though, he heard the rumble of an engine in the distance. He squinted to see a small skiff heading towards them. He waited for a moment, wondering if it was those two from earlier, or just another unknown friend or foe. As it became a little more clear in his vision, he suddenly had to grin. He could see a Koopa piloting the skiff, and Miranda standing on board as well. Maybe he didn't know her type, after all, he mused as he walked forward a few steps. He held his left arm up and waved a few times, making himself slightly more visible in the thick, ashy air.
Miranda was the first to see Zack and Colonel, and they could see her suddenly point at the two of them. The Koopa banked hard and turned the skiff in their direction. In fact, he turned it so hard that Miranda actually grabbed the railing at the sudden and abrupt change. Zack laughed as he took a few steps forward. She'd obviously intimidated the poor thing into helping her out, and he was following her orders very quickly and abruptly. As the skiff stopped and lowered to the ground just a bit, Zack grabbed a ladder and climbed halfway up.
"I thought you were going to head on and have all the fun, yourself," Zack jokingly said to Miranda, then gave an appreciative nod to the Koopa. He then turned a bit, keeping his left foot on the ladder and his left hand gripping the railing as he looked to Colonel. "How about it, then? At the very least, we can offer you a ride."