[] Hold on. Hold on or you'll die! Oh God, Jesus or even Ruler please, you don't wanna get flung off.
You had experience in this. Rider already put you through the ringer. This wasn't your first rodeo so you can do this. You can make it through this. You held on to Sarah's side and whimpered as you hoped your weren't hurting her somehow. Still, if she were a servant, she wouldn't be hurt at all!
Sarah kept driving in a straight line at what seemed to be the freeway before pulling your hand. You ended up hugging her waist before she made a professional biker's turn so sharp, her knee nearly touched the ground. You screamed before hearing sirens ring behind you.
"Oh shit it's the cops! Stop speeding!" You cried out as you looked behind you.
"A trivial problem with an easy solution," Sarah said as she revved her engine.
"What solution?!" You asked with a hiss.
"Go faster," Sarah replied as you held on tighter just as the bike shot forward. The bike sped farther from the police vehicles and you hoped that Medb can fix this later.
You didn't want to get caught and put in the cell. Medb's never going to let you live it down. Sarah saw some traffic up ahead and sped up despite the numerous cars waiting for the toll gate. You yelped as the sirens grew louder behind you while the frost was starting to make your eyes water.
"I regret this! I regret everything! You said we were going to get lunch! I'm telling your Boss this!" You cried out while holding on for dear life.
"Feel free but there's a jump. Get ready," Sarah replied as you gasped. She then glanced your way and added, "Try not to bite your tongue!"
The bike lurched upwards in a jump before landing on the back of a sports car and using it as a ramp to clear the divider to the side. You squeaked before the bike hit the dirt and rode past the toll gate. Sarah shifted her bike and made another jump to the freeway and stuck the landing.
You felt like years of your life had been taken. You were pretty sure some white hairs grew on your head just there. You didn't relax your grip as Sarah took you far away from the city on her black bike.
.....
....
...
You collapsed on the dirt before letting out a shaky breath. That was a bad. You had a bad time. You hate it now. You wanna go home... You were only lured in for the prospect of free lunch and look at where that got you. It's all fucked now.
"Get up. We're going to get your meal," Sarah said as she opened up the seat of her bike to get her tools.
"You brought me to a frozen lake!" You cried out as you were in a middle of nowhere.
"Indeed. There should be some fishes that we could still catch at this time of day. Here, it's a retractable fishing rod," Sarah said as her purple eyes met yours. You grabbed the rod before she placed a hand on her hip, "I'll go retrieve a shovel. My cabin is nearby."
"You live around here?" You frowned.
"I recently moved. My temporary employer was kind enough to provide accommodation," Sarah said as she glanced your way, "Go out to the middle of the lake and prepare. I'll meet you there."
"Oh. Sure. Fishing," you wheezed before staring at the rod and bait you had, "I think I know how to fish."
Sure enough you knew how to fish at least at that moment. Your memory bank was corrupted but you gained access to skillsets once opportunities show themselves. You shouldn't be able to embarrass yourself, right?
You started walking to the center of the lake. It was a beautiful sight though. It was on the other side of the mountains where you and Medb spent the night at a fancy Inn. It was also where you found out about your... Condition.
Can you really call it that? You're not really sure.
You walked through the ice as your breath smoked. You were dressed for winter but this was pretty cold. You kept going as you couldn't help but wonder if Rider's fine. Your connection should be up. Letting out a breath, you set down the box of bait and took out your phone.
No signal.
Well if anything happens you have a Command Seal. You can just call her here assuming she was decent... And not attached to anyone. God, this sure went off the rails. It was beautiful though, a frozen lake at the foot of the snow peaked mountains. There was a dense forest of pine trees nearby leading upwards where Sarah went. You could see the appeal. It's a nice place.
You stopped at the lake's center and fell down on your rear. Good thing you're wearing pants today. Your ass would have frozen had you been wearing a skirt. It's the little things in life that made things worth it. Your breath smoked before you rubbed your hands together.
"I just hope Excalibur doesn't get tossed at me or something. Haha. I wonder if the Lady of the Lake gets frozen too if her waters get frozen," you shivered before you slowly got up to on your feet.
Your stomach rumbled. Boy, you're hungry.
.....
....
...
Sarah had brought some chairs and a shovel.
"Start digging," the woman said as she handed you the shovel.
"Is this some elaborate plan to murder me underneath the ice?" You frowned as you took the shovel.
"Not really. Come now. Food awaits us," Sarah said as she flipped open her chair before opening up the cooler she had dragged with her.
You started digging through the ice. It didn't take you long to hit water though. The murky blue waters peered from the hole you made and you wondered how strong was the ice beneath your feet.
"That's good enough. Take a seat. We can begin," Sarah said as she sat down with some chilled drinks.
"I'm not an alcohol girl," you told her as you sat on your seat and picked up your rod.
"No worries these are colas. So you can have more sugar and caffeine," Sarah said before you took it and set it aside.
You placed your bait on the fishing hook before tossing it in the hole, "So this is what? Extreme fishing?"
"It's important to build some resistance to the cold. Warriors undergo training in different situations and seasons. In the harsh winter fall, the earth itself challenges Humans to survive in order to cull the weak. Winter is the ideal time to train," Sarah replied as she nodded while casting her line.
"Sounding more like an old Sage, Lady," you pointed out before turning your head to your line, "Still, this is a surprise."
"You're an interesting girl. Also you have been doing well so I would like to do this as a friendly gesture for your efforts," Sarah replied as she smiled your way.
"Really? That's nice," you chuckled as you leaned on your chair, "A lot of things have been happening lately. I needed a break or two."
"Does that have anything to do with your injury?" Sarah asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Ah. No. I just fell down some stairs," you replied as you looked to the side.
Sarah simply stared at you in silence, her eyes studying your expression. You winced before sighing.
"It was a lot of stairs. A-Anyway, I noticed you said that your employer gave you your accommodation. Were you not from here?" You asked with a curious tone.
"Indeed. I came from a land far from here. I do not believe that it's accessible through normal means of travel," Sarah chuckled as she reeled in her line once something bit on it.
You watched her pull out a fish. It thrashed about for a bit before you got up and grabbed it from where it hung. You then tossed it into the bucket by your chair. That should be one. Maybe you'll catch one yourself.
You sat back down and glanced at the woman, "Must be a rough place to come and go. This must have been quite the job go take then? You must be a huge deal if you've got sponsored by a politician."
"My employer simply needs my assistance for his own ends. I've done my job well if I say so myself. That aside... I answered his call due to some of my own loose ends," Sarah replied as she closed her eyes.
"Loose ends?" You blinked.
"I'm looking for a dog. You wouldn't happen to see one, have you?" Sarah asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Should I be? No. I haven't really. Are you trying to find one to take home with you?" You frowned her way.
Sarah smiled and said, "Well... No. I don't believe I can take this one with me. But you should be cautious... Especially rabid dogs."
"I'm more of a cat person myself," you replied as you looked to the side.
"Then what of you? Has your uncle been treating you well?" Sarah asked with her own curious look.
"Ah well... I just visit him sometimes. I just recently arrived here myself," you mixed the lies and the truths you had, "I can relate to you though. Being a foreigner to this place."
"Oh? Is this your first time here too?" Sarah blinked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yeah. Yeah it's the first. But it's fine I've got some people looking after me... I do have this annoying roommate," you said as your thoughts returned to Medb.
"You're living with another person then? That seems to be nice. I myself could use the company. In my old home, people are the ones normally seeking me out. I did not meet with others like this," Sarah said as she crossed her legs and finally relaxed.
"It's not really that great but... I guess the company is nice," you managed to say with a small smile.
"Regardless, whether you're alone or not, or if you're from a far off place from here, you should cherish the memories you make while you can. It's been a long time since I have left my country, I have forgotten how beautiful this world was. It almost makes me to stay a bit more," Sarah said as she stared at the mountains ahead.
"You mean you're not staying here long term?" You asked then.
"No. I'm only here to find a dog and perform the task needed of me," Sarah sighed as she met your gaze, "Though while I am here, I would see to it that you're trained."
"Ri-Right," you coughed as you looked at the ground. The two of you fell silent as you waited for a bite to happen.
What should you speak of next?
Frozen Lake
[] "Living this near the mountains, have you ever considered skiing? It must be nice around this time. Wait, why are you giving an evil smile?"
[] "So... What sort of dogs do you like? You're looking for one, so you might have a preference. What's up with your face. You're all red."
[] "Well if the chance presents itself, I'll try and bring my roommate with me when I go sightseeing on your country. Make sure you give me a tour as compensation for this troublesome training."