The torture! Having to be still. For so long! It was an absolute nightmare! No running, no excessive shifting, no heavy lifting, or anything physically demanding... Be still they said! Roulette deeply hated having to do so. Even though a few days had already passed since the baboon incident, the Akalak healers, Jansen and Kalum Alvarth had told her to not do anything that could tear open the fresh stitches. And further aggravate the two broken ribs on one side. Okay yes, let's be totally honest, everything still hurt! But that didn't mean she couldn't get up anyway! Right? Right?!
She had to stay under the healer's care for an entire day just to be sure she was not bleeding internally. Thankfully she wasn't, but still! At the time of arrival, Roulette had been quick to find some form of clothing and drag it to the nearest bed. She had gotten up onto that bed and laid down on the article of clothing while eyeing the blue healers, along with a few whines. Thankfully they realized she didn't have the energy to shift when she promptly seemed to go to sleep though.
But she awoke chimes later because of a new pain against her neck and shoulder. Yelping in surprise and ready to fight all over again, only to calm down when she realized they were stitching up the wounds after cleaning them. How long had she been sleeping there? Either way, they gave her stern instructions not to overdo anything, and try not to move around too much or else her two broken ribs would not heal properly. After they released her from their care, she had been keen on returning to her temporary housing for the time being.
It hurt worse the next day. The bruises, the bones, the muscles...EVERYTHING! She actually did not feel up to moving much, but in the same breath, staying there was not something she was going to be happy with either. So before either of the healers could really protest, the kelvic willed her body to move. Limping or not, she did not stay and headed toward where the tent was set up just north of the Sawmill. Granted, it took a bell or two longer than it should have. As much as she did not want to show it...she really was in pain.
Well, being in dog form at the time kind of helped with the expression part at the very least. Ducking in and around thick tree roots, and other dense vegetation was a little painstaking, but worth it in the end as she got into the wide-carved paths that were often seen. Limping still, her movements had become a bit slower than when she had started the trek back. But at least from there, it was not going to be long. After several chimes of limping through, making sure to stay out of the way of the Sawmill's workers, she looked up in time to see Lars going inside hauling something metal.
But as curious as she felt, even she knew rest was needed. So instead of satisfying her curiosity, Roulette turned onto a small trail that led straight up toward where her home was being built. She couldn't thank Randal enough, even though it wasn't finished just yet. But she felt grateful all the same, and it brought a new surge - if not a little painful - of happiness flowing through from nose to tail tip! Her tail gave a small wag, then reached her tent where it had been set up closer to the beach.
After laying down against a shirt that she dragged out from her backpack, she laid down and went to sleep. By the time she awoke again, it was dark outside. Really dark! Though at least the moon was shining some on the dark surface of the ocean's water. Staring at the waves as they crashed, she just simply listened to the sound of it. The salt breeze was blowing a little bit too. It seemed the right thing to do, but she remained like that for a long while. Not really keep track of time. She wasn't sure what time of night it was, but that did not matter.
The ocean's water was absolutely gorgeous here, even at night. And she appreciated it's beauty. She wasn't sure when she had fallen asleep again, but by the time morning had seeped through the darkness to brighten everything up, she was back in human form. Roulette must have changed back in her sleep somehow. But that aside...she felt like she was starving! It hadn't registered right that second, but getting up quickly to go through her backpack in order to get something to eat...oh how she wished she had not moved as quickly as she had done!
"Oooooooh... Oooooow... Oh, that hurts... Ow.." Voice muttered under her breath and she doubled over slowly with both arms wrapped around her torso gently. The pain shot everywhere. Namely from her broken ribs. The deep pain was so sharp she stayed there curled up almost into a fetal position with her head against her knees. Once the worse of the pain settled enough she could move again, she was keen to look around where she sat. If anything that was to ensure that no one was around to see her like this.
Some habits were harder to quit than others. She took a slow inhaling of breath. The salty air reminded her of last night's gorgeous view... Feeling a sense of happiness tingled all over and she smiled while trying not to laugh for the sake of her broken ribs. She then unwrapped both arms carefully from around her torso in order to go through her backpack. Pulling out some dried and salted meat, it wasn't much but hey she wasn't going to be picky either! It was food! It could give her some more energy to work with, and hopefully help with the healing over time thing. Red eyes looked around the backpack some more.
Before she had left home, she had placed bits of her rations in different little hiding spots in her backpack. This was to help keep her memory as sharp as possible. Finding one of the little hiding spots, her fingers grasped the bits of dried food ration to eagerly eat it. It was best to space things out though. She could work on her foraging skills by locating more food nearby or go work on her fishing skills. While thinking about what to do for the day, her red eyes landed silently on her most prized possession. The marble carving of a bear.
Thoughts went back toward home. The stories she'd heard countless times when she was younger. Treasured memories she did not intend to forget. Picking it up gingerly, turning the little figurine slowly in one hand, she knew then what she'd like to do. Since the healers had been stern in telling her what not to do with broken ribs, she smiled and thought to practice carving little wooden figurines while the bones needed time to heal. Hands moved aside more things within the backpack after the marble bear was set into her lap. She was looking for something. She would need a woodcarver's kit. And she knew it.
Grabbing a pouch containing all her mizas, she is keen to take out her pants as well. Since she was sitting on her shirt, it was already out. Easy! Getting dressed was a little harder than she originally thought, however. Because it hurt to move. But she got dressed and tucked away the pouch containing all of her funds. Maybe not the best idea, but she wanted to be sure she would have enough for the kit. It was likely going to cost quite a bit. She looked around before leaving out from underneath the shade of the tent. Another hot sunny day was ahead! Might as well make the most of it right?
With that in mind, she cast a glance at where her home was to be built and felt a sense of giddiness rush all over, from head to toes. She had to bite her lower lip though in an effort to stop herself from making a run excitedly toward the jungle where the settlement was located. Breathe! Stay calm or the bones won't heal! She began to walk to the small trail until it led down the wide-carved paths leading around the Sawmill. Sun shining, not a cloud in the vast lovely sky... And she could swear she heard birds singing to one another too. What wasn't there to love about this place? Roulette began humming faintly, more to herself. One of the Svefra songs she'd listened to during her three-day travel with them.
Even with how careful she moved, there was still a visible limping. Everywhere still hurt, but it wasn't going to stop her from living every moment to it's fullest. At least if she could help it! Never knew what life had planned. She moved along slowly, trying not to move too much if it wasn't necessary. But even then it hurt to move. The pain brought her mind back to Kamilla from a few days prior. She hadn't really seen her much if at all since the attack. But she felt encouraged to think positive. The woman seemed to be a strong person, from what she'd seen. At least that is what Roulette thought of her. Maybe she could find her and ask how she was doing while being out today? The thought brought a smile to Roulette's lips.
But first, finding the local shop here in the settlement was needed. Afterall... What good was woodcarving without a kit to use? She makes her way slowly into the settlement. Not tripping over things quite as much. Namely being as careful as possible just so she wouldn't be lectured by the healers! Roulette slowly makes her way. Poking in and out of buildings that seemed to be public, at least have the feeling that they were. Eventually, she makes her way toward the Syka Mercantile. But she becomes distracted first when a pair of men break out into song and dance for a chime or two before seeming to head off somewhere.
That's when she spots Kamilla just leaving the edge of her line of sight. What was that she was carrying? Roulette's head tilts to one side, then the other as if trying to listen to some noise a bit better. Then she took a few steps, looked back toward the shop and then back toward Kamilla. What should she do now?! A tiny whine actually bubbled up in her throat to escape her lips a little bit as she looked from the shop and toward where Kamilla vanished from her sight. The settlement was quite dense still with jungle. "Aaaaah... I need the kit... But I want to check on her too. Hm." There was no guarantee the kit was there but... She takes off after Kamilla. The kit could wait for the moment. She prayed there would be one when she returned though, simply because she wanted to practice the art of carving to get better.
She got to the spot where she had seen the woman last. Her scent was easy enough to remember since they had spent a tiny bit of time together. At least it wasn't rancid fruit anymore and a more pleasant one instead. Roulette simply followed her nose, though moved once or twice a little too much. She could feel the stitches in her shoulder coming a tiny bit loose as pain flared like hot iron. A moment was taken to carefully look toward her shoulder. Yep. Sure enough, there were a few tiny spots of blood faintly seeping up into the bandage. Well, that stunk. Her nose is scrunched up slightly for a tick before her facial features resumed their normal facade of happy-go-lucky.
She really didn't want to be lectured again, but would have to go see the two healers again at some point either today or the next to have those stitches looked at. She inwardly groaned, really not wanting to be scolded! A soft sigh given, she returned to her search for Kamilla. Had she gotten her name? Roulette honestly couldn't remember. But at least the scent trail was getting steadily stronger until she caught sight of the woman again. Instantly feeling a small burst of excitement, she skipped a little bit toward the woman. Regretting it immediately as her broken ribs gave sharp protests of their own.
"Oow.." She gritted her teeth and cringed a bit. Oops... Hopefully, that wasn't seen... "Hello!" She forced her voice to be as normal-sounding as possible despite the pain she felt. "I hope your bite is healing. And sorry I couldn't shift back when everything was calm... I er... Hehe... Couldn't shift." She smiled at Kamilla, hoping to engage her in conversation. Preferably without startling her.