[World Map, Alternate World]

Doc chuckled, "Well...you were at least somewhat picky, fussy and nervous as I recall. It's funny, that was the same trip I decided to become a doctor...remember?" He leaned foreward, resting his arms as he lifted the oars from the watter to let their momentum do the work for a moment. "You'd broken your leg when we were headed back before nightfall. Remember how I distracted you while I set it...?"

======Flashback======
The young man continued to run down the steep slope, "C'mon let's get outta here before that thing decides to come looking for us." He looked behind him, "Damn...why they taking so long...?" Running up once more as he noticed the girls were some ways behind him.

Running up to them as they seemed to stop. "Steena...what's wrong?" he asked with concern, not wanting to disturb the local Heckran. Crouching down as he inspected her leg, "Ok...just stay calm." He began to remove his vest looking for something to complete the splint with. "Orhla, get me some fairly streight sticks."

[World Map, Alternate World]

======Flashback======
Nodding, still somewhat confused as to how it happened she began to search.

[Viper Manor, Alternate World]

Leena nodded. Norris trained her, but she was nervous about entering combat. She briefly considered waiting outside, but dismissed that thought. If she was just going to wait, why the hell was she even here.

Leena stepped past Kid and started to lead the way. General Viper's office was the same place where the Dragon Tear was, so she knew where to go. She crept silently in the hallway, moving as light-footed as she could in a pair of traveling boots. Luckily, there was a carpet to muffle her footfalls. She opened the door to Viper's office only a crack, just enough so that everyone could sneak in. Viper obviously oiled the door's hinges, for they didn't even squeak.

[World Map, Alternate World]

"I remember," she smiled faintly, glancing shyly aside and into the water. "You were very good, even then. You seemed to know just what to do. I remember Orhla looked like she was going to throw up half the time."

======Flashback======
Steena moaned, hands clutching just above the aggrivated break. "It hurts," she whimpered, eyes brimming with as-of-yet unshed tears. She gazed at him as the pain waved through her body, making her feel faint and nausious.

Little Doc looked up at her and forced a smile, and she heard him say something like, "It'll be all right Steena, don't worry." She watched his steady hands move over her bruising flesh, and later she would appreciate his calmness during the situation.

[World Map, Alternate World]

"Good...but not perfect still..." he looked down for a moment, his old failure nagging at him inside, "...I just did what I thought needed to be done." He began rowing again, "Still, the look on your face...that was a classic." He gave a playful smirk as he remanisced once more.

======Flashback======
The young man gave a groan, ~If I force it to set, that'll at least make it a brief pain but I'll need to distract her first...~ he thought to himself as he impulsively came up with a plan that he knew would at least catch her off guard. "Hey Steena...?" he began to speak looking down to her as he prepaired the splint, readying it in place to reset the bone. As she looked up in one fluid motion he placed his lips to hers, as soon as he did, finding her successfully dazed and distracted he pulled on the two end of his vest, with a light crunch the bone was set. Moving back as he now sat near her leg he tied off the splint. "There, the pain should go down a bit...and you should be able to walk lightly on it now."

Orhla gave a look of confusion as she crossed her arms, "What the hell was THAT for...!?" he muttered, "C'mon let's go before that thing wakes up." she ordered as she watched the dimming mountain side.

[Viper Manor, Alternate World]

Norris followed her in, still uneasy about having to involve her in all this. "Just follow my lead, Leena." he reminded her, hoping this confrontation would end in as little bloodshed as possible...at least from THEIR end.

[World Map, Alternate World]

She snorted faintly, crossing her arms under her chest. "What you did was completely uncalled for," she could feel the redness creeping up her cheeks (again). "But at least it worked. . . I healed as good as new, didn't I? Boy were we in trouble when we got home," she laughed a little, "But everyone was so happy that I was all right that they didn't punish us."

======Flashback======
Tears lept to Steena's eyes at the flash of pain, and slid down her soft cheeks to fall to the hard ground before. She nodded her head dumbly at the promise that the pain would disperse. Later, once they were home, she'd cry more freely, but for now she was in enough shock from both her accident and her first(!) kiss that she was nearly silent.

Steena was able, with the help of her two friend's, to hobble back to the boat and sit in the bottom of it, holding her insulted limb. When they reached Guldove again, a throng of worried parents met them at the dock, and practically dragged them out of their raft.

"We're okay," Steena managed to console her worried parents, "All of us are okay, and my legs only broken," she whimpered, turning her face to look at Doc, "He fixed it for me."
======End Flashback======

"They practically threw you a party, everyone was so proud of you. . " she laughed a little.

[World Map, Alternate World]

Leaning back into a long stroke he couldn't help but laugh, "My first patient, and the first time I'd ever been called Doc. Guess it just kinda stuck from there on. Better than my real name anyway."

Looking over his shoulder, "Not much farther now," he commented as he could now see Opassa Beach nearing their port. Looking once more to Steena, "Still doesn't feel like that was all that long ago. Man...but so much has happened since then." he trailed off as the ship neared Arni, now looking more intently over his shoulder as he backed into the small town's docks.

[World Map, Alternate World]

And my first and only kiss, she thought idly. Being shrine maiden didn't exactly afford her many chances with men -- not that she usually minded.

She leaned up and gazed around Lindon to glance at their destination, "Oh good, I was hoping it wouldn't be too much longer," she smoothed her hands over the fabric of her outfit, despite the lack of wrinkles. "I hope we find the Dragon Tear. . . It's upsetting to everyone when it isn't in Guldove."

[Viper Manor, Alternate World]

Kid proceeded forward as well, more than ready for what finally lay waiting just ahead.

Lindon:
[Arni Village, Alternate World]

The boat pulled up to the Arni dock. Lindon jumped out and helped rope it to the dock. "All right, here's what I think. We're definately going to need a plan of entry. This is the most powerful military orginization on the central island, the only one actually. I've seen this place, it won't be an easy nut to crack. Despite our cause, we're nothing but islander thieves and a runaway, so being caught isn't an option. Despite espionage, I don't think we have any other way in. The Dragoon's commander, General Viper, won't just let us waltz in the front gate either. I should've planned this first, but we're running short on time. No telling what he's going to do at Fort Dragonia." Lindon grabbed his staff readily, holding back the urge to strike the air a few times.

[Arni Village, Alternate World]

"Is there no way we can simply be invited in? Travelling dignitaries?" she glanced at the two men, then squinched her forehead up. "Maybe. . . not."

"But surely there has to be some other way besides *sneeking* in." The thought of infultraiting the manor didn't set well with her. "Not to mention," she continued, "We don't even know if the Dragon Tear is actually *in* there."

[Arni Village, Alternate World]

"If we DID go in like that, Steena..." Doc began to reason the situation, "...we'd NEVER find even a lead on the Tear. We'd be under so much serveilance that we wouldn't be able to move around freely at all." he shook his head, "I have to agree with Lindon on THIS one. It'd help if we had a decoy or a distraction, though..." he began to think to himself.

[Arni Village, Alternate World]

Steena frowned, placing a finger against her chin in a ponderous posture. "Well, perhaps I could enter as a sort of diversion. A. . . travelling dignitary from Guldove. Perhaps I've come to the mainland to trade, and I'm in need of economic advice from General Viper." She gave a soft laugh, rubbing her hands against the material of her clothing in an almost nervous manner.

Lindon:
[Arni Village, Alternate World]

"One of you guys should be the decoy then. It's too dangerous for a solo job, and..." Lindon purposefully avoided their gaze at this one, "Well...I've got some expeience in...uh...breaking and entering, and well...moving about unnoticed." He instantly got defensive of himself, "Don't accuse me. I ran away, I had to make a living. I tried not to steal things, but I couldn't find a job and I was hungry and I wasn't going back to my home."

[Arni Village, Alternate World]

"Perhaps I can arrive as a sort of. . . travelling dignitary. I could say that I've come from Guldove to trade for goods needed on the island, and I've felt that it is my duty to speak with Sir Viper on matters concerning our current economy." She shrugged her shoulders fitfully. "I much doubt my skill at sneaking around such a place as this, so perhaps I could be best used in other ways?"

[Arni Village, Alternate World]

Doc gave a grin, "You just smiling at the guards alone could be enough to distract them..." he chuckled, "With your looks and knowing their lack of attractive women, excluding the lil' blonde general, their scientist, and his daughter...you could probably simply walk through the front doors saying you're there to perform an exorcism or a christening, a briss...whatever. Doubt they'd much care, OR protest you going through the gates." giving a playful wink as they walked off the docks.

"But...if we DID use you as the decoy, don't be afraid to use this to protect yourself..." he mentioned in afterthought, lightly tapping the scabbard at her waist.

"As for what you said Lindon...s'cool man. We all gotta go our own way...I've treated worse than thieves y'know..." he finally added with a jovial glance to Lindon.

[Arni Village, Alternate World]

Steena tried to force a blush down, but it didn't work, leaving her a brilliant red color, though most of it concentrated at the peek of her ears. She tried to ignore the compliments, instead laying a slender hand on Lindon's shoulder, "You needn't be so worried, you are doing us a good thing, and we are not people to dwell on the past." She shot Doc a meaningful glance with that statement.

"As for me," she said a bit more chearfully, "I would not only make a fine decoy, but I assure the both of you that I am more than capable of protecting myself. One doesn't become a shrine maiden with at least some training, and that training would be best put to use protecting the dragon tear."

[Arni Village, Alternate World]

Doc just gave the glance similar to that of a scolded child when she mentioned not dwelling on the past. He knew she was right...but that still didn't remove the fact the when he was needed the most, he had failed someone who believed in him so much. "Well...sounds like we have a plan." he replied quietly, her words eating at him inside as they once more brought the conflict to the back of his mind. Surfacing in a meloncholy glow in the depths of his blue eyes.

Lindon:
[Arni Village, Alternate World]

"Alright then. Steena, you distract the gate guards. Doc, make sure you keep up. If we get seperated, just find a place to hole up. And trust me, if something happens, DON'T be a hero."

Lindon:
[Viper Manor, Alternate World]

Lindon led them to Viper Manor. "Steena, do your thing." Lindon crept up to the wall, and before long, he had run, jumped and scurried up the wall, appearing to defy gravity itself. He stayed low and out of sight, on top of the wall, waiting for the silver-haired shrine maiden to distract the guards to make a nice even landing.

[Viper Manor, Alternate World]

Steena sashayed away from her companions, and towards the front gates. The gaurds didn't spy her until she was almost upon them, but once they did their backs straightened almost immediately. She smiled at them sweetly, and wiggled her fingers coquettishly.

"Hello, I'm here from Guldove to speak with general Viper," she simpered cutely, and the guards approached the shut gate, eyes wide.

She glanced over their heads, hoping against hope that Doc and Lindon were doing all right.

[Viper Manor, Alternate World]

Doc nimbly followed Lindon over the wall, "Keep up? Not a problem...you might need a head start, though dude..." he replied quietly to Lindon. All his years on the board had helped him achieve a level of balance, grace and upper bodie control that could almost be the basis of a martial art. But Doc was still prominantly a healer...not a fighter. The pair of them landing soundly on the manor grounds, taking a rolling crouch in landing to soften the impact and reduce any noise they might've made.

[Viper Manor, Alternate World]

Steena found herself inside the gates of Viper Manor, following behind one of the overly-exhuberant guards. It seemed it had been a while since a pretty girl had dared step foot near the gate, and now the poor fellow was bent on flirting, whether Steena accepted his praise or not. For the most part she did her best to ignore him.

I hope not all travelling dignitaries are treated in such a manner, she thought idly, almost laughing at the thought.

The guard led her through the manor, up some stairs, and into a small waiting room where he suggested she wait (duh, what else are waiting rooms for?) until he could locate the General. Steena nodded, and folded her hands comfortably.

[Viper Manor, Alternate World]

Doc looked around as he snuck through the large hallways, ~Where are all the guards? This doesn't make any sense...even the barracks only seem to have minimal troops.~ He knew as he collected his thoughts that obviously something very large was happening. Hoping Steena was secure he followed Lindon, "Alright man...we're in, now where to?"