We got Fahari, Blackpaws, Wildfall and Mary Kate back together again, but this time, we're gonna split them up for a bit.

Voter comments on Wildfall mentioned his work was "very subdued, in part to the injury he gained early in the mission," but that's one of the themes in this story and it works to its advantage yet again.

With this one, we're over halfway through the roleplaying pieces, by the way.

 
"You are one lucky dude, dude." Todd quipped with his usual smile- which hid some concern as to his friend's state. Needed to distract him…

"Yeah," Wildfall said, flashing a smirk. "But good looks like this don't just take luck, it's a lot of hard work, too. I sometimes spend a full minute on my hair each week. If I don't got a comb."

"Meant MK, dude. Dunno what she sees in ya though, or why. When it comes to pretty boys you… well, you're a legend in your own mind."

Wildfall started to answer but coughed heavily first. "Whatever keeps me safe from your advances, foxxy. Stupid dust."

Todd chuckled. "I never split a mating pair, dude."

Wildfall sighed. "Do ya ever focus on the job at hand without help?"

"My 'job' is to keep you movin' until you get to the Inn to heal and rest." Todd chuckled. "Keepin' your mind on somethin' other than pain helps that. Besides, tell me I'm wrong."

"Well I'm hungry," Wildfall said with a grin. "And I got spendin' money. Let's focus on those two things first. Besides.." Wildfall's voice trailed off.

"Besides?" Todd nudged.

"Are we lost already?" Wildfall looked around, holding his head. "I don't see the deli. Besides, I'm not sure how into me she is yet. She's so.. young. And her family's out at sea. So I'm kinda not sure I should take advantage of that yet.."

"I think she's old enough to decide if she wants to be taken advantage of, mate. Maybe if she got wind you wanted to…" Todd nodded in the direction of the just appearing deli.

"I think my eyesight's gettin' blurry." Wildfall shrugged. He coughed yet again. "Probably means I'm healing on my own. Did ya miss the part where I'm her active guardian? Plus I'm training her? How am I supposed to be rough on the gal, training wise, if I'm expectin' to be making out with her afterwards? Just don't make sense to me.. Fahari's not big on Gnollish butter, right?"

Todd laughed. "I think that little vixen might surprise you if you tried, mate. As for the butter… Not sure of her tastes- Catrina'd probably be okay with it."

"Better go light on it," Wildfall answered. "Stuff makes me drowsy lately... how is there a line for this place with this constant rain?"

Still coughing, Wildfall looked ahead. The line of people stretched out of the building. Mind you, it was a pretty small building..

"Must be good. Or maybe they all want a little Canadian." Todd chuckled.

Wildfall smirked. "Think this one leaves you a hangover in the morning?"

Todd chuckled. "Hey, if you're not regrettin' it the next mornin' you're not doin' it right, mate!"

Wilfall's smirk only grew. "Just as long as she looks as good in the morning as after the third drink."

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"I am sure Mr Blackpaws was being his usual, jovial self." Fahari purred as she walked with Mary. "You need not worry about his intentions- or about Mr. Wildfall not healing or…" She let the sentence trail off.

"I appreciate your thoughts about Wildfall and his health, Fahari, but I am worried about his fever and his wounds and this is a big test for me and my healing skills. I am on my own here since my parents are gone and I don’t have Mom here to guide me," said Mary.

Fahari nodded as they walked, silent for a moment before a softer voice spoke from under her hood.

"I, too, understand the test of loneliness. My parents died in a bandit raid when I was your age. That I survived was a miracle that haunted my whole life. I was raised by the monks of my homeland, who taught me all I know. And one thing I know is that you are hardly alone."

"I know I am not totally alone here, I have you, Todd, and Wildfall for support. Let’s look for some medicine and supplies in this store and see what we can find so I can get back to Wildfall," said Mary. "I need to buy disinfectants, some herbs, and bandages."

"Indeed." Fahari nodded as she set about examining the offerings of the shop. "And it is apparent you wish to have Mr. Wildfall's support."

Mary looked at Fahari and nodded as she replied, "Yes, I really do. Once in awhile he has taken my hand and held it when we are walking and if makes me feel ‘goose-bumpy’ but I am not sure if he still thinks of me as a little girl or what when he does that."

Fahari nodded. "I cannot answer that, only Mr. Wildfall can. But I can guess what his answer will be." She smiled at Mary.

"Guess I am going to have to have a talk with him and see what his intentions are, as my father would say; I really like Jarlsy and have all my life. I know he is suppose to be my ‘mentor’ and watching me to keep me safe but I would like to know if he has any interest in me beyond that.. Do I make any sense, Fahari? I am so new at these feelings I am having and don’t really know how to handle them. You seem so much smarter than me and maybe you can help me understand them," said Mary with a pleading look on her face.

Fahari gave this request a small chuckle and a shake of her head. "It is not our wits that rule in these matters. We love who we love, no matter the… umm… oddity. I know one person who loves an alien- who bonded with her mind and soul. Without knowing them you would wonder why- Mr Blackpaws might add how as well- but to see them, to see them together or to see them fight for one another? There is no question."

The shapely pantheress sighed. "For all of my life I have chosen to keep myself under tight control. To forgo the needs of the body in search of the purity of the soul. Sometimes I look around me and wonder if I am as smart as you think."

"Well I am just going to have to go with my gut feeling on this then because my gut is telling me to make it known to him how I feel and fight for him. I have had feelings for him since I was young so now it is time to tell him. Thank you Fahari for talking to me and helping me clear some things up," said a determined Mary.

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Eventually, our group of four made their way to the hotel room, with Wildfall and Todd bringing plenty to eat and drink while Mary and Fahari brought the medical supplies. The four laughed and smiled, trading stories over dinner and drink while Mary patched up Wildfall's wounds, but soon enough, it was time for Fahari and Todd to tend other other matters while Mary got Wildfall to settle into his bed to rest.

Shortly after, a distant, distracted look adorned Wildfall's face as the Ireacan sat in the uncomfortable inn bed, frowning deeply. "Urgh.. and I thought I felt bad before.. keeps gettin' worse and worse."

Mary looked at Wildfall's flushed skin, felt his forehead and realized he was running a temperature. "No wonder you are feeling bad, Jarlsy, you are running a fever which means you have an infection somewhere in those wounds. I need to go grab some things and will be right back. You will be feeling better soon, now just lay back and rest," said Mary with a soft soothing voice, as she ran her hand over his forehead.

Mary turned and left the room to gather the items she needed to treat Wildfall's fever and infection. She stopped at the kitchen and picked up a pan, cold water, and some towels. Next she searched for a bottle of alcohol (no she is not getting drunk and neither is her Jarlsy). With all her supplies gathered she headed back to the room and started in on the task of healing.

Wildfall yawned and stretched. "You're one busy bee tonight Mary, ya know that?"

Mary looked tenderly at Wildfall. "I know I am but I have to get the stuff to make you better so you can go back to saving the world again. Jarlsy, you are very special to me and I want to make sure you are safe and well," said Mary as she leaned down and kissed Wildfall tenderly on the forehead.

Wildfall smiled weakly. "Did you even eat yet, MK? Thought I was supposed to be watchin' out for you, not the other way around."

Mary laughed and replied, "Oh my, I have been so busy getting things to take care of you that I totally forgot to feed myself."

Wildfall took her hand in his, looking warmly into her eyes. "Eat. I got you that desert you like."

Mary smiled at Wildfall and started eating the first dessert she saw, causing Wildfall to chuckle and lightly admonish her. "Hey, I spent a lot of time picking out your meal, no eating your treat first!"

"But I like to have my treat first," Mary replied with a twinkle in her eyes, causing Wildfall to eyeroll and chuckle again as she ate.

This piece earned the voter's award for best co-write, which is worth three points for each of the four.

Let me just quote the entire highlight in Ichiro's own words: "Highlight(s): I dug the Wildfall and Todd exchanges, the use of handling two conversations among the same characters was amazing! And the contrast in communication with Mary and Fahari made it all the better.

Full of "contrast and parallels," in his words, Ichiro noted how well it takes advantage of the co-writing formula, letting you compare and contrast the story of Fahari advising Mary with the similar story of Todd giving Wildfall his advice on Mary Kate. That's something I'd been aiming to do for a while, to set up a story that splits in half, but with the two halves of the story reflecting each other and sharing themes and symbolism. They did that quite well in the original Star Wars movie, splitting the story between Han Solo's adventurers and Luke Skywalker's training. As I understand it, the two sides of the story shared deliberate similarities to give the story a sense of unity- and to make the training sessions a little more interesting.

Of course, in this piece, the contrast between the two stories was a little stronger since they shared the same story premise. It worked quite well, too. Won us an award.

You might also note that despite their promise to do otherwise, Wildfall and Mary didn't really explore their feelings at the end of this one.. well, maybe a little. They do in the future, but for now, the mission keeps rolling along with a little more Sassy Snake, which is up next!