Beauty & The Beast

[Brian]

"Obviously, you were mistaken," N'dovu says, grinning.  He quickly sobers up.  "But this woman needs medical attention; go ahead of me and make sure the way is clear.  If possible, an ambulance or car should be waiting.  If not, I will make do."

N'dovu is attempting to make a presense attack against the youth to get him to help without thinking about why.

[Carthrat]

"Uh, right!" announces the boy, dashing off, yelling something about 'Get the first-aid guy!'

N'Dovu can now see that there are other people coming down the stairwell- mostly others of the Cahuilla, who are just as bemused to see N'Dovu as the last man.

There are a couple who aren't, however- caucasians all, and they peer at him suspiciously, before going to whispering between themselves.

[Brian]

N'dovu nods at all good naturedly, and works on carrying the woman up the stairs, staff held as tightly as he can manage without putting her at risk.

[Carthrat]

N'Dovu gets a combination of excited and odd looks from the Caihuilla; most of them still hadn't adjusted to him when he left the reservation in the first place, and the time away- as well as his mysterious apperance.

The upper floor of these ruins is relatively busy. N'Dovu can see that the stairwell has lead into a small chamber, outside of which he can see that the ruins extend into some kind of underground courtyard. There's another nonworking fountain in the middle, a couple of other buildings, and plenty of people running about, collecting samples and doing tests. N'Dovu can see that most of these people are giving him looks in passing, but aren't hanging around to see what's what.

An exception would be the doctorish-looking person running towards him, complete with medical box, white coat, and stethoscope.

[Brian]

N'dovu nods at the doctor, and goes to meet him.  "Where should I put her?" he asks.

[Carthrat]

"Here, quickly!", he says, gesturing to a nearby aide to lay out a rug and such. "These are some very bad wounds.. but not so bad. She should be ok, yes."

He's got an asian complexion, and has a hurried air about him. "Quickly, quickly! Those bandages won't hold long!"

[Brian]

N'dovu does as instructed, but does not let the woman out of his sight.  Or reach, if he can help it.

[Carthrat]

As N'Dovu watches, the doctor quickly goes to work, re-bandaging and fixing up the woman as best she can.

Whilst he does his healing, N'Dovu notices a tall man quickly approaching the scene. Unlike the majority of men about (who aren't all wearing shirts, and those that are are stained with sweat- typical digger fare), this guy is wearing a suit, and walks with a brisk clip. He balks slightly at N'Dovu, and his step grows slightly hesitant. Nonetheless, he asks, "Excuse me, but I don't recognize you. Are you cleared to be here?"

He completely ignores the wounded woman practically at his feet.

[Brian]

By "cleared" N'dovu assumes the man is asking if he has permission to be there.  Well, the spirit of Fire had told him to be there, so....  "Of course," he says, paying little attention to the suit, and instead watching the woman.

[Carthrat]

"Weird. Have you got your ID card?" continues the man, suspiciously. "I believe I would recognize a man as.. distinctive as yourself."

[Brian]

"No, I do not," N'dovu says, turning to look at the woman.  "I was not expecting to be here today."

[Carthrat]

"So how was it that you came to be here?" asks the businessman, shrugging. "And where in blazes did *she* come from?"

[Brian]

"I'm a friend of the Cahuilla.  I often stay at the reservation," N'dovu answers, shooting the man an annoyed glance.  Turning back to the woman, he says, "I'm not sure where she came from.  She doesn't look like anyone from the reservation, and apparently she's not from your crew, either."  N'dovu frowns.  "There may be another entrance into the caverns below.  We should get the youths out of there -- perhaps you and I should investigate."

[Carthrat]

The man gives N'Dovu another suspicious look.

"As you say," he says. "Would that be the entrance you came in through?"

[Brian]

N'dovu looks confused, and then shrugs, reaching out and grabbing the man's shirt in one hand.  Hefting the much shorter man into the air, so the two are on eye level, N'dovu says in a very quiet voice, "The spirits do as the spirits will, my friend.  You would be wise not to upset them further.  The path I take into this place cannot be seen with mortal eyes ... but when I arrived there was only one entrance.  I do not know how this woman came to be there, and that is my concern, not your paranoia.  Leave concern for actual warriors.  Now since you're useless, stay out of my way until we know what's going on for certain."

N'dovu then drops the man, shoving him away in the process so he'll fall down, and roars at the top of his lungs: "Everybody out!  This place is not safe."