Goodies

"G'Luck, I be checkin' me goodies. If ye need me fer anythin', ask someone else." Nyitzcha snorted, leaving the tent with her arms crossed and her hands behind her head. The battle had left the camp in a rough state, numerous shelter tents and homes had been stained and ruined from the mixture of mud and moss. This once beautiful patch of forest with grassy terrain and beautiful gardens had transformed into a depressing swamp, unfit for taking refuge.

Due to her shorter stature, Nyitzcha was careful with every step she took forward. Sure, the puddles were just enough to wet your toes in certain paths, but for the dwarf this depth of water threatened to soak her feet had she not worn her seemingly oversized warrior boots. It wasn't of any difficulty for her, she had traversed through worse terrain under stressful situations before. The only trouble she faced now was maneuvering her way around any weak spots where the mud would sink under her weight and fall through, which she imagined at its worse could possibly fracture her leg and make her miss out from the fun.

She wouldn't want that now, would she?

Upon arriving to inspect her goods, Nyitzcha lifted herself atop the crate and pushed the cover off, inspecting the materials remaining inside. Not much was used in the heat of the moment versus Raz, the fastest she was able to craft were tiny pellets which cracked on impact as well as one decent bomb with a moderate force of impact upon detonation. Far from her finest work, but she wasn't working with top market equipment either.

"Back den, I was givin' the finest o' goods." She reached for the pack of rubber, weighing it in her palm as an idea emerged. Perhaps it could work... it would be silly and she would need to confirm she had the material needed for this. Maybe, it's a start but nothing certain yet, no need to share it with the others should it not come to be due to lack of ingredients.

Turning around, she noticed a number of Nekomata's running to a certain direction amidst the traffic. Most of the inhabitants had begun cleaning and scavenging for any surviving food and supplies left, with the Grizzly covering any heavy lifting. Suppose it pays to have enormous strength on your side, she'll be most useful in the rescue if directed well. Nyitzcha leaned back as the idea of the rescue passed through, suppose it won't be much of a rescue and more of a battleground instead.

Although their supplies were safe, there was still one last thing of importance to her that she needed to inspect. With a soft hop, she followed where most of the others had gathered around a certain tent as if a show were being played for their viewing pleasure. The dwarf had an idea what the cause could be, as she pushed her way through many knees and ankles before arriving to the front of the group she had confirmed her suspicions. Having arrived inside the medical tent, Alma and Felix lay on separate beds where Zimi tended to their wounds as soon as was possible. Though neither suffered severe injuries, it was crucial they begin recovery now as the village felt most vulnerable without their fighters.

Alma sucked in her breath, her eye twitching in response to the actions of a younger villager following Zimi's instructions. It would seem that Zimi no doubt was given the task of healer, her biology or more specifically her paws hindered her from performing certain tasks to which she relied on human assistance. Once the bandages had been properly applied, the mother elf was instructed to lay back as Zimi stood at her side.

"How is your breathing? Does it still hurt?"

Alma reached to feel the gauze wrap beneath her chest. "Feels a little better when I'm laying down."

"Good. Seems you've suffered several fractures to your chest during the blast, particularly a few broken ribs on your right side. Keep us informed should you feel discomfort inside, there aren't any visual signs of internal bleeding but should you have trouble breathing then a puncture lung would be a possibility."

Alma winced and stroked her padded side when Zimi's tail brushed her hand away. "Don't pick at it, lay back and try not to exert yourself. Rest and a proper diet should have you on your feet in a month or two."

"Son of a bitch, that dwarf really got me there." Alma snickered, twitching in discomfort. Zimi placed her paw over her friend's hand to confort her.

"No jokes, we don't want a punctured lung without the proper tools to fix that."

Both girls turned to their left as some giggling drew their attention. It seems some of the Nekomata's were brushing their paws over a shirtless Felix, their fur sparking his senses and filling him with ticklish glee. One grey cat made herself comfortable on top of him, snuggling on his chest and purring happily as her friends continued massaging their hero.

"Girls, knock it off." Alma groaned, her Nekomata Medic shaking her head with a grin. The Nekomata's ears stood up in near unison as they ran into the crowd in embarrassment, leaving Ori'chi looking up to Felix one more time. Leaning in, she licked his cheek and sighed.

"F-Feel better s-s-soon." She beamed, turning red before hopping off and shyly retreating to her friends, some of which began to tease her and laugh. Felix smiled to himself and leaned back when a certain three foot visitor entered.

"So, how's the wounds?" Nyitzcha asked, turning her attention to the elf.

"I'll live, your-"

"Das good enuff," She turned around, cutting away as she approached Felix's side. "Ey."

"Hey, you guys done with Raz?" He asked.

Nyitzcha shrugged. "Wasn't feelin' to interrogations today."

"Really? You seemed the most excited for that."

"Ehhh, I thought I was but I needed to check'n me goods first, see how they're doing. So, how ye doin'?"

Felix shuffled in his bed, leaning back on his pillow. "Zimi said I have friction burn marks on the skin and some bruises, but no scarring."

"An' dese?" She asked, patting the green leaves laying on his chest. "Ye havin' a salad?"

Felix chuckled. "No, it's to help me heal. Works on Nekomata's."

"And their mates." Nyitzcha's voice trailed off, drawing a deep breathe as her eyes fell on her soft hand, the silver wrapped around her finger winking back. She sighed, looking flustered which caught his attention.

"Something wrong, did we lose supplies?"

"No, is... is somethin' else." Nyitzcha looked around before gritting her teeth and barking at the crowd. "Can we git no peace 'n quiet 'round 'ere? The lad's a hero, show sum respect and bugger off!"

The others pulled back and looked to Alma who nodded in return. One by one the villagers began to disperse, whispering remarks to each other and fulfilling the dwarfs wish. "Ay, das better. Felix, I know I came 'n te help ye wit' yer beloved."

"Yes, I'm forever grateful for that. I'll pay you back once we've finished, promise."

Nyitzcha shook her head. "Is not dat, lad. Ye got hurt, I gut a fear 'n me dat ye wouldn't be comin' back. Is dis really somethin' ye want, dis rescue mission might be a one way road?"

Without hesitating, Felix answered, "Yes, absolutely."

Much to her reluctance, Nyitzcha sighed and hung her head. "Das... why does dat pain me t'hear?"

Felix watched puzzled as his dwarf began to walk away, standing at the exit. "Yer a good kid, you've got heart n' ye... yer somethin' else Felix. I just... I don't like dis feelin' 'n me."

"Nyitzcha, you can talk to me. Tell me what's wrong, I'm worried for you."

"Aagh, stop. Stop saying the right words! I-I ain't gut da way to say things ye know?" Pausing, Nyitzcha walked back to him, leaning in close. "Yer honest, naive, and a brat who thinks dey can take on de world for dis woman. I respect dat, when I first knew ye I figured ye were a step in, someone the lass bosses 'round 'n ye would submit cuz ye ain't got nu spine. But what I saw was somethin' else, it was brave... an' stupid. Don't go playin' hero on me, I known too many good folk die bein' heroes, it doesn't give no reward kid. Please, try t'be safe ya?"

"Nyitzcha, I... " Felix stared into her eyes, seeing the concern she had for him as her hands were holding his arm. He could feel her heart beating faster than normal, the blood rushing to her face, her hands growing wet with sweat. Here was a battle-hardened gal who didn't care for anything, asking him to be more careful next time.

He nodded, smiling back. "I'll be safe then, but I'm going to need your help more than ever if you want me to pull back."

"A-Ay. I will."

"Now put that worry out of your face, it doesn't fit you." He chuckled nervously, perhaps to ease the tension he felt present around them. She took the hint, her lips subtly forming a smile when she looked away.

"You're cute. But what happens next, anything that happens next, I ain't setting off dat bomb again." She paused for a moment, gathering her thoughts and breathing before patting Felix's arm. "Wouldn't want to damage me goodies, ay?"

"Ay." Felix felt relieved, observing her walking out and sharing one last look before leaving.

"Well, that was odd." Zimi remarked, her and Alma having kept silent from the side.

"They shared a moment, big deal." Alma groaned, turning away.

"Way to ruin it." Felix chuckled, leaning back.

Outside the tent, Nyitzcha held herself and shook her head as she walked away.