There comes a time in a girl's life when the world just becomes too much and they need a break from it all. A way to sooth the body and mind and let everything that was happening right now fade away like a cloud in the summer sky. For Amé that time was now and whenever she had a feeling like that, the waterfalls were always the place to come to. Failing that, the tribes Island of Apoy were her second choice.

This was better though. This didn't have friendly people trying to butt into your moments of relaxation just to tell you stories and make themselves feel helpful when they were in fact just being annoying.

The waterfalls were loud as you walked passed them but the further you went down to the pools, the quieter it was.

Which still wasn't quiet, mind you. No. The sound of rushing water would always be audible but it was relaxing. Unlike the rustling of trees that could be heard in the forests.

This is far worse than a forest! How can you call this tranquil?!

Shh. That was how you used to relax. This is how I relax so get used to it!

Amé was slowly getting used to the foreign thoughts she occasionally got in her mind. Most of the time the other Amé kept quiet. It was only when she truly protested did she cause a thought that frankly got on her nerves.

With no further issue, Amé made it to her favorite pool and sat down on the edge to take her shoes off.

Once they were off, she placed her feet into the cool and refreshing water and let the tiny fish have a bit of a feed. Her feet were probably disgusting. A normal problem for someone who spent all of their time in sturdy made boots. This was possibly the only time her poor feet actually got a bit of TLC. 

She really needed to make a better habit of it. But at the same time, Who had time for that?

Torn sped through the woods, his Merry Band of Misfits on his heels. The group was hunting a monster which proved highly elusive in the area - a large and highly aggressive basilisk. This basilisk had lost its eyes to a foe, but even without the deadly weapon that was its gaze, this creature was still plenty powerful. Its venom was no weaker, and its sense of smell was very keen - furthermore, in the riverlands that Torn and his companions found themselves in, made it very difficult to track the beast. But a trail had been found, and it was fresh - and the Merry Band of Misfits reveled in closing in on their quarry.

"Got a mighty venom, the beast, to kill all the vegetation in its wake - eh, Torn?" said one of his companions, as they followed the trail of dead flora. "Aye," Torn answered, grinning to himself. "We'll need to be quicker than mice or we'll end up as withered and grey as that tulip over there." Torn pointed towards a dead growth that in its living days may have been something which held some minor resemblance of a tulip, and pressed on. The tracks now were no more than a few minutes old. Any minute, the basilisk could spring out from behind any obstacle, so Torn turned down his pace and signalled his companions to fan out. "Careful, people. We're close, and that thing is dangerous. Shields high, weapons ready." The party complied.

The beast didn't seem interested in an ambush, however. Unbeknownst to Torn and his friends, the basilisk had caught another scent - a lone woman. It had crept along a creek, hoping to find its prey and feed before whatever predator had tormented him the last few days could catch up. It was lying in wait, sensing its opportunity would come soon. But its senses betrayed it. The instant before it was about to lunge at the woman, a spear sailed through the air and bit into its spine, just below its skull. The basilisk slid from its hiding place, falling into the water and slowly bobbing towards the woman.

Torn followed the basilisk's fall into water. He wanted his trophy (and his spear), but as he peered over the waterfall, he spotted a woman. He shouted down at her, unsure whether she had noticed the dead, floating basilisk yet. "Ho, there! Beware the basilisk - even when dead, its venom is fatal!" He looked for the best path down to the water, hoping to reach his prey before it could float away.

Had Amé known just what was behind her, she might have died of embarrassment before it actually got to make the kill for itself. The woman prided herself on her warrior instincts and reflexes but given how close this basilisk actually managed to get to her, they can't have been all that great.

Later, Amé would swear it was because she was trying to relax and had therefore shut off all of her defenses. If she mentioned the embarrassment at all.

As it was, Amé was out of the water as soon as she heard the splash. Never mind the fact that she was wearing nothing but her small clothes.

"WHAT THE EVER LOVING GODS?!" Amé screamed as she leapt up. Her eyes fixed on the speared creature for a moment before she caught her breath.

Only then did she look up and try and work out what was going on. Who's spear was that?

"I take it this is your kill? I'm fine, I got out in time!" 

She yelled back to the man as she moved to her gear and grabbed a robe from her pack. A prize like that did not need to float away unclaimed. The least she could do for a man who had saved her was catch the damn thing so it didn't get away down the river.

She tied the rope into a loop and then tossed it carefully towards the basilisk so it hooked over it's open mouth. Once she was sure it was caught in its teeth she pulled it gently so it came towards her. She didn't stop pulling until it's head was resting on the shore.

It was only at that point she realized she probably aught to have put something on. She reached down for her cloak and wrapped it around herself. It would do until she could find a good bush she could hide behind.

"Here. The least I could do was stop the damned thing floating away."

Torn skipped down with a shiny white grin, his oh so gorgeous wave of blonde flapping somewhat comically in the wind. His companions showed up behind him, one of them visibly standing with his bow at the ready. Torn, however, turned and flashed the man a grin. "It's alright, Frogg, thake it easy." He then turned to Amé, and bowed a very gracious, though overly dramatic bow - boyish charm oozing from his every action. "My name is Torn Flashborne, adventurer and savant of life! My thanks for hauling in the kill." He went over to the basilisk and retrieved his spear, dripping with a thick, black substance. It was smoking ever so slightly. "And my spear… Though I may never be able to use it again."

From the ridge with the waterfall, a big, gruff character spoke up. "Oy, Torn! We got the beast. Should we head back and claim our reward?" Torn shook his head, not bothering to give the man a glance. "We still have meat and mead. I suggest we make camp for now, and celebrate! Besides, I have a feeling these woods have more to offer." He then looked up at the man, with a grin. "A direwolf pelt or two would make for some imposing additions to my chariot and armour, don't you think?" He then turned to Amé, smiling ever so charmingly. "My apologies, miss. I gave you my name, but gave you no chance to share yours. Perhaps you'd like to join us in our camp? You saved the kill from the thieving currents, so you deserve some share in the revels!"