[center][h1][b][color=#648b7b]N[/color] [color=#5c7f71]I[/color] [color=#547467]C[/color] [color=#4b685d]H[/color] [color=#435d53]O[/color] [color=#3b5248]L[/color] [color=#33463e]A[/color] [color=#2a3b34]U S[/color]     [color=#a6bfb5]E[/color] [color=#9ab6ab]L[/color] [color=#8faea2]D[/color] [color=#84a698]R[/color] [color=#789e8f]I[/color] [color=#6d9585]C[/color][/b][/h1][/center]
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[sub][color=#919494]SOLDIER Encampment | Zalera Tundra[/color][/sub]

Help seemed like an obligation more than anything, especially for a cast teamed up to attain a certain goal. In fact, Nic had a fair share of seeing people throw up in long expeditions, or perhaps, generally during transports. It honestly wasn't a genuinely pleasant experience being around those kinds of people, but helping them in their moment of dread only appeared to be an appropriate thing to do. 

[b]"I'm guessing ... not really,"[/b] He said in response to the question of the female comrade whose name was yet to be known. [b]"He honestly doesn't look that bad. A quick rest should suffice."[/b]

There was an immediate recognition of regret when his hands were fastened with the boy's. His hazel eyes scrutinized a cryptic gesture, deemed slightly difficult to pinpoint without speculation, and also due to the silly guiltlessness conveyed by the exuberant yet ludicrous youth. The boy's ambiance, setting the grotesque scene of his vomit aside, reminded Nic of someone. A man who seemed fidgety at first but an exciting comrade to be around. Certainly the boy's appearance struck far from his former associate's but there was a familiar resemblance, and when Nic felt it, it was reminiscently nostalgic, suddenly inducing him through an idle state. A quick trip to memory lane as it seemed to be. Eyes were led to wander off elsewhere, beyond the person of his contact while giving no reminders of his hand still being affixed. His mouth was left agape as he visualized the picturesque moment of the fame he once had. It felt so real yet ambivalent. How rewarding would it be to change back time, to claim his reputation once again and still have the people he love around.  [i]Rosela ... my daughter ... Selena ...[/i] Their images drew from a warping space, their arms outstretched and faces were struck with glee. But as Nic reached his arms toward them, distortion pervaded. Their chuckles of innocence turned into shrieks of maniacal laughter and the malefic domain of emptiness where Nic found himself were engulfed in flames. He felt his skin burning, and he screamed in terror while flames slowly consumed his entirety. 

His attention shifted back to the boy, eyes seemingly in shock. Nic thought he missed what the boy was yammering about. He did, however, overhear the name James and safely assumed that it must be the boy's name. Their hands were no longer held together, but an unusual sense of warmth was felt, as if Nic's short dream was an experience that physically occurred. He clenched his teeth, crunching out his knuckles as he focused on his irritation towards a known culprit that could possibly be responsible. 

[i]Caw! Caw![/i]

[i]What do you mean it wasn't you? who else would've done it?[/i]

[i]Caw Caw Caw![/i]

Right in between, the boy's apologetic statement made it all clear. Nic almost forgot that these people possessed the same kind of prowess as he did, only in different manifestations. Nic passed the expression of regret as a mere laughing matter. He was instead focused on the strange yet interesting phenomena that the boy conducted. A noteworthy attribute for an upcoming expedition. While trying to comfort nervousness with a quick pat in the back, two other female comrades joined the scene. Perhaps more were concerned about this boy than Nic had ever assumed. One seemed to be a doctor with a noticeable accent and one was determined as a medic from her introductory gestures. Nic gave his courtesy with him graciously nodding to each one of them. 

[b]"Nicholaus."[/b] He humbly stated with an unintentional smug. [b]"And yes, [i]Nic[/i] would be appropriate. Thank you for sharing both of your knowledge. I'm sure this young man is grateful for your concerns."[/b]

Nic glanced back at the boy, or James, as what his thoughts suggested. He placed an arm around James' shoulder, still thinking if it was the right thing to do or if there were any possibilities that he might smell from the vomit alone. He adjusted his hat and shifted a bit of his arm's weight towards James' shoulder. [b]"If you want some rest, I'll get you to a tent where you can lie down and take a nap. Otherwise ..."[/b] Nic remembered hearing a pleasant announcement of food being ready. He turned back at the two women before continuing his words. [b]"... let's eat?"[/b]