2.0
[The rain was the worst part of this trip right off the bat. Zhao hated it. But, coming from an island himself, he was used to sudden downpours out of the blue. He was just also used to convenient stores being all around and every one of them selling cheap umbrellas since it was all too common to need to buy a new one. None of that here.

So, instead, he found himself attracted to the largest creature visible. Not only did it make him fondly think of Xuánwǔ but it's giant form looked rather cozy despite--or actually because of--it's large and spiky bulk. He made his way toward the turtle.

Zhao didn't think of hiking the beast but he did find a nice dry spot beneath its shell. Touching it didn't even bother the creature and he ran his hand along its tough skin and rock-like scutes. Eventually he put his back against the creature and sat facing out towards the rest of the island. Anyone that joined him would be offered some of his rations--the first to go being the most perishable, a sweet bread he had baked and hadn't wanted to leave behind to rot on the station. And a little meat, lightly spiced, to counter the sweetness if desired. Enjoy.]

4.0
[The next day Zhao discovered the giant turtle left (and boy was he thankful he hadn't been squished when it decided to depart) and some of the Orbers working on making rafts or whatever. He helped for a bit as the reasonable thing to do. But eventually got distracted on his way to find materials.

The irkals were playing along the shoreline and they were extremely adorable to watch. He found himself surrounded before he could even think to object (if he had wanted to, which quite frankly, he did not) and laughed as they circled curiously around him. Their sounds were cute, too. He reached out cautiously to see if he could pet one. They were cute but rather large and as any wild animal could easily harm him whether on purpose or by accident. Zhao was fearless though. That was sort of required when one owned a pet tiger.

He offered one a piece of his meat rations and watched as it sniffed curiously at it. Then quickly snapped it out of his hand and gobbled it up greedily. When it asked for more he obliged.]

Okay. You've got me. You're entirely too adorable to tell no.

[If he was lucky, maybe it would trade the free meal for a ride. It would be more fun than riding a raft or boat or whatever to the other island... probably.]

7.0 + 8.0
[At night, Zhao missed his former lovers. Kaidan's extra-warm biotic body would have been especially welcome right now. But Majima was most recently on his mind--he'd left the station right before the mission came around and now Zhao was truly alone. Well, he had friends but he wasn't feeling that right now.

The cold, however, was enough to spur him to make an offer if anyone took up space near him. A night spent cuddled under blankets together to converse heat. Completely innocent. He just wanted to stay warm at night, and not be alone.]

[During the daylight hours, travel felt slow and sluggish due to the midday heat combined with all the flora they had to push through. Zhao was a city boy through and through, and all this wilderness was easily his Achilles heel. Some of his abundant patience was wearing thin. He needed someone proficient with this sort of thing to help him out.

The plus side was that he was a good fighter and willing person of strength. He could help out with physical problems with relative ease. And he was always ready for a fight so if any of the local fauna got too "friendly" in the worst of ways, he was there to defend others and attack the offending creatures.]

9.0
[This was the part of the mission where Zhao pretty blatantly noped out of the mission. Fuck this shit! There was fucking lava spewing out of this volcano! Where was their protective gear? He wasn't about to get burned just by wandering too close to the molten lava running down the mountain side. That was bullshit.

Of course, the gangster was acutely aware that they needed to retrieve the orb. So far they'd always come away with one in possession. That was an impressive track record. He'd hate to lose now.

While he hung back, he wondered what they could do to get it. He wondered if anyone could get in there easily with an imperviousness to the heat or something. Maybe some of the magic users had tricks up their sleeves. Or maybe even their was an area less covered in lava the weaklings like him could traverse.

It was time for discussion! And then hopefully action. He hated to be left standing around uselessly.]

[[As always, hit me up with anything else! PMs, plotting post, or AisuYoukai if you need me!]]