Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
( gender neutral reader )
🦂
it was scorching, you were sweating - the cloth that covered your nose and mouth weren't sufficient enough to block the sandstorm from clouding your vision and respiratory systems. your traveling partner was also struggling, and while you couldnt bring yourself to say anything, you grabbed onto his robe and tugged him towards the side, where there were rocks that could act as barricade for now.
candace had warned you both about sandstorms, however you didnt think you'd come face to face with one. it was brutal, it was painful, and worst of all it was hot. every spec of sand that made contact with your skin set you on fire. there were sand tornados, and scorpions were pecking and pinching in every direction. you two needed to find cover and fast.
you and your partner slowly but surely made your way to the rocks where you both planted yourselves behind. the rocks blocked the sand from flying in your general direction, and you could finally pull down your cloth. "are you okay?"
"i'll be good if we can get out of here faster. i dont even know if we're on the right path anymore." your partner, Khazhann said. he was one of the traveling merchants from sumeru who you agreed to accompany for the sake of some loose mora to get you by. he needed to deliver some goods to aaru village, and you accompanied him to make sure the goods AND him arrived safely, but now it seems like you and Khazhann wont be there until the night.
you kept your head down to avoid the sand getting directly into your eyes, but still slightly peeked over the rocks to see if the sandstorm had died down, which much to your despair, it only got stronger. you sank back down and sighed. "we're never getting anywhere in this storm. are the goods okay?"
"the goods aren't important, are you okay?"
"im supposed to take care of you, shouldnt i ask that?"
"this isnt the time to bicker, but i'll assume your fine judging by your tone." Khazhann said, a small smirk curved on his sandy lips. he wiped his face with a damp cloth he had drenched in water with his bottle, and handed it to you.
you wiped your face and felt a little better, but it was still so hot. the sand was burning you, and it felt like tiny ants biting all over. no amount of wiping, scratching, or blowing could sooth the pain on your skin. what made matters was the sand stuck to your skin as you were sweaty, and the sand bits burnt into your arm and if you tried to remove it, everything just hurt more.
"try not to pick at them, this sand isnt ordinary sand. it sticks to your skin unless you remove it properly." Khazhann warned, catching your wrist to prevent you from scratching. you sighed in defeat.
