Finding Hope (Open)

[Prince Eric]

The unknowing sailor had been wondering this place for days now. He hadn’t seen anybody and that was unnerving. But it didn’t scare him. He was oddly calm. First thing that he needed to do was find a suitable shelter. And since he’d stumbled upon what looked like what used to be a city that was taken care of. It was made entirely of stone, but it was still suitable and would provide him cover if need be.

He could survive on berries. For a little while at least. Or even made catch something. Maybe a fish at the beach he had washed up on. But he’d have to put a net together. Though he would worry about that right now.

The house like structures were perfect for what he was looking for. Something to keep him dry during rain and a place to sleep. He’d claim one as his own. Especially since the entire city itself seemed to be overgrown with shrubs and greenery. He did think about collecting some and possibly getting a fire started once night fell on him.

Eric climbed his way up to the top of one of the structures. It gave him a good view of the city, at least a few hundred feet in each direction. He could scope out things. And that was when he noticed somebody else in the city with him. It looked like a man exploring as well. Finally he knew he wasn’t alone in this strange place. “HEEELLOOO!” Eric called down and out to him. He hoped that this person could help him. Maybe even knew him.

[Jim Hawkins]

Dodger had been told to meet him in a few days back in the port. He'd found some money in his pocket, a few coins actually and he'd made to higher a tiny boat from one of dwarves working on dock. The Dwarf had not been too keen to give it to him but he was determined to find the ship he'd escaped from into the water and try and find out how to get back to knowing his identity. Maybe he should not have abandoned ship so quickly. Maybe those strangers had been his family, his friends. Maybe they could have helped him with his sudden amnesia.

Oh well, too late now. Besides, One mistake deserved another so another was made and he was out at see once more sailing his way to the open ocean. Pity he reached an island before he reached the ship he was actually after. Jim pulled his boat to shore when he'd landed and wiped the sweat from his forehead before glancing toward the sunshiny island.
"Oh well. What's the worst that could happen?"
He figured and headed into the thick jungle.

The golden city was quite a find and he was delighted by the mere idea of it. There had to be some coins stashed here somewhere. It had been a little bit of a trek to get to the Golden City and he'd drained all his water on the way over there. There had to be fresh water as well as fresh food somewhere around here. Jim's blue eyes sought in every direction for something of use. The moment he heard the scream he darted behind a tree to try and hide from whomever had spotted him. His fingers fumbled in his pockets for the knife he knew he had.

His back pressed tightly against a tree as he held his breath. He didn't even want to peek out at whoever had screamed. He was tense enough as it was.

[Prince Eric]

Eric had been filled with relief when he spotted another person. It gave him hope. He suddenly thought it was funny that he feared he’d never know who he was. That would only be the case if he’d never see another human again. And had only been a sign of him panicking.

Which he was now doing again now that the man had hidden himself after Eric scream. “Nooo! Please wait! I need help!” Quickly, he moved to the edge of the building. He made his way down the side, carefully, but still quickly. He didn’t want to loose the man he’d spotted.

There was only a few feet left to climb, so he pushed himself away from the wall and the instant Eric’s feet touched the ground, he was running. “Please come back!” Eric yelled into the distance as he darted in the direction the man had disappeared.

He was determined. If he had to chase the mystery man all over the island, he’d find him. Slowing as he reached the spot he’d disappeared in, Eric kept speaking. “Hey, are you still there? I’m lost… Well… I might be. I don’t know. I can’t… I can’t remember anything.”

[Jim Hawkins]

Shit! Jim swore internally a hundred times over as the guy called to him asking him for help. He'd helped someone before. A while ago and ended up nearly being killed with nothing to show for it except a few gold pieces to rebuild his mom's pub. Of course he didn't remember that but the instinct to be cautious was now engraved into his head. He was being cautious and as he listened intently to the guy jump from one building to another and finally hit the floor darting after him, Jim gripped the knife tighter worriedly.

The guy approached at a steady pace and he held his breathe tightly within his chest trying not to make a sound. The moment the guy was ontop of him he twisted from his hiding place and aimed the knife at the older man's chest half glaring at him. This was no dog. This was a man capable of anything and Jim was not about to take chances.
"Join the club. "
Jim grumbled.

"No one knows who they are. Get used to it. I can't help you now back off."
Jim hissed low and dangerous. Then he saw the beautiful city behind Eric and his eyes flashed across it. There had to be treasure there... but this guy...what if he wanted to treasure for himself. He might have found this place first but Jim was not about to let him have everything. If there was ONE thing that Jim knew it was that gold could get you anything and this place had a lot of that by the look of it.

"Step aside... There's enough for us to share so we'll go our seperate ways and take what we need deal?"
He whispered darkly.

[Prince Eric]

Eric stopped in his place as the young man revealed himself from his hiding spot. Despite the fact he had a blade aimed directly in the middle of his chest, Eric was still grateful for his presence. He was just a kid. He was probably scared. But that wasn’t going to stop Eric from trying to get that knife away from him. He didn’t want to get hurt. And this poor kid could even hurt himself.

But when he said nobody knew who he or she was, Eric was shocked to say the least. Surely it had to be a joke, right? “You’re… Kidding right? How does nobody know?” It seemed ridiculous to even say it. What did that mean? Was it some sort of… sickness? Looking down at his right hand, he realized that his wife… Or maybe even husband?… wasn’t looking for him. They wouldn’t know him and he wouldn’t know them.

“Woah you may not be able to help me know who I am, but surely we can help each other along. Collect food, build shelter and what not. Survival is more likely with a team after all.” Not that Eric knew that for sure, but it seemed logical enough.

He followed the boy’s gaze behind him to the city. The question was on the tip of his tongue, but he quickly realized what the boy meant. He was looking for treasure. It seemed a silly concern to have. Especially at a time like this. “I’m not interested in treasure. You can have it all for all I care…” But then a thought came to him and he stepped aside, giving him plenty of room to step by. “Of course, if we became a team, looked for treasure and put it all our findings together, you’d have more. But then we’d have to be a team. Help each other out.” Eric was being manipulative. He knew what the boy wanted and was going to use that to his advantage.

[Jim Hawkins]

So Jim didn't know for sure that no one knew who they were but Dodger, his canine companion certainly didn't know who he was or who his owners were. Considering Dodger was a dog that was not much to go on but three people in a row... Himself included. This blue eyed guy had little to go on too. Jim certainly didn't get any hint of Nostalgia from him, that was for certain. He felt an unease glowing around him with this guy. Maybe because he was a stranger and Jim didn't know if he could trust the guy especially if he said that he was not interested in treasure.

How could someone not be interested in treasure? Jim shifted his weight and eyed the guy suspiciously when he mentioned helping him with finding the treasure.
"I ain't staying here on this island, that's for sure. And I ain't helping you get off it. Find your own way back to land. It's every man for himself and don't treat me like a kid. It annoys the shit outta me."
Jim growled low but in the back of his mind he knew he'd try and help if the guy was serious about helping him.

Jim took a deep breath and slowly lowered the dagger.
"Fine. We find treasure. I get on the boat and I get on my way. Maybe... Maybe I'll help you get on yours too. "
Jim said softly before attempting to pass by Eric to head toward the golden city.

[Prince Eric]

Eric frowned at this kid’s obvious anger. It was bewildering. He’d only just met this kid. Could he have possibly done something already to him that was offensive? “Jesus… Would you listen to yourself? It’s every man for himself? Says who? Don’t you think if we work together, there’s a better chance of survival?” This wasn’t going to be as easy as he’d hoped. Eric had every intention of trying to make this a good situation. But it was easy to see that he was hell bent on trying to make it a bad one.

But then he had a change of heart… Or at least somewhat. “First of all, if I help you find treasure, you better guarantee me help off this island. Second, I’d feel a lot better personally if you put the blade away all together. Call me paranoid, but knifes in the hands of children are a dangerous thing. Third, what do you think you’re gonna do if you get hurt? Are you going to gather food or find shelter with a broken leg? No. I don’t think so.”

Feeling as if he’d made his point clearly enough, Eric walked beside the kid. “Now, personally, I think if we look in the houses, we can get supplies. Some at least. It looks like it’s been years since anybody has actually been here. But it might be worth actually looking. That is of course, implying you’re willing to help each other.”

A kind of confident smirk was on Eric’s face now. He was sure that this boy was going to agree to the two of them teaming up together. Eric kind of thought of himself as persuasive. “Well… I suppose we might want to come up with temporary names until we find out what our real ones are, huh? ‘You there!’ might get confusing after awhile. You can call me… Tom for now I guess.”

[Jim Hawkins]

Jim winced at being called kid again. Why did everyone have to call him kid? He hated being seen as a kid. Jim scowled at the city ahead of him as the annoyingly handsome man beside him with the annoying loud mouth started rambling on about what ever it was that annoyingly handsome men rambled about. God, he thought he was well.... God and that annoyed him even more. His eyes flashed to 'Tom' as 'Tom' decided that they should look in houses for supplies. Jim turned and shoved at Eric's chest with his weapon hand.

"Can you shut up for like 5 seconds? Seems you already have a name for me. Kid huh? Well at least this kid knows that there may be danger lurking around here and shutting up might be a good idea right about now."
Jim hissed at his new companion. He wished it was Dodger instead of Tom. He liked Dodger. He liked being around Dodger because Dodger was not annoying. Jim turned back to the city and took the last few slippery steps down to it's entrance.

Once he stepped through the arch way he gasped at the beauty of it. There was gold everywhere. From one side to the other, the city was covered in gold. An old boat bobbed in the stream beside where they were walking and Jim pointed it out.
"There's your way off the island. You ain't riding in mine. "
Jim insisted and headed toward the first house he saw. Not for supplies. No. He was looking for treasure.