The storm, which had toyed with them so effortlessly, finally relinquished its dissipated, leaving Bietka, Ravi, and the unknown Jana washed ashore on an unfamiliar tropical island. The morning air was heavy with the tang of salt, and the trio found themselves strewn across the sandy beach, battered and soaked to the bone.
Unfazed, Bietka took immediate command of the situation. Despite her young age, she possessed a strength that defied her years. Grasping the stranger's shoulders with a firm determination, her scrutinizing gaze searched for any signs of life within the unconscious woman. Meanwhile, her little brother clutched onto the driftwood that had served as their lifeline, his eyes wide with worry.
"Help me move her away from the water," Bietka instructed, her voice calm yet urgent. Together, they exerted a combined effort to pull the woman from the reach of the lapping waves and onto the sheltered embrace of the sandy shore under a palm tree.
With practiced precision, Bietka's skilled hands swiftly assessed the Jana's pulse and breathing. The heartbeat was faint, the breaths shallow.
"You cannot abandon us now," Bietka muttered, her hands maneuvering the Jana into position for CPR. Fueled by a resolute determination born out of necessity, she began administering mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
On the periphery, Ravi hesitated, the driftwood now forgotten as he observed his sister's valiant efforts. The air, heavy with the aftermath of the storm, seemed to hold his breath in anticipation, as the fate of their once adversary hung precariously in the balance.
“I can’t believe my first kiss is with an adult woman I just met,” Bietka winked at her brother. “I like boys.”
“Sister, focus!” Ravi frowned. She just chuckled.
Bietka's diligent efforts were met with a sudden cough from the Jana; a desperate gasp for life. Relief washed over Bietka's features, her eyes meeting Ravi's in shared triumph.
"I need you to cast your healing spell," She implored her brother, her gaze unwavering.
"But... I am still learning," Ravi hesitated, his uncertainty palpable.
"You must try. I believe in you," Bietka encouraged, a confident smile playing upon her lips.
As the Jana's consciousness gradually returned, weak yet undeniably alive, Bietka unfastened the buttons of the woman’s clothing, preparing to tend to her injury.
"This will be the only occasion where you can sneak a peek at a woman's unclothed form without incurring my wrath," she teased, her mischievous smirk directed at her bashful little brother, who promptly covered his eyes in embarrassment.
Bietka carefully rolled up the woman's camisole. Bietka couldn't help but let a mischievous smile play on her lips, even in this dire situation. As the fabric revealed an unsettling wound, she couldn't help but feel a surge of sympathy for the stranger lying before her.
Ravi, with his small and inexperienced hands, stepped forward, his youthful features showing. Focusing on his thaumaturgical abilities, he attempted a healing spell. “Sano,” He cast. Subtle wisps of green energy danced through the air, delicately weaving their way towards the wound.
"Healing magic," Ravi murmured. "Can't replace lost blood." Bietka's understanding gaze shifted between her brother and the wounded woman.
The green light flickered, its ethereal glow dimming as the spell came to an end. Bietka noticed the disappointment on her brother's face, but she refused to let it dampen both their hope. "Keep going," she encouraged, her voice filled with unwavering confidence. "I know you can do it." Her eyes gleamed with determination. "She's a great test subject, isn't she?"
Ravi nodded, determination igniting within him once more, and cast the spell again, the familiar green light enveloping the woman's wound.
"We need to find shelter and food," Bietka said, her voice firm and resolute. She shifted her gaze towards the dense palm forest that stretched out beyond her. "Ravi, stay here and keep healing her. I’ll go into the jungle and find some food or fresh water."
He nodded.
Bound by the harsh reality of their circumstances, the trio now faced the daunting task of survival. Bietka left her brother behind as the palm forest unfolded before her, its lush foliage and mysterious shadows beckoning her forward.
She stood at the entrance of the forest, her green shirtwaist dress clinging to her body, heavy with saltwater and sand. The sun beat down on her, intensifying her discomfort. Determined to find sustenance and help, she knew she had to rid herself of the weight dragging her down.
With a resolve in her eyes, Bietka quickly undressed, letting the dress fall on the grass growing around the palm trees. Her black stockings clung to her legs, soaked and tight. She took them off, feeling relief as the wet fabric slid away. She squeezed out the water from her clothes, watching as salty droplets fell.
“Ravi!” She called, waving at her little brother, who continued casting his healing spell.
Her brother turned his head her way and, in an instant, he turned it away. She imagined his face burning red in embarrassment, and couldn’t contain her laughter.
Once she had wrung out as much water as possible, Bietka slipped back into her undergarments: a white camisole and white short pantaloons. She left her feet bare, feeling the sand beneath her toes. The dress, her shoes, and stockings were still damp, she laid them carefully one next to the other hoping they would dry in the warm island breeze and hot sun.
Now ready, Bietka took a deep breath and stepped into the forest. The dense foliage enveloped her, providing a stark contrast to the open beach. The air was thick with the scent of tropical plants, and the sounds of chirping birds and buzzing insects filled her ears. Bietka's heart raced with a mix of anticipation and trepidation as she ventured further into the unknown, hoping to at least find some fresh water.
So, Dana, Ravi, and Bietka are castaways
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