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Fulgurite sighs, shaking their head. “I’ve been too lonely lately.” She said to herself. “I should try leaving the desert… but if I do nothing can protect the desert.” They hummed, before flopping down on the ground. It sighed, again. “Maybe… I can make friends with the humans? Then I wouldn’t have to leave… But I should probably look around. Wonder to the edge or something.” Yeah the desert is big, but there has got to be something outside of it. Otherwise the humans traveling through here wouldn’t just travel through.
Fulgurite frowned, not wanting to get up just yet. Her wings were starting to cramp though, and it’s not the best for it to be laying on their back after all. Grumbling in irritation, Fulgurite sat up, its tail swishing around in the sand. They flapped their wings once, getting most of the sand out of them before standing up and flapping them again.
Their wings shifted again in discomfort and Fulgurite groaned, turning around and taking out some of the sand grains that were bothering it. Flapping its wings once again had Fulgurite feeling better; the sand no longer scratching the glass feathers.
Now that the discomfort was gone Fulgurite decided to go and explore the edges of the desert. See if there was any other type of guardian nearby she could be friends with. Or any type of human civilization, see if they would be helpful or not. The end of its tail curled up tighter at the thought of that. Yeah, humans do know the existence of the guardians; they’d have to be blind and deaf to not know about them. But it’s just not all humans like the existence of guardians.
At first the journey around the edges of the desert wasn’t showing anything except water and more water. But then slowly mountains started to show up. Then trees started to show up. And while their was a lot of things that could make guardians appear Fulgurite didn’t see any. Although, they might just be shy other than not there. After a while the forest stretched on. The mountains showing up as either super far away or just not there anymore. Then the forest went into small plains. After that there was more forest and then sea again.
Walking the edges didn’t help. There was no nearby town or any nearby human buildings. Which both relieved and made Fulgurite sadder. Which didn’t make sense because they were fine. No reason to be sad. Although she did find something interesting. A small really colorful rock at one of the edges near the sea. Taking it just seemed like a nice idea. They could put the small rock on one of the sandstone ledges in its cave. Sand cave? House? Ehhh, same thing.
While they were walking over there though Fulgurite saw a human? Yeah, a human. Walking though her desert. They didn’t seem prepared for this type of weather. The human didn’t even seem like they were walking very well. Stumbling every few steps. They seemed to be holding onto their side? The wind wasn’t doing the human any favors either. Tossing the sand roughly against their uncovered legs and arms. The tanktop and shorts, while making sure the human wouldn’t get super hot really easily, didn’t really work well in a desert. Actually Fulgurite doesn’t even know what type of clothes one must wear in a desert. The travelers always have on long flowy clothes that seem to protect them. But how do they not get heat stroke in them? Ehh, a question to ask one of them later. Right now it’s time to watch the human and make sure nothing happens to them.
After a while the human starts to cough and they look like they're in pain? Is the sand hurting them? Fulgurite didn’t think that humans were that fragile. After a while the human’s tan complexion started to fade and ‘How does that happen??? I thought humans got tanner in the sun. Not less tan.’ Fulgurite was about go over there and ask but then the human just fell face first into the sand and it freaked out.
Fulgurite rushed over to the human wings flapping about, and if they were actually feathers they would be puffing up right about now. Fulgurites tail was straight which was a wonder in and of itself and focus-
Fulgurite poked the human and they didn’t even move- It moved the human's hand and became even more freaked out when they realized how much blood there was coating the human's side.
“I have-” Fulgurite stumbled, picking up the human. “I have first aid at the house in case any of this happens and- omg that’s a lot of blood. Hey, can humans survive this much blood loss?” It said, really just saying whatever was on her mind to push out the fact that a human is dying currently. “I don’t even know why I’m talking right now. You're not even awake to answer me. Really I think this is just a habit I picked up at some point. Can’t remember when though… Hmmm”
While Fulgurite talked she was halfway running to their cave. It’s cool and all because it’s underground and there’s a first aid kit. Flapping its wings made Fulgurite slightly faster and at this point she would take it. Having humans die in front of it is definitely something Fulgurite never wants to happen. Getting to their cave was really fast with how tall the desert guardian is. And with how fast she was going it was barely even a minute sense the human fainted.
Laying the human down and getting the first aid kit was easy. Trying to patch up the large slash on their side though, was not. “You know, flesh is really different from glass. One, you can’t just glue it together apparently. And two, you don’t even need stitches! Like, this was probably going to scar anyways but I don’t know how to do anything with a needle and that just might make it worse but- I don’t think you can get infection here super easily? So I’ll just have to go suuuupperrrr slllooooowwww~”
Fulgurite sighed and looked at the humans side. It looked like it was stitched together fine and Fulgurite was really tempted to put glue on it even though it probably would just make it worse. The desert guardian then grimaced at the diced up clothes on the human. The large gash wasn’t the only thing causing the human problems. There were a lot of small scratches on their legs and a lot of gashes (small ones that didn’t need stitches thankfully) on their stomach and sides. Nothing on their back apparently. Except a really shallow but long cut near their shoulder but that was it.
Fulgurite looked around its area after cleaning and bandaging the rest of the wounds. They should have some human clothes around here… She gave water to the lost wanders and they gave it clothes because she didn’t have any at the time. Where is it-! Oh! Wondering over to a corner almost hidden by her newly named rock shelf was the bag of clothes that the wandering humans gave them. Digging through the bag she found some clothes that looked like the ones the travelers wear. She left the scarf head thing and just grabbed the flowy dress thingy. It was an orangish yellow like its glass feathers. Putting it on the human made her feel better about destroying the black tanktop and blue shorts they had on.
Fulgurite kept going in and out of its cave. It was feeling restless, looking at the sun to see how much time had passed. Going out to get water because humans need a lot of water. Looking in to see if the human had woken up or not. Time that normally seems so fast to the desert guardian was moving at a snail's pace every time she checked on the human and they hadn’t woken up yet. ‘One more time’ They thought. ‘I’ll go out and get water one more time and then the human will be awake.’
Getting more water was probably overkill but the more water the better. Humans need water to help heal right? And they need more water in hot environments right? Like a desert. Although it can’t get much more water because its glass is starting to get all used up. Putting down another glass jug full of water Fulgurite looks at the bed. Then she does a double take because the human is moving… The human is moving!
Her wings flicked out then tucked away at its back. Their tail tightening and tightening even more if that was possible. The human went to try and sit up but then groaned in pain. They then decided to blink open their eyes. Before squinting and they started to grumble. Something about forgetting to turn on their desk light? Oh right, humans need light to see. Fulgurite looked around before remembering its glass lights hanging around. Tapping them should get the lights to turn on right?
Tapping the glass lights did indeed turn them on. But doing so made the human yelp and slam their eyes shut. “Owwww… That hurt y’know. You couldn’t have warned me before turning on the lights you bitch” They hissed out. Fulgurite didn’t know what to say, her tail loosening up a bit and brushing the ground. The human groaned and lifted their arm before hissing in pain again. “What the hell?”
The human squinted once again before their eyes opened in shock and they screamed. Fulgurite yelped and covered its ears, trying frantically to calm down the human. “Oh shit- have you never seen a guardian, ah fuck–” Fulgurite waved their arms around then put it up in the ‘I come in peace’ type of way. But the human didn’t stop screaming. It was then that Fulgurite realized that maybe a 13 something guardian shouldn’t be standing straight in this situation. Fulgurite crouched down and tapped the floor for a bit. Once the human had stopped screaming and breathing super erratically it let out a soft “Hi.”
The human paused before settling down for a bit. “Hello.” They said eventually. “Uhh, my name is Crystal? Sorry for screaming at you. I didn’t really recognize you as a local guardian.” They paused for a bit “she/her? You guys primarily use they pronouns right? I think-” under their- her breath she said “oh shit, I didn’t just offend the guardian that saved me did I? Fuck.”
Fulgurite smiled. “Nice to meet you Crystal. I’m Fulgurite, she/they/it pronouns.” She paused for a second wings and tail twitching “I guess, I’m not really local or anything. I never really leave the desert-”
“We’re in the desert!! Ohhh~ shit. No wonder I didn’t recognize you anyway. Any villages are built away from the desert ‘cause of the- oh.” She blinked, as if remembering something. Before her eyes widened. “Ah fuck, didn’t mean to interrupt you. What were you going to say?” Crystal asked, some of her black hair getting in her eyes. Crystal blew on the stray strand of hair. Waiting for an answer.
“Ahh, uh… I don’t remember? My thoughts come and go super fast.” They thought for a bit, their tail curling around its legs, the prongs making small dots in the sand. “What was that about the villages being built away from the desert? I thought that the traders passing though here were going to a peer town at least.” Fulgurite tilted its head to the side, her horn scraping the sandstone walls. “Oops.”
“Ahh, it was nothing.” Crystal went to sit up again before remembering something. “... what happened to my clothes?” She asked, glaring up at Fulgurite. She was starting to look a bit more pale than when she woke up. She’d have to stop talking and rest for a bit soon.
Fulgurite smiled, this seemed like a human thing. With the entire clothes thing. Although considering that they can die in three hours without clothes it makes sense. “I had to cut them off to get to your side” She waved at Crystal's side, the one that she stitched up. “You also had a lot of smaller cuts on your legs so I had to get rid of your shorts as well. I uhh, gave you some clothes that some travelers gave me a while back because humans like clothes so.” They then shrugged like it meant nothing. And really, it did mean nothing to Fulgurite. Crystal though, very much so.
Crystal’s face was red in embarrassment, or was it from the heat? Fulgurite didn’t know. It wasn’t hot in its cave, it was actually relatively cool because the cave is underground. Although with the way that Crystal was spluttering pointed to it being embarrassment.
Fulgurite's tail smacked a wall and it winced. That better not have cracked or so help them- “So uh-” Crystal started, seemingly getting over her embarrassment quite fast. Fulgurite shook their tail, happy that it did not, indeed, crack. “Why did you heal my wounds? I thought that guardians like- only care for the people that live in or near their area. You don’t even know me.” Crystal glared at Fulgurite. “Or are the rumors true.”
Fulgurite blinked at this. “Rumors?” she asked, her wings unfolding from behind her back and perking up in curiosity. “I have rumors?” Crystal went to open her mouth but then stoped, a grimace resting on her face. “Oh! Right. You need to heal.” Fulgurite frowned. Humans take a long time to heal and it doesn't know if they got enough water for all that time.
Crystal groaned before shifting a bit. Glaring at Fulgurite. “Can you leave?” She hissed out. Fulgurite nodded. Going to the door.
“See you… tomorrow? Later today? Uhhhh-” Fulgurite cut themselves off, Crystal giving them a glare that would pierce through her glass body if it was a real weapon. “Got it. Bye.”
—---------------
After about a week Crystal was feeling better and could walk without her side hurting her. At least, that's what she said. And Fulgurite was rather trusting of Crystal’s knowledge in her own health. Fulgurite barely knows enough about human health to clean and dress a wound. Even then she did it wrong. Looking over at its water supply made it face a problem she thought wouldn’t be possible with all the water that she grabbed beforehand. They were running out of water.
Fulgurite looked over at Crystal. She was asleep currently, saying that she wanted to rest before heading to the nearest village, which is indeed a port village. Although they are more hidden behind the trees then most because of the rumors. Which Crystal refuses to tell them about. Fulgurite grumbles at that, their tail brushing against the sand and flinging it. There was a sandstorm recently so getting water from the well that she made would probably be for the best. Although, the well is a long walk… Best start going then.
Going back and forth from the well felt useless so Fulgurite just decided to hold three glass jugs and hope that the wind didn’t decide to be rude. It took slightly longer than what it would if Fulgurite was only holding one, but it was worth it because then it wouldn’t have to go back and forth. Smiling Fulgurite went a tad bit faster. Crystal might have left already; she didn’t seem fond of its help, but that would be fine because then she can have water for the traveling humans.
Going into the cave revealed that the human was still there. And while Fulgurite assumed that she would leave as soon as she could, that proved to be false because she was right there sitting on the makeshift bed. Setting down the glass jugs made a small sound and Crystal’s head whipped over to Fulgurite. Her glare fell and a small smile came up.
“Hi! I’m back and I got water.” Fulgurite said, smiling back at Crystal. It tilted their head, “I thought that you were going to go to the town as soon as you woke up?” She asked. Crystal laughed a bit.
“No, no. I want to stay here for a bit. It’s warmer than the towns. And also, you're nicer than what the rumors said.” Fulgurite went to say something but was cut off. “No, I’m not going to tell you the rumors.” Fulgurite pouted, but then she realized what Crystal said and started to tear up.
“You want to stay with me?”
“U-Uhh, just for a, for a bit yeah?”
“You want to stay with me!!”
“Ack-” Fulgurite hugged Crystal. “Too tight! Too tight!” When it loosened the hug Crystal almost fell out of their grasp.