She runs, and with relief he pulls off and runs in a ninety degree from her - doing the zag to her zig. He makes as much noise as he can - he’s heavier than her so he’s hoping that if whatever is under them is tracking them based on sound or vibration, he’ll be the more likely target.
It isn’t that he’s particularly altruistic. Or at least he doesn’t consider himself such. He thinks it’s practical - splitting up rises the chance of one of them escaping, and if he doesn’t-
Well. He’d deal with that if it happened. He’s got no intention of dying today.
He’s still running, heaving footsteps pounding into the sand with nearly every leap. He’s rewarded with the knowledge that he’s definitely the target now - a quick glance over his shoulder shows Clara running away with smooth sand behind her, and behind him what looks like a moving mountain.
Okay, great. Perfect planning, Cassian. Now what?
He almost misses it - the little wisp of bare rock under the sand. He almost runs right by it, but the animal instinct in the back of his mind that’s kept him alive this long immediately marks it. He shifts gears suddenly, almost falling as he scrambled to change course, running right for the rock. Rock above, maybe rock below, right?
At first he almost despairs - the rock he first hits slides under him and nearly sends him sprawling down the dune. But there, a few feet ahead —
He lands on the rock with a heart hammering and legs that want to keep running so desperately he almost lets them. But instead, he halts, freezing completely.
He watches the monstrous dune approach him as if he’s awaiting death. Better hope you’re as smart as you think you are, he chastises himself in the split second he has available to him.
But then the dune shifts, avoiding the rock, and goes around, and past him.
He doesn’t move for a good two minutes - Clara out of sight over the displaced mountains of sand. But once he’s sure the creature is well on its way in the opposite direction, he finally lets out a long long breath.
He walks back over the rock as carefully and quietly as he can until finally the sands part and he can see her standing there - beautiful in a sort of frantic sort of way. He cant help the little inward grin. Worried for him, maybe?
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It isn’t that he’s particularly altruistic. Or at least he doesn’t consider himself such. He thinks it’s practical - splitting up rises the chance of one of them escaping, and if he doesn’t-
Well. He’d deal with that if it happened. He’s got no intention of dying today.
He’s still running, heaving footsteps pounding into the sand with nearly every leap. He’s rewarded with the knowledge that he’s definitely the target now - a quick glance over his shoulder shows Clara running away with smooth sand behind her, and behind him what looks like a moving mountain.
Okay, great. Perfect planning, Cassian. Now what?
He almost misses it - the little wisp of bare rock under the sand. He almost runs right by it, but the animal instinct in the back of his mind that’s kept him alive this long immediately marks it. He shifts gears suddenly, almost falling as he scrambled to change course, running right for the rock. Rock above, maybe rock below, right?
At first he almost despairs - the rock he first hits slides under him and nearly sends him sprawling down the dune. But there, a few feet ahead —
He lands on the rock with a heart hammering and legs that want to keep running so desperately he almost lets them. But instead, he halts, freezing completely.
He watches the monstrous dune approach him as if he’s awaiting death. Better hope you’re as smart as you think you are, he chastises himself in the split second he has available to him.
But then the dune shifts, avoiding the rock, and goes around, and past him.
He doesn’t move for a good two minutes - Clara out of sight over the displaced mountains of sand. But once he’s sure the creature is well on its way in the opposite direction, he finally lets out a long long breath.
He walks back over the rock as carefully and quietly as he can until finally the sands part and he can see her standing there - beautiful in a sort of frantic sort of way. He cant help the little inward grin. Worried for him, maybe?
He gives a weak wave as he walks toward her.