Azriel kept quiet as the stranger dipped the stick into the water. Under any other circumstances, depending on what they might be, he was not a selfish man, however, this was a situation where he was thinking about his own survival. He did not know this stranger and, despite the chance of him knowing a thing or two about how to get this device working again, he was willing to let him put his life on the line. It was better than taking the risk himself, he thought.<br/><br/>A water source was a nice find, even if it did look fabricated from some child’s drawing book, or an oil slick depending, it meant that this place indeed sustained life. The fish alone were enough evidence of that.<br/><br/>Even more curious, the water didn’t seem to do anything to the stick other than coat it a layer of that weird, colorful film. If Azriel had his tools, he would be able to find out whether or not this water was safe to drink. The animals (fish, so far) lived in it, but what about humans? Normally, logic said that if animals had no problems with the water, and it was flowing, then it was safe. On a planet that was not Earth, however, he wasn’t certain he could rely on such a conclusion. He supposed the only answer to that would be to drink some and find out, but he was not sure he was too keen on that idea.<br/><br/>Azriel crouched down and peered into the river to examine it for himself. Despite the color, it was surprisingly clear. Those fish were not the only living organisms from the looks of things -he something else was in there as well. There were big rocks as well. He noticed some little things moving to hide behind them whenever the fish came near. A food chain perhaps? Maybe… What he did see, however, was that this river resembled something he has seen on Earth before.<br/><br/>Suddenly, he rolled up his sleeve and dipped the tips of his fingers into the water. The fish moved away from him, and suddenly all was completely silent save for the steady current. Much to his surprise, the water was cool and refreshing. He closed his eyes for a moment and pictured himself back home. For the first time since he arrived here, he felt relaxed.<br/><br/>He opened his eyes and slowly pulled his hand out. As he expected, it was coated with that weird, rainbow film, for lack of a better word. It didn’t feel sticky, but something about it made him uncomfortable.<br/><br/>“I… do not believe we can trust it,” Azriel said at last, frowning. Perhaps he should have actually drank some of it, just to get it over with. He was already in this mess, what more did he have to lose? There was a good chance he could die here; if this water didn’t kill him then something else might. It wasn’t a thought he was going to dwell on, he was willing to get out of here, but he wasn’t going to deny the possibility. He sure as hell wouldn’t have been sent somewhere cute and cuddly; this water… the more he thought about it, the more he was sure it wasn’t safe.<br/><br/>It was a good thing he wasn’t desperate for something to drink right now. On the other hand, hydration was very important. He hasn’t completely recovered yet.<br/><br/>Azriel began walking along the river, “We should… follow it. Perhaps we will find civilization around here.” He said, not willing to give up. Maybe there were humans here, or something resembling humans, and if there were then he would know for sure that this stuff was safe to drink. It wouldn’t hurt to look around, right?