[IC] Mirror Worlds

[Raptra]

Tawny nodded in acknowledgement at the woman with a light smile, thinking it polite enough since she had waved at them and introduced herself. She turned to Odum after 'Enta' left, as he mentioned the city.

"Well, yes. That was where we going to leave for before you went off on your own," she replied, a hint of annoyance in her voice.

With all on her mind, she was able to ignore the awkwardness as they made it back. Upon reaching the others, she strode up to the wagon and hopped on, Ash leaping on right after her.

"Time to go," was all she said, hoping nobody else would say anything to aggravate things again, at least not at the moment.

@Typhon @Zaphander @Azure Sea

[RumikoOhara]

@Typhon@Azure Flame@akirashadow@Azure Sea

Naomi collected her things back into her pockets

Then she stood and looked at the road ahead and what she now considered behind her before turning to Donny/@Lucius Cypher and the others near the wagon.

She smiles a bit theatrically her tone a soft request

@Azure FlameMay I know our planned course as in That-a-away till you come to

Lucus is an Elven Ranger and can scout ahead I can walk the obvious road and make sure our party isn't surprised; if that's cool with the lot[/color]

[Lucius Cypher]

”Tch. Sounds like the current lord.” Donny was obviously disdainful. He hitched his horse up to the wagon as he went on his own rant. Donny seemed to grow even more furious than he had before, even more then when he was fighting for his life against the wolves.

”Some young fool, only a year or so older then me. His father, the previous lord, died recently due to an illness plaguing the lands. It was sudden. His son inherited the position but he’s always been a spoiled brat even now. Spends all his time hunting and playing with his sword instead of learning how to take care of his lands or learning a lord’s duty. So of course when he came to power the first thing he did was start using it. Increased our taxes to purchase furvious luxuries for his home, and buy arms and armor for his soldiers. But not to protect his lands, certainly not. No barely a month into his lordship and he conscripts the men in our village to join in him some foreign war so that he could gain glory and prestige.”

Then Donny looked to Lance with a look of hatred in his eyes. But not directed to him, but just spite in general. ”And it’s your kind of thinking that allows something like that to happen. ‘Maybe he’ll do some good’ or ‘at least he’s on our side’. Cowards talk I say. Instead of protecting his lands or working in his people’s best interests, he intends to sacrifice us just so he could have some tall tale to boast about and flex that flaccid cock he calls an ego. If this Odum is that type of person, this journey isn’t going to end well for him. I don’t care what powers you strangers have here, I’ll tolerate tyrants no more.”

And with that, he saw Odum, Tawny, and Reina return. He snorted at their arrival. He had figured Odum would’ve put up more of a fight, perhaps arrive by opening fire first. Though Odum hasn’t done anything to personally bother Donny yet (aside from shooting his house and scaring his horse), he was mainly projecting his hatred of the lord o to Odum. When they finally got into the wagon Donny said nothing as the wagon took off.

”Well take the road about ten miles towards the main village. There I’ll gather some more supplies, get information about the roads ahead, and speak to some others. It won’t take long. Go ahead and scout ahead if you wish, wolves typically stay out of the open roads but the same won’t be said of any brigands if they had decided to set up shop around here. Just be careful. If you’re going to scout, come back and tell us before you get ahead of yourself and pick a fight.”

[Azure Flame]

"Sounds good to me." he said, noticing as Odum returned. Not wanting to deal with him at the moment, he decided to go and scout ahead right then and there. "I'll go a bit ahead and see if the way is clear. I'll return and state whether it is or not and we can proceed. I'll stay a bit ahead and return with any news." With that, Lucas headed off in the direction they were headed, taking to the trees, surprised with how easy it was thanks to how nimble he had become. He leapt from branch to branch, keeping silent as he scanned the road ahead.

[akirashadow]

"Only when standing before the Abyss will the true cowards show their hand." Lance mumbled, he wasn't entirely sure what he himself had meant and he felt thankful that he'd been quiet enough to keep it to himself as Donny ranted in his general vicinity. Seeing the others return Lance scooted his feet back toward himself as Tawny and Ash had joined him on the wagon. "Welcome back, I assume the situation is somewhat defused now?"
@Raptra@Lucius Cypher

[Azure Sea]

Reina tilted her head slightly as she looked at the woman with Odum and blinked.
"Who's the woman with you Odum?" Reina asks with a curious tone of voice wondering if Odum had somehow managed to get himself into trouble just minutes after running from the group.

[Raptra]

"It would appear so," Tawny replied Lance as she watched Lucas disappear into the trees. "However, it's possible that may be the case because they are still apart. We should keep it that way for now."

She usually felt secure around her group of friends, but with the sudden eccentric behaviors displayed by a few of them, it felt to her like they might as well have been total strangers. She shifted closer next to Lance and leaned against the side of the wagon, glad to be near a member of the group who still seemed level-headed enough. She hoped that no more of them would start to lose it the longer they remained in this unknown world.

Reina's question then reminded her of the stranger they had seen with Odum. Curious as well, she listened in to his reply from where she was.

@Azure Sea @akirashadow @Typhon

[Sewer Rat]

"No one, but a little bitch who's going to get bullet through her skull." Odum said calmly

[RumikoOhara]

Naomi had already headed off at a skipping pace as if she held no cares in this world a simple young woman unprotected on a lark.

She stopped and smelled the flowers even tucking three small yellow lilies behind her left ear, the quarterstaff she used like a stage prop as she sang love songs to it or danced to some music only she heard in her head she made sure to delay her forward progress by allowing the others with the wagon to see her a few seconds before she headed back up the road ahead of them.

This was going to be a long trip for those that wanted instant resolution and they were more than just physically lost on this world, they had no idea of its history, its common laws, just how involved the local deities got, how this society viewed the rights of women, and so much more like how money worked here not to mention magic.

To Naomi this meant when they arrived at the first city with a University no matter how small she would avail herself of their knowledge so that she didn't stumble around blindly.

[Lucius Cypher]

Once everyone had gathered, the trip to the village was short and uneventful. The roads were bumpy since it was just a dirt path and aside from one or two wolves watching them, nothing came by to attack the group. They would travel for about an hour before they reached the village, which was a collection of stone and wooden huts, with a few young men armed with leather armor, spears, and swords on their belts patrolling the area. They didn't pay Donny any mind and he didn't bother them; they were just the village militia. The village was already busy with their own work turning crops into produce, with many women gathered around a large home weaving and looming cloth out of various fibers, more young men hauling wood or baskets of rocks into workshops, and children running about tending to animals or playing games. A few stared at the strange group of travelers but none approached. At least none until an old man, who was hobbling and walking with a cane, approached Donny.

"Well hello there son. That's not the usual goods you bring to the village. Friends of yours?"

"Elder Namara. These strangers saved my life when I was in the forest, near the Traveler's Shrine. They seem lost and uncertain about where they are, so in thanks I'm going to take them to the city. I'd appreciate it if I could gather some supplies for the journey ahead. not only that, but there's some other matters I need to discuss with you..."

Donny and the elder spoke for some time before parting ways. Donny turned to the others, handing them a single bag containing a mixture of silver and copper coins. "Welcome to Wayward. It's a small village but I'd like to think that we do well for ourselves here. I need to do some trading so I'll be off for a while. This is just some spending money if there's anything in particular you want in here. Please don't cause any trouble and don't steal from anyone. While I have most of the essentials already, anything in particular you want, clothes, knick knacks, snacks, feel free to buy. This is just some money the elder owed me, so I came to collect." Donny hopped off the wagon and followed after the Eldar to get the rest of the things they'll need for the trip.

[akirashadow]

"Well if the solution is to keep them apart for a while that should be pretty straight forward on the Lucas front. Not so sure about the other though." Lance whispers to Tawny as they make their way toward the village. Once they arrived and came to a stop Lance got up as he tapped Tawny on the shoulder. "Time to take a look around I guess?" asking rather than stating as he gets down from the wagon. As he received the pouch of coins from Donny he smiled slightly as he stated a short. "Thank you." Before heading off to find somewhere to try and spend the recently acquired coin.

@Lucius Cypher@Raptra

[RumikoOhara]

Naomi couldn't resist but wander the village her eyes glowing with intense curiosity, she glanced at the activities of the males from a distance so not to encourage contact with her eyes where they might express their testosterone-driven interest. It was among the women engaged in what appeared local feminine industry that she moved closer her curiosity openly displayed.

She had seen women engaged in such a level crafting when touring reenactment homes, museums and her Mom's Yoga crowd bashes.

Naomi could sew because of her love of Cosplay, her work considered well executed so it was there among the seamstress she found herself realizing with an odd degree of curiosity that she was seeing minor flaws such as stitch spacing wasn’t balanced and slightly jagged.

So rather than use the monies offered by Donny she traded one of the older women one of her toe rings as strangely as a wedding ring because its ornamentation was a cast silver rose.

She asked for sequiturs as she examined the large bolt of dark almost black cloth that showed already that it would slowly turn a dark brown with age. Then with practiced movements of her hands, Naomi had separated those parts she needed for her creation. It was a basic magical girl Abby school type with Senpai adjustments for her tall form and a style she’d made often enough to do them in her sleep.

The Village women gasped when from her dress pleats she drew out a metal box that claimed to once contain Curiously Strong Mints and saw it contained her sewing tools. Stainless steel needles of various type her choice the heavy drape needle so she could drag a double thread.

Then came the sewing which Naomi turned into an odd almost martial arts demonstration as her nimble fingers spun out work twice as fast as the best among the local women and her stitches were perfectly balanced flowing smoothly with the fabric's edge.

As she worked Naomi looked around to see if she could catch Lucas @Azure Flame hanging around.

[Azure Flame]

Lucas was looking around the shops, getting funny looks from the villagers who kept staring at his ears.

[Zaphander]

Enta rolled up into the village in her wagon, a cocky smirk on her face. She learned a lot from Odum’s gun and she intended to make a profit from it. It packed a punch and didn’t require too much training to use, though ammo was a bit pricy. Enta knew a few things about making bullets though so she’ll just have to upcharge the villagers for the price of ammo. Stuff wasn’t cheap!

As she rolled into the sleepy village if Wayward she looked for anyone who looked like a local leader. That’s when she spotted a rather tall, busty blond woman killing it with the needle and thread. Enta whistled and approached.

“That’s some damn fine needle work there. I’ve seen some masterful embroidery in my time, but nothing like this. Where’d you learn how to do that?”

@Azure Flame@RumikoOhara

[RumikoOhara]

@Azure Flame@Zaphander@Azure Sea

Naomi looked up from her work and smiled

I learned it at Sacred Heart All Girls Academy and a few years of practice; it also helps to have good tools.

I used a twin thread overcast stitch at a 7mm spacing to add strength to the edge and prevent bunching, I need a good warm overcoat and this is one I've done maybe 40-50 times said the tall blonde in a cheerful and elegant tone of voice

On the edge of her dress was her sewing tin still open displaying finely crafted needles, seam ripper, and measuring tape

As she sewed Naomi had no trouble letting the women around her look at her seam and the new way of sewing.

[Sewer Rat]

Odum, still strangely quiet, went around the village, set on one goal. Enta.

[Zaphander]

“Oho? That’s a Fine needle too! Not often I see anyone who can afford something so small yet so strong. Most settle for cheaper, more easily replaceable bone or wood.”

Enta seemed equally interested in both Naomi’s textiles and equipment. Notably the thread; dyes were rare where she came from and she just happened to have a few small spools. The school she mentioned was also strange as Enta has never heard of it before.

“Something tells me you’re not just a traveling tailor however. I can tell from looking at you, there’s much more then meets the eye! Not often I find highly skilled women in this world.”

Enta pulled a chair next to Naomi and took out her own sewing kit, though it lacked the same level of intricacy as Naomi. Most of the thred was pale grey or a touch brown, however the needles were just as good if not better then Naomi’s own. Strong enough to puncture through leather and hide even.

“I normally work leather instead of thread but knowing how to do both is essential to making something strong and sturdy. Now what did you mention before about that stitching? I’m sure I speak for all of us when I ask if you could show us how it’s done.”

@RumikoOhara

[Raptra]

Donny stopped them at a little village, and Tawny nodded in acknowledgement at the elderly man who came up to greet them. While a couple of her companions stepped off to explore the place, Lance got her attention with a tap on her shoulder, suggesting that they do so as well. She could only guess from that gesture that he was inviting her to go with him, but it did not matter, for she would be glad to keep his company regardless. Pocketing a handful of coins herself, she left the wagon with Lance and Ash.

Many continued to keep their distances from them as they walked through the village, and Tawny understood why as she became aware of how they must have looked like to the locals. The fact that she had a traditionally ferocious animal at her heel was probably intimidating enough, with her spear and Lance's sword making it all the more so. It was not like she actually knew how to use the weapon slung over her back, or did she? It might be possible that she had not yet explored the entire set of her newfound abilities.

@akirashadow

[Lucius Cypher]

At the town hall Donny spoke to Elder Namara about his situation. The elder seemed sadden but said nothing to disaude Donny from his path. A lot of the older men were now leaving the village to find their futures elsewhere, some returning, others not. Donny made it clear that he didn’t really intend to return of his own accord, and the Elder accepted this. Donny will be paid for his lands and goods, a hefty and rather generous amount thanks to the quality of his lands and the services he and his family have provided for the village.

But there were other matters. Personal matters. The two spoke in hush and somber tones. A few times Donny raised his voice. ”I haven’t forgotten what I believe in. But there’s only so much I can do cooped up in a farm. I can talk a lot but I gotta do something. This would be the first step into making that happen.” The tension in Donny’s voice was palpable. But the Elder said something that deflated Donny. He sat down looking uncertain and scared.

Soon Donny walked out with more coin and a dour mood. One problem after another, but he’ll figure something out. He always has. For now he should say his goodbyes to the rest of the villagers, gather the other supplies, and then meet up with the others.

[RumikoOhara]

@Zaphander

Naomi laughed softly disarming most people around her before she began explaining six new types of stitches meant to make the edges hold their form without bunching, layer in a seam for pants so that they don’t bust as a man or woman moves in them, and so on.

She even allows the women to examine her odd assortment of needles explaining their functions and even displaying a small master piece of needlepoint she is working on using threads that catch the light and cast it back. (The Art is the Hufflepuff Shield)

I love sewing while I read or do research if I am not writing; I am well known for my need to keep notes.

My family life afforded me the ability and access to pursue anything I was interested in because my dad is a well known composer back home even performing two of his works as Crown Command Performances.

I am 17 years old and was emancipated by my father when I was 15 years old because he wanted me to have the chance to steer my life in a way he was never able to.

I was free to live where I wanted, attend whatever school or course I wanted to….to be a fool if I wanted

The blonde looks the gathered women over smiling in mock innosense laughing silently before saying in an Oh so proper and posh tone But of course I was a sober and practical girl so father never worried