Alison was a dry sponge being dipped into a pool of water. MacKenzie's story of how they arrived in this world and their journey thus far was absorbed fully and committed to memory. As the girl talked, Alison ran it based on what her sources and Pete had told her. Blanks were filled in, gaps bridged, and soon a broader picture began forming about the current situation this otherworldly party found themselves in.
"James and Zell are quite the duo and so much fun to be around. Barracker and Adam are darlings. Clive is a character and Fenna is an incredible woman." Mackenzie said smiling. Alison gave a soft smile and nodded along. This girl's praise of the group and its members almost made Alison feel sad about their current predicament. She knew so many people across the world in her previous life. She could grab a beer with a friend in Bangkok, get a friendly ride in Milan, or have a chat in a Polish bar. All of that was gone now. And her core team, Mike, John, Henry, Gary, and Hannah. People who she'd risk her life for and have. People who have saved her life. Many in her field lived life on the edge and weren't right in the head, but they were all the family she knew. All gone.
Trying to refocus away from the dark thoughts, Alison returned her attention to the present. When Mackenzie listed off the names, one stuck out. She had a hard time remembering why in the moment, but filed it away to look into it later.
"Sounds like you guys have bonded since arriving here. You made your way through it and not only stuck together but worked together. People don't often realize it but those two are very different things when it comes to a team. Happy to hear everyone seems to be eager to get along." Alison said with a smile.
They approached the inn "The Drum" and Alison faced the doors with some trepidation. Everything said it would still be up to the rest of the group to live up to the praises of Mackenzie. Yet as the doors opened, the place was mostly empty, save the innkeeper at his station. He explained the rest of the group was out in the town taking care of their chores and tasks. Alison had thought this might be the case, as the siege left few hands idle, but was still disappointed.
"Oh," was MacKenzie's response, disappointment in her own voice. She gave an apologetic look before more positively introducing her to the keeper. "She is from our world," she told the innkeeper.
Alison inwardly bristled at this, but her expression didn't waver. Information was currency, power even to someone like Alison, and that was a pretty big bag of money that Mackenzie had just handed over to some innkeeper. Sure, they had a reputation of being from an otherworld, but Alison kept her cards close to her chest as much as possible. Thus far, only Pete, Olaf, and Kerensa had been specifically told she wasn't from this world, and she'd like to try and keep it that way. Alison made a mental note to educate MacKenzie and possibly the rest of this group on the basics of OPSEC but focused on the moment at hand.
MacKenzie looked back to Alison. "Fred has been a perfect host and gentleman to us, since our arrival in Valhiem. He and his staff, have been nothing short of excellent," she said, now with a bit more apparent naivety To Alison.
Alison politely nodded to Frederick before shaking his hand. "Nice to meet someone so highly recommended by the young lady here." Frederick seemed like a normal enough man, but trust didn't come nearly as easily for Alison. Another mental note was made. There was a brief moment of awkward silence before Mackenzie turned to Alison.
"I do apologize for wasting your time. I will tell the others about you and - if you are available - perhaps we could all meet here for lunch, tomorrow? Or at The Brass Monkey, if you would prefer." MacKensie said, a little embarrassed at the situation. Alison gave a soft laugh and waved her hand.
"Don't worry about it, ain't your fault that everyone was busy this evening. I wasn't expecting the red carpet, or really, any carpeting for that matter. I think meeting everyone tomorrow for lunch is a good plan. Besides, I'd enjoy the opportunity to try some of Fred's cooking and drink, been so busy since I arrived here that I honestly haven't had a chance to enjoy some other places." Alison finished with a confident smile. They still had time, as far as Alison could tell, before things started hitting the fan, so taking advantage of this and getting everyone together to coordinate would be for the best.
With that settled, they said their goodbyes. Alison began to turn to leave but was caught a little off guard when MacKensie suddenly hugged her. "I am so glad we found you. You no longer have to be alone in this, Alison. We will get through this together." she said, before letting her go.
Alison stared for a moment, before turning away and nodding. "I'm sure we will. It was really nice meeting you MacKensie." she said as she walked away with a wave, some dust from the road clearly getting in her eyes.
Alison turned a street corner before maneuvering into an alleyway. As she walked, Pete fell in behind her from the shadows.
"Nevuh thoughts I'd see the day you'd get all mushy like. And heres I was wonderin if you really were a woman. Nevuh seen that mug of yours light up that- Owe!" the elbow firmly in Pete's stomach cutting him off.
"Quite joking. What do you think?" Alison said, her face suddenly hard and serious. Pete's face also quickly grew more serious.
"The girl's strong and capable, but a bit too friendly. Nots a suspicious like, more innocent kind like. That said, she's a better shot than Olaf with them crossbows. All of em from the Second Chance are like that though. Like you. Unique abilities, talent, powers, and whatnot. What tipped me off from the start. They're gonna take some molding probably. Otherwise, nobody else followed you two when you left the Brass Monkey. Ears and eyes was abouts, but nothin lookin yors way." Pete finished with a sigh. Alison nodded as well and continued walking.
"And the operation tonight. Everything set? No funny business?" Alison said, not bothering to look over her shoulder as Pete followed.
"Everythins in place boss. But we gots a bit of a complication. Our VIP has a guest rider. Guy that's gonna be guardin him for the operation been change. None other than one of em Second Chance people. Zell Brooks was his name." Pete said, walking now beside her.
A spark lit up in Alison's mind. MacKensie mentioned that name! Now that... was concerning. It quickly became obvious as the dots were connected in her mind. Zell somehow found out about the op, damn savages couldn't keep a secret between two rocks. A frustrated groan came from Alison as she picked up the pace towards The Brass Monkey.
"Fuck, god dammit Zell, after MacKensie praised you, you better not be planning what I think you are!."
Midnight, an unassuming spot in the woods outside of Valhiem
The tunnel was damp and suffocating. Gave Alison bad memories. How many tunnels had she been in back in her world? The ones on the border were dry and dusty. She had her team in position. Pete was hidden, punching dagger ready in the darkness of a hidden nook. Olaf was perched in a tree near the exit, heavy crossbows at the ready. They all wore muted clothes, Olaf even covering himself in leaves and branches to further blend with the tree above. He was a small, stout man, yet shockingly nimble and swift. One of Alison's makeshift squad, her attempt at rebuilding a team in this new world. They had met soon after Pete, bonding intensely over a robbery gone horribly wrong. Olaf owed Alison his life and Alison hers. His crack shot skills had kept many of the blades from ever reaching her.
A voice whispered next to her.
"What do you think Master Walker, will the young man return?" said the soft, refined voice of Kerensa Rostfallia. Alison's face remained neutral. Kerensa was a former head maid to a now-disgraced and ruined household. She had been instrumental in surviving the Library job and through facing the horrors of that place, had become one of Alison's closest comrades before Pete. Smart, well-spoken, and deadly with a curved blade. Alison grimaced under her dark, cloth facemask.
They were tasked to hold the entrance for their guild member who would be returning once the Ambassador was a safe distance away. Zell had weaseled his way into being that guide. The makeshift explosives in Alison's pouch felt uncomfortably heavy. A contingency courtesy of the guild master should their plan tip off the enemy or even worse... should they be betrayed.
"If he's smart, he strong-arms the Ambassador and gets a free ride out of the city. Could probably make a good excuse for it too if he can talk well enough..." Alison whispered back. Kerensa sat beside her, brushing a strand of silver hair from her face.
"And if he's loyal?" Kerensa asked.
"Then the Second Chance really does, well, have a chance. It's up to him now to prove himself." Alison said, her eyes continuing to scan the entrance ahead. Zell wouldn't be wrong. The city was probably not up for a stand-up siege. Once that barrier went down, it would be a desperate fight. Alison herself had climbed the ladder and earned the loyalty of the guild, just so she could get this job and betray everyone inside. She had a team to save and protect, and they all would more than happily cut their losses and move on from this war. The four of them owed nobody a suicidal final stand.
Alison pictured MacKenzie's glowing ramblings of her friends, how they were all in this together. This afternoon had changed priorities. There was a lead, a strong lead, here, in Valhiem. There were answers here, in this sieged city, that Alison would not leave behind. But more importantly, there was a young woman who was given a second chance like Alison. Who could relate to Alison in a way nobody could. Not Pete, Olaf, or Kerensa. Alison would not abandon her.
The question was now, would Zell?
@Zool @Saiyan
"James and Zell are quite the duo and so much fun to be around. Barracker and Adam are darlings. Clive is a character and Fenna is an incredible woman." Mackenzie said smiling. Alison gave a soft smile and nodded along. This girl's praise of the group and its members almost made Alison feel sad about their current predicament. She knew so many people across the world in her previous life. She could grab a beer with a friend in Bangkok, get a friendly ride in Milan, or have a chat in a Polish bar. All of that was gone now. And her core team, Mike, John, Henry, Gary, and Hannah. People who she'd risk her life for and have. People who have saved her life. Many in her field lived life on the edge and weren't right in the head, but they were all the family she knew. All gone.
Trying to refocus away from the dark thoughts, Alison returned her attention to the present. When Mackenzie listed off the names, one stuck out. She had a hard time remembering why in the moment, but filed it away to look into it later.
"Sounds like you guys have bonded since arriving here. You made your way through it and not only stuck together but worked together. People don't often realize it but those two are very different things when it comes to a team. Happy to hear everyone seems to be eager to get along." Alison said with a smile.
They approached the inn "The Drum" and Alison faced the doors with some trepidation. Everything said it would still be up to the rest of the group to live up to the praises of Mackenzie. Yet as the doors opened, the place was mostly empty, save the innkeeper at his station. He explained the rest of the group was out in the town taking care of their chores and tasks. Alison had thought this might be the case, as the siege left few hands idle, but was still disappointed.
"Oh," was MacKenzie's response, disappointment in her own voice. She gave an apologetic look before more positively introducing her to the keeper. "She is from our world," she told the innkeeper.
Alison inwardly bristled at this, but her expression didn't waver. Information was currency, power even to someone like Alison, and that was a pretty big bag of money that Mackenzie had just handed over to some innkeeper. Sure, they had a reputation of being from an otherworld, but Alison kept her cards close to her chest as much as possible. Thus far, only Pete, Olaf, and Kerensa had been specifically told she wasn't from this world, and she'd like to try and keep it that way. Alison made a mental note to educate MacKenzie and possibly the rest of this group on the basics of OPSEC but focused on the moment at hand.
MacKenzie looked back to Alison. "Fred has been a perfect host and gentleman to us, since our arrival in Valhiem. He and his staff, have been nothing short of excellent," she said, now with a bit more apparent naivety To Alison.
Alison politely nodded to Frederick before shaking his hand. "Nice to meet someone so highly recommended by the young lady here." Frederick seemed like a normal enough man, but trust didn't come nearly as easily for Alison. Another mental note was made. There was a brief moment of awkward silence before Mackenzie turned to Alison.
"I do apologize for wasting your time. I will tell the others about you and - if you are available - perhaps we could all meet here for lunch, tomorrow? Or at The Brass Monkey, if you would prefer." MacKensie said, a little embarrassed at the situation. Alison gave a soft laugh and waved her hand.
"Don't worry about it, ain't your fault that everyone was busy this evening. I wasn't expecting the red carpet, or really, any carpeting for that matter. I think meeting everyone tomorrow for lunch is a good plan. Besides, I'd enjoy the opportunity to try some of Fred's cooking and drink, been so busy since I arrived here that I honestly haven't had a chance to enjoy some other places." Alison finished with a confident smile. They still had time, as far as Alison could tell, before things started hitting the fan, so taking advantage of this and getting everyone together to coordinate would be for the best.
With that settled, they said their goodbyes. Alison began to turn to leave but was caught a little off guard when MacKensie suddenly hugged her. "I am so glad we found you. You no longer have to be alone in this, Alison. We will get through this together." she said, before letting her go.
Alison stared for a moment, before turning away and nodding. "I'm sure we will. It was really nice meeting you MacKensie." she said as she walked away with a wave, some dust from the road clearly getting in her eyes.
Alison turned a street corner before maneuvering into an alleyway. As she walked, Pete fell in behind her from the shadows.
"Nevuh thoughts I'd see the day you'd get all mushy like. And heres I was wonderin if you really were a woman. Nevuh seen that mug of yours light up that- Owe!" the elbow firmly in Pete's stomach cutting him off.
"Quite joking. What do you think?" Alison said, her face suddenly hard and serious. Pete's face also quickly grew more serious.
"The girl's strong and capable, but a bit too friendly. Nots a suspicious like, more innocent kind like. That said, she's a better shot than Olaf with them crossbows. All of em from the Second Chance are like that though. Like you. Unique abilities, talent, powers, and whatnot. What tipped me off from the start. They're gonna take some molding probably. Otherwise, nobody else followed you two when you left the Brass Monkey. Ears and eyes was abouts, but nothin lookin yors way." Pete finished with a sigh. Alison nodded as well and continued walking.
"And the operation tonight. Everything set? No funny business?" Alison said, not bothering to look over her shoulder as Pete followed.
"Everythins in place boss. But we gots a bit of a complication. Our VIP has a guest rider. Guy that's gonna be guardin him for the operation been change. None other than one of em Second Chance people. Zell Brooks was his name." Pete said, walking now beside her.
A spark lit up in Alison's mind. MacKensie mentioned that name! Now that... was concerning. It quickly became obvious as the dots were connected in her mind. Zell somehow found out about the op, damn savages couldn't keep a secret between two rocks. A frustrated groan came from Alison as she picked up the pace towards The Brass Monkey.
"Fuck, god dammit Zell, after MacKensie praised you, you better not be planning what I think you are!."
Midnight, an unassuming spot in the woods outside of Valhiem
The tunnel was damp and suffocating. Gave Alison bad memories. How many tunnels had she been in back in her world? The ones on the border were dry and dusty. She had her team in position. Pete was hidden, punching dagger ready in the darkness of a hidden nook. Olaf was perched in a tree near the exit, heavy crossbows at the ready. They all wore muted clothes, Olaf even covering himself in leaves and branches to further blend with the tree above. He was a small, stout man, yet shockingly nimble and swift. One of Alison's makeshift squad, her attempt at rebuilding a team in this new world. They had met soon after Pete, bonding intensely over a robbery gone horribly wrong. Olaf owed Alison his life and Alison hers. His crack shot skills had kept many of the blades from ever reaching her.
A voice whispered next to her.
"What do you think Master Walker, will the young man return?" said the soft, refined voice of Kerensa Rostfallia. Alison's face remained neutral. Kerensa was a former head maid to a now-disgraced and ruined household. She had been instrumental in surviving the Library job and through facing the horrors of that place, had become one of Alison's closest comrades before Pete. Smart, well-spoken, and deadly with a curved blade. Alison grimaced under her dark, cloth facemask.
They were tasked to hold the entrance for their guild member who would be returning once the Ambassador was a safe distance away. Zell had weaseled his way into being that guide. The makeshift explosives in Alison's pouch felt uncomfortably heavy. A contingency courtesy of the guild master should their plan tip off the enemy or even worse... should they be betrayed.
"If he's smart, he strong-arms the Ambassador and gets a free ride out of the city. Could probably make a good excuse for it too if he can talk well enough..." Alison whispered back. Kerensa sat beside her, brushing a strand of silver hair from her face.
"And if he's loyal?" Kerensa asked.
"Then the Second Chance really does, well, have a chance. It's up to him now to prove himself." Alison said, her eyes continuing to scan the entrance ahead. Zell wouldn't be wrong. The city was probably not up for a stand-up siege. Once that barrier went down, it would be a desperate fight. Alison herself had climbed the ladder and earned the loyalty of the guild, just so she could get this job and betray everyone inside. She had a team to save and protect, and they all would more than happily cut their losses and move on from this war. The four of them owed nobody a suicidal final stand.
Alison pictured MacKenzie's glowing ramblings of her friends, how they were all in this together. This afternoon had changed priorities. There was a lead, a strong lead, here, in Valhiem. There were answers here, in this sieged city, that Alison would not leave behind. But more importantly, there was a young woman who was given a second chance like Alison. Who could relate to Alison in a way nobody could. Not Pete, Olaf, or Kerensa. Alison would not abandon her.
The question was now, would Zell?
@Zool @Saiyan