Journey to the North (In Game)

[TheIrishOtaku]

Will raises an eyebrow at that but accepts Orestina's gesture in the spirit it was intended, dismounting with a grunt. Seeing her flinch at the flash of lightning, he chuckles slightly.

''Don't worry, we're perfectly safe here. The odds of a bolt of lightning hitting this barn must be like one in a million!''

Hearing that, Paul and John glare at him.

''I think she was just a bit startled, mate.''

''Yeah, but thanks for putting that cheery thought out there, really puts us all at ease......''

Will smiles sheepishly at that and shrugs his shoulders in something approaching an apology.

 

[starelementpoke]

Tucking and crouching behind a hay bale with a grunt of acknowledge Z'ar will attempt to wring dry his robes and belongings, twisting and squeezing the soaked clothes in a corner.

"I'm glad to hear she's kinder than the folk from my hometown. Do you think she would have some extra hot water to spare? It would be nice to see if we could squeeze in a bath while we're stuck here."

Before he has a chance to answer Orestina's question he'll hear here stumbling and cut herself off. Standing to look over the hay bale, curious at the abrupt cutoff he'll notice her flinch and the startled look on her face. With a bemused expression on his face he'll begin to slip back on his robes with a lighthearted chuckle.

"I'm surprised. I would have thought an accomplished ranger like yourself would be accustomed to such storms."

 

[Autobass]

Orestina's sharp inhalation and glowing cheeks signaled exactly how embarrassed the remarks from Will and Z'ar both had left her even before she spoke. "Y-Yeah and!? What of it?!" she blurted out, locking eyes with Z'ar for a brief moment before dropping her gaze with a huff. "Forget it" she dismissed, pulling her still wet hood back over her head and striding towards the barn's door.

"Going to ask Jodie about that hot water," she said, nodding back in Z'ar's direction "and something to dry ourselves with, anyone else want to add anything to the list?" she asked with feigned disinterest, though her posture and a tentative hand on the door made both her embarrassment and nervousness clear to see.

 

[Kalnath]

"I don't need anything," Alec called back, "but then, I already told her as much."

He finished unfastening the belts of his saddle and hoisted it off to give his horse a well-deserved break. With a slight grunt of exertion, the knight set it down next to the same crate where he had left his cloak.

"As for hot water, well... I wish you luck, but I suspect you'll have to make do with just a kettle."

 

[OmegaUmbra]

Leaving her cloak to dry, Odrosa raised her head curiously at the sound of roaring thunder. Rarely seen by the elf in nature, sheltered as she had been, used to seeing it cast by wizards rather than the gods above. Smiling at Orestina, and finding her embarrassment rather adorable, she shook her head. The Dark Elf didn't notice it before, but the ranger was too cute with a blush!

"I could not relate more to that sentiment, Z'ar. Those outside my home, the Capital, have been...kinder than expected. Even the bandits aren't hurling easy insults our way. Maybe the centaurs won't be too different if we're lucky. Oh, and speaking of hot water and kettles-"

Odrosa snapped her fingers a couple of times, pressing her lips to her digits. With a hot breath, the faintest flicker of a fiery ember emanated, careful not to let it catch on the hay.

"If clean water can be provided, I would be happy to heat it for all of us! However, I would need to do so on the upper floor of the barn, away from the dry grass. Don't need a fire and a thunderstorm. Also, would you like me to accompany you Miss Orestina?"

Odrosa didn't say it, but she didn't want to leave the half-elf out alone in a storm when she was clearly a little perturbed by the angry loud streaks across the sky, not even if the house was not far.

 

[Autobass]

Orestina's nerves quietened a little at Odrosa's offer as she took a quick breath before responding. "Only if it isn't too much trouble..." she embarrassedly murmured her reply, scuffing a boot againt the ground as she did so.

 

[TheIrishOtaku]

Heading out back into the storm, you are buffeted by the wind and rain once more but a quick dash sees you right back at Jodie's front door. When you knock, she opens with her usual smile, her voice as bright and cheery as ever.

''Howdy! Hope ya'll are settling in ok at the barn! It ain't much I know, but I hope its of help! I met your friend Sir Alec, so polite, but I don't think I've had the pleasure of making your acquaintance! As you know, my name's Jodie Lee! What's yours?''

She has no reaction whatsoever to the fact that Odrosa is a Dark Elf, a rare response indeed for a human.

 

[Autobass]

"Uh... yeah, I'd say we're settling in alright. I'm Orestina and this is Odrosa" Orestina replied, gesturing up at her Dark Elf companion as she introduced the two of them. "We were just wondering if you could spare us some water, enough to bathe with, and either a towel or rag to dry off with?" she asked, one of her ears flicking slightly under her hood as another bolt flashed in the distance.

 

[TheIrishOtaku]

Jodie nods solemnly at Orestina's words, as if she just said something very profound and wasn't just asking for bathing supplies.

''Oh yes, that's very sensible of you two gals, nothing like a hot bath to chase the cold away, not to mention cap off a long days travel! You just wait right here and I'll be back quicker than a hog eats slop! Clara, I'm gonna need some help here if ya don't mind!''

After a moment, you notice a statuesque minotaur woman start walking down the stairs. Black haired, brown eyed and tanned, a pair of sharp horns protrude from her head and she walks on a pair of hooved, hairy legs. What immediately draws your eye however is her breasts, a truly gargantuan pair that struggle against the farm clothes that she's wearing. Her ass is just as massive, shaking as she reaches each step. As she reaches the bottom, she gives you a curt nod.

''Howdy, this here's the guests you mentioned miss Jodie?''

Jodie smiles warmly at her.

''Yup that's them! Orestina, Odrosa, I'd like ya'll to meet Clara Belle, one of my farmhands!''

''Nice to meet ya'll.''

She is clearly a woman of few words, but you can tell she doesn't mean anything rude by it.

''Clara, would you be a dear and help me fill up a jug for these ladies and their bath? Oh and help me rustle up a few towels?''

Nodding once more, she and Jodie head back into the house. After a few minutes they return, Jodie holding several towels in her hands while Clara carries a large jug of water. Handing both off to you, the latter is decently heavy but you can still manage it. You'll have to cover the towels somehow to avoid them getting wet but that's not a problem. Jodie gives you both a beaming smile.

''There ya are, that should do ya'll right! Enjoy your bath and have a mighty fine rest of your evening!''

''Pleasant day to ya.''

With that, they close the door, leaving you to return to your companions.

 

[Kalnath]

Left in the barn with Z’ar and the bandits, Alec busied himself with making sure the horses were taken care of: laying out buckets of feed for each while penning them towards the back so they couldn’t wander around.

“Have you figured out where you’re going to put those three tonight?” he asked Z’ar, indicating the captives. As compliant as they had been so far, Sir Alec still refused to let his guard down. Things were going too nicely for him to relax. He was just waiting for the other shoe to drop.

 

[OmegaUmbra]

What caught Odrosa's attention wasn't just the height of the woman or the heft of her assets, but the tall horns jutting from Clara's forehead. The Dark Elf's eyes went wide for a moment until a grin began to tug at her lips. It all started to make sense. That's why Jodie seemed unbothered, she was used to non-humans!

"Thank you for your hospitality miss Jodie and miss Clara!"

With the door firmly shut, Odrosa turned to Orestina, sharing the bucket's weight and carrying the bunt of the towels on her shoulder under her cloak.

She didn't bother to mention Jodie and Clara's possible relationship, simply giving Orestina a knowing smile, aware of the obvious question that hung over both of their heads. The Drow never was one for gossip having been on too many stranger's tongues herself, thinking it would be rude to baselessly assume things about her hosts.

Making her way back to their temporary shared shelter, Odrosa spoke up.

"They're quite kind, aren't they?"

 

[starelementpoke]

Left in the barn with Z’ar and the bandits, Alec busied himself with making sure the horses were taken care of: laying out buckets of feed for each while penning them towards the back so they couldn’t wander around.

“Have you figured out where you’re going to put those three tonight?” he asked Z’ar, indicating the captives. As compliant as they had been so far, Sir Alec still refused to let his guard down. Things were going too nicely for him to relax. He was just waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Following Sir Alec's gesture Z'ar will glance at the bandits before shaking his head.

"I'll be honest I did not think we would need to think of a place. Between us, the horses, and the farmer even if they tried to pull something they would not make it far, especially in this weather."

Clearing his nose he'll pull a comparatively dry rag from his bindle a dry his face some before looking back to Alec.

"Not to say your fears aren't reasonable. If it would comfort you I can take rest by the door; they would not be able to leave without quite literally going through me. And between you and me I fancy my odds with them."

 

[Kalnath]

Sir Alec folded his arms, leaning back against one of the barn struts. It wouldn't have mattered much to him if the three tried to escape. He might even have turned a blind eye (hah!) towards it so long as they didn't attempt to stab anyone or swipe anything important on the way out.

"I think you misunderstand: I meant where in here did you want them to stay? The loft? The floor? Behind those boxes stacked in that corner? May as well decide where to put them before we figure out our own sleeping arrangements."

 

[starelementpoke]

Sir Alec folded his arms, leaning back against one of the barn struts. It wouldn't have mattered much to him if the three tried to escape. He might even have turned a blind eye (hah!) towards it so long as they didn't attempt to stab anyone or swipe anything important on the way out.

"I think you misunderstand: I meant where in here did you want them to stay? The loft? The floor? Behind those boxes stacked in that corner? May as well decide where to put them before we figure out our own sleeping arrangements."

"Oh, my bad."

Tucking the ineffectual rag away Z'ar will glance around for a suitable location. Now that he had thought about it he imagined it would be a good idea to have them rest somewhere to where they wouldn't cause much trouble. Aside from that he was sure they would appreciate having some space after sharing a ride the past while.

"I suppose the loft then. Gives them their own space and privacy while making sure it's hard for them to get into any trouble"

 

[Autobass]

What caught Odrosa's attention wasn't just the height of the woman or the heft of her assets, but the tall horns jutting from Clara's forehead. The Dark Elf's eyes went wide for a moment until a grin began to tug at her lips. It all started to make sense. That's why Jodie seemed unbothered, she was used to non-humans!

"Thank you for your hospitality miss Jodie and miss Clara!"

With the door firmly shut, Odrosa turned to Orestina, sharing the bucket's weight and carrying the bunt of the towels on her shoulder under her cloak.

She didn't bother to mention Jodie and Clara's possible relationship, simply giving Orestina a knowing smile, aware of the obvious question that hung over both of their heads. The Drow never was one for gossip having been on too many stranger's tongues herself, thinking it would be rude to baselessly assume things about her hosts.

Making her way back to their temporary shared shelter, Odrosa spoke up.

"They're quite kind, aren't they?"

When Orestina first saw Clara she couldn't help but look back at her companion for a brief moment, mentally comparing the two. Seeing the smile Odrosa shot her way, she at first returned a quizzical expression before a look of realization washed over her with a quiet "oh". "Yeah they are, can only hope we meet more folks like them" she replied to the question with a grin.

 

[Kalnath]

Sir Alec nodded. It seemed the best place for it; if nothing else, the three would have trouble climbing down with their hands tied. But Z'ar's earlier comments had struck something in the knight's conscience. Glancing over at Paul, John, and Will, he sighed.

"...You aren't wrong in wanting to help them, you know."

He checked to make sure the captives still weren't listening in before he continued.

"I want you to understand: under different circumstances, I would be right with you in trying to guide them toward a better path. But here and now, those three are a hindrance. We have to watch our words carefully around them. We can't speak openly of our mission, our quarry, our selves. It's stifling...

"You probably think I'm heartless for how I act toward them, and perhaps I am more callous than they deserve, but please understand that I am thinking only of our greater duty, and what could be at risk if we fail in it."