Strange Lands, Strange Journeys, Part 5

[primus_seeress]

((Part 5 - Foresight receives flight lessons, Auspex learns a bit more about Kup's past, and the party meets more locals as they find a place to camp for the night.))

((continued from here))


Blackout: *clears her throat, then jumps down to sock her husband in the ribs*

Foresight: *such deep thought as she stands and communes and prays*

Boulder: *deeep quiet groan as he lifts himself to his feet again, then a massive sigh that has Kup snerking as they're rocked gently*

Auspex: *she 'eep's quietly at the shifting as Boulder stands, and blinkblinks at motion of the sigh. Her arms are still wrapped around Kup's and the baby's shoulders, as she turns her head to regard Blackout below. She needs a distraction from thinking about the people in the village...* So, I understand we are to bring the baby, ah... what sort of creature is he?... to a couple who have no children, for them to raise?

Blackout: *looks up, dark eyes bright* He's Aliat. The race's originally from a world called Alia. He's going to Gavin's sister and her husband, because they can't have brats of their own.

Boulder: *looks back and talks*

Blackout: Yeah. Go ahead.

Boulder: *starts walking, bell singing as he looks around*

Scorponok: *rips up another mouthful of flowers and then follows*

Auspex: *Her eyes widen* So, not every race on this world is native...
*She nods thoughtfully* The little one is going to family, then - Gavin will likely see him again. That is good to know.

Blackout: *accepts a boost from her mate, then hooks a leg over the railing on the back of the howdah and half hangs/half crouches there* Most the races on this world aren't native to it. The Aliats are the only ones who came here in living memory. Some have been here for so long that they aren't the same species they had been, like the trolls. *looks up as a bird squawks and flies* A few hundred years ago this world had technology and a space port. Something happened, and everyone that was on it at the time wound up stranded here.

Auspex: *She turns herself slightly, very carefully, to avoid jostling Kup and the child; she quirks a little smile at how Blackout is attaching herself to the back of the platform, though soon her eyebrows are raising in surprise as her friend explains* They lost their means off-world, and their technology? All at once?

Blackout: Yeah, and the archaeologists are still trying to figure out how. *head turns toward where Gavin walked away, and she snorts slightly, feeling amused and slightly relieved* So that's what was watching us.

Greatshot: ...What is he?

Auspex: *She puzzles over that for a moment; the wartime Cybertron of her own reality hasn't had much use for studying the past, when they were trying so hard to survive in the present. Servants such as herself, actually, have been major proponents of preserving history for reasons of faith - and there are also some very, very old Cybertronians who remember, because they were there. The idea of losing that knowledge is rather foreign to her, and somewhat disturbing, really. She thinks to say as much, only to be distracted when she notices Blackout's attention on something behind them* What do you see?

Blackout: *gestures with her chin* Look and see.

Kup: *sits carefully and turns with a curious frown*

Auspex: *She blinks, looking down at her now-empty lap as Kup sits up, still cradling the Aliat child. She looks sidelong at him for a moment, as she considers whether to be unhappy with him for not resting. Deciding that he seems fine for now, she turns her body to peer around Blackout at the road behind them*

Gavin: *over under the edge of the trees, just accepting a little baby a couple shades darker than himself from a slender lady a little darker than the infant in Kup's arms. Joy and sadness are mixed as they stand close for a moment, and then Gavin sets the little one on his feet and watches him take slightly unsteady steps in what is clearly a dance*

something: *and then protectiveness and fierce wariness overwhelm the gentle emotions of the Aliat family as something comes out of the trees beside them, something the size of a large human man, but with longer arms, something walking on the knuckles of its hands as well as its feet. Grey, grizzled fur covers its body, and the face that turns toward the party is that of a canine*

Blackout: Huh. A wolf ape. *turns to look the way they're going as the trees block their view of the family and its fierce protector*

Auspex: *She observes Gavin and family with startled curiosity; apparently, Aliat females are quite a bit shorter than their male counterparts - she supposes that explains why the baby is so tiny in comparison to his father*
*her eyes widen as the hairy semi-bipedal humanoid comes into view; she's seen altmodes that have features resembling parts of this creature... but on seperate beings. Considering its appearance and aspect...* I think his family is not in danger of being physically overpowered by any one human, there... goodness.

Blackout: *glances at her* Can you feel how the thing feels about them?

Kup: *bibble sound as he shakes his head, and then looks down at a tiny laugh from the vicinity of his chest and croons softly*

Auspex: *she blinks, meeting Blackout's gaze* The... wolf ape?... feels affection for Gavin and his family, and he is protective and wary... I assume he is a bodyguard, of sorts - though Gavin looks quite capable of protecting himself, as well.
*The little one's laugh also captures her attention, and she turns slightly to smile gently at the baby*

Blackout: *brow quirk* Considering you have to beat a wolf ape in combat to win any respect from it?

Kup: *looks up from the tiny, his expression interested*

Auspex: *she smiles slowly, with a little chuckle* Ah, I see. Still, it's good that he has help. I can imagine that village is... quite a handful.
*She eyes Kup and the look on his face and has to hide her smile, though some slightly wary amusement may escape in her aspect. It's just as well that they have to move along...*

Kup: *blinks, and then gives Auspex a sheepish, charming grin*

Auspex: *She 'heh's with a soft little laugh, having to look away when Kup is smiling like that; it's entirely too charming*

Blackout: They've probably got some kind of dog to help with whatever milk animals they have, too. *interested look as Scorponok lifts his head and sniffs the air from where he's trotting along in Boulder's shadow* What is it?

Scorponok: Smell honey girl.

Blackout: Good. *looks at Foresight* Your flight instructor is up ahead somewhere.

Foresight: *surprised perk as she snaps out of commune* Do I need a flight instructor?

Blackout: *flat look* You want to run into things til you get it, instead?

Foresight: *face palm. Destrons. Eesh* No, not really.

Auspex: *She makes no comment on Blackout's observation about the Aliat family's mode of living; it's all very alien to her, anyway. She does take note, however, when Scorponok scents... someone? She blinks, as Blackout seems to be expecting them. She makes a dubious face* I thought that whatever Fae power put Foresight in this form, might also impart the knowledge of flight... I suppose not?

Blackout: Nope. *rises herself up to look ahead* But she'll probably only need a few pointers.

Auspex: Ah... *she looks a bit uncertain* I hope so. I would hope for no crash landings.

Kup: *trying to figure out how to get snuggles while sitting up, and if he should try it*

Auspex: *She picks up on the nature of Kup's musings, and hedges a glance and a warm smile his way - though she is also still a bit concerned about his exhaustion. Her tone is gentle* Kup, have you rested enough?

Kup: I can stay awake now. *looks down at the baby he's holding and then back to her, his eyes warm*

Blackout: *cheerily and surprisingly lacking in gruffness* Mush.

Kup: *quick look, but sees her smile and turns back to Auspex*

Auspex: *She laughs softly and ducks her head a bit in embarrassment, because she really has no idea what to do, outside of comforting someone in distress - which he's clearly not right now. Perhaps she can reach for Kup's hand, at least...*

Kup: *can has hand. And pretend he knows nothing about it because he's checking on the baby...*

Auspex: *She chuckles warmly, giving his hand a grateful squeeze*

Blackout: *suddenly snaps to alertness* Foresight, catch that chicken!

Foresight: *wings flare out and bound her forward, and then she finds herself in a pitched battle against the tall rangy rooster that had just run past the party*

Auspex: *She jumps slightly in response to Blackout's sudden outburst. Her eyes widen as she looks down to see Foresight struggling with... a large bird?* Ah... why are we interested in it??

Blackout: *yanking a wish out of her belt bag* Because we're not going the long way to our destination, and it wouldn't be good for us to arrive before the message saying we're coming. *holds up the little point of cobalt blue light* I wish that Foresight may catch that bird without injury to her or it.

rooster: *startled shriek and then passes out*

Foresight: *pokes him warily, feeling surprised, but then picks him up and waits for Boulder to catch up*

Scorponok: *chortling*

Auspex: *She hisses softly, finding herself scooting closer to Kup out of nervousness. The bird's screech earns a bit of a cringe from her... then it's unconscious. She blinks at Blackout, not comprehending* I.. don't really see how that answers my question...

Blackout: *blinks back, wondering what she didn't explain right* The bird's a message carrier. *takes it from Foresight as the young woman comes around behind Boulder and hands it up, then turns it right side up and shows the pouch attached to the harness on its back* This is Gavin's message telling his sister and her husband that the baby is coming. *lifts brows, waiting to see if that helped*

Auspex: *Her brow furrows, peering curiously at the bird; now that it's closer, she can see that it's carrying something. She nods slowly* Ah, I see. That is... a strange method of delivery, I think, but I suppose it works. We are traveling faster than Gavin is expecting?

Kup: *fits into the space beside Auspex. Would put an arm around her, but might wind up punching Blackout, so he'll wait*

Blackout: *nods, then swings around til she's sitting backward in front of the howdah and setting the sleeping rooster by Auspex and Kup's feet* After tonight's camping spot we'll be portalling closer to the city. And the message delivery might seem strange, but hardcopy is about all they can do on most of this world. It's got a very high EMP field, and most tech doesn't work.

Auspex: *She leans very slightly on Kup, now that he's conveniently sitting closer*
*She watches idly as Blackout relocates, gazing somewhat regretfully at the bird in its Fae energy-induced sleep. Not for the first time, she's choosing to avoid a headache by not thinking very hard about how time passes in dreams, and just how more than one day will 'fit' in a single rest period for her Cybertronian body... Instead, she ponders the new information about this world* Ah... I suppose that answers why they lost what technology they had. This place is very mysterious.

Kup: *seees nothing... and you can't prove he's snuggling!*

Auspex: *She pauses to examine the possible reasons for Kup's furtive aspect. After a moment, she shrugs mentally, decides that ignoring his pretense will cause him no harm, and leans her head on his shoulder*

Blackout: *quirks a grin, then pulls out her little mirror and pokes at it* We're coming.

voice: *a young woman with quite a nice and assured alto. Her accent isn't what Auspex will have been hearing from people around here* //Great. Then you kin tell me what'ta do with this mook.//

Blackout: *brow quirk of surprise and curiosity* What'd he do?

voice: //Tried stealin' my stuff.//

Blackout: *snerk* Idiot.

Kup: *curious and interested*

Foresight: *as she walks along she's also curious and interested*

Auspex: *Not inclined to move her head very much, she quietly directs her gaze at the mirror. She tries and fails to identify the voice, though she does note the difference in accent*

Kup: Hey, if tech don't work, why's that thing work? *sudden spurt of alarm as he looks at Auspex*

Blackout: This is triple shielded Wheeljack work. And get that look off your face. She's fine.

Auspex: *She blinks as she senses Kup's worried aspect, and lifts her head to frown in concern at him... until she catches on that it's for her. She can't help the tiny, helplessly emotional smile, and she closes her eyes as she slowly moves her fingers to interlace with his, expressing reassurance and gratitude* The natural laws of this place are strange... I think this body closer qualifies as something like magic, rather than technology, or Dolls would not exist here - perhaps that is true for Tessera as well?
Is that another off-worlder, Blackout?

Blackout: Tessera's clockwork. And yeah. That's Sadie Creed Winchester, the flight instructor.

Kup: *glances down at the fingers, and then gently tightens his around them. Feelings are a quiet riot*

Auspex: *With a soft sigh of contentment, she nods thoughtfully at Blackout before slowly returning her head to Kup's shoulder. She's not encountered many purely mechanical things, with no electronics at all. Interesting...*
Ah. I thought perhaps you had tracked down a native flier for that. I see. Is she having trouble with a local, or it is another... guest?

Blackout: *turns as Boulder huffs, then squints* Local. Looks like she caught a bandit.

Sadie: *is a tall, strongly built blonde woman clothed in worn denim jeans and vest over a blue "Be Transformed" T-shirt. Blue eyes are slightly narrowed as she sits on the back of a sturdy young man with dark hair and tattered finery*

Scorponok: *breaks into a short legged gallop and then skids to a stop just inches from the young man's head. Sniffs that head, and then turns toward the rest of the party* Issanother crazy!

young man: I am NOT! I got legally released! *quietly affronted indignation mixed with chagrin for being caught and thumped on*

Scorponok: *puts one forehoof up and then crooks it and uses it to pull his hair*

young man: Owwwwww! Uncle? Owwwww.

Blackout: *snerk*

Kup: *the heck? Quiet frown in that direction*

Greatshot: *is a silent grumble back behind Boulder*

Auspex: *She lifts her head again, as they seem to have caught up with whomever Blackout was talking to in the mirror. Auspex is reasonably sure the woman is dressed like a contemporary human from Earth, though the shirt, and its modified Autobot insignia, earns a bit of a double-take and a furrowed brow*
*...which furrows more when she sees the would-be thief Sadie is sitting on. He's... a former citizen of that village? She winces at the hair-pulling*

Foresight: *firm and determined as she walks over to gently shove Scorponok out of the way and then hunker by the young bandit. Sternly* You. What right have you to lay in wait for people and take their possessions away from them?

Blackout: *softly* Smite the heathen.

Auspex: *She shifts a bit uncomfortably as she watches her construct confront the young man, then eyes Blackout dubiously at the barely-heard remark. What...?*

Kup: *startles slightly and glances at Auspex, then frowns a little more deeply as he watches the young women and the bandit*

Auspex: *She squeezes Kup's hand in absent reassurance - she simply found Blackout's statement... odd. She wonders if it has some significance she's unaware of*

bandit: *as Sadie gets up off his back and he sits up on his knees* Why does anyone do anything? *honestly confused, and quite rebellious* Wealth and fame.

Foresight: *shakes her head* No. Not good enough. *grabs him by the chin and forces him to look into her eyes* From now on, whenever you hear someone say either "wealth" or "fame", you will vomit uncontrollably for two hours, and make urgent use of the lavatory.

Sadie: *!!!! Face is poker calm, but inside she is now howling with laughter and sparking with nostalgia*

bandit: *falters, his braggadocio fading* You're bluffing.

Foresight: *calmly* Would you like me to say one of them to you now?

bandit: *yelps and falls over in his haste to get away, then books it for the bush as fast as he can crawl*

Auspex: *Her eyes widen as Foresight grips the man's face, and she boggles at the words - but she recognizes the empty threat by the younger servant's aspect. She chokes on a startled cough. Still, it seems to have done the trick...*

Foresight: *praying for him as she watches him go. Still praying as she stands and turns to look back toward her aunt*

Scorponok: *sniggers amusement as he watches the bandit go. Then* Woof woof! Grrrrrr! Rawr! Huh? Oh... nice scritchies. ^_^

Sadie: *scritchy, feeling amused*

Blackout: XD *facepalm of fond amusement*

Auspex: *She meets Foresight's gaze, trying and failing to hide her amusement and... well, it's not quite approval, but she's gratified it was not violent* Well. That was rather effective. Very nice.

Foresight: *soft snort as she smiles, and then she turns to Sadie* So you have pointers for me on the art of non powered flight?

Sadie: *grins, blue eyes dancing* Yup. Hi, I'm Titania.

Foresight: *frown* I understood your name to be Sadie Creed Winchester.

Sadie: *glances at Blackout and rolls her eyes at the older woman* That's on the papers.

Auspex: *her brow furrows* Papers...?

Blackout: Yes. Her records. In some places those are on paper. *watching Scorponok mow*

Auspex: *she tilts her head curiously - she wonders who is keeping said records, and why... but it's likely a longer story than they have time or inclination for. She decides against asking*

Foresight: *listens to Blackout, and then turns back to Sadie* Is the lesson to be only verbal?

Sadie: Nope. Hold on. *steps aside as Boulder starts walking again, then pulls off her vest and starts rolling it small. As she does so something strange and colourless raises up on her back, only to... inflate? and become two massive, beautifully colourful butterfly wings*

Foresight: *great surprise and interest* What race are you, Titania?

Sadie: *grin* Human. I just have a funky gene that does weird things.

Blackout: Maybe another hour to the next camping spot, at this pace. *looks at Auspex to see how she's doing*

Auspex: *Her eyebrows raise in fascinated surprise as the human woman's wings unfurl, after a fashion, from her back*
*She makes an absent sound of acceptance for Blackout's estimate, meeting her gaze as the Destron woman turns to look at her. Yes, she's fine. After a moment, she offers Titania a query of her own* Ah... forgive me if this is a sensitive question, but I know little of human genetics. I was under the impression they are not usually as... variable as that?

Sadie: *looks up with a grin, though there's sadness inside her at the subject too* They are in realities like the ones I come from. You get all kindsa funny quirks.

Auspex: *She senses the underlying melancholy, and makes note to tread carefully* Ah. So it is not something that's true for every reality? Hmm. *considering the variations in Cybertronian construction across the realities, she supposes it makes sense for humans to not necessarily be of the same makeup, either* The multiverse continues to surprise me...

Sadie: *quiet but clear* It's a rogue gene that some non carriers think is a disease that needs curin'. Or wipin' out completely.

Foresight: *and there is that frown again as her hand flexes slightly toward where her bat is resting on her back between her wings*

Auspex: *She frowns as well, finding the answer unsettling. She sighs regretfully* I fear that bigotry comes in many forms. *She's thinking of her experiences with her own people, of course, but she imagines it all too easily applies to humanity as well*

Sadie: *sighs inside, but she's cheerful again as she nods* Usually from both sides 'a the fence.

Auspex: Hmm... *she answers quietly* That is also true in my experience, yes.

Sadie: *looks up then as they reach a slightly more open spot in the forest cover* Foresight, here, do this with yer wings. *quickly shows a move and then launches herself straight upward, leaving behind a wash of honey-scented air*

Foresight: !!! *look, understand, launch. EEEEEEEE*

Blackout: *watches the opening vanish behind them as Boulder keeps walking, then gives Auspex an amused look*

Auspex: *she watches with obvious interest as Titania demonstrates the motions for flight, and can't help the slight stir of both excitement and mild anxiety as Foresight quickly catches on, and both fliers are soon out of sight. She prays that landing will be knowledge just as easily imparted...*

Kup: *little squeeze of Auspex's hand. Quietly* I know someone with that gene.

Auspex: *She blinks as Kup's voice startles her from her thoughts, and she turns to study him intently. She's feeling... something complicated. She's not had a chance to ask him very much about his own experiences; she has no knowledge of his original reality, what came after he... departed it, or how it compares to her own. The joy of learning new things is tempered by regret for having not been given the time to learn about him yet, and his comment is a glaring reminder of this. She manages a faint smile, though it's somewhat bittersweet* Oh! From your own reality, or... after?

Kup: *another soothing hand squeeze at her startle* After. We'd never met humans where I come from. She worked with Ghost Squad sometimes, and would come an' talk strategy with the Primes.

Auspex: You'd never... *she trails off, her breath catching with shock and abrupt realization. Considering the rough age of Kup's native counterpart in her reality, and how relatively pristine her bodyguard's normal form is in comparison... it's likely very long ago indeed that his life was taken, in his native reality. He's probably from before the war, perhaps before she'd even been created. The thought of him being dropped from a Golden Age Cybertron into her own beleaguered, war-torn one, however indirectly and necessarily, fills her with a melancholy that's hard to define*
*She wavers for a moment, before (reluctantly) letting go of his hand, to lean in and wrap her arms around him, (mindful of the sleeping baby he's holding in his own), and leans her forehead against his temple. She muses very quietly* I see. I can imagine you had... an abundance of new experiences there.

Kup: *confused and questioning look, and then a snuggle as she hugs him close and puts her forehead to his temple. Uncertainly* Yeah... you can say that again. *wondering why she feels so sad. Softly* You okay, Lady?

Auspex: Not entirely... *She closes her eyes and sighs quietly, though she's otherwise silent for a moment as she nestles against him, taking strength from his closeness as she attempts to put her thoughts in order* I... did not realize how far removed your native timeline was from mine.
For most of my life, I've watched Primus's world crumble around us, with the war and the energy running out, and all the hatred and desperation that came with the hardships. You... were gone before a full-fledged war happened, I think. What we call the Golden Age... while most seem to remember it with quite a bit more idealization than necessary, at least it was relatively peaceful - probably thanks to people like you.
I think you most likely saw the worst of the so-called Golden Age, first of all... and then for you to be brought to live in what is left of our world, in my reality... I don't have words to express how much I feel that you somehow deserved better...

Kup: *quiet snort* I can't imagine anythin' better than this. *looks down thoughtfully at the baby, but then turns his head and kisses Auspex on the forehead, feeling utterly content*

Auspex: *There's another little hitch in her breathing in response to the implication of his words. She protests, but it's weak* ...Not even a whole and peaceful Cybertron...? *Still, she savors the kiss, leaning into it*

baby: *soooo happy. Soooo peaceful. Soooooooo sleep! So sleeping baby magic*

Kup: ... *murphs a yawn*

Auspex: *She opens her eyes to see him yawn, and reaches to touch his opposing cheek* You are still tired...

Kup: *rubs his cheek against her hand. Quietly and reassuringly* Primus's alright. 'N you and Theodicy're worth more 'n anything. *thinks of what Auspex told him earlier and tears up a little. Huskily* There's nothin' wrong with your world, Lady.

Auspex: *She can't speak for a moment, just sitting and letting that soak in, her own eyes welling with tears; she almost can't comprehend how Primus sent this blessing that is Kup to her. She gently pulls his face that much closer, to press a lingering kiss to his cheek* You keep my faith better than I do, I think...

Kup: *feels like he just was given a wonderful gift. Sits for a moment, and then moves away as much as he can as the sleeping baby magic gets to him. Tucks the baby into her arms, gently moving her arms so that the little one is supported and listening to her heart*

Auspex: *She can sense his underlying weariness, even through her own joy at how happy her reaction seems to have made him*
*Her brow furrows in confusion for a moment as Kup moves away, but she begins to understand at least partially when he hands her the baby Aliat, then reaches for her arms. She sits still and allows him to position her correctly with the baby, wondering idly how this seems to come so naturally to him, when she has so little idea of what to do with an organic infant. She looks down at the tiny little boy, watching him with wonder, and perhaps a hint of nervousness, though he seems content and comfortable in his slumber*

Kup: *This done, he puts his arms around both of them and then wiggles around til they're all laying down and he's spooned against Auspex's back. Snuggles and sighs, then dozes off*

Auspex: *Her eyes widen and she trembles slightly as the rest of Kup's intention comes to light, feeling breathless as he wraps her and the baby securely in his arms. He gently coaxes her into a recumbent position, maneuvering her and the Aliat so he can sleep while he continues to hold them. She can't begin to describe the way she feels right now, overwhelmed by the warmth and utter safety of his presence beside her and his arms surrounding her. She leans her head back against him, eyes shut as she waits for the light-headed feeling to subside*
*She lays there for awhile, until she manages a thought past the whirling of her mind and reaches for Primus's presence, conveying something more like joyful babble then actual meaningful communication for several minutes, before her thoughts begin to quiet as she focuses on the impressions around her. She meditates on the slow content of sleeping minds, the busy hum of the others' aspects as they dwell on their own peaceful thoughts, and that glorious wash of gleeful wonder from somewhere overhead. Wrapping herself in the comfort of minds and arms, soothed by soft chime music, she sighs softly and follows Kup lightly into sleep*

a short time later

Foresight: *urp!* !!!!

Primus: *wince wince!*

Blackout: *in response to Primus* What? Where? Oh...

Greatshot: *as he watches his wife look around* Do I want to know?

Foresight: *no regrets! Wugh, giddy...*

Sadie: *SO MUCH AMUSEMENT*

Auspex: *She wakes with a slight start, drowsily casting about with her senses to see what prompted it. The presences high above are still there, and the glee that must be Foresight is mixed in equal amounts with something that feels... distinctly unwell. Concern from Primus merely punctuates the feeling. She lifts her head slightly, otherwise remaining still for Kup's sake. She asks a soft question over her shoulder* Is she making herself sick up there...?

Blackout: *head cocked from where she's standing with the sleeping Scorponok over her shoulders* Urked on a squirrel.

Greatshot: *face palm*

Auspex: *her brow furrows, and she huffs softly with a rueful chuckle* There are downsides to being organic, I see...

Blackout: *turns her head at the sound of rustling, and watches as Foresight climbs down through the branches of a nearby massive oak* Or part human, at least. She'll get used to it. *lifts her voice* What did that squirrel do to you? You should be ashamed of yourself.

Foresight: *with dignity, as she hops down to the ground with spread wings* I have no regrets.

Boulder: *turns to look toward his master's child and huffs at her*

Foresight: *shakes her head at him* This from the cat who ate a retrorat after he'd been told not to?

Boulder: *oops, embarrassed*

Auspex: *she lifts her head more, to see at least some of what's going on below* I'm glad to see you are still mostly intact... *her voice is laced with gentle humor*

Foresight: *turns her head toward Auspex's voice, her face blooming in a bright smile that calls to mind another. With affection and apology* I am sorry if I troubled you, Aunt.

Auspex: *she's struck silent for a moment by the expression that so resembles one of the rare smiles from Jetstorm that she had so coveted, even on the organic face... it takes a moment to find her voice again* I am fine, only concerned for your health. But you seem none the worse for wear. *she offers a faint smile* How was your flight?

Foresight: *joy bubbles up inside her, along with thankfulness* It was exhilarating. Flight affects this body much differently than it does my usual one.

Auspex: *Her smile widens, glad for the younger woman's delight in the experience* I imagine so. It seems it is less tolerant of abrupt elevation changes, though...?

Kup: *affection as he comes awake. Stretches just a little, and then he's opening his eyes and moving to prop himself with his back to the railing as he cuddles the people in his arms and blinks toward the rest of the party with dozy contentment*

Auspex: *She blinks as Kup wakes, staying still as he moves to recline on the platform railing, taking her and the baby in her arms with him as he does. She re-settles herself in his hold, sighing softly in tranquil satisfaction* I'm sorry we woke you...

Kup: *kisses her on the head, and then quirks a brow as Greatshot snerks at him before grinning and resuming the contented blinking*

Foresight: *smiling at that display of affection* It appears so. *looks at Blackout* Is the campsite around this bend? I saw smoke coming through the tree canopy up ahead.

Auspex: *Her eyes close as she nuzzles Kup in return, studiously ignoring Greatshot's apparent amused approval*
*She blinks down again at Foresight, though her comment is mostly to herself* Hopefully the continued stomach upheaval will be minimal...

Blackout: Yeah. Looks like we'll be sharing it. *bit grumpy about this, but not much*

Foresight: *floofs her wings and shakes them, then folds them against her back and starts spitting after inhaling a down feather*

Primus: *XDXD*

Boulder: *amused as he turns to go the right direction again*

Auspex: *She experiences some mild anxiety at the thought of staying a night in the vicinity of strangers, but she reminds herself that the first few they met were quite friendly... her thought trails off a bit as she hides the (visible) signs of her mirth at Foresight's encounter with her own feathers*

Kup: *gentle rub for her arm as he picks up on her anxiety, then rubs his cheek on her head. His emotions indicate that he's much more awake than he appears, but he's still relaxed and content*

Greatshot: *trots up and snags the messenger chicken, then stuffs it into a belt bag that is smaller than the rooster before running on ahead to see who the neighbours will be*

Auspex: *The anxiety fades with the reassurance and distraction; she turns slightly to hide her face in the curve of Kup's neck and shoulder, somewhat overwhelmed by her emotions and how it feels to be held like this. Still, she's mindful of the little Aliat in her arms*

Kup: *gently moves her braid over her shoulder, pauses to peek at the little jingle from the bell on the end of her hood, and then carefully rubs her back as he sighs quietly with the force of his feeling that this is where he wants to be*

Greatshot: *comes jogging back* No problem, it's just a Chagin family.

Blackout: *perk of interest* On their own? No boss?

Greatshot: *happy grin* Yup. They've got a big dog, but there's no one there to give them orders.

Blackout: *gruffly approving* Good on them. Let's get over there so Auspex can put that kid down.

Auspex: *She huffs a tiny chuckle at the sound of the bell, though she doesn't otherwise move, swept up as she is in all her growing feelings for and about Kup, and his emotions. She's aware of the conversation below, though she has nothing to contribute, content to stay still and awash in this comfort*

Kup: *perk. Reluctantly* I guess I better get down. You want me ta take the baby, Lady?

Auspex: *She stirs, before heaving a little disappointed sigh at the thought of moving. She hesitates briefly, debating her impulse as it comes to her; would it be too forward...? Deciding to just be in the moment for once, she brushes a shy kiss across his jawline as she sits up, carefully cradling the Aliat child. She nods at his question* If you wouldn't mind...? I'm somewhat wary of hurting him, though I realize that's probably not as easily done as it feels it might be...

Kup: *melts slightly at the kiss, and then his brows jump up and his emotions jump with amusement as something pops during his sitting up, but he's focused on Auspex again in an instant as he takes the little baby from her and cradles the child close. Quietly* Yeah, I think he's pretty sturdy.

Auspex: *She beams at his reaction, though she blinkblinks at the popping sound a moment later, eyebrows raised with uneasy humor* I hope that's normal...
*She peers at the baby thoughtfully, patting his little fuzzy head as she does* Perhaps I can try again later on.

Kup: *sudden realization that makes him blink and frown at himself with chagrin* I messed your hair up.

Auspex: Oh... *she makes a face, attempting to smooth her fingers over her hair without disrupting the braid, brow furrowing at how odd it feels* I'm not sure what to do about that. I'll likely need help with it at some point.

Kup: *helpless expression as he looks from her down to Blackout, but then his head is going up as a bright clear sound reaches his ears* What is that?

Auspex: *She shrugs lightly at Kup... she didn't mean him necessarily (despite Blackout's earlier teasing that he should be the one to take care of her hair; she doesn't wish to addle or confound him too much, thank you - she feels enough of both on her own about fixing it, already)...

Foresight: *arrested in her movement as she looks toward the group of figures at the little clearing in the middle of a crossroads just ahead*

Blackout: Penny whistle. The music is a jig, which is what the girl's dancing.

girl: *slender and quick, her bare feet are flashing as she leaps and dances around the musician, her bright tattered garments swirling with her movements and her brown braids flying. She looks to be about ten years old*

Auspex: *She perks up with interest at the sound; a few moments of listening identifies it as a lilting tune played on some kind of high-pitched pipe. As Blackout identifies the instrument, Auspex looks ahead to see the clearing and the people in it, most notably a child who initially appears to be hopping in place. As they approach, it becomes clear that the girl's feet are weaving in an intricate, skillful dance. Auspex watches with wide eyes, fascinated*

dancer: *turns and sees the approaching party, and her shining honey coloured eyes widen in her coffee coloured face. Despite her shock at the sight of Boulder, however, she is soon smiling again as she dances forth to meet them*

Greatshot: *gruff and kind* We don't have any coins, little one, but we'll share our supper if you and your people like.

dancer: *surprised to hear that the lady with the fine mount has no coins, but she'll dance for the newcomers anyway just for the joy of riding the music*

Tessera: *yeah, her bag is bobbing*

Auspex: *She's observing (and appreciating) without speaking, though she glances down to chuckle at the movement from the pouch around her neck. Tessera's enjoying the music, too...*

Foresight: *considering calm is replaced by mirth, and here she comes, arms folded across her chest, wings neatly caped, using different, more sedate steps as she joins the little dancer*

Blackout: *amused snort* Showoff.

Auspex: *Her eyes widen as Foresight begins to dance along, herself, though the steps are different... Where did she learn that?? That doesn't resemble anything in Cybertronian culture. Curious...*

Blackout: *amusement and happiness as she reaches up to pull Kup down by the scruff, then dumps Scorponok up there before stepping forward and going into a less graceful and more solid variation of the jig*

Greatshot: *laughing his butt off now*

Tessera: *bouncy bounce!* Weeee!

Auspex: *squeaks softly, startled, as Blackout none-too-gently relocates Kup from the platform (she supposes the baby is safe enough, anyway), and deposits her symbiont there in his place. She watches all the spontaneous dance with a warm smile for her friends, patting fondly at Tessera's pouch*

Tessera: *pops up and grasps with her stubby little arms at Auspex's fingers, her emotions bubbling with excitement and joy past her usual happiness*

Auspex: *Her eyes widen fractionally as Tessera's effervescence actually increases - of course music would be exciting to a mech practically made for audio-video media! She lifts the pouch to give the tiktok a fond kiss on the head, pleased to experience her enthusiasm*

piper: *ends the music with a flourish, and then turns and stands in one smooth and graceful motion that ends in a bow, his happiness at the music changing to his own hidden shock, uncertainty, and curiosity in reaction to Boulder* Well met, friends. You are welcome at our fire. *is a slender young man just below average human male height. Has the same colouring as his sister, but his straight hair is neatly short over his well shaped skull* I am Covil Vres, this is my mother Atara, and my sister Avril.

Blackout: Well met. I'm called Blackout. This's my husband Greatshot. That's Scorponok, Kup, Foresight, and Lady Auspex. The baby will get his name when he gets to the house of his aunt in Kingsberg.

Greatshot: Hello. :D

Foresight: *gravely* Greetings, fellow travellers.

Kup: *ducks his head as he's introduced* Hello...

Auspex: *She can hardly blame the people here for their reaction to Boulder... she must give them credit for keeping their outward shock to a minimum. She smiles gently, with a gracious nod, as Blackout introduces them - she wonders, a little, if the literal nature of their names might give the average organic pause, but they seem to be taking it in stride. Then again, considering the probable mish-mash of cultures on a planet with so many different types of creatures... maybe that's normal, somewhere*

Blackout: *turns and walks back to Boulder*

Boulder: *rumbles and huffs at her*

Blackout: *reaches up and affectionately pulls his cheek fur* I didn't forget you. Wait your turn. Help me get Auspex down.

Boulder: *oh. Right. Does one of his rock free lay downs, accented this time by soft chime music*

Auspex: *she pauses as Boulder lowers himself to the ground, before she scoots herself to the side edge of the railing, patting Boulder's side, as both consolation and thanks. Gathering her skirts self-consciously, she raises herself to a crouch, but hesitates before actually putting a leg over the railing* How...? I fail to see how anyone makes any practical sort of movement, wearing this much fabric...!

Blackout: *reaches up and puts her hands around the servant's waist, grasps her gently, and then swings her easily to the ground and sets her on her feet. Smirks down at her* How's that? *no comment on the clothes*

Tessera: Do it again? :D

Auspex: *she 'eep's, holding still and managing not to flail overly much as Blackout lifts her (and the skirts, which would not have been possible if she'd had to fight with the things to get her legs over the railing herself!), sighing with relief as her friend sets her down* Thank you, Blackout. That was much less awkward.
*She chuckles at Tessera's question* I would rather not, little one. Perhaps someone might like to dance with you later, though?

Avril: *is at Auspex's side as soon as her feet hit the ground, curtsying gracefully and offering a daisy flower as her emotions thrill with excitement and joy at being so close to such a beautiful fine lady*

Auspex: *She blinks at the curtsy, not very familiar with the gesture; she nods her head in return, hoping that's respectful enough. She crouches to avoid standing over the child, carefully taking the flower with an appreciative smile, though she's baffled as to why she should be exciting to meet* Thank you very much, child, it's lovely - and so is your dancing!

Avril: *SO THRILLED!* But not as lovely as you, Lady. *excited and adoring look that flicks downward as Tessera peeks out* Oh! You have a tiktok! *wonder and even more respect, and then shyness* Ah, if you like, I'll dance with... her?

Tessera: *eeeeee! Oh. Shyshy*

Auspex: *The little girl is so sweet, and she can't help but duck her head demurely at the compliment* That is kind of you to say. Thank you!
*She smiles gently down at Tessera, nodding as Avril notices her* This is Tessera. I think she is a bit shy, but perhaps she might enjoy coming along if you feel like dancing again?

Avril: *thrilled* Yes, Lady. I'll dance with her carefully.

Auspex: Tessera? Would you like to visit with Avril, or stay with me for awhile?

Tessera: *peeeeks again, then nods and holds out her tiny arms*

Blackout: *strides over to speak respectfully with the quiet woman with the worn face who is sitting by the fire and the legged pot. There is pity and compassion from her as she speaks, but there is no outward sign of the emotions in her face or body*

Auspex: *she beams, as Tessera's curiosity seems to win out over her shyness. She lowers her head to remove the drawstring pouch (sweeping aside some of the hair that's come loose from her braid as she does), and carefully holds it out to Avril, after giving the tiktok a fond pat on the head* There you are. If either of you become tired, just let me know, and I'll take the pouch back. *she offers both of them an indulgent smile*
*Meanwhile, she observes the rest of the girl's family with respectful curiosity. As her gaze passes over Blackout, she senses the Destron's emotion toward the native woman, and she remembers the snatch of conversation from earlier; something about orders, and whether someone was there to give them... it paints something of a grim picture of how these people might normally be treated. She suppresses an uneasy frown at the idea*

Greatshot: *up onto Boulder and gets the luggage off Scorponok, then down again. Pulls something out, unfolds it, and sets it by the fire* Your chair, Lady Auspex.

Auspex: *She's still crouching as she looks up to blink at Greatshot, as he sets up some kind of... portable chair? Just for her? She's mildly anxious again, uncomfortable with the sort of status her appearance is evidently supposed to be affording her. Blink, blink* ...Really?

Covil: *has been standing and watching, but now he darts to the other side of the fire, comes back with a stump of firewood, and sets it near his mother and her stump seat. Hopeful look to the lady*

Auspex: *she hesitates, standing as the young man comes forward with the tree remnant, clearly intending to offer it as makeshift seating. She turns her head to give Greatshot a somewhat plaintive look - he's rather less likely than the local to be offended or disappointed if she refuses the seat, but she'd like to be sure... besides, he may have more insight on what this gesture might actually mean (if anything), beyond the obvious first glance*

Greatshot: *turns to looks toward Kup, thus hiding his face from the local family but not from Auspex, then mouths and subvocalizes* He wants you to sit by his mother. Do you need any help?

Kup: *wanders over and looks at the chair, then lays the baby in it before standing up to look around for something he can do*

Auspex: *she blinks, puzzled, as Greatshot hides his reply from the locals, and she misses the first few words before she begins to listen more carefully, and the rest becomes understandable. It seems the local people, at least, cannot hear, judging from the lack of conscious response from them. Interesting... she'd not realized she had the better hearing. Still, that doesn't answer her question of the chair...*
*...until Kup neatly solves the problem, without her even voicing it. Well. She coughs to hide a chuckle, and gives Primus a nudge of thanks - either for subtly influencing Kup's actions, or simply for her bodyguard having enough innate intuition to understand the source of the anxiety that he's most likely sensing from her*

dog: *massive leggy black and tan creature comes out of the darkening forest, crosses the road, and then stops and silently studies all the newcomers to the campground. Quirks one eyebrow, and then the other. Contemplates. And then walks over and gives a dead pheasant to Atara, wags her stubby tail, and then turns and lopes back into the woods*

Auspex: *She shakes her head belatedly at Greatshot - she's fine. She meets Covil's gaze, nodding at him with a faint, gracious smile* Thank you very much, sir. *she approaches the stump, though she doesn't sit immediately, seeking the mother's gaze first - in time to see the canine come to offer... the family's dinner, apparently. She studiously ignores it, unwilling to offend anyone with her slight discomfort at the dead animal*

Covil: *slight confusion from behind her as she turns to his mother* I'm not a sir?

Atara: *gentle, warm smile for the lady, only meeting her gaze for an instant before she looks down to the fire and the pot bubbling over it*

Blackout: *strides over to scoop up her own stump and sit on the opposite side of Auspex from Atara*

Foresight: *grunts as she gets Scorponok out of the saddle, then thanks Kup as he hurries to help*

Greatshot: *poking through the luggage and feeling protective as he sticks close to the baby*

Auspex: *Her mouth quirks in amusement at the son's reaction to her form of address - he is, perhaps, just barely an adult, but that's close enough for her. At least he seems more bewildered than embarrassed*
*She returns the woman's smile, and turns to carefully sit on the stump Covil brought. She observes the actions of the others watchfully, wincing at the potential awkwardness of getting a pony down from a giant cat's back...*

Kup and Foresight: *sudden surprise and slight pain, and then they straighten from putting Scorponok down and rub their foreheads, the other emotions turning to amusement*

Auspex: *She hisses softly in sympathy as Foresight and Kup lean forward at the same time and hit their heads together... ow. At least everyone seems fine, including Scorponok*

Blackout: *turns to look at Covil* She's new, cut her some slack, kid.

Covil: Oh. *wonder and compassion as he steps around Auspex and gives her a friendly look* Where are you journeying?

Blackout: Delivering that to his Aunt and her husband. *nods toward where the baby has started to move on the camping chair*

Atara: *looks toward the little baby and feels compassion for him*

Auspex: *She experiences a brief twinge of chagrin at the evident need to make an excuse for her method of addressing the young man - why should she not show him respect? She frowns, gazing down at her hands in her lap for a moment, feeling out of her element again...*
*She looks up again as the question is asked, but she has nothing to add to Blackout's statement. She turns her gaze to the baby, instead, seeing that he's beginning to wake. She watches him with gentle concern, unsure about how he will react*

baby: *more movement, and then he lifts his head, looks around, and starts to cry softly*

Avril: *over there in a flash and gathering him carefully into her arms as she makes comforting sounds. Brings him over to where a pile of fern fronds lays a little distance from the fire, then sits and starts to sing, smiling as Tessera slides down from her shoulder to snuggle the tiny boy*

Atara: *proud as she watches her daughter, though her smile only shows in her slightly faded eyes*

Blackout: *excuses herself and goes to see what her husband's looking for and tell him how to look*

Auspex: *She suppresses a dismayed squeak at the baby's emotion, and she is this close to jumping up to try to do something to comfort him... but the little girl is there, and she's certainly more likely to know what to do than a displaced Cybertronian servant of Primus... and Tessera is likely to help just by being herself. Still, Auspex sits a bit stiffly, watching them with intent sympathy*

Atara: *looks at her, and then reaches over shyly to pat Auspex's hand* Avril won't hurt him, Lady.

Auspex: *She blinks, turning to address the woman quietly, with a self-conscious smile* Ah, I don't doubt that. But I am an empath, and a comforter by nature, and the baby's fright is... unsettling. I'm sure your daughter can cheer him up again.

Atara: *brows lift slightly as she sparks with understanding and interest. Then, hesitantly and with hidden fear* You're a Doll, aren't you?

Blackout: *hunkered by the kids now, watching as Avril feeds the baby from a little bottle*

Auspex: *Her smile fades a bit, eyes widening for a moment, as she picks up on Atara's concealed fear, unsure what it's for - she doesn't think it's because of what she is - but she's quick to offer a smile again, reassuring this time* I am; but I am very new... I have not experienced a great deal yet in this world. *That's true enough, if... skewed slightly*
*She feels the baby's agitation fade, giving way to contentment. Glancing at him and the others accompanying him, she sees he's being fed - she supposes that's what Greatshot had been looking for. It's very much a relief*

Atara: *attention to the pot for a moment, stirring to stop it from boiling over and to give her time to think, pray, and gather her courage. Softly* Margaret won't like to kill an animal big enough to feed your big friend. *quick glance to where Boulder's laying on the road and rubbing his back while making comical noises as his bell gives sharp little tinks*

Auspex: *her eyes widen again, and stay that way this time* Er... Boulder eats almost anything, including plants; I doubt he would want or accept anything of that sort, anyway. I think he will find himself something if he gets hungry again... he's been eating things most of the way here, actually. *she glances over at the giant cat herself, chuckling softly at his antics*

Atara: *quiet surprise* Plants too? *more stirring, and then a glance for Covil as he looks into a nearby bag and pulls out a bottle before going back to where he's left the dead and now cleaned pheasant. Little spurt of surprise as she looks back to Auspex* Lady... are you from another world?

Auspex: *That boggled look is not going away. How did she know that? She hesitates, unsure what is safe to say. They can't have that many off-world visitors here...* Ah... *she glances at Blackout apprehensively*

Atara: *attention back to the pot* I'm sorry, Lady. You don't need to be frightened.

Auspex: *After a moment more of thought (she would like to be more honest), she turns back to Atara, with a tiny nod* I'm... not from this world, no. I'm not... usually in this form, either. I am here to help my friend bring the Aliat child home.

Atara: *nods her understanding as her mind spins with surprise, then accepts the small animal that's handed to her before startling and giving a little scream of surprise as the animal moves and she realizes that the creature who gave it to her isn't Margaret!* Wolf!

Blackout: *looks up from digging in the luggage, all her senses going on the alert*

Greatshot: *ditto from where he was just kicking Boulder in the head and getting tapped*

Foresight: *whirls from speaking with Covil about what he's doing with the dead bird*

Auspex: *She can hardly blame the other woman for any bewilderment; she'd like to know why the question even occurred to her in the first place. Before she can ask, however, Atara cries out, and Auspex freezes in shock (distantly surprised she mentioned a creature she actually knows) - still, nothing seems to be attacking...! She looks around Atara skittishly, moving only her eyes, though they're huge and owlish right now - she fights the urge to leap to her feet, in case it might attract unwanted attention*

animal: *long legs, black fur, and curious amber eyes and pointed ears which are glancing around before turning back to Atara questioningly. Quizzical whine*

Atara: ... *uncertain, frightened. Confused*

Blackout: *points to where Margaret is standing protectively next to the children and searching for danger* Atara, that's not a wolf. Some shepherd lost a dog during the droving.

Atara: *blink* Dog?

animal: *wuf! :D Tail wag*

Atara: *quickly stirs the pot, laughing with relief and at her own mistake*

Covil: *takes what she's got in her other hand, and then squees softly before going to ask Greatshot if there's enough milk for a baby mushroom sprite to have some*

Blackout: *striding toward Auspex now, intent on giving hugs*

Auspex: *She peers at the animal in confusion - granted, the only wolves she's encountered were Cybertronian altmodes - though one was one of the pseudo-organic, furred ones - but this one has much different coloring. Still, the natives would know better...*
*But so does Blackout, apparently. And whatever the canine is or is not, she observes that it's certainly tame and friendly. She relaxes, with a deep sigh of relief. She looks up as her friend approaches, demurring quietly* Ah, I'm fine, Blackout...

Blackout: *frowns as she studies her friend, then goes to one knee and offers a hand to the dog, who steps over to sniff and nose it in a polite but not outgoing way* How'd you get lost, eh? *watches how the animal moves, and then runs a hand down one front leg, causing a shrill yelp and a little nip at her hand* Got lost and broke your leg, huh? *squishes the pointed ears and turns to Atara* Looks like Margaret's got a husband. The pups should be interesting.

Atara: *as she takes the pot off the stove* If she'll have him. She's refused all other suitors.

Auspex: *She nods slightly - really, she's fine. She watches with curiosity as Blackout introduces herself to the new dog, though she flinches slightly in apprehension at the yelp and nip. She echoes the observation with some bafflement* ...broken? How is he walking?

Blackout: It's mostly healed. He probably got Little Person help.

Margaret: *lopes over, gets the nice boy by the scruff, and drags him off. You come see the babies now, handsome*

black dog: *wags and grins and looks a little bewildered all the way*

Blackout: *meets Auspex's eye and then cracks up*

Auspex: *She has no idea what a Little Person is, of course, but she'll take Blackout's word for it. He seems to be moving around well enough, anyway, judging by the way the first dog hauls him away like that... ow? She chuckles quietly at Margaret's commanding gesture, and the black dog's affability* I'm guessing she likes him, then...

Atara: *with a soft chuckle* She's trying to show him how to be part of the family.

Blackout: *looks over and sees the black dog gently licking the little Aliat baby. Slightly gruffly* He's probably been a working dog all his life. But he thinks he's found something he understands, now. *turns her attention to where her husband and Covil are intent on the little thing the black dog brought Atara* I wonder where he found a baby mushroom sprite, though. *looks at Atara* Are they common around here?

Atara: You hear about them sometimes. They're mostly friendly except for a few sessions of whacking someone's boot with a stick and then walking away as though they've proved something.

Auspex: *Not really understanding anything about dogs, she makes no comment, though they apparently lick things a lot - no one seems to think that's out of the ordinary, however, so she gives the matter little thought*
*Her brow furrows; she can barely see the little thing from here* ...Mushroom sprite? Mushrooms are the... things that grow like plants? Is it like a plant-person, then? And ah... *she blinks* ...prone to aggression for little reason?

Atara: Oh, I don't think it's really aggression. They seem to just be venting about something they can't talk to us about. Most of the time they just wave at you out of the shadows of the forest. They're something like plants, but the sprites walk around and eat garbage off the ground. Just dead stuff.

Auspex: Ah. Well, everyone has temper issues from time to time... though I'm not sure attacking feet is usually in the order of business. *she huffs a little chuckle, cautiously amused by the idea* It sounds as though they do a useful service for the forest, however.

Blackout: *has pulled her mirror out and is poking it* Huh. You've got mushroom people that actually live in town and talk like most people?

Atara: *blinks at the mirror, but nods* The freneer. I've never seen one.

Blackout: *curious look* No? It says they're pretty common.

Atara: I've never been in a town very long. *wariness rises up and causes her to focus on the pot and stir it intently*

Auspex: *She senses Atara's unease in the talk about towns, and casts a glance between the two women* Ah... perhaps we should avoid... subjects of discomfort.

Atara: *looks up, old sadness in her feelings and eyes* I forgot you're not from here. You probably don't know about the Spider Queen.

Blackout: *quietly* I know the [girl dog] is dead.

Atara: *shocked by the language and hand over her mouth to hold in a laugh*

Auspex: *She gives the woman a sympathetic glance; perhaps she's willing to talk about it, after all...*
*She quirks a brow as she gives Blackout a blank look. Whatever she called whoever the Spider Queen was, it's obviously not polite or complimentary. Hmm* Blackout knows a great deal more about this place than I do.

Atara: *looks to Blackout, plainly requesting the barbarian woman to speak*

Blackout: The Spider Queen was a usurper who married the local head king, and then killed him and took over. She was set on total power and on being the most beautiful woman in the whole country. Tattooed the face of the king's daughter to make sure she'd never be beautiful and then made her into a drudge. She enslaved all the Chagin, too.

Auspex: *Her eyes widen a little, then further, as Blackout summarizes just why this 'queen' deserved the insult. She nods slowly, voice soft* I see... though I admit I've witnessed that sort of behavior for want of power - which she also had in abundance, it sounds like - I've not heard of anyone going to such lengths for simple vanity before.
*she turns back to Atara, frowning in concern* I... imagine she treated no one well... but your people even less so. You have my sympathies, lady.

Atara: *deep breath, one hand curling as though longing for something to hold as her emotions tell of old memories that still hurt even as many of them bring joy*

Blackout: *leans over and takes the hand, then pat pats it*

Atara: *looks up with surprise, but then sighs and contains tears* I was sixteen when I married my first husband. Twelve months later we had a son. And then three days later the Crystal Guard came to enforce the summons that my husband had been ignoring. He fought them as I grabbed Covil and ran, and the last thing I ever heard him say was to keep our son free. I've been on the road ever since.

Auspex: *She reaches tentatively to put her hand on Atara's shoulder, offering her support as well. She can only assume that he was as good as dead, at that point - she's not willing to ask such a naive question and upset her further. She finds a hopefully less loaded question* Might I assume that this Guard no longer exists, now that the queen is gone?

Atara: *shakes her head* I hear her children were inside them. The crystal shells fell apart when she died.

Blackout: *nods* There was a lot of stomping that day.

Auspex: Ah... so if any are left, they are not as dangerous, at least? The people are safe?

Blackout: Safe from any of her brats. And there aren't any left. My kids made sure. *sure of this*

Atara: *looks up at her with surprise, then bows her head and prays silently, fervently, and thankfully*

Auspex: *she gently squeezes Atara's shoulder, as she beams at her friend* If Blackout says it is so, and her family has made sure of it, there is no reason to fear that danger, at least. I know that does not... make the memories any easier to endure, or the trauma they caused... but I am relieved to know that what took your husband is no longer a threat.

Atara: *nods, then gives both women a grateful look, but then looks around with quick alarm as Margaret barks*

Margaret: *just let out a booming warning bark at the same time as Kup and Boulder looked up from where Kup had been using Boulder for a backrest*

Blackout: *turns and looks in the same direction, frowning. Doesn't feel worried, just watchful and curious*

Auspex: *She tenses slightly, dropping her hand from Atara's shoulder after giving her a last little pat. She glances at the dog, and the others, before looking at Blackout* What is it?

Blackout: *calmly, as she gets to her feet* No danger. Just more travellers.

man: *steps out of the darkness at the head of a small group. Is tall and heavily built. His hair is cut into something like a Mohawk, and his features are heavy. Small fangs protrude from his lower jaw*

Atara: *lets out a breath of nervous wonder. Softly* Orcs.


To be continued!


((Co-written with random-xtras))