kiabugboy wrote:"having rabbit stew are we?" Judah sat down and grabbed a bowl, being a keidran, he doesn't mind the undercooked meat and just continues eating
Bowls, she forgot about bowls! One for everyone, like the Inn last night, oops!
So many new things, and the simplest always seem to trip her up.
kiabugboy wrote:"so.. uh.. phang, a-are you from anywhere near here?..." he said while scratching his head in awkwardness
"Gods no! Heh, I thought that was the most obvious thing about me. No no, I come from far away, about 6 months sail south and west of here. Have you ever heard of the city Fangohr? Kalamach Cin? Umm... the continent of Narva? Well, no matter, just know that I landed a few days ago at the mouth of the big river and .... hmmm, I guess that is where we have to start coming up with a good story. Could just say I arrived as cargo, and was bought by one of you, or given in trade by some creature we are unlikely to see again... one of those awful Temple-men I keep hearing about, maybe?"
kiabugboy wrote:"i heard that"
"Good." She says without any concern.
"Means there is nothing wrong with your ears then." She looks him dead in the eyes.
"Be nice, I talk nice. Up to you if its worth it, yes?"
kiabugboy wrote:"So, smoke is on the horizon, i'm guessing those [censored] are at it again and- BLARRGH, what the... there's blood in this!" he spat out a piece of meat onto the ground
"what is this??" he looked at phaing
"Is not blood!" She shakes her head, irritated now.
"Is marrow, is good for you. I broke the larger bones and took some out to put in the food... bah! Last time I cook for a while, not kidding."
The Rookie wrote:His look of surprise when it tasted half decent was strikingly obvious to those who were looking. Followed by more hurried eating.
Phaing rolls her eyes, but still smiles a little. She even manages to hold back any wicked little remarks.
For a while.
The Rookie wrote:You really aren't from around here are you... ?" John says, finally realising the Phaing mightn't be from the continent like hes first imagined. "This is Wolf territory, well technically Canine, but the wolves are the dominate race here. It's about a few hours walk North East to the Human border town of Wreathwood from here though."
That is a bit of a shock.
"We ARE? But what about the smoke Percy just said he saw?" And then she makes a frightening guess;
"I thought the Wolves had taken everyone by surprise, but... will we have to worry about Human raiding parties crossing our path?"
The Rookie wrote:He quickly pulls out a small handkerchief from his pocket before filling is with a few handfuls of rice and awkwardly wondering away from the fire.
Phaing actually feels bad about that for a moment. She reaches up while his back is turned and sticks out a foot, as if she is going to gently trip him and make the Bastian plop back down with the rest of them. However, that might send mixed signals, and she is trying to concentrate on the Snow Leopard right now. So, she lets him go, a little irritated with herself once again.
People feeling badly around her means that it must be her fault, and that isn't just how she was trained to think. It is usually true.
kiabugboy wrote:"i thought it tastes good.." Judah replied
People feeliong good, well, that is often just a happy accident, and one to be exploited if possible.
"Thanks for saying so, Jonah. I have much to learn, and now so little time to learn. You must show me how to be pleasing to Keidran people here, that is first thing. Then I learn how to be pleasing to Human people here... I have much to do." Sigh.
Lief wrote:"With the cart, assuming we can make our way through the forest and meet the road further North... It would probably take two or three weeks. If we have to follow the road the whole way instead of cutting through the woods, significantly longer. It more than doubles the distance we'd need to travel. On foot..." She trails off, looking over the group briefly. "Nevermind."
Phaing snickers, and then looks at the cart again.
"Getting that through the woods? Sounds too hard, for one horse. You must take mine and hitch it up, make a double-team. I can't ride and be a slave too, and you might not be able to control that damned beast."
Lief wrote:Eliza shifted uncomfortably, mulling over the question. "I could," she hesitated briefly. "Owned slaves before." Elizabeth gestured towards Judah. "Keidran, not human. Was never cruel. Could be, if I need to be.".
Ooooo-kay.... the only thing that saves the group dynamic is how uncomfortable it was for Eliza to say that, and her reluctance to volunteer. Phaing had no idea she was sitting near a slave owner, even a former one. Her teeth show for an instant, and she tries to hold herself down, but she is actually shivering, her back ripples under her cloak.
"S'okay..." she shifts away a little, bumping into Jonah, and the contact reminds her that he is still there.
"I'll be wearing Jonah's collar, could you just give him tips if he's not doing it right? Thanks so much."
She watches Eliza leave out of the corner of her eye, and relaxes when she and Jonah are alone. Phaing gives herself a little shake and turns to him;
"Okay, first thing, what kind of slave? There are two kinds I could be. A drudge does the hard work and is dressed very plain. The Fancy kind still does work but also has to be dressed fancy, just maybe with a heavy cloak thrown over it all. I guess I am too puny to walk alongside the cart carrying a pack, but we could stuff a pack with feathers if you have any."