10-03-2017, 08:15 PM
The next morning was alive with chatter and movement. A good majority of the volunteer elves were talking amongst themselves as they began to pack up their belongings in the now empty carts in preparation to set out for the Animus River. Michael seemed to be in higher spirits than usual, at least according to his comrades. But that translated to...
"All right, hurry up! We're burning sunlight! Get your things and let's move, you lagabouts!" Micheal torted, clapping his hands and giving impatient hmphs as he waved a few sleepier volunteers out of the stables.
"But boss, it's six in the morning..." One portly elf complained in a haggard drawl as he yawned and stretched his chubby limbs. "The sun's just rising too..."
"And?! If I had it my way, you all would be up before dawn broke over the horizon, let alone through the trees! Now move your bones! Move!" He snapped, edging the lazier one and his things out with a bit of fuss.
Despite all of the noise, Creatia was still wrapped in a thin blanket, having hidden herself away in a hayloft for the remainder of last night. Yet the morning activity had already started to stir her senses, waking the witch with a start. A quiet, yet strong yawn stretched her cheeks. ...Where am I again? That was the first thought of the morning as she sat there huddled in fabric and straw. She took a minute of blinking and shaking her head while the blond elf shooed the remaining sleepers out into the open air. It was still foggy, but... She needed to get ready for something important. What was it, though...?
Her train of thought snapped in half as the haughty leader approached her. “Ah, there you are! We have a ton of work to get accomplished today, Miss... Creatia, is it? Yes, yes. First, before we even think of hitting the Animus River full force, we need to scope out for any nearby-”
Anything could have hit Creatia while Michael was talking: Where was she again? Who is this man that was talking to her? She was beyond forgetful in the mornings, yet the only thing that came to mind was... her commander. This would be the same time that her real leader would wake her up, shoo her out of bed, and make the frail witch do some running to make her more aware of her surroundings before they had a loud and laughter-filled breakfast with their teammates. But this wasn't Lexi. This wasn't the home base. This wasn't her world... Her eyes watered just in time for Micheal to take a breath mid-sentence, then pause at her sudden change of expression.
“...Dear child, what is wrong? Why are you so upset? Are... Are you not a morning person?” He mused as he examined her weary and homesick glance with a close eye, soon nodding in self-affirmation, “Hmm... Yes, yes, that must be it, isn't it? You're just not used to the morning routine. Wherever you came from, morning may well not exist to you... Well, we're about to change that right around, now aren't we?”
She was then given a harsh tug on her arm, pulling her to her feet. Creatia was still unaware, but awake enough to realize she was being dragged. The light of the incoming dawn stunned her wet eyes with its dazzling rays. “Come now, child, move those gangly legs of yours! It's time to get ready for a new day!”
“Can the day not wait until I k-know what's going on...?” Creatia mumbled to no avail, using her free hand to wipe her face of tears and sleep. The blond-haired diva was not about to let her go, or give her proper instructions for that matter as she was handed a pile of empty sacks and pushed her forward.
“To the cart! We need to load up as many supplies as possible to get through the day!” With another gentle and hasty shove to Creatia's backside, her body started working for her as it always did when given commands in the mornings. Slow, steady steps were taken as she guessed that the bags needed to be piled onto the cart. As she lifted her load onto the vehicle, one of the elves stopped her. It was the same portly elf that was rushed out of the shed earlier.
“Whoa there, kid. I'll take those.” He snapped part of her load out of her hands, tossing them onto the platform without a care. “You need to go and help some of them girlies over there wit' the food supplies. In fact...” He exchanged the rest of the sacks with a few cast iron pans and manually whirled the unaware witch around. “Go take those to 'em. One of th' dumm'r spring chickens left 'em in tha wrong cart last night.”
As the body obeyed, the mind started to catch up via broken thoughts. Okay, so... I'm in the Omniverse. Yes, that's right. And this is the Tangled Green...
In the meanwhile, one of the more elegant females took the pots from her, a coil of rope being its replacement. “Be a dear and take that to Micheal, would you? Lords knows he needs to tighten his head rather than his grip on the caravan...” A few others giggled at the woman's quip as Creatia wandered away again with her renewed load.
...And the elf that woke me up was... Micheal. Find the elf... What did he look like? She didn't have time to answer that question as a more built member of the group snatched up the rope from the sleepy brunette. “Looks like you could use a hand there, hmm? Here.” The feeling of being lifted off of her feet, spun about, and carried away jogged some of her memory, but she still had a bit of trouble getting the gist of where she was. The only thing that snapped her to attention was a freezing splash to her face and eyes.
“Huh?!” She sputtered as a hearty laugh was heard overhead. Her feet were back on the ground, and a bucket filled to the brim with water was nearby. The muscle-bound elf from before stood right in front of her, a wet hand being placed on her shoulder as she was handed the bucket.
“Now that you're done sleepwalking, tote that up to the old witch's place,” he ordered as he patted his damp palm on Creatia's exposed skin. She shivered and pouted at the man, but obeyed regardless. “F-fine,” she stammered, pursing a bit of water against her lips to wet them as her speedier steps carried her and the bucket to Melody's cottage, just in time to catch the sorceress and Micheal talking... Or Melody talking and the caravan leader bowing his head in an eerie mimicry of a scolded and whimpering dog.
“Which is why after you retrieve the dark water, I want you to report straight back to me. No side trips, no excuses. It shouldn't take you more than four days to return.”
“Yes, milady,” Micheal agreed, a hint of bragging pride recovering in his voice, “By the time you retire this evening, we will have already routed the orcs and dipped our finger into the river's basin.”
“Be that as it may...” Melody stopped as Creatia approached the two robed figures. “Ah, Miss... Creatia. Thank you for fetching the cooking water for my meal.” Noting the mage's wet appearance, she frowned slightly. “I see the elves have given you their morning greetings...”
“Uh, y-yes, they have...” Creatia winced while she shook off the chilly cold of the water. “But it's fine! I'm, uh... I'm more awake now...”
“See? Had I not helped you to your feet and have you work, you would still be a-snooze among the hay-bales as we tarried on without you!” Micheal beamed, “T'would be a shame to be forgotten so easily, hmm?” He was clearly pleased with having the witch working. It was better than her sitting on the rolling carts and looking pretty. Even if she is a rather cute thing. Tall for my tastes, but suitable for any strapping chap that fancies a tall young lady... I wonder if she'd let me give her away.
“Micheal!” Melody's call brought the scheming elf back to reality. “Your caravan is ready to leave.” It was a short hint to get him to leave her sight before he could commit to any unseen damage. Curt, but an effective one as he bowed to her.
“Understood. Well, Miss Creatia, let's sally forth into the unknown!” Grabbing the witch by the waist, she was ushered towards the group of volunteers as they waited for Micheal's go ahead to leave.
Melody gave a simple wave to them all, seeing them off from the steps of her home. “I bid you good luck, travelers... Oh, and Micheal,” the sorceress beckoned after getting his attention, “The trees watch over all. Even any transgressions planned in the wilds... I do suggest you watch yourself, little one.”
The younger magic user felt a different kind of shiver at Melody's warning, but Michael seemed to bid it no mind. “You have my word that my group will be led with wisdom and integrity!” he called back before turning to his group and snapping his next command, letting go of Creatia's waist as an afterthought. “Onward, you lazy fools! We're burning the morning light away!”
So much for intergity... But it wasn't like Creatia had a choice. Despite the elf being a snappy and sneaky thing, she felt a familiar presence within him. It was almost comforting in a way. Maybe, just maybe... She could get used to this, if only for a little while until she finished her errand.
"All right, hurry up! We're burning sunlight! Get your things and let's move, you lagabouts!" Micheal torted, clapping his hands and giving impatient hmphs as he waved a few sleepier volunteers out of the stables.
"But boss, it's six in the morning..." One portly elf complained in a haggard drawl as he yawned and stretched his chubby limbs. "The sun's just rising too..."
"And?! If I had it my way, you all would be up before dawn broke over the horizon, let alone through the trees! Now move your bones! Move!" He snapped, edging the lazier one and his things out with a bit of fuss.
Despite all of the noise, Creatia was still wrapped in a thin blanket, having hidden herself away in a hayloft for the remainder of last night. Yet the morning activity had already started to stir her senses, waking the witch with a start. A quiet, yet strong yawn stretched her cheeks. ...Where am I again? That was the first thought of the morning as she sat there huddled in fabric and straw. She took a minute of blinking and shaking her head while the blond elf shooed the remaining sleepers out into the open air. It was still foggy, but... She needed to get ready for something important. What was it, though...?
Her train of thought snapped in half as the haughty leader approached her. “Ah, there you are! We have a ton of work to get accomplished today, Miss... Creatia, is it? Yes, yes. First, before we even think of hitting the Animus River full force, we need to scope out for any nearby-”
Anything could have hit Creatia while Michael was talking: Where was she again? Who is this man that was talking to her? She was beyond forgetful in the mornings, yet the only thing that came to mind was... her commander. This would be the same time that her real leader would wake her up, shoo her out of bed, and make the frail witch do some running to make her more aware of her surroundings before they had a loud and laughter-filled breakfast with their teammates. But this wasn't Lexi. This wasn't the home base. This wasn't her world... Her eyes watered just in time for Micheal to take a breath mid-sentence, then pause at her sudden change of expression.
“...Dear child, what is wrong? Why are you so upset? Are... Are you not a morning person?” He mused as he examined her weary and homesick glance with a close eye, soon nodding in self-affirmation, “Hmm... Yes, yes, that must be it, isn't it? You're just not used to the morning routine. Wherever you came from, morning may well not exist to you... Well, we're about to change that right around, now aren't we?”
She was then given a harsh tug on her arm, pulling her to her feet. Creatia was still unaware, but awake enough to realize she was being dragged. The light of the incoming dawn stunned her wet eyes with its dazzling rays. “Come now, child, move those gangly legs of yours! It's time to get ready for a new day!”
“Can the day not wait until I k-know what's going on...?” Creatia mumbled to no avail, using her free hand to wipe her face of tears and sleep. The blond-haired diva was not about to let her go, or give her proper instructions for that matter as she was handed a pile of empty sacks and pushed her forward.
“To the cart! We need to load up as many supplies as possible to get through the day!” With another gentle and hasty shove to Creatia's backside, her body started working for her as it always did when given commands in the mornings. Slow, steady steps were taken as she guessed that the bags needed to be piled onto the cart. As she lifted her load onto the vehicle, one of the elves stopped her. It was the same portly elf that was rushed out of the shed earlier.
“Whoa there, kid. I'll take those.” He snapped part of her load out of her hands, tossing them onto the platform without a care. “You need to go and help some of them girlies over there wit' the food supplies. In fact...” He exchanged the rest of the sacks with a few cast iron pans and manually whirled the unaware witch around. “Go take those to 'em. One of th' dumm'r spring chickens left 'em in tha wrong cart last night.”
As the body obeyed, the mind started to catch up via broken thoughts. Okay, so... I'm in the Omniverse. Yes, that's right. And this is the Tangled Green...
In the meanwhile, one of the more elegant females took the pots from her, a coil of rope being its replacement. “Be a dear and take that to Micheal, would you? Lords knows he needs to tighten his head rather than his grip on the caravan...” A few others giggled at the woman's quip as Creatia wandered away again with her renewed load.
...And the elf that woke me up was... Micheal. Find the elf... What did he look like? She didn't have time to answer that question as a more built member of the group snatched up the rope from the sleepy brunette. “Looks like you could use a hand there, hmm? Here.” The feeling of being lifted off of her feet, spun about, and carried away jogged some of her memory, but she still had a bit of trouble getting the gist of where she was. The only thing that snapped her to attention was a freezing splash to her face and eyes.
“Huh?!” She sputtered as a hearty laugh was heard overhead. Her feet were back on the ground, and a bucket filled to the brim with water was nearby. The muscle-bound elf from before stood right in front of her, a wet hand being placed on her shoulder as she was handed the bucket.
“Now that you're done sleepwalking, tote that up to the old witch's place,” he ordered as he patted his damp palm on Creatia's exposed skin. She shivered and pouted at the man, but obeyed regardless. “F-fine,” she stammered, pursing a bit of water against her lips to wet them as her speedier steps carried her and the bucket to Melody's cottage, just in time to catch the sorceress and Micheal talking... Or Melody talking and the caravan leader bowing his head in an eerie mimicry of a scolded and whimpering dog.
“Which is why after you retrieve the dark water, I want you to report straight back to me. No side trips, no excuses. It shouldn't take you more than four days to return.”
“Yes, milady,” Micheal agreed, a hint of bragging pride recovering in his voice, “By the time you retire this evening, we will have already routed the orcs and dipped our finger into the river's basin.”
“Be that as it may...” Melody stopped as Creatia approached the two robed figures. “Ah, Miss... Creatia. Thank you for fetching the cooking water for my meal.” Noting the mage's wet appearance, she frowned slightly. “I see the elves have given you their morning greetings...”
“Uh, y-yes, they have...” Creatia winced while she shook off the chilly cold of the water. “But it's fine! I'm, uh... I'm more awake now...”
“See? Had I not helped you to your feet and have you work, you would still be a-snooze among the hay-bales as we tarried on without you!” Micheal beamed, “T'would be a shame to be forgotten so easily, hmm?” He was clearly pleased with having the witch working. It was better than her sitting on the rolling carts and looking pretty. Even if she is a rather cute thing. Tall for my tastes, but suitable for any strapping chap that fancies a tall young lady... I wonder if she'd let me give her away.
“Micheal!” Melody's call brought the scheming elf back to reality. “Your caravan is ready to leave.” It was a short hint to get him to leave her sight before he could commit to any unseen damage. Curt, but an effective one as he bowed to her.
“Understood. Well, Miss Creatia, let's sally forth into the unknown!” Grabbing the witch by the waist, she was ushered towards the group of volunteers as they waited for Micheal's go ahead to leave.
Melody gave a simple wave to them all, seeing them off from the steps of her home. “I bid you good luck, travelers... Oh, and Micheal,” the sorceress beckoned after getting his attention, “The trees watch over all. Even any transgressions planned in the wilds... I do suggest you watch yourself, little one.”
The younger magic user felt a different kind of shiver at Melody's warning, but Michael seemed to bid it no mind. “You have my word that my group will be led with wisdom and integrity!” he called back before turning to his group and snapping his next command, letting go of Creatia's waist as an afterthought. “Onward, you lazy fools! We're burning the morning light away!”
So much for intergity... But it wasn't like Creatia had a choice. Despite the elf being a snappy and sneaky thing, she felt a familiar presence within him. It was almost comforting in a way. Maybe, just maybe... She could get used to this, if only for a little while until she finished her errand.
Quote:[Today 08:58 AM] Creatia Weatherly : That is all I want to see in my life: dinosaurs with sniper rifles.
[Today 08:58 AM] Kalli : Creatia knows whats up
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