[ time for a new world and old beginnings ]

[nepoznata]

One of the weird constants of Wanda's life thus far has been 'expect the strange and unexpected' but even with that in mind, she'd not expected this - to fall asleep at home and wake up in a new world entirely, full of new people, new dangers.

She'd tried to keep her head down, tried to make quiet inquiries into finding out how she got here, why. But her quiet inquiries were stonewalled, and her louder ones ended up with her fighting her way out.

However this happened, it didn't seem likely that it was going to un-happen anytime soon.

People call her a witch here too, and that's fine. She takes the old name and wraps it like a mantle around herself, traveling to places where the people need defending from monsters or other power wielders, and trying to make it a better place than how she found it.

When she spots the man with the sword, she raises a hand in greeting, but doesn't say anything. Not yet, anyway.

Comments

[mithrarin]

The 'witch'.

Dust regarded her from beneath the brim of his hat, assessing and appraising her. Not big on eye contact, he didn't need it to get a quick sense of her. Not much of a fighter as he judged things, if her movements were any indication. But if her magic power was real...

"I need your help," he said, without preamble.

[nepoznata]

Wanda could feel herself stand a little straighter, chin tilted upward a few degrees. If he won't make eye contact she's under no obligation to make him feel comfortable about that decision.

People (and other things) that wouldn't meet her eye were either afraid and rightfully so, or assured of their dominance in some other way.

The not quite a request for help had her blinking though. She won't get any closer unless he does. "With what?"

[mithrarin]

"There's some sort of monster, attacking a town not far from here. I wanted to handle it..." His fingers tightened slightly around the hilt of his blade, held reverse-grip at his side. "But I can't do this one alone. I don't have any ability with magic or powers like that. And I've been to more than a couple of places who've talked about you, saying you helped them. That you're the kind of person who helps others."

[nepoznata]

Her posture relaxes a little at this explanation. "I'll help." She won't even ask his name if he doesn't want to give it; too many can do too many things with the names one calls themselves.

Now she moves, in his direction, picking up her skirts as she makes way. "How far is this town? What is the monster like?"

[mithrarin]

Dust relaxed noticeably as soon as she agreed, much of the tension going out of his body. Even his ears perked up slightly.

"A couple day's travel to the north." By his standards. Depending on how she moved it might take longer, though Dust wasn't thinking of that right now. "Thanks... Even if it's just because you're the sort who does things like this because it's the right thing, I really appreciate the help. Especially since I'm here for about that reason too..."

[nepoznata]

A couple of days, hm. She could fly, but it would be tiring. Renting a horse is probably the move here, she considers, but then the tail end of what he's said rings in her mind.

"Here about that reason?" What does he mean?

[mithrarin]

Dust couldn't fly, despite all appearances in the middle of battle, so that might not be the most convenient option.

"To help people. To do what good I can. Stuff like that."

The mention of 'good' reminded him of something Ahrah once said, and then he remembered --

"By the way, I'm Dust, and this is Ahrah." The slight motion of his hand called attention to his sword at that second name.

[nepoznata]

Horses it would be, then.

"Ah." Wanda smiled a little and spread her hands. "Nice to meet you, Dust and Ahrah." She's met a few things that wouldn't be considered sentient back home, and it's best to address that which has given a name instead of presuming a sword doesn't necessitate that politeness.

"I try to help. Since I'm not from here it can be difficult. Should we find ourselves horses, then? Or some other way to the town?"

[mithrarin]

The question brought Dust up short, bringing in as a possibility something he had never considered before.

"I... never rode a horse before. Never even heard of them before until I came here. Honestly, I'm just used to going wherever I need to on foot."

[nepoznata]

"How do you feel about the opportunity? The less tired we are when we arrive, and the less warning we are able to give of our arrival, the better, I think."

But if he's afraid of horses or otherwise cannot ride, there's always other options.

[mithrarin]

Dust... didn't get tired, not really. He'd never felt that way after spending his literal life running around Falana. But he abruptly realized he'd be dealing with someone with different strengths, and different limitations, than his own.

"I guess you wouldn't fly," he said with a self-directed smile. "Sorry. If you think it'll help, I'm not against it."

[nepoznata]

"I do fly, but it's more like hovering and doesn't happen very fast." She opens her hands. What can you do but work with what you have? "Alright. Onward to a horse, then." She closes the space between them and continues on towards the township they're closest to, procuring entirely too many coins for the horse she's asked for, but that's her way. Overpay the poor, take favors from the rich, and hope it balances out in the end.

[mithrarin]

Dust didn't quite have the arrangements with merchants here that he did in Falana, so he couldn't object to her taking the lead. Quite the opposite -- teaming up with her was showing off advantages he hadn't realized at all.

"Even so, that has to be really helpful. If your enemy can't get up to you..."