Shrugging his shoulder; Bryn looks really surprised by the fracas. "When I left they were enjoying the soup." He says quietly and simply not liking to gossip or comment upon the impressive manageress.
He tries to change it conversation back, "Yes, I wasn't suggest we necessarily settle down." the words shock him as he never ever thought he would settle down. In the band he expected to be rocking away, whilst when he became a wanted anarchist he thought he wouldn't survive.... and he didn't.
"Let's just take everything as it comes..." his eye's shine with lost hope.
"You're not a puppet, Charlene." says Mittens, "I admit that I did things without asking. It didn't make sense to ask, and the Deathmatch wouldn't have been as compelling with everyone having foreknowledge. My intention for those of you who are here was just to make sure you did not die. My calculations were off... However, I have an exact signature for the date and time of all of your deaths. If we get you back to your band, it could very well be at the very moment you died... They will only have been alone for a few objective seconds, even if to you and I, it might be longer yet... In the meantime, would there be anyone you would want to look after them in your absence?"
Finwa picks up her bowl and drinks her soup directly instead of with the spoon then gives herself a breather from it then does it again. She brings the bowl down and licks her lips, "I don't want to split up but if we have to then I agree that Leo and I should make some kind of tree house or something like that. That would depend on what we find though. We might not even stay long if we find something. She considers this, "I don't know what that would be though."
She drinks some more of the soup until it is done and looks up when Charlene stomps out but shrugs about it not wanting to get involved in something she had no idea about. There was more than enough of that with what was going on.
"I guess you're right, Bryn. We should see what comes but if we need to stay anywhere we should go with Leo's plan but I would prefer not to leave you and Charlene alone in the city. I would rather we are all together ... or at least us three." She blushes at the last thought.
Raising an eyebrow and enjoying the flush that creeps across the cat-woman's skin; "I agree, I don't want to leave you. It's not like I mind the forest, I am a Nordic man after all." he says quietly. The thoughts of his burgeoning powers still creeps to the back of his mind; the fact that it might be better to experiment away from people.
Bryn moves forward to collect the dishes that are finished, his fingers gently brushing Finwa's as he take it. Blue eyes sparkling at hers in delight at the gesture of affection, his thumb just brushing hers comfortingly.
Charlene finally looks at Mittens. "I suppose... there's always..." She stares off into the forest, then into the blue sky with its fluffy white clouds floating by. "They've already replaced me, I'm sure." She watches the flight of a bird until it disappears from view and a strange feeling washes through her. Her muscles loosen and her mind drifts for a moment, then her attention is drawn back to Mittens as she realizes she has not answered the question.
"You know what, Mittens? Let them look after themselves. I'm going to look after myself for once."
Dropping the maul, she sets a log on end and sits on it, addressing the hovering helmetcat. "So. You set this up. You have a reason for it happening. What is it? And if you won't share that, at least give me something to do to help get where you want to go. I've always been goal-oriented. Survival is a basic goal, but I need something more."
Leoian shrugs his shoulders "There's really no sense in fretting about it too much until we've actually been to the town and seen for ourselves what it is like. I prefer the forest, but as long as I know Mittens is safe, and as long as I'm with you." He leans his head gently against Finwa's "Then I'll go anywhere."
Mittens looks towards Charlene and says rather seriously, "I'm going to heal time and space. But first! You know that we have a goal, I've been harping on this the whole time. We have to find my balloon... Its absence is the only thing standing between us and the reigns of all reality! You have to make sure that if I die, that Boots never comes to harm. I watched the Deathmatch, I know a woman who can dismantle a rocket midair when I see one."
Charlene almost smiles. "Saw that, did you? I appreciate your not showing it on the slow-mo replay. But really, it was obsolete technology with an external arming... but no matter. We will find your balloon, though I am no longer sure I want to return to where we started. Still, I do not wish to stay here. And this Boots... is he - or she - on the balloon?"
"Boots is my littermate. He's my triplet brother, fraternal triplet," says Mittens. "He will show up when he is ready. Hopefully not too soon, though..." After all, his arrival is predicated on her own death, and her little paws are getting a bit cold.
"It sounds like the guard here might have a clue about your balloon. If we can get the others on their feet, we can get going. I'm not certain I want to go back in there, though. Perhaps more woodchopping is in order."
"Then we agree we should all go in the town and see what there is to see." Finwa felt happier already, not that she wasn't with this morning's start for the three of them but now they had a plan and she figured the other two would accept it easily.
Bryn's fingers brushing hers makes her look up into his blue eyes and she blushes a bit more as she smiles at him and Leo puts his head against hers. She puts a hand on his other cheek, turns her head and kisses him tenderly before working on getting up a bit after Bryn goes into the kitchen.
"I'll clean this all up and maybe you should help Bryn with dishes, Leo." She touches him again, "I'm glad you're with me."
"Why don't you want to go in there?" Mittens asks, before she leans in a bit closer and whispers conspiratorially, "Because people are all purring in each others ears and nuzzling and stuff? It makes me want to hock up a hairball! Yuck! I can go get them though. You're better with an axe than I am anyways."
Bryn is stood at the sink washing up the dishes and pots & pans. From the meal, he had made quite a mess. Unfortunately he couldn't find a pinny (pinafore) to wear, and his arm were upto the elbows in soapy suds. Merrily the Norse-man whistles a tune to the beat of the axe outside.
Charlene regards Mittens solemnly. "I feel exactly the same way. I'll stay out here and hit things with an axe for a while."
Leoian forces himself to get out of bed, and get dressed, he smiles at Finwa "I'm glad you're with me too I can't really imagine going back to living in the forest without you now.
Leo makes his way into the kitchen so that he can help with the dishes. He peers up at the sink as tall as he is then to the much taller Norse-man "I've come to help with the dishes Bryn is there perhaps something I can stand on?"
Mittens inclines her head towards Charlene and floats back to where the others are and says, "Hey, stop all your nuzzle snuggle purring, we've gotta get this show on the road! I've got a hot air balloon to locate and it could have been eaten by monsters by now or something! This place is crazy, after all."
Bryn pulls out a stool; "So, I this place seems really interesting. Much better than the other world, well apart from the shadows." he speaks slightly quickly a touch nervous next to the halfling, the scent of Finwa still clinging to him.
"Yes, certainly we should see what the town has to offer." he hands a plate across to be dried. "The others must be outside."
"Ahh thank you." Leoian says as he climbs up onto the stool to help dry the dishes. He considers the two worlds as Bryn says this one is better and nods "Yes I would agree, I think this world is much better in the other world you all would have been killed for being... what was it Mittens said crimmals? Here we don't have to worry about that, and I am not forced to kill my friends... it is far better here."
He agrees, but doesn't sound very enthusiastic, about going to the town "Yes we should give this town a try."
He hears Mittens come in and looks over his shoulder in her general location "In the kitchen Meowsie, just clearing up the dishes, we should be done soon, and we can get going."
Hugh walks back in from another room which seems to be a washroom while wiping his hands on a rag. He puts the rag on a counter and smiles at the men who are doing the dishes.
"You lads are de cat's meow." He looks to Mittens, "No offense, Mittens, but dese lads are mighty gen'rous in dere actions. Ah'd be happy ta know what ta call ye 'sides 'lad' dough."
Finwa walks into the room stretching and smiles at everyone there. She is pleased with how things are going with the group and has a feeling that everyone is melding into a pretty good, caring team.
She chuckles as she moves towards Hugh, "I'm Finwa, sir." She says as she looks about the room, "I suppose we can get going now. Is there any way we can repay for what we used?"
"Nah Finwa. Dis be a hide'way from de shadows an de town sets in de s'plies. Ye talk t'da guards and dey mayhaps ask fer someat but na much since it be me took ye here. We all pay year fee t'keep dem open fer us all as dere is one all round de town t'keep'n us safe."
Hugh puts his head to one side then to the other cracking his neck to get out the kinks then points towards the outside, "Millie be all set up an mouthin' off ta be gettin' gone."
Leoian looks to Hugh, but seems somewhat confused by the expression but smiles when Hugh clarifies it "I don't know if it's all that generous, I slept through cooking the meal the least I can do is help clean up after it. I think we're about done here."
He looks towards the man hanging up his towel "My name's Leoian, you can shorten it to Leo if you like mister." With a check to make sure his work is done Leo hops down off the stool "I guess we should go see what life is like in the town... I'm not very familiar with civilized folk though, I usually don't fit in. I'm also still worried that I won't be able to see anyone, Mittens was helping but I'm not sure if she's finished."
Bryn whole face alights as Finwa comes into the room, it might have only been moments since her saw her. However, he had lots of thinking over the foamy bubbles.
Rubbing a wet hand across his forehead moving the stray lock away. "I'm Bryn, I was a musician." he looks to Leo; "Oh Leo, I'm sure everything will be fine." he tries to comfort the man as they head outside.
"Hey Charlene, chopping wood?" he asks obviously.
"Your brain should work properly, Leoian, I've calibrated a few things..." comments Mittens, batting at a piece of grass that found its way onto her hoverboard. The tuxedo cat stands on her hind legs for a moment to see a bit further and then says, "Tell me if you experience any weird side effects..."
Charlene picks up the split sections of log and stacks them neatly onto the split pile, then sets another whole log on end and thwacks the maul firmly into it. She looks up at Bryn's question. "No, not at all. It's more like therapy. And payment. It is not the thing itself but what it represents." She thinks seriously for a moment. "And yet, sometimes a cigar is just a smoke."
As Hugh goes out with the others and closes the door behind everyone he cocks his head to the side in wonder, "Mus'shon? Hmm. Not fam'lar wit dat word, Bryn. Or none less not heard it fer a long time."
He seems confused by Mitten's statement to Leoian but ignores it as he gets up on the cart. There were too many strange things with these people to try to sort out everything that they were saying and he figured it would be best to leave it be or be completely confused with answers he would not be able to sort out.
Finwa walks with the men and goes to get on the cart then turns to Leoian, "Can you see it now, Leo?" She waits for him to get close she she could help him with getting into the cart if he couldn't see it.
Smiling at Hugh he realises even if he had his guitar with him the music he usually creates would be a bit extreme. So he just gives the man a wink.
Then he Charlene, guessing that after the horrific attack of the other night she still hasn't recovered. 'I should have done something more.' "Symbols are important, they allow you to ground your belief. Without that the mundanity of existence can drag you down."
He hops onto the cart and puts a hand down for the others to grasp. Always ready with a helping hand Bryn flicks his silken waterfall of hair behind his shoulder.
Leoian blinks at Mittens "Side effects? err yes I'll be sure to let you know."
Coming outside he smiles towards Finwa coming to join her by the cart "Yes, whatever Mittens did it seems to have worked, I guess I won't have to hold on to you for dear life this time." leaning in closer to her he add "Maybe still a little holding, but let's leave the dear life part out of it." Leo accepts Bryn's hand to help get aboard as climbing into the tall carriage is not so easy for one of his stature.
He'll wait and offer help to Finwa as well, although Bryn probably has it covered, then peer over the side of the cart towards Charlene "Are you alright Ms. Oftenseen? You seemed quite upset when you left the mill. Is there anything I can do to help?"
Charlene finishes stacking the wood and leans the maul against the woodpile, then takes Bryn's hand to get into the wagon. "I'm fine, thank you Leoian."
She settles in the back of the wagon with her sword in her lap, picking ruefully at her torn and bloody clothing. "I hope I can get some clothing in the village. I look a wreck."
Hugh waits until everyone is in the wagon then gets Millie moving along, "Dere be a market in town. Ya ken sell some stuff an get new stuff no prob."
The ride is much less jaunty than the night before even if Millie seems to be interested in getting home soon. She moves along at a fair pace and they find their way to the town Fair Raven. When they are stopped at the gate Hugh explains to the man there about the night before and the guard tsks in sympathy.
"Pretty sad state it is out there lately. There's a hostel for cheap stay and the two inns or if ol' Hugh here takes you in. If you have any goods or services you can sell then the market's down Raven Avenue and there are places you can look for work if you were staying longer. No busting trouble about, y'hear? We're a good town and keep it that way." He seems to be a no nonsense sort of man but nice enough. His partner who's seeing people out looks grumpy but seems fair.
Despite all his hesitation regarding the town Leoian does have a certain need to know about things that is fairly typical of halflings. He lifts himself up to peer over the side of the cart at the guard with curious eyes. "I'm Leoian, What's your name? Is being a guard fun? How long have you been one? How long has the town been here? Do you use magic to keep the shadowy things away?"
The guard laughs as Leoian starts asking questions making the other guard glare at him but he just brushes his long, white moustache after the laugh and looks at Leo, "Well, well a halfling! Your folk are not seen here that often but when you come you're all always full of questions. Well now," His blue eyes gleam as he stands to his full six foot seven, "The name is Grinch after an old fairy tale my mother found in a dig site but don't let the name put ya off. Last name is McLarrister. Being a guard is not truly 'fun' but it can be interesting especially when you get good folk coming 'round. Fair Raven has been here as far back as my Grandfather's Grandfather at least so a few hundred years would be my guess but I've never been good at history. As for magic, yes it is used by many and the town to keep the shadow things away."
Grinch smirks and looks at the others, "Anyone else?"
Leoian really does try to let the others ask something, he waits for what must have been forever, probably even a whole minute, well maybe half a minute. "Grinch? That's a good name." He probably doesn't know the story "How long did it take you to grow your moustache? How come halflings don't come here very often? Where do they go? I always wanted to meet another halfling... I don't think we can grow moustaches. Do they stay away because the magic doesn't work on them? The halflings not the moustaches" He clarifies "Momma told me I'm naturally resistant to magic I wasn't sure if that was just me or all halflings though. Oh maybe moustaches are a kind of magic and that's why I can't grow one, you must have lots of magic, yours is so long" He seems especially full of questions for this guard, maybe it's extra nervousness from going into this town "Oh... I think my friends are eager to see the town, maybe I'll talk to you more later Mr. Grinch. Bye"
Leoians words draw a huge smile from Bryn, the enthusiasm (or nervousness) just makes him like the halfling more. He runs one finger across his chin, the stubble there is starting to get slightly soft with length.
"Ms. Oftenseen, you look fine. Just think of it as punk, or BoHo fashion." he comments lightly, although he still doesn't quite feel comfortable again in her prescense.
Abruptly his mind processes Mr Lanisters words, the accent slightly throwing him off. 'Dig site? Archaeology or simple farming? They have magic; symbology or something more evocative.' his tongue dying to ask, but the Masters' old curse stays his tongue. Instead Bryn stays seated at the back of the wagon, trying to think of some work to do.
"Meow, meowmeow, meow, meow!" sings Mittens, rather off-tune, certainly not having any sort of gift for music. The feline floats towards the guard and asks her own question. "Hey, have you seen a giant balloon made of fabric! A montgolfier balloon, it can fly. I think I lost it."
Smiling gently at Mittens off-key singing, Bryn tries to work out where he could use the tune in his songs.
The genius felines vocals need some slight tuning but Bryn adores her. Which is unusual for him to respect her apparent authority; although all the companions hold a place in his heart.
Grinch chuckles as Leoian goes on with more questions and puts up a hand for him to slow down, "Whoa whoa! So much so fast. Halflings don't live so close to here and it is dangerous to travel alone. We see your race some times during the year with wares or a faire but it is a long way to the closest village. You must be from a long way off or were raised without any of your kind around. Anyway, magic did not make my moustache, I've heard that some halflings have trouble with the magic and I think halflings just don't grow facial hair."
When Mittens flies up on her machine he gulps and looks at her, "Oh. Uhm ...yes there is some kind of balloon we found. You'd want to talk to the mayor about that."
"Grinch! You oughta be getting them through not yabberin' yer heart out!"
"Shut yer trap, Darvy! People have been going past that need to and I've recorded it all so stop acting like I'm not doing my job!" He rolls his eyes and turns back to the group, "If that's all for now, you're welcome to Fair Raven. Mayhaps I'll see you about town after my shift." He gives them a nod and waves them through.
The mule huffs and starts off down the roads noticeably knowing the route to take and not even waiting for a switch of the reigns to get going. Apparently the animal probably thought she would get a better meal at home.
"Well," Hugh says as they get to a property with a house and a small barn. He gets off the cart and starts to unhitch Millie, "This be ma home s'if ye need place ta stay ye ken come here. Ah'm in fer da day then be out tomorra fer da fields. Market's down to Main which ye may ha' saw when we come cross da innersection past de doors an mayor he be on de odder side a' town. Yer might wanna git a map at market as dey be free ta new persons." He pats Millie's behind when he gets the barn door open and she rushes in happily, "Ah really enjoy'd havin' ye even wit dem shadows. Ye all be good'uns."
Finwa stayed quiet through everything but put her head on Leo's shoulder now and again and rubbed Bryn's arm so he'd know she wasn't ignoring him being there. She waited until they got to Hugh's home and hopped out of the wagon calmly and watched the man work with his mule's straps.
"Do you have any idea what would sell in the market?" She asks, "But I'm betting we'll see the mayor first about the balloon." She looks to Mittens.
Hugh shrugs about what would sell and sighs, "Ahm na sure, Finwa. Ye best ask 'bout. Neva know who be in de mark't."
Leoian rides along thinking on what he learned from Grinch and wondering about other halflings. When the cart stops he hops down and comes to stand with Finwa "Thanks for helping us sir, you're very generous offering your home to a group you've just met. Do you know how far it is to the nearest halfling village? Although I still prefer to fend for myself in the woods I would like to visit them sometime."
Enjoying the regular strokes for Finwa, the Norseman wasn't insecure about the beautiful cat-woman but the reassuring touch was lovely.
Bryn raises his hand to the helpful guard and makes a wobbly hand motion, the universal indicator of beer. Subtly implying that he'll buy a beer later for the bloke. He then turns to everyone else and nods to Hugh, in the brief time he has got to know the man he has really felt secure and friendly with the man.
"The Mayor? Yes, let's talk to the Mayor. Where is the mayor?" demands Mittens, eyeing about. "I need that balloon, I need it really badly..."
Charlene sits quietly in the wagon as the others speak to the guards, acutely self-conscious of her torn and blood-crusted clothing and still wondering what they could possibly have of value to the people of the village. Besides that. She'd rather take her chances in the woods.
She descends from the wagon and tries to help unhitch Millie, though she is unaccustomed to how harnesses are fastened. Once Hugh has finished, she steps in front of him awkwardly.
"Er... I just wanted to.. to, uh... say thank you for the sword. It's, uh, quite beautiful. And useful. Elegant, you might say. And I understand, well, how it must have been to give it up. Having been your, er, daughter's. And all. Well. Thanks."
Bryn moves over to Mittens, a look of concern for the agitated feline. "Sorry, we'll find the balloon as soon as we can." He puts out a hand, unsure of whether to stroke the magnificent one.
The Norseman smiles at Hugh, "You have been so kind to us. I wish there was something more I could do." he apologies, mentally taking a note to help the man when the situation enabled.
Hugh relaxes against the building with a big smile and pats his belly, "Ye fed me be'r den Ah've been fed n years. Tell ya'll what. If'n ye ken come fer supper time an make an'ther meal alike that tis would make me sure happy. An' ta have ye over fer da night w'thout de terror. We ken tell stories n front ah de fire an ye'll be keepin' dis man here happy."
"I would really enjoy that." Bryn says enthusiastically. Finwa and Charlene had been correct, the Black Metal chef made the Norseman feel at peace. A knife in hand and oven before him and the former Anarchist found happiness.
A genuine smile creeps across his face, he sneaks a little look at Finwa, the returning to Hugh. "That I'll do, for you and the missus. Make an evening of it for a flickering fire."
Hugh looks at all their faces and smiles brightly, "Aye! It be a plan den. Aw! Charlene ye canna go like dat! Hol' on." He rushes into his home leaving the door open and a few minutes later comes out with a female's shirt and puts it up in front of Charlene, "Not quite but aye ye shou' do ok wif yer belt. Now, go put dis on an ah put de ol shirt inna cleanin' lass pack she be pickin' today." He shoos the woman into the house and waits for her to come out, "Now of ye all get er de kitty she may nip ye all fer dat bawoon tingy. Scoot scoot. Rememba ... 5 Allyan Ave. Dat be me house if ye get lost."
Finwa glances at her companions with a big smile when Hugh asks them to come back and keep him company and hopes someone says something. She beams at Bryn when he does and hops on one foot.
She waits calmly as Hugh pushes Charlene into the house and then chuckles, "We'll be back!" She says happily as she moves off to get to the market to find a map. The little lady is excited wanting to get the balloon, supplies and go back to visit.
There is a little booth before the market with maps for free and she hops up and down trying to see the one on the wall.
Leoian supposes Hugh doesn't have any information on halfling villages he should perhaps try to talk with Mr. Grinch later. He waits quietly as Hugh talks with Bryn about meals and having him over for the night. It always seemed strange to Leo staying in a house, but if that's where Finwa and Mittens were then he would stay there too.
Going to the market was even less tempting to him, he had no money, nothing to trade, and wasn't good with crowds of people. Seeing Finwa has approximately the opposite reaction to the market he gives a bit of a wan smile, and follows his little love to the map booth. Seeing her bounce up and down at the overly tall booth he chuckles softly and offers "Do you need a boost my dear?"