Cyrean ran up a snowy hill, the broken chains around her ankles clanging against the tree roots as she moves. She’d normally be freezing in the rags she was wearing but every thwak of a tree branch against her tall head made her blood boil enough to keep her warm. An arrow whizzes out from between the trees, striking her in the back and causing her to stumble. She can’t give up, she would rather them kill her than be caught again. Another arrow rings past her ear, thudding onto the ground in front of her. She picks the arrow out of the ground and blindly throws it back in anger, not hitting anything. She comes to a clearing and looks around, seeing an archer walking alongside a horse ahead. Cyrean ran up to the woman in a panic, trying to wrestle the reigns from her hands. Normally Cyrean would be able to easily overpower the more frail looking archer, but her injuries were wearing too heavily on her and the woman easily knocked her to the ground.

    “Stay down.” her monotone yet gentle voice said softly.

    “Ah don’ need yer help..” Cyrean grumbled into the cold floor

    The archer, Diana ignored Cyrean and turned to the direction the strange chained woman emerged to see a group of three men approach. One had a bow and the others had shortswords. Diana noticed a crest on their leather chest of a winged owlbear that was the symbol of the Mainka Organization, a well known group of slavers.

    “Thanks for catchin’ our pet miss. If ya don’t mind we’ll be takin’ her back now.” The one in the middle spoke up.

    Diana stood between them and Cyrean, shooing her horse to walk further away as she pulled her bow out from inside her magic quiver.

    The man laughed, “What you think havin’ a magic item makes you able to take us? Do you know who we are?”

    Diana kneeled down and picked at some blades of grass poking out through the snow, letting it flow out of her hand to determine the direction of the wind.

    “She thinks she’s too good to listen to us, we can teach her right boys?”

    Diana finally spoke up, “You’ll never make it over here in time.”

    “What’s that supposed to mean?”

    Diana responded, her voice still monotone but turning from soft to cold, “You’re too far away. I could take you all down before you got close enough.”

    Cyrean looked around from where she was on the floor. From the center of the field they had about sixty feet worth of distance on the slavers. Even at that range at least one could probably get to Diana. The men seemed to come to the same conclusion and decided to charge. Diana launched an arrow into their archer before he could even reach his quiver. The others kept charging her, one getting shot down about halfway. The leader managed to get close as Diana notched another arrow, forcing her to fire it recklessly and miss him. The slaver’s sword went straight for Diana’s side, though she managed to deflect it with her bow. They locked eyes for a second and he went for a kick, hitting the ranger in the leg and causing her to falter. In that moment the slaver went to bring his sword down onto Diana but she managed to barely catch it with her bow again, causing the blade to cut the bow in half but not have enough force to hit skin beyond it. In an instant Diana dropped the shattered pieces and stood up, using the force of her standing to hit the slaver’s chin with an open palmed hit. He stumbled back and regained his composure, taking an aggressive stance while the ranger reached into her quiver and drew a pair of shortswords, taking a more defensive stance. They stood there for a moment before the pair glanced at Cyrean, still on the floor. The man lunged for her and Diana jumped in front of his swing, using one of her daggers to block his swing as she used the other to pierce into his thigh, where there was no armor. Both fighters cried out in pain as the slaver fell to the floor. Diana looked over, realizing his blade had hit her arm. She stood up, the man unable to, as she switched which hand was on her dagger and aimed it at the man’s neck. The pair stood there in silence, the only sounds being the wind, their breathing, and Diana’s horse, a little bit away eating grass.

    “So. You gonna kill me or what?” the slaver spoke up.

    Diana relaxed her posture, kicking Cyrean gently in the side to gesture her to stand. As Cyrean stood, brushing the snow off of herself, Diana handed Cyrean the dagger. Cyrean looked back at the woman, who was already picking up the pieces of her bow, silently, and limping over to her horse. She stood in front of the man with Diana’s dagger, and without hesitation, she plunged it into his chest in pure rage. As the man collapsed, she pulled the daggers out of him, wiping them off with her rags and bringing them over to Diana.

    “I think these belong to you.” she said as she handed them over.

    Diana looked up, and gently took the daggers, and put them back into her quiver. She reached into one of the saddlebags, and pulled out a red potion bottle, and drank from it before handing another to Cyrean.

    “What’s this now?”

    Diana looked over in confusion, “Healing potion. It’ll make you feel better.” She glanced at Cyrean, “But first you might wanna..” she gestured to her back.

    Cyrean pulled the arrow out of her back, crying out as the flash of pain shot through her body. Diana gestured and she drank the potion. Immediately upon drinking it, she felt a cool sensation spreading throughout her body as the arrow hole sealed itself like it’d never happened.

    “What in tha? What sorta magic is this?”

    Diana looked over the woman as if studying her, “You slaves don’t get out much huh?”

    Cyrean suddenly got defensive, “A.. Ah don’t gotta answer that.”

    Diana shrugged, “Well doesn’t really matter I suppose.” She put the empty bottles back in the saddle bag and turned, “Well I’ll see you around miss.”

    “Wait ah don’t know where in the fuck ah am!” Cyrean said

    Diana paused, “Right.. Sorry. I can take you to the town I’m headed to but fair warning they don’t get a lot of visitors.”

    “Gotta be better than where ah came from.”

    Diana nodded and gestured to the dead slaver leader, “Take his sword. The mountain’s dangerous.”

    Cyrean nodded, picking up the shortsword and following the archer, “Name’s Cyrean by tha way.”

    “Diana, it’s nice to meet you miss Cyrean.”

~

    Shiraina was sitting atop an outcropping that overlooked her mountain hometown of Rithnar. She looked out into the air off the sheer ledge, the cold air biting at her nose from around her fur lined hood. For most such air would be freezing but with the tiny blades of grass poking through bits of snow it was actually rather warm for Shiri. She let out a sigh, closing her eyes as she focused. With the mental image of the last page of her spellbook still fresh in her mind she extended her hands in front of her, pressing her thumbs together and outstretching her hands. She uttered a simple phrase in her native tongue, “Kegel der Flamme” and with that a surge of heat shot through her body, sparking between her hands and creating a cone of flame shooting from her outstretched fingers.

    “YES!” She cried out, jumping happily after casting the spell.

    She dropped down and started frantically writing into her spellbook. As she was writing, she had to fight through the headache that surged as she struggled to focus on the pages. She felt her vision flicker as suddenly she had to slam the book closed. She raised her hand up to the side of her head, closing her eyes as she struggled to focus again. She heard a voice calling out, each syllable sounding like thunder as it bounced around her head. As the ringing got more intense she felt herself suddenly snapped out of it by a gentle hand on her shoulder.

    “Shiraina?” the soft, stern voice of her guardian said.

    The woman, Shogil looked down at Shiri as the girl’s eyes opened, revealing a glowing orange hue. She gently ran her hand along Shiri’s cheek, wiping away a tear. The moment, though short, felt like an eternity to Shiraina as she tried to focus, eventually giving up and just dealing with seeing multiple of her guardian standing above her. 

    “Ello miss Shogil.” she said, struggling to stand up, “Is something the matter?”

    The guardian sighed, “No deary, just thought I’d remind you the merchant comes in today.”

    Shiri looked around at the lighter snow, “Oh yeah. The first of spring.”

    “Do you need help getting back down to town?”

    With a gentle head shake no Shiri took a few steps, stumbling a bit before finding her footing again. The pair began taking the path back to town, the soft, wet crunch of the snow under each footstep was a familiar sound to both women. As they got to the last crest of a hill before getting into town Shiri positioned herself and slid down through the mud and snow like she’d done countless times before. Shogil shook her head and laughed as she walked down casually.

    “You’re never not going to do that are you?”

    “Why wouldn’t I? It’s fun!” Shiri smiled back

    The village eldar, Gharzol walked past the pair, “Good morning Shiri, up to trouble again today?”

    “Come on Eldar there’s no trouble to get up to here.” she jokingly whined

    Shiri’s guardian chimed in, “She successfully cast Burning Hands up on the hill today.”

    Gharzol smiled at Shiri, “Well isn’t that something? Your magical talents have come a long way.” he nodded at Shiraina’s guardian, “And good morning to you as well Ms Shogil. You must be proud”

    Shogil smiled at the eldar, “Yes, though I am concerned about her eyes.”

    Shiri started zoning out as they talked. Instead she got distracted by the Eldar’s outfits. He always wore eccentric clothing, covered head to toe in furs. He had several metallic rings through his thick, matted hair, and another ring around one of his orc tusks. He had rather large tusks, though one was broken. Shiri never quite liked the way they looked on his face, almost being too fierce for how gentle the rest of him looked. They seemed like they’d suit her guardian far more with how fierce she looked. She was a blacksmith by trade and definitely looked the part, having her dark, soot covered hair constantly pulled up so it was out of her face. She always had a thick apron for metalworking and a hammer on her person.

    She thought that her guardian looked even more grumpy than normal at the sight of the merchant and immediately Shiri could tell why. Normally the merchant woman, Diana, would come in by herself as Rithnar, like most orc settlements, was supposed to be a well kept secret. Today however, there was another woman standing with her. The other woman had an appearance unlike anything Shiri had seen. She had dark red hair that was down to her waist, piercing green eyes, and a scowl that seemed to just be her default expression. She had several tattoos covering her body, fish scales on her right bicep, a bear head stretching from her chest to shoulder on her left side, and a thorny vine wrapped around her right thigh. The strangest thing she was wearing was a set of incredibly intricate ear cuffs, which looked incredibly out of place given that she was also wearing rags, bandages, and broken chained manacles that Diana was working on unlocking. Diana looked the same as always, a plain forest green cloak that was clearly hiding something underneath, a tan tunic she’d cut the sleeves off of, dark pants, and heeled boots up to her thighs. Diana’s face was incredibly strange as she always appeared to be expressionless. She had blank green eyes under a scruffy bob of a dark orange color.

    Gharzol approached the pair as Diana got the second cuff off of Cyrean’s ankles

    “Hello Miss Diana, who’s your friend?”

    Cyrean responded defensively, “Who wants ta know?”

    Diana responded calmly, “Cyrean. She was a slave to the Mainka organization.”

    “Oh my, well it’s nice to meet your acquaintance Miss Cyrean. I’m Gharzol, the eldar of this village.”

    Gharzol extended a hand to shake Cyrean’s causing her to shift back. Her hand clenched the hilt of her sword tighter.

    Diana raised a hand gently between the two, “Sorry. I think this is the first time she’s been around people.”

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

    Cyrean was eyeing Gharzol like she was studying him for any hint of hostility, “Ah didn’t know goblins got this lanky.”

    Gharzol burst out into laughter at Cyrean’s comment, “You’ve never met an orc huh?”

    “Te fuck’s an orc?” As Cyrean spoke she was eyeing the small crowd that had gathered.

    Noting that nobody had weapons with exception to the woman who walked up with Gharzol who was holding a battleaxe. That woman in particular was the only person who rivaled Cyrean in height or build though with an axe she could easily beat Cyrean whether or not she held onto the shortsword.

    As Cyrean put the sword into a rope belt she’d roughly fashioned into a sheath, Diana began unloading the horse she’d brought.

    “So Eldar Gharzoal, I hate to bother but we may need another horse if you can spare one.”

    Gharzoal thought for a moment, “Honestly we only have the pair of plow horses.”

    “A wagon mayhaps?”

    “I’ll see what I can do. Till then will you be joining us for dinner again this season?”

    “Of course, I look forward to it.”

    Despite Diana seeming somewhat excited her tone and expression never really changed much, though Gharzoal was used to her general quirks. He smiled and nodded before turning to Shogil and Shiri.

    “Will you be joining us as normal?”

    Shogil looked over Gharzoals shoulder while she spoke, “Will the außenseiterin be joining us?”

    Gharzoal turned to Cyrean, “What about it, outsider? Joining us?”

    Cyrean shrugged, “Ah got nothin’ else ta do in yer town now do ah?”

    “There’s plenty to do while I finish preparing it. Mayhaps young Shiraina could give you both a tour?”

    Before Shiri could even respond Shogil spoke up and began arguing with Gharzoal in orcish.

    Cyrean leaned over to Diana and whispered, “What in te fuck are they on about?”

    Diana calmly responded, “She doesn’t trust an outsider, such as you, around her daughter.”

    “What does she t’ink A’m gonna do? Run back down te fuckin mountain?”

    Diana shrugged to Cyrean before interrupting Shogil, “Miss I’ll be there the whole time, if anything bad happens I’ll be there.”

    Shogil tried to protest again but seemed lost for words, “Fine. But if one hair on her head is hurt I’ll-”

    Shiri interrupted, “Ma'am I think they get it.”

    Cyrean shrugged and the trio began walking off, “So uhhh What’s yer name by th' way?”

    “Oh I’m Shiraina, though my friends call me Shiri. Your name’s Cyrean right?”

    She nodded and with a bashful look spoke again, “So how do yer tusks work? Don’t it make it hard to talk?”

    Shiri thought for a minute, “I can’t think of anything difficult about having them honestly. Though for me it’d be odd not having them I suppose.”

    As they walked Cyrean noticed Shiri struggling to walk in a straight line, though she decided not to say anything. If she’s strong she’ll survive, Cyrean thought to herself. Looking at her however, Shiri was anything but strong, at least physically. She was easily the shortest person of the three walking, only coming up to Cyrean’s chest. She wore heavier clothing than Diana, sporting a fur-lined hood and what appeared to be a heavy shin-length skirt of some form. She was also covered in little accessories that several of the orcs wore, though they appeared to be purely decorative such as bits of bone as armor on her long gloves and boots, and a random bit of netting on one arm and some form of studded band on the other. She had a messenger bag hanging from her shoulder, that she kept adjusting as they walked, moving it closer to her hand as if she was afraid to part with it. 

    “Shiri..” Diana spoke up, “How are your arcane studies going?”

    “Very well. Speaking of which, do you remember what you promised me last year?”

    Diana paused and before she could properly responded Shiri blurted out again, “You said that if I could consistently cast first level spells that you’d take me on an adventure!”

    “Oh yes I remember that now. Though I was not aware you could cast first level yet. Last time I was in Rithnar you could hardly cast Light.”

    “I can prove it!”

    Diana stopped and turned to face the others, “Well then let me see your spellbook.”

    Shiri handed over her spellbook, watching as the archer flipped through page after page.

    “Identify huh?” she muttered, holding the book in one hand as she gently lobbed an arrow to Shiri. “What can this arrow do, without looking at your book for the spell.”

    Shiri caught the arrow, holding it in her hands, “This spell takes some time..”

    Diana nodded, “Roughly a minute right? I’m sure Cyrean can keep me entertained for that long.”

    “Ah ain’t yer darn court fool.” Cyrean snorted

    “I did not mean to offend you.”

    Cyrean had kept studying Diana’s face but no matter what the scenario she seemed impossible to read. With a sigh, she gave up on that endeavour for now. She seemed to almost want to say something, stopping herself just before.

    “You can speak your mind, not that we could stop you if we wanted.”

    Cyrean’s composure broke, though she it before speaking, “Why’re ya bein so nice ta me? Ah ain’t exactly been receptive.”

    “Is it not obvious?”

    Cyrean shook her head, “I ‘aven’t the foggiest idea.”

    “I do not like slavers. I have heard some awful stories about what they do to people and I thought that perhaps you could use some kindness.”

    “An’ what exactly wer’ ya expectin in return?” She asked, shifting slightly to cover herself more.

    Diana seemed confused, “What do you think I am going to ask for?”

    “Normally any form o’ kindness is jus’ some rich bastard tryin’ ta get me ta shag.”

Diana’s composure finally broke as her face flared as red as the former slave’s hair. She tried to respond but could only manage to get out stuttering. Whatever was hidden under her cloak also seemed to get disturbed as it moved around. Cyrean and Shiri were both stunned by the sudden lack of social ability. Cyrean in particular had never gotten a response quite like what was happening from anyone.

“Uhm Shiri yer some kinda mage right? Can ya fix this’un, ah think ah broke ’er”

Diana hid behind her hands, still struggling to regain her composure but finally able to utter some words, “Th-that wasn’t my plan..”

Cyrean laughed nervously, “It’s alright geez. Would ye calm down?”

Shiri chimed in, hoping to change the subject so Diana could recompose herself, “The spell finished. This arrow can cast the Entangle spell, causing a swarm of vines to grab onto anyone in the range of wherever it lands.”

Diana refocused on Shiri, finally managing to calm down despite her face still being a bit pink, “That is correct. Well if that is all settled I feel I should ask, is your guardian aware of your intentions to travel with me?”

Shiri looked away, avoiding Diana’s gaze, “Well you see I was sorta hoping that maybe… you could talk to her for me.”

Diana sighed, “If it is something you desire Shiri you should not be afraid to do so.”

Shiri whined, “But it’s hard to just come out and say something like that.”

“Well how about you bring it up tonight at dinner?”

Shiri grumbled, “I suppose if I have to.”

Cyrean chimed in, “Speakin of which, think it’s bout ready? Ah haven’t eaten since… well it’s been a few days.”

“Oh goodness you must be starving.” Shiri said, “We’ve walked around most of town anyway so I’ll take you both to the Eldar’s house now, follow me!”

As the trio walked back to Eldar Gharzoal’s house Shiri and Diana walked a little ahead and Shiri leaned over, talking quietly.

“Hey Diana, what sort of elf is Cyrean?”

Diana glanced back at Cyrean before responding, “Do wood-elves not venture out here?”

Shiri shook her head.

“Well she appears at least half wood-elf, unless she dyes her hair which I find unlikely.”

“Do all half wood-elves look like her?”

Diana shook her head, “No most wear more natural clothing.”

“Well besides that.”

“Oh. Well yes and no, it’s sort of complicated. Think of it like how some orcs are green and some are grey, though wood-elves are less varied.”

“I see..” Shiri trailed off as she kept staring.

Diana realized that Shiri was talking specifically about Cyrean’s physique rather than her appearance. Before she could comment on that they arrived at the Eldar’s home. She decided to answer Shiri again later and instead, she knocked on the door. Gharzoal opened and led the group to the table. The table, like most of his home, was elegant in an orcish way. All of the architecture and furniture had sharp, jagged angles that while at first appeared violent and random, to any orc or outsider with a well trained eye, the designs were incredibly intricate in their own way. Each sharp angle or diagonal line created a form of flow to their designs that had been a part of orc culture for generations. Shogil glared at Cyrean as the group sat down, still clearly not trusting her. Cyrean thought about glaring back but at that moment she was too hungry to genuinely care what a random orc thought of her. Gharzoal brought in a cooked boar and some tankards of mead for everyone.

"I hope you like meat Ms Cyrean."

Cyrean nodded, "What sorta weirdo don't like meat?"

Gharzoal put out a bowl of fruits in front of Diana and Cyrean raised an eyebrow.

"If ye don't eat meat why're ye dressed like a hunter?"

"It's quite simple really," Diana responded, "I hunt for others or research purposes only. I prefer the taste of fruits and berries."

Shogil spoke up, "What sort of animal research do you do anyway?"

Diana seemed to get excited to respond, despite her tone not changing much, "Well I like to learn about their physiologies. For example, did you know that Gelatinous Slimes can grow to fill any amount of space, despite this they actually prefer being small?"

"You found a slime and didn't immediately kill it?"

"Well at first I tried but it went through a trap I placed and as it shrunk it actually got friendlier."

"Fascinating. What'd you do with it afterwards?"

"A mage I was aquainted  with wanted it. They said the creature was cute."

Gharzoal spoke up, "That reminds me of a strange druid I once knew who kept a collection of creatures of some form as pets. Last we spoke they'd found a staff that summons birds."

Gharzoal glanced at Cyrean, "What about you? Ever have any interactions with strange creatures?" 

Cyrean looked up, talking through a piece of meat, "Well ah once got into a scrap wit’ a minotaur."

Shiri perked up, "A minotaur? What were they like?"

"We ‘idn't really chat much. Though ah did find that if you grab one by t’e horns you can easily break th--"

Diana nudged Cyrean and gestured to Shogil who was glaring daggers across the table. An awkward silence fell over the table.

Shiri was the first to speak, "So ma'am I was wondering, since I can cast first level spells now could I maybe go exploring with Diana?"

Shogil choked on her food, coughing a bit afterwards, "What?!"

"Last year Diana said if I got good enough at spellcasting I could tag along for a simple adventure."

Shogil turned to Diana, "When were you planning on telling me about this plan?!" 

Diana slowly sipped her mead before responding calmly, "I thought it would have been something she brought up with you herself."

Shogil turned to Shiri who was staring into her meal awkwardly.

"So Shiraina, why am I just not hearing about this?" 

"Well ma'am you see I erm.." 

As she began trailing off Shogil spoke again, "You know how I feel about outsiders. Do you know what they do to orcs out there?!"

"But ma’am, Diana says hostility towards orcs isn't nearly as bad as when you were a fighter. Besides with her there it'll be safe!" Shiri whined.

"Shiraina I am not having this conversation with you again." Shogil scowled.

"Well why not?!"

"What do they have out there that you don't have here?"

"I don't know, that's why I need to go."

"How does that make any sense?"

Gharzoal chimed in, "Shogil if I recall correctly you originally became a mercenary for a similar reason."

She glared at Gharzoal, "I went out because we needed the money to keep this town afloat."

Diana and Gharzoal both gave her a judging look before Gharzoal spoke calmly, "Shogil. We both heard the wanderlust of youth. You wanted to leave before you knew about that."

Shogil went silent for a moment, "Well it's still dangerous. She can't even wield a sword."

Cyrean spoke up through a mouth of boar, "I could teach her that."

"You will do no such thing outsider."

Cyrean shrugged and kept eating.

Shiri nervously spoke, "Look ma'am. I've heard the stories of you all travelling around since I was young and it's all I've ever wanted to do. Please can I go with Diana?"

Shogil paused, angrily downing her mead.

"Diana.." she said hesitantly, "Can you promise me she'll be safe out there? What if an elf tries to kill her?"

Diana just stared blankly at Shogil, “I am an elf.”

Shogil sighed and nodded, "Fine. Shiri in the morning you can go with Diana."

Shiri jumped up happily, "Oh thank you so much ma'am!"

She sat back down, quickly regaining her composure, "I mean, thank you all for this opportunity."

Gharzoal chuckled to himself, "You have every right to be excited Shiraina, but do try to contain yourself out there."

She gave the Eldar a big smile and finished up her meal. As the rest of the table finished and the evening got later, they decided it was time to sleep. Shiraina and Shogil went back to their small home to rest as Diana and Cyrean got comfortable in the guest bedroom of Eldar Gharzoal’s abode. The room was small but not short, like most of the orc architecture. As Cyrean entered seeing only one bed she started trying to get comfortable on the floor.

Diana stared down at her, “Why are you lying down there?”

Cyrean looked up, “Ah don’t like sharin’ a bed. Besides, floor’s plenty fine.”

“You don’t know much about full elves do you?”

Cyrean sat up, “Only elves ah known besides you weren’t exactly friendly with te likes o’ me.”

“I see..” Diana trailed off as she sat down on the floor next to Cyrean, eyeing her scars.

“Y’know yer rather odd fer an elf ah might add.” Cyrean scoffed.

“Am I?” Diana said calmly, “I get told that often but honestly I do not understand what makes me so.. Odd.”

“Well yer friendly ta slaves for one. Ain’t high elves s’posed to be snooty bastards?”

Diana looked confused, “I am not a high elf.”

Cyrean cocked an eyebrow at her statement, “Pale skin, knife ears, sounds like a high elf ta me.”

A look of realization came over Diana as she stood up, beginning to unfasten her cloak.

Cyrean spoke again, “‘At weren’t an invitation ta get naked.”

Diana’s face began turning red again, the thing under her back moving once again. “I wasn’t getting naked! I was trying to show you m-”

“Look if it’s yer goods ah ain’t complainin’ but yer comin’ on a little strong.”

Diana’s face turned completely red and she began trying to hide behind her hands. Raising them to her face caused her cloak to drop revealing a long pair of feathered lilac wings that were ruffling from Diana’s embarrassment. The wings were clearly too big to even fit in the small room if Diana outstretched them.

“Are ye some sort of celestial?!”

Diana shook her head, face still buried in her hands, “I’m j-just an elf.” She stuttered.

Cyrean thought for a moment about what to say but decided to just let Diana calm down so she could actually respond. When she finally managed to, Cyrean spoke again.

“So ye weren’t gonna show me yer..”

Seeing Diana flinch she decided to change the subject instead.

“So why hide te wings?

“I do not like them.” she retreated back into herself, “Please, take the bed. I do not rest well in them.”

“Ye sure?”

Diana nodded gently, “Elves to not truly need sleep. I just meditate for a few hours.”

Cyrean shrugged and got into the bed as Diana moved into a cross-legged sitting position. The pair sat in silence as Cyrean struggled to fall asleep, still confused by the strange elf who’d been so friendly to her. While she sat thinking she realized after being rescued her day had mostly been happening around her. When she set out she hadn’t meant to stumble into whatever this strange town is with these weird green and grey-skinned tusked people. Weird dream. She thought as her eyes closed. Maybe all this will be normal in the morning.