Rude Awakenings Continued (Vennessa/Diamond/Shy/Open)

[Claire]

Night was beginning to fall by the time the party had made it back to the home along the river. It was much less cold here than it was in the mountains, but the chill of night was beginning to set in. The home they were approaching with speed was a hearty little thing of stone and wood, with a small wall jutting out into the river. It was quiet here, with only the sound of wildlife and the river to fill the air. Claire moved forward quickly, pulling keys from her belt and unlocking the door before pushing her way inside.

“There is a spare bed, you can put her down there. Or in a chair. Someone light a fire, I’m going to find her something to wear.” Claire pulled the cloak off her shoulders and hung it before brushing past a wooden table to go back into the bedroom. The main room was modestly furnished with a table to eat at at one end of the room and a small hearth on the other, surrounded by chairs and a spare bed pushed against the wall. Dried herbs hung from the windows and a rug of animal skin lay on the floor by the hearth, an iron pot hanging above where the fire was to be lit.

Claire dug through her old clothes- it was wise not the throw them out yet. She pulled a modest dress from the trunk hiding under her bed, one that she had procured to wear during the spring but never got a chance to and bundled it under her arm. It was a light, floaty thing for warmer weather, deep blue in color with long embroidered sleeves. She fetched clean undergarments to go along with it and returned to the main room, handing the bundle of clothes to Vennessa.

“These belonged to… belonged to my sister. You’re about the same height as her, they should fit you as well. They may be a bit big for you, though.”

[Deleted]

Diamond gets in with Vennessa and they could see the merc was slightly winded after traveling as quickly as they could. As that voice or whatever that was, had sent shivers down his spine. It was some kind of fear that went beyond primal. Whatever was there in the pass, it was not human or even anything he could think of. He finds the bed and gently lays the blond haired woman on to the bed. Then moves away as to give Vennessa a bit of time to get to her senses. As he then heard Claire asking about getting a fire going. He finds the firewood and places a few pieces into the harth. Taking out the piece of jasper he had aims it there and it glows and a fire sparks on the wood. It then starts to catch flame and a fire was lit. "We are good on the fire" he said and then looks over at Claire and Vennessa and hoped thing would be alright.

[Deleted]

Séanait removed her sword from the bed and nudged her spare arrow bag under it before Diamond gently place Vennessa down. It was very tempting to crack a joke about Vennessa being in her bed, but Séanait decided that it wasn't entirely appropriate right now. She could try flirting with the gorgeous woman after she had rest and healed a bit.



While Claire searched for clothes and Diamond lit the fire, Séanait bustled about the room, finding the remnants of the medical supplies, along with some food. It was cold, but it would take too long to make a stew or similar hot food. She fished out some strong spirits instead and splashed a generous amount in the bottom of a mug, which she handed to Vennessa.



"Here, get this into you."



Séanait placed a plate of bread and cheese down on a chair next to the beautiful woman and sat on the edge of the bed with various medical supplies on hand.



"Once you're a bit warmer, I'll take a look at those wounds."

[Deleted]

The warmth of the cloak kept her from freezing during Vennessa's 'carried' journey to this stranger's cottage. The moment Diamond laid her on the bed, Vennessa seemed to relax and finally gain more color in her complexion. Her cheeks now a rosy soft hue against round supple features of her face. Her sapphire eyes like diamonds within the room taking in every bit of what was around her. The dirt and mud in her hair had dried and becoming a lot easier to brush out with her hands. Now that she was beginning the sit up, an take in her surroundings more clearly without the fear of danger.

She watched as the male who had brought them to this cabin disappeared into his room, only to return a few minutes later with a lovely blue dress in his arms. Her head tilting as he hands her the fabric explaining it's past ownership an the word 'belonged' seem to boldly stick out in her fore-thoughts.

" Thank you for your generosity an the kindness of keeping your sister's belongings in such well shape. You must be a good brother." Vennessa smiled, lifting her hands up under the cloak and removing the clasp. Letting the cloak fall from her freely as she got up off the bed. Her nude form now standing before the group, the black tribal ink markings more visible while dried stains of blood decorated her flawless peachy-cream skin. Taking the dress and slipping it on over her head and filling out the dress a little too well. A large smile on her face. " Oh my, it's a little tight around the chest area, but other than that a perfect fit." She chuckled, looking over to the other man who had sat down at the edge of the bed. Her eyes focusing on the cup that was handed to her. She stared at it for a moment, before taking a seat at the edge of the bed.

" Thank you." she nodded, taking the cup and drinking it's contents with out proper knowledge of what she was in fact consuming. Once the cup was empty, Vennessa placed the cup in her lap while she returned her attention to the three within the room. Now a little warmer and some what more composed from when she awoke in the mountains.

" This is a lovely home. Do you all know each other? I never seen a bachelor with such elegant taste, Do you all live here, separate, or are you all life partners?"

[Claire]

“She would have-” Claire gave a start as Vennessa stood and removed the cloak around her shoulders. “Wait- you don’t have to here-” she could feel her face burn, strangely enough, and she turned her head, covering her eyes with a hand. “You could have used my room.”

Normally she was not one to be embarrassed by nudity, but this girl was gullible enough to have no shame. She could have at least turned her back. She could hear cloth rustle and then Vennessa speaking and she slid her hand off her face, shaking her head. Claire looked back down at the woman. “It fits well enough, it will do for now.” She fought a frown. They were nearly the same body type and height. That was odd. She nodded back to the far wall, looking to Diamond.

“There’s ale if you want it, just don’t drink all of it. And a little food.” Claire removed the thick leather gloves from her hands, setting them on a chair beside them. “I only know Seanait. And thank you, but it’s not my taste. It was my sister’s-” she paused at the last remark, then burst into laughter.

“Funny. You’re funny.” Claire moved to the other side of the room to gather vegetables, water, herbs, and a bit of beef to start a stew in the pot over the fire. “Let’s start with you. You said your name was Vennessa? Do you have a family name? How did you get up on that mountain?”

[Deleted]

Diamond had a good chuckle and turned his head as Vennessa started to disrobe and watched Shy get into action. He cracked his neck a few times and tried to stay out of the way with Shy and this Castile. He had another laugh as Vennessa said it was a bit too tight in the chest area. Then Castile mentioned about the ale and food "Thank you, I'll do what I can to replay you Castile for this. Perhaps I'll go hunt something down and bring it in for breakfast" Diamond did frown on belonging part from Castile. The white haired mercenary was not too sharp but something was fishy. But again would question him and Shy a bit later in the evening once Vennessa was asleep. Diamond gets up and finds a cup and pours himself a bit of Ale. As he was about to drink he hears life partners and that caused him to have a bit of a roaring laugh. "Ah I only know Shy here, and like you a guest in there home. This is my first time here and I do prefer women. I'm not into a sausage fest thank you very much" he said and had another laugh.

"Shy do you have a minute? I need to talk to you outside there a few things I need to know since I last saw you" he said as he knew that Castile would be able to handle what was going on with Vennessa. But he needed to know if she was in the attack on the gallows. If she was or was not, he was going to give her a warning on what was happening. As he knew that Shy was Fated from some other world.

[Rivers]

As Shy and Diamond walked outside they would find Rivers trailed by Lia walking towards the cabin, Rivers carrying a bag of various food stuffs that would be difficult to get in the forest. In his hand Rivers was carrying a amber sweet fruit and he had a wide smile on his face as he strode towards the cottage, raising a hand towards Shy.

"Lo, Shy I have come to visit, and I bring fresh fruit, cheese and bread." he announces looking around and noticing Diamond. He knew of the man of course, the city had been abuzz with rumors about him, the savior of third district who'd quit the guards after a short time. He did not know much about the man's character, but he was a little surprised to see him here.

He smiles at Diamond and holds out the amber fruit in his hand. "Want some?" He asks before looking towards the house. "Looks like you've got some company, and here I thought..." Rivers trails off as he stretches to look inside and sees who was there. He wordlessly reaches into his bag and takes out an apple then looks at Shy. "So, why is there a goddess on your floor? Or did Venessa decide to try and steal Helena's champion?" He asks as he bites into the apple and holds it in his mouth, making him look somewhat silly.

After a moment he finishes taking a the bite, "So, mind if I visit for a bit?"

[Deleted]

Honestly, Lia had her issues with continued association with people planning a coup. Yet, there were also very few people with which they could rely on, so whatever feelings that she had on the issue couldn’t be expressed with things as they were. At the least the variety of food had her in good spirits enough to not to be concerned with the matter.

She smiles as she enters through the tunnel, “This is a pretty good spread, especially considering how far away we are from the city.” Yet good cheer immediately vanishes as soon as she takes note of what Rivers just said about a goddess on the cabin floor.

She darts inside and stops in front of the fallen goddess.  Lia doesn’t think she’s been close to her mother since… well, birth really. Even during the Blossom Festival, Vennessa appeared to her “date” and not her. With plenty of opportunities for the goddess to have spoken to her, it appears Vennessa wanted to do with her own daughter.

Unnaturally still and quiet, a million thoughts flow through her mind. Her emotions go between angry, panicked, and confused. A few moments pass before she actually finds her voice. With a sternness that wasn’t much like the girl, she asks, “What are you doing here?” A goddess in the mortal realm outside of a holiday was rare. And rarer still to be in a shack in the middle of no place. A shack of people plotting to kill the king. Of all the places that she could be, why here? Why now?

[Deleted]

Séanait definitely enjoyed the show. Oh, it wasn't quite as good as watching someone who was aware of their nudity and either was self conscious or flaunted themselves, but she could still appreciate Vennessa's body and naturally graceful movements. Ironically, Séanait was the only one to not look away, despite not being a man or being disguised as one. Damn, she wanted this woman. Sure, the dried blood spoiled things a little but, still...Damn, she was gorgeous.


When Vennessa asked if they were life partners, Séanait laughed with the others, grinning so broadly it looked like her face would split.

"Haha, no, nothing like that. I was a friend of Castile's sister and he very generously offer me a place to stay when I needed it."

Diamond asked if Séanait had a minute and she shrugged and replied that she did and followed him outside. That was when Rivers showed up, with Lia in tow. Lia had previously been the most beautiful woman Séanait knew, but Vennessa edged her out slightly. Other than that, Séanait didn't know much about Lia.

"Hey Rivers! I think Castile's still a little pissed at you, but I'm sure he'll welcome the food."

Rivers craned his neck to look inside. Séanait noticed the dragon perched on Lia's should and was about to comment on it, When Rivers dropped his bombshell. It took Séanait a moment to process what he had just said, during which time Lia stormed inside.

"Wait, what? Are you saying that Vennessa is actually," She almost choked on her words, "Vennessa?"

From inside came Lia's voice, much sterner than Séanait had heard before, but she barely heard it as she tried to process the concept of a goddess being in Claire's cottage. Then she remember the tiny dragon on Lia's shoulder.

"And was that a dragon on Lia's shoulder?"

[Deleted]

Idris sat happily on Lia's shoulder eating what appeared to be half of an orange. The tiny dragon made a variety of pleased noises as it stuck it's nose further into the fruit eating until it hit the orange skin. When Rivers called out a greeting it perked up and raised it's head curiously letting out a single "Kyuh~"

Though the small dragon's happy peace was suddenly shattered as Lia suddenly bolted into the cabin. It in advertantly dropped the unfinished half orange as it scrambled to get a grip of Lia's cloths letting out a small mournful sound before squeezing more firmly onto her shoulder as she demanded answers of the blonde woman.

Idris lets out a nervous whimper in the face of the stern Lia.

[Deleted]

This was certainly strange for the blonde hair maiden. Her head tilting to one side like a curious dove at Castile's sudden embarrassment. Was it not something accustomed to put clothes on when one was nude? Or perhaps it was the action of undressing to redress. Vennessa pondered this for a moment, before Castile turned back around to address her again.

" I'm funny? " Vennessa repeated, her sapphire eyes batting in confusion. What was funny about life partners? This thought was now troubling. She must have been wrong, for everyone in the room busted out with laughter on her 'partner' remark.

" Oh… I see." She noted, her head lowering to drop her gaze to the floor. " I don't remember much before waking up on that road. What I do remember however, is a person standing over me. I recall that person putting their hands on me… A voice telling me to go to the castle for safety. That was all before blacked out… I awoken shortly before this man here found me." She paused, lifting her gaze to look up at Diamond with a smile. " Then well, you know the rest."

Vennessa turned her attention to Diamond and Shy as they both left the room and seem to walk outside the cottage. Unaware of the unexpected company that had arrived.

" Castile… If I am a burden on you and your home. You are not obligated to offer such things to a stranger such as myself. I thank you for the kindness you and your sister has shown me this day. Your companion, shy, as well." Vennessa spoke to Castile, while her gaze was still fixed on the door. For a minute there, she swore that she heard more people talking outside.

Her eyes darting to the window as a figure of a man caught her by surprise. Then a another woman entered the room, storming in as if on a mission. Her expression clearly hostile, which caught Vennessa off guard. Her pretty blue eyes blinking rapidly as she stared up at Lia from her seat at the edge of the bed. Her hands clasped together over her knee as she crossed her legs in a polite fashion at the girl before her. Her expression also changing as stared back at Lia with a frown.

Then suddenly she began to smile.
" I'm sorry, Are you Castle's sister? If so, I promise on returning the dress. " She asked, getting up from the bed side and standing before Lia. Her hair flowing behind her like a golden rays of sun. Completely unaware of what Lia was actually referring to when she said ' what are you doing here?'. Not only that, Vennessa didn't even know who this other woman was. Her smile still present, even though she was beginning to feel a bit awkward.

[Claire]

Claire grit her teeth suddenly at the put their hands on me remark. The poor woman may have been assaulted after all. She sat in the chair beside the bed, leaning forward with her elbows resting on her knees. When Shy and Diamond left, she turned her attention to the young woman. Vennessa. She forced a smile.

“I- She would have liked to meet you. But-” She shook her head. “You were a woman in danger. It would have been… I would have been a monster to leave you there like that. But you will be safe here.” She heard voices outside of the door, then Shy calling out. She swore under her breath in a language Vennessa would not understand and stood, going to the window. She she looked out, a young woman with hair like roses was storming towards the door and she could see Rivers standing outside. She quickly drew the curtain so Rivers could not see inside. This young woman had been through enough and if Rivers saw her, there would be a chance that he would take her with the rest of the women following him into that underground sanctuary.

When the young woman with hair like roses burst through her door and started to yell at Vennessa, Claire strode forward and grabbed the girl by the arm. She dragged her to the door, pushing her back out into the lawn. She leaned out of the door, yelling to Rivers.

“This is not a public house! Take your friend and go, I have enough visitors in my house tonight.” She closed the door hard and leaned against it, looking to Vennessa. “That was not my sister. Now quickly, go to the back room and hide for a moment. I will take care of this.” Claire pointed back to the bedroom behind Vennessa, nodding towards it. “Quickly, I don’t know who else might be coming.”

[Deleted]

Before Diamond did step out with Shy he did hear about what happened before he showed up to find Vennessa. It did make him frown and then hear that she should go to the castle. To the white haired mercenary though, that sounded like an ill idea as Nova was a littral hotbed that was going to blow. He would let Castile talk with the blond while he and Shy got to talking outside. As they did though, Diamond hears two voices speak out. Both were familure to him, even though one was male and the other female. As they got closer to the cabin, one was Lia he met at least a month ago. The other was some what recent, he knew the man's name was Rivers and assumed that this man was fated or something else. There was a thing to note as the dancer had a dragon chick on her shoulder and made him raise a slight eyebrow. But they brought food and some jabs each other. He hears Rivers offering him a piece of fruit and accepted it "Ah its been a long time since I had one of these" he said and was about to start taking the rind off of the orange. Then the rouge like man blurted something out that raised both of his eyebrows up.

There was a look of doubt on his face as the odds were a million to one to be true. He then sighs as Lia rushed into the cabin and heard some yelling which caused him to sigh a bit. Then Castile threw Lia out of the cabin but when he heard Rivers going on Vennessa being that goddess. Well it made him a bit curious. "Well...that was interesting........Is she really a goddess or are you trying to make a good jape here? I would like a bit of proof. I doubt your claims, all I see here with that lady, is a escaped slave girl. The tattoos on her skin could be brands of her owner" Diamond not really taking what Rivers was saying with a grain of salt. "And what is your problem Lia......did she steal your performance" he asked the dancer. As he had no clue like Shy for a small bit. "...I have a feeling this is going to be a long night" he said and started to peel the rind off of the orange.

[Rivers]

Rivers watches the drama play out and lets out a sigh, looks like he wasn't wanted here. He frowns a bit at this fact but shrugs. Well I suppose some people treat you like crap no matter how much you help them. He muses to himself, though he felt surprisingly bitter about the whole thing but decided to ignore it. People were people after all.

"Well then my warrior friend we can catch up sometime when Castile doesn't have a stick up his ass." He calls out to the house, obviously referring to Shy. Then he turns to Diamond and shrugs "If you think she's a slave I must be mistaken, she just looks very similar to when I met the goddess during the Blossom Festival, but I doubt she'd go so far as to play the slave convincingly to bed anyone, even someone as handsome as you." He admits, feeling less sure of his observation now.

"Well as it is clear I am not wanted I suppose I should get going, no sense poking the angry bear." He says with a slightly irritated expression on his face before walking out into the woods. "Lia, if you don't want to stick around let me know. If you do get the red headed warrior to escort you." he calls out as he waves goodbye, the bag still slung over his shoulder.