Cold but Comfortable

A day bright and clear, if cold, in Alexandria spells a good day to get outside and enjoy the sunshine. Alexandria doesn't get enough of it in these months.

Well, for most acquainted with the outdoors.

There seems to be an exception out here, sitting with her back to the wind in a clearing, in the middle of which a small tent has been erected. It is such a thing that might be easily hidden among the trees, but here she does not appear to have bothered, instead eschewing concealment in favor of bright sunshine. She sits now, bundled in furs and warm clothing to within an inch of her life, soaking up the sun as if it powers her internal heaters, and she still looks cold, despite the fire she sits in front of.

From the edge of the clearing comes the gentle, almost unheard sound of footsteps. Growing more defined as they get closer to the clearing. The sound of someone purposefully making a bit of noise so that they don't surprise an animals that might be wandering around in the winter chill.

The footsteps stop as the person making them realizes that there is a tent in the clearing, as well as a fire and someone obviously sitting beside it. There's a moment of hesitation, and then a strong clear greeting given from a feminine voice. "Greetings!"

In spite of the almost cheerful greeting, the voice sounds more surprised than pleased to find someone in the forest, and the source of the voice is a heavily cloaked individual. Leather armor shows through here and there around the edges of the fur-lined cloak which is pulled up over the others face. Offering little vision of the person who gave the greeting. There's a bow strung over their back, and a brace of arrows strapped to their thigh. All showing signs of use and care.

The figure at the fire really isn't all that different in equipment, except with the addition of a longsword at her hip. Sher looks up, the color brown most evident amid the snow. Her own figure is not really visible amid the pile of furs. "Peace and good health," comes the return call, the accent of the desert in her tones. "Be welcome at my fire."

The sound of the other woman's voice seems to relax the figure somewhat, because a certain tension goes out of the cloaked figure's form. Gracefully, the woman makes her way to the fire, nodding her head to the pile of furs and the slightest curve of a smile can be seen beneath her cowl as she joins the fire. "My thanks." She holds her hands out toward the flames to chase the chill from her fingers and doffs her cowl.

She reveals blood-red hair, and unnatural yet natural shade of hair, and elvish ears. Her expression is a serious one, and she seems to be relieved to warm herself a little. Yet... she doesn't immediately offer any further discourse.

Up close, beneath the cowl and pile of furs, chocolate brown eyes set into a tanned face regard Rhyn, and let the silence linger for a while. "I'm Aimarra," she offers finally. "Is winter here always like this?" A plaintive question.

The woman smiles again, just a slight upturning of the edge of her lips. She glances at Aimarra and nods. "I'm Rhyn. As for the weather... I take it you're not from around here?" She shrugs and flexes her fingers over the fire. Trying to get them warmer faster. "I wouldn't really know, but the last two winters have been like this one so I would assume yes."

She glances at Aimarra again. "I'm not really from around here myself."

"Mmmmnnng." The miserable answer seems to echo from the bundle of furs. "I guess I'd better get .... u-u-u-used to it." She does not happy. "The desert didn't have all the life you see here. It was - really different." The figure stares into the fire. "What was it like where you're from?

Rhyn settles down beside the fire, making herself comfortable on the ground. Though she does tuck her cloak around herself to keep her body heat in. "Not unlike here really. Nice warm summers and freezing winter." She stares into the flames. "You grew up in the desert I take it? I have heard that the nights can get quite cold there."

"I don't mind the desert night. I can dress for that," Aimarra counters, staring into the fire. "It's the snow. I'm tired of being wet and cold." Despite her being dry and having carefully arranged to be so. "Sorry, I'm whining, aren't I? Maybe a good hunt would warm me up."

Rhyn smiles at Aimarra, rolling her shoulders. "I don't mind, but if you're looking for a hunt to warm you up I should warn that the animals are very much hiding this time of the year. Makes hunting them difficult. You might have more luck fishing. Though that is unlikely to warm you." She seems to consider her own words a long moment. "I have been hunting most of the morning and have only found a few rabbits and none of them worth catching."

"True." Once again deflated, Aimarra returns to staring sullenly into the fire, pulling her arms inside the furs.

A soft murmur of laughter is heard from Rhyn and she shakes her head. "If you are so cold, why aren't you in town? In an inn or something? Much warmer there." She arches one red eyebrow with her question. She knows why _she_ is far from the human settlement, but few have her issues with other people.

"Alexandrians mostly need to be punched in the mouth. A city full of stupider people I've never met." The morose answer is short and sweet. "I'd move on if...." She hesitates.

That gets a full-on laugh from Rhyn and she covers her mouth with her hand to try and keep it in. "I agree entirely." She lets out a small mirthful noise. "I admit to curiosity as to what's keeping you here if you dislike it so, but I understand if it's something personal."

This time, the head lowers. "It's probably stupid."

One red eyebrow arches upwards once again. "I somehow doubt that." She shrugs and yet she's carefully watching Aimarra now, clearly interested in the other woman's story. Whatever it might be. "I won't force you to tell me, but you seem like you might want to talk."

The silence lingers for some moments, Aimarra staring into the fire, but finally, she shrugs off the layers of furs and strips her left glove off. Beneath the long sleeves and gloves, her left arm is wrapped wrist to elbow in a long swath of old rags that are marked here and there with bloodstains. These, she pulls off to reveal what looks like a healed but raised and ugly bite scar, the jaws of something absolutely huge with teeth marks running from wrist to elbow on both sides of her arm. "A mystery."

GAME: Rhyn rolls spellcraft: (1)+5: 6 (EPIC FAIL)

Rhyn looks at the wounds with interest bordering on curiosity, but doesn't seem terribly moved by the marks. In that, while some people would be disgusted to see such a terrible wound, she seems more bemused then concerned. "That looks like it hurt." She remarks wryly, and rubs her own hands together for warmth. "You don't remember what caused it, or... does healing not work properly on you?"

"No, it works fine. Usually." Aimarra stares down at it. "The creature that made it - knew exactly what it was doing. It looked at me and then bit down." She gives a shiver at the memory, then begins to wrap it back up. "I - don't know what it wants, but I know that if I need to, I can call on it - a little bit. It hurts, like every time I do it'll start bleeding again, but. -why me?" She trails off helplessly. “What does it want?"

The elvish woman's brow furrows, a dozen thoughts flickering through her mind and then she finally asks the question that is perhaps most important. "What manner of creature bit you? Do you know?"

"The biggest wolf I have ever seen before or since." Aimarra methodically wraps it up again, concealing the mark from view, and “Easily two-three times the size of a normal wolf. And it was smart. I've ... started to be able to feel it, talk to it a little?"

"I admit, I've never heard of such a thing. Of someone being bitten and then... feeling and talking to a natural wolf. I've heard of large wolves, even talking wolves. But none that could be called upon for aid, or which leave bleeding wounds such as you possess." Rhyn spreads her hands. "So it seems that I am not the one that has the answers you seek, but you have come to a good place to have such questions answered. Many odd things exist in Alexandria."

Aimarra finishes wrapping up, then pulls down her sleeve and re-dons her glove. She pulls the furs around her again with a convulsive shiver. "You aren't kidding," she agrees, just a little less morose and a little more open for the telling of her tale. "Just the other day I tried to go into the arcanist's guild to see if I could find someone willing to strengthen the enchantment on my bow, and got accosted by ghosts.”

Rhyn shakes her head. "One would think that such a place would be safe from ghosts of all things. There's a temple of Vardama in the city is there not?" She stares toward the city briefly then shakes her head again. "So many odd things take place here, and the people..." Her tone suggests that she has much to say on that subject.

"So it's not just me!" Aimarra bursts out suddenly, leaning forward. "People act like the kind of silliness I see is normal, and I don't get it! I wonder if your stories match mine."

There's a brief flash of an actually smile from Rhyn and one gets the impression that good humor is rare for her. She also leans slightly forward, certain that Aimarra is quite correct in her assessment. "It _is_ strange isn't it? The way that half the people who live here act like the most bizarre things are commonplace? I have heard of dragons in the streets, and demons running rampant and that's just in the last few months!"

Aimarra's smile abruptly fades at that. "Yeah. Some sort of Taaran cult was turning people into statues and carting them off to become slaves, along with some living ones. They ... caught me." Another convulsive shudder. "It was - pretty bad, and right before I was rescued, they were pulling people out and killing them, I think. I don't know why. Their leader was ... someone named Erik?"

Rhyn's smile fades as well and she's quiet a moment. "That must have been terrifying. To be caught by a cult. I admit I haven't heard many of the details of the situation. I was just glad when the news reported that the demon that was causing so much of the trouble was finally dead." She shudders lightly. "I hadn't heard anything about someone named Erik."

"I ... kind of stayed out of the city as much as I could, after that," Aimarra admits in a small voice. "I don't mind living out in the wilderness, it isn't as if it's hard, and the druids don't mind." The voice becomes less small. "So someone did finally step in and banish a demon in the city? What took so long? The temples should have been all over that.”

"Again, I don't really know the details. Just that a small group got together and did something to destroy him. Apparently more than just banishing him. And there's some sort of wards up that make it so more demons can't come in whenever they want to." Rhyn shrugs. "I'm not sure what took so long, but if I had to guess I'd say that the demon wasn't so easy to catch. That banishing him wasn't doing the trick of getting rid of him like it usually does."

"Oh." Aimarra considers that, but shrugs finally. "I'm not an expert in demons, so I wouldn't know. At least someone there has some sense." Her shoulders relax a little, though. "I guess the city is at least mostly safe now? If still full of stupid people?"

"I would estimate at least somewhat safer, and I would assume that the people are just as stupid as they've always been." Rhyn snorts lightly. "When I first entered the city I had a lot of trouble with this one guy who just would _not_ take _no_ for an answer." She shakes her head.

Aimarra snorts laughter. "Did you stick a knife in his ribs? Serve him right." She uncoils, and reaches behind her into the tent she's sitting in front of, laying back almost entirely to do so. From it, she pulls a neatly preserved pack of dried meat and some nuts, setting both next to the fire between them. Then she reaches back in and pulls out a water skin, offering it to the other woman. "I'm being rude, care for some water?"

"Punched him." Rhyn admits easily, with a flash of teeth. "Though half the folks in the bar didn't seem to understand that I wanted nothing to do with him. One person suggested that I kiss him?" She shudders whole-body at the thought and then smiles at the offer of water. "Ah! Yes, thank you! Every stream I ran across this morning was frozen over."

She shifts her weight to accept the water and tips it in thanks to Aimarra before pulling a cup from her things and pouring out a small portion of the liquid before handing back the water skin.

Seemingly satisfied, even pleased, Aimarra accepts the waterskin back and leans back again to bring out a tin cup of her own. She pours some into her own cup, then sets it back inside the tent. "Yes, I just filled my bucket with snow and left it next to the fire for a few hours," she explains, chuckling at the story. "Why would they think you'd be all right with kissing a stranger? Has he never been slapped before?"

That said, she raises the cup to Rhyn, and takes a good, long sip, eventually draining it.

Rhyn takes a moment to appreciate the water before shrugging and answering Aimarra. "I have no idea really. I surely didn't. He _was_ terribly surprised when I hit him. I think he expected me to follow the advice of random strangers." She frowns somewhat and looks toward the city with a sigh. "It's not that I haven't seen good to go alongside the bad here, but sometimes I wonder why _I'm_ here."

Something about the acceptance of the water seems to please Aimarra immensely, and she sets the water skin aside, offering the dried meat and nuts as well. It's quite obvious from how it's packaged that she had dried the meat herself. "Maybe because you think you can do some good here?" she hazards, picking up a strip of her own.

Rhyn seems to consider the second offering for a moment then accepts the dried meat and nuts. She only takes a small portion, but seems to appreciate the gesture quite a lot, though she looks a bit embarrassed. "I did come for that reason. I heard about the plague striking the land and wanted to help but... It feels like I've done very little, and now my reason for coming has faded." She looks at the food thoughtfully then Aimarra. "I have no way to repay you the kindness of your fire and your supplies beyond my gratitude, which you have."

"I offer you my fire, is food and drink not a part of that? You offer me company and laughter in return, and a dose of good sense into the bargain." Surprise lift's Aimarra's eyebrows, but she doesn't seem upset. "And you bring news, for which I am glad. Are you out this way very often?"

"Quite often. I actually have been camping out here pretty often myself." Rhyn offers a smile and nods her thanks to Aimarra. "I'm surprised I haven't happened upon you sooner if you're out here much yourself." It's half a question.

"Sometimes I stay in the city, but I roam pretty far, too, doing odd jobs. I've done some Guild work, but -" She shudders again, and pulls the furs closer around her, then takes a bit from her strip of meat, tearing it off with her teeth. "That's a nasty business. It pays my way, but-" She shakes her head. "I'm surprised too, but having someone to share chores with beats camping alone."

Rhyn blinks, surprised and looks at Aimarra's simple camp. "You have someone else staying here with you?" She was fairly certain that the other woman was alone, but supposed that she was right and that having someone around to help would make things significantly easier.

"No. I was suggesting that it's dumb for two people to each make solo camps," Aimarra points out, taking another bite of meat. "Especially when not everything in the woods is friendly."

Another, this time somewhat surprised sound of amusement from Rhyn. "So it is." She looks at the other woman, measuring her as she eats and considering their easy conversation thus far. It's the best that she's gotten along with someone since moving to Alexandria. "I agree. If you are amenable, we should pool resources and camp together."

"Wouldn't have suggested it if I wasn't. It sounds like you've got a brain in your head, and you're good company." Aimarra's smile returns. "Be nice to have someone to talk to out here." Nom nom nom. "If you don't mind me trying to figure this out." She lifts her left arm, half-heartedly.

"I don't mind at all." Rhyn looks at the arm and considers. "If not for the ghosts roaming the halls I might have suggested you ask a mage at the Arcanists' Guild." She shakes her head again. "I'm not sure who to ask beyond them about such a thing."

"Maybe you're right. I ought to ask at the Lawgiver's Temple. Why wouldn't they seek help with it? It was tying to throw someone off a roof!" Aimarra shakes her head, finishing off her slice of dried meat. "I guess I'll have to venture back in there." She does not sound happy.

Rhyn seems to consider something else for a moment then offers somewhat hesitantly. "If you like, I could go with you. At least if we encounter ghosts you'd have someone to back you up. And if not... well still having someone to watch your back is a good thing around the city."

Clearly, Aimarra had not considered that idea, and she stops, blinking. "Would you? I don't mind cities, but something is wrong with that one. I grew up in Tashraan." A shrug dismisses the city itself. "But something isn't right with that one. It'd be good to have company for the walk." One arm snakes out from between the furs and retrieves a log from a oil-cloth-protected pile, winkling it out and placing it on the fire. She then pokes everything into place with a wet stick, the fire re-rousing some as she does so.

Decisively Rhyn nods. "I would." This is firm enough at least, and she seems serious about her offer. "I'm... Not terribly good with people, so I avoid the city myself, but it's worth it to go in for some things." She flashes the other woman a quick grin. "Like coffee."

"Yes. It's not so bad, and it's worth going in for supplies. I go to Wilderness Pointe if I can, but some things you've just got to go to the city for." Aimarra nods at the offer, and lets out a long breath. "I'll be glad to have you, and I don't mind doing the talking. When do you want to go?"

Rhyn finishes off her light meal and spreads her hands toward the fire. "We'll wait for your fire to burn down, don't want to waste that log... but we'll go after. I don't want to wait too long, and you were saying you want to do something to warm up. A nice walk into the city and the nice warm buildings there should do the trick."

"Sounds good. It might be dark by that time, though, so maybe once the sun is up?" Aimarra offers in return. "I don't know if you can see in the dark well enough to travel by night." Poke poke poke. Once everything is burning well, she picks up a second strip of meat. "I agree that a good walk into the city ought to warm us both up."

"You make a good point. I can see somewhat in the dark, but would rather travel by daylight. Speaking of..." Rhyn rubs her hands one last time and rises to her feet. "I should gather my gear and bring it here. It'll be a little safer and I won't have to travel through the dark to reach my camp."

"That's a good idea." For the first time, Aimarra unfolds herself entirely, bundling her wrap fur and tossing it into the tent behind her. She gets to her feet, revealing more furs atop another oilcloth on which she had been sitting. "If you will do that while it is light, I will stay here with the fire. Tell me where you want to pitch your tent, and I'll clear the space for you."

"Somewhere close to your tent would be best." She glances toward Aimarra's camp and nods. "I wouldn't want to disturb the area more than necessary. So we'll keep everything together so when we clear out there's less disturbed space." With that she raises a hand and turns to head back into the forest.

Aimarra nods at once, approval evident in the glance that Rhyn gets. They're of one mind on that, and when Rhyn returns with her gear, a space is cleared for her ninety degrees to her own tent, so that both tents can face the fire with the wood pile between them. It is cleared of snow and pebbles but not grass, to minimize the damage done.

-End