Welcome to Gaia! ::

Silence smiled as the newest visitor followed her to the fire. "Rest and food are given to anyone who comes into our camp unless they start a fight." She scooped a bowl of stew from a pot in the fire and passed it over. "Do you have a list of things your people are in need of? Our provisions mistress and emissary are bound to travel towards this fire soon and will know if we have what you require and how much can be spared. Until then, eat."

Tox blew hard on his hands to keep the warmth in. It wasn't working very well. His gloves were so old they were falling apart on his hands, the fingers long removed in order to keep the pads bare. He stamped the cold from his boots, huffing from his journey. He'd been following the pinprick of firelight for some time now, but only now was it starting to expand on the horizon. A cosy little clearing, stapled with tents and scattered inhabitants, were curling around the fire like hungry smoke. His hands still kissed to his lips, breathing hot air over them, he sped up his approach. When he finally reached the bordering edges of the firelight, he called out a greeting.

"Ho!. This is tha' Drowish moon lady's camp, innit?." He called, his chattering teeth rattling his vowels. It was nothing compared to the harsh common accent, a mixture of the lowest denominator of countless cultures, that obscured his words. He didn't wait for an invitation, but bounded straight up the camp, glad for the warmth.

A closer inspection signalled that it wasn't simply a weak tolerance to the night that had him shivering. A tan had been beaten into his skin by force, speaking of warmer climates. The state of his dress and the permeating smell of sweat, mud and blood also marked him as a long-time traveller with little reprieve until now.

"Bloody 'ell, tha' forest is somethin', innit?. I swear, I saw a bear whose balls alone were twice the size of me 'ead. What're ye lot feedin' 'em animals?."

he nodded, and enjoyed his stew. he tried to eat it slowly, but couldn't help himself.

at the interupting arrival of yet another newcomer, the Orc turned his head to look. the smell of him was strong, and he spoke in such a think accent that Khar'Grim could barely make out what he was saying.

"Hello! Welcome to the Outpost," Silence called out to the newcomer. "Come on over by the fire if you want. We have some nice stew that those bears have yet to taste."

Thalia ambled far behind Tox, nearly out of breath.
She was spritely, or would be, were it not for the weeks of dirt covering her hands and the enormous swell beneath her tattered robe-- the swell that had been growing for twenty five weeks, to be exact.

The tiny young woman was undoubtedly pretty--an unfortunate gift, meant for the sound of mind. A dusting of freckles here and there; locks of auburn poking out like tendrils from beneath her hood... the most intensely stormy eyes. She'd quite the bruise collection, too. Tox had seen to that.

But Tox had told her there were going to be lots of pebbles where they were going.
Thalia liked pebbles.
They told the nicest stories-- except when they'd been thrown at someone, or hurled unsuspectingly into lakes by children.

It took her a good ten minutes to finally catch up with him. He probably forgot about her again. Sometimes, he would eat his funny powder, and go to sleep for a very long time. When he woke up, he would always want to touch her. Tox was very nice when he ate things that weren't food.

Most of the time, though, he was quite ill-tempered... Unless he wanted something.

And he did.

Thalia stepped into the firelight, completely oblivious of her dire situation. There were a lot of strange looking people here. Some had funny ears, and white hair like grandmothers.

"Hello!" She trumpeted in her most singsong voice. "Tox told me not to say anything else, "a finger crossed her mouth "so I'm going to be very quiet now."

Although the flurries had let up some time ago, and the moon had peeked through the clouds, it was still bone chillingly cold out. Puffs of hot breath came out with each step Cyn’gus made walking up what could barely be called a trail. Foliage brushed up against him as he made his way through a dense section of forest.

He had been careful to slip away unnoticed. He had just emerged from a portal that he preferred be left unknown to the others. He finally pushed through the last few branches and appeared behind a tent. He heard conversations on the other side as he slowly walked around the canvas structure into view of the firelight.

He thought he heard new voices as he made his approach. His guess was confirmed as he saw a few new faces around the fire chatting and eating. Unslinging the bag of holding from his shoulder, Cyn’gus made a quick observation of the newcomers. An Orc, and a few human faces. It looked like the blacksmith and the woman with the curious pet had made their leave.

”Hello everyone…” He said, ”I bid you welcome to our humble gathering. Please excuse my absence, I went to fetch a few more provisions with all the hungry mouths finding their way here. Please, rest and enjoy the warmth of the fire. We will have a fresh batch of stew cooking in just a few moments”

With a nod and a gentle smile for those who turned to look as he spoke, Cyn’gus brought over the provision bag laden with fresh ingredients for supper to Annoi.

”Here you are che, sorry I took so long getting these here, let me take out a few things first.”

He undid the knot on the bag pulled open the top. Reaching in he pulled out a wool blanket, and then another and another. The magical bag could hold several times the capacity of what a normal bag it’s size could carry. After pulling out a stack of folded blankets, he caught Silence’s eye. Walking over, he placed the pile next to her, keeping a few tucked under an arm.

”What did I miss?” He said to her, gesturing towards the gathering by the main fire.

Silence rose slowly and gathered the pile of blankets, letting it balance against her extended stomach as she found balance. "Welcome back, Cyn'gus. You missed a few people leaving us in favor of working, many joining us at the fires, and you get the joy of talking trade with our orc emissary while I hand out blankets." she smiled and began to move around the visitors setting the blankets down beside them.

With a small pause she moved towards the cranky old woman and plopped a blanket beside her. "You may not want to be helped out, but the chill is still on the air and I refuse to let you freeze to death in my camp." Silence smiled again before heading back to the main fire where she clumsily sat back down. "Did you bring any garlic with you, Cyn'gus?" she asked with a hand rubbing circles on her belly.

Khar'Grim huffed, glaring emediately at the man with hard eyes.

"the girl obviously is your property, but there is no reason she cannot be treated tenderly." he announced in an even growl. "these elves are masters of this encampment, so if they say she can eat, she can."