The snakes hissed again, as if for good measure, then high-tailed it down the road. Standing there was a tall girl with twin pistols strapped to her curvy waist, straight, copper red hair pulled into a side braid, and black glasses over dark violet eyes and an explosion of freckles over her pale skin. The snakes slithered up her legs, the rested comfortably around her neck and waist.
The girl petted the black snake's head–who was around her neck. "Sorry about them." She had a thick and rolling accent with a hint of an elven lilt.
Stardew raises an eyebrow. She's not really impressed. Nevertheless, she crosses over to the newcomer and holds out her hand. "Welcome. I'm Stardew Avalon. And you are?"
The girl shook her hand. "Aurae Ralomyar" She nodded to Runner with a hint of amusement. "I came to watch after him after the whole blowing-up-a-daemon-camp thing in my world."
The figure watched for several more moments, then stepped back, seeming to disappear into the very darkness of the world around.
He tilted his head, blushing slightly. "Yeah, sorry about that…"
Aurae smiled, then tilted her head as if hearing something none of the others heard. Somethings hiding. she thought, In the shadows, most likely. She waved a dismissive hand, not revealing her observations. "All good. Just wanted to make sure you were okay."
He nodded, taking a glance at the same shadow she had noticed. They made eye contact, and a look of knowledge passed between them.
The snakes hissed in reaction to her thoughts, but did not go after it. She patted their heads to calm them, then clicked her tongue in disapproval. "Mimickrees. So temperamental."
He rubbed his eyes, which were still a little bloodshot. "Have I cause a ruckus over there?"
"Nope." she said, popping the P. "I've done more damage a few years back. You're little explosion was hardly noticed. Helps it was in the middle of what used to be a desert."
"Then how did you notice?" His suspicion was beginning to grow, and he knew that those snakes weren't going to use spells if they attacked.
They eyed him with cruel cunning from where they were wrapped around their master. Aurae shrugged. "I was there."
"Yet, I didn't feel you." He took a step and a half back.
Her gaze grew flat and bored. "Because I didn't want you to."
He shook his head, taking another step back. He kept his eyes rooted on the two snakes, desperately wishing for his pan or a staff.
She smirked when she noted where his attention was. "Forgot the pistols, buddy."
"I can expect those. These are living things. Erratic. Unpredictable. Like you." He locked eyes with her. "You have the blood of a god. Something tricky. You're trying to mess with my head; I can feel you inside my head."
She frowned. "Damn. Way to make things difficult for me." The snakes lunged, growing bigger until they each were ten times their original size and heading straight for Runner.
Runner smiled as the Wendigo suddenly emerged from the ground in front of him, grabbing one of the snakes and blocking the other's path. He took off into the woods, running a s fast as his tired body would go.
Stardew drew her sword, muttering a spell that wreathed her unarmed hand in fire. Her companions did the same. They stepped alongside Runner.
"Are we going to have a problem? I'll be the first to admit I don't know everything about this situation, but snakes seem a little hasty," Stardew said.
"I don't know what her business is, but that looked pretty threatening to me." He huffed ou between breahs, steadily slowing down as his legs failed.
The Alnaschari followed, keeping pace with him easily, swords loose and comfortable in their hands. "Do you want us to help in any way?" Foxglove asked, eyeing Runner.
Wandering in the darkness, there was the sound of movement. Glowing blue eyes were seen in the dark, four sets. Considering the height of said eyes, the owner of said eyes, was of gigantic proportions. It walked slowly along, seemingly being careful as it walked. It looked draconic, though there were no wings. It had six limbs, but the middle were tucked up, seeming to be carrying something.
Its head lifted, nostrils flaring as it heard voices. The arms that seemed to be carrying something tightened around whatever it was carrying. The sound of running drew its attention. The strange beast released a loud rumble, as if to warn anyone of its presence.
Her eyes widened "Ebony!" and she flinched when the black snake was hit. She flung out an arm, mentally commanding the white snake to stay back. It obeyed, albeit stubbornly. "Fucking Wendigo. Perfect. Just what I fucking needed." She ran after the fleeing group, seething.
"To be honest, yes. I'm not in any shape to fight right now, and she obviously isn't looking to have tea."
