forum The Traveler (closed)

Started June 17, 2023 by @ElderGod-yellowqueen

tune

Marc groaned as he forced himself into a sitting position, his eyes only half open. He wanted nothing more than a cup of strong coffee.

Ariella patted his shoulder and stood. When shuffled to the bathroom. She brushed her teeth and washed her face and braided her back. She stepped back into the bedroom.

Marc hadn't really moved from the time she left to when she came back. He hadn't gone back to sleep, even though he wanted to, but he hadn't gotten up from the bed either. His hands were on his face, rubbing small circles in an attempt to wake himself up more.

Ariella laughed quietly to herself. She sat next to him on the bed, his shirt in her hand. "Come on, up up. We'll get you some coffee at our next spot. And some breakfast."

Marc groaned, still waking up, grabbing the shirt and nodding slowly. “As long as you’re sure this next place has coffee.” he muttered before getting dressed.

Ariella smirked, crossing her arms. "I think you have me beat for the worst morning person." She shook her head in amusement. She stood up from the bed and pulled on her boots, lacing them.

Marc managed a soft chuckle as he finished putting in his shirt. “No competition. I can handle late nights to the point of being… almost nocturnal. But mornings? Can’t do it.” he shook his head, moving to put on his shoes.

"Well," Ariella started, "If you went to bed earlier, I think you'd find that you would be able to wake up sooner." She was not one to talk. She was a night owl. And she loved her sleep. She would sleep all through the afternoon if she could.

Marc shook his head, still obviously tired. “Tried that. Doesn't help.” he admitted. “The only thing that works is lots of caffeine.”

Ariella only smiled softly to him. She held out her hand for him to take. "Let's get out of her. I'm tired of looking at sand."

Marc nodded and accepted her hand as he stood up. “Sure. Let's go.” he agreed.

Ariella silently walked out of the house they were in. The town was silent, only one or two people out on the streets starting their early morning. There was a slight chill in the air as the sun was just beginning peak on the horizon. She came upon the side of a building that had dried blood in the markings she had made back in the hospital. "Ready?"

Marc was just awake enough to follow Ariella without any trouble or complaint. Fortunately, he was also aware that yesterday hadn't been some crazy dream. “As ready as I’ll ever be.” he nodded. “Though I don't know how many trips it’ll take me to get used to seeing you cut yourself.”

Ariella made a face. "If it makes you feel any better, I still haven't really gotten used to it either." And with that, she pulled a knife out of her pocket that she had swiped from the house and drew it down her forearm, causing blood to swell. It was a shallow cut but one that kept being made over and over again. She used the blood to retrace over the markings and waited for the portal to open. She grabbed Marcus's hand and walked through the portal.

Marc gave her an apologetic look, even though none of this was his fault. It was more like he was sorry that this was the only way. More out of habit, he watched the area around them as Ariella drew the symbols but accepted her hand when she was done. Though he was still a bit nervous as he followed her through the portal.

Ariella shrugged off his apologetic look. There wasn't any other way around this. Blood was the sacrifice that had to be made. And she would gladly pay it if it meant she could walk between worlds. She squeezed his hand, grinning back at him as they walked through worlds. This next one looked a little more like earth. And more like modern day earth. Advanced industrialized buildings, roads, car like vehicles. Everyone was dressed similarly to what Marc would be used to. It reminded her too much of Earth so she tended not to stay here too long and avoided it if possible. "Let's get you your coffee."

Marc managed a small smile back and returned the assuring squeeze. He blinked, a little surprised at the transition and familiarity of this new place. “Thank you.” he nodded gratefully as he looked around. “Where are we now?”

Ariella looked around them. "Evernth. Think of it as not earth. It's very similar but like, not." She crossed the street at the light and made her way to the little corner café. No one batted an eye at them or their appearance. They were used to Travelers here. It was one of the more common realms.

Marc nodded at the answer, trying to commit it to his still sleep-addled brain as he looked around. He was actually glad for all the similarities between this new realm and Earth. And the nonchalant attitude people seemed to have toward him and Ariella also helped him relax more.

Ariella pulled out a piece of bandage she had stolen from their host and wrapped it around her arm. She knew she would need for open it back up again but she didn't want to be bleeding all over the place. And her new clothes. She stepped into the little café. "What do you want?" She asked Marc.

Marc shrugged as he looked at the menu, only recognizing a few things. “Honestly, I'm fine with just a cup of a dark rich roast. What counts as a good strong cup here?” he asked, relenting to trust her judgment on these travels.

Ariella hummed. "See, I'm a sweet, chocolate, blended kinda coffee girl. So I don't think I'm the one to answer that question. But they've got dark roast and creamer." She shuffled up to the front of the line and ordered the most atrocious, sweet, blended Frappuccino that shouldn't be allowed because it completely drowned out the coffee taste.

Marc huffed out a chuckle at her idea of coffee and shook his head. “It's too early in the morning for something that sweet for me.” he started his opinion before ordering a large straight dark roast.

Ariella grinned at him before taking a sip of her drink. "Maybe but I quite like sweet things. I think it helps balance out my crude nature." She winked at him. After paying for it, because they did convert the other money, she stood to the side while Marc waited for his drink. "Do you want to stay here and look around or are you ready to go to the next place?"

Marc was impressed by the swift service but just smirked back as he waited a moment longer before joining Ariella outside with his drink. “Ask me that after the caffeine kicks in.” he chuckled. “But if you want to show me around, I won't stop you.”

Ariella returned his chuckle. She could respect that. "Well then, we can walk while your caffeine kicks in. This place is rather similar to earth so you should feel more comfortable here." She had known their previous realm had not been in his comfort zone whatsoever.

Marc nodded before taking a large drink. “Thank you. I don't know if you can pick where you end up or how you would do that, but I still appreciate this.” he said sincerely, walking with her.

Ariella smiled at him. "I don't get to pick where we end up. It depends on the portal. But it's a little bit of a walk to the one we're going to so it's no problem." She also hadn't allowed herself to just walk and enjoy herself in a long time.

“I see. So, it's a bit of a Russian Roulette then. You either find a portal that takes you where you need to go or take a gamble on another.” he reasoned. “But how did you know there was a portal in the hospital?”

Ariella nodded her head, sipping more of her drink. The weather was relatively nice. Not too hot or cold though there was a slight breeze. "Exactly," she said. "Portals are made of energy. Something about my biology allows me to feel the energy and seek it out. So as long as I'm in the vicinity, I can find any portal. Where it goes, I won't find out until after."