One

[chainsawspistice]

[This gray-skinned horned girl will be wandering around with a strange candy corn ball thing in hand until she reaches the town square. She'll be hovering on the edge of the celebration looking one part contemplative and one part unsure. If you look human, chances are she'll be giving you a very interested look as well.

Also, if you look at your CAT, you'll find an oddly typed message in jade green font:]

I Dont Know This All Seems So Callous
The Gifts Were A Nice Gesture
But Allow Me The Delusion That A Basket Of Inoffensive Food Items And Paraphernalia Might Be An Insufficient Catalyst To Heartfelt Gratitude
Even If The Basket Appears Very Well Made
And The Two Wheel Device Was Unexpectedly Generous
Still Id Like To Return Home As Soon As Possible
If Anyone Can Direct Me To The Mayors Office I Would Appreciate It Thanks

Comments

[desertdaggers]

[He's not sure what he expected, but that wasn't it. It makes her easy to pick out of a crowd, at least- or would if there was a crowd around, and that's still worrying. He hides most of it behind a smile when he spots her, heading over with a curious glance at the spiky ball thing.]

Hey. Kanaya, right?

[chainsawspistice]

[Hawk gets a small smile in return for his trouble. At the same time, she notes his bold purple hair. Human coloration sure is weird.]

That's right. And you're Hawk. How do you do?

[desertdaggers]

Fairly well, all things considered. And you?

[chainsawspistice]

[She gives his outfit a close look. When most of your planet is all about black T-shirts and gray pants, your interest is piqued by new styles in the flesh, so to speak.]

The same.

[desertdaggers]

[It's pretty much practical wear, light coloured clothing that can be repaired fairly easily- there's a few patches already. Curiosity is practically a given in this situation.]

It doesn't look like there's much of a spread, unfortunately.

[chainsawspistice]

[It does remind her of the desert, she supposes.]

I can eat anything. My only concern is that the one named Croix has raised the possibility of it being a trap.

[desertdaggers]

Yeah. [scratching at the back of his head] I like to be optimistic, but… it's possible. I'm not sure why they'd bother at this point, though.

Would you like to look for something else, then?

[chainsawspistice]

Okay. I think caution is warranted here. Something fresh would be preferable, but something new could be fun too. [She's going to assume that grubload isn't standard fare around here.] Is there a mode of nutrition you find most favorable?

[desertdaggers]

[giving her a bit of an odd look for that phrasing, but he understands her so letting it slide.] I like a good stew, but I'll try most things. The pizzeria's pretty good. Shall we?

[chainsawspistice]

Sure. I thought about asking what a pizzeria is, but I think it will be more fun to wait and see. [As a newbie to the town, she'll just follow his lead.]

You mentioned a desert "country"?

[desertdaggers]

[wandering down towards the pizzeria, hands tucked in his sash] I don't believe you'll be disappointed!

[He nods.] Yeah- Navarre's almost all desert, aside from the rocky parts, and the few oases. We're pretty much the furthest south you can get- well, within reason, there aren't many boats headed to Pedda. Though I can't imagine many people traipsing through the Burning Sands just to claim they reached the southernmost point of the world. Mostly they're looking for someone to trade with.

What is it like where you're from?

[chainsawspistice]

[Kanaya quickens her pace to match Hawk's longer legs and nods in understanding. Deserts seem universally unpopular as sightseeing spots.]

I never ventured far from my hive in the desert. Beyond the boundaries of my lawn ring, it was an expanse of sand as far as could be seen. The visitors I received were few, but it was a fair tradeoff; I could supply my own scenery and contact others with my husktop, but there was place else where the sun shined so warmly.

[She looks up at Hawk. Not knowing any other desert-dwellers, this is the time to ask questions.] You chose to live in the desert for similar reasons, didn't you? My impression has been that humans find sunlight favorable.

[desertdaggers]

[He notices that, and slows down a little in turn- it's pretty rude to outpace your companion.] Supply your own scenery? What do you mean by that?

[He nods.] Well, most people- ah, most humans- do see better in sunlight! I grew up as part of a Guild, though, so… I wouldn't exactly say it was my choice, but I'm not sure that I'd choose to live anywhere else now.

[chainsawspistice]

It means I could cultivate my lawn ring and embellish the exterior of my hive as suited my whims. Horticulture and design were hobbies of mine. Still are, I guess.

[She tilts her head a touch. "Guild" has a FLARPy ring to it.] Did you live with many other people?

[desertdaggers]

I see! And… this was all on your own? That's very impressive. What kind of things did you design?

[Another nod, and a grin.] Some days, it's busy enough to feel like an entire town! There's always been someone around. Unless I was trying to avoid people.

[chainsawspistice]

My lusus -- "guardian" might be a more relatable title -- was always there to aid me when I needed help, so I was never really alone. As for design, wearable fashion has always interested me most. But I'll sew anything, really. I enjoy the work.

[Her head tilts a bit more.] Was there a reason for your aspired reclusion?

[desertdaggers]

Mm, that's got to be a useful skill. So, what you're wearing now… did you make it?

[He shrugs, with a bit of a grin.] Not really! I just wanted to get away from everyone else at the time.

[chainsawspistice]

[Nod. She can understand needing some alone time.]

Just the skirt. [She gives it a little dust off.] These are my work clothes. I'd be happy to show you more of what I've made if that were a thing that was possible.

[desertdaggers]

Really? [He looks over her clothes again, paying a little more attention to her skirt.] It's very nice. I wouldn't have picked it for work clothes if you hadn't said.

Ah, those didn't come with you? That's a shame. [They should just about be approaching the pizzeria now, and… it really doesn't look like there's anyone around. Hawk frowns.] I wonder…

[chainsawspistice]

[A compliment on clothing? This, she can get used to.] Not exactly. Though they are inaccessible at the moment, I do have a few extra outfits with me.

[Seeing his frown, Kanaya slows down and glances around for a sign as to what's bothering him.] Is there a problem?

[desertdaggers]

[He looks puzzled, head tilting to one side.] Why are they inaccessible?

Well… if no one's around, and it doesn't look like there is anyone… I wonder what the shops are like. But someone must've set up the table in the square…

[chainsawspistice]

My fetch modus allows me to retrieve items in my sylladex only when I'm meant to obtain them, usually signified by the appearance of a key. [She lifts the matriorb.] It was what allowed me to retrieve this before I arrived here.

We can check the shops too if you'd like. Maybe another one is open.

[desertdaggers]

[The look of puzzlement doesn't entirely lift, but he thinks he gets it. …more or less.] Sounds like it's interesting to get used to. [He nods.] Ah, I'd wondered about that. May I ask what it is?

Mm… hopefully there's someone around. [looking in all the windows as they go]

[chainsawspistice]

[It's a little eerie seeing so many unmanned stores in broad daylight.]

The matriorb. It will hatch a Mother Grub, which will in turn perpetuate my race by birthing its future numbers. Until then, my task is to protect it and find a suitable place for its development.

[desertdaggers]

[He looks a little unsettled, eyes widening a touch.] Really? That's… rather different. It must be a lot of responsibility to bear.

Maybe we should just go into one.