A Small Fish In An Inter-Dimensional Pond

[potatolion]

The leaves and bits of snow and ice crunched under a small woman's mocasins as she trail blazed through the forest. The woman in question had elvish-like features but was comically too short to be of such race; Only standing at 5 feet tall. She had black hair pulled back into a bun and tanned skin. Her eyes were a light gray, but in a certain light seemed to glow like a desert's full moon of her old home. She wore clothes made from tanned deer skin, painted with blue markings on the hems. Leather tassels hanging around her arm and down her pants legs. She had a large satchel that hung across her torso, a tomahawk sheathed and hooked onto her belt and a wolf pelt tied to her shirt like a cape. On the right side of her neck was a distinct scar that ran horizontally across her skin.

She took in a deep breath of her surroundings, the smell of pine and oak trees filling her nose, the air was fresh and crisp. The northern winds bringing a chill over her face and turning her cheeks and nose a slight red. The air was quiet. The snow seeming to swallow up noise until her feet crunched through the snow. She had left her companions back in the city of Vertlea for now; Ansel, a knight and scholar wished to discuss business with some mages about disturbing rumors of how a dwavish mine had been suddenly abandoned with no sign of the miners. And Leyanin, that goofy warrior was sleeping in after a long day of sparring with the local guards to show off to his new lady-friend.

The small woman had gotten up early that morning. Needing to get out of the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy the serenity of woods just outside the city walls. Maybe find a new pelt or plumage to add to her collection that she kept in Ansel's study. The corners of her lips pulled into a big smile at the thought, the idea of a new pelt making her excited like a child trying to sleep on Christmas Eve.

Her ears twitched somewhat as she heard a sound. Whipping her head to the source, her body hunched somewhat like a predator; Eyes wide and focused. It was strange, the sound almost sounded like a crowd. But the city was far behind her and a town was at least a day's walk from where she was. Her curiosity spurred she went from a leisurely walk to a jog to find the source of the noise. She weaved in and out of trees until suddenly, there were no more trees. No more forest.

Her senses now over-run by new sights, smells, and sounds. The change so sudden she almost got an immediate headache. She straightened her posture, but her muscles and form coiled like a rubber band about to snap from tension. 'Spirits, where am I?' She thought to herself. She felt her chest tighten and her stomach flop in a slight panic. She was back in a city, but it was...different. Extremely different. There were shops everywhere, strange carriages with armor that moved without being pulled from a horse. She stood on the sidewalk of Downtown. Just watching and absorbing the plethora of new information being tossed at her.

Comments

[loose_cannon]

The helpful stranger waits patiently for the woman to steady her nerves, taking the opportunity to get a better read on her appearance and possible origins. Certainly looks like she makes a good living for herself in the wilderness. No surprise that she'd be shocked by so much technology.

He smiles at the deluge of questions. "Well, I'm no expert, but I can tell you this place is called the 'Nexus' and -- to put it simply -- it's a space between worlds. Folks pop over at random. No real rhyme or reason to it that I've found."

Jesse glances at the flowing traffic of vehicles -- every model and make imaginable. "Oh, and those things? Cars. Powered by gas and electric engines, mostly. You come from a uh, simpler world, huh?"

[potatolion]

Kasa remained still, carefully listening to his explanation. Nexus this place was called. That must be why he was so quick to check in on her. People showing up in a similar fashion to hers sounded incredibly common. After the first question was answered, he answered the next.

"C-ahr..." She gave pronouncing the word a try. Putting too much of an emphasis on the letters but she nodded her head, thinking she got the word down. When he asked if she came from a simpler world she felt her cheeks heat up in embarrassment and mild annoyance, her brows furrowing stubbornly. He probably didn't mean it in an insulting way, but she felt her attitude spark a moment. "This one eh...She suppose so.." She grumbled and looked at the Cars that moved down the road. "This one...Her home does not have cars. Or...Buildings that go so high." She admitted reluctantly and rubbed the scarred side of her neck habitually.

Ah. She should probably introduce herself. She stood straight, trying to make herself seem tall, proud and powerful. She held her small hand out to the man and gave a thankful nod. "Many thanks for helping this one eh...relax. Her name is Kasa Yeenaaldlooshi."

[loose_cannon]

"Pleased to meetcha, Miss Yee ... Yeenadloo..." He laughs and takes her hand for a hearty shake before settling on the easier alternative. "Miss Kasa. I'm Jesiah Black, but I go by Jesse."

"You look like you'd be more at home in the area they call 'The Wilds.' Quieter. More natural. It's clear over that way, though," he says with a wave of his hand in (presumably) the correct bearing. The motion causes the soft jingle of various metal bits and pieces about his person. "Unless you take a shine to all this fancy technology. I've definitely seen some things that knocked my socks off."

[potatolion]

Kasa snickered as the man tried to pronounce her name. It was something she always enjoyed watching those who were not familiar with the Skin-Walker language attempt to say. Mostly because she understood the struggle of pronunciation. "Just Kasa is good, Yonva. It is good to meet Jesse." Her grin widened as she seemed to have less trouble with his name. She was also more then happy to see someone give her a strong handshake. People in the past would give her the limp-fish handshake because she was so small. They quickly realized she was fine when she gives them a python grip and a hearty shake.

This guy was different. She could respect that.

"The Wilds? That does sound like place this one would like more." She said in thought, then tilted her head to get a more calmed look at the city she now stood. City. Vertlea city! Ansel and Leyanin have no idea what happened to her! Her brows rose in realization and her shoulders slumped slightly and she turned her attention back to Jesse, "Yonva, is there any way for this one to return? This one's companions have been left behind" She asked with worry in her voice, referring to Jesse by a nickname rather than his actual name by accident.

[loose_cannon]

The repeated use of 'Yonva' gets an arched, bushy eyebrow, but he chalks it up as a feature of her language.

"Ooh. Getting back can be tricky. If you came through a door, you might be able to backtrack just fine. In my case, I had to hire a guy to make a portal for me. Naugus is his name." He clears his throat. "I say 'hire', but he offers his services for free. A little suspect if you ask me, but I haven't seen any ill come of it yet."

He scratches his jaw thoughtfully. "He can't be the only game in town, though. Portals are everywhere."

[potatolion]

Kasa nodded in understanding, her expression relaxed again. She had a chance to return to them, that was all she needed to hear to help her relax. "Ah, she understands. That is good to hear. She will find way back...But also explore a bit of this strange place as she does." She admitted with a playful smirk. This place was interesting. If she could show some technology to Ansel to prove her story he would try to get her to return to this place and just bring him with her. She chuckled quietly at the thought.

"Well. Until this one can return she should find place to stay. Where does Yon- Jesse, think this one should go?" She asked while looking up to him again. Crossing her arms over her chest.

[loose_cannon]

"Absolutely. This place is a goddamn treasure trove of ... well, anything you could hope for. Don't waste the chance to look around while you've got it."

Jesse's mouth skews to one side. His protective dad instincts are kicking into high gear; he's not about to let her get caught up in any seedier parts of the Nexus. "If you need a safe place to rest, I've seen a few hostels around that offer free room and board to stranded folks. But trust your gut: if they're giving you a bad vibe, keep walking. Plenty of bad folks around here, same as anywhere."

[potatolion]

Kass chuckled as he explained how the place was a treasure trove. That was good to hear. She wanted to be able to collect some interesting souvenirs to show her companions. Taking this odd mishap of being tossed into another world and twisting it so it was like she was on a mandatory vacation...For an undisclosed amount of time...Yeah. That's it.

When Jesse went on to explain the various hostels that would take in those who've been stranded, she listened carefully. Absorbing the information he gave like a little, tribal sponge. She couldn't help but smile somewhat at how much he reminded her of a father. Carefully wathing over the young ones. She appreciated the gesture from a stranger.

She nodded to show she understood and smiled to the one she dubbed 'Yonva'. "Understand. Many thanks. Do not worry, this one will be sure to surprise those who try to mess with her, yes!" She exclaimed and puffed out her chest in pride.

[loose_cannon]

Jesse grins at that response, his tanned, leathery skin cut deep with laugh lines. "I like your energy, kid! I think you'll do just fine."

He raises a finger, wags it a little. "Just uh, don't be too eager to pick fights, okay? You never know who has crazy powers or wild future tech that can blast you clean off the map."

[potatolion]

Kasa's expression beamed with pride in herself and from Jesse's compliment. Yes! She did have energy! She felt better knowing that a tough-looking guy like Jesse thought she'd do fine in this world, enjoying the confidence boost.

She let her arms rest at her sides as she watched his finger waggle like an easily distracted cat. But despite her distracted appearance she caught every word he said. Crazy powers and wild future tech, eh? He did have a point. Despite her confidence in dealing with difficult situations, Yonva was right. This place was still completely new and unknown to her. Best be careful.

She gave him a reassuring smile and nodded in response. "Do not worry. This one will be careful. She does not go looking for fights..." She drifted off and rubbed her hands together suspiciously. She was not the best liar. And it was obvious. Her cheeks flushed a light pink before she almost immediately blurted the truth after her white lie. "Well...Asking for friendly spar does not count." She grumbled stubbornly, then flashed another wide grin to the tall man.