What's this???

[burlapbibliothecary]

The sky was brighter than 3 had ever seen. It was likely dumb luck that they hadn't been stepped on as they just stood staring up dumbfounded, given the little doll-creature stood maybe six inches at best. It was so blue! They had seen paintings that showed the color but there was something different in the color of fading, weather-cracked paints and the real thing. They likely would have stood there all day, lens-like eyes flickering as they cataloged the sky, the clouds that drifted across, the birds, the change of color as day shifted to evening, then to night-

But the little doll was distracted by someone walking a bit too close for comfort, sending them scurrying for the cover offered by a nearby bench, nonexistent heart in their throat as they stopped to watch with no small amount of amazement as people were passing through the plaza.

They should be cautious. They should avoid people they should find somewhere safe to hide. That would be the thing 1 would want them to do, the thing that he claimed was the smart thing to do.

They were very bad at doing what 1 said though.

They spent the next hour or so just skittering along paths and around corners, staying close to walls and fences to help keep out from underfoot as they just watched the people and animals that moved through this strange new place. Another half an hour spent following the progress of a ladybug through a bush.

It took some time to get up the courage to actually approach anyone, but curiosity over something near them that was just out of the little stitchpunk's field of vision encouraged them to creep close enough to reach out, and whoever they'd happened to come across would feel a light tug against their pant leg. If they happened to look they'd see the little doll creature offering a uncertain little grin and wave by way of greeting, before their gaze skipped towards the object of their curiosity, a little hop and point that they hoped got their point across following.

They want to see! Help them up?

Did they know what they were trying to get a better look at? Nope! Hope it's not someone's lunch, because this was one little stitchpunk who did't ascribe to the wisdom of 'look don't touch.'

Comments

[auspex_caelo]

With surprise out of the way, he's quite charmed by the little creature. Surely some type of magical construct, he would think, although he is of course biased. Stratos isn't too worried about letting his new acquaintance look at the various things laid out on the desk. He might have to intervene if 3 takes too much interest in the inkpot, but the doll seems fairly intelligent as he looks it all over.

"Ah, what's that?" he interprets, from the uneasy way the doll looks up at him. He's aware he might be a little intimidating in the segmented armor of his uniform, so the tribune softens his voice accordingly, leaning on the desk to point at the posters.

"I've been given a job to find people who know magic, to come and help my people," he explains. The little one's mannerisms (and really, his sweet demeanor) give him the impression of a child, even if that might be misleading. It seems best to explain that way. "These are messages we can put up so that wizards who want to help will know to come and find us."

[burlapbibliothecary]

Help. 3 understands helping. But they can't help but be worried still, trying to figure out how to explain what was causing their concern, hands wringing before them as they crept closer to one of the mockups, leaning across to reach out and brush fingers across the word 'battle' before drawing their hand back, peering up at Stratos with a concerned little pout.

They'd seen what comes of fighting and were very afraid suddenly for this human with the kind voice, as well as the humans in his home.

[auspex_caelo]

Oh dear. Well, he certainly seems to know what that word is. Stratos nods a little.

"We may have to fight to protect ourselves, yes." No 'may' about it - more like 'that's definitely the plan', and he's going to gently elide the politics of it all. But it's not untrue. "It's our duty to make sure other people will be safe. But hopefully there won't be very much fighting."