those you've pained may carry that still with them (intro)

[bemystory]

Wendla's not sure where she is at first. She remembers being ripped from her mama's arms, remembers the doctor's office and all its scary apparatuses, and—now?

She's in the middle of what appears to be a large Plaza, with people milling about, talking to each other, going about their daily lives.

The teenage girl steps forward towards a stranger, for a moment, about to speak, but she's shy, and thus withdraws, wringing her hands nervously. She's still in her nightgown, with a shawl around her neck that makes her look quite out of place and time—because she is, in a way.

Still, she sees the pamphlets strewn about, telling her about this place, and now she knows she has to say something, to ask something.

So Wendla gathers herself, and asks:

"Excuse me, I'm very hungry. Where can I find something to eat?"

Comments

[alittlehinky]

Cricket is still off his feet, and his current main method of transportation is Willie, who has evolved into a very large canine indeed. At the moment, he's sent her back home to fetch his shopping bags, which means he's seated alone on a bench to one side of the Plaza. So, he looks pretty harmless, even with the hoodie he's wearing, which features a very sparkly jack o'lantern.

She's chosen the right sort of person to approach, anyway. He immediately assesses her as a very young girl, probably quite lost, and he gives her a gentle smile. "Well, there's a lot of food carts around, and a grocery store next block over."

Except of course, she's in a nightgown, which probably means she has nothing in the way of currency. "You just get here? It takes a little time to get used to th' place."

[bemystory]

Wendla eyes him carefully. Her mama was very strict about not talking to strangers, but she figures that since she's here, and he seems kind enough and nonthreatening, she might as well ask him for some help.

"Yes, I'm new here," she says, nodding. "I only just arrived and I'm very confused. I read the pamphlets, but..."

[alittlehinky]

"Everyone's confused at first," he tells her. "I hid in the park for hours before I even stepped out to talk to folks."

"You might be dreamin'," he adds. "Some people get here that way. Some people just step through th' wrong door, and some people die and get some extra time here before they go on to the afterlife, so far's I can tell."

"I don't mind buyin' you something to eat if you want. Or groceries, only you're gonna need a place to cook 'em if you want that. But you're gonna have to wait a minute, 'cause I can't stand up on my own and I'm waitin' for my dog to come back and help."

[bemystory]

"I hope I'm dreaming," Wendla replies, wringing her hands again. "And I can wait, sir, please, don't worry too much about me. I can certainly wait."

She feels a little bad, frankly.

[websnextdoor]

The first person to turn is a gangly teen who doesn't look to be that much older than Wendla is, though he's dressed a bit better. He winces to see she's been whisked away from home in her jammies but points up the road as he moves closer.

"Oof. Are you uh, are you alright? I know a place we can go that's close by. They make these hot dogs that are just...a-anyway it's good and cheap which is the best of both worlds so. I can take you there." He pauses then splutters, "That, that is if you'd like."

[bemystory]

"I think I'm alright," Wendla replies, frowning a little. The truth is, she's not entirely sure what's happened to her, or how she got here, or why.

"Thank you. I don't really know what a hot dog is, though. Is it good?"

Her stomach grumbles a little. She should probably eat something soon, she thinks.

[websnextdoor]

"It's just, ending up here in your jammies and all. I was worried you might be cold or something." He's rubbing at the back of his neck while leading the way. Trying to keep an eye out for any rough ground that might hurt the young woman if she trod over it unknowingly.

"Not as good as the ones back home but they do a pretty good job here." Peter throws her a smile over his shoulder. "Plenty of topping options too if you want something a bit more than just meat and bread."

[bemystory]

"Well, thank you for your concern," she says shyly. "I will try whatever food you offer me, as I'm quite famished."

[delphicbooksandbaubles]

Aal perks up a little, at tone as much as the voice and the young lass attached to it. Her smiles warm as her face softens her tone kind. "Oh Ello there, dear and there's a few places erm in general. " She's reminded a bit of how she was herself not so very long ago, but it sometimes also seems like a lifetime..or two. "But if ya looking for something warm in a jiffy." She blinks and likely something in the clothing department as well. Essh, lost in an odd spot and most possibly/likely in the middle of the night.

She reaches into her backpack for one of the nice warm blankets she keeps to ward off shock in folks. Pulling it open once it's out, in gentle offer. Being a healer once upon a time. And gently taps the empty spot on the bench next to her. "I was thinking about fixing up a stew in a bit after resting mifeet for a little." She murmurs swollen ankles a small price to pay for the little miracles growing inside her.

"Do you like um baking or least baked things?" She asks half conversationally. Trying to help hopefuly ease some anexity but focusing on something simple or easy.

[bemystory]

"Oh, thank you," Wendla says, gently taking the blanket and sitting down on the bench. "I do like baking, yes."

She attempts a small, tired smile.

"I'm very tired, so I think I might need to eat quite a lot of food." This is concerning to her, considering that Wendla is always a lady and doesn't take large portions, normally.

[delphicbooksandbaubles]

She smiles warmly, "Your most welcome dear." She murmurs warmly a slightly motherly edge to her tone. "Oh well, that's lovely. " She murmurs warmly and is encouraged.

Aal nods understandingly, "Oh I'm Aal by the way though most folks call me Ash." She informs the tired girl. Feeling that more complicated formalities can wait.

She makes a soft bemused sound, "Aye, I imagine so." She murmurs warmly, "Besides yer a growing girl only seems natural." She murmurs besides if whatever brought her here or what have took a lot of energy like some other things from her own realm did.

[bemystory]

"My name is Wendla," she replies, smiling a little. "It's nice to meet you. Again, I truly appreciate your kindness."

Wendla is nothing if not exceedingly polite.

[rockin_thehousedown]

"You are hungry, blomma? There is a few cafes along the Plaza that might tempt you depending on what you like to eat. The one I like is called the Angel's Retreat. It does good apple pies and the Viper's Pit does good bar snacks too."

The glam singer dressed in a gold catsuit offered the newcomer a polite wave as he was in the process of writing some new lyrics for songs. The question was; where was this one from? She looked a little lost poor thing.

"I am guessing you are new here?"

The man's accent thick Swedish but his English was strong and clear.

[bemystory]

"I am new, yes," Wendla replies. "And I love apple pies." She almost wants to giggle at his accent, but doesn't, half out of exhaustion, half out of trained politeness.

"The Angel's Retreat is a nice name."

[rockin_thehousedown]

"You do? Oh, so do I, blomma! They taste so good. My grandmother used to bake me and my brother an apple pie each weekend when we used to visit her house up in the forest."

Hunter's memory of those days were fond ones. Back before he became a famous vocalist and formed his own rock band The Hammers. He had enjoyed growing up with his baby brother inside the Swedish forests of old.

"Yes, I agree. It is run by a charming man called Balthazar. He is an angel I do believe."

[bemystory]

"...An angel? A real one?" Wendla gasps. What is this place?

"I'm a little nervous to meet him, I must admit."

[tieflingtarot]

Oh. That sounded like someone younger. Not super young, but enough that the question had Molly already softening slightly as he turned on his heel to face the young woman, a faint smile on his face, tail twitching behind him.

"You know what? Me too- it's about lunch time isn't it?" He tilted his head, peering around a moment which had the gleaming jewelry jingling faintly on his horns. "I know a place. Lovely little cafe, a friend showed it to me. We could go there if you'd like?"

[bemystory]

Wendla eyes the stranger with some amount of suspicion. He doesn't look very human, after all, and the horns concern her.

"...We could," she replies, cautiously.

[tieflingtarot]

The horns, the spaded tail, the red eyes are all likely a bit concerning. Luckily his boots hide the hooves (more because it's more expensive to have boots custom made for his hooves) or she'd likely be even more concerned.

"Wonderful" Molly's smile brightened at the cautious assent, and he sketched a playful little bow. "Mollymauk Tealeaf at your service. Does my new friend have a name?"

[thebluedevil]

It had been a while since Sonic last visited the Nexus, so it felt good to be able to simply cut loose and run. There were times when he was here that he found an isolated place to run and test himself. Try and go faster just to see if he could go even more than the typical blistering speeds that he could go.

Today though, he was zipping through the more populated town center at a couple hundred miles an hour. A leisurely jog. The human girl in the plaza wearing a night gown caught his attention though. On the second zip through, causing a breeze to kick up behind him, he came to an abrupt stop just in time to hear her question. His ears perked up as he looked up at her.

"Hungry? I know a couple of good places around here, I can take you!" He offered with a grin, green eyes twinkling. The blue, energetic hedgehog shifted slightly from foot to foot as if about to burst into motion any moment. But for her sake and the conversation he remained in place. "What's your favorite food? You can find almost anything around here!"

[bemystory]

All right, so Wendla's a little confused about seeing a tiny blue...hedgehog? stopping just in front of her. Also the talking part. That's a bit strange.

"I could eat just about anything right now," she admits. "Maybe a sandwich? It's very kind of you to offer."

[thebluedevil]

The 3 and a half foot blue hedgehog grinned and waved a hand. "It's no prob! I know a good place a short zip from the plaza." He chuckled and winked. "Walking distance, I promise." A short zip for him could easily be a couple hundred klicks from here but he wouldn't do that to someone who couldn't go as fast as he could.

He held out a white gloved hand. If taken, it would be a warm grip and would feel surprisingly human with five fingers. "I'm Sonic! What's your name?" He peered at the girl. "I could also try and find something warmer for you if you are cold. You okay?"

[golden_anvil]

How could one ignore such a confused face? Her toga-style dress flows around her ankles as she stops before the little moppet. She reaches into the satchel slung over her body and produces a package of cookies and a small bottle of milk.

"Ain't much for being healthy, but you look like a leaf in the wind. Did you just arrive here?"

[bemystory]

"I did, yes," Wendla admits, eyeing the cookies eagerly. She's still polite at heart, though, and won't grab at them or ask until she's offered.

[golden_anvil]

"Aye, I'm so sorry, lass. I've only arrived recently myself. Were you abed before you wandered into this place?" She holds out the milk and cookies to her. "My name is Lysandra."