At the Mall, ring-a-ding-dong (open!)

[Vesta Voui]

( Hello! Because of where this is taking place, and when, it’s open to any who might want to play. Have a read and have a go! )

"Yeah, well uh, not to say that this hasn't been fun..."

Dot. Dot. Dot. You always knew something was up when you were talking to a person and they hit you up with one of those nonverbal dot, dot, dots. Meant that the conversation, or the person getting the dots, was going nowhere. Major red flag.

Another was the fact that the person doing the dotting was rocking on their heels.

"But my ride will be here any moment so..."

"I could always stay to make sure. Can't leave you here with that rat." the vast amounts of gel and moose in the guys hair kept it as stiff as any board, even while tipping his head down at Blink, the squirrel that had been mistaken for a rat.

"He's not a rat!"

Blink heard the statement and stopped tapping away on the keys of Vesta's phone to give him a very rabid look.

"Christ! What the --hey!" put off track and cut short by the sudden smack upside his head.

"He's a squirrel you num-nut!" Vesta's heated words shot at him. Obviously she was the one who hit him, as her right hand was still poised in the air. Even more obviously apparent was that she had stopped being ‘nice’ to his annoyance.

Her shout and the first one from the guy surely did draw them attention. Vesta had happened to be at this mall, Rhy'Din City Mall, and had gotten there by way of an express bus that she had just happened to pass on her way from work that day. She had been looking for a bus since she had gotten to this odd place so when she saw this one she hopped right on it and sat herself down and rode it all the way until she saw something interesting and got off.

Her problem was that her assumption that the bus ran all night was wrong –it didn’t, which was odd seeing that the mall was 24-hours - and Blink had forgotten to remind her to leave at a decent hour. This place was huge and had so many shops that were non-existent back home. This guy had started hanging around her somewhere around the ‘Rent-a-Wench’ store and was dropping bits of info about the stores. Vesta had thought he was some type of store guide and she was nearly certain he wasn’t a vampire, unless he was one of those who had warm, non-pale skin. A person with fangs.

Blink didn’t like him and kept giving the guy evil looks underneath the collar of Vesta’s purple and gold plaid short jacket. Now this guy just wasn’t going away and they were causing a small scene in the parking lot and Blink was beating away on the cell phone keypad (he might be able to use a phone. No time like the present to find out!)

“That squirrel is manic!” The level of the guy’s voice rose and he pointed an accusing finger at Blink.

Vesta smacked him on the head again but the guy caught her wrist before she moved her hand back. “If you don’t stop hitting me . . .”

“Then get the hell away from me!” Vesta proclaimed as she yanked her hand away. Before either of them could say anything else Blink hopped from the ground and up on to Vesta’s shoulders, the cell phone ringing in his paws.

You know those moments where something un expectant happens that causes things to pause? Yeah. This was one of now. Now to see if Winston, the person Blink had been trying to call, would answer his phone.

It was 3 AM.

[Winston]

((computer issues. >.< ))

Odd how one's day goes when things happen that are the least unexpected. He had finally found a time when Shane was not in her room, and he snuck in, or so he hoped he was sneaking, and grabbed his luggage out of the front closet of her set of rooms. He made his way down the hall, much like a thief in the night, even if it was his belongings he was taking with him. Hazel eyes darting to the left and right, and dressed all in black, including a black hat upon his head, covering up his light brown locks, right down to his black tennis shoes. If anyone saw him they might think he was a practicing cat burgurler when in reality he was just taking back what was his. He did not leave a note in the set of rooms, nor did he leave the key, for that would be to easy for her to figure out what he had done, and that was not part of the game, yet.

Once he was back inside of his own room, he would take the luggage, which seemed to weigh more now then it had when he brought with it with him, but that was probably because he was sleep deprived. Thoughts had kept the man awake, and those very thoughts were currently pushed to the back of his mind. Tossing the luggage upon his bed, he would make short work of taking everything out and putting it away neatly. Yes, Winston was one very clean freak, though he was not used to doing such things for himself, he thought he was learning rather well. When he reached his lap top, he set it on the bed, and took the now empty luggage and placed them in the the bottom of the closet, not to interfer with anything hanging up. Wrinkles were not his friends...yet.

It would be then that Winston would make his way to the bed, not undressing nor taking off said black cap, really he forgot it was on, it was rather light weight. He would move the pillows to sit up behind him, as he took the cell phone out of his pocket and placed it on the night stand, plugging it in to charge. Climbing into bed, he would lift the lap top up and onto his lap, turning it on and started to work. First he was checking his emails, which he had a lot to catch up, his email box was almost full, mostly work. Thankfully his email program had a great spam blocker, though by a quick look that looked rather full to. Which he would delete before getting down to work, there was a business proposition in his email box, which caused him to open a few other screens going between this and that.

He had not even noticed that he had passed out, the day must of took its toll upon him, when the phone on the nightstand began to ring and viberate the noise made him jump. The jumping caused the lap top to fall off his lap, lucky for him, the lap top landed on the bed next to him and not crashing to the floor. His hand would dart out, without any real thought as he lifted the ringing contraption to his ear, his voice coming out as a voice that had been in a deep sleep would. "Hello?" Listening for a voice on the other end, he was hoping it was a voice, and not just some weird heavy breathing prank call.

[Vesta Voui]

"Winston!" It had only taken a few rings but there was an answer! Really she wasn't going to be bummed out if the phone had rung and rung until it hit the voice-mail because it was late at night (early in the morning) and most sensible people were in the bed sleeping. Though if he hadn't picked up after what he said the day she carried him up the steps, you could bet that when she got back to the Inn she was going to pound on his door! She took the phone from Blink, he was doing a good job holding up to her ear but talking this way just felt a bit awkward. "It's Vesta."

The initial shock of the disturbance was over and the guy who had been stalking Vesta shook his head in disbelief and pointed an accusing finger at her. "You said he was on the way!"

Vesta yanked the phone down from her ear and held it against her shoulder to mute, or muffle, the mouth piece. "And I also told you to go away. Gee!" Blink echoed Vesta's frustration by shaking his fist at the guy and turning around on his shoulder perch even as Vesta was walking away from the guy.

Should hear the crowd. Some were booing, others were chuckling, you know, the standard thing that happens when people decide to be nosy and listen in on an argument. Once she had taken a few steps she brought the phone back to her ear. "Hey Winston, I'm calling in the payback. I need you to come to the Rhy'din City Mall and pick me up, please."

She didn't know if he had heard her shouting at the other guy, chances are he might have. "The bus isn't running anymore, I haven't seen a taxi, and I'm about to deck this guy over here."

[Winston Charles Bakersfie]

When he heard his name into the phone, he snapped fully awake, even though a few moments ago he had been completely dead to the world. "Vesta?" Okay so he still had to ask to make sure it was her, and if it wasn't her he was possibly heading towards trouble, but what the hey. Who else would be calling him at such an odd hour anyway. And then she went ahead and said that it was indeed Vesta and there could of been a small sigh of relief. Could of been, but maybe she didn't hear that, if it was there.

He did hear things, like the guy in the background, and then he was muffled by something. He wouldn't know it was a shoulder, just the muffled sounds, that came through the phone. So when she lifted the phone back up to speak into it, he was still intently listening. Oh, and that crowd, you could hear some of it going on. Which had him standing up, from the bed, he had a feeling. And then she said it, she said she was calling in that favor. "I'm on my way." He told her, when she called, he would be there. Of course, he wasn't thinking about the fact that he didn't know where the mall was, all he knew was she was calling in the favor, and he had to repay it or he wouldn't be a man of his word. "Vesta... try not to deck him until I get there." Perhaps she might think it was because he wanted to fight her battle, but he would add onto his sentence. "I want to see it. I'll be there as soon as I can." He figured the guy had to be pretty annoying if she wanted to cause bodily harm, seeing she put up with him and showing him to his room, without decking him.

He would hang up the phone, not bothering with anything else, he went out the room, shutting the door behind him. It wouldn't hit him until he reached the outside of the inn, that he did not have any of his cars here. Nor did he have a helicopter or jet he could call at his whim either, not here. Crud! But then he remembered the Inn had a stable! Yes, he was actually an accomplished horseman, and if he could find a horse, he would have smooth sailing....if he knew where he was going.

Running around the back towards the stables, once more if someone saw him, they might think he was about to rob the place, and in a way he was, by taking a horse for a ride, though he was planning on bringing it back. So it was just for a short period of time. He would run into the stables, looking for the stable hand. Once finding the man, Winston would engage in a small conversation about the horse, and the man would help him saddle the horse up, while giving Winston directions to the mall.

Once the horse was saddled, Winston mounted easily, hand going to the horn, while the other was up in the air. As he rode off from the Inn, there was a chance that the stable hand, and anyone else that happened to be outside could of heard, "Hi Ho Silver?" And did the horse actually rear up at that very moment? Surely that was all in the mind of the stable hand, who had moved to watch Winston leave the yard.

He would come upon the scene of the mall, and his hazel eyes would be searching out for Vesta. Not that she was the sort that blended in to a crowd, and he spotted her right away. He would calm the horse down, leaning forward and left hand would let go of the reins, leaving them in the right hand, as he leaned forward petting the horses neck, "Good girl, Buttercup." He would coo, before stopping right before Vesta and Blink, and I wouldn't suggest talking about him cooing.

Once the horse, Buttercup, came to a complete stop, Winston would bend slightly towards Vesta, and hold out his hand towards her, "Do you trust me?" His eyes would meet hers as he spoke, that grin forming over his lips. If she put her hand in his, he would help her up on the horse behind him, the saddle was big enough for the both of them. If she didn't he would have to go from there.

[Vesta Voui]

Did she hear him right? He wanted to watch her deck the guy? Sure there was the usual din of wind and background noises that applied to nearly every cellphone call, but she had an awesomely strong signal (her cellphone from home didn't get service here, but she had found a Rhy'din store with them) and so she thought she heard him right.

"I'll save the punch just for you!" Sounded pretty excited about that too! Though shouldn't Winston be wanting to deck the guy for her? Nah, that would take the fun out of it. *Click* The call had ended and she slipped the phone into her pocket while giving that stalker guy a grin.

"I suggest you leave before he gets here. I'm under orders to hold my punch until he does so if you don't want to swallow your teeth you'd leave." Total confidence. Blink backed her up by giving a nod and shaking his squirrel fist at him before settling into the breast pocket of Vesta's plaid jacket.

The guy stepped up. "You're not the only one with friends." Challenger! Not just any challenger, but a challenger who had friends, just as he said. Wouldn't you know it about three guys - who looked a helluva lot more intimidating than that guy looked that's for sure! They looked like they belonged to a rough biker bar with the leather and spikes they were wearing, and they were making their way through the crowd!

Where was Winston?

The guy must have heard his cue because just like that she heard a horse - yes, a horse - galloping the streets, pass the cars and whatever else, and he pulled up in front of her just like a... black... knight? Well he was dressed all in black from head to toe and he was on a horse. He only was missing armor, or a banner. She had never been a Renaissance Faire girl so she wasn't quite sure what was missing so this was good enough for her.

"You're just in time!" He really was. The horse drew some looks from the crowd and just as she told the guy, she went to deck the guy before grabbing on to Winston's hand so he could help pull her up.

Whether or not he was going to take her to a whole new world or rode her off into the sunrise - because it would be that in a few - didn't matter. Once he helped her up her arms would go tightly about his waist. No need to worry about Blink. He wouldn't be squished.

What to worry about were the angry men.

[Winston]

At one time, he might of been the guy that didn't think a female had it in her to take care of herself, but he had outgrown that childish thought, thankfully. He actually thought of all the females he had met, if there was one he wouldn't have to worry, it was Vesta. That might of been due to the ride she gave him the other night. And was that not the sweetest thing, those words of hers, saying she would save that hit for him to see.

Once she took his hand and he helped tug her upon the horse behind him, he took in the view. Which meant he was looking over the three biker looking guys, and the guy that had been annoying Vesta as well. In that split second he figured Vesta could take out the annoying one, and he could of dealt if the man only had two friends, it was the third that threw him off. He wouldn't count Blink out, but without offending Blink he did not want to test his theorys. "Hang on!" Which he really didn't have to say, seeing she was rather secure in her arms around his waist.

The horse would rear up, front legs going in the air once more, Winston did not stop to think that something could happen to Blink, he knew that squirrel had kung-fu grip. He did not feel Vesta's arms loosen, so there was no fear she fell off either. Something about Buttercup liking to rear up like that, made her a bit intimidating.

Before the men could get to thier modes of transportation, Buttercup would be in action! Hooves hitting the pavement, before taking a sharp left, a bit of a zig zag, and then soft left, hooves not heard as loudly, as she moved to the grass. As they rode on, suddenly Winston called out, "Duck!" Even as he did so, Buttercup, ran under a low tree branch. He could only hope that Vesta and Blink made it through that safely as well. He gave a warning as soon as he saw the branch, perhaps he should of been steering better, he would give anyone wishing to argue that. It wasn't every day he was being chased by a motorcyle gang, dressed in black, riding a horse, with a passenger and half. At least he could not say his life had been boring since meeting Vesta.

The sound of motorcycles sounded like they were closing in, that was not a good sign, he knew better then to look behind him, that never helped. "How close are they?" It seemed after he asked, he blinked, and noticed a change, though he didn't feel anything odd happen.

Suddenly they were no longer in the forrest being chased. When his eyes opened it was entirely to quiet, except for the sound of the waves crushing against the sand. Though they were still in a wooded area, the moon high in the sky, he looked ahead before turning slightly. "Should we stay in the forest or go towards the water?" He wanted to get Vesta's opinon.

[Vesta Voui]

The punch threw them off because Vesta had one helluva right hook and that guy had gotten it right in the kisser. Probably because it was unexpected. Sad. A guy should never underestimate an angry female. Especially one that made good on what she says. So the fact that he had gotten hit and one of his boy-o buddy pals had to steady him up and therefore caused them to be late on the jump in catching Vesta and Winston (Blink too) was all his fault. 

Didn't mean the guy would admit it or that they didn't get to their bikes in windbreaking speeds, just that they were not directly on their tails. Though as the valient Sir Winston guided the horse through the woods the sounds of revved engines and red curses cut through the air. 

Vesta was hanging on tightly to Winston and Blink had traveled down to the inside area of that plaid jacket. He'd be safe there and Vesta could press as tight against him as she wanted - which was pretty tight- and not become a pancake. See, Vesta didn't know how to ride a horse so she wasn't taking any chances on falling off. At another time she could laugh and joke about this hold but, maybe later when their lives were not in danger.

A benefit to holding on so tightly is that even if she had not heard him tell her to duck she felt his body leaning in and when he moved she did too. No branch to the face for her!  She had been taking the occasional look-see over her shoulder for she heard all the snap, crackle, and pop of the vegetation from the motorcycle gang so when he asked his question (the first one) she had a ready answer. 

"They're right -----there?"

And then there was nothing. 

"Oh no. No, no, no, no, we went through some type of portal." that was her response to the sudden quietness around them. Something similar had happened to her when she vanished for all those months. That three-hour tour had turned into six months of slipping through one portal and the next until she finally ended up back here. At least this place looked like it could be in Ryd'din still? 

Vesta eased up slightly on his back but still maintained a good hold. Which way? "Well, water sounds like we could see but the forest gives us cover from anything after us..." and makes it harder for the horse probably. 

"We're already in the thick, so let's try the water and hope we're not heading to a dead end."    

[Winston Charles Bakersfie]

Winston was going to do his best to not end up on the landing side of that right hook. His gut feeling had told him she had one heck of a punch. And that guy would probably not be feeling so hot with his ego bruised from that hit.

It was probably a good thing that Winston was an experienced horseman, or this journey could of ended up a lot differently. He might not of ever even made it to the mall, if he couldn't sit a horse, that could of been one interesting ride as well. He very well might of looked like a circus performer hanging on to the side or bottom of the horse for his life!

He didn't mind Vesta holding on, tightly, he would much rather that then lose her and have to turn the horse around and go into the angry mob of motorcylists. Yes, this was much better. When she said that they were right behind, then the no no no, he was ready to reply but then she asked if they were still in Rhy'Din. "I don't know the area but I do believe that we are..." He really didn't know for sure.

At her words, Winston would urge the horse over to the soft sand of the beach. The normal noises of beach and forest were heard as they rode alone. For a few moments that was, just enough to lure them into thinking that it was safe, when everything went suddenly quiet. "Uh...Vesta." Would be said , before there was the sound of something breaking the water. He would attempt to turn the horse back towards the forest but she started running straight ahead along the beach. "Come on Buttercup...the forest." The horse was being stubborn, and when he turned to look at the water, he finally saw the head and part of the neck of what those in Scottland called old Bessie. The Lochness Monster none the less, she kept raising up from the water, and he kept trying to urge Buttercup to the forest, though he hadn't heard of her attacking those on the sea shore, but that could be because dead people told no tales.

The sea monster, kept raising she was rather large, and her beady eyes were upon the trio that was in front of her. Moving closer and closer to the waters edge, no other sounds could be heard but the water rippling from the movement, waves crashing against the beach. She was still judging her prey, watching for if she had to move quickly, or she could savor the hunt and take her time.

"Vesta....do they come out of the water? Or any other tidbits you have heard about them would be good about now." He had never seen a Sea Monster in his life, he thought that they were made up, so he never paid attention to the stories, he just hoped Vesta had.

[Vesta Voui]

Sea monster?!?

She certainly wasn't expecting that!

Maybe a native Rhy'dinian would know that when you went to still waters in the middle of nowhere, in the middle of the night, and that water happened to be by a forest that sea monsters were an automatic go. But she wasn't from here and in mostly all the scary movies back home the psycho killers always slaughtered their victims in the creepy woods (thus her also not going there) or some room. But they didn't spring out of the water!

Maybe they were in a sci-fi thriller?

"Try communicating with it." Vesta had both eyes full on the creature and they were wide. Her words a hurried whisper to his back. "Say your sorry for waking it up." Would it work? Hell if she knew! It was worth a shot though right? Right. As long as good ole Winston was able to keep the horse moving away everything was okay?

Blink may have been nestled down to make sure he didn't fall but that didn't mean he couldn't hear. When all went quiet he peeked out and nearly flipped out at the sight of the monster and started tugging on the back of Winston's shirt trying to pull him in the direction away. Then it scampered up his back to head to the horses head.

"Blink! Come back here!" Vesta didn't want her squirrel to become fish bait! Though this squirrel didn't have an ear for hearing what Vesta said as he had moved up and was making gestures to the horse.

One handed though. The other hand was holding full on tight to the mane so he wouldn't fall off.

[Winston Charles Bakersfie]

Did she think he was expecting a sea monster? He had thought that once they had gotten free and clear of those bikers that they were safe! Silly boy. He was not quite sure about the thing in the water. He would of turned to look at Vesta, but he thought it best to keep his focus on Buttercup, and the sea monster.

He had learned from watching horror movies you don't run up stairs, you don't run into the woods, stay away from sharp objects, stay a virgin. Would this be a case of two out of three ain't bad?

He would turn his head looking out at the Sea Monster. "Hello there Sea Monster, Monster of the Sea too! I am sorry that we awoke you from your slumber. I do hope you don't mind us using your beach here." He really was trying, looking out at the sea monster, seeing if he was getting through. He had not taking any classes on talking to monsters of the sea. The Sea Monsters head was moving in a small nod, thinking that it was good he would continue.

Winston got distracted by Blink, and he took his eyes off the Sea Monster, and in that instant that Blink got onto Buttercups head, the Sea Monsters head snapped at them, coming out from the water, with the neck fully extended. Luckily, Blink, Winston, Vesta and the stubborn Buttercup were saved, by Buttercup finally listening in that last instance, and moving back into the forest where the Sea Monster couldn't get them.

Sighing in a bit of relief, he let out a chuckle. "What else does this night have in store for us?" He really shouldn't of asked, really he knew he shouldn't but it was hard not too. He looked up to Blink, "Good job Blink. Remind me to buy you some nuts." It was the one thing he knew Blink liked, and he thought he deserved them for that. One hand would let go of the horses reigns a moment, and pat Vesta's hands around his waist. "I just can't take you anywhere.." He joked, as they continued on, off into the sunset, peacefully for now. For the sun was setting just as she said it was going to do.

[Vesta Voui]

The cardinal rule in all movies, no matter the genre, was to never say 'what's the worst that could happen'; this also related to phrases such as: 'It can't get any worse' and 'I think we're safe' and any derivative of those phrases. Whenever they were used it became the sole purpose of the universe to make sure something happened just to spite the person who said it and those who were around them.

Okay, so maybe not every story, but eight out of ten. You had to like those statistics. Most of the time something happened as things were calming down, which was exactly how things were going for the merry band on horseback after their close encounter of the oceanic kind. Vesta retained her not-so-deadly grip around Winston's waist and Blink -after holding on for dear life when the horse ran from the shore - was sitting between the saddle horn and the horses neck. The squirrel had decided that if something monstrous was going to come at them again from in front he was going to know about it! The fact that Winston had promised to buy him nuts and he was making sure that the guy didn't forget had nothing to do with it.

"That was a close call back there." Vesta sounded a bit apprehensive and she looked around the forest. They had entered the forest - again - and this time the sun was setting. That's one of those odd things about portals, you go through them and time could be behind or ahead of the time you went in. When they left the Rhy'din City Mall it was a few hours until sunrise and now, after they went through the portal, the sun was setting. No problem, she was use to time skipped around and doing whatever it wanted. She truly expected to one day cross the street and go from being 20 (nearly 21) to 25.

"Good thing you didn't say anything to upset it."

That could have been disastrous! If the horse had been any closer to the monster then they would have been headless horsemen.

"But, ah," trailing off she ran her tongue over her teeth. "Do you know where we are? Sun's going down and I don't think the forest is the best place to be."

She didn't know where they were and she wasn't about to discredit the woods to not being home or playing host to the things that went 'bump'.

[Winston Charles Bakersfie]

But they were not in a movie were they? Was this all some strange elaborate stage, that he did not know of, that she had set up? Where were the cues? The director calling action or cut. Because so far twice he would of liked to of heard cut. And Winston's luck seemed to be fifty-fifty. On the upside he was out with Vesta on a horse. On the other side, they had been chased by motorcyclists and a Sea Monster. He was not going to ask what was next.

As the rode on, it did seem to be getting very calm, and if Winston would of been a horror or sci-fi movie buff he would of known not to let his guard down. But he wasn't and he was rather settling into the ride. It was strange that he hadn't noticed the fact that the time had changed, from the sun rising in a few hours to the sunset happening. He must of had other things on his mind. Though he did notice now. Nor would Winston go back on his promise to Blink. He was a bit fond of the squirrel and he kept his word, as he proved by going out of his way to find the mall, to get to Vesta when the call came in.

Hearing her words, he would sit up as straight as he could on the horse, striking his best hero pose, he did not have to much practice. His chest puffing up, careful of Blink and Buttercup. "Don't worry Vesta, I will protect you from whatever we face this night." He said in a very serious voice. This was a whole new thing to Winston. The portals and all of the other strange things he was finding out in Rhy'Din.

"You could of tried talking to it, if you thought I would of upset it." Unless she just liked Winston's voice, he would give her that one. Now if only they had pumpkins, wrong time of the year, maybe in the Fall they could try that again.

He would shake his head at her question. "I don't know my way around here yet. This has been my first time out of the Inn since I have arrived. I had the groom in the stables tell me how to find the mall." He would answer honestly.

Yes, if they did not figure something out, there was a good chance that something that went bump in the night was going to find them.

[Vesta Voui]

Things were looking pretty grim for our riders, as neither of them knew where they were or which direction to go and Blink wasn’t offering up any information either. Now the question was on how to find their way home. They simply couldn't wander aimlessly around the woods, the horse was sure to tire especially now that it was carrying two people instead of one. Not to mention what it had to do to carry Winston to the mall.

Vesta wasn't disheartened at being lost and if someone asked her she would have said that Winston wasn't either. How did she know? It was clear in the way he said that he'd protect her. It made her grin and even chance a laugh in these creepy woods. Her arms about him tightened but it was in a hug and not because something had jumped out from behind a tree. "Winston you're so sweet. Not many guys would offer to protect me from themselves." That was a bit of a joke. She was teasing a little and, like any good damsel in distress who had been rescued she placed a kiss on his cheek.

Blink had heard Winston's comment too and watched their actions with squirrely nausea and sure hoped that he wouldn't have to kiss the guy in order to get the nuts he was promised! If he had to then he would cross that bridge when he came to it. For now he would leave any actions like that up to Vesta.

"I'll leave all the smooth monster talking to you." Ha! She certainly was. Sometimes she had a bad habit of putting her foot in her mouth or people just didn't get her. Blink got her but that was a different story. Besides, if he was going to protect her then talking is what he was going to have to do!

From off in the distance there was a orange yellow light that was steadily coming closer.
"Ah.. Winston...?" Trailing off she rose a bit and still had her arms around him and was now looking over his shoulder towards the light.

Talking. Talking. And the light was coming closer. It wasn't a sole light, but it was light on a stick that was being held by a short stubby old man with a long beard tangled up in vines. Truly this guy looked like he could have been a tree stump. What could be seen of the clothing was as brown and shriveled as bark. He didn't look dangerous.

"Travelers . . . in the woods near the fall of night. Must be lost." His voice had a rough earthy tone.

[Winston Charles Bakersfie]

It could be worse, right, it always could be worse. The hair pulling, pushing each other off the horseback, kicking, cussing amongst whatever else they were to find during the adventure could always make it worse. Lucky for Vesta, Winston was not that sort, at least not yet. And he was very thankful she was not the sort who would sit there with are we there yet, when neither knew where they were or exactly how they were headed. Buttercup was moving slower, dragging her heels, though she still trotted on. And if Blink knew where they were it would of been a good time a bit back for him to chirp up.

Of course, he would step up and be the man, when the time called for it. Right now, he was just glad that they could still joke about everything. When she leaned and kissed his cheek, he was glad that the sun had hidden, for he knew he blushed. Not that she could see it, but with his luck, Blink would notice it. It wasn't a full on blush, just a hint of color really. "Yes, well someone has to protect you from me, and if no one else is around...." They both knew Vesta was safe from him for as long as she wished to be.

Winston had offered Blink the nuts with no strings attached, he would not add strings to them now. So Blink did not have to worry about it. Though if Vesta wanted to do any of those actions, he didn't mind. Might be interesting to watch the girl kiss the squirrel. Never having seeing any beastality before.

"Well if we are lucky it shall work out then." He wasn't quite sure what to say to that. Didn't monsters prefer to hear the soft timbers of a females lulling voice over that of his own? Show's what he knows about the creatures that wandered in this part of town.

By the time he pulled his attention to what Vesta was speaking of it would of been to late to change the course of actions. So when the light was upon them, the short and stubby old man, he had a bad feeling. One should never judge by looks. But he did not appear to fazed as he looked to the man. "Hello good Sir." Where that came form he did not know, sounded right? "We are just passing through. Do you...by chance...know where we are?" Fatal mistake perhaps admitting that they did not know where they were?

[Vesta Voui]

"I know where you are, you're in the woods." Was the snooty reply from the man of the woods to Winston.  In the fading light and all the dark earthy colors the guy was wearing he would blend in and vanish if you weren't looking right at him. Maybe this gave him a feeling of superiority, the fact that he could slip away without being seen. So he leaned on his stick and looked at the trio, a grin resting on his face. 

Who would have guessed they'd run into this guy? Vesta was watching the man, her chin upon Winston's shoulder and wondering what this guy was about as he didn't look the dangerous sort. Then again not all dangerous things were in the form of monsters and there was that odd way he was blending into the woods.  

"I think he's gonna ask us for money." Whispered into Winston's ear - another benefit of having her chin on his shoulder. Of course when she did the whispering she picked her chin up, didn't want him to have the unpleasant feeling of a bouncing jaw on his shoulder. 

The old man of the woods knew that they were lost - Winston had said so -and this was an opportunity! "I know this forest and I know this land, you travelers are lost so I'll give you a hand.  But first.....first." He tapped his staff hard upon the ground and a few nightbirds flew into the sky from nearby trees. 

"I expect a fee."

A fee? Was he serious? Maybe he meant money or food - she had a few coins in her pocket but nix on the food. "What kind of a fee?" Curious and skeptical. 

The man with the stick looked at Vesta and Winston and with a smile said, "Interest me."  

[Winston Charles Bakersfie]

Winston lifted one finger in the air, his pointer, straight up, the rest of his fingers were folded down. "Indeed that's where we are...in the forest! I am sure we will find our way now!" His response was both playful and sarcastic at once. They were not blind, they knew they were in the woods, but what woods would of been more helpful.

Winston wouldn't trust the man further than Blink could throw him. And that meant he was watchful, of the man, knowing that Buttercup would alert them if anyone else was to approach. He trusted the horses sense's were more in tune with nature then his own. She even sidestepped a little bit, but that had to do with the tree man.

But was it really to his benefit. Sure the two were lost, there was no denying this, yet, who said that they would play his game? Winston was a boyscout back home when he was younger, and he was also one that did go camping quite often. Though, he wasn't to sure bout these woods, they would have to think of something fast.

Then he heard the words between Vesta and the man and he thought a moment. "If we don't know anything about you, how should we know what interests you?" He was rather confused on that, as he reached into Buttercups saddle bag, he had forgotten about that, and a bright red shiny apple was in his hand. "Take this apple for example, it doesn't really interest me, but Buttercup here would love to have it right about now, what about you?"

[Vesta Voui]

Winston had a point; a very good point if you asked Vesta. How were they to know what interested this man if they didn't know him? But what made logical sense to them (and just in general) often didn't seem to be the case here. She's seen some pretty backward stuff! 

Blink looked at that apple Winston pulled out, seems like Buttercup wasn't the only one interested in that piece of fruit. Not only the squirrel but the forest guy with the staff was eying it too! He extended out a finger towards those on horseback. "An apple...Oh-ho-ooh. Apple. So round. So shiney. So crispy." 

His tongue lashed out and whipped across his lips, the finger still outstretched had now begun to shake and the man came forward. "It's okay little apple. I'm here. I will save you from the ones who are not worthy to partake in your most precious bounty of gifts."

This was, a bit unsettling. The man was talking to the fruit? "Maybe you can bargin with the apple.". Now Vesta didn't mean that Winston should start talking to the apple too, but that he should use it as a bargining chip to get them out of here. 

He'd get what she meant, right? 

[Winston]

It was a very good thing that Winston's point was with what he said and not on the top of his head. A point there could of made Blink's random holding on place a bit more harder to do so. and it would of messed up his hair as well. As for Winston, he still was getting his feet wet, so to say in this place, so he felt lost all most times. This time he had Vesta, and they tended to end up on the same page, so maybe it would not be so bad.

It seemed the apple appealed to the masses. He looked between Buttercup's whose nostrils started to flair as she smelt the treat, Blink who was eyeing the shiny red apple as if he wished it for himself, then hearing the man's words, Winston turned hazel gaze to him. The apple was still in his hand, he had a nice grip upon it. If he trusted the forest man he might of spoke up to let Blink know he had more apples, maybe not with them, but he could get more. Winston had a soft spot for the crazy squirrel, ever since he made those crazy faces.

Hearing the words that Vesta had supplied to his ear, he would give the slightest motion of his head. He did not wish to speak to the apple in fear it may make the forrest man jealous that he was speaking to the apple that he seemed to have a connection with. So Winston looked to the man. "Perhaps I would be willing to part with this apple, if you could point us in the direction to the Tel..." He nudged Vesta gently mind you. "What's the name of that Inn?" He was not so good with names. He would be happy just to get pointed in the right direction, though with this being where it was, there was no saying that they would end up where they were hoping to.

[Vesta Voui]

"Tel'Raneamyn Inn."

Should have heard Vesta say the name of the Inn when she first arrived, woulda laughed at her for stumbling all over her tongue. But not anymore! She said it with confidence and vigor, ole Winston even got a pat on the shoulder he did! 

"New type of place. Near water and woods." That could narrow it down to a handful of places. How many inns in this realm were by woods and water? Her luck? Maybe twenty. Even more her luck? A new inn was right outside these woods. They had come here after leaving the water...

Fortunatly for our horseback trio Vesta was having good luck (yes, being chased by a motorcycle gang and almost becoming supper for a sea creature was good luck) and the old man with the stick scratched his chin. Winston had offered up a very good prize: information for the apple and the apple was something he wanted. 

No. 

It was something he needed and with every stroke of his fingers on his chin he wanted that red delicious treat more and more. Did he know what they spoke of? 

"Y-yes. With those creatures. Those... tree folk. Yes. Yes. I know it." Taking his fingers off his chin to waggle them at the apple Winston had. "And so does the horse. Asked your ride."

Ask the horse? Now that the man had said it Vesta thought that it made sense, as much sense as things here tended to make anyway. Animals often were able to find their way home (dogs did anyway!) so this could be the same. Could Winston speak horse? 

Vesta rested her cheek against Winston's shoulder so her mouth was facing his ear. "He might have a point." trying to whisper so the man wouldn't have something to say. 

"Well of course I have a point!" The man beat the end of his staff against the ground. "That horse can lead you better than I. My apple." Scrawny knotted hand held out for it too.  

[Winston]

He was rather glad that Vesta could remember and say the name of the Inn. He really had no clue how he arrived there, let alone the name of the place they were staying. He really needed to educate himself about the lodging that he was residing in. But that would be for another time, one problem at a time, right. His head nodded as Vesta spoke the name.

The fact being that the merry trio was still breathing, moving along without the scrapes and bruising, and they weren't fish food, he would not argue the lucky comment. For to him, they did seem to be coming out on top, of whatever seemed to come at them. The apple was still in his hand, as he listened between the two.

He spoke in a almost whispered tone "tree folk?" He was rather confused for he had not yet met a tree folk, that he knew of. Perhaps later he would ask that out loud, or go on a search for that was a rather strange sounding folk to him. Especially when the man whom spoke it with such a sound in his voice, looked like what Winston would imagine a tree folk to look like!

Then Vesta was leaning in to whisper, and he grinned hearing the old man. A deal was a deal and he would place the red shiny apple into the mans hand. Moving his hand back before it could be grabbed. Just in case. "Thank you." He figured he could be polite, it happened.

Then he was going to learn if he could speak horse or not. He was reluctant to pull a bit away from Vesta but he did, leaning forward on the horse, careful of Blink. He rubbed her neck as he spoke in a hushed tone. "Buttercup, let's go home, there's a apple and some carrots waiting for you." He would pet a moment longer before sitting up, one hand moving back to her lead, the other, giving Vesta's hands a little squeeze.

To his surprise Buttercup did begin to trot forward, as if she had understood what he spoke of. His body seemed to relax from the alert position it had been in while dealing with the old forest man. This was turning out to be a interesting night for the man in black. Seeing things he would of never thought even existed. He was never going to be the same man he once was.

He was not in a very talkative mood but it had nothing to do with his company. It was the day wearing him out, and he knew the horse was tired, and a good chance the rest of the merry band was as well. He had not been paying to much attention, when he spoke up. "I hope she knows what she's doing." Not more then five minutes passed after his speaking up, that Buttercup, entered a cave before coming to a complete stop. Now he knew she would of never entered the cave if she felt unsafe, so this must be a safe cave,right? "Buttercup...this isnt the Inn." He said it as if she didn't realize it. She just gave a snorting noise. His head turning slightly to cast a glance at Vesta. "So..how do you feel about caves?" She seemed like a girl that was up for anything, was she?

He was already reaching into the saddle bags again, pulling out a flashlight, which had fresh batteries in it. Shining it this way and that, the cave did not look as if it had been inhabited in quite sometime. Surprisingly it wasn't full of spider webs either. Strange. With Buttercup digging in her heels he figured he might as well dismount, which he would carefully, before holding up his hand to help Vesta down.

[Vesta Voui]

"That's the way to do it," Vesta gave Winston a reassuring pat on the back when he told Buttercup of the prize awaiting back home. Animals here seemed to have a good understanding of human speech. Really, she shouldn't be surprised. Back home there were animals who would understand what people were saying and so why would here be any different? In fact, here they were lible to open their mouths and chatter-chat-chat right back, like that old man had said.

Speaking of the old man, when that apple was extended to him he was all for it, those knobby fingers of his reaching for the fruit, he even bottled up his pride to say thank you before snatching the thing and running away (much faster than anyone would have thought him capable of if going on looks alone). Whether he was going to eat the apple or otherwise was anyone's guess.

But! Back to the story at hand . . .

The time was getting on, and they had gone through a lot and so it was only understandable that the trip was wearing on the trio - especially the horse. While the steed was leading the way Blink had scampered from the front with Winston and over to Vesta to settle down in his comfortable place - the inside of her shirt. Must have reminded him of the inside of a tree of something. Warm. Vesta herself had been stifling a yawn with her head against his back but she wasn't going to fall asleep on him. For one, that wouldn't be fair and two, they were in a strange place and had to help him keep them safe.

When they stopped she moved off of him and allowed him the space he needed to move unencumbered. Good thing he had a flashlight, it was getting dark and she wasn't that good at rubbing two sticks together to make fire. "I'm not claustrophobic." Which was a very good thing considering that they were about to go into a cave.

Winston got down and with his help she was able to do so as well. "With a bit of light, some color, maybe a throw rug, this place could be quite cozy." She had to add a bit of humor even if it was a bit off center. She was even a bit quiet as she spoke. Vesta stayed a step behind Winston and looked in the direction of his light, squinting into the places she couldn't see.

"Is the place... inhabited, you think? It appears to be a good place to rest the night and if Buttercup brought us here...." implying that the horse wouldn't bring them to a dangerous place. Hopefully.

[Winston Charles Bakersfie]

The horses that he had back home seemed to understand what he was saying when he spoke. He thought he would give it a try here with Buttercup. Though she was not his own personal horse, he could hope, right. Though it was nice to hear Vesta thought he was doing the right thing as well. And when they finally did make it back to the Inn, he was going to keep his word not only to Buttercup, but to Blink as well. He was probably going to owe them both a small pile of food, depending on how the rest of the trip went.

He had blinked when the old man had taken off running, he really did not think the man had it in him. But then again that’s what one got for judging something by how someone looked. A thing that he was learning the more time he spent here. Back home they always said don’t trust it until you see it with your own eyes. That saying would not get one to far here.

Glad to hear that Vesta say that she was not claustrophobic was good, though he wasn’t sure if he was or not. Time to find out it looked like, not time like the present right? He was sure he had heard somewhere about breathing exercises but he wouldn’t need them. Even if he was claustrophobic he would have to tuff it out!

He chuckled hearing Vesta. “Hopefully it’s just for a few hours, unless your planning on us moving in.” He couldn't let her move out into a cave in the middle of who knows where by herself! He thought it was good she still had her sense of humor for once that left they would be doomed. The bickering would commence and that was not something he looked forward too. He knew he was lucky that she was not the sort of girl that whimpered over the unknown, she seemed to embrace it, at least so far.

The flashlight was swung about, making sure that they did not see anything else in the cave. That would include say a pile of bones or something, with the way that their luck was going. Not seeing anything that might cause them harm, or try to eat them he would turn slightly to reassure Vesta. “I didn’t see anything. Besides Buttercup wouldn’t just lead us into a cave if she felt danger.” Horses were rather smart animals.

It would seem that for now, the happy band of travelers would be safe from things that went bump in the night. Winston after checking to make sure Vesta was alright, would move to Buttercup, taking the saddle, and all the other items that encumbered the horse off. Allowing Buttercup to get some breath and a break. “Don’t go and leave us.” He spoke up, as he moved the saddle to a spot in the cave. It would be then, that he spotted the blanket roll on the back. “We have a blanket if your cold.” He had looked to Vesta before speaking. Then reaching into the same saddle bag as before, with the old man, he pulled out another shiny red apple, which he took to Buttercup. “This is for what you’ve done so far…keep up the good work, and there will be more treats.” He lifted his hand up to pat along her neck. Once they got back to the barn at the Inn he owed Buttercup a lot of special attention and he knew that. Buttercup would let Winston know that she understood what he said by nuzzling his shoulder with her muzzle.

Once Buttercup was done, he would move over to the saddle bags to see what else they included. He wasn’t quite sure himself, but he hoped there was something else. Pulling out a baggie of dried beef he almost let out a small whoop of joy. Winston always loved beef jerky. Rummaging around in the saddle bag he also found another red apple, and a small loaf of bread. Which he would be looking strangely at. “Well, it looks like an apple for Blink, and we have jerky and bread.” He had noticed Blink also looking at the shiny red apple he held out to the old man. Not the sort of snack he was thinking of for his midnight snack but what the heck.

He would lean his back against the saddle, and wait for Vesta before he ate anything.

[Vesta Voui]

They were going to be here for a while - at least a couple of hours - and that didn't bother her. Really she thought that 'a couple hours' would turn into more of a 'handful of hours' or maybe even 'until the morning' if things stayed peaceful. They all had a long day and she didn't stake much trust in hours anymore. Einstein had it right with the theory of relativity: time was one of those relative factors.

All that aside it wasn't so bad being stranded in the middle of a creepy woods with Winston, he was even carrying on his role still as being a 'knight' by dressing down the horse and making sure she was comfortable. Her eyes started to adjust to the light - thanks to his flashlight and the fading natural light - and therefore Vesta was able to move away from him and into the rest of the cave. "This can be our super secret hide-away cave," she said as she gathered up the blanket Winston pulled off the horse. "And we can return to this spot after reenacting the flight from the mall." Sounded like a good thought to her!

The blanket was shaken and then laid on the floor next to one of the cave walls, not too far in and not at the edge. If the two of them fell asleep and something was prowling out in the woods they didn't want to be in plain sight. Made sense to her! The blanket was for them and while Winston fed Buttercup Vesta went just outside the cave to collect some dry brush (had to be a few leaves and sticks by the cave right?) and brought them in to set them next to the blanket.

"It's for Blink. He needs to get out of my shirt." That squirrel had fallen asleep right on her chest inside the stripped jacket she wore. Yes, he could have stayed there, but his fur was starting to cause her to itch. So Winston would get a show! Well, no, not really. Vesta undid the buttons on her jacket carfully so the squirrel wouldn't simply fall out. Holding the mammal she placed him on the nest she made and watched him stretch and recurl.

There.

Just in time too for Winston was offering her food! Taking her portion she went over to where he was! Right up against him. "Ya know, if we're going to be out here in the woods it's best to huddle up. Stay warmer that way. Blink's got fur." Her reason for not trying to scoot that nest around.

"Bet you never thought this would happen when you agreed to give me a lift." Was that a smirk on her face? You betcha! One that was covered up by eating her food.

[Winston Charles Bakersfie]

Winston thought that if they tuckered down for a bit, that it would give Buttercup time to regenerate, and get her strength up. If Vesta wasn’t such a game girl, he might have had to try to figure out a way to get her back, he was rather thankful she was how she was. Not that he was saying anything out loud. A yawn was taken, with his hand lifting up to cover his mouth. Then she was talking about the cave and he was laughing, not the timid laughter but a full belly laugh escaped. “I always wanted one of those growing up!” Little boys wanted a fun cave to go and hide in to play kid games and explore! And now not only did he have such a cave he also had a partner in crime to explore and sleep out under the cave stars!

He had looked over as she made the nest for Blink, though it took a moment for him to realize what she was doing. At first he thought she might be making herself a little nest. He wouldn’t put anything past her, or this crazy place. “Are you sure Blink’s gonna be happy in his nest, instead of the nesting he was doing already?” I mean Blink was a guy right?

And Winston wasn’t even looking when she transferred Blink. Only because he was still in gentleman mode, which is rare seeing he really hadn’t gotten to much sleep as of late, and that usually made it harder to be such a gentleman. And it wasn’t because he wasn’t interested in Vesta. Maybe it was the interest in her that made it possible for him to still be a gentleman instead of trying to ogle her.

Here he was being all good, and then Vesta comes up right against him. He would think on her words, before nodding his head, “I wouldn’t want you to catch a chill. That would mean I was lax in my job duties.” And to him her ride wasn’t over until he had her safely tucked back in at the Inn. He lifted a piece of the jerky to his mouth as he mumbled, “This is going to be one long night.” And then that jerky was in his mouth before anything else could escape out of his mouth.

He looked down at Vesta, “Should we go sit down to finish this?” He was speaking of the food.

[Vesta Voui]

A bit of jerky, a bit of bread, now only if they had some cheese and dressing for the bread they could make a jerky sandwich! Mmm. Sandwiches, burgers, both of those sounded might fine to her right now but she would make do with what he brought! He didn't have to share after all.

Vesta watched Blink for a moment while shifting her weight to her left leg and working her jaw on a jerky bit in her mouth. The squirrel looked comfortable enough and his tail was wrapped around him to keep the warmth in. Now whether he was happier there or where he had been in her shirt wasn't even a question. "He would have preferred my shirt. He is a male squirrel." Rather matter-of-fact with that but it was true, Blink enjoyed the warmth that was there, but the two of them had had a talk. She was a human, he was a squirrel, it would never work and that area was for transportation purposes only.

Hand went out and patted Winston on the shoulder when he suggested they move, she even used his shoulder to push her off from where they were as she headed to the blanket on the floor. "A long night?" Said over her shoulder at him before sitting down and stretching her legs out on it. "Think that we'll be attacked by marauders in our sleep after they first catch our ride to keep her from sounding out the alarm?"

It was possible! She didn't put anything past things happening in this place.

Taking a bite of the bread she laid back on the blanket, one hand behind her head and legs bent, head to the side so she could see him. "You know I keep thinking that one day I'll wake up and realize all this was a daydream and I'll be on the CTA 3 King Street bus in Chicago on my way to meet my brother." All that was said remarkably well considering that she had food in her mouth! Wonder if she had experience in talking around food.

"What a pity that would be. Well! No time for negative thoughts when there's the chance for the unexpected." And a chance to stiffle a yawn with her fist, which is exactly what she did. If Winston wasn't careful he'd soon find that his partner would have fallen asleep on him. But for now she was awake.

Barely.

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