Scene Two:
Besides the strange rule of not letting the healer hunt, Tuatha found the presence of familiar personalities satisfying. While they traveled, she was told about their adventures since waking up in this world. They'd all woken at the same time, confused and in bodies that were not their own. It took very little time to figure out that they were literally in the game. They tried to get to the nearest town, only to find it being looted and empty of anything worth taking. There were also no shop keeps or townsfolk, which they found strange. So they braced themselves in using what little survival skills they actually knew to stay fed and safe. It had been rough in the beginning, but eventually they were able feed themselves.
They'd gotten into a few scraps with gang'kers and would be player killers, but to a one, they'd surprised themselves with how they'd fought them off. The few players they came across that were not interested in fighting were more than willing to exchange news and equipment, and even skills. They were even able to barter with a group of cosplayers and LARPer's; in exchange for some extra protection from another group, the LARPers taught them some defensive skills and even some woodcraft. Since then, they'd put their ability to act as bouncers essentially, do to their number and new skill sets, to those who wished for temporary protection.
Jeff, the wizard, did explain that they had wanted to get a wagon and horses to make travelling easier, but when they were given instruction in the care and treatment of the animals, as well as the costs for feed as well as barding, they realized it was going to cost them far more than if they just saved what they had and walked. As Tuatha suspected, they were as yet too pampered by their last lives to see to and share the needs of an animal that would make travel easier.
Which more or less lead them to the decision to go to one of the main cities to try to find work as guardsmen or find a knight in need of a squire; anything that would give them some extra coin and some security. Now that the NPC's were back, it was "safe" to be in towns and cities again.
While their company was a nice change, Tuatha's presence in the group seemed to affect the others in a way she didn't anticipate.
They were still days away yet from their chosen city. As the miles were walked, a few things became clear to Tuatha. Whenever she tried to help the group beyond her healing abilities, they would make an excuse for her not to help. They didn't want her hunting or trapping but they were okay with her gathering herbs and edible plants; though only as long as she stayed nearby. All the while being called annoying things like, honey, or sweetheart. She had to keep herself from strangling someone every time one was used.
When they crossed paths with mobs or dangerous animals, they would tell her just to be a healer and "not worry about the DPS." In fact Kaellas would constantly tell her to stay by him, effectively keeping her out of the melee fighting, and wouldn't let her switch to her bow for ranged. It was grating to be treated like a porcelain vase that couldn't protect herself.
A few nights in, the atmosphere from the guys shifted. What had used to be easy banter in online chat, in life became odd comments that slowly became more sexual. This shift made Tuatha uneasy as she had zero interest in any of them. She remembered that she had to police their comments on Discord in the beginning of their acquaintance as well. Tuatha didn't want them then, and she found herself even less attracted to them now. And even if she did, their creepy overtures would have turned her off long since.
It wasn't until Lore tried to, very ineptly, get into her pants after a very onerous fight with a group of mob NPC's that she had to draw the line. Basically by "trying to protect her" from a mob, Lore had basically tackled her to the ground. Perhaps to try to create an "intimate" moment. Sullied by Lore trying to kiss her. By then Tuatha had shot down each and every one of them; she was done. They had also not been eating very well and the recent fight had them all quite exhausted. "Look... I know I'm, like, the only actual girl here, but this needs to fucking stop." She told them after having to push Lore away. "I'm not going to sleep with any of you. Ever. So please," Tuatha's tone turned pleading, "stop trying to get in my proverbial pants. It's creepy and unwelcome." She leaned on her staff, too tired to put all her weight on her legs. "Okay?" She saw some disappointed and disgruntled looks go between the others and figured that didn't bode well. But they all nodded and didn't bother her all the way to their next camp. Nor did they speak to her while the hot water that was trying to be stew was dished out, or when everyone started settling in to sleep. She was too tired to do much more about their behavior. It might be that she had to address it whenever it came up again. For now, she needed to sleep; what more, she needed to sleep on a full belly; but that wasn't going to happen.
As she got under her blankets, Lore approached her. "I want to apologize for my behavior earlier. It was uncalled for."
"Oh," the apology had taken her by surprise, "Thanks, I appreciate that."
Lore smiled, the female face looking relieved, as well as something else indecipherable. "Look, do you think you could take first watch tonight? I just don't feel like I can stay awake much longer," s/he asked.
Maybe it was that she was thrown off by the apology or her own exhaustion played a role, but she agreed to take the first watch. Tuatha just hoped that everyone being so tired meant that she could sleep in a tad bit in the morning.
Her hopes were for not as, hours later; it felt like the moment her head hit her "pillow" she was being shaken awake by one of the others. If anything, she felt more tired than before. As she got up, she noticed that the others were already up and ready to go; and it was barely even dawn.
Idon, who'd woken her, just shrugged sheepishly. "We wanted you to get some extra sleep. But hurry, we all want to get going."
So Tuatha rushed to get her things packed and her gear in order, yet she still had to race to catch up as they'd started before she was ready. The next leg of their journey took them into a landscape that had very abrupt hills and forest areas, as well as patches of moors and bogs. It was a terrain very easy to lose your way in. The best way through was on a thin path that weaved and wound through the hills, moors and sudden patches of trees.
As they went, she had a horrible feeling that the earlier start and sudden waking was to throw her off. Perhaps she'd hurt all their fragile man feelings by proclaiming her body off limits. Perhaps she was imagining things.
With a sigh, she came to the conclusion that perhaps she was better off without these particular people. They were obviously more entitled then she originally thought them to be, or at least being here had made them even more arrogant than before. While at first she thought their numbers would make her feel safe, Tuatha was starting to feel the exact opposite. Not a good sign.
There were still a few villages that they would be hitting before the main road to the bigger city; perhaps she should use one of them to slip away. Get out before these guys left her behind out of angst or worse. She would hate to think these guys were capable of violence against her, so she figured the best way is to not give them the chance to explore that darker side of their psyches.
It was late afternoon and they were deep into the hilly landscape. The path was taking them down an incline to a T-intersection of paths on the bottom. On both sides leading to the T, hills rose up like burial mounds of giants. On the other side of the T, another hill rose up, making both paths that broke off from this one disappear behind giant hills.
The trip down the incline was strenuous. Tuatha was already behind, having the shorter strides then most of the party; the gnome was currently being carried by the stout dwarf who always seemed able to set a brisk pace. They were already near the bottom, half way to the junction, while she was still half way up the slope. She found herself looking down and concentrating on her footing, and using her staff for extra balance as she made her way in a crisscross fashion down the hillock.
Once on the bottom, Tuatha looked up to find the tiny grassy vale between hills empty except for the trail and a gentle whistling wind. "Guys?" She called, lengthening her stride to get to the junction; she was too spent to run even if she was of a mind to. Where the three paths met, she stopped and turned in a circle; she shouldn't see any of the party members as both paths wound around even more hills. "For fucks sake." She muttered as she looked over at the ground to see if she could spot any traces of them. When she found none, she figured her best bet was to get up onto one of the hills and see what she could find from their height.
Picking the hill to the left, Tuatha found a way up and climbed up as fast as she could, knowing the longer she took to figure out which way they went, the less likely she was to find them again. True, she was planning on leaving anyway, but getting stranded wasn't her idea of the ideal time to break for it. Not to mention, this felt more like a manipulation than anything else.
At the top, she took a look around as she caught her breath; leaning on her staff for support. When she could draw longer, quieter, breaths was when she could hear it. Shouts off to the left, through some trees. With a shrug, Tuatha steered towards the commotion. When she heard unfamiliar voices, she slowed and skirt around hoping to get behind whoever is causing her group to shout. Through the trees she saw a group of ruffians who had the high ground, as well as the tree concealment, on her mates, who are still on the path that cut through the hill with rocky "bricks" holding the hill away from the gash like trail. It couldn't be more perfect an ambush site; Tuatha was almost tempted to leave the guys to the fate of these people. Unfortunately she wasn't that kind of person; they'd been her friends. Once. So she started forward, wondering if she could cause enough of a distraction that they could get away.
While she was creeping up on the near dozen robbers, she came across an unattended bag of apples and decided to grab a few. The rogues must have set them down when they heard her group tromping around in the heather lined path. She put some in her free pouches. Then with one apple in hand, wandered up behind the ruffians. She took a head count and did a quick assessment before taking a very loud crunchy bite of the apple. Suddenly faces, swords, many arrow points, as well as the piercing gaze of who could only be the ring leader, were all on her. The leader was wiry, somewhat tall, with deep set eyes and long deep blond hair. The messy goatee was more rascal than pirate, and long. His dress and armor indicated that he was probably a fighter, but she wouldn't discount him being a rogue or magic user.
Tuatha paused before continuing to chew. "Oh hai! I'm not interrupting anything am I?" She asked as pithily as her adrenaline pumped brain would allow. She had her staff braced against one shoulder but not currently in her hand. The only indication she was on the defensive was her eyes that scanned the others, and how she had her feet braced.
The leader stomped up to her, not looking happy about being interrupted in the middle of trying to intimidate resources out of people. He was only slightly surprised that she stood her ground and even took another bite of apple while he made his way to her. "Who the hell are you?" He pointed his sharp dirk at her neck as he did his own assessment.
He was definitely not American by his accent; Russian probably. The information tantalized her memory for a moment, but Tuatha pushed it away so she could concentrate on the irate gentleman before her. She shrugged as she gave him a look over through her lashes. "Does it matter?" She had to admit he was nice looking, if a bit brigand looking. There was also something strongly compelling about him, she could feel it pull at her.
"Yes. It most definitely does," He replied, trying to give her a menacing look.
Unfortunately for him, Tuatha had gotten a knack for knowing truly bad men by sight, and he was not a bad man. His attempts to scare her had the opposite effect, and she had to keep from giggling. She could not, however, keep the smile from her lips. That seemed to catch him off guard. "You're going to have to do better than that, I'm afraid." She absently gripped her staff in her free hand.
His ire dissipated and his eyes looked her up and down. "You are either really brave, or very stupid." He told her while suppressing a grin of his own.
Tuatha shrugged and leaned on her staff; she was trying to keep her tired state from his notice. "A bit of both, I'm sure."
The leader laughed and pinched her chin between his thumb and index finger, "Either way, I will get the answers I want."
"You seem very certain that you will," Tuatha replied, actually enjoying the banter now that it had a playful undertone. She gently jerked her chin out of his grasp while giving him her own impish smile.
"I will." his words were a promise. "First I will finish with these others."
"That will be a bit difficult," she interjected as he went to turn around.
Without turning his body, he cocked his head to give her a side look. "How's that?"
Tuatha motioned towards the trail. Where before there were about five travelers of various races and classes, the trail was now empty. The ruffians had all been watching her, forgetting the group for enough time for them to slip away; not even Tuatha saw where they'd gone to. For a moment she experienced a wave of sadness at being left behind as the price for the toll. Still, she put herself here with the intention of causing a distraction so they could escape; she couldn't qualm about the results.
The leader took a moment to stare at the now empty trail. He threw his dirk deep into the soil while he shouted some orders to the others and they sprang into action. Most going to try to find a trail to follow and search for her "friends". He spat a string of Russian words and smoothed back his tied hair. Then he redirected his anger at Tuatha. "Did you see where they went? Where are they going?" he demanded to know. He grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her. "Tell me."
Giving him a glare, Tuatha raised her chin. "How would I know?"
"Don't play coy with me, woman. You helped them, you must know them!" He released her roughly and took a few paces back; one hand idly stroking the hilt of his sword.
"Even if I did, do you think they'd risk continuing down this path to the village? There's no way they are going to the village now, not with you and your louts about. Besides, they are long gone! You would gain nothing by pursuing them." Tuatha had to suppress another laugh seeing him so angry; it was almost cute. "Look, yes, I have been traveling with them. So I will tell you this: They have little of value anyway. Most of their better gear had to be stowed because it was too big, and some got sold. They don't even have any food left." She crossed her arms around her staff while still holding his gaze. "Looks like you'll be leaving empty handed." She took another bite of her stolen apple.
He took a deep aggravated breath before turning to eye her up again. "Not completely." He motioned to some of his men and took the half eaten apple away from her. A second later, her arms were grabbed and the staff was taken away. "You'll just have to be the consolation prize, my dear." He gave her a smile as he came up to her once more. "You are now my prisoner until your fate is decided. And that fate belongs to me," he told her.
Pursing her lips for a moment, it felt like something went through her and Tuatha was no longer sure if she hoped for a rescue or not. She gave him a nod and was remanded to his custody. Orders to head back to camp were given and the gear and food they'd been accumulating was gathered up. The leader kept Tuatha with him as they traversed through the thin forested hills towards the more dense woodlands.
It was a few hours later that they stopped at a stream for a short break to drink and redistribute their gathered "goods" to fresher backs.
The leader of the group took Tuatha to the stream. As she was quite parched, she knelt carefully over the water. After having to wiggle her wrists a bit to allow her to use them as a cup, she scooped the cool water and drank. Though while she did, her hair had its usual knack for getting in the way and then into her mouth. Tuatha tried to brush it back, but the mass would always be back when she bent down.
After trying a third time to drink hair free water, Tuatha felt her locks being gently swept back and held for her. She took the opportunity to drink deep before straightening and looked back to see the rugged rogue leader beside her, giving her a thoughtful look –as well as amused as she probably looked silly choking on her own hair. He brushed her hair back again, his fingers cool but may as well been made of electricity as they traced over her neck and shoulder. Tuatha shook herself. "Thank you. I didn't have a chance to braid it back today." She self-consciously moved away and gathered her unruly hair to the other side. Without really deciding to, tried to run her fingers through her hair, her tied wrists making it more complicated then needed.
"Easily corrected. Hold still." He nonchalantly grabbed a dangling cord from one of his passing men and stepped behind her.
In the other world, Tuatha had loved it when her hair was played with; that hadn't changed in this world. Though this was perhaps not the time or the place. She tried to suppress the shiver that went through her at the sensation of this man twisting her hair in a braid that while still messy, would do in a pinch. When he was done, he took her by the arm and turned her around. "Thanks." Tuatha uttered softly, praying that her cheeks were not bright red. It was hard to dismiss the awareness that she found him attractive, but he didn't need to know how his constant contact affected her. "I never got your name."
"Vanya," he answered, leaning down slowly, reducing the space between them. "Yours?"
Her tied hands were pressed against his chest, though didn't seem to concern him much. "Tuatha," she replied; her breath hitched and she could feel her heart pump faster. "You're really good at that. Do you braid people's hair often?" She teased, trying to loosen the tension inside her.
The grip on her arm tightened though he didn't appear bothered. He smiled as he watched her eyes widen. "It's the easiest way to make rope." He told her with a suggestive tilt of his head and glint in his eyes.
Tuatha looked forward as they all began walking along the thin game trail again. "Rope is nice, but silk cord is better." She heard herself say. She'd let her mouth have the lead to try to mask the sudden airlessness in her lungs. For a second she was embarrassed at her words –until she heard her escort nearly stub a foot on a rock that had gotten in his way. She also heard him curse under his breath in Russian. That made her smile in satisfaction.
Talking, or rather bantering, became more difficult as they travelled. Breath was needed for other reasons as the group crossed ravines and gorges, as well as skirted sudden cliffs and sink holes. They'd long left the hilly marshes and were deep into the forests, into land that was not often explored as it was usually inaccessible to most gamers.
Her captor rarely let her go, unless he needed to jump or climb up or down the trail before helping her through the obstacle. Though near every time after, there would be a moment he'd linger; his hands either still at her hips or holding onto her tied hands.
She didn't count the time they were skirting around a clearing where suddenly he pulled her around a tree. He held her there as he looked out over at the clearing; when she asked what was going on, he looked her right in the eyes. "A group of gan'kers. We'd prefer not to fight right now," He whispered then turned his attention back to the danger. Tuatha looked where she could and saw the rest of the rabble huddled down in the bushes and trees, or in some cases rocks, to wait out the presence of some of the most hated type of gamer they knew.
Despite the danger, it was hard to ignore how close Vanya was to her; he was pressed against her in fact with both arms on either side of her. His whole body was tense as he tried to watch the player killers cross the clearing. Fortunately they were heading away from the group. Tuatha could hear them now that they were silent; a couple were bragging about a recent kill of a "noob" who kept crying and begging them to spare him. The words they used made Tuatha ill. She felt Vanya move a hand to her shoulder and give a squeeze. Their eyes locked and it helped her tune the gang'kers out. She used the connection with the tree at her back to feel for the bastards in the field and followed their progress until they were far enough away.
Vanya must have noticed a change in her gaze, for when she refocused on him, he seemed to nod. Surprising her, he gave her a quick kiss on the lips before stepping back and telling the others it was safe to continue.
His grip was constant after that, but much gentler.
It was more than just the fact that she was female. His "men" also had women, a couple far more alluring than Tuatha. Some of which gave her a few confused glares when their leader wasn't looking. That, if anything, suggested to Tuatha that this leader of ruffians was not behaving normally with her.
At the moment, she was unsure if that was a good thing or not.
