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ON THE ROAD TO RESPITE - SOMETIME AFTER SUNDOWN
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Elizabeth is sitting at a stump near the campfire the caravan made for the night, really trying to not look ungrateful for the 'beans and something mysterious she'd rather not ask about' they have for eating right now. She's still stubbornly dressed in her travel dress, impractical as it most assuredly has been all day. And she's really really not trying to think about anyone possibly following the caravan in hopes of tracking down a skunk witch...
Xochi approaches the campfire curiously, winding her way over and taking the offered bowl, then setting herself down upon her tail, coiling itself beneath her. Her tongue darts out a few times as she looks at the bowl.
Elizabeth notices Xochi coming and gives the smallest of smiles and a nod. "Hello, again."
Xochi has taken a bite of the chili, but stops to smile back to Elizabeth, "Hello again, travel companion."
Elizabeth nods, thinking for a bit as she looks about the makeshift camp: "So... how's the travel treated you, so far?"
Xochi hums, "Pleasant. I understand some find this heat oppressive, but to me, quite nice. Less humid than home, but quite nice. How are you fairing?"
Elizabeth gives a wry chuckle: "Let's just say that thick, black northern fur and deep southern heat aren't the best of combinations. But I'll manage."
Xochi frowns sympathetically, nodding. "Yes, understandable. Fur seems to be such an inconvenience, but that is likely just bias, I am sure."
Elizabeth shrugs as she sets the bowl of disgusting aside: "Well, it's not been a good thing to have right on today... but not like this lady has much options, hmm?"
Xochi makes that coarse noise again, laughter, "No, I suppose not. Perhaps easier to shave fur then to shed scales, but still likely a great inconvenience."
Elizabeth blanches briefly at the thought, but then finds her soft laugh regardless: "...yes, let us not go there. Shade rather than shave, if you will."
Dorri appears from the edge of the firelight with a telescope and tripod tucked under her arm. She nods to the pair as she takes a seat near the fire and sets down her gear beside her. "Evening."
Xochi dips her head respectfully to the newcomer to the evening fire, "Hello, fellow traveler."
Elizabeth likewise nods at Dorri, noting she'd seen the markhor before but had a reason to talk: "Hello."
Dorri reaches out her hands toward the fire to warm them. "Easy travel so far." The comment is empty of importance, though the travel was indeed easy today.
Xochi shifts to give Dorri a curious look, "Is the travel usually more difficult?"
Dorri shakes her head. "Not unless one of the wagons breaks down."
Elizabeth nods slowly: "...I suppose this isn't the most... well-documented, of areas..." She glances around the camp and what little she can see into the wildnerness beyond the wagon circle, and swallows ever-so-slightly.
Dorri laughs. "Nothing to be worried about around here. Patrols still get out this far from Folly. A couple of nights from now, then you should be more worried..."
Xochi continues to take bites of the chili, "Hmmm, Respite Falls is more dangerous then the name hints, then? The town is rather remote, I suppose."
Elizabeth looks at Dorri curiously, silently wondering just how much is true of what she has heard. "...it does kind of make me worry. I have never been this far out from civilization."
Dorri shakes her head. "Respite is safe enough, but between here and there is where there's more wildlife."
Xochi 's tongue flicks out as she considers this, "Curious. Little reason to worry, if an attack happens, then the attack happens. Else, we would be worrying for nothing."
Elizabeth raises an eyebrow at Xochi: "That's... an interesting way to see it."
Dorri shrugs. "I've lived a lot of my life alone on a mountaintop. My definition of dangerous is probably different than yours."
Elizabeth glances northwards or what she thinks is northwards, anyway: "...I'll take my chances with the wildlife."
Xochi laughs, "I am not one who will let what might happen or what might not happen deter me." She sets down her empty bowl, "The mountaintop? I have never been to a mountain."
Dorri looks at the long snake. "Might be a bit tricky to get you up one, yeah... not without good roads anyway."
Elizabeth chuckles despite herself as she also looks at Xochi: "...probably."
Xochi grins, "I am one who often goes where she is not supposed to, but ah, for now I shall be contented to reach my new home. Mountain climbing can come later."
Elizabeth gives Xochi a wry grin: "You're free to do it on my behalf too. This old body ain't for climbing."
Dorri sets her hands back in the pockets on her smock. "I usually just take the direct route up myself, but I'm built for it..."
Xochi glances at Elizabeth, setting a hand against her bosom demurely, "Dear Elizabeth, one is only as old as one acts." She snickers, a rough hissing sound. "But perhaps would be easier to fly then climb, hm? A shame."
Elizabeth gives Xochi a look: "True to some degree, but I can not deny that climbing a mountain is beyond my capabilities."
Dorri just looks into the fire, saying nothing for the moment.
Xochi leans back to look up at the stars. "Perhaps mine as well. Hmm. A pleasent thought, regardless."
Dorri notices Xochi's gaze. "Once the observatory's rebuilt, you're welcome to visit if you can get up there."
Elizabeth shrugs, looking in to the fire: "Guess I will keep that in mind."
Xochi glances back down. "As will I." She places a hand upon her shoulder and bows her head to Dorri, "I am Xochi."
Dorri nods back to Xochi. "Dorri. Only down from my mountain because a storm blew over my tower so I had to get some timbers to rebuild..."
Elizabeth belatedly looks up from the fire, nodding at Dorri: "My name is Elizabeth. And I am sorry to hear about your... tower?"
Dorri waves a hand. "Don't worry about it. Was about time to rebuild anyway... better that it doesn't blow over with me up there at least."
Xochi: "You said Observatory. What is it that you observe, hm?"
Elizabeth nods, glancing aside: "I can certainly see the wisdom of leaving the building before the fireworks start, as it were..."
Dorri pats a hand on the telescope next to her and then looks up. "The stars. Comets, moons, planets, other celestial bodies. Make charts and logs to sell."
Xochi shifts to look at the telescope curiously, her voice filled with a bit of wonder, "The stars... celestial bodies... Ahhh. Yes. You are one of the wise, then. I honor you." She dips her head.
Elizabeth raises an eyebrow again at Xochi: "...'the wise'? I know gazing up there is pretty fancied a hobby, but..."
Dorri grins a bit wisely. "Not sure how wise I am. I just look up and write down what I see... but thanks."
Xochi chuckles, "Amongst my people, only the 'Wise' sought portent in the stars. It is an old way, perhaps. I read many books, looked at the stars on many nights, wishing for wisdom from the stars." She shakes her head. "Childhood wishes, perhaps, but the stars brought comfort to me."
Elizabeth shrugs: "Can't say I ever bought much of those portents." She lifts her hand, couple of small arcane runes dancing on her claws for a brief moment: "We are the makers of our own destinies."
Dorri nods a bit. "I see... well, I could show you a few things, if you like. They're not portents, but they're important."
Xochi nods to Elizabeth, "Ultimately, I made that decision as well. This is why I am here now and not still waiting on a wish and a star." She smiles at Dorri, "I would like to learn more of them, yes."
Elizabeth looks at Dorri: "It does sound like a... curious way to spend one's time, but all the more power to you if you find it interesting."
Dorri shrugs. "It's a family pursuit, though they seem to have forgotten about me this generation. I should have an apprentice by now..."
Xochi frowns. "Sometimes... such bloodlines end. Sometimes, such an ending is for the best. New beginngings can thus be made."
Elizabeth looks between the two, then specifically at Xochi: "...can't say I disagree, there."
Dorri nods. "I seem to have stumbled on one, though, just not in the family." She leans back and cracks her spine audibly as she rolls her shoulders. "Bah. Curse these caravan bedrolls... no good for an old goat like me."
Elizabeth glances at Dorri, blinking: "Bed...rolls..." She frowns, not having even thought of the whole 'where and how to sleep' thing. She lets out a quiet groan as she realizes her sleeping conditions for tonight.
Xochi hmmms. "I at least do not need any such bedroll." She slowly wiggles the tip of her tail upwards and laughs. "I can become my own bedroll."
Elizabeth sighs once more at her own predicament, before forcing a smile and looking at Xochi: "Fair enough, I guess."
Dorri smirks a bit. She finishes stretching and stands up. "Would you like to see some stars before I settle in for the night, Xochi?"
Xochi dips her head once again to Dorri and nods, "Very much, yes."
Dorri picks up the telescope and tripod and walks away from the fire. "Just up the hill over here..."
Elizabeth gives a soft chuckle as she forces herself up: "I'm going to try and... hit the hay, as the saying goes."
Xochi smiles at Elizabeth. "I shall wish you luck with your battle, then, Elizabeth." She gives one final bow before she unwinds and goes to follow after Dorri.