Curiosity did what, now?

[lurkingkobold]

The kobold's research cave is coming along nicely, after her previous adventure - the floor carefully flattened (by teleporting stone out) and softened (by teleporting sand in); the permanent portals to Deva and the cavern's exit, currently closed to anyone who doesn't know the passwords, but marked off, with spaces set aside for several more portals; her experimenting supplies tucked away behind further portals in her workspace; a small cache set up for her new translation necklace and any other magical items she might happen to find in her travels.

And, now, another portal, leading to another new world. She double-checks that she has her traveling gear - translation necklace, teleporting ring, twine - completes the spell, and peers through.

Comments

[last_one_out]

"Here's hoping. All right, lead on."

[lurkingkobold]

She does.

The workshop is in pretty good shape - two wheelbarrow loads suffice to clear the extra things out of it, and then they can go looking for furnishings. Elarron has several choices to make - hammock or pile of soft straw, for now, and does he want he mages to grow him a human-style bed which will take about a week; blue or green or silver or brown curtain to divide his sleeping quarters from the rest of the hut; which style of clothing that they have on hand in his size suits him best and does he want any other alterations while the clothier is modifying it to accommodate his tail; does he want his own cooking setup and if so are any of these magical cooking devices similar enough to what he's familiar with to be useful and what kinds of foods does he want to keep on hand; is this table and chair set okay; is this dishware okay; is there anything else he expects to want.

[last_one_out]

He prefers a hammock and a brown curtain, and has no strong opinions about clothes but readily picks something, and picks out a set of foods and magical cooking devices that he feels confident about, and okays the table and chair and dishware, and expresses some reservations about the lighting situation:

"It's so bright here - I mean, I can probably adjust to only sleeping at night if I have to, and I'm not sure sleeping during the day will be a problem until I try it, but I might end up wanting to ask for more curtains to block out more of the light so I can sleep."

[lurkingkobold]

River is a little surprised at this, but nods. "We only sleep at night, but it does make sense that you wouldn't, now that you mention it." She thinks for a moment, then: "Of course - we have those thick curtains we use for the animals that need dark dens. I'm sure we have a spare set someplace; they might need to air out, but they'll definitely do the trick. Hm... I'm not sure where they are, and it's getting a bit too close to dinnertime to go ask about them. ...and I should go start cooking, anyway," she adds after a moment.

[last_one_out]

Elarron shrugs. "The curtains aren't urgent. It's good to know there might be something available."

[lurkingkobold]

River nods, and leads the way back to the main part of the village. After they've walked past a couple huts, she goes 'hmm', and then asks, "what do you think of Dusk joining us for dinner?"

[last_one_out]

He smiles. "Dusk seems nice, I like her."

[lurkingkobold]

This gets a particularly pleased grin, and River takes the next turn in the path. "She is, and she's a surprisingly good judge of character, too. If she thinks you're all right, that's a big step closer to everybody else being comfortable with you."

[last_one_out]

"She reminds me a little of my brother Inlaith."

[lurkingkobold]

River nods, and then, "hold on, this is her." She approaches the hut, calls quietly, "Dusk?", and waits for a response.

After half a minute, Dusk pokes her head out and gives River a curious look.

"Would you like to join us for dinner? Just me and Elarron; I'm making corn chowder, but I can make that strawberry cornbread you like, too."

"Dim?"

"Sure," River nods.

"Okay," and Dusk steps out to join them.

[last_one_out]

Elarron smiles.

[lurkingkobold]

Dusk smiles too, a shy little grin, and asks "settling in okay?"

[last_one_out]

"Yeah. River's been a big help."

[lurkingkobold]

Her grin widens into a proper smile, and she nods. "Staying with...?"

"He'll be in Shell's old workshop, over by the lake, for now. There was a little problem with some magic."

Dusk makes a face, a mixture of disappointed and annoyed. "Guards?" she directs at River.

"Yup. I haven't figured out who yet."

She makes an annoyed little huff. "Headache tonight. I'll try for tomorrow."

[last_one_out]

"Hm?" says Elarron.

[lurkingkobold]

River sighs. (Dusk looks annoyed, though not at anyone present in particular.) "People would panic if we let a stranger with unidentified magic go unaccompanied, it's just too risky. Which probably means you're with me during the day, for the next few days at least, and you'll have guards at night."

[last_one_out]

When River says 'guards at night', the tip of Elarron's tail starts flicking back and forth. He takes a moment to compose himself, though he's still mostly calm.

"I see," he says evenly. "I guess that's a reasonable concern given how your magic works. But maybe it would be more convenient for everyone if I left the village entirely at night rather than make someone stand around guarding me."

[lurkingkobold]

River's pace falters for just a moment at this suggestion. "That's not the... safest thing you could be doing. Though I suppose if you're basically nocturnal it might not be too bad."

"Star and I can go," offers Dusk. "The forest is nice at night."

[last_one_out]

"I haven't tried it yet for obvious reasons but I have good reason to expect I'll be much better at navigating this world at night, so I was planning on going out to try to get to know the area anyway - it's unsettling to be in a place I don't know my way around. And - well, if you want to come along you can, I guess - who's Star?"

[lurkingkobold]

Dusk and River nod their acceptance; River still looks reluctant. "My lynx," offers Dusk in response to the question.

[last_one_out]

"Sure, you and Star can come along. But I do mean to stay out all night."

[lurkingkobold]

Dusk nods with a slightly smug grin, "mmhmm."

[last_one_out]

He shrugs. "Suit yourself, then. I thought people in the sunlit lands preferred to sleep at night when they could manage it."

[lurkingkobold]

She seems to find this amusing. "Most. I..." handwave, "I sleep mornings. And the forest is nice at night."

[last_one_out]

"Okay."