As the sun rises over Karick's Bend, the town begins to stir.  First on the streets are a handful of the guards, but they're quickly followed by others, as people wake up, get ready, and start their days.

Within an hour after the first light breaks over the horizon, people are bustling about their business - almost as normal, although it can hardly be denied that there are frequent glances in the direction of the Schoolhouse, and the Strangers are already the main topic of conversation.

Yona wakes, soaked in sweat and tightly bound in her blanket.  She struggles to get free, further hampered by the fact that she has, as usual, moved onto the floor under the bed at some point during the night.  She finally gets free, slides out, and stands up.  And belatedly remembers her stick.

This is followed by several minutes of thought, sitting on the edge of the bed, regarding the terrifying dream.  A check of her ankle reveals no bite marks, and she doesn't seem to have sustained any other injuries either.  But she still has vivid flashes of disturbing images from the dream - feral children, encroaching darkness, madness, having Peck for a brother...

Finally she stirs herself and goes to the kitchen for breakfast.  Her father is already out at work, so she settles for a hunk of bread, the last of the cheese, and a cup of milk that would probably have been entirely undrinkable in a couple of hours, even by her undemanding standards.

Then she heads for the school, leaning on her stick as she hobbles towards the village.

Nearing the schoolhouse, she can see that there are already others there.  Embarrassingly, everybody in the village seems to be looking at the place, at least in Yona's eyes, which means that everybody is also watching her as she approaches the structure.  For a moment she wishes she could simply vanish.  And that stops her in her tracks, as she suddenly recalls that she had done exactly that in her dream.

So not everything about it had been bad.  The vanishing part had actually been interesting.  And enjoyable.

Walking onward, she pushes into the schoolhouse...

Despite having had trouble going to sleep Anora had eventually drifted of to the land of dreams.  As usual it was strange dreams that haunted her, things that made little sense once she woke up even if they felt less so when dreaming.

But she had woken up early, as always in the Sawtvest household.  Laying in a big pile with the others rarely made for a comfortable sleep, with elbows, knees and fingers sooner or later waking someone up.

Shaking her head to clear away the bizarre dreams she struggles to her feet and makes her way out of the pile.  The first one to awake, always good, especially before Pemrem.  She resists the urge to do something to him while he is asleep, in return for the countless times he has done something, and makes her way towards the doorway.

The sun is not yet up, so she climbs up on the roof of the crumbling shack she calls home and sits down next to what passes for a chimney.  Trying to recall the dreams she frowns and then her eyes goes wide.  Had it been a dream?

She reaches inside her tunic, into a little pocket she made herself and feels something there.  Her heart misses a beat as she reaches into the pocket and pulls out the content, clasping it tightly in her hand so should will not lose it.

There she sits, gazing fearfully at her closed hand.  What if it is not true?  What if it is?  She swallows hard and opens her clenched fist, slowly.

There it is.

She snaps her hand closed and looks around.  Is she awake or is this one of the less weird but still weird dreams?  No, the stench is real enough.  Her eyes are drawn to the hand again and it opens just enough to reveal its treasure.  Feeling faint she quickly but carefully pockets the item again and slides down off the roof.

Today will be one curious day, she thinks as she steers her way towards the school, a slow leisurely walk.


As she approaches the school she almost turns around.  So many people.  Her stomach chimes in, telling her to go hunt down something to eat, but then she sees her.  Slouching down more than usual she attempts to approach the school without drawing any attention whatsoever.  Sometimes it works, no one likes to look at a dirty and evidently lowest of all kid.  So low is her gaze that she does not even see Yona just ahead of her.

Ariadne stormed down the stairs from her bedroom and directly through the house and out the door.
"Ariadneee..." Neela called.
Ariadne turned on her heels and rushed back in did a circle around the dinnertable where she grabbed an apple and the basket with lunch for her and her siblings in the passing before speeding out the door again.
"Thanks mom. Love you mom. Bye mom."
"Ariadne" This time Neela's voice was a bit more firm.
Ariadne stormed back into the kitchen, grabbed a bun and placed it in the thatched basked before heading toward the door again.
"Ariadne!" This time Neela used a voice that would cause skidmarks on the floor if Ariadne had managed to pick up more speed.
"What? what have I forgot this time? Angie and Sally don't have to go to school today..."
"I know young lady... Which is exactly why I want to know why you are in such a hurry.
You have plenty of time to both check on Bandit and ask if your father if he needs anything from the neighbours before you're off."
Neela crossed her arms and gave Ariadne an inquisitive look.
"What are you trying to hide?"
Ariadne gave an embarrassed laugh.
"Ahem... "I-am-not-trying-to-hide-anything-and-I-am-going-to-bring-these-delicious-looking-apples-to-Angua-and-Salicia"" Ariadne replied in the extremely rehearsed monotone voice (all while taking a little bit firmer grip in the palmed knife from Flechette. Neela scoffed with mild amusement.
"Oh alright. I suppose you're up to something with your friends...
Very well. You can go. Oh and tell Opluriko that now his snout is too big to fit in the jars he is welcome to come help Hamilcar with gathering the honeycombs."
"Will do. Now off to school. Tell Angie and Sallie that I'm holding lunch until they both meet in the schoolyard."

Ariadne ran off into the road and after a while she looked over to see if she was still being watched. Then ducked off the road and into the trees before sneaking off into school.
A single stick was later picked up and used. Partially as a walking stick and partially to match up with Chaia in case she decided she wanted a rematch.
First priority was to get lunch for her and her sisters to the classroom and out of reach of Chaia and other undeserving people.

Ariadne stopped dead in her tracks.
It seemed like the entire village was gathered outside the schoolhouse.
"What are they all doing here this early in the morning?..." she muttered.
Pretending nothing was out of the ordinary Ariadne walked nonchalantly passed all the people, around the house and climbed in the window out of everyone's view.
At least she hoped so.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:27, Tue 17 Sept 2013.

The T'skrang had woken far earlier, but had taken the time to calm her mind and heart after the strange, terrifying dream. Pressing herself against the rock by the riverside where s/he liked to sun had cooled not just her mind, but also her body, making her a bit groggy, and her attempt to think about what the dream could mean slowed.

The first neigh of a horse, though, 'woke' her from her groggy, but not fully asleep, state. Wanting to get her chores done quickly, s/he got up and went about the morning tasks of feeding and turning animals out for the day, having to wake more than a few of them in the process.

Starting so early, s/he managed to avoid even the other T'skrang, although s/he could see the smoke from the chimney meaning that someone was up and making breakfast. But s/he just really didn't feel hungry. Grabbing an apple, s/he headed into town, but half way across thought that maybe the strangers would be hungry, so turned back. There were several apple trees in the area that the T'skrang called their own, even if they were more used for beast treats than anything else. S/he took the time to pluck two apples for each of the strangers, using a feed bag to hold them, before heading back to town. Still not wanting to face anyone, and finding that there were more people awake in town already than s/he had expected, s/he approached the school from behind. It wasn't that s/he was afraid of people, s/he just didn't want to deal with them right now. Not being able to avoid the rest, once s/he had basically arrived, s/he went around the school and into the door as if she belonged there. After all, s/he thought, puffing up a bit, s/he had been the first to meet the strangers, who had more right than her?

Shard woke up at his usual time, sometime before dawn rolling out of bed and rubbing eyes and other places that itched.  Moving to the wash basin Shard washes his face with cold water helping to remove the last vestiges of sleep from his eyes and mind.  Rubbing his face with the warm towel, he dries off before quickly brushing his beard and braiding his moustache where needed.  Selecting tow black smooth stones for his braided moustache he ties them on to keep the hair out of his mouth and face.

Stripping off his sleeping garments Shard washes the rest of his body before doning his work clothes and sets to the table finding his mother, father and grandmother doing their usual.  The porridge was hot and the honey a nice touch.  Eating quickly Shard sets to the meal and grabs a pear as he heads out to do his morning chores.  "I'll be at the schoolhouse after chores." he calls out as he leaves the door, letting his mother know where he could be found if needed.

Moving to the stone yard, Shard inspects the new rocks brought in from their contract and selects a few that were not cracked and looked to be in good shape for stonework later.  Those that were so badly cracked he placed them in the stonemason yard where each rock would be chiseled to its larges form then used to build walls, fences and other manufacturing needed in their line of work.

Glancing at the sun, Shard figured it was time.  Taking off his old leather apron, he sets his stone mason hammer to his belt and looked about at some of his better work.  Taking a finished stone lion he had worked on he placed it in his pocket and picked up several wooden blocks and a soap block into his pocket.  Taking a carving knife and fine chisel, he placed both Artisan instruments in his pocket before setting out eating the pear on his way.

Keeping an eye out for his two nemesis he was glad neither had woken up yet or perhaps were too busy with the strangers to bother him.  Glancing about at those gathered Shard wove his way through the crowd gathered at the School house and entered taking a seat in the second row, by himself if possible.

Peck wakens abruptly, shouting in fear (if silently, for no sound can pass the constriction in his throat) and swinging at the air with his fists, unaware for the moment that he is no longer in the dream.

But as his blows strike none of those pressed about him, he gradually comes to realise that whatever demons of the night assailed him they are gone now, banished by the light of dawn and wakefulness.

The pickle.  Yona.  Merchant's son.  The madness.  Yona.

Shaking his head and rubbing his scalp with hard-pressed fingers does naught to lift the confusion ... but the icy cold water in the pale begins the task, and the mundanity of morning chores furthers that end, if not entirely banishes the unreality.

Food is the last thing upon Peck's mind, but the blacksmith chokes down his morning meal ... and then he is out, in the streets of the town.

No better.  Shying at every look cast his way (or not) as if his neighbours are but a heart's beat away from turning upon him tooth and nail.  Head down, Peck hurries towards the schoolhouse, seeking if not answers, then at least a semblance of security.

Different faces here today, but Opluriko is back again and ...

"Yona !" relief washes over him as he sees his sister ... no ! ... his friend,  though he is uncertain how to explain any of this to her.

Yona flinches at the familiar voice, and turns to face its source, "Peck." she says, nodding as noncommittal a greeting as she can manage.  She'd hate to give anybody any sort of impression that might make them think the wrong thing.  Most of all Peck, who'd likely see her dream as a sure sign of insanity.

Probably best not to mention it.

"I had to come and talk to Jenette about something." she explains, unnecessarily as she looks about for the woman.  "You know... she's one of the strangers."

The nervous girl with the limp is many miles from the confident young woman in his ... he supposed it must have been a dream after all, though nothing so vivid had ever visited on him before.

The smile he returns to his friend is genuine, though.  "Aye, and I for Kira," he answers in return, "she promised to share with me more of her knowledge of metal working."

"Strange indeed are their ways," the smith remarks, nodding in agreement.

"Some new faces today ?" he looks around the room.  "And some missing ... our strangers must have scared them off.  Or scared their parents."

Ariadne walked in from one of the back rooms and with her usual air of nonchalance placed the thatched basket on what was evidently her seat. Good view of the curious villagers in the window and within earshot in case teacher would say something she would deem as adequately important.

"So what did I miss?"
It was the usual question signifying as much interest in what has been going on in her absence as it was an indicator she had been grounded again.

In reply to Ariadne (msg # 10):

Shard looks back at the others invited to attend.  Shard gave the others a good look, after all if he was invited then he must have something special they wanted or that they saw in him.  By the same logic, these others must have a spark in them that the strangers saw.  He didn't see it, but perhaps that was because he had lived with these people his whole life.

Shrugging he chewed on his bottom lip in quiet contemplation for a few seconds before deciding to answer Ariadne.

He thought about coming up with something funny to say, but his dwarf sense of humor was often misunderstood, so was blunt, as usual.  "Nothing.  Just got here myself though, but seeing as nothing was started yet, I doubt we missed anything."

The Strangers have started making the building comfortable - at least, as a campsite, if not really a home.  The sawdust has been swept out, some of the building wood moved around for seating, and bedrolls and blankets laid across it for a bit of comfort.  The place where the roof isn't filled in yet has a tent stretched out and pinned across it - not covering it fully, but effectively.  Jenette is just putting away what are presumably the remains of a simple breakfast.

One still lies curled up on his roll in the back corner; Kira steps over by him and gives him a nudge with her foot, hissing down, "Psst!  We've got company.  Time to wake up."  The elf sits up and stretches languidly, hair falling over his face until he dismisses it with a toss of his head, and then crosses his legs and remains seated, leaning back against the wall.

It's the T'skrang, of course, who actually comes up to the doorway and waves everyone in expansively.  "Welcome! Welcome!  An excellent morning to you all.  I trust," he looks at Shard, "Your curiosity is attendant?  So...soft Alia, young Kerric, solid Mace'aurek.  A shame, perhaps we'll see them later, one hopes.  If I may introduce to you all, Shard Hammerhand," he turns back to his own friends, twirling his hand and bowing towards the dwarf.  "An Earthshaper in all its forms, but one who, I dare believe, yet breathes the air and drinks the water.  But who, may I ask, are you?"  He looks at Ariadne and Anora, curiously.  "I've a fair memory for faces, but I don't believe I saw either of you yesterday.  Quite curious.  I am Tralistaire Ten-Tails, otherwise known as the talkative one.  It is my honor - indeed, my pleasure - to meet you."

Ariadne got out of her seat and walked up to the T'skrang before curtsying.
The difference between her patched dress and her manners seemed underlined.
"I am Ariadne, the millers daughter.
It is a pleasure to meet you"
She kept her head down and the position for several minutes.

"Unfortunate circumstances have kept me at home for the last week, but it is nothing to concern ourselves about now..."
A suppressed smile appeared on her lips as she thought of just how close she had been to pushing Chaia off the bridge when she was interrupted. At least that was how she chose to look upon the situation.

In reply to Vestrial (msg # 12):

Shard tilts his heed in greeting to the T'skrang speaker of the house or at least the strangers.  Looking at the othes as they were introduced, he nods morning to them as well, though he knew several of them; the village wasn't that big after all.

Looking back to the one who had invited him, "Good morning Tralistaire.  I have my curiosity with me as requested, will there be answers today?"

Yona makes her way across to a place which is as much out of the way as possible and sits, taking the weight off her leg, at least while introductions are being made.  She keeps a firm grip on her walking stick, not wanting it to vanish as it had in the dream classroom.

Unlike the dream self, her real self has need of that stick.

She shakes her head to clear away the unwelcome vestiges of the dream, and the equally unwelcome emotions they bring with them.

Fortunately the T'skrang's enthusiasm is infectious, and helps her drive out the memories.

"I'm uh..."

Anora tried to sink down further in her seat after the miserable attempt to speak on her part.  Her gaze fell down on the desk and she started to pick at the ever present muck under her nails.

The thought of getting up in front of everyone nearly made her panic, her blushing face betraying her embarrassment.

Gathering what willpower she still had she rose to her feet and quickly spurted out a few words.  "Anora Sawtvest, I was invited by, uh, by..."  She lifted her gaze long enough to try to spot the visitor from last night.

"I don't know her name, but it was her."  Courage quickly dwindling she caught herself before she could point at the Windling and instead nodded in her general direction, holding back the offending hand with the other.  "....and the honour's mine."

She more or less fell back into her seat, too nervous to look at anyone.  She had been invited, had she not?  If she had dared to move she would have checked her hidden pocket for the treasure she had been given.  The treasure she meant to give to her parents, but feared their reaction.  When time was right, she told herself.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:56, Tue 24 Sept 2013.

Peck too is surprised that Alia and Kerric at least are not here, for a moment the terror of the night's dreaming washes over him once more - the pair wandered off on their own, did they not, and now ?  But Ariadne's explanation for her absence produces a spurt of laughter that turns into a coughing fit that quite drives such thoughts from his head.

The young smith grins broadly at his neighbour, but says naught that might give her secret away.

Opluriko didn't say anything, as s/he had not been addressed, which was fine. But s/he was anxious to get the day started - already s/he had been up for hours, and the idea of waiting more was not easy for her at this point. Her tail twitched, like a cat waiting for a mouse to make the wrong move.

"Answers," Tralistaire repeats.  "Yes, I think we have a few of those lying around.  Flech, have you seen my answers?"

The Human in the leather armor rolls her eyes dramatically.  "Ask Jenette.  I don't clean up after other people."

The Dwarven woman laughs at that.  "Yes, you do.  In your own way.  Anora..."  She looks at Anora, tilting her head.  "Nice to meet you."  She glances up curiously at the Windling, who drops down with a brief flutter of her wings to land on the floor.

"Calisaren," she says, with a small bow.  "Jenette, Flechette, Orm'gha, Llewenden and Kira.  And Tralistaire, of course," she quickly runs through their Names, each one nodding, smiling, or waving as they're indicated; the last she says quickly, as, though he's already introduced himself, the T'skrang is opening his mouth to speak until the Windling cuts him off.  "And I think we should start with some of these answers.  We met several of you yesterday, as well as a few other people in your town.  The Mayor has asked us to meet for lunch, which gives us," she glances again at Tralistaire, "A bit of a time limit this morning."

"We told those of you who were here yesterday, but I shall repeat for those who weren't - it is odd that there are no Adepts in your town.  Moreover, while we haven't met everyone yet, we're finding no adults with the potential to be Adepts, which is also odd.  Not to say that it's always easily spotted, of course, the theories underly--"

Kira clears her throat loudly, and Calisaren blushes.  "Sorry.  Theory.  My weakness.  Well.  The important thing is, we don't understand these oddities, and haven't even confirmed half of it, but we think it's important to investigate.  But while we're doing that... well, we're relatively certain that you all do have the potential, even if some of the specifics have yet to be determined.  Certainly in those of you we spent yesterday afternoon with, and you three, Shard, Anora, Ariadne, we invited because you showed promise."

She frowns a little.  "Actually, as I think about it, there is a remarkably high percentage of potential in your..."  Kira clears her throat again, and Calisaren sighs.  "Right.  We don't wish to do anything intrusive, and we think it's probably best that we don't start telling everyone - perhaps anyone - until we know more of what's happening here, but, we would like to formally offer apprenticeship to each of you.  Yona, Peck, and Opluriko began yesterday, actually, and you're welcome to ask them how it's gone so far, or to ask any of us... well, anything you'd like.  Though I cannot promise to answer everything at this time, albeit mostly because we remain ignorant on many issues you might inquire about."