"Actually, yes, I saved some up for you if you did return. Uhm, follow me."
YES!
She takes me over past the large iron cast.
Over on the other side behind a tent is a smaller campfire with a small pot that has a smell similar to that of the iron cast.
She lifts the lid off showing the pot with a mix of brown meat, carrots, and potatoes. But the smell seems better. Might've sued more seasoning.
"Oh, that smells good! Seelah is this your cooking?" I ask excitedly
"Yes, I made this," she says getting a ladle.
"Awesome! I haven't eaten in hours!"
She begins scooping out some of the food into a wooden bowl and hands it over to me with a wooden spoon already in.
I feel like I should thank her more somehow. Like payment since she didn't have to cook more food for me. Especially since I doubt they have a large quantity of food after the raid from the bandits.
"Hey uhm, thank you for cooking this for me. Here take this." I reach into my pocket where I had stored my granola bars after switching clothes and give them to her.
"W-what are those?" she asks scooping more food.
"It's a granola bar. Very nutritious and delicious, and convenient go ahead and try some." I say giving my remaining ones.
"O-okay..." she slowly takes them from my hand with the crackling sound of the wrap causing her to drop them on the ground
"W-what is that noise? Is it angry?"
"Oh, don't worry it is just the material used to hold the bars inside and preserve them. Don't worry it won't hurt you. Here let me help" I put the bowl on the ground for a moment picking up one of the bars and ripping it open easily.
The smell of peanut butter is already making me want to devour it in one bite but this is for Seelah. Resist!
I hand it over to her without the wrapper and she receives it slowly a bit cautiously.
She begins to smell it and begins to examine the bar coated with peanut butter.
"Th-this smell. It smells so good. What is it?"
"Peanut butter" I respond beginning to eat my food before something else eats it.
"I-it is?!"
"Yep" *chews*
She eyes it again and then builds up the courage and takes half the bar in her mouth and pulls it off and begins chewing aggressively.
She however stops and begins to do it slowly. Her eyes light up. But with amazement.
"This *chews* this tastes amazing! Is this an Easterling kind of thing?!" she asks with enthusiasm.
"Uh..."
[Oh your in for it now]
"It's uh...a local thing where I am from. I don't know if it is an 'Easterling' thing though."
"Well, it's amazing!"
*18 minutes later*
Seelah and I both eat and chat for the next several minutes. Having smiles and laughing a bit and telling stories a bit about ourselves.
"So yeah, my father was a farm here, and my mother is an active captain in the Capitol of Celicia. But my father died during the raid so...But he pats away trying to defend the village and I think he would think it was worth it knowing that I am still alive. What about you though? Did you go on a pilgrimage to the West past the Great Jagged Mounts?"
[Oh, you're so in for it now!]
Why do you keep saying that, shut up?!
"I uh...My father was a very... well-respected farmer, no I mean...He was an active uhm...." I can't think of a convincing story. Nor do I think it is a good idea to say what he specifically is.
*Sigh* "To be honest, I don't know much about my father. He was barely around when I was a kid. Always busy, and my mother, died when I was very young. I also got ostracized by my peers with no one to comfort me parental-wise. When I had people to keep an eye on me, they just kept an eye on me and didn't interact with me." I say slowly chewing
"Oh...I'm...I'm sorry I brought that up, I didn't mean to cause discomfort for you and me-"
"Hey, it's fine. You didn't know, you don't have to make it a big deal. Besides, I am used to being alone. Why else do you think I was on this pilgrimage alone?"
"I-I see..."
The both of us finish our meals and put the fire out and return to the main center of the camp. When we get there, people have gathered around and chatted as well. Some kind of special event?
[They are awaiting to sacrifice you, kill them while you have a chance!]
What the hell is wrong with you? Did you get some kind of AI mental illness or something?
"Is everyone here?" Seelah asks everyone one question with a raised voice.
"Yeah, I think everyone is," Jarvis responds
"What's going on?" I ask Seelah.
"We are going to do a night prayer to those who died in this unjust raid. hopes of sending their spirits to the great beyond in peace. Would you like to join us?" she asks looking up at me slightly
"Uhm, yeah uh...Sure. But I have never really been a big prayer so I don't know how this works. Plus are you sure it would be respectful to the deceased to have an outsider pray to them?"
"I think my father would be fine with it. Since you are the reason around half of the village is still alive." she finishes moving toward others
"Well, I would be honored to participate. But I might need some guidance so as not to look like a fool or worse, disrespect the dead."
"Of course, come with me," she says waving me to follow.
We all begin getting together closely and everyone gets on both knees and puts both their hands together for a prayer.
I do the same and just wait for them.
Seelah nudges me and begins to whisper, "We close our eyes when we give prayer, don't worry, I will do the prayer."
I give a small nod and close both eyes.
I hear a deep inhalation of breath and exhale.
"Iomea, goddess of justice, righteousness, hope, and bravery, guide the souls which have been victims of these unjust actions of others, to the great beyond where they may forever endure your grace and mercy. While those who've once committed such heinous actions be judges by your righteous sword, and slain with the light, and send their dark souls to the abyss for which they were corrupted from." She finishes at the end with a final breath.
I hear shuffle around as people stand back up and I do as well, wiping the dirt off my pants and seeing everyone finish.
Seila, do you know this 'Iomea' in your records? Maybe that can pinpoint where we were?
[No, I don't recognize this kind of deity in my records. We have to be in Europe because the facial structure, hair colors, and even clothing match that of Europe. But this deity isn't in my records]
Shit...Do you have any records of Europe that are very remote still?
[That is very very unlikely as the only signs of which I can find are national parks that are armed and heavily protected by governments. But I doubt they would ignore these kinds of events like killings and 12th century like people. Unlikely in 2080]
I guess we'll check out the map tomorrow and maybe head to the nearby city with them.
[All we can hope for now]
"Hey uhm, do you have anywhere to sleep?" a voice calls out behind me
I turn around and see Seelah with both hands behind her.
"Uh, no not really, I have mostly just been making camp every night so I don't have a specific spot to sleep. I was hoping actually if I can accompany you all to the nearby city." I ask trying my best not to be pushy.
"Of course! We don't have an extra tent, I am sorry. Unless you want...to share?"
[Score!]
Shut up!
"Ahem, I am sorry but I think since you told me a small part about your village norms about women and men I don't want to impose more into your space. Especially since you've been through a lot"
"Oh, I...I see."
"But thanks for the offer though! I uh, I could sleep nearby though if that is fine though."
"Of course. I would appreciate that." she then begins to quickly get out of the conversation to the tent where we ate
[Coward virgin]
Shut up, I don't need to take that from you...
[I am sure you would like to take something from someone. Eh? Eh?]
You are gross and annoying and I don't know how my father designed you
[In his image of course]
That is such a lie...
Couple minutes as people begin covering themselves up with what remained of blankets and huddling with one another I am given a single blanket and other rags as a pillow.
Good enough. I am unsure if it would be considered safe to sleep in this situation anyways.
I begin shutting my eyes a bit and things go dark.
*Hours later*
*Snap*
My eyes open instantly and the sky appears to be a faint yellow and but clear skies as well. I pull myself up and see people packing objects and supplies and some are giving what seems to be final prayers.
I get myself up and check the tent next to me to see Seelah is still sound asleep with her feet exposed to the cool morning air.
Seila, are you thinking what I am thinking?
[Yes, and I also approve of this]
I move my hand slowly and with my index finger begin poking and tickling her foot which has some response with a couple of twitches.
Some people notice what I am doing and some stop just to see what the result will be. Some even make a small commotion.
I take a stick nearby and begin running it up and down her whole foot awaiting some kind of response and the foot kicks slightly. I am so close.
She then kicks one last time but it extends right at my face and into my nose
*BAM*
I get kicked in the nose staggering me slightly but I am fine.
"W-what the heck? W-what? What are you doing?!"
She pulls herself out of the tent and takes the stick and being to wack me with it a couple of times until she realizes I am unresponsive to her attacks.
"You Bully!" she drops the stick and stomps away in an adorable pouty manner with some laughter behind me.
That was a bit of fun. Plus her being a little frustrated with me means she still can feel other kinds of emotions even after the horrible event yesterday.
[Was that your goal?]
Not really, I just wanted to tease her. I need to see if anyone else needs help with packing up.
[Evil]
You approved of it what the hell?
*Several minutes later*
"Hey uh, whatever your name is..." a voice calls out
"What is your name again?" Jarvis asks jogging over to me
"Uh....Did I not give them my name?"
"What?" Jarvis responds
[You blockhead why did you ask that out loud?!]
"My name is, ah, Damien?"
He gives me a puzzled look confusion since I responded unsure of myself and more like a question.
"Ah, screw it my name is Daniel Wu. But I don't care really what you call me." I say waving it off.
"I see. Your name isn't very Easterling-like, but the last name doesn't sound very Celician-like. A pleasure to formally meet you!" he says giving his right hand to me.
I take it in response and shake twice and we both let go and I give him my full attention.
"So did you need something, Jarvis?"
"Yeah, well not really 'need' something per se, but more like giving you something."
"Uh, what would that be?" We stripped the bandits of the clothing and armor they had available including weapons and money they had on them. We unanimously decided to give you the armor sets we could that seemed the best and keep the coin for ourselves. We did just lose most of our income from the attack."
"Ah, I see, so you're handing me over some armor you acquired that seemed to be the best?"
"Yep, follow me."