Suddenly a loud, angry moaning started coming from every direction. If Beth hadn't known it was Tim who was making that sound, she'd have been a little freaked out. It sounded like it came from all around them and at the same time, nowhere at all.
As Beth finally came close enough to see who was holding the torches, she noticed that these looked mostly like humans, but at their shoulders and wrists bony horns protruded out. Their skin was dark, but Beth couldn't be sure if there was an actual color because of the lack of light. All of them were pretty much bald, but Beth wondered if they might just shave their heads as a style or if their hair didn't grow that long. They also would have stood, for the most part, mostly around six feet tall, although, that would be if they stood up straight. Mostly they stood with their knees bent and torsos hunched forward a little. Each of them also wore a long=sleeved shirt and pants. She couldn't see what they wore for footwear, with how dark it was, but she wouldn't be surprised. Everything seemed to be like she had seen pictures of from the nineteenth century.
–Anyone have any idea of what these are?– Beth asked, not sure what to refer to them as.
–If I remember correctly, I think these are the babau.– Ralph answered. –I believe that's at least the description she gave us when she told us what to do with the chores on the farm.–
Beth could see that they were getting rather nervous, and Beth couldn't blame them. That moaning was rather loud and sudden. There also wasn't any wind that would have made any noise like that, so it wasn't as if it could be explained away like that.
–Uh, you know, I think I forgot something about my idea.– Hannah remarked, sounding a little sheepish.
–What's that?– Charlie asked.
–I was thinking that Ralph should do the vocals of my next illusion.– Hannah answered. –I need them to understand what'll be said so they don't suspect that the owners of this field were behind what happened to them.–
–Good point,– Ralph remarked. –So, what do you want me to say to them? I did this of my own accord and the two you have a beef with had nothing to do with me?–
–Not quite.– Hannah answered. –If we mention them like that, they won't care whether or not they had anything to do with it, the perception will be there as well. So, what I was thinking was…–
Beth blinked in surprise. It was clear to her with how Hannah's voice trailed off that she was only letting Ralph hear what she was just saying. She couldn't help but feel a little annoyed by it, after all, it wasn't like they weren't all part of the same team here.
–I think she wants us to be surprised as well.– Wes commented. –I mean, why else not let us know what she and Ralph are talking about, right?–
–Well, I'm sure it'll be a good show regardless.– Amelia chimed in.
–Lets just hope that they get this done fast.– Charlie said. –I'm also worried about the man and his daughter. If they wake up and witness this, they might decide to leave themselves.–
–Don't worry.– Hannah suddenly said. –This'll be over in a minute.–
Beth wasn't sure what to expect. She didn't even know where to look for what Hannah had in mind. She waited and nothing happened, but the babau seemed to be calming down from their fright of the loud and empty moaning and even looked like they might go back to trying to set the field on fire.
However, a quiet voice, that seemed incredibly loud to her, spoke up. "You think that'll do it?" one voice asked.
"Probably. If not, we can do more to scare them away. I mean, since they don't have any humans, they don't have an onmiyoji. I'm sure the kitsune council will be eager to learn of this place," another voice answered.
"Perfect. Uh, they don't seem to be getting ready to run. Should we hit them with something else?"
"Maybe. As long as they don't try to set fire to that field we shouldn't. After all, if they burn it, what'll we eat?"
"True, but once they leave, we'll need to get whoever was taking care of those animals we saw. If they live here, then the kitsune council won't be happy with us. They'll want the land clear and free for us to live and restore our kind."
Beth glanced at the babau and had to stifle a giggle. It was clear to her that they were buying this completely. It seemed like Hannah had a good sense for tricking people. Maybe even enough to rival Ralph.
However, she couldn't say that it would work as well as they were hoping it was. Especially while they were still in the middle of it. She felt her heart stop as she waited for the babau to make a decision of whether to run or run the risk of whatever power they may have in their minds was behind this.
Beth felt her gaze return to the farmhouse in the opposite direction from the babau and was aware of the illusory dialogue continuing. She was confident that this was going to end in their favor this time. However, she couldn't say what it would affect down the road. Especially when they weren't there later on.
Beth started to walk back towards the gate, already losing interest in the babau arsonists. Her thoughts were going towards the animals. She couldn't say that it was time to do the chores for them, but she suspected that if they didn't do those now, they probably would have to have another interruption of their sleep in maybe an hour or two when that was necessary to do.
While she wouldn't mind doing the chores now and getting them out of the way so she could just sleep, she felt her eyelids growing heavy and was starting to wonder if she'd make it back to the gate before falling asleep. If she did, she wouldn't be surprised if their secret efforts to doing the chores for the girl got discovered.
As she passed through the gate, she couldn't even climb into her sleeping bag. As soon as she was over it, she merely laid down on it and was asleep before her head was on her pillow. She wasn't even aware when Charlie entered the tent. Nor did she fully wake up when Charlie tried to wake her up to do the chores later. She was only able to wake up enough to recognize that Charlie was heading through the gate to take care of that. Then she was asleep again.
When she finally woke up a couple hours after that, she was shocked to see that Charlie wasn't there. No one else seemed to know where she was, though they had started making breakfast. The only thing anyone could recall was that she had woken them up to help with the farm chores, but everyone had fallen back asleep before they could joining her.
Beth didn't like the idea of Charlie not having come back, so she pulled on her magic to put a cloak of invisibility over herself before she walked through the gate. As she arrived, she had to shield her eyes from the blinding sun. She wasn't sure where to start looking, as they normally hadn't been present at the farm at this time of day.
She kept her ears open for any sounds, especially if Charlie had needed to hide to keep from being discovered or anything. She also wasn't sure what kind of activity the girl or her father would be engaging in at this time of the day. So, she acted like she could be seen, even though she kept the invisibility around her as she moved around, searching carefully for Charlie.
She was shocked at how quickly she'd found Charlie. Not only that, but Charlie was talking to the girl. The one they had agreed they needed to not be seen by. The one who had screamed at the sight of them previously.
While she'd seen the girl before, she was still taken back by how beautiful she found the girl. Not only that, but how it seemed like she hardly was wearing anything, despite being covered from neck to ankle. Beth couldn't help but wonder if she asked Beth to do something if she'd do it without hesitation or reservation. Almost like she was already falling for the girl.
Understanding staying invisible was pointless now, she shed her invisibility spell. Although, as she did so, she realized it was a good thing the girl wasn't facing her. She wasn't sure what the girl's reaction would be if she'd appeared out of thin air.
Charlie and the girl were down on the other side of the pen with the horses. So, Beth walked around, wondering if Charlie had messed up herself or if the girl had been waiting for her. As Beth was confident that Charlie wouldn't have revealed who was doing the chores for the girl and her father on her own.
"…ldn't figure it out," the girl was saying as Beth got closer. "It just seemed like a friend would do, but we don't really have any right now."
Beth was startled that she could understand what the girl was saying, but looking at Charlie, she realized that Charlie was doing something that let her. As while Charlie was talking with the girl, she would glance at Beth from time to time. Beth knew she'd have to talk with Charlie about this later.
"Well, part of it was because I kinda felt a little guilty about how I scared you and your father," Charlie answered, not saying anything about Beth approaching. "Then there was how I was able to tell how hard things had been for you and your dad."
"How were you able to tell that?" the girl asked. "I know my dad didn't say anything and I know I certainly didn't."
"She used her magic," Beth said, her voice causing the girl to jump in surprise. The girl spun to look at Beth, a hand moving to her chest while her face was an expression of fright.
"it's okay, she's one of my friends. She's been helping me with doing the chores you have here in the morning," Charlie said.
"I-I'm still getting used to this," the girl said, leaning against the fence.
"It's alright," Beth assured her. "We might have felt the same if you'd shown up in our world."
The girl merely shook her head. "Maybe so, but it's still just so much to take in," she said quietly.
"So, Beth, what're you doing here?" Charlie asked.
"Well, we're getting breakfast ready and you hadn't come back yet, so I came to see what might have held you up," Beth said.
The surprised expression on Charlie's face normally would have had Beth laughing, but she held it back because she wasn't sure how the girl would react to it. It was a struggle, though.
"Where are you at?" the girl asked. "I haven't seen anything to indicate anyone is living around here. I just thought you were staying a distance away, since I never came across your on the farm since… that day."
"Sure, we'll show you," Beth replied, putting her arm around Charlie's shoulders. There wasn't a chance that she was going to let Charlie slide out of this. Their friends might not be unhappy with this development, but they were certainly going to want an explanation sooner rather than later.
Beth used her arm to help Charlie return to the gate, though the girl hesitated when Beth led Charlie down to the dead end between the buildings. As Charlie and Beth started to go through the gate, however, the girl quickly hurried over to go through herself.
When she saw the reaction her friends had to the girl coming through the gate, she wished she had been able to bring a camera. This was a perfect chance to take a picture. Everyone's expressions was a mixture of shock and surprise.
"What happened over there?" Tim asked after a minute of shocked silence.
"Well, I found Charlie already talking with her," Beth answered, indicating the girl. "You'll have to ask Charlie for the rest."
"First, her name is Zepha," Charlie said, introducing the girl to everyone. "She caught me while I was milking and I guess we started to talk. One thing led to another and I didn't realize what time it was."
Amelia sighed. "Well, I guess the cat's out of the bag, huh? Though, unless there's a reason for us to stay a little longer, I vote we start to move on now," she stated, though Beth would be surprised if she didn't insist that they continue reading while they walked. Assuming the other gate led to a world that would necessitate that.
"I guess we did agree on that, but I hoped that since Zepha wants to make it up to us for how we were treated when they first encountered us, and with their field being saved, that we could at least spend a day in their world and see what it's like?" Charlie replied, her expression looking rather hopeful.
"Should be fun," Ralph remarked. "Besides, Zepha is hot."
"Please don't talk about me like that," Zepha informed Ralph.
"Oh yeah, forgot they can understand me," Ralph murmured as Beth as Charlie laughed.
"Uh, what'd she say?" Hannah asked, looking confused.
Beth relayed what was said, earning a scowl from Ralph as the others chuckled. Beth had to admit, hearing it was much different than having it repeated after. For one thing, there was no way that Beth could mimic Zepha's demeanor. She couldn't say what it was about her, just that she had a presence that enhanced anything she said.
"So, how can you understand what she's saying?" Wes asked Beth. "Last I knew, only Charlie and Ralph could understand them, given unique qualities of their magic."
"Uh, that would be because of me," Charlie said, blushing a little. "I saw Beth and thought I'd try something. It connects our minds in a way that allows her to get the benefits of understanding Zepha, but it's a little taxing and I can't do more than one person at a time."
"How long do you think you can keep it up for?" Amelia asked.
"Not sure, but it's setting it up that takes the most effort," Charlie answered.
"Well, with that in mind, it looks like we have something else to consider," Tim said. "Do we head out now that we've been discovered or do we wait until Zepha's field gets harvested and maybe enjoy her hospitality?"
"I'm with Amelia," Hannah answered immediately. "I'd like to get going. I can't see any benefit from staying here longer."
"Well, maybe we should do another vote?" Beth asked. "Because I'm with Charlie on this one. I now I was against staying at first, but if she's going to be hospitable, then I say we should at least learn what we can from this world. Who's to say we won't find another gate that leads to this world later on?"
"That's a good point," Ralph commented. "I was going to go with Amelia, but when you put it that way, I'll agree to wait a little longer."
"Well, then it looks like we're staying," Wes said.
"But we didn't vote," Amelia protested.
"Do we really need to vote?" Wes asked. "With Charlie, Beth, and Ralph, that makes three. I make the fourth, so the majority would be with them anyway." Wes then turns to Tim. "Sorry, Tim. You didn't get to take a side last time either."
Tim shrugged. "Could be worse," he replied. "We could have to hide in a basement or attic during the day and only hope to leave at night. At least with a farmhouse, there's less chance of people passing by and seeing us."
"Fine," Amelia sighed. "Though, I'll still heal Zepha's father if he's willing to let me, but I'm not going to push it on him."
"I'll let her know," Charlie said, looking rather excited, making Beth wonder if this was going to make their stay more of a pain.
As Charlie spoke to Zepha, Beth could only wonder what to expect as things went on. What else could occur she could only imagine and couldn't help but feel excited about it. While she felt she should be more concerned, she found that the wasn't worried about any negative consequences of what they were doing here.