Storyteller seeking fellow storyteller

[slippedhalo]

Timelord Magick (closed)

Let's try this again...

I have a 'Doctor Who' inspired story idea. I want very much to write of a Timelod, much like The Doctor (I guess it could possibly even be him) who is travelling through time and space in a T.A.R.D.I.S. (I'd love to see one shaped as a refrigerator box, voting booth, photo booth, or something like that. It could keep changing since they're supposed to change to blend in with surroundings.) and I'd write a lovely young, red-haired healer and midwife from a proud tradition of a long line of matriarchy and pagan healing out of the burning times, who's had her forest home and peaceful existence invaded and burned down by the Sheriff and the local army, due to her family being considered lawless, godless, gypsies by the powers that rule the lands in the area at that time. Her grandmother and her are about to be burnt at the stake for witchcraft when the Timelord arrives to whisk them away and they join him/her on adventures.

P.M. me if you're interested.

 

[TertiusHuman]

Of all the peoplle here, I am quite surprised to see you still looking for a co-writer.

I would love to write with you, but since I don't even have an idea who or what Dr Who is (I know it has something to do with time-dimensional travel in a phone booth, (picked that up from Epic Rap Battles of History) I would actually be a bigger disappointment than usual.

Hope this bump help

 

[slippedhalo]

Of course I'm still looking for a cowriter. Why not? It's not like this forum is a private club. But, yes, it's pointless for you since you're admittedly not a 'Doctor Who' fan. Meanwhile, thanks for the bump.

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Would love to write with you again halo. Will send you a PM to discuss the possibilities.

 

[slippedhalo]

Thanks, Aussie. Always a pleasure!

 

[slippedhalo]

IC:

In the burning times the Light family worked tirelessly to aide all those in need of healing and birth assistance (whatever their status or beliefs) despite the interference of both the armies of the Kingdom of Knott and of Kingdom Ryelen in the peacful pagan operations of the various cooperative clans of the Valley Woods between them. Already, the witches of the families Stone, Brookside, and Fern were no longer. Their simple homes had been burnt to dust; the women taken under arrest and separated from their children, left orphaned (pretty ones taken as slaves for the well to do, the homely ones left to fend for themselves, often found dead in the city streets within weeks of their mother's burnings.), a sad state for the peaceful witches who'd found solace and made a living from those woods for hundreds of years up until then. Christianity reigned and all pagans were either converted via intimidation or arrested, tortured, and burnt to death to be made examples of.

Soon, all families had been touched by the local theocracies in some form, missing a family member or two; turning from woodland farmers, hedgewitches and naturalistic healers to scroungers on the constant move. Staying in one place for too long had become as dangerous as walking into the cities alone and undisguised, in recent years. February Fire Light (a.k.a. Firelight) and her grandmother, Greenly Light had taken to constantly wearing men's clothing and hiding their long hair (Firelight's red locks were quite noticeable otherwise, Gran's less so, now that it was beginning to turn brassy silver) beneath big men's hats. They'd lost February's mother, Ember, to a witch trial and burning fifteen years ago. Her fiery haired five year old had escaped the grasp of a Knott soldier about to hand her over to Lady Asworth for training as a housemaid by biting his hand so hard he had to have the dead index finger severed later on. The little one ran for three days and hid in the treetops for three nights before she found her distraught grandmother. Greenly had been raising little Firelight from that day forth and had taught her all the ancient ways of the Light Family Healers.

It was their third week at their current shelter site and Greenly was quite settled, growing tired of the constant moving about, but Firelight felt the familiar itch to move on soon. She had a way of knowing bad energy was in the air before an event occurred. Unfortunately, it didn't always allow for much time to react to her gut feeling. This morning something was different in the usual forest sounds. The birdsong was more reserved in the treetops. She called out to Greenly, "Gran, who is due this way today? Or, must we venture out into the hills? Have we any known appointments?"

The old woman poked her head out from the tent and yawned, stretching her wrinkled yet surprisingly spry body. "The Widow Calloway is overdue. Her baby should have come last week. She's been in pain. Her sister sent word they'd send word if the baby had come. If not, we were to sneak over to her farm while the rest of the house was off to church and help her birth the baby."

February swore under her breath. "It's not safe to camp here another night, Gran. I feel it. We should pack up our things and be prepared to make camp in a new spot after helping Widow Calloway, alright?"

The older woman squinted, it was barely dawn. The moon still shone brightly through the leaves and the sun hadn't even begun its ascent in the sky. Still, she knew it was time. Her granddaughter was always right about these things. Those keen instincts had kept them both alive against impossible odds for this long, no use questioning them now. "Alright, my little merrybegot. I'll start packing."

Packing up camp was uneventful and timely. By dawn, both women in manly disguise thought they could smell the scent of cooking food on campfires and the unmistakable laughter of men, likely soldiers, not far away. They varied their walking route to avoid those possible camps and it took them an extra hour to reach their destination. By the time they'd reached the farm and were let in by the maid (secretly, a fellow pagan), Mrs. Calloway was in desperate throes of heavy labour. Managing to save a baby born dead, purple in color and unable to breathe, was almost commonplace for the pair who worked efficiently and very profesionally together. Their ways were actually more successful than the two kingdom's most renowned doctors and apothecaries. Yet, their only advertising was through dangerous underground passing of word of mouth.

The widow had a new son to take over for his dad one day. She was grateful, realizing that, had the two witches not come, her beautiful little boy would've been a stillborn fatality. She thanked them with some copper coins, a few of her old gowns made from fine material, and a chicken, a fat hen. It was a very profitable exchange. But, as Firelight beheld the height of the sun in the sky and heard church bells ringing she knew she and her grandmother needed to be away and out of sight, fast!

The woods were their best hiding place and travel route, always their home, they knew every little nook and cranny. The sound of Christians just out of church with fresh judgements were all around them and it became necessary to stop and climb a long limbed tree with much foliage to escape from all of the travelling flock who may spot their disguises for what they were and cause them trouble...

 

[slippedhalo]

Ooc: Closed for Aussie_Wolf.

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Lord Derington the Sheriff of Knott had been working tirelessly to weed out the witches running rampant in his Kingdom. Ever since his Majesty the King had issued the edict that all worship besides that of Christianity was banned and that anyone caught doing so was to be arrested and tried as Blasphemers, the Sheriff had done his level best to root out the evil that was in their midst.

So far he had managed to get rid of several families of Devil worshipers, but he knew there were more out there hiding in the Valley. The woods themselves seemed to cooperate in hiding them, further proof of their witchcraft if more was needed. Still every day he was closing the net around them tighter and tighter. He and his counter part from the Kingdom of Ryelen had been working together for months, setting up traps and checkpoints. Slowly but surely they were pushing the witches towards where they wanted them.

Today the Sheriff had been at church as he should. He was a very devout man and had enjoyed the Sermon. He had spoken with the priest after the service and congratulated him on a very well conducted service. He then received a personal blessing and rode out with his men on a patrol. They numbered ten in all, not a large patrol, but all handpicked by the sheriff and loyal Christian men and excellent at their jobs.

As they rode forth from the castle and the town, the sounds of the church bells ringing brought cheer to his heart and lifted his spirits. He hoped that soon his Kingdom would be free from the scourge of witches and he would be the reason for it. He turned down the road towards the woods and headed towards the Widow Calloway's place. It was the closest to the woods and would make a good starting point for today's patrol. They would make a loop from there, through the deep woods and back to the castle. Who knew, perhaps today they could get lucky and get a witch or two.

 

[slippedhalo]

February pushed at her gran to climb faster and higher. They made haste as they heard footfalls coming closer to their location. A group of ten armed men walked by past their tree and Firelight watched as they entered the Widow Calloway's home, inspecting, searching for signs of the witche who'd just been there.

Firelight whispered, "Gran, we packed up every bit of our materials, yes?"

"Yes, darling, don't worry."

"Everything?"

"Yes. Every...shh..."

The men exited the building and both women froze in place above their heads, afraid to even breathe.

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Derington had been surprised to see the widow Calloway nursing a healthy baby boy. He was glad for her as he was not a bad man, but he had been assured by all the priests and doctors he had sent to her that she was sure to loose the child and maybe her own life. It was another reason he had started his search here today. He had come to pray with the woman for a miracle. Her husband had been a good man and a devout Christian and had served the Kingdom well. He had earned these lands through his service and it was a pity he would have no son to carry forth his name.

Now here was his with Hale and healthy with a babe that was the same and Derington, although pleased, knew that it was not through the grace of god. He had questioned every servant in the house and all had sworn that no one had been there that night or morning, but as he was leaving he found a small stable boy shivering and had his men quietly round him up and questioned him where he could not be seen.

It had taken him a few minutes, but when he knew the threat to his immortal soul he confessed that two women had indeed come and the babe had been saved. Sending him away he had smiled. So the witches had been here and would still be close. He mounted up and left with his men as if nothing was wrong, setting off down the road. Once out of sight though he had them dash into the undergrowth and quickly fan out in a long line between the widows place and the Valley. The witches would try and scamper back to it to hide before he could get there and would not be prepared for his men to be so close hopefully.

Maybe with their guard down he would finally be able to catch another two witches in his web.

 

[slippedhalo]

The pair of witches watched, carefully silent as the armed group of men passed beneath them and dispersed into the wood.

"They're everywhere!" Complained Greenly in hushed tones as Firelight helped her grandmother down from the handy perch.

February looked around and sighed. "Yes, they are. I'm not sure where it's safe to hide. Perhaps, down by the pond, there's those strong trees nearby, where the Fern witches used to camp...Surely, the army won't be suspecting anyone of returning to a house already razed to the ground. But, those trees didn't burn, did they?"

"No, Poppet, you could be on to something. We'll head there. But, just in case, no talking until we've determined it's safe."

Firelight nodded her agreement. They set off along the edge of the wooded valley, avoiding any strange sights or scents as they made their way to the former home of their persecuted and deceased former neighbors with heavy hearts as the full damage of the army's exploits grew clearer the closer to the pond they got. The Fern family had a strong male witch, his daughters, both the daughter's families...Both Hester and Berry had been practicing witches and had trained their eldest children in witchcraft as well, three girls and one boy from Hester, four girls from Berry...all the children had been killed in the fire except for the youngest two. The infants had been sold into service to the wealthy in Ryelen. The air still stank of the burnt flesh of the young even a month after the horror. And, now February and Greenly Light stepped gingerly through the awful memorial of scorched earth, tears travelling both women's cheeks at the unfolding of the grisly death of such innocent souls made itself plain in the evidence left behind. They climbed the strongest tree in the next thicket with mournful moods, saddened by the reminder of their community's great loss.

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Derington waited for an hour, but with no word from his men he had to assume they had slipped past. Cursing he made his way towards the last man in the line, gathering the others up as he went. All assured him that no one had passed them and he looked each one in the eye and knew it was the truth. He had picked these men for their skill after all and he had to trust that.

When he got to the last man and received the same report he was perplexed. Surely they had to go this way to hide themselves in the Valley. It was the most direct route back and to go any other way was foolhardy. He himself had been watching the road and no one had passed that way. Going back towards the town and the Castle was plain suicide and they had not passed his men. That left one direction but that way lay the pond where they had captured that large family of witches just recently. Surely they would avoid that area at all costs.

Then Derington smiled. Oh they were cunning indeed. Why would he look for a Witch in a place he knew he had already cleared of Witches. Obviously they were counting on that fact and were hoping he would think they would have doubled back and head towards the Valley again. Derington however now knew where they were headed.

He sent one of his men back on his own horse to get reinforcements to set out right away for the area. Meanwhile he led the others towards the pond. They would surround the area and wait for the others to arrive. He didn't want these ones getting away. They were proving very smart and resourceful and he wanted them captured alive and put on trial.

 

[slippedhalo]

Greenly had gotten tired of staying still and quiet in a tree all day. She descended to collect a few mushrooms she saw beneath it, thinking these were the edible sort and would be perfect later on in a stew.

Firelight kept vigilant watch for a good half hour before a sound caught her attention. Just behind the next thickest tree came the unmistable sound of a twig snapping. A heavy footed boot had trodden upon it and attached to this boot was a malicious looking man with a crossbow aimed at her grandmother's head.

Greenly dropped her findings and placed her hands upon her head when ordered to. They were surrounded. Soon February was also dragged from her perch, quite brutally beaten as they pulled off her men's hat and britches, laughing at the witch girl in menswear.

Greenly was violently forced to her knees, her hat also torn from he head, some chunks of her greying hair with it. She looked up at the bloody patch of her hair in the Sheriff's fist and cackled, "So insensed, you thought you need a piece of me, eh, boy? Not so unlike a witch, you are. Next thing you know you'll be weaving that hair into a poppet and pushing nails through her hands and feet to try to hurt me...That's how easy it is to do a bit of the craft when your spirit calls for it. Even the most devout Christians perform spells, oh you call your incantations by candlelight something else but they're spells, boy, no denying it. You're as much a witch as any of us. It's in your nature!"

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Derrington backhanded the old witch across the mouth, knocking her to the ground and shutting her up. How dare she accuse him of witchcraft. His face had turned almost purple with rage and he was physically shaking. he signaled his men to drag her from his sight less he deny the courts and the people their rights to a proper Christian trial and kill the woman here and now.

He then turned to the other one and shook his head in sorrow. Such a beautiful wench now bruised and battered of course, but he could see past that. How had one so gifted with beauty been turned to evil. Still did not the bible warn that temptation came in the form of beauty. Eve had been beautiful and she had tempted Adam to partake of the forbidden fruit. It was ever thus that that good Christians must be careful for the Viper in their midst.

Again he gestured and the men placed manacles on both witches, laced with holy symbols and dragged them towards the road. The trip back to the castle was uneventful. Every time they witches staggered or lagged, they were 'Encouraged' to proceed by a kick or poke with the butt end of a spear. As they walked through town, garbage pelted them and Derrington smiled as he gestured his men back a little so the towns folk would have an easier shot at them.

Eventually they reached the castle and they were thrown in the dungeons. He moved to the bars and smiled at them. "You will receive a swift but fair trial on the morrow. Following that you will be taken to the town square and burnt at the stake and may God have mercy on your souls." He twirled around and stalked off to make preparations for the burning.

 

[slippedhalo]

The two witches were placed into separate cells once brought to the dungeons. Greenly wept apologies to the ghost of her dear, deceased daughter, Ember, asking forgiveness for not being strong or clever enough to save this daughter's daughter from the same fate.

The two women spent the night singing coded messages to one another in song through the cell bars.

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Derrington had stayed up to make sure the square had been transformed for the following days activities. A huge pile of firewood had been piled in the center and covered in pitch so it would burn hot and pure. Two poles had been erected in the middle and manacles attached to them. A large area was roped off around it, and he posted guards to keep people back and away from the courtyard. He did not want anyone to try to save the witches.

He did not expect anyone to try, but the devil had his claws in deep in the hearts of some of the peasants and he was taking no chances. They might be misguided but he was not allowing that to stop him doing his job. They would be led to the pyre and the flames would cleanse their souls so they would live in the bosom of the Lord.

That night he slept well and at the trial everything went smoothly. The witches appeared before the King and a group of hand picked high ranking clergymen. They examined, poked and prodded the women and pronounced them witches most foul, and the King ordered them burned at the stake immediately.

Derrington smiled as he surrounded them with a small guard and led them out of the palace, into the courtyard and right up to the poles. He took the shackles they were wearing and unlocked them and swiftly locked their arms into the ones attached to them. Stepping back he looked at them.

"I give you this last opportunity to repent and save your souls. I urge you to take it before the flames purge you of your sins. There will be no escape for you except by the hand of Almighty God."

He stood by with a lit torch in his hand, waiting for the prisoners last words on this mortal world.

 

[slippedhalo]

Firelight looked around at all the people, then she stared at the guard standing between herself and her grandmother, and who looked familiar...Yes, this was the same brute who'd attempted to sell her as a house servant to a wealthy woman while her mother screamed, flames consuming her lithe body... She spat at his feet, then nodded to her grandmother and back to the Sheriff.

Firelight grinned, stating, "I am February Fire Light. I am indeed a wise-woman...you may call me a witch. To us, it's an honor, not a shame. I've mended your bones, brewed love potions and pain killers, birthed your infants, saved many of your lives using the wisdom of the divine goddess in conjunction with the god, as you cannot have male without female. We aren't evil, only balanced. My sense of balance and unity with nature has saved many of you from the brink of death...and now you condemn me to die. I have no words to convey my disappointment in my fellow man...But, know this, Soldier Herman, I am not only much like the girl who bit your finger so long ago. I AM SHE, and that was my mother you burnt! I have no regrets! Three months ago your baby daughter was born breach and nearly killed your wife, Margaret. I saved them both while you waited at the pub, clueless. I could have avenged my suffering and my mother's death but I chose to have mercy on your family...fool. Sheriff, you are a pathetic, insecure and sadly misled man who thinks he's doing the work of god by killing those who honour the goddess. I feel sorry for you, so confused, so easily led. I feel sorry for everyone afraid to question the status quo, afraid to be themselves because of an out of balance patriarchy...but I forgive you all!"

Greenly nodded proudly and, teary eyed, shouted out, "I am Greenly Summer Light and I am also a witch. I'm not ashamed to be a healer and midwife and I too forgive you all for my death but I shall never forgive my daughter, Ember's nor my grandchild' s deaths and I curse whomever is zealously taking part in this farce of sanctimony. May you never find peace, may your children and their children all suffer their worst fears at your very poor choices and grevious folly and if I manage to do so I shall haunt this kingdom as long as witches be persecuted here."

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

As their words rang out the Sheriff became more and more incensed until he finally yelled out, "Enough! You have been condemned by your own words this day and shall not go to the lords forgiving bosom but shall rather descend into hell to writhe forever in eternal torment in the service of your dark lord."

Smiling he motioned his men to retreat but the man who Firelight had denigrated hesitated and looked at her. "I dare not go against my king but I thank you for the life of my wife and my daughter Miss." So saying he hurried away and took up his position with the others a very confused man.

The Sheriff approached the pyres then turned to the crowd. "These women have been tried under God's laws and been found guilty of witchcraft. They have been condemned by their own mouths and will now be put to death by fire. may god have mercy on their souls."

Turning he looked at each of them with a self satisfied smirk and then threw the torch onto the pile of wood. The pitch caught immediately and flames licked hungrily at the dry piles. Soon a huge blaze was burning but the sheriff had one more trick up his sleeve. He had not put pitch on the top third of the wood so they took a lot longer to catch meaning the women were subjected to the heat and smoke before the flames.

Behind the barrier however something was happening. In the space the guard had been standing in a small sentry post was materializing and then a dashing young man stepped out.

"Right what is going on here then?" he said looking around. "Ahh not again, when will these humans learn that burning women is not a good pastime."

Shaking his head he pointed a small object at the shackles holding the ladies to the posts and they snapped open, then looking at them he said "Follow me if you want to live,' and walked back inside the sentry post. Then he stuck his head back out and yelled, "Well come on," before disappearing again.

 

[slippedhalo]

Firelight and Greenly stood there stunned for a moment, but just a moment, before Fire grabbed her grandmother by the hand and they ran to follow the unusual interloper. "This is madness!" muttered Firelight as they entered the place the strange man had come from.

Greenly pushed behind the taller redheaded lady and shrugged, "...madness is not death, though, dearest child..." Stopped in her tracks as her green eyes widened, taking in the scene as a whole. "...but...How is this possible? It's...tiny outside! Inside is so much..."

"...bigger!" Exclaimed Firelight, sharing her grandmother's wonder. Her own green orbs settled on their savior and she asked, "How is that even possible, Sir?"

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Looking up the man seemed to notice them in a haphazard way and pointed at a couple of lounge seats. "Explanations later, escaping now. If you would please sit over there it would be most appreciated."

He moved around a large circular apparatus in the middle of the large room, pushing buttons, pulling levers, and glancing into screens, all the while muttering under his breath. Finally he yelled out in excitement and hit a large red button and there was a sudden lurch and feeling of movement, before things settled down and he looked at the two women.

rubbing his hands together he approached them and smiled. "So sorry to intrude on your deaths ladies, but I did assume you wanted to be free from that situation. Actually it was rather fortuitous for you as I was actually not supposed to be there at all. Bloody T.A.R.D.I.S. developed a bit of a time leak and I had to stop to figure out the problem."

He saw the blank looks on their faces and sighed. "Okay let's go a bit slower then shall we. My name is The Wanderer. You are in the Tardis. Yes it is bigger inside than it looks outside. No it is not magic but Science. Think of it being like the way people think you are witches because you know a few things they don't. I am the same except I know a lot of things you don't," he smiled.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small crumpled white paper bag. "Oh where are my manners. Can I offer you ladies a Gummi Bear? Oh and just what were your names?"

 

[slippedhalo]

So, they sat and marveled in silence, withstanding odd sounds and sensations, along with several stomach turning lurches from the unusually proportioned vessel until it felt somewhat more steady, then felt as if they weren't moving at all (although, a swiftly shifting sky, then starfield moving in the windows above them made Firelight realize they were in fact moving very fast, faster than conceivable.) and she took her grandmother by the hand and whispered to her, "Amazing! We're travelling into the unknown beyond the stars!"

Greenly smiled, "My beautiful merrybegot, I'm so happy you won't be burnt."

The ladies watched the man as he operated his unusual vessel and they waited to know more.

After a time, he seemed to remember he had guests and turned to them,
"So sorry to intrude on your deaths ladies, but I did assume you wanted to be free from that situation. Actually it was rather fortuitous for you as I was actually not supposed to be there at all. Bloody T.A.R.D.I.S. developed a bit of a time leak and I had to stop to figure out the problem."

He saw the blank looks on their faces and sighed. "Okay let's go a bit slower then shall we. My name is The Wanderer. You are in the Tardis. Yes it is bigger inside than it looks outside. No it is not magic but Science. Think of it being like the way people think you are witches because you know a few things they don't. I am the same except I know a lot of things you don't," he smiled.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small crumpled white paper bag. "Oh where are my manners. Can I offer you ladies a Gummi Bear? Oh and just what were your names?"

Greenly regarded the sack suspiciously. She reached in, pulled out a rubbery translucent object, yellow in color, it was shaped like an animal (didn't look very realistic if it was meant to be a bear) and smelled sickly sweet..."What is it? Is it a confection? Sweets?"

Firelight shook her head, "No, thank you. That'd better not be poisonous, Sir Wanderer. Any harm that comes to my grandmother I would gladly spend a lifetime avenging, just so you know it...but thank you for saving us. I wouldn't want to seem ungrateful. My name is February Fire Light, that is a mouthful. Most people just call me Firelight. This is my Gran, Greenly Summer Light."

"Greenly is fine." Interrupted Gran, chewing the sweet and swallowing it but making a face indicating she'd not be wanting more of those bear things anytime soon. "Gran, in a pinch. Those things are not very...Wanderer, thank you for the bear but I think I'll stick with honey biscuits when I feel the hunger for sweets."

"Wanderer...is that your real name? You say you're a scientist? Where do you come from?" Asked Firelight as she brushed soot and dust from out of her long, red locks.

"Are you a new sort of man? One from the stars? There are other cultures beyond our world?" Asked Greenly, rising from her seat to explore the room a bit.

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

The Wanderer was surprised. He had picked up a few people from this planet before and most of them took a lot longer than this to wrap their heads around what was going on. In fact most of them had freaked out a little before he had calmed them down enough to explain the situation to them.

He was very impressed with these two. They seemed to be taking everything that was happening to them in their stride. Well then he would give them the truth of the situation. "Yes ladies, there are vast numbers of cultures in the stars beyond your world. Creatures you have probably never even dreamed of living their own lives just like you do. However there are some that roam between the stars as easily as you would walk between one village and the next. Some of them are good and some of them are bad."

He looked at them to make sure they were getting a feeling for what they had stepped into. "Then there is me. One of the only beings that can travel safely not only between the stars but backwards and forward in time and on the rare occasions I need to into different dimensions."

Looking at them he saw puzzlement to that last bit and coughed. "Well yes, let's just say that is why this place is bigger inside than out. It's all about dimensions. Speaking of which Would either of you like to freshen up? I have baths, showers, Sonics, Dirt showers, ahh no that's for a different species I think," he mumbled to himself. "There's also an excellent selection of clothes for you to choose from."

 

[slippedhalo]

Firelight rose from her seat and nodded with enthusiasm. She felt grimy and unclean after the events of the past twenty-four hours. And, in all honesty, her last good wash (other than her hands, always sterilized with a salt bath as hot as she could stand before birthing a child or closing a wound for someone) had been two days prior, an evening's quick washing by the stream. She had never used an actual bathtub or..."What is a shower, Wanderer?" She asked, curious, "How long will we be traveling with you? Perhaps, if there's time enough, I could try a different washing system every day until I find whichever is best for me! Of course, that is, if you have facilities and supply of water and soap enough for such an experiment, Sir."

Greenly patted the tender bald patches where her grey hair had been tugged out. "I suppose I'll wash this rat's nest before cutting it off..." With a sigh she added, "I'll make a few charms with the leftover hair, my pet. Have you spells or charms in the works requiring the hair of a crone or a loved one?"

Firelight considered her gran's question and nodded, "I could use a strand or two, since you're offering. I'll weave them into talisman bands for us both, Gran."

"That's a fabulous idea, my dear. Sir Wanderer, where might we wash ourselves and find these clothes you speak of?" She was unfastening her filthy, hole ridden, cape and, absent of self consciousness, untying the bodice of her blouse as she and Firelight followed the man up a spiral staircase to where, they presumed they'd find these facilities.

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Wanderer had no qualms about nudity at all and so was not shocked or offended in the slightest when Greenly started to undress. He led them up the staircase then through a doorway into a corridor lined in wood. Then he walked down that past several other doors, turned right, down another corridor, then left and halfway down that one he opened a door on a large room.

It contained a large sunken bathtub in the middle of the room, A series of showers on the right with privacy screens, Mud baths on the left, and a few smaller doors as well.

"Welcome to my bathing area ladies. Let me just explain the functions here," he said leading them over to the bath first. "This tap," he said pointing to a knob on the left, "Controls hot water, and the one on the right," he said pointing at it," controls cold. The water comes out here," he said pointing at the curved spigot,"And you just adjust the temperature until it feels right for your species. The plug," he said holding it up," goes in that hole," he said pointing it out," until you are finished, then you take it out and the water drains away. Oh and only fill the tub to a comfortable level then turn the taps off. I had one creature that left them on and flooded the place. Took me months to clean the place."

He showed them a series of bottles. "Soaps of different scents. Find one you like and scrub yourself silly."

He then led them over to the showers. "Same principle here except there are two more levers. The one on top is for a sonic shower. No water it just uses sound to get you clean. You won't hear anything, but you will feel a little tingle. It pulverizes all the dirt into dust and a slight breeze gets rid of it from your body. The one on the bottom is a dust shower. It washes you with a fine layer of clean rock dust and then again a breeze will clean you off. However that is normally for reptilian species. I suggest you stick with water or the sonics. Again there are your soaps."

He then showed them where the towels were and then opened one of the doors and it led to a large room filled with female clothing. "Take anything you want. I will wait for you back where you first came in. There will be a lighted path for you to follow and please don't try to explore. I don't want to have to come find you. besides none of the doors will open for you except for these ones."

So saying he bowed a little and left them.

 

[slippedhalo]

Greenly was naked and running herself a bath within seconds while Firelight took a while to decide on a soap and shampoo for her body and hair before heading to a shower area with a towel. They were busying themselves well before the Wanderer had even left them to it but the one many would have found more pleasing to see unclothed had remained clothed until she'd figured out the best shower settings for herself.

Afterwards, she and her gran took a long time dressing. Some of the styles and fabrics were of nothing they'd ever even imagined before so exploring and trying on of many items was necessary. Firelight ended up deciding on a twentieth century bohemian maxi dress of flowing, gauzy fabric that had bright, jewel toned butterflies and flowers of every color and pattern upon it over a backdrop of forest with vibrant greens, fading upwards, past the waist length treetops, to a twilight sky of beautiful sunset colours, until the shoulders and upper arms of the material were night black with stars and the full moon of earth on her left shoulder. The dress was definitely Summer, almost Beltane in a bolt of fabric. As a Beltane Merrybegot, it was ideal for Firelight. And, it fit her perfectly. She found a comfortable pair of suede black sandals which laced at the ankles in her size and put them on.

Greenly had chosen a pair of trousers in rough, durable, blue material the computer system announced was called "blue denim" when they'd discovered the interface in the dressing room. She took a liking to a teal tank top of soft cotton which had a big cannabis leaf on the chest beneath a loose, unbuttoned Hawaiian shirt in blues for the waves with tiny surfers riding them and a light tan beach scene, complete with palm trees and the frothy surf, at the hemline of the shirt. She completed her ensemble with a pair of blue socks and green and black Puma sneakers.

When The Wanderer had returned for them they were dressed and had cut Greenly's hair short to match her bald spots. They were happily weaving the hair into jewellery.