A New Beginning

[Tallia]

With her luck as bad as it seemed today, she didn't want to make any risky maneuvers, but staying here wasn't going to help her escape, it seemed... Moving would cost her, however, as her equipment lie far on the other side of the barn. Simply sprinting towards it would be suicide. She slowly and carefully positioned herself to see the wolf-woman, and snaked away towards her belongings, praying once more that she wouldn't fall prey to her...

[Liseth]

There was no sound but the distant voice of Liseth as she slowly walked towards her clothes. The pigs oinked, but not overly much. IT seemed she was in the clear.

[Tallia]

Carefully, she re-equipped herself, disliking the mud she was getting all across her gear. She, and her stuff, would need a serious soak. The discomfort was tossed aside as she reassessed her current situation. Given that her clothes still smelled freshly of her, not to mention the mud would screw with the scent, would surely draw suspicion back to her, if she happened to be close. Not stopping to think about it, she headed away from the barn and back onto the trail back to town, her strength partially restored.

[Liseth]

It was while before Tallia saw Wistvale, across a plain a few hundred feet away. It looked inviting and relatively safe. It looked like she was scot-free.

[Tallia]

Breathlessly, she looked around. She looked and smelt like a mess, but she was just glad she was still alive. Normally, a shower would consist of her tongue for the most part, but this looked to be a little too strong to go that route. Doubtful that any inn would allow a walking pile of manure upon their territory, she approached the town, hopeful for an open tap to hose her (and her stuff) down.

[Liseth]

As she got close, she heard a growl behind her. From the treeline came a familiar voice. This time it had an edge that made Tallia shiver.

Clever. Clever, darling. But I'm not giving you any more chances. Run, girl. Run!

She roared and shot out of the trees behind her. Tallia was only a short distance from the town; if she could make it, she would be golden. Liseth wouldn't attack her in broad daylight.

[Tallia]

She cursed herself, multiple times, but she knew she could not die here. Not now. With the remainder of her strength, she turned, placed her all her limbs toward the ground, and set forth. It was right there, in front of her... surely someone would help...? Her members ached with pain, but the adrenalin refused to let them falter here. Tears streamed down her face as she sent forth another prayer to live another day.

All she could do was hope.

[Liseth]

She sprinted towards the city, Liseth gradually gaining. She could hear her laughing behind her as it got closer...and closer....until she could feel the werewolf's breath on her skin. It seemed too late. Wistvale was teen feet away and she would be pounced before she could reach the first building...

[Margrett]

Hey!

Margrett saw Tallia being chased and sprinted out of town. She grabbed the Cathian's hand and pulled her behind her, bodily blocking the wolf. Liseth, not expecting help, smashed into her, knocking them both over. Before Margrett could react, Liseth bounded up, backing up suspiciously, snarling at Marg before turning and running out of town. Margrett laid there, pulling herself up, rubbing her head.

What the HELL was that?

[Tallia]

She calmed her mind, eyes still wide with fear, as she looked up slowly towards her knight in shining armor, literally. Fear became confusion, which turned to joy, as her eyes filled with tears once more.

"L...L... Lady... Muh...Margrett..."

She sobbed meekly, rubbing a (quite dirty) hand across her face to shy away her tears to no avail.

"Lady Margrett...!"

She cried out, thankful it was her that was there at that moment, as she leapt forward for a hug, tackling Margrett to the ground a second time. The fact that she was dirty didn't matter to her; she was just glad to see her again.

[Margrett]

Oof!

Margrett growled, getting up to her elbows, frowning at Tallia.

Kid. You smell like shit. And you were being chased by a wolf.

She sighed.

And I'm not a lady anymore. What is with you?

[Tallia]

She tightly gripped the captain for a moment more before receding away, her knees pointed toward her.

"I... I apologize... Captain... I was..."

She stared away from Margrett's ever sharp gaze upon her, but intent on telling her the truth of it all. She drew a long breath, straightened up her posture, and stared (read: looked at and shut her eyes) directly at Margrett.

"IwentouttogofindsomefoodforbreakfastandIstartedsmellingthis
deliciousfishsoIheadedtowardsitandgotsomebutthenawolflept
downfromnowhereandshewashintingabouthowshekilledtheguy
whomadeitandthenshestartedchasingmeforsomereasonsothenI
gotlostandIfoundasignpointingtowardstownbutshestartedtocatch
upsoIhidmyselfinmudatanearbybarnforawhiletothrowoffmylocation
andsomehowmanagedtoescapebeforeshenoticedmebutthenshe
appearedallofasuddenoverthereandIhadnoenergylefttorunand
thoughtIwasgonnadiebutthenyoushowedupandsavedmeand..."

She drew in another long breath and begin to calm down, her head slowly gravitating downwards. Placing her hands behind her back and her ears towards her head, she sat quietly.

"I...I'm sorry..."

[Margrett]

Margrett blinked, wide-eyed. Then she laughed. She laid back and laughed for a long moment before getting up gently, wiping her eyes. She picked the Cathian up by her shoulders and set her on her feet.

That's...wow. That's a story. Don't worry about it hun. You should have come to me if you needed something to eat. Let's get you cleaned up and then we'll get lunch, alright?

She frowned for a moment, looking to the woods where Gray's treehouse was.

I have a hunch about that wolf. But that's not important now. Let's get you washed up.

[Tallia]

She nodded in response, carrying the same dispirited expression. Taking in what Margrett just said, she wondered about what she had meant by it. Had they been acquainted before? She decided it best not to worry and proceeded alongside Margrett, grateful that was going to be not so smelly. It was truly killing her acute nose.

[Margrett]

(Very good. 5 acclaim for being clever and your first adventure.)