Forum Thread

"Bohovia ma tu chcú, tak zostanem tu." Magda smiled and nodded. Dogs were good, and so were cats when they were small. Once they got to be full grown, like mountain lions do, they were dangerous and could kill. That however, didn't keep people from keeping them as pets.

(The gods want me here, so I'll stay here.)

"Would you like to stay with me until you are set to get a place of your own? I have space, would enjoy company, and I can communicate with you," Andromeda offered.

Magda's smile fell and her eyes were wide. An offering of a home? She realized that that would be a very good idea to be with someone who could understand her, and someone who she could understand as well. "Áno prosím, Rád by som." She smiled broadly. "Teším sa na vašu spoločnosť!" The rough idea was gotten across, but she meant more that she was looking forwards to being her company, and being in her company.

(Yes please, I would like to. I'm looking forward to your company.)

Andromeda smiled, bumping her with her shoulder. "Glad you agree. I like you. And something led me to you." Settling in for the ride to shore, she sighed happily.

Magda nodded and lifted her head, her eyes set on the shore, her mind miles away. When they finally reached the land she helped those around her get off first. She was one of the last people off the boat. Dawn was just barely starting to color the horizon, and a lot of people were exhausted and needed nutrition.

Andromeda watched out for those who needed the most help. She took them to those set up with medical knowledge. Once things calmed, she would head home. But people needed help right then.

Octavius smiled when he saw Cassie and Max. They were safe. Their family was safe to rescue another day. He greeted both with a hug.

Max greeted his cousin and Octavius with relief. Seeing them safe and unharmed helped ease his heart. He hadn't realized how worried he was that they might have been hurt like Cassie until he saw them.

Magda found a child that seemed to be searching for something or someone. She got down on a knee so that she could be at the child's level. She cocked her head to one side as the little girl began babbling almost incoherently. She lowered her eyes to the girl's belly and carefully refilled the girl's stomach. At least she wasn't hungry anymore. The girl put a hand on her tummy, confused as to how the pains of hunger had gone. She smiled slightly, but it faded as she looked around. So the girl wasn't just looking for something to eat. Magda smiled and offered her hand to the girl, who placed her frail hand in the much larger and stronger one of Magda, who gently pulled her up onto her shoulders and began walking around. Soon enough she drew the attention of the adults who were looking for her as well. The child was handed off and thanks was given. She was offered a meager piece of stale bread. It seemed to be all that the family had. The girl said something, and the family looked confused at the little girl's belly. The little girl had talked about Magda's power. Magda looked to the mother of the girl and just as she'd done with the girl, she filled the mother's belly, and then the man who she thought was the father, or at least the man who had taken to watching over them. More thanks were given, and Magda just nodded her head, even though she didn't understand them. Magda turned and went around helping where she could. Until she came to the cookfire with a pot of stew over it. There wasn't much stew left, and there were plenty of mouths left to feed. She moved closer and refilled the large pot much to the delight of everyone around them. She stayed by the pot helping hand out bowls of food, some bowls that had come by more than once were not ignored now that the food was not limited. Soon enough, the bowls stopped returning and starvation chased away. Magda then, and only then, got herself a bowl of stew and sat near the fire to eat.

Jason did the same, giving his cousin and Cassie both a hug once they got close enough. "How did things go? Everyone make it through alright?" He saw blood on Cassie, but wasn't sure if it was the people she killed, or if she had been injured. She didn't look like she was in pain.

Cassie smiled broadly and nodded. "Everyone made it off the boat, with the exception of the captain and crew." She could smell the food and her eyes followed her nose to the fire where she saw the woman that helped heal her sitting there. There was something almost familiar about her, she couldn't quite place it, but it was there, nagging at the back of her mind.

After getting those in need of medical assistence to the healers tents, Andromeda helped pass out food. She smiled when she noticed Madga helping with the food. She had a feeling no one would go hungry that morning. Heading over, she figured she had earned a bowl. She settled down beside her new companion, bumping her knee against Magda's. "How's it going?"

"Good. What happened here?" Octavius asked, waving a hand to Cassie's shoulder. "Were you hurt? Should we see if Vera can heal it for you? She has been getting trackers out of anyone with one."

Max wrapped an arm around Cassie's waist. He would let her explain. She could speak for herself, after all. Seeing the two woman over at the cookfire, he smiled, chuckling to himself. His thoughts turned to their girls. They would be waking up soon.

Magda hadn't had the luxury of being able to taste food since she'd left her home those countless days ago. It had only taken a couple weeks of being in the ship, but the food they offered was minuscule and very obviously the dregs of what the crew didn't want. She gave her share to others and filled her stomach with her powers. She was so happy to have real food in her mouth again. To be able to chew and enjoy the food is a pleasure that is often quite forgotten until it is lost. Magda looked over as she saw Andromeda sit down beside her, and she smiled as her knee was bumped in a friendly way. "Veci sú dobré. Som rád, že by som mohol pomôcť týmto ľuďom." She paused and her smile faded as she turned her gaze, sweeping it over the crowd of people sitting around them. "Potrebovali to..." She blinked and her smile returned as did her focus on Andromeda. "Ako sa máš?"

(Things are good. I'm glad I could help these people. They needed it... How are you?)

"I'm alright now, thanks to those two women sitting by the fire. I'm not entirely sure how I came to be so lucky to have them with us, but I owe them both a great deal." Cassie said, her eyes not having left the two figures.

Jason followed her gaze and looked over at them. "They were both helping the slaves... One of them helped feed the entire group out of the pot of stew and the other was helping move the wounded... I'd say we all owe them at least a bit." He commented.

"They do...so very bad...too many are passed over, too many don't make it to this. Hindsight is 20/20 and looking back on my past, I know how wrong things were. I want to make sure people don't end up like my mom and I. I'm doing fine. Happy to be enjoying some stew," Andromeda said, lifting her bowl before taking a bite. "Whenever you're ready, we can head back to my place. No rush or anything. Figured I would put it out there so if you get tired or anything, you feel free to let me know."

"Oh! She is from the north," Octavius said excitedly. "I was there for a year. The air hurts your face and the wild seems intend to kill you. My hair probably did nothing to help hide me, but it was very cool. They live with honor and respect. Hunting was a lot of fun. Mostly because I made myself bait. Trying to outrun some of those animals...yeah, that was a good year."

Max chuckled, watching his friend light up. "Dare devil," he teased. "I wish I could have seen that. You're red hair flying behind you like a flag in all that white snow?"

Magda nodded slowly, still eating her bowl which was full even after she'd eaten half of it. "Ďakujem, dám vám vedieť." She cast another glance at the people sitting around them before looking back to her bowl and eating another spoonful. "Ak je s vami v poriadku, Chcem sa uistiť, títo ľudia aby sa dostali tam, kam musia ísť."

(Thank you, I'll let you know. If it's okay with you, I want to make sure these people get to where they need to go.)

Cassie gasped softly as she realized where she knew that woman from. That woman had come down with her hunting party near the wolf tribe's hunting lands. They were just scouting the area and didn't intend to do anything, but it was an interesting meeting. It was just in passing, but the two peoples were alike in a lot of ways.

Jason started laughing. "I can picture you doing that! So do you actually know her personally or just her people?" He ended his question in a more calm tone.

"My intentions as well. I think for the most part the plan was to let them sleep here. Then begin moving them out in smaller groups to safer places. Though, I have heard talk of taking them somewhere they can govern themselves. And defend themselves from the people seeking to enslave them," Andromeda saif wistfully. "Wouldn't that be a sight? People with powers and those without living in peace together...almost too good to be true..."

"I don't believe I met her...I was apart of a party sent to...well, make peace or attempt to corrupt them to the cause that this country belives in. I was simply a possessions taken along to protect and provide. I really like their culture. Their people are a lot nicer then those I was apart of," Octavius shrugged. "But I would like to meet her. To talk with her."

Max looked at Cassie, cocking his head. "What is it? Something happenin?" He asked, looking around.

"To by bolo niečo... Najprv by som mohol pomôcť s mnohými vecami... Naučte ich, aby sa bránili," Magda shrugged and lifted the bowl to down the rest of her stew. She was very pleasantly full and had thoroughly enjoyed her food. "A ako ukladať potraviny."

(That would be something... To begin with, I could help with many things... Teach them to defend themselves, and how to store food.)

"I actually did meet her at one point... She wouldn't remember me really, since I stayed a wolf, but she and a hunting group of theirs were exploring the lands surrounding them... We crossed paths and we had sort of a mutual respect as hunters in the forest..." Cassie's eyes never strayed from the woman at the fire as she remembered the day and night she spent with the strangers.

"I think you should do that then, go meet her that is." Jason smiled patting Octavius' shoulder. "Being in a land completely foreign to her might be a bit frightening, so having someone who can at least understand her ways might be nice."

"I bet they would be very grateful for that. You would be an very valued member of society there. Though, no one person would be unvalued. Everyone would be needed," Andy said, glancing up to see the four looking at them. She finished her stew.

Octavius glanced over at Cassie, grinning. "Small world. That is pretty cool! I wonder if I ever came across any of your people...I know I ran near some wolves but I always back off, letting them have that hunt. I was a foriegner. I didn't want to steal their prey. Want to come with me, Jay? I think I will say hi."

Max was impressed. "What are the odds? A really neat chance encounter though. That had to be an experience."

Magda nodded slowly and looked up at Andromeda and then followed her gaze to the group that were looking at them. That was the wolf woman that they had both helped.

"Small world..." Cassie repeated and nodded. "It was a neat encounter. They were a very good people. Kind to nature, not raping it and destroying it like others do."

"Of course I'll go with you, I'd love to meet her!" Jason smiled and nodded.

"I think we are going to have some visitors," Andromeda said, watching the two men begin their walk over. She figured they were a couple and appreciated their mix of colors. She couldn't see their eyes yet but assumed the color varied as well.

Octavius grinned sliding his hand into Jason's. He had come out of his shell but having the other man there was a boost to his confidence. "Zdravím! Za predpokladu, že hovoríte jazykom, ktorého som bol vyučovaný ... Dúfam, že hovoríte týmto dialektom. Nedokázal som to praktizovať neskoro. Dúfajme, že to nevymýšľam. Pripomína mi krajinu a ľudí. Silné a večné."

(Greetings! Assuming you speak the language I was taught...I hope you speak this dialect. I haven't been able to practice it of late. Hopefully I am not butchering it. It reminds me of the land and people. Strong and everlasting.)

"Shall we join them?" Max asked, offering Cassie his arm. "I would very much enjoy listening to then speak. The language is interesting to listen to."

Magda agreed with what Andromeda said with a nod. She stood to greet the two men who approached, and her eyes widened as one began to speak in her tongue! "Hovoríte dokonale dobre!
Kto vás naučil hovoriť týmto jazykom?" Anyone could tell that she was excited to meet someone who could talk with her in her own language, not that she didn't greatly appreciate Andromeda speaking with her. "Odpusť mi, sadni si. Si hladný?" She motioned to the ground near the fire so that they wouldn't have to stay standing. The pot next to the fire was empty, but she could soon refill it if their stomachs were empty.

(You speak perfectly well! Who taught you to speak this language? Forgive me, sit down. Are you hungry?)

Jason had no idea what they were saying, but seeing the woman's facial reactions it seemed that he had been right in his assumption. He gave Octavius' hand a gentle squeeze, and he smiled, not knowing that the other woman spoke his language.

Cassie nodded and threaded her arm through his. "I would like to listen as well. I remember hearing their voices carrying over the snow that winter day..." She started to walk over to the group a little slowly as she was a little distracted in her memory.

Andromeda grinned, watching them speak. She could hug the redhead! He had made the woman so happy by speaking her language. She gave a small wave in greeting to the pair but mostly remained quiet.

"Bol by som rád misku, ak to nie je príliš veľa problémov," Octavius said, grinning as he sat down beside her. He was absolutely thrilled. "Môj pán ma učil, aby som mohol byť jeho prekladateľom," he added. "Volám sa Octavius. A toto je môj milovaný Jason. Jeho bratranec Max je zamilovaný do Cassie, ženy, ktorú ste pomohli na lodi."

(I would love a bowl, if it isn't too much trouble. My master had me taught so that I could be his translator. My name is Octavius. And this is my beloved Jason. His cousin, Max is in love with Cassie, the woman you helped on the ship.)

Max was in no hurry. He looked around, making sure no one needed help before settling himself down with the others.

Magda nodded and in an instant the pot was full of steaming stew. She grabbed a bowl and ladled Octavius some stew. "Moje meno je Magdalena Pirtzkhova, môžeš mi zavolať Magda." She offered Jason a bowl and he happily accepted it. "Oc-tavi-us." She worked to sound it out and managed to say it pretty good. "Jason." She said slowly, not quite used to the name. "Max. Cassie." She did her best, and it all sounded pretty good. "Urobil som to správne?" She then offered a bowl to Max and Cassie as they had both come to sit down. "Veľmi by som sa chcel naučiť váš jazyk."

(My name is Magdalena Pirtzkhova, you can call me Magda. Did I do it right? I would very much like to learn your language.)

Jason bowed his head in thanks for the stew, figuring that was sort of a universal thank you. He nodded his head when she said his name pretty well.

Cassie smiled as she sat down and gratefully accepted the stew. Her smile grew bigger as she heard her name spoken.

Octavius nodded encouragingly. "Ó áno! Vyslovil ste ich veľmi dobre! Rád by som vám pomohol naučiť sa jazyk. Stavím sa, že aj moji priatelia by radi pomohli," he said, taking the bowl with head bow as well. He took a bite and groaned in pleasure. It tasted awesome. "This is great! Oh! Guys, this is Magdalena Pirtzkhova. She goes by Magda. I was telling her our names and she said she would like to learn our language. I offered to help her learn."

(Oh yes! You pronounced them very well! i would be happy to help you learn the language. I bet my friends would be happy to help as well.)

"Thank you, Magda," Max said, taking the bowl she offered. He took a sip and smiled. "This is great! Her power is really cool! Bet she could create a never ending cup of water! That is an amazing thing, right there. And that is just one use. How she helped Cassie was pretty awesome too."