RRPG: Chapter 7 - Out of the Woods

-Met…schak? -Metczak- Rudy corrects Georg. It’s morning and the boys don’t want to wake up the girls who seem to be still asleep on the other side of the tree, so they just sit and whisper to each other. -Once more. -Met…chuck! -Better. Still, not yet. Metczak. -Metczak? -See? You can do it!- the knight pats young soldier’s shoulder. -It’s not that hard! Georg nods, though by no means does he share Rudy’s sentiment. “Metczak”, he whispers silently. Once more. And once more. It sounds sweet and meek, and yet it’s hard to speak for someone coming from his place. Just as his feelings are hard to put into words. He touches his ear. It’s whole. Not even a scar remains. It does not hurt at all when he sleeps on the side, which was unthinkable yesterday. An yet he’d gladly give it up if it meant Renate not seeing that kiss. He bites his lip. He does not hate Topola, not at all. Her gratitude was genuine. She did not mean anything other than to share her gift with him… And yet, he can’t shake the feeling that if Renate ever felt something for him, it is gone now. Of course a frail, young, shy girl like Renate would feel inferior to a mature Dryad! He sighs deeply. Rudy gives him a reassuring smile. -Thinking about yesterday, young one? He nods. -Don’t stop doing your best- the knight advices him. -You can always salvage the situation and repair the damage if you try hard enough, no matter what! -Do you believe it yourself, old man?- Georg asks. Rudy does not look the boy in the eyes. He is silent for a moment, then speaks without answering. -You should, young one. Georg does not answer him either. In his dreams this night, someone other than Topola kissed him. Renate looks at Anthenea uneasily. Can a dress, even a pretty one, make everyone, or even anyone, fall in love with someone like her? Not to mention, it must be worth a lot. Wouldn’t it be wrong for her to take it? After all, she didn’t do that much… -Well, missy, if the dress won’t be to your liking, you can do whatever you want with it- Anthenea smiles reassuringly. -I’m sure that my parents, or possibly everyone in the village, asked you and those two warriors to come and find me, amirite? Renate nods. -But… Sir Rudy, that is… the bearded one, he said he is not a robber and he wouldn’t… -Of course, of course- Anthenea pats Renate’s head cautiously, as to not wake up still sleeping Sosenka. -But the food and lodging won’t pay for itself, I think? -To be honest… I don’t think I deserve as much as Sir Rudy and Mister Georg are paying me- the girl shakes her head with a blush. The redhead giggles. -I don’t know how much, missy, but you sure are the heart of this party, you know? You can trust me! Renate raises her eyebrow. Heart? -Sorry, miss Anthenea. I don’t understand. The village girl wants to explain when, suddenly, Sosenka yawns and opens her eyes. -Oh, miss Renate, miss Anthenea! So great to see you again! Will we go back to your parents and all the people in the village? Renate smiles as she sees the little Dryad being much happier than yesterday. After a breakfast of local berries – a modest one, as Anthenea makes it clear that they will have the occasion to eat their fill – they all walk towards the Glademere village. -Say, Sosenka, have you seen Jabłonka?- asks Anthenea. The little Dryad answers that they will see her at the festival and that her tree is still alive. -Little Sosenka?- Renate asks a question that has been bothering her since yesterday. -Those trees that have fallen on the glade… They were not Dryads? -No, miss- Sosenka shakes her head. -More like… something like hens and geese you people like to have by your houses?- she asks herself a question. -Well… They will return to the soil and from them, new saplings will grow. Please don’t feel too bad- she looks to the sky, white and grey from clouds. -It might rain today too… But! Anthenea, can you carry me? -Of course, Sosenka!- the tall girl simply takes the diminutive Dryad in her hands and puts her on her own back. -Here! Better? -Yay! Thank you! Renate looks at them with a smile. They looked quite happy, didn’t they? -Oh, sir, I forgot- Anthenea smiles at Rudy after walking for a longer while. -Please go straight to the center of the village. We’ll go somewhere for a moment and join you soon. -Okay, miss- Rudy nods. -But, can I know where and why are you going away? -It’s a surprise!- Anthenea winks at him. Rudy looks at Renate, who just gives him a shy yet reassuring smile. Then, the knight approves. Renate and Anthenea part ways with the rest soon after. They take a roundabout path, though it still is not a long way to the redhead’s parents’ home. Laughter, music and songs can already be heard from the center of the village, and one could already smell food and smoke. The parents are not home; all the better, as Anthenea assures Renate. She opens her modest wardrobe and takes out a folk peasant dress, not unlike the one she is wearing right now; it’s smaller, though, too small for her already, and the skirt is bright red rather than blue. It’s not too small for Renate’ though. And for the poor orphan, it looks nothing short of beautiful. The girl takes a deep breath and takes a closer look. She could see flowers embroidered on the fabric, which is itself soft and pleasant to touch when she puts her fingers on it. -It’s yours, little missy. You deserve it more than anyone!- Anthenea nudges Renate and passes her the dress. -Get changed and let me see you first, okay? Renate nods. A moment later, she looks in the mirror. Who is this sweet young lady she could see there? She looks… almost like the pretty girls. Renate blushes brightly and looks down, on her own fidgeting toes. It feels… wrong. She has never worn something like this! And yet… isn’t this one of her dreams come true? She gasps and almost jumps when she hears knocking. -Hello? Are you changed, sweet-oo? -Yes… Yes, I am!- Renate’s voice is high-pitched and slightly shaking. Anthenea walks in and smiles widely. -You look gorgeous, love!- she walks up to Renate and gently strokes her shoulders, then her chin. -You’re so pretty, you’ll make all the boys fall in love with you, I’m telling you! Renate blushes even more and hides her face in her hands. -Please, miss Anthenea, don’t say things like this… I’m not pretty at all! -Oh, but of course you are! Like a spring flower. Who told you otherwise?- Anthenea hugs her. Renate feels her heart beat faster. She is… pretty? -And where are your shoes, love? Everyone will want to dance with you! -They are worn out and no good for dancing… And it’s warm, I can really go without them- the girl tries to explain herself. -That won’t do, sugarcube. Fortunately, I brought you those!- Anthenea gives Renate a pair of laced black boots, used, but not at all ugly. -And wear this too!- she hands her a head wreath. -You’ll smell just as good as you’ll look! Renate carefully puts the head wreath on her hair and dares to look in the mirror, trying to smile. -Yup, exactly like this!- Anthenea pats her head. -Smile like this and even the trees will be smitten! [RENATE’S RESOLVE: +3] Renate’s cheeks are still bright red when she walks out of the house with Anthenea. They go together towards the center of the village when suddenly the redhead sees a Dryad; another one, very tall and mature, with hair and dress dark and blackened by soot, yet with undeniable happiness in her eyes. -Jabłonka!- Anthenea runs up to her, leaving Renate alone. The girl stands still for a moment, unsure what she should do, then she walks closer to the tables where people sit. At the beginning, no one looks at her, but then an old man turns his head towards her and opens his eyes wide. Renate does not understand why he did this until more and more people start looking towards her. -Mommy, look! This miss is so beau-tee-full!- a little boy points his finger straight at her. Renate feels her cheeks getting warmer and warmer. She walks up and headpats the kid, who giggles. Someone hands Renate a plate with freshly roasted lamb cuts. She tries them and her eyes shine. Tasty! -Hey, m’lady… Maybe care for a dance with me?- a local boy, not much older than her, stretches out a hand towards her. Renate blushes and turns her head around, unsure, but flattered. She sees another boy… who, too, asks her whether she’d like a dance. Not far away, Georg and Rudy sit by one of the tables, the knight’s armor lying on the ground hastily discarded. Rudy’s already taking to the festival like a duck to water, talking with everyone who wants to – and everyone wants to talk to someone who just fought a Fire Fiend and came out alive, bringing Anthenea back. Curious, wide-eyed little boys are bombarding him with questions; young ladies in those beautiful local Brightwood dresses are looking at him like a hero. His usual grim demeanor is gone; a young man who longs to be liked and accepted is back. Georg, though, is unusually silent and tense. He barely even eats and drinks and talks so little that people start to discreetly question Rudy whether the boy isn’t seriously wounded or cursed. In fact, Rudy himself starts to think that might be the case. Georg looks around aimlessly, as if wishing to see someone he doesn’t really know he should see. And then, his eyes meet hers. {additional Georg’s constitution check: 13, failed} It’s Renate. In a dress that makes her look twice as gorgeous. His vision goes dark for a moment and, when it returns, stars and black patches swirl before his eyes. -Georg! What is happening to you? Your nose is bleeding!- Rudy asks him, then bites a chicken thigh. The boy suddenly understands that this sweet taste is, in fact, blood. He wipes it with a trembling hand and points towards Renate. {additional Rudy’s constitution check: 19, barely passed} The knight looks at her and immediately chokes on the food he’s eating. He coughs violently. How can someone look so sweet? Georg can’t take his eyes off Renate now. More and more boys walk up to her, asking her to dance with them. For a short moment, the girl’s eyes meet Georg’s, and he knows fear and unease when he sees it. This situation is completely new to Renate and she is visibly embarrassed and stressed out. Yet the very fact that she came to the festival might mean that she wants to be there. CHOOSE YOUR ADVENTURE! A) Georg sighs and looks down. Renate already dislikes him… Probably. There is nothing he can do. After a while, Renate agrees to dance with one of the village boys, still blushing brightly. B) Georg stands up, though still shaking, and walks up to Renate. -Everyone, please, go easy on her Can’t you see that she’s embarrassed?- he takes her hand protectively. Renate looks at him surprised, but happy. -Renate… May I have this dance?- Georg does his best to smile confidently. {Georg’s courage test, level: easy; Georg’s eloquence and intimidation tests, level: normal; possible: Rudy’s intimidation check, level: very easy; Renate’s marksmanship test, level: trivial} C) Georg stands up and walks up to Renate decisively. -Miss Metczak, we’re going. This festival is not for us. We’ll be better off returning to our base. {Georg’s courage test, level: normal; Georg’s intimidation test, level: hard} D) Georg can’t stand straight. The sight of Renate in Brightwood folk dress makes his legs too weak. He looks at Rudy pleadingly. The knight smiles and stands up. -Hey, boys. Don’t you know that the first dance with the party Caretaker always belongs to the party leader? Renate looks at him very surprised, but not unhappy. {Rudy’s eloquence and intimidation check, level: very easy; Renate’s marksmanship test, level: trivial} E) Georg just can’t bring himself to stand up. There is someone else, though, who would gladly dance with Renate. -Miss Renate! Can you dance with us girls for a moment?- Sosenka stretches out her hand towards Renate. Anthenea is right behind her. Renate smiles at them happily, though the boys around do not seem pleased. {Renate’s courage check, level: normal; possible Renate marksmanship check, level: trivial}