Snippet #1022456

"Shadowhidemeshadowhidemeshadowhid-" Ballista stopped mid panic attack when she noticed a young woman looking at her very oddly. For about a second, they both just stared at each other, but the other woman looked away first. Feeling a bit reassured, Ballista stood and dusted herself off. Her chameleon spell had worn off about ten minutes ago and she had just hoped that no-one would come and bother her. The other woman cleared her throat awkwardly a couple times and remained silent, her eyes searching around for something.

"I would appreciate it if you just told me whatever it is you wanted to tell me. I dislike awkward silences," rumbled Ballista. The other woman jumped slightly at the surprising sound of Ballista's voice, but appeared unshaken. She extended her hand and smiled widely, waiting for a few seconds. When the offer wasn't accepted, she let her arm go limp and dropped the smile a few notches. Maybe she was just trying to get to know an outsider.

"I heard you were traveling and I was wondering....well...Could I come with you?"

Maybe not. Ballista chuckled a bit, which evolved into a snicker, which mutated into a laugh. The sheer oddity of the situation, to her, was too great to keep it in. After a minute or so, she was on her knees trying not to pass out from lack of oxygen.

"Ahhh...I haven't laughed like that in....many years. It's funny to me, because no one ever talks to me. At least, not for conversation. Mostly they berate me or some such. If you want to know who to travel with, talk to one of those guys. I'm just a tag-along." Ballista wiped a tear from under her hood and leaned against the house behind her. Laughing had put Ballista in such a good mood that her paranoia died down a bit and she could actually look at the surroundings and enjoy them. The woman left, casting her odd glances but following her advice and moving over to the group of travelers.

"Excuse me? Excuse me?" she called out as she approached the group. "Hello? Yes, my name is Lainy and I want to accompany you." A collective groan arose from the assembled villagers.

"Lainy! Leave the travelers alone. They don't want any of your damn pestering!" A mid-size plump man turned to Othan and said quietly, "She's the town crazy. She thinks up all these weird ideas and brews the most awful potions. She doesn't have anyone to inflict her torture on but us, so she does. I once drank one of her potions. It tasted alright, but my feet smelled of cooked cabbage for at least a week! Don't accept any food items she gives you, and don't let her tag along. She'll just give you trouble." The man nodded sagely, backed up by a few elderly folk.