Written Wonderland

It was a day to cook. Sonya liked such days. Nice excuse to sit in the temple and tend the fire, see the faces that passed through. She was still shy around most people, still feeling a little like a trespasser. Oh, she'd had some good interactions, and felt welcomed more days than not, but she didn't want to over-do it. So, she kept to herself, offering friendly smiles to those folks who seemed open to them, and moving her gaze on from folks who seemed to want their visit a little more private. She got to admire the shrines quite a lot, heartwarmed by the ways the villagers adorned them. And she loved watching the fire, loved stoking the heart of this place.

She was surprised when Ren came in that morning, and with a woman she didn't recognize. He was one of the nearby homesteaders, whom Sonya had only seen a handful of times--most recently just a few days prior. Some moon cycles he only came once, so she hadn't expected to see him for some time. He was close with Monica, from what she understood. She watched Monica greet Ren and the unfamiliar woman, and she wondered whether she'd met the woman already and forgotten. She was still learning everyone's faces, still weaving together the tapestry of this place. It was the first time she'd staid somewhere long enough to do that; she wasn't sure how long such things should take.

Ren looked up, briefly catching Sonya's gaze, and she quickly looked down at the food she was tending over the fire. It was time to stir the pot anyhow, make sure nothing was sticking to the bottom. She stole just one more glance when she saw Monica leading the unfamiliar woman and Ren toward the apothecary--or perhaps the inner chamber. They might need something from the apothecary, or they might want to talk with the priestess. Both perfectly normal things for folks visiting the temple to do--and every time, Sonya was just terribly curious. Sometimes, Monica would invite her along, to introduce her to the visitor or teach her something new about the apothecary. But this time was not one of those times. She's already been introduced to Ren, already knew the relevant things about the apothecary today, perhaps. Sonya settled back into tending the fire, moving a log with the poker to redistribute the airflow at its base.

Some time passed, and Sonya contented herself with her cooking and tending duties, once or twice silently bidding someone farewell or welcoming a newcomer with a soft smile. Eventually, Ren emerged from the apothecary--alone. Sonya kept her gaze shy, but glanced at him a couple times, just enough to gather that he was on his way to go pray at one of the altars. Well, she stole one more glance after a moment, curious who he was praying to today. Sankera. Usually, he stopped at Veil's altar. Sonya looked back to the fire, trying to pull her mind from it. It seemed intrusive to speculate about his spiritual landscape. He was quite a private person, from what she'd gleaned about him so far.

Then, no sooner had Sonya finally relaxed back in to tending the flames than the new woman returned from the apothecary as well. She seemed to survey the room, and Sonya smiled to herself. She remembered looking at this room like that. She couldn't help wondering if this new woman was going to stay; she felt she wanted more people in and around the temple, who looked at it the same way. But, maybe she was projecting. It was easy to hope.

To Sonya's surprise, the new woman caught her eyes, and smiled at her. Sonya's heart fluttered with warmth, and she smiled warmly in return. She was happy to welcome this woman in this space.

The woman turned her attention to the altars, and Sonya more firmly refocused her gaze on the fire, making a point to stir the stew again. It felt terribly rude to spy on a complete stranger's journey through the altars. Watching Ren had been pushing it enough. And yet, her curiosity bubbled up eventually, dying to know where the new woman had ended up.

Inora.

After just a blink, the woman had turned to look at the room and caught Sonya's gaze. Sonya felt a little caught out and quickly looked back to the fire again, but in her periphery she saw the woman standing, and her heart began to beat loudly in her ears.

"What are you making?" The woman asked.

"Stew." Sonya replied, stirring it a little hastily while her mind fumbled over what else she wanted to say.

((OOC: Sonya will probably say something else after a pause, but Jaz would certainly have ample time to decide to say something else first.
Also, I think Sankera has returned to the main room as well, but perhaps is doing something over by the table where she set tea down. Available, but tending space in her own way for now.))

"Stew," the blonde woman said simply as though Jaz would know what that meant. She decided not to give the cook any reason to believe otherwise and nodded instead of asking a follow up question. Jaz looked into the pot, smelling the aroma it made and trying to discern the ingredients. It smelled moderately spiced with several different herbs Jaz did not recognize, and they were all good smells, but the cacophony of so much newness at once made Jaz pull away a little, though she smiled reassuringly at the blonde woman tending the pot.

Jaz turned to look at Ren, wondering if he was going to recover. Did she even still have a place to stay tonight? She felt sheepish about somehow having invaded after Monica and Ren had both offered so much hospitality. She wanted to contribute in return somehow, but until she learned more about how these people did things, she feared she would continue to be more of a hindrance.

"I'm Jaz," she said, confident that introductions had thus far been harmless. She wanted to offer her hand the way Monica had when Jaz had first arrived, but she didn't want to interrupt the woman's stirring. Or risk further intrusions right now. "I'll probably be around here for a little while. I'm staying... out in the woods for now."

It did help just to unfold his experience to the goddess. Through her eyes, Ren could see the difference between Jaz and the shadow that flickered around her. Everyone had one, but it was strangely easy to forget.

"What are you making?"

It was Jaz's voice, soft, speaking to someone close to the center of the room. Ren's attention returned to the present, though he kept his head bowed for the time being, his body relaxed, while his ears honed in on Jaz's conversation.

"Stew."

Sonya. That should be fine. Sonya was a bit new herself, and seemed to be here for Monica. Like him. If Jaz was feeling like getting to know someone else, that was a pretty fair pick.

"I'm Jaz. I'll probably be around here for a little while. I'm staying... out in the woods for now."

Ah. Guilt dimpled his chest at the hesitation in her voice. Granted, indignance swelled with it--just because he needed some air, she was doubting his promise? But, of course she was. She probably saw a shadow around him, too.

With a soft sigh, Ren opened his eyes and nodded to the altar, grateful for the goddesses, for this place. Then, he pushed himself to his feet, and began to walk calmly toward Jaz and Sonya, his eyes gentle--one might even say shy.

---

Sonya was trying to think of something else to say--surely a one-word answer was standoffish?--but Jaz leaned over the pot to smell the contents with interest, and Sonya's attention was tugged into that, curious what the woman would think. Perhaps a bit nervous, even--especially when the woman seemed... startled? Oh, but was that wonder, actually? No... surely not? Why would it have been? Luckily, the woman gave Sonya a reassuring smile, and she relaxed, smiling hopefully in return, though she couldn't help feeling a little bit like something had gone over her head.

Jaz looked over to Ren, and Sonya looked at him as well, curious with the excuse to check in on him. He was still in prayer, back turned to them.

"I'm Jaz," the woman said, and Sonya's smile brightened as she pulled her eyes back to Jaz. "I'll probably be around here for a little while. I'm staying... out in the woods for now."

Oh, interesting! Sonya's heart swelled with an oddly flustered excitement. The woman would probably be around for a while! Granted, staying out in the woods... probably with -- or near, maybe? -- Ren. So, Sonya may not see her often. Still, that was better than 'just passing through'.

"Sonya," she answered with a bright smile. Though, she wasn't sure what to say next. Say something about herself? Ask Jaz a curious question? When she peeked at what her curiosity might be, she glanced over toward Ren--and realized he was walking over. Her chest fluttered a little, excited to speak with him but nervous about it, too.

"Sonya," the blonde woman said, and the strange syllables nudged against Jaz's mind until her mouth imagined it could form them. Jaz thought maybe Sonya was going to say something more--and was attentive to her for that reason--but she seemed close up a little. Jaz looked around curiously, wondering if Sonya was shy because of her or if something else had caught her attention. Out of her periphery, Jaz saw Ren get up from his kneeling place and come toward them. His eyes were soft, maybe even pleading, as he met Jaz's gaze for a moment. Jaz could do little but turn away, a sweet and small smile on her face.

"Well, I hope we'll be seeing more of each other soon. Maybe I can help you cook sometime. I'm sure I have a thing or two to learn," Jaz said, a measure of confidence back in her voice. She looked up at Ren, then, searching his face for... something. She still wanted to touch him. And Monica. And maybe even Sonya, too. But this space didn't quite feel right for that, and Jaz didn't want to scare Ren away again.

All at once, Jaz started feeling a little lightheaded. "I think... I think I need some air," she said, hoping that Jarrett had moved on from outside the temple. She smiled one more time at Sonya and looked to Ren. "Come with me?"

Jaz met his gaze, and he made sure to hold eye contact with her. Though a nervousness buzzed in his chest, he kept his pace steady, his posture relaxed. Jaz looked away, smiling, and the buzz in his chest quieted.

"Well, I hope we'll be seeing more of each other soon," Jaz said to Sonya. "Maybe I can help you cook sometime. I'm sure I have a thing or two to learn."

Gods, she was a social one. He sighed a little, and his gaze finally tracked to the side, hiding a flicker of overwhelm he didn't want to burden Jaz with if he could help it. Things might be easier for him if she were a more introverted type, but it wasn't her fault if she wasn't.

He felt her gaze on him and pulled his eyes back, hopefully offering her nothing but calm and confidence. He didn't want to worry her any more than he already had.

"I think... I think I need some air," Jaz said, and Ren's brow grew worried. Jaz offered a reassuring smile to Sonya--which served to reassure him, too. Sonya nodded in understanding, if with some disappointment in her eyes. Jaz then turned to face him, her eyes earnest as she asked him, "Come with me?"

Ren nodded, and then offered his own reassuring glance to Sonya--his considerably less smiley, but with a softness to his brow.

"We'll likely be by for an early dinner," he said. Sonya smiled with a nervous happiness, and Ren finally offered her a soft smile of his own, before returning hiz gaze to Jaz, visually checking in with her and nodding toward the exit before gently leading the way. Monica caught his gaze with a gentle concern as he approached the front door, and he gave her a soft nod before glancing to Jaz just to check in with her again.

Monica also looked to Jaz, offering her the same gentle concern, softened with a warm smile. She would be content to silently bid them aideu, but wanted to remain open to them in case they needed anything else before they left.

As Jaz started walking toward the door, Ren told Sonya, "We'll likely be by for an early dinner." Jaz's stomach sank, the thought of eating--instead of touching--and something so complex as that... stew. Jaz wasn't sure she could do it. But how else was she supposed to learn how to survive here?

But there was more to it than that. Some part of her was overwhelmed, even while another part relished in all this newness. She wanted a place to curl up for a moment, away from anyone looking at her, away from all the concern she might draw. Ideally, with someone to hold her. She wanted to go into the market, but could she handle it today? And was leaving the temple a mistake if peace and quiet was what she needed?

She looked to Monica on her way out, who met her gaze, and Jaz smiled a little to the woman, grateful at least to know that it was likely the two of them would see each other again before Ren and Jaz made their way back to Ren's cottage. If anything truly fell through with Ren, Jaz felt confident she could return to Monica, at least. Nothing was sour between them--Jaz felt sure of that.

Jaz did want some air, though, all she could smell were the spices in her nostrils and their swirling stories. They weren't bad, just...

Once she was outside, Jaz was grateful to see that there were few people near the entrance to the temple, and the market was still a ways off. Even if there were other sounds out here--the distant sound of conversations, the calls of some kind of animals--Jaz found the change and the light chill in the air refreshing. She took a deep breath, looking quickly to see if Ren had followed.

Giving him a brighter smile, she shivered a little, the breeze tempting her toward smoke. Not here, though. Not out in the open.

Tentatively, she walked over and held her hand out next to Ren's. Maybe being out where others could see them had been more comfortable for him somehow. Or maybe he would pull away from her again. Either way, she'd like to know now how difficult the next part of her continued exploration would be.

Jaz smiled to Monica, and Monica smiled and nodded in return, giving them both a gentle wave before returning to her tasks around the temple.

Ren followed Jaz outside and stood just a pace or two a way, wanting to give her a little space if she needed it, while still remaining by her side. Jaz looked around, noting the sparse passers-by and the distant sounds of the forest surrounding them, and then turned to look at Ren, smiling brightly. He offered her a soft smile, eyebrows raised hopefully. She stepped closer to him, and tentatively held her hand out by his. He nodded and slowly, gently took her hand in his, honestly relieved to be returning to that, even after everything that had just happened. He wanted to reassure her, and this seemed like a good way to do it.

"I'm okay," he added, supposing some verbal reassurance would probably also be appreciated. He wasn't interested in focusing on himself, though. "What do you need?"

Ren took her hand, and Jaz let out a quiet, contented sigh, letting her eyes fall shut a moment. She didn't try to reestablish a mental connection with him--or at least, not any more than was organic--but she did offer some small sensation of apology for whatever had overwhelmed him where it curled into her gratitude for it all.

"I'm okay," he said as though responding to what the palm of her hand was offering. "What do you need?" Jaz giggled a little, unreasonably relieved that she hadn't somehow ruined everything between them. It took her a moment to find the words, though, and it first, they came out in her own language, the syllables likely unintelligible to Ren. She stopped herself a few words in, however, and laughed again.

Taking a breath, she remembered the way she had bonded with the magic of this place. The sounds of the human language returned to her.

"I suppose I'm a little overwhelmed. I love it--all of this--" she said, gesturing around her, "But it's... a lot on little sleep and... and..." Her mouth fell into a slight pout unconsciously as she thought briefly about crawling into Ren's lap again. She hoped the flash didn't transfer to Ren's mind. Squeezing his hand, she looked up at him, eyes shining. Then she took another breath and looked toward the market, knowing they at least had camping supplies to collect and maybe even a meal to eat before they could hike back through the woods. "No, really. I can do this."

Everything her elders had taught her had been to prepare her for this. She thought she'd be able to handle it. She'd rolled her eyes whenever they were intent on making a point of one thing or another. But now... the reality of it... Well, this was only her first day, she reminded herself. It would surely get easier. And, who knew, maybe she would even settle here for a while until she figured out the first step to going back home.

Jaz giggled, and Ren couldn't help frowning a little, indignance curling up in his chest. What was funny? Then she went and started speaking a different language entirely, one Ren had never even encountered, and he looked downright cross. What was he supposed to do with that?

Jaz took a breath, and Ren did, too, trying to gently unfurl the tightness in his chest. He squeezed Jaz's hand gently, and that helped anchor him a bit. Surely she wasn't trying to be difficult.

"I suppose I'm a little overwhelmed. I love it--all of this--" she she said, gesturing around her, "But it's... a lot on little sleep and... and..."

She pouted, and Ren grew nervous as he got the distinct impression she was thinking about their time in the inner chamber a few minutes prior. She squeezed his hand and looked at him with bright eyes, though, reassuring and inviting, anchoring them both back in the present.

Then she took another breath and looked toward the market, and Ren offered her hand another gentle squeeze.

"No, really," she added, "I can do this."

Ren contemplated the market. It had certainly been on the radar as a next step, but he wasn't sure they were quite ready for that. If Monica and Sonya had been overwhelming...

"Come with me," he said gently, and started to lead the way around the side of the temple--but he caught himself, stopping just half a step that direction and looking back to Jaz with a note of apology in his brow. "That is... I'd like to show you something else before we go to the market, if that's all right with you."

It was a bit inconvenient, having to phrase things so carefully. But, he supposed it was even more inconvenient for her when things weren't phrased carefully. He just hoped he hadn't already messed up on that front entirely, yet again.

"Come with me," Ren said quietly and started walking to one side of the temple, maybe to go behind it.

A jolt of electricity shot through Jaz at the command, leaping up from her stomach into her throat, and it tasted like excitement.

But Ren had only taken a small step that direction before he eyed her with subtly lifted brows and said, "That is... I'd like to show you something else before we go to the market, if that's all right with you."

Oh, he knew. She felt it for certain now. While some small tendril of fear coiled in her stomach at the knowledge, the lingering taste of the excitement made her squeeze Ren's hand tightly and follow.

She couldn't help but will a little of her excitement through their clasped hands.