The Bandits' Secret (Fangs9090 & HeyStarving)

[Fangs9090]

The archer called back to the boss, reporting that there was nothing in sight.


Amarantha waited until the boss was out of sight before she turned to Lazarus nd hugged him, letting herself cry as she held herself against him. So far he'd been the most comforting of these people.


(I think I'm gonna name the archer Archer. It's a legit name and its easy to remember who he is.)

 

[HeyStarving]

Lazarus was admittedly shocked at her sudden contact. It was the first time she had physically been near any of them, and of all of them it had to be the hound, eh? Tentatively, he knelt down and wrapped her up in his arms. "It's going to be okay... It'll get better. My initiation was something like this, y'know. Only, my dad sort of gave me up to them." His exposition was low and quiet, just so she could hear. Looking out to the skies, he could see that soon it would be sunrise. This little adventure had gone on further than he had thought. Turning back to face her he asked, "Would you like something to eat?" Perhaps if she ate, she'd get sleepy, and then she could rest. She would need to.

 

[Fangs9090]

She looked up at him and nodded. She had noticed before but she was hungry.


At about that time, the group's chef stepped out of the fort to see if the raiding party had picked up any useful ingredients. The cat looked around but heading Lazarus' direction. As he neared, he stopped and sniffed the air, realizing what it was that he had there. "Seriously? When I asked you guys to find some rabbit to cook this isn't what I meant. Bunch of animals..." He shook his head and put his hand on his forehead.


(I'm a bit confused. I could have sworn we'd posted something different at this point already but when I looked back it wasn't there. So I don't know if it was edited or if I just imagined it or what...)

 

[HeyStarving]

(I only edited my last post to correct a typo lol, so that might be what you're noticing.)


Lazarus rolled his eyes at the chef's statement. He wondered how often these jokes would continue. "You got any venison stew left or what? If not, we picked up a bunch of food off the carriage, should be in the nearest room on the western wall." Releasing Amarantha, he stood up and grabbed ahold of her hand. "We'll be waitin' by the fire pit if ya got anything." Gazing back down upon her, he asked, "After eating, would you like to sleep?" He himself was rather ready to chow down and rest.

 

[Fangs9090]

The chef waved his hand dismissively at him as he walked away. "I'll make something. Just gotta wait a bit."


Amarantha looked up at Lazarus, holding onto his hand. "I...guess so..." She looked at the chef as he walked away.

 

[HeyStarving]

With that being said, Lazarus took her to the fire pit. It was inside a decently large room of the fort where the ceiling overhead had collapsed, allowing the smoke to escape. Fallen stone served as benches around the pit. Above it, hung an iron frame, which in itself always had a cast iron pot hanging. Sitting on the bench, he observed the others around him. Just a few here and there, chit chatting about and not paying much attention to either of them except for the brief stare or whisper in their direction. They were curious about the girl, certainly, but the rumor of her being a magical person was... interesting to say in the least.


He honestly didn't feel like taking her anywhere really, but he didn't want to just leave her not knowing what would happen to her tonight. Lazarus crossed his legs, glancing over at Amarantha. "We'll find you a place to sleep in a moment..." He said absentmindedly. Sneaking up behind them, the human girl Nina slapped them across the back. She was more gentle with Amarantha, but a loud smack came for Lazarus. Startling the hound, he whipped around snarling.


The girl laughed at his reaction, saying,"Spooked ya did I? Chef said to tell you food will be out soon. Get your bowls and stuff!"

 

[Fangs9090]

Amarantha turned and looked at Nina confused. She was unfamiliar with the gestures they used. Lazarus seemed angry but Nina laughing, so she was unsure of the intended message here.

 

[HeyStarving]

Though angry at her suddenly scaring him, Lazarus ceased his snarling and hit Nina on the arm. "Yeah? Well if you don't stop sneaking up on people, you might end up being dinner." Nina laughed at the remark. Seeing that Amarantha was a bit confused, she said, "Don't worry girl, we like to just make fun of each other. Only because we're best friends." Lazarus rolled his eyes at the statement. She was about to continue onward, but the smell of freshly cooked food started to drift in the air.


"Look's like dinner is here," said Lazarus. Good thing too, as he was getting an appetite to the point it made him irritable.

 

[Fangs9090]

The chef walked out carrying the large pot he always used. "It's the usual stew but I added some carrots for the newcomer." He looked at Amarantha. "Don't get used to it." He set it down where everyone could to it to get their share.

 

[HeyStarving]

(Sorry for the late reply! Holiday festivities and whatnot.)


As the people helped themselves, Lazarus shoved a way in as he had grabbed hold of both of their bowls. He scooped up a hefty portion of himself and what he thought to be a rather good portion for a young girl. Walking back, he held the bowl out as he sat back down by her. "Careful, it's hot," he said, referring to both food and bowl.


As they ate, people gathered and chatted. Some sang, some told stories, and there was even a musician somewhere in the crowd of rogues. The atmosphere was suddenly like a good ol' tavern. It would be this way until all bellies were full and tucked away in sleep.

 

[Fangs9090]

(It's fine.)


Amarantha took the bowl and looked at the stew. She didn't have to worry about the bowl being hot since her sleeves covered her hands anyway. She sniffed at the food. Holding her head close, she could tell more or less how hot it was. She looked around at the others while she waited for it to cool a little. What she saw here wasn't anything like what she had expected when they were walking through the trees. Once her food was cool enough, she lifted the bowl up to her mouth and started eating.

 

[HeyStarving]

The stew, though simple with the addition of carrots, was warm and filling. It had begun to put Lazarus into a tired state. After the weird events of today, the food and sound of the people were lulling him to sleep. However, he still had to find her a spot to rest in before he could retire to his mat.


Once finished, he asked her to stand up to follow him. The search through the wreckage of the fort was unyielding at first, as most decent resting spaces were taken up. Eventually though, a suitable space would be found for the girl.

 

[Fangs9090]

Amarantha set empty bowl down and followed him through the fort. The place was so huge to her, she was sure she'd get lost on her own. It seemed to her like any bed that hadn't been taken was broken, wet, or filthy.

 

[HeyStarving]

Soon, they came up to a corner within the fortress. Above, the ceilings caved out in the other corner, casting moonlight elsewhere. In the corner was a decent sized mat, not wet or covered in mud. At worst, the end was covered in frayed strands that had scuff marks. Casually looking about, he said, "Looks like no one has this spot."


Not to mention it was rather close to his. He could keep an ear out for her, and for anyone that may mean harm to her. He would probably have a hard time sleeping tonight. And what a shame, everyone was spreading the rumor of heading back into the city roads tomorrow night.


Looking down at Amarantha, he asked, "Do you want to sleep here? It's probably the best spot we'll find right now."

 

[Fangs9090]

Amarantha looked at him. She was about to respond but she couldn't as she yawned. She just nodded and rubbed her eyes.

 

[Fangs9090]

(Hey, just checking in. Also, I figured out what happened with those posts where I got confused. Turns out I somehow posted them in a different rp on accident. Oops.)

 

[Fangs9090]

(Heya, just checking in again.)