Land Down Under (KJDarKnight & Treasure)

Misty sighed and looked over at the giant who she felt also seemed to think she was week, or he wouldn't be constantly keeping an eye on her would he? there was that low self confidence again rearing it's ugly head "Wish you could understand me.... but.. thank you for looking out for me" she guessed he wouldn't understand her but at least she had said it, maybe Mathias could translate for her later at some point
 
Badru looked down at her, his demenour shifting slightly. It seemed that whether or not he understood Misty, he was listening intently. He seemed a little smaller. Not physically, but in presence.
 
she smiled at his shift in position, she hadn't gotten much a chance to talk to him, having been pretty sick most the time they were in that cave. She pointed at her chest "Misty" she figured he may have already picked that up but she felt the need to properly introduce herself regardless
 
His eyes followed her gesture. He didn't say or do anything at first, but then his big hand slowly moved up to point to himself. "Badru Gwandoya," he rumbled, his voice nearly vibrating the air as he spoke. "Badru."
 
His voice gave her chills, not in a bad way she had just never heard a voice like that "Badru Gwandoya" she repeated his name and smiled "good strong name" she complimented, still knowing he wouldn't understand her
 
The tone was enough. The words did not mean much by themselves, but her tone was warm. Gentle. Quiet. With an edge of fragility Badru could relate to.
 
she smiled a little, she could tell he at least sort of understood in his own way. She wasn't sure else she could really say to him though not without just looking like a chattering monkey.

Thankfully that was about when Pepper knocked lightly on the pole with the curtain "Can I come in?"

Misty looked over, not having met Pepper before "Uhm, sure...?"

Pepper pushed the certain aside, about the same height as Misty but she was certainly more muscular, hands rougher. her job requiring much more physical labor. hard to imagine someone like her would allow herself to be abused yet she bore the scars and yet more new bruises to prove otherwise.

"Oh, you must be Pepper, Gray has told me about you" Misty said, happy enough to meet her. Peter was holding on to his mothers hand but his eyes fell on the giant, he didn't look scared but rather excited "You from surface?" he pointed up, not speaking in English but Bardu's own language, not perfect but well enough to be understood. Mathias had been teaching him.


both Misty and Pepper were surprised when Peter spoke directly to the top dweller sitting on the floor
 
Badru eyed the new people with deep suspicion, drawing back into his shell once more as he watched the three interact. They seemed a little uneasy, but like they were friendly all around. The new female, though, she was bruised. It looked like she was a warrior that had been fighting, but that did not fit with what little he knew of the Groundlings.

Then the boy spoke to him. In his language. Words he could understand.

Every muscle tensed. Badru's expression did not change, but he eyed the small one with new wariness. He did not bother answering what seemed to him like a redundant question. Of course he was from up on the surface. Where else could he have come from?
 
Peter watched him, seeming to understand the body language. He sat down on the floor with his legs cross making him look even less threatening "peter" he gestured to himself "still..learning your words. Mathias teach me" he explained as best he could with the words he knew
 
Ah, Mathias. He'd caught that name before. Mathias was the one with a hole in his chest. Badru had guessed he'd been important from how the others had treated him. He once again indicated himself and said his name. "Badru Gwandoya," he said, his voice even quieter and lower. Any lower and they'd have to go to the basement to hear him.

Gray tapped on the door before opening it. He paused when he saw Pepper and Peter. He glanced to Misty and raised his brows questioningly. Did she want him to stay?
 
Misty smiled and waved for him to come in "I just came by to tell Misty thank you..for helping look after Mathias" she explained "and Peter seems to know how to talk to her friend" she said looking over at Bardu

"Good to meet you Bardu" Peter said. He noted how her seemed to inderstand Mathias's name "Mathias uh...my mothers brother" he didn't know the word for uncle
 
Gray smiled at Peter. "I am not surprised," he said, keeping his words simple so Misty could follow. "He is a clever boy and uncle a good teacher." He shifted a bag around so Misty could see it and carefully set it on the floor. "Yours?"

Oh. A family connection. That made a bit more sense. Badru considered his question carefully before asking, "Chief?" He saw no reason to waste any more words when one would suffice. Obviously Peter should know that he was asking if Mathias was the leader of this village. Really big, cramped village.
 
Misty smiled and nodded to answer his question "Side pocket, there is something for you" she said "Take it home to open it" she added, not wanting any potential problems coming from bringing something down from the surface. Pepper smiled watching her son a moment "He is a smart boy... I'm not so sure I want him going to the surface anymore though... not after all this..."

Peter smiled at his question, he shook his head then tapped his chin to indicate he was thinking how to explain what he meant "Mathias... make connection for us and surface" he tried to explain, wasn't the best explanation but it was the best he could do. he would have to sit with Mathias and learn more
 
Gray gave Misty a curious look but did as he was told. He carefully pocketed his treat, smiling his thanks to her. Turning to Pepper, he patted the air calmingly. "It is scary and dangerous, but so is what you do," he pointed out. "Perhaps Peter going to the Surface is not a good choice, but if you tell him no while his uncle still explores, he may be tempted to go behind your back. Perhaps to to distract him and guide him away. There is time yet until he is old enough to spend too much time up there."

Badru grunted his acceptance of the explanation. Then he nodded to Pepper. "Her?" he asked, still suspicious.
 
It was something wrapped in a bit of fabric but hard to say what until he opened it.

Pepper sighed "You're right.... I just worry. He's the most important thing in my life...Maybe he will grow out of it" she hoped but also doubted it.

Peter glanced at Pepper then back at him "My mom, Pepper" he said first but went on "She...fix things...for all the village" that one was even more tricky to explain
 
Gray smiled and patted Pepper's shoulder encouragingly. Then he looked to Misty. "How are you feeling?"

Oh, yes, every village needed one of those. Badru had nothing more to say. Any questions he might have would wait. There was nothing further he wanted to ask a child. He would wait. Wait... and see what his future held. Right now, he was stuck down here, but was there really any point in trying to go back up? So he waited like a stone. Things would happen, and usually they happened better when not forced. For now, he had his job of looking after the Little Water Droplet woman.
 
"Come on Peter, we need to get you home to bed" she coaxed, she had come to say thank you and had done so. Peter looked up at her and nodded before looking at Bardu, he seemed to be done talking anyway "Bye Bardu!" he stood up and took his mothers hand again. Pepper smiled and nodded to the strange big man, not really sure how to take him sitting there so still and silent.

"Sore but better I think" she said "My head isn't quite as foggy now"
 
Badru's eyes followed them as they left, but his body didn't move. Not so much as a muscle twitch. Then his eyes turned to Gray. The one who waved his hands a lot, and others seemed to interpret what he was saying. That one... he smelled of shadows. Badru did not like him, but there was not a lot he could do. Maybe he was misjudging the situation, but he was not going to let Little Water Droplet be alone with him if he could help it.

Gray waved goodbye to Pepper and Peter then nodded to Misty. "Excellent! I am pleased to hear it. I am sure you will be home in no time."
 
Misty smiled a little "I hope so, be nice to be back in my own bed" where it was safe, no more big open sky's and tree's that hid untold dangers, she shuttered again at the memories. What had she been thinking, she couldn't handle the surface it was too big and scary and she felt so small and fragile compared to all that. "Do you think you could ask Mathias if he's got a written form of their language...I'd like to properly thank Badru..He makes me feel safe.."

--

(don't feel like you need to respond to this part... can't sleep yet lol)

Pepper lived on one of the lowest level of the city that had living quarters, closer to the engine rooms where she worked every day. It was a long ride down the lift to the bottom, thankfully a bench was provided on the lifts for those kinds of trips up and down.
By the time they got down there Peter was asleep in her arms so she carried him the rest of the way to her living space. When the divorce had happened she was downgraded to a smaller space but at least still had two rooms so Peter had his own, all be it, tiny bedroom, really only room for the bed and a slim bedside table that was built in as part of the wall. His clothes were kept in drawers under the bed and his school clothes hung above it on a bar. a very tight living space. Peppers room was not much bigger, larger bed and an actual closet with a couple drawers and a bar to hang things on and a single shelf for any storage items. She also had space under the bed for clothes or whatever other storage.

The halls were so narrow she had to walk a bit sidewise to walk down and put Peter to bed, tucking him in with is teddy she had made from some old baby clothes. little button eyes and a button nose and a carefully stitched little smile. It was pretty ragged but Peter loved the little thing.

Pepper made her way back to her room at the end of the hall, closing the door before she switched on her light so she could change.

That's when she realized she wasn't alone, a taller than average man sat on the bed waiting for her. Her heart skipped a beat and she took a step back.

"H-how did you get in here Allen..?" her ex smiled and stood up, "Just came to return the favor" he traced some scratch marks on his neck, maybe a day or so old.

"Peter is here Allen..." she said, he took a step closer "Then I suggest you don't fight it" he leaned closer and switched the light back off before grabbing her wrist and pulling her into the room before pushing her roughly down on the bed. There was something about him that made her feel so utterly helpless, like he had some sort of unseen power over her and she hated herself for it...
 
Last edited:
Gray hesitated and glanced around. "I don't know if I am allowed... but alright. Stay still." He stood, nodding to Badru, and disappeared into the maze of fabric walls. He wished he could call out as he moved aside each curtain enough to peer inside. Where was that Mathias?? He'd found him before. Now it was like the whole place had been rearranged!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top