Storyteller seeking fellow storyteller

[Aussie_Wolf]

He had waited a fair while for the two to return, but finally he had decided to go and see if they were actually alright. Surely they had not wandered off and gotten lost after his lecture had they?

He made his way back, but the lights were still lit so they had not been this way. He had made them so they would turn off the moment they walked passed. He made it all the way back to the bathing chamber and sighed. There was a light on outside of it. They hadn't even left the chamber yet.

Striding in he found them dressed in new clothes, looking remarkably better, and braiding what appeared to be the elder of the two's (what was her name again, ah yes Greenly) hair into some form of jewellery.

"Well don't you two look better. If you would like to follow me I am sure I can rustle up something to eat. Some Kronkburgers, Marsh ox, maybe a Herbabaculum vitae stir fry or a nice stew perhaps," he smiled at them. "I can have the food machine whip up just about anything from all over the galaxies."

He led them down a few more corridors and into a room containing a quaint dining area with a small screen on one wall and a slot on the wall.

"So ladies what will you have to eat and drink?"

 

[slippedhalo]

Greenly and Firelight filed into the dining room and tried to not act as impressed as they felt. Greenly stuck her head into the wall slot and explored it. "Where is your kitchen?" She asked. "I trust food I can see prepared, or prepare myself, best. The best food has its own magic when prepared with love."

Firelight simply sighed, "I wonder what people from other worlds consider delicious, or disgusting, or common...Dear Sir, you must have supped at many a table, experienced every kind of nectar and cuisine...I envy your...for lack of a better word...worldliness."

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Wanderer simply nodded at the two of them and gestured for them to sit at the table with him.
"I see I must explain a few things before we continue. I am the only other being besides yourselves on-board this vessel. At the moment I do not have a kitchen Miss Greenly as I have no need of one. Everything I could ever want to eat can be prepared by my ships computer and given to me through that slot you see over there. I can assure you, I have tasted both Native food and my ships and quite frankly I prefer my ships."

He glanced at the two of them and was still amazed at how well the two of them were taking this whole thing, including how they were dressed. They had not only ditched their old clothes but had quickly chosen new apparel from a time period far removed from their own. It was simply astonishing.

"You seem to have guessed that I am a man from the stars as well. Yes I travel all over the many Galaxies, observing the goings on of the various species out there. I am also able to travel back and forwards in time, so I can go from when the entire universe was created, to the end of time and any point in between. I have studied the rise and fall of civilizations on planets you have never heard of and have not even seen the light of in your night sky, however I usually do not interfere unlike some of my race. They are forever messing around with different species, especially your own."

He shook his head and sighed. "Yet here I am doing the same thing, yet what was I supposed to do. I always did detest those stupid witch trials. They always made no sense to me. So many good men and women killed off for no better reason than they knew a few things others did not. Well I suppose we have to think of what to do with you two now. I can take you back and drop you off exactly where I got you from, just a little distance away so you will have a fighting chance of course. I could go forward a few years until everyone that knew you has died so you will be safe, or perhaps there is another option if you are willing," he told them looking at them with a piercing gaze.

"I have been alone for a very long time. I have observed relationships from afar for so long and even one of my race has enjoyed them. Maybe it is time I tried having companions. If you are willing you could stay here with me and travel to places you could not even dream about and see wonders that few have ever seen before. What do you say to that?"

 

[slippedhalo]

Firelight's eyes sparkled at the thought of this adventure and she didn't hesitate even a moment before stating, "I should like to come along with you, Wanderer, and be a wandering witch. What fun!"

Greenly stood beside the food slot looking like the slightly irritated old, hippie she had no idea she looked like in that outfit, hand on hip, ticking through her teeth softly, "Would you abandon the woman who raised you from a mere grasshopper, then? Or, does my opinion at least count a tiny bit in your calculations for your future, girl?"

Firelight lowered her head in shame, cheeks burning. In her excitement she'd been very disrespectful to her grandmother by not even asking what she thought before choosing. "Oh Gran, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to make you feel as if I don't care, of course I care! I just...I got excited. That is all. I'm not trying to offend. I appreciate you very much and love you deeply..."

"I know, it's alright, poppet." Said the old woman. "I suppose exploring the universe in a moving guard post is a once in a million lifetime's opportunity I shouldn't waste time on thinking about before jumping at the chance too. But, I've just had a terrible past twenty four hours, past decade, really. Excuse me for being a little moody. Yes, I think we could use a break from our world and time, for now, Wanderer. And, as my granddaughter is so keen to join you, I suppose I must go too, to keep things somewhat decent. This isn't Beltane, yet... Yes, I would like to see what is out there as well. Count me in. And, about this food thing. Shall I order some roasted pig with all the trimmings?"

Firelight was glad her gran wasn't angry with her and agreed that a pig roast sounded delicious. The food was ready, not in hours, not even in minutes, but in mere seconds. Once the ladies had learned how easy it was to get food and drink from the slot and to call out for information from the tardis computer, they turned the midday meal into a feast and hours long question and answer session full of music and celebration throughout.

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Wanderer had a wholly different time than what he was used to. He had never had a meal like this on the Tardis before, nor had he ever had this sort of company before. He had dined with Kings and Queens, Emperors and Rulers, Even talked with a God or two, but he would remember this meal for the rest of his considerably long life.

It was not just the amount of food the three of them consumed, although he had to admit it was astounding just how much the ladies could eat. Nor the amount of ale and wine they could drink. It was the company. The questions they asked and the things they got him to talk about.

At first he had been reluctant to say too much about the wider Universe and the creatures they could encounter, But soon he was showing them holographic images of all the main species. The Daleks, Cybermen, Axons, the Gelth, Kahler and many others. He even created a few foodstuffs for them to try from different planets and some from Earth in the future.

Finally by the time they could eat no more he sat back with a smile upon his face. This actually was most enjoyable. "So Ladies it would seem we have a decision to make. The whole of space and time is within your grasp, you have but to ask and I will take you there if such a place exists. Would you like to see how your own world looks like in a couple of centuries or so, or would you like to roam the Galaxy for awhile? The choice is yours."

 

[slippedhalo]

Greenly took a long swig of her mead as the two at the table regarded her. "I know what I'd like to end our adventures with. Time travel. But, for the current adventure, I suspect February Fire Light has ideas in that pretty, wild, head and I won't seek to spoil them. Whatever she wants for now."

Firelight grinned at her gran's acquiescence. "Thank you for understanding, Gran. Wanderer, I shall very much like to see the galaxy!"

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Wanderer smiled. It was ever the way with youth. They wanted the grand adventure with all the new horizons they could get. Seeking places no one they had known had ever seen before. They wanted to be the ones to make new discoveries and come back to tell their friends all about it.

He appreciated what Greenly wanted though. She wanted to see how her own place in the world would turn out. Wanting to make sure she left behind a place her family could grow up in safely.

He smiled. He had seen the behavior on countless worlds and in many different species. It seemed to be a universal truth of the way things worked. The young wanted to explore, while the old wanted to make sure the young had a place to be proud of.

Shaking his head a little he grinned. So what did that make him? He was not young by any stretch of the imagination, but then again he was not old either. The age of his body was not an accurate representation of just how old he was. Still he was not called the Wanderer for nothing.

Standing up he clapped his hands together and smiled. "Well then, let's go exploring then shall we. Back to the heart of the ship and we will see where the old girl takes us then."
He led them back to the control room and showed Firelight a small screen. "Pick a planet my dear, anyone will do, and we will be away in seconds."

 

[slippedhalo]

February Fire Light http://vi.sualize.us/denicedenice_portrait_inspiration_girl_red_picture_zvpo.html busied herself with images of the various worlds she was shown. Having learned how to ask Tardis for information, she wasted no time in gathering data on each. She ended up choosing the one with the least amount of data gathered. "Sir Wanderer, I choose Bevenol. The land is verdant where there aren't stretches of black sanded beaches, with a violet sky and purple sea. There's plenty of interesting plant and animal life to be found, interesting ruins never completely explored and the possibility that the descendants of the ancient culture who built those ruins may have survived a great disaster by turning to living in subterranean, that means underground, subterranean caves and tunnels. Tardis says Timelords (I'm assuming that's what your people call themselves) haven't visited this world more than once and the data here is over five hundred years old. Why hasn't anyone been back to study the ruins or meet the people?"

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

He looked at the records and brought up some that were only accessible to him, written in Gallifreyian. There were only a handful, and he did mean a handful of people who could read that.

He studied what he could but there really was not much information on the planet. He had not been there so it must have been that other chap who had done the report, or perhaps this had all been done before...

Well enough of those thoughts. It looked like a decent enough place. Of course he would have to do some readings before they ventured outside just to be sure. Still if you were looking for a place different from Earth he supposed she had found one.

"Very well then. Hold on tight," he chuckled as he threw a few switches, turned a few dials and pressed a few buttons. In fact they all felt nothing as the Tardis changed course and soon began to materialize next to a large cavern entrance on a beach on Bevenol.

As it flashed in and out of existence, it went from appearing as an old English guard house, to a large dead tree stump of about the same height. It looked unremarkable and identical to the many other trees growing in the area.

Looking at his readouts inside the Wanderer smiled and clapped his hands together. "Right, looks like everything outside is okay. Air is fit to breathe and no nasty bugs in it. Your eyes might have a bit of a hard time adjusting to the light but..." he said walking over to a panel on the wall and pushing a few buttons returning with a couple of pairs of sunglasses. "If you put these on it will filter out the different light waves and make it a little easier to see."

He showed them how easy it was to slip them on and off, then looked at the map. "Well you have a cave right beside us or some ruins just up the top of the hill. I will allow you the honor of choosing what to explore first."

 

[slippedhalo]

Greenly had started up the hill, swearing under her breath, she was missing her sacred things, lost when they had been arrested. Most importantly, a family book of shadows going back well over three hundred years, a sacred recipe book her grandmother had given to her, and her staff. The staff would be handy while walking uphill.

Firelight followed her grandmother in obedient silence. She'd picked the planet. It was gran's turn to choose now. Listening to gran's mutterings about their family heirlooms made her sad. How could such a profound loss have slipped her own mind? All the excitement of new discovery had distracted her from her family matters. Laying a supportive hand under her grandmother's elbow once she'd caught up with her, Firelight whispered, "I know most of those books by heart, gran. I'll rewrite all of the spells and recipes, redraw every image. And, I'll help you create a new staff. I promise you."

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

The Wanderer strolled behind the two women, walking easily up the hill and stopping every now and again to look at a plant or interesting rock. He always caught up though and as they got closer to the ruins he overtook them and pulled a small device from a pocket inside his coat.

He pointed it at them and then smiled. "Ahh good, all clear. Nothing bigger than an Earth dung beetle at the moment."

Strolling forward they were confronted by very strange looking ruins. Wanderer studied them and found them fascinating. At first glance it looked like a typical thriving city or large town. The layout was a typical grid pattern, if you took away some of the weeds of course and the trees that had sprung up in a few places.

However other ruins he had seen of such places still had walls, tall buildings, half destroyed ones, Something somewhere to show what had been there. This place had the outlines, Boxes only a few feet high in some places to several meters in others the size of buildings, and piles and piles of melted material.

If the Wanderer didn't know better he would say the city had melted.

 

[slippedhalo]

"What happened to this place?" Exclaimed Firelight as she looked around her.

Greenly touched a wall and gasped as if she could feel the fear and pain of those who'd once thrived here, their lives cut unnaturally short.

"I don't like how this place affects, Gran. These ruins feel so...charged with negative energy. Wanderer, let's move on, please." said Firelight, taking his hand to pull him and her grandmother out into what was probably once a road.

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Wanderer had a sneaking suspicion what had caused this and now knew just why there was so much concentration of life underground. He could be wrong of course, but he hardly ever was these days. The experience of age he guessed. There were few things on this universe he had yet to see.

He followed the women as the walked down the road, keeping his eye out for more signs that his hypothesis was correct.

 

[slippedhalo]

Their explorations led them to find the culture which had created the now abandoned, melted, structures had once been quite advanced. But, the sadness and fear of the place permeated every surface, every object. Greenly muttered, "This place feels cursed."

Firelight nodded. "Wanderer, where was the entrance to where you said the living people now habitate? We should go there. I don't like it up here."

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Wanderer nodded. He felt the overwhelming gloom of the place as well. He wondered just how many had died here and how many had been told of their impending doom. Maybe this culture had been very advanced, and had given their population a choice on who to save or had done it in a very sane way. Yet he had a feeling it had not been the case.

The feeling of the place did not give off that sort of energy, and when it came right down to it, most beings just did not want to die and would fight tooth and nail to survive. Even he, as long lived as he was, fought hard to live.

"The entrance is back the way we came. The people, or whoever they are, now live underground. That cave should lead us to them I believe. I have a few things in my pockets that will aide us in our travels," he told them as they started walking back towards the beach and the cave entrance.

 

[slippedhalo]

Greenly was enjoying the clothing she had chosen in the comfort she felt wakking this unusual landscape. She was musing upon this as she followed her granddaughter and The Wanderer down to the beach from whence they'd come. She could see her granddaughter's fascination with the man. He was a powerful being who knew many things they did not. And, he wasn't entirely hard on the eyes either. Firelight was uncommonly beautiful and she wasn't unaccustomed to boys and young men she met getting somewhat hypnotized by her looks whilst in her presence sometimes. But, niw, Greenly spotted a first time the situation seemed reversed. Now, Firelight looked to have a developing crush and he seemed oblivious to it. This made Greenly chuckle to behold.

The entrance below was an indiscriminate looking cave. It was dark past the first few feet they'd walked. Firelight sighed, "I cannot see. I think we'll need a torch..."

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

"Ahh of course, How silly of me."

Wanderer reached into one of his pockets of his trench coat and pulled out three objects. They were headbands with a small patch running around one part.

"Place these on your head with the patch facing forward and on the outside, then tap the face twice."

He suited his words with action and soon a warm but powerful beam of light shone into the depths of the cave.

"I love these. They run off your own bodies energy field so will never fail you. You just have to remember to eat and drink though, oh and take them off while sleeping or they will leech too much energy."

Smiling he began to calmly walk further into the cave.

 

[slippedhalo]

The deeper it went the less the structure of the cave felt natural. Soon, they found themselves descending a winding staircase, deep down....Firelight had to touch his shoulder a few times to slow the Wanderer in his descent, not wanting to be without him in the enclosed, shadowy space of a stairway tunnel. She felt like she was in a tubular tomb with stairs. "So many stairs...either these people don't go outside often or they're quite fit." She noted.

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Wanderer nodded although he was pretty sure it was the former. In fact looking at them you could see that they weren't worn down at all except by age. No footsteps had been on these in a very long time.

"Oh I don't think anyone has been this way in a long time. If my suspicions are correct it would have been several centuries at least, maybe more. This is going to be very exciting," he said clapping and rubbing his hands in glee.