"How did it all begin?"

[HJ-Pinnelipe]

((This thread is not open for random joiners. It is an ongoing story with currently two writers. If anymore come in, it will be by invitation to be involved in the past of two characters who will exist within Hero's Journey. Comments are welcome. Hope you have as much fun reading it as we do writing it!))

People always seem to question the answers I have given them. They continue to ask “How did it all begin?” My answer has always been different, and rarely true. The questions have always, however, reminded me of the past. How it truly did begin. What might have happened if it had not gone on the path that it had. I would not trade my current life for the world but the mind always seems to wonder “What if?”

We sentient beings are such an inquisitive sort, are we not?

What if I had not been sent out that day? A simple errand of groceries done as I always had done it turned into so much. The gate was closed softly behind me as always to be gentle on the broken hinges. I waved the hand still free from an empty basket in a gesture of farewell to the children still within the school, watching me go out into the crowded marketplace, and then walked off to do my duties to the school.

Yes, that is right, my duties. Utavise was ever the dutiful sort, doing everything she could for the place that had raised her to realize the trials and tribulations of those with less fortunate luck. Utavis saw a shack as the home she never had just as much as a mansion. Who I am now is much different from then. At that time, I was obedient. I helped with the children even after having passed my own studies. I always went exactly where I was told and came back immediately when I was expected. I had not experienced a thing. I was still a child and it took the events of that day to wake me up.

Nothing gives a nice little alarm to destiny’s sleep as a concussion and a kidnapping. You will not find that in any book, rest assured, but I find the best things happen from dangerous situations. Perhaps I am just addicted to excitement. Either way, when the light came back into my world I was without my basket, tied and gagged, and a red blur blocked the sun’s full light from my view.

After a pause, the blur spoke in a rowdy, loud, yet somehow feminine voice. "Pfft. Tits are too small. No one's gonna pay money for that.” It is and was true that I am lacking in the chest. I had actually thought she was serious and was about to flail within my grain bag prison as the light disappeared for a moment only to come back again full force. This time, the voice sounded amused. "Just kidding. Time to play hero."

All I could do was groan inwardly as the light fully hit my still unfocused eyes. This was certainly a day for destiny, but destiny tended to be awfully annoying as often as pleasant.

 

[Farahl]

((Not used to first person, but here we go!))

My life is a weird one, I can tell you that. I don't really have a job, or a home, or any real ties to anything except for this girl I saved. I'm not usually the type to go around rescuing people, but what can I say? I was kind of bored.

Name's Farahl Shadewhisper. Don't forget the name, picked it myself. Got kind of tired of being called "Ratty little -----" or "You little thief! Give me back my money!", so I decided to pick a name for myself before things became "Stop hitting me, you violent woman!". "Stop hitting me, Farahl!" is a lot more satisfying don't you think?

Right! The rescuing. Well I fancy myself an explorer and adventurer, but unfortunately supplies cost money and if one little expedition doesn't pan out I'm set back a bit of coin. Now I'll say this now...I'm NOT a thief. I just liberate ill gotten goods from those who...ill got the goods. And since there's really no way of knowing the original owners of most things isn't it better that a good hearted gal like me benefits from the money rather than dirty criminals? Thought you'd see it my way. Anyway, I'd been tailing the local toughs since they came into town. I've taken some of their stuff before and always managed to get away scott free, so I figured I'd hit them again.

This time though? This time I noticed one of their sacks was moving. "Well that's new." I said out loud to myself and decided to follow. They stopped at a seedy looking place, I couldn't imagine what they went inside to negotiate, but I really didn't care. I reached the bag and opened it, a young woman was inside and in one of my utterly cruel moments I said "Pft. Tits are too small. No one's gonna pay money for that.” and closed the bag on her. Snickering to myself I opened it back up and gave her a grin "Just kidding. Time to play hero.".

 

[HJ-Pinnelipe]

Yes, Farahl was my hero for the time being. Do not think that really makes me feel indebted to her, our partnership is not based on that at all. According to my tally, I have pulled her from the fire exactly fifteen more times than she has me. That is not only within the many ruins, temples, and hostile cities we have visited in hopes of the next big fortune that turned out to be just barely enough to sleep in an inn for the night. It was not always for the money, of course. A little of it was to perhaps help Farahl with her little problem. No, I do not know what the problem is. I choose not to pry into something that does not matter. She will tell me when she feels right, I like to believe. How do I know there is a problem? After being with someone for long enough, you just sort of sense these things. Being through everything from capture by a Sunok tribe to jumping from the tower on top of a giant tortoise’s back tends to bring you close to a person. Even if the nights in prison might have been a little bit annoying.. and that one tavern brawl that almost cost me an eye…

The journey back to my town was not uneventful. In fact, it seemed as if we were being attacked by people who knew us. Or, at least, one of us. I am still not sure why the bandits had wanted me, but I do know why they wanted her. Their shouts and curses could be heard for miles and my legs were like noodles every night we rested. They had taken me far. Apparently, they had kept me asleep on doses of drugs, which would probably explain the headaches I still get to this day. Of course those drugs would have a side effect to remind me that I had been out for days without knowing what could have been done to me. Even my powers of healing do not seem to lessen them.

When we had finally reached my home, after days of running without adequate food, shelter, or even bathing, I looked at the little run down school I had lived most of my life in. My eyes went from the lop-sided shutters to the neat yard and its flowers. I had helped plant most of them. It was just as I had left it.

That was when it hit me that this little place had been running just fine without my help while I was gone. They had not needed me for a thing. Farahl, on the other hand, had just for this short trip. I then believed in fate and smiled calmly as I turned to Farahl.

“What would you say… to a bit of help with some bandits, miss?”

It may have seemed sudden, but I never regretted it for more than a few minutes. And, yes, she did manage to get me to call her Fara after a bit of pestering. I think those teachers at the rickety old school would be surprised at what I have turned into. I am the partner of a treasure hunter and bandit killer. We willingly go into places others think us insane for. At night, we both are comfortable in each other’s company despite our differences or perhaps in spite of them. Even now, as I get ready for bed in the first inn we have slept in this week, I think I am rather lucky in how it turned out. Little Uta grew up. Little Uta became a woman. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

 

[Farahl]

I'm not sure why I decided to escort her back to her home. Maybe I was bored? Maybe I didn't want her to get killed along the way. It figured that only AFTER it was all said and done she started to express interest in why exactly she was kidnapped. At this point no one was chasing us anymore and those that had attempted it were quite dead.

I'm very thorough.

So I got her back safe and sound. The place wasn't that great, but there are worse places to live and I think I may have been in half of them. I was about to say my goodbyes and take off when she turned around and asked to come with me. We must have spent a good 10 minutes going back and forth on why I don't want someone tagging along and why she would be a boon to me. In the end I'm pretty sure I gave in because I was just annoyed. I have to admit though that since then she's helped out a lot (but seems to think she's saved me when I was in NO danger far too often) and been good company. She doesn't complain much either.

It's nice to have a friend I suppose. The only thing that bothers me is when people think we're lovers. Swear the world is populated entirely by perverts. Two women can be as close as we are without naughty stuff! Urgh. Sorry, got a bit carried away there. You know maybe if I stopped beating the snot out of men who hit on me the accusations would get less frequent, but I just can't help it! They're sleazy and gross and smell bad. I could try hanging out in seedy bars less too...

There I go again...off on a tangent. Look. The point is that's how I met Uta and we became partners. We're good friends, yadda yadda and she doesn't ask a lot of questions about my past..which helps out a lot. A lot of unpleasant (not really 'tragic', just really really embarassing) things behind me and I'm still not quite comfortable talking about them.