Robert spent quite a while in this strange bar-grill. Learning that it didn't quite exist in the same place all the time was off setting, but manageable. She was more concerned that they actually refereed to it as hell's kitchen, but it seemed to be just a name. She was quietly surprised by how friendly everyone was to her. Though this was the first time she mingled with strangers.
"You said this is part of my... sub culture," Robert asked quietly.
Mr Pitchford smiled. "I think it works. People who have changed under the sun are all different. But underneath those differences lies similarities. People who can fly have the skies, people who swim have the sea... this is our place."
Robert nodded vaguely understanding it.
"I'm betting you got here because you couldn't sleep" He grinned.
Robert gasped. "How.. did you know?"
"It's a common thing here. Most of us don't seem to need sleep. Though of course, there are always exceptions."
No sleep? What was Robert supposed to do at night? She happened to like sleeping. Not that she was a slothful person by any means, but she had always wondered if dreams could be a link towards God. If nothing else, she always felt calm after sleeping. Were the pleasures of a good dream really gone forever? She really hoped not... "Anything else I need to know?" She asked softly.
"Many of us don't bother with clothes in here... you'll get used to that."
Robert blushed. Of course she had noticed. It was a little strange, but she was surprised by how little it actually bothered her now. Before when she had seen that naked devil, she reacted with such anger. Now a naked devil in her mind was just...
... just what?
Nakedness just didn't seem that big a deal. Not that she would strip and show herself to these people... or anyone. She had a hard time viewing herself naked, let alone a stranger. Or... anyone.
Robert quietly thought of their ideas. Bringing what she knew of her old closed minded nature, she knew changing the outlook of the devil-changed was not an easy task. People would always have their own opinions. She disliked even thinking it, but atheists would probably be the most accepting of them. There was nothing actually wrong with what they were... but it was religion that made them wrong. How could she possibly change thousands of years of doctorate and superstition? It would never happen in just one night...
"What do you know of the angels?" She asked Pitchford.
"Not a lot. Most of them generally avoid us. With a few exceptions." the Devil-man sighed. They had a prejudice of a different kind. Goodness was expected of them. What a burden that must be in itself.
"The ones that saved me.. I over heard her say she was from Brazil."
Pitchford nodded. "They tend to move around as easily as we do. That door over there, will take you to any destination you desire. Though it has to be a bad area. At least in appearance."
"I- I see," Robert said in some shock. So.. that meant, she could go anywhere on Earth? Unbound freedom, if she was willing to take the step. The angels had their own method too, and used her church as their gateway. A thought struck her... did that mean her church was now... fixed? Did the angels use the bell tower to be there? The thought made her a little hopeful...
Robert didn't like being a devil-woman... but... at the same time, at this point in time, it didn't feel quite so bad. She anxiously glanced at all the others but quietly noted, none of them looked quite like her. Her strange legs in particular seemed to be a rarity, as did her multiple breasts. Though she guessed it was possible, others were hiding them much as she was.
Still she gazed around, taking in everyone's different appearance. Though she realised, the others were doing the same to her. The thought sent another shiver down her red body.
Jon continued to read the book curious of it's writings. In particular she was drawn to the differences between the four elements.
Each element represents an aspect of magic. The Earth-stone reshapes the clay of our world.
This made sense to Jon. Perhaps that is why everyone changed now? If that was it's primary power... still it didn't explain why people had certain changes. But at least the strange situation was consistent with the stone's power.
The air element is ether and subtle. The power outward, not inward. The magic does the least to the environment required in order to fulfil a desire. For particularly drastic changes, it will often transport one to a world where the desire can be fulfilled.
Jon thought a bit about that. It seemed like a useful power, if one was careful in how they worded the wish.
the elemental fire magic will take away something, in order to furfil a wish. For instance, a desire for happiness might make one unable to feel sadness. A wish for youth will make one unable to grow up... this power is often deadly, and while incredibly powerful, draws a price for each boon.
Jon sighed. So... what would be taken away, if she found and used that power? It was hard to tell. Elemental fire seemed so abstract...
The final element is Water. Just as water runs downhill, so are the effects of a desire subtle at first but becomes a raging torrent. If one wishes for riches, they will start with a single gold coin, that will eventually double... and so on. If the power is not limited in the wish, disaster is likely
Jon sighed. Another very dangerous one. it seemed her Earth-stone, was perhaps the safest of magics. Still there were other chapters on how to use each magic safely, as well as people with personal experience... there were even notes on combining said elements to create a wish... but there was a stark warning, that the stones could not affect the wishes of each other.
.. She continued to flip through the book. Maybe there was a way to undo a single wish somewhere in there. Or at least something to tell her what her next step should be.
Keith didn't want to sleep. he lay awake, pretending to sleep. It was hard enough keeping those incredibly alien thoughts out. He wondered if he should make a break for it, but with that native watching him...
Damn it! He just needed to get a horse and he would be out of here. Why couldn't he catch a break? He already lost the majority of his gold...
He glanced at the fire. Well.. a free fire was certainly better then sleeping it rough. If he could trade something for those delicious berries- argh! No... the horse... to play with and delight with- Keith tried her- his best to stop thinking.
he slept soundly, and as he did the fire started to crackle.
Dyami, The medicine man came out to inspect their captive. He viewed him through the camp fire, but realised there was something about the way the flames danced about him. The wind in particular, almost seemed to speak to him. "This is the man from the forest?" he asked.
"Yes. He followed Lomasi, stalked her as pray. He surrendered and was brought here." He gestured to the gun. A valuable keepsake from an early battle.
Dyami brought out an old stick made from silver birch. On it stood a circular contraption. It looked a lot like a dream catcher. He chanted a prayer as he looked at the man... "Eyes of green light, you said?"
"Yes Dyami. What does it mean?"
Dyami shrugged. "...I shall observe him."
