Private Tales Creatures Of The Night

[Iris]

He squeezed the bare skinned woman resting on his chest closer, growling into her ear. "Should see me when I have a bed to work with." He joked with a nip to her ear

She grinned happily, "I look forward to it... Master~"

She added that last bit as a tease, and kissed his cheek after saying it. "And maybe I can get us a few extra toys to play with too~"

Eventually though, he felt the wagon coming to a stop, and he let out a small groan of his own. "We should probably get dressed, you know. I'm going to have a lot of explaining to do as it is. Where'd you toss my stuff?"

"You're laying on it." She told him. "So who is your master anyway?"

 

[Iris]

(Boooooop)

 

[Varys]

Varys did the best he could to make himself presentable. His clothes were a bit wrinkled, and his hair was rather wild at the moment. He tied it back behind his head again, brushing some of the accumulated dust off of his clothes as he made no attempt to hide his enjoyment in watching Iris pull her rather tight outfit back around her body.

He let out a low whistle at her 'Maybe'.

Stepping out of the wagon, he offers her his hand to help her down. "He's a mage, a transmutist to be specific. We travel town to town, putting on firework shows for money.

He looks behind her, eyeing the mess they'd made in the wagon; they'd certainly thrown some things around... "Well, we should at least be able to sleep in an inn tonight. Assuming you're not going to take your leave already?"

Iris

 

[Iris]

Stepping out of the wagon, he offers her his hand to help her down. "He's a mage, a transmutist to be specific. We travel town to town, putting on firework shows for money.

Such a gentleman, she thought to herself as she accepted his hand and stepped down from the wagon. "An interesting profession. I happen to specialise in magic involving fire, so mayhaps I can be of assistance for the duration of my time with you."

He looks behind her, eyeing the mess they'd made in the wagon; they'd certainly thrown some things around... "Well, we should at least be able to sleep in an inn tonight. Assuming you're not going to take your leave already?"

"Not a chance. I have quite the debt to pay off, and I'm sticking with you until such time as it has been paid." She told him adamantly. "So you're stuck with me."

Of course, she didn't think he'd complain much.

 

[Varys]

"I myself am what's known as a 'Speaker'. Or at least, I'm training to be. I have the ability to speak to the materials that hold our world together." He began to explain further. "The wagon for example, would likely chastise me if I gave it the chance. With proper coaxing, you can make things happen that shouldn't. It's convenient to be able to convince the dirt to leave your clothes, for example.

Leading her into the Tavern, he looks around the small mostly unoccupied room. There were several tables set up, and others were pushed against the rightmost wall gathering dust. This place must not get much business. He didn't see his master here, so it was likely he was already resting. Reaching into his pocket, he lays some coins on the bar for a room, and gestures Iris to follow. "I suppose there's not much reason to be shy about sharing a room, is there? Come on, I have something to show you."

Iris

 

[Iris]

"I myself am what's known as a 'Speaker'. Or at least, I'm training to be. I have the ability to speak to the materials that hold our world together." He began to explain further. "The wagon for example, would likely chastise me if I gave it the chance. With proper coaxing, you can make things happen that shouldn't. It's convenient to be able to convince the dirt to leave your clothes, for example.

"Huh? So what kind of chastising would it be. The kind that a mother gives you or a 'you shouldn't do that but please do it again' kind of chastising?" She asked him with a smile. "That kind of skill does sound useful though, like politely asking a stalactite to kill someone who's chasing you and the angry, murderous rock gladly obliges."

Leading her into the Tavern, he looks around the small mostly unoccupied room. There were several tables set up, and others were pushed against the rightmost wall gathering dust. This place must not get much business. He didn't see his master here, so it was likely he was already resting. Reaching into his pocket, he lays some coins on the bar for a room, and gestures Iris to follow. "I suppose there's not much reason to be shy about sharing a room, is there? Come on, I have something to show you."

She grinned, "I don't know. Is there?"

She was intrigued when he said he had something to show her so she followed.

 

[Varys]

Varys cackled a bit at her example, heading up the stairs to the room he'd rented out for them. "That's certainly something I could pull off. Rocks are actually a lot more moody than you'd think. Hell, you would be too, sitting around doing nothing for all that time. As for the wagon, I guess I don't know if it's in to watching or not. Maybe we gave it a good show."

The room he'd rented was nice as far as inns went. There was a decently sized bed, a small dining area with a table and cupboards presumably full of goods, and a large bath behind a partition. Stretching his arms out, Varys yawns and sets his bag on the floor by the bed. "It'll be nice to have another companion along for the ride." He kneels by his bag, sifting through it as he continues. "We've been travelling town to town, putting on fireworks displays and saving up gold while I train my skills. Eventually our goal is to take a caravan out to The Sand Sea. There's an artifact out there somewhere, and it's vital that I be the one to destroy it."

He pulls out a notebook wrapped in a strange blue leather, tossing it to her.

"Razoth's Prism. It's an artifact that can store and transfer living souls, or so it's said. My father had something to do with it before he died in the Falwood wildfires in 365. I..."

He paused, biting his bottom lip.

"I should tell you that I'm not a normal elf, Iris. My Father created me through transmutation, using his own living flesh. He broke every ethical norm in the book to make me, a spitting mirror image of himself. He was going to use that Prism to live on in my body..."

Iris

 

[Iris]

Varys cackled a bit at her example, heading up the stairs to the room he'd rented out for them. "That's certainly something I could pull off. Rocks are actually a lot more moody than you'd think. Hell, you would be too, sitting around doing nothing for all that time. As for the wagon, I guess I don't know if it's in to watching or not. Maybe we gave it a good show."

"Oh we gave it a good show alright." She said with a wicked grin. "And I'd be happy to give it even more shows. As for the rocks, that makes a lot of sense now that I think about it, and if I were them I'd take the opportunity to try killing someone too. Though I do have a question. since stalactites are connected to the mountain or rocks around them, when you talk to them are you talking to the individual stalactite or to the mountain it's connected to? And what happens if it's the latter and the stalactite breaks off?"

The room he'd rented was nice as far as inns went. There was a decently sized bed, a small dining area with a table and cupboards presumably full of goods, and a large bath behind a partition. Stretching his arms out, Varys yawns and sets his bag on the floor by the bed. "It'll be nice to have another companion along for the ride." He kneels by his bag, sifting through it as he continues. "We've been travelling town to town, putting on fireworks displays and saving up gold while I train my skills. Eventually our goal is to take a caravan out to The Sand Sea. There's an artifact out there somewhere, and it's vital that I be the one to destroy it."

He pulls out a notebook wrapped in a strange blue leather, tossing it to her.

She caught the book after she listened to his explanation. The last sentence was of some interest. She opened the notebook while she listened, intruigued.

"Razoth's Prism. It's an artifact that can store and transfer living souls, or so it's said. My father had something to do with it before he died in the Falwood wildfires in 365. I..."

He paused, biting his bottom lip.

"I should tell you that I'm not a normal elf, Iris. My Father created me through transmutation, using his own living flesh. He broke every ethical norm in the book to make me, a spitting mirror image of himself. He was going to use that Prism to live on in my body..."

His explanation told her everything she needed to know. She smiled sadly and patted his shoulder. "I'm sorry to hear that Varys. You didn't deserve that. And I think I might have just found out how I'm going to pay you back for saving my life, twice. I'll help you on your quest. I may not know anything about fireworks but I'm very good with fire, and I happen to be quite the attention grabber. Not to brag but I could help speed up that process in a number of ways, then once it's done, We can consider my debt paid. Unless of course I rack up some more along the way, then I'll need to stay a bit longer."

 

[Varys]

He can't help but smile at her decision. Whatever had happened between them aside, Varys knew damned well that by the end of things, he would need every bit of help he could gather up. The Sand Sea was vast, and there were more than a couple groups who already wanted him dead for one reason or another.

He takes her hand and pulls her into a more genuine embrace. "Thank you, Iris. I wouldn't have asked it of you, but I'm certainly not going to refuse it. Besides..." He pulls away slightly, snickering. "It gets awfully lonely on the road. I'm thankful for the company."

Stepping away from her, he unties his hair, letting it fall down over his shoulders and chest. "For now, we rest. Tomorrow we'll probably be setting off early, heading to Maraan. We'll need to keep an eye out, because somebody keeps sending goons to tail us, and I have a feeling they won't be shy about striking once we hit the Savannah. Maybe I'll get to try your rock trick out if we find some nice, large stones..."

He walks over to the small sink placed near the table and slides his jacket and shirt off. He begins filling the sink's bowl with water, another yawn escaping his thin lips. "I have to make sure all my stuff is cleaned up. I need to look somewhat professional. Though I'd be willing to bet most eyes will be on you..."

Iris

 

[Iris]

He takes her hand and pulls her into a more genuine embrace. "Thank you, Iris. I wouldn't have asked it of you, but I'm certainly not going to refuse it. Besides..." He pulls away slightly, snickering. "It gets awfully lonely on the road. I'm thankful for the company."

This was met with her own snicker. "I bet you are."

Stepping away from her, he unties his hair, letting it fall down over his shoulders and chest. "For now, we rest. Tomorrow we'll probably be setting off early, heading to Maraan. We'll need to keep an eye out, because somebody keeps sending goons to tail us, and I have a feeling they won't be shy about striking once we hit the Savannah. Maybe I'll get to try your rock trick out if we find some nice, large stones..."

"Goons? Oh I wouldn't worry too much about them, unlike that village we escaped from they won't be expecting a demon. I happen to specialize in disintegrating humanoids, and it's quite fun too." She said with an evil smile. "Though I think that rock trick might be fun to watch. Just imagine it, a small river stone pummeling an armored warrior to a bloody pulp on its own."

He walks over to the small sink placed near the table and slides his jacket and shirt off. He begins filling the sink's bowl with water, another yawn escaping his thin lips. "I have to make sure all my stuff is cleaned up. I need to look somewhat professional. Though I'd be willing to bet most eyes will be on you..."

"Why don't you let me handle that. Until such time as my debt is paid consider me a servant." She said scooting him aside and taking his dirty clothes from him.

 

[Varys]

Needless to say, having a creature that looked like Iris slide up and offer to be your 'servant' wasn't exactly something that one could prepare for with any sort of efficiency. He's pushed aside, raising his eyebrows at her as she takes over. "Really, it's not necessary. I don't make a habit out of subjugating people I consider friends to the point of doing menial chores..."

Seeing that she wasn't about to listen, he sighs and sits on the edge of the bed, sliding out of everything but his underclothes. He shakes his head with a bit of a shrug. "I'm not a huge proponent of violence, to be honest with you. I fight if I must, but killing isn't quite my forte.

There was something... interesting... about watching her tidy about like she was happy as could be to clean up after him. Maybe he just wasn't used to having anybody watch over him like this, but...

He looks away, clearing his throat.

"Maybe I'll have to keep finding ways to save you, keep you around longer." He teased.

Iris

 

[Iris]

Needless to say, having a creature that looked like Iris slide up and offer to be your 'servant' wasn't exactly something that one could prepare for with any sort of efficiency. He's pushed aside, raising his eyebrows at her as she takes over. "Really, it's not necessary. I don't make a habit out of subjugating people I consider friends to the point of doing menial chores..."

"Well I owe you my life twice over now don't I?" She stated. "So really, I'm basically required by 'demon law' to repay you. We're not like devils in the sense that we only have power through deals, but they're just as important to us as it is to them, any debt must be repaid. And since we have a goal in mind, I'm basically indebted to you until that goal is achieved. So it has nothing to do with you subjugating anyone, it's just what's owed."

Seeing that she wasn't about to listen, he sighs and sits on the edge of the bed, sliding out of everything but his underclothes. He shakes his head with a bit of a shrug. "I'm not a huge proponent of violence, to be honest with you. I fight if I must, but killing isn't quite my forte.

"To each their own. I've been killing people so long that it's basically become second nature, and the first instinct when I perceive a threat." She said with a shrug. "I suppose it has to do with necessity and beliefs. You haven't really needed to kill anyone on any large scale, so it's reserved for only when there's no other alternative, and that's perfectly fine. Honestly I envy that."

There was something... interesting... about watching her tidy about like she was happy as could be to clean up after him. Maybe he just wasn't used to having anybody watch over him like this, but...

He looks away, clearing his throat.

"Maybe I'll have to keep finding ways to save you, keep you around longer." He teased.

She looked to him with a cocked eyebrow. "You'll have the opportunity I'm sure."

 

[Varys]

"If you say so." He replied as he stood up, walking behind the partition and drawing some water into the bath. He spoke louder, to be heard over the running water. "That law seems rather like a curse to me. You can never have a good deed done for you without being tied to a debt? The more you say it, the more I don't understand the reasoning. Though I suppose that's why I'm not in charge, mm?"

Stopping the water, he steps in and sinks into the hot bath. The day had left him exhausted, and his muscles were still tightly knotted from sleeping on the cave floor they'd laid on the previous night. A steaming bath was one thing that he'd never been able to get when he lived on the streets. Gods above, he'd been missing out.

"So tell me, Iris... This better than hiding in a cave? I figure we can split some of the profit from our shows over to you, since you'll be helping us. Demonic or not, have enough gold and people won't tell you no." He smiled from behind the partition. It felt nice just to have somebody in the room with him, let alone somebody he felt comfortable enough to disrobe around. He'd grown a reputation for being too isolated with his Master.

Iris

 

[Iris]

"If you say so." He replied as he stood up, walking behind the partition and drawing some water into the bath. He spoke louder, to be heard over the running water. "That law seems rather like a curse to me. You can never have a good deed done for you without being tied to a debt? The more you say it, the more I don't understand the reasoning. Though I suppose that's why I'm not in charge, mm?"

She shrugged, "It's something you learn to live with. Sure it sucks every now and then but ultimately it's not something that can be worked around. And it's not like it was something decided upon by us demons, it's just something that's always been."

"So tell me, Iris... This better than hiding in a cave? I figure we can split some of the profit from our shows over to you, since you'll be helping us. Demonic or not, have enough gold and people won't tell you no." He smiled from behind the partition. It felt nice just to have somebody in the room with him, let alone somebody he felt comfortable enough to disrobe around. He'd grown a reputation for being too isolated with his Master.

"Yes, it is." She said with a smile. "I don't really need pay. What would I use it for? I can hide my wings by disguising them as a cloak but ultimately if anyone looked close enough they'd see that they're actual wings. So in reality I wouldn't have anything to use it for. Really, all I need is food and that's it."

 

[Varys]

Varys turns his head, reaching out and scooting the partition aside to look at her from his bath. "Just because it's always been doesn't mean it's right. There's nothing to be done though, I suppose. I still think you deserve better than that. You aren't a bad person, Iris. You just... had bad luck, I suppose."

He knew that might not mean anything to her, and rolling back into place in the bath, he shut his eyes. What would she do when they destroyed The Prism? Move on and wander like she had been doing? It wasn't anyway to live, and Varys knew that first hand.

He began to climb out of the water, the relaxing effect it had on his muscles pulling at his consciousness as he replayed the day in his head. There were so many things that could have went wrong with that stunt he pulled earlier. The fact it worked was based on luck alone. The reward had been worth it though, he supposed. Collapsing into the bed with a yawn, the bare-skinned elf stretched.

"Geez. I'm beat. My body is still all jumbled up from sleeping in that cave. Hopefully I can get some decent sleep. How're you feeling?"

Iris

 

[Iris]

Varys turns his head, reaching out and scooting the partition aside to look at her from his bath. "Just because it's always been doesn't mean it's right. There's nothing to be done though, I suppose. I still think you deserve better than that. You aren't a bad person, Iris. You just... had bad luck, I suppose."

She smiled at him. "That's sweet of you to say. But it's fine, really. It's not like things are fair for anyone else. That's just the way life is. It's not right, it's not fair, it frequently sucks, but the only thing we can really do is learn to live with it."

She had been wondering that herself. She had a debt to pay, and once it was paid what would she do? She hated to say it, especially since she hasn't been with him long, but she'd already grown a little attached to him. He was one of the few people she could number among her friends, if not the only person.

"Geez. I'm beat. My body is still all jumbled up from sleeping in that cave. Hopefully I can get some decent sleep. How're you feeling?"

She giggled, "You really need to limber up if that's the case. I've been sleeping in caves for years, and I can tell you the best way to get through it is to stretch."

She demonstrated by dropping into the splits, then twisting her torso almost all the way around, placing her hands behind her, lifting her legs and butt off the ground and moving them over her head whilst twisting them the other way around so that she landed on her feet and stood up facing him. "See? And you don't even need acrobatics, just get flexible and you're done."

 

[Varys]

He supposed she was right. Life had a habit of being downright cruel to people who didn't deserve it. More often than not, fate was a fickle mistress. Varys was being naïve, and he knew it quite well. It didn't stop him from feeling the way he did about it.

Laying on his side, he watches her as she seems to think for a moment. She would be invaluable in the days to come, and while he certainly wished that she didn't have to feel as though this was all owed to him, he couldn't deny that he was extremely glad she was around for now.

"Limber up?" He didn't plan on sleeping in caves much, but he was a bit curious as to what she meant.

He certainly didn't have to ask. The way she dropped body down, twisting and pulling herself in all different directions... It was both impressive, and a display that Varys felt the need to burn into his mind. It didn't leave much to the imagination... He clears his throat as she finished, his eyes making no attempt to hide their admiration.

"That's... wow." He clears his throat, crossing one leg over the other. "Suddenly I'm wondering what I have to do for a more detailed run through of that." He laughs. This woman knew how to catch his attention.

Iris

 

[Iris]

"Limber up?" He didn't plan on sleeping in caves much, but he was a bit curious as to what she meant.

He certainly didn't have to ask. The way she dropped body down, twisting and pulling herself in all different directions... It was both impressive, and a display that Varys felt the need to burn into his mind. It didn't leave much to the imagination... He clears his throat as she finished, his eyes making no attempt to hide their admiration.

"That's... wow." He clears his throat, crossing one leg over the other. "Suddenly I'm wondering what I have to do for a more detailed run through of that." He laughs. This woman knew how to catch his attention.

She smiled. "I can be a bit more provocative if you want me to be~"

She climbed into the bed with him. She wiggled her way into his side and grinned. "I'll give you a lengthier show in the morning. To get you awake that is."

She knew exactly what he was feeling. But she'd leave it up to him if he wanted to postpone sleep a little further. She just laid her head on his shoulder and began to snooze. Before too long she was asleep, and wouldn't wake up until morning.

 

[Varys]

Varys smiled as she nestled into his side, his arms rising to wrap around her. There was something about the company of somebody else that put his body at ease much more easily than it normally would. His head lolled to the side, his eyes sliding shut as he focused on the sound of the breathing beside him. It wasn't long before he followed her in sleep.

They'd barely moved an inch when he awoke, and as the morning light peeked through the window over their heads, he stretched. He couldn't remember the last time he had such a good rest. He'd been having difficulty with sleep for weeks now, ever since they'd been attacked during the night while camping with the wagon.

He looks down at the likely reason for his sound sleep, still nestled into his arms. Moving his hands down her frame, he mutters down with a snicker. "Rise and shine. I'd hate to leave you in bed all alone."

Iris

 

[Iris]

He looks down at the likely reason for his sound sleep, still nestled into his arms. Moving his hands down her frame, he mutters down with a snicker. "Rise and shine. I'd hate to leave you in bed all alone."

She yawned when told to wake up. She smiled up at him. "Morning."

She sat up and stretched her wings out. Then a thought crossed her mind and she dropped into full splits again. She leaned to the side faceup, reaching over her head for her left foot. Then for the other side. Placing her hands down she stood up, on her hands, and kept her legs apart. She looked at him with mischief. "I promised you a show, allow me to deliver."

 

[Varys]

Varys was still waking up himself; His rousing of Iris had been more or less in good fun. The still groggy elf didn't expect the first thing she did to be roll her self up and put herself on full display for him. Not that he was complaining. How many people would kill for that to be the first sight they wake up to? He bites the inside of his cheek, holding back a colorful word of admiration.

Reaching out, he allows his hands to have a more extensive examination of her posture. "I was going to suggest breakfast, but I think this could be much more interesting..."

Iris

 

[Iris]

Reaching out, he allows his hands to have a more extensive examination of her posture. "I was going to suggest breakfast, but I think this could be much more interesting..."

She grinned, and continued her twists and bends. It was a ten minute long performance, not that long, but it was good enough to grab attention. And when she finished she stood straight and smirked in his direction. "How'd you like it? Any notes?"

Of course, she was happy to provide him with other such performances in the future, but she couldn't deny that she was hungry. So once he was thoroughly woken up she gestured for him to lead the way. She supposed it was time she met his master.

 

[Varys]

(Okay! Finally feeling ready to write Varys again! Thanks for bearing with me on that little character break.)

Varys was more than happy to be her sole audience member for that little attention grabber. Honestly, the fact that she seemed to spring awake so quickly was more impressive than anything else to the elf. He slides off of the bed, dressing himself in decidedly more normal, ordinary clothes than the ones he'd been wearing before. He packed the one's she'd washed into the large back he'd carried up with them. There was no sense dirtying them before they needed to. Turning his head, he quips back to Iris with a sarcastic edge. "Nah, next time I'll give you some hands on advice."

He tied his hair back in place, before throwing it up and letting it fall over his shoulders a bit. Following her gesture, he reached in front of her and opened the door, waggling his eyebrows a bit down at her. "Please, ladies first."

Varys' master was waiting for them, and he wasn't entirely thrilled with his apprentice. Having a woman stay with him wasn't the issue; He was more upset that he'd waited without telling either he nor their driver what was going on. All that Varys could do was bow his head and apologize. It was clear that Varys' respect for the man was immense.

Still, he agreed to bring Iris along with them on the condition that she help Varys out with his duties.

As they exited the tavern Varys stretched out, obviously stressed from the interaction. Luckily, everything was already loaded into the wagon and ready to go. They just needed to wait for Burr, Varys' master, to be ready. He leans on the wall of the building they'd stayed in, sighing. "I owe a lot to that guy. Picking up some orphaned elf off the streets... He didn't need to do that."

Reaching out, he nudged her playfully. "I know you though. Even if he'd said no, you're too stubborn to not come along."

Iris

 

[Iris]

(Okay! Finally feeling ready to write Varys again! Thanks for bearing with me on that little character break.)

(It's no issue, really.)

Varys was more than happy to be her sole audience member for that little attention grabber. Honestly, the fact that she seemed to spring awake so quickly was more impressive than anything else to the elf. He slides off of the bed, dressing himself in decidedly more normal, ordinary clothes than the ones he'd been wearing before. He packed the one's she'd washed into the large back he'd carried up with them. There was no sense dirtying them before they needed to. Turning his head, he quips back to Iris with a sarcastic edge. "Nah, next time I'll give you some hands on advice."

She grinned at that and said in reply. "I look forward to it~"

He tied his hair back in place, before throwing it up and letting it fall over his shoulders a bit. Following her gesture, he reached in front of her and opened the door, waggling his eyebrows a bit down at her. "Please, ladies first."

Varys' master was waiting for them, and he wasn't entirely thrilled with his apprentice. Having a woman stay with him wasn't the issue; He was more upset that he'd waited without telling either he nor their driver what was going on. All that Varys could do was bow his head and apologize. It was clear that Varys' respect for the man was immense.

Still, he agreed to bring Iris along with them on the condition that she help Varys out with his duties.

She rolled her eyes, "Such a gentleman."

They met up with his master, a man named Burr. She made sure to be polite and to mind her manners when speaking with him. She made sure to show gratitude when he allowed her to stay, and she gave him her word that she'd help out wherever she could. She noticed Varys and his interaction with the man, and saw immediately how Varys saw this man.

So when they left the inn she gave him a quick appreciative hug. "Thanks. It's nice to know I belong somewhere."

As they exited the tavern Varys stretched out, obviously stressed from the interaction. Luckily, everything was already loaded into the wagon and ready to go. They just needed to wait for Burr, Varys' master, to be ready. He leans on the wall of the building they'd stayed in, sighing. "I owe a lot to that guy. Picking up some orphaned elf off the streets... He didn't need to do that."

Reaching out, he nudged her playfully. "I know you though. Even if he'd said no, you're too stubborn to not come along."

She patted his shoulder. Then giggled, "Maybe, but I'd be respectful to a point. I'd just follow you around, not join you in most cases."

 

[Varys]

Varys had to hold back a laugh as he unlatched the back of the wagon to open it up. There was still a bit of a mess; things thrown around from the 'bumpy' trip here. Climbing up into the wagon, he begins to replace some fancy looking jars that had slid around. "You don't need to worry about belonging. You'll always have a place as long as I can help it." They'd both suffered the pain of loneliness in their lives. The least they could do was try an alleviate it.

"You ever been to Maraan?" He turns around, finishing his clean up and adjusting the cover over the wagon." "It's a small trading city, out by the Aberresai Savannah. Anything you're looking for, you can probably find it there. Should be a lot of gold to be made." He winks at her with a smirk, sliding back out of the wagon and poking her on the chest.

"I have a sneaking suspicion that you're going to make hauling all our junk from town to town a bit more interesting, Iris."

His master arrived not long after, ushering them into the wagon and climbing up into the driver's seat. The invisible force that seemed to pull the horseless wagon started up once more. They were off.

Iris