The Unicorn's Forest

As she walked, she felt so giddy about being in her old clothing that she barely even noticed the time passing at all. She could even point out places that she and her friends had encountered before when they first had arrived. Even where she was able to find the first red speckled mushroom was noticeable to her. Though, she suspected that part had to do with the Lost more than anything else.

When she neared the gate, she only stopped because about a hundred feet from the gate, she found the tunic and leggings on the ground. They weren't folded neatly like her own clothing had been, but rather they looked like they'd been dropped without a care.

Jenn wasn't sure what to make of the difference, but she had a feeling it had been her friends who had folded her clothing. Because if she didn't fold it herself while under the influence of the Lost, then it would beg the question who would fold her clothing, put it in her pack, and then leave it? The only answer that came to mind was her friends.

Which actually made her feel rather guilty about leaving them, no matter how determined she was to keep them away from her. She knew that if she let any of them know exactly where she was, that it would only be a matter of time before Beth showed up. Which would ensure her death. Even though Jenn still couldn't figure out why that would be.

Shaking those thoughts from her mind, she quickly picked up the tunic and leggings before crossing the distance to the gate. As she approached it, she stopped. While she knew that the gates were created by magic, she suddenly felt like they should do something to make it clear just where they were.

Yet, she pushed those thoughts out of her mind. It wasn't her business to deal with since she have any reason to worry about those so much, so it wasn't like it mattered what she might think of to make the gates easier to notice.

She was just there to let the people she'd saved know that she was done with the lost, to see what they had done since she'd shown them that world, and to collect Cithis and Haln before leaving. She wasn't sure what she should do after that, but she at least didn't plan on sticking around. She wanted to get started on finding that griffin canyon as soon as possible, and no matter how long her plans took, she didn't expect to need to stay there for more than a day.

Stepping through the gate, Jenn felt the familiar sensation of walking through water without getting wet. While it was familiar, she doubted that she'd ever get used to it. It was like each time she should be searching for a towel, even though she knew by now that it was merely just what it felt like rather than actual reality.

When she looked around, she felt surprised at was what around her.

First, the cul-de-sac was still there, with cliff walls about twenty feet high at the lowest end all around it, but it looked like some buildings had been erected that didn't seem to have a clear purpose, although she couldn't say for certain, since as far as she knew, it was merely a shelter for someone to sleep in and they put it there because there was space there.

As Jenn walked down out of the cul-de-sac, she could see several other buildings had been erected, some much more sturdily built than others. Which told her which had been built first, since she saw a few of the more rickety buildings being replaced by buildings that just took longer to build, since more care was taken in their construction.

Jenn could see everyone working, even the children seemed to have been given a task that they were at least capable of completing without trouble. Even if it was carrying small loads.

Not that Jenn could tell what the loads were for, as some carried boards, others sticks, others rocks, and so on. While some had a purpose Jenn was pretty sure she could tell what the purpose of it was, others made her feel a little lost on what purpose the load might be used for.

Jenn could also see some areas where the soil had been turned and seeds had been planted, though she couldn't say for certain what had been planted, since nothing had started growing just yet. Which she didn't find that surprising, given how some plants tended to take a little longer than others before sprouting.

What stopped Jenn in her tracks as she wandered around was a large building that was at least two stories tall, but looked like they might plan on adding a third to it. It was larger than the other buildings and Jenn couldn't help but wonder if this was going to be the central building for this settlement. Such as where the people would gather for emergencies or for whatever form of government that would be established here.

Jenn turned around, scanning her surroundings, not sure precisely if that building was being used for that just yet, but when nothing else caught her eye, she merely turned and started walking towards the doors to it. If nothing else, she felt that going up to the second story might help give her a better view to see where the people in charge might be.

Or at least where she might find the children who had adopted her as their mother. Whom she'd accepted as her own children, despite the fact that there was no way she was old enough to have actually had children that old already.

However, as she entered the building, she nearly ran into Cithis. Literally.

"Mother?" Cithis asked as she backed up from the near collision.

"Yeah, I'm back," Jenn said, giving Cithis a smile.

Cithis looked like she wasn't sure what to do, almost like she was conflicted about something. Not that Jenn could think of what that might be.

Though a moment later she wondered if maybe Cithis had needed emotional support and so adopted someone else as her mother or something like that. If that was the case, then Jenn would happily let Cithis decide what she wanted. It should be about what would be best for Cithis anyway, rather than what Jen herself would or wouldn't like.

"Mother, what're you wearing?" Cithis asked, sounding like she there was something wrong with what Jenn had on.

"Is something wrong with it?" Jenn asked, looking at her clothing, not sure what the problem might be.

"What- what is it?" Chithis stammered, making Jenn wonder if that might be what had prompted Cithis' conflicted expression.

"It's the clothing I brought from my own world," Jenn replied, walking around Cithis into the building.

Cithis merely shook her head. "I gotta let the others know you've returned," she said, sounding like it was another task that she didn't care to do herself, but didn't have anyone she could ask to do. Which somehow made Cithis sound like she was about at least three times as old as she was. As she left like she looked like had too many things to take care of herself, but still needed to get them done.

Which made Jenn wonder exactly what might have been going on here while she was gone. Especially since she had no idea where she was expected to wait, or for how long. As the only reason Jenn could think of that others needed to be informed of her return was so that they could come meet with her or something. Jenn wasn't quite clear on what the details might be, even though she was at least certain that this was the building she had been looking for. As it at least had brought her face to face with Cithis.

Jenn figured she could at least look around, though the building looked a little sparse, with no furniture, but given how much was going on in the rest of the settlement, she didn't think she should be surprised at that. They were clearly still busy taking care of some of the more basic needs, and so hadn't quite had time to work on some of the less important items, like furniture.

Aside from the stairs at the other end of the room, Jenn noticed a few doors that looked like they might lead to other rooms. One of which was slightly ajar and Jenn could see some light shining though it, which made her wonder if there was a window through that door.

She walked over, just out of curiosity to see what was on the other side of it, and nearly ran into another person again. Literally.

The woman she nearly collided with again had been walking out of the room, and had silver-blue hair and grey eyes. Jenn was pretty sure her name was Laer.

"Where are you supposed to be assigned?" Laer snapped without looking at Jenn. "You know everyone's supposed to keep working until the sun goes down."

Jenn felt a little annoyed at the treatment she was receiving, but a thought came to mind. If Laer wasn't going to pay attention to her, then she could at least see where this conversation might lead. After all, she hadn't exactly been assigned anywhere to work, after all, but she had a feeling that Laer wouldn't listen if she tried explaining that point.

"Uh, but what if something happened that needed to be reported?" Jenn asked, stepping aside as Laer left the room and closed the door behind her.

"Then your supervisor should be the one reporting it, not you," Laer replied, starting to walk away.

Jenn wondered if Laer was expecting her to just 'return' to wherever she had been 'assigned' rather than continue to talk. Which only made it more entertaining for Jenn to continue to do so. Which in turn made her wonder if that might be why Ralph enjoyed his pranks so much.

"Uh, and what if that 'something' happened to the supervisor so he's not able to come over?"

Laer stopped and turned to glare at Jenn. "What are you talking about?" she snapped, making Jenn wonder if her pressing the issue was what was making Laer so angry or if there was something she said inadvertently that set Laer over the edge. "What supervisor would be a man?"

Jenn wracked her brain trying to figure out what she had said that was so upsetting to Laer, but with her question, Jenn realized what her mistake had been. "Sorry, I misspoke," Jenn replied, bowing her head. "I meant, 'what if she's not able to come over?'"

Laer turned away, as if she was satisfied with Jenn's response, only to snap her head back at Jenn, her eyes blazing, making Jenn wonder just what she'd said wrong this time.

Jenn was about to ask what the problem was when Laer knelt on one knee and bowed her head towards Jenn. "Forgive me, my lady. I didn't realize it was you."

Jenn felt a number of things going through her mind. First was confusion as to why she felt she needed to apologize. With how Jenn had figured they'd have already come up with a power structure that didn't involve her while she was away. Second, there wasn't any reason for her to have expected Jenn at that particular time, so it wasn't like Jenn would have been upset at her. And third, she felt like she was going to get a headache as she learned why Laer was still looking at her like that. Like she was still the leader of this settlement. Or at least the top authority here.

"It's okay," Jenn said in a monotone, not sure if she should have tried putting any feeling one way or the other in her statement.

Laer didn't seem to find any problem with it, but merely stood up and said, "While you've been away we've been working at preparing for your return. Some thought you'd be here today while others expected you back tomorrow, so not everything is ready for you to be here."

Jenn sighed. As Laer spoke, it was clear that her worst fears were being confirmed. That Jenn herself was still going to be the one in charge of these people. Which also meant that she was going to have a harder time with seeking out the griffin canyon, unless she could find some way to get these people to let her move around on her own some of the time. Which wasn't what she understood most leader did. Especially when it came to keeping them safe from that person from getting themselves killed when there wasn't anyone to take over after them.

However, if she left them without establishing a power structure, she likely would be leaving them in the lurch. As the people might not agree so easily on who to lead them, which could create more problems than they could solve at this moment. Especially with other more important problems yet to be fully resolved. Such as if they'd have enough food.

Besides, one of the anime series she remembered her friends having her watch had a line that came to mind. About how if 'they' weren't willing to take responsibility, then they shouldn't get any more involved. While she didn't want to get 'any more involved' with these people, she had to admit that she'd already gotten involved more than she had anticipated. After all, if she selected a leader for them, then that would be getting more involved as well.

Which meant either she 'take responsibility' or leave these people to whatever fate they might have without her. Which also wasn't something she could bear to have on her conscience.

Sighing, Jenn couldn't help but look at Laer. "Cithis went to get… uh, the others," Jenn said, only hesitating when she realized she had no idea who Cithis went to collect. Or at least that's what she assumed Cithis' purpose for 'letting the others know she'd returned' had been. "So, while she's gone, would you fill me in on everything that's gone on while I was away?"

"Of course, my lady," Laer said, motioning towards the door she'd just come out of. "If you'll follow me, I'll show you what we've been able to do so far."

Laer led Jenn through the door and began showing Jenn documents on parchment detailing plans, resources that they've started to harvest, resources they'd marked to harvest later on, housing needs, and what needs they still had in order to really stabilize the settlement.

Jenn listened and did her best to keep up. She wasn't very worried about what resources they were considering harvesting later on, since that was a problem for then. While Jenn had a few questions about what she'd been told, she didn't see a need to say anything right then. Partly because she wasn't sure if her questions either were applicable or pertinent to the subject.

Still, she felt like she had a good idea of what was going on when a knock came at the door. Jenn was mulling over some of the points of the documents as she wanted to see if any other ideas might come to mind. Such as if there was anything that could be found to help supplement their food supply outside of hunting.

"Is mother in here?" Jenn heard Cithis ask when Laer opened the door.

"She is," Laer replied, letting Cithis enter.

"Mother, we're ready for you," Cithis said, making Jenn feel like a few important details were being left out.

Such as if this was for a meeting or to present her to everyone, or any other number of reasons that Jenn didn't care to think about at that moment. Her mind was full enough at the moment. To the point where she wasn't sure if she had room to deal with more at the moment, even though she was pretty sure that she really didn't have a choice in the matter at that moment.

Sighing, she set the parchment down and followed Cithis and Laer out of the room. Which as she was leaving, Jenn realized that it was more of a small office than anything else. It was rather cozy, but still a little too sterile for Jenn's tastes. She wondered if maybe she could justify seeing if anyone could do some kind of artwork to help give the office a little more atmosphere and not look so utilitarian.

As she left, as was surprised to see how many people were waiting for her. There were all the people that had been at the meeting she'd had before she led everyone through the gate, but then there were several other people who Jenn only recognized as having been a part of the slaves that she'd freed.

"Mother, before we start on the meeting, there's a few problems that we couldn't resolve before you got back," Cithis said, making Jenn wonder just how long she should expect all of this to take.

"Might as well get it started then," Jenn said, only then realizing she still had her pack on her shoulder. So, as she set it down by the door to the office, she asked, "Who's first?"

Cithis motioned for two people to step forward. It was a young woman a little older than Jenn in the basic tunic and leggings the women around here seemed to wear and a young man, who looked like he might be getting close to being twenty in the basic hooded dress the men seemed to wear. The young woman was glaring at the young man, while the young man looked like he'd rather be anywhere but there at that moment.

Jenn waited for someone to say something, but when everyone stayed quiet, she wasn't sure what to do about it. She didn't know what the problem was or if there was a real problem to begin with. So, she looked at Cithis, hoping she might actually have something that could help move things along.