FWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSH!!!
"NOT AGAIN!!"
"Well, I'm in the forest, so I didn't actually get affected much."
Walking through the forest, Theo wonders if there's actually a way out, since, well, he didn't see any plains all the way back when he was on the mushroom.
"I wonder why I even said I could go to the mountain, 1 second into a new world and my brain thought a death sentence was a good idea."
"Exactly why I went in the opposite way, but fuck is this boring…"
Regardless he goes on, collecting blue tree fruits along the way.
"Should I collect the leaves too?"
"They're light… I guess it won't hurt to take some, you never know what's useful or not."
"Step step steppity step…"
"I never bothered to properly check the ground…"
"I'm not exactly a botanist though."
"Regardless, if something smells nice I'll pick it up…"
As beautiful as the forest is, having a slime moving around in your backpack isn't very comfortable.
Sitting down to relax, Theo rips out a bit more flesh to eat.
"You know it's like got that sweet tang to it…"
"Indescribable texture though."
"I still haven't got anywhere, the forest just extends to all directions now…"
"Not like I can climb another mushroom…"
Ignoring his troubles, he stands up and walks again.
"There sure are a lot of plant species compared to the animal ones, if there even are any…"
"At least I know 2… monster species? Dragons exist and slimes too, I guess."
"One two three three two one one two three three two one one two three…'
"Blablablabla, bla bla bla blaaaaaaa…"
"Something about this forest…"
"..."
Continuing his walk, there is a sound creeping into Theo's ear…
"Water flowing?"
"River maybe?"
"I didn't see any rivers before on the mushroom, or going into or from the lake…"
Since rivers usually would lead to civilization, if there is any, Theo quickly gets to finding it
"I'm quite sure if I go downstream I can find at least a village or something…"
"If I'm alone in this world I am done for so there better be a fuckass village!"
plip
… plip plop
plip
…
plip plop plap
…
plapplopplapplipplapplopplapplipplopplapplipplapplopplapplopplapplipplapplapplo-
"NOW it's fucking raining of all times?"
As the droplets pour down, Theo starts running downstream, thinking he'll capture less droplets that way, entirely forgetting that if he just ran a bit more in the forest there would be almost full coverage.
BOOM!
"It's thundering too??"
SPLASH!
"cough cough Oh shit…"
Theo stupidly trips over, and falls into the river.
"At least it's not that deep…"
''sigh''
''cough cough…''
''Regardless, we press on.''
''So fucking wet…''
Stepping out of the river, Theo hides under a tree for a bit, wondering if to continue or not.
''I literally don't even have a choice…"
"Man, magical world and all that and I don't even get to use magic!"
"At least the slime is still sloshing inside my bag…"
"My bag with various plant based things also is completely fine?"
Standing up, Theo starts walking downstream again, though under the cover of trees.
"I also didn't get any injuries again…"
"Oh well, lucky me!"
The petrichor and sound of rain, with the occasional droplets falling onto Theo, evoked a few memories.
It was somewhere in October, during his younger years. For some unknown to Theo meteorological reasons, it rained for a week straight.
It wasn't extremely powerful rain, but if it rains for 7 days straight, you'll get some sort of flooding guaranteed.
Since Theo lived on the 5th floor of his apartment complex, he didn't really care.
However, he was still forced to go to school, which he found pretty funny, as only in front of his complex was already a puddle so large and deep you'd absolutely have to jump over it just to walk forward.
This wasn't really a problem either, Theo knows how to jump.
Knowing how to use an umbrella too, there was no problem with going to school.
"Yet my bag and pants are still wet."
Inside his head, Theo had many thoughts about the rain.
"The rain from the umbrella falls onto my bag, and neither does the umbrella block all rain, so my pants still get wet."
Funnily enough, Theo doesn't care about this either, it's just a simple complaint.
He takes a photo from up top to show his wet pants, and sends it to the family group chat with a 'lol' attached.
"Since it's been raining so long there isn't even that rain smell or whatever…"
It's a simple memory, nothing bad really happened. It was just thought of, as during this predicament…
"I DON'T HAVE A FUCKING UMBRELLA!!"
"MY ENTIRE SHIT IS WET NOT JUST PANTS!"
"to be fair it was already wet from the river fall cough cough…"
The rain and wind got significantly stronger, with the leaves being pushed back so much it did not matter where he walked anymore.
Starting to run again, Theo actually sees the end of the forest downstream.
Based on first impressions, it seemed like plains, grasslands, or something alike.
"Wouldn't I catch more rain somewhere where there aren't any trees in the first place…?"
Utilizing critical thinking, Theo just runs to the nearest large mushroom.
''It's like, 50 meters that way. Why didn't I think of using it as a cover?"
Quickly arriving, he just positions himself in a way that the rain or wind doesn't reach him properly.
"But weren't these mushrooms really weak?"
While saying that, he looks into the sky for a second or two.
"Wait what was that.."
"IS THAT A GIANT MUSHROOM CAP?!"
Looking above him, he witnesses the truth.
The mushroom he is below right now, is very wobbly.
"Eh, the trunk is so large it'll probably protect me well enough."
But as the wind picks up, Theo's luck doesn't increase by the same values.
"IT TOOK THE FUCKING TRUNK WITH IT?!"
"How is that even cough cough possible!"
"You know what."
"The weather can just take me."
Expanding out his arms…
"Yeah nah I'm joking."
"I'm so wet it'll probably be fine if I just walk through the trees again, it's not like I'll be less wet anytime soon."
Walking a little bit away from the river downstream, Theo is approaching the plains.
"Could this be considered a hypothermia speedrun?"
But weirdly enough, Theo soon notices the feeling of heat on his back, and shadows forming in front of him.
Looking up at the sky, Theo sees the lovely blue, and the sun peeking from the leaves of trees.
Theo gasps. "It's clear…"
"But…"
Sighing, making a concerning look in his face. "... What's with the triangle shape?"
The clouds were split, but in a rather peculiar manner.
"Did someone, like, swing their sword really hard?"
Theo shrugs it off. "It's a magical world, so who cares.
Since the sky is clear and the rains and winds are no more, it's just a relaxing walk to the plains, and soon enough, Theo arrives at the edge of the forest, with the new biome right in front.
"Should I like, say, a title card? or something like…"
"NEW CHAPTER: THE PLAINS"
"Or like…"
"THE GRASSLANDS"
Theo chuckles. "I mean, it's pretty funny."
"I don't really see any signs of civilizations though, apart from whoever cut that storm open."
"Wait if the cloud was cut upstream of the river…"
"So there's civilization upstream…"
Theo laughs. "My ass is NOT going back though."
Continuing his journey downstream, Theo notices flowers here and there, but that's about it…
"Damn there is nothing out here…"
Looking at the flowers, Theo realizes something. "All these species are different from the forest ones though…"
"Makes sense. This isn't the forest."
Kissed by the sun, there's a thing Theo wants to mention though. "Finally I am hearing…
"The sounds of creatures."
"Insects, to be specific. Though I can't say I know where they are."
Since the forest didn't have anything but our trusty slime and a dragon, this was literally a breath of fresh air, or, sound one might say.
"Place is teeming with life. What's next, birds?"
tweet tweet t-t-t-tweet
Theo laughs. "Simply transcendent.''
''I definitely did not need to be that fancy.''
"However, where the fuck is it coming from?"
"Not like there are any trees nearby…"
"Little guy is probably just somewhere on the ground like the insects, I guess."
Walking by the river, Theo stares into the distance. ''Fields?''
At that moment, it was clear, as fields don't come out of nowhere without civilization. ''Though I can't actually see any village or city or whatever… Well, the field goes up a hill so it makes sense.''
Continuing his walk, with a little more ambition now, Theo finally reached the part of the river surrounded by a field. ''Seems like a grain. Wheat? Barley? Definitely not rice… Oat?''
''Doesn't look like any earth grain species really…''
''It's still got that golden brown look though, maybe it's harvest season. I don't know though, never knew much about agriculture.''
''What I do know though… is that thing in the distance is definitely a village.''
''If a village is like, a settlement smaller than a city.''
There is also a path, probably created by farmers walking back and forth in the field.
''Though why doesn't it extend further?''
Whatever, it's not like there's anything important behind me – Theo thought.
I'm guessing I should talk inside my head now, villagers would probably find it weird when someone is blabbering in a language they have never heard of, though, if they don't speak english, I truly wonder how I plan to communicate.
"Waaah! Sesj lisedyv?"
"eek!"
Did I seriously get scared?
But soon Theo realized that – what he got scared by, was a mischievous little boy.
Though since he did not understand whatever the kid said, Theo tried various gestures, hoping they'll make the boy understand.
Wait – why am I even making gestures? I don't really have anything to ask, I just want to continue walking.
"Isj odk?"
Oh, actually, I'll try to gesture the fact that I can't speak and if I can continue walking.
Not exactly being an expert at communicating with children though, whether by gestures or actual words, Theo's efforts are quite futile.
What if I try gesturing that I need to eat something?
Pointing to his mouth, surprisingly enough, it does work.
''Umod aman az tij tachen uzum ej kat oldij echc odken iltsej ez alker im aknimam!''
I don't really understand the kid, but he's pointing towards the village, so I'll follow him.
According to Theo, the village is surprisingly special, 'The houses have slanted roofs, which adds up since this seems like a European-like society, though the architecture sure is interesting.' – 'It's surely similar to various European styles I've seen, though I can't say it's like anything on earth, if anything… who the fuck designed these houses?
I mean, I shouldn't be critical of them. I too would triangle-max if I was in a medieval society.
''Tivulm simu?''
''What?''
Oh shit I accidentally responded out of instinct.
''Sezum ezkat!''
? Maybe he understood me?
Walking through the village, Theo gets quite a few questionable stares, most probably due to the outfit.
I know my outfit is primitive but like where's the different options?!
Soon enough though, the boy leads Theo to a house at the other end of the village. It's really just like the other houses, a stone base, triangle roof, and in between the houses are triangular canals most likely to lead water somewhere else. 'But they live right next to a river… truly curious as to what purpose those canals hold.'
The boy knocks on the door, and with rushing footsteps a younger woman opens the door.
''INELOVOD ZEB NEV TIJ SAMEN EZ ALKER IT MESJ!''
''Huh.. Yt isj odk?''
The little boy points at Theo, with a silly smile proclaiming – ''Daramak jum!''
"Jajajaj…"
"Im simuzor?"
"..."
"Do you understand me?"
"What?!"
She can speak English? That doesn't add up…
"Might I ask who you are?"
What do I even answer with? That I'm homeless? That I'm the keeper of slimes (I mean It's just one slime but you know…)
"I'm… Uhh… an adventurer from a far away land!"
Do I mention my intentions too?
"I'm looking for temporary shelter."
Or something like that… in all honesty I don't know what I even want.
"I see, come in then."
The young woman leads Theo into the surprisingly cozy home, with the boy following behind.
"Might I ask… how can you understand me, and speak to me?"
"Magic."
"MAGIC?!" – "My bad. I'm just curious."
"I'll explain later. Go up the ladder, and have a change of clothes."
There's a straw bed up here, and clothes uhh… oh they're in a cabinet. It's kinda funny looking but alright.
Theo picks an interesting shirt and pants, and an undergarment. 'What are these even made out of though?' – 'Oh well, who cares. I forgot to put my bags down…'
Putting his bags down, one of them slightly opened and…
"MY FUCKING SLIME!!!"
The slime crawled out of the bag, and fell from the upper floor down.
shbloing… schbloing… scbloing…
"IS THAT A FUCKING SLIME?!... Sorry, I should mind my manners."
"What?"
Theo was confused as to why she'd be shocked, but ignoring it, he changed into the new clothes.
"Going down…"
The young boy is now sitting at the table, he looks happy, that's nice... Nevermind he's playing with my slime.
"So what's with the whole magic thing? And the slime thing…"
"A long time ago, a mage selected by the kingdom gave out a type of wooden earring, and also taught 'the talented' magic."
"Okayyy… and?"
"And well these earrings had a specific engraving on them, that according to the mage, 'translated foreign tongue'. That's also why my little brother could understand you."
"But he couldn't speak to me, and you can."
"Well yeah that's the magic part. The mage said I looked talented, whatever that was supposed to mean, and taught me some magic basics, one of them being translation."
"So you can translate your own spoken words into my language? But you don't know what language I speak do you?"
"Yes of course I don't know, the spell works automatically. In all honesty the mage never taught me enough for me to know how it works, and my family doesn't have enough money to get me into the academy."
"I see… I never asked your name did I?"
"I'm Alice."
"I'm Theodore, you can call me Theo."
"But uhh Alice… What was with the reaction to the slime?"
Alice looks at her little brother playing with the slime, and sighs. "It also relates to the mage."
"While he was teaching me various subjects, I also learned a few things about this world. This includes the beasts of this world."
"We didn't really go over every beast, but there were a few 'It's important you know about these', and one of those was the slime."
An interested look formed on Theo's face. "But what's special about it?"
"The book, 'MonstraMagiekula' mentioned less than 25 have ever been found, and that the current ones are all dead or under research by the various institutions of the world."
"Does that really constitute such a reaction…"
"Uhhh… I like rare things."
"Right."
After a lot of discussion, the sun falls below the horizon, and the day seems to come to a close.
Theo, still curious about the world, has more questions – however, he's also curious about Alice. "People usually don't know how to read in times like these. Since you mentioned a book earlier, Monstra something something… does that mean you can read?"
"The mage also taught me."
"Ah yeah that makes sense."
Theo soon finds the slime crawling to him, since Alice's brother went to bed. 'Did this blob get attached to me while being in my backpack?'
"You can sleep on the straw bed up there."
After providing instructions, Alice goes to her own bed, and the house is silent.
But Theo's thoughts aren't. 'This bed is strangely comfortable…'
You know, do they eat dinner? or drink water? My head kinda hurts, I'm not gonna lie. My throat is also dry from all the talking.
I wonder, last night I didn't see any moon… does this world have a moon? The window up here is way too small to actually see… I guess I could ask tomorrow.
I wonder where her parents are, or did she mention that already? I'll ask regardless.
Do they have a calendar or something like that? I also never asked about the architecture did I…
After some blabbering (inside his head), Theo gets pretty sleepy quickly. 'It's… very relaxing.'
and as the gentle wind settles, Theo falls asleep.
"It's weird waking up to silence."
Even without an alarm, Theo manages to wake up at about 6am (according to him.)
"Is no one awake yet?"
Hmm… do I just relax in my bed or do I go down? I'm not hungry, probably will be in like a few minutes but I am thirsty…
CLANK CLANK CLANK
Who the FUCK is clanking right outside my window!
I'll go down and open the door…
But once he opens it – "Ezum oheknep kat alatsod akcinlezouk esan ez ledeven mesj!"
"Nooo no no no no!" Alice screams out from the back with a flustered look on her face – "He's just an adventurer! As you all know my parents are out in the capital!.."
Huh? It's still getting translated to me even though she's replying to this guy? What did he say anyways?
Theo looks behind him and at Alice, "What did he say?.."
"It's nothing…"
Sure I guess, I'm not gonna pry into her life.
Looking back in front of him though, the guy is still there, visibly confused by Theo's language.
Alice quickly explains more details to the man at the door though, "This is Theodore, he's an adventurer from far away."
"Aha, midiv."
So the man goes away, and starts clanking at the top window of every other house.
"Why is he doing that?"
Alice responds with a funny look on her face – "Our village can't host any animals, so we have a guy clank at the top window of every house to wake the people up."
"I'm gonna ignore the fact you all can't host animals – why the top window?"
"According to some old traditions, the 'leaders' of the house should sleep at the highest possible position – and should also always wake up first to 'bring good luck' to the village."
"Why are we whispering?"
"I don't know… wait, didn't you start whispering?"
Theo remains indifferent to that fact. "Right… Wait, am I then considered the leader of this house for now?"
Alice looks at Theo with a particular 'concerned' face. "Yes, I guess… I'd be careful about proclaiming that."
"Mhmmmm…"
Theo quickly gets to what he wants though. "So like… do you drink water? or eat?"
"No we don't."
"WHAT?!-"
Alice laughs. "No, obviously we do."
A now confused Theo then questions more – "Then what was with yesterday?"
"Your… questionable attire was wet when you came yesterday, wasn't it?"
Theo looks at Alice with a particularly serious expression. "Surely you don't want to hear of the horrors I went through getting here."
Thinking about it though, Theo realizes he is kinda overexaggerating. 'It wasn't really that bad… and some random guy ended the storm…'
But Alice also suddenly gets a serious look on her face. "Every month, a 7 day thunderstorm occurs."
'Wait, they have a word for month? That means there is a moon..'
"But the one yesterday ended in a few hours…"
"That's the point. The elders are assuming we've been forsaken by the gods."
Alice then goes on to explain the history of this small village.
Many generations ago, the first people settled in this fertile land, before any kingdoms or empires arose.
But soon after the first roots were planted – a great dragon too settled in the mountain of the forest closest to the fields.
The people did not mind this, but unfortunately, the Utes did, cursing the dragon.
Under the curse, the dragon became unstable, causing week-long rains every month.
"This story has slowly been forgotten, with all the current elders unaware of our origins."
Theo is confused – "But how do you know them then?"
"I'm the only one who can read…" Alice says with a disappointed look.
"But… you can teach your village…"
Alice explains that she actually is slowly doing that, though she stole the papers containing the village's history. "I mean, is it really that bad?"
"Alice. You stole the village's history, no shit they don't know it."
"Tee-hee~"
Theo ignores the questionable behavior for now.
"Wait but going back to the cursed dragon – what was the curse in the first place? Are we sure it's the dragon creating the thunderstorms?"
Alice thinks about it, especially considering the fact yesterday the rain began even though the dragon wasn't even at the mountain.
"I mean, it did flow out of the mountain yesterday and it still rained…" says Theo, with a suspicious look on his face.
"You're right… that doesn't seem to add up…"
Theo responds, with a rather adventurous thought. "Well, one sunny day I'll come visit it and ask myself!"
"Tee.. hee? to that I guess?" Alice says concerningly…
The cause of this entire conversation was Theo asking if they eat or drink though, therefore, indirectly asking if he can eat or drink, and the mood changes again.
"My fucking head hurts. My stomach is growling." – "Can we please get to the point…"
Alice realizes her mistake, and brings Theo outside. "Sorry… let's walk to the village center."
Soon, they arrive, welcomed by a surprising amount of people and tables, and most importantly, food and water spread out all over the tables, as if a banquet is occurring.
"This sure wasn't here yesterday…"
"Tee-hee~"
"Why are you tee-heeing?"
"It's cute."
"Right."
Alice actually then explains why this is happening, "During the rain, we fast for the first day of it, to 'please the gods' according to our elders."
Shouldn't it be 7 days? Also, why did she not bring her little brother here?.. Well to be fair he isn't awake yet.
"But after the rain ends, we hold a feast with as much food as we can offer."
Alice laughs. "Though none of this tradition was in the papers I stole, which is pretty funny."
''Though there is a tradition which was written on the papers and is still done today…''
Before Theo even gets to eat anything, people gather into a circle around an area covered in grain seeds, and a man walks into the middle.
"OUNZAC EJOB YT TA!!!"
''NAVI ITORP RIMODAR, JOB INVRP!!!''