Who: Dwight Hendrickson and Amberle Elessedil When: Wednesday Evening Where: Town -> Farmhouse What: Meeting and such! Warnings: None Status: Closed/Completed GDoc
Amberle knew that Eve wasn't entirely set in stone, just like Shea being the same age as her and her, Wil and Eretria being in a relationship together. The thing was, she wanted to see where things went with her two friends, only with Eve and Shea potentially in their future? Amberle wasn't so sure she wanted that version of things. She tried to distract herself from all of that by going shopping, but even a new quiver of arrows wasn't entirely enough to make her feel better.
With the quiver strapped to her back, she knew she looked a bit out of place, but then she was used to that. Amberle was a lot more comfortable standing out nowadays, but not so much that she was willing to leave her ears unobscured. She figured she'd stop in on the shop on her way back to the farm, but she passed by a man she recognized from the network a couple of weeks ago.
"Hey, Dwight, right?" she asked walking up to him. "It's Amberle. From the network?"
***
Seemingly out of place himself, Dwight had been working to gain his footing. He had been doing alright, gathering the needed supplies from the chain stores, and local shops alike. Being from a small town like Haven, much of the things he found within the main town center reminded him of home. Truthfully, there were a lot of similarities between the two places with the exception of bringing random folks in from different worlds.
It was the one time Dwight had found himself thanking Haven for being the town that it was. Arriving to this place with innocent and unknowing eyes? He could only imagine how others were when they had been greeted and briefed like had been.
With the adjustment period settling, and the weather getting warmer, he had begun wearing his bulletproof vest atop his normal attire. Heavy coats weren’t necessary, which would certainly make the accessories raise question, but Dwight was use to it by now. He could only hope others would understand.
Flipping through the local newspaper having just picked up his third coffee of the day, Dwight looked up at the sound of his name. Looking down at the young girl, he smiled and nodded. “Right. Amberle. Good to put an actual person with name.” Dwight offered his hand for a shake after tucking the newspaper under his other arm. “I would ask about the quiver on your back, but…” he trailed off, gesturing to the kevlar vest with a chuckle.
***
Being an elf from a very different time period, Amberle didn't think there was anything weird about his attire. "It is nice to meet you in person," she agreed, shaking his hand. That custom, at least, wasn't an unfamiliar one. "I only thought to distract myself with some target practice," she explained about the quiver, "but I'm not certain what that has to do with your vest."
Although, it did look a bit uncomfortable. Perhaps it was armor of some sort? Why he felt the need to wear armor in Madison Valley, she wasn't sure, but it wasn't any of her business, she supposed. "Do you shoot?" There were a number of archers in Madison Valley, and a fair few whose talents lay with other projectiles. There were more than enough people for her to stack her talents against, but one more certainly wouldn't hurt.
***
Target practice. Shooting. Those were a few words Dwight usually wasn’t too keen on hearing within his proximity. Fortunately, these projectiles wouldn’t prove problematic. He certainly wasn’t jumping at the chance to add some new bruises thanks to stray bullets.
“As a matter of fact, I can be pretty handy with a crossbow.” Because one had to have knowledge of different weapons when living in Haven, and being ex-military.
The uncertainty regarding his vest had Dwight briefly think back to his daughter. Taken too soon and too young, she would have had to deal with the same thing Dwight did. His sister would have had to as well if she had been prepared. He wanted to place a hand on Amberle’s shoulder in a fatherly fashion, but refrained. Instead, he placed the paper in a recycling bin and took a sip of his coffee.
“It’s protective gear. Just in case. I like to be prepared.”
***
Amberle grinned at that. "There are a number of us skilled with a bow and arrow in Madison Valley," she assured him. It was a nice little community they'd managed for themselves, particularly because a number of them were from worlds that weren't very much like Madison Valley at all. She had a feeling that would not quite apply to Dwight, but that was alright.
"Armor? It is unlike anything I have ever seen before," she replied, now allowing her curiosity to show through. "Where I am from, armor is either treated leather or metal, yet this is cloth. How is it to stop a spear, sword or arrow?" It hardly seemed effective. "Madison Valley is quite boring though. We are not in any danger here." It worried her a bit that he thought there was a need for such armor, but if anything, he would come to that conclusion himself after being here long enough.
***
“Boring, huh? I don’t know if I would call a lack of danger boring. A vacation maybe.” A much needed vacation. “And...ah...well? It’s a special kind of material that keeps bullets from hitting a person. It’s pretty sturdy. Might leave a bruise, but that’s better then being shot.” Or stabbed, mauled, and otherwise fatally injured.
Dwight was careful regarding sharing his reason for wearing it. While most people weren’t waving guns around Haven looking for trouble, caution was always his first priority. Amberle seemed genuine, though. If there was one thing he knew well when it came to people, it was if they could be trusted or not.
“I wear it because of my Trouble. Some people call them super powers. Most of the time they’re just a curse. My Trouble is attracting bullets. So, if someone fires off any kind of bullet, musket ball, or anything like that? It comes straight at me if I’m close enough.”
Which, at times, made being a Cleaner and then Chief of Police quite interesting.
***
There were a lot of people in Madison Valley who considered their time here to be a vacation. If he was anything like those people, he would be considered a superhero in his world. Amberle respected him more as a result because any warrior was worthy of her respect.
"It seems so flimsy," she murmured, more to herself than anything. She extended her hand partway before glancing up at him. "May I?" It would have been rude otherwise, and she tried not to be rude. The armor did make more sense as he explained about his Trouble as he called it. Amberle was pleased to discover that she had been right in her assessment of his being a superhero. She could see why he considered his gift to be a curse, since it likely kept him in constant danger.
"But your armor only protects your chest. Could you not be grievously injured if a bullet were to strike an artery?" She'd learned the appropriate correlation to the areas that she targeted in her training to medical terms in this world. "It is only for bullets though? My arrows will not hurt you?"
***
“Uh, sure.” No one had ever asked to inspect his vest. To Dwight, it was practically a second skin. He took a cautious glance of the surroundings before undoing the clasps. A few snaps and clicks, and Dwight handed the vest to Amberle. In that moment, he immediately felt vulnerable. The vest was, in a way, his security.
“Only bullets,” he said, glancing around them, and behind them every now and again. “And, yeah. I could. I usually have some time to make sure it doesn’t do that kind of damage. When I don’t? Well, you just kind of hope and pray that everything will turn out alright in the end.” It wasn’t the best way to live your life, but there were others who had it much worse than he did. People who could make others explode by just touching them. People who made others disappear because they breathed.
“But the vest covers a majority of the important organs. Things that, if hit, couldn’t be easily repaired if at all.”
***
Amberle's eyes widened when he took off the vest, but she was too curious about it to refuse such a display of trust. She held it in her hands, appreciating the weight of it. It was much more protective than she had first assumed, clearly. After a few moments, she held it back out to him so he could put it back on.
"I do not think there are many bullets being fired in Madison Valley, outside of the range, that is. I would avoid that building." That wouldn't put a hamper on his own shooting practice if he wished to keep up with his skills with a crossbow. "I live on a farm currently, on the edge of the forest. I often shoot in the woods, if you would like to join me?" It seemed only fair, given the trust he'd just shown her. "Afterwards, I'm certain Wanda wouldn't mind if you joined us for dinner."
***
He was quick in taking back the vest, securing it around him with the same snaps and clicks as when it had been removed. “I’m definitely not one to spend too much time at the range.” Even back in Haven, they carried stun guns rather than actual guns. “But I think a few rounds on the crossbow wouldn’t hurt.” He couldn’t allow himself to get rusty after all. From the talks he had with others, he could return to Haven at any moment. Especially when it was least expected, but Dwight would be prepared.
“That’s really nice of you, Amberle, but I wouldn’t want to impose. On dinner.” Though the idea of a home cooked meal? It was enough to make his mouth water. Fast food wrappers and boxes were usually cluttering his desk along with the copious amounts of paperwork and files. There were great restaurants in Haven, when they were open. It wasn’t every day that you could casually walk in and have a quiet meal. It was always whatever was most convenient and quick paired with coffee.
And alcohol, as he had been reminded, wasn’t considered a meal.
“But I guess it’d be rude not to accept. So, sure. Sounds good.”
***
She knew she probably shouldn't have been surprised by his deft handling of the vest, but she was. He got it on so quickly! It didn't dawn on her even once to question that he really did attract bullets. Amberle hoped no one would unintentionally - or intentionally - hurt him. "Do you have experience with a more traditional bow and arrow?" she asked. She did have a crossbow at the farm, another purchase used to soothe her soul when she'd first arrived, but she knew the differences in the two weapons.
"It wouldn't be an imposition in the slightest, so I'm pleased you'll join us." There was always plenty of food to go around and Wanda's cooking had been a big part of making her feel more welcome and comfortable. It took time for everyone, she being a perfect example, but Amberle hoped she'd be able to positively impact Dwight's adjustment period by offering her friendship.
"It's not too far of a walk toward where I call home," she added, gesturing toward the way she'd been walking so that they could continue on their journey.
***
Following alongside, Dwight wondered if his daughter would have grown up knowing the ins and outs of weapons. Of course she would have. He would have made sure that she would be able to protect herself in whatever way necessary. If only he had known that day what was going to happen, he could have prepared himself. He could have prepared her. Perhaps that was why he was so inclined to accept Amberle’s invitation.
“I have to say that I’m not as steady with a regular bow and arrow.” Did he want to admit he was a bad shot? Not really. If it had been anyone else, he would have twisted the truth just slightly. He had a facade of sorts to keep up in his mind. “But I’m not one to back down from a friendly challenge.” Which had gotten him in trouble more times than he would ever admit.
“So, where did you call home before here?” He realized that he had talked a lot about Haven. At least it had felt that way. He hadn’t once asked Amberle about her own home. Dwight didn’t want to force her into a topic she didn’t want to discuss, but the opening was there.
***
"I cannot claim the same level of comfort or competence with a crossbow, so perhaps we have something to teach one another," Amberle replied with a smile, already looking forward to it. It was fortuitous that she'd run into him, since her mood was vastly improved already.
"You'll get along well with the other archers, too. There is one, Clint Barton, who never misses a target." She definitely sounded impressed as she recounted the man's skill. "You'll find plenty to learn from, at least." They did sometimes get a bit competitive, but it was all in good fun.
Talking of home was a little easier now that Wil and Eretria were in town. "I come from Arborlon," she replied, knowing it explained nothing. "It is one of the kingdoms of our home, belonging to the elves." Amberle tucked her hair behind her ear on the side he was on so he could see her pointed ears. After a moment, she hid them again. "The people native to Madison don't mind too much so long as I am not so visibly Other," she explained. "Arborlon is...what this Earth will look like, I suppose. In many many years." The High School had cinched it for her. "When I was brought here, I had just saved my people. If I am returned, it will be to life as the Ellcrys - the sacred tree that protects our home."
***
“Never misses? That’s an impressive claim.” A claim that Dwight would be eager to witness, but certainly did not want to be on the receiving end of. “Do people give you trouble if they see your…” Trailing off for a moment, Dwight gestured to his own ear. He wouldn’t be pleased if she did. People couldn’t help what they looked like, or what sort of features they had. There were plenty of Troubled who had physical Troubles that had to live in constant hiding.
“I hope that they offer some sort of protection. Just in case.” They being the town, or whoever these people were that she lived with. They seemed to be capable of doing that.
“So, you’re a tree back home?” Dwight raised a brow at that, but he didn’t question it too far. He attracted bullets after all, and they were in a strange world far from where they were from. “Sounds like you have a lot of responsibilities back home, too.”
***
"He has yet to miss, despite how much I try to stump him," Amberle replied, still rather amused by all of that. Clint was a remarkable shot and had a great talent. She was better for shooting with him, as with Clarke and the others. She was glad that there would be one more to their circle.
"They sometimes do. The people here...we've invaded their home. I can understand that they don't like us, but they aren't threatening." And she knew threatening, courtesy of the Rovers of her world. Amberle did not want him to worry though, so she smiled reassuringly. "It isn't something I am in need of protection from, but I appreciate the thought." He was a kind mind and it only proved to her that she'd made the right call in extending an invitation to him.
"I am. It was not an easy decision to make, but it was for the good of my people. It kept my friends and loved ones safe." She thought of Wil and Eretria, of her family, and she knew that despite all of her fears and hesitations, she would make that same choice. "But I have the opportunity to have my life here and for that I am grateful." Now she was, at least. She hadn't been when she'd first arrived.
***
It was interesting to Dwight how much those who had been brought here had in common without knowing it. It seemed the few people he had come in contact with had had similar responsibilities from the worlds they had come from. “It’s amazing what we’ll do to make sure our friends and family stay safe.” Dwight could relate far too well.
“Knowing how things are back in Haven while I’m here makes it a little easier to manage. There’s no use in driving yourself crazy trying to fix something that you have no control over.” Which was true. People were surprised at how well Dwight had taken to arriving in a strange place, but keeping a cool head was something he had to have. Even before handling things in Haven, he had soldiers to keep an eye on.
“The best thing we can do is keep each other’s back.” Even if the locals hadn’t started a riot or worse, nothing was ever certain in these situations.
***
She appreciated his steady calm, in part because it reminded her of her Father and perhaps even a touch of Allanon. Dwight was much more patient, though perhaps that was because he wasn't teaching her anything just yet. "Where I am from, Elves' are likely to be relieved of their ears should they leave the safety of Arborlon," Amberle explained. It was one of the many cold, hard truths about her world that simply didn't need to be accounted for in Madison.
"Both Eretria and Wil, my friends, are from a point in time after I became the Ellcrys, so I know that the protection still stands. That my people are safe." They had lost their Princess, but they were safe. It was a fair compromise as far as she was concerned. "I take this place as a second chance at life, and perhaps a much less threatening one. I am not so sure I agree with the latter after experiencing my potential future children." She glanced at him. "Were you visited by any?"
***
Dwight’s jaw tightened as Amberle talked of the ear theft. “So, poaching.” Because that was exactly what it was in his opinion. “People can be real assholes.” Blunt and biting, that was how Dwight usually expressed anger when he couldn’t hit something. Not that he was an overly violent man. He wasn’t really, but if pushed enough, Dwight certainly had quite the temper.
He took a deep breath, exhaled, and composed himself. “No. No children for me.” Fortunately. If his daughter had come to him when he knew full well she was dead, Dwight wasn’t sure if he could have maintained himself. It was possible he would have charged city hall, or any place that could have given him answers about this place.
“But you do have to keep an eye on them,” he said with a laugh. “Before you know it, they’re pretty much you’re entire world.” Clearing his throat, Dwight let out another chuckle. “This farmhouse of yours is a decent walk.”
***
"That they can be," Amberle agreed. The Rovers were taught to blame the Elves and to hurt them as the opportunities arose. She was just glad that things had turned out differently with Eretria.
"I'm not entirely sure my daughter wanted anything to do with me," she admitted, "but I have been counseled to consider that it was because there was only a five year age gap between us when she was used to my being much older." Amberle didn't add that the girl's half brother was more like her despite being Eretria and Wil's offspring. She couldn't quite wrap her head completely around how a relationship between the three of them would work, so she didn't want to have to explain it she didn't have to.
"It's not much further," she promised him of the farm. "It's just there, see?" Amberle pointed toward the house nestled between trees. "We'll be shooting in no time."
***
The arrival of children definitely seem to have shaken up the town. From what he had heard, it was just one of the ways this town liked to toy with the people living in it. It really did remind him far too much of Haven, but there was a comfort knowing that the residents knew how to handle the events.
“Well, I hope your friend Wanda made extra because that walk definitely built up an appetite.” A little sarcastic, and a little truthful. It wasn’t that long, or that bad. Dwight even attempted to keep a serious expression on his face, but it didn’t last. He just grinned at his own attempt at humor.
“We’ll start with the traditional bow. Show me how to shoot,” he offered as they headed inside.