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Post by bepbopbren on Oct 6, 2023 23:45:02 GMT -6
"No, no, no, no... The bed isn't supposed to be this close to the window. Just hmm, put it close to the door? Let me check..."
The sound of pages fluttering frantically filled the room's silence for a second; even though the illustrations on the booklet were pretty self-explanatory, unfamiliarity with such commodities had proved to be a more significant hindrance than they had anticipated. For the people who had only known hammocks and reed mattresses, even a trifle like looking for the best place for a bed required some preparation.
"Aha! We might not need the bed at all. If we put the mattress on the platform, we can get rid of the bed..."
The constant sound of moving furniture ended once they laid the mattress on the platform. The sound of people plopping on the floor would follow, and then the sound of reassured sighs. The humble room fell silent for a few minutes as the villagers took their time to catch their breath and contemplate her latest feat... a guest room.
Visitors were rare in such a secluded part of the jungle despite the lovely sight and the proximity to the desert; the villagers barely interacted with outsiders besides the occasional travelling merchant or passing tourist. Cora couldn't remember the last time she saw an outsider, let alone a stranger... it was only natural that the news of a tourist coming her way caused such excitement in her.
After a few minutes of rest, Cora sprang onto her feet, wiped the sweat off her forehead and looked around the room she had prepared with such care. The room was small yet cosy... A small hut made of clay bricks; palms neatly arranged served as the roof, and thin saplings tied together worked as a door. The room's decorations were humble yet mellow enough to make the atmosphere pleasant; flowers in clay vases and natural light coming through a glassless window made up for a picturesque room. Satisfied, Cora rested her hands on her wide hips as an eager nod showed off how pleased with her work she was.
"Next thing is... The banquet!" A playful giggle followed, and even though Cora's fellow villagers didn't seem to have as much energy as Cora, having the girl clinging to their arms and pulling was enough to get them back on their feet; although reluctant, they were aware that situation couldn't be postponed any longer...
Three silhouettes left the hut; two walked lazily, while the third almost seemed to hop as they paced down the more profound pathway into the village. At least it was reassuring that the way down was much easier than the way up, considering the hut was atop a small hill.
"Mom's food always makes people smile; even Mrs. Sven has complimented her for her samosas. I'm sure she will like them too! They're uh exotic?... Yes, yes, that's the right word. According to the letter, she should be here in no time... Let me see..."
Cora's hands darted towards the small leather bag hanging from her shoulder; she pulled an old Nokia phone from it to check the time.
"R-Really? Is it this late already! ! ! We have to hurry..."
And just like that, a slow pace down the hillside turned into a frantic race to the river, the only way in or out of the jungle. Cora's eyes never strayed from the path, not even to wave goodbye to the fellow villagers she left behind when she started to run; after all... impunctuality was impolite. Perhaps none of the other villagers would pay much mind to a "city girl" fuming and grumbling after mosquitoes started looming around her but for Cora... this stranger was her chance to know more about the outside. She wasn't going to let it slip through her fingers that easily...
Hopeful and gleeful, the short brunette made her way into the village's makeshift dock, sitting by the edge, kicking her legs playfully as her toes hovered on the water's surface. That day, Cora's smile was wide like never before as her eyes laid on the river's course, waiting expectantly to see what a "city girl" was like...
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Post by dukenukem4ever2 on Oct 7, 2023 0:48:33 GMT -6
Suffice to say, Tabitha Stradford was having quite a day. First, she nearly missed her plane by several minutes - some jerk at the airport messed up some documents, and re-sorting things to how they needed to be took quite a while. Then, shortly before arrival, the young woman nearly took off with the wrong luggage just because the bags with her belongings were suspiciously similar to those of another man who was flying with her by the same airplane. Finally, the trip to the docks took a while because of road works, making Tabitha and her driver to go around detours which consumed even more time than expected. And that was without speaking of the humid climate she had just moved in, especially with mosquitoes flying every now and then. But hopefully, it would all be worth it. It HAD to be worth all of this.
The young blonde checked up her smartphone. The signal was thankfully still working, so she could at least call to the dock company and confirm that the booking of the river travel was not going to be canceled. And for once in a seemingly unlucky day, she managed to do exactly that. Getting to the boat dock was no longer the question of IF, but rather the question of WHEN.
As such, when the jeep pulled to the dockside, the long-haired city girl left the vehicle, paid the driver in advance and entered the building. Several minutes later, she was standing there, waiting for the ferry to arrive. It took quite a while, but the boat finally appeared and allowed Tabitha to board it. For something that seemed to be a bad day, things finally started to show their good side to the city girl. Or did they?
Even as the boat kept sailing down the river stream, Tabitha just couldn't stop thinking of the village she needed to reach. As a news company intern, she needed to get some extra materials for the upcoming project. As well as since it was summer, she could get a vacation in a completely foreign land. And what could be better than killing two birds with one stone?
The woman was dressed quite modestly and would certainly fit a "citizen" with the full focus on "city". She was wearing nice gray shorts, white blouse and a green cap on her head. Her sunglasses caught the eyesight of quite a lot of natives because for them, such thing was a luxury. Someone even tried to buy her glasses for a price, though the blonde traveler knew better than blindly trusting random people in a land that was far from her home. Or any random people, for that matter. The Snake Godess festival was not going to start without her, the woman thought, even as she prepared her IPhone to take some photos of the surrounding areas. Maybe it could be used for several selfies or even group photos. She always wished to share these pics with her friends and family when she got home. After all, she packed all she needed in a nice red backpack and a black bag with handles, all for stuff including (but not limited to) a laptop, several notebooks and photo cameras. And of course her stylish IPhone, the one she held in her pocket at all times from the prying eyes of locals.
And you see, she chose this specific land for a very specific reason. Rumors of a festival devoted to a certain snake godess had spread recently like a wildfire, and Tabitha's money certainly could afford a simple journey. It wouldn't last indefinitely - only three weeks, yet the experience would be very worth it. The blonde tourist/reporter wannabe peeked out from the edge of the boat as it neared the village docks, and that was when she saw what the village looked like.
A young pretty-looking village woman was standing on the dock, with her short brown hair being played by the wind and eagerly waiting for her. Tabitha remembered the girl, her name was Cora, and she had talked with her quite a while about booking a stay inside of the village. It all had paid off just well; even as it took a very long time to get there. With her trustworthy backpack slung on her from behind and with bags in her right hand, Tabitha finally stepped out of the boat and waved to Cora.
"Hey there! You must be Cora, right? My name is Tabitha Stradford, and it's nice to see that you haven't forgotten about me" - the blonde yelled out joyfully, preparing to embrace her phone-friend on the pier. There was so, so much more to talk about and even more to do. Her schedule was now expanded, she had nothing to worry about. The feast was just about to begin, and she was going to be a part of it. What kind of snake deity the festival was devoted to was still up in the air, and Tabitha was about to find it out soon enough.
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Post by bepbopbren on Oct 12, 2023 17:03:41 GMT -6
The sight of the raft approaching made Cora spang onto her feet; nimbly, her feet moved from dancing on the water's surface to resting on the wooden, makeshift dock of the village. Unlike the woman in the raft, Cora bore a much more humble look; being native to the village, her skin was lightly tanned due to the relentless sun of the desert's edge. Following her form from head to toe, Cora's long hair was braided neatly into a ponytail that went down her wide hips; her face displayed a warm, welcoming smile that somehow matched nicely with her slightly pointy nose, which was surrounded by cute freckles. Following down her body, Cora's bare legs showed more of the woman's fit constitution.
Unlike most of her fellow villagers, who wore much more conservative clothes, Cora's outfit had a certain 'freshness' to it, not only the vibrant colours of her style but the way it helped her to remain chill in such warm, humid weather. Her saree, which she was proud of, was a garment she made with her mother's guidance; a dark green linen cloth draped over her left shoulder before wrapping around her waist in a way that resembled a long dress to her knees. Underneath the saree, a crop top covered from her midriff to her neck's line. Above her elbow, a gold bracelet gleamed under the sunlight, a family heritage.
When in the village, she walked barefoot; there was barely need to wear footwear, considering all paths were marked by soft, white desert sand. Of course, she had a couple of pairs of flats at home for whenever she needed to head into the jungle or wherever she might face a rougher terrain.
The sight of the girl waving became clearer and clearer as the raft approached, but that was nothing compared with Cora's reaction once the raft reached the doc. The cheerful waving soon turned into an impatient pace about the doc's wooden planks. As soon as the raft was at reach, Cora wrapped her right arm around one of the doc's logs so she could lean and be the first one to stretch her hand towards Tabitha. She nodded eagerly while speaking unexpectedly calmly, considering her demeanour.
"Mm~ Mmm~ I'm Cora," To the best of her capacity, Cora helped Tabitha onto the doc while the helmsman docked the raft. "Of course you're Tabitha! I could tell from a mile." After a brief handshake, Cora's hands moved behind her back, where her fingers intertwined. Mellowly, Cora tilted forward a tad. "As you can probably tell, villagers like me don't look like you. I hope that you're trip here was pleasant. Hopefully..." Unable to contain her excitement anymore, Cora finally stepped closer. The girl would scan Tabitha eagerly, from head to toe, even if, at times, it looked as if Cora didn't respect other's personal space. "No, no, it's okay. Mosquitoes hadn't made you their feast yet; that's good!" After having scanned Tabitha diligently, Cora moved to inspect the raft just in case the newcomer needed any assistance with her luggage,
"I imagine you might be tired. Fortunately, your lodgings are ready if you want to head straight there and make yourself home." A playful chuckle left her as her left hand moved up to tap on her chin. "I can show you the village, too; we can make a small detour and stop by the market if you need anything or want to bring some snacks to your hut..."
Abstracted by her considerations, Cora's voice lowered while her inquires leaned towards a ramble. "Perhaps it would be best to take you to your hut first... We have already put a few things in there, but hmm, I don't know whether you'll like them. Of course, there isn't much to buy at the market; I mean, probably not enough for someone like you, but... ANYWAY! What would you like to do next?" And just like that, Cora cut her ramble short after realizing what she was doing. Hoping not to appear as a creep, she stopped talking, halted her slightly anxious pace and stood before Tabitha, smiling sheepishly while awaiting a reply.
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Post by dukenukem4ever2 on Oct 15, 2023 15:12:49 GMT -6
Well, that was quite a greeting. It seemed Cora was very, VERY excited to meet someone from a foreign territory and as such she barely could hold her excitement. Tabitha herself had quite an eye scan of the environment she was in, maybe it came from watching detective TV series or reading books about social deduction - but truth be told, it worked from time to time. Mostly because the blonde's own imagination was settled in her head. She was a daydreamer after all, regardless of where and who she was.
Seeing the village girl so happy made Tabitha smile in return. After all, who wouldn't be glad to meet village natives and learn what they looked and acted like in truth. The tourist had watched quite a lot of documentaries about living in the jungle settlement, but TV stuff paled in comparison to what actually unraveled in front of her very eyes. The fauna was amazing to look at and the people here were much friendlier than ones at the airport. Not only that, but she hadn't lost any personal belongings she took along. Truly, the day has become much better than before.
"Well, the trip's been kinda troublesome, but it all paid off" - the city girl responded with a soft chuckle, eyeing the territory around her and feeling relieved hy the peaceful scenery she was in. Cora seemed to be a trustworthy person, enough to let her guide Tabitha through the village. The private shack could wait, even though the blonde girl was feeling very tired. Perhaps it wouldn't hurt to take some pics of sightings and monuments there and there before having a good nap? Especially since the young villager was doing her best to impress the newcomer and leave only positive memories for her to remember.
"I... I think we could take a small detour around here. I'm feeling kinda curious at what living in the jungle looks like... So perhaps we could see some sightings and visit a market too? I mean, I haven't tasted the local cuisine here before, so it might be a pleasant bonus, heheh" - Tabitha responded with a nervous smile, though she was actually calm and peaceful right now. The worst should be left behind, and it was time to look forward the best.
"By the way... I heard there would be a certain festival happening here very soon... After a detour and a break, I think I could help you organize some things... If you'd like to, of course?" - while the blonde's presence alone could be enough, she couldn't help but think already as to how could she repay the villagers for such hospitality. What could possibly go wrong? Tabitha decided to take a break from city life for exactly that reason, to enjoy the unfamiliar world she was living in, and this... Was the best option she could pick.
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Post by bepbopbren on Nov 13, 2023 23:52:14 GMT -6
For the few minutes it took Tabitha to take in the scene, a smug smirk crept on Cora's face as her arms crossed, clearly satisfied with the girl's bemusement; the tourist's reaction was much more enjoyable than she would have expected. Being a village girl like she was meant tourists were a rare sight, and unlike travellers or merchants who usually had concrete deeds, watching someone enjoy the scenery and ambience just for leisure was a pleasant feeling.
"Hm... Hm... Hm... Feeling curious? Impatient already?" Clearly enjoying herself, Cora's tone grew a tad more presumptuous. Even though the village was humble, the atmosphere it bore was special for diverse reasons. The ravid lush of the jungle devours and erases most human constructs, but a closer look... evidently, it had yet to do so with Cora's village. The stone towers scattered about the village's edge bordered the land that once belonged to an ancient civilization; the remnants of stone idols served as a reminder for the people of past times when the snake that came from the desert bestowed Godly knowledge upon them.
"Aaanyway~" Suddenly, all presumptuousness faded as a gleeful giggle took over Cora; her excitement was much bigger. Cora clung to Tabitha's arm; her reflexes and movements might have come off as too nimble for a village girl, but...
"We can stop by the market, sure!" Before Tabitha could do anything or reply, Cora began to pull from her arm. Even though gentle enough for a city girl's standard, the friendly gesture might have seemed like a weak drag rather than an eager pull.
"It's mango season. I have no idea what city mangoes are like, but I'm sure they can't be as sweet as the ones Uncle Mohr grows in his parcel. Ah, just be careful... if you ruin your appetite, you won't enjoy mom's samosas as much as you should." Carefreely, Cora guided Tabitha up from the dock through the sand pathway, following the long, cylindrical ruin of a statue that had long ago lost its meaning. By the end of the path, the elevated ground allowed Tabitha to glance at the village.
As expected, the busiest spot was the market; Cora would tug from Tabitha's arm after a few seconds. The market was located near the south entrance of the village, on an old sandstone square with an obelisk by the middle. Scattered all about the square, stands stood selling all sorts of wares ranging from fruit to clothing for merchants to browse
"We don't have many souvenirs but... I'm sure you'll find something that catches your attention." Playfully, Cora stepped in after letting go of Tabitha's arm. She approached one of the stands by the corner, where she would pick up a mask and put it on as an innocent way to tease.
"Do you believe in ghosts?..."
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