footpaths, highways, and concrete sidewalks

[soundofarrows]

Eilir steps off a bus in downtown Chicago, loaded with a single large duffel and  a carry-case for her bow and quiver. She's been away from the city for several weeks, but finally decided to try civilization again, and to see if anyone has found a way to send wanders home. She's been in the back woods of northern Wisconsin trying to teach survival

Comments

[wegotwork]

There also might be a man walking around, and this woman definitely looks like someone he knows. It's been a while, granted, a long damn while, but it'd be pretty nice to have someone to talk to who isn't his brother for a change.

"Andrea?" he asks, hoping to grab her attention with that name. "That you?"

[soundofarrows]

Eilir is still on her quest for a cup of coffee when she notices a man looking at her. She stops on the sidewalk just outside of arms' reach and looks the man up and down. He looks friendly enough, but she doesn't recognize him. He's plainly trying to get her attention with a name she can't make out clearly.

She sighs and shrugs the duffle off her shoulder to the ground so she can dig the notepad out of her pocket. This whole lack of people educated in sign-language was annoying. If he were a wanderer, or angel, or such, she could use what the rift gave her, but it was too risky to use with normal people.

She scribbles something quickly before handing over the notepad.

My name is Eilir. You mistake me for someone else. Sorry.
Also, I don't hear, but I lip-read well.

Do you know where a good coffee shop is located?

[wegotwork]

Sam's brow furrows slightly when she pulls out the notepad and starts writing down on it. That's definitely not something Andrea would do - maybe she's lost her voice or something? But she hands it over to him, he reads it, and realization dawns. He immediately shakes his head, turning to look at her so she can read his lips.

"I'm sorry," he says. "I thought you were someone else. You look exactly like... well, I guess it doesn't matter. I can take you to a coffee shop, if you like." Sam points to her luggage. "Need some help with that?"

[soundofarrows]

No, Eilir really doesn't need help with her duffel, though she stifles the smirk that usually appears when men act protective towards her. The guy's being sweet, and he wouldn't know she'd spent much of her life managing her own gear, not the least of which was an eighty-pound draw longbow. Besides, he offered to help her find coffee.

But seriously, guys in this world need to stop thinking she's helpless.

She checks the guy over once more. He moves like he is well used to combat, and she'll likely notice any weapons he's carrying, including the assumed boot knife. He seems friendly though, and she doesn't see any physical cues that he's trying to threaten or deceive her.

Eilir smiles and signs a thumbs-up. She'll even pay, if he wants. She declines the offer about her bag, though. Her other weapons are in there, and there's no way she will hand them to a stranger. Sam will just have to swallow his pride and let the lady carry everything.

Lead the way, yea producer of coffe shops.