A new companion introduced to the benefactor

pippa hears something nearby, another sapient creature that is wandering these woods.

As an habit for encountering, Pippa dives into a bush, but this time the bush was too dry and crumble in noise, leaving Pippa in plain sight

Jack hears something rustle in the bushes nearby, while he is looking through the forest. he can see metal gleaming, it seems someone in armor is trying to hide in the bush

“Who is there?” Jack calls readying himself to run.

Pippa is a little frigtened by this big wolf, so she crawl out of the bush with her arms up

"Sorry. I mean no harm."

Jack looks at the small Gnome. “We shall see. What is this place?”

"theses lands are very strange, indeed. Legends say that people got lost and woke up here, and wander until being lost again."

“God I hate riddles. But it does have some sense to it.”

" and it's all to luck as the forest change everytime, no map can be made"

while jack looks at pippa he can see a glimmer in her eye, something magical. it seems a kind of symbol, but its just faintly, might as well have been a reflection or a ray of sunshine

“Well that is just great.” Jack sits down relaxing a bit as Jack have a little more trust in her.

"I guess that you are not here since long. Usualy i ask people i meet for clues, but for once i am the wise, and to repay the others i should share what i have learned"

Pippa stays calmly standing, but is still lower than the wolf sitting

“I’m just glad that you are not trying to kill me. First day I was **** by a satyr. The second day I met a plant lady who wanted to do Gods knows what and almost got ambushed by a armed figure."

"there are treaths and dangers, that's true. And it could be more deadly for you as you aren't a female."

Pippa is intrigued by the pink purse that big male wolf is carying. It seems very weird, but she won't push that question for now.

"I'm Pippa by the way "

Jack hold out my hand. “Mine is Jack. Nice to meet you. What did you mean that I’m in a more dangerous position because I’m male?”

"well, in life threatning situation, females could have the option to... Surrender... To stay alive, if their opponent could be interested... Where males don't have often that option. So yes i think it's more dangerous for you."

“So most things in the forest want to fuck us. Great.”

pippa grab Jack hand to shake

Jack shake it and let go.

" i think that's an effect from theses strange lands... But i can't prove it."

“So have you been unfortunate enough to…” Jack trail off hissentence. It was an awkward question to ask.

Pippa is a little shy to answer

" Well, i'll say that... i had some bad luck in theses lands... But i'm still there, looking for a way out."

“Would you do me the pleasure of traveling together? Two are better than one.”

"well, usualy people ask me to stay away from them or to stay with them where they have settled.... If that's ok with you, yes we can try to travel together... To see if or how that's work for both of us .."

“do you need any clothes? The ones I have are too small.” Jack asks her while we walk.

" i already have some of my size, but thank you. i was lost, like many around, i had to fight, run, and when caught keep hope until i could escape. But I also had some fine moments. It's all down to luck, i say."

while pippa is listening to their conversation, jacks ears pick up something beneath the forests sounds. he doesn't know what it is but he feels drawn closer, his feelings tell him to go investigate

Pippa didn't hear anything as she's in the talking with Jack, but she sees that Jack changed mood.

[Wispering]"what did you notice?"

Jack put a finger to his lips and crouch low. Trying to go unnoticed by what ever made that sound.

Pippa nods, and get into the nearest bush, being a gnome has that advantage that like every bush is good enough to hide

as they get closer, jack can identify the sound as someone playing a pan flute.... pippa can hear the familiar sound as well after their conversation dies down

knowing that sound, Pippa wispers to Jack

" I would be ok with that one, but i don't know if you'll be. I'll go meet, I sort of have to, but it's your choice to come with me or not."

Jack follow staying behind her. If they are friendly to her why not him.

They walk a bit before they see and elven woman sitting on a fallen tree trunk. she wears a simple robe that shows much of her body. her skin is plastered with tattoos, her long hair is swirling in the breeze and she softly plays the flute that beckons them closer. as they come close she stops playing and smiles at them. it looks friendly but jack is well aware that she is no elf, her eyes are old and hold secrets that send a shiver down his spine

"Ah, pippa, my dear. thank you for coming. i am rather pleased i didn't have to play cat and mouse with you. please, tell me, who is that handsome friend of yours? i am looking forward to making his aquaintance."

Pippa steps aside to let Jack get in sight

" I met a new lost one. He is Jack."

she looks jack up and down without hesitation

"My, and what a fine specimen. Tell me young man..... how have you fared so far in these woods?"

“Not well I’m afraid. First day had me **** and the second faired only a bit better.”

she smiles less

"What a grave situation..... well, i am pippas.... benefactor, though she might prefer another word. As it stands i am looking for lost ones like yourself, who are willing to serve my interests, and in exchange i will grant you powers. if you are interested in such a deal, i'd be more than happy to help you out."

“What would you need from me exactly?”

"I gather the children of this forest that are unwanted.... as pippa undoubtedly explained, this forest is full of creatures seeking to use others for their pleasure. should these urges overcome you and you produce offspring with a partner unwilling to keep them i'd take them for me. on some occasions i might ask you to assist in a specific breeding. such things."

Jack could feel something in him stir at the offer. “Why not. Sounds a bit fun.”

she smiles

"Such a good boy."

she looks at pippa, giving her the chance to say anything about this

Jack winks at the elf when she calls him a good boy.

Pippa feels uncertainty, as she might have a guess of what could be next, but she doesn't want to be the one that talked about it first

the elf waves jack closer

"Come over here."

Jack moves to the elf.

jack is unsure how, but the petite woman gives him a kiss on the forehead, for a moment jack feels small in her presence. then he looks down on her again as she leans back and he can feel something tingle in his eye. moments later he can feel a primal strength flood his body, ebbing away but there, on the threshold of his consciusness, something to drawn from in times of need

"That wasn't so unpleasant now, was it? You both take care on your journey, i'll see you again soon, i am sure."

she turns away, putting her flute on her lips and plays, wandering off

Pippa ctaches a glimpse of the new symbol in the eye of Jack.

"hoo, that's what it look like in mine.... I didn't know"

Jack flexes his body trying to see what is different.

“Who is she?”

"i don't exactly know what she is, but it's as she said : she gathers lost ones... and babies... For a price...

She ... She helped me when i was in trouble."

“Well if it helps us leave then what harm is it.”

"that remains to be seen..."

“The only part that would be risky is the breeding experiment she mentioned.” Jack motions for them to start walking.

"that joins idea with what i said earlier about being male in fight. Well, let's hope we won't need her help soon."

“I agree.” Jack then smiles and try to make a joke. “Maybe she would want to see the offspring of us.”

"well, if that's what she wanted, she would have said it."

“Who knows beings like her are controlled by their whims.”