"No, I haven't lost my mind, not entirely at the very least," Lesh told her well rolling his eyes. "Master John would adamantly declare it 'the language of culture, well I and many others would call it weeb speak or 'weebonese'." He informed her, taking mild amusement in Alice's stunned expression.
"You're wearing a blue and white dress with black trim, I could have sworn it was white trim before but even so…" the mysterious girl observed, her voice a soft monotone that belied her sharp wit. Her eyes, half-lidded, scanned Alice's attire. "It looks good on you and it suits you in a odd way, as if it was made specifically just for you. But it's hardly practical for an apocalypse scenario though." She managed a faint smile, a fleeting gesture that was almost lost in her perpetually tired demeanor as she tried to make peace.
Alice, ever quick to take offense, bristled. A blush crept across her cheeks, a mix of indignation and a surprising flush of pride at the compliment. "Hey! There's nothing wrong with my outfit! It's far better than that stuff you're wearing," she retorted, gesturing vaguely at the girl's mix matched armor parts well a knot of jealousy slowly tightened in her stomach. It was irritating how effortlessly this newcomer seemed to fall into an easy banter with Lesh but it grew worse when he had mentioned John being a good match for her, he was hers and she refused to lose him to some random new girl.
Lesh, sensing the rising tension, quickly stepped in. "Alright, alright, let's not start a conflict you two. Alice, easy now. You still have seniority and you're the most trusted since you've been with us the longest, not to mention you saved his life and know him best." He turned to the other girl, a sudden realization dawning on him. In the chaos of their escape and the urgency of their situation, he hadn't properly introduced himself, nor had he asked for her name, even though he felt others didn't need to give them as they seemed to be more focused on their own actions, easily differentiated by the groups they had already formed and thus able to be called by a name for each group this girl seemed she wanted to be more ingrained in the inner circle well-being a loner and thus he would need her name. "What's your name?"
Her sleepy eyes widened slightly, a faint flicker of animation crossing her face. "My name? You actually want to know?" Her monotone voice, surprisingly, now carried a subtle hint of excitement, like a low hum beneath the surface. "Yes! That means I've graduated from a random, unimportant background character to a short-arc character at minimum! Ooooh and if I'm lucky, I might even become a companion!" She seemed to start beam now, a genuine, if small smile gracing her lips.
"My name's Ashley, but call me Ash for short. And I'm going to be a true Pokémon master! Or at the very least the best there ever was!" With a dramatic flourish, she pointed a finger skyward, as if declaring her destiny to the heavens themselves.
Lesh let out a long, slow sigh, a sound that conveyed a mix of resignation and burgeoning fondness. Beside him, Alice looked as though she we struggling to choose between pounding her head against the nearest wall or trying to warn this girl to stay away from what was hers. "Well, good luck with that," Lesh mumbled quietly to himself. "Truly, you and John will get along like a house fire and a dry wood forest." He didn't realize though how clearly Alice could hear him though or how much his casual comparison would sting. She pouted at it yet a fierce anger bubbling up. She wished, with a burning intensity that she could make Ashley disappear or that she had killed this girl earlier to prevent needing to mention her to Lesh, but she knew with a bitter certainty that such a thing was currently impossible. But she still felt her position was threatened and that made Ash an immediate rival, especially once John returned.
"It seems we're two short though, unless I've lost more of my marbles," he murmured. He distinctly remembered the number of people along with the crude manner in which the two additional women had been practically shoved into their car. They had almost slipped his mind entirely if he were to be honest, a lapse that bothered him more than he let on.
Alice, however, seemed unconcerned as she shrugged. "The two girls I heard this weird guy pushed onto us and the arrow girl claimed responsibility for? Yeah, I haven't even seen them, But at least it's two less worries for us though." Her tone was matter-of-fact, betraying no hint of alarm or even curiosity, her remarks reflecting her sour mood.
Lesh simply gave her a look – a silent, knowing glance that conveyed his disapproval without a single word. He understood what she meant and even, at a certain level could agree with it but he couldn't entirely condone it. Slowly getting up he made his way outside, intent to find out what had happened and sort this matter.
Outside, the larger group had gathered up, a mix of apprehension and quiet anticipation on their faces waiting to tell Lesh what they hoped to do or be given tasks by him. One by one he began to tell them what he wanted them to do, surprising them with how simple there first assignments where, or as he called it foundational work that was crucial for their immediate survival and future security. The man with keen, intelligent eyes who introduced himself as a 'city builder' was first. "Your priority," Lesh instructed, "is to plan out an underground camp. We need a secure and hidden space to act as a safe haven." The city builder nodded, already sketching ideas in the dirt with a stick making him nod rather pleased.
The other men were assigned to begin essential repairs on the house or creating defenses around it well making the short area around it more habitable. The 'gatherer,' a quiet but efficient individual was assigned to guide them to necessary materials after Lesh gave him a specific list of items to have them collect, ensuring they didn't waste precious time searching. Meanwhile the 'old man' was assigned as a type of overseer, his unassuming form perfect to find out everyone's real thoughts well watching if they really did there jobs properly Ray, being an archer meant she had good eyes and thus tasked with providing security and scouting, keeping a vigilant eye on their surroundings while the others worked but told to stay behind, wanting to have a word with her before letting her do the assigned task.
The women weren't left out of the plans. Lesh, accompanied by Alice and Ash, approached them. At first the other women seemed wary, almost skittish, their eyes darting between Lesh and the unfamiliar faces. But Ash, perhaps tapping into a shared sense of camaraderie born from their recent ordeal of being locked away together, stepped forward. Her monotonous voice, usually so detached softened slightly as she spoke to them, her presence acted as a bridge to calm their anxieties and assure them that no one would be hurting them. Alice though still pouting was forced to silently acknowledge Ash's unexpected utility.
The first woman to introduce herself, after a gentle nudge from Ash, was called May. She was the 'tri-crafter,' a designation, after a bit more probing from him allowed him to understand it meant a mastery of various artisanal skills. May had short brown hair with a striking green stripe woven through it, bright green eyes and a soft round face that seemed perpetually worried. Lesh, approaching her with a calm, reassuring demeanor carefully explained their current limitations. "Right now, we don't have any dedicated tailoring facilities or crafting stations," he admitted, "but I promise we'll figure something out for you down the line to make full use of all your crafting skills." He saw the flicker of disappointment at first, seemingly taking this as him reaffirming others words that she was useless. "In the meantime, your skills regarding farming would be invaluable, could you help Elena in the greenhouse? Perhaps even assist in setting up a proper cooking spot? Becoming the primary cook for everyone?" At the mention of a purpose, of contributing in a tangible way shift seemed to happen. Her green eyes brightened and a genuine smile finally broke through her apprehension, bringing a flicker of life back into her.
Feeling slightly more comfortable after witnessing Lesh's patient and gentle interaction with May, the next woman stepped forward. This was Lacy, the 'Techno-engineer.' She possessed an air of quiet efficiency, though her gaze was often distant. Lesh addressed her with the same frankness. "Lacy, it's much the same situation for you," he began, "Currently, our technological infrastructure is... non-existent. There's not much you can do with any machinery yet since we have none." He saw the dull, almost resigned look settle over her face. "However," he quickly continued, "once we establish a decent generator or start recovering other electrical and mechanical devices that's when you'll truly shine and will become your responsibility. Until then, I hope you'll lend your keen mind and hands wherever they're needed. Maybe Helping May, Ash or even Alice with whatever tasks they have?" What he received back was a simple, yet perhaps profound, nod of acknowledgment, her expression still muted but indicating a willingness to comply and for now, that was enough.
The final woman stood slightly apart, radiating an aura of cold self-possession. Her hair, a striking shade of dark red that bordered on black, framed a face dominated by piercing black eyes that seemed to miss nothing. Tightly gripped in her hands was a peculiar-looking sword, its blade subtly curved and emanating an almost imperceptible purple glow that seemed to pulse with a hidden energy. Before Lesh could even open his mouth to speak, Saya's voice cut through the air, sharp and unyielding.
"My name is Saya," she stated, her tone devoid of warmth, "and before you try to 'help' me find a place like the others, don't bother." Her black eyes fixated on Lesh, piercing through his outward appearance. "I know you're not like the men who harmed and broke us and I also know you aren't the owner of that body you inhabit. I can fully see you, the real monstrous and horrid form beneath, your presents seemd to scare and crush the others that get to close to you." Lesh felt a jolt, a cold prickle of surprise that someone, especially someone he'd just met, could perceive his true nature so readily. He maintained his composure though, but his amusement was now laced with a heavy dose of intrigue, finding her to be quite interesting. "I will pull my weight," Saya continued, her voice unwavering. "I will work to help keep this place safe and I will hunt for meat but I want something you took. It's the only reason why I even bothered to come here."
"Oh?" Lesh's amusement, though now more carefully guarded, edged into his voice. "Now that is rather interesting. And you say I don't scare you girly? Well, you should be careful of such confidence. Looking like you do can be rather hazardous for your health as some beings don't take kindly to being spied on, or having their true nature revealed so casually with such disregard." He let the subtle threat hang in the air for a moment, testing her resolve. "But back to the current topic. What is it that I apparently have, that you so clearly want?"
Saya's grip on her strange sword tightened, a faint thrum of purple light intensifying around its hilt. Her eyes narrowed, reflecting a deep-seated fury. "Beware when you look into the Abyss, because just as you look into it, it in turn looks back into you." Her words were a chilling mantra as she kept her gaze on in, unwavering as she slowly narrowed her yes. "That's the warning I received when choosing my class and a silent whisper I still hear at times from the beings around me. Some speak to me about you Lesh. They're let me see the real you along with the ones beneath the skin. They whisper about that you have that I want but I already knew that. It's the bastard that hurt me and brought us to that hell. The one who caused us so much suffering. Vick…" The name was spat as if poison well-being laced with so much venom it felt like a tangible threat, painting a clear picture of the depth of her rage and her singular focus on retribution and revenge.