While they had returned to the settlement, which Jenn was wondering if she should try to come up with a name for. She wasn't sure if anyone else would, just as she was getting the feeling that no one would object, at least openly, to any name that she'd have suggested.
It wasn't that she objected to that fact herself, but more that she'd hoped someone would have made a suggestion for the name. That way it would have been more of a community's choice rather than a name merely imposed on it because of what she wanted at some point in time.
At this time, however, Jenn was on her way to meet with the ogre chief, with the mask and hood, she'd created to signify who the Blue Rose was, on. She was hoping that she'd be able to meet with an ogre who would be able to make the trip shorter, but so far she was getting plenty of time on her own to think of things that weren't as important.
Simply because she didn't have anything better to do with her time at that particular moment and her mind was wandering as she trudged up the steep mountainside.
She also couldn't help but recall the times she'd traveled along the sides of mountains with her friends as they made their way from one place to another. Including in these very mountains as well. Although, the mountains that she wondered the most about were with the pronghorn-kin and the bear-kin. She wondered what might have happened there since she and her friends had left. Were they creating a community that would keep them safe from the encroaching of the beaver-kin?
Movement out of the corner of Jenn's eyes cut her wandering thoughts short. She saw an ogre approaching, though the fact that it didn't appear hostile made her feel a little relaxed. Though, she still wasn't used to how tall they were, or the fact that they had two heads.
She couldn't help but wonder if maybe they'd eventually grow on her and she'd be accustomed to how they appeared, but if that would turn out to be true, it wasn't just yet.
"Where you go?" the ogre asked, his tone making the question almost a demand.
"I was told that your chief wanted to speak with me," Jenn replied, not seeing any reason to either hide the fact or dance around the subject. "If you'd be willing to help me along, I'd appreciate it."
Jenn couldn't help but wonder if maybe she should work at finding some way to get through this faster in the even she wasn't able to get a 'lift' through most of the way. Just like when she'd met with the chief before, she'd had to find her own way back, even with all those who had been held captive by the ogres then.
"Why should I help?" the ogre asked, making Jenn wonder if she should have spent her time so far hiking thinking of what she could do to find a better way of travel along here rather than having let her thoughts wander so much.
However, she couldn't think of anything to say in response but what she was currently thinking. "I don't have a reason I can give you, other than the fact that I asked," Jenn replied calmly. "Not that it's much of a reason."
The ogre looked at Jenn with both heads, the wheels clearly turning in both of them as they processed what Jenn had said. Jenn wasn't sure what the ogre's final decision would be, but she at least hoped he'd be amenable to her simple request.
"You not weigh much," the ogre said after a few minutes. "I take you part way."
"Thank you," Jenn said, feeling like she should be as polite as possible with this creature. She might not encounter him again, but she thought that it would at least be important to at least leave a good impression, if nothing else.
The ogre merely grunted his response. Jenn figured that might be his was of saying 'your welcome' or 'no problem' but she wasn't going to hold out much hope with either one. As far as she knew, the ogre was being dismissive of her gratitude. Not that she cared one way or another.
The ogre picked her up and threw her over his shoulder as if she was a sack of potatoes. Not that she was complaining. This would at least be a lot less tiring than going over these mountains on her own. Not to mention the fact that she'd be able to have more energy when she did arrive to meet with the chief, assuming she wouldn't have needed to camp out for the night.
Besides, as long as the ogre did take her at least part of the way, she'd be able to make much better time than she would if she'd been going on her own. Which she was perfectly fine with paying almost any price for that at the moment. She knew that the more time she saved now, the more time she'd be able to put to other things that she wanted to get done; one of which was exploring more of these mountains as she tried to recall where that other gate was that led to that island.
Also, what the ogre had meant by 'part way' Jenn wasn't sure, as where he dropped her off was outside the same cave that she'd been put in front of the last time. Which as far as Jenn was concerned, that was pretty much the whole way.
The ride was just as bumpy as the last time an ogre carried her, but at least this time the air wasn't as cold and she knew what to expect. She wasn't sure how long it took, with her doing her best to keep from losing what she'd last eaten, but she was at least confident that she wouldn't be able to move this quickly on her own. Or at least while walking along the mountain slope.
Eventually, they reached where the ogre planned on putting her down. Which Jenn was happy about, though her legs nearly gave out from under her when they had to support her weight again. Which Jenn hoped they'd get over quickly.
"Here you go," the ogre said as he set Jenn down on the ground. "You outside cave to chief. If he wait for you, you just enter and you reach him eventually."
Jenn nodded, not sure what else to say in response, but, "Thank you. I appreciate it."
The ogre looked at Jenn like he wasn't sure what to make of her, which Jenn couldn't say if it was a bad thing or not. All she could make out was that it wasn't something the ogres were used to. Which would also mean they weren't sure how to react to it.
Which was merely a problem for another day. Especially as the ogre left without saying anything else. Which Jenn was perfectly happy about. She didn't know what else she could have done about the situation.
As such, she turned as started making her way through the cave. Including the part that she was pretty sure ogres wouldn't be able to get through themselves. Unless their children were more 'human' size than their adults were.
Not that she really worried too much about it. All she wanted to do was get through this so she could continue on what she'd been working on taking care of before she'd learned the chief of this ogre tribe or clan wanted to speak with her.
Just like the last time, she was able to reach the ogre chief without any problems. Although, unlike the last time, the ogre chief was alone.
–So, are you ready to share with me?– Derek asked using his magic as soon as his right head saw Jenn.
–Only through the same way I shared with you last time.– Jenn replied conversationally with hers, hoping he wasn't actually serious about the matter. She'd hoped that the matter had been dealt with, but at this moment, she felt a little uneasy about it in general.
–But it's so much more fun doing it the physical way.– Derek replied, somehow feeling like it came from both heads at once which was the first time she had the sense of something Derek said coming from either head.
Then before Jenn could say anything in response both of them burst out laughing. Jenn wasn't sure what the reason for the laughter was, but she wasn't going to complain. She had a feeling that the issue wasn't brought up in any serious matter. That he'd merely made a shot in the dark and hoped she'd respond the way he wanted her to, but that he wasn't going to press the matter if she wasn't open for the idea still.
–Maybe, but I'd rather move on to what you wanted to talk with me about.– Jenn replied, hoping that this wasn't going to take very long. Even though the trip between her settlement and this cave was already long enough that it'd take her longer than she'd like to travel the distance in the first place.
–Well, did I mention that I'd like one of my people to spend time with your people?– Derek asked.
–Uh…– Jenn hesitated. She felt like she should know the answer to this, but her mind was drawing a blank on the matter. However, in the end, she had to admit, –I… really don't remember.–
Derek nodded as if he expected that response. –I can't either, even though I'm pretty sure I did. Regardless, that's what I'd like to do. I hope you'll be amenable to this.–
Jenn nodded. –I understand. Though, would I have to show them who I am or would you still keep that a secret for me?– While she couldn't say that it would be a problem for certain if this ogre or ogress knew about her being the Blue Rose, she'd rather not have that get out. Especially since she couldn't say how well the ogres were at keeping secrets.
–I can try to keep it from her, but I really don't know how successful I'll be. It's not something I'm used to doing.– Derek answered, letting Jenn know her suspicions were confirmed that Ogres weren't good with secrets. Though, Jenn suspected that it had to do with their habit of 'sharing' and that they weren't used to keeping things back when they 'shared.'
–So, is there anything else?– Jenn asked, wondering if that was all she'd been asked here for. If it was, she wasn't sure if she'd be happy about it, since it took so much effort to get there.
Although, that would probably be something she should mention to him. Just in case this happened in the future. Otherwise she had a feeling that she was going to really have to figure out a way to travel faster through these mountains on her own. Without the aid of any ogres that she might happen to pass by.
–Well, now that you mention it, I was wondering if it happened that an ogre and human wanted to… what do you call it? Marry?– Derek asked, but then paused as if the concept was hard for him to pin down. Which Jenn wouldn't be surprised if that was the case. Not with how the culture of the ogres seemed to be.
–Maybe, but explain what you mean and I'll let you know if that's the word for it.– Jenn answered, unsure if that's really what word he'd been looking for.
–I guess it's just that… I don't know. Where they only want to share with each other.– Derek said, clearly having difficulty with even the concept of what he was trying to describe. Afterwards he sighed, looking like he was ready to just give up on what he was trying to say.
–Uh, if what you're saying is what I think you're saying, then yeah. That would be marriage in my culture.– Jenn answered, hoping that it would at least help Derek out with what he was struggling with.
Derek took a deep breath, both heads nodding gratefully at Jenn. –Thanks. I wasn't sure if we were getting the concept right or not.–
–I understand. It's not something you're used to and so you weren't sure if you had it correct.– Jenn replied, then paused. She wasn't sure what the reason for Derek wondering about that in the first place. She hoped that he wasn't just proposing a political marriage or something. A way to secure the ties between their peoples. –Uh, by the way. Was there any particular reason you were wondering about that?–
Both of Derek's heads shook in response. –Not really, but the legends of humans in our past indicated that there were some humans and ogres who did try pairing off like that. Though, those pairings usually ended poorly as the ogre often would… uh, share with more than one person sometimes. Which might have been part of the rift that occurred between our peoples.–
Jenn nodded. –Yeah, I understand, but if they're willing to try, I can't say that it'd be wrong for them to. Maybe the human in that relationship would be willing to accept the ogre… uh, sharing with more than just one person.–
–Maybe and I hope so if that happens. It's just in our natures to do that, I guess.– Derek replied with a sigh.
–I doubt doing something like that is just 'your nature.'– Jenn remarked dismissively. She definitely didn't think that it was anyone's nature to sleep around or anything. Largely it came down to a choice and several things influenced what a person's choice would be, regardless of what it might be. –I think it might come from how your people are already open in that regard, that it can feel a little suffocating to go from that to just one person if they don't have a specific reason to want that for themselves.–
Derek stared at Jenn for a minute after she finished her statement. –I've never thought of it like that.– he said, almost wonderingly. –How did you come up with that?–
Jenn shrugged, feeling uncomfortable with how the subject turned to her. –It's just that I've been around some things where I know its not right for me, even when it feels like everyone around me is doing that. Where it's almost expected and I'm not engaging in that.–
Jenn wasn't sure if it was because Derek hardly knew her or if it was because she was using her magic to talk, but she felt rather surprised at how much she was willing to share about that. Something she wasn't even sure if she'd have been willing to share with even Beth or Alex. If they asked, of course.
–Was it difficult to be around that?– Derek asked and Jenn could almost hear him whispering those words as he used his magic to convey them.
Jenn sighed as she shook her head, part of her wondering how she let the focus turn to her. –Not really. I already kept myself at the edge of everything those my age were doing, so it's not like I was especially involved in any of that. It just sometimes felt like I should give in just so I could be more like them, even when I knew it wasn't for me.–
–Did you ever give in?–
Jenn sighed wishing she hadn't opened her mouth. She wasn't sure why she had, just that it felt like the right thing to do at the moment. Which turned out the 'right' thing to do was something that was screwing her over. Again.
–No, but there were times I really wanted to.– Jenn replied, thinking of a few of the times when she was almost ready to cave in on Alex's desire to sleep with her before quickly pushing that out of her mind. She certainly didn't need that image in her mind when she was with an ogre who wouldn't think twice about having sex with her.
–I see.– Derek said and Jenn was certain he would have said more, but then there was a sound that drew both of their attention. –Well, it looks like we'll have to cut this short. I hadn't really expected you to show up like you had, otherwise I'd have agreed to this meeting tomorrow instead.–
–No problem.– Jenn replied, a little uncertain as to what this 'meeting' was about, but didn't ask as it really wasn't any of her business. No matter how much she wanted to.
–It's a gathering of the tribes near mine.– Derek explained without Jenn having to ask. –Though, right now it might not be good for them to learn about your presence here. Some take the legends a little too seriously.–
Jenn nodded, feeling like she was getting the hint as to what he was wanting her to do. Leave. And quietly.
–I'll come by again if you need me to.– Jenn said before she turned to leave the way she came. She wasn't sure why, but she was starting to think of Derek as a friend. One she was probably going to have to continually refuse his advances, no matter how much he wanted her to give in. Which Jenn knew was going to be a headache, even though she found that she couldn't hold that against him for some reason. That it felt more endearing than anything else right then.
Jenn made her way through the cave, her mind just now coming to a realization that she felt she should have had while she was talking with Derek. Opening up about herself in regards to her feeling like she was being pushed by the culture she had been in to be more like those around her wasn't really the first time she'd exposed that part of herself to him. As when she'd shared with Derek using a kind of mind link or something to do so, she had let everything about herself go through.
Although, whether or not he picked up on every small detail of what she'd sent to him wasn't something she could say. Not without sharing with him, in any manner, again. Which she wasn't that eager to do, even with a mind link. As somehow it almost felt like she was doing something wrong by seeing everything there was to know about him. Even when her doing the same hardly seemed like it was wrong at all.