Perfectly Ordinary Afternoon (Ginger)

[kendra]

There was nothing spectacular about today. The sun was shining, people were out tending their gardens or sitting on benches smoking their pipes and gossiping about what some of the more notable hobbits were doing, and many were flocking to the inns and taverns for a cup or two (or ten) of some ale and good company. It was a typical day in the Shire, and that suited Lily just fine. Typical and average were what was comfortable and routine, and that's just how the young hobbit liked it. Nothing out of the ordinary was going to happen. She straightened her bodice and gave her hair a little fluff before opening the door to one of her favorite places to be... work.

The cozy two-story inn had a certain charm about it, and it was rarely ever empty. People sat about in clusters talking about fantastical things - and some not so fantastical things as well, naturally - and everyone was always in good humor. The stage in the corner was empty as it was only midday and people were just starting to settle in for lunch, or a late elevensees for some people, and the entertainment wouldn't be arriving for another hour or two. There was supposed to be a band or dance troupe coming in later, she couldn't remember which. All she knew was that they got their drinks on the house and Olo had left her the money to pay them when they were done performing. The Gaffer was already in his usual chair by the fireplace, and she gave him a nod and a smile as she made her way behind the bar to relieve Hereward - Olo's son - so that he could get home to his family.

"Hullo, Lily," he greeted her as he removed his apron. "Stew's in the pot and just about done, everything else is ready for luncheon."

"Thanks, Hereward! Any word on... whoever's entertaining today?" She asked as he walked past. He shook his head and she returned the gesture. "At least Hamfast is here, he should be entertainment enough." She chuckled as she put her apron on over her skirt and went to check on the stew.

The band or dancers or... poets or what have you were likely just taking their sweet time getting there, which was fine really. In fact, it was normal. There was never really a reason for rushing in Bywater... Unless, of course, you were late for a meal.

[hades]

So. Many. Little. People.
Ginger’s initial reaction was Dénor sized beings. When she first stumbled upon these curious creatures as she passed through Bree, but she hadn’t given them much thought at the time. Yet now that she was here in their land, she thought them very strange. Their big, curly feet and heads were strange to her. “Like elves, but much, much shorter and with big hairy feet.” Was exactly how she described them to Dénor the night she had camped on the border. The next day, which was a beautiful one, had started out fairly well. The elf and owl were going to make great mileage this day. Ginger had heard of a people beyond the Shire, and she was curious as to who they were and what they were doing. No mind to danger along the way. Four arrows in her quiver, a shoulder bag filled with everything she needed for the road, and a belt of throwing knives at her side, she was prepared for anything.

However, that ‘great mileage’ they were supposed to make was waylaid by the beauty of the country. The rolling hills, a view of the Misty Mountains that was stunning, tall trees and curious houses with beautiful gardens in front. These strange houses seemed to be built inside the hills. And by the time the charm of the Shire had made its full impact on the she-elf it was noon. Her stomach growled and she wondered if there was any place good to eat. Checking her change purse, she glad that she might have just enough for a meal.

As it turns out, it wasn’t easy to find a place recommended by the locals. Many of them had shied away from her, or just gaped at the giant Hobbit sized bird. Finally, it took one of the elder-Hobbits to be brave enough to direct her to the Ivory Bush. Following his precise directions she found herself at a quaint tavern. As she approached, Dénor flew ahead and landed on one of the tables, chortling as one of the Hobbits gave a startled shout, calling the bird a few choice words that were particular to Hobbit swears. Though, Ginger didn’t know this. Confusion was obvious on her face as she attempted to apologize. But instead the little half-ling opened the door to the tavern and to Ginger’s annoyance Dénor flew inside.

The large bird entered the tavern. It was slightly brighter than he liked, but it would do. One of the little owlets let out a screech and suddenly the whole tavern erupted into shouts. Surprise, anger, shock, all of it could be heard even outside the tavern. This spooked Dénor and he joined in the screeching, flapping his wings, his claws flailing about, trying to grab hold of a table only to find that he tipped them. Before long the tavern was a mess…

Outside Ginger watched Hobbits nearly flood out of the tavern. Dismayed all Ginger could do was sit down in the dir and hug her knees to her chest. This was her fault, and she would be the one to get yelled at for the disruption and whatever damages were done she would have to pay for them. Pulling her curls up into a high pony tail she waited silently among the chaos.

[kendra]

The stew was nearly complete, and it smelled delicious. She leaned over to take a rather generous sniff as she a couple more people shuffled in, or so she assumed. That's when she heard the commotion outside. There was an outburst of yelling and what sounded like a table being flipped and all she could do was roll her eyes as she prepared to go out and break up what she assumed was some petty squabble over a patch of cabbages or some family matter of some sort. She liked to think that most of the rabble frequented the Green Dragon down the street rather than her own comfortable little oasis, there was still a fair share of troublemakers on occasion, though she rather disliked dealing with them. The ones who tended to cause problems were those who had ale with breakfast (and second breakfast, and elevensees, and... well... everything and some in between) instead of tea, and they never really fond of listening to reason. So with a sigh she fixed a stern look on her face that she thought might be appropriate for scolding drunken bickerers, straightened her apron and crossed her arms in a rather pointed manner as she made her way for the door.

While she crossed the room, the circular door started to open and she was fully prepared to greet whomever entered to complain about the commotion - or perhaps be one of those causing said commotion, in which case they'd get a talking-to. What she wasn't prepared for was what happened. A monstrous white beast flew - flew! - into the tavern. There was something that was not a hobbit, despite being hobbit-sized, in her comfort zone and she had no clue what to do! She took one glance at the creature's beak and talons and knew precisely what plan of action to take... and she darted behind the bar and hid underneath it. Yes, that was exactly what was to be done in a situation like this.

All of her customers were surely gone, or dead. Oh dear... what if that thing had hurt Hamfast! She braved a peek around the bar as another table was flipped, and she was sure that she heard a cry from someone. This beast was attacking hobbits! Likely eating them and ruining what they'd believed to be a peaceful life in the Shire! They were supposed to be safe there! They weren't supposed to have natural predators! Especially not... was that an owl?

Blinking her large brown eyes, she watched as what was surely an owl knock pretty much everything in the vicinity over and score the wood on the tables, chairs and floor... even the very bar that she was hiding behind! The bird was massive, especially when it flapped it's ridiculously sized wings, and Lily was sure that she was going to die here. Her grave would read "Worked at the Ivy Bush. Died there, too" or something just as ridiculous, as if she'd done nothing else in her life other than work. That was certainly not okay! However, she didn't exactly see a way around it.

If there was one thing to be said about her people, they weren't particularly heroic. They'd watch and gawk and talk about the things that could have been done to save her as she was eviscerated by an owl, but they wouldn't do anything. There were to be none of the heroes from her books coming to save her.

Unless... unless maybe she called for help? It was usually some damsel in distress that brought out a hero in someone, right? Well... it would either bring a hero or alert the owl to her location and ensure her demise. Worth a shot, right?

"H-help!" she cried weakly. Clearing her throat and taking a deep breath, she tried again. "Somebody! Please! Help me! ... I don't want to die in here." She finished the sentence a tad quieter and waited for the beast to peek over the counter and start pecking at her with it's beak. What a way to go...

[hades]

Sure many had stared at her as they came out of the tavern, but she didn’t mind. The afternoon sun beat down on the elf as she sat in the grass, her knees under her chin. She could only imagine what it looked like inside. Hopefully Dénor’s claws hadn’t caused any one of these precious creatures harm. He didn’t usually attack anyone person unless felt threatened, which it could be hard to tell when he was and when he wasn’t… if you hung around him long enough you could tell, but unless you were just meeting him then he could appear like an insane bird bent on destruction. Shame flooded over Ginger in this moment. She should get up and do something to help, but she could hardly fit inside the tavern. Like Gandalf inside Bilbo’s home, for example. Now you might be getting the idea that everything was in miniature and that Ginger felt like a giant among these creatures! That is not indeed the case, things would just be a little tight with everything that she traveled with. “I don’t want to die!” Ginger’s sharp ears picked this up as it floated through the open door of the tavern.

Getting up from her position she walked over to the door and looked in. “Dénor?” She said in Rohirrim, “Come out of there now.” Her voice was calm, but inside she was feeling dread. Anyone would have been filled with it if they saw the state of the tavern. Broken plates, some broken tables, and plenty of mess! The shame grew stronger as it was Ginger’s responsibility to take charge of her friend.

Dénor, once his orange eyes landed on the Hobbit stopped what he was doing. His head turned sideways as he looked her. What was she squawking about!? There was no danger here anymore. Couldn’t she see that? The owl’s ego had no room for him to feel ashamed of what he had done. As far as he was concerned all this was the cause of the little folk. He didn’t see it as it was: He scared them as much as they scared him. Twisting his head to the other side, he gave the tavern girl a curious look. Turning his head strait again, he stretched forward and maneuvered his way over to her, chirping innocently. At the sound of his master’s call he turned his head towards the door without turning his entire body.

“Step away, Dénor, leave the poor thing alone.” She said in common speech. Blinking slowly he turned his eyes back to the scared creature in front of him, backing away just as slowly.

ooc; 50th post.