Kotkazan

You’ve just arrived in a swampy, dim town. As you look around, your gaze is met with shacks and cabins. It smells of rotted wood and wet moss. You duck and step into a tattered tent, illuminated by a series of candles suspended in the air. At the back of the tent, an old hag raises her head, “What brings you to this dingy town? she begins, then pauses to study your face—”Ah, it’s you. I’ve been expecting you. Sit,” she gestures at a cushion, “Tell me your story.” --- "Oh, uh, good evening." - she looks around the tent while shuffling awkwardly to take a seat at the dusty cushion, it's fabric tattered and slightly rotten. She return her attention to the tent's occupant. "I'm very sorry for wandering about, I mean no harm. My name is Deandra and I'm a soon-to-be apprentice alchemist.." - her sentence trails off as she spots the old woman's cat - a fierce little beast, shooting her a mean stare with it's jewel-green eyes. "I like your cat. It looks.. Mean." - she smiles awkwardly, shooting the lady a quick glance, only to be met with anticipation. Clearing her throat, Deandra shifts and continues - "I have departed from my home in the hopes of finding a teacher. The women of my family have been alchemists for generations, though there aren't many of us, as one would expect.." - she pats her travel bag with a gentle hand - "And none are willing to teach me, it seems we must find our own way into the craft." The cold wind of the night makes it's way to the tents opening and gently rustles the various trinkets the woman had seemingly hung around the tent's supports. Several chime, a comforting melody echoes in the tent, as the cat closes it's eyes, the old woman running a gentle hand along it's dark fur. "But yes, beyond that, I had a very uneventful childhood. I was stuck in my books and learning as much as I could about herbs that departure was simple, as the only person who sent me off is my mother." - a slight smile appears on her face as she continues - "I wish to give her a better home, closer to the city. She saved me during one of our herb-fetching trips, I almost fell in an old trap pit deep in the wood, she "irreperably" damaged her foot." - Deandra makes a visual representation of the quotation marks and exaggerates the word as she continues. - "There is no such thing. I'm sure it can be mended, and I want to secure that for her, and if it IS somehow irreparable.. At least she'll have a more comfortable home, where the ailment won't be as bothersome for her.." The old woman's eyes twinkle, a seeming satisfaction on her face, she nods. "I think I have bothered you enough, I'll take my leave now. Thank you for listening to my story, and requesting to hear it, I don't remember the last time I had a good monologue." - she chuckles, standing up and preparing herself to depart. She throws the hood of her cloak over her head, turning to face the woman before departure - "Farewell, uhm, madam." - she then abruptly takes her leave.