Jo took the purse with a smile, looking don to hide her blush. Slipping the bags into the purse, she followed Ella to the town.

Once there, she watched everyone draw back, fear and worry clearly in their faces and postures. She tried smiling, keeping a small one on her face as she started walking a little closer to the other woman. "I... No one's going to try and drive us out, are they?" she murmured, knowing whispers carry further. She didn't want to be feared, she wanted these people to know she was harmless. Well, as harmless as a gryphon could be. But now she worried that she'd never have the chance to show anyone how gentle she could be with children, or how skilled with fine metals. her hand wandered up to the purse, wondering if she'd even have the chance to show off her work.

"No... they depend on me too much for supernatural protection... they are just a people greatly scared. give them time. where do you want to head first?" Ella murmured back. She wrapped her arm around jo's shoulder, absorbing the water in her other hand back into her body. She held the other woman almost possessively, as if to make it clear to the others that the woman was her lover and not a threat. She didn't say anything else as she waited for an answer. The people had seen her bring lovers in before and seemed to relax a little but there was still fear in their gaze. Their scars were too deep for such a simple gesture to drive the fear away. They needed time, that was all.

So they depended on her, but were scared of her? It was a bit much to try and figure out, so she turned her attention to the question. "Hm, maybe somewhere I could show the pieces I brought, maybe a place I could sell them to?" she said, snuggling as much into Ella's side as she could without tripping either of them. "And then a place to find food to take home, and seeds."

Ella nodded as she listened to the other, a small smile falling onto her lips as she felt the other girl curl into her. She held her slightly tighter and thought about it for a moment. She headed to a small store that sold clothing and small amounts of crude jewelry first. The owner was a seamstress and wonderful fashion designer but when it came to metal work she just never seemed to have a knack. Most of the jewelry was simple bead and thread type jewelry or clay. Few people bought it and those that did only did so because it was the only place in town.

Ella called the woman who came out from the back. She then explained the situation to the woman and would let Jo show her wares off. The seamstress was delighted to buy, as her costumers often asked for better jewelry and she just hadn't found a decent supplier. Ella glanced towards Jo, wondering how she'd handle the dealing. Would she be shrewd or naive? If Jo was fairly decent negotiating she would simply stand silent as stone and watch she had decided.

((I'll let you play the store lady. I don't know if you have anything in mind or not.))

Jo was delighted that there was someone willing to sell her work. She had a smile on as she tried dealing with prices, offering to give the woman the pieces with a price tag already on them, and split the money made on them. Her first offer was 60-40, with the higher number going to Jo. She did make them and need to get more material sometime. And she was by nature a giving kind of person, and wanted to see people succeed. She gave Ella a glance, wondering if she thought the offer was a fair one.

((I didn't xD but sure))

Ella wasn't so sure she liked how giving Jo was being but she had no right to interfere. The store owner had expected to get much less so instantly accepted the deal and pulled Jo over to the jewelry shelves and hangers by the check out desk. The owner would ask Jo's opinion and ask her where and how she wanted them to be placed. The owner was a kind woman and would take any advice that Jo gave as she knew she didn't have much of an eye for such things. If it wasn't cloth she didn't know what she was doing. So as they did this Ella would wait near the door, as she inwardly debated if she should have interfered and gotten a better deal for Jo... but this would likely help Jo's reputation so perhaps it was for the best.

Once Jo was finished with her business Ella would hold out a hand and wait for her with a smile. With that she would then take her to the local general store. They sold seeds for the local farmers and gardeners so would be the best place. Ella watched over Jo's shoulder curiously as she chose the seeds. If she saw it she could figure out something about what kind of things that Jo liked and that excited her.

((Alrighty, just making sure!))

Jo moved some of the owner's pieces around, both making room and pairing things that looked good together. She asked for tags, labeling the jewelry she brought and arranging it on the shelves. Thanking the woman, and promising more items soon, she took Ella's hand and walked to the store with her.

Seeds. The little stand in the aisle had seeds she was familiar with, and ones she wasn't. She started picking some of the packets up, cucumber, a sweet melon, peas. She thought a moment and picked up pole beans as well, and carrots. she walked around the stand and found a couple lettuces, as well as spinach and radishes. "Um, is there anything you would like?" she asked, looking back at Ella. She didn't want to be greedy. And she wasn't sure what the other vegetables would taste like. Her eyes wandered to the section of flower seeds, seeing morning glories and moon flowers. She'd wanted to try growing moon flowers before...

(( http://www.menewsha.com/forum/commun...just-join.html new rp i made, check it out if you like xD. ))

"Can't eat remember...but I do like flowers" She responded after a moments thought. Mostly she just watched the other girl, and had noted how she had been looking at the flowers. She was giving an honest answer, but it was also true she wouldn't have thought to request flowers if Jo hadn't looked first. She gave the other girl a warm smile and reached out slightly to stroke her cheek. She didn't want the other woman to feel bad about having forgotten such a thing. It was probably strange to get use to a lover that didn't eat...

((heh, another rp? We're trying to breath life into the Inn again, too))

Jo made a face momentarily. "Sorry. I'm not used to it yet," she said, closing her eyes at the touch. "What kind of flowers?" She started looking at the other selections, noticing a lack of perennials. "There are no lilies or the like here. But I was thinking of moon flowers and morning glories. Even if I really won't be up to see them bloom..." She almost always slept in. And that meant she missed all the morning blooms. But she was usually up at least part of the night, and she might get to see the moon flowers bloom.

((true xD but I felt like resurrecting an old idea >.< You don't have to join though if you don't want to, I just thought i'd give you the option))

"I've always been partial to moon flowers...Which do you like?" Ella suggested with a twinkle in her eye. She would then point to a few other flowers she liked absently, not really thinking too much about it. She tried to make sure that the other woman picked some she personally liked and not just what Ella liked though. She hoped the garden would go well, simply because jo seemed so into the idea. She'd never really tried growing anything... the forest grew well so the soil should be good at least. She nodded to herself and waited to see if the other woman wanted to buy anything else. She had mentioned supplies but this was the general store so had pretty much any supply you needed. She briefly wondered if Jo would want to explore the small town a bit, but due to the icy people she doubted she would.

((I'm thinking on it.))

"Um, moon flowers and morning glories. And snapdragons," she said, picking out the seed packets. "I don't think there's enough time this year to plant others." She sounded unsure, but this town was further north than Eerie, so should have a shorter growing season. "And we should probably get some food, too. Flat bread and tahini is nice, but it get boring fast," she continued, turning for Ella to lead the way around the store. "And are you sure you can pay for these? I don't want you to spend everything you have on me."

"Of course. she responded with a dismissive wave of her hand. She often solved small mysteries for coin or do small magics for people. It was an irony really... she as undead who often was called in to cleanse an area. She pushed away the thought with a smile, however, as she waited for the other woman to choose all the seeds she wanted. Once she had she would lead her towards the food section of the general store. She wondered briefly what the other woman liked... even if it'd been to long for her to remember what food tasted like herself.

Jo finished picking out seeds to plant, then followed Ella around the store. She was glad to see mostly general ingredients, and started looking for things she knew she could cook with. "Um, I think I'm going to need more protein than most people, and the meat here seems expensive..." She looked at the prices, trying to remember how much it cost back in Eerie. It couldn't have been this much, too many of the citizens there needed large amounts of it. "I can hunt and fish, if I need to." Fish was good, but red meat was better. She made a face momentarily, it seemed like being such a hot-blooded creature would be a disadvantage out here. It took more to run her body.

" We have lots of deer here... but we can always try to work out a deal with one of the farmers." Ella responded absently. She couldn't gather much about her tastes from the general ingredients. Ella did realize she liked meat from her statements at least... how much did she need it? It was a curious question. She judged it was more need then want from the expression on the other womans face. There were a few farmers that she could probably get to help... some sold to the general store, some sold to neighboring towns...

Jo looked at the items in the items in her basket, trying to plan meals and figure out how long it would be until another trip here. "Well, then I can hunt part of the time," she said, wondering what the farmers would think she was getting so much meat for. "And I think we have enough for now. Was there anything else in town you wanted to show me?"

"Not really...unless you want to visit the farmers or anything before we return" She responded absently. Ella looked towards her and tilted her head to the side curiously. She did wonder if Jo wanted more, but honestly she figured it was better to introduce her slowly to the town. They would get use to her in time... she just hoped it was before she had her next mission. They would likely have a little time since the rasulka were calming down from the attack still but not much. Many of them had been so frightened that true death and moving on where they couldn't be reached or used suddenly seemed more important.

"I think we should wait a bit, first. I can hunt later today if I need to. Or fish, the river looked full of them," she said, shuffling in place. The few people in the store were giving them odd looks, and it was making her uncomfortable. "Do you have tools to plant with?" Tools would be easier than her trying to use her claws or hands. At least she knew the soil in their clearing would be rich, it being so close to the river, and in the forest. There would be plenty to compost later, as well. She tried to calm her fidgeting, ignoring the glances and whispers as best she could. "If you do, we can go."

"We can buy a couple of tools here." She said simply, not sure if the tools she had were any good. They were older then Jo more then likely. She shook off her thoughts and soon purchased a few of the tools, ignoring the whispers. Once she had gathered the last she simply glanced at the whisperers. They seemed unsure, for now their whispers still fearful. Well if they were going to gossip it might as well be about the truth. She turned and held the supplies in her free hand while she pulled the other woman close with the other. She would then give her a passionate kiss for all to see, her arm keeping Jo from escaping out of embarrassment. The kiss would silence the crowd, a few likely wishing someone would kiss them with such force and passion.

"There, all the supplies we need" She whispered suggestively and stood. She took Jo's hand then and began to lead her towards the door. She winked towards the crowd then and let the other woman follow her. It would be very clear now... the shy woman was her lover and that was why she was there... that's all.

Smiling a little, Jo followed Ells to the tools, and let her buy all the items in the basket. She was still nervous of the other people, and jumped a little when Ella reached for her. The kiss startled her more, but in a different way. She tried feebly to pull away, but only for a moment. As the blush crept up her face at such an open display of affection, her pupils dilated, iris thinning to a gold band. When she was released, she just clung to the hand in her own, letting Ella lead her away as she tried battling her blush.

Once outside, she inched closer. "Why did you do that? And why did they fall silent after?" she asked, fingers twining with the other woman's.

"They wanted to know why you were here, I just thought I'd show them. Did you not like it?" Ella responded with a soft laugh. She squeezed the other woman's hand gently. She kissed her cheek gently then and continued to walk. She would hold her hand until she was made to let go or they reached the cabin. She heard a few people whisper but it was already just spreading that the girl was 'just Ella's new lover' to quote them. It worked exactly as Ella had attended apparently, then again it was well known Ella preferred women.

"I did..." Jo said, trying very hard to not blush more. "I just... It was very sudden." She let Ella lead her through town, listening to the much subdued whispers. They didn't sound as frightened as before, which made Jo less nervous. She hadn't liked the idea of the entire town fearing her. She did let her mind wander after a little bit, working on new patterns for jewelry and how much she might sell them for. She didn't want to price things too high, but pricing them too low would lose her money, and then she'd not have new material.

((Ugh, sorry for the shortness, my brain isn't working as well as it should.))

You're so cute when you blush'' She said with a soft laugh and shook her head. She kissed the other woman's cheek and then continued to walk. She was quiet until they reached their cabin once more. She put the gardening tools away in the shed, not saying much.. She figured it'd be easier to let Jo calm down and put everything away together.