<div style="text-align: center">Saga would have liked to spend the rest of the night on the beach, but Brenda eventually found her and, ready to end the night, insisted she come with her. There was an older woman that Brenda had become close with during the party, and had arranged her with a place to live after learning she was a survivor from the cash. Brenda knew Saga would be welcomed with open arms by the woman, as she was so eager to help the other survivors. They stumbled and marveled at the world around them, before finding the woman's house . She shared a bed with Saga and passed out shortly after their heads hit the soft pillows, too tired to even talk about the bunker, or this new world. <br/>
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Saga awoke the next morning to sunlight feeling as if it was beaming straight through the window and onto her face. She shut her eyes tight and blinked her sight to clarity, taking in her new surroundings in the bedroom. A heavy fur rug center of the room, a thick wooden vanity and a ceramic bowl filled with dried herbs. She lifted herself up, using her right arm to take the most of the weight off of her side. For a moment she wondered where Brenda was, when she heard voices coming from the other room. It felt only natural to get up and see what was going on. <br/>
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<i>"You mentioned your friend likes gardening? I know Margit would be happy to have the extra hands out there."<br/>
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"Thank you so much, Anna. I will repay you...every day for this. I know Saga will be happy about this arrangement, and I'm very excited to learn how to cook."<br/>
</i><br/>
The conversation ceased when Saga walked out into the living area, where Brenda and an older woman with honey brown dreadlocks were seated in individual chairs. The woman's outfit consisted of a simple apron dress, with a bronze belt around her waist and a fur pelt around her shoulders. She had a gentle look in her eyes, and smiled with intrigue. Brenda fit in with her as well, her wild, curly blonde hair and a pair of form fitting pants with a belted tunic-style top complemented her figure nicely.<br/>
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"Saga, you're awake." Brenda noticed Saga as the floorboards creaked near the doorway, and she stood up with a bright smile in greeting. "This is Anna, and we're in her home. She's agreed to let us stay and has even allowed me to train at the Earl's house as a chef. "<br/>
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"That is great news, Brenda. Kaupang is filled with angels." Saga replied with sincerity. She walks over to where the women are seated, and carefully extends her hand towards Anna. Anna was well versed in human customs, and so naturally she took Saga's hand and gave a firm shake. Saga then sat down on the sofa love seat, taking a small pillow and holding it to her chest. "I do hope the others will be able to find people like you, Anna. I truthfully thought I would be spending the night on the beach, which...wouldn't be the worst place I've lived in, or slept." <br/>
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"Heaven's no. You must understand that the people here want to help you. The Earl, too. It just wouldn't be right to let everyone fend for themselves. Much has changed in the last century, but your books wouldn't tell you that." Anna replied, though she seemed to be addressing both Brenda and Saga. "I feel as if I'll be making a bigger difference if I take out the hard part of being here. There are clothes, left over from before my children all moved out. They won't miss it, and you'll find the fashion around here hardly changes. Oh, and there's your job, Saga. Brenda has informed me you have an affinity for gardening." <br/>
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Saga silently took in every word that Anna spoke, the mellow voice of the woman seeming to melt most of the worries Saga had about being in a new place. There was a copper tray in the center of the table with baked goods on it, and her stomach rumbled at the sight. She carefully took one and sank her teeth into one, an explosion of favors she wasn't yet familiar with making her eyes widen as the bread melted on her tongue. <br/>
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"It's cinnamon and sugar. Isn't it delicious?" Brenda said, noting her friends reaction to the lightly sweetened bread. She then looked to Anna, who she realized she had accidentally interrupted. "Oh, and yes. Saga does love gardening. Tell her, Saga." <br/>
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"I've...actually not had much hands on experience with plants. They had a garden in the bunker for some time, but it wasn't always sustainable. One of my friends allowed me to handle the plants at times, but most of my knowledge is from books about nature and gardening." Saga finished her mouthful of cinnamon goodness with a delighted smile, setting the treat back down. "I heard a little of you guys' conversation. Can you really help me get a job?"<br/>
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"I don't see why not. Margit's assistant just left for maternity leave, and it's a good skill to have. She may have you tending to the flowers around the Grand House for awhile, but once you prove you can handle that, I believe you will be able to really learn about how plants contribute to our way of life. I'd like to introduce you two as soon as possible, so Brenda, why don't you help Saga get settled in. I'll be out here when you're ready to leave." <br/>
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"Yes, ma'am. Come, Saga!" Brenda commanded in a more cheerful, light tone. She picked up the tray of pastries, assuming Saga would want to continue eating. "Anna thinks you should have this room, but I'm just next door." She set the tray down on an end table, then walked over to a chest that was positioned in the corner. Unlatching and opening it revealed an array of colored fabric, which upon further inspection, Saga would learn were dresses, tops, and some pants. "She has more clothes stored away, but this should be okay for now. What do you want to wear?" <br/>
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Back in her new room, Saga picks up the tray after Brenda sets it down and plops down on the bed. She bit into the cinnamon bread once more, too focused on that to pay much attention to clothes. Appearances just weren't that important to her. "I don't know, Brenda. Why don't you find something for me to wear, while I eat this whole tray of bread." <br/>
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"You are going to have to start taking pride in your appearance, Saga. This isn't the bunker." Brenda chided, looking over her shoulder with a shake of her head. "Besides, after you left my side last night, several people came up to me to ask for your name. You can't let all of that potential go to waste." <br/>
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Saga simply laughed at every word Brenda spoke. She was bordering on unreasonable now, but did not argue with the blonde. They were close friends, more like sisters, at this point. "Well then, I guess you have your work cut out for you."<br/>
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Saga emerged from her bedroom with her face washed, and her red locks brushed of any of the knots that often formed in her hair. She wore a simple white blouse and an emerald green skirt with a matching apron over her lap. Deep, jewel toned beads hung in layers around her neck. Her hair trailed freely down her back and past her waist even. The fur boots which hugged her feet perfectly were fitting, and kept her warm. Saga had to admit that she did enjoy her slight makeover, but the change from bunker aesthetic to this new fashion was jarring. At least she somewhat fit in with the rest of the city now, but there was still a lot she was missing. The way she carried herself, while confident, revealed she was a newcomer. And if she was being honest, she wanted to explore more, not work. There was still so much to see. <br/>
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"All ready to go then, ladies? Brenda, since you'll be working closely with me in the kitchen, I'll show you around while Margit and Saga get to know one another. I don't believe Earl Anlaf will mind, but you should remain mindful that we will be in and around her home. Best to stay out of her way." Anna explained, lifting herself up with her cane planted firmly against the hard wood floors. Saga studied the older woman closely, nodding in understanding to what was being said. <br/>
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"I suppose Earl Anlaf isn't always welcoming of guests, then?" Saga inquired, as she traveled up the dirt pathways through the crowd of people. There were children running around, chickens flapping their wings nearby, and both men and women already hard at work. In daylight, Saga could truly appreciate the beauty of Kaupang. It was when they got closer to the Earl's home that Saga realized how much more peaceful it was. There were people quietly working around the Earl's longhouse, but Saga mainly paid attention to how large the building was, and wondered a little if Anlaf still wore that haunted look on her face. She hoped to see her again, to understand her reaction to seeing her. <br/>
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<i>"And what have we here?" </i>A burly woman came from around the backside of the house, her apron and hands dirty, and her shoes covered in soil. <i>"Two lazy slackers if you ask me. How can you just stand around when there are weeds that need pulling?!" <br/>
</i><br/>
Saga nor Brenda understood what was being said, but it didn't sound good. Looking at Anna though, Saga could see that Anna was not fazed by the other woman's presence. In fact, it looked like she was smiling at the woman. <br/>
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<i>"Would you be quiet, Sonja? You'll scare the humans off." </i>Anna laughed freely, and the four women naturally moved closer to each other. <i>"I was hoping you would help me and give this young one a job. She can help you around the garden, pull those weeds for you while Karla is out for the next couple of months. She seems knowledgeable, but you may have to feel her out for yourself." <br/>
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"And the other one?" </i>Sonja asked, as she looked Saga up and down, then Brenda. <i>"I don't need two extra pairs of hands, just someone to pick up the slack for a little while." <br/>
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"She will be with me working the kitchen. I'm letting these girls stay in my home, I much prefer my room here than at home, anyway. Not like I don't have the room to spare, but that's besides the point." </i>Anna explained, before smiling. <i>"Will you help me?" <br/>
</i><br/>
"Yes, I will help you. Let's go, <i>Red.</i> I want to make sure you aren't afraid to get your dresses dirty." Sonja commanded, chuckling lightly to herself. Saga began to follow the older woman, glancing back with Brenda with a shrug of her shoulders as she moved to keep with Sonja. "For now, I'd like to start you off pulling these weeds."​</div>