(https://i.imgur.com/Yg0EHpF.jpg)<br/><br/>The old couple were... nice. That was the best way to put it. So nice. They had taken a young woman like her who... she knew she looked strange to them. Strange in manner, dress even speech perhaps. They had taken her when she needed it, took her where she needed to be, fed her, let her wash herself and didn't ask too many unfortunate questions. The man, James Ash, was cooking fish, too, to give to everyone. Alyssa already knew that they would be cooked terribly. And taste wonderful. So many kind people, here and everywhere. Most of them good, kind people. And most of them unaware of the danger they lived in, that surrounded them every moment. She wanted to tell them, to warn them of the dangers, to tell them of the Goddess and of the old ways that might protect them. But she knew, they wouldn't, couldn't hear. It would only drive them away and invite the darkness. To her. And to them. No, she needed to steel her heart, to stay silent. They couldn't know. They wouldn't praise her. But it was not praise she sought.<br/><br/>And then, just as Alyssa felt that she might let herself be at peace came the voice. One of those dull, gruff voices. Just once, she wished that it might be the voice of the Goddess instead, like she had heard once. Or thought she had. But it had been so long ago. Still, this was duty, part of the plan. Sometimes, she wished that she was trusted enough to be actually told of the plan, however.<br/><br/>"Oh, I am, Eld..." Alyssa bit her tongue. As Kind as Linda was, Alyssa had learned that she didn't take so kindly her usual mark of respect. "Mrs. Ash," she quickly corrected. "But kind generosity and full bellies lead to other needs. Once of, perhaps a more... personal nature?" She gave a small smile, one that, she hoped was appropriately shy. "I will return soon and be pleased to partake of your husband's wonderful catch, so that my belly might be fill once more. And so the cycle goes." She gave the traditional bow given to a great elder. Perhaps the actual Great Elders would object, but they were not there to see. And she headed, then, to the general store, to ask for toilet paper, of all things.