[IC] Lost in Dreams (Stephen)

[ericthered]

The river leads him through the woods and past the work crew. He is able to get a stick to help him walk better.

Stephen has never been one to pay too much attention to tree species, but he certainly doesn't recognise these. While the tops look temperate, that the weather certainly isn't tropical, they have giant leaves that give them a tropic look. Their roots are the strangest parts, sticking out of the mud, spreading themselves out and buttressing the trees. The bark is quite rough, the branches fairly high up, and the trunks over a foot thick each at the point where the massive roots holding them up start coming off (about three feet up the tree).

[Justin_Bedard]

Stephen continues up the river.

[ericthered]

Stephen finds a slight raise, through which the stream has cut a little. On top of it there appears to be a plautea of rice patties, with various workers tending the plants. He is surprized to note the variety of activities they are engaged in: some are harvesting, and he could swear that at least some looked like they were planting.

[Justin_Bedard]

Stephen reasons with himself over whether to reveal himself.
He watches the farmers and looks around for anything of use.

[Per roll;8]

[ericthered]

Stephen observes the farmers for a while, debating if he should introduce him self to them. There is no foreman for this group, and they are quite spread out. Every last one of them is of the strange, pale ethnicity, and all seem quite engaged with their work. There is a small village of the strange houses nearby, Stephen notes one small cluster that appears to be a woman and her two daughters working.

[Justin_Bedard]

Stephen tries to judge the distance between him and the houses, and if he would need to sneak around the group to get to them.

[ericthered]

The houses are a good 150 to 200 yards away

Stephen will have to pass through the rice paddies to get to the houses. He can choose who he passes by, or not get close to any particular person, but he will have to be seen.

[Justin_Bedard]

Stephen looks for an alternative path. If none are found, he continues to follow the river.
(unless it leads into the paddies, then he'll just re-evalute the situation once more)

[ericthered]

It leads into the patties.

[Justin_Bedard]

Not seeing a way around, Stephen decides to reveal himself to the small group of three, Approaching slowly.

"こんにちは! Hello!"