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A COUPLE MILES AWAY FROM RESPITE FALLS - MORNING
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Vix pokes through the dewy brush, mumbling to herself as she searches for something. After a few moments looking, she shakes her head and moves on, further away from the main path.
Damina is following along, having been brought with to protect Vix on this little trip. "Find what you were looking for?" she calls out.
Vix sighs and calls back. "Nope, these ones haven't regrown yet. We'll have to check somewhere else."
Damina lets out a "hmmph" sound. "Well, looks like we'll be out here for a bit. In that case, time to participate in my most favorite of pastimes..."
Vix lifts up a rock to check under it. She reflexively pins a beetle under her paw. "And that would be...?"
Damina catches up to Vix. "Since I don't have much else to do aside from scaring off the local wildlife, I think we could engage in some lively conversation! Except not that lively."
Vix smirks. "Oh? I thought scaring wildlife was your thing."
Damina "Scarring, more likely. Now, got anything you wanna talk about?"
Vix hums. "Alright..." She thinks for a second. "Do you think...May's gonna be okay?" She immediately regrets asking.
Damina thinks about it. "Ah, the generator incident... well, on one hand I have a feeling those injuries are rather nasty." She paces around a bit. "On the other, I doubt it's anything that the good doctor will let defeat them..." Damina turns to face Vix. "My perspective on this is horribly skewed, probably."
Vix turns her eyes to the dirt and goes back to searching. "Yeah...I wouldn't mind borrowing some of that optimism"
Damina shrugs. "Future's always uncertain like that. You just gotta be looking forward to the good stuff."
Vix hums as she leans forward and pulls up a couple small, hearty plants. "Found a couple. Gonna need a few more though." She thinks. "Maybe a lot more..."
Damina: "Well done. What's that one?"
Vix holds up her find. "The herbalist said these were potent healing herbs. She would always buy them up right away."
Damina mutters under her breath. "That makes too much sense..."
Vix puts the herbs in her gathering pouch and goes back to searching. "There's usually a few more in this patch..."
Damina: "Got anything else to talk about?"
Vix scratches her head. "Ah, s-sorry...that's just been on my mind lately. How about you?"
Damina lifts up her crossbow by the center. "I've been figuring out what to do with this thing now that I know it's alive. Other than that? Not much. Just figuring my place in this little town we live in."
Vix eyes the crossbow warily. "You could try treating it more like a pet than a weapon. That could be interesting."
Damina nods to Vix. "Seems to be the best course of action." She leans in towards Repentance. "Adorable little death machine, you are, yesss~"
Damina shakes her head as she gets out of that creepy mood. "Ahhyegh... as for that other part... I think I've found adequate use for my talents."
Vix raises an eyebrow at Damina, then turns to pick more herbs. "You're just hunting, right?"
Damina wobbles around a bit. "Eh, hunting, guard duty... I've been trying to branch out lately, looking for something new to do." She tilts her head to the side. "You wouldn't have any ideas, would you?"
Vix: You could do odd jobs. Jack of all trades kind of stuff
Damina: "Heh, well I would have experience with that."
Vix starts moving on to another search area. "Folks always need stuff done for em."
Damina stretches herself up, changing the subject. "Any luck yet?"
Vix waves Damina over to her. "I found a few more. We're about halfway done." She glances around. "I wanna get as much as I can before the midday beasties come out."
Damina comes along down. "Ah, need any help with that?"
Vix: You're doing just fine. Stay on alert for the morning beasties!
Damina lets out a bit of a chuckle. "Yeah, yeah. I'm on it."
Vix continues gathering herbs through the morning, occasionally breaking the silence with idle chatter.
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BAIRNELL'S FOOTHOLD - MID-MORNING
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Narrator: As the caravan is packing up at the marketplace near Bairnell's docks, a somewhat shrouded figure is standing off to the side, waiting. The lady is dressed in a modest dark red travel dress, hood over her head despite the moderate heat. The big bushy black-and-white tail rather unmistakably makes this traveler a skunk, and the shades of gray at the edges of said tail give a clue about her age. On a closer look, she's wearing a not-insignificant amount of jewelry, only partly hidden within her dress.
Elizabeth lets out a soft 'humph' as she watches the caravan being packed up, having no desire to sit in the carriage for any longer than is necessary. She paid premium for this travel, after all.
Xochi, a long green snake, winds her way through the crowded streets, her long tail manuevering back and forth effortlessly, though her body stays serenely centered with an unmistakable air of grace. She has a rather brightly colored cloth skirt wrapped around her 'waist', with blues and red weaved together, her hands clasped together in front of her.
Xochi comes alongside the cloaked skunk to take a look at the caravan that will be delivering her to her new home soon enough and smiles, stating a single word aloud, "Respite..."
Elizabeth glances at the snake, not having really paid attention to her surroundings. She hides her slight surprise well before nodding: "Seems to be the destination for today, yes...
Xochi turns to examine the skunk a little more closely, tounge darting out a few times before she addresses the cloaked figure, "Oh? You are going there as well? Have you been there before?"
Elizabeth turns to look at Xochi, then shakes her head: "I have not. I have fairly little idea what awaits there."
Xochi shifts back, settling her weight down upon her tail as she winds it up and out of the way. "Nor I, but I hope to spend a very long time there."
Elizabeth nods absently: "So do... I. Probably."
Xochi gives a noise half-way between a rasp and deep breath, which may take a moment to realize is laughter. "It is better then an alternative. For me, at least. I am looking forward to quiet."
Elizabeth nods absently again, then blinks and looks up at the snake: "So... am I? Huh."
Xochi laughs again, "This is retirement for you as well, hm? Peace and quiet and isolation."
Elizabeth gives a small smile: "I suppose... I hadn't thought about it like that but it's not... wrong, either."
Xochi hisses quietly, a sound of contentment, "I've been on a long journey to arrive here. I am ready for rest."
Elizabeth glances towards the docks, where the ship she took here is still docked: "...something like that, yes."
Xochi turns back to watch the caravan, letting the silence linger a moment as she waits patiently. "Ah, I have forgotten manners, especially if we are to live in the same town. I am Xochi."
Elizabeth nods, finding a small smile again: "Elizabeth Cathe-" She pauses, hesitating: "...just Elizabeth, actually."
Xochi smiles in return, dipping her head down in respect. "And I am just Xochi. It is a pleasure."
Elizabeth gives a small curtsy: "Likewise. I hope we both can find peace in Respite." She gives the ship another worried glance: "...I'd better."
Xochi nods, following Elizabeth's gaze back to the boat, "I'm sure we shall find peace. That is what Respite means, yes?"
Elizabeth glances at Xochi, smiling wryly: "...you're not wrong, Xochi."
Xochi laughs softly, "It's a silly reason, but that is why I picked here of all places."
Elizabeth pauses, then smiles again: "...not that silly. Well that, and it being about as far as I can get from Glaushire."
Xochi hmmms, "Distance was also a reason for the choice. I am quite far from... 'home' as well."
Elizabeth considers Xochi for a moment, then just nods: "We all have our reasons."
Xochi nods, "That we do. Good luck with your reasons, Elizabeth." She smiles kindly.
Elizabeth gets a brief look of surprise, but finds her smile again: "...you as well, Xochi." She glances at the caravan still doing preparations: "So we are travel companions, then."
Xochi chuckles, "So it would seem. For this time being, at least."
Elizabeth nods slightly: "For the foreseeable future."
Xochi: And perhaps even friends afterwards, yes? Heh, perhaps we are neighbors now.
Elizabeth: Perhaps. Who knows?
Xochi nods. "Who knows, yes." She grows quiet again as she watches all the different kinds of folk around the caravan.
Elizabeth likewise grows silent, her mind trying to go everywhere and nowhere at once, some part still definitely wishing she didn't have to do this.
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OLDHAMMER SMITHY - EVENING
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Erika peeks in from the doorway, looking for a particular badger.
Cavro wanders up the street, rounding a corner and spotting a familiar figure at the entrance of the smithy. With sandwich in one hand, he approaches quietly from behind, reaching a finger out to try to prod Erika when he gets close.
Erika frowns a bit at not finding her friend, looking about the darkened smithy. Upon being prodded, she yelps and spins around, looking panicked for a moment before realizing who it is: "C-cavro! Hi! I wasn't stalking near here."
Cavro covers his snout and laughs at Erika's reaction, "I wouldn't mind if if if you were."
Erika smiles at Cavro's laugh: "Was just looking for you, you know. Usually you're in there."
Cavro waves his sandwich about, smiling back at her. "Had to go out to get lunch, but I I I didn't realize it was so late. What have you been up up to all day?"
Erika shrugs noncommittantly: "Nothing much. Garden as usual. It's not like it's going to escape if I come see you."
Cavro chuckles, "With how well you've raised them, they'd stay put for you even if if if they could walk."
Erika giggles, waving a hand: "I'm not that good, my Mama is. I'm just continuin' it."
Cavro tilts his head with a bit of a look, but just smiles at her. "Well, if if if you say so. Since you're out and I'm done for the evening, want to go for a walk? I can eat later."
Erika smiles brightly: "Walk sounds like greatnessity."
Cavro chuckles, quickly ducking into the smithy to put his food away, quickly using the moment to change into a clean shirt while he's mostly behind the bellows, before coming back to the large doors.
Erika takes Cavro's hand once he's back, smiling. She seems hesitant for a moment, but doesn't take her hand away either. "New shirt? Why?"
Cavro automatically gives her hand a little squeeze and blushes slightly under his fur before answering. "I just wanted to look nicer for you." He blushes a little deeper, stammering "You know, not all all all sooty and brimstone-y."
Erika blinks: "Look nicer for me? But... I don't care what your shirt looks like, Cavro." She's blushing ever-so-slightly despite her words, though.
Cavro scratches at his blush-warmed snout with his free hand. "I know, I I I just... I don't know." His face is burning hot at not being able to find the words he wants.
Erika tilts her head, taking a step and almost faltering doing it: "You... don't know? But..." she trails off, words surprisingly failing her too.
Cavro shakes his head, taking a breath. "It's too late now, I'm already wearing it!" He puffs, looking down before shifting his fingers to interlock with hers in their held hands. "Besides, I'd have to to to let go to change back..."
Erika shakes a bit hastily: "No need to do that, of course! A shirt is a shirt."
Cavro blushes deeply, but smiles warmly as he looks up at her. "Good, now can can can we go for a walk? It's kind of warm here by the smithy."
Erika blinks: "Oh! Oh. Yeah, we can." She starts walking, though not letting go of Cavro's hand. Looking up at the starry sky, she muses: "It's a nice evening."
Cavro looks toward the stars with her as he matches her pace, though he can't help but have her in his peripheral. "Mhm, wonderful."
Erika glances at Cavro: "So are you." She blinks, the waves her free hand: "I mean, uhm... well, guess I meant that. Um." She gives a sheepish, blushing grin.
Cavro feels his heart jump at her words, squeezing her hand in response as a warm smile plays across his lips. He just leans against her wordlessly, a light rumbling purr starting in his chest.
Erika blinks, but doesn't shy away from Cavro, looking down at him with a smile.
Cavro straightens back up after a few moments, his blush starting to return as his purr fades. "Sorry... Didn't mean to be awk awk awkward..."
Erika blinks, then just looks at Cavro: "It's... it's not awkward. Or well, it sorta is, but... I don't mind. Not with, uh, you. If that makes sense?"
Cavro scratches at his snout nervously, looking straight forward. "Oh, it makes sense, but it it it doesn't? I..." He stops walking, clearly thinking hard about something as he glances up at Erika.
Erika also stops walking, looking at Cavro: "...you...?"
Cavro squeezes her hand again, staring up into her eyes, taking a deep breath. "I rely on on on you so much, you're like an an an anchor that keeps me from getting lost in my my my work and and I I I really appreciate how kind and and and generous and beautiful and amazing you you you are and and..."
Erika blinks, a bit confused but obviously taken by the compliments: "Me? But I'm just, uhm... here? For..." She trails a bit, realization finding a synapse to fire: "...you..."
Cavro takes another deep breath to calm down, his hands shaking. "Erika, you're the most important person in my life, you make me want to to to be more for you."
Erika looks at Cavro, attempting to steady Cavro's shaking hands with her own... and failing, because her hands aren't that steady either. "Oh. Oh. I uh oh. Yes. All of that... yes."
Cavro settles down as her words sink in, a half nervous, half relieved smile showing up before he lets go of her hands, wrapping his arms around her in a warm hug instead.
Erika hugs back, knowing at least this much is right. After a moment, she whispers: "I... I... I think we have been, uhm... thinking the same thing, Cavro."
Cavro squeezes a bit, purring again as he nods. "I'm so happy that we have... Nesseth was right, I'm so so so lucky. And that was was wasn't a stutter."
Erika giggles softly: "W-well, if you mean it..." She smiles warmly: "So do I."
Cavro looks up at her, grinning his pure joy. "Erika?"
Erika looks down at him, smiling: "Yea?"
Cavro suppresses a chuckle with just one snort. "Can we get something to eat, I missed lunch."
Erika smiles warmly: "I like lunch. Even when it's dinner."
Cavro releases his hug, taking Erika's hand again as they continue on their walk, on a mission to find someplace quiet to dine and think about the implications of recent revelations.