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RESPITE CLINIC - EARLY AFTERNOON
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Cavro makes his way up the street at a brisk pace, a widemouthed backpack bouncing against him in jolly fashion. He's humming to himself with a placid smile that breaks into a grin as the clinic comes into view, his pace quickening until he reaches the porch. Adjusting his oddly clean blue shirt, he raises a fist and raps quickly on the door, practically bouncing on the spot.
Narrator: The door was cracked open for an afternoon breeze and swings open at the knock.
Cavro pokes his head inside the door, calling out; "Hello? Plume, are you in? Or or or anyone really?"
Brunilda perks up: "I'm in, at least. What's up?" She is sitting on the backroom floor, topless as usual, a thick magitech tome in her hands.
Maybelline is lying in one of the beds, a makeshift drawing board set up above her while she struggles to keep her hand steady. "Oh! Cavro! Yeah, c'mon in!"
Cavro steps inside the clinic and leaves the door open as it was, looking about as he makes his way to the back room. "Good afternoon, it it it's a little eerie in here without the doctor, hm?" He pushes the curtain aside and immediately averts his eyes from Brunilda, blushing. "Oh! Terribly sorry, miss guard!"
Brunilda blinks, then waves a hand though also covers her breasts with the other: "Oh, don't mind it. Can't really wear much on top at the moment."
Cavro walks towards May's bed, keeping his gaze averted from Brunilda, taking the backpack off as he goes. "I'm glad to to to see you're doing better, miss guard. And how are you feeling, miss May?"
Maybelline chuckles quietly. "Yeah, burns across the back make it hard to cover up. And Brun doesn't seem to mind much anyways." She smiles as Cavro approaches, setting down the drawing board and drafting pencil, makeshift sketches across the paper. "I'm doing well, but maybe I'm just used to the pain now."
Brunilda smiles, looking at May then at Cavro: "Pain just means you're still alive, after all. Granted, this has taken some getting used to."
Cavro nods, chuckling slightly. "I may not have have have had anything as bad as an ICEE burn, but burns are are are old hat to me, I can relate in that sense at least." He sets the bag down beside May's bed, glancing at the drawings.
Maybelline hands the first drawing towards Cavro with a frown. "I got finished ones here too. I don't have proper drafting tools, but I made notes on measurements. And my injured hand is my dominant one, so they're real shakey, but hopefully it's enough." The drawings are... well, exactly what May says. Far from perfect, but a servicable diagram of the parts and how they should all fit together.
Brunilda glances at the drawing: "I hope I can learn something as we build this. I'm curious, but I admit I can't yet quite rapid-read that the way you do, May."
Cavro takes the drawing, looking over it and grinning as he takes in the details. "Oh yes, this is going to be an interesting little project. I I I hope that the big one is even more of a challenge, honestly." He glances towards Brunilda, still a little wary but too excited about the plans to pay much attention to her state of dress. "Oh, you're going to to be assisting with the generators, too? That's great!"
Maybelline grins at Brunilda, "If she's willing. I don't necessarily have the strength to lift some of those pieces, let alone hold them in place while I build." She sighs, "I hate only being able to work like this. Trust me, Cavro, the plans I draw up for you for the big one will be way better."
Brunilda nods with a resolute smile: "I want to help as much as I can. Learn as I do, but also make sure we make this the best we are able."
Doc Plume comes down from a late lunch in their apartments upstairs and looks around the clinic, making their way over to the increasingly less makeshift recovery ward. "Ah, I thought I had heard voices. Afternoon Cavro. How's the muzzle?"
Cavro nods, turning back to May. "I'm glad you're not going to be working alone. I I I was going to offer to help with building it, but I think I'm more useful to you behind the anvil. Oh, speaking of, I brought something to show you!" He ducks down, opening the backpack. He pulls a couple small baskets of food out and sets them on the floor, but he straightens up as Plume enters. "Ah! Hello, doctor! It's much better now, thank you!"
Doc Plume eyeballs the muzzle and nods. "Good good. Erika keeping you on the strait and narrow then?" They look over at Brun and May. "And how are you two? Need anything?"
Brunilda looks at Plume and shrugs: "Still getting a bit stir-crazy, but fine beyond that."
Maybelline shakes her head, but her eyes are clearly glancing at the baskets of food. "I um... fine. Good. All good. What's um... in the baskets?"
Cavro nods, blushing somewhat. "Yes, she's been very helpful in reminding me to to to use the medicine." He turns to May, glancing between the baskets and her. "Oh, um a a a surprise picnic for Erika." He blushes deeper, just barely stopping his paw midway to scratching his muzzle.
Doc Plume looks to Brun. "Well, you're welcome to go out on the porch, like I said. I know it hurts to walk, but it will hurt for a lot long if you let your leg muscles atrophy." They nod at the extra sturdy walking cane next to Brun's bed. "Of course what you do is up to you."
Brunilda nods with a bit of a sigh: "Yeah, I know. And trying, but... well, can't wait 'til we can get to building." She smiles at Maybelline and Cavro.
Maybelline chuckles awkwardly as she waves her good hand at Doc, "Oh uh, yeah! Out on the porch!" She glances at Cavro and gives him a nervous smile. "No further. Cause, I don't want to overtax things, right?"
Cavro blinks at Maybelline, catching her meaning. "Of course!" He rubs the side of his face, turning back to his backpack. "Anyways, I I I managed to make this, I wanted to see if you thought it would work." He pulls a thinly cast ingot out of the bag, holding it out for May to inspect. It's charcoal grey, and has an oily shimmer to it in the light. Despite it's rough appearance, it feels smooth as glass to the touch.
Doc Plume nods to the trio and heads back to their desk to prepare for their afternoon appointments.
Maybelline seems immediately disappointed in the contents of the basket, then blinks as she starts to connect the dots. "Oh... OH! Yes!"
Brunilda looks at the ingot, not quite understanding: "Hmm?"
Cavro smiles at May's reaction, looking at the metal. "It took a lot of experimenting, but but but as soon as I got it to feel like that, I thought it might be close. You can probably explain it better than than than me, though."
Maybelline grins at Brun, pointing her good hand at the ingot, "That... is our conductor. Or, it will be, I'm assuming. That's going to be our transfer conduits, possibly our wiring, and everything else we need to transfer magic into actual working power."
Brunilda nods slowly, thinking: "So... we're going to need a lot of it."
Cavro grins, setting the ingot back into his backpack. "Now that I I I have an idea of the ratio, it shouldn't be too hard to get the ore. Well, if I I I can find my usual vendor, anyhow."
Brunilda looks at Cavro curiously: "...'find' your usual vendor? They lost?"
Cavro looks toward Brunilda after setting his baskets back into the backpack. "I I I don't know, he hasn't been at the market since May... mailed me a a a list of materials."
Maybelline hums as she taps her chin, "I'm amazed you got it prepped even this fast, but I've definitely underestimated the facilities in Respite." She smiles at Cavro, "And the skill of the local smith."
Brunilda nods, musing on this: "Well, I hope he comes back then."
Cavro blushes, scratching behind his ear. "My master taught me early on how to do conductives, along with all kinds of other smelting, but haven't made any since then. It's actually what drove me to design that bellows setup, it it it was exhausting pumping the fire by hand."
Maybelline chuckles, "Well, I can only imagine. I've never been much good for that kind of work, but I sorta know the principles." She tilts her head, "I'd love to see that bellows setup sometime too."
Brunilda shrugs with a smile: "I'm not any more versed in smithing than I am with magitech, but I'd certainly be curious to see."
Cavro smiles and nods. "I'd be glad to to to show you both when you're able, but it's just a mechanical, no fancy magitech unfortunately. Although, I do recall you have a a a halberd that needs mending, miss guard. If you can get someone from the guard to send it over, I I I can get that fixed up for you properly."
Brunilda blinks, thinking: "Oh. Right. I... don't worry about it. This generator problem is way more important now."
Cavro shrugs. "That's true, but I think I I I have a helper now, so molds and repairs can happen at the same time. It's up to you, of course."
Brunilda gives a soft chuckle: "I won't be able to wear my armor in weeks at least. And..." Her smile wanes a bit: "...not even sure if I am continuing the Guard thing, now."
Maybelline shifts her weight in bed to her left side, then sits up better, grunting a bit at the effort. "A helper? Hopefully that'll make things easier on you, then. I was kind of afraid my requests would grind everything else to a halt."
Cavro: "Alright, let me know if you you you change your mind." He turns back to May, nodding. "I hope so, too, she seems more than competent enough, at least." He grins, holding up the diagrams. "Is it alright if I take these with me?"
Brunilda absently nods at Cavro, her mind going to her halberd... and how little she might use it now. She hadn't really thought about it until now, despite it being a heirloom weapon and all.
Maybelline reaches back and pulls out a few more sketches, "Yep, all yours! These too! Just a few other attempts and details on a few individual pieces that I felt needed their own drawings. And if you have questions..." She shrugs, "I'll be here. Or hereabouts."
Cavro takes the other drawings, carefully slipping them into their own pouch on the front of the backpack before hoisting it up onto his back again. "Perfect, thank you! I'll I'll I'll get started on them as soon as possible.But I must be going, it was good seeing you both again." He nods to each in turn.
Brunilda blinks, then nods at the badger with a smile: "Take care, Cavro."
Maybelline waves goodbye, "I think we're going to make a hell of a team! Thanks, Cavro!"
Brunilda turns to Maybelline: "I at least hope I'll be more of use than in the way. If nothing else, we gotta figure out what's actually survived in that wreckage."
Cavro smiles, turning to head out. "Get better quick, we've got a a a real task ahead of us!" He chuckles as he ducks through the curtain, slipping out of the clinic and heading toward the South Gate again.
Maybelline grins at Brunilda before setting her head back down on her pillow. "Don't know about you but I'm looking forward to it."
Brunilda nods with an almost mirroring grin: "Like I said to the Doc, so am I. We're going to build something great, aren't we?"
Maybelline chuckles. "First, we're going to build something that works. But then? Yeah... I think we are."
Brunilda smiles: "Fair enough. One step at a time... but I think I am actually looking forward to it. Might be the first time in my life."
Maybelline chuckles. "Something I care enough about to work on even after it blows up on me." She tilts her head to smile at Brunilda. "It's going to be one hell of a BrunMayShiny."
Maybelline: "With a whole lot of Cavro added in."
Brunilda laughs: "Sounds about right to me." She pauses, then looks at May more earnestly: "...we can do it, right?"
Maybelline gives Brun a shakey thumbs up. "We absolutely can."
Brunilda nods, genuinely warming to this plan now: "Then we best do it, best we are able."
Maybelline lowers her hand, yawning a bit. "For now... gonna rest though. You should listen to Doc and take a walk... I'm gonna..." She rests her head down, and without much ado falls into a restful sleep, lying on her left side.
Brunilda nods at Maybelline, hums to herself and with a bit of a grunt gets up, with at least the intent of putting some walk into her legs again.
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THE THIRSTY MINNOW - EVENING
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Damina is sitting at the counter, currently thinking about the goings-on around town that she's witnessed while also wrestling with a basket of biscuits. The generator explosion was still fresh in her mind, and she's also wondering about the newcomers.
Xochi slips her way into the bar, slithering up to the counter, coming up alongside Damina and smiling to the barkeep, "Wine, please." She says to the barkeep, then dips her head in greeting to the cat next to her.
Damina takes note of the very long being right next to her. "Hmm, I don't think I've seen you before. Mind if I ask who you are?"
Xochi bows her head, "Oh, yes. I am new to Respite. I am Xochi."
Damina takes a bite out of the biscuit she's currently holding. "Well, hello then." She holds off on introducing herself.
Xochi smiles as she takes her wine glass from the barkeep. "Hello! You are a resident of Respite?"
Damina waits a bit to finish her biscuit. "Yes. Although... since only recently. Haven't been here for a long time quite yet."
Xochi nods, sampling the wine with her tongue, "Oh? I am only just arrived within the week. Months of travel to reach here. Are you from quite far away?"
Damina nods in answer. "Where I'm from... is just... a trash heap. Was quite happy to get away from that place."
Xochi 's smile fades a little. "I see. I am come from a prison. Like a cage. A very, very pretty cage... but a cage all the same. You have found happiness here?"
Damina shrugs. "Probably. This place gives me enough purpose to not feel so aimless."
Xochi nods, sipping her drink. "That is good. I am seeking some purpose too. But for now, I am enjoying new freedoms."
Damina finishes her quite delicious biscuit before realizing she has a few more to eat. "I've found a nice way to use my, eh, talents, doing guard work here."
Xochi grows a bit distant at the mention of 'guards', but then relaxes and sighs. "This is good. Good, necessary work. Thank you. I'm told the wilds are dangerous, outside of the walls of the town."
Damina: "Let's just put it this way. I don't want to find out the fastest way to kill whatever's out there."
Xochi hums, "My homeland had many fierce creatures deep in the jungle, best left alone. I can see wisdom in that."
Damina starts drumming her fingers on the countertop absentmindedly.
Xochi finishes her glass of wine and sets it down upon the counter, then settles back upon her coils. "Pleasant evening, this is. Even with the heat."
Damina leans back. "Heat don't bother me much. It's the cold that gets me."
Xochi nods, "Oh, yes! Cold chills the blood. But I do wish the heat were more... wet. Humid. The dryness is new to me."
Damina: "Well I suppose, there is that bathhouse around here if you feel the need..."
Xochi chuckles, "Yes. I was given a brochure. I shall be going in time." She rises up slight, stretching. "Though, pleasant heat and pleasant wine... perhaps I should be going."
Damina nods. "Very well. It was nice meeting you, I have to say."
Xochi bows her head again as her coils move to lift her up. "And you, friend! I shall be seeing you around town, I'm sure!"
Damina: "See you soon..."