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CAVRO'S SMITHY - MORNING
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Nora keeps on hammering nails. She's pretty good at it, but then again, it's just nails. Pretty uninteresting, all things considered. Utilitarian, though.
Brunilda walks down the street towards the smithy. The elephant has tried to keep to some semblance of a routine walking, even if her gait is stiff at best, legs still protesting the whole idea of moving anywhere. She stops in front of the smithy, and on a whim peeks inside: "Cavro? You here?"
Nora sticks her head out. "Um... not at the moment? ... Can I help you?"
Brunilda blinks, stepping inside. She only has a thing wrap on her top, as her entire back is still an ugly shade of red and really does not like anything there so she's doing the bare minimum for modesty's sake. "Oh, hello. Cavro mentioned a new assistant, that's you then?"
Nora: Yeah, I guess so. Is there something you need?
Brunilda shakes her head, smiling. "Not really, just on walk to get back to moving, as it were. I am Brunilda, one of the town guards."
Nora: Ah, right, right, well... I mean, I can do guard equipment. Maybe. Probably.
Brunilda chuckles, resting a hand on her hip: "I assure you, no need for that at the moment."
Nora: Ah. Well good, I guess? I have... nails to do. A lot... of nails to do.
Brunilda looks at Nora's workbench, nodding: "Simple, monotonous, yet necessary task."
Nora sighs. "Yeah, you got it in one."
Brunilda smiles understandingly: "Trust me, I certainly get that. While I am not glad about this injury, it does..." She grows a bit hesitant, as though ashamed to say what she's about to: "...prevent me from standing gate duty."
Nora: Heh. So you're doing a whole lot of important nothing.
Brunilda shrugs: "Well, someone has to. Sand gators don't run on a schedule."
Nora: And someone has to make building materials, I guess.
Brunilda nods, shifting on her legs: "Yeah... I'm going to need to thank you on that, actually. I'm helping May build the new generator and materials is certainly something we're going to need."
Nora: Ah. Well... it's what we do then, I guess.
Nora frowns.
Nora: Necessity isn't fun, is it?
Brunilda: Probably. Don't really know.
Nora: I mean, it's not, but if it's what you're good at, then... enh?
Brunilda shrugs, stepping to lean on the wall a bit: "Honestly, couldn't tell you. I'm kind of leaving what I am good at to step into the unknown."
Nora: Well... I tried that. That's what I came here for, and... well, here I am.
Brunilda smiles: "Fair enough. I barely know anything about magitech, but I'll be damned if I can't learn."
Nora: Well, I mean, neither do I. Like... I helped out somebody because of how not magical I am.
Brunilda: What do you mean?
Nora: I dunno, there was some stone... orb... thing? That was apparently draining magic or whatever?
Nora: But I'm so not magical that I could just pick it up and put it in my pocket.
Brunilda tilts her head: "Huh. That's... something."
Nora: It is something alright.
Brunilda: Seems every time you look the other way, something odd happens in this town.
Nora: I mean, probably?
Brunilda: I mean, I haven't been around for that long, but seen a fair few... incidents. Been in a big one, too.
Nora: Yeah, definitely seemed like a big thing, anyway... I'm guessing...
Brunilda shifts enough to show her burned back to Nora: "Big enough."
Nora winces. "That's... awful? Terrible?
Brunilda sighs as she turns back to face Nora: "It's not great, but I did what I had to do. I'll deal, the problem now is getting a new generator up and running."
Nora: And how much is that going to take?
Brunilda shakes her head slightly: "I am not really sure, but... a lot. I'll have my hands full as I recover, anyway."
Nora: Well... I'll do what I can then.
Brunilda smiles and nods: "We all will, I think." She then shakes her head again: "I should get back to walking, and let you get back to work."
Nora: Right, yeah... probably for the best... no offense.
Brunilda smiles and waves: "Take care. See you around, probably." She turns to leave.
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RESPITE CLINIC - LATE MORNING
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Maybelline sits out on the front porch of the clinic, as has become something of her habit when not resting. She finishes up eating her breakfast, and starts to do her stretches, trying to work out her arm bit by bit. She cringes slightly at the pain, but the shaking is noticably less already.
Kira flutters along the street, at about head level of most folks, coming back from a late breakfast at a certain well-kept garden plot in town. She's without her lamplighting gear and just fluttering along lazily, enjoying a bit of warm sunlight before heading home to sleep for the day.
Maybelline stretches her arm up over her head, then spots the giant moth flying above the gate. She turns the stretch into a wave and casually calls out, "Uh, good morning!"
Kira hangs in midair at the sudden call before turning to see who is talking. She has to squint a bit to make out the stoat on the shaded porch, but waves back and flutters closer. "Good morning."
Maybelline tilts her head as the moth comes closer, eventually lowering her hand as she looks up at the flyer, "Oh err, hi. Didn't mean to interrupt you or anything. Sorry! Just... trying to be more social."
Kira blinks her compound eyes again. "No need to be sorry... I was just on my way home from feeding. I have no obligations right now..." They look up at the sign for the clinic and May's state. "You're injured," she states as a fact, not a question.
Maybelline nods, lifting her arm again, the hand faintly shaking, "ICEE Burns down my right arm and leg. Once the arm is well enough that Doc says I can use a crutch without risk of hurting myself more, I'll be free to go home. It's not been so bad, but I'm a bit eager for the privacy. And to get back to work."
Kira listens as she lands nearby, but stays standing in the sunlight. "Ah... unfortunate, yes." She cocks her head as something comes to mind. "Are you the May then? Strix told me about you, I think."
Maybelline blinks, "He did? Err, yeah. I'm May."
Kira nods and smiles. "Yes. I hope you heal soon. I'm Kira. I tend the lamps at night. I would rather that the ICEE was working for everyone, though, even if it not working is better for me right now." She folds her wings as she moves to sit on the edge of the porch, her small body perched elegantly there.
Maybelline smiles, lowering her hand. "Thanks, Kira. I'd rather it be working too. Gonna do my best to restore it."
Kira looks to May. "I wish you luck. May the moon watch over you and guide your hands." She smiles a bit as she stretches out her wings again. "I also hope that the Hooktail monkey is tending to you gently. He can be undelicate sometimes..."
Maybelline blinks. "The... Hooktail monkey? Oh! Oh is that the last Doctor? I guess they're gone? Don't really know what happened there, but Plume is running the clinic now. They're nice."
Kira blinks. "Ah... I haven't seen a doctor since I was small, so I didn't know. I'm glad that there's a better doctor." She hugs her knees against her chest. "I guess I should talk to people more often, but until now I never really had a reason to do much more than a pass or two each night to check the lamps..."
Maybelline chuckles, "Well, if you know where the generator complex is, I usually live in the attached house. And uh, I don't sleep much. Once I'm working on it again, you can always stop by."
Kira nods. "Yes, the big round roof in the middle of town. I know it." She looks over at May again as she stifles a little yawn. "Mmph... I should get some sleep soon."
Maybelline smiles, "Well, I'll see you around then? Get some rest, Kira!"
Kira nods. "You too, May. I hope you heal soon and can spread your wings again." She hops off the porch and flutters off.
Maybelline gives Kira a shakey wave goodbye. "Yeah, uh, me too!"
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RESPITE BATH HOUSE - EVENING
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Louma slithers in through the front doors of the bath house, a huge towel draped over her shoulders and an unhappy twitch under her eye. She shortly makes arrangements for a soaking pool to herself, making a beeline for the steamiest looking one near the corner. Her extra coin, and perhaps a little influence, gets her quickly served with enough privacy screens that there's only one way in or out. She nods at the attendant, stripping out of her plain cotton shirt and sinking slowly into the water with a satisfied coo, stopping only when her chin rests on the surface.
Xochi is led in not much later, following the brochure that Vix gave her, and asking for a private pool as well, one which can accommodate her length. She tilts her head at the odd looks the attendants give her, but then they shrug and lead her inside. Soon enough, she has removed the cloth strips and jewelry and slid into the water as well, humming happily at the heat. "Ahhhh... yes."
Louma sighs, having moved to a more seated position with her arms on the edges of the pool. She hears someone being led into a nearby pool, though her concerns have washed into the water around her. She drags her palm idly through the water in front of her, chuckling slightly as she hears the other's relief. "You've got that right." She mutters, voice carrying maybe a little more than she would have liked.
Xochi laughs as well, a potentially familiar sounding rasp. "Apologies, but a bath such as this was long overdue."
Louma smiles to herself, eyes closing as she sinks slightly into the water again. "Nothing to apologize for, can't fault someone for getting sick of the dry weather or wanting to melt away their stresses."
Xochi hums, making a similiar movement as she relaxes into the water, letting the heat soak in. "Ugh, so dry. Yes. Had I known of these springs, I would have come to them first thing. This feels wonderful."
Louma raises the tip of her tail out of the water, watching the ripples as she wiggles it back and forth. "You're preaching to the choir. I just spent two months in the wilderness, just to come back to a week of bad news, and stress, and paperwork. So much paperwork." She shudders despite the warmth, aaudibly disturbing the water.
Xochi frowns, "I am sorry to hear this." She shifts her shoulders back and forth, sinking into the water with only her head above it. "Long months of travel that I have been through as well. Uncertain and stressful, yes. Things are better, now that I have finally arrived. Bad news is behind me now, or so I hope."
Louma perks up, a hint of pleasant surprise in her voice. "Oh, you're a new arrival? I had no idea. Well, how could I? Allow me to welcome you, how are you finding our little town so far?"
Xochi laughs again, splashing a bit as she lifts her head up out of the water, "Most pleasing! Many have been quite kind to me, and I am learning much, thank you! But I must introduce myself! I am called Xochi."
Louma pauses briefly, her smile falling, though she manages to mostly maintain her voice. "Xochi? That's a beautiful name. It's Orelan, if I recall, hm? I'm glad that you've been treated well."
Xochi dips her head, though Louma cannot see the gesture, "Ah! Thank you. It is just a name... but yes... I am from Orela, formerly. I can now count Respite as home."
Louma hums, leaning against the side of the pool with her arms on the sides. "Yes, Respite seems to magnetically pull everyone that wants to start a new life for themselves. A lot of us just want our past to vanish."
Xochi grows quiet for a moment, then sighs, "I am here for retirement. If a new life means the old is gone, then I am content. I came to Respite to find exactly that."
Louma: "Retirement, hm? That's a good achievement. You must have worked very hard to reach that plateau."
Xochi frowns, shifting uncomfortably, the water around her rippling quietly. "...yes. I... suppose."
Louma turns around in the water, resting with her arms on the edge of the bath as she stares at the privacy screen. "Well, perhaps you came into wealth, there was still quite a bit of it hidden within some households. So I'd heard, anyways. Still a nice way to get through life."
Xochi sighs, conflicting emotions in her mind. She stretches out beneath the water and lifts her head, then settles it down on the edge of the pool, "I... cannot complain, no. Others have lived worse lives then I, I can be assured. Yet still... I am grateful it is behind me now, grateful to be here."
Louma tilts her head, still staring at the divider. She doesn't speak for a long while, considering things that have been revealed so far.
Xochi shifts in the water, the warmth suffusing her body, but her mind dwelling in darker places for a moment.
Louma shifts herself, rising out of the water to her 'standing' height as she reaches for her towel. "Ever since I came to Respite, I've been more or less at peace with my life, my family's legacy notwithstanding. I found that peace here, and I hope you'll find it too. If I wouldn't be intruding, may I ask to meet you face to face? I would like our introduction to be proper, and to apologize if I brought your mood down with our discussion."
Xochi sighs, then rises up in the water as well, smiling, "It is quite alright. I am still becoming accustomed to things as they are now, just... time." She chuckles, "All of this said, I would be more then happy to meet you, face to face, and make our proper introduction."
Louma smiles to herself, taking hold of the edge of one divider and sliding it to the side and revealing herself to Xochi. She's only risen far enough out of the water for her swan features to be over the edge of her pool, her tail carefully laid under the surface. "Hello, Xochi. I am Louma."
Xochi lifts herself slightly out of the water, hands clasped in front of her as she gives a bow. "Louma... Louma..." She recoils from her bow, and stares at the swan, eyes going down, then back up. "Oh! Oh... the Doctor had told me of you, but they did not describe how striking you are. I am honored."
Louma blinks, then smiles. "Ah, of course. I had no idea they'd told you about me, but I should have expected that I suppose." She lifts herself further out of the water, showing her scaly black lower half. "They probably hoped I'd be able to help you acclimate to life here."
Xochi lifts a hand to her breast and bows, "You are... beautiful. Yes, I believe that was their intention." She hesitates, "Though... that would mean you are a captain of the guards..."
Louma feels her face flush behind her beak at the unexpected compliment. "Ah, well thank you... And yes. I actually want to apologize for something related to that. I've been having... concerns about your arrival here. I think they've been unfounded." She bows deeply in a proper cultural display of humility, her wings wrapped tightly to her body.
Xochi rises out of the water and mirrors the bow, but a frown does cross her face, "Ah, I am sure my arrival was... noted. I have no desire to cause trouble. I simply want... peace, Louma. I promise this."
Louma lifts her head with a morose look in her eyes, which is replaced with mild shock when she sees Xochi's body as the light glints off of her wet scales. "Yes, a little bit of one. A particular lizard was somewhat ashamed of pulling your carriage over, too." She rises out of the water, craning her neck sideways, a gasp escaping her when she realizes what she's seeing. "I believe the relaxing waters may have just betrayed you, though."
Xochi tilts her head in confusion, then follows Louma's gaze downwards, seeing the water dripping down along her sides, around the bound wings, forming temporary traces along the invisible feathers. Her expression quickly falls into surprise, and then to panic, "N-no, no no!" She recoils away from Louma, her long tail splashing through the water as she tries to gain some distance. "It's a mistake!"
Louma is startled by the reaction, but recovers, moving out of the water but not closing the distance between her and Xochi. "Hold on, hush now! Causing a scene isn't going to help anything, I don't mean any ill to you."
Xochi hisses, but makes no further movement. She holds herself in a guarded pose, eyes darting, as if looking for a means of escape, "Thisss can't... you can't ssssee them. No one can sssee them!"
Louma holds her hands out, her expression softening as she lowers herself down. "Xochi, it's alright, please calm down. If you need them to remain a secret, then they will be."
Xochi slowly lowers herself into the water, arms clutching around herself protectively. "Calm... calm, yesss..." She looks at Louma deseperately, "No one can know, Louma. I... I ssshould not have come to here. I ssshould have ssstayed hidden. I jussst wisssh to live my own life."
Louma relaxes, sighing. "I'm terribly sorry, I shouldn't have said anything. You don't have anything to worry about in Respite, we all watch out for each other in Respite Your past doesn't matter here, that was no untruth."
Xochi 's breathing is ragged, but slowly she pulls herself together, "No untruth from me, either. I just want peace. I just want to leave that past behind me." She lifts her hands, making a some kind of sign, with a light pinkish energy traced between her fingers. As the spell completes, the illusion faces. At her side lay two large wings, rainbow-feathered, and bound tight against her side.
Louma struggles to resist some nagging urge to bow before the revealed coatl before her, despite having never met one in her own past. She takes in the vision before her, not realizing she's holding her breath until she tries to speak. "Your feathers are gorgeous, but those bindings... You are bearing such a terrible thing... How long..?"
Xochi frowns, shying away slightly, feeling strangely vulnerable like this after being hidden so long, "It has been nearly two months since I left to come here."
Louma looks sadly toward Xochi's face. "You've had your wings bound and hidden for two months? You're willing to risk permanent damage for your retirement?" Louma flexes her wings involuntarily as she considers Xochi's predicament, catching the movement out of the corner of her eye. "You're not the only snake with wings here, or do you have another concern?"
Xochi watches Louma's wings, fighting within herself to reveal the truth, or stay silent. She at last makes a decision. "I am not 'retired' in that sense. I... am dead. I could not be alive, and be here. Too many would seek me out, to put me back into their little cage for them. If freedom meant losing my wings, then so be it. A small price to pay."
Louma sinks, putting a hand under her chin. "Yes, I think I understand now. Rumors of a coatl would travel out of town pretty easily. Everyone in my family was convinced your family were all wiped out." She shakes her head, "But living in that fear is not true freedom. You said it yourself, you've made friends here. Others that have run from things. Friends that will help you maintain your new life. And you can bet your fangs that I wont let anything happen to you while you're living in this town. I promise you that."
Xochi nods as Louma thinks through her life, flinching a bit when she comes to fear. "My family was wiped out. I am the last. I will be the last. I think it is for the best. Until then, freedom is... new." She swallows. "Precious to me in the tasting, and trusting others with it is hard. I am risking much, but... I shall trust you, Louma."
Louma smiles softly, nodding. "Absolutely. Of course, don't feel the need to reveal yourself at my behest. If you choose to keep your secret, I vow to never reveal it. Although... If I may ask one thing? Perhaps consult with the doctor about the problems that may arise from the bindings? I imagine that's not good for you overall, not just for your wings."
Xochi frowns, recalling the Doctor's words before. She makes a short gesture, the pink magic tracing out to hide her wings again, "Atrophy... yes... I can trust them? I will need to think on all of this, but... on that, perhaps, I should take the risk sooner, then later."
Louma chuckles. "As far as I know, yes. One of my guards seems to have a lot of faith in Plume, having had to interact with them a lot more than myself. I could always accompany you, if you'd feel more comfortable."
Xochi thinks a moment, then shakes her head, "That is appreciated, but I shall make it my decision. And my risk."
Louma considers Xochi for a moment, then bows slightly. "You're free to choose whatever you'd like. I myself am going to choose to sleep. I'm sorry again for causing you worry, don't hesitate to call on me if you need anything, Xochi. We're all out here together." She takes up her towel and shirt, though she's mostly dried off after being out of the pool the whole time.
Xochi smiles, lifting herself up in the water to watch Louma. "I thank you, Louma. I... I truly do. I shall think on all of this, and we shall speak again. For now... I shall finish my bath and... carefully... return home."
Louma chuckles lightly, smiling at Xochi. "I wish you a good evening, then." Louma slips her shirt back on, turning to leave with many questions satisfied, and a handful of new ones starting to emerge. At least the mystery of Xochi was relieved somewhat. For now.