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THE THIRSTY MINNOW - LATE AFTERNOON
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Bracvar scuttles cheerily through the market. The caravan he'd come along with was unpacking their goods in a somewhat shady alley in the back half of the marketplace, and the lead driver had paid Bracvar a tidy little extra to begone. The crab had worked hard for that extra, convincing the blatantly unsavory folks that his jaws flapped about everything took a lot of wind! Someone must have made them think he was good at keeping secrets. Both could be considered fools, honestly. Dressed in his smock and eyepatch, the crab heads straight into the Minnow with his earnings, determined to not blow every coin on ale this time. "Two ales, barkeep!" He booms jovially as he enters, "Crab sized, if you please!"
Brunilda looks up from her book in slight surprise: "Oh. Hey there, Bracvar." She smiles, lifting her own pint.
Bracvar spots Brunilda immediately, heading towards her table with his smile evident around his one visible eye. "Ah! Brunilda, my favorite drinking partner! How are you on this, a day of glorious payment?"
Brunilda shrugs with a smile: "Pretty good, I think." She shifts a bit, tugging at the edge of her chest wrap unconsciously.
Bracvar holds up a finger, making a quick detour to the bar to retrieve his sawn-log seat which he sets next to Brun's table. "Pretty good is fine and dandy!" His first ale arrives seconds after he's seated, accepted with a nod to the barkeep. "Are you trying out Orelan fashion?" He motions to the chest wrap as he gratefully sips his first ale since leaving Respite.
Brunilda blinks, then chuckles softly: "Not quite." She shifts in her seat enough to show some of her back to Bracvar: "There was a bit of an incident at the generator."
Bracvar pauses, his smile falling as he sets his drink down. "Oh no... What sort of foolishness did you get up to after we last sat together?"
Brunilda sighs, looking down: "The old generator, it... gave up the ghost, as it were. Me and May were just able to get out, but not without injuries."
Bracvar sighs, tilting his head a bit as he reads the cover of her book. "Ah, but I see that's not going to deter you? Or are you just trying to understand your new enemy?"
Brunilda hums, glancing at the title 'Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Magitech Generators But Were Afraid To Ask'. She smiles a bit wearily: "A bit of both, perhaps. For now, it's obviously I can not do more guard duty or such even if I wanted to. Might as well make myself useful in other ways."
Bracvar smiles at her, chuckling quietly. "So that's where you're at right now? Excellent, I'm happy to see you are moving forward. Well done!" He raises his pint as a cheer, taking a longer drought from it.
Brunilda lifts her own pint, smiling with just a bit less cheer: "Well, I'm trying at least."
Bracvar nods, his leg tips sliding across the floor as he fully settles in. "It's all we can manage, isn't it? Try or not, what else is there? If you don't try, you can't do."
Brunilda shrugs, smiling: "Yeah, fair enough." She cracks her neck: "At least I am starting to understand this."
Bracvar nods, breaking into a grin. "Wel'hey, when you get good at it, maybe I'll hire you to service my ice generator as practice. That hyena in Bairnell's Foothold has been raking me over the coals for years now."
Brunilda chuckles a bit disbelievingly: "Doubt I'll ever get that good."
Bracvar laughs a bit. "I doubt it's as complex as a full sized ICEE generator. Heck, I've changed parts on it myself mid-travel. But they don't make any learning books on the subject meant to be read underwater."
Brunilda pauses to consider this: "...probably not, no."
Bracvar sets his drink down, leaning his elbows on the table top. His voice quiet's down a bit after he thinks for a moment. "The engineer, how did they fare?"
Brunilda sighs, looking away: "Worse than me, but alive."
Bracvar nods. "And she's alive because of you?"
Brunilda nods slowly: "...yes."
Bracvar gently grips Brun's shoulder, smiling warmly at her. "Well done, truly."
Brunilda allows herself a small smile: "...thank you."
Bracvar lingers for a moment, then releases the gesture and tips his ale, staring down into it.
Brunilda sighs, shrugging, but finding her smile afterwards: "Could have done worse, could have done better... it is what it is. Gotta move forward." She speaks to convince herself at least as much as Bracvar.
Bracvar looks up, smiling at her. "Aye, forward." he clears his throat, downing the rest of his ale and raising the empty mug toward the barkeep. "Anyways, I take it you're still in the employ of the guard for the time being?"
Brunilda takes a sip of her nearly-forgotten pint, then nods: "Yeah, for the moment though I can't really help much."
Bracvar leans back as his replacement drink arrives, grinning. "Good, then I'm glad I ran into you, saves me a little time. See, I ran into an interesting character on the way here. Seems they were looking for someone in particular."
Brunilda tilts her head, curious: "Oh?"
Bracvar nods, grinning. "First off, I know you haven't been around long, but I'd hope that you've at least heard about a certain scaly guard captain. One with wings and a rather... curt disposition?"
Brunilda nods: "I've met Louma, yes."
Bracvar: "Ah! So she's back then? That's... Good, I suppose." Brac clears his throat, continuing. "Well, she seems to be attracting the attention of those she left back home. Ran into one of the slithering... Folks on the way back here."
Brunilda raises an eyebrow: "Hmm? Interesting. I'll pass the word along."
Bracvar nods. "That's not why I'm concerned, though. They were very specific about finding a winged snake, and very upset about being asked a lot of questions." He takes a long drink of his ale, thinking back on the events. "Oh, and they weren't shy about travelling at night, might have gotten here before my caravan."
Brunilda muses: "Sounds like a shady fellow, then. I'll keep an eye out."
Bracvar nods, smiling. "Just glad to help out, not planning on hanging around this time. Don't want to lose the other one." He chuckles, gesturing towards his eyepatch.
Brunilda gives a wry laugh: "Fair enough."
Bracvar loses some of his smile, looking over his shoulder at the door before returning to his ale, inwardly hoping to move the conversation in a less scaly direction.
Brunilda is quiet for a moment: "...so, anything else of interest happen on the road?"
Bracvar takes a moment to consider, nodding with a grin. "Ah yes, if you'll indulge this old crab for a little longer." Bracvar orders them fresh pints before animatedly launching into oddly vague tales of travels, managing to prod a few stories in return out of Brunilda with a little time.
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THE THIRSTY MINNOW - EVENING
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Xochi is sitting in much the same position as she has occupied the past few nights, a toasted sandwich and soup, relatively simple, set before her. Her own attempts at cooking haven't been quite so successful, but her mind has been rather occupied since her talk with Louma, and she's not paying much attention to her food, or her surroundings.
Nesseth steps into the bar with a yawn, having just finished manning the southern gate with a few other guards for the day. He's still wearing most of his uniform, but his gear's been stowed back at home. He felt a little too lazy to cook dinner for himself tonight, and figured he might as well treat himself a little with something from the Minnow. However, upon seeing a Snake at the counter, he pauses mid-step and starts considering his options.
Xochi idly dips her sandwich into the soup before taking a bite, failing to notice the guard stepping in behind her.
Nesseth sighs after a bit as his stomach growls rather insistently and makes his way over to the counter to place an order for a soup and sandwich of his own. He gives the snake a nod as he slides into a seat nearby. "Evening."
Xochi perks up at the sudden company, but as she looks over at Nesseth, the expression darkens, her tone betraying her bitterness. "Eveni-...oh. Hmph. This is another random check-in, hm?"
Nesseth gives Xochi a bit of a look before shaking his head. "No, just felt like some food and company for the evening... regardless of who it might be, I guess."
Xochi hisses, but after a moment her posture slackens, "Hmph. It is not my place to say where others can and cannot sit."
Nesseth lets out a humorless laugh. "Nor mine. Personally, I'd rather just sit at the counter when I'm alone. Beats staring at an empty seat across a table." He pauses, then jerks his head down towards the end of the counter, "'Course, I can always move further away if it bothers you."
Xochi raises a hand, seemingly about to say something, but pauses, then glances away. "I could ask the same of you. Should I move away? I would not wish to crowd one of my betters." She rasps out that last word, though a careful ear would hear a lot of pain behind it.
Nesseth shakes his head again, rolling his eyes a bit. "Didn't I just say it's not my place either to say where you can sit or not? Sit wherever you want, I don't care."
Xochi sighs. "Well, good. Nor do I. I have no place either." She turns back to her soup, and stirs the top of it with her spoon. "I suppose I never had a place."
Nesseth raises an eyebrow, now seeming a bit intrigued by the snake next to him. He almost doesn't notice when his soup and sandwich arrives. "Oh? Something of a wanderer, or... explorer, then?"
Xochi shakes her head, "Neither. Coming to Respite is the first place I have ever gone. I hope not to depart, either."
Nesseth seems to deflate just a touch, but shrugs. "Ah, I guess you came from Orela, then." He pauses as he takes a moment to start in on his food, letting the silence stretch a touch before he adds, "Welcome to Respite Falls, which is probably about as far from civilization as one can get for now."
Xochi chuckles, a harsh rasping noise, "I am quite fine with the lack of civilization. I... thank you. For the welcome, at least. This welcome, not your first." Her tongue darts out as she glances sidelong at Nesseth.
Nesseth sighs as he takes a moment to rub at one of the frills on his head. "Yeah, well... most folks come to Respite to get away from one thing or another. If you're here for the same reason, I can't exactly fault you for it."
Xochi pauses, turning to look at Nesseth more directly. "And you? Adventure? Running? What brought you here?"
Nesseth shrugs. "Exploration. Home was a bit narrow in scope. Hunting was routine, everyone knew what to do and when to do it... it got stale early on for me." He looks over at Xochi after a moment, "So I joined the Explorers Guild and eventually settled here."
Xochi nods slowly. "I am simply here for retirement. Respite offers freedom to me... home was... 'narrow in scope' for me as well, but I could not leave. Until now."
Nesseth hums curiously. "Retirement, hm? Interesting... I take it you're from somewhere in Orela, too?"
Xochi nods, "Orela, yes. It took me over a month to travel here."
Nesseth nods. "Sounds about right. Even with good vessels, travel to Aephix is long and rough..."
Xochi: "And you? Orela as well?"
Nesseth nods again. "Yeah, Embercoast. Haven't been back there in... several years." He pauses a bit, "How are things back that way, anyway?"
Xochi blinks, then lowers her head. "I... hear rumors. Such pain between our peoples. Some resist. Others seek reasons to incite. That war cost us much."
Nesseth grunts a bit and props his chin on a hand. "Mmh... tell me about it. Sixty years, and it's still fresh in our minds. I'd hate to see another war spring up..."
Xochi nods. "I... lost my father. I was yet newly hatched. A good man, by all accounts I hear. Kind, strong. He wished for peace, but never lived to see it." She pauses. "I am named Xochi. In our tongue, it means 'flower'. It is said he gave me this name because he wished that I would know nothing but beauty and peace in my life." She sighs, shaking her head.
Nesseth looks at Xochi for a few seconds, mulling it over in his head, then nods. "It's... good to meet you, Xochi. I'm called Nesseth, but I'm not aware of my name having any significant meaning." He sighs as he turns his gaze back to his food for a few bites, "I lost numerous aunts and uncles in the war, but my parents were lucky enough to be too young to have fought." He pauses again, "...I'm sorry for your loss."
Xochi frowns, staring at Nesseth. Then, slowly, she nods. "And I, sorry for yours." She pokes at her cooling soup. "Common ground amongst foes, Nesseth. In the end, we both agree that war is terrible."
Nesseth dips his head in acknowledgement. "Yeah, I know what the war was fought over, and we both obviously know how it ended, but..." He lets out another sigh, "Would have been better if it just didn't happen the first time."
Xochi nods. "When you... stopped me, I thought it would be more of those same prejudices. I have held no love for lizards in the past. ...but I am quite aware of what my g-" She pauses. "My people... the last King... did. Had I the power to prevent it, I would do so." She gives a very small smirk, "I have no such power, I am afraid."
Nesseth runs a hand over his face for a moment and gives Xochi a bit of a wry smile. "I won't insult you by trying to play innocent, Xochi. That 'random' search was... in part, me being suspicious because you're a snake. I don't harbor any love for snakes, just as you don't for lizards, but it doesn't excuse what I did."
Xochi hums, closing her eyes a moment. "Then the least I can do is forgive the mild inconvenience. You are not so offensive as I might have feared. I have been avoiding the guards of this town, afraid of similar persecution. I have spoken ill of you to others... I shall cease this behavior, it is untowards of me."
Nesseth waves a hand. "There's nothing to worry about with the guards here. They come from all over, and they're not gonna try to cause trouble, unless they want to catch an earful from the captain of the guard." He manages a small smile, "And, well... it's okay, Xochi. I might have deserved the bad-mouthing a bit."
Xochi nods, "I also avoided your Captain, though I was told she was of similar lineage. She is... very kind." She suddenly seems a little pale, and switches the topic rather rapidly. "I have met many unique individuals in Respite thus far, and all have been kinder then I am imagining."
Nesseth chuckles. "You already met Louma, huh? She's kind, but she can get a little snippy at times." He nods after a moment, "And yeah, Respite's full of friendly faces. Most everyone here just wants to build their own life, so we all have something in common, no matter where we come from."
Xochi nods, "That is very much my desire, yes... peace here, and to build my own life."
Nesseth nods. "Then you've come to the right place. Hopefully you can build the life you want, here."
Xochi smiles. "This is the hope. Thank you, Nesseth."
Nesseth gives Xochi a lopsided grin. "And hopefully we can start off on the right, er..." He pauses, clearly reconsidering his choice of wording, "I mean... hopefully we can move past that first meeting at the gate."
Xochi waves a hand, laughing, "It is already forgotten. Besides, I could say perhaps the driver was very suspicious, hmm?"
Nesseth snorts a laugh. "Albert? It's actually kind of a running joke with the guards to pull his wagon aside sometimes. He's so nervous all the time."
Xochi hums, "Ah, yes, then that must have been why, hmm?"
Nesseth nods. "That was the other part of it, yeah. I figured I might as well have a bit of fun at the same time, you know?"
Xochi chuckles, turning back to her (nearly cold) soup. "Well, then I shall not think anything more of it..." She begins to eat her dinner, smiling rather contentedly
Nesseth smiles gratefully as he likewise turns back to his own meal, now feeling a fair bit more comfortable than he was when he first entered. "Thank you, Xochi."
Xochi eats alongside Nesseth as the two foes eat their dinner together, forgetting their collective past to just try and start something new.