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OLDHAMMER SMITTY - AFTERNOON
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Maybelline ambles her way towards the Blacksmith, getting almost good at using crutches, though she's starting to get feeling back in her leg. Now, she's carrying a small satchel tossed over her back, she's eager to see whatever progress Cavro's been making. He reaches the front door to the shop and knocks out of courtesy before reaching up to open it by hand.
Maybelline pushes open the door, only to encounter some resistance on the other side, causing her to have to rebalance herself. She shoves a moment as best she can, calling out "Hello? Um, your door seems... oof... stuck?"
Narrator: Cavro is lying on his stomach behind the door, unmoving even as the door bumps into his side, his feet would be visible through the opening as the sunlight peeks into the otherwise dark smithy.
Maybelline prepares to give the door one more mighty shove when she spots the badger's feet through the door. Dropping her crutches, she falls to all fours and scampers through the opening, dragging her bad leg behind her out of panic, "Oh crap! Crap crap, you've been murdered!? Oh jeez, the generator is cursed!" She pulls herself closer to Cavro, not actually sure what to do in the case of a murder. Other then get the police, or guard in this case. Is she incriminating herself just be being here? Crap, where's her uncle when she really needs advice on dealing with a murder.
Cavro lays quietly as May enters. The smithy is cool and quiet, the only light coming from the cracked open door, a dim amount from two small windows that are open, and a column of sunlight from around the open roof hatch. There is a pool of liquid near Cavro's snout that barely shimmers in the minimal light, but the main smell in the smithy itself is still the sting of brimstone that it is always overwhelmed with.
Maybelline comes to some sort of sense, noting the liquid around Cavro's mouth. She reaches out to check the badger's heartbeat, sighing in relief when she hears something at least, "Oh thank goodness you're not murdered..." She sits back and glances around. "Forge is dead though... what the heck happened here?"
Cavro stirs at the touch and May's voice, rolling over onto his back. The side of his snout that was on the floor matted with drool and dust. He begins to snore slightly. As eyes adjust to the light, the outlines of many large molds can be seen scattered around the room, looking like strange crates in dim light. There is a light switch next to the door that Cavro had bumped off before trying to leave earlier in the day.
Maybelline watches Cavro roll over, clearly sleeping. First, she turns that light on, then facepalms. No power. She sighs, then turns to pick up a few of the molds, gathering them up together. "Sheesh, you were really working late, eh?" She frowns, "Guess I can't really call you out on that. Just hope it wasn't all for me..."
Cavro grumbles sleepily, mumbling something that sounds like "No Erika, that's not a nail, it's a sword, you can have it but make sure to feed it well, there's a pot of pots on the pot..." There is a bucket of water near the forge, as well as the tools and some kindling for starting the fire nearby.
Maybelline clears out enough of the smaller molds, then turns back to the problem of Cavro. She frowns, knowing he likely needs the sleep... but also knowing the floor of the smith is not the place for that to be. "Alright, time to wake up friend... I am... very, very sorry about this..." She hefts up the bucket of water, standing on a shakey leg, wincing a moment as she splashes Cavro with the water, before dropping back on her rear.
Cavro remains still for a moment, then sits bolt upright, coughing up some of the slightly oily water. "He wipes the water away from his eyes, stammering between coughs. "What what happened? Where? Is is is it morning?"
Maybelline sighs, sitting up carefully and rubbing her sore leg. "Sorry... afternoon, actually. You alright, Cavro? You were sleeping on the floor."
Cavro turns toward the voice, blinking at the vague shape sitting near him. "May? Ah... I I I might have been up a little late... Oh, it was sunrise when I went to leave!" He looks around at the dark smithy, scrambling to his feet. He turns to open the door the rest of the way, flicking uselessly at the switch before he spots May's crutches. "Oh, here!" He quickly scampers back to May with the crutches, offering a hand to help her up.
Maybelline accepts the help, taking back the crutches and settling against them. "Thanks... leg's still not so good. What you probably need is a nice long nap. I've been there before. Long nights. Just wanting to finish up one more part. I'd be a hyprocrit saying you can't do this to yourself after the number of times I've done it."
Cavro blushes, scratching the back of his head. "You're absolutely right, I I I don't know what came over me. I normally don't act so so so recklessly." He murrs to himself, then turns away to unbar and open one of the huge doors for more light. "But I think I got a bit done, at least!" The sunlight spills in through both doorways, fully revealing the unopened molds near the forge, as well as bins and shelves at the back of the smithy stacked high with fasteners and pipes and casings. In the corner opposite the door May'd used, long rods of conductive metal stand ready to be cut and bent to any shape needed. Cavro yawns after the effort of opening the door.
Maybelline blinks at the stacks of prepared and nearly done parts. "Whoa. More then a bit, wow. You work fast... or you work way too late, but either way, wow."
Cavro chuckles, turning to look at the cold forge. "The fire did most of of of the work, just had to keep the crucibles all all all fed." He frowns at the remains of one stone bowl, and the hardened, pitted iron spill that's cooled to represent a dripping ooze puddle from the forge mantle to the floor. What he didn't notice after the incident is the spattering of molten iron up the side of his workbench, a few feet from where he had been standing at the time.
Maybelline nods, grinning at Cavro. "Still, that's plenty to get started with. Strix got his... thing... generator? Generator thing moved out of the generator room, so power is totally out now." She glances at the forge. "Is uh, that going to be an issue for the rest of the parts?"
Cavro sighs, turning to May with a smile. "Nope, it it it will only slow me down by a quarter, and I I I think I only have to do the upper half of the outer casings yet! So that is why my lights aren't working, then? Is is is that going to be an issue for the rest of the town? How long do do do you need to begin assembly?"
Maybelline shakes her head. "Not for the temporary solution. Well, assuming Brunilda is helping, and she is so far." She reaches to the small bag on her back, pulling out a piece of melted junk. "Speaking of which, we got plenty of slagged generator if you want it! I know you mentioned that maybe you can melt it down."
Cavro nods, taking the piece and examining it. "If it it it's all melted together like this, I can probably use it for casing parts. I don't have the the the equipment to separate the expensive conductor metals from the the the iron, though. I heard that ARC tech has been made for that, a a a little expensive for the Oldhammer." He chuckles, setting the scrap on his workbench. He's suddenly hit by a deep yawn, stretching his arms over his head.
Maybelline shrugs as she lets Cavro take the example piece, "Yeah, well, I certainly can't do anything with any of it. So better it get some use then just get thrown out. I'll see about having the metal brought over." She smirks, "But first, let's get you to bed so you don't fall down on the floor again, alright?"
Cavro chuckles, blushing as he turns back to May. "You're right, not much I I I can do about that, and I think it would be very hard to to to work in this soaked shirt, anyways." He quickly goes about closing everything back up again, leaving the customer door open for May and him to exit through.
Maybelline laughs along, making sure Cavro works his way through everything without issue, "Everyone knows they've gotta ride out a bit of time without power. Strix's generator helped everyone get ready to ease off of the power usage, but, hopefully, everything goes well, they'll be without power only a couple weeks, and by the time the temporary generator runs out, the full one will be nearly done."
Cavro nods, grinning. "That's good, I'm I'm I'm glad you've got a plan for all this. Really, very impressive." He nods once more, stepping out the door into the bright sunlight. "I I I hope Erika wasn't worried..."
Maybelline follows Cavro with her crutches, coming alongside him to set a hand against his side. "I always have a plan... except when I don't. But uh, if Erika is worried, I can try to find her and let her know you're fine if you need me to."
Cavro considers the offer for a moment, then shakes his head. "No, you you you don't have to do that for me. If you run across her and she asks, let let let her know I'm at home. I'll have to to to think of a way to tell her what happened without making her worry... After a bit more rest." He turns, pulling the door shut and locking it while chuckling quietly. "But thank you for for for rescuing me, May."
Maybelline chuckles, "Well, it's not so daring a rescue as Brunilda pulling me out of the generator wreckage, but I'm a lot smaller then Brun. So my heroics are a lot less heroic too."
Cavro chuckles through another yawn, getting bleary-eyed. "Yes, maybe." It's all he can get out before the badger starts pointing himself in the general direction of his home, fortunately only a few buildings South of the smithy.
Maybelline walks alongside Cavro, making sure he gets himself home safely, making sure he gets himself in the door before she turns to head back to her own home, chuckling softly to herself.
Cavro stumbles through his entranceway, struggling to strip off the soaked cotton shirt and making it to a basic sofa where he immediately collapses and falls back asleep. Much more comfortable than before. Still smells a bit like brimstone.
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GUARD BARRACKS - LATE AFTERNOON
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Brunilda puts the last piece of paper-to-be-signed on the table between her and Louma: "...and this one is for the last caravan that came in, nothing to report." The elephant has been quiet all day, doing the paperwork while deep in thought.
Louma picks up the page, quickly glancing over it before scratching an initial on the bottom. Her signatures have been a little wobbly all day, with her forearm still throbbing. "Excellent, thank you again for your help, though..." She glances at the large clock on the wall behind Brunilda. "Were there more pages tha usual? That took nearly an hour and a half more time than yesterday."
Brunilda shrugs noncommittantly: "Perhaps a bit. Or... no. I don't know. At least we're done." She sighs a bit, gathering her thoughts before looking back up: "...can I speak to you, as just guard to guard, and as a friend?"
Louma blinks, absently flexing her sore arm as she leans back on her coils. "Absolutely, what's on your mind?"
Brunilda nods, considering her words some more: "...did you... did you ever feel awful for leaving your family behind?"
Louma is visibly taken aback by the question. "Hum, cutting right to it today." She pauses, taking some time to consider her answer. "Not all of them. Not most of them, even. Do you?"
Brunilda winces a bit: "...yeah. Or somewhat. I feel like I'm leaving them behind even more by not continuing what I came here for. But also just... they're in Ondonga. It might be a very long time before I see any of them again."
Louma sighs, settling further into the pile of snake under her, seeming to deflate slightly. "I understand. I really do. When I left, I was furious with them. There were secrets that had been hidden from my siblings and I, secrets that came with expectations once they were revealed." Her tone quiets, a hint of that anger present under each word. "Expectations I absolutely refused to live up to. But..."
Brunilda considers Louma and her words, curious: "...'but'?"
Louma relaxes her voice, "But it wasn't fair to them, my siblings I mean, to hate them, to have left them behind. After some time I regretted it. Still, I pushed on, did what I knew how to do, and now I'm here." She waves her arms vaguely at the desk in front of her, and as she considers it, a sadness creeps behind her eyes. She clears her throat, looking back to Brun. "Have you kept in contact by mail?"
Brunilda nods absently: "Yes, I sent my first letter to my parents. Who knows when they'll reply." She pauses, glancing aside: "...I did leave my thoughts about doing anything for a living besides guard stuff out of it, though."
Louma nods, straightening herself up somewhat. "They really wouldn't want you to leave your duties, even for your own happiness?"
Brunilda shakes her head ever-so-slightly: "It's the family tradition. It's what us Ernst's have always done. Far as I know, no one has ever strayed from that path." She pauses, realizing something: "...at least anyone who stayed in Ondonga."
Louma smiles slightly. "What, so anyone who wanted out left the country entirely?"
Brunilda nods, almost agreeing before shaking her head again: "Maybe. I have an aunt who... left, when I was just a kid but... the adults were always pretty hush on the reasons why. But asking about it got them - especially my grandpa - pretty angry."
Louma hums, scratching her chin. "So if you're asking them, then you haven't got contact with her yourself? Any idea where she might have gone?"
Brunilda shakes her head: "No. Best I ever got as an answer was that she boarded a ship out of Ondonga."
Louma: "Shame, I wonder how difficult it would be to track her down..."
Brunilda shrugs: "Anyone can right up disappear if they don't want to be found, I imagine." She sighs again, pausing once more: "Anyway... family's still family. I can't completely forget about them, even if I am a continent away." The elephant looks a bit hurt, clearly homesick now that she's allowed herself to think about this.
Louma considers Brun for a little bit, sighing quietly to herself. "Then don't. Don't give up contact, if it means so much to you. If you think they'll be upset about a career change, maybe they don't need to know."
Brunilda nods slowly: "Yeah, I... I don't know. Maybe that's what I'll do." She looks at the swan-snake: "What did you do, with your family?"
Louma grimaces. "My situation is a little bit different from yours. I did write to my sister, and received a letter back that wasn't hers. She hopefully left as well. The response was from my brother, he's gone on with what father wanted us to do." She shakes her head. "That was the only exchange, seven years ago."
Brunilda frowns: "...dare I ask what your family wanted to you to do?"
Louma thinks about this for a moment, carefully considering Brun. "Perhaps not today."
Brunilda is quiet for a second, then nods: "...I guess that's fair." She sighs: "Anyway, I gotta... do something about this, sooner or later."
Louma shrugs. "All you can do for now is wait for their response, right? You're a smart one, you'll figure this out eventually. I know it's no replacement for real family, but you've got support here."
Brunilda manages a small smile: "...y-yeah. I do. And with the building of the new generator, I feel like... I have some purpose. Some meaning, you know?"
Louma smiles warmly. "I think you're going to do fine, in that case. Don't give up hope with your family, but everyone has got to find your own path, and you're clearly already on it."
Brunilda hums: "Yeah... maybe I am." She then sighs, but keeps her smile: "Why must every life decision be this hard?"
Louma chuckles, holding back a harder laugh, having had very little difficulty in making major decisions her whole life, and winding up unsatisfied because of it. "I wouldn't have an answer for you, that's just how it is I suppose."
Brunilda sighs, shaking her head: "Suppose that's how it is." She smiles, looking up at Louma: "Want to go for a round at Minnow, Cap'n? We're done here, if nothing else."
Louma idly rubs her sore forearm, nodding. "Sure, I don't think the training grounds is a good idea today."
Brunilda looks at Louma curiously as she gets up: "Got yourself hurt?"
Louma uncoils, rising up. "Mmh, just a little agility training, collided with a pole. Or three."
Brunilda gives a soft chuckle: "Happens, I guess. I can't exactly comment on the agility department."
Louma: "Nothing a few glasses of wine can't solve. First rounds on me." She starts towards the door, picking up her uniform jacket from it's hook on the way.
Brunilda smiles, following Louma out: "Only if you insist. Captain."
Louma puts on her more proper airs outside of the office, and all the way to the Minnow. Though stiffer in the public eye, she and Brun continue pleasant conversation for the short wander, with the sun setting on the warm afternoon.
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THIRSTY MINNOW - EVENING
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Louma is nicely settled at the bar, resting in a nest of her own coils and admiring the way the light sends red sparkles through her wine onto the countertop. Her arm still hurts, and now she's sitting on a portion of emotional baggage she'd avoided dwelling on for a long time.
Damina enters the bar, and immediately recognizes Louma coiled up at the counter. She decides to come say hello and takes a seat next to her.
Louma takes a moment to register that someone has joined her at the bar, nodding to Damina with a smile. "Ah, good evening Damina. How've you been?"
Damina shrugs. "Ahhh, just been killing time. Though, good news, my new armor's due to come in later today!"
Louma: "Ah, excellent! I'm glad to hear that. Hopefully you'll find it comfortable enough to patrol in."
Maybelline pushes her way into the bar tiredly, not quite ready for home, but too tired to keep walking on her crutches for the moment. She hobbles up to the bar and climbs atop the stool, smiling over at the Captain. "Heya Louma." She glances at the cat... "We've met... I just... suck with names, sorry. Damien?" She waves to barkeep for her usual coffee.
Louma smiles warmly at May as they sit down. "Good evening to you, too, Maybelline. Good to see you can get about without the crutches." She takes a long sip of her wine, sighing slightly.
Maybelline motions towards the pair set aside by the door, "Barely. But I gotta work the leg out bit by bit. If I can't walk to the bar from the door by now, I'd be letting Doc down with my physical therapy."
Louma grins, looking where May is pointing. "Twenty little steps forward. I noticed the power's been out since that impressive light show, are you working on the generator situation already?"
Maybelline nods, "Err, yeah. I talked with Strix to arrange shutting down his generator... I didn't expect him to shut it down immediately, but I'm already setting up to build the temp generator."
Damina coughs. "It's, ah, Damina, sorry."
Louma takes another sip of her wine, the tangy drink numbing both her arm and her dwelling thoughts. "Good, good. That lightning was a bit much, I assume you have something more subtle in mind?"
Maybelline nods her head at Damina with a smile, "Maybelline. Uh, pleasure to meet you... again, that is, Damina!" She sighs, "I was hoping for an off switch? The off switch was a crossbow bolt into the battery. I'm amazed it didn't blow me up again."
Damina raises her eyebrows when she hears about this fantastic mechanism for turning it off. "Well now, that sounds a bit dangerous doesn't it?"
Louma laughs into her palm. "Yes, that does sound like Strix. You should see the file he has back at the barracks."
Maybelline nods, accepting her coffee from the barkeep and beginning to add sugar to it. "Ugh, yeah. Very dangerous. But... it worked. The whole thing depowered, and he took it apart and the room was clear by the morning." She sighs, "I can't even imagine... but he's got his heart in the right place. I think. I just... can't follow his methods. Like, at all."
Damina orders a drink and takes a sip. "Last I saw of that guy, he fried himself. Wonder how he's doing nowadays."
Louma nods. "I'd assume quite well if he's building lightning eating power generators. Still, as terrifying as that was, it makes me glad that we've got you to bring us back on the right track, Maybelline."
Maybelline: "About the same? Less fried at the moment, but he was eager to give the generator back to me and move onto something new." She gives Louma a guilty smile, "So uh, sorry about that?"
Louma chuckles. "What's there to apologize for? You're just doing your best, nothing else we can expect."
Damina: "So, about that generator..."
Maybelline smiles at Louma, then turns to Damina, "Hmm? Sure, what about it?"
Damina traces circles into the counter with her finger. "What's your plans for it? Surely you have some bright ideas?"
Louma finishes her drink, listening to the others for the moment.
Maybelline perks up a little, grinning, "Oh yeah! plenty! I mean, the temp one is pretty basic, it's an emergency power design that I can get built within a week. The local smith is building the parts, it should slap together real fast, but it's inefficient. Won't last long unless the town rations its power. But it'll buy time for me to build the real deal. That's where I've got some real good plans."
Damina listens to May's plans, nodding along. "What's the plan for after that?"
Louma smiles as May talks, watching her excited expression as she does.
Maybelline: "Well, this town was running off a Mark IV, which is fine, but a little out of date. I was already working to improve it, but there's only so much one can do to update old tech. So, now, I'm starting from scratch... so I can build in all the efficiencies of the newer generators, reduce the magic siphon loss. I mean, I can't quite build a self-sustaining model like AMP is... though... what Strix did..."
Maybelline shakes her head, "N-no, that's probably crazy. For now, stick to the basics and just build something solid. Something new, and wholly mine. That'll be enough."
Louma tilts her head as May talks, grinning. "Yes, it'll be your work, something to be proud of for sure. Your confidence is inspiring."
Damina: "Hopefully it'll be something everyone will talk about!"
Maybelline blushes a little under her fur, "Well, I hope so! It'll be enough if I can get it all working and get this town powered and protected again, shield and all."
Louma blinks at May's change in expression. "I mean, you must have some talent for it and teaching, the way you've drawn Brunilda away from her guard duties."
Maybelline chuckles, "Easy to teach when the student's so eager. All she really needed was a bit of encouragement to pursue it, so that's what I've been doing."
Louma grins slightly, tilting her head down at May. "Oh, you like having an eager student, is that it?"
Maybelline raises an eyebrow at Louma, "Err... yes? I mean, I've never taught anyone before, so that's... ideal?"
Damina looks at the two of them. "How IS Brun doing, anyway? I haven't checked up on her very much since the incident."
Louma holds her gaze on May briefly before turning to Damina and clearing her throat. "Brunilda is doing much better, she's on reduced duties right now so she doesn't exacerbate her injuries."
Damina nods. "That would explain why I haven't seen her very much... and you yourself? I couldn't help but notice your arm.."
Maybelline blinks, "Err... yeah. She's going to help with the generator too, as best she's able. I hate to say I mostly need her for heavy lifting, cause she's way more talented then just being a heavy lifter, but I'm not exactly strong."
Damina: "Heavy lifting you say? I might not be the strongest, but I do believe I could help with that as well?"
Maybelline: "Oh? I mean, I've got a bunch of slag that needs lifted out of the room and taken over to Oldhammer Smithy. I think Brun can handle most of it, but I'm sure she'd appreciate the help!"
Louma hums. "Losing my entire guard force to the town mechanic. Not that I don't see the appeal." She signals to the bartender for a refill on her drink, leaning her elbow on the bar and chin on that hand while she watches her empty wine glass.
Maybelline chuckles, "Hardly. I mean, Brun is kind of just doing her own thing. I doubt you'd want to change career, right Damina?"
Damina shakes her head. "I feel more comfortable doing this whole guard thing, after all. Still, I like to help if I can."
Maybelline turns back to Louma with a grin, "See? You've just got some good folks serving you, who want to help get this town back up and running."
Louma receives a bill rather than a refill, peering at it for a moment before shrugging and setting her payment on the counter. "Oh, I know that already. I wasn't particularly thrilled to find Brunilda wanted to leave, but who would stop someone from pursuing happiness?"
Maybelline nods encouragingly, "Yep! That's what my Dad always told me, anyways. Pretty much what I told Brun too."
Damina lets out a sigh and finishes her drink
Louma looks to Damina, "What about you? Have you pursued happiness?"
Damina shrugs. "Any purpose is better than having none, living in a trash heap."
Louma chuckles lightly. "That's certainly true enough."
Maybelline nods, glancing sadly at Damina, "Y-yeah. Yeah, definitely so, Damina."
Damina looks at the others. "Hey, don't go feeling sad for me! That's in the past, now I got a whole new life now!"
Maybelline blinks, startled a bit, but can't help but smile at Damina. "You're right, of course."
Louma smiles, nodding as she leans back into her coils. "I take it both of you have... Less affluent backgrounds, then? If that's the case, you should both be proud of yourselves."
Maybelline shakes her head, "I mean, it wasn't great, but my Dad is the one to be proud of. Worked his way up from nothing so that I could have a chance. I'm just making the best of it."
Louma: "That you are. I'm sure he'd be happy to see you now, with your plan to practically rescue this town."
Damina: "Good thing I'm good at this whole 'fighting people' thing..."
Maybelline blushes again, at the compliment, but nods to Damina, "I can't fight, but I'm smart. That won't do much for me in a battle. But hopefully I never have to battle anything."
Louma nods, chuckling somewhat grimly as she glances from Damina to May, pausing when she notices her blush. "Damina is certainly... Effective. I've witnessed what she can do to a training dummy." She shudders slightly in emphasis.
Maybelline watches Louma shudder, then raises an eyebrow at Damina and grins, "Making folks think twice before bullying you, eh? I can uh, respect that. I just say I'm non-violent cause I'm not strong enough to back myself up." She chuckles.
Louma unsubtly looks May over, tilting her head slightly. "Hmm, I don't know, with your litheness, you could probably out-maneuver a lot of folks when you're not injured, no? Of course, it's better to never have to fight in the first place."
Damina returns May's grin. "If everything goes well, I won't need to exercise those skills. Still good to have 'em."
Maybelline laughs, "Yeah, that sounds like a good plan to me." She lifts her arms and wiggles, "I guess I'm pretty good at running and hiding, when I want to be. And when my leg's not screwed up. I'm small enough most folks don't notice me. So, I'm stealthy. Or uh, at least that's what I say when no one notices me."
Louma laughs in turn. "It's not hard to imagine, that's for sure. I guess I can't argue with you on not being noticed, since I slithered right past you the day we met outside the clinic."
Maybelline shrugs, "At least that was an honest mistake. Not like you were purposely 'not noticing me' or anything. And here we are talking again, so you must not have thought I was all that bad."
Louma shakes her head, blurting out, "I find you fascinating." She blushes under her feathers at the accidental directness. "Y-you know, as determined as you are to resolve things and all that."
Maybelline blinks, staring at Louma a moment, before Louma's second line clarifies things, "O-oh. Uh, yeah. I mean, I don't know. It's my job. And everyone here's been so kind to me, and ready to help out. How could I not do everything I can?"
Damina raises an eye at Louma's comment. Something's amiss here...
Louma nods a little too vigorously, blindly reaching for a wine glass that isn't there. She sideglances the empty spot, giving up on it. "Yes, we should do everything to help you feel good. At home, I mean. Welcome here. As your home."
Damina: "You're doing a very bad job at flirting, captain."
Maybelline is trying to piece together what Louma is talking about when Damina speaks up, "F-Flirting?! What? With me? No, th-that... that can't be. Why would Louma want to flirt with me?"
Damina puts two and two together and realizes that one comment from Louma last time at the bar may not have been about her skill. "Well..."
Louma half-chokes, slowly turning to Damina. "Wh-what?" She turns back to May, "Well I-I mean I wouldn't not... I miiight have tried earlier, b-but that was just a slip-up just now!"
Maybelline isn't sure what to think, just sitting on her bar stool going red, "R-right, w-wouldn't not... w-wait you tried earlier? You were flirting? Wh-what? Why?"
Louma tries to calm down, her hand idly preening head feathers that hadn't even moved. "Well I mean, I already said I-I find you intriguing, easy to talk to... And cute." She feels her face going hot behind her beak, looking away from May and mumbling, "And your drive... your determination to succeed... are kind of a... turn on for me..." She immediately regrets not stopping before the last, trying to uncoil herself to leave.
Damina suddenly starts feeling ashamed and covers her head with her hat in a very loud way.
Maybelline 's jaw has fully dropped by the time Louma concludes her speech. Her face bright red. "Is this some kinda... k-kinda cruel joke? Or... oh hells, you're... you're serious."
Louma gives up on rapidly uncoiling, allowing her tail to do it properly and slowly as she hangs her head, covering her face. "I-I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said anything at all. You don't think of me that way, of course, I'm sorry..." She's pretty sure her heart is trying to fall the entire way out of her body as she finally manages to untangle her own tail.
Damina lets out a breath she's been holding in for some time. "Ah, should I... go?"
Maybelline stands up on her stool, and quickly regrets it as her leg rebels at the sudden motion. She flinches, flopping back down onto the seat, shaking her head, "I mean, no? What? I don't... I have no clue how I think of you! I've talked to you twice... uh... I mean... I'm not... not opposed to giving it a try?"
Louma shakes her head, slithering backward away from the other two. She crosses her arms in front of herself, her heart having jumped at May's words, but she can't help but feel they were empty. "Just... Forget I said anything... You're right, of course you're right."
Maybelline 's eyes go wide, "Wh-what?" She glances at Damina, face full of conflict and regret, totally unsure what to say.
Damina shakes her head and shrugs because she has no idea what to do either.
Louma watches May for a few moments, "You mean it? I... urp..." Her eyes go wide and a hand closes over her beak. She looks around in a panic, then flees out the door of the Minnow to find a bush that will accept the wine she'd just paid for.
Maybelline pushers herself off the stool, cringing as she lands on her bad leg, "Ugh, damnit Louma... of course I mea-" She stops as Louma makes for the door. Slumping her shoulders, she sighs, "Well, at least I'm glad Annika convinced me to stop drinking so that I didn't do that." She limps across the bar as best she can, hampered by the bad leg and lack of crutches, trying to pursue Louma outside.
Damina pushes away from the counter and lets out a rather loud sigh. "Well, looks like she's got a lot on her mind. Suppose I should follow her out." And so she does, not even bothering to go particularly fast.
Louma is about 10 feet down the alley next to the Minnow, though her tail trails out into the street a little ways, hunched over a small garden and wiping the sides of her beak clean. "Well done you stupid bird, that was dignified."
Damina peeks her head around the corner. "Captain? You look to be in a bit of a mess right now..."
Maybelline grabs her crutches and heads out with Damina. "Louma...?"
Louma coughs out a laugh that does not taste like wine. "Captain, right, I almost forgot..." She pauses at May's voice, sighing. "In the alley!" She calls out, closing her eyes tight as she takes a deep breath to try and calm down.
Damina silently slides on over, trying her best not to startle the distraught snake lady. "You alright? You just don't look to good right now..."
Maybelline sighs, positioning her crutches carefully so as not to strike Louma's tail as she slowly approaches behind Damina. "Too much to drink, too much, emotion, Damina's right. You do kinda suck at flirting." She chuckles, "Good news for you though, so do I."
Damina says under her breath, "And any attempts from me are just nonexistent."
Louma shudders, turning to face the entrance to the alley as she looks at Damina with as much dignity as she can muster right now. "Yes, thank you Damina, I'm sorry you had to witness that." She blushes, looking to May. "I'm sorry, you're right, I was far too forward... I'd like to take a hundred steps back, if you'll allow me?"
Damina shrugs. "Hey, we're all people aren't we?"
Maybelline nods at Damina's words, "We're all people. Hell, I've been way drunker then then. If you're still talking, you're good in my book." She sighs, "And I don't know... too forward? Maybe? I don't know! Like I said, I uh, suck at this. I've been shot down two for two since I got here trying to do the same thing you're doing. So I'm not letting that record stand. You wanted to know if I meant it? Well I wouldn't have said it if I didn't! So last offer, you wanna do a date, or something, and give it a shot, then I'll be more then happy to give it a shot."
Maybelline sighs, "I'm... really selling myself here aren't I? I must sound like a bossy asshole shouting at the poor lady who got so nervous drunk hitting on me she threw up... Ugh. See? I'm just 'great' at this too, Louma. So... yeah..."
Louma feels her heart skip again, trying to fight the stupid grin that she winds up wearing anyways. "I... Yes, thank you, a date." She clears her throat, collecting herself. "I would be very grateful." She straightens up and rests next to the other two, clearly still a little flustered. "Oh, but not right now... Right?"
Damina , clueless as to what to do, takes her hat off and starts fanning the snakebird with it.
Maybelline leans onto her crutches and nods, blushing again, "Y-yeah, a date... but not right now... that seems wise. L-later. Whenever."
Louma chuckles at the fanning, she bends down to May and gives her a warm hug. "I promise to be on my best behavior next time!"
Maybelline shifts awkwardly to hug back with the crutches, "W-well, alright. I'll hold you to that. I... thank you, Louma."
Louma releases the hug, already far calmer than she was a few minutes ago. "Thank you, too." She turns to Damina, giving her a slight bow. "Sorry again about your evening, Damina. I should probably leave before I do something else embarrassing..." She laughs, backing away from the other two slightly.
Damina tilts her head quizzically. "Why are you acting so proper around me? I'm a dumpster cat!"
Louma chuckles. "And? You deserve as much respect as anyone else."
Damina: "Yes, but it's almost exaggerated here..."
Maybelline steps back with the crutches and shrugs at Damina, "I'm just a stoat. In Sarn that means I'm either a thief, or nothing. Guess something about Respite... I don't know. I'm happy to call you my friend though, and plan to treat you as such."
Louma shrugs. "Maybe I'm overcompensating, oh well." Louma spreads her wings, preparing to take off, then she thinks about i and folds them back in. "Mmh, probably safer to slither home. Goodnight, May. Damina." She makes her way around them out of the alley, then turns back. "Damina? Keep this evening between us, alright?"
Damina nods, not like she had anyone to tell about it, anyway. Unless Nesseth- naaaaaahhh
Maybelline giggles a little before clearing her throat, "Err, um... be safe getting home, Louma."
Louma chuckles as well, nodding. "Thank you, you too." She hesitates, then turns and heads off up the street, turning to look back from a corner before vanishing out of sight. As soon as she feels like she's plenty far away, she gets a wide smile and resists the urge to shout with joy, instead clutching her stomach and finding another innocent bush to assault.
Maybelline turns to Damina and gives her a hug. "Ugh, sorry you had to be in the middle of all that. Th-thanks. Thanks for the support."
Damina is shocked by the sudden stoat snuggle, but decides to roll with it, and awkwardly rubs May's head too
Maybelline pulls back after a moment, "Oh! Uh, sorry... sorry about that too. I uh, just... thanks. I'll see you around, right?"
Damina nods. "Good luck on that project of yours!"
Maybelline grins, "Thanks! Uh, if you really do want to help, just stop by the generator. Either Brunilda or I should be there. Have a good night!"
Maybelline turns and begins to make her way out of the alley on her crutches, mind racing and heart fluttering around what the hell actually just happened tonight.