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GUARD TRANING GRONDS - EARLY EVENING
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Brunilda sits down at one of the makeshift benches at the edge of the grounds, breathing heavily and sweating from every part of her body. She takes a few deep breaths before she dares enunciate her thoughts, convoluted as they may be. "That... t-took more out of me than I thought. You don't want to hear the obscenities my legs are screaming at me."
Louma leans against the wall near Brun's bench, picking up the handle of a well pump and giving it a quick go. It gurgles briefly before dumping liquid refreshment into the plain wooden bucket. She huffs to catch her breath through this, taking the half full bucket over to Brun and setting two cloths into the water. "Oh, I know... Mine have gone completely numb." She pauses, then grins as wide as her aching beak will let her. "Nice uppercut, by the way."
Brunilda picks up a cloth from the water and drops it on her forehead: "Well, you gave me the opportunity. Can't blame me for that." She sighs, smiling: "Feels good to be doing something. Doing practice here, and working on the new generator."
Louma chuckles, nodding as she pushes the other cold cloth under her beak for a moment, coiling herself up in front of the bench. "I suppose I did, you're right." She starts using the cloth to wet her scales down a bit, leaving streaks in the thin layer of dust that coats them. "How are things going with that, by the way?"
Brunilda moves the cloth with her trunk a bit as she thinks. After a moment, she drops the rag back to the bucket, turning to look at Louma: "We have the parts down, and are starting on making the temp generator a reality. I admit I have a bit of difficulty keeping up with the details, but I'll be damned if I give up."
Louma nods, smiling at Brun. "I'm glad to hear it. Honestly, I'm looking forward to it, my home is a little creepy in the dark, and oil lanterns aren't a good idea with all this trailing around behind me." She vaguely waves at her coiled tail, even as it provides a comfortable nest for her to settle into currently.
Brunilda chuckles softly: "I can see that. Don't worry, we should have something workable together pretty soon." She cracks her neck with a loud pop, her ears swinging with the movement: "It's a lot of work, but I feel like I'm making a difference, you know?"
Louma stretches her arms, letting out a soft grunt as a new bruise stretches with them. "Seems to be a habit of yours, no? Interesting how that habit circles around the generator in general, too."
Brunilda looks at Louma, curious: "What do you mean?"
Louma finishes her stretch, leaning back into her coils and toweling her neck. "Well, rebuilding it in general which will help everyone, which has made a difference in my life with your modified duties. And of course, saving Maybelline's life."
Brunilda nods, musing on this: "I suppose you're right. I've been... actually doing things that matter." Slowly, a smile emerges beneath her trunk: "...I matter."
Louma chuckles, giving Brun a warm smile. "Yes, you do indeed. Doesn't matter what your family might say now, you already have more proof of that than you need."
Brunilda smiles back, nodding: "Yeah. I can actually say what I am doing, to them." She pauses, frowning: "...not that I still really want to. Someone would come checking on me."
Louma gives Brun an exaggerated frown, crossing her arms. "Hah, anyone tries to take you away from here, they'll have to go through me first." She winces slightly as her crossed arms put pressure on the sore spot. "...As long as they don't hit as hard as you. Heh."
Brunilda chuckles, getting up from her seat and only groaning a bit: "They'd honestly have to go through me too. Respite is my home now."
Louma nods, relaxing again as she resoaks her cloth. "This place does that to everyone. Not that it's a paradise by any stretch, but." She looks past the wall toward the Western mountains, the sun beginning to slip behind their peaks. "It's ours."
Brunilda follows Louma's gaze, then nods: "If I had to put a word to it, it seems to be 'freedom' for a lot of us. From family's expectations and whatever society we left behind."
Louma sighs deeply, resting the wet cloth over her tail as she begins to preen her messy feathers, still watching the mountains. "Freedom. Subjective, I suppose. I think I'm actually more restricted here, in this job, than I ever would have been if I'd stayed home."
Brunilda looks at Louma curiously: "...what would you have done for a living, had you stayed home?"
Louma frowns, her eyes lingering on the mountains before looking to Brun. "Hmm. I suppose there's no harm in talking about it. Maybe I wont try to drown it if I let it out instead."
Brunilda shrugs slightly: "I won't push. And you know I won't talk."
Louma sinks into her coils slightly, tossing the cloth into the bucket. "Have you heard of the war Nesseth's people and the snakes waged in Orela?" She notably doesn't say 'her' people.
Brunilda nods slowly: "Well, I've heard... 'of' it. That it happened, some decades ago. Not much else."
Louma shrugs, looking toward the bucket. "It was pretty quiet for a war. My family stayed out of it. We're not coatls, and we're not snakes, so there was no reason so send any of our limited numbers to battle, apparently. At least, that was on the surface." She glares at the bucket. "They took advantage of it. They sold snake ships to the highest bidder. The bidders preferred the ships sail on the bottom of the sea."
Brunilda winces a bit: "Oof. That doesn't sound like a very... on-the-line thing to do."
Louma shakes her head, looking back to Brun. "Not at all. Thing is, nobody suspected a thing, or if they did, they didn't hang around, for 6 decades. Because apparently, we're good at it. So good that even with the rumors, they're still continuing." She clenches her fists. "Riches built on the blood of snakes and slaves."
Brunilda looks at Louma, seeing her in a bit of a new light: "...I can see why you would not have any part in that. I wouldn't."
Louma takes a breath, calming down somewhat. "I'm sorry, apparently I can't stop talking when I start. But yes, days after I finished my military time, they revealed everything to me and my older siblings, expecting us to just settle right into place." She pauses for another calming breath, looking into Brun's eyes with a cold chuckle. "I told you our reasons were very different."
Brunilda considers this for a moment. "Perhaps, but that doesn't mean our motivations necessarily are. Doing what's right."
Louma blinks at Brun, finding a warm smile. "Yes, you're right. Knowing that probably wont change how I feel about things, but hearing you say it out loud... Thank you, Brunilda."
Brunilda offers her hand to Louma: "I may be young and inexperienced, but I'm not a complete idiot. And I hope I can be a good friend even if I end up leaving the Guard ranks."
Louma nods, accepting Brun's offered hand. "I'd greatly appreciate that."
Brunilda shakes Louma's hand, smiling. After letting go and picking up her halberd in one hand, she smirks a bit: "So... you and May, hmm?"
Louma feels her face flush under her feathers, slumping into her coils. "Ah, of course you might have heard something... What did she tell you, if I might ask?"
Brunilda shrugs, smiling: "Nothing much. That you might or might not have a date coming."
Louma seems a little less despondent at this. "Really? So she didn't go into any details about the conversation? That's probably a good thing. That all happened almost immediately after you left the Minnow."
Brunilda raises an eyebrow: "It did? Huh." She shrugs: "None of my business anyway." There is the tiniest wince in her expression afterwards, but she quickly makes it vanish.
Louma sighs. "I... Just don't want to make a mess of things." She clears her throat, straightening up. "Not really a topic I'd like to dwell on right now."
Brunilda nods: "Fair enough." She winks as she starts walking out of the grounds: "But I expect to hear if something comes out of it, seeing as I work with both of you."
Louma chuckles, uncoiling as she slithers along side Brun. "That's also fair, I suppose. Thank you for... Well, today, I suppose. If you're not busy with the generator, I'll be in the office tomorrow morning. Surprise surprise."
Brunilda nods: "As usual, I'll come to the office first, see what I can help with."
Louma nods, smiling at Brun as they reach the gate. "I look forward to your company." She puts a little distance between her and the elephant, shaking her wings out as she goes. "Have a good night, Brunilda."
Brunilda nods with a smile: "You as well. Take care." She starts heading towards the Minnow, feeling like nursing a pint of something good before heading to bed.
Louma spreads her wings, peeking over her shoulder at Brun with a smile before taking off into the evening sky, tilting towards her home. The swansnake finds herself feeling much, much better than the night before. Perhaps things might work out alright after all.
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THE THIRSTY MINNOW - EVENING
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Aktzin had found his way into the city. It had taken time, and care, and some study of the guard stations until one of the more 'I'm not interested in guarding and thinking of changing profession types'. The serpent felt this was a dereliction of duty..but he wasn't going to complain about it. It meant he was here, and he could get to work. He had quickly found a small place to stay, pretty run down, and the roof had more than the normal amount of holes. Currently he was in the bar of this small place called the 'Minnow'. He had heard that the winged snake he was seeking (or believed he was seeking) frequented the place. It was..sad that the one had he dedicated himself to had taken refuge in the bottle..but it was not his place to judge. For now he waited, having found a secluded spot in the corner, with a drink of light beer and a meal.
Damina is sitting rather nondescriptly at the counter. She doesn't seem to be doing much aside from just... eating, although she's taken some things and put them on the counter. If anyone cares to look, they could...
Aktzin was assessing everyone, especially any of the folks that might be in the guard. After all, the one he was seeking was also in the guard, and apparently in charge? That was odd, but he wasn't going to dismiss it. His charge was a natural born leader after all. So Damina would be getting such an assessment, which, naturally, would include an equipment. He didn't leave his corner. After all, he was trying to be subtle about this.
Damina seems to be bored out of her mind, and has taken one of her daggers out and is spinning it on its tip on the counter-top.
Aktzin: Boredom, alcoholism..the serpent was getting a very poor impression of the guard! However, he needed information, so he slipped near Damina and coiled around a stool, sitting on it "You sseem to be lacking entertainment, If you wissh, we could talk. I am new to the city, and interessted in learning more"
Damina takes a look at her visitor and prepares herself to answer. "Alright, what do you want to know?"
Aktzin: "Just curioussity" He pays for Damina's next drink "How do you find thiss city? Iss it a good place to live? I've only been here a day or two, and I wissh to know if I sshould sstay longer"
Damina lets out a yawn. "It's not bad to live in, but my standard of living before a few months ago was a horrid slum."
Aktzin: "Ah, so perhapss not the mosst reliable ssource" He sympathizes "Yet, you appear to have employment? You are in the guard, yess? Wass it difficult to gain entry?"
Damina shrugs. "I don't even know how official it is yet, but they seem to like my, uh, skills." She grabs the dagger again and spins it on the counter, like a top.
Aktzin: "You were hired for your abilities with knivess?" He attempts to act nonchalant, but that's a bit concerning for him!
Damina: "Not just knives, I know my way around all sorts of weaponry. Only way I was able to survive, and turns out you can make a descent living out of it."
Aktzin: "Interessting, so the guard hiress bassed on the sskill with weaponry" In a way it makes sense, if one was able to make a loyal following out here of well trained warriors, taking them from people who were personally grateful to her, it could be a good basis for a force to retake her throne "I can ssee the wisdom in thiss"
Damina thinks about it. "Well, I wouldn't say it's that in specific. I'm sure there's a ton of factors that go into it. Still don't know how, or IF I'm really one of them..." She snatches up her drink and takes a gulp to give her an excuse to stop talking for a moment.
Aktzin: "Of coursse, I wouldn't mean to suggesst that sskill with a blade is the only reasson" He lets her drink for a while "What do you think of your captain? Iss sshe one you are happy to follow?"
Damina waits a little before responding. "If I'm gonna be honest? She confuses me."
Aktzin: "How ssso?"
Damina: "It's a little hard to explain, you'd just have to meet her first."
Aktzin: "Ah, but I am interessted. I have heard much about her, and I would be curiouss to hear your persspective"
Damina coughs a bit. "I'm bad with words."
Aktzin: "I sstruggle with thiss entire language, I asssure you, I will not judge"
Damina doesn't look like she's gonna say anything about it.
Aktzin shrugs, and doesn't press any further "If you insisst"
Damina continues sitting in thought, thinking about the past few days of her life and what kind of stuff has happened in it.
Aktzin senses that his compatriot has become somewhat lost in thought ,and as such arises to go, so as to not disturb her further, slowly uncoiling from his stool.