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RESPITE FALLS - NORTHERN GATE - LATE MORNING
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Nesseth yawns widely as he idles on the guard platform just outside of the gate. The morning has been supremely slow so far, and this yawn is most definitely not the first he's had to deal with over the past few hours. Even with all of the yawning, however, he keeps a sharp eye out towards the road, not that he expects anything hostile to try and approach from this direction.
Louma has taken an early morning, leaving the relatively small amount of reports finished. Despite certain recent events, the rest of the town has settled into an interesting calm. Louma couldn't let her guards settle into it as well, though, and is now conspiring to keep one at attention. Outside the wall she lays in wait for a familiar sound, grinning as her wings beat down into the dirt and send her up the wall onto the guard platform. "SURPRISE INSPECTION, GUARD!" She lands on the walkway atop the wall, some thirty feet East of Nesseth's post, pointing a wooden practice sword at a rather unprepared warthog. The guard bolts away a few feet before returning to their Eastward patrol, grumbling under his breath.
Nesseth jolts a bit upon hearing the shout from a ways to the side. He starts to lift his crossbow up as he turns, only to lower it again with a quiet laugh as he sees Louma pointing a training sword at one of his fellow guards. Even if he wasn't the target, that shout still at least woke him up pretty handily.
Louma folds her wings away, turning towards the chuckling. "I hope you two are feeling a little more alert now." She says with a grin, slithering towards Nesseth's platform. "I could see you both yawning from a few rooftops away."
Nesseth grins in turn and chuckles, raising a hand in greeting as Louma approaches. "Heh... well, it definitely wiped away the sleepiness, that's for sure." He nods over at the warthog, who continues to grumble as he lopes away on his route along the wall, "Looks like you almost gave him a heart attack, though."
Narrator: Outside the town, a caravan slowly approaches, carrying a rather unexpecting occupant. She fell asleep inside due to the heat so she can't really pay very much attention outside. It's taking its sweet time pulling up to town...
Louma glances over her shoulder, "You think? Should I go-" the other guard looks back toward her with a glare at the moment, dropping it and continuing when he see's she's looking at him "-Discipline him for that look?" She laughs, turning toward the road. "Quiet day?" She notices a caravan in the distance which clearly grabs her attention.
Nesseth chuckles when he sees the look that the warthog shoots Louma, then smiles as he looks out towards the road as well. "Yeah, slow by normal standards..." He perks up upon seeing the caravan arriving, "Oh, never mind! Seems we've got a new group coming in."
Narrator: The caravan is now at the gate, awaiting entry.
Louma looks towards Nesseth, smiling. "It's been a long while since I've had the pleasure, I'm going to take care of the entry this time." She slithers to the edge of the platform, looking down at the caravan that's already halted. Spreading her wings, Louma easily glides down to the first cart, automatically holding out a hand for the manifests. She greets the first two merchant carts, looking over the paperwork as they enter, then gets to a passenger cart. "Albert, old friend! Pull over to the side, would you? Oh come on, for nostalgia's sake, it's been years. There's a dear." Her voice sweetens with each sentence and she finishes sending the rest of the caravan through before approaching the stopped cart.
Senyi grunts in her sleep, slowly coming awake as she realize she's arrived at her destination, or so she thinks. Blinking a few times to clear her eyes, stretching out, and putting a hand on her luggage, she prepares to exit the cart.
Louma puts a hand on the door handle, pulling it open as she speaks to the ever so slightly drunk carriage driver. "Albert, you've got that look again. I thought we warned you about the alcohol? What if someone snuck a bunch of contraband in here again?"
Senyi exits the cart, taking an awfully long time to actually touch the ground (in fact, it looks like she's not gonna do that.) She looks at the person who's greeting her, still in a post-awakening stupor, and none the wiser to her actual location.
Louma looks at the rabbit as she exits the cart, and remains surprisingly tall for her size. "Ah, good morning miss. Welcome to Respite. May I ask your business here?"
Senyi looks Louma directly in the face. "...Respite? What...?"
Louma nods, smiling softly. "Respite Falls. Sorry if Albert's driving woke you." She clears her throat, returning to her previous question. "So what brings you to our little frontier town, miss..?"
Senyi takes a while to process this, but once she does her eyes shoot wide open. "Frontier town? WHAT?"
Nesseth leans over the edge of the slightly raised guard platform and gives the newcomer a cheery smile. "Everything going alright over there, Louma? A little out of practice with greeting new arrivals?"
Louma is taken aback by this reaction, looking up towards Nesseth for a moment before returning to the rabbit. "Er.. Yes? Did you not mean to travel to a frontier town?"
Nesseth 's smile fades a bit as he blinks and tilts his head. He doesn't say much at the moment, instead opting to listen. "Uh..."
Senyi seems incredibly infuriated. "How did this even HAPPEN, I just wanted to go on VACATION, and now I'm in the middle of NOWHERE..." She sticks her hand out and her suitcases fly out of the cart and directly into her hand and near her.
Nesseth gives Senyi a bit of a weird look. "Well, hey, we might be a frontier town, but we're not exactly nowhere... Respite's a good place for a vacation, if you enjoy peace and quiet."
Louma balks at the display of magic, moving back slightly until she realizes it's mostly utilitarian. "He's not wrong, it's a nice town. A little hot, but we've got more than enough for someone to see and do short term."
Senyi takes a deep breath, closing her eyes before letting it out. "...fine. This wasn't what I signed up for, but... fine. I'll stay here... as long as I need to. It's fine."
Nesseth raises an eyebrow as he leans comfortably against the platform's railing. "Well, I mean, if it's a problem, you can always book passage on the first caravan out in the morning to... wherever you were intending to go."
Louma sighs in relief, glancing toward Albert as he checks for more luggage. "While you're here, could I get some basic information for our records? Basic stuff, really. Name. Occupation. We already know a reason for visiting, I suppose."
Senyi: "That's going to take forever-" Right on queue, the cart closes its doors and somehow bolts on out of there at a speed that makes you wonder if it can really do that. The rabbit is understandably infuriated by this.
Nesseth blinks and watches as the wagon leaves. "Uh... looks like we're going to have to talk to Albert about waiting again. Pretty sure you didn't give him clearance to continue into the town, right, Louma?"
Louma feels a tinge of annoyance as the wagon heads on by now that her surprise has faded, her posture stiffening as her tone sharpens. She shakes her head, looking to Nesseth. "Not at all. We'll levy a fine later." She turns back to Senyi. "I'm sorry that you feel that way, but I can not let you proceed without identifying yourself."
Nesseth takes a moment to pull out a little clipboard and writing implement, preparing to jot down the information for the new arrival for recordkeeping purposes. He also makes a small note to levy a fine on Albert for (once again) somehow managing to forget a couple of rules...
Senyi reaches into her jacket and gives Louma a card. Very professional-looking, it has her full name and occupation on it, all the good stuff.
Louma blinks, taking the card after a moment's hesitation. "Ah, very good, thank you... 'Sen-yee'? Am I pronouncing that right?" Louma stretches upward, handing the card off to Nesseth to copy, then returning to Senyi's eyeline.
Nesseth reaches down and plucks the card from Louma's outstretched hand. He clips it to the clipboard and starts to transfer the information over to a proper form. He listens in on the conversation as he writes, but otherwise keeps to himself for the moment as the two chat.
Senyi nods. "I keep that around just for occassions like this. Even though I'm supposed to be on vacation... Who are you, might I ask?"
Louma nods, considering it a solid idea. "I am Louma, a captain of the Respite Falls guard. Greetings." She gives a shallow bow to Senyi, clearly less tense than a few moments ago.
Nesseth idly waves a hand from up above before resuming his writing. "And I'm Nesseth, one of the town guards. A pleasure to meet you, Senyi."
Senyi gives them a right proper midair curtsey. "I'm a Technician. I fix things. Or break them for the better. Can't make them, though, you're on your own for that."
Louma nods. "Ah, well that sounds very helpful. We've got a couple creators that might have a use for those talents, if you wanted to make some money and a few friends while you're in town."
Nesseth nods as he puts some finishing touches on the form and sets it aside to let the ink dry. "Yeah, we've got a couple of techs that specialize in magitech that you might be interested in meeting. One is a freelance inventor, the other manages the town's... uh... new, currently under construction magitech generator, since our old one... er... blew... up..." He trails off, clearing his throat awkwardly.
Louma nods, chuckling slightly. "Maybelline did the best she could with that the absentee engineer left her, I'm sure."
Senyi takes in yet another deep breath. "I see. Well, here's hoping it does not explode again. Meanwhile I need to find lodgings."
Nesseth hums in agreement. "She's working really hard to make the new generator something the town can be proud of, yeah. I trust she'll do an amazing job at it." He smiles at Senyi, "Depending on your preferences, the biggest inn in town, the Thirsty Minnow, is a good place to stay for the time being."
Louma smiles at Senyi. "And if you plan on staying longer, you could rent a room from a landlord instead. It would be cheaper in the long run."
Senyi stares at Louma. "I'm not gonna sugarcoat it, I want out of here as fast as possible. So we'll see what happens, but I'll take the inn."
Louma shrugs, moving somewhat aside of the gate, though she wasn't blocking it in the first place. "That's entirely up to you. Would you like one of us to show you the way to the Minnow, then, or just give you some directions?"
Senyi: "Just point me the way." She gestures to her luggage, and makes a "come here" motion with her hand, which causes it to hover and follow her. "I probably should've mentioned, but my talents aren't... purely technological."
Nesseth nods down the lane leading straight to the center of town. "Just make your way over to the central square. Once you reach there, the Minnow should be pretty obvious. Unlike it's namesake, it's a pretty large inn."
Louma nods, watching the luggage float to Senyi. "He's got it right. Take care of yourself. There may be a guard presence, and it's normally quiet, but a frontier town is a frontier town no matter the paint. Don't hesitate to ask an guard for help if you need it."
Senyi nods in acknowledgement. "Good enough. I'll let you know. Now, I really must be getting going, I can't really carry these suitcases forever."
Nesseth nods and gives Senyi a wave. "Then take care, Senyi, and welcome again to Respite Falls."
Louma gives the rabbit a small bow, turning to look at Nesseth with a shrug.
Nesseth watches and waits for Senyi to depart, then meets Louma's look and returns the gesture with a slightly bemused shrug of his own.
Louma wing-hops back to the platform, sighing. "And that will probably be all the excitement for the day. It's not even noon yet. I wonder what Maybelline is up to..." She leans on the railing, watching Senyi as she moves along down the road.
Nesseth continues to watch Senyi wander further into town. "May's probably still working hard on the new generator with Brunilda." He sighs and runs a hand over his face, "...So with Senyi in town... how many magic-capable people does that make, now...?"
Louma thinks about it, shaking her head. "Too many. Thankfully I don't think too many of them are... Questionable, morally. As far as we know." She straightens up to a proper stance as a city street patrol wanders to and away from the gate. "Respite attracts all sorts, doesn't it?"
Nesseth nods. "That it does... But I guess that tends to happen when the town's motto is "A place to start anew", after all."
Louma chuckles lightly. "Terrible motto. Grand idea, terrible motto."
Nesseth laughs a bit. "Sounds wonderful on paper, not so much when we remember all the kinds of folks in the world that would love to start fresh."
Louma laughs. "You're right, you were such a terrible villain before. A lizard! How dare you."
Nesseth puts a hand to his chest with a bit of a dramatic air. "Oh! I know...! What I've done in the past is too much to bear repeating, but I'm glad I've found a new life here in Respite all the same!" He chuckles and shoots Louma a look, "Just like you, Ms. Ne'er-Do-Well."
Senyi abruptly pops back in. "You mentioned a generator. Where would this happen to be, by the way?"
Louma practically jumps at the reappearance of Senyi, letting out a shadow of a honk as she turns away to calm down.
Nesseth likewise nearly jumps out of his skin as Senyi's voice sounds right nearby. "AAH!! O-oh, uh, I mean... er..." He clears his throat and tries to straighten himself out a bit to give him a few moments to calm down, "U-uh... the generator, right. It's... the big building right near the center of town, just off of the square."
Senyi takes out a notepad of some kind and writes that down. "Uh-huh. Good to know. I'll check in once I manage to settle down." She floats off, grumbling something about bananas.
Nesseth stands straight until Senyi is in the distance again, then leans over a bit and lets out a big sigh, a hand resting firmly against his chest. "Gods, that scared the living daylights out of me..."
Louma shakes with a mix of anger and embarrassment as she turns to watch Senyi head off. Turning to Nesseth, "I said no more excitement, didn't I? Did the fateful gods just assume that was a challenge of some sort?"
Nesseth lets out a weary chuckle as he steadies himself with the railing. "Probably... Tempting fate usually is the best way to make it happen..."
Louma shakes her head. "Either that or you've got some bad luck floating around you. Either way, I don't think I'll stay here and wait for more. My scales are just demanding a trip to the bath house, and my shift is over when I say it is."
Nesseth laughs a little more readily, now that he's getting his nerves back under control. "Ah, the joys of being a guard captain. But yeah, if it's bad luck you're worried about, might be a good idea to scoot away." He smirks, "I wouldn't want to catch your luck if you're the source of it."
Louma sticks her tongue out at Nesseth, stretching her wings in preparation. "I've come to terms with my own misfortune, was forced to after being posted with you!" She blushes slightly. "I wouldn't mind the company when your shift ends, though."
Nesseth can't help but grin a bit. "I guess misfortune just follows both of us, then." He nods and gives Louma a friendly salute, "My shift ends soon, so I'll come and find you when I clock out."
Louma nods, returning the salute. "Understood, enjoy the rest of your shift, then." Her wings come down hard, sending the bird into the sky with a puff of dust and white down. Her ascension reveals a warthog that looks like he might have been sneaking behind the swansnake.
Nesseth shields his face for a moment from the sudden gust of wind, only to notice the warthog sneaking up behind Louma just before she took off. He chuckles. "Well, you can startle her next time, eh? You have to admit, she caught you good."
Warthog Guard lets out an annoyed grunt. "Foots sh'nt be so fren'ly wit upper rank, anyway."
Nesseth shrugs. "Fraternization and whatnot, yeah, I know. Still, poking fun at them is always enjoyable."
Warthog Guard eyes up Nesseth for a moment, snorting. "Sure, you be poking at Captain Louma in the baths. Und'rstood."
Nesseth stares at the warthog for a few moments, then breaks down into laughter.
Warthog Guard laughs with a series of harsh snorts, slapping his hip. "Son of a bitch walking the wall sucks. See you in fifteen min'ts, 'Seth." He turns back and begins the wall walk again, grunting the whole way.
Nesseth throws the warthog a salute. "Maybe we can ask for a rotation or something tomorrow. Walking beats standing still all morning." He grins and chuckles, "Anyway, see you on your return trip."
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THE THIRSTY MINNOW - AFTERNOON
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Brunilda is sitting at the only table big enough for an elephant as usual, reading a thick book of magitech theory as seems to be her pastime these days. Does the elephant ever rest, one might wonder, not entirely without reason.
Senyi has taken up position on the counter, sitting very casually while chewing on a banana. She's not quite one for casual conversation, but she is carefully observing the occupants in the room, including one elephant with her trunk in a large book.
Brunilda glances at the bunny, not having seen her before. After the fifth 'observing glance', she opens her mouth at her: "Yes? Can I perhaps help you?"
Senyi takes a few bites from her choice of fruit before responding. "Interesting book you have. What's the subject?"
Brunilda picks up the book, showing the cover of 'Third Envelopment of Outer Core Building and Other Relevant Topics of Generator Building'. "Just something I need to understand eventually."
Senyi squints her eyes as she makes out the title. "You wouldn't be working on the town generator, would you?"
Brunilda blinks, then nods: "I... I am. Why?"
Senyi gets off her seat so she can move closer. "Well, I heard about the generator recently, and I don't want to make any assumptions, but that book of yours seems awfully relevant."
Brunilda chuckles softly: "Well, you're not wrong. I'm helping the engineer to build it and learning in the process."
Senyi puts her hands together. "Ah, a sort of impromptu apprenticeship. Who's the engineer?"
Brunilda tilts her head slightly: "That's May. Or Maybelline, for her actual name."
Senyi nods as she remembers the name. Lines up with what she was told elsewhere. "Very good, very good. I'm a bit of an engineer myself, or rather a Technician, capital T. If I ever come across this May, I might be able to offer a bit of service to her."
Brunilda raises an eyebrow: "What kind of service, if you don't mind me asking?"
Senyi shrugs. "Mechanical."
Brunilda nods: "Fair I guess. Not sure how much help May needs with that, but she can be the judge of that." She chuckles: "I'm just a pair of helping hands not completely helpless with the tech."
Senyi closes her eyes, and runs one of her ears through her hand. "Very well. As it would appear I'm going to stay in town for an unforeseen amount of time, I suppose I will try to make myself useful. I'll visit the generator sometime tomorrow and hopefully talk with this May."
Brunilda nods, smiling: "She's usually around the generator building, or here."
Senyi starts subtly hovering. "I do look forward to it. Now if you'll excuse me, I must take my leave." She prepares to head back to wherever her room is. Her choice of words however is not hiding her stress.
Brunilda raises an eyebrow in surprise at this, but does not do much to stop her: "...okay?"
Senyi suddenly stops. She doesn't start moving again for some reason, but she does seem to be muttering to herself about things, with the word "image" popping up the most.
Brunilda looks at Senyi curiously: "...you okay there?"
Senyi responds rather abruptly. "I am fine, thank you." The rabbit starts moving again, this time heading off for real.
Brunilda stares for a moment, then shrugs and returns to her book and beer.