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GUARD BARRACKS - MORNING
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Louma has already been at the barracks for an hour, currently sitting in her office and staring out the window behind her desk. She lifts a mug of coffee to her beak, humming to herself, seemingly lost in thought. A pile of reports waits upon her desk, a set of medical reports next to them on top of the thick envelope they had been delivered in.
Brunilda opens the door, knocking at it mostly as a formality: "Mornin', Cap'n", she mumbles as she trundles in. It's relatively clear the elephant has seen better nights in terms of sleeping.
Louma nods as she turns to see Brun entering, giving her a mild smile. "Ah, good morning Brunilda." She sets her coffee down on the desk, next to the reports with Plume's handwriting evident. "You sound exhausted, poor night's sleep?"
Brunilda glances at the reports, lets out a small sigh, then summons a half-hearted smile: "Not the best of nights, no."
Louma leans back on her coils. "It happens. I imagine you're feeling as anxious as myself about the upcoming expedition, hmm? I don't think I did ask you why you wanted to volunteer." She tilts her head slightly. "Other than something vague like 'It's the right thing'."
Brunilda pauses for a moment, then shrugs: "I want to be useful again. Do my part."
Louma pauses, looking at the stack of reports in front of her, then back toward Brun. "Well, that I certainly understand." She sighs, poking the pile as she leans against the desk. "Paperwork really doesn't feel like guard work, hm? I know, I hate it too. However, I thought you didn't even care for the career in the first place?"
Brunilda sighs: "It's not... it's not that. It's this feeling of..." She frowns: "Obligation. I have a chance to prove myself, and should take it." She sounds less convinced by the second as she speaks. "I need to... be more."
Louma blinks, straightening up. "Prove yourself? Prove what? Everybody already knows you're brave and selfless after the generator incident." She taps the medical reports to emphasize her next point. "Plume wrote that your legs are still tender, that an otherwise minor incident could result in a serious injury."
Brunilda winces: "I just... I..." She trails off, not really having a good reason why she feels like she does.
Louma sighs, shaking her head as her tone softens. "I asked if you knew the risks. I'm asking you again, Brunilda. What are the risks if you go out there with us? Think. Please."
Brunilda is quiet for a moment, looking aside: "...I'll get myself, or someone else, hurt. Or worse." She sighs deeply, closing her eyes.
Louma glances at the closed door before she uncoils from behind her desk, moving around it and laying her hand gently on Brun's shoulder. "I would have never said yes if I knew, but... As your friend, I implore you to take better care."
Brunilda seems to wilt slightly, her voice breaking: "I-I want to, b-but... it is better I s-stay. Isn't it?"
Louma nods slightly. "I believe so, yes. You're not wrong, there is much more you could be doing. When you're healthy, and if you want to. I don't want to see anyone get hurt."
Brunilda sighs, keeping her eyes closed. "...I-I will stay, t-then." She swallows, trying to keep herself from tearing up: "Be here."
Louma gives Brun a quick friendly hug, avoiding touching her back. "Alright, I'll make sure we adjust accordingly. Thank you, Brunilda."
Brunilda lets out another deep shuddering sigh, then looks up Louma. She gives a weak smile: "...y-yeah." She goes quiet, the disappointment clear in her being.
Louma touches her shoulder gently again before turning back to return to her spot behind the desk. She is frankly relieved at Brunilda's decision, as if she'd refused to stay, Louma would have been forced to order it to ease any possible burden on the group. She settles onto her coil again, sighing. "Are you going to be alright?"
Brunilda is quiet for a moment longer, then nods: "I-I'll... I think so. Just..." She pauses, taking a breath: "...d-doing the right thing can be staying too. Right?"
Louma nods, smiling slightly. "Yes, you said it yourself. You're not the only one at risk if you were to get hurt out there. If you feel like you're up to it, there are of course patrol slots that have some people taking a few extra shifts."
Brunilda nods, musing: "...I still need to talk with May, anyway. See how much she needs me." She lifts a hand to her forehead: "I-I feel like such an idiot now."
Louma shakes her head, "Don't beat yourself up over this. Many of us have been where you are now." She takes up her coffee, taking a short sip before leaning against her desk again.
Brunilda sighs slightly, then finally takes a seat at her desk: "...I might still beat up a training dummy, though."
Louma barely suppresses a chuckle, watching Brun. "I'm sure you will, just make sure to get them replaced after, alright?"
Brunilda smiles: "Always do, Cap'n. Would be rude otherwise."
Louma nods, smiling as she tucks the medical reports away and seals the envelope, quickly scrawling the date and reason for them on the outside. "Alright, shall we return to the routine, then?" She takes the caravan manifests from the top of the pile, glancing over them.
Brunilda gives a rather wry smile, but nods: "Routine. Let's... yeah. That."
Louma nods, leaning back as she finishes her coffee, going silent as she begins reading the first report. She can't help but cast concerned glances towards Brunilda as the two go through the paperwork for the day. She silently appreciated the pachyderms help as she does every day, remembering when this workload would often tie her up for the entire day, rather than just the morning.
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GUARD BARRACKS - LATE MORNING
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Louma has been sitting alone in the office for half an hour, having sent Brunilda on her way after they completed their tasks. Normally she would have left by now, as well, but the captain had sent a runner to find Damina with a message to meet Louma at the barracks. She stares now at a note that had been slid under the door before she'd arrived, pondering.
Narrator: It reads something like this. "Captain Louma, I have no idea how to write any of these, and in fact I don't know anything I'm even doing. But I've been going through many thoughts lately, about my purpose in life and what I'm doing. I've come to the conclusion that while my skills may be good for guard duty, the actual practice of it is not good for me in any way. It's been fun working with you but I'm afraid I must take my leave for good, and practice new talents in other places."
Narrator: "By other places, I don't mean out of town. I'm still here, after all. I'm just trying to find a new career. You can still find me if you wish, but things will be different." It's signed D.
Louma sighs after re-reading the note for the third time, looking towards the door before taking a quill and inkwell from her desk, along with a rarely used form what reads 'End of Employment' across the top, in an almost mockingly elaborate font that Louma had never cared for. She begins filling the form slowly, waiting for either Damina or the messenger to knock.
Damina takes in a deep breath. She's scared. So very scared. For the first time in her life she doesn't know what the future holds for her. But she's got to do it. She raises her hand and knocks, three times on the door.
Louma huffs to herself, straightening up in her spot as she calls out "Come in." She stares toward the door without any hint of a smile.
Damina slowly opens the door, peeking inside. It's shocking how timid she looks compared to her normal self-assured appearance.
Louma gestures for Damina to come in and close the door, glancing over her. She's a little disarmed by the cat's expression, though she doesn't let on.
Damina slowly steps over, barely making a sound, and finds a place to sit down. She doesn't look up for quite some time.
Louma lets Damina sit in her silence for a few moments after a rather short "Good morning.". She waits for a minute before asking the first simple question. "Why are you quitting?"
Damina takes a moment to comprehend this. She's not angry? Well then... "Because... I don't think trying to engage in this is helping me. I've been fighting all my life, and... I've been talking with some friends of mine. I've... come to the realization that I should probably... find something else to do. Something that doesn't involve so much... weapons, or armor."
Louma carefully considers Damina for a second, glancing towards the personnel folder for the cat that sits a few inches from the note. "Less weapons and armor? So you're not returning to mercenary work, then?"
Damina shakes her head solemnly. "I gotta give up this fighting thing. It's consumed my life ever since I was young and I need to let it go now that I have the chance."
Louma makes a quick note near the bottom of the form she'd taken out, talking as she does and looking up from it to Damina when she's finished writing. "That's understandable, it can wear a person ragged. It's a shame to see you quit, but I don't think I'm going to try to stop you."
Damina starts biting her hands. "The thing is... it was one of the only things I knew how to do. I don't know how to do anything else and I'm... so afraid of failing whatever I try..."
Louma softens her look, shaking her head slightly. "You'll never know what you can achieve until you try. Stepping away from the guard is a good start, I just want to make sure you're making the right choice. What do you plan to do instead?"
Damina glances around nervously. "I took up gardening recently... it's pretty nice..." Something about the tone of her voice just doesn't sound right.
Louma gives Damina a sidelong look, quill hovering over the inkwell. "...Gardening? That's a pretty change, Damina, but not one that's going to keep your pockets full."
Damina: "It's, it's one thing that leads into another... really eventually I want to get into cooking... I know how to keep myself from starving but I could probably feed others too..."
Louma nods. "That can work out, I didn't know you were interested in that sort. Well, I wish you luck and success then." She looks down to the form, scrawling in a few blanks before setting the quill on it, turning the form and pushing it towards Damina's side of the desk. "When you're ready, sign this, please."
Damina grabs a quill but waits a little bit, before gulping and signing the form. "So... that's it, then? It's... over?"
Louma nods, sliding the form back to her side and adding her own signature under Damina's. "That's it, you're no longer obligated to the Guard. Congratulations on your freedom." She leans back onto her coil after slipping the form as well as Damina's own note into her file.
Damina doesn't know what to do. She curls her legs up in her chair and holds them tightly. She looks... really small.
Louma sighs, offering Damina a faint smile. "You'll be fine, just keep pushing forward, Damina. You really can do whatever you like with your life now. I guess that might be a bit frightening, a lot of uncertainty, but perhaps you should look at it as a challenge to overcome rather than a wall in your path."
Damina takes in another deep breath. "I'm gonna need as much help as I can get... if you can... help me, please help me..."
Louma blinks, shaking her head slightly. "I'll help in any way I can, within reason."
Damina uncurls and starts standing up. "I'm gonna need all the help I can get. I don't know how to fail."
Louma chuckles lightly as she rises as well, offering Damina one final salute. "I wish you all the best in your endeavors, Damina. Take care of yourself out there, okay?"
Damina doesn't know how to respond. She just does what her mind tells her to and... hugs Louma?
Louma is surprised, hesitating before patting Damina gently on the back. "Ah... Alright. If this helps you, sure."
Damina continues this trend of not really knowing what to do and asks "Are you alright?"
Louma shrugs slightly, looking down at Damina. "I'm fine, just wasn't really expecting a hug from you. Are you?"
Damina looks at Louma with some still reddened eyes. "Never been better, why do you ask?"
Louma chuckles softly. "Just making sure. Do you want company for a bit to settle into this? I'm finished with the office work for the day."
Damina looks around and nods a bit. "Sure. Just uh... don't look at the training grounds."
Louma gives Damina a tilted look, hesitating before moving on. "I won't ask. Why not show me your garden, then?"
Damina takes a moment to pull away, then starts heading out. "Alright. I'm sure you probably know where my house is..."
Louma chuckles, nodding as she follows the cat. "Yes, I recall you managed to point it out during our little airborne adventure. At least it's a nice day, hm?" The two make their way to Damina's home, discussing everything they can think of that doesn't remind the cat of the life she's leaving behind, and appreciating her efforts around gardening.
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RESPITE FALLS CLINIC - AFTERNOON
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Brunilda hesitates for a moment before knocking on the door. She needs to have herself taken a look at, but if she's honest with herself she's a bit afraid of Plume finding some reason for her to not go. She needs to go on this expedition. It's the right thing to do. ...right?
Brunilda finally knocks on the door.
Doc Plume hurriedly runs down the stairs, having popped up to their apartment to fetch something. They come to the door and nod to Brun through the window, opening it for her. A greeting would normally accompany this, but Doc's beak is occupied by a biscuit at the moment.
Brunilda blinks at Doc and their biscuit, then gives a smile: "Got you at a bad time?"
Doc Plume bites off some biscuit and quickly chews and swallows, their cheeks flushed a bit. "Kind of. You're early... and I expected that you might be late, so..."
Brunilda tilts her head, leaning her hand on the doorframe: "...why did you expect me to be late?"
Doc Plume walks over to their desk and opens up Brun's file. "Well, I can't imagine you're looking forward to what I have to say to you."
Brunilda steps over to the examination table, sitting down gently: "...what are you about to say to me, then? I should be fine, right?" There's some lack of conviction in her voice as she speaks though.
Doc Plume walks over to the sink to wash their hands before switching on the bright lamp above the table. "You're fine to live a normal life, sure, but you're still recovering from a serious ICEE burn and I can't imagine that you've been going on too many long walks since you were discharged..."
Brunilda blinks, then slowly shakes her head: "Well... n-no, not as such..."
Doc Plume moves over to the examination table, starting the exam with the areas where Brun was burnt on her back and thighs. "But you'll be fine to trek out to the mountains? You won't slow the group down?"
Brunilda blinks again, hesitating slightly: "I uh... I can bear it."
Doc Plume looks at Brun. "Disrobe, please. I need to do a full exam. And perhaps you can. I'm no expert in guard manoeuvres, but I'm certainly concerned for your well-being."
Brunilda nods, taking off her clothes trying to not wince at the feeling in her back as she does. Once in her underwear, she looks at Doc, her expression somewhere between hopeful and somewhat afraid.
Doc Plume examines the healing scars on Brun's back and frowns. "I suppose with skin like yours scarring was inevitable... Have you been stretching to counteract the scarring?"
Brunilda nods: "As much as I've been able to."
Doc Plume checks the rest of Brun's head and neck and then moves on to her arms and torso, all while asking mildly uncomfortable questions about everything from diet to sleep to excretions. After doing as much as possible with the elephant seated, they instruct her to roll over. "All right. Let me see those thighs..."
Brunilda sighs a bit, but turns around, really not liking the way this examination is going.
Doc Plume gently prods a talon at the still very tender looking wound on Brun's left thigh. "Does that hurt?"
Brunilda winces a fair bit, unable to stop herself from doing so. She lets out a bit of a hiss: "...y-yes."
Doc Plume prods the other one. "And this one?"
Brunilda winces again in reply.
Doc Plume frowns a bit. They proceed to work over the rest of Brun's legs and backside, checking for any other signs of injury. "Right... well, the wounds are healed, but with them so tender, you're still at risk for re-injury. If you do go on the expedition, I want you to have your thighs armored..."
Brunilda looks at Doc a bit hopefully: "...so that's not a definite 'no'?"
Doc Plume moves down to examine Brun's feet. "No, you're not hurt enough for me to keep you from going. Whether you're fit for the expedition is up to Captain Louma, though. She gets copies of all of the physical reports, and will know everything I've observed today. She's the one that you'll have to plead your case to." They finish with the examination and walk back over to the sink. "You can get dressed again. I would encourage you to really think about why you want to go on this mission, but I can't stop you from going."
Brunilda nods slowly at this, getting up. "...I'll speak with her, then." She doesn't comment on the 'think on this' part, not really knowing what to add. She starts getting dressed quietly. "Thank you."
Doc Plume walks back to their desk and starts filling out Brun's physical form for Louma. "Any time, Brun. I just want you to be healthy again."
Brunilda sighs a bit: "...I know. It just..." she trails off: "...feels important. I need to help."
Doc Plume nods. "It does, yes. That's why I can't just tell you 'No.'"
Brunilda frowns: "...but you would rather I didn't."
Doc Plume looks up at Brun with concern on their face. "I would rather no one goes, but that won't help Erika or the others..."
Brunilda nods slowly, feeling conflicted. "...I'll talk with Louma, then."
Doc Plume smiles. "Whatever you decide, though, you have my approval." They look back down to the file and start writing patient notes from this meeting.
Brunilda gives Doc a small smile, before heading out without another word, conflict filling her mind. Should she stay or should she go?
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THE THIRSTY MINNOW - EVENING
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Elizabeth is sitting at the bar, looking at her wine glass she's idly levitating in front of her, just... staring into nothingness. She's survived in Respite, but that's all she's done. Nothing seems to have followed her here. So... what now?
Dorri walks down the stairs from her room, a late delivery of flour having kept her in town an extra day. She moves over to the bar and takes a seat, nodding to the other occupant before ordering a large mug of brown ale. "Evening."
Elizabeth nods at the newcomer with a small smile: "Evening. Quiet today, it seems." She pauses. "Well, as it is most every night."
Dorri shakes her head. "The nights aren't quiet if you know what to listen for." She takes a sip of the ale. "The heavens are singing, if you just stop and listen. They have a lot to say."
Elizabeth gives a wry chuckle: "I guess it is kind of a change from the never-stopping soundscape of Glaushire. Need to hone my old ears."
Dorri smiles. "Indeed. Never much cared for cities or bigger towns. Too much hub-bub..." She takes another sip of ale. "I much prefer watching the stars. They make sense at least..."
Elizabeth nods, lowering her glass onto the table and flickering out her magic, looking at Dorri curiously: "...Thinking about it, I recall you saying so. Dorri, was it?"
Dorri watches Elizabeth's magic with curiosity. "Yes. Forgive me for not remembering your name. We met on the caravan? I got caught up showing Xochi things, I think."
Elizabeth gives a small nod: "Elizabeth. And... yes, Xochi seems more excitable about what's up there than I am. I apologize."
Dorri shakes her head. "Nothing to apologize for. Seems you have other things to keep you busy anyway. Don't often see magic folk out and about."
Elizabeth leans her back on the bar, sighing a bit as she looks up: "Actually I am the opposite of busy presently. Done running for my life, I find myself... almost bored, now."
Dorri ponders a bit. "Well, I have an idea, but it depends on how much Magic you know..."
Elizabeth raises a curious eyebrow at Dorri: "What do you have in mind?"
Dorri takes another chug of ale. "I've acquired something of an apprentice. An eager young yak. Fast learner, some magical talent, but my own magical skills aren't exactly the kind I can teach, and I don't think I'll keep them interested in stargazing forever. If you have skill, I'm sure they'd be interested in studying with you... if you're looking for something to do, that is."
Elizabeth leans on the bar, looking aside: "I don't know. I've never taught anyone successfully. My magic is rather... mine, if you will."
Dorri laughs. "Don't I know it. Mine just sort of happens though. Yours looks a bit more like the kid's. You could at least talk to them, I think." She shrugs and takes another sip of ale.
Elizabeth shrugs, taking a sip of her wine: "Yeah, guess I can have a talk. I already have 'can't reverse a transformation' on my list, anyhow."
Dorri frowns a bit. "Shame what happened to Erika... there has to be some sort of cure, though..."
Elizabeth shrugs again, looking at Dorri: "If there is, it's out of my capabilities. At least ones I could try without any risk involved."
Dorri taps her hard-tipped fingers on the bar rhythmically as she thinks. "Well, there's risk in everything, right? But if this happened on its own pretty much, the answer probably isn't complicated, at least from what little magic theory I picked up..."
Elizabeth leans on the table: "Either way, it's not my call. I told Erika that if she gets desperate, we can try something, but I'd rather not... risk someone else, like that." She pauses, chewing on this thought: "...I might have before."
Dorri nods. "On the other hand, simple things can be near impossible to undo. You can't unbake bread or unfry an egg..." She looks over at Elizabeth. "What was that you said?"
Elizabeth blinks slightly, continuing her musing: "Just that... I might have done that sort of thing before. Attempted a change without... thinking. If I can do it, I should, if you will..."
Dorri shakes her head. "Yeah, probably a bad idea. Learned that lesson on a mountain once. It went pure vertical. Took a long while to work my way down and back around. But I was young then..."
Elizabeth gives a soft chuckle: "We've all done our share of stupid mistakes. At least by the time you hit my age."
Dorri looks Elizabeth over and smirks. "You haven't got more than a dozen years on me, but sure." She laughs a bit. "Anyway, what brings a city slicker like you to a nothing town like Respite?"
Elizabeth leans her back to the bar again, smoothing her big tail out of the way: "Escape, I suppose. Things got bit too hot back in Sarn for this old lady."
Dorri nods a bit. "Sarn was never to my taste really. Glad I had the opportunity to come down here and learn from my uncle..."
Elizabeth smiles a bit: "Sounds like you enjoy it here, then."
Dorri nods. "Never been too much for lots of company..." She continues talking idly with Elizabeth for a while about her life up at the observatory and then Respite in general.