----------------------------------------------
RESPITE GENERATOR - MORNING
----------------------------------------------
Louma approaches the center of town, armor creaking slightly with each movement of her tail. In one hand, Louma holds the strap of a bag that is strapped around her waist, resting on her tail. The other hand rests upon the top of a sword pommel, sheathed on her left side, where a short club also hangs by ring and hook. She moves as if in solo parade, straight and proud, but her face grows a shadow of concern the closer to May's home she gets. By the time she knocks on the door frame, she's struggling to smile.
Maybelline answers the door, dressed in her casual clothes, she smiles softly upon seeing Louma, though she's definitely a bit conflicting in seeing her in armor as well. "Louma... big day, eh?"
Louma sighs, the frame of her vision so normal that she forgets the literal weight on her until she tries to move towards May. She gives a slightly saddened look, nodding. "Yes... Unfortunately."
Maybelline steps out the door and hugs Louma tight. "I'll be waiting for you, so no getting hurt, alright?"
Louma bends and hugs May, feeling her gear shift and not caring in the slightest as she squeezes the stoat. "I promise, you're the first one I want to see when I get back. Don't... Go blowing up again, May."
Maybelline chuckles, resting her head against Louma, "I promise. No blowing up. ...I'll be counting the moments. I know I should do my best not to worry, but... I'm going to miss you."
Louma kisses the top of May's head, sighing. "I'm going to miss you too, sweets. It's only going to be a week, but it's going to be the longest week of my life."
Maybelline smiles, "Same... I'll probably try to spend time with Plume, since... I know Nesseth is going with you. I made the water purifier he's got. It's a bit silly, but I made something for you too."
Louma blinks, smiling. "That's a good idea, I was worried about Plume as well. What did you make for me, though?"
Maybelline reaches back and pulls out a small rounded disc. "Well, Nesseth got a spare power cell from Vix, so I built this. It's just a basic fire starter. Twist this part here, press the button, and set it down on your wood or whatever. It'll ignite the wood or whatever you have. Once the fire's out, it'll be cool to the touch again and ready to reuse!" She frowns, handing Louma the disc, "I can't really help much. I don't know the first about weapon design, but I can make some little tools like this that'll at least make your trip easier, I hope."
Louma takes the disc, looking at it for a few moments, reaching back to her pack and securing the disc among her other gear before bending and picking May up in a proper hug. "Thank you, I'll think of you every time I use it~"
Maybelline grins, embracing Louma properly as well. "So will I... I uh... I mean I'll be thinking of you. I can't obviously know when you use it, I just mean uh. Y-yeah." She squeezes gently, not wanting the hug to end.
Louma giggles, the warmth of May's presence easing her concern for the time being. "I know what you mean, sweets. Don't worry, we'll returns safe and as fast as possible. I love you." She catches May's eye and kisses her, humming.
Maybelline returns the kiss, unable to help herself as she giggles along, "Love you too. Just... so much."
Louma sighs, bumping her forehead against May's before bending to set her down, finding it difficult to let go.
Maybelline is equally reluctant, but nods at last when Louma sets her back on the ground. She gives Louma a thumbs up, "H-hey cheer up! You don't have to worry about me. Brunilda will be here to keep me safe if nothing else. A week is nothing, we'll be back together in time for another date."
Louma nods, smiling, which breaks into a weak grin before she speaks. "Heh... Fourth date~"
Maybelline grins, "Fourth date~."
Louma chuckles softly, bowing slightly to May, though keeping her eyes on the stoat. "Fare well, then, Maybelline. I'll see you soon." She hesitates before turning away, still far unhappier than she'd expected to be leaving, but with a burning spark of warmth in her chest.
Maybelline nods, smiling through the wetness in her eyes, she continues to call after as Louma heads to the gate, "Good luck, Louma! Stay safe. And I love you!"
Louma turns to look over her shoulder without stopping, her words choking her for a moment as she waves. "I love you too, Maybelline!" She mutters to herself as the stoat slips out of view. "So much..."
----------------------------------------------
OUTSIDE THE WEST GATE - MORNING
----------------------------------------------
Doc Plume has accompanied Nesseth to where the expedition is staging on the mild pretense of being there to double-check folks before everyone leaves. In reality, they're there because it lets them not have to say goodbye to Nesseth for that much longer.
Nesseth mills about beside Plume as he double and triple-checks his pack, making sure everything is in order. He's already dressed in his long-range patrol armor, looking perhaps just a touch tense from his darting, bird-like movements as he finishes up his checks.
Doc Plume finishes checking with everyone else in the group, finding only a couple of minor sweat rashes and many cases of nerves, but nothing needing more than just a kind assurance from the town doctor. They return to Nesseth's side at last and watch him check his gear, smiling a bit. "I know I've told you already, but you look very handsome in that armor..."
Nesseth takes a few moments to close up the pack, then smiles up at Plume as he slowly pushes himself up onto his feet. Without preamble, he moves forward and gives Plume a warm hug. "And yet, no matter how often you say it, it always makes me smile." He chuckles a little, a slightly nervous edge to it, "Besides, I can't let you get away with being the only good-looking one of us all the time."
Doc Plume blushes just a touch and hugs back. "Indeed." They kiss Nesseth's cheek and squeeze him just a little. "You know I'm going to miss you, right?"
Nesseth hums softly and nuzzles into Plume's feathers for a moment as he squeezes them back a bit. "Yeah, because I'm gonna miss you, too. It'll only be for a few days, at least..."
Doc Plume wraps their wings around Nesseth warmly, holding him for as long as they can. "I know... this is... well, I mean, look at what happened to Erika and Garwin..." They sigh a bit. "But I know you all can handle it... just... please listen to Louma. I know you two like to jab at each other, but..."
Nesseth smiles a little cheekily. "Yeah, we like to snipe at each other, but we know when to be serious and when to be silly." He pauses, glancing over to where Louma's making sure the rest of the group is prepared, "And I really doubt we'll find time to snipe at each other until we're on our way back from the trip, after everything is resolved."
Doc Plume squeezes Nesseth gently. "All right... I trust you." They look Nesseth in the eyes before kissing him on the lips. "Come back safe, all right? Don't want to lose too much sleep over you, you know."
Nesseth smiles and leans into the kiss, then nods. "I'll come back safe, as will everyone else. Promise me you'll try and occupy yourself in the mean time, though. I don't want you to be a nervous wreck in a week's time."
Doc Plume shakes their head. "I promise... I have a usual swath of appointments, and I'll spend some time with May and Brun probably. Also I'll have some time to catch up on my reading without so many... distractions."
Nesseth blushes a little, but chuckles. "Good... good... With Louma being the expedition leader, May could use the company, especially."
Doc Plume is about to say something when they hear a holler from Louma's direction. "I guess it's about that time. Never forget that I love you, OK?" At this, they reach a hand up under Nesseth's frill and trace along the chain around his neck.
Nesseth tilts his head a little upon hearing the call from the main part of the group, then nods at Plume as his own hand gently caresses the side of their neck and head. "Yeah... looks like we're about to head out. I love you too, Plume, more than I can put into words."
Doc Plume steals another kiss, letting it and the hug linger for a while too long. "See you when get back. Now go save Erika and your friends..."
Nesseth hums softly into the kiss, more than happy to let the moment linger even if it means he has to rush away after. Once it breaks, he smiles at Plume for a few seconds. "I'll be back before you know it." He winks, giving them a sly grin as he releases the hug and stoops down to pick up his pack, "Don't get too comfortable having the bed to yourself again, okay?"
Doc Plume laughs. "Never... you're the best pillow anyway." They swish their tail playfully, boofing Nesseth on the back of his head as he grabs his pack."
Nesseth oofs as he take the hit on the back of the head, but he darts a hand up and grabs hold of Plume's tail, grinning. "I dunno, dear... your tail's pretty comfy, too, you know." He caps his statement by taking a moment to just enjoy the soft fluff, before he releases it and stands up again, his pack now secured on his back.
Doc Plume tugs back their tail and giggles a bit. "Mmhm. Well, make the expedition quick and you'll get back to it sooner." They turn and steal one final kiss before any further thought of lingering is dismissed by the sound of bell coming from the clinic. "Well, looks like I'm needed."
Nesseth hums and nods. "Duty calls for both of us, I guess. I'll see you soon, Plume!" He stands for a few moments, smiling warmly at his partner before he turns to make his way to the expedition group, which is in final preparations before departure.
Doc Plume turns as well and heads back to the clinic at a quick jog, glad for the distraction having forced an end to the lingering goodbye.
----------------------------------------------
XOCHI'S GARDEN - MORNING
----------------------------------------------
Xochi awakens in a rather routine fashion of late, spending some time giving prayers to the sun, making herself tea, and then attending to her garden to being the day. She pumps water into a gardening can and slithers over towards the small starter garden she's prepared, with little to see yet.
Kira flutters over the roof, though her flight is a bit more strained and erratic than usual. She's toting her lantern and a small but heavy-looking bag of supplies. Upon seeing Xochi, she flies down and sets her gear on the ground before fluttering back up to the snake's eye level. "Good morning, my friend." In addition to the unusual load, she seems much less tired that usual for this time of morning.
Xochi gives her customary bow as she smiles at her friend, "Ah, good morning, Kira!" She tilts her head curiously, "This is not your usual dress, this speaks to me of a journey. Are you travelling today?"
Kira gives a little nod as her eyes look over toward the west gate. "Yes... there is an expedition leaving today, and I'm going with it. My skills are useful for it, and it's to help Miss Erika. You know what has befallen her?" She gives a little sigh. "Her flowers have the most delicious nectar, and she is so very kind..."
Xochi nods, "I have not gone to see myself, but I was told she is ill." She hesitates a moment, "I should take the time to visit... but I am happy to hear that you are seeking to aid her! You shall be gone long?"
Kira cocks her head a bit as she tries to remember those details. "A quarter moon, I think Louma said... seven nights... or thereabout." She flutters closer and wraps a gentle hug around the side of Xochi's neck. "I wanted to tell you so you didn't worry about me. I know I would be concerned if you weren't here for that long..."
Xochi nods, gently place a hand upon Kira to return the hug, "You are a wonderful friend and always a welcome presence in our home. I am glad that you have told me. I shall add to my morning prayers that your journey is successful, and that you return home safely."
Kira smiles. "Thank you, Xochi... that means much to me. If you do visit Miss Erika, please give her my best wishes and tell her that I am doing what I can to help her..." She lets go of her friend's neck and flutters down to her gear again. "But I must be going... Captain Louma is expecting me soon." She hefts up her lanter and bag and flies upwards again. "May the Moon watch over you, friend!"
Xochi bows again, waving a hand to Kira, "And may the Stars guide you, Kira. Good luck!"
Kira flies off as fast as she can, eager for the adventure that awaits her.