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MEAN PEAK FOOTHILLS CAMP - EARLY MORNING
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Nesseth sits on a log near the edge of the glow provided by the campfire's smouldering embers, his crossbow leaning against his leg as he takes the third watch for the night. He rolls his shoulders, grimacing a little at the dull burning sensations deep in his muscles.
Victoria has been sitting some distance away from Nesseth for a while, watching. Whether or not Nesseth has noticed her, she's kept her distance... until now. She gets up and stalks closer, though still avoiding the fire best she can. "Nessie."
Nesseth likely identified Victoria sitting off in the shadows fairly early on in his watch, but left her to her own devices as he nursed the minor injuries he'd sustained against Garwin. His frills shift as he hears the sound of someone stalking closer, and turns to face the source. He relaxes and smiles a bit upon seeing Victoria. "Oh, hey there, Victoria. You alright?"
Victoria sits down near Nesseth, wary of the fire but ignoring the instinct to go further for now. She looks at the lizard: "Was about to ask the same of you."
Nesseth hums quietly, shifting his gear a bit to give Victoria some space to sit comfortably. "I'm alright... Just a bit sore after that tackle, is all. How about you, though? You took a couple of solid hits when you first jumped into things."
Victoria glances at Garwin on the other side of the camp, then back to Nesseth: "Nothing that fool hasn't served me before."
Nesseth nods as his eyes look over the bandages that still cover some of Victoria's injuries. "Well, you're up and about, so that's good." He sighs as he looks over at Garwin, "I'm glad you two are alive."
Victoria nods, her voice quiet: "I guess I am glad too." She pauses, looking at the fire: "...I still can't believe it's been nearly two months out here."
Nesseth leans against his knees a bit and rests his chin on his thumbs. "Time flew by pretty fast, yeah... We weren't really sure what to make of your absence, since you two went out to continue the search for wherever the Explorers Guild expedition went after Louma had to return to Respite due to that bite she got."
Victoria looks into the darkness around them, the very first inklings of sunrise creeping from somewhere between the trees: "Yeah, well... that was a bust. Wherever they're off to, it's not around here."
Nesseth hums and nods. "Yeah, I had a feeling that was going to be the case... If you all didn't find them by now, they're probably way deeper into the continent than we thought. Hopefully they've found somewhere nice to settle, at least."
Victoria gives a soft chuckle: "And what, found another Respite somewhere down there? I guess they'd be insane enough for that."
Nesseth shrugs a bit, the corners of his mouth quirking into a little smile. "Maybe. Who knows, there might be a pretty decent spot somewhere past the desert."
Victoria shakes her head slightly: "Guess I'm no one to argue."
Nesseth reaches up and takes a moment to scratch at one of his frills. "Either way, they're prepared. We'll see them sooner or later, I think."
Victoria nods, looking into the darkness again: "Can't do much worse than us."
Nesseth sighs a bit. "I dunno about that. You and Garwin did pretty good out here. No one would have expected the flower thing." He shakes his head, "Even our resident herbalist didn't know about it until after she'd already changed, and she's the expert on all this stuff."
Victoria blinks, turning back to Nesseth in a bit of a surprise: "Our local... Erika? She got affected too?"
Nesseth nods as he looks at Victoria. "Yeah, she was up here not too long ago, picking some plants and such." He nods at Garwin, "And he ended up ambushing her. She got trapped on a cliffside and had to eat some of what she gathered, because... she didn't bring any food with her." He pauses for a moment to reflect on that, "Anyway... if it wasn't for her telling us about Garwin's appearance, we'd have only come here for the flower and left."
Victoria looks at Nesseth: "She... got trapped by that idiot?" She lets out a bit of a huff, glancing at Garwin: "I'm not sure how that's even possible."
Nesseth shrugs. "From what she told us, she got ambushed and panicked. I guess he managed to cut off the path down on accident or something."
Victoria hums, still staring at the bear's sleeping form: "Huh. Guess anything's possible..."
Nesseth shakes his head. "Garwin might not be the sharpest guy around, but he still does well enough, right? He's not that dumb."
Victoria glances at Nesseth: "Well, no. Still surprising he managed to corner anyone, he's not exactly subtle... even normally."
Nesseth nods. "That's true, yeah... But you know how Erika can get when she's really engrossed in her work."
Victoria shifts her position, laying down on the grass: "...true. She's not the best at the whole 'awareness' thing either."
Nesseth: "Something of a 'perfect storm' of events, I guess. The main thing is that all three of you are... at least okay, if not in perfect health." He leans back a little, eliciting a bit of a creak from the log, "We'll get you all fixed up once we get back."
Victoria stretches her back, then lies back down: "Yeah, we'll find a cure. Need to get Garwin back so I can proper make him appreciate this mess."
Nesseth chuckles a bit. "Well, just don't be too hard on the poor guy, once you two are changed back."
Victoria lets out a very wide feline yawn: "Yeeaah. Maybe."
Nesseth smiles a bit at Victoria as she yawns. "If there's one thing, at least you're handling all this pretty decently. Erika took a little while to get used to the changes, and couldn't even speak properly for a few days early on."
Victoria gives a small shrug: "It is what it is. Why should I worry?"
Nesseth nods again. "That's a fair take on it. I doubt you two could have done anything to change back, stuck way out here without any equipment."
Victoria glances at Nesseth: "Like I could do anything even with stuff. I'm not much of a herbalist exactly."
Nesseth hums. "Mmh, true. Even if you had the proper equipment, probably better to just leave it be than accidentally make it worse or something..."
Victoria chuckles softly: "Definitely not my turf. And besides, I'm fine."
Nesseth smiles. "And that's the main thing. Though I'll bet it'll be nice to get back to normal again."
Victoria shifts her position: "Yeah..." She stares into the fire, feeling odd at the premise for some reason.
Nesseth stretches as he adjusts his own position on the log. "Hopefully Erika and Plume can figure something out, though. Even when we get back, it might take a bit before a cure's found."
Victoria stretches her hind legs before laying back down: "Yeah, reckon they can."
Nesseth looks over at Victoria again as he notices the sky slowly brightening with the pre-dawn sunlight. "Well... if you're going to catch a quick sleep before we pack up and continue to town, want a blanket or something?"
Victoria shakes her head. "Nah. Been fine for this long without one."
Nesseth nods. "Alright, then. Have a good rest, Victoria. I'll wake you up if there's any trouble." He smiles warmly after a moment, "It's good to see you again, by the way."
Victoria glances at Nesseth: "Yeah... you too."
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MARKETPLACE - EARLY AFTERNOON
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Enver is in the middle of performing at the stand of one of the produce vendors, juggling a vertible fruit salad of different things for the amusement of the crowd. He seems to have gotten some new, if simple and ill-fitting, clothing since his run in with Fiora, but it's still nothing flashy and without the airborne fruit, his appearance certainly wouldn't draw any undue attention.
Xochi is purchasing some simple necessities for herself, a small basket slung under an arm. She slithers through the marketplace fairly casually, and as she reaches the middle she notices the movement of the airborne fruit. Curiosity getting the better of her, she makes her way to the crowd and takes her place to watch.
Enver swaps out a peach for a small head of cabbage on the fly, catching the peach in his mouth as he continues to juggle the mixed produce. He notices the snake approaching and cocks his head a bit, having not seen a snake since he was quite young. He continues his routine nonetheless, stepping up onto the edge of the vendor's cart of spare wares.
Xochi watches uncertainly, somewhat unsure of the purpose of this display. She glances others, who all appear to be watching and clapping at moments, and all seem to be enjoying themselves. She watches the Mongoose further and finds herself somewhat thrilled by his skill, joining in on the applause when the crowd does.
Enver manages to eat the peach down to the stone without the use of his hands. He then tosses the stone up into the air with his mouth and hops down off the wagon so that he can catch it, balanced on the tip of his nose. This ends the performance, with the other produce being carefully caught in his arms and almost as quickly snatched away by onlookers wanting to buy those particular items.
Xochi makes no rush to purchase any of the produce, but does applaud, waiting a moment as the crowd shambles away to approach the performer, "You are very talented, young friend. I have never seen such a display!"
Enver has stooped down to collect the coins that have been tossed into an flat cap on the ground. He pockets the coins, puts the cap on his head, and offers a smile and nod to the snake. "Thank you, ma'am. I do my best. The folks around here seem to like it well enough, though..."
Xochi reaches into a pouch and removes a gold piece, albeit a rather odd foreign one, to give to Enver. "I am not sure why you do it, but if it brings others joy, then it is of value. Thank you for sharing your gift."
Enver blinks at the offered coin, but accepts it gratefully, pocketing it and giving a smooth bow, doffing his cap in the process. "You flatter me, ma'am. But thank you. I'm just trying to make my way in this strange new place and every coin helps."
Xochi smiles, "I am new here as well, still, but have so little to offer. I wish you luck in finding your place here." She gives a formal bow, "I am Xochi."
Enver nods. "Pleasure to meet you. I'm Enver..." He ponders a bit before saying more. "I haven't met a snake before, really. Saw a couple in Policaster once when I was little, but you don't really see them up in Sarn... too cold I think?"
Xochi hums, "Perhaps. My homeland is rather hot and humid. This place is one, but not the other; it is quite a change. I am unfamiliar with Policaster or Sarn, however."
Enver thinks a bit. "A ways north... about a couple of weeks by boat. Policaster's up on the coast..."
Xochi nods, "I have had a similar journey across the sea from Orela." She considers, "I have seen little else of this world. It saddens me."
Enver suppresses a shiver at the mention of Orela and just nods. "Never been beyond Sarn myself until now." He looks around the marketplace some. "This is different enough for me, honestly..."
Xochi looks around and smiles, "And for me. I am too old to travel more, but I am a curious sort, and so forgive me. I have only ever seen the place where I was raised, the port city from which set sail, and the places here, in Aephix." She frowns. "There are many new faces here from distant places I have only read about. Like you, Enver."
Enver nods some. "I guess it's the same with me, except I'm not so old yet." He laughs a bit, looking down. "I just want to make a life for myself here... make my own choices..."
Xochi places a hand over her heart and nods, "That is why I came here as well, Enver. I lived a long, lonely life, not of my own choosing. It pained me such that in time I even saw my best friend as an enemy to elude." She sighs. "Respite is, to me, the freedom to live a life on my own terms."
Enver smiles. "Seems like this place lives up to its name..." He puts his hands in his pockets as his eyes idly trace along Xochi's impressive length. "Well, I hope we can both find what we're looking for."
Xochi smiles, "As do I. Your name will join my morning litany, such that you may find your purpose and happiness within."
Enver blinks. "Morning litany? What's that?"
Xochi chuckles, "My morning prayers, that is all."
Enver nods a bit. "Ah, okay... My mom used to take me on sundays when I was little... I never believed too much in any of that stuff."
Xochi shrugs, "It is different for all. I found faith to be a solace, in my long time alone. It is difficult to give up such beliefs, once held so long."
Enver ponders this. "I suppose... I don't really know..." He looks up at Xochi again as his belly gives a nearly audible gurgle. "Forgive me for cutting our talk short, ma'am, but performing like that takes a bit out of me and I could use a good meal. I hope to talk to you again though, you're an interesting sort."
Xochi bows her head, "Of course. Thank you for taking the time to speak with an old snake, Enver."
Enver gives another bow. "Any time, ma'am. Thank you again for the coin." He turns and walks away with a spring in his step.
Xochi smiles, watching the mongoose go before she sets about finishing her business in the marketplace.