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WEST GATE - MORNING
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Doc Plume stands waiting atop the walls with an increased number of guards as news of the incoming expedition has spread in the time since Kira's return. They squint under their wide-brimmed hat as they watch the horizon, searching for any sign of the group.
Nesseth comes into view along with the rest of the search group, looking a little worn out from the trail, but outwardly unharmed. Accompanying them are two others: a hulking brute of a bear, currently securely contained under a chain net and on a makeshift sledge; the other looks to be a large feline, with a pattern that most of the guards would find familiar.
Doc Plume feels their heart skip a beat as they spot the group, but resists the urge to run out and meet them. Instead they just carefully descend the steps with their bag and move outside the gates with several of the other guards. A few runners do set out to meet the group, however.
Nesseth and the group seem to pick up the pace as they get closer and closer to the walls, spurred on by the thought of finally being back home, as well as being able to see everyone again. Before long, everyone is within earshot of each other, and their voices all lift in shouted greetings and customary quips. Even from this distance, Nesseth is very obviously grinning happily.
Doc Plume walks out behind the first rank of guards, doing their best to hide their excitement, though the sight of Nesseth healthy and happy lifts their spirits immensely.
Nesseth spots Plume stepping out from the ranks and starts to pick up the pace a bit more, eager to see them up close again. He tries to run, but a twinge in his legs causes him to instead slow to a jog. He pulls ahead of the group by a respectable distance, though, as he waves at Plume in particular. "We're back, just like I said, Plume!"
Doc Plume gives Nesseth a beaky smile as their own pace picks up too, their tail swishing behind her. "I can see that!" they call back. "Any injured I need to tend to immediately?"
Nesseth draws up to Plume within a few seconds and wraps them in a tight hug, though the impact causes him to grunt as a slightly painful jolt shoots through his muscles. "No... nothing pressing. Victoria and Garwin are a little scratched up, and we patched Victoria's side from the hit she took fighting Garwin. Everyone else is fine, though."
Doc Plume drops their bag and hat and hugs Nesseth back just as tight. "So you're just a bit banged up?"
Nesseth nods and looks over at the rest of the group as they approach the guards gathered at the gate. "Yeah... I just got tackled by Garwin during the process of trying to restrain him. No injuries, but I feel like I ran into the town's wall..."
Doc Plume loosens their hug just a bit and leans in to kiss his cheek. "Well, I can give you an examination back at the clinic. As long as there's nothing more pressing to take care of..." They give a cawing laugh before their hands seek out Nesseth's and interwine their fingers with his.
Nesseth interlaces his fingers with Plume's and lightly grasps their hands in his own as he smiles. "Nothing too pressing, but I think Victoria will probably stop by sooner, rather than later." He glances over at the group again, then shakes his head and smiles as he sneaks Plume another kiss in turn, "Louma will probably have to drag her over to the clinic."
Doc Plume smiles. "Well, it sounds like things went well enough..." They watch the rest of the group moving toward the gate. "Should we get back to town?"
Nesseth hums softly and nods, releasing Plume from his hug, but keeping a hand holding onto one of theirs. "Might be better to get back inside, yeah... It went about as well as I could have hoped, minus the bear tackle, anyway."
Doc Plume fetches up their gear, squeezes Nesseth's hand more and walks with him back into town.
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A SHORT WHILE LATER - LEAVING THE GUARD BARRACKS
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Nesseth sighs as he rejoins Plume in the street outside of the barracks, having taken a little while to remove his guard gear and stow it away as usual. He's still carrying his personal effects, however, looking more like he just came back from a hunting trip than a guard-backed search in the mountains. "There we go... much better."
Doc Plume has been chatting with a few other guards concerned about the changes to Victoria and Garwin. Plume has done their best to assuage those fears, but is glad to have Nesseth back to break off that conversation. "Yes... folks are spooked, though..."
Nesseth rolls his shoulders as he steps up next to Plume again. "Yeah, I can see why, honestly. First Erika, then Victoria and Garwin. I just hope the samples Louma gathered will be enough to work up a cure for them."
Doc Plume drapes a wing around Nesseth's back as the two start walking again. "We'll figure something out..."
Nesseth slips an arm around Plume's waist as he walks with them. "Yeah, it'll just take a bit of time, is all. If there's a way to do the thing, there's a way to undo the thing, I figure."
Doc Plume nods. "One would hope, yes, but you can't unbake bread or unfry an egg.. some changes aren't easy to reverse..." They lean over and kiss Nesseth's cheek. "But let's not worry about that for the moment."
Nesseth smiles softly and takes a quick kiss in turn. "Instead, I guess we can maybe focus on something a little more immediate... like whatever injuries that tackle gave me."
Doc Plume looks at the gear in Nesseth's hands. "Should we drop off your gear at your place first?"
Nesseth hums as he glances at the strap holding his crossbow to his shoulder. "Nah... I'm not carrying much, anyway. I can probably just stow it upstairs at the clinic for a bit, if needed."
Doc Plume nods. "All right then..." They lead the pair to the clinic and then up to their apartment.
Nesseth takes a few moments to shed the remaining bits of his gear, putting his crossbow and other minor odds and ends into an orderly (if somewhat small) pile near the sofa. He takes a few seconds longer than usual, unable to remove his gear with his usual level of dexterity.
Doc Plume helps Nesseth with the straps as they start looking over him. "Where is it sore?"
Nesseth spends a short bit pointing out the sore parts of his body to Plume, mostly around his forearms, elbows, shoulders and back. "Just around these spots... Didn't really strain myself doing anything during this trip."
Doc Plume checks out the areas and is happy to find nothing more than bruising and a bit of strain. "Well, nothing to worry about, though you should probably take a week off before another hunt. Two weeks if possible..."
Nesseth sighs a bit, figuring that was going to be the case but still a little put out by it being confirmed. "Any recommendations for duties I can do, then? Or... do you recommend just strict bed rest?"
Doc Plume laughs. "Wall or gate duty is fine... just minimal arm strain for the time being..." They look over at the crossbow. "No hefting that or large bears again..."
Nesseth chuckles a bit. "Guess my bear wrestling career is at a standstill for now, then. Ah, well..." He takes a moment to rub one of his arms, "Guess I'll also have to make do with a spear or something while on patrol for the time being, too..."
Doc Plume nods. "Something you can rest on the ground or hold sheathed on your hips, yeah... so a sword would work too.
Nesseth shrugs a little, eliciting a slight wince from him. "We'll see. I'm probably more comfortable with a spear, anyway..."
Doc Plume gently rubs at Nesseth's shoulders. "Honestly, I think everyone from the expedition should have some time off, but I can't say for certain until I examine the rest." They hug him close, then blink. "Hmm... A good soak would probably help you as well..."
Nesseth leans against Plume with a warm hum as he lets his eyes drift shut a bit. "Bit of a soak in hot water, hm? Sounds nice..."
Doc Plume smiles. "Shall we head over to the bathhouse or do you want to just stay up here?"
Nesseth chuckles and sneaks his tail around to playfully hug Plume's waist. "Depends on how much you want to snuggle while I soak, I think..."
Doc Plume laughs. "Bathhouse it is, then..." They hug Nesseth warmly and nuzzle at his neck.
Nesseth lightly nuzzles against Plume with a happy little smile on his face. After several seconds just enjoying Plume's soft embrace, he reluctantly releases them from his tail's grasp. "Then, to the bathhouse we go."
Doc Plume smiles. "Indeed." They take Nesseth's hand in theirs again and squeezes it. "I love you, Nesseth. Thank you for coming home safely."
Nesseth gives Plume's hand a gentle squeeze in turn as they head back downstairs into the clinic and begin to make their way to the bathhouse together. "I love you too, Plume. I'm glad to be back here, next to you."
Doc Plume locks up the clinic and walks with their beloved hand in hand, happy to have him back again.
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MAYBELLINE'S HOME - LATE MORNING
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Maybelline sits in her seat at the table, finishing off her breakfast, a cinnamon bun she got fresh from the bakery this morning before settling in to write up her to-do list for the day. The plans for the generator are done, which means progress can begin in other directions.
Louma slithers down the street with a box under her arm, still wearing her uniform as she didn't feel like she had time to change, and holding herself as properly as she normally does while wearing it. She sidles up to the door, sighing as she preens her feathers quickly before rapping on the doorframe a few times.
Maybelline sets her quill down, taking the last bite of her cinammon roll and licking the sugar off of her fingers as she hops down and heads to the door. She's wearing one of her usual work jumpsuits as she answers the door with a smile, but the expression almost immediately lights up, "Louma! You're home!" Without much warning, she lunges forward to wrap her arms around the swansnake.
Louma hugs Maybelline back, immediately dropping her stiff facade as she breaks into a wide grin. "We are, yes! I missed you so much, May." She kisses the top of Maybelline's head, giggling. "Are you busy? I know it's a bit late, but I brought breakfast." She indicates the box under her arm, from the same bakery.
Maybelline giggles, nuzzling against Louma for a moment. "I missed you too. I wasn't worried... but I was... so worried." She manages to laugh as all that tension leaves. "I was just making my schedule for the day, and I can always pen in time for you. And possibly for a second breakfast."
Louma blinks, chuckling. "Second breakfast?" She rubs May's back, smiling down at the stoat. "Thank you for worrying, sweets, and for your lovely firestarting good luck charm~ It was very helpful."
Maybelline nods, blushing a little, "I might have just finished a cinnamon roll, but nothing substantial. C'mon in, love." She hums a bit as she turns back into the house, smiling back over her shoulder. "I'm glad it helped, as little as it might have been. I take it that means everyone is back safe then? Everything went well?"
Louma nods as she follows May in, pushing the door shut with her tail before heading over to the table to set the box down. She open the box to reveal half a dozen thick, but fluffy pastries with fruit and icing on top. "Nesseth really likes it, too. Other than him and Victoria taking a couple superficial bumps from Garwin, everything went as smoothly as we could have liked. We found the flowers as well, and brought some back to Plume. How did things go around here?"
Maybelline sighs, waving a hand, 'Mostly boring. I got the drafted plans finished, and gave some of them to Cavro to look over... mostly for distraction, poor guy. I hope your being back means Erika will get help soon. Brun and I did a little building walkthrough to understand the plan better... but nothing monumental. And no explosions, just like promised."
Louma chuckles, looking over May. "Yes, you do seem to be all in one piece. Thank you for that. It's in Plume's hands now to find the cure, or whoever they need to bring in for help. Considering their work with you and Brunilda, I think Erika is in good hands."
Maybelline lets out a breath, "I hope so. Right now, though, I'm just glad you're back. Haven't slept that well. Plume said I needed to stay strong and trust in you, and that part's easy. Doesn't make the worrying any better though." She climbs into her chair and takes a muffin covered in blueberries and icing out of the box, smiling, "You spoil me though. You get back and what, the first thing you do is bring me breakfast?"
Louma giggles, taking a second of the same muffin and breaking a piece off to nibble on. "I just like to see you happy and well. I'm sorry that you had to worry, I promise that sort of trip doesn't come up very often." She thinks on it for a second, idly nibbling away at the muffin before chuckling. "Yes, actually, coming to see you is the first thing not related to the expedition I've done since getting back."
Maybelline blushes, taking a big bite of the muffin. She takes a moment to swallow, and smiles, "That's... for real? I was just joking. That's... you're too sweet, love. But if you want to see me happy... you showing up is enough, expedition or no."
Louma blushes, smiling warmly at May. "I just hope frequent visits don't impact your work and research."
Maybelline chuckles, "Maybe when I'm up to my neck in coolant piping and piecing things together, it might be hard to pull me away. That's going to be important work, and I want to do it right." She eats the last of the muffin and leans her arms on the table, gazing at Louma, "But I will do my best to always make time for you."
Louma leans on the table as well, reaching across and holding May's hand. "I'll make sure to stay out of the way until you have free time, when that time comes. Just let me know. How long do you think it will be before the next step begins?"
Maybelline grasps onto Louma's hand and holds it tight. "A few weeks? Once Cavro is up to working again, he'll start making parts. Once we have the parts, we can start construction. Provided my source for magic is a good one, anyways." She shakes her head, "And I'm not saying stay out of my way. I'm just saying my ability to balance between work and life has always sucked. Mostly cause I didn't really have a 'life'." Her cheeks redden, "Doesn't mean I don't want one though."
Louma smiles lovingly at May. "That's good to know. If that badger hasn't been working much since Erika's change happened, I don't envy the backlog of orders he's likely got, even with that new smith in town. Unless his old master has been at the forge again, of course." She sighs slightly. "This ordeal has affected a lot more people than one would think, I suppose."
Maybelline feels her heartbeat quicken under Louma's gaze, "And the Generator, as high priority as it is, is a big project... it's going to take a long time. And I'm not going to take any shortcuts. I've told him to take his time, not to rush things... and to do it right. He understands that, I think. So does Brun..." She pauses, briefly considering telling Louma about the elephant's jealousy. "Though... I think she's still looking for other stuff in her life too. She took the expedition pretty hard as well, but I think we talked it out."
Louma sighs, looking down towards their held hands for a moment. "It was not easy denying her a spot in the group after Doctor Plume's medical report was finished. I got her hopes up and then they were broken down again, and I haven't seen her since the day before we left." She looks back to May. "I thought she was studying with you and helping with the generator. What other paths does Brunilda want to walk at the same time?"
Maybelline chuckles, "I don't think she even knows yet. I've been where she is though... in part, at least. Just that sense of loneliness. I do... well, that is to say, she's a bit jealous of... this." She lifts her hand up along with Louma's. "I can't blame her, I would have been jealous of this too."
Louma pauses, then nods shortly. "Ah, I understand, so not something we can really help her with, then. At least, it's never seemed like a good idea to meddle with the romance in others' lives."
Maybelline shakes her head, "I think that's wise." She closes her eyes a moment and sighs, then smiles and looks back up at Louma. "I really missed you."
Louma smiles as well, taking the opportunity of May's eyes being closed to pull an old trick. Her tail wraps around the legs of her chair, and Louma drags her closer as she responds. "Me too. I love you, May~" She bends and hugs the stoat, humming.
Maybelline eeps at the movement of her chair, but it quickly becomes a giggle as she lifts up out of the seat to hug back. "I love you, Louma."
Louma giggles as well, stroking the stoat's back as she enjoys the stoat's warm presence. She glances towards May's bedroom, blushing as she considers what's come to mind. "How much more time do you think you could set aside for me today, sweets~?"
Maybelline hums at Louma's touch, then blinks as she notices Louma's expression. "I... can... definitely set aside as much time as we need, love~."
Louma leans down to kiss the stoat, blushing a bit brighter. She lets Maybelline lead the way after locking the residence door, a saucy sway to her tail before the two take time to fully express their excitement and relief after the brief period of time apart from each other.