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MARKETPLACE, LATE AFTERNOON
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Victoria is laying down on a metre-tall rock at the edge of the marketplace. The big, smooth rock she has unofficially claimed as her perch for 'watching' for any trouble at the marketplace. It also being good for laying in the afternoon sun being entirely a positive coincidence. She's been looking over the marketplace for far longer than her guard shift has been today, the leopard clearly lost in thought - not that anyone usually wants to bother her.
Louma circles overhead, still dressed in her uniform despite her duty being up for the day. She descends as soon as the crowd near the South end of the marketplace has dispersed enough for her to land. She greets a few people as she shakes her wings out and folds them away, turning toward the marketplace proper where she spots the uniquely colored leopard, nodding to her.
Victoria doesn't notice Louma at first, the feline seemingly staring into nothingness more than actually looking around her. Even looking as feral as she does, it's not hard to see that something is bothering her.
Louma pauses for a moment, seeing that Victoria hasn't even glanced her way. She cocks her head slightly, approaching the leopard with her usual public aire of stiffness. She clears her throat once closer, though smiling slightly. "Good afternoon, Victoria?"
Victoria blinks, then turns her head enough: "Oh. Ey there, captain. Was a bit distracted there."
Louma nods, giving Victoria a quick salute, though not really expecting her to try the gesture in her feral body. "Just a little bit, hm? At least your shift was over a couple hours ago. What's on your mind?"
Victoria looks at Louma for a bit, blinking: "It... is?" She looks down, sighing: "Garwin."
Louma looks a bit concerned. "It is, I'll just assume you zoned out at the same time it ended and leave it at that." She looks about before discussing the bear, though. "What about Garwin is bothering you?"
Victoria lies her head down on the rock: "Stupid bear. It's why I am like this. But now he's fine... and doesn't remember anything."
Louma nods, sighing quietly. "Don't beat him up too badly about it, he's already being hard on himself over the whole ordeal."
Victoria lifts her head to look at Louma: "Well he should be! You have no idea what it was like, up there!"
Louma is taken aback by the tone of voice. "Victoria. It doesn't matter if I understand or not, Garwin has two whole months of nothing that he has to worry about."
Victoria grumbles, laying her head back down: "Yeah. Easy for him." She then sighs, anger leaving her: "...but admittedly, it's hard to be angry for things he did on pure instinct."
Louma nods, feeling a tension releasing. "I do understand why you're frustrated. Why don't you help Garwin by telling him what he doesn't remember? Perhaps telling him a few anecdotes will bring the memories out for him on their own."
Victoria looks away from Louma: "Soon as I can look at him without surfacing those memories myself and wanting to claw his face out."
Louma pauses, looking about again before pressing the point. "Victoria, what happened up there?"
Victoria rolls her shoulders and is quiet for a second, gathering her thoughts. She then turns to look back at Louma: "We fought for our lives. No hope of things ever getting better."
Louma nods, settling onto her coil as Victoria speaks. "And you both did well to survive that time."
Victoria gives Louma a look: "What options did we have? I refuse to roll over and die."
Louma pauses to think for a moment, then asks the question that's been mildly bothering her since the rescue. "You had the option to leave Garwin to his own devices and return to town for help. Instead you chose to stay nearby and make sure he didn't get into trouble. That's admirable, but what made you think he couldn't last two weeks without you?"
Victoria squints at Louma: "I don't leave mates behind."
Louma nods. "Fine, that answer is good enough, I suppose." She looks at Victoria for a few moments. "Erika's taken the cure, and she's apparently back to normal now. Garwin's recovery isn't a fluke. Why haven't you gone to Plume yet?"
Victoria opens her mouth to retort, but then goes quiet instead. She looks at the ground, thinking. Slowly, she speaks again: "It... I am not sure... I want it."
Louma blinks. "I'm sorry? You... Don't want it? Nesseth was right, you seem to be quite comfortable in this body..."
Victoria looks at Louma: "Why wouldn't I be? I'm pretty much the perfect predator now."
Louma looks at Victoria, considering this. "True enough, I suppose. But you don't really fit in with the rest of the townsfolk, do you?"
Victoria looks about the marketplace, at the merchants slowly packing up their set-ups, at the folks who have been giving her the side-eye all day: "...that much is true."
Louma looks where Victoria does. "You can tell that some people are afraid of you, right?"
Victoria nods, musing: "More than before." She flashes a feline grin: "But is that such a bad thing?"
Louma chuckles quietly, though her eyes don't share the emotion as she looks back to Victoria. "Maybe not for keeping the criminals in check..." She sighs, shaking her head sadly. "You do whatever makes you feel like yourself, Victoria."
Victoria looks at Louma, then lies her head back down inbetween her paws: "...soon as I am certain what that is."
Louma uncoils, moving closer to Victoria and patting her on the back in a reassuring way. "Take your time, we'll be here for you either way."
Victoria wants to shift away from the touch, but doesn't entirely. She looks down: "I am as I have always imagined I'd want to be, two months of fighting for my life nonwithstanding, but... that's not all of it."
Louma moves away from Victoria, though she doesn't settle to her coil again. "What else is there, then?"
Victoria sighs, shaking her head: "Nevermind. I need to think on this, and... none of it makes a clear case."
Louma nods, smiling softly at Victoria. "I understand. Again, take your time figuring things out. You have many friends just in the guard that are here for you, who you can ask for help." She grins. "Or just beat up in the training grounds to get some mind-clearing adrenaline going."
Victoria chuckles softly: "The Guard way. When things get complicated, beat up a dummy." She pauses, musing: "That new elephant girl sure does that a lot."
Louma nods. "Yes, Brunilda. She's taken releasing frustration on wooden targets to a new level. She's got a lot on her mind as well, unfortunately. Still, a good person, and a great guard."
Victoria nods: "She didn't want to fight me. Something about 'being too frail for her'." She lets out a bit of a scoff, though notably doesn't argue against the idea.
Louma chuckles at the image of that exchange. "I'm surprised you let her get away with that."
Victoria winks: "Who said I was letting her get away? But the way she was looking, I don't think it would've been just sparring. Something's buggering her fierce."
Louma nods, looking aside for a moment. "Yes, but that's her personal business, not something for gossip."
Victoria tilts her head: "Fair. I'd ask for the same - you know, if I had anything to hide."
Louma chuckles, nodding. "I'm sure you're not quite interesting enough to gossip about, anyways, miss feral-bodied predator guard."
Victoria smirks at Louma: "Why? Too darn great to find flaws?"
Louma hums, scratching her chin for a few moments before grinning at Victoria. "Sure, we can go with that if you like."
Victoria grins: "I knew it. I'm amazing~."
Louma stifles a laugh, shaking her head. "You sure are, Victoria."
Victoria shifts on the rock to lie on her side: "So got anythin' else for me, Captain?"
Louma considers this for a moment, looking toward the market, empty of nearly half it's merchants by now. "Not really, but it was good to talk with you, Victoria."
Victoria waves a paw: "Yeah... yeah, it was. See you around." She makes no move to get off the rock though.
Louma nods. "Good evening, Victoria." She gives another short salute, smiling at the leopard before heading off to gather her shopping for the evening, thoughts of Victoria's impending decision slowly being set aside by ideas for dinner with a certain stoat.
Victoria looks at Louma go, before settling back to her thinking from before. What does she want to do?
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THE BOILING POT - EVENING
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Louma circles low overhead, gliding slowly through the air as she tries to pinpoint her target in the lamp-lit street below. After a few minutes, she picks up on a couple landmarks and begins to make an easy descent. "Hold on, sweets, I've found it." She spreads her wings wide near the ground, slithering to a stop and beginning to adjust the golden scarf of a 'dress' she's wrapped in.
Maybelline is holding Louma close, grinning wide, the sensations of flight still getting her adrenaline up as they soar the (relatively short by air) distance towards the restaurant. She's feeling woefully underdressed, basically wearing a long black dress skirt and white button up that makes her look more like she's trying to get a job then go on a date. She looks over her shoulder as the Louma swoops down, giggling softly, "Don't have to tell me twice to hold onto you, love."
Nesseth waits near the front door of the restaurant with Plume, dressed rather nicely in an outfit that's equal parts functional and pleasing to look at. As Louma descends, he raises a hand and waves. "There they are. Just in time, Louma!"
Doc Plume is dressed in a simple suit, having basically added a waistcoat and bowtie to their usual work ensemble. They smile at Nesseth and wave to the approaching duo.
Louma blushes at may's words, giggling quietly before waving to Nesseth and Plume. "Good evening Nesseth! And to you, Plume." She gives each a shallow bow on approaching before quickly preening her feathers down. "I hope the night finds you well."
Doc Plume bows in return. "Fine enough. My new patient is at least stable enough for me to take the evening off..."
Nesseth nods, smiling. "About to have a good dinner with some friends and my partner. Couldn't be better for me, honestly~"
Maybelline lets go and hops down from Louma's embrace, turning grin at their friends. "I didn't know what to wear, so uh, hope this is okay for this place?" She grins at Nesseth, "My thoughts exactly."
Louma nods to them, looking toward the restaurant. "I've heard good things from the other captains." She pushes the door open for the others, smiling. "Shall we, then?"
Doc Plume cocks their head at May. "I don't think anywhere in Respite has even considered a dress code..."
Maybelline tilts her head at Plume, "They... haven't? I guess that makes sense out this far." She walks towards the door, giggling at Louma as she steps inside.
Louma watches May walk by with a warm smile. "You always look great in anything, anyways~."
Doc Plume waits by the door for Nesseth. "After you, love."
Nesseth smiles and follows May inside, sneaking a little kiss on Plume's beak as he passes. "Thank you, dear."
Doc Plume giggles at the kiss and follows after Nesseth into the restaurant, nodding in thanks to Louma, who's still holding the door.
Maybelline is already flagging down a server as the others follow behind her, giving them the reservation name before they point on towards a table in the back, with special accomodations for Louma's size and May's size already in place.
Louma smiles at the other two before following them in, looking about the main dining area with it's warm lights and ample, though reserved decoration. She spots May talking to the server, looking to the others. "I think May's found our table." She follows the stoat with a bit of extra sway in her slither.
Doc Plume follows the waiter to the table, walking side by side with Nesseth. "How have I not heard of this place?"
Maybelline climbs up into her seat, waving Louma close to sneak her a kiss before she settles into her raised chair. "I've got a few excuses why I haven't found it. But a pretty good first impression so far."
Nesseth hums as he walks with Plume, looking around with interest. "To be fair, their front is pretty unassuming. I've probably walked past here several times before, and never really thought to try eating here."
Louma returns the kiss, smiling warmly at May as she settles her coil on the large cushion. "A good impression indeed~" She turns to Nesseth. "This was a small trade shop a few years ago, I believe. Wasn't it shut down by Faul and his investigators for fencing? Perhaps I've forgotten."
Maybelline giggles, "Now I'm just imagining cheese smugglers."
Nesseth hums thoughtfully as he helps Plume into their seat before taking his own. "Now that you mention it, yeah... I think you're right, Louma." He chuckles after a moment, "Cheese smugglers. Nefarious ne'er-do-wells, all."
Doc Plume takes a seat and looks around. "I haven't had fondue in years. There wasn't anywhere not super-fancy in Wesport that served it..."
Maybelline blinks, "It's just cheese right? I mean, hot cheese? Is that fancy? I've definitely had cheese before, but I guess not fancy cheese?"
Louma giggles with May, clearly completely relaxed from her usual public front. "I'd never heard of it before peeking into this place. It's not among the usual snake dishes."
Doc Plume laughs. "Well, there's also a bit of white wine in with it, and spices of course... and then you dip bread and other things into it."
Nesseth shakes his head. "Can't say I've had fondue, myself. It all sounds really tasty, though."
Louma nods with a smile, looking to Plume. "I hope you don't mind if we all end up copying you for a bit, then, since you've got all the experience."
Doc Plume gives a laughing chirp. "Sure, if my memories from being a sulky teenager are enough for you to go on."
Maybelline grins, "Well, no shame right? We're all gonna end up making a mess and figure it out together, that's the point of this, right! Well, that and having fun together."
Nesseth chuckles. "That's more experience than any of us have, I think."
Doc Plume nods, then breaks out in a fit of the giggles. "Sorry, just thinking of what me back then would think of this whole situation..."
Louma chuckles with Plume, shaking her head slightly. "I find it hard to imagine you as sulky, especially like this."
Doc Plume smiles. "Ah, well that's a bit of a story, one better over drinks in private than dinner in public, I think."
Maybelline chuckles, "Well, I'd wager we're all pretty different then we were as kids right? I bet you all wouldn't imagine me as with my nose in a book all the time. I uh, was the class snitch. You know the type."
Nesseth smiles at May. "Might not be a bad idea to try and avoid too big a mess. I can't imagine cheese is easy to get out of feathers or fur."
Maybelline smirks, "I don't know, Nesseth... might be fun."
Louma grins, looking to May. "One facet of your school life, sure." She then nods to Nesseth's words. "At least five eigths of us would have issues there, for sure."
Doc Plume laughs. "Well, just let the excess fondue drip back into the pot before you move the fork to your mouth..." They look around again. "Is there a menu or did someone already order for us?"
Nesseth glances around the table for a moment, then spots the folded stack of menus in the middle of the table. He reaches over and starts distributing the menus to the others. "Oh, here we are."
Louma takes two menus, handing one to May so she doesn't have to reach over the table before opening her own. "Oh... Quite the selection of meats here~"
Maybelline nods, taking the menu from Louma and looking across it. "They do have a big sampler for large groups... are we a large enough group?"
Doc Plume looks over the menu. "Well we definitely want a few breads, and you probably want to save some room for chocolate fondue for dessert..."
Louma glances towards Maybelline, grinning. "Plume is right, they have melted chocolate, too."
Nesseth raises an eyebrow as he gets a look at the list of foods. "Wow... talk about luxurious. The sampler seems like a good idea, honestly, since it'd give us a pretty good idea of everything."
Doc Plume smiles. "Why don't we just ask for the chef to make us something good for four omnivores?"
Maybelline nods, "Since I don't know what the difference is between half of these breads... chef's choice makes sense to me!"
Louma nods, closing her menu and setting it down. "A group platter does sound like the easiest option."
Maybelline blinks as she reaches the last portion of the menu and Plume's words click, "Oooo wait! Chocolate Fondue?! We're doing that too right!?"
Doc Plume waves down the lone waiter and puts in the order for the group, as well as letting everyone order their own drinks. They look to Nesseth. "Wine?"
Nesseth smiles and nods at Plume over his menu. "Whatever you think sounds good for us, Plume."
Louma orders a glass of wine and one of water, and makes sure the waiter knows they'll be staying for a dessert order.
Doc Plume orders a nice bottle of a dry white wine for them and Nesseth, along with water of course.
Maybelline seems very excited for the dessert order, but pauses at the wine order. "I haven't had any alcohol since..." She frowns, "Do you think it'll be alright?"
Doc Plume looks at May. "You don't have to, of course. If you do, we're here to keep you in check."
Louma turns to May, reaching out and squeezing her hand. "It's alright if you don't want any, sweets."
Maybelline squeezes back, "I just haven't... but if you all just keep me in check, it should be fine, right?" She turns back and orders a glass of wine a little nervously, plus a water as well.
Louma nods, giving Maybelline a peck on the cheek. "You'll be fine."
Nesseth smiles at May again. "Yeah, if you're worried about it, we're here to make sure you don't overindulge."
Doc Plume smiles at May. "I hardly ever drink alcohol anymore, but this is a fine reason to allow an exception." They look to Nesseth and the others. "And I know that my friends are here for me if I start having too much."
Maybelline nods, "I used to be pretty bad with it, but I stopped before the explosion... almost started back up, but the explosion cut that short. And I haven't had a reason to do so since." She smiles, looking across everyone at the table, eyes lingering on Louma, "Got plenty of reasons to celebrate now though."
Nesseth hums and nods. "I don't drink much myself, since it can get a bit dehydrating. Can't have that when I'm on a hunt, or planning to hunt." He smirks as he looks over at Plume, "But I'm thinking tonight's a good reason for at least a little bit."
Doc Plume smiles. "I figure the one bottle will be enough for the two of us, maybe a small glass of port with dessert though..."
Louma smiles warmly at May, then looks to the middle of the table. "Yes, the last time I drank too much... Actually, that turned out pretty well, but the day after is not worth repeating now."
Maybelline giggles, "That was a... weird night. But no regrets I hope." She turns to Plume and nods, "I like that plan. Especially the dessert part."
Doc Plume smirks at May before turning and stealing a quick kiss with Nesseth.
Louma casts a loving look to May. "Not a single regret, my love."
Nesseth blushes a little and sneaks a quick kiss of his own from Plume while the other two are distracted.
Maybelline isn't so distracted, but takes a page out of Nesseth's book to lean in and sneak Louma a kiss as well.
Louma returns the kiss, closing her eyes and blushing.
Doc Plume takes Nesseth's hand in theirs and squeezes softly. "Thank you for this. I really needed a nice distraction. I've been so busy lately..."
Maybelline slowly ends the kiss and turns back to the others with a nod, "I've got a lot of pieces coming into place for the next step of the generator build... don't know when I'll get too many chances for a date like this either... thank you all."
Louma hums, managing to look away from May and straighten up after a moment. "It was mostly Nesseth's idea, I just found the restaurant."
Maybelline grins as the server returns with a bubbling pot of cheese and several plates of bread. She sniffs the air, "Well if it tastes as good as it smells, you two both deserve all the praise for this."