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LOUMA'S HOUSE - EARLY MORNING
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Louma lies perfectly still outside of her own breathing, watching the spot of sunrise from her window as it slowly creeps across her tail and outstretched wing, keeping the glaring natural alarm from waking the stoat as suddenly as it had the swan. She looks toward the window, sighing as the morning threatens to undo the work of sleep again.
Maybelline yawns lazily, curled up against Louma. She's not all that awake, though she doesn't tend to sleep in very late anyways. She hums quietly, just enjoying the warmth as she hasn't quite been interrupted by the sun, or any movement from her partner.
Louma hears Maybelline's yawn, looking toward her with a warm smile. She speaks softly, stroking May's back with a gentle touch. "Good morning, love~"
Maybelline mumbles a little as she starts to come to. "Mmm. Mornin'... bed. Love." Her eyes slowly settle on Louma as they open, and her expression quickly warms. "Oh! Love~. I thought I was dreaming."
Louma grins before planting a kiss on the waking stoat. She's already bright eyed, having been awake since the sun hit her bed. "Honestly, waking up with you here, I can't be sure I'm not dreaming right now, May~"
Maybelline blushes, kissing Louma back, "I only know two ways to check. Make sure you didn't eat your pillow, and pinch me. If your pillow's still there, and I don't wake up... we're good."
Louma gets a devious glint in her eye, smiling at May with a voice sweeter than sugar. "As you wish, darling~." Her stroking hand glides down May's back and playfully pinches a butt cheek, the swan giggling quietly.
Maybelline squeaks, then starts giggling, "Rude! Hmm, but I didn't wake up, now did I? Guess you're stuck with me."
Louma smiles, humming. "Such a terrible fate, but if I have to endure it to protect another from the same, then I shall do so." She stretches, her body starting to demand she either move or go back to sleep.
Maybelline smirks, "So selfless. Shame I have no idea where to pinch you for such a test..." She blushes, "Well, a few ideas. But maybe not this early."
Louma nuzzles her bill against Maybelline's neck. "You're right, it's a bit early for that... And perhaps not the best idea right before work."
Maybelline giggles, lifting her arms to hug around Louma's neck as she nuzzles. "Yeah. I suppose I do have a big day ahead of me." She pulls back and stretches her arms over her head, yawning once again as she fully wakes up.
Louma sighs into the hug, blushing slightly as the two part. "It's still fairly early though, time enough for some breakfast, if you'd like."
Maybelline looks towards the window to see how high the sun is, nodding. "My schedule's still a little more variable then yours, so I can always take a little more time to be with you. If I had any kind of appointments today I might say differently but..." She shakes her head, "Breakfast sounds wonderful."
Louma smiles as she looks around, spotting a miniskirt halfway across the room that would absolutely not fit her tail. "Hmm... There's part of your outfit... Where did we toss the rest~?"
Maybelline sits up, looking around, "I don't know...? Sheesh, you'd think we were in a hurry last night." She raises an eyebrow, spotting her plain white shirt atop the dresser. "Guess that's mine too."
Louma giggles, seeing what she's spotted. "I'll get that for you, need my uniform out of there anyhow." She starts to rise from the bed, though slowly as to not just dump May to the floor.
Maybelline sets a hand atop Louma's tail as she uncurls from bed, letting the scales run across her hand. She rolls out of the bed and walks over to retrieve her mini-skirt. "I'll get my work overalls once I get back home, but these will do for now."
Louma chuckles, slithering over to the wardrobe and bringing May's shirt down from it. "How did this even get up here?" She wonders aloud, hanging it from the knob of the next wardrobe over. She opens the first, pulling one of four identical uniforms from it's hangar and slipping into it with practiced ease.
Maybelline blushes, "I might have gotten a bit over excited and uh, flung it over my head? That's probably normal, right?"
Louma blushes as well, smiling at May as she cinches her belt. "Yes, absolutely." She waits for May to finish dressing, her attention inexplicably captured by the stoat.
Maybelline retrieves her shirt from the wardrobe knob and slips it on with ease. She glances back at Louma and smiles. "Hmm? What's with the look? I sleep on my face funny or something?" She reaches up to pat the fur on either side of her face.
Louma giggles, shaking her head. "No, you look perfect~"
Maybelline grins, "You too, love." She walks closer and reaches up to hug Louma around the waist.
Louma hugs Maybelline, blushing slightly. She resists further banter, sighing instead. "If we keep on like this, we'll never get to eat~"
Maybelline sighs along, "Ugh, why do you have to make all of life's choices so hard." She slowly lets go and hums, "What's on the menu anyways?"
Louma chuckles quietly, turning toward the stairs. "I have a bit of spiced meat left, some eggs... Hmm fresh bread and a few of those small cakes too. Of course, coffee."
Maybelline brightens, "I do like those small cakes... and the rest of course. I usually just drink some coffee and have a muffin and I'm good to go."
Louma nods, slithering down the stairs carefully. "I'll make sure to buy some muffins for next time, then~"
Maybelline walks alongside Louma, "You shouldn't do anything special on my account." She purses her lips in thought, "Okay, maybe the little cakes... those you can do special for me if you really want to. The rest... well, it all really pales next to the company."
Louma smiles, giggling. "You're so sweet, maybe I'll just enjoy you for breakfast, my love~" She rounds the corner at the bottom of the stairs, giving May a saucy wink.
Maybelline bites her lip, blushing, "S-seems like more of a treat for me but..." She giggles, giving Louma a playful push. "Gah. So tempting! We are both terrible!"
Louma chuckles, blushing as well as she retrieves the carafe and cakes, setting the coffee up on the stove as she speaks. "We must resist, but if I may be so bold-" She gives May a sideways look as her tongue traces the edge of her beak, "-I think I enjoy it almost as much as you do~"
Maybelline climbs up onto one of the seats, blush fully intact. "A terrible sacrifice on both our parts, but we must persevere." She puts on a brave face before breaking into a laugh, "Well, I think we can just say we both really enjoyed ourselves last night..." She licks her lips, "And will certainly enjoy ourselves in the future."
Louma sets the plate of cakes down on the table, fetching the spiced meat and quickly slicing it up onto another plate. "Oh, I do look forward to it~" She settles on the chairless side of her table, within arms reach of the stove. "Mmh, unfortunately, I can't shrug off my duties as easily as I'd like, and the entire town depends on you keeping on with the generator." She sighs lightly, though smiling at May.
Maybelline nods, "If I could throw away all my responsbilities to spend all my time with you..." She shakes her head, "But I'm not that kind of stoat, I'm afraid. And you're not like that either."
Maybelline reaches out and takes one of the cakes while she talks.
Louma shakes her head as the carafe stops gurgling behind her, turning to pour out two cups of rather strong coffee for them. She sets the cups on the table, nabbing a strip of the cooked meat. "I admire that about you, but you already know that." She chuckles lightly before quickly eating her chosen morsel, still careful about opening her bill too wide.
Maybelline blushes at the reminder, "I know." She crams the cake into her mouth, hastily swallowing before speaking again. "I know the paperwork gets to you sometimes, but don't let it get you down." She chuckles, "I'm a little happier when you come over grumpy instead of all bruised up from sparring, though I'm guessing you enjoy the latter more."
Louma nods, looking a bit aside. "I hate to make you worry, but sparring with my colleagues is important to me, both from a practical point and as personal enjoyment." She turns back to May, a wry grin. "I suppose both of us have daunting physical risks for the other to worry about, hm?"
Maybelline chuckles, "Hopefully not! I'm taking steps to mitigate it to me at least. Guess I can't speak to it too much after the whole explosion incident. There's reasons to worry, but..." She shakes her head and smiles back, "Nah, guess you're right. Mom always said she worried sick whenever Dad had to go on a trip out of town. Guess maybe that's just part of this..." She motions between the two of them and smiles.
Louma finishes her second piece of the meat before she smiles warmly at the stoat, nodding. "I think yes, worrying is just part of it. As much as I don't want you to worry, it also feels nice knowing you do." She reaches across the table, taking May's hand instead of more food.
Maybelline takes Louma's hand and squeezes, sniffing a bit as some tears come. "Agreed... I'm pretty sure Brun was sick of me worrying when you were off on Mean Peak. Heh... I'm glad that's all turned out alright now, but at the time..."
Louma squeezes in return, shaking her head slowly. "I'm sorry that you had to worry like that, and in hindsight, it wasn't that dangerous... I can't promise that I'll never have to leave for something like that again, but I'll always return to you, my love."
Maybelline sniffles, smiling warmly. "That's really all I can ask for, love. And I promise to do everything in my power to stay safe, and always be ready and waiting for you."
Louma smiles warmly at May, leaning across the temporarily forgotten food for a kiss.
Maybelline leans over the table, closing her eyes as well.
Louma leans back from the kiss, her blush obvious. "You do make it so hard to be responsible~"
Maybelline settles back into her seat, her own face red as well. She giggles, reaching out to grab her coffee. "You too, love~. You too..."
Louma settles as well, the two continuing their meal together, flirty banter occasionally giving ground to less exciting topics before the two eventually part ways for their respective daily responsibilities.
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THE THIRSTY MINNOW - EVENING
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Bracvar scuttles through the door, having secured the last of his cargo for the trip back to Bairnell. He waves to the barkeep, ordering an ale and a plate of greens before turning to settle at a side table. He grunts as his legs splay out, laying a set of manifests on the table to look over in a bit.
Gareth walks into the bar a few minutes after Bracvar. He sighs, still having not found a gift to give Sammi yet, despite all of his searching. He notices a giant tangle of crustacean legs at one of the tables out of the corner of his eye, and he diverts his path that way instead. "Evenin', ye salty crab. How's the trade business been treatin' ye?"
Bracvar looks up as Gareth enters, grinning when he's addressed. "Evening to you as well, sea dog! It's been a nightmare getting all the official side done, but that's nothing new." He taps the manifests, laughing. "Haven't run into you for a while, how's this boring little town been treating yeh?"
Gareth shrugs as he pulls out a chair and flops into it, making sure to not disturb the manifests. "Eh... been treatin' me alright, I'd say. Still not really used to the quiet, but it's not bad." He looks down at the manifests for a moment, chuckling, "Wish I could help, friend, but I've only ever laid eyes on those things in the middle o' raidin'."
Bracvar laughs, shrugging. "I'm sure these are correct, just need to make sure all of my legitimately purchased goods are officially recognized and such. Perhaps if your crew had made sure to grab them all, you'd have had an even easier time getting rid of cargo."
Gareth laughs as well. "Ahh, maybe yer right. But then, none of me old crew were merchants, so I can't say fer sure if we'd have come out ahead even if we had the manifests sorted all good and proper."
Bracvar chuckles, nodding to the barkeep as he drops off Brac's meal, the crab shuffling his papers out of the way. "Perhaps you're right, I can't see a pirate passing themselves off as a merchant."
Gareth gives a bit of a smirk. "Ye have to admit, though, some of the prices I see around places, some of those merchants are pirates with a license." He shakes his head in amusement, "Funny how a single piece of paper can make someone completely legitimate, eh?"
Bracvar nods, taking a sip of his ale before responding. "I agree, but alas I must play along with the rules. And of course, I can't say it doesn't make my coin purse heavier than selling out of a back alley somewhere."
Gareth hums, nodding as he waves a hand at the barkeep for one of his usual dark ales. "Fair enough. Easier fer the well-to-do to drop coins yer way in a bright marketplace than not."
Bracvar grins, laughing shortly. "And what's easier than taking the coins out of their pockets for spending a few days under the sea with a net? Speaking of coins, how're you managing old friend? Haven't heard any rumors of bounties since you arrived, myself."
Gareth shrugs again. "It goes as it goes, I guess. Got more than enough coin to last for a bit, but I'm startin' to consider settin' up a place of me own here, or rather... down near the shore of that bay to the southwest. It's not a long walk, and it's nice and peaceful there." He grins, "But don't go thinkin' I'm hangin' up me huntin' license, though."
Bracvar chuckles, nodding. "I've been down that way a few times, it is pretty nice if yeh don't mind the wild critters. That bay's a bit too shallow for any respectable ship, though. Some shameful wreckage near the mouth if'n you ever decide to go for a dive."
Gareth nods. "Yup, I'm aware of it. Met a very nice lass down that way not too long ago, too." He smiles a bit, "Dived down and picked out a lockbox from the wreckage before we'd even spoken, and said it was a gift from her. Friendship, and all that."
Bracvar grins under his tendrils, his uncovered eye crinkling in the expression. "Oh? A maiden of the sea brought you a gift? You're sure she wasn't a siren or mermaid, hmm?"
Gareth laughs. "Wouldn't be sittin' here talkin' with ye if it was, as ye know. I think ye know who it is, actually, since I seem to recall you mentioning her kind before."
Bracvar pauses with a tomato halfway lifted, laughing after a few moments. "Ah, you've met Sammi, then! I wasn't pulling your leg, you know. Although, it's nice to know that wasn't just a bit of madness, too."
Gareth nods. "Yer as sane as the rest o' us, Bracvar, o' that ye can be certain. I met Sammi, and she's quite the nice... uh... Old One." He idly scratches at his neck, "Though... I do find meself in a strange spot, now."
Bracvar pops the tomato into his hidden mandibles, nodding. "Of what sort? You met an Old One and received a gift, what else is there to that?"
Gareth shrugs. "Maybe it's just me, but I kind o' want to get the lass a gift in turn. She said it was fer friendship, so I figure it's only right to get somethin' fer her as well." He shakes his head, "Problem is, I've no idea what would make fer a good gift."
Bracvar nods, thinking for a few moments. "That is an idea, I suppose. Thinking about it, her gift to me was simply stories of her home... I suppose that could have been a foolish risk to ask for on my part..." He chuckles quietly, shaking his head. "A gift for a Old One... I suppose you're a little attached to your immortal soul, hm?"
Gareth chuckles and gladly grabs hold of the mug of ale as the barkeeper sets it in front of him. He nods as he takes a deep drink, then sets the mug back down. "Aye. I'm not ready to stow me gear in Davy Jones' locker yet, so somethin' a touch less integral to me, if ye've ideas o' the sort."
Bracvar laughs, raising his own tankard to drink as he thinks. "Such a strange idea, though, giving a gift to an Old One. I don't recall anyone ever wanting to do that before. Well, you know, not without wanting power or destruction in return."
Gareth smiles weakly. "Well, part o' it is just me not wantin' to incur the wrath of an Old One. I figure it'd be nice to be friends with her, but all the same, coverin' me tail doesn't seem like a bad idea as a bonus."
Bracvar nods, shrugging. "That's a good idea, no denying it. If she gave you a gift freely and without asking for anything back, perhaps a friend is the gift she want in return?"
Gareth hums. "She didn't ask fer anythin' at all. She seemed pretty happy to just have a land-dweller to chat with that didn't immediately panic." He shrugs again, "I didn't know what she was at first, other than maybe some kind o' squid-folk from her 'hair', but... she was too nice fer me to even consider panickin' about after I figured it out."
Bracvar chuckles, nodding. "That certainly sounds like the same gal. I recognized her for what she was fairly quickly, but then I suppose that's just a difference between sea and land dwellers and what we're all taught while growing." He thinks for a few moments, shrugging. "Well, I'm in Respite for a couple more days, if you decide that an object is what she'd like, yeh can peruse my crates. Even give you a discount."
Gareth nods after a few moments of thought. "Maybe I'll do that, then, if I can't come up with anythin' before that. I might just be bein' silly right now, but a gift fer a gift only feels right, here." He smiles at Bracvar, "I'll probably come and see ye anyway before ye head back to Bairnell's Folly, just to get yer opinion on whatever I do find."
Bracvar chuckles, nodding. "I'd be glad to help either way, Gareth. Apologies that I couldn't give yeh a direct answer, no idea what someone like her would like."
Gareth dips his head, a hand bracing his hat for a moment. "Thank ye kindly, Bracvar. I can't have all the answers handed to me, I s'pose, but I'll figure somethin' out." He smiles a little wryly, "If not, then I'll just have to hope Sammi just wants a friend, and not me soul or somethin' of that manner."
Bracvar laughs heartily. "If she asks for it, just tell her yeh left it on yer other ship!"
Gareth chuckles. "I'll be surprised if she even falls for that. She seems to be a sharp one."
Bracvar grins, shrugging. "Can't hurt if that's what she's determined for. Honestly, she seems like she's just lonely, but sadly I haven't had a chance to return to the waterfall."
Gareth downs another gulp of ale, then laughs. "Hah, I guess there's no harm in tryin', if she's that set on gettin' me soul. Might even get a laugh out o' her before the soul eatin' starts." He sighs as he settles into his chair a bit more, "Ahh, but yer probably right, Bracvar. If it's just a friend that she wants, all this frettin' I'm doin' over a gift won't go awry."
Bracvar nods, finishing the last of his meal, leaving only his own ale. "Not something to turn yer fur grey over, anyways. A small gift might not hurt, but don't drive yerself mad before she has the chance to."
Gareth laughs again. "Aye, ye speak true, friend. I'm still too young to be goin' grey." He shrugs after a moment, "I'm sure somethin' will pop up. If not, I can always go and ask her directly."
Bracvar blinks, letting out a single laugh. "Now that is the idea of a madman!"
Gareth gives Bracvar a bit of a look. "Well, if she just wants a friend, I'm safe to ask. If she wants me soul... well, that question would just speed the process up by a bit."
Bracvar nods, downing the rest of his ale. "I meant askin' her what she wants. She's not from the surface, I have a feeling she either wont know, or will want something obscure she's only heard a rumor of. Have you asked anyone else fer help with this, by the by?"
Gareth nods. "Me partner, Fiora. I think ye met the lass, the armor-clad giraffe? Her suggestions were... interestin', to put it nicely." He sighs and rolls his eyes as he finishes.
Bracvar chuckles, shrugging. "Aye, met her, that armor of hers is quite impressive, certainly hard to forget. Ah well, yer a clever enough gent, I'm sure things will turn out with less soul eating than expected."
Gareth smiles lopsidedly, clearly somewhat joking. "Aye, I'm sure it will. All the same, though, if there is soul eatin' involved, it was great to see ye again before the end, Bracvar."
Bracvar grins, giving a dramatic bow of his head in return. "And it was an honor knowing you, quartermaster!"
Gareth manages to look somewhat solemn for all of about two seconds before he breaks into a roaring laugh. "Ahh, yer right, though. It'll all turn out fine, and I just need to stop worryin' over it." He raises his mug and calls for a refill of Bracvar's drink, on his tab, "So, anyway... all that aside, anythin' interestin' happen to ye since we last saw each other?"
Bracvar nods in thanks for the offer of ale, finishing the last of his before continuing their conversation, telling Gareth about the spread of wares he'd picked up since Gareth's help some time before, the conversation shifting from their day-to-day doings into somewhat nostalgic stories from their regular seafaring days.