----------------------------------------------
RESPITE FALLS - EASTERN GATE - MIDDAY
----------------------------------------------
Nesseth stands guard upon the raised platform next to the town's eastern gate, his crossbow unholstered and ready to fire if anything hostile happens to appear. However, being the eastern gate and on the opposite end from the side leading to the desert, it's been decidedly boring all morning, and he yawns as he tries to keep himself from dozing in the warm sunlight...
Narrator: In the distance, through the sparse brush on the path, a figure appears. Though disorganized, it moves with a purpose, their stumbling rather haste and quick. As they get closer, more detail is revealed. A pale white fleshy tone highlighted by a blue victorian style dress - Both marred by dirt, sand and blood.
Narrator: Closer still, a few holes puncture the blue dress and white flesh of the evidently feminine stranger, with haphazard deeply red-soaked bandages applied in an attempt to stop the bleeding. And in those slightly webbed hands of hers? A suitcase, not spared the grime of the one who holds it, though otherwise undamaged. Soon, she is within range of the guard at the eastern gate.
Nesseth blinks and squints as he catches sight of somebody walking towards the gate with an unsteady gait. Now alert for any trouble, he walks over to the edge of the platform to continue watching the figure as they get closer, though his eyes scan around the open land between the two occasionally for anything amiss. The moment he sees the blood and bandages on the person's form, however, he slings his bow and leaps down to the ground, darting towards the figure as only an experienced hunter could. "H-hey, hey!"
Narrator: The stranger, a stingray, perhaps out of her depth in the savannah, even if not necessarily far from home. She focuses on the lizard guard, though despite her pained expression, it still manages to convey her resolve. Wounded as she is, she is determined to stay alive. Perhaps that very determination is what has allowed her to reach this town. She says nothing as the figure approaches, though she does stop moving.
Nesseth draws close, sliding to a stop a respectable distance away. He takes a moment to catch his breath, looking over the female stingray with equal parts concern and curiosity. "Uh, m-ma'am! We need to get you to the doctor, and quickly. What in the world happened...? We didn't get any reports of bandits on the road from Bairnell..." He extends a hand, palm up, in an offer to help her if she requires assistance.
Lianne Sparr: "Yes. Please. A doctor would be much appreciated." The stingray lady explains through pained breaths. "Perhaps I might be so bold, then, as to make the first report of bandits on the road." Despite clearly having enough energy for sarcastic wit, she extends her free, partially webbed hand to the guard's. "Thank you. They shot me up real good." She offers a smile.
Nesseth manages a chuckle at the witty remark, though his smile is quite marred with worry as he gently grasps her hand and starts to lead the way back to the gate at a moderate pace. He calls out to the other guard stationed at the gate to send word to the captain about bandits on the road before looking back over at the new arrival. "Well... you seem to be holding up well enough for the moment with that wit, but... let me know if you're starting to feel faint or anything." He shakes his head as he gestures at the wounds, "I don't want to aggravate those further by carrying you unless it's urgent... though, if you need help with your suitcase?"
Liann Sparre: "Oh, no. Terrible business as those ruffians may have been, I will not be reduced to being unable to carry my own luggage, though I do thank you for being such a gentleman. My name is Lianne." Lianne smiles, beginning to move along with the guard's pace.
Nesseth hums and nods, the various frills along his neck flexing and relaxing a little in relief. One of the town's reserve guards sweeps past the duo as he leads Lianne through the gate, moving to take up a position at the gate for the time being. "Good to meet you, Lianne. I'm Nesseth, one of the town's guards. Whatever happened out there, you'll be safe here and in good hands with the town's doctor."
Lianne Sparr: "A pleasure, Nesseth. As I am sure you can imagine, your assurance is of great relief." Lianne replies. "Besides, it would be simply embarrassing to die now." She chuckles, though it's nervous. She's maintaining high spirits for her own sake, lest she think about the grim possibility of succumbing to her wounds.
Nesseth manages an easier smile and another chuckle as he continues to lead the way through the main eastern street of Respite. The two draw some occasional looks of concern from passersby, but the folks seem largely at ease from the fact Lianne is being led by a guard, and that she's also coherent and upright despite her injuries. "Well, you won't have to suffer that sort of embarrassment if Plume, the town doctor, has any say on the matter. They'll fix you right up, though you might be stuck in the clinic for a couple of days, at least."
Lianne Sparr: "Being stuck in the clinic is certainly better than the alternative, wouldn't you agree?" Lianne takes note of the onlookers, seeming to resent it, frowning some. "Mm. . .This is not the first impression I had envisioned making on this quaint little town. How uncouth it is to be covered in my own blood." Or any blood in general, really.
Nesseth shakes his head a bit. "Hardly uncouth, Lianne. Better alive and bleeding than not." He glances around, noting the stares, and takes a turn down a side street to spare Lianne the looks, "And don't mind the folks... I think they're just worried. Everyone kind of watches out for each other to some extent, here."
Lianne Sparr nods her head in approval. Better alive indeed. "Of course, though it is that worry that I in turn I am worried about. Assuming I recover, I do not wish to have people asking me if I'm alright and potentially treating me differently. . .Though it is nice that you folk watch out for one another. I suppose that is the value of a smaller, closer-knit community."
Nesseth smiles again, though he glances up as a long, serpentine shadow flies overhead, quickly followed by a few guards clanking by on the street, huffing and puffing in their full gear. He guides Lianne to the side for a moment to let them pass, then continues guiding her towards the clinic. "It's nice and relaxed here, yeah... I'm sure folks will leave it be after you recover, though. They won't impose unless you're in clear need of help."
Lianne's gaze follows Nesseth's to catch the shadow. Combined with the commotion and being ushered to the side, Lianne is prompted to ask once they continue moving, "What was all that about?"
Nesseth looks back over his shoulder for a moment as the guards on foot turn the corner and vanish from view. "That was Captain Louma and some of the regulars. They're taking immediate action to scout the road for those bandits and deal with them before they cause any more problems." He looks towards the bandages on Lianne, "One incident is more than enough, after all."
Lianna Sparr: "Mobilizing an entire unit because of me? I'm touched." Lianne chuckles, though she knows that there's potential for others to be hurt. "It is good to see that your captain takes the safety of the roads and his town so seriously. Even with the proof all over my body-" LianneSparr begins to comment, noting Nesseth's gaze on her bandages, "-I scarcely expected the report of one individual to cause such a commotion."
Nesseth chuckles quietly as he turns back onto the main road, the clinic now in sight a bit down the street. "Well... with our only lifeline being the road back to Bairnell's Foothold, any bandit report is taken seriously. Ships can't land anywhere closer to deliver supplies, so the road has to be really secure for caravans."
Lianne Sparr nods. "Yeah, that makes sense. Don't suppose I'm allowed to repay the favour if they find them?" Lianne chuckles, in mock hope.
Nesseth smiles as the two draw up to the front of the clinic. "Depends on if you recover fast enough to set out and find the captain and her team before they find the bandits. If you're good in a fight, the captain might be willing to let you join up." He gives Lianne a bit of a closer look for a moment as he finally releases her hand and turns to face her, "Anyway... here we are, Lianne, Doc Plume's clinic. I think they might be taking lunch at the moment, but they should be able to see you pretty quickly."
Lianne Sparr: "Ah, a spot of revenge would be nice. . ." Lianne briefly fantasizes. "But it's probably better for me to stay in town and rest." She sighs. Fantasy ruined. The closer look reveals that Lianne is still clutching her suitcase tightly. "Thank you kindly, Nesseth. Let me buy you a drink once I've recovered." Lianne smiles.
Nesseth dips his head gratefully. "I'd be happy to accept, Lianne, thank you. Speaking of, if you're looking for good food and drink once you're better, there's a tavern near the center square called the Thirsty Minnow. It also has rooms to rent on the second floor if you need a place to stay."
Lianne Sparr: "Good to know, as I will most certainly be needing a room. Until then, Nesseth." Lianne farewells with a weak bow.
Nesseth hums dips into a courteous bow in turn, then waves as he turns to head back to the gate to relieve the reserve guard. "Until then, Lianne. Take care."