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MAY AND LOUMA'S HOSUE - LATE MORNING
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Louma has recovered from her conversation with Xochi the day before. Granted, the more pleasant direction they drove it in, coupled with May's return at the end of the day, certainly helped with that. She hasn't recovered from her poor dreams, though, last night being the first time since her return where she's been restless with May there. She looks it, a bit more tired and a little less preened than usual while she rests coiled up in the sitting room in the sunlight, lost in empty thought.
Gareth approaches the front door of the house indicated by the guards, when he heard that Louma had returned not too long ago. He's toting a cloth-wrapped spear, but otherwise is dressed about as normal as ever as he strides up to the door and doesn't waste any time before knocking.
Louma sighs quietly as her eyes open, looking toward the door. "One moment!" She finally calls out, unwinding as she makes her way over to the door. She pats her feathers a bit straighter before swinging it open, taking in the familiar wolf's familiar garb. "Oh, good morning Gareth. I didn't know you were back."
Gareth grins as Louma comes into view, seeming happy that the lesser coatl is looking about as well as can be despite her ordeal. He dips his head in greeting as he doffs his hat and tucks it under an arm. "Good mornin' to ye as well, Louma. I'd heard from some o' the guards ye'd returned not too long ago, so I thought I'd stop by fer a bit o' a visit fer a couple o' reasons."
Louma nods, bowing slighty in return greeting before backing up a bit from the door. "Yes an involuntary vacation, of a sort. Please, come inside. How was Sarn?"
Gareth hums a bit as he steps over the threshold upon being invited in. He makes no real attempts at hiding the spear, but also doesn't really do anything to draw attention to it, either. "It was an interestin' enough trip. Got paid a good chunk o' the bounty fer that device Maybelline made to throw the researchers off o' Strix's trail, so I owe ye both a cut o' that." He glances at Louma for a second, "Though... I really hope this won't ruin yer day, but... does the title of 'Inquisitor' mean anythin' to ye, by chance?"
Louma grunts, closing the door behind Gareth before crossing her arms. "Please tell me you didn't annoy them enough to send inquisitors out this way. May doesn't need that kind of attention being drawn to her generator until she's completely finished it." She eyes up Gareth, catching sight of the long package but not making much of it at the moment.
Gareth hums and shakes his head. "Nah... I don't know what all was goin' on, but I did run into one o' them. Pretty sure I was able to keep them off o' me back, but..." He sighs a bit, "Lianne was supposed to bring a warnin' just in case, but... well... all this started happenin'."
Louma settles a bit, looking aside. "Mh, she had a message? Sorry, I did speak with her, but it was while we were under the care of Usid... I suppose it wasn't important at that moment." She pauses, looking to Gareth. "She's hardy, and strong. As long as she didn't do anything reckless, the rescue will bring her back."
Gareth nods at that last statement. "Aye. I'm joinin' up with the guards to help with the rescue. I'm makin' sure she and the others come back safe." He pauses, then adjusts his stance a bit, relaxing a little, "Anyway... aye, she was supposed to just warn ye to keep an eye out fer any Sarnian Inquisitors askin' questions. Moot point now, mind, but there ye are."
Louma quietly chuckles, giving Gareth a bit of a look. "And how much is that going to cost us?"
Gareth shrugs. "Honestly, whatever ye and the others feel is fair, I guess. I've got a personal stake or two in this, so... I'm lendin' me expertise anyway. I figure I can help keep yer guards alive in a fight." He frowns just a touch, "They hurt Sammi and kidnapped Lianne. They've got some things to answer fer."
Louma nods, sighing. "I didn't know Sammi was hurt, sorry for the joke. And thank you, for the help. I would be out there as well, but I won't be recovered in time and... I couldn't do that to May. Not right after returning. There are enough talented scouts and fighters volunteering as it is."
Gareth hums in agreement. "Aye, there are a lot o' decently trained folks joinin' up fer this trip, seems like. I've been helpin' yer guards focus on bein' a bit less rigid in their fightin' styles, because I'm pretty sure the Saurs won't be so honorable." He scoffs, "Feh... attackin' a transport just to kidnap people..."
Louma nods, pauses, then nods again. "That is a good idea, actually. Thank you for looking out for them that way. And you are certainly right, honor doesn't matter to them. Only working for the glory of Yzzayt, their god. Who speaks to them. Through one specific person. Self-declared as a whisperer. See the issue?" She does hesitate as before, "Well, many of them are not interested in war or glory."
Gareth raises an eyebrow. "Self-declared, hm? Aye, get someone smooth-talkin' enough, and everyone falls into line tailin' after a crook with an ego." He lets out an amused sniff, intrigued, "Many o' them aren't in it fer the fight or whatever their leader wants, though? Ye thinkin' we can settle this peacefully?"
Louma nods slowly. "I think so... There is no avoiding more bloodshed, but I believe wiping out their village is not the final post. Xochi is going along as a negotiator. I hope she does not fail."
Gareth lifts his free hand to scratch as his head, making sure to keep his hat safely tucked against his side as he does so. "Well, if it's possible, then I'll hope we can do it that way. Keepin' it less bloody means we can keep the kidnapped folks that much safer before we get to them."
Louma smiles, nodding along. "Yes, with luck on our side we'll bring them back. Well... Not 'we'."
Gareth chuckles a bit. "Aye, maybe not ye, since yer still recoverin', and I doubt Maybelline would be happy about ye headin' out again. But, all the same... I can't imagine bein' stuck at home all day is any fun fer ye, as active a day ye usually have as a Captain, aye?"
Louma chuckles, shaking her head a bit as she uncrosses her arms, resting her palms on the coiled tail instead. "You're right. I've been rather idle. Not a whole lot to think about while I'm cooped up here."
Louma: "Well, not a lot pleasant, in any case."
Gareth nods and hums, having expected an answer to that effect. Strict bed rest is bothersome, in his experience, especially for more active folks like himself and Louma. "Well, in that case, I might have somethin' to help ye occupy yer time, and maybe keep fit."
Louma tilts her head a little, smirking. "That has been a mixed bag with you ever since we met. What do you have in mind?"
Gareth chuckles and takes a moment to thump the butt of the spear against the floor, before holding it out for Louma to take hold of. "A bit o' a workout at the trainin' grounds while Maybelline is workin' at the generator, I figure. Somethin' to keep ye occupied while most o' the guards are out west."
Louma perks up at the thump, looking at the package and lmost immdeiately realizing what he's brought. She hesitates very briefly before taking the spear from his hand, eyes widening as she immediately notes the balance. "Oh no... Again?" Her right hand shakes a little as she unwraps the weapon, looking slong it and gazing at the unique spearhead. "Ahh... What did you do this time? Do I have to give it back to it's deceased owner again?" Despite the words coming from her mouth, she's grinning as she moves the spear to feel the familiar balance.
Gareth shakes his head, slowly grinning. "Not this time, no. On the way back from Sarn, we... that is, meself, Sammi, Piper, Aelia and Phoebe, all stopped by in Xalisco fer a few days so I could pay a visit to one o' the military supply depots the Snakes maintain." He scratches his chin a bit as he gives Louma a little space to get a feel for the spear, "Luckily, the one managin' the depot didn't mind partin' with a spare spear in exchange fer a bit o' extra money."
Louma chuckles, considering the boldness. "Oh... That is good news then. I hope nobody ever links it to that poor, greedy soul." She turns toward the sitting room as she switches into her training at a breath, easily turning the snake-balanced weapon into a thrusting combination of movements, eanding by dragging her invisible target to the floor and executing the ghost, spear tip stopping to hover half an inch over the polished wood. She relaxes, the captain's smile growing by the second as she stands in a resting stance, spear upright at her side and looking at Gareth.
Gareth laughs as he watches Louma's practiced moves with the spear. "Moves like that, ye make me think ye've been secretly trainin' all this time with a spear I didn't know about." He gives her a sly grin, "Make sure yer healed up by the time we all get back from dealin' with the Saurs, Louma. I think me anticipation o' a good sparrin' session just went up."
Louma chuckles maybe a little louder than she means to. "I hate the feel, but still use a staff to keep in shape, but... 6 years of daily drills makes it as easy as breathing, I think." She nods to his statement, "And I will. I look forward to it. Thank you, Gareth, this is one hell of a gift. Again."
Gareth smiles, appreciating Louma's clear liking of the surprise gift. "Yer welcome, Louma. It's the least I could do after everythin' that happened around the other one. Don't worry about the charge, either. Consider it a fair replacement fer the one I originally got contracted to get fer ye."
Louma nods, relaxing when she realizes she's standing as if she were on guard duty. "That was... A bit of an error on my part, but thank you for replacing it. I shouldn't have pulled that contract to begin with."
Gareth shrugs. "Maybe, maybe not, but a contract is a contract, to me. The job called fer a spear, ye gave up the spear due to circumstances, so I figured I'd get ye a replacement since I was already away from Aephix. Bit o' a detour, but the bounty more than covered fer it all."
Louma nods, chuckling quietly again. "Glad I hired a bounty hunter with a possible excess of honor."
Gareth laughs and waves a hand. "Ahh... don't go gettin' the wrong idea now, Louma." His expression shifts to a wry smile, "Might have to charge ye fer makin' a false assumption. Could ruin me reputation, after all."
Louma laughs, nodding. "I'll be careful to temper my opinion of you in public, then." She looks at the spear again, sighing slightly. She's got the urge to go straight to the training grounds right now, but knows Plume would have her locked down before that sort of strain.
Gareth smiles at Louma for a few moments, then nods towards the doorway. "I'd ask if ye wanted to try it out straight away, but somethin' tells me the town's doctor wouldn't be too happy about ye maybe aggravatin' yer injuries." He gives the lesser coatl a knowing smirk, though, "O' course, I won't say anythin' if ye decide to practice a bit here in yer house. In fact..." He starts to make his way back to the door, "If ye intend to practice now, I can head out."
Louma grins at Gareth, glancing toward the door when he does. "Am I that obvious? Mh. I look forward to your return, in case we don't get a chance to speak again before you all leave." Her grin slips into a friendly smile, nodding to him. "Take care out there, Gareth."
Gareth tosses Louma a bit of a salute as he goes to take his leave, grinning over his shoulder as he goes. "I might stop by just to check in again before we leave and see if ye ended up gettin' busted by the doctor fer disregardin' orders to rest. But, just in case we head out early, take care o' yerself as well, Louma."
Louma returns the salute, watching Gareth head toward the door. Once he's stepped out, Louma stares at the spear, and indeed eventually runs through a number of standing drills. She has flashes of glee and regret over the course of the day. Glee for the gift, regret that she can't use it to retrieve her people from the saurs.
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ERIKA'S (ONCE AGAIN) GARDEN - AFTERNOON
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Erika is standing in the shade of the biggest tree, taking a breather from figuring out if there's more she can squeeze out of her garden before the Guard leave for rescue. She's more or less emptied everything from healing herbs to anything edible, but some part of her needs her to keep looking. Alone, the okapi allows herself to be a lot more visibly stressed than out on the town. The town needs her to be upbeat, and she likes to be, but...
Fiora steps into the garden, glancing around before her eyes settle on Erika. She's in her casual clothes, though rather obviously wearing her necklace. She steps forward with a cautious smile, "Hey there, uh, sis... need any help?"
Erika startles, not having expected anyone to enter. "Uip!" She turns around, her heart beating: "O-oh! Hey Sis. Sorry. Yeah, maybe."
Fiora chuckles, stepping closer to give Erika a hug, "Don't be sorry, you're kinda busting your ass, ain't you? Figured a bit of extra hands might help you before... you know."
Erika hugs back, perhaps a bit tighter than she has before. She lets go and looks up at her Sis: "W-well, maybe yeah a bit. Doing my part."
Fiora squeezes tightly in return, "We all are. And every bit of it counts." She sighs, still feeling uncertain about where they stand, but at least this feels alright. "How you holding up otherwise?"
Erika looks aside, shuddering for a bit. "D-dunno. Shaky. Scared. Can't do much else, so just getting all out of this-" she gestures at the vegetation around them: "-all." She gives a smile: "T-trying to keep cheery for others, keep the darkness away."
Fiora shifts back, nodding as she folds her arms, "Heh. That's what I do too, I suppose. Gotta keep folks smiling, right? I don't treat much seriously. But that gets a bit hard at times like this."
Erika sighs, but manages to keep her smile. "Y-yea. Lotsa folks gotten hit hard, I need to be strong for them. E-especially once you all leave and all we have here is hope."
Fiora frowns. "Some of the guards staying behind... but yeah, I getcha. I... usually don't care much for what I'm leaving behind when I go off on a hunt. This time's different for a lot of reasons. So I'm just going to do whatever it takes to bring everyone back."
Erika smiles at her Sister: "Y-yeah, I know you will. We maybe... may not know as well as we thought, but I know you want to do the right thing, whatever it takes." She lifts a hand to Fiora's shoulder: "I don't think many things want to stand against you."
Fiora chuckles, lifting her hand to place it atop Erika's, "I've made a career out of that fact. Though I doubt these saur give a crap about who Fury is. Guess if they're out to hurt folks who've never done a thing to them, then it's time they learn, though."
Erika 's smile wavers slightly: "Y-yeah. T-teach them to not do that again... like, ever."
Fiora nods, giving Erika a supportive smile. "I'm not very good at much, like being a guard... or being a sister... but at least I can fight to protect folks."
Erika glances at Fiora with a smile: "Better at both than you think, though. We haven't talked a lot lately, but there's no mistaking your fire for wanting to do things right."
Fiora smirks, "Always have... probably strayed a bit at times, but... I'd like to think I've done more good than ill."
Erika smirks slightly despite herself: "Well, at least if you've told me the truth in your letters."
Fiora laughs, "Never lied once in them."
Erika shrugs with a smile: "Well, if you say so. I will take your word." She glances around the garden: "A-anyway... not much to do here, really. I've... sorta squeezed out everything I think I can, now, without drying out my garden entirely."
Fiora hmms. "So what you're saying is... you're done. And now you need someone to make sure you get some ice cream, and some rest, hm? Cause, I can make sure of both of those things."
Erika blinks, then blushes a bit: "W-ell... maybe. It's not like really can do much... I know I like chewing on some of the roots here, but I'm pretty alone in that so no point in giving the Guard those..."
Fiora shakes her head, getting a bigger grin. "Nah, no maybe about it! You need a bit of 'you' time. And your big sister... am I the big sister? I don't even know... but I'm here for you, alright?!"
Erika sticks her long tongue out: "Technically, I think I'm older than you, but I'll let you be the big sister now. I'll be it if I have to baby you for your wounds when you come back."
Fiora giggles, "Alright. So we'll take turns? I like that. We can both be the big sis when the other one needs it."
Erika pokes Fiora on the shoulder: "Works for me." She giggles: "Also ice cream. That works. And I really really hope we're not out of that yet in this town..."
Fiora shrugs, "Eh, we'll find something. I'm pretty sure they've still got some though. If not, we'll make our own! Like uh, metaphorically. In the 'live gives you lemons, you make lemon flavored ice cream' kinda sense."
Erika giggles, letting her hand down. "Something like that. I dunno! We'll work it out. Gotta do something to distract... I dunno, probably both of us."
Fiora lowers her arms as well. "Probably both of us, yeah. Not doing anyone any good working ourselves to the bone. Keeping spirits high includes yours too, sis."
Erika shrugs, spreading her hands: "Yeah, maybe probably does." She then gets a sly smirk on her face: "So... the bounty hunter tamed the grumpy elephant. How did that happen?"
Fiora snorts, albiet with a bit of a blush, "Or did the grumpy elephant tame the shy bounty hunter, hm? I guess I'll just tell you and let you decide..."
Erika perks up, her smile perhaps not entirely innocent: "I'm all ears."
Fiora starts walking with Erika out away from the garden, "Heh. I'm sure... well... I kinda... suck at this." She motions between them. "Talking to folks.... making connections... you know... that thing you seem to do so effortlessly..." There's a tiny bit of jealousy in that statement as she looks at Erika, "But anyways, Brun apparently was sorta attracted to me, and just blurted it out. And I, like any sane person, punched a wall..." She sighs. "Honestly, Brunilda was just really persistent. And she's strong, and nice, and fun to be around. Eventually I just opened up to her and let her get close. It's been rocky but we're both pretty stubborn. We're making it work so far."
Erika smiles, genuinely and warmly: "I'm happy for you. You deserve someone truthful, and... I'm not sure if Brunilda is even capable of lying. That elephant is like an open book when you talk to her." She pauses, musing: "...if a bit grumpy."
Fiora laughs a little, thinking of waking up alongside Brun this morning, "I don't know, she's not that grumpy around me."
Erika prods Fiora's shoulder as the two walk: "Hehe, perhaps." She pauses: "...punched a wall? Granted, uh... I'm not sure I was that sane with Cavro either."
Fiora looks away a bit embarrassed, "I was... not terribly happy with how things were going and still... grieving. Not my proudest moment."
Erika steps in front of Fiora, stopping their walking: "None of that. I will not have my Big Sis go down that route today. You're with Brunilda, you're happy, that's all that matters."
Fiora pauses, blinking down at Erika before her expression softens. "Hey, just tellin' you the truth! But yeah... I am... and I am happy. I'm happy to have my sis too."
Erika gives Fiora a brief hug, smiling brightly: "Good! Cause you've been more upbeat lately, even with all that's going on, so Brunilda must be doing something right..."
Fiora grins, "Been accepting, and loving, and kind... not quite so grumpy to me at least. We'll be watching one another's backs so you don't have to worry about me so much too."
Erika smiles, then winks: "Good to hear. I don't like worrying about you, even when I don't really need to."
Fiora chuckles. "Nope. You don't." She grins, "Though I'm guessing it won't stop you. I know it won't stop me." She gives Erika a playful punch and keeps walking.
Erika holds her shoulder for a second: "Hey!" She steps up to follow Fiora: "I worry exactly the right amount!"
Fiora nods absently, "Uh-huh. Sure you do. The perfect amount, hm?"
Erika nods sharply: "Yes!" She hesitates: "...well, mostly. Sometimes too much. Maybe."
Fiora sticks her tongue out, "If it makes you feel any better, yeah... me too."
Erika smiles at her Sister: "Yeah. We're both bad at this. Or good at this?"
Fiora nods. "We're both something at it, that's for sure. But at least we can be something at it together?"
Erika giggles: "I reckon we can be. Although I'll leave the fighting to you."
Fiora: "And I'll leave the gardening to you. Well, I mean, I'll help if you need it... but you know."
Erika smirks: "I may yet have need of your axe again, even if Melia keeps her hands off of my place from now on."
Fiora gives a mock salute, "It's at your command, Sis! Once I'm back, I'll continue to help you get the garden in line."
Erika chuckles softly, shaking her head: "And you better be back. There will be no hugs or ice cream if you end up getting killed." Her smile wanes entirely upon saying that, looking hopefully with a bit of dread at her Big Sis.
Fiora grabs Erika into a tight hug, "Well, I like all of those things way too much to end up dead. I've faced worse than any saur can throw at me. So I'll be back. That's a promise."
Erika hugs tightly, not hiding her sniffling this time. "Please." She whispers.
Fiora pulls Erika into the hug closer, emotion creeping into her voice as well, a flash through her mind to the last thing she said to her Mom, words that were very, very different than what she's saying now to Erika. "I promise. I'll be back."
Erika sniffs, then after a long moment lets go enough to look up with a teary-eyed smile: "S-so... about that ice cream. R-right?"
Fiora smiles back, "R-right. I think we both need it."
Erika gives Fiora one last squeeze before letting go: "Yup."
Fiora returns that squeeze, smiling at Erika before they turn the topic to other lesser gossip and strangeness as they go to get an ice cream, and just spend the night being normal sisters.