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RESPITE FALLS - JEN & EM'S APARTMENT - SOMETIME
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Jennica is laying on the bed, still feeling so small on it... perhaps smaller now that Emmeline is next to her. The kobold is not wearing anything, not wanting to have anything on her scales when there's not need. She gives a soft, happy sigh and looks up at her fr... lover. "Hey, Em?"
Emmeline is similarly nude. The hot summer weather and lingering discomfort with normal clothes after her ordeal leading her to opt for her own coat alone. Besides, all the better for cuddling up with Jennica. "Yes?" she answers.
Jennica gives a small shudder, then smiles bright: "T-this is real, right. We're really... well, whatever it is that our parents would not approve." She slowly lifts a clawed hand, resting it on top of Emmeline's sizable boob: "...t-this."
Emmeline blushes a touch and giggles. "Yes... and I think my parents could maybe be made to understand after too many long talks... if I wanted to put up with that... and more talks about grandcalves and all that..." She leans down and kisses the top of Jennica's head. "But I think I'd rather just be here with you, help you figure out how to get back to normal..."
Jennica giggles softly, nuzzling upwards: "Y-yeah. And a-actually, Strix is working on a cure. I should be back soon..." She gives her tail a lazy wag as she looks at Emmeline: "B-back to normal."
Emmeline reaches her other hand down to stroke along Jennica's tail. "That's good. I mean, you're cute like this, but not the Jennica I was dreaming about down in the... that place." She shivers a bit, still reluctant to think or talk too much about her time in the Abyss.
Jennica looks at Emmeline with concern. She whispers: "I... I'd ask what it was like, but..." She shivers, opting to kiss Emmeline on the neck instead. A tear forms in the corner of her eye, the kobold still not quite believing what she always dreamed of would be true like this. Well, mostly like this. The scales were an unexpected development. She gives a tiny giggle at the thought.
Emmeline leans down and kisses the top of Jennica's muzzle softly. "I'll tell you... when I'm ready. I'm not... this isn't going to haunt me forever. I won't let it... but just not yet..."
Jennica holds Emmeline close, nuzzling into the chest fur: "Mm, y-yeah. I would not - ask you to." She chokes a bit, her imagination possibly making things worse than they are. "We're together and that's what matters." She closes her eyes, not feeling like letting go anytime soon.
Emmeline squeezes Jennica tightly against her chest, the cow's increased strength more than evident in the embrace. "I guess... maybe some good things came out of it... I mean, I lost that pudge I was always complaining about..."
Jennica blinks, feeling around Emmeline's muscles for a bit, blushing at herself doing so, then... "...s-so does that mean I s-should not cook for you anymore?" She gives Emmeline a cheesy, sheepish grin despite her hugely turmoiling emotions.
Emmeline giggles and blushes. "Never. Even if I were a sphere, I would never want to stop eating your cooking..." She cuddles in close and nuzzles between Jennica's horns. "I'm sorry that I haven't been more... talky about things... since I got back."
Jennica blushes again at the nuzzle: "I-I mean, n-not like I'm one to talk about... well, uh, talking."
Emmeline just hugs Jennica close and leans down to kiss her on the lips, looking into her eyes. "I love you, Jennica... always have."
Jennica mms at the kiss, blushing but in that very good way. When they finally let go of the kiss after a long, long moment, the kobold whispers: "I love you, Emmeline... a-always have. I-it's kinda crazy it took this much to realize..."
Emmeline laughs happily and squeezes Jennica close. "No worrying about that now... just.. let's enjoy it." She kisses her love again, not planning on breaking this kiss any time soon.
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THE EDGE OF AEPHIX - YZZAYT'S TRANSGRESSION - EARLY EVENING
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Dyvrisse: Partway down the mountain, Dyvrisse looks back up at what used to be Yzzayt's Prominence. What once was a snow-capped mountain surrounded by lush green trees is now nothing - Literally. A crater of depressing exposed stone and burnt husks sticking up from the ground. Dyvrisse sighs, then turns back to face her estranged kin.
Usid stands nearby, having done what he could to evacuate the other people of the Prominence once the earth had begun to shake. He finds himself in a strange position now, having already turned his back on his home, yet its destruction leaves him pained. He had wanted to start anew for his clan, but not.... not like this. He nods to Dyvrisse sadly.
Dyvrisse nods back. No words need to be expressed between the two for them to know the other's pain. The complete loss of faith in Yzzayt in an instant that many of the Saur are experiencing. The most steadfast of Yzzayt's followers, those that had remained in the Prominence, have yet to be seen, leaving very few, if any, of Yzzayt's most devout to survive.
Usid sighs, turning away from the sight first. "What sin did we commit to cause this? A false Whisperer? Starting war? Usid's own betrayal. Had we fallen so far from Yzzayt's grace?" He still fully doesn't understand, or refuses to understand, the truth.
Nesseth approaches the two Chosen, having been making the rounds with the surviving members of the Prominence and Respite's guards. He's looking partially dead on his feet, exhaustion plain as day on his face, his left arm showing signs of electrical burns, and his leather armor in dire need of replacement after all the chaos within the amphitheater's depths. He waves his good arm as he approaches, and calls out. "Good... you two made it out alright."
Dyvrisse: "I. . .Do not know, Usid." Dyvrisse solemnly replies. She looks down at her own hands briefly, then reaches a hand up to her own neck to cradle it. ". . .Who am I? What does it mean to. . .Carry his gift now?" She digs her claws into her flesh, drawing blood a moment before Nesseth grabs her attention. She pulls her claw out, facing Nesseth, leaving the blood to start streaking down her front. She has no words.
Usid turns to face Nesseth as well, the raptor seemingly crushed, defeated, completely different than his usual defiance even as he fought alongside allies. "Usid cannot say if survival is blessing, or punishment... but yes, Usid yet lives."
Nesseth draws up near and comes to a stop to catch his breath. The adrenaline from earlier is wearing off now, and it's leaving his body feeling almost beyond pain. So many parts of him are clamoring for some acknowledgement and rest that he's starting to feel numb, instead. Nonetheless, he still needs to push onward until the survivors are away, wherever they decide to go. "I can't say, myself... I prefer survival, and I'm betting your clan would prefer you alive to lead them." He looks over towards the devastated Prominence, "Especially after this..."
Dyvrisse follows Nesseth's gaze back to the Prominence. "We were pawns in a game larger than us." Dyvrisse sighs. "Each thinking we had control. Was Xeilzrus just another pawn? Have all Whisperers been?" Dyvrisse philosophizes. She turns back to face Nesseth and Usid. "The Armoured one is right. The Saurs will need you, Usid."
Usid blinks, "Need... Usid? Usid is not... cannot..." He shakes his head, shoulders slumping. "...Usid does not know what to do. You are wiser than Usid, Dyvrisse."
Nesseth shakes his head a bit, and a twinge shoots through his neck as he does so. "Not just Usid... The Saurs are all going to need their clan leaders, or just folks that can help them figure out where to go from here."
Dyvrisse shakes her head as well. "Dyvrisse is no leader."
Usid takes a deep breath, pulling the dagger from his belt slowly to look at the long dried blood upon it. "Nor is Usid... but Usid has made promises. Promises to both living and dead."
Nesseth glances between the two and sighs again. "I can't know what your culture is like, but you're both respected among the Saurs. They'll likely look to you two for guidance, if not leadership."
Dyvrisse: "Will they even accept me? I bear Yzzayt's. . ." Dyvrisse looks down at her bloodied hand, frowning and then scowling at it. With bitter resentment and venom, she barely manages to get the words out, ". . .Gift."
Usid chuckles humorlessly. "As well as they have accepted Usid. Yes, and no. Doubt and hope... some will fear you, but others..." He sighs. "Usid only knows what these soldiers he has fought alongside are like. Cannot speak for the City itself... ahhh, if only Zayzzes had survived."
Nesseth raises an eyebrow at Dyvrisse. "The Saurs? They listened to you well enough when you were helping get them evacuated, so you clearly have their respect to a rather large degree." He takes a moment to stifle a pained cough, "Zayzzes... the Chosen that was charged with tainting the crops, right?"
Nesseth idly rubs his left arm, his left hand's fingers twitching a bit from a jolt of pain. "Either way... unless the Saurs have other settlements they can go to, they'll need some leaders to guide them and help settle some place new. Of course... there's always the option of settling in Respite, but..." He shrugs slightly, "If you all decide to settle somewhere else, I'm sure the town would be willing to open trade, to help out."
Dyvrisse nods. Zayzzes was iNdeed the one tainting the crops. "After what has been done to you, your people would allow that?" Dyvrisse turns to face the Saurs. "Would they even want to? Some may. . ." Dyvrisse pauses. "But. . .Others may blame your intervention for Yzzayt's Transgression."
Usid sighs. "We are divided, moreso than ever. Yzzayt no longer binds our people in purpose." He looks out towards the camps. "'What is best for Respite'? Perhaps I must lead those who wish for a new home amongst the people of the walled town, yes? If Nesseth believes they would be allowed?"
Nesseth nods a bit. "Those that want to, either now or later, are welcome. I can't speak for everyone of Respite, since we can be a slightly... fractious lot even at the best of times, but..." He offers a slightly sheepish smile, "Respite's something of a town of second chances. As for the rest... if they want to form their own settlements, new trade routes are always welcome."
Dyvrisse turns to face Usid specifically. "I cannot trust The Armoured One. Not after what happened at The Abyss."
Usid hmphs, crossing his arms. "Dyvrisse is stubborn. But Usid has already cast his lot with them. It is Usid who must work to earn their trust."
Nesseth nods at Dyvrisse. "Understandable, but that was also when we were meeting as enemies." He glances back at the Prominence, "With the Whisperer gone and the captives safe again, we don't have any more reason for waging war against you."
Dyvrisse: "Dyvrisse's actions need not be your own. If you trust, Usid, then take those that trust with you." Dvyrisse sighs, looking up to the Saur people again. "I. . .Will try with the rest."
Usid sighs, but slowly nods. "It will be difficult for us both. A hard choice, we must offer them, our people..." He glances at Dvyrisse, "Usid shall come to your aid, Dvyrisse, if ever called upon."
Nesseth hums. "And... if you and the rest feel the time is right, we're always open to trade."
Dyvrisse nods to Usid. "May. . ." She starts, then shakes her head immediately upon realizing. ". . .Be safe, Usid." She turns to Nesseth. "And you, Armoured One. It is. . .A small blessing that none more shall be hurt." She begins to walk off.
Nesseth dips his head respectfully. "And you as well, Dyvrisse. Good luck to you and those that follow, wherever you all decide to settle."
Usid nods sadly, the implications of Dyvrisse's interrupted line are not lost on him, as he quietly calls after, "Travel safe, Dyvrisse... travel safe, and find peace."