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YZZAYT'S TRANSGRESSION - EARLY MORNING - JUST BEFORE SUNRISE
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Aerdrid flies along on some well-traveled jetstreams high above the land, needing nothing more than his memory and sense of direction to fly where he needs to. It's been about a week since he'd set out from the Saur encampment, having had some time to meet with others from his clan... the survivors, before setting off on his journey to see the Prominence, despite both Xochi and his clanmates saying he probably shouldn't.
Aerdrid settles into a glide as his senses tell him he's close to the Prominence at this point, eventually slipping out of the pull of the jetstream in order to start his descent to the ground far below. As he descends, the lands slowly brighten as the sun begins to peek over the horizon, though his height above the ground meant that he'd been soaking in the sun's early morning rays for a while already.
Narrator: As the sun illuminates the land below, the true scope of Yzzayt's awakening comes into view. The Prominence, what was once a sprawling settlement for all of the Saurs... has been reduced to little more than a giant crater where the mountain once stood. Part of the mountain remains near the edge of the crater, but landslides over the last few weeks have already eroded the slopes , leaving the landscape much more empty than it once was.
Aerdrid nearly loses his loft and drops several dozen yards before he can get the air under his wings again, just out of sheer shock. When he lands near the remains of the main road leading up to where the Prominence's gate was, he lands rather hard, his eyes wide as he stares blindly at the ragged edges of the upturned rock bordering the crater.
Aerdrid manages to get the strength back in his legs again as he slowly pushes himself up onto his feet, then makes his way up the road towards the rocks that mark the abrupt end of the trail. Careful to find a stable vantage point, he climbs up onto a particularly large rock and gets his first look at the crater stretching out before him.
Aerdrid stares out at the crater, what was once his home as well as that of numerous other Saurs, a number of which are undoubtedly buried under the shattered rocks and soil within the crater now. Several silent seconds pass before his legs give out and he falls to his knees, still staring dumbly out at the devastation.
Narrator: Out in the distance, the only marks that remain of the crater being the actual sight of the Prominence are the ragged scraps of fabric and worked wood that stick out from under stones and dirt here and there, the only remnants of homes and shops where the Saurs lived their lives.
Aerdrid scans around slowly, just trying (and largely failing) to take in the scale of the destruction Yzzayt, the god of their beliefs, wrought on their home. Each time he spots a bit of fabric or worked wood, he feels a spike through his chest, but it's not until he looks towards the section of the Prominence where his own clan largely lived and sees much the same destruction that he breaks. His face screwing up against the welling of burning emotion, he leans forward, hunching over as he rests his arms against the stone and bows his head down between them. It's all he can do at the moment to not completely lose it.
Aerdrid spends the next while in this position, such that by the time he manages to rein in his emotions again, the sun has already risen a fair bit up into the sky. Towards the tail end of his silent turmoil, he'd made a decision, and it's that decision that changed his mourning into a grim sort of determination. Grief-stricken he may still be, but he's decided that he at least owes it to his fallen brothers and sisters to properly honor their loss. He spares his outfit, the only piece of clothing he has to his name at this point, the smallest of glances, but shakes his head as he slowly stands back up and sets about clearing a large section of the road. After all, what's one bit of clothing against the loss of so many?
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LATER THAT AFTERNOON
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Aerdrid sighs to himself, looking far more scuffed and ruffled than he did upon arriving at the Prominence earlier that morning. He's sporting numerous scrapes and scratches now, mostly along his arms and legs, and his clothing is now a bit more tattered than before, but he's managed to set up a decent shrine of sorts out of the stones scattered all around. It wasn't easy work in the least, but it was made simpler with that burning desire to do something for the fallen who did not make it out just by sheer chance and bad luck.
Aerdrid dusts his hands off a bit as he takes a step back from the shrine to observe it, his muscles screaming at him for rest after a full day of work, broken only by the need for nourishment and other bodily needs. He takes no satisfaction of a job well done at the result of his work, but he does at least find some peace in honoring the fallen through the sacrifice of his own blood, sweat, tears and hard labor. As the sun sets, the fiery orb positioning itself nicely behind the shrine as he'd planned, he slowly kneels again and bows his head, offering prayers not to Yzzayt, but to the souls of those that were lost. Though he doesn't realize it immediately, he finds himself also praying for those who died during the conflict, no matter the side they were on, nor their standing within the Saur community.
Aerdrid: ((combine))
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RESPITE BARRACKS - EARLY MORNING
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Louma arrived earlier than usual, which in itself required her to wake up even earlier than that to part ways with May for the day. Despite the usual tower of papers on the desk, she seems in a rather uplifted mood. Not strange, considering all the recent festivities, really. She lays out her quill and a few reams of paper, starting in on some slightly different documents.
Brunilda arrives some time later, her mood still more 'tired' than anything else. Possibly should not have stayed quite so late talking with Gareth, in hindsight. She has also learned just how hard it is to leave your lover's side in the morning, something she did not quite predict getting into all this. She gives the office door her typical one knock, then opens the door with a smile. "Morning, Cap'n."
Louma smiles back at Brun, delayed in looking up by finishing the line she's on. "Good morning, Brunilda! How has your morning been?" Her voice is almost chipper, though she's still keeping a bit of a stiff facade. It's practically automatic with the uniform, only eroded a little bit by events of the past year or so.
Brunilda gives Louma a bit of a look at the chipper voice: "Mm... tired, mostly. Not sure I'm yet awake." She's in her under-armor clothes as typical; not really uniform, but official enough to say 'guard', one out of view for the moment anyway.
Louma nods, returning to her work for the moment. "Well, please don't take your time. May did tell me she plans on running through a few things about the generator with you this afternoon. I plan on getting us out of the office well before lunch, for that."
Brunilda mm's as she sits down at her desk, before the words register: "She said that? I guess it'd be about time for that, yeah." She gives Louma a questioning look: "So we do not have a lot to go through this morning, then?"
Louma taps the stack of reports, which is just as tall as usual. "Still eighty-some pages to go through. Sorry, I haven't started ahead of your arrival." She sighs, shrugging. "I do hope the work at the generator wont be too much for you, I wouldn't want you stressed too much after your hard work."
Brunilda shrugs with a lopsided smile: "I mean, I mostly know what I am doing down there, anyway. Need to be there, there more, but it's not complicated." She pauses: "Well, for me."
Louma chuckles, nodding along. "That is true, I have been really impressed by your progress with magitech, Brunilda. So has May, which is of course how I know you've been doing so well in that." She looks to Brun with a warm smile. "Good work, I'm proud of you."
Brunilda shrugs again: "It's just what I do, what I can pick up." She glances aside: "Not sure if it's anything to be that proud of, but I like to help where I can."
Louma sighs. "Absolutely something to be proud of. I do like that you haven't let yourself get an ego about it, though."
Brunilda chuckles: "Me, ego?"
Louma grins, nodding. I know, crazy thing to think, hm?"
Brunilda leans back slightly: "Kinda is. I'm not worth all that much, just sort of here when needed."
Louma: "That does make you quite reliable. Speaking of being here, I do still need you to come into the barracks while May and I are gone. I hope you can manage to pop in each Thursday morning, just to keep Oikonny on track. Not that I don't trust him, but let's say I trust you with this a little more."
Brunilda starts to nod, then blinks: "...just each Thursday? You don't need me to do more?"
Louma looks to Brunilda, tilting her head a little bit. "Well, probably not? I will leave it up to you if you think he needs more help. You... Didn't think I was going to make you keep up this full workload and run the generator, did you?"
Brunilda looks at bit startled, then slowly nods: "I uh... yeah. I did?"
Louma puts on a hurt expression, reeling back a bit with her hand on her chest. "Brunilda! I can not believe you think I would be so cruel!"
Brunilda pauses, then looks down: "I g-guess... s-sorry."
Louma holds the look for a few seconds longer before laughing. "I'm joking, dear, though I should have been more clear before. I think I assumed not directly asking you to take over the full shift would have been enough."
Brunilda doesn't look back up, though she is relieved. Confused, perhaps, at her workload not being quite so crazy as she thought it would be. "Mmm... m-maybe I'm just used to... something else." She lets out a deep sigh.
Louma blinks, her smile slipping a little. "What's that, Brunilda?"
Brunilda shakes her head slightly. "Nevermind. Thank you, Louma."
Louma hums, nodding. "I will not pry, then. Thank you, as well, for all your hard work until now." She starts back in on her paperwork.
Brunilda starts on her paperwork as well, but after a moment her thoughts wander to the surface anyway: "Just... guess I am too quick to assume I'd be the punching bag, the grunt work." Her voice is quiet and somewhat hurt.
Louma looks back up to Brun, pausing before she replies. "I suppose you do. I do hope that you will trust me to not abuse our working relationship, though I suppose I can not promise I will never issue an order you don't agree with."
Brunilda finally looks up and gives the smallest of smiles: "...thank you."
Louma smiles back, nodding. "Let's get this done, hm? If we finish up early enough, I'll even treat you to an early lunch."
Brunilda sighs, then nods though she's still smiling: "Yeah. Let's do that."
Louma returns to her document, detailing the final version of instructions for Oikonny's stint in the office. She and Brun rocket through the reports, driven by the knowledge it's the last that either of them will have to deal fully with for a good amount of time. The rest of their morning together is completely agreeable, from Louma's view at least.
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RESPITE FALLS - BELL GLADE PARK - AFTERNOON
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Maybelline sits at one of the benches in the little park set up in the southwest part of town. It's not much, just a little playground for some kids, and some benches set up around a little pond with a cute water feature, but it's cozy and nice for taking a break in the growing summer heat. May's dressed in some summer shorts and a light tee, with a wide brimmed hat she recently picked up to give her some shade while she waits on her friend.
Annika comes up, waving to May. She's in a sundress, with little ribbons tied up in her tails. The dress is modest enough, though perhaps a touch less so than she had gone with in the past. She's got someone to show off to after all! "Hey! How are things?" She settles into the bench next to her "Keeping well?" She gives her a quick hug.
Maybelline leans over to return the hug from her seat, giggling just a touch, "Very well! And you're looking awfully cute, I hope everything's been going well for you too."
Annika: "Yeah. Everything is pretty smooth sailing at work, and at home" She settles back herself "You're looking pretty upbeat too! So, how is the May Days going?"
Maybelline leans back in the bench, folding her hands onto her lap. "Things finally getting back to something like normal, and I'm going to be heading out of town for a few weeks. So, I might be getting just a little bit excited! I'll be pretty literally hoping for smooth sailing soon!"
Annika: "Oh! That's great. Going for a holiday or something?" She nudges May's side playfully "You and Louma then?"
Maybelline blushes at Annika's poke, but nods in affirmation, "Maybe~. She's had a rough time of things... I want to help her take some time to really, actually relax. So... a holiday back home to Sarn. Well, my old home, anyways."
Annika: "Yeah, all that..well, everything" She nods with sympathy "Some time away might do some good alright. Who's going to be minding the generator in the meantime?"
Maybelline: "Brunilda. I mean, it's basically set to run itself for the next fifteen years if no one touches, but there's still upkeep around town, but I trust Brunilda can handle it. She's been a fast learner, and super dedicated to boot."
Annika: "Oh! That's good! Be good practice for her to, I imagine"
Maybelline chuckles, "Maybe that was my ulterior motive too. She needs a little self-confidence in her own abilities. Or... maybe that's just how I'm justifying the vacation time."
Annika: "You don't need to justify yourself! You've earned it"
Maybelline: "Oh, I guess I know that. Feels a little selfish, but... I guess it's okay to be a little selfish sometimes, right?"
Annika: "Exactly! I'm selfish all the time!"
Maybelline prods Annika back playfully, "Is that so? That's where all the tails have come from right? You got selfish and started hoarding all the cute for yourself?"
Annika giggles at the poke "Hey! You've got some of it, and I've been trying to give more to Victoria, or well..draw out the inner cute!"
Annika: "Soon, soon I shall make her the cutest in all the land!" She gives a decent sounding evil laugh
Maybelline giggles, "Victoria? She's with the Guard right? I'm pretty sure I've heard Louma talk about her. And draw out her 'inner cute', eh?" She sticks her tongue out, "Maybe it's for the best we didn't try and date. I don't know if I've got enough inner cute to handle your plots."
Annika pokes her nose "You have more than enough! You've also got lots of outer cute! Sorry I never uh..took you up on that I just.." She shrugs "Well, I wasn't really thinking about that sort of thing, and.." She sighs "Coming off a bunch of bad stuff personally"
Maybelline chuckles, shaking her head. "Hey, don't worry about it. I mean, really don't. I mean, it sucked at the time... but if you hadn't turned me down, I'd have never given Louma a chance. Maybe I can't say 'we're together because of you', but... I'd let you say it if you want to. Besides, you're still my best friend."
Annika gives her another hug "Yeah, It all worked out, and I've got Victoria as well!" She giggles "Besides, the two of us together might have been -too- cute"
Maybelline hugs back, humming to herself. "Hmmm. Maybe you're right. You're looking to make Victoria the cutest in all the land, but if it had been the two of us, it would be a catastrophic cute-ness redundancy! Each of us cycling back on one another's cute until... well, who knows?! Disaster!"
Annika: "Exactly! Victoria's rugged good lucks and fierceness make a wonderful, yet safe combination!"
Maybelline: "It would adequately temper the cuteness ratio into safe levels. I honestly never should have doubted your skills in this." She giggles, slowly trailing off. "I do want you two to be happy. If there's anything I can do to help, you know where to find me. Er... after our vacation, of course."
Annika gives her a hug, her tails fluffing up behind her back "Of course! I wouldn't hesitate for a moment!" She took the time of the hug to sneakily wrap a ribbon around May's tail!
Maybelline returns the hug once again, quite happy that her friend is so happy, and not noticing the ribbon being attached to her at all... "Good. I mean, what else are friends for?" Her smile drops slightly, and she tilts her head at Annika, half-serious, "Um, no really, if there's anything else friends are for, just let me know. It's all still kinda new."
Annika: "Oh, not to worry. I will" Nodnod "You enjoy your break! Bring me back something nice, okay?"
Maybelline grins, "Souvenirs from Sarn! You got it. I know where I can get some pretty amazing fudge..."
Annika: "Ooh..Fudge!"
Maybelline nods eagerly, "I mean, I've never been to Vamas or Orela, but Sarn has the best Fudge that I've ever tasted. Taffy too! And I swear that this vacation isn't just an excuse to load up on my favorite candies from back home. Honest."