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RESPITE NORTH GATE - MORNING
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Narrator: A caravan rolls into town a few hours after sunset, a half-half mix of carriages and merchant carts, accompanied by a couple more guards than usual. They're allowed to pass the gate without much hassle, though the guards on the wall seem to stiffen their greeting salute a bit more. minutes later the line of carts break off and stop along the sides of the road, allowing folks to rest and stretch from their journey.
Louma pushes open the back door of the comfortable carriage she and May had opted to rent for the trip back, nothing luxurious or particularly private other than the thin curtains, but certainly acceptable. She would wait to hold the door for Maybelline, but the driver has taken over the task after a bit of stretching.
Maybelline follows Louma out of the carriage, stretching a little bit as well after the relatively peaceful journey back. She glances towards the familiar walls and hums, "Ah, home already?"
Louma chuckles quietly, letting out a strained sigh as she straightens her entire length and wings out, stretching out the jumps and jostles of the road. She finally gasps a bit and relaxes into a more standard snake-wave rest. "Mhmm... A little surprised we had so much good weather. Also helped that you booked us on that magitech powered ship."
Maybelline chuckles, "That's most of the sea traffic out of Policaster to Bairnell's... not a lot of other choices unless we wanted to travel back down to Lynpool. But I suppose we've been gone long enough."
Louma smiles at May, nodding. "I suppose that is true. Taking that ship saved us more than just some sailing time, then." She turns to the cart that was following behind their carriage, slithering up to the side of it to retrieve their belongings. "I did enjoy our trip, sweets. In fact, I can promise I will never forget it. I hope it was everything you wanted~"
Maybelline follows, grinning, "What I wanted out of the trip was for you to have fun, and get a chance to really realax. Getting to share all the little things I did growing up and going to school was just a bonus. So... yeah, I got everything I wanted and more, scoops."
Louma giggles, hauling their luggage out and setting it on her tail with the straps draped to either side, but undone. She turns back to the cart, shifting a protective board from the side and drawing her spear from the spot. "It was the best time I've had in well over a decade, May. Thank you for it."
Maybelline watches as Louma handles their baggage. "Me too... we'll have to do it again in the future, back to Sarn, or somewhere else. Anywhere else. Exploring the world, side by side!"
Louma smiles at May, bending to give her a quick kiss. She takes the moment to loosely buckle the luggage in place. "I would love to go anywhere with you by my side. That said, perhaps we should at least check in on our responsibilities before planning our next trip, hmm?"
Maybelline giggles, "Town isn't burnt to the ground or exploded. We're probably fine." She sighs dramatically, "Ahhhh, but I suppose you're right. Besides, being back on my old campus gave me some inspiration on a few projects to play with. And I wouldn't want Brunilda to be stressed any longer than need be."
Louma tuts May before chuckling. "I look forward to what you get working on now that you have all your tools back in hand, my dear." She sighs a bit lightly. "I suppose I'll have to suffer you returning home late at night when you're busy." She starts slithering along the road, heading in the general direction of their home.
Maybelline giggles, "I promise not to stay too late without good reason. I may have two loves in my life, but my work can't compete with you, dear~"
Louma blushes, swaying a little. "You spoil me with such sweet words. I also promise not to stay too late. I'm sure there's quite a mess for me to deal with at the barracks. Hopefully Brun was able to keep Oikonny from making too much of a mess."
Maybelline walks alongside, looking up at Louma lovingly, "I have confidence that you'll have things back in shape in no time. And if not, well, I can promise a massage everynight to help you deal with any renewed stress."
Louma hums, scratching her chin, nodding, and smiling down at May. "Yes, giving you a nightly massage would indeed greatly reduce my stress, good thinking~"
Maybelline blushes, "See, I think you spoil me. But we can do it either way. Or both."
Louma gives May a loving look, nodding. "Both is good~"
Maybelline leans up to give Louma a peck. "Both is very good~" She hums, thinking. "You know... I've heard people say the best part of coming home vacation is getting to sleep in your own bed again. But I got to curl up on you the whole trip~"
Louma giggles, blushing a little at the peck. "You're right, you got to take your bed along everywhere. I must make taking impromptu naps very convenient. Suppose many girlfriends can't add that to their resume."
Maybelline: "Convenient and cozy, and wonderful to be with, yes. I just hope you don't need to keep that resume up-to-date. I'd like to think you won't need it any longer."
Louma grins, nodding. "I have it for reference only." She kisses May, holding her hand. "I'll never need to submit it ever again with you by me. I love you, May. Travelling or here, working or cuddling, I look forward to spending the rest of my days with you."
Maybelline kisses back, and gives Louma's hand a squeeze as they continue towards home. "Same. I love you too, Louma. You've become home for me, family, and more."