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THE ROAD BETWEEN RESPITE AND BAIRNELL - EARLY EVENING
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Maxime leaned on her sword as she looked out over the caravan, before turning her attention to the surroundings. The feline was fairly reserved throughout the trip, though now she was restless, having stopped even briefly to rest made her jittery, and she went back to pacing. Still, she did good work. She was attentive, and she was good with the blade. The sword was the size of a broadsword relative to her size, and she wielded it like it was far lighter. The assumption being that she was 'cheating' in some fashion. Not that uncommon for minor supernatural abilities to be present in guard work. For now though, she just paced back and forth. Back and forth. It wasn't meant to be like this. Everything was meant to have just worked out. Stop. Maxime takes a breath, clears her mind, and forces herself back into the camp proper. She's meant to be on break. Stop. Relax. Eat.
Enver is seated near the campfire, listening to one of the other guards tell a story of some exaggerated fight in the past. The mongoose had been in Bairnell's Foothold for a few weeks to entertain at the Winter Solstice Festival, and then had stayed on until the price of a seat on a caravan home became more affordable. While the money had been good, Bairnell just wasn't as friendly a place as Respite was.
Maxime sits down next to the campfire with a soft sigh, and looks to Enver a moment. Had they spoken early in the trip..no? Still, something oddly familiar. She brushes it off, and goes to the pot to serve herself further, glancing over. That's bugging her now. She should know. Wait. Of course. he must be one of Her friends. She should avoid him, but..no..that would just be admitting there was a problem. She just tries to ignore Enver, but she can't help herself. She keeps stealing small little glances, trying remem-Forget what he was like. Forget. That's all behind her.
Enver doesn't notice Maxime at first, being caught up in the story for the moment, but as it ends and idle chit chat resumes, he can't help but feel her eyes on him. He glances back her way, but doesn't seem to recognize her. Her braids look a little like... no, that's a silly thought. His focus shifts back to the speaker as a new story begins, this from one of the travelling merchants about something that happened out at sea once.
Maxime was rather stuck in her own mind and thoughts. Enver's presence was ..annoying. She had hoped leaving the town would be enough, but no..it wouldn't. She looked back again, before trying to focus on her food. Stupid food. Why would she even need to eat it? Enver. She knows his name. Damnit. She looks again, before focusing further on the food..which wasn't working. Instead she turned to her sword, and focused on that taking out a small kit to polish it. Not that it needed anything like that. She'd taken it with her when she escaped. It wasn't real enough to get dirty, or rust, or dull. Maybe if she just looked down, and away, next time she looked up, he'd be gone...
Enver feels the cat guard's eyes on him again. He gets up and moves closer to her, but not too close considering the size of the weapon she's polishing. He crouches down a couple of metres away and whispers to her. "Forgive me, ma'am, but have we met? I saw so many new people in Bairnell. If we chatted and I've forgotten, I'm sorry."
Maxime looks up, and seems annoyed that he's talking. Not at him. It's that sort of directionless annoyance that can't be laid at anyone's feet. It's not his fault She knew him after all "No. We've never met" She's avoiding eye contact "The first time I ever saw you was today. You're just making me think of someone from my own past" There was something awkward about her speech, stepping around a topic "I'm sorry that I keep glancing over. It's not your fault, and I can't blame you" That's the annoying thing. She clearly wants to get angry at him, but that wouldn't be Right.
Enver takes in her answer and blinks. "Oh, I'm sorry... I know it can be hard being reminded of folks you miss... and us slinky types aren't the most common. I'm happy to listen if you'd like to tell me about your friend, though..." Clearly this kitty is troubled and just needs someone to talk to, or so Enver's thinking goes, at the very least.
Maxime: "I don't really want to talk about it" That's a damn lie "..But you're here now. You were listening to stories before, so.." She looks into the campfire "I've spent a long time locked up. For something that wasn't my fault. I only got out recently, so I'm trying to put a life together..I was only a kid really, when it happened. You..you remind me of someone..well, they were friends with one of the reasons that I ended up getting locked away" There's a small, humourless chuckle "Try not to think about it. It's a story. I don't think I could ever properly explain the truth of it. It's an absolute Nightmare"
Enver cocks his head. "That sounds... not great. I don't think I'm friends with anyone who would do something like that. I'll be happy to help you make some new friends though, if you like..." He deepens his squat as he thinks, now focused on how to help this poor soul.
Maxime looks to him "You never quite know what everyone's capable of" She shrugs to Enver "I don't know Enver, I'm not sure I'm the sort of person to be around people for very long. It's just not something I've very much experience with"
Enver goes to answer and then stops. "Wait... how do you know my name?"
Maxime: "Uh...I think I overheard it at the camp"
Enver feels like that's not right, but he can't really know that she didn't overhear it. "Oh, all right... you have me at a disadvantage then. What should I call you? And everyone needs friends, even if you don't spend too much time with them."
Maxime: "Maxime" That lie didn't seem to ring true because she's never been anywhere near the rest of the camp or him to overhear it. Moreover, the name..it didn't seem to fit. It's all very intangible, like a guitar slightly out of tune "I can't really speak against that from experience, but...I don't think I'd make much of a friend anyway. I need to work out what I'm doing before I can really do anything for someone else"
Enver feels a familiar sense of incorrectness for a moment, which along with the previous stray thought begins to itch at the back of his mind. He can't put the thoughts into a coherent shape just yet, but this is all feeling just a bit off. "You don't always need to do things for friends. Friends do things for you if you really need it..."
Maxime: "I..don't want to rely on people, or be taking away from them" She's taking enough after all. She knows she doesn't belong, and anyone who stays around her long enough will know too. "I..just spent so much time alone. It was so dark too. If people would help, but.." There's a look "Maybe some people can help, but..I don't think you can help. Not really.." She's rambling slightly, and now that she's making eye contact. It's those ragged eyes of someone who has been missing a lot of sleep "..I think there's someone after me. They think that finding me will help their friend"
Enver listens but is starting to lose the plot of what she's talking about. What he does hear is the pain and fear. He sidles a bit closer to her and rests a hand on her forearm. "Whatever I can do to help, I'll do it. If you want my help, that is..."
Maxime: "I.." She shakes her head "No. You can't help, or.." She closes her eyes and gets up "You..can help" She reaches, and touches his hand, and gives a familiar squeeze to it. It's so close. She looks to him, eye to eye "There's someone coming looking for me, okay? You..I don't know. I'll be by the shore. It's" Where I wanted to go/Where I started/Where I was running from "..It's where I belong" She gives him a gentle hug, before breaking away "I..think you're working it out. I..don't blame Her. She doesn't deserve what's happening to her" She looks away, and picks up her sword "But it was MY life. I..I'm not a bad person. I just want to take back what was stolen from me" She doesn't want to have to explain herself, but she does want to justify herself. Even if she can't. and she knows she can't. She turns away, but before she walks off fully, she turns back "..Thanks. You..you were kind to me, and..I think that's important"
Enver returns the hug by instinct but sits a little stunned as Maxine walks off. He certainly doesn't know what to say, let alone what to do or to think or to feel right. He ends up just giving a small wave and an encouraging smile to her, wishing her well despite... well... everything
Maxime looks back again. He was..well, he hadn't really said much, but it was enough. She didn't belong here, but..she wasn't going to just give up either. She waves back, and smiles sadly, before walking away. Deep down though, she knew she would get caught, but maybe that's the point?
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RESPITE FALLS - A RENTED SHOP SOME WAYS FROM THE MARKET - AFTERNOON
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Aelia has been futzing around with the storefront she's rented for the better part of the week now, having been excited about this whole dance class prospect. There's a quickly made sign in the window reading 'Croise Dance Classes', with some hours listed. The building is otherwise... empty, though Aelia has done a very good job of cleaning the floor several times over. Right now, she's simply waiting, watching the door, twitching slightly at the only expected appointment she has for her makeshift class idea.
Prachi walks to the building, reasonably sure she has the right place. The camelid seems unsure, but... this is probably the place, right? Taking a deep breath, she knocks on the door.
Aelia stands up from the stool she'd been sitting on, quickly calling out "Welcome to Croise Dance Classes! Please come in!" She claps her hands giddily as the door begins to open, "Oh! I've been expecting you, Scilla!"
Prachi steps in with a smile, then seems to freeze for a long moment: "I uh. Um. Did I come in the right door?"
Aelia blinks, "Oh! Oh um, Yes! Front door, yes! I was just expecting another appointment? But uh... walk-ins are welcome, if you'd like to learn to dance?" The hope in her voice is painfully brittle.
Prachi opens her mouth as though to object, but can't bring herself to quite voice it. "Yeah uh... dance class? Sure, why not. I don't have much money, though but it's... intriguing?"
Aelia has already moved across the room to open the door completely and usher Prachi in. "Oh! I'm just getting started, I uh, I don't even know if this will be successful or work out for me, I just, I really want something I can do that I love, you know? So uh, no worries about cost for the first lesson, okay?"
Prachi blinks, then steps inside, definitely unsure of herself: "Yeah, I guess... that works?" She glance around, definitely not feeling like she walked in the right place after all. "Doing what you love. I know that part, at least. And dancing's... fascinating, if arcane?"
Aelia blinks, giving Prachi big doe eyes as if wounded, "Arcane? Arcane! Ma'am, Dancing is one of the true arts! Anyone can practice dancing! It unites the commoners to the nobles, the lovers and the fighters, the wise and the ignorant, everyone can abandon themselves, set aside their prejudices, and share a dance for the sheer joy of it! It is beauty, and joy, and love. It is sorrow, and anger, and loneliness... Dance is... just such pure expression!" She blinks, "Oh golly, I'm rambling a bit. I'm just a bit excited."
Prachi blinks again, then smiles: "Well, excitement is something I do know! And I think I've been promising I'd try this, even if I sorta... wandered in, right now?" She glances behind her: "You're not expecting someone, are you? I'm not in the way?"
Aelia shrugs, "I am! Another student has an appointment, but if Scilla shows up, she can join in! This is just the basics, you know? I would hope eventually I'll be teaching larger classes, so uh, the more then merrier!"
Prachi turns back to Aelia and smiles: "Well, I probably count as a larger class just by myself, but as long as me being all large and klutzy is not a problem... happy to try!"
Aelia smiles, walking over towards the mats she's laid out. Prachi gets one all to herself, as she seems big enough to take up the whole mat anyways. "No worries! Dance knows no prejudice to size or species. Honestly, I'm just going to be going through some stretches, some basic poses, and a few simple step dances. The important part of it all is having fun!"
Prachi smiles as she steps over, being only dressed in her very light, barely-covering strips of cloth as it is. Well, if her sizable mounds of fur didn't cover everything anyway. "Well, having fun is something I'm familiar with, so that's a good start."
Aelia giggles, "A very good start! Well, let's begin with some simple stretches..." She begins to lead Prachi through the warm-up, doing her best to give advice on proper stretching and movement as they go. "So, you've never done any kind of dancing before? What have you done for fun then?"
Prachi starts the stretches with considerably more effort than the smaller deer: "Unf... I guess I tend to just eat and drink a lot, talk to people, learn their stories? Try and figure out where I might strike the proverbial gold next, based on rumors?" She frowns, not entirely certain of that explanation, but good enough?
Aelia listens along as she continues to demonstrate. "Oh? Just a social butterfly, eh?" She giggles, "I used to do stuff like that, but gosh, I haven't been to a big party like that in... years now." She frowns a little, but shakes it off. "Don't know what you mean by striking gold though?"
Prachi shrugs inbetween practice stretches: "Mining, mostly. There's rare - mmf - metals somewhere around here, I'm sure. Can only help construction and fixing stuff for so much, you know?"
Aelia perks up, "Oh! Oh like actual gold! You called it proverbial so I thought you meant like, ...not... real gold?"
Prachi chuckles: "Maybe both. Maybe not literal gold, but like... there's gotta be something, this far out? Might be some other metal too, gold isn't even that good for crafting..." She shakes her head and her huge mane: "Or something. I'll know when I find it."
Aelia shrugs, starting to shift to show some back starting positions and describe them. "I don't know much about metals. My family was mostly milaners, but that's a few generations back. I was just talented in dance, and got pushed in that direction by my family."
Prachi awkwardly attempts to copy the positions, her big frame not doing her any favors here. "Best to be talented at something." Her expression darkens for the briefest of seconds: "...me, I just help build stuff til I maybe find something more meaningful, you know?"
Aelia frowns, "Aw. Well, I'm kind of in the same boat? I had a lot, lost it all, and ended up here. But I'm trying to rebuild with... well, well this dance idea! I really hope it works out... I... thank you for humoring me if nothing else, since I'm guessing Scilla's not going to show."
Prachi pauses, then shrugs: "Guess some just don't feel it. But I'm happy to h-help!" She winces as she overdoes a move: "Oof, okay, not like that. I'm gonna feel that one tomorrow, aren't I."
Aelia relaxes her pose as she watches Prachi overextend. "Oh! Yeah, careful there! That's why we always stretch before, and cool-down stretch after. Gotta stay limber! As limber as you can get at your size, anyways. That way, the pain won't be as bad when you do push yourself too far." She shrugs, "She seemed pretty upbeat about it, but ah well. I'm sure she's got a reason." She manages to smile through that, but it's clear she's a little hurt.
Prachi winces as she gathers herself back together: "Something probably came up. This town seems awfully busy at times, who knows what happened?"
Aelia nearly stumbles, but her poise is too good, and she recovers quickly, "Oh gosh! I hope nothing's happened like that! I've heard some awful stories about explosions and magical flowers and all sorts of rumors!"
Prachi blinks, pausing in her movements: "Magical... flowers? I hope not."
Aelia pauses in her routine to fret a little. "Something about magical flowers that turn folks feral. There's an okapi who was wandering around the market, and one of the guards was a bear! I mean, he is a bear, but he couldn't remember who he was. He's rather kind normally. If you're ever in trouble, ask for Mr. Garwin."
Prachi opens her mouth, then closes it: "...you're not even kidding, are you." She pauses, dance practice forgotten for the moment: "I'm not sure what to even say to that? Not remembering who you are...?"
Aelia has her turn to cringe, "Err... yeah. Y-yeah. Imagine that? Just... um... n-nevermind that, anyways." She takes a moment to catch her breath. "There uh... there's some scary stuff out there. I can't even pretend to understand the first thing about curses, or flowers, or whatever. Just... gotta deal with what comes."
Prachi shrugs, wincing only slightly: "I have uh... no idea about curses and stuff. But they're definitely scary. Can easily ruin your life, that sort of mess."
Aelia nods, "C-can imagine they can, at that, uh, yeah. But... can always rebuild, uh, something at least." She sighs, slumping slightly. "Probably enough practice for today... um... was that a good lesson? Did you... learn? Or just have fun! The fun is important too, as you said!"
Prachi pauses, not even having realized how much she's exhausted herself while they've been talking: "Oh. Uh. Yeah. Huh! I had no idea it was this much work." She frowns: "Well, I suppose I sort of had, but like... nevermind. You get the idea. It was fun." She offers Aelia a warm smile.
Aelia walks closer to Prachi, helping with a bit of cool-down stretches, then offering her hand. "It's Aelia, by the way! Aelia Croise! So uh, that's my name on the little, uh, paper sign outside there."
Prachi blinks: "O-oh! I guess we sorta dove into this. I'm Prachi. Just, uh, Prachi."
Aelia giggles, "Well, uh, like I said, I get sorta excited about dancing, so that kinda happens with me, Prachi."
Prachi giggles in mirror, though she's definitely a bit exhausted: "Excited is good. Passion is good, and all that."
Aelia nods, putting a hand on Prachi's shoulder. "I hope you find yours! Your passion, or your gold, proverbial or not!"
Prachi shrugs: "Yeah, it's all kinda vague for now. But thank you. And uh... I might come back for more of this. This was fun." The camel is not entirely sure if she's making promises she can't keep, but since when has that stopped her from talking?
Aelia grins even wider, "Feel free! I'll do my best to keep the hours consistent, but uh if I have to take time off, I'll post it on the door!"
Prachi smiles: "I suppose that makes sense. I'll keep an eye out." She gives Aelia a small bow-nod: "Thank you again. I think I learned something, at least."
Aelia bows graciously, "And thank you! Have a good one out there!"
Prachi gives Aelia a wave and heads out: "Be seeing you." She steps out into the late afternoon air, not entirely sure what happened or why but it made her happy so why not?
Calgwen walks up behind Prachi as the camel has gotten not too far away, calling out behind her, "Excuse me! Pardon the interruption, ma'am, could I bother you with a question?"
Prachi blinks and spins around almost too quickly for her tired legs to give out from under her, before locating who's talking to her. "Eh? Hello. Yeah, guess you can?"
Calgwen removes the cap he is wearing and gives Prachi a similar bow to the one Aelia had given her, "My apologies for the disturbance. I'm Calgwen. Calgwen Ariston Singequill." He rises back up, glancing back towards the storefrong that Prachi had just vacated. "You were just taking dance lessons, yes? From one Ms Croise?"
Prachi shrugs noncomittantly: "Well I sort of just stumbled in, but in a sense, yeah? Guess I did."
Calgwen nods, "One 'Aelia Croise'? Yes?"
Prachi shrugs again: "Pretty sure that was her. At least the name matches?"
Calgwen hums, "I'd heard rumors of her talent! And... her disappearance. To think that I should run into her here! Fascinating!"
Prachi tilts her head and thus her considerable mane: "I've just met her... disappearance? Should I know about this?"
Calgwen tuts himself, shaking his head, "Ah! Forgive me, I'm simply talking out of turn. She was quite famous in Sarn, so I am led to understand. But if she's seeking to start a school here..." He reaches into his pocket and pulls out several gold coins, passing them to Prachi. "Thank you for your time, Ms. I am going to go have a talk with Ms Croise, and see if we can't find common grounds for business."
Prachi blinks at the coins, then nods dumbly: "I uh... happy to help?" She's definitely feeling more than a bit confused, but this is probably something to filed under 'not her business'.
Calgwen turns back towards the dance store front, knocking politely before he opens the door, letting himself in to speak with Ms Croise.
Prachi looks at Calgwen go in, then at the coins in her palm... then shrugs, pockets the coins and heads towards the Minnow. Probably gonna have sore legs tomorrow...