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RESPITE FALLS - NORTH ROAD - AFTERNOON
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Aelia is walking back from the training grounds, heading towards the Market to find something to eat. The morning exercise routine is quite a lot, but no worse than her old dance training routines, and Ninell's body is rather fit, making it all go rather easily, even if the coordination of 'his' body still takes a bit of work, Aelia has, for the most part, gotten used to the basics at least.
Ninell similarly, has started getting accustomed to Aelia's exercise routine. Though it's just as intense as his own in some aspects, it's potentially harder than his own in others due to using different muscle groups. That said, while he's getting used to it, he's still easily thrown off balance due to the sheer differences between his own body and Aelia's. Currently, he's milling about in the marketplace, trying to figure out something to eat after a midday spot of practice at Aelia's dance studio.
Aelia smiles a bit as she spots... herself? That's still weird. Regardless, she approaches the deer with a wave, "Ah! Ninell! You thinking about lunch too, hm? Maybe we could grab something and sit down to eat together?"
Ninell looks around upon being addressed and waves when he spots himself approaching... or rather when he spots Aelia in his body approaching. The sight still gives him a moment's pause, because he swears he's seeing someone else every time. "Good to see you too, Aelia. Yes, I just finished some of the practice drills you showed me the other day, and thought a bit of food was warranted." He smiles at the suggestion, "And that sounds like a wonderful idea."
Aelia gives a bit of a bow to Ninell, trying to look somewhat rakish, but mostly looking awkward, "I would appreciate some company that doesn't want to hit me... Ah, no offense, but it's sorta weird how many people at the training grounds want to fight you...? Is that normal?"
Ninell chuckles and bows in turn, somehow managing to make the motion look both natural, yet strange coming from Aelia's form rather than his own. "I would be happy to accompany you for lunch, Aelia. As for the training grounds... yes, it is rather normal. When I am not being challenged by a giraffe called Fiora, I tend to spar with others."
Aelia watches Ninell bow with a strange twinge down her spine, then sighs, turning to walk along with Ninell, "That was the one. I guess it's just exercise, but I don't know. I'm not a big fan of fighting. And that giraffe is... unsettlingly insistent. If I tried to do that in your body, I'd just end up getting you hurt."
Ninell hums, nodding along. "That would be how she is, yes. She is a... former, I believe, bounty hunter, so she does a lot of work to keep herself in shape." He shakes his head after a moment, "I should have perhaps warned you about that. Apologies, Aelia."
Aelia glances over. "It's fine. I don't blame you. It's just... it's one of those things that I'm not comfortable doing. I'm not even sure I could put up a fight in my own body if I had to. Probably why you and Phoebe get along. You're both fighters like that..."
Ninell sighs a little and shakes his head again, though he moves up alongside Aelia so the two can start finding something to eat while they talk. "I fight because I am ordered to, when I am not sparring. Phoebe fights... because she had to, I want to say, though I still do not fully know her history."
Aelia hums, "She's still be quiet about that, hm? Not that there's much history. W-well maybe I'll get to talk to her? If she's in your... my body still? Part of me hopes so... but I also don't want you to go through that. I... hope Priscilla will be able to change us back before that change happens, honestly."
Ninell shrugs noncommittally. "Well... whatever happens will happen, I suppose. It would be nice if you and Phoebe had a chance to speak outside of notes and similar methods, but we will, as ever, deal with what comes our way when it happens, yes?" He smiles at Aelia, "It is not as though we have not worked together for months before now in various troubles."
Aelia laughs quietly, turning to smile back, "I prefer when there's no troubles, but I guess that's not the path my life has taken. Still, having you around to help has been... comforting. Even in the weirdest of these troubles. Like right now, for instance..."
Ninell nods at Aelia's comment. "Times of no trouble are good, indeed. Though I may be a warrior, I much prefer times when my skills are unnecessary, because I can then at least focus on hobbies and other important things in my life." He smiles a bit more warmly, "And I am happy to be of such comfort to you during these odd times, Aelia."
Aelia 's laugh slows, as she considers a moment, bringing her hand up to her chin, though stopping as the gesture feels weirdly out of place, "I suppose even the odd times are preferable to times you've had to fight. Well, for what it's worth, I'm happy to hang out and share those things, if you'd like... once things are a little less odd, that is."
Ninell nods again. "I like the sound of that. After all, we have already worked through quite a bit, but yet we still do not really know one another, do we? Perhaps once we have time, and less troubling us, we can rectify that?"
Aelia nods eagerly, "We can! We should! You and Phoebe are quite close, and if there's no way to separate us, well, we'll be spending time together. Even if we're already quite good friends, we could be better! It's weird to say I don't know you very well when I'm literally in your body though."
Ninell chuckles. "Indeed. We have spent quite a bit of time together for a while, now, but it does feel as though we have barely gotten to know of each other... which, as you say, feels odd when we are in each others' bodies for the time being."
Aelia glances over towards one of the little cafes outside of the market, motioning Ninell towards it, "Here? They have good salads, and maybe we can share a bit? I still don't know a lot abo-" She trails off, glancing back into the marketplace as a being of similar build and species to Ninell approaches directly towards her, with jet black fur and a white and red uniform... "Um...?"
Narrator: The Courier approaches Ninell... or, the being in Ninell's body. Not taking notie of the nearby deer, he offers a crisp salute, "Knight Commander Ninell, Sir?"
Ninell follows Aelia towards the cafe in question, only to blink and follow her gaze as she looks behind the two. He blinks, instantly recognizing a message runner from Eukune... and what the runner is likely carrying in hand. As the courier approaches and snaps a crisp salute, he looks over at Aelia, hoping and praying that her acting background and wits can keep their current situation under wraps.
Aelia blinks blankly a moment, then starts suddenly, "Oh! Me! Y-yes!" She glances at Ninell, then back at the courier and returns the salute a little sloppily. "Err, forgive me, I just finished up my morning training. Um. Yes. What... can I do for you?"
Narrator: The Courier seems a bit confused at first, but takes the moment in stride, Ninell's been away from home in this strange land for some time, after all. He digs into his satchel, offering a sealed envelope. "New orders from Command."
Aelia nods, taking the envelope, though her heart does skip a bit in panic, she manages to keep herself together much better after her initial surprise has faded, "Ah, Thank you. Order received."
Ninell silently watches the exchange between the courier and Aelia, trying his best to keep his nerves steady. Though, it becomes easier once it's clear that Aelia's surprise is only short-lived.
Narrator: The Courier isn't expecting much else, and once the envelope is in Ninell's hands, he gives one more salute and turns to walk off, back towards the northern wall.
Ninell lets out a breath he didn't even know he was holding as the courier turns and makes his way back towards the northern wall, and undoubtedly back to the gate. He then turns to look at Aelia again. "So... you handled that quite well, Aelia. Though I suppose it highlights a... thing I might need to teach you if need be, just in case."
Aelia turns the envelope over in her hands, waiting until the Courier is out of range to read it, "Oh hells... 'Kekoa Ninell, Knight Captain of the Third Army, Guardian of the Gate of Kailu. Guess... you've got mail?" She sighs, handing the letter over, "Sorry, I wasn't exactly prepared. Do... you expect more visitors, then?"
Ninell frowns a bit as he hears his titles being listed off, mostly because it confirms his suspicions of what the letter is, and he sighs. "...No... no, I do not think we will have any more visitors, but... well, you will need to learn my native language. I believe I know what that letter is, but... let us open it before we panic too much."
Aelia nods, letting out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. "Things just couldn't stick to 'odd' I suppose..." She offers the letter to Ninell to open, "I'd feel a bit weird opening your mail, even if it was delivered to um... you. Me."
Ninell chuckles a little as he accepts the letter, then takes a few seconds to pop it open and extract the letter within, which is written across a couple of sheets of stationery in his native language. As he reads, his brow furrows a little, until he just sighs and shifts his gaze up to the sky for several seconds. "...I had a feeling... I am being recalled to Eukune for new orders."
Aelia frowns, "Meaning... I'm being recalled, right? This body is who they're expecting... right?"
Ninell nods as he carefully folds the letter back up and tucks it back into the envelope. "Yes... Unless Priscilla can change us back very, very soon, I am expected back in Eukune - specifically the capital city - as soon as possible. Of course, with the military, that means immediately, not at my convenience."
Aelia frowns deeper, "Wh-what does that mean...? I mean, for me? For both of us... I don't know what to do as a soldier, let alone following orders. What if... if they expect you to go fight somewhere?"
Ninell shakes his head. "The letter did not make any mention of an emergency, simply that I will be receiving new orders upon returning to Eukune. If I had to guess, this means I may be receiving new stationing orders."
Aelia nods, trying to remain rational through this, "Meaning... moving you away from Respite, probably." She sighs. "Okay... well... I guess... we have to go then."
Ninell shrugs in turn. "Potentially, yes. We will have to see what happens, but... well... duty calls."
Aelia lifts her hand up to give Ninell the same kind of salute the Courier gave her. "Err, well, I'll do my best? If we're leaving before Priscilla has changed, we'll have to let her know at least."
Ninell nods. "Yes, hope springs eternal in that perhaps Priscilla has already found a fix to this situation, but... it would be best that we alert her to this development anyway."
Aelia lowers her hand... "Guess you'll have to teach me a bit about Eukune, as you said. Just in case I do have to um... report in? Gosh, I..." She swallows, thinking. "I've already had my life uprooted before, so I can do it again. I won't... wherever you end up going, I won't try to split up you and Phoebe."
Ninell hums quietly. "My hope is that we will not have to uproot you again, Aelia. We will see what happens once we arrive in Eukune, and figure things out from there, yes?"
Aelia slumps slighty before managing to perk back up. "Yeah... you're right. We'll figure this out... after lunch, yeah?"
Ninell smiles again and nods. "After lunch sounds like a good point to begin with."
Aelia turned to head into the cafe, shaking her head a little, "Well, we wanted to get to know each other better anyways, so this will be all the more reason to."
Ninell hums in agreement as he goes to follow Aelia in, tucking the letter away for the time being. "I suppose this is as good a reason as any for us to learn more about one another, indeed. It would also be a way for Phoebe to learn more of both of us, too, regardless of if she is with you or me."
Aelia smiles, "Hopefully it'll help her out. I don't know how long a trip Eukune is... but I'm guessing she'll change at some point."
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THE THIRSTY MINNOW - AFTERNOON
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Isgrimnir packed his belongings back in to his duffel, looking around the room to make sure he had not forgotten anything and went downstairs. He sat down and ordered a hearty breakfast. "Leaving the Minnow already?" the server asked. Isgrimnir nodded "found a place to live, but I will be back for the food, and the company" He winked at the server who laughed and went off to fetch his meal
Isgrimnir was a Master of the "Spannungsbogen" the moment between desiring something and reaching out for it. As much as he wanted to make a fresh start in the new home. He took his time to eat and thoroughly enjoy the hearty breakfast. He had quite the appetite this bear of a man. He made some small talk with the server as he orderd a second tea and enjoyed that too. Eventually though time came, that knot in his stomach, the anticipation had grown and he had relished it. He left payment and a tip on the table, slung the duffel over his broad shoulder and headed out the Minnow and started walking towards his new home.
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ISGRIMNIR'S HOUSE - SLIGHTLY LATER
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Isgrimnir was leaning in the doorframe when the wagons started to arrive. Furniture to replace what was not salvageable anymore, most of it made of solid sturdy wood. Supplies, both for his healing arts and some for his hobby. He helped unload and put things where they belonged.
Isgrimnir took the last item, a double sighn, upper the aesclepius to signify a healer lived here, the lower a set of gears and springs. He hung it up from the beam over the door, then went in to set up his workshop for the mechanical side, he had plenty of tools still to make. He opened the big shutter that gave access to the street, it gave plenty of light to work by, people could see him work and ask questions or buy items such as he had made.
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RESPITE BATHHOUSE - EARLY EVENING
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Robin finds himself wandering up to the entrance of an unfamiliar looking building, a basket of fur care products and a towel draped over his left arm. The chipmunk hums, pausing briefly to read the sign outside the door before heading inside. He engages the front desk clerk, who directs the munk toward the changerooms after taking a few coins in payment. Robin pauses outside the changerooms, looking up at the door he'd been pointed at with slightly puffed cheeks, fidgeting with the ruffle of his dress for a few moments, wondering if he should go back to mention anything or just head straight into the other changeroom.
Daedelus is just leaving for the baths when Robin enters, so all the chipmunk sees of him is a broad, muscular frame, erect tail, and maybe a hint of low-hanging goat balls before he passes through the curtain into the bathhouse proper.
Robin huffs his held breath, turning away from the door and heading toward the mens' change room. He nearly bumps into the taller goat, pausing when he realizes what he spied and shaking his head. Being so short has many positives and negatives, after all. Stashing his dress into a locker, Robin shortly enters the bathhouse wrapped in his towel and still toting the basket. He glances about the dim room, looking for a mostly unoccupied tub.
Daedelus is by himself in one of the smaller public tubs, up to his neck in hot water as he just relaxes, the broad curl of his hons dipping into the water below his ears. His eyes open as he hears footsteps coming into the room and can't help but smile at the small but nicely built chipmunk. Probably too small for him to do anything with, but nice to look at nonetheless.
Robin notes many of the tubs are full, as would be expected for a nice evening like this. His eyes catch the goat's, and of course notice that tub has a lot of realestate available. He shrugs, giving the goat a polite smile in return. Setting the basket down and kicking a folding platform into place, Robin turns away from the tub's other occupant to slip out of his towel with some modesty before settling onto the seat. Even with the smallfolk seat, the water still reaches up to his armpits.
Daedelus tries not to ogle the rodent who's right in front of him. He leans back a bit in the water and stretches his arms along the edge of the tub, their reach probably at least double the chipmunk's height, and with his strong muscles, each arm probably weighs more than the little guy too. "Evening..."
Robin doesn't stare at his tubmate directly, but does nod in return to the greeting. He's already feeling the tension melting away in the hot water, sinking just a bit more into it before responding in a soft and appropriately small voice. "Evening yourself, sir. Hope you weren't savin' this spot."
Daedelus laughs. "Nah. Barely know anybody in town anyway... and no need to be formal. I'm Dae, and you?" He offers a hand to the chipmunk.
Robin looks at the offered hand, reaching to shake with a paw that's dwarfed by it. "Robin. No need ta be formal, and offerin' a handshake at the same time. Well, now you know one more person, Dae. Is that short for somethin'?"
Daedelus shakes carefully before letting his arms soak in the tub again. "Daedelus, but that's too much name, I reckon, at least for my needs. Maybe if I was lord mayor or something, but out on the sea, who's got time to yell 'Daedelus! Trim the jib sail!' Jib'd be half gone by the time they finished my name..."
Robin snorts quietly before laughing into his hand. "Oh, yeah you're right. Guess that tells me what ya do, or at least did though, eh sailor?" He smiles at Daedelus, nodding, "'Splains why you look so tough."
Daedelus laughs a bit and nods. "S'pose so. I'm good at it. Got a knack for navigation... heard there was a great starmapper around here, trying to wrangle a meeting with her before I have to ship out again maybe. And what about you, what do you do?"
Robin hums, tilting his head. "A star mapper, huh? Haven't met anyone doin' that, though we should probably get a better star map for the airship. Me, I'm a technician. Good with puttin' machines together and keepin' them all fixed up."
Daedelus tilts his head. "Airship? Huh. Heard tell of them before but never seen one myself... and that techy stuff is all well and good for folks who know how. Beyond me, of course, but the world needs dumb muscle too..." One of his hands vanishes beneath the water and it's clear a few moments later that he's been adjusting or at least scratching his balls.
Robin notices Dae's hand underwater, clearing his throat after a moment when his eyes trail behind it back up to the surface. "Yeah uh... I mean, not everyone is good at everythin'. But you can't be that dumb if you're good at navigatin'. Plenty of smart folks can't navigate around a walnut shell."
Daedelus gives a pleased little smile to Robin. "Thanks. And you're right, though I dunno, it just comes natural to me I guess, especially on the open sea..." He quickly dunks his head under the water before surfacing again. "So you just passing through town on your air ship or?"
Robin just splashes his face with some water when Daedelus dunks himself, deciding not to use any of his soaps. "Uhm... Not really. I mean, movin' operations out here was kind of an accident but Shirley got all attached to this place. She must have knocked her head in the crash. It ain't bad here, but much different from Vamas. We're gonna start transport 'cross the ocean soon, though."
Daedelus: "Ah, Shirley your wife, then? And can't really blame her. There's somethin' about this town that just... it feels a bit special, you know?" He dips his shoulders down in the bath again, leaving only his chin and up exposed.
Robin blushes, shaking his head enough to send the water in his fur scattering into the tub. "Wife? No no, she's married to her work, not me. Heck, I ain't even thought about meetin' somebody, been so busy."
Daedelus grins a bit. "Ah, well if y'weren't so small, I might be curious but frankly I think I could just break ya in two a bit too easy." He takes one of the buckets and pours water over his head and horns, letting it drip down. "Not sayin' you couldn't try to show me otherwise, mind," he continues in a quieter tone.
Robin blushes brighter, stammering a little. "I... So forward and frank! Geez, y-ya went from 'Hi I'm Dae' to 'Dare ya to ride me' in half a second!" Despite his puffy-cheeked protest, the soft-voiced chipmunk's heart certainly sped up at the proposition, and he hasn't hopped out of the tub just yet.
Daedelus smirks. "Did I? I was just being honest about not really havin' too much experience with smaller folk."
Robin tries to settle down a bit, huffing. "Well still... 'Sides I remember ya passing me, now..." He glances down toward Daedelus's lap, the water just clear enough, "And I think ya got the wrong impression. Just cause I was in a dress doesn't mean I got the bits you're lookin' for." He sinks a little in the water while intently watching for Daedelus's reaction, knowing some folks have gotten rather... intense when they find out the munk they were flirting with was a guy.
Daedelus blinks at this, taken a bit aback. "What? I didn't even see you before you got in this tub here. And if you like being all prettied up in a dress, more power to you. Folk would have to be half blind to think you were a girl, at least after seeing you in just your fur. Personally, I'm fairly equal opportunity tho I do prefer the company of other men..."
Robin hums, straightening up a little bit when Dae doesn't seem angry. "Oh... I mean, I certainly saw you on the way in, but I guess you didn't notice me. Fair enough, I'm kinda below your eye line. You were right at mine, though." He clears his throat to stifle a giggle.
Daedelus laughs a bit, picturing the scene. "I take it you like what you saw?" He inches a couple of inches around the tub, getting closer to the chipmunk.
Robin notes Dae getting closer, shrugging a little. "I ah... Noticed. S'what I'll admit to." His grin turns coy, but he can't really scoot closer in return on the seat.
Daedelus looks at the chipmunk and smiles. He then lifts a leg so that it's braced against Robin's seat, leaving his knee at about the same level. "Why don't we get a bit closer, hmm? Would love to get to know you a bit better."
Robin feels Dae's leg bump his seat, but keeps his eyes locked with the goats as he slips from the hard wood onto a fuzzy thigh. "S-sure... Since you're invitin'." His own leg rests against Dae's balls, giving Robin an idea of them as he leans his shoulder against the goat's chest. "Hope this ain't bein' too familiar."
Daedelus wraps an arm across Robin's front, keeping him secure as he moves to the less stable seating. "Not if you don't think it is." He leans down a bit and gazes up close into Robin's eyes for a moment before kissing his cheek. "So... you dress like a girl all the time or just sometimes?"
Robin feels his cheeks burning when Dae gives him the unexpected kiss, setting his hand on the sailor's arm and slowly stroking his fur. "W-well my overalls are pretty much unisex, but other th-than that... I prefer dresses, they look good on me." He chuckles quietly, "I make a damn good effort at being the cutest in the room."
Daedelus flexes his arm a bit against the rubbing and laughs. "Ah, well I can believe that. I like a boy who knows he's a pretty thing." He moves a hand down to gently touch at Robin's shoulder blades and trace down his spine. "I have more questions, but spose it'd be fair to let you ask one now..."
Robin shivers from Daedelus' touch, pressing his chest against his other arm. "Ah-? Uh okay... How about... Where are you from?" Robin's free hand moves to Dae's side, lightly gripping him there.
Daedelus: "Ah, it's fair question, but I don't rightly recall. Somewhere on the south coast of Sarn, I reckon... Had a bit of memory loss a year or so back, but it's all piecing back together a bit slow..." His chest has a pleasant layer of softness to it atop his hard muscles. He moves his hand down to the small of Robin's back, able to span the whole thing with one scarred mitt.
Robin shifts a bit, letting his tail swish in the water, brushing Dae's hand. "I s-see, that's a uh... A shame. The water is getting hotter, isn't it?" Robin leans toward Dae, nuzzling against his muscly chest as his paw slips from the goat's side to his abdomen, fingers trailing gently through the thick fur.
Daedelus shrugs and smiles. "Is it though? I'm pretty happy. I like my life, I like my work. So what if I can't remember some fsces or names rom my past...
Robin nods, humming a bit. "I get that, yeah. Sometimes ya just want a uh... Reset button." He pauses for a long moment. "Actually it'd be nice, for some people." His hand seems to be idly scratching back and forth through Daedelus's fur now, rather than the semi-intent it had a few moments ago.
Daedelus moves to hug Robin closer against his chest and leans in for a soft kiss on the lips. "Well I don't care about anything you don't feel like sharing about yourself. What and who you say you are, 's the only truth I need."
Robin squeaks in surprise, but returns the kiss with some vigor after a moment. He lets out a breath after, cheeks burning. "I ah... Yuh... D-don't take this the wrong way, but uh... I um..." He sighs, shaking his head as his hand slips from Dae's abdomen to his groin. "I don't want amnesia I guess, but ya could help me forget another way~"
Daedelus welcomes the touch with a deep chuckle. "Of course. I'm good at that kind of forgetting. What say we dry ourselves off and head back to my room at the tavern?"
Robin nods, perhaps a little too enthusiastically before he stands up on Daedelus's thigh, using him to crawl up out of the water, tail raised rather than modestly lowered like when he'd gotten in. "Yeah. Yeah, that sounds like a good plan~."
Daedelus follows Robin out, the pair leaving together for the not-long walk back to the ibex's lodgings.
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AIRSHIP LANDING SITE - EARLY EVENING
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Shirley toils away on the deck of her airship, getting various bits and pieces of equipment squared away for a flight of particular importance. She's moving with a fair bit more energy this evening, despite having worked on things around the vessel with Robin's help all day in anticipation of a successful return trip to Vamas, after having spent months effectively stranded at Respite after her unplanned arrival. The area just around the ship's gangplank, both on the vessel and on the landing pad, is lit up quite brightly, ensuring good lighting conditions regardless of where she is during this phase of the prep for departure.
Narrator: There is a loud CRUNCH from the other end of the deck.
Shirley immediately stands up and looks around. As quiet descends on the area around the ship again, she calls out. "...Robin? Was that you? What was that?"
Prachi does not dare peek her head around the corner, though she fails to have the wherewithal to make herself scarce either. In front of the camel is a mechanical device that is... rather, was - some kind of magitech help... before she dropped it when inspecting it. She looks at the sad remains of whatever it was.
Shirley makes her way to the edge of the ship's deck and looks over when she doesn't hear any sort of response. "Robin, seriously, if that was you already back from the... bath... house..." She trails off when she catches sight of Prachi in the pool of light... and the broken object in front of her.
Prachi stares at the remains of the device, looking somewhere between confused and sullen, replaying the moments leading to this in her head but not really arriving to any solid conclusions. Belatedly, she realizes to look up, starting a bit upon seeing Shirley. "Eh. Hi."
Shirley gazes down at Prachi and the broken device, only to let out an aggrieved, if resigned sigh when she's vividly reminded of her original introduction to the camel. "Haa... of course... evening, Prachi." She pushes away from the railing of the airship, then makes her way down the gangplank.
Prachi winces: "...evening. I uh, I think I broke it?" Somewhat of an understatement, it would take a better-level engineer than the camel herself to even know what the device WAS, let alone being able to fix it.
Shirley makes her way over to the broken device and kneels down to try and pick up any bits that didn't remain in the device itself. "You could say that, yes..." She looks up at Prachi as she works, though she doesn't look exactly angry... "So, felt like stopping by for a visit, I take it?"
Prachi pauses: "Er, yeah, needed to take my mind off of... things. Did something dumb, and, er..." She deflates a bit, shrugging: "...seems I'm continuing down that route."
Shirley shrugs a bit as she finishes cleaning up errant shards of broken tech and stands up again. "Nothing too bad, I assure you... Replacing this only sets a planned trip to Vamas back by about a day or so. I just need to buy the parts for it."
Prachi gives a lopsided smile: "I er... that's good, at least. Right?" She considers the avian, unsure of what to do right now.
Shirley dusts her hands off a bit and gives Prachi another look. "Sure, but you're the one paying for them."
Prachi blinks, then winces: "Oh, right. Should have seen that one com...ing..." She frowns: "Can I uh, get back to you on that? Kind of recently spent all my money on spell supplies..."
Shirley shrugs a bit. "Depends on how quickly you can afford to pay..." She trails off, mentally calculating the cost of the components for the device, "About... three hundred and seventy-five?"
Prachi pauses, trying to think: "Er... few weeks, if I get lucky?" She hums: "...or maybe add a week to that."
Shirley 's expression flattens. "Then here's another plan. Since I'm not waiting several more weeks just for one single crucial bit of tech, I'm going to buy the components myself... and you're going to come with myself and Robin on a trip to Vamas. You'll just work off the difference during the trip."
Prachi lifts her hand and is about to start an objection. She then pauses, hums, and nods if slightly deflatedly: "...y-yeah, guess that's fair." She glances towards the town: "It's not like I am really beholden to anyone here."
Shirley waits for the objection, only to nod when it becomes clear that Prachi knows it's going to be exceptionally difficult to talk her way out of it. "It's not as though we're going to be away for too long, though. Once we arrive in Vamas, I intend to make routine trips back to Aephix."
Prachi hums: "...yeah." She mulls the thought in her head: "...I suppose there's really no other way, since I screwed up. And I can't really help fix my other screw-up for now anyway." She looks aside: "...maybe better I just go."
Shirley tilts her head a bit. "You've something else going on in town, hm? Well, don't think you're running away from that, Prachi."
Prachi shrugs absently: "Well, no, not as such. Just can't do anything to it without my magic, which I don't have in this form." She blinks, looking aside and stares into the distance for a second, before muttering to herself: "...shit."
Shirley blinks, then frowns in confusion. "Could you run that by me again? What do you mean, 'this form'?"
Prachi now deflates even more, then sighs: "I suppose it would have come up anyway, if I'm traveling for you that long." She looks at Shirley: "Scilla is probably a name that's familiar."
Shirley nods. "You mentioned her as being a friend of yours, here in town... and I'm pretty sure she stopped by once or twice."
Prachi nods, some part of her considering cooking up a lie of some sort, but the fight has left her. "Yeah, she's also... well, me."
Shirley simply stares at Prachi for several seconds, then slightly shakes her head. "Is this some kind of weird insanity defense?"
Prachi pauses, considering: "...I suppose you could call it that. Nevermind. I'll explain on the er, road, so to speak. I don't have money, so I will repay with work."
Shirley nods. "Good. Then you can show up tomorrow, preferably with less accidents... and you can explain to Robin why our departure time got set back a bit. He'll get you prepared for shipboard work, too."
Prachi gives a weak smile: "I hope it is with less accidents." Silently she also hopes she won't change overnight or the explanation is really going to be hard. "I will be there, I promise."
Shirley hums quietly, the barest hint of a joking tone in her voice. "You'd best make sure, or I'll be hunting you down."
Prachi winces: "Noted." She hums quietly: "So uh... yeah. Sorry again."
Shirley shakes her head a bit. "Don't worry about it, Prachi. You're working the debt off, so it's fine. If you broke it and ran off, though... then I'd have been more than a little mad."
Prachi gives Shirley a sideways smile: "Trust me, I'm done running. I will honor my word."