The Captain comes back with a list, "Looks like you are in luck. We've got a few old juperses on their way out. We'll let you use one of them and perhaps you'll give it the honour of dying in the wild and in action. Certainly makes the burial rituals for the old girl easier. Any awkwardness about it and I'm sure the gods will forgive us for it."
I nod slight and slow at this information. Though, I must admit to myself... Is this a good thing or not? Being told I can be somewhat apathetic with an animal's wellbeing is a strange thought to have. Then again, meat for dinner has to come from somewhere.
Brewbrt finishes up with his idle drinking, "The Mounted-Captain and I shall discuss the rest as we leave, Young Man. For now, you just get your thoughts together. Tighten the courage you have. You may need it soon."
A hand stops the door from opening, "You make sure to drink that now, you hear?"
I nod again at the Mounted-Captain's words and let the pair leave without a word. A loud thump marks their out-of-sight departure. In the language only a closed door can speak, I know that I am alone, with some peace and quiet. Quickly glancing out across the valley-riders' building, I look back to the drink.
Though I am alone, out of peeking sight... There's a sense of dread within me. It's gnawing its way out so very painfully. So very slowly.
"Either I leave you, or... Drink you." I mutter, moving my stare closer to the drink. Despite not feeling thirsty earlier, my mouth is now starting to feel a little dry. Picking up the glass with delicate care, I try to secure my three-digit grip and shift over to using both sets of claws. Swirling the liquid around its container, I keep eyeing the door.
Crossing the distance, I secure my foot against it.
I cannot smell the drink, not with my mask on and yet, I do not want to take it off. But, after some deliberation, I slip the beak up. Just enough so I can open my mouth properly. Hastily, I gulp it down, spilling a fair amount on my chin and neck. Scrambling to get the mask back down, I nearly spit the rest out. I put the glass back on the table.
"Blegh." is all I have to say as I process the strong flavour of this almost stinging liquid. It's not strong enough to force a cough from me, but it's not a pleasant feeling either. I have to somewhat wonder how those two could tolerate it. Now, I am finding myself angry over what I have just done.
Despite all the pain and misery of my life, I've never tried to douse it with alcohol. Yet, here I am. Risking the safety of not only myself, but Rose-sweerui too. I am jeopardising my chance to see Vapooliar and the others again over this... All over a drink I didn't like...
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Putting a claw on the door handle, an annoyed huff rattles out along with my chitters. Going down the stairs and leaving the isolation behind, I find my aelenvari friend standing rigidly. The Mounted-Captain is awfully close to her. Whatever he needed to talk about clearly wasn't all that interesting.
Approaching from behind, I flick at Rose-sweerui's tail. Her currently short temper nearly sets off at me as she gives me her attention. Her lips shift to a smile and her body returns to life with all the energy it can. She clings to me, pushing herself against me with as much grinding as she can manage.
"And here I was, hoping I put on a better show this time. For a rose this fine, one can only aim for the best." Henipiotch jokes, any wilting about his soul coming out with an unbothered smile. I try to share the smile, though it's not like anyone can see. His attention shifts elsewhere and I follow after it.
Physically doing the same with him, we come up to a table with a large map rolled out on it. What appears to be the town is marked out on its right side. I can't really tell which side of the town it's meant to be basing its perspective on. Perhaps, though, that should be obvious with where I found the signs of osibindah. The map is going beyond the town, anyway.
"They are going out this way?" I ask, a strange image appearing in my head. It's an osibindah, yet I am also looking at myself. I shake my head clean of the picture as Rose-sweerui's grip adjusts. Guess she can tell I am tensing up.
"No, I am just seeing if it's possible to try something. Sending a team out to perform a wide manoeuvre in the hopes we can pinch them to a pop," the Mounted-Captain explains as his fingers come and part in order to change the map. Six motions later and he starts to tap a nearly incomprehensible line. Quite the narrow pass he is focusing on.
Rose-sweerui hums a sweet, quiet tune against my chest. Her body bounces up and down in a pattern as she does so. Confused as to where this is coming from, I look down at her. She gives me no answer with her lips other than a smile. Whatever she is saying, it's all in the gentle glow of her bulbs. Until I learn what her point actually is and learn this esoteric language, I can only make up its meaning.
She wanted me to be brave last time... So, I'll assume that's what she's saying. She wants the man she... Loves... To be brave.
"What're you so happy about?" I whisper to her anyway. Her hands squeeze my claw and it's all I get from her. Somehow, she closes the intimate distance between us even more. How, I do not understand, yet, I know she has.
"Now, as we are heading out soon, I suppose you should go and get an old skitter. Don't worry, one of my men will show you to one of the ones mentioned before," the Mounted-Captain tells me, his words catching mine and Rose-sweerui's attention. The hat-wearer winks at my friend and she clings to me with a disgusted scowl. As he walks away, I spot some glass and watch Rose-sweerui relax in the reflection.
Gently nudging her about, we get going outside. She clings to my arm as if we're on a romantic date, and I even hold the door open for her. Her blissful sighs block out all the noises of the armed men and women as they mount up and arm themselves further. Me and my lovely companion linger out of the way as they pull animals of war and burden around. My eyes lock onto the nearest, approachable looking valley-rider.
"Excuse me, your captain mentioned helping me find a... Jup... A mount?" I ask the rough-skinned man as he grooms his stubble. He looks around and nods. His spurs shake and rattle, a hand waving for me to follow.