Snippet #2378123

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April Rosevolt

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Surrounded by wild grass, April kept her gaze alert as yellow blades brushed past her trousers. They swayed restlessly, chasing every direction the wind turned at a whim. Ironically, there was little danger to encounter out here in the fields. Maybe a few razor snakes or bull worms, but most critters would simply run at the sight of them. The problem lay solely with her. Ever since she’d regained her senses, April felt constantly threatened by everything. Even an appropriately shaped shadow would fire off mental alarms. She almost didn’t know how to function normally now that her life was in tatters. Standing a several feet well above the waist line grass was Touya, the one exception. She was content to follow behind him for the time being, though their positions felt awkwardly reversed. April was a former Lieutenant of Altheim’s armed forces. Leading from the front was her job more often than not.

April didn’t know how therian senses worked. From her understanding, they could simply ‘sense’ the presence of another within certain vicinities. How accurate they could pinpoint the location was a different story altogether, but she couldn’t help but ponder its affects on therian society, most notably the lack of secrecy. Her thoughts brought on a new wave of anxiety as they walked, what would they think of the abomination she’d become? Would they even agree to aid her? Assuming they could. To add to her sorrows Touya’s behavior over the past few days was becoming inexplicably frustrating. She understood his prudence in matters concerning her condition, but his priorities were discouraging almost to the point of suffocating.

They arrived at a small clearing in the plains, another intended sidetrack to sate her condition’s requirements. Touya sat down by example and gestured for her join him in the short break. Hesitating, April bit the bottom of her lip and couldn’t help but glance around in one final check for hazards.

"Rest a bit," he soothed, smiling to assuage her fears. It took a few more moments before she accepted his invitation and joined him down on the ground. Her movements were timid as she made her way over and settled down like a robot. Unlike the facility’s bolted doors and steeple secrecy, she was exposed out here. And quite frankly, April had never been more terrified of being exposed in her entire life. What he did next caught her completely off-guard. Noticing her troubled expression, the therian leaned forwards and wrapped his arms around her in one fell swoop. April released an audible gasp as she was dragged to his level, though her tensions eased considerably.

"Sleep if you wish. We are not in any hurry. The plains are enormous, it will be some time before we find a tribe. They wander all the time, so we'll run into one soon enough."

Her head found the crook in his shoulder and for a moment, she rested there, absorbed in his presence. “Touya, I want you to know that I love that compassionate side of you,” she murmured finally, breathing in his woody fragrance, “But surely you don’t need to keep treating me like fragile packaging, especially not after we slept together.”

She leaned back and kissed his cheek, “It’s been a while since you last saw your own people. I want you to think of this as a chance to relax. You can tell me more about them in the process, your customs, traditions, anything.”

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Damea Reese

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Contrary to Damea’s imagination, it was Abigail, and not the good doctor who greeted him at the doorway. Appearing in a fur greatcoat, her hand hovered where the handle would’ve been had the mercenary not pulled it away seconds before she could reach it. Probably just as well or she’d have likely slammed the door into his face. Upon seeing the half-naked man, the fiery redhead’s only reaction was to raise an eyebrow in amusement.

“Planning to toast bread like that?” she asked, angling her hips and planting her hands against them. “Good, then you should be up for a bit of training.”

She flicked her thumb over her shoulder, indicating to a man behind her. Or more precisely, to the Beast Slayer known as Miles Riverbend. Miles waved cheerfully in return. “Reginald’s busy with organization and preparation. He’s excellent at that sort of stuff. He also mentioned somewhere along the line that you needed more tutoring in the event we’re attacked before Touya returns,” she explained, “So you get to deal with me and rich boy over there.”

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Abigail brought them to the same room Damea had used prior to train, although the space had been vigorously scrubbed clean of burn marks. Once again she took to the balcony, like it was some prime time viewing platform reserved only for her. Miles and Damea awaited in the assigned arena. Damea's gear had been returned to him, just as Miles was now armed with his own long sword and knife.

“We’ve had an excess of bread go missing from our inventory in the past week,” Abigail said above them, “I can only assume you’ve been the cause of that. Why don’t you show us the fruits of your labors?”