Closed [Tent City] Mental Haze and Foggy Days

[Fallon]

It was with sombre eyes that she focused on the woman before her, the expression falling as she spoke in response. She would have gone to protest, to speak out, but the chance was gone in an instant. Words rebuffed her, the throwing away of her comments long past. Even that lumped formed within her throat, that emotion that held and reigned her back from a more impulsive behaviour. The air was tense, the minds tenser - it was for the best to let such raw feelings lie where they fell. For the both of them. Right?

Her skin gave a prickle, the scars at the base of her spine twitching in remembrance. Perhaps it was the moment of enjoyment, the blinding brightness of glee that suppressed those worries. But now the mood turned once more, did she feel the nagging in her mind once more. Of course, the baths. She gave a stare after the back of Zandelia's head, her filthy brow creasing into a line and then easing off. A plan was needed. Some scheme to get her away from the baths without raising too much suspicion.

Nostrils gave a flair, the rising damp seeping its way in. It was perhaps only at that point that she considered unstringing her bow to reduce the potential damage to it in the coming wet. As the trees thinned and landscaped rolled, did the eyes of the mercenary once more turn to the horizon. Somewhere in the distance the clouds of black begun to gather, the rolling shades of grey gathering and breaking in waves. Further on the once mirrored ocean grew rough, tips of white breaking out into peaks. Curling inwards as the wind released a howling blast, she shot only a glance to Zandelia before the strands of hair blinded her vision. Bringing the bow across her, she caught the pause and the glance back, the hovering question resting upon her lips.

"What must be done. Exactly that. The things we cannot run away from, the things that must be faced no matter how much we may resist to do them. That overcoming of the chains fear and leaving them shattered," Fallon gave a step after her, form bobbing as she closed in, "Regardless of the consequences. I guess... really it's facing your fears and embracing the rolling thunder." The gloved fingers rose and scratched the back of her head, "Of course, some things are harder than others. I can't really explain it. It just makes sense in my mind. I mean, there's lots of things that I know must be done eventually... just not yet."

Zandelia was smart, that much Fallon knew. Though she was uncertain exactly how else to explain herself she had the distinct feeling that did not matter too much. No doubt the woman would understand what she was trying to say - or so she hoped. Just because she was a watcher after all, did not mean she was incapable of knowing - if anything, Fallon knew they were the ones that had a lot more tucked away than they let on. Like herself sometimes. It was a funny feeling, that urge to dance around a point to gather as much information as possible.

Sucking in the air at the crown, she looked out slowly, the landscape opening before her. Like a Queen upon her throne, the rough ramshackle city spread itself. Out further than the eye could see, the land disappeared off into the horizon and beyond the black strip of sea. For a long chime she simply stood taking it in. Towards the ocean she saw the docks, the moored ships gathered in for protection. The smoking fires from the Slag heap came next, the pillowing soot smoke rising up into the air. And then finally there was the tent city itself, her niche and temporary home until it was time. For what exactly was beyond her, but she would know when the time was right.

"Why not bother?" she answered finally. She shook her head, "To some, Sunberth is little more than the white sweat beneath the armpit. Greasy, grimy, full of stink and indeed of a good wash. To myself I see a rough stone, a diamond even. Smothered in filth, and jagged edges. You clean it up and give it a good finish however... It will match the brightest star, no? Everything deserves a chance, and whilst it could have been done in some other cities I doubt the leading powers would appreciate such a group forming. Imagine if such a thing was attempted in Syliras or Zeltiva - there would be chaos in less than a heartbeat." Her expression turned sombre for a moment, "Yes... of course. I guess I'm not from around here. Tieless after all."

That was a lie that clenched upon her heart. Taking a few steps forward she took a gentle descent down to the baths. All the while, the nagging thought pressed against her mind. Scars, memories, pain, questions. She gave a hesitant glance back to Zandelia. There was also an issue with getting into the bath naked with the woman, an level of uncertainty as to how she would have to react to any advances that may come about. Sucking in the air, the troubled look fell onto her and she released a sigh, "Can I talk to you. Normally for a moment? It's... kind of important."

She did not give her time to answer, "I have a lot of regrets, a lot of times where I've screwed up again and again. Some serve as mental reminders, some serve as emotional and then there are the physical ones. They are scars, my pains and fears that chain me to the past." Her hand opened at that point in gesture at that point, "Sunberth is a memory to me, tied up with words and promises from things long gone. Pushed away, rejected and kept to the back. But... I am tired of running, and thus, I have steeled myself to reach out and grasp the world within my hands and do what must be done. Sure, I'm scared I'm going to fail, to fall and have the last few things I've managed to grasp hold of ripped away from me like so many times before. But now, even with all that shame pressed up behind me I'm still going to face forward with tongue, hand, sword and shield and challenge the world one final time."

"Because that's all I can do right now, suck in the air and let out that roaring battle cry. Do what must be done," Her gloved hand came out as offering at that point, the flickering of a brave smile upon her lips and the turning of that inner fire rising up in her sight. Pulling off the right glove she expose the pale skin to the cold air, and held it out to Zandelia, "I would... not as your boss, your leader, your trickster or wilding. Nor as that mercenary you ask of, nor that wordsmith who makes the world for just a moment seem alive. But as your friend and companion, ask do you want to have that final chance with me?"

[Zandelia]

The form of the other woman bobbed into her peripheral vision, edging towards her slowly as if she were cautious or reluctant. She observed the scratching of the back of the head as her explanation was issued forth for Zandelia to hear and ruminate upon. There was a silence afterwards, expectant and throbbing with a juncture in time. Two pathways lain out before her and only one could be chosen. It was a decision she couldn’t make lightly and as such she pouted a little in though, her gaze taking in the imaginary roads sweeping across the soft green grass before her, down the side of the hill and into the unknown. The word were simple and yet laced with meaning – she knew that much. She was afraid of many things, Fallon seemed scared only of one though it appeared a composite of many things. She was scared of feeling Zandelia thought.

I wonder what it’s like? To want something but being too afraid to reach out and grab it? Oh I’ve seen the looks and the reactions are clear. Oh I am afraid but I’ve never let it stop me claiming something if I could. The desire to possess things is too strong. Dangerous though…very dangerous she thought it through, there was a promise hidden deep in the words. Perhaps. It was all she could ask for truly.

“Yes, what must be done,” she sighed, it was difficult not to feel regret at the requirements, “I know what you mean Fallon. Gods help me I actually think for once that I do. Whenever…if…you need my help. You know where I am. Usually snoring next door” she smiled thinly at that last phrase.

“You seek to create diamond from Sunberth? Are you sure you know Sunberth my dear? I mean, really sure?” she couldn’t resist the feigned sarcasm, the inquisitive tone that suggested Fallon was a tad insane, “oh…don’t look at me like that. You know what I mean. Even if we managed to get a foothold you’re talking about the work of a lifetime. More probably. Ill die before it’s even half-done of that I’m certain. Though, there are worse legacies. Very well, diamond it is. But I’d start with something simpler like actual streets. A wall or something suitably civic” she told the retreating back with a sigh as Fallon slipped away again.

Infuriating woman she noted as she breathed in and exhaled through her nostrils slowly, stepping forwards and getting only a few paces before Fallon returned and she looked up sharply.

She had no opportunity to retort, no opening to influence the conversation beyond fiddling with her bowstring and noticing it was starting to gather the moisture of the air. She wiped it with her fingers and slipped the string off with a grunt of effort before slipping it into her pocket. It was not that she was not paying attention but the topic was unsettling. The shifting to the words that Fallon seemed desperate to get out of herself, the speed with which they were stated and the sentiments that all but oozed from them. They spoke of something deeper than she usually tried to associate with – outside of the world of information that was. She could do little but glance down at her feet and back at Fallon’s eyes as she spoke. She shifted a little uncomfortably upon the spot. She was much more familiar with physicality than feeling.

“A memory? So you were here before” she mumbled, the phrase called to her, spoke of her own suspicions and gave them a smattering of credence now.

“You’re asking me…if I would stand at your back and die with you? If that’s what it came to? You are calling me a friend and companion too. That’s not bee said before” she queried softly, voice thin and lacking in strength as she mulled over what had just been stated with a small smile.

It was difficult not to feel a little overwhelmed by the proposition, not to mention the fact that she now had a friend for the first time in a long while. Officially stated at least. She now realized that this moment was the branching point of the two paths that had flickered before her eye. This was the choice. She could walk away and she suspected whilst Fallon would be upset she would manage to carry on. That was an option but truly it was beyond her ability to do so. She was in too deep, professionally and personally. She wondered if that would return to destroy her eventually. Ultimately she had no choice, she was too old to run again and besides which she actually liked the woman.

Oh yes, yes I do. Friend. Companion. I’m going to need so much assistance it’s not even amusing. Lhex help me she told herself as her hand came out and forwards, hesitating in the air silently as the decision she had no power over hummed around her with purpose.

“Do not feel shame for what is lost, feel sorrow for those who march onwards. Mistakes aren’t wholly useless. They teach us how to improve. You want to be a catalyst then that’s fine by me…friend and companion,” she spoke as her gaze came back to those captivating eyes, “break the chains. Believe me they are the worst thing you can have around you. I know”

Her hand was still in the air as she spoke, and then she slipped it down to feel the touch of Fallon’s palm as they gripped each other firmly, resolutely.

“You want someone to join you then you have it. I’ll stand at your back Fallon. I will guard it more than I guard my secrets. Just let them try and get through me. And if you are lucky I might even do a decent job of it too” she promised, a more complicated version of the one she suspected she had spoken all those years ago in a darkened room.

“Lykata? Did you learn anything?” she asked as her hand paused and then slipped from Fallon’s grasp slowly, “tell me along the way. Come, we should go and have that wash before we scare people away” she held the gaze for a moment longer and then turned to lead them towards the baths once more.

What had she become immersed in? Why did she have so few choices? What did Fallon really mean to her? These questions were rolling through her mind as she trudged towards the looming structure. It was not a large span of time until they reached the threshold and its comforting embrace shielded them from the wind which was now picking up nicely.

[Fallon]

There was only a twitch in recognition to the mumble of Zandelia, her lids pinching slightly and then looking away once more. No, she did not want to discuss the times she was in Sunberth. Not yet at least. Her brow however did crease when the soft queries came. They were pointed and intrusive, digging almost at the edges. But despite it, she kept a brave face and held the look. She knew, after she spoke, that she had placed the woman into an awkward position - the expression on the face, the moment of hesitation and overwhelming ideals. It was cruel really, but the moment had called for it - a necessary evil to send her onwards through the city.

"Good thing I have a life time before me," was the retort, "And of course, something smaller. I'm thinking river defences if I must be honest, but I digress. They're plans." Her lip managed to break a curl, "And good things comes to those who plan and be patient. This is no overnight task. And yes... a diamond. Maybe it is a bad analogy to use, yet it brought the point across. Everything has potential, you just have to reach out and take it."

Exhaling she watched the moment of hesitation, that flickering uncertainty that she wished to do this. Fallon would not influence her otherwise, for this was just her idea, her plan and vision. She simply just wished to share it with someone instead of take the road alone. And Zandelia was -alas- that chosen one for this ordeal. Not that she had realised that quite yet, "Yes, that is what it has come to. Through thick and thin, through drink and hangovers. Come face the world together with me."

Fingers tightened and curled around the limb, a flash of teeth as she heard the resounding words. Impulse was commanding her once more, the warm passions bubbling within, "And I will stand at yours, with sword and shield. And make sure you don't lose your way. I will be your guard, just as you will for me." A silent pact of trust, an acceptance and understanding in its raw, base form with a true smile upon her lips. Of course she was nervous, but she would stick to the words she made that day on the simplicity that it was to Zandelia alone, "And with that... I promise I will bring change, no matter how big or small."

In the back of her mind the darkness swirled, of black boxes and tiny hands. But she did not dwell upon it long, it was surely only coincidental after all. That familiarity, that lingering sense of memories better left burried. There was a swallow, and the hand was released. It was with careful steps that Fallon followed after, her bare hand wriggling back into the muddy leathers.

"What did I see? Nothing," Fallon gave her a look, "I did not will it into use, and thus used it like a normal hand. Nothing more, nothing less. What did I learn however..." Her arm at that point looped around Zandelia's shoulders, a firm pull in and a smile. Cheeks tinted pink, the eyes bright and focused entirely upon her - drowning the entire scene into her vision, "Was that you had a rather firm handshake." There was a teasing flick of the finger to her cheek and then the face grew serious. Sucking in the air she spoke firmly, "I wasn't lying about the physical scars though. So, I would appreciate it if you... I don't know, didn't ask questions about them?"

Her chest tightened at that point, that moment of niggling doubt. She could trust Zandelia right? She could rely on the fact to keep her secrets guarded. Turning away she chewed upon her lip, her brow barely meeting in the middle before it eased off. Zandelia, was an odd one. She gave her word, her promises, her fleeting moments of the grasping. Was it to the words she stuck to, or to the person? Did she even know the weight of the agreement or the odd level of calm and relief it gave to her?

Withdrawing as they brushed upon the threshold. There was a pause, her shoulders curling in as she looked upon the door, the hands gently patting up and down her person for her coin. For a moment she gave a glance to the woman, a sheepish look smothering her as she rested there - yes, she knew exactly what was happening next. But it did not mean she was exactly happy about it. Besides, there wasn't really an opportunity to crawl her way out of it now - least, not without a very good reason to make an escape. Somewhere in the distance the grey sheet of wet began to make its way rolling across, the spring rains finally making the presence known to the world. Lips pursed into a line, a final wince as she looked back onto the city and dipped into the warmth.

It wrapped around their mudded frames, the trickling heat weaving its way in. For a few ticks Fallon stood there, swaying slightly as she willed the warmth into the joints. Cheeks puffed, her eyes looking down to the filthy forms and then up into the Bathhouse and the older woman who stood there looking a bit surprised by the entrance of such forms. Stiffly, Fallon managed to make a wave and promptly spoke.

"We're here for the baths."
"Never have guessed that," the elder woman snorted and eyed the pair of them. Slowly she shuffled about and gave them a firm point, "You ladies going into the common spring or the private?" There was only a momentary pause between her words, her eyes looking judgingly down to their feet, "Try not to traipse mud everywhere, please?"

Sooner this is over with, the better.

[Zandelia]

It was done, affirmed, a wrapping bond of words and promises that most of the time could have easily been ignored by the majority of people within the gruelling world of Mizahar – the grimy city of Sunberth most certainly. Trust was a rarity within the morass of criminal cunning and, for the most part, honour was something reserved for the exceptional rather than the commoner looking to scrape a living wherever they could find it. Zandelia couldn’t, for two simple reasons that she knew would end up making her life very complicated eventually. Firstly, she always kept her word as far as she could – it was bad business to not fulfil a contract and only served to damage her reputation. Secondly, Fallon was special and she always flickered around special people. Usually she kept her distance but this time, she just couldn’t.

You’d think I’d be wiser due to age but wisdom, it seems, is a devious bitch she sighed to herself as she shook her clothing a little to get its chilling embrace off of her skin.

“If you don’t like mud then build a stone road Madame, otherwise get used to a dirty floor” she retorted simply, that nosy look of sneering disgust irked her.

“What did you say?”

“You heard me. No one visits here without mud on their boots and you set up here so you chose that negative for yourself. Don’t snap at your customers and certainly not at h…us. Private please. Same prices as a year ago?” she asked shortly, eye narrowed and piercing into the other woman darkly.

“Do you know who I am?”

“Natlana. Goddess of Ash. Wise old woman. Character judge. Take your pick. Here, one gold for privacy and a few drinks. Thank you”

The woman looked back at her for a long while, meeting frown with frown and as Zandelia refused to back down as did Natlana. She was not named such a moniker lightly Zandelia was sure but she had had enough of difficulties for the day and her attitude left much to be desired for a business. It was a tense number of chimes but eventually the woman snatched the gold up and turned away as she gestured off to the doors to the private suites in silence. Zandelia snorted and looked at Fallon, cheeks slightly red at the attention she had no doubt received for the display. She shrugged and made for the door.

“I thought you’d appreciate it more if no one could see us, as much as possible at any rate. And you have caused change already – you just aren’t looking in the right places to see it” she began pulling the sopping shirt off as soon as the doors to the private room were swinging closed.

It truly was soaked through, everything seemed to be the same in terms of her clothing, chafing and chilling. She had to admit it surprised her, she never expected that something as innocuous as morning dew could be so all encompassing. She would remember that for the future, there were uses for such things – for anything. She just had to find the right perspective on it but she had a few notions. She thread the shirt to one side, the cloak following it shortly afterwards. Boots were kicked off and trousers stripped, each thrown onto a nearby bench. She sighed and knew it would do no good – they needed to dry and so she arranged them to dangle over the bench to do exactly that – with time.

“Good, on the…hand…I mean. It’s cheating. Much more fun to figure things out for yourself I think,” she stretched, her back to the other woman as she kneaded the stiff muscles there. She was sure there would be bruising soon, another thing to add to the random assortment of scars that called her body their homes.

“Gods I’m getting too old, this will be fun. Warm spring water has always had a way to steaming my worries away. I used to come here regularly you know, every ten days at most. Just sit here and…think. Nothing complex, just simple things in the waters. Alas, my life is never simple these days” she turned then and looked at Fallon with a grin.

“So,” she stated after a few moments of silence, “river defences? I can see the use. Takes a bit of coin though, but I agree. Make Sunberth a safe harbour. You want people to come here. To know it is changing, that it doesn’t have to stay like it is. You want to introduce new people with new ideas?” she asked quietly.

“Ready to face the world yet?” she asked with a chuckle as she slipped into the warm waters with a deep, pleased sigh.

[Fallon]

Fallon gave only a wince when Zandelia kicked off. Her lips pursed into a line, a long sucking in of the air as she tried to keep some composure. Not that she really could agree with either of them, both of them were as bad as the other it seemed - and it was perhaps with that in mind that Fallon saw the distinct vision of her companion in years gone by. An old, elderly woman who was as stubborn as a mule. Her lips gave only a twitch, a sigh of relief when the private one was chosen. And another when the coin was finally accepted

With a faint slumping of shoulders, she allowed her gaze to meet the blush.

"I... yes. I appreciate it. But... It's either that or you just want me all to yourself," Fallon spoke bluntly. Blinking she gave a shrug, "I'm sure I'll find out which one it really is in good time." She gave a sheepish shrug, her cheeks blushing slightly. Well, it was one less issue to worry about to say the least - the other was now quickly reaching a head. Zandelia herself. She like questions, she liked knowing and no doubt she would try to display some dominance. Damned Cougar.

As the private room door closed, Fallon gave a flinch back in recoil to see the woman already stripping. For a moment she simply froze, her shoulder blades pressing into the wall and her eyes wide with what was going on before her. She stiffened of course, her mouth opening and closing on several occasions as she simply watched. Still and unmoving, the girl managed to release a blink as the rest of the layers were thrown aside. Unlike the woman, she'd barely gotten to the top button of her tunic, and even then the fingers stiffly held onto the button. Her head cocked to one side, an ogle as they traced the form downwards. The neck of a woman, slender and lighter than a mans, the bare shoulders of smooth skin - if not for a few faint scars from life -, the narrowing back that came down into a curve and then once more came out at the hips to form that distinct hourglass shape seen in a majority of women.

Lips twitched, her eyes blinking as she took it in. The kneading hands, the finger tips that pressed into skin and the flickering of a grin. Fallon did not know what to think. If anything common sense had simply switched off, with knowledge and intelligence quickly following suit. Zandelia had said something, she knew that much. But, such a thing seemed largely unimportant at the moment. The blush softened, the gaze turning distant as she tried to focus on something, anything - but even then that was a difficult task to do.

Her previous digs at the woman flared in her mind, the teasing and name calling that she often inflicted on the woman. Old, hag, woman, form wrinkles. It was perhaps then that she had that nagging urgency of regret. Zandelia, was definitely not old, or even looked it. At least, that in the mindset of Fallon. She gave a blink, her hand lowering to her belt buckle so she should lose the equipment that hung around her waist. Gently, it was placed down but her gaze was still transfixed almost in a state of awe.

There was another question, her lids pinching slightly as she registered the words - the clothes were still plastered upon her back, largely unmoved from when the pair had entered the safety of the private baths. There was chuckling, the laughter of a voice upon the air, and a gratifying sigh that caught upon her senses. It was only then that she finally registered she had still not gotten out of her clothes and into the bath.

"Wait what?" Flinching into life, the mercenary shook off the moment of gazing, her attention snapping away. Zandelia no doubt would start laughing, and her cheeks returned to that bright red state. Yes, she was getting in the bath with the woman because she had no choice but to. Least, that was what the scene presently told her. Fingers fumbled for the boots first, a wobbling balance as she hopped about and pulled the toes free - the second quickly followed suit. Placing them down she then moved to the tunic layer, and carefully laid it down across the bench to dry. From there she quickly checked things, fingers gave a pat upon the necklace, the leather gloves quickly being thrown off. The animation was quick, her mind flickering to and fro. And then, her catch twenty two appeared.

On one hand she could have continued to get undressed whilst facing the woman, an odd display of confidence that Fallon really was not feeling. The flip side was the turning of the back, to leave those scars on show for the world and reveal another part of her past. It was something Zandelia dealt in after all, knowledge and information. Of course there was the shaking of hands upon the hill, that promise that they would watch each other's backs. But how far in could Fallon let the woman in? And for that matter, vice versa. Fallon chewed her lip and turned away - she had already warned about the physical after all.

Peeling off the shirt she tried to spur her memory into remembering the questions Zandelia asked, those important questions about her plans and ideas. The defences, yes, them. Her face screwed up into a wince, her eyes boring down onto the bench before her. Even her voice stiffened, "Yes. River defences. Sunberth is on flat, and... from what I understand it floods a lot." The trousers came next, a nervous suck in of the air as she wriggled free of them, "Plus... if there is a proper port, well... think of the location. We have Zeltiva run through, Sahova and Nyka from the North. So... there could be a lot of traffic. Potentially. Maybe. I'm not a merchant, but that is the idea I feel."

Her skin gave an angry twitch, the scars upon the flat of her back throbbing in their exposure. For a moment she glanced back to Zandelia, and sheepishly made a quick retreat to the water and the intention to hide behind a mass of liquid and limbs - not that she thought it would stop the woman if need be. After a long pause she spoke, "What?"

[Zandelia]

“I’m not sure I believe I could ever have you all to myself even should I wish it to be so, you’re far too independent and stubborn for anything with that aim in mind to work. Actually, I was simply thinking of you and your…you know” she responded jovially.

She sighed as the warmth began to ripple across her body, the skin flushing a deep red almost immediately as the swift change from cold to hot flooded it with blood and the vessels engorging greedily at the change of conditions. Soothing muscles that she had not even realised were tired. She had been pushing herself hard of late she knew, making connections and laying the groundwork for future operations just as Fallon had asked her to do. She had yet to reveal the extent of her successes because she had wanted to present it all to the woman when it was fully former. Her own precious gift that she would let the other woman into, for her own purposes. It was better than a bouquet of flowers, though she only now realised that she had been doing it for selfish reasons of desire as well as business.

How foolish of me, a gift for the one woman who won’t reciprocate no matter what happens. Dangerous, foolish, wanted. Why do I always court that which is a double-edged blade? You’d think time would have taught me better she chastised herself gently.

“Come on and get your clothes off. It’s like you’ve never seen a body before” she teased softly, rich laughter bubbling from her throat. She had noted the attention when she had turned around and smiled as charmingly as possible.

More troubling, however, were the scars she had seen, even across the distance they were clearly visible and decidedly intricate. Her memory scanned and found the most likely time she would have received them – Sahova. What had she said at their first meeting? How she had hated that place and now Zandelia knew why. It had taken her, then broken her and she lived with the physical reminder of that time forever carved into the skin of her back. She frowned, eye narrowed and she felt the rolling curtain of anger ripple through her along with the heat of the water. How dare they do that to her…whoever it had been. She used the anger to mask the sense of profound sadness at what she saw. It was almost enough to make her cry.

I won’t ask though, she asked me not to. Not yet. Not now. If I betray her trust then I won’t even have one friend she told herself, all but choking back the rising questions.

That was until Fallon appeared closer within her vision in all her glory and thought was pushed away for a while in favour of observation. She was not provided much in the way of time to note the other woman’s form before it slipped beneath the steaming waters but what there had been was delicious in nature. Fallon had always seemed to make great pains to appear masculine in body but she certainly was not so without the armour and clothing. Delicate limbs, slim but muscular to prove her profession and a delightfully tiny waist. All power and sinew and little fat whatsoever. Oh and the curves, never seen before but graceful as they hinted at the beginnings of the classic feminine shape. She was not as endowed as she herself was but she preferred her women that way. If she wanted to petch herself she’d get a mirror. She smiled as Fallon settled opposite her.

“Beautiful,” she stated, “beautiful idea. Give the public something they need rather than want and watch them grumble…at first. Then over time, when the floods no longer come their minds start to think and praise the construction. Then, when they ask themselves what else they might need but not want give that to them too. Are you clever enough to know what they’d ask for next?”

She stopped talking then for a moment as she slipped under the water with closed eye to soak her hair in the warmth. Holding her breath she rubbed at her scalp for a little bit to get it as deeply into her as possible before surfacing in a spray of droplets as she flicked her hair backwards and felt it slap into her back. As the water clogging her ears flicked away with encouragement from her fingers she coughed a little at the sudden melting of her head. The door opened and the old woman came in with a tray of selected fruit juices and left it upon the floor by the side of the pool.

“Hey!” she stopped her, “look I’m sorry about before. Bad mood, you know. Keep the change”

“I was going to but thank you. Don’t trouble yourself. Strong women are rare here. Need more of them” she sniffed before exiting quickly and leaving the pair of them to their silence.

“Docks!” she crowed happily as she looked at Fallon again, “they’d want proper docks. Rotting wood won’t last much longer and money is too important if you’re talking about shipping. From what I have picked up here and there it needs offices, proper docks and workers. But I wouldn’t give that to them, know why?”

“Greed. Corrupts them. That and more gold isn’t required. I’d give them better farmland and water systems. Some mills perhaps. Food is better than gold and more needed here”

She peered at Fallon and noted the discomfort, clearly a product of the nudity that Zandelia didn't much worry over. She almost seemed as if she were hiding something but she accepted that it was perhaps caused by the situation. They had almost kissed earlier after all and now they were bathing together. She wondered what the woman would write in her journal about it - whether it would be pleasant recollection or yet another harrowing experience. Either way she decided to try to lighten the mood a tad.

“Business, business, business,” she sighed, “you know we should take time to talk about happier things. The darkness is ever present and we need the light to sustain us…soooo, when I was younger I wanted to have a business. Something good and decent, to call my own and gain respect from others for it. I remember being attracted to animals too. Pets. Buying and selling them, looking after them. And now look at me…master criminal. This was a long time ago of course, gods I must have been about 6…7 maybe” she snorted into the water and spread her arms across the edge of the pool.

“Now look at me, old woman without business or any real home. For the first time though, I feel as if I could have something of my own perhaps. Maybe something about flowers? People like flowers these days” she talked into the rising steam, revelling in the heat that had now replaced the damp cold and seeking the simplicity of idle conversation with someone she liked, a friend.

[Fallon]

Zandelia did not say anything about the Scars - thankfully. Or at least she did not ask yet. For a while she simply felt the water lap up around her, her chin poking over her knees as she simply observed. There was a blush upon her cheeks, the pale skin however was quickly warming to reduce the glow that had accumulated there. For a moment she simply stared, her fingers twiddling beneath the water and a stiffened mumble, "Yeah... never seen a body before. I wish."

Her eyes darted away at that point, her mind racing between reactions and what to possibly do next. They were here to bathe, maybe discuss some plans of action she would like to do, the vision for Sunberth - in theory at least. It was that level of uncertainty that made Fallon a bit worried. She was vulnerable here after all, anything could happen and she would not exactly be able to fight back. Or at least, not without aid of magic. And even she knew throwing such thing about willingly would only bring dangerous consequences. There was a second blink, her eyes flickering as the older woman left an offering of drink for them.

Swallowing, Fallon slid her way over to them and took a gander. With Zandelia well and truly soaking herself, the mercenary simply took the opportunity to carefully think and pick the dirt from her hair. She was an odd woman indeed, though she seemed to understand the present line of thought. Ideas that would get the economy going, to stimulate growth and gain a slightly better reputation within the city. Of course, there was always going to be catches, but to begin with such a task would be useful. Fallon chewed at her lip, and brought her hands to rest upon her shoulders, "Docks? Maybe. Maybe. But having docks with such a present reputation would only stimulate growth in the wrong areas. Coin. Slaves. Certain narcotics. Maybe."

Zandelia did not give her any real time to answer completely, though with a few more ticks of thought she would have surely been able to gain such an idea of what was potential. She managed to break a curl of the lips, "You can't eat gold. And whilst it can be used to arm men with tools, you still need to be able to fill their bellies. Back to the river though..." her finger faintly traced a circle in the water surface, her brow meeting to a point, "Build it right, then you can have more boat traffic. Possibly. I... have a thought. Use the river to move further in land. Faster transport over horses. I... think. I need a map. A detailed one. And notes. And to go look myself."

With a gentle splash Fallon began to think, "Carefully. Slowly. There has to be farming techniques that would increase the food yield. Or something to serve as an incentive to gain more land available to cause increases. Of course, the issue with providing more of a source of food would attract the attention of outsiders... I'm thinking not just raiders. But the knights too. They hear about a large expanse of land that can produce a lot of food then it will bring attention. That is one of my concerns... still it is one that will be crossed when we get there."

Licking her lips she raised a hand to silence any further words before dunking her own head beneath the water. Fingers tangled in with the curls, the nails scratching at the layers and dislodging the layer of filth that had accumulated there. With her breath held, she continued to run the fingers through the strands before finally she rose. Ruffling it with her hand, she blew the wet fringe to one side then returned to her knee hugging, "Sunberth needs defences after that. Some established level of construction to assist in warding off threats. Guard towers who respond to raids?"

Shrugging the pair moved onto the next topic with speed. Eyes blinked as she listened to Zandelia's words. Muscles rolled, her cold limbs trembling as they eased into the lulling state of water, "Yes. Happier things. Lots of happier things. When I was that age... Gods. I don't even remember what I wanted. I think I just wanted to be happy and smile. Simple things. Laughter, the pitched noise of voices in cheer and merriment..." she mused for a moment over her desires. False, smothered, the truth kept hidden. The clinking of chains, the sounds of screams being buried in the back of her memories. Nothing could ever be truly forgotten - but she sure as well was going to leave it behind. For her own safety.

"I won't lie... I... don't actually think you're old," Fallon spoke up, "If anything I think you're far from it. Sure you're more mature than me, and you've seen more of the world for what it is, but... I still don't think you're an old woman." her head inclined to the side, the swirling orbs meeting Zandelia's for a tick, "Kind of cruel for me to call you so. But... it's what I think, Cougar." Her tongue darted out at that point in a playful jab, her head then turning away once more. Somewhere the heat was making her head swim, her chest tightening in response to the steam.

Baths, a mixed blessing - she was always crippled by such heat. Hand rubbing at her brow she let the back of her head rest upon the cool floor. She just needed to keep her focus for a little while, "Flowers... I like flowers. I like the colours and the way spring dew rests upon the petals. And the smell mixed in with the buzzing of bees. Not that there are exactly many flowers in Sunberth... A shame really, the city would look nice with colour."

[Zandelia]

“Wildling” she retorted, poking out her own tongue platyfully, as she turned and placed her hands upon the edge of the small pool and heaved herself out of it, standing up from her knees with a cascade of water droplets slapping into the tiled floor.

She walked to the nearby set of low cupboards, wet footprints being left upon the floor as she paced and tracking her movements for all to see until they finally managed to evaporate away into the air once more. She crouched down and opened the doors to stretch her arm inside and search for what she knew used to be stored within. She peered inwards, frowning slightly as it was not immediately grasped but a crow of triumph could be heard as she finally extracted two thick bars of soap from the cache. There were towels also, more rag than riches but serviceable enough for drying themselves, and she took a few of these and carried them over to a dry section of the bench.

“Here, catch. You’ll feel better for it” she threw one of the bars at Fallon before she slipped back into the waters and lovingly accepted their warm embrace. She left her own bar upon the cool side of the tiles for now and simply looked at the other woman appreciatively.

It is so nice to be appreciated by another woman, even if it is for the vitality I have but should not truly possess at my age. Must be something strange about me she thought, not for the first time in her life.

“Not old? Well I could have fooled me about that but thank you for the kind words. You have no need to apologize,” she spoke softly, a sweet smile upon her lips as she watched the other woman very carefully, “what about me exactly is not old? I’d love to know so I can try and mimic it all over” she tilted her head and held the gaze for a few moments to observe the reaction before she grasped the soap and began to rub it into her scalp and her palms.

“Of course, flowers are always pretty. Many things are. The colours, the scents, the textures and almost intimate version of life that such things evoke in people. I should like to see such things in Sunberth one day, and I shall remember that you like them. Perhaps gift you a bouquet, no?”

“Happier things?”

She suspected that those words were a lie from what she had read in the woman’s journal but she was not about to contradict them when doing so would reveal her treacherous act. She would own up one day, just at a time when she had made sure that telling Fallon wouldn’t matter anymore – on their death beds perhaps. She had been to Sunberth she now knew, it tied in neatly and the ages would match up well from what she could remember. Those eyes were another firm fact that supported her theory – this was the Fallon from the past. From the dark room and the little hands cuddled up in her arms. She smiled a true and warm smile at her, though Fallon would not see a reason for it.

“What is your favourite flower then? I like orchids, and daffodils. Anything elegant or bright I think. Light colours,” she sighed as she closed her eye and continued to scrub the soap into her hair for a while before slipping underneath the waves and cleansing the greasy grime away, “though if done correctly darker ones work for me too. Depends what mood I’m in” she shrugged as she lathered her shoulders, arms and upper body.

She slipped out of the pool again to complete the full body soaping so that she could feel the sweet release of genuine cleanliness. She grinned as she placed the bar down, much used now, and all but jumped into the pool to create a large splash. Whilst underwater she ran her hands all over to disperse the suds and came up again with a shower. She snorted out the trapped water from her nose and wiped her eyes so that she could once more look at the other woman.

“Not going to partake of the soap? I thought you were wilder than that,” she teased, “but if you can see yourself to helping me with something I could use your assistance with a dagger. I think I need a new look” she stated as she relaxed once more into the edge of the steaming – and now soap sud surfaced – water.

“You like nature then?”

[Fallon]

Fallon watched, her eyes simply staring as she watched the woman pull free from the warm water. There was a long inhale, the droplets of steam clinging to her face whilst the eyes followed after. It was hard not to stare, to have the cheeks grow red in the heat and the lids part ever so slightly more to gain a better look. Or at least until one of the bars of soap were thrown at her. Hands snapped out, the damp skin slipping and sliding as she tried to gain a grasp of it. Not long after it promptly plopped into the water and begun sinking to its depths.

"Well... I just don't think you are," she could not exactly bring herself to say she looked fit and healthy, smooth skin and good shape. Built for quick escapes and fast dashes - the subtleties of muscles and the hue of life upon her cheeks. Blinking, she gave a stumble over her words as she tried to think, "I mean... you're not going grey, and you don't have wrinkles. And you're in umm... good shape? Healthy, lean... you probably ache because you don't look after yourself. Not because of your age." She was blunt then, even she knew that.

Her hands for the meanwhile continued to reach out beneath the water, fumbling in the depths for where exactly the bar had fallen. Finger tips traced along the stone bottom, nails scratching against the cracks as she tried to feel for it whilst keeping her attention solely on the woman, Flowers? If you really want. I'm not much of a bouquet girl - I prefer looking at them whilst alive instead of in a vase."

She was certain however when the woman began to speak about such things related, with that warm smile upon her face for seemingly no reason. She simply raised a brow in response, her fingers finally curling around the soap and bringing it to the surface. Placing it on the side, she turned to fiddle with the chain around her neck and slipped it off from over her head. The silver gave a glint in the light as it was placed down on the side too, and it was not long before Fallon moved on to cleaning herself.

"Favourite flower? I..." what an odd question. Nor was it one she really had an answer to, she knew nothing on the subject of flowers other than they grew in the ground and looked pretty. Otherwise they were all the same to her. Lips pursed into a line, her hands lathering up before she began scrubbing at her knotted hair. Soapsuds began to grow in, that distinctly clean smell mixed with the suffocating heat that came with it. For a while she rubbed it in, fingers running through as it cleansed, "I don't know? Blue ones? I like blue. Soothing colour." She paused her scrubbing for a moment, her mind creating a memory of such things, "Where the petals are small and delicate, the buds sweet in their scents as they bloom. They almost look like butterflies balancing upon the blades of grass... but they're not, obviously."

She ducked her head beneath the water at that point and scrubbed the lathering free from the tangles. There was a pause, her fingers scratching before she shook her head sharply. A spray of droplets, the various shades curling and teasing at various points with the eyelashes thick with droplets. With the hair once more falling before her eyes she looked at Zandelia between strands, and then moved to rubbing into her shoulders. Finger tips traced the scar upon her left and then moved round to her back and between the muscles. Neck clicking she gave a nod to the woman.

"I partake, relax. Just fiddly to get into such places," she stretched her arm right round, "I might be wild, but I'm also able to be civilised. Sort of." She dunked her shoulders beneath the surface at that point, the bar being sheepishly placed upon the surface. Cheeks flushed, a frown as her neck pressed against the soothing cooler surface and her mind gave a swim once more.

"I like nature a lot," she spoke slowly, "I mean, I understand its dangers. But if you respect it, there's a good chance it will respect you back. So, that's what I try to do where possible. I... it's something beautiful really. So deep and mysterious. Full of excitement and adventure. Away from people and their..." she shook away the thought, her knees sinking down and her hands resting upon her lap. She could barely think in the water a moment of light headedness smothering her, but it did not stop her from questioning back, "You get the idea. What about yourself? Nature for you or are you a city lady?"

Fallon looked down the bridge of her nose to the woman, her cheeks puffing as she blew away the steam, "Tell me about yourself Zandelia. Anything you would like to share or you feel is suitable for sharing. Colours, what do you like?"

[Zandelia]

She laughed at the bluntness of the tone, the words of neat criticism slipping out from within the surrounding compliments with the precision of a blade’s point – designed to pin her without a way of slipping from responding. The look within they eyes, the set of the jaw spoke volumes despite their silence. Fallon wasn’t quite mothering her, it was something else and the fact that she couldn’t work out what it was merely attracted her more to the phrase. She turned it over within her mind, piecing it with various flickers of observation and recalled verbal exchanges until it fit…somewhat. It was difficult to tell. She leant back and took the opportunity to enjoy the waters once more, they were nearing the close of their bathing, bodies now clean and only conversation keeping them from leaving.

An excellent day, despite its beginnings. Well, not all of the beginning she told herself, remembering the hands all to distinctly. She wished there had been more but then the position had been made clear – if still taunting.

“Perhaps you are right, I could look after myself better than I do. I’ve never really had a reason to though, I survive. No one to look after myself for” she shrugged as she watched the display of the washing with avid interest, “thank you for the kind words though. You are not so terrible yourself. Young, muscled, vital. Good le…” she trailed off before her tongue ran away with itself and said something regrettable.

She looked away and tried not to imagine the body that was being kept beneath the steaming waters so carefully. It wouldn’t do for passion to rise up when it would merely destroy what she had gained this day. It was impossible though, her memory was regrettably detailed in that regard. It conjured up the delicate hip bones, the elegant collar bones and the ripe flesh between them and beyond. She found herself glad for the heat that disguised the red face she would have possessed otherwise. She sought solace in conversation, conversation was clean and attractively unsullied so far.

“You like life then, to see it exist and watch it peacefully continue to grow. Not much of that perspective in Sunberth regrettably. Not these days. Not any day as far as I can remember. They are good people but their lives come first for the most part” she focused upon Fallon’s words as the suds continued to build – a small glint of a necklace distracting her with interest for a few moments.

“You are a romantic!” she teased, “I wouldn’t have guessed that. Endearing. And you took in this stray…cougar too. You are I should have known” she shook her head in feigned mockery, “cities are wildlife it’s just a matter of perspective. Nature and I have an understanding – I don’t mess around with it and it savages me every chance it gets. Doubt I’d survive long in the wilds. I’ve travelled but…well they were not overly pleasant journeys. The Spires to Nyka was the worst experience in my life. Wasn’t alone but might as well have been from all the bickering” she groaned at the memories, dangerous memories that she tried to dismiss with a flick of the wrist.

“Cities though…cities,” her face became animated and her eye glistened with the perspectives, “they breathe. They have a pulse, a beating heart. Thousands of hearts pulsing together to form a giant whole. Oh they are divided but that’s what makes them interesting. The smell of the markets, the colours of the clothing, the ever present cacophony oflife”she stopped then, closing her mouth as dignity became irretrievable.

She ceased her foolish descriptions, foolish but true. The question had likely been a simple one but the response was just overly dramatic. The damned woman always had a way of prying things from her, though in fairness she had to admit that it worked both ways. She fumbled for the other question, abroad one to be sure and an invitation. Fallon wanted to learn of her, know her. It filled her with both curiosity and ecstasy – she was considered someone worth knowing beyond the necessary.

“Me? I like green, and blue. I have my reasons but they were always my favourite. I don’t like black, surprisingly, though I use it for my own purposes. Shadows interest me, for obvious reasons. I used to be able to play the lute, or my mother was teaching me – long forgotten now,” she sighed and wondered why she shared such things, despite their closeness, it was a foolish weakness “I am not religious, though I have been known to pray…sometimes. I like puzzles, I really do. Any kind of puzzle because I get bored easily. You may noticed I’m sorry to say” she glanced over at Fallon for the knowing confirmation.

“I like dogs, which is why I love Orvin so much. Silly hound that his is. I also enjoy dancing but never really get to do it. There, now you know the secrets of the infamous Zandelia. How do you feel?” she slipped back out of the waters then, they were becoming stifling more than enjoyable as time progressed. It also provided an opportunity not to see the other woman trying to puzzle her out – it made her skin crawl in ways that were not conducive to their bond anymore.

She walked to her boots and pulled out the dagger she always kept in the right one – her father’s dagger. She had seen the necklace and it seemed familiar. As such she had decided to offer up something in return for a glance at it, her own family heirloom. There was a practical side to it of course, she wanted her hair shorn off and she had chosen Fallon to do it – the only one she trusted enough not to kill her with her own blade. She turned and flipped it around in the air, catching it and feeling the balance as she flipped it again and walked towards the other woman. She crouched down and offered the blade hilt first.

“Cut my hair? At the base of the skull? Don’t need it neat just need it shorter. You, however, should grow it. I like the way it flows down to frame your face, others would too I imagine. Useful to be seen as something to be appreciated than feared and always easier for disguise if you can cut it off in a pinch. I don't need mine, scar makes me too distinctive as it is” she smiled at her as she looked down.

"What's this?" she looked down upon thesilver chain and curiously distinctive pendant, "you've kept that hidden well. Not seen it before as I can recall. Story to it?" she asked bluntly.

“This is my father’s dagger you know, tracked it down," offering her own item up before Fallon could refuse her question, "took me years but I got it in the end. And you Fallon? What would you tell me about yourself that you have not done so before? Sharing is caring after all and we must look out for each other now. If you have a fear of spiders I’ll have to know to jump in and save you after all” she snorted at the very idea.