RP:A Well Deserved Night Off
Summary: Brennia has good news about her health for Zahrani now that she has a night off from the chaos in Cenril and the pair has an earned night off to enjoy each other’s company.
Open Market
The southern path though town opens wider to the east, as the sea comes into view. The air is thicker here, but carries with it the fresh scent of the seawater and breezes. Lining either side of the path, large seashells, polished to a high gleam, stand on edge, opening skyward. The occasional cry of a vendor is heard from the west, towards the open market, while a winding dirt walkway leads southward to a sturdy manor house.
Brennia is early to the date she scheduled with Zahrani, so she peruses the various treats and goods at the market where they had their very first date. A few days ago she sent word that she has good news and the avian is just too eager to share! Today she dresses up a little more than what she usually wears (oversized chord knit sweaters and leggings) and opts for a simple maxi dress, but accents it with a teal pashmina due to the slight chill in the air and she seems to be filling out the dress a tad more than she used to. Her hair is left down in large soft curls and there is some natural looking makeup on her face. As soon as Zahrani comes into view, a genuine bright smile cracks across her whole face and pokes dimples in her cheeks, but once they get close enough, she embraces her love and folds her wings around the paladin while subtly breathing the scent of her in. Zahrani would be surrounded by her own favorite scent of course, as usual with avians. “By someone’s gods, I’ve missed you,” the little joke between them because avians are without any belief in the gods and how ironic that her girlfriend is a paladin. When the hug breaks, she’s still smiling as her solid teal hues drink in every feature of the feline’s face before gently pressing her forehead to Zahrani’s. “Let’s get a couple of tepache drinks and find somewhere to sit, shall we?” It is unusual for Brennia to drink, especially in her condition, but maybe that is a hint to the news.
Zahrani |To say Zahrani had had her hands full the past few months would be an understatement. When she wasn't training, she had been largely wandering alone, or alongside caravans that needed protection. In service to Cyris, she had been hunting for clues and secrets that might lead to undiscovered artifacts that might have been used or venerated by old worshippers of her deity. Her expedition had come to an abrupt end when she received a letter from her colony's Matriarch. A horrific viral outbreak had struck southern Cenril. Some of the Isran felines had succumbed to it, either shambling about the city's darker streets, or meeting a second death at the hands of their kinsmen. Needless to say, the Paladin returned with all haste, helping to set up a small quarantine zone and helping to corral any infected catfolk into it. The panther needed to unwind. Wearing a white-fur-lined sleeveless shirt, which contrasts sharply with her sleek ebon coat, the cat-woman wraps Bre in a warm embrace, taking in the familiar scent. "I've missed you too," she says in her warm feline rasp. She lets the bard take the lead, "I could definitely use a drink..." She notices the dress that fits her beloved, a weary smile forming on her panther face.
Brennia is always delighted to spend time with her love in the feline form, she was beginning to wonder if Zahrani thought she might not like the fur covered version, but Brennia likes both forms equally. It just feels like a semblance of trust. “Very well,” she places her hand in the crook of Zahrani’s arm as they casually meander towards one of their favorite food stalls. “How have things been going with quarantine?” Brennia hasn’t been able to help or interact due to her health problems, but she badly wishes to. The bard orders two kebabs and two cerveza flavored tepaches. After paying for their meal, she spots a table near one of those magic powered heat lamps under some twinkly lights and leads the way over. Her pashmina slips off one of her thin bony shoulders as she pulls out her own seat and after they get comfortable at their table, Brennia can’t wait to break the news, “so.” The bard starts with the soft clearing of her throat and raises her bottle, “to good health. I had my last surgery a month ago and my body hasn’t rejected it,” surely Zahrani remembers the time Brennia had to get her stomach sewn and the first organ transplant, but how horribly it failed and it made the avian very sick. Some of the color has returned to her skin and she isn’t looking as gaunt now that she can actually nurture her body.
Zahrani had noticed Brennia was looking healthier. As for her choice of appearance, the unusually cold winter simply made it more practical for her to show her her winter coat. Her fur is sleek and soft, covering that same svelte physique. The warmth of the heat lamp is welcomed by a soft chuffing sound from the paladin as they take their seats. She smiles in relief as she hears Bre's surgery had gone so well, "That's wonderful love. You had me scared there for awhile." In response to her lover's question about the quarantine, Rani pauses, taking a sip of tepache before responding, "We have an area set up and sealed off. Now we're just trying to get ahold of any infected stragglers before they infect someone or..." she inhales sharply, before exhaling, "before someone is forced to kill them in self-defense." The panther's cyan eyes gaze wearily towards Brennia; it was the look of someone who was living a nightmare. People she had grown up with, even young ones she had helped bring into the world; they're all vulnerable. She takes a bite of kebab, allowing herself to take her mind off of the situation, just for their date. The other felines could manage the quarantine. The paladin reaches out, resting a warm hand on Brennia's, "I know you're eager to help me, and I look forward to when you're back at full strength."
Brennia nodded in agreement, “Thedez seemed to have also been concerned. I was on death’s door when he rushed me to the House of Ara to see Emilia.” Speaking of which, the bodyguard doesn’t seem to be around which is very unusual. The bard couldn’t help it as a look of concern shifts her features and she gives a soft squeeze to the hand in return, “I am eager, very much so. I’m so sick of feeling useless or like I’ll just get in the way and be a burden," with that she thoughtfully chews a healthy bite of her vegetable kebab before taking a small pull of her drink, but then she makes a face. Covering her lips in a raspy giggle, "sorry, I just… It has been quite some time since I had a drink like this, I forgot about the taste." Decidedly, she takes it slow so as to not disrupt her new organ. After some more well paced bites, she adds, "I haven't been able to enchant my voice since the surgery, though." She half shrugs, "I can still play and sing of course, just no magic to it right now." Brennia is really bummed about this, but she wears a believable optimistic mask that only a few may be able to see through.
Zahrani watches the avian eat, the panther helping herself to her own food and drink. She offers a warm grin as the woman struggles a bit with her beverage, "Take it easy, love. Let's just focus on enjoying our time together." Almost as if on cue, a small crowd gathers down the street, responding to the sound of drums, singing, and dancing. A small band of buskers - elven, feline, and human - were coordinating an impromptu performance near some of the heat lamps. Despite the horror inflicted on the city, people still found time to just...keep on living. After they finish eating, Rani turns towards the spirited commotion, the oohs and aahs of the crowd, "Want to take a look?"
Brennia smiles in a coy fashion as she quips back, "how couldn't I?" Referring to enjoying time with her love, it was inevitable. "I had to talk Thedez into leaving and going back to Alithrya. It was a hard decision for him, but ever since we found out that there might be something nefarious going on there, I can tell he's been worried." The usually stoic man was always hard to read, but he'd been her guard long enough to notice the subtle differences in his behavior when things weren't right. When the music hits her long tapered ears, she sort of perks up and glances over while slowly sipping her drink. A grin and a side-eye glance is given to Zahrani at the question, "you know me so well." With that she stands and walks with Zahrani towards the music. Happy to just live in the moment with the fine people of Cenril and her love, she draps an arm over the feline's shoulders and her wing curves behind the paladin as they watch in delight.
Zahrani walks with Brennia towards the group of street performers. Fire poi, breakdancing, a drumline, and a pair of flutists, all working together to take the city's mind off its troubles. In response to the avian's body-guard leaving, the panther nods in understanding, "I left a significant amount of work behind just to be back here. In my home." Her arm gently snakes around the bard's waist, pulling her close and resting her head against that of her beloved. An elven woman glances over at them, before respectfully turning away and taking her husband's hand. To the keenest ears, a faint shriek could be heard far off to the west side of the city. The sound of an infected soul, quite young going by the pitch of their voice. Rani's heart sinks at the sound, but the sound of muffled footsteps on the city's rooftops reassures her. She was not alone in responding to this cursed infection. A small team of felines, some from Isran and others from smaller colonies, could be seen vaulting across the street, heading in the direction of the scream. A few more attentive members of the crowd raise a glass or a fist in respect to the tireless volunteers who spend the night capturing the infected, knowing that the being is someone's friend, mother, father, or child.
Brennia also leans her head against Zahrani’s own as they enjoy a small moment of peace and a content hum escapes her lush lips, but the peace never stays in Cenril these days. She looks to the direction of the shriek, worry and fear grips her heart as her free hand rests on her stomach as if holding down the fear. Brennia raises her drink to those heading full on into the danger and that concerned brow knit together looks to her love as she softly asks, “do you wish to join them?” Of course Brennia wishes to continue their date, but she also wishes she could help and she fully supports Zahrani if she feels the need to join the volunteers. A soft smile is given with the offer because it’s the caring humanity about Zahrani that she fell in love with and she knows that this work is important to the paladin.