2017-06-10: Spice and Hugs
- Log: Spice and Hugs
- Cast: Catenna, Lunata Croze, Kourin, Jacqueline Barber
- Where: Adlehyde Refugee Camp
- Date: June 10, 2017
- Summary: A group of friends gather for curry and a heartfelt chat.
<Pose Tracker> Catenna has posed.
With the refugee camp set up, a number of people have been dedicating their time to help those in need. Many of them are healers. Others have more prosaic talents.
The city itself is crawling with Althena's Guard. Well outside the city limits, however, a nomad's tent sits by a stream, with three firepits out front each boasting a heavy black cauldron. At the moment, two are lit; from one, a pungent, aromatic scent drifts for what must be a mile and a half. There's an alluring spice to it of a sort that doesn't seem to belong in normal Adlehydean cuisine.
The other pot is full of rice. Catenna checks on it quickly before hustling back to the pot of lamb curry she's been brewing up. Ladling out some of the curry into a bowl beside the rice, she bows her head and offers it up to a tired-looking old man.
The old fellow shuffles off, and it buys Catenna a moment of quiet. She exhales heavily and wipes her forehead, looking back towards the stack of bowls and forks she's accumulated. There are at least thirty of them - she's been feeding a lot of people since the fall of the city.
Feeding them, and sometimes providing a priestess's attentive ear, and some sage advice.
Right now, the only advice she can give herself is to clean the dishes now that evening's passing by and most people are done eating. She sighs and begins to move towards the bowl heap.
<Pose Tracker> Lunata Croze has posed.
Lunata doesn't have to worry about the Guard being after her -- though she finds it a bit intimidating that the city is now under the protection of a sect of people she'd never before encountered until very recently. She's welcome to their aid, of course, but she feels like... the nature of the town is beginning to shift lightly.
Lunata is carrying supplies through to the camp and pauses, before sniffing and smiling as she kneels by Catenna's side. She looks rather haggard from her trip out, and there's a lot weighing on her mind. That she's now been privy to being in a military sandcruiser is also... certainly something. "Miss Catenna!" She waves, and holds some of the supplies out. "I'm passing ingredients around to the camp kitchens, is there anything you're low on?"
<Pose Tracker> Kourin has posed.
Kourin shouldn't be here.
With the patrols of Althena's Guard and the fairly significant bounty placed on her--and the fact that this was where she encountered White Knight Leo, unintentionally--it is extremely dangerous for the former Guardswoman to be wandering around inside Adlehyde. And yet...here she is.
Her previous disguise having been abandoned in her flight from White Knight Leo, Kourin has now adopted a new disguise--her hair has been somewhat clumsily braided, and she wears a shapeless hooded poncho. Spirit, ever immediately recognizable, remains at her side, though she's got him on a lead at this point to ensure he doesn't go running up to greet someone he recognizes like one of her former colleagues in the Guard, or White Knight Leo again.
Or, in this case, Catenna and Lunata. He whines as he recognizes them, straining to rush over and show them what a Good Boy he is. Kourin relents and lets him go once she spots who exactly it is he wants to say hello to, quickly making her way over herself.
"Good day to you," she says quietly. She's not looking anyone in the eye, as usual--but there's a quiet confidence in her tone that wasn't there before now.
Somewhere, Kourin has found that she has a spine.
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
Jacqueline is in the area as well, as it happens. Seeing the town as it was now...Jacqueline was happy, but a little sad at the same time. She had done all she could do to help. Now the only thing she could do was watch as others handled the work she wasn't suited for.
It was a feeling that was difficult to comprehend.
She'd been seeking Catenna specifically, as it happens. Not so much for any specific reason, just to see how she was doing and if there was any way she could help out...as it happens, Lunata was there, as well. And not only that, but she could see Kourin, too. Mostly because of Spirit, from this angle she couldn't see Kourin herself all that clearly.
"Ah, hello there!" Jacqueline greets them all with a smile and a wave. "What a coincidence, to find everyone gathered here..."
<Pose Tracker> Catenna has posed.
Catenna isn't especially wanted by the Guard, either, but she doesn't want to associate with an armed body of men who come bearing arms in the name of foreign gods whose magisteria overlap with her god's. It's bound to lead to a theological debate, and she won't win the debate if it's against hundreds of men with knives.
As Lunata kneels by her side, Catenna raises her eyebrows and blinks, then smiles a kind smile as the girl holds the supplies up. "I am a little low on black pepper, actually - and it looks like there is some in there. Thank you, Lunata." Reaching into the girl's supply box, she picks out a small jar of it.
"You have been working hard, haven't you?" she asks with a cant of her head to one side. "Please, sit down and rest... I have some shir chai on. Ah-- Zortroan tea, excuse me." She indicates a teapot sitting off to one side, happily steaming away. "Or, if you wish, some rughan josh."
That's about when someone else arrives. Catenna recognizes the dog right away. Subtly, her shoulders angle back, spine straightening and chin coming up, as if to unconsciously slip into the role of pack leader, before she reaches down to pat Spirit between the ears. The arriving Kourin is met with a simple nod. "Hello again. Are you hungry?" The question seems aimed generally, since Jacqueline's striding up too.
"Hello, Jacqueline... please, join us. Most of the diners will have gone, by now, so we have time."
<Pose Tracker> Kourin has posed.
Kourin's mouth is already watering at the thought of Catenna's cooking. "Y-yes, please," she says in reply to the woman's question. Spirit wags his tail at the pettings.
"I...would hope not to bring trouble on anyone, of course..." Kourin says, glancing around. "I believe the Guard's patrol route does not pass by here regularly, but..." She leaves the end of that sentence unspoken.
<Pose Tracker> Lunata Croze has posed.
Lunata rummages through her pack and pulls out some whole black peppercorns in a jar, nodding as she hands it over to Catenna. "Ohh... that all sounds good. I'd like to learn the recipe from you. Aunt Hilda's recipes are a bit different... I think she's tailored her recipes to suit the palates of the people around here, hehe..." She sits down and-- perks up as she looks towards Spirit, then glancing around.
"Oh, Spirit!" she perks up rather warmly as she ruffles the dog, before nodding towards Kourin. "Hello again..."
Finally, she looks up at Jay and beckons her closer, perhaps needing some company right now. "Jacqueline, thank you again for accompanying my mother and I up to the Singing Ruins..."
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
"Oh...well, thank you. I'd be glad to." Jacqueline replies, sending Catenna a smile at the invitation. Her eyes drift to the pile of unwashed as she approaches them.
"If you'd like, I can help you out with those afterwards." She offers.
She glances toward Kourin then. Jacqueline had seen the bounty posters. She supposed that she had been expecting them, though it was still somewhat of a shock to see them. However...
"It's alright. I'll let you know if I see them." Jacqueline replies with a nod. She wasn't concerned about the trouble it might bring on her.
And then, at Lunata's beckoning, she takes a seat nearby to her and sends her a smile.
"You're welcome! Honestly...it was my pleasure to join you. I've...kind of been wanting to join your mother on an expedition for a while, and to be able to work with both of you at the same time..." She replies, chuckling sheepishly.
"Anyway...how are you feeling, Lunata? You looked a bit shaken." She asks. Hopefully this wasn't too direct.
<Pose Tracker> Catenna has posed.
"I do not think it does. At least, I have not seen much of the Guard in these parts. But then, I know little of them," Catenna says as she takes a bowl in hand, spooning some rice into one half of it, then some of the curry into the other. She puts together three more such bowls, then moves to the teapot, pouring the drink out into little cups. Curiously enough, the tea is pale-pink and slightly cloudy, with tiny slivers of shredded pistachio and poppy seeds bobbing on its surface, and when sipped, the flavour is somewhat salty.
She hands the food out, centring it all with a jug of milk if it's needed. As she does, she smiles warmly at Lunata, a spark of quiet joy alighting behind her pale grey eyes. "Is that so? I would be happy to show you some of them. Perhaps in the next few days, we should make some time and cook together?" She's a reserved woman by nature, but there's a simple happiness behind the suggestion - Lunata's brought out something she enjoys at a very deep level.
Jacqueline gets a bowl too, and Catenna nods politely to her. "I would appreciate the help," she muses, even as her eyes turn to Kourin once more.
"I take it that you have... parted ways with your companions," she murmurs before seating herself as well, cradling her bowl in her lap. She blinks towards Lunata and Jacqueline, then.
"Goodness... did something unfortunate happen?"
<Pose Tracker> Kourin has posed.
Kourin inclines her head in thanks as she is passed the food, but simply stares at the bowl for a few moments after Catenna's comment. "I...yes. I deserted. And then I told my former commander that I had done so."
She leaves it at that for a few moments.
"He was not pleased," she adds. That's an understatement, if anyone's seen the amount of the bounty that has been placed on her.
She sighs, then, closing her eyes, takes a mouthful of food and clearly savors it deeply.
<Pose Tracker> Lunata Croze has posed.
Lunata looks between Catenna and Kourin, as she takes a little bowl of curry and sniffs gently and says, "Ooh... it's a very nice colour..." she nods at Catenna's suggestion and says, "I'd be happy to! Oh, I also need to show you the kitchen I've been slowly putting together with Uncle Tom's help for Jacqueline's caravan." A pause, as she looks to the alchemist. "We should give the vehicle a name sometime..."
At the question, though, she hesitates with a soft pause and says, "Ah... um-- Mother... Mother's research finally paid off. Jacqueline and I accompanied her with Miss Ida, Professor Hetfield and other Drifters..." Knowing that the Yggdrasil crew don't like to necessarily be mentioned by name, "... and we discovered a ruin of... well, it would be accurate to call it a ruin of Death."
She sighs faintly. "... to think there are such strong sensations... and... most bothersome of all was the echo I felt from the giant we found at the end, Jay... why would that be? The Ark of Ge Ramtos, the song called it..."
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
Jacqueline accepts her bowl thankfully. She doesn't say it out loud, but...she'd been wanting to try Catenna's food again sometime, and this was an excellent opportunity to do it. Catenna's question, though...
"No, no one got hurt, thankfully, but..."Jacqueline feels it might be best to leave the rest to Lunata.
"Oh, you're putting a kitchen together? I'll have to take a look sometime and add it to my design notes." Jacqueline replies, glancing towards Lunata. "A name, though...I'm terrible with names, honestly..." She murmurs, looking up to the sky for a moment.
What kind of name would be fitting for a vehicle like that? Hm...well, it still had yet to be constructed, so she could afford to wait a little bit.
She sends Kourin a concerned glance.
"Well, I'm glad you made it out alright. That couldn't have been easy..." She replies, then glances toward Lunata.
"...If it truly has connections to Ge Ramtos, then maybe..." Jacqueline begins.
...Maybe it was calling out to her.
That was what she thought, but...it was hard to just say it out loud. She didn't want to scare Lunata, but the lingering silence probably didn't help either...
<Pose Tracker> Catenna has posed.
"I am sorry it was difficult," Catenna murmurs, bowing her head shallowly towards Kourin. "I had heard that there was one the Althenians were... seeking, as one who departed of them. You are in no danger here, however. Nor will any of us doubt your faith here." She nods, gathering a bit of curry and rice and nipping it down.
Turning quiet eyes to Lunata once more, she brushes a lock of her own ahir away from her cheek. "I would like to see the kitchen," she says.
"I should like to see the vehicle itself, actually... I still have not. If I am to travel with you, perhaps it would be better to see what this is."
Something obscure haunts her expression as Lunata speaks of what she found. "Ge Ramtos," she murmurs, folding her hands at her chest and bowing her head reverently.
When she looks up again, her smile's gone, replaced with a reserved sobriety; she seems almost troubled. "...I know nothing of an Ark of the Greater Guardian of Death," she murmurs. "Perhaps... if I were to see it... I would be able to help you understand it."
<Pose Tracker> Lunata Croze has posed.
Lunata looks just a bit alarmed at Kourin, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry to hear... but, at the very least, we're all with you...? I can't imagine it would have been easy to tell your superior you were not going to follow him anymore, though..."
That might be a bit of an understatement.
That it was calling out to her, though... she could kind of see it in Jay's eyes, what she wanted to tell her. She knew Jay for a long time, after all.
"... it was a Giant, like a-- well, mother said it looked more like a Gear rather than one of the Golems that were shown here not long ago," Lunata tries to recall. "And it... emanated strongly of the same resonance that I feel when someone passes..."
<Pose Tracker> Kourin has posed.
Kourin frowns. "It is wrong that they have erected a statue of Althena here, that they are not respecting the faiths of the Blue Star--of Filgaia," she says of the Althenians. On the subject of the Giant, of the Gears and Golems, she has nothing to offer, no knowledge to provide or even understanding.
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
"That's right, Kourin. We're all here for you. I don't believe you've done anything wrong." Jacqueline says with a nod and a smile, confirming everyone else's sentiments. Catenna, at that point, brings up an excellent, well...point.
"Well, it's still in the design process, for the most part, but I've got some updated blueprints here..." As she speaks she rummages through her bags, eventually pulling out a notebook.
She flips through it to the last page with anything on it, and set it out for anyone to take a look at, if they'd like.
It was...clearly some kind of vehicle. As big as her wagon, almost, but it looked like it was better protected owing to the power of the Emma Motor that would help it move, and with what looked to be a lightning rod attached to it that claimed to be part of the power source.
Would a vehicle like this really run on ten horsepower?
Well, it's probably best not to think too much about that either way.
With that said, she thinks back to the Giant.
"I've never seen a Gear quite like that, but...the only Gears I've really seen up close have been common labor Gears, and that black Gear..." Jacqueline comments.
<Pose Tracker> Catenna has posed.
"A Gear?" Catenna frowns, sitting up straighter. "Strange... perhaps it... was somehow built around a strong Medium? A talisman like this?"
Reaching down to her side, Catenna comes up with her own Medium. It's a simple stone tablet with etchings across its face in a language that might be Baskar, a moon emblem carved into it. Her fingers stroke across it with a peculiarly tender reverence. "It is through this that I can hear Celesdue. Perhaps one is at play. Though, I have not heard of such a thing being done with a Medium... and I cannot understand how a machine could... feel like what it is when someone passes. But if there is some fragment of the Guardian's essence within it, then...."
She knits her brows into a shallow V. "...I wish I had been there with you," she finally says to Lunata with a note of apology in her voice. "But I did not know this was happening."
She takes the drawings from Jacqueline, lowering her eyes to them with a baffled frown. Technology is not one of Catenna's strong suits.
<Pose Tracker> Kourin has posed.
Kourin smiles shyly. "I am...I am glad to have...friends. It is a new experience for me...but..." Tears roll down her cheeks, though she is still smiling. "It is one I am glad of."
<Pose Tracker> Lunata Croze has posed.
Lunata nips a little spoonful and savours the flavour for a moment. "Oh... this has a bit of a childhood taste to me," she admits to Catenna. "I remember when Aunt Hilda still used goat's yoghurt in her curries, but she tends to not these days because people are more adjusted to the taste of cream or milk." She does look curious about the tea as well, sipping a bit from it. "It's-- salty? Wow, it's not like any tea I've ever had... you can really taste the spices in this, because of it."
She perks up as Jay pulls out the picture, and gestures towards the back. "We're thinking of fitting a kitchen with a service counter there -- so it could act like a stand and I could serve customers while we're on the go!"
The younger waitress quietly looks with reverence to the stone tablet, closing her eyes. "... I can sense something from within that Medium... ... it does feel... familiar..." She bites her lip. "No, I'm sorry too, this was all very sudden for us. It certainly isn't something I've heard tales of... I can't really imagine a Baskar tribe -- building a Gear to house a Medium in, you know? Such tales just don't exist..."
She looks at Kourin again and redoubles that pat on her shoulder, before urging Spirit to go give his mistress comfort, Good Boy!
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
While Catenna takes a look at her notebook, Jacqueline takes the opportunity to try out some of the food. She's learned from last time, and she takes things carefully.
"Excellent as always, Catenna." Jacqueline says with a smile. Lunata mentions then kitchen, and...
"Hmm, yeah...yeah, if we move the rod over there, and then...yeah, that could work..." Jacqueline mutters to herself, thinking about how to fit it into the the final product. A kitchen with a stand on the back of a moving vehicle...admittedly, Jacqueline had considered building a stand for her own wares into it, as well...a multi-purpose shopping vehicle? Was the world ready for such a thing?
The concerns about power from before are raised, but pushed to the side.
Sometimes one has to learn to just relax.
Jacqueline looks over the medium that Catenna shows them. It was a simple thing, but beautiful in its own right.
"Yeah, we...couldn't really expect to find anything like that. But then again, a place like that...I wasn't sure what to expect. It was...beautiful, and sad at the same time. We might learn more if we went back sometime, but...it's very dangerous." She says, then sends Kourin a reassuring smile.
<Pose Tracker> Catenna has posed.
"It will feel a little different," Catenna explains as she leans in to let Lunata revere the Medium. The way she holds it is careful, as if handling a priceless museum piece. "This one does not bless itself to Ge Ramtos... only to Celesdue, of the Moon. But there are Mediums which do allow the holder to hear the words of other Guardians. If one were to be built into... some manner of machine... though I cannot imagine who would do so. If it is someone other than the Baskar...." Trailing off, she knits her brows in mild consternation, uncertain of what the answer is.
Again her eyes lower to Jacqueline's notebook, but deciphering the mechanical elements is far beyond her. Instead she lets Jacqueline regard the medium a moment longer before sliding it back into place at her waist. "If you two go back, then I would ask to come with you," she puts forth. "I understand that I am a stranger in these parts, but... perhaps there is some insight I may be able to provide for you, should I see what you have found. And...." Here she bows her head towards Jay and murmurs, "...thank you for your praise."
Kourin tears up. Catenna looks at her with a blink, then inclines her head, clearing her throat slightly. "They are useful to have," she says quietly, her tone softening just enough to let a touch of something empathetic through.
"But I understand your experience... I have also never truly had... friends."
<Pose Tracker> Lunata Croze has posed.
Lunata listens well to Catenna's explanation, really rather uncertain herself. Another mystery of the past... just what was everyone there involved in? Mother spoke of the great disaster that befell them... was the machine created to protect them against it, or ... was the machine part of the calamity?
"Thank you, miss Catenna... I feel like I understand a bit better," Lunata answers. "I feel the same kind of warm, kindling feeling I do when I am near the Zeldukes statue... when I focus on that Medium of yours. It's very faint... but I feel like I can hear a distant voice."
She was not attuned to the voice of the Moon, nor of those that it governs. "I'd-- I'd love for you and--" A pause. "Miss Kourin, would you like to come with us too? We can travel together as friends!" She looks hopeful and... maaaaaay have just jumped the gun, but is totally looking at Jay with those lethal-grade puppy eyes.
<Pose Tracker> Kourin has posed.
Kourin is silent for a time, eating--she seems to be a person for whom good food is to be savored. Then she speaks again. "I...I will, yes, be joining you--Miss Jacqueline had already discussed it with me previously."
Spirit is a Good Boy and has gone to his mistress' side, sitting quietly and behaving in the hopes of getting some food.
"I am...new to having friends, as I say. Forgive me. I am also...new to the idea that not everything bad that happens is my fault...or deserved by me. If I...if I slip, please remind me."
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
If not the Baskar, than who? From the looks of the place, it had been there for quite some time. It was altogether baffling, and something that she couldn't quite wrap her head around. She didn't know much about the people that had built the Singing Ruins.
But still, Lunata seemed to be a bit more at ease now, and that was the important thing. Jacqueline sends Catenna a thankful smile and a nod at Catenna's own thanks.
And then...Lunata invites Kourin along. Jacqueline fidgets a bit at this.
"Ah, well...actually, I'd been meaning to find a time to tell you two, but..." She starts. Kourin finishes the statement for her and Jacqueline nods, and sends her a smile.
"Of course. That's what friends are for, right?" She says.
<Pose Tracker> Catenna has posed.
A spark of insight dances behind Catenna's eyes. "I felt much the same the first time I saw my mother lay her hands upon the Medium... that I could feel a kind presence, and... something of a... whisper, I think, that I could barely perceive. Perhaps you are attuned to the Guardian spirits more than most," she says with an encouraging nod to Lunata. "I was trained since my girlhood to serve as a priestess in honour of Celesdue. I would not be so brazen to think that it is my place to guide you... but I will do what I can, if you wish to pursue what you have felt. To better touch them, and understand this world."
Lowering her head, she takes a bite of curry, then a sip of salty tea. The big puppy eyes from Lunata draw a hint of a blush to her cheeks, though. "I... believe Jacqueline had offered to bring me along in her journeys, which I had accepted. I would be pleased to go with you."
she flashes a little smile, small and restrained. Her gaze flicks towards Kourin, then.
Quietly, she considers the renegade priestess. Then she inclines her head. "I understand your feelings. But not all ills in the world are... a thing that you have caused," she assures quietly. "But you are also alone here, and have walked away from that which you know. More than most, I understand that."
Catenna holds her hand out to Kourin, palm-forward, as if expecting her to take it. "I can find it in my heart to forgive one who, as I do, seeks a new life."
<Pose Tracker> Lunata Croze has posed.
Lunata nods encouragingly at Kourin, and then exclaims, "Ah, really? That's so fortunate!" She smiles warmly as she claps her hands and says, "I have a really good feeling about this adventure of ours!" She tilts her head and says, to Catenna, "You've been at this much longer than I have, and just like Mister Cyre, of course I'd listen to your advice, Miss Catenna..."
She gives Kourin a gentle hug, smiling and encouraging her as Catenna holds her hand out. "Just let us know if you feel bad for whatever reason... we'll sort it out together!"
<Pose Tracker> Kourin has posed.
Kourin hesitantly accepts the offered hand. "Thank you, Miss Catenna. It gladdens my heart to know."
Kourin takes a breath. "It has been...a difficult shift in perspective. I...I shall tell you of how Spirit and I came to be together, if I might. It is...perhaps illustrative." She pauses, smiling at her dog. "It was...perhaps six years ago, when I was still but a child at the orphanage, before I was sent to Neo-Vane to study. Spirit was an abandoned puppy, an injured, starving little thing...and some of the other children were throwing rocks at him by the waterside. I...could not allow their cruelty to stand, so I rushed in and shielded him with my body, pleading with them to stop."
"They did not. I...believed until quite recently that...that I deserved the rocks they continued to throw, that it was my fault. As I cried, though, Spirit licked my face, and when the orphan mistress finally came to make them stop, she said that it was okay for me to take care of Spirit. It was the one kindness in my life."
Kourin falls silent, hand resting on Spirit's head. The dog's ears are perked up, he knows he's being talked about.
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
Jacqueline listens as Catenna recounts her story. She was glad that Lunata would have someone along who could help her understand the situation, and these experiences that would undoubtedly be new to her. Lunata mentioned Cyre, and he seemed like a good guy, but, well...
For certain reasons, she trusted Catenna a lot more. It'd be rude to say that out loud, though, so she remains quiet.
"I did, Catenna, and you're still welcome." Jacqueline replies with a nod.
"Honestly, I'm...kind of glad to not be traveling alone anymore. It was alright when it was just me and my horse, but...well, he's not much for conversation, you know?" Jacqueline says with an embarrassed chuckle. It could get lonely sometimes.
She then listens as Kourin tells the tale of how she came to met Spirit, and gasps slightly.
"Oh no...that's awful! Poor Spirit..." She says, glancing towards the dog.
"It was a good thing you were there for him. And...I'm glad, things turned out alright in the end." She says with a smile.
<Pose Tracker> Catenna has posed.
As Kourin takes her hand, Catenna curls her fingers, sliding them into the spaces between the other priestess's. She gives her a simple squeeze, holding there for a moment. Then she draws the hand back, smiling simply and letting it fall to her lap.
She tilts her head to nod to Lunata, that smile lingering and taking on a slightly abashed cast, as if the younger woman's energy is contagious and she's not quite sure how to match it. "Then I will do my best," she promises, clasping a hand at her chest and nodding briskly. "And I am glad to help in any way I can...!"
As Jacqueline explains herself, Catenna nods once, brisk and affirmative. "A horse can be conversational if you grew up the right way, but most have not. But I am also glad not to travel alone. After Adlehyde fell, I had...." Her voice quiets slightly. "...I had thought to travel again, for it had seemed there was little for me here, and perhaps Aquvy would be a better place. I am glad to have reason to stay."
And then Kourin tells her tale. As she listens, Catenna's eyes go distant, haunted by some weighty thought or another.
"The bond between he and you is strong, and the love between you is pure. I am glad you have a true companion with you," she murmurs, her voice taking on hint of throatiness. She hesitates a moment, before lowering her head.
"I envy you," she admits simply. "For my own companion fell long ago."
<Pose Tracker> Lunata Croze has posed.
Lunata reaches towards Spirit as Kourin tells the story, scratching the underside of his chin. "That's awful...! I'd definitely agree with the matron of your orphanage, I'm glad that she let you take care of him... he grew up to be a really nice dog! Those kids should be told off for thinking that."
She nods at Jacqueline to express, "I really like your horse, though I keep thinking that it's a shame we never quite pinned a name down for him... he'll have a good owner in the Ranchlands, though, that's for sure!"
Or maybe he'll feature in other regions thanks to the Call Whistle.
"Oh..." Lunata tilts at Catenna as she says, "What was... your companion? That's sad..."
<Pose Tracker> Kourin has posed.
Kourin nods. "He has been the truest of friends. I am glad to have more friends than just Spirit, now, though." She frowns, then opens her mouth--she wants to ask about Catenna's reply, but some part of her feels it would still be too forward for her to do so. Then Lunata asks and Kourin doesn't have to.
Spirit enjoys the attention, not really sure what's going on beyond that he knows he is a Good Boy and his mistress loves him.
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
"I don't doubt that. He's definitely quite intelligent. Really, I do owe a lot to him." Jacqueline replies with a nod toward Catenna. She felt...a little bad, about leaving her own companion behind on their journey. But...she had to tell herself it was for the best.
Lunata has a good point, though.
"I know, but...I didn't want to pin a name on him that he wouldn't like and, well...you can't really name a horse like you would a store." She explains with a sad shrug.
She hadn't decided who to turn him over to. It was a big decision to make, and one she wouldn't make likely.
The identity of this person will be revealed eventually but for now it is a mystery, even to Jacqueline.
"Well, Catenna...I'm glad you've stayed with us, too." She says with a smile.
And then Catenna brings up her fallen companion.
"I'm...sorry to hear that..." She murmurs.
<Pose Tracker> Catenna has posed.
"His name was Huri. He was a young owl," Catenna explains, eyes unfocused and directed to a point off to the side of Kourin a couple of degrees, not really seeing it. "He was killed after I was driven away from my home. It is...." She lowers her head and exhales.
"...It is the way of our people to know the monsters and beasts of the world. Many Zortroa are companions to great creatures. The tarasque, even, among some. I am... unlike them - I am not one whom the beasts respect. Huri was the only creature who would travel with me. I have been without a companion since."
She states that pretty simply. The hurt of it is simply buried away - though there's a quiet hardness to her voice that betrays it if you listen hard enough.
With a light intake of breath, she lifts her chin and clasps her hand, nodding towards Jacqueline, then Lunata, then Kourin once more. "I am glad you have asked me to stay with you. I cannot return to my people - that is certain. But I must believe that I can help to do some good for some in this world."
<Pose Tracker> Lunata Croze has posed.
Lunata sags just a little and closes her eyes. "It's sad... but, I'm sure he would have had a happy time travelling with you, as your companion, Miss Catenna..." she places her hands to her chest for a moment, before finishing that aromatic, slightly salty tea of Catenna's. "Ah, on the topic of the Temple, we'll be returning to Rujm el-Hiri in a few days, to excavate that Gear that we found. I do hope that it all goes well... Mother's pored so many hours of the last half-decade into this... and-- ah, I've been told that it'll be open for those that want to spectate as well..."
She might have a bit of a problem about her mother's somewhat understandable excitement over her success.
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
Jacqueline...isn't quite sure what to say. She bows her head politely.
"I'm sorry." She says. She can't say much else, but she does nod when Catenna speaks once more.
"That's all anyone can do sometimes. To believe they can do some good...and strive to do so, in any way they can. And...we'll do what we can, as well. All of us." Jacqueline says with a smile. "Together, I'd like to think we'd be able to make an impact."
Lunata brings up the excavation then and Jacqueline nods, a bit concerned.
"Yeah...me too. We'll see what happens, though."
She...couldn't help but feel some small amount of trepidation about all this, but could only hope everything went well.