"Insensitive...? It's the truth Kensen, or do you truly believe every person here to be a capable hunter and warrior? People in the kingdoms don't understand how we Dimurans live, even the smallest of towns I'd visited have it easy compared to us. So forgive me if I come across as a little jaded but I don't think most people in Adelon to be the capable sort." She had yet to see terribly much to discount this idea of hers either. After traveling several hundred miles from home Nymira was convinced of two things: people within the kingdom proper were complacent and the Church was never going to be an ally to her or her clan. What Kensen said was true - the Church was not an issue for most people - but it was a major issue for her and her goals. Her exposure to them consisted of listening to their people decry the use of "free magic" and being attacked by their people on numerous occasions, not exactly things which would build favor with her. Kensen wasn't the only one to argue against her point: Adrianna was quick to denounce her assumptions as well. Merely acknowledging the healer with a sidelong glance she returned her gaze to the fire instead.

Watching her selection brown over the fire Nymira watched the flames dance, becoming lost in thought. Would she even be able to make allies? Given all that she knew now - and what she still may not yet know - the probability of anyone openly allying themselves with a Magi seemed increasingly slim. If not for their ability in combat the only thing she and hers could offer were rare minerals and blacksmiths, neither of which the kingdom appeared to be wanting in. Diplomacy was the only option and yet they had nothing to use to forge an alliance, they were smaller in number, had less to trade and arguably little value outside of being soldiers. And no Dimuran would rightfully allow themselves to become a soldier of the Church or whoever was in power here, something which still baffled her concerning Kensen. 

"Kensen... What is it like in the inner cities? From what I understand the capitol is further east still, and there are many cities further still, larger than any we've seen yet. Have you been that far?" If forging an alliance in the traditional manner was out of the question she would have to rely on other means. Gathering information would be important then, and only after she understood enough to have her way of things could she perhaps hope to make ties to the people here. Crossing her arms she clicked her tongue and looked back to Ethan who was practically leaning over the fire as his food cooked, rolling her eyes again and shaking her head. "I'm beginning to wonder if this journey of ours is a... How do you say... Idiot's errand? I'm traveling with a man-child, a literal child, and a machine. It sounds almost as absurd as the tales they used to tell us around the fires..." 

"Or why don't I try both? We're probably going to work up a big appetite later so we should eat all we can!" Not too much though or he'd get ill and cramp up during training, something he'd incidentally done quite a few times. Between the two Dimurans it was probably not a good idea to hinder their training, not unless he wanted both of them furious at him for the rest of the day. Ethan happily accepted Adrianna's offer and order himself a thin steak as well just to be sure he filled up. As soon as the meats were licked by the flames he could smell them beginning to simmer and his mouth watered, causing him to lean over and take a long hearty whiff of his meal. Should he see if they had some kind of sauce? Maybe he should see if they had bread, or vegetables... Was there a chance he could go get some mead without Nymira noticing? Engrossed in his musings he missed the brief exchange between Adrianna and Nymira, looking back a moment later confused to see them both annoyed. Were they arguing again? Ethan really didn't understand why, Adrianna seemed like a nice guy!

----------

Norman stared at the hole in the shop wall for a moment before hastily ordering one of the workers to make sure they hadn't just killed someone. As the man rushed out the door he let out a lengthy sigh and pulled off a sullied glove to rub his face, looking at Gage impatiently. "Please refrain from firing off weapons indoors, thank you!" he ordered, "I'm already on a thin rope here for dragging my vehicle through town, there's been dozens of complaints coming in about the noise!" Then, growing defensive, the engineer sighed again and shook his head dejectedly, "I can't minimize the noise, the engine and the exhaust has to be left open in order to properly vent the fumes and..."

"Stand down cat, I am not in the mood," Gage grumbled as he knelt down before Amuné, "We can take that outside and you can practice firing it. I'll teach you how to properly hold the weapon and how to control your breathing to steady your shots. It doesn't seem to have proper sights so you'll be winging it." Which was not exactly great for even an inexperienced fighter, let alone an incompetent child. Ignoring Norman as he continued to prattle on about some mechanical device of his Gage looked about the room until he spotted a far door, moving aside a worker as he reached it and held it open for Amuné, simply pointing to the gap for her to move through. "I was told to train you today and we're going to train, your machine friend is going to be just fine without you hanging onto his damn leg. Now move it girl, before I drag you out."

"A little tact goes a long way Gage, you might want to try it..." Norman uttered in exasperation, giving a shake of his head before passing Amuné a patient smile, "Go ahead and try it out, let me know how it works. I'm sure you'll be able to find something back there to use as a target, fire a few bolts and tell me how it feels. I'll adjust it to fit your needs. As for you..." There was a decidedly eccentric glean to his eyes as the engineer addressed Cecil, and placing an arm around his shoulders the Machina was led over to a table with numerous tools strewn about it. "As a combat model you should be capable of a number of things, both offensively and defensively. You have some offensive enhancements but nothing for defense, obviously. Otherwise you'd not have shown up the way you did." Rubbing his hands together while smiling Norman looked through his tools before grabbing a wrench and then grabbing Cecil by the arm, examining one of his gauntlets thoughtfully. Turning his arm over he tapped at a panel and seemed to become bothered by something until a light went off in his head, voicing his excitement as he turned and moved across the room. "A shield! Of course, so simple and yet invaluable! But it can't be a physical shield, no... Corrosion would be too much of a risk, not to mention repairs..." Norman began as he started to sift through a bin of what only seemed to be scraps, "Tell me Cecil, how's your power consumption since your last tune up? Any difference?"

[hr]

Playing keeper to a homicidal Varuna was hardly the type of work Remus was used to. Not that he was complaining, the majority of his assignments had him playing executioner to Magi who refused to bend beneath the Church's thumb. Matters were only worse too when one considered how thoroughly violent and unpredictable Bernadette could be, the woman seemed to revel in her job; Magi were under such scrutiny that it always struck him as odd that they should be fighting one another like this. Given their combined strength, if none stood with the Church, could they even hope to enforce the laws they had now? Not that humoring such thoughts did any good as the state of the world clearly did not favor their kind. On his way out of the tavern Remus thanked both the owner and his daughter, giving the latter a handful of silver on his way out: under the Church's orders they operated and the others used that to their full ability, often traveling and dining places without having to pay. The very least he could do was throw a little coin their way to make amends for the rude behavior. For members of such an esteemed group his fellow hunters surely had no issue with abusing their authority.

It brought so much satisfaction to make men like Remus heel and obey her every word. He had absolutely no choice in the matter, Bernadette knew this, as she knew he loathed her and hers with every fiber of his being. A wry smile crossed her face as she pulled a dagger from her sheath and examined the pristine blade with a soft him, running a fingertip along its edge before looking at the Ydran before her. "Elluine? Tail him. He's failed as well and I want to be certain he does his job. Should he fail then you have my permission to kill him too. And try to do it outside of a settlement won't you? I'm still trying to clean up the mess at Orosi."

"That was your doing my lady, you've no one to blame but yourself," the Ydran cackled, "But as you wish, I'll see to it that they fight outside and away from civilians. Though... If any do happen to be caught in the crossfire-"

"Avoid that, that's an order," Bernadette demanded as she pointed to Elluine with her dagger, "I've already had to go back to the capitol once because of you fools, if I have to go back again it will be with your heads. Now get going, I've got other business to attend to." That was quick to get him out and thank goodness for that, the moron thought he had the freedom to do as he pleased under her. The only reason Elluine was even under her command now was because he'd been so unruly before with his former leader, a problem they had been unable to rectify. Now that he was her responsibility she would be damned certain he never stepped out of line. Shame killing your subordinates was so frowned upon... But then that's what she had subordinates for, they could do her dirty work for her. "And Remus will do it no matter how much he detests it, won't you Remus?" Giggling to herself Bernadette stuck her dagger into the top of the desk and slid out of her seat, cracking open the door to the office and getting the owner's daughter's attention. "Dear? Tell me... How would you like to be of service to the Church and your king?"