Muttonhawk

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"Well, I can't answer that for you," Gallus said quickly. "Probably because we've both got about as much work to do, schedules line up and all that. However..." Gallus narrowed one eye and angled his head back slightly, "I have a feeling you've been convincing yourself that you haven't got time. I know some people back home that claim they're too busy for anything when they spend hours reading books before they sleep. When you say it's been the stress you're under, maybe you're correct in a different way than you think." Gallus began stroking his arms though the water, letting the coolness wash away the itches. "You could be procrastinating from your social life! As for me, maybe I'm just one of the few who gets to spar with you for fun, or something. If anything, I might be proof that you do have time."

---

"Oh, I see." Sabine approached and sat down closely beside Peiter as he answered, holding a small smile. She looked optimistic, despite what Tzirret was inevitably going through. "I do not think he will regret it. I have seen how they are together. It is better than how glum he was beforehand at not been there. He will always have that." Sabine took Peiter's hand in both of hers and her smile grew wider, "You are a kind brother to help him through it."

Perhaps it was La'khay's attitude's rubbing off, but Sabine was blunt when she leaned the side of her head against Peiter's shoulder and added, "If he wants any potions for mating, you can tell him to talk to me and I can lend him some." She turned panned her head to peer up at Peiter, "If you do not mind taking from our rations."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

There was little reason not to wash off now, so Gallus proceeded to doff his armour as Ri'vashi finished up. Her mention of her occupation leaving little time for casual social interaction may have been quiet, but Gallus heard it. It made him pull a pitied expression behind her back. "Now...that is a difficult part of your role," Gallus said with no hint of levity or humour. "This might sound dreary, but I can't call that healthy. Do you really not get to mingle with your friends?"

Gallus finished disrobing within a couple of minutes and he was not so tentative about wading into the water. We walked his way in strongly and briskly until he was deep enough before he jumped forward and dove under. It was as if he didn't care about the purple splotches on his skin where he had taken the worst blows. He surface a few metres away and pushed his hair back, taking a refreshing breath. At least his good nature returned to his voice. "I won't always be around to bruise up when you're feeling stressed, clan leader!" he called out with a laugh.

---

Tzirret's response to Peiter was to give him a sad smile and a tight hug. He was not exactly crying any more, but Peiter could feel the residual tears on Tzirret's face against his shoulder. He remained as such for another half a minute.

It was at that point that quiet footsteps approached carefully from behind them, joined by Sabine's voice. "I found you-" she spoke softly, stopping after seeing the red in Tzirret's eyes. "Oh, am I...interrupting? Are you alright, Tzirret?"

"Yes," Tzirret whispered while shaking his head, "He is okay." Tzirret pulled back from Peiter and looked at him gratefully.

Sabine resumed cautiously, turning her head slightly, "...I was wondering if you wanted to get some dinner." She did not appear to be directing the question to either of them in particular.

Tzirret's eyes flicked up to Sabine and back to Peiter. He put his ears half-way up, gave Peiter's shoulder a squeeze, pulled a purse-lipped smile and began to stand up. "This one will find something to eat," he said with a bit more heart as he walked away without waiting for either Peiter or Sabine.

With curious eyes, Sabine's turned to watch Tzirret walk off and then looked back to Peiter with her hands clasped together. "What happened?"

Mid/High Casual - Divinus: The Deity Roleplay Mk.II

No IC posts in four days? What is this, an Advanced level RP?

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Gallus was slightly surprised that Ri'vashi wanted to remove her armour outside rather than at her tent, simply to avoid the inconvenience of carrying all the armour back in her hands. Gallus guessed that he would be roped into helping with that as well. He stood up and started by removing her pauldrons from her shoulders.

"Well, you just spent the last hour or two doing just that. I don't blame you," Gallus said. "Anyway, you don't have to worry about me. I'm really more of a skirmisher than a line soldier, but I've said before that I'll have a spear and a shield with everyone else. I'm not a stranger to formations and battles."

Gallus lifted the second pauldron off at this point and laid it to one side. He proceeded on to the straps holding the armour on the back of her legs securely. "I intend to pick up some potions and scrolls, but apart from that, what I have with me now will suffice."

Gallus then asked, "Not to say that I mind talking about fighting, but are there other things you do in your spare time?" Gallus shrugged, though body language was difficult while behind Ri'vashi. "I mean, apart from everything else that comes with being clan leader." Gallus' tone went to slightly awkward realisation, "You probably don't get much free time, huh."

---

Tzirret didn't stop sobbing, but he found Peiter's words to be kind. "It...still hurts," he answered, not knowing what else to say.

There wasn't really much more talking to do. Tzirret just spent the next several minutes releasing his emotion under his brother's comfort. It wasn't too long before he sniffed and wiped his eyes dry. "Sorry to bother you, Peiter," he said in a tired grumble. "Peiter probably wants to get back to Sabine."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

The mental image of Ri'vashi's simile caused Gallus to laugh through his nose. Any sort of kitten-like behaviour didn't line up with Ri'vashi at all.

Gallus spoke after Ri'vashi, "It does look nice. I've been overdue for a good wash anyway. This training has made it desperate." Gallus sniffed under one armpit and only found sweat, "I have a feeling that I'll be heading to bed with endless itches if I don't."

Taking off his gauntlets to relieve them from the heat, Gallus turned his head to Ri'vashi and raised an eyebrow. "Do you have a squire or someone to help you do all that off and on or do you do it all yourself?" Gallus offered a palm, "I could help you if you want to save some time."

---

After a swallow and a quick breath in and out, Tzirret tried answering. "I..." He blinked twice, and as he continued, the walls crumbled. His face dipped down and he lifted a hand up to his eyes. His mouth was slightly open, speaking in a saddened shiver. "It is going so well," he said, "better than this one ever could have hoped." He let in a sharp breath. "She is the first where things have worked and...he does not want to have to leave her..." Tzirret let out restrained sobs, trying not to draw attention to himself.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Gallus, being nearly as worn out as Ri'vashi, if only to be spared by his relatively more breathable armour, was seated next to her after their practice. He slid off his helmet to reveal his head drenched in sweat as he placed the item next to him. He felt the various bruises he was afflicted with in every movement.

"Sorry to say, Ri'vashi, but what you heard is probably right," Gallus spoke in a regretful but frank response. "The air's thick and humid, you trip on a lot more roots, and don't get me started on the bugs." He tried to keep a good natured air as he faced her with an amused smile. "Then again, I'm just a sweaty Imperial from the mountains. I'm not the fairest judge. How do you like the cold?"

---

At first, Tzirret looked a lot more sure of himself when Peiter gave his advice about having a conversation. However, the first mention of Bruma had Tzirret slowly turn his head forward ahead again and flattened his ears. His face did not look angry, just blank, if darkening around the eyes.

As Peiter gave his apology and assurances, Tzirret did not seem to respond outwardly for a few seconds. He whispered "It is fine" with some strain in his voice. With only a blink disturbing his blank expression, he continued in a wheezing voice that was clearly holding something back. "This one will do that. Thank you, Peiter."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Did you have anything else in particular you wanted to play out during the duel? I'm not sure if there's much else to it at this point.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

The response was reflexive and immediate. Gallus twisted to parry Ri'vashi's sword with his shield. Ri'vashi's reach was such that Gallus' retaliation was limited to stepping forward and swinging his hammer upwards towards Ri'vashi's forearm. At least he could claim that he was taking her advice. If the blow landed, hopefully Ri'vashi would be left open for a moment to land another strike.

---

Looking away again, Tzirret worried his brow and sucked in a breath through his teeth. "Well...I..." He paused for a moment, but he sounded more confident with his response. "No, this one does think he is close to her. He feels like he can just...be himself with her. It's..." Tzirret hissed quietly as he trailed off. "It feels right. This one does not have all the words to say, but...he feels sure about being close to her. And he feels that Ma'tanza is the same." His face relaxed for a moment. "He loves her, okay?"

Trying to move on from that aspect, Tzirret looked to Peiter again. "Does Peiter think that Tzirret and Ma'tanza should talk about it first?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Gallus acknowledged Ri'vashi's advice with periodic nods but they were more humouring than attentive. "Yes, it was a risk," Gallus conceded in an exaggeratedly droll voice, jokingly smiling as he did. Though he didn't appear to hold it against her to lecture him, he had a little frustration in his movements as he snatched back his helmet. "Look, just because you continue to remain one step ahead of me, doesn't mean I should stop trying new things, no?"

Gallus slid on his helmet and readjusted his grip on the hammer he held. "Another round?"

Nearby, Gallus couldn't hear the whispers of the spectators through his helmet. Although even their discussions of his sanity regarding continuing to spar with the clan leader would not have stopped him.

---

After taking another breath to collect himself, Tzirret took a seat next to Peiter cross-legged and leaning forward. He was looking at the water with tension in his demeanour for the most part. One of his flattened ears twisted upwards reflexively when Peiter mentioned the potions.

Tzirret breathed in to ask about the potions but the previous question caught up with him. He let out some of his breath and addressed that first, turning his head to face Peiter. "This one...doesn't know when the right time is supposed to be," he said in a very unsure voice. "It felt like the right time last night. Is there a particular time? How did Peiter find out?"

Mid/High Casual - Divinus: The Deity Roleplay Mk.II

@BBeast, cool.