[ P ] Life Gives You Lemons

SIF ASGAUT
Bulletproof, Nothing to Lose

Skin pricked at the heightened chill of winter that the north brought, dense fur shielding the petite form rather well except where scars thinned the coat, allowing winds to sneak past and claw her with invisible icy talons. It was times like these that made her think some weren’t mad for wearing furs of other animals around, so long as it was practical and not a status symbol though as she watched a stoat scamper along the forest, there was a slight desire to pluck it up for her daughter. That was neither here nor there, watching it disappear into the snowy dunes, clueless of her presence as it played around. Maybe it just didn't care. There was a light chuckle that escaped her; the small, long creature reminding her of a puppy with how naively adorable they were though she’d hardly call the thing as cute as one with its rodent-like appearance.

Her attention would draw away as she caught a familiar face along the horizon, causing her to stalk forward toward them both reluctant and glad to see their face. A perfect soldier and one of few that were stationed solely in the rival territory but at least he seemed steadily on the side of the king. “Morning Lieutenant, hope you don’t mind a little company from an old comrade,” she greeted, catching his attention before it would turn to her. At first, he seemed a little surprised before coming to meet her halfway. Cordial and stoic as always, she wouldn’t expect anything less.

She’d talk with the older gentlemen for a while before she’d bring up her true reason for being here, wishing to know the status of her former cadets that had transferred under his care. Some more liked than others in her own eyes. There was one particular one that held her interest the most, one that had been her biggest annoyance that she had been in some ways happy to rid of from her own direct subordinates, yet she couldn’t help but wonder how he fared. Just as she mentioned the boy, the soldier would direct behind her that he was coming and she could inquire from him herself, causing her to glance over her shoulder though she didn’t see anyone at first due to white on white, much like a snowman in a snowstorm.

A sigh escaped her before looking back to the one she addressed first. Having thought of asking where the man lived a little bit ago but, in the end, did not want to appear at his doorstep nor had she really wanted to socialize with him. Looks like there might be no avoiding that now, though for all she knew he might run off at the sight of her, leaving her with only a report from the seasoned soldier she respected far more.

code by claerie
@Baelfire

It had been a rough couple of months with everything going on in Baelfire's life. His wife was sick, Gwydion was off causing all sorts of trouble and he was left to think about the looming war that might be coming to Rionnach thanks to Jacob's return. His stomach churned from the stress but he could only hope for the best. He and his family were tucked away in the Highlands, but he often had to make trips to the Mainland to make his reports. During those times he was away from his family, much as he didn't want to be. He hoped, perhaps, to see Gwydion along during his travels but his son made a point to not be found it seemed. Arran was away on training and while Orlaith stayed close to home, she still had no purpose but he would not push her. It would come in time.

As he walked through the snow, he thought he heard voices. "...Lieutenant..." Hmm. The voice sounded familiar but he could not quite place it to a face just yet as his mind was fogged with other worries. So he decided to check it out and see just what comrades he might meet today. He hadn't made many friends in the Army, but he hoped to change that today. Until he spotted the familiar golden backing of the wolf talking, along with the face of his Lieutenant. "Greetings," was all he could manage, along with a curt nod of his head. He wasn't exactly fond of his old Captain but that was not to say he hated her. Baelfire lifted his head again and waited for one of them to address him or tell him he was interrupting and send him off.


"Baelfire speaking"

Infection

You start feeling ill. Your throat is sore and it feels like there are lumps running along the sides of your neck. It is hard to stand and you keep shaking despite the raging fever that causes your forehead to burn.


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SIF ASGAUT
Bulletproof, Nothing to Lose

Tail would thrash once at the sound of a well known voice, holding in a desire to sigh or roll her eye, knowing the man to never really hold in his tongue before being addressed. It seemed that hadn’t changed but at least he seemed respectful enough to do nothing more than that, which was appreciated as she finished the few formalities she would share with the Lieutenant before turning her attention toward the former cadet, without thinking giving the other a dismissal in the process that with some surprise was not questioned as he simply replied that he’d leave them speak without his own intrusion and return to work.

Despite not being a Captain anymore, it seemed the order of seats remained in her favor in the eyes of those once below her and though it was inappropriate now, she couldn’t help but feel a little thankful he did not degrade her for not holding rank above him anymore. Perhaps he just didn’t know the shift and was working off assumption.

Gaze would settle on the male dressed in white, not forgetting their last encounter, which had she attended the wedding like invited, would not have been. She did not hate him to miss it for that reason, she hadn’t wanted to step foot in these lands at that time and had plenty to do in the Mainland to not truly have time, even had she wanted to go. That was no longer the case anymore, she had freedom for the most part with her new work, more or less contingent, just often taking up every shift offered most days to keep her mind occupied and a routine set to ease her. The one thing she could control in her life without fuss.

“At ease, Baelfire,” she said calmly now that they were alone, her eye scoping his mauled face for any new marks before walking past him, head giving a little dip to signal for him to walk with her. “I was just asking your superior how you’ve fared since going under his care. Well, I hope,” she glanced at him before adding one question that was a bit personal and perhaps rude when they weren’t friends to be so forward. Far from a socialite, she wasn't the best at being able to tell what was too but he had a habit of talking to her like they were perfect equals back in the day, so why should she do any different. “Enjoying being a father?”

code by claerie
@Baelfire

Infection

You cringe with a step forward and turn to see an ulcer on your thigh. That must have been what was bothering you this morning. That, paired with the sudden soarness in your throat, causes you to feel woozy.


To participate in the outbreak, please post in the #outbreak channel

Baelfire dipped his head as his Lieutenant bid them farewell in order to get back to work. He was never much of a talker, that guy. “At ease, Baelfire," she said once they were alone. His gaze had shifted back to her once the other had gone and he nodded his head agreeably. "Yes, I've been doing well. Hopefully he had nothing but good things to say about me," the man said with a gentle smile upon his rugged features. His single green eye gleamed as he liked to think he was doing a good job in his position. This job meant the world to him, well, right after his family of course. It was hard, but the work was rewarding in it's own way.

Speaking of family, Baelfire was surprised to hear her ask about his. His smile widened somewhat and he nodded his head again. "I love it more than anything," he said. He couldn't imagine going back to a time when he wasn't a husband and father -- those times hardly existed for him anymore. This was what he had been born to do, born to be. A husband, a father, a soldier... his life felt very complete, in a sense. He couldn't think of a single thing more he'd ask for. "And you? How have you been?" he asked, curious somewhat about the life of his former Captain.


"Baelfire speaking"

SIF ASGAUT
Bulletproof, Nothing to Lose

Her ears curved a little as she watched how much better put together he seemed toward his current reporting officer, which was a pleasant sight, deciding maybe he had just needed someone less…how would she describe herself? Orderly and stern if not a bit hostile at times? Khepri had made her stop to view herself more not long ago but unfortunately there was only so much self development she could do after one conversation that indirectly involved her behaviors and more directly examined his. Was it weird to say she kind of missed him? That warmth of his that had long left her bones since that night?

Focus would reset onto Baelfire as he spoke, not allowing her mind to wonder any further about a boy. That was the last thing she needed to be hooked up about, she had work to keep her mind occupied even though she was more or less on vacation right now.

“We hadn’t gotten that far. It seems you were summoned just in time to not get an answer, though I’m sure if he had anything bad to report he wouldn’t have hesitated or asked for a moment before passing you to me. He’s never been the kind of man to neglect a topic if something is wrong, involving work,” she replied, tail swaying as she saw him as a kindred spirit when it came to the army. She’d take in a breath, allowing the coolness of the air to take away any heat within her lungs. Deciding to ask one thing she hadn’t gotten around to asking the other’s superior. “Have the Jacobites been causing any issues for you up here?” her gaze set on him, truly uncertain if he remained loyal to the crown or being here was altering his mind any. It was the prime location to run into devout followers that would do their best to likely gain a few comrades in the Imperial Army, but she would not accuse him of anything when she had no reason to.

There was a subtle smile at him saying he loved being a father, glad to hear it. No matter her view of him as a soldier, she would never think him the kind to harm a child, not with his opening statement so long ago. He wanted to be a defender and to follow in his father’s pawsteps, that kind of man, if true, would do anything to put a child first. Her head would turn to him as he redirected the question her way as they mazed around the trees, though her attention for the most part would be alert even off duty, too used to doing patrols. Nothing would go unnoticed unless it evaded her senses entirely. “It’s been going okay the last year or so. Spending a lot of time with my own child as of late and admittedly kind of glad she has been stunted growing up. It's like a second chance getting to be the mother I was too busy to be but all the same, I wish there was a cure for whatever is causing it,” she sighed, her essence a mixture of warm and stressed as she spoke knowing her daughter didn’t think it was a blessing like she did.

code by claerie
@Baelfire

Infection

You start feeling ill. Your throat is sore and it feels like there are lumps running along the sides of your neck. It is hard to stand and you keep shaking despite the raging fever that causes your forehead to burn.


To participate in the outbreak, please post in the #outbreak channel

"I see," he said, hoping he hadn't interrupted their conversation too much by stumbling upon them. Sif was not wrong about his Lieutenant, certainly he would have conveyed anything to the former Captain before dismissing himself if there was anything that needed to be said. It was a relief that didn't seem to be the case, at least not as of yet. Baelfire worked hard to make sure he was giving enough time to his job and his family -- but sometimes he felt like his work suffered a bit. Especially with Sorcha being sick as of late. Hopefully she would feel better soon.

His ears perked at the mention of Jacobites and he shook his head, "Nothing yet, but that's not to say they won't. It's been eerily quiet lately... like everyone is waiting for something to happen," he said. He, too, was waiting. With Jacob's return there was sure to be another war. He could only hope that they'd all survive through it and vanquish Jacob and his men once and for all. They were a pesky burden upon Rionnach and he'd like to see them gone. He didn't wish death upon them, but if that was the only way toward peace he wasn't so sure he shouldn't.

As they moved, conversation switched to that of family once more and Sif mentioned her own daughter. He had not known that about her prior, and found it surprising though not all that much. "Second chances are blessings," he said. He wasn't too sure what had been causing the strange issue with aging in the wolves of Rionnach, but he and his family had not been afflicted as far as he knew. His ears twitched, unless Sorcha had fallen ill because of it. Maybe there was something in the water... he knew some blamed the fae but he wasn't too sure on that. He had never believed in such things but what else could it be? Sif's own family had been affected and therefore it was a real and true issue, not a trick of the mind to be blamed on fairy tales. "I couldn't say whatever it is that is causing wolves to age more slowly, or not at all. But hopefully there is a cure or pehaps it will find a way to sort itself out," he mused hopefully, casting her a side glance as they walked.


"Baelfire speaking"

SIF ASGAUT
Bulletproof, Nothing to Lose

She’d say nothing further about the other man as he accepted her words without protest, though she could only guess he was hoping to hear good things and nothing so undefined. There was no part of her eager to try and bring a smile to his face, though she’d have to lie to do that, like hell she was going to abandon her morals.

Her ears did bend back at the North being eerily calm, not that she had that much perspective about this place outside of war and other unpleasant times she rather not think about now. There was no remaining relaxed if she ventured down that mental disaster, though before she could even think to divert her attention away, something else had done it for her.

Steps would still in the freezing snow, lifting her right hind leg as if it had just stepped on something sharp before the pain would ebb away some, causing her to look around for a second; primarily behind them. There were no footprints, no odd scents, no nothing. The movements to do so would only reactivate that pain again. Confused to say the least, knowing it had been aching off and on today but now it felt like something was stabbing her with each step. On her bad side, she couldn’t exactly see the ulcer festering there as she pushed forward and wrote it off as just a bad cramp, continuing to walk next to Baelfire after a moment. Trying to hide the need to limp.

“For your sake, hopefully, if it does, your family won’t be at the forefront of the chaos. Everytime you touch the barracks and come back here or patrol, it places a target on you,” she breathed, feeling like she was talking to a child for a second when he was far from one physically. A bad habit, offering cautions and reprimanding others. Suddenly she felt oddly parched but shook that off as well, certain they’d come across a stream soon enough in this wooded landscape, listening for any sound of running water.

She'd nod agreeing with him. “Speaking of blessings and second chances,” she chuckled slightly. “I’m glad to see your wife hasn’t found return lodging in my dungeon as of late. Sorcha was it?” a teasing glance tossed his way with a faintly amused smile. She had met the woman before that horrid ball that would eventually end up with an assortment of individuals detained. Some trying to kill a King and others stomping on a flower bed, one definitely a way bigger crime than the other. If it wasn’t for the wedding invitation and his comment about the mother of his children being released as the reason for his absence before, she never would have connected any dots the woman she met in Edinburgh would hold any importance later on. Not that she could be certain it was the same one, she didn’t often run into many Sorchas in her life.

That amusement would be cut short as she almost fell over, more and more discomfort settling into her body and most of them common symptoms of one of her episodes. Surely talking about work type things wouldn’t be causing it, she was comfortable with bloodshed. She hadn’t thought of Yaroslav at all either, his face had not haunted her here, not since she broke free of the Fae Forest. Her legs shook under her, finding it more and more difficult to keep upright but she’d fight it, trying to continue on but she wouldn’t get far, failing greatly. Something was wrong.

code by claerie