Redsand Canyon When you kiss me, Heaven sighs

Anyone from Mereo is welcome to join this thread! Tags for reference. 

While thought Ali was not fully back to health, she had gained enough strength to be irritated being cooped up in the plebian housing. She'd slept for a long while, but when she woke, she ached more than she had before. A good stretch was needed; and what better way than to take a walk.

So, from the dens she wandered, looking for no place in particular. @Germanicus had shown her some of the canyon as they moved through it, but she hadn't seen much. Perhaps now was a good time for a tour. Two birds killed with one stone, eh?

snags this <<

There was another new joiner, apparently. Fennec had heard tell of two recently and supposed she should eventually make the effort of an introduction - though there was no real obligation beyond actually showing an interest in being a part of the pack going forward.

It just so happened she would cross paths with one today. (Unfortunately Fennec was likely one of the worst options possible when it came to tours.)

Her ears flicked towards the unknown wolf with interest as she heard her passing nearby. Fennec wasn't the type to start small talk, but she did pause momentarily. If the other wolf introduced herself, she'd return the favor - otherwise they were likely busy.

A figure soon came to view. But it was not that of the imperator. They were smaller, and of different shades.

With caution, Ali slithered her way closer. Then with a small nod, she initiated some form of engagement. Hello. Short, calm. Her usual demeanor and way of conversation, lest it cover a topic she had some grand interest in.

She seemed willing to talk. Some of Fennec's withheld anxiety relaxed. She wasn't used to this yet - keeping to herself had been easier, and she was annoyed by how difficult meeting the pack suddenly sounded when she considered it.

Hey. You could be new, but I could be wrong. I haven't exactly been social since joining. Jokes on her own behalf always seemed to loosen her up. My name's Fennec.

She didn't know what she aimed to get out of this conversation. Practice was honestly the main reason she approached, but wasting packmates' time so she could practice being a functioning member of society again was... pretty fucking dumb. Thank god her new mateship didn't come with a rank.

You are correct... I am new. She replied, chuffing softly at the hint of humor the woman shared.

Joined a few days ago, actually. I'm Alstroemeria, but you can call me Ali for short, if you want. For a moment, Ali stood in an awkward stance, observing she who called herself Fennec. They seemed to be blind, or partially so. By the ways her eyes lacked proper shift, as well as the pale, hazed glow. But, of course, she wouldn't question it aloud. It was a sensitive topic to some, apparently.

You one of the soldiers, or plebians? A more fitting question; one with an answer she had more interest in.

Well, she felt better about that at least. She wasn't as far behind as she'd feared.

I'm a soldier, I suppose. Seems to be the focus of the pack. Fennec answered, a bit blasé. She didn't have strong feelings though it was the role she'd asked for. She would have fought either way - and she would maintain her gardens either way also.

Do you have a role yet? If she was new, Germanicus might have given her one.... or she might have been left to it the same way Fennec had been. She hadn't exactly been pressed into service, though it was harder being upset about that now.

Plebian. She answered flatly.

For the first time since she'd arrived, Ali found herself annoyed. The majority of Mereo seemed to be trapped within the concept of soldierly conduct. But rather being given a title among them, she was a simple civilian. 

Germanicus has asked that I teach one of the auxillary. It is there wish to become knowledgeable of the lands, and perhaps one day be an emissary. She did not know how much Fennec knew, but it seemed an appropriate time to share the addition to her tasks.

Ah, this sounded familiar. Fennec wryly remembered her own dissatisfaction when she joined, and how she felt her own potential had been overlooked. Interesting how that worked.

It's a strange pack. Fennec said, her features twitching into a small smile. I wasn't raised military, and I'm still not entirely sure I understand it. Were you hoping to be a soldier, or something else? Not that there is anything else, she thought with an internal sigh. She had been in this exact same spot only weeks ago. And honestly, she was lucky she'd trained as much as she had, growing up. Otherwise she'd be pretty well fucked here, rank wise.

Strange indeed. At least they both knew there was an initial similarity between the two.

The military part isn't so strange. But that it is the base concept is what I find odd. It leaves little space for added experience. Not that she had much experience outside of soldierly values.

Initially, there was nothing I truly hoped for... only to have a place to recuperate and find myself. In this, the imperator was willing to provide. I am grateful to him. And, not to mention, in his debt. Though, she had been the one to swear her service. It was not something he had demanded.

Seems more like the type of place to lose yourself than find it. Fennec replied with a touch of humor. Just a hint. If she was looking for a place to throw herself into work and distraction she'd come to the right one; otherwise she might be disappointed.

I don't know if Germanicus has much experience with things outside of war. But I think he'd have an appreciation for them if he ever got the chance. She wondered what the other woman would think of that admittance.

Even when wound so tight in one place, there is always much to learn. Yes, the mind and body requires expansion of knowledge for growth... but we can still explore different things on our own to find what talents we hold desire for. Even if I were given position as a soldier, I would still have the freedom present to seek out other curriculums in the stead of my responsibilities. Perhaps Fennec wouldn't see it this way, but Alstroemeria still wished to shed some insight on the subject. 

Our imperator may know some things, but war has clearly been his focus. It is an area that others have made him believe his talent and mentorship lies only there. War is all he has been taught. But in order to see otherwise, he requires advice from those close to know he can be more. Everyone will be given opportunities. He just needs to fill a few gaps to find them.

She had a lot to say. Fennec listened, but didn't have much of an opinion to argue or agree. Sure, she could do what she wanted... but there was little meaning to it outside what she got herself. Maybe that was enough, for some things, but not for everything.

A devilish impulse took her when the next part was said. As far as she knew, their relationship was unknown... and she was suddenly curious. Are you two close? She asked innocently, as if her words had implied it. In a way they had.

It might be wrong to toy with packmates like this, and it was definitely an interesting strategy in the road to making friends. Still she couldn't help herself.

Clearly, Fennec had a different view from these words than what was intended.

It was suggested that she and the imperator were close. But how could this be? They hadn't known each other long.

We are not, She answered simply, tone calm and leveled. If this woman had assumptions, so be it. But Alstroemeria was truthful.

But it is not difficult to see where his struggles lie, regardless of the length of time we have known one another.

Would she have been jealous if she’d said yes? Fennec wasn’t sure. She wasn’t deep enough into a relationship with the man to know how something like that would affect his dealings, but she had been suspicious nonetheless. Alstroemeria was an unknown entity and the way she spoke help some measure of quiet authority. It was a trait Fennec had never really felt secure in herself.

So perhaps she was a little jealous, but for entirely different reasons.

This realization annoyed her, to some level, though she hid it. I’ve barely spoken with him. So I suppose I wouldn’t know. They were married, but it wasn’t exactly a false statement. At this point he’d revealed very few of his problems, if he had any at all. Just a wife and children who left.

I’ve led before, though, and it’s harder than it seems. Mereo seems successful enough. It was enough to keep both of us. She was leading again, feeling her out. Had she led before?