I saw rise in the heat settle soft and as pure as snow

[reunionize]

[This, honestly, took a lot of work. More work than some of the battleplans, but admittedly the machinations of the Victorian nobles are predictable. The only thing Talulah knows about the northern territories is what she's gleaned from her father's journals.

Edward Artorius apparently had a decent enough relationship with the ruler when he'd been alive, and since the wendigo race of Sarkaz live for a very, very long time, perhaps any goodwill towards her parent might be extended to her.

She has also gleaned the northerners are not unreasonable; they've crossed paths during various skirmishes at the border, and they ignore all rebel forces once their own task is complete. Talulah has made it very clear no one from her side is to engage with any other party that isn't either obviously Victorian, or strikes first, and it seems the courtesy is returned.

That said, isolationist policy is hard to overcome, and what she's asking isn't a mere favor. To be embroiled in civil war in another country is an idea most people would scoff at, but...the north has undoubtedly seen the writing on the wall for what will transpire after the dust settles. Victoria's appetite is ever unsatiable.

The Gaulish castle she walks through is a testament to that. It's nothing but ruins now, good for little else besides neutral territory. She's brought two members of the rebels with her, two with a calm rationality suited to negotiations. She'd be fine going in alone, but, well...if Talulah saw another group's leader sitting all alone during a meeting that was meant to be a peaceful talk, she'd think there was an ambush waiting.

Still, no matter how rational one is, curiosity tends to win out, and she can hear her escort party gossiping even behind their masks. They're wondering if the northern princess is as beautiful and strong as the rumors say. If she's half as strong as that Cautus she'd seen once during a border skirmish, then her alliance would be more than a boon.

By her estimation, the meeting time is near, so she supposes she'll find out soon enough.]

Comments

[reunionize]

We're in County Hillock?

[Talulah's expression instantly pinches upon seeing the sign. Their location does not bode well at all. Sighing, she wipes sweat off her face and gestures further down the road towards the city.]

We're very far from Londinium. I've never been here, but members of the rebellion who either lived here or were on recon missions all say the same thing. The hostilities between the Victorians and native Taran populations mean it's a landmine that's already been stepped on. Now it's just waiting for the explosion.

[In other words, they've ended up in a place where the Victorian army is already in a hair-trigger mood.]

I think there's a place we can stay, though.

[hypothermy]

[ that sounds like they were blasted across the country, which is not what Yelena was hoping to hear. to be in territory where Dublinn's likely to have a strong foothold with the populace is even worse, but it's not like they can do anything about that now. ]

In town? Do you have any idea where?

[reunionize]

On the eastern edge. I'm not sure if we actually have to go through the town itself to get there, though.

[If they do, the host of problems that would crop up trying to navigate through might be more trouble than its worth.]

I don't think it's been too long since there was a group here who was trying to gather intel...County Hillock has been the center of some odd movements by Victorian researchers and high-ranking officers. It's hard to tell if they're here because of the unrest or something else.

[hypothermy]

The military's here? Is there a base nearby?

[ just their luck. if they're as far away from the fighting and capital as Talulah said, they might be able to sneak in by virtue of the local militia not expecting any action in their area. ]

I don't know if we have a choice about going into town, unless you want to try sneaking into someone's barn and letting me try to take care of your wound.

[reunionize]

Just an outpost. That's why odd movements caught our attention. The army's presence might have increased recently, though, and we won't know until we get closer to the city.

[But like Frostnova said, at this point, they don't have much of a choice. Knowing the direction they should go is a much better idea than wandering around.]

No. The city is probably our best option, even with the risks.

[hypothermy]

If it's a smaller operation, they might not have the numbers to post too many guards.

[ given what Talulah said about the area being a tinderbox about to ignite between the natives and the army, they should keep the area monitored closely, but Victoria's war machine has been starting to pick up speed. there's a chance the grunts here have already been shipped up north.

she begins to walk in the direction of the town as soon as Talulah indicates she's ready to continue, remaining close to her as they continue on. ]

If you need to call me by something while we're here, just use my name. My code name would attract attention we don't want.

[reunionize]

Of course. No callsigns.

[Nicknames, even odd ones, tend to be pretty common, but considering the type of cover they'll likely need to use if they run into someone who would question them...well, Talulah would probably be best at playing a fallen Victorian noble from some no-name house and they're typically above that sort of thing.]

And they'll send manpower elsewhere if it's really just about keeping order. But we suspected there might be something important to the army being kept here.

[hypothermy]

Storing something important to the military next to a town of Dublinn sympathizers ... if you're right, it can't be anything good.

[ while the role Talulah might assume is fairly straightforward, Yelena's options are less clear. "cautus noble" is an oxymoron in most situations, only applicable to those who are adopted or married in, and claiming as much would draw attention. not to mention, it's not like she's got much skill as an actor—

though she might have to develop some, as the distance headlights of a truck come into view over a hill in the distance. ]

—shit.

[ with the vehicle approaching quickly, she makes the best call she can to keep them both alive. Yelena side-steps into Talulah's space, reaching around her waist to wrest a hand below her bruised ribs. ]

Lean on me.

[reunionize]

It might be because this town is a ways from the capit--

[Talulah hears Frostnova curse a moment before she spots the headlights. There's no hesitation or questioning as she moves to rest more of her weight against the other.

After enough time fighting on the same side, Talulah can guess what Frostnova's snap judgment plan is. Hopefully, they won't have to do any more than this, but that optimism is short-lived.

Talulah doesn't dare look up when she's playing up her injuries, but she can hear perfectly well, and the crunch of the tires coming to a stop, followed by what are definitely Victorian army standard boots stepping onto the rocks did not bode well.]

[hypothermy]

[ Yelena waits for the soldiers to approach, making note of their uniforms to surmise their ranks— two grunts, if her memory serves her right. she can work with that. ]

You're a little late.

[ she angles her body as if she's trying to shield Talulah from full view, the defensive stance of someone whose priority is protecting their companion. her voice is cold and harsh, the easiest way FrostNova knows of to establish her authority. ]

The bandits running your roads are halfway across the county by now.

[reunionize]

[Talulah doesn't speak, preferring to wait until the situation calls for her to do something more than act like an injured person Frostnova is trying to keep from further harm as they trek back to the city.

One of the soldiers seems a bit quicker on the uptake, because they start to ask about what the bandits looked like, obviously suspecting the (nonexistent) attackers may have been Dublinn or their sympathisers, but the other bristles almost immediately.]

And who are you?

[hypothermy]

The only escort the lady's parents thought she'd need on a routine trip.

[ acting this antagonistic toward a hothead might be a misstep, but Yelena doesn't trust herself to pull off a frightened maid. the solider doesn't seem any further incensed, but he remains critical, asking before his partner can get another word in;

What's with the accent? You're from Ursus? ]

Northern Kazimierz, and I'm not about to go home and tell my lord that I let his daughter bleed out on a roadside after what he paid for me.

[ finer details aside, the last line is barely a lie. whether or not the soldiers will understand the full implications is another matter— mercenary or what polite Victorian society calls an "indentured servant", either will work for FrostNova's current designs. ]

[reunionize]

[The solider with more of a temper doesn't seem keen on letting Frostnova get the last word in, too incensed by an apparent servant stepping out of line, and it's now that Talulah chooses to step in.]

Yelena, that's enough.

[Her voice is purposefully softened, takes on the affectation typical of nobles as she addresses the soldiers.]

I hope you can forgive her for being a little short. She's been with me since I was a child, and she's just worried about me.

[Many well-to-do families get playmates for their children, be it the offspring of their high-ranking staff, or a so-called "indentured servant". Hopefully, the act of a well-bred lady speaking up for a servant she's been close to for years would be enough to defuse the testier soldier's annoyance.]

[hypothermy]

[ she goes quiet at Talulah's command, clicking her tongue in an entirely genuine show of distaste for the situation. that doesn't win her any points with the chagrined solider, but the other one pulls him aside before he can snap back, whispering to him in hushed, urgent tones. Yelena hopes the implications of nobility and wealth are enough to put the fear of looming consequences in their mind.

when they turn to address the women again a few moments later, the calmer soldier repeats his questions about the bandits who attacked him, while his partner glares at them in silence. ]

[reunionize]

Oh, well, the whole thing is still a little fuzzy to me...

[Talulah plays at being too shaken by the ordeal of an attack to give very many concrete details. The description she gives could be about wandering bandits just as easily as it could point to members of Dublinn.

Once she's finished, the other soldier jerks his head towards her and asks pointedly, What about that sword?]

This? It's a family heirloom. I only wear it for intimidation...for all the good that did me. I'm not sure I could swing it properly even if I tried.

[The first part is...somewhat true. The latter part is such a blatant lie, Talulah quietly hopes Frostnova doesn't laugh when she says it.]

[hypothermy]

[ Yelena makes a sound that could be passed off as a grunt when Talulah tries the line about her sword, but it's quiet enough that only she can hear it.

the first solider seems to be getting fed up with the other's persistent questioning, eyes darting between him and the pair of women who seem to fit the profile of bedraggled travelers well enough. in FrostNova's estimation, the longer they linger here, the more likely the soldiers are to press for more of their story or call in command. she attempts a more gentle approach this time, still sounding steely, but significantly more subdued. ]

Look, I'm not asking you to give us a ride in to town, but can you at least let us through? Her injuries are serious and I need to get her to a doctor.

[reunionize]

[The second soldier seems ready to argue again, but there's the tell-tale crackle of comms coming from their car, and the first looks incredibly relieved for the excuse to drag him away.

Whatever information they get seems to be serious enough that two women wandering just outside of town are now very much second priority, because even the more billigerant of the pair jumps back into the car with barely a dismissal and cursory goodbye. Talulah waits a few seconds after she can't see the vehicle in the distance anymore before speaking.]

I wonder who just did us a favor.

[hypothermy]

I wouldn't bet on it being a favor just yet.

[ for all they know, it could be be a prelude to the base sending out men in full force to try and dig up a missing rebel leader and an Ursine commander.

she realizes after the car lights fade into the distance that she's still holding onto Talulah and quickly steps back— anyone else, even through a layer of clothing, likely would've said something earlier about having FrostNova clinging to them like cautus-shaped icicle. ]

Sorry. You good to keep moving?

[reunionize]

[Talulah's arts kept her at a nice and normal temperature, even with Frostnova's ambient chill, so she didn't really mind, and gives the other a bit of a puzzled look.]

I'm fine. Let's go before anyone else comes down the road, or it starts getting dark.

[In truth, she's trying to beat the waning tide of adrenaline that's still keeping her upright. The wound on her arm is about the same, but her side has started to hurt much more noticeably.]

[hypothermy]

[ Yelena's also aware that they're working on a timeline. things have been moving relatively fast, and she knows that after the high of battle inevitably comes the crash. she doesn't want to strain Talulah by going too fast, but also knows they need to get to somewhere safe as soon as possible.

the road becomes more manicured the closer they get to town, and FrostNova doesn't spot any other travelers as they go. once more than a smattering of buildings begin to appear along their path, she speaks again. ]

Do you have an address of this place you think we can go?

[reunionize]

I know the street name, and I'll recognize the safehouse when I see it. We should head further east, I think.

[And keep to the outskirts as much as they're able to. Thankfully, even as they get deeper into the city, there don't seem to be many patrols wandering around.

Eventually, Talulah does see the right name on one of the street signs and glances down the road.]

There. The one at the end.

[hypothermy]

Let's hope someone's home.

[ the light's started to fade from the sky, and Yelena wouldn't be surprised if there's a curfew in place for the city. the few civilians they did pass seemed flighty, watching the pair with a mix of curiosity and suspicion, saying nothing to them as they hurried on their way.

she stops when they come to the house Talulah indicated. FrostNova counted more than a few homes that seemed to be abandoned, but this one seems at least somewhat better kept. ]

Is there some signal we should we using?

[reunionize]

Even if they're not, we can still use this place. It hasn't been that long since the last recon team left here.

[The windows are dark, but that doesn't mean much. Talulah steps up to the door and knocks in a pattern, and when that doesn't get a response, she simply starts walking towards the side of the house.]

Can I borrow your knife?

[hypothermy]

[ Yelena's mostly hoping that someone's currently living there so they have access to the basics— Talulah can probably generate heat for herself, but running water is hard to live without. ]

Sure.

[ she retrieves the knife from where she stashed it in her coat and hands it off to Talulah when she asks, seeing no reason to question why. ]

[reunionize]

[Talulah's hoping the comms equipment that's supposed to be in these safehouses is still functional. Both of them disappeared into practically thin air.

She takes the knife with a word of thanks before getting closer to the brick of the chimney set on the outside of the house. She observes it for a moment, as if trying to find something, before jamming the knife between two of the bricks and prying them apart. A moment later, she comes away with a key.]

Here. [She offers Frostnova her knife back and the key held in her palm.] Now we can get in.