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

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

[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.]

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What, you think I just carry around a packet of spices everywhere I go?

[ the candy doesn't count, in Yelena's mind. there's plenty of sugar in those as a conservative, even if it does next to nothing to cut the heat.

she's fond of that memory, not just of the prank, but the entire night. even if it had started with getting terrorized by the locals, it had forced Yelena to finally let herself lean on Talulah. that conversation they'd had in the abandoned factory felt different from any of the times they talked before— more like a genuine, direct interaction between two people, rather than a meeting in the war room. ]

Besides, that prank's never as funny the second time around if I can pull it off.

People fall for it twice?

[Talulah wonders how that ends up happening, since she'll be a little wary whenever Yelena offers her something candy-like.

But despite being on the receiving end of a prank, it's a fond memory for Talulah as well, for similar reasons. She'd said they were friends earlier that day, but Yelena doing something like teasing her had reassured Talulah that the feeling genuinely is mutual.]

How do you manage that?

By not playing fair. Don't worry about it too much— I stopped getting a kick out of doing that in high school.

[ outside of the tent, lowered voices filter in as someone approaches the entrance. Yelena's posture stiffens somewhat as the flap opens and a soldier in white pokes their head in— one of Yelena's Yetis.

Hey, Sestra, were you planning to give the final sign-off on the supply list?

there's an awkward air about the interloper, a kind of unstated apology in his words that can only come from a person who's been bullied into taking on a task no one else wanted to do. ]

What? Why? I told Yuri he could do it, did he run off somewhere?

[ Yelena's annoyance comes through loud and clear— which is unusual, considering how close she is with her squadron. she obviously wasn't expecting an interruption right now. ]

[Talulah is about to ask what she means by that, but they’re interrupted before she can even open her mouth. She watches the exchange, a little puzzled, but she figures this might be the Yeti trying to mention something that’s related to their squadron, or not really meant for Talulah to hear.

Despite the fact they’re allies, there are always inter-squad happenings that shouldn’t be spread around.]

I don't have my next appointment for a while, so if you need to check that out and come back, you can.

[ the Yeti's phrasing being a squad-exclusive code would be a good guess, if Yelena didn't look genuinely baffled by her comrade's appearance. she's about to tell him off when Talulah mentions her schedule, making her feel abashed. there's no reason to get worked up over a relatively simple request. all it means is slightly less time spent with Talulah, which is ... fine. not a big deal at all. ]

All right. This shouldn't take long. [ she sets her plate aside and stands from her chair, slipping out through the tent flap and into the night.

what should be a one and done signature on a piece of paper turns into an ongoing series of simple tasks that she, for some reason, is the only person capable of accomplishing. the Yetis shepherd her all over the camp, one chore leading to another, until it's far too late for her to ask for more of Talulah's time.

Yelena considers just turning in (which the Yetis seem weirdly keen on), but decides that she should at least say goodnight and apologize if she's still up. the guards stationed at the front of her tent seem oddly cagey about it, making Yelena get the distinct sense that there must be some piece of gossip circulating about one of them that she's not aware of. ]

Look, if she's busy with someone else, you can just tell me. I don't actually freeze people to the ground for saying the wrong thing.

[Talulah waits as long as she can for Yelena to return, but when it's obvious that's not happening and the time of her other appointments looms, she has no choice in the matter. She's informed that Yelena's fine and simply attending to other tasks around the camp, of course, which she takes at face value, but it is a little odd. She supposes she can ask about it herself when she runs into the other later on.

She's in the middle of writing down a short summary of the day for her own personal records (a diary, really, which is what her letters become when she doesn't have someone to write to) when she hears the noise outside of her quarters get louder. She hadn't been kidding when she said she could hear what's going on when it's that close, even in the section cordoned off for her privacy.

She stands, setting aside her writing and heading out into the main area of the tent before opening the flap at the entrance slightly and peering out. She's surprised to see Yelena standing there, since by all accounts, she should be let inside if she's come by. Maybe that hadn't been implied firmly enough to the guards, and she shoots them a brief, questioning look. Neither of them responds.]

I'm not busy. You can come in.

[One of the guards purses her lips like she's biting down on something she wants to say. Well, that's one thing more to address in the morning, then, but for now, Talulah keeps the entrance open to let Yelena inside.]

—all right.

[ Yelena would've been fine with being shooed away, honestly. a nagging sense of embarrassment tugs at her as she slips between the guards and back into the tent, a sentiment she's quickly coming to associate with her ... attachment, to Talulah. she stands awkwardly once she inside again, realizing that she doesn't have much to say that couldn't be delivered in the morning. ]

Sorry about leaving you to hang like that. My squad's been acting like they forgot how to tie their own shoes since I've been back.

[ it seemed like they were getting better before this, oddly enough. she can't begin to guess what suddenly changed between their trip on the road and arrival in an allied camp. ]

It's fine. I figured you might have gotten caught up in something.

[Talulah doesn't really mind that this is a meaningless conversation to be had in the middle of the night, mostly because she's just glad she can see Yelena again before either of them get pulled away by some duty or the deadline of when they leave this camp.]

I'm sorry you got stopped at the entrance. You should be someone they let in, but I guess I wasn't clear enough in my instructions.

[Or something else is going on, but Talulah can't figure out what. Either way, she should probably address it before it starts affecting other things besides her visitors.]

"Something" is one word for it.

[ the Yetis did a piss-poor job of playing it cool while they sent her on one side-quest after another, making it obvious this was part of whatever group psychosis they'd developed over her disappearance. there's an extra layer of frustration because they seemed to be getting better about it up until tonight. she's really going to have to pin someone down and make them come clean after this. ]

It's not that big a deal, I could've let myself in if it was really important.

[ she gives a half-hearted shrug, playing up the nonchalance in part to assure herself that she wouldn't have been that upset if she'd been kept from Talulah. ]

It still shouldn't have happened.

[Ignoring what they're told about something small could possibly be a much larger issue, but Talulah will figure out just how big the problem is sometime tomorrow. No use in harping on it now when Yelena is inside, already.

She moves to sit down on one of the chairs, expecting Yelena to do the same now that they have at least a little time to chat.]

...but is there another word for it? Did you run into some kind of problem?

[ Yelena had been going for a quick goodnight, but when Talulah moves to sit, she follows her lead without a second thought. she's moving on autopilot as she takes the chair next to Talulah again, scooting it closer to her side now that she's been reminded of just how far sound travels through flimsy canvas. ]

No. [ her mouth twists as she rethinks that answer, amending it a second later. ]

Not like you mean. The Yetis have been acting weird with me ever since our trip to Hillock, like I need to hold their hands to do anything.

Ah. I'd also thought I was making a little headway as far as them trusting me went, but it seems I'm mistaken, as of late.

[They don't say anything directly to her, of course, but they've been noticeably more standoffish compared to before County Hillock. Which, maybe she can understand if they think she's somehow at fault for their prolonged absence...?

It is, admittedly, a little difficult to keep her train of thought, considering she's dressed for sleep and the thinner fabric makes the warmth of Yelena at her side nearly impossible to ignore.]

But in your case, maybe it's their version of my new escort.

Maybe. That's the most obvious answer.

[ but not one that satisfies FrostNova. she doesn't think much of Talulah's sleepwear either, having seen her in much less when they were together in the safe house and Yelena was tending to her wounded arm.

what she does quickly realize is that she's moved her seat a little too close to Talulah— their knees are almost brushing. it would be awkward to shuffle back, kind of rude, too, so she stays where she is and tries to push her embarrassment aside. ]

They all like you. That's what they told me, anyway, but I haven't asked about it recently. Have they said anything to you? [ Yelena trusts the draco heir completely, and that should be enough for them. ]

No, not at all. I only thought they were getting more comfortable around me before, but they seem to be avoiding having a conversation with me beyond greetings.

[The Yetis are steadfast, trustworthy, and well-trained under Yelena's command. Talulah doesn't doubt that for a moment. But there has been, at least in her view, a distinct change in their behavior as of late.]

It might just be my imagination.

No, they've been acting weird with me too. There's definitely something going on.

[ which is frustrating on a number of levels. she's not used to playing these kinds of games with the Yetis. they're family, brought up together since before any of them knew what Ursus, let alone Victoria, was. Yelena can't think of a scenario where they'd be purposefully moving behind her back, even if it was a mandate from someone higher than her in the pecking order.

she rubs a hand over her eyes, frustration mingling with exhaustion from the journey to make a bone-deep weariness start seeping into her body. where was she sleeping, again? Yelena doesn't know if anyone mentioned it to her while she was running around the camp. ]

I'll talk to them about it tomorrow. I won't tolerate my squad acting like a bunch of kids because of whatever hidden agenda they've got going on.

Hidden agenda?

[Like a game? Talulah can't imagine what kind of inside joke or scheme would result in this, but she also doesn't know the Yetis nearly as well as Yelena does.

What she does know is that the other is starting to look a little tired, and as much as Talulah wants to keep talking with her, she's not so self-centered she'd do that at the expense of Yelena's rest.]

Actually, don't answer that. I'm glad you came by, even if you didn't have to, but I've probably kept you awake longer than you wanted to be.

It's all right. I wanted to talk to you.

[ her response comes immediately, an insistence to her voice like she wants to make sure Talulah knows she hardly cares about being kept up late if it means she can speak with her a little longer. which is ... coming on a bit strong, she also realizes— if that's the right word to use between friends.

Yelena huffs out a breath, looking over to the map laid out on the table again. ]

You don't happen to know were they're putting us up for the night, do you? That's one piece of information I didn't get while I was out there.

Me too.

[It doesn't count as coming on strong if Talulah's perfectly happy about it, right?]

I know the section you're supposed to be in. If you give me a minute to get a jacket, I can take you there.

[There are probably several others who can serve as an escort, but Talulah's fine with doing it herself, and besides that, she would like to maximize what little time they have left together.]

Sure, I don't mind.

[ FrostNova isn't exactly some fresh-faced recruit who needs a superior to guide her around in the dark, but Talulah's offering, and she not about to turn her down.

she waits until Talulah's gone and gotten her extra layer before rising from her seat again, ready to follow her out into the camp. ]

[Once Talulah has better shoes and an outer layer on, it looks a lot less like she'd been just about to go to bed, at least. She steps out of the tent, expecting Yelena to follow, and briefly mentions to the guards where she's going. They exchange glances again, and she sighs to herself, thinking that look probably meant someone is going to follow them at a distance, even in the middle of camp.

She doesn't pay it much mind for now, though, and sets off towards where Yelena, the Yetis, and some other squads should have their accommodations.]

Well, now that we have a little time, I guess you can answer my question. What did you mean by "hidden agenda"?

[ Yelena falls into step beside her, not thinking much of the guards that see them out of Talulah's tent. she's not expecting Talulah's first line of questioning once they're on their way, but the mild surprise doesn't really show on her face. ]

Not too much? If they're hiding something from me, either they're acting on orders directly from my father or another army general, or they're running some scheme they think will help me but don't want me to know about.

[ those are the only two options in the realm of actual possibility, and the latter option is a stretch. the Yetis colluding against her is reserved for situations like surprise birthday parties or tricking her into going out to clubs, not acting shifty in a war zone. ]

It seems more like the latter option, doesn't it?

[Because Talulah can't think of what Yelena's father could be hiding from her at this juncture that would require the squad running interference. Anything Talulah shouldn't or doesn't know about would have to do with Ursus politics only, more than likely.

But she does get the implication that "scheme" in this instance is likely something completely harmless.]

Mm, if it is a prank, do I get to say you brought that on yourself?

That's what I'm hoping. I know how to deal with that.

[ someone on the same rung as her moving behind her back is a scenario she'd prefer not to consider. the Yetis acting on their own, borne out of worry for her, is familiar ground to tread. with the Ursus army now actively occupying most of northern Victorian, they must see the writing on the wall. things are going to start to move quickly from here on out, and if their remarkably good luck is going to sour, that shift will come soon.

what Talulah says next is a good distraction from that thorny topic. Yelena glances at her side-long, her brow raising slightly as her tone takes on a shade of mock-offense. ]

Huh? I thought we called that even. Don't tell me the leader of the rebellion's pride is that fragile.

That's just with me. I have no idea what tricks you play on your poor squadmates.

[She laughs, lightly, teasing back in equal measure. It would be best if it's only a harmless prank. They're at a precarious time, just before they can really get a foothold to try taking on Londinium and the throne properly. If it really is unrest back in Ursus...that didn't bode well.

But she doesn't quite get an ominous feeling from either the Yetis or her own squad members. Just a strange one.]

If you're familiar enough that you know how to deal with it already, what else have they done before?

It's not something I make a habit of, I'm not a lunatic.

[ she rolls her eyes, clicking her tongue at Talulah's imagined scenario of a FrostNova who runs her squad like a cartoon character. ]

There's been a couple of times they've pulled stunts like this. The first big one happened when I was about eleven or twelve. Way too many of them tried to fake a haunting in an ambassador's residence after they found out the Leitheniens were there to pitch an arranged marriage for me.

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