Karsi and Astra Start Their Quest

Moment

(from a memory bead found at Cinder Docks on Amethyst)

Narrator (Mellowyn): It's late afternoon and the weather is clear. The Cinder Docks are deserted. Two Kith emerge from the jungle, moving with stealth. One seems to be a femme Elf warrior. The other seems to be a femme Elf-kin hunter. They speak quietly as the move towards the water.

Warrior (DK): See? It's vacant. The boat won't return until the morning.

Narrator: The hunter has an arrow nocked in her bow and looks back periodically to cover their six.

Hunter (Rook): Astra, just because no one is here to stop us doesn't make this a good idea.

Narrator: Astra laughs. It's a melodic sound.

Warrior (teasing): Karsi-kitten, you said you wanted a quest, a real quest. Not these... recreational hunts. You rolled your eyes when that Bramblepaw senator boasted of his courage.

Hunter (moody): I rolled my eyes because he was implying that my Human blood made me a coward.

Narrator: Astra pauses and rests a hand on Karsi's shoulder. She leans in and presses her forehead to hers. She speaks with gentle assurance.

Warrior: I love every part of you, and you don't need to prove anything to anyone. Talarin is not Bramblepaw. When we return to my homeworld as heroes, no one will imply anything.

Narrator: Karsi sighs, nods.

Hunter: OK. You're right. This is a real quest. Just remember that no matter what happens, House Bramblepaw will say that I talked you into this.

Warrior (shrugging): I think the fact that Bramblepaw ignores the curse and forbids anyone from trying this shows what THEIR opinions are worth.

Narrator: Karsi and Astra lapse into companionable silence. They take diving gear from a locker and change into it. They carefully put their armor and gear in drybags and bring them with. The women are physically comfortable with each other, helping one another adjust their suits and air tanks. Then, holding hands, they walk off the edge of the dock.