Pigs on Parade

[weathering_it]

Finally – Light, finally – spring is here. The weather, while not Westfall warm, is tolerable. The sun is out, the streets are cleared, and that pest of a winter spirit is gone. Thank fuck for that, Lawrence thinks as he wanders down the streets of the Nexus with Tamminy at his side and a dirty little pig pokémon scuttling ahead of him.

This part of town isn't an overly-foreign urban hellscape like the inner parts, but modeled after a pleasant countryside that he would describe as Goldshire-esque. Shallow little hills, cobblestone paths and stone cottages to match, blooming flower baskets hanging from windows, and pleasant townsfolk caring for all of it. So what if the people who live here look vaguely demonic? They're harmless, he's pretty sure, so might as well let them be. It's their village, after all.

His strides are small while Tamminy walks beside him, but she's still taking two steps for every one of his. She stands on his right, as if she were tall enough to obscure the fact that Lawrence's arm abruptly ends at the elbow as a red and aggravated stump with parts of his mechanical arm's damaged dock still clinging to his flesh.

But while Tamminy and Lawrence enjoy their relatively slow pace, Lil' Buddy the swinub is antsy to run. He hurries ahead of them on tick-a-tacking little hooves, turns, grunts, runs back, and repeats the process over and over. He's full of energy, people, can't you tell? He wants to play! He wants to run! So hurry up!

Comments

[fiveofnone]

Princess enjoys the attention, oinking quietly to herself and wagging her curly tail. She can see why Lil' Buddy enjoys the company of these bipeds.

It sounds as though Adia is getting the green light to talk to Anna -- if she wants to, of course. Adia looks from Tamminy to Lawrence anyway, as if double-checking their approval. "I've always enjoyed spending time with her," she says earnestly. This isn't about pity, even if her heartstrings are being pulled over the poor girl's situation. "I could introduce her to some other nice people, too." People who won't use her in some elaborate revenge plot.

As for Caspar, he matches that skepticism with an unwavering stare. He said he'd do it, so he'll do it, all right? "I'll strongly advise him to stay away from all of you unless he's got an apology and a good explanation."

Then he stands up, dusting off his pants from where he kneeled on ground. "Anything else I should know if I end up spotting him?"

[weathering_it]

Is there anything else to know? Lawrence and Tamminy exchange a look and a think as they consider this. If there is something worth telling they'd rather not forget it, but nothing comes to either of their minds. Both of them are left shaking their heads.

"Just come around to the castle whenever you want, Adia," Tamminy says softly. "We'll tell Anna that we bumped into you and you wanted to see her. She'll be happy to know someone wants to be around her for the right reasons, I'm sure of it."

[fiveofnone]

Sounds like the story Lawrence shared is what he has to work with. That's fine, it paints a fairly detailed picture. The trick will be if Harrowheart is willing to share his side of the story. As easy as it would be to write off the... friendship??? ... he had been cultivating with the death knight, he'd rather give the idiot a chance to explain himself.

"Okay," Adia says to the diminutive scientist, just as softly. "But, um... you should let her know that I know what happened, okay? I don't want any more surprises for her."

Caspar rises to his feet and pulls his PINpoint out of his blazer. "Here," he says to Tamminy, after unlocking it with a swipe of his thumb. "My number. Stay in touch with me about the prosthetic. Adia's number is on there, too." That's right, Lawrence, he's helping fix your arm whether you like it or not.

Sensing that this impromptu gathering is at an end, Tepig hops off the bench and snorts goodbye to Lil' Buddy. Farewell, new friend!