Downriver

	ST Orange-gold light rests low, seemingly painted on the wall, framed in evening-cast shadow. The shop is largely quiet, save the padding of bare feet, a low hum accompanied by gentle melody, and sounds of broom-bristle sliding across the floor and cloth rag swiping over countertop. Some shadow is chased by the drifting white-gold shine of Susan, quietly working her way through the shop with steady broom; this activity is mirrored in another room (with albeit less glowiness), with Galen wiping down the various surfaces and wordlessly directing the musical trajectory. The sound of a familiar measured, confident stride begins to drift in through the city sounds. It’s several blocks away still, drawing closer.
	Sanura Sanura is adjusting the fabric bolts and smiles a the simple sounds of domestic harmony. One was put away awkwardly it seems and she has to take it from the wrack to press and then re-roll it but considering the brisk trade that day she won’t complain. She casts a smile to Susan and speaks up enough for Galen to hear as well. “Thanks for the help you guys, you’re so sweet” She turns to the kitchenette since that was the place to heat an iron after all. Her head tilts slightly to one side her eyes looking ceiling ward as she considers .. that sounded familiar. She doesn’t exactly skip into the work room to press the fabric and promptly do some self grooming, but her stride certainly isn’t one of drudgery. “I’m going to give this a once over” she calls so they know she’s not slacking while they’re helping. She’s wearing a lilac and grey dress with a floral rose pattern and a mauve ribbon around her waist. Stocking covered feet in soft fabric slippers with leather bottoms for while she’s inside.
	ST “Mhmm!” Galen’s brisk reply is followed by his curious look as Sanura’s pace picks up and her own manner lightens. He cranes his neck out of the room to follow her passing. Then he looks over to Susan and crinkles his brow a little—though it’s not an inquisitive look. “Is that the Derrick dance?” he asks, though it’s directed more at the room than any individual. “Mhmm,” Susan replies, without skipping a beat. A slight grin begins to spread over him. Then he turns to face Sanura’s vicinity and says, “Don’t worry, we got it!” before returning to his task.
	Sanura She’d been smiling as she started getting the iron heated and some clean water for steam. Sanura comes up short and winces a little “I didn’t da.. it’s not..” she sighs and just shuts up except for a soft little wordless grumble. Smoothing the fabric out carefully so she only has to do this once her ears are perked to see if the steps continue this way, and do in fact come to the shop.. he -could- be going anywhere else in the city after all.
	ST Galen’s humming redoubles as he continues his work, and Susan’s melody slips in alongside him with well-practiced ease. Their rhythm falls into line and they end up working to and around each other, very much like a, well, dance. There is a moment, however, when Galen miscalculates the “steps” to the dance and ends up in a place Susan was just working on. To this she pauses and then begins to hum more aggressively and playfully sweep at his feet, pushing him out of her spot. This elicits a laugh from him as he hops away from the broom and proceeds to another corner of the shop that hasn’t been wiped down yet. Throughout this time, the tell-tale shine passes by window after window, coloring the orange-gold evening light more gold. The shine is accompanied by the faint drifting of cleansmell, and light oil, and sunbakedscent. Then, not long thereafter, there’s a knock on the door.
	Sanura Sanura had managed to wet and press the fabric, putting the iron back on the stove in case it needs another go over. She can hear the wordless exchange and mostly guess what’s going on, a little laugh from her as she shakes her head. The knock on the door has her straightening. She smooths her skirt, pats her hair and then peeks around the corner to see if Galen and Susan are in the front still. As they are she determines to be .. stoic and .. respectable and not the least bit giddy. She clears her throat as she skirts around Susan and murmurs a faint ‘excuse me’ the tail of the word lilting upwards. She opens the door a crack and peeks ’round and upwards.
	ST Sure enough, Derrick is standing there, shoulders square and hands behind his back. The light pokes through the crack in the door. He’s freshly shaved again, and his hair is done up a little tidier than it was last time, and he wears a light button-up shirt tucked neatly into his dark pants, top couple of buttons undone, accompanied by a rich medium golden brown vest which is entirely unbuttoned. “Hey, Humperdinck,” greets Susan nonchalantly. “Hiii!” chirps Galen. Derrick leans a bit to attempt to regard Susan through the crack in the door. “Hunkules,” he greets. “Galen.” Then he looks to Sanura, offering a mild smile. “I wasn’t aware the spy hole wasn’t working,” he teases. To add to his point, he reaches around with a hand and taps the little hole in the door.
	Sanura Sanura’s gaze drifts over the casual attire and she smiles at the tucked in shirt. She blinks and leans back to peer at the door. “OH.. I can actually reach to see out of that thing now” she hmms and then steps back to fully open the door, feeling a little silly for her peeking ‘round the door anyway but she’d been a bit silly lately and none the worse for it she thought. “Umm I’m just in the middle of ironing a little if you’ll give me just a moment” she ushers him inside and would close the door behind him before darting back into the kitchen to check on the fabric for wrinkles, and if it’s dry from the steaming to then fold it back around the bolt. She’s quite careful not to let her steps be to light as she glances at Galen almost with a gentle warning.
	ST Derrick steps in (after wiping the soles of his shoes off on the welcome mat outside, of course), his boots tapping against the floor. He stops for a moment once he’s inside and asks, “Is there some way I can help?” “Yeah. Stand over there a minute, please,” Susan says, gesturing to the other side of the door. Derrick obliges and Susan makes her way over. Then he looks over to Sanura (tilting a little if he has to), keeping his question open. Galen, on the other hand, absently steps away from wiping the counters down, and looks Derrick over. Questions rise to his expression, but he holds them back until Derrick’s question is addressed, sparing a brief glance Sanura’s way.
	Sanura Sanura waves a hand “I’ve got it I think it’s dry and then just a little more straightening and I’ll be done and not distracted” She pauses “um that is if you are here to see me?” she was being rather presumptuous there were many people here he might be stopping in to confer with, visit, or check on. She listens for his response as she goes about the few small tasks she needed to finish.
	ST “Actually, I was here to take you on our next date.” Derrick hesitates, second-guessing himself a little. “It is currently Wednesday evening, right?”
	Sanura She blinks and mentally double checks her time table.. “ah SH… sure is!” She grimaces a bit and hangs her head a little as she pushes the last bolt into the neat row. “Uhhm I just need to freshen up”
	ST Galen heads over, poking his head around to regard what’s behind Derrick. “Is that an umbrella?” “Ah, yes.” Derrick brings said umbrella to bear. Judging by its light fabric and lacing, it was designed to provide shade rather than cover from rain. “May I?” Galen asks. Obligingly, Derrick hands it over, and Galen opens it up. “Coool.” He twirls it in his hand, eyes flicking over the spinning patterns. A little distracted, Derrick looks back over to Sanura. “We can reschedule,” he offers.
	Sanura She halts on her way up the stairs and pauses. "No..no.. " frowning “unless you really want to?” She turns and lightly steps then hops down the last step.. “you know.. I think.. I can manage just so” she undoes the apron with pockets of pencils and straight pins and walks over to hang it on the hook. Half turning to look over her shoulder in question as to if -he- wanted to reschedule due to her absentmindedness and less than prepared attire and poise.
	ST “No, no,” Derrick assures. “I offered because you seemed busy, and perhaps would appreciate more time to prepare.” He pauses, watching her outfit revealed once she undoes the apron. “Although, if it’s any comfort, you look not the least bit unprepared.” “Yeah!” Galen closes the umbrella. “And even when you look unprepared, you look prepared to look unprepared.” He pauses, realizing how convoluted his statement was. “If that makes any sense.” Derrick smiles a little at Galen. “It makes a great deal of sense, largely because I have Ms. Menmatre as a frame of reference.” He raises an eyebrow Sanura’s way. Clearly it was intended as an oblique compliment, and as an encouragement. Galen grins a bit. “Man. And I didn’t believe Moe when she said you’re sappy.” “You should’ve double-checked with me,” says Susan. “I can confirm this fact.” “It’s cute,” says Galen, handing back the umbrella. “That’s me,” says Derrick mildly. “Cut from the same cloth as kittens and puppies.” He receives the umbrella with a light nod of gratitude to the boy.
	Sanura She seems relieved and smiles a little as she turns and adjusts her skirt over the couple of crinoline layers. A little grin given to Galen at his turn about of phrasing she’s certain is meant to reassure her. A slight quirk of brow hearing Derrick as she assumes he means her own tendency to end up tongue tied or to misspeak around him, his expression though clears her misconception and she smiles a little more. She gives a faint little laugh to the puppies and kittens comment and then shakes her head.. “no no like little fuzzy baby birds” she says while cupping her hands in front of her to illustrate the tiny cuteness that little birds can be. She does pause a moment at the umbrella and sort of wonders if Derrick has a closet of lacy things, or perhaps it was a loan. She’d find out later she’s sure. That said she clears her throat a little. “Ah.. well we should be off then..?” taking a few steps towards the door. Ready to be off before this gets more towards awkward than it is.
	ST Derrick nods. “As you wish.” Susan pauses, then straightens and looks up, her eyes narrowed at Derrick. Derrick hesitates, then realization blooms over him. He offers a mirroring narrowed look Susan’s way. At this, Susan shakes her head and continues sweeping. “I’m telling everyone at the next meeting. Just so you know.” “Thanks for the warning,” Derrick says, wryness tinging the edges of his words. “Now, if you’ll excuse me.” With that he inclines his head to Susan and Galen in farewell, and offers his arm to Sanura.
	Sanura Sanura pauses a moment with a grin turning her lips. The back of one finger pressed softly to them. As she gently rests her hand on his arm she whispers, “don’t worry I won’t push you down any hills” patting his arm and glancing up with a teasing glint in her eyes.
	ST “Much appreciated,” Derrick says, opening the door. “I’d also be grateful if you avoided treading on any lightning sand.” “Be safe!” Galen bids with a vigorous wave. “Have fun!” Susan offers her own wave and smile, mirroring Galen’s sentiments. Once outside, Derrick pauses long enough to open the umbrella and offer it wordlessly to Sanura. When their pace is once more underway, he prompts, “Busy day?”
	Sanura She gravely nods her agreement in regard to the sand, but the smile still lingers in her eyes despite the serious expression she’d adopted. She turns to the two and nods softly “thanks again for the help you two” she blows them a little kiss over her shoulder and then once more turns her attention to her escort. “Oh.. well it was .. bustling but in the best of ways.” she’d then share a couple of stories from the day, one including an adorable mother and young daughter who’d wanted matching dresses for some small family gathering or other. Of course they were made sturdy and serviceable to be worn many times after the initial wearing. She’d glance over to him and question. “And your day.. was it very trying?”
	ST “It was…” Derrick pauses, considering appropriate phrasing. “It gave me much to think about.” After another moment, he says, “It’s… interesting, navigating the… ah… social landscape of the Aztecs. Alvaro already has some insightful observations about their culture, but his… footing is still uncertain, as it were. He says hi, by the way.”
	Sanura She nods softly and then her nose wrinkles tellingly as he mentions the social landscape. Her gaze flicks over to him and she smiles once more at the greeting from Al. She pauses a moment. “Tell him hello and that I think I managed to find some lovely flowers despite the interrupted consultation” she nods a little and lets her gaze move over the homes and shops they pass.
	ST He nods. “I will. And he mentioned that particular… consultation, in some detail.” Derrick inclines his head. “If you don’t mind me asking, what do you make of that encounter?”
	Sanura She blushes faintly and tries not to recall how she’d been quite intent on picking the perfect flowers. She hopes Al hadn’t been so very descriptive of that. “Ah.. well .. they have their ways and Lady Tlazolteotl was correct that now more than ever they need the strength to be found in tradition.” she smiles a little “It is vexing personally but I cannot fault their reasoning.”
	ST “Vexing?” he prompts.
	Sanura She sighs “not allowing men and women to speak without very strict guidelines is .. frustrating.” she frowns softly “I really understand the need for tradition but at the same time I cannot deny my great dislike of such restrictions.” She sighs softly “It’s not as though it will be terribly long after all, at least for Al”
	ST Derrick accepts her initial statements, not pressing further. Instead, he furrows his brow. “What gave you the impression Alvaro’s training won’t be terribly long?”
	Sanura She pauses “well his training may be but then again he was doing very well from what I gathered….” frowning and thinking she’d misunderstood.. perhaps he’d have to go through all the training then be wed.. then he could keep company more freely again.. her brow furrows. “You think it will take an awful long time?”
	ST “I’m not sure,” Derrick admits. “We are, of course, talking about a rigorous education that starts in childhood and continues until… I believe Alvaro either said 15 or 20 years old. This education is most stringent on the children of nobility as they set the standard among the rest of their people. From what I understand all of them qualify as nobility, but even then Alvaro is among the top.” He shrugs a shoulder uneasily. “But on the other hand, they are missing a great deal of people and perhaps cannot afford to take so much time.” He looks at the ground. “Given his… political position, and Sofia’s, I suspect that, unless Sofia undergoes similar training and proves an apt student and most amenable to the culture, he will remain a boy indefinitely.” Silence follows, brief but uneasy. “I’m not sure if either of them are aware of this quite yet.”
	Sanura She listens intently to his words and then at the last of it comes up short, her arm slackening around his. “Oh.. .. oh no.. what .. what can we do to help? That can’t be allowed to happen” she protests even the idea of such an eventuality, her hands curling into small fists that cause her nails to dig lightly into her palms. Her gaze lifts and seeks his as her brows curve slightly, with an almost beseeching expression. Clearly he had a more certain understanding of the customs after his day with them.. he’d have an idea would he not?
	ST Kern River can be heard now, through the evening sounds of the city. It’s calm, its usual laughing babble more of a humored trickle. And among it, the light plapping of water brushing against a wooden hull. It’s not far, maybe just a couple more blocks away. Derrick stops in his stride, eyes running over her. Then he gently unhooks his arm and grasps her free hand instead to quell her dread, regarding her intently. “I was already planning on discussing this with the both of them, possibly together, with Ms. Petrov acting as chaperone. Sofia receiving an Aztec education herself is by far not out of reach. She just has to be aware of just how tangled her political and social position is, being the daughter of Tlilocelotlpilli; and just how earnestly an attempt she has to make at learning and, most importantly, following the social and cultural rules.” He offers Sanura a reassuring smile. “I suspect that won’t be a problem for Ms. Xaxalpa.”
	Sanura She slowly calms and then even smiles once again. “Sofia is brilliant and Alejo set a very good example of how to behave ones self and the importance of learning was equally instilled by Lisa I’m most certain.” She nods a little and her smile grows. “That part will be no issue.” she murmurs almost as if to reassert the knowledge herself. She pauses and then gives a little chuckle “I should have known you would have it all well in hand, you’re very good at that” she nods softly and as her frame relaxes she loosens the small fists and nods towards the beckoning sounds of the river. “Please forgive my outburst.. let’s continue?” she suggests, feeling a little foolish for having had such a visceral reaction when clearly it wasn’t called for.
	ST Derrick eyes her for a moment. “Of course. But, Sanura…” He trails off before he continues on that particular train of thought, drawing up short a little, thinking. “I… feel like this calls for a hug. May I?”
	Sanura She pauses and then gives a little squeaky sound and opens her arms wide. Hugs! yes! Sanura is such the hugger of all the peoples! Seriously holding back from giving him hugs at times had been not easy and she’s fighting back a smile as she nods enough to make the dark waves of her hair bounce slightly.
	ST He ducks under the umbrella, then draws close. His embrace is firm, and comes with a surprisingly well-practiced ease. “Please don’t ever feel like you need to apologize to me for caring so much about people. It’s an honor to witness, and you are all the more beautiful for it.”
	Sanura She is actually a little shocked he is a good hugger but after a second she happily settles into the embrace and returns it with a warm squeeze. Her cheek sort of rubbing against his shirt front as she smiles happily. His words only cause her to tighten her arms a little as her cheeks suffuse with a bit of color. “You hug very well” she sort of mumbles with her cheek smushed against his chest and with no actual movement to end the hug.
	ST “Kittens and puppies, Ms. Menmatre,” Derrick repeats mildly. He makes no movement to end the hug either, but readily parts from her when she gives an indication of having had enough. “Although it helps having had practice since childhood.”
	Sanura She snickers a little and leans back a bit to look up at him. “I’m the kittenish one remember” she pokes her tongue out before she pauses “Seriously? .. cause .. you scared me enough that -I- wasn’t going to hug you and.. let’s face it I’m like.. only second to Aunt Hathor in hugs I bet”
	ST Derrick half-smiles a bit. “My parents loved me, and loved hugging me. The ones who raised me, that is. I stopped for the same reason why I’m very careful about choosing when to smile.” He tilts his head. “But I started to pick up the habit again in Kem-Duat. Pinkie Pie is big on hugging.”
	Sanura She leans into him again and peers up. “Well I for one am very glad you’ve returned to hugging, and that I get to be in the Derrick hug circle” she smiles “Feel free to hug me anytime, I’ll be really clear if I don’t want it” she nods but obviously she isn’t one to often refuse hugs and gives him another squish and a bit of a toothy smile.
	ST “I’ll keep that in mind.” After they’ve both had their fill of hug, Derrick pulls away, offers his arm again, and continues to lead her onward. “Where did you get your practice, then?”
	Sanura She once more rests her hand at the crook of his arm and hmms “oh well my father, when I was around him was affectionate… when he wasn’t distracted.. and then I was taken in by a lovely elderly couple and while he was more reserved she was warmer.” She shrugs a little “I didn’t get a whole lot of practice I suppose but maybe that’s why I love them so much now, I mean what better way to express caring or to comfort?” she muses half to him and half to herself.
	ST “‘Taken in’?” Derrick asks, his manner inquisitive but light. “When did this happen? And… it sounds to me the way you put it this ‘elderly couple’ aren’t related to you. Did they know your father?”
	Sanura She hmms softly “well umn I wasn’t happy with father.. he had much to much wanderlust for my tastes.. and so I told him I wanted to settle down someplace.” she pauses “he wasn’t willing to.. so he asked his mentor to give me a place to stay while I received a proper education.” she shrugs “I suppose it all worked out in the end, I became learned and settled and he.. continued his research and occasional adventuring.”
	ST Derrick lifts an eyebrow. “What exactly did your father do?”
	Sanura She puffs her cheeks out and exhales “Heeee liked to search for artifacts.. and that involved travel.” She pauses.. “He was very much.. in for the discovery of a whole.. and let others follow up with detailed excavations.., the real archeological work” he might sense a little disapproval.
	ST Soon enough the city opens up to the river. In the distance, a boat half-rests on shore and half in the water. Waiting within, in a nook under the stern is what appears to be a picnic basket. As they continued their conversation, they draw closer. It’s a small, simple rowboat, the oars resting near the basket. “And your guardians?” Derrick prompts, holding the bow steady with one hand and offering to help Sanura into the boat with the other.
	Sanura She notices the basket and the offered hand is taken as she steps into the boat and across to settle on one of the slats. She isn’t sure of boat protocol but once she’s seated she’d lean over and hold her hands out to offer him a hand in. “They were good people, Albert was very educated and Madeline as well, though she did give up her scholarly pursuits when they wed. She’d hoped to have a family but sadly it wasn’t to be” a small frown as she recalls how bad she’d felt for the couple.
	ST Once Sanura is comfortable within the boat, Derrick slips off his boots and socks, tucks them neatly under the bow, and proceeds to bend over and roll up the cuffs of his pant legs. He misses Sanura’s invitation inside. Once his pants are rolled up to about mid-calf he straightens and presses against the bow, easily and steadily pushing it into the river. “It just didn’t work out or… ?” he asks, as water begins to wash the sand off his toes.
	Sanura Sanura tilts her head a little to the side as he doffs socks and shoes and rolls up the legs of his pants, a tiny little smile forming on her lips as she considers two things. He has nice feet, for a man that is, and she wonders if he’s ticklish. She’s drawn from her considerations with his question and looks up “Oh.. well.. basically .. yes it just never happened.. I don’t know if they ever investigated why exactly” she murmurs with a faint furrowing of her brow. It was one of the things one took for granted as a child and she’d not actually considered carefully as an adult.
	ST Derrick gives a light word of warning to Sanura to brace herself before boarding the boat with a sharp exhale. As he settles in and takes up the oars, he looks to her and asks, “So how old were you when you started living with Albert and Madeline?” Then he turns his attention briefly to slide the oars into their rings and secure them. The securing is done with the stiffness of a rookie, but it works well enough.
	Sanura She holds to the sides of the boat and then giggles a bit when he seems to be as unused to such ventures as she. “Oh.. I was 12.. It was the soonest I was able really .. be forceful and unrelenting in my wishes” she frowns “I’d long grown tired of the moving and had gone unheeded for some time.. then finally one day after a particularly impassioned plea for us to find a home base as it were.. he handed me a letter.. from the Heinrich’s. They would be more than happy to have his daughter stay with them for a proper education and would ready a room for her forthwith.” She pauses “It was .. a bittersweet victory” she notes quietly before giving a shake of her head and taking a breath. “So ah.. what um what was your childhood like.. before it became.. complicated? Did you do your homework without struggle or perhaps drag your feet? Were you very into sports or books.. or maybe both?” she folds her legs at the ankles and tucks them under her and to the side.
	ST The setting sun catches on the calm waters of Kern River, creating ribbons of orange mingling with the deepening blue in the rippling surface. The yearling trees and slowly thickening foliage lining the shores stand out like shadows in this light, and the distant buildings jut into the sky. “Well… I suppose fairly normal. I have some rather fond memories.” Derrick grasps the oar-handles and begins to row them out into the molten red-orange water. “My parents were supportive, and encouraging. They also tried not to hide anything from me. They didn’t hesitate to tell me I was adopted the moment I asked what tribe we were from.” He chuckles a little. “This was on my first day in primary school. One of the other children saw my skin color and my hair and asked me if I was Chipewyan or Cree or Sioux.” He tilts his head back a little, contemplating the sky some before continuing. “Believe it or not, I loved playing hockey.” Another chuckle. “I’m aware that’s… quite stereotypical. If it helps, I didn’t try poutine until I was 10, and I didn’t much care for it.” He glances around for a bit. Having positioned themselves to go further downriver, he begins to settle into a rhythm. After a couple strokes he looks to Sanura. “Didn’t care so much for books, though. Not until after my parents died, anyway.”
	Sanura She gives a little grin and imagines small Derrick with dark hair and golden eyes, he was probably just the cutest little thing. She nods softly at the stereotypical hockey thing but smiles a little bit as her vivid imagination can see an older lad gearing up for a game. Her lips press slightly as she nods her head a bit. She hesitates a moment “I’m sorry you lost them… uh.. w-what happened?” she questions very softly.
	ST “I don’t know, exactly. I was in school when I was called into the office to answer the RCMP’s questions. They didn’t give me any details, aside from the fact they had been murdered.” Derrick looks over Sanura’s shoulder, to calculate their course, then regards her again, intent. “Your question didn’t hurt or bother me, Sanura. This happened more than half my life ago, and I had a lot of support to help me heal.” He gives her a smile of reassurance.
	Sanura She nods softly and still you can see for a moment her thoughts are of a younger Derrick, having that loss of two loving people in his life. At his reassurances she straightens a little and gives him a faint smile. “I’m glad you were given that support and aid” she murmurs as she turns her attention for the moment to the waters and leans over a little to let her fingertips drag through. “Who then took care of you?” She questions as she watches the rippling trails and then straightens again to regard him.
	ST “École du Cœur Sacré.” Derrick thinks a moment. “You could call it a boarding school, or an orphanage, and maybe be partially right. It never mattered to me exactly what they were. It became my home, and where I learned how to control my… divine gifts.” He looks to her again. “That’s where I learned to appreciate reading. There were too few of us for a hockey league, and we were all pushed to study extensively. And, at least for a little while, I wasn’t up to making friends.”
	Sanura She hmms softly and nods a little bit. “and.. when you were?” she questions as she scoots forward a little, the space between them and his exertions to keep them moving would prevent her from the usual Sanura comforting of a light touch at the very least. She settles on simply regarding him with an intent expression and clasping her hands on her knee.
	ST “When I was, all the friends I made read books, so I kept it up.” As they proceed, the sun continues its steady march downward and the river’s surface begins to favor the blues and purples over the reds, yellows, and oranges. The city remains comfortably distant, and the river begins to narrow. The tentatively reaching branches of the young trees fall a mere foot short to either side; and the city noises are far off, overlaid by the water and the chirping, creaking, croaking, clicking, buzzing life surrounding it. It’s then that Derrick lets up on the oars, letting the boat gently drift, and straightens to take in and let out a slow breath. This done, he asks, “And you? Books, sports, clubs? Student council?”
	Sanura She’d let her gaze drift heavenward and then at his question she gives a little laugh “Sports?” she questions as she lowers her gaze to meet his. “Can you really see me running down a field after a ball or some such.” she doesn’t mention her time competing with her whip as she’d fallen so far short of her skill with it now. She shakes her head softly . “No.. nothing very.. social for me either” she murmurs as she looks down at her knees. "I was intent upon my books and my schedule and my goals.. "
	ST “Which were… ?” he prompts.
	Sanura She smiles a little “ah learning.. and getting a good job.. and keeping said job, then learning more still and advancing.. wash rinse repeat” she shrugs softly. “Alejo’s invitation was incredibly disruptive.”
	ST “Alejo…” Derrick thinks a moment. “Mr. Xaxalpa, right?” He looks to the sunset pointedly.
	Sanura She smiles a little and nods her head, turning her gaze sunward as well her smile growing. “yes.. though he was much more.. reserved and um well pressed then” she chuckles softly as she turns her attention back to Derrick.
	ST He considers a little longer, contemplating the sunset before regarding Sanura again. “So what led you to accept his invitation, then?”
	Sanura She sighs softly and considers “Well he promised me artifacts.. and Sofia was just the most adorable sweetest little thing.” she chuckles a bit “I didn’t realize till I met her how wonderful children can be.” She gives a tiny little shrug “It didn’t hurt that Alejo was very handsome and solicitous despite being remote.” she smiles once more recalling when she’d gone shopping with father and daughter as well as Nibo. Her eyes taking on a light sheen as she remembers the adorable little girl in the dressing room and now the strong sweet woman she’d become. “Once we all arrived well.. things ‘got serious real fast’. With blunders and rescues and the children..” she spreads her hands. “How does one just walk away from that?”
	ST Derrick nods in agreement with the statement Sanura was making with her rhetorical question. “And then you were captive for ten years. It must’ve been quite the shock to emerge from the… mental care facility, as it were, to find Sofia and the others fully grown.” He turns his head slightly, regarding her a little better with his good eye. “Pinkie Pie, Zuko, and Hunkules said that you adjusted very smoothly. But I can’t imagine that was easy to get used to.”
	Sanura She nods a little and is silent a moment. "I’d seen Brendan.. I remembered that one singular mission.. probably only because I saw him.. " she shakes her head softly “What choice was there but to adapt? The world was insane.. deadly.. terrifying.” she smiles a little “but here were these kids.. now grown, who owed us nothing really.. risking everything to save us from our fate. The very least I could do was be grateful for their loyalty and try to .. make my rescue worth while.”
	ST “I see.” He considers this a little, lifting his chin. Then he regards Sanura directly, his brow furrowed a little. “Do you still feel as though you have to earn your place among them?”
	Sanura She purses her lips a little. “I.. don’t think so.. I’m pretty sure everyone’s on board with the.. feeling of family?” Her brows furrow “Why.. did someone say something? Does Dovile think I’m not pulling my weight?”
	ST “No, not at all,” Derrick assures her, putting his palms out to forestall her. “You just seem to spend a great deal of time consumed by work, and comparatively little time with the… ah… family. And you have been known on occasion to express feelings of inadequacy.” He offers her a gentle quirk of one corner of the lips. “Or, in some cases, think that others find you inadequate.”
	Sanura She seems to relax again and then sighs faintly “I .. well I’ve got a good deal of work to do.. and I don’t want to.. be pushy with the kids?” she frowns and looks down at her hands. “I was too pushy with Bren and that was just horrible of me, I just.. had this memory of him as a wounded child and it was really unfair of me to approach the young man he’s become with that as my lense.” She clears her throat and straightens her shoulders a little. “So.. I’m giving everyone their space as it were.. should they need me.. well it’s not hard to guess where to find me after all is it?”
	ST “If need is the only thing that defines the relationship, it’s not a very healthy one,” Derrick points out. “Space is important, but on the other hand they may be of a mind as you—and therefore think that it’s you who wants the space.” He spreads his hands. “Of course, I don’t know the extent of your relationships with them, so there is a strong possibility that I’m wrong. But it sounds a little to me like you want more out of them. I don’t think it’s unreasonable to try.”
	Sanura Sanura parts her lips to deny that need is all that is encompassed there and then closes it as he continues on. "I .. well perhaps.. I’ve tried to help them where I see they need it.. " she nibbles her lower lip a moment. “Though.. requesting more time with them wouldn’t be a horrible idea I suppose” she murmurs before clearing her throat softly. “Something to consider certainly, especially as more of the old Gods return and new boundaries may be enforced.” she smoothed her hands over her skirt lightly and took a cleansing breath as her shoulders had drawn taunt with the serious discussion and trying to analyze her relationships.
	ST Overhead sparrows and wrens chatter and flutter about, crossing in a concave arc from one tree to the other on the side of the river, occasionally swooping mid-flight to dance around another. Two sun-warmed hands close over hers, slowly drawing them together. “I understand that entails putting yourself in a very vulnerable position, Sanura, and that’s never easy. Regardless, I hope you do more than consider. It’s worth the risk.” He tilts his chin to his chest as he looks at her, brows upturned earnestly. “And if you want or need support, I will offer it freely.” He offers her a reassuring smile and gentle squeeze.
	Sanura Perhaps it was the cat in her but a couple of the birds had drawn her momentary attention, though the smile on her lips is more admiration than a huntress smirk. She stiffens a little at the first brush of his hands, not having expected it. It was seldom that she wasn’t initiating any physical contact really, though that wasn’t to say she minded. She looks down at their hands and her smile seems to ease and soften a bit, her lashes lifting to regard his almost shy seeming offer of support. She turns her frame more towards him and deftly adjusts their hands till fingers interlace, palms not quite touching. “Thank you Derrick, that’s very sweet of you.. I appreciate the offer very much, and may call on it at some point.” She looks down at their hands and then back up to his features. “I can’t say I’m as familiar with your challenges, but I do hope you know that you can call on me for the same support if you ever need”
	ST Derrick’s eyes flick down, his expression fading to a touch of pensiveness. “I’ll try.” He curls his hands over hers so that their palms do touch, then rests them on his knees and sits in silence, content at least for the moment to be thus.
	Sanura She nods slightly and then sighs a little bit and carefully leans over to rest her brow against his, or perhaps the top of his head if he’s looking downwards enough. “I think this might be another of those hug times, but I’ve been known to be very biased on the subject” her words quiet and fairly light as she rubs her thumbs over his hands where ever they happen to reach.
	ST A smile presses in. He slowly untwines his fingers from hers as he draws forward to embrace her again. The boat rocks slightly (but not unexpectedly) at the shifting of weight.
	Sanura She grins a little bit watching the slow change of expression and releases his fingers easily enough. She sits up a little and instead of her arms wrapping around his middle she gathers him towards her in the more awkward pose of her arms over his shoulders. She’d then laugh as her plan to draw him down to rest his head on her shoulder is clearly -not- going to work. Nor, upon reflection, does she imagine he’d appreciate the rather mothering vibe that would send. She makes a face and gives a self derisive chuckle. “Clearly I am out of practice.” she jests lightly.
	ST “Clearly we should practice more,” Derrick retorts mildly. He adjusts, lowering his arms towards her waist to accommodate Sanura’s high road approach and turns his head toward her, getting a not unpleasant faceful of hair. After they once again have filled their respective hug meters, Derrick pulls away and leans over, drawing the picnic basket near and opening it up. “Tamales?” he asks, raising an inquisitive eyebrow her way.
	Sanura She squeezes him tight a moment and then settles for a warm hug before releasing him and then perking up at the mention of food. “Yes please” she replies with a little smile. “Though .. let’s hope we don’t get.. river sick?” she looks up and to the side as she considers that. “It’s a thing right?”
	ST “I…” Derrick considers. “… Have no idea.” He hands a warm tamale, still wrapped in its corn husk, to Sanura. “I will endeavor to aim for one of the sides of the boat,” he says mildly.
	Sanura She gives a little chuckle to that and nods. “I’ll do the same, but let’s hope for the best eh?” she pauses a moment and ponders “I usually generally thank the gods before a meal, just silently .. all of them.. do you think a thanks to the Aztecs deity of maize would be prudent, proper, and not draw protest?”
	ST He thinks about this for a long moment. “I think… that sounds appropriate.” Then he looks to Sanura. “Are you asking because you intended to pray aloud?”
	Sanura She shakes her head a little bit. “No, just hmn it’s a little daunting to have so many deity when their realms of worship cross over so much” she shrugs a little and smiles slightly. “last world problems”
	ST Derrick nods and offers a half-grin to her jest as he retrieves his own tamale. He holds the tamale a moment—no doubt silently praying himself—and then unwraps it. The steam drifts up lazily. He waits for Sanura to have a bite before taking one himself.
	Sanura She silently thanks the appropriate deity and smiles softly as she opens her eyes and blows on the tamale. “we’re not all furnaces” she teases gently. "I’m surprised I’m still so.. breakable.. "
	ST “We all are, in our own ways,” Derrick points out after swallowing his bite. “And we—” He pauses, straightening, brows set, and turns his head. After a moment, he says, without turning back, “Sanura, you may want to brace yourself.” He calmly wraps up and rests the tamale on his thigh before reaching for the oars.
	Sanura She hums softly and swiftly returns her own portion to a carefully wrapped state. “Uh.. ok” she reaches out to the sides of the boat and tries to see what’s earned the warning.
	ST The roar of water can be heard long before it’s seen—Kern River swells, higher, farther, faster than it should be able to, rushing and frothing white towards them, upriver, oddly enough. Derrick’s fingers clench over the oar handles. The boat’s bow spikes upward suddenly, nearly vertically, as the great wave sweeps beneath it. With a rolling motion the boat levels out and then tips the opposite way, bucking the stern end violently. Derrick lets go of the oars and goes flying, splashing soundly into the water. A smaller series of splooshes follows as his tamale, the picnic basket and contents, and boots and socks shadow his descent. The water calms shortly thereafter, as does the boat.
	Sanura Sanura’s eyes widen and the proverbial fur on the back of her neck rises as she hears the approaching roar. Her hands clenching tightly to the sides of the boat and her feline like ability to balance and shift her body to keep upright help her stay in the boat. She peers over the side anxiously towards where it seemed Derrick and everything loose in the boat had flown. She calls his name a couple of times as she searches the water for sign of him, rising to stand in the boat in preparation for a hasty dive should he not respond swiftly enough.
	ST He surfaces quickly enough some ways away, sodden but none the worse for wear. The river begins to settle back into its place, the returning tide of overflooding drawing with it all manner of leaves and debris. Briefly Derrick looks around, still for a moment but for the fact that he’s treading water. “Well. That was… unexpected.” “Are you alright, Sanura?”
	Sanura She presses her hand over her heart and sighs faintly. “Damnit.. yes.. yes I’m fine… are -you- ?” she tries to paddle the boat more towards him.
	ST “Yes, nothing’s hurt. Except perhaps my pride.” He begins to swim over to the boat—an easy task (even though he’s not exactly an expert swimmer) being as how the current has calmed. Once he reaches it, he grips the edge of the boat and begins to draw it towards the nearby shore.
	Sanura She heaves a faint sigh and then bites her lips as she watches him ferry the boat towards shore. “Ohh can you do this for my celestial craft as well?” she questions a little too sweetly as she walks across the planks and leans down to where his hand rests, her hands on either side as she grins.
	ST Derrick gives Sanura a sidelong look as he paddles onward one-handed. “I can,” he says with his trademark mild manner. “Whether or not I will is another matter.”
	Sanura She chuckles softly and rests her chin on his knuckles “would you?” she questions once again in a tone a little too saccharine to be sincere.
	ST “Not for free,” he retorts, a bit of a smile coming to him. His feet find purchase on the riverbed, and he pulls the boat along with much more surety. Water tugs at and cascades off of him as he slowly breaches the surface, neck to shoulder to torso to waist.
	Sanura She hmmms softly “I can supply mice!” She offers with a grin turning the edges of her lips upwards. “would that be sufficient?” she questions as she definitely doesn’t admire the wet cloth on his arms and wish the vest to perdition.
	ST “I imagine I could get mice with less effort than it would take to convey your barque.” The water is merely up to his calves by the time the boat scrapes against the rocks and sands on the shore. He continues to tug it until it’s secure, then steps around, offering a (wet) hand out to Sanura. “You’re welcome to try another offer, though.”
	Sanura She hmms softly and considers “Yes ok that is probably true” she takes his hand and murmurs a thanks as she steps out of the boat. “I’d say unlimited hugs but you’ve got those already” she ponders “I will have to come up with a suitable offer” tapping her chin and feigning thoughtfulness. Only for a moment though before sighing and looking him over. “You’re sure you’re alright? Nothing.. bit you or scratched you or anything?” her brow furrowing as she can -now- make sure he’s unharmed and starts to circle him looking for any sign of injury.
	ST “Yes, I’m sure.” He follows her as far as he can with his gaze. Indeed, upon a more thorough inspection he seems to be telling the truth. “Would you mind if I took a moment to wring out my clothes, though?”
	Sanura She nods “Oh yes of course…” pause cough… about face and hands over eyes. “there you are” she mumbles softly. Non-present feline ears would perk and twitch were they not only in her imagination.
	ST There’s a pause behind Sanura. “If you’re uncomfortable, I have no objections to being soaked. It’ll just take me longer to dry.”
	Sanura She shakes her head but her eyes are covered still. “Nono I’m ok, go ahead!” she starts walking forward to give him more the privacy.. hands still over her eyes.. good work Sanura, really smooth.
	ST Soon enough, after some shifting of wet cloth, the sounds of water spilling onto the sand greet Sanura, followed by the flapping of somewhat less wet fabric as Derrick shakes it out. This process is repeated three more times (once punctuated by the gentle clinking of a belt buckle), followed by further shifting and moving. Finally, after a few minutes he gives the okay.
	Sanura She sort of mumble sings a little not song to herself and that pauses a second at the belt sound before picking up a little louder and with a faster tempo. “tra la la hmmhmm dee doot doot.” Once he gives the ok she sighs faintly and lowers her hands and turns to face him. “So.. you couldn’t just .. get all.. hot and dry?” she questions curiously.
	ST Derrick is almost as covered as he was before, save his vest, which he left spread out on a nearby rock to dry in the sun. “I could. But…” He turns his gaze to the ground a little, trying to choose his words with care. “… But it seems like an… obscene use of power.” Derrick presses his lips a little. “Perhaps ‘obscene’ is too strong.” He hesitates. “No. I don’t think so. Using something I have… killed with, simply to dry my clothes?” Another pause. “Regardless, it makes me feel… still human.” His eyes search the ground beneath a tightened brow as this truism hits a lot closer to home than expected.
	Sanura She humms softly and then nods her head a little. “I can understand that..” she nods her head again and walks over to him, she starts to smooth and adjust his clothes. “retaining some sense of humanity has great value” she notes softly as she reaches up and adjusts his collar. Leaning just a little bit to peer up at him and smile gently. “Despite looking like a wrinkled god I’m pretty sure you’ve got all sorts of humanity” she murmurs softly, hands moving to cup his cheeks as she tries to reassure him via word and touch.
	ST He falls silent, his gaze drawn to her as she approaches and proceeds to groom him. Indication of his thoughts show only on the twitching of his otherwise pensive expression. After she brings her hands up to his cheeks, his shoulders slowly drop and his eyes move over her face, eyes, lips, eyes again. “Help me make sure I keep it?” he asks. It’s a quiet, calm question, but there is a plea there, waiting, at the edges.
	Sanura For a moment she looks as though her heart is breaking for him and then she nods and her voice breaks a little “I’ll do my very best” she promises before a non-asked for hug is given and she squeezes him just as tight as she can manage. “I promise” she reaffirms.
	ST Derrick welcomes the embrace with one just as tight, pressing his cheek against her, and simply holds her for a while. Finally, he swallows and says, his voice level, “Thank you.” After a moment he clears his throat and settles back into silence, clearly not in a hurry to let her go.
	Sanura She nods softly and rubs his back a little bit, happy to offer the support and comfort. She smiles a little bit and kisses his cheek lightly before mussing his hair more than the water had and regrasping him in the hug. “Of course, darling” she says with a soft soothing tone as she pets his back lightly.
	ST “I’m not ruining your dress, am I?” he asks when a few slow breaths have passed and his tension has eased some.
	Sanura Sanura hums softly and realizes that her dress could very well be ruined. She shrugs a little bit and sort of leans towards him a little more and rests her head on him. Clearly her attire is far less important than this moment.
	ST Above the couple, more birds flutter about and make their calls, the straggling few of the deepening evening. A breeze is setting in, cool, skimming off the now-calm river. The edges of Derrick’s vest lift slightly in the wind, revealing the corner of the dark, damp mark it laid on the rock. Derrick parts slowly from Sanura, ensuring there’s enough space to start on a new topic. “Kern River’s flash flooding concerns me. I’m going to go investigate. I’m… afraid we’ll have to have our picnic another time.”
	Sanura She straightens and smooths her skirts “of course of course.. so .. shall we go by land then as the river is being a little.. tetchy?” she questions as she glances upwards and attempts to call the stars down to adorn her and prepare to lend aid however she might.
	ST Derrick’s eyes follow the stars for a moment, before he turns his head to favor his prosthetic. Even as he watches her drawing stars down around her, he says, “That’s what I was thinking.” Apparently he accepted her presence on this investigation without a second thought. Once he’s torn his eyes away he turns to retrieve his vest and dons it, straightening it as best he can. “It seems to have come from the direction of Heartbreak Lake. If we can’t find anything on our way there, perhaps we can ask Lake Isabella if anything unusual occurred.”
	Sanura She nods her head softly in agreement and gives him a little smile. “Lead on” She’d do her best to keep up and as they travel she’d keep her gaze moving always looking for other damage or a cause, anyone in need of help.
	ST Derrick nods, glances around briefly to mark the landmarks in his memory, double-checks that the boat is secure, and then proceeds towards Heartbreak Lake. Being as they are on the outskirts of the city, so far the flooding seem to only have saturated the foliage and trees that line the river. No doubt the people of Bakersfield who made their homes by Kern River have been affected, but finding the source was the key now. The river seems peaceful as ever each mile they cover. Dark blue stains the sky and the sun sinks below the horizon before they reach Heartbreak Lake. For every star in the sky is a matching star in the glasslike surface. The nearby mountain towers twofold, and the surrounding landscape seems to create a portal to another world. The occasional ripple breaks the illusion, but aside from that, and the night noises of the animals, it’s quiet.
	Sanura She chuckles a little as she keeps her gaze moving around. “almost .. romantic .. if we weren’t looking for the cause of a natural disaster” she smirks slightly before her brow furrows faintly. “How did you know it was coming?” she questions. “Did you hear it before I did?”
	ST Derrick turns slightly towards her, but keeps an eye on the landscape. “Yes, I suppose I did.” He pauses. “I didn’t know what to make of it at first.” He takes a moment to give a more thorough look around, puzzlement starting to creep in.
	Sanura She hmms softly and her lips purse as she senses the slight shift in his temperament. “What is it?” she questions quietly, focusing her own senses more, trying to find what’s caught his attention.
	ST “Ms. Isabella is usually quick to greet guests.” He pauses again, then steps forward. “Ms. Isabella?” he calls, his voice carrying across the water. It’s answered by silence.
	Sanura Her brow furrows softly and she shakes her head. “We’d heard weeping well before now” she murmurs as her pace picks up and she starts more quickly towards the lake.
	ST Derrick too picks up his pace. When he reaches the lake’s edge, he peers into the water, favoring his prosthetic eye. Still silence.
	Sanura She creeps up next to him and whispers. “What do you see?”
	ST He narrows his eyes. Then his brow furrows and he straightens and steps between Sanura and the lake. Not long after, a very familiar face surfaces: wolfish eyes, a sculpted face, and long, thick black hair, made smooth as silk by water. He has a bit of a manic, wild-eyed, desperate expression about him. “Hey, friend, you look like a charitable sort—mind helping a guy out?” He emerges from the water until he’s about waist deep, wearing a coat but no shirt, and a colorful bead-and-bone necklace. “See there’s this spirit—you know those spirits, they get these odd notions in their heads that they just can’t let go—and—” Then his eyes flick to Sanura and relief floods into his expression. “Ah! My captivating kitten!” He steps around Derrick to regard her directly, opening up and stepping forward for a hug. “You’re just the person I need!”
	Sanura Sanura purses her lips and while she doesn’t trust him a single bit she does return the hug. “Oh, what would you need from me Bunny?” She questions warily as she leans back and regards him. He looked more cagey than usual even..
	ST “Coyote,” he corrects almost absentmindedly. “Coyote,” repeats Derrick, his voice carefully level. It’s clear the fellows reputation precedes him. Coyote does a double-take, draws back from Sanura, and looks at Derrick. “Yes. Very good, friend.” He offers him a white-toothed grin. “That is my name. The word which people call me by.” His voice is slow and carefully enunciated. He pauses and considers. “Well, one of many but that’s the best one.” Derrick simply stares at Coyote, his expression gone completely flat.
	Sanura Sanura quirks a brow.. “anyway… Coy-oh-tay. .. what do you want?” she questions as she leans to peek around. “Did your watery betrothed finally catch you?” She guesses as she frowns “Is that what just almost drowned Derrick and did Gods know what further toward town?”
	ST Coyote lets out a bit of a high-pitched nervous hyena-like laugh. “It was a setup. I just know it. I mean she’s great and all but under normal circumstances she would never have been able to catch me.” He grips Sanura by the shoulders. “Look. You’ve got to help me get away from here.” He stills suddenly. “Wait, Derrick? The Derrick? The guy-who-went-batshit-and-killed-Lance Derrick?” “That is my name,” Derrick says. Though he’s speaking in his mild fashion, there’s no small amount of tension drawn through it, doing away with much of the humor. “The word which people call me by.” Coyote lets out a nervous laugh again, looks to him, forces a grin, and slides back some. “Hi.” He offers a quick, tight wave.
	Sanura Sanura grimaces and the stars around her face and adorning her person, dim.. turning a deep blue black yet still shine. “Yes.. that’s the Derrick who also protected the citizens here, and went on a quest to return the Netjer to us.. that Derrick” she murmurs quietly her gaze fixed on Coyote. She tilts her head down with those eyes still trained upon him. “So.. a set up.. well it’s no more than you would do to her.. in fact did do only sans aid. I don’t see why we shouldn’t let you suffer some of the grief you gave to Isa.” she crosses her arms over her chest. “You did do some good while we were away yes.. but you did after all wrong the lady and some comeuppance I think is in order.”
	ST “I didn’t. She fell in love with me. You can’t hold me responsible! I can’t help my good looks and charm!” He shakes his head before he gets too enamored of said good looks and charm. “Also, you think marriage is a comeuppance? A punishment?” He clicks his tongue and shakes his head. “That’s messed up.” He gives Derrick a clandestine look. “You heard it. Stay away from this one, huh?” “What do you consider marriage, then?” Derrick asks, his voice still carefully neutral. “Accountability. It’s annoying.” Coyote spreads his hands. “Look, if all she wanted to do was cook for me, have sex with me, and have my children, I would have no issues! I’d be fine sticking around for a while! But this whole social contract thing just makes it far more complicated. Wives have duties, husbands have duties. And don’t get me started on estates!” He lifts a finger. “We’d all be much happier if no duties and no estates were involved. Responsibility’s exhausting. Stifling. For everyone involved. But also, I can’t keep the cosmos running with all these other random things on my plate. But society’s pounded in her head that marriage is the culmination of life or some shit, and she’s just unwilling to let that idea go. You get me?” Throughout his rant he paces between the two, like some kind of caged beast.
	Sanura Sanura tsks and shakes her head. “Now look here.. you could have avoided the Lady if you didn’t wish her enamored of you. Clearly you hold yourself in such high regard you know how gods awefully difficult it is to resist you.” Sarcasm much? She frowns and glances around them. “So where is your lady wife so we might try and help her realize how much better off she might be without you?”
	Sanura It’s rather clear she means to help Isa, not Coyote. The two might just mesh this time.
	ST “Hey,” Coyote points an accusatory finger. “I don’t go around telling drunk women that they’re asking for it. An entitled asshole is to blame for his… entitled assholery. You can’t tell me that I should take responsibility for my many fine qualities because someone else might take it as an invitation to kidnap me and force me into marriage.” Derrick, keeping his expression flat, takes a deep breath in and out. “Coyote?” The voice comes up from the deep. “Who is it?” “Just a minute!” he calls back, over his shoulder. Then he gives a desperate, pleading look to Derrick and then Sanura.
	Sanura She rolls her eyes “fine .. fair.. kidnapping isn’t .. exactly .. right.. but abandoning her up her alone was not right either” Sanura steps around coyote and kneels at the side of the lake. “Isabella, dahling.. it’s Sanura.. I met you with the ah.. hobo fellow Ken and a few young fellows? Do you recall?” She’d sit back and wait for response. Her gaze turning to Derrick and she pauses a moment before .. gently attempting to tether their minds for the next little while. Her voice a soft whisper to him of ’well.. what do you think? you could easily be in Coyotes shoes.. if a powerful enough lady desired you enough.. ’ he can sense a faint frown in the idea of it but it was true after all.
	ST Coyote makes vigorous termination motions as Sanura calls for Isabella. But then the surface of the lake begins rippling. At this he sighs and his shoulders drop and he resigns himself utterly to his fate. Derrick looks over to Sanura. His thought shines forth, bright and focused, like sunlight through a mail slot. -As unlikely as I think that possibility is, I would not have made marriage an… option for negotiation if I didn’t intend to follow through.- Lake Isabella emerges, her form shaping slowly from the water and then flooding with color. She smiles, a little shyly, giving Coyote a sidelong look. Coyote begrudgingly holds his hand out, and she slides in beside him, winding her arms around him. Then she regards the visitors. “Hi Sanura! How could I possibly forget you? It’s been too long!” Then she looks over to Derrick and brightens further. “And Derr—” She clears her throat and deepens her voice, taking on a tone too official to be sincere. “Mr. Sultan. I take it…” Her bright manner fades some as she takes in his damp appearance and she releases Coyote to put a hand to her mouth. “Oh. I’m so sorry. A-are you—? I didn’t mean to…” When she proves to be at a loss for words, she moves her hand to cover her face. “Oh, that’s… I’m so, so sorry.” Coyote pats her consolingly on the shoulder with his free hand. “Look, Izzy, you don’t have to apologize for being happy.” Lake Isabella offers Coyote an appreciative smile from under her hand. “I’m apologizing for putting him in danger.” “Hey… it happens.” He brushes a stray strand of hair behind her ear. Derrick’s tightness fades a little. “I’m fine, Ms. Isabella. But I don’t know how people inside the city fared.” She peeks out from behind her hand. “It got all the way to the city?” “Judging by the size of the… swell in our location, it may very well have.”
	Sanura Sanura sighs softly and nods her head slightly to Derrick and then her brow furrows ever so slightly. She looks between Coyote and Isabella .. though to be fair her manner lightens when Mr Sultan is consulted in -so- polite a tone. She feels a faint twist of concern and her gaze flashes back to Derrick the voice in his mind very soft and worried -do you think she was happy or.. .. or.. he made her.. ‘happy’ because if he’s doing that with her then pleading for escape.. - she looks to Isabella “well .. it only knocked Derrick out of the boat, I was able to hold on.. so perhaps it wasn’t so very bad” she offers hopefully.
	ST Derrick glances at Sanura. -There’s no question he’s using her.- Then he looks back to Lake Isabella. “It’s possible the swell didn’t reach the city. It died rather quickly.” Coyote lets out a gasp. “Oooh, is that a tamale?” He pulls away from Lake Isabella to wade quickly (making quite a splash) towards the tamale floating nearby. Then he launches himself at it, submerges, then surfaces again tamale first, followed by another tamale, then victorious hands and arms and finally head. “Two tamales! Hah! Score! Lucky day for Coyote!” He flicks his hair out of his face and proceeds to chow down. Lake Isabella attempts to stifle her laughter, but it overcomes her for a moment. After a couple moments she looks up, composes herself and says, “I’m sorry. I promise I’m taking this seriously. I just—” She tilts her head to one shoulder. “He makes me laugh.” Lake Isabella chuckles again, a little helplessly. Derrick holds up a hand to indicate his acceptance. “Do you think this will this happen again?” She looks over to Coyote, eyeing him up and down. “… Yes. I mean… I’ll try to…” She trails off, unable to really make any promises. Derrick looks back to Sanura. -I intend to tell her.-
	Sanura Sanura watches the ol’ dog go after the food and then the happy laughter of the water spirit. Her lips turning in a soft frown and her eyes welling up a little. -you must of course but.. she’ll be heart broken yet again-. The flow between their minds make it easier than ever for him to read her and it’s obvious she’s awash with sadness for Isabella, but realizes it’s unfair not to tell her the truth. Behind her eyes there is a sort of frantic focus of thought, how to fix it how to make it ok for Isabella. Searching and thinking and coming up empty. -You’re terribly clever.. - she hedges, did he have anything to suggest to help this?
	ST -She will be heartbroken regardless. The difference is now or later.- Derrick looks over to Coyote contemplating a course of action to take. Coyote, meanwhile, chews puzzledly, then reaches into his mouth with thumb and forefinger and pulls out a corn husk. He examines it, a little vexed that he can’t eat it. “He doesn’t intend to be married to you for very long,” Derrick states. Lake Isabella’s eyes return to Coyote. In response he freezes, then disappears under the surface of the water. “I know,” she says. Derrick lifts an inquisitive eyebrow her way. “If he wanted to marry me, he would’ve either let me catch him or just asked me.” Her eyes remain on the surface where Coyote disappeared. “But at least this way I get to see him. And maybe make him happy, for a little while. That’s all I want.”
	Sanura Sanura takes a little breath and sighs out softly “oh sweetheart” clutching her hands in front of her. “I.. may I?” she opens her arms a little in offering of a hug. “Can we do anything for you?” she questions softly if the hug is accepted or not.
	ST “Awwww. You’re so sweet.” Lake Isabella accepts the hug. If Derrick didn’t ruin Sanura’s dress, the water spirit definitely did. But she’s solid, anyway, and her hug is smooth and enveloping. “No… it’s okay. I’ve chosen this.” Derrick steps closer, offering his support via presence for now. “That doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt.” Lake Isabella offers him a thin smile of reassurance. “Just… visit when you can, okay?” She looks to Sanura, as if to extend the invitation to her as well.
	Sanura Sanura still gives no care for the dress and pours as much warmth as she can into it. “Alright, beautiful, I’ll visit and maybe bring Summer and Carmen if they can find time. If you don’t mind a little one splashing about” she smiles a bit and rubs at her own cheek, obviously Isa had splashed up on her. “I’ve asked the newly returned Egyptians to pay a visit.. has anyone come to see you?” she questions with a gentle tone. “I thought perhaps you could visit with them often as well.. with .. the magic of the Nile, the Kern.. yourself?”
	ST She nods. “A fellow who introduced himself as Sobek came by, along with… Nephthys and… Thoth, I think it was.” To this, she offers a sigh and an ‘oh well’ lift of the eyebrow. “Tough crowd. Oh, but very polite.” She offers Sanura a wan smile. “I would try, if the entrance weren’t uphill.” Lake Isabella looks down. “Really, thank you. I appreciate you doing all this for me.” She glances over her shoulder. “I don’t want to be rude, but… I’d like to spend time with Coyote.” Derrick nods. “Can you put off… overflowing Kern River tomorrow? I’ll return to inform you of the details, and then maybe we can arrange some sort of compromise.” Lake Isabella nods. With that, Derrick puts a stabilizing hand on her shoulder. She looks up, offers him a smile, and then, after he releases her, waves farewell and seeps back into the water, starting with color and finishing with shape.
	Sanura Sanura nods her head softly “Oh right.. right .. of course..” blushing as she has a feeling the huge wave was from -happy- time. She turns to Coyote or where he vanished under the water anyway. “You better be nice and thankful and grateful and not a dick or else” she points at him.. “Auntie Isis.. cage.. remember” she’s.. half jesting at least. She looks to Derrick and heaves a faint sigh and a little smile. “Our first date was too perfect, I guess the scales had to even out” trying to be light about it and also trying to distract them both from the worry about the towns people down river. She’d wiggle her toes a bit. “Glad I wasn’t in heels” as she peers down the way that they’ve got to walk to return.
	ST Derrick offers her a half-smile. “I hope for the sake of the citizens of Bakersfield our next one goes… differently.” He’s clearly joking too, but the sincere sentiment still leaks in.
	ST He offers his arm to her as he turns to head back.
	Sanura She smirks faintly and gives a fond wave to Isa and a warning glare to Coyote before heading back towards town with Derrick.

Campaign of the Month: February 2017

God-Touched

In which Sanura and Derrick go on their second date

Comments

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