───── ❝ Drahoslav Miklos ❞ ─────

The market area of the city was buzzing with life, and it was most certainly loud. Judging eyes of gold watch the crowd from the eyeholes of the helmet, and boredom most certainly danced within them. Patroling the marketplace is such a tedious job, and he would prefer to patrol the slums. Taking off his helmet to wipe the forming sweat from his forehead using the back of his hand. Closing his eyes, a couple of muttered words left him, "If nothing interesting happens, I'm going to leave my post." Just then, a woman can rush over after shoving her way through the forming crowd, "There's a fight going on." She points in the direction she just ran away from, and Drahoslav was already regretting his words. "Son of a-fine. I'm going." Waving her off, walking lazily in the direction of the fight while sliding his helmet back on.

A frown forms on his sunkissed skin, annoyance in his eyes when the people won't move, "Out of the damn way! Move it!" He can see over the heads of the crowd-witnessing a fight going on in the center of the mass gathering. He snarls when no one was moving. His last resort is shoving the people aside to get to the two men fighting, and he did receive glares, but he glares back. One man was on top of the other, and he already knows on who to grab. His large hands grab the much smaller man's shoulder, pulling the man off the other, and drops him without a care in the world. "Gah! Kill that damn, traitorous bastard!" Snaps the man he dropped and currently standing back onto two feet. Drahoslav raises a brow, his head turning to look at the man that's wiping his bloody nose. "I'm not a damn traitor if I want our empire to benefit, you idiot! Iritir Leonadias is the worst emperor to sit on that throne, and you know it!" Pointing an accusing finger at the man that pinned him to the ground and stands up. "She is a child of a Kasopho! She has no real claim for that blasted throne! You're worshipping a false heir!"

Drahoslav listens to them go back and forth for a while, and he could feel a headache coming through. "That's it! I'm arresting you both for disturbing the peace. Any objections and it would cost you your life!" At this point, he doesn't care if his words were harshed, and the two men in front of him lower their heads. His attention shifts to the crowd murmuring on what they just said, "Disperse and continue on your day. Any more disrupters of peace would be sentenced to imprisonest. Take your political views elsewhere." Grabbing the two men by the shoulders, shoving them in the direction of the city guard's encampment. After telling the city guard his statements, he left with a grim look on his face.

"Why the Hell are they sharing their views out in the open like that?" Talking to himself in his head, shaking his head disapprovingly. The tension within the city is high, and he could feel it in the air. If this keeps going on, hands would no longer be the main source of fighting. "Damn royals dragging everyone into this blasted mess." He kept muttering his disgust at the situation, but a squeak caught his attention. Drahoslav stops walking, and his eyes instantly look down. Spotting a scrawny kitten making its way over. It was a cute kitten of a black coat with stunning blue eyes, and the man's heart melted. He already made a decision, and that's bringing this adorable thing back to base. Picking up the thing, tucking it safely in his arm, and rushes back to the base that's on the western side of the castle that holds the royal family. Ignoring the other Maxius soldiers as they gave him a wave of greetings. Finding his personal quarters, Drahoslav heads inside and closes the door after him. Taking off his helmet, removing his sword on his hip, and tucks them both under the bed. A soft smile on his face while he gives the kitten a couple of strokes under its chin.

Eliska M. Zima

Mentions: Drahoslav, Open

Eliska, born and raised in the wild and desolate Kalit Tundra, had trekked through miles upon miles of blank snow until her mind grew numb. She’d seen a man staunch the bleeding of a missing limb with a fiery torch. She’d tackled a wolf with eyes like steel chips who had stalked her caribou for days and nights. This was the way the Medved People were expected to be, and the way they determined what it was to be noble: not a nobility of heart, for their hearts were cold as ice, but rather a savage nobility in the way one could dominate nature. Eliska had always prescribed to these principles. She was fierce, she was stoic, she was unstoppable - and right now she was sitting with her sleeves and pants rolled as far up as her modesty would allow, sweating her ass off. The heat was spongy and thick, and Eliska couldn’t care less what sort of armor she was supposed to be wearing right now - as far as she was concerned, the surface of the sun couldn’t have been any worse than this. She watched people walk to and fro, smiling and laughing and looking perfectly cool and refreshed. To them, certainly, it was nothing more than a pleasantly warm day. She glowered at them, but not with as much vigor as she would have liked. This air was the first thing she had noticed when she had arrived. The tundra had air that, when you breathed it in, felt like a good hearty slap on the face. This air was more like the kind that tried to smother you in your sleep. It made Eliska’s brain slow, and to her immense irritation, it seemed that alcohol was more detrimental than helpful here. But if Eliska prided herself on anything, it was her immense resilience against the obstacle of nature, so she just sat there stewing in her own sweat, hair plastered to her face and clothes sticky-wet. She’d just come down from patrol, and had peeled her armor off like the peel from a mushy banana. She had taken the long, through the more dangerous slums of the city. She always did that, and claimed that she was more likely to encounter particularly heinous crimes there, though why she wanted to encounter them nobody knew.

Eliska had been here only a couple of weeks, and she had run into only small problem like brawls and petty thieves. She had been drafted to the Maxius soldiers even more recently, and had known her fellow soldiers for less than a week. Some aspects of the culture had taken getting used to, and these were the main things Eliska talked to people about: how to act, what not to do, and what was expected of her. She hated to talk about anything personal on either side, and when she did, it was very practical things: where people were born, what their parents had done, if they went to school. She didn’t say hello or good morning to anyone: in fact, she hadn;t spoken to anyone since she’d arrived that morning. It normally took someone else to initiate the conversation, though as they had already found out, Eliska was far more talkative after a lot of gambling and a good deal of alcohol. There was, of course, one thing Eliska liked to talk about more than anything, and as she stood and stretched herself out, she said to the nearest soldier, “Two silver says we get three petty thieves today.” Eliska was neither good nor bad at gambling: she didn’t like to be smart about gambling, because it took away the thrilling risk of the thing. It wasn’t about intellect, but rather the exciting feeling of not knowing what would happen.

Eliska fetched her armor and made to put it away. As she did, she spotted Drahoslav making his way back towards the base. She immediately raised her eyebrows, which perhaps would have looked more imperious if she weren’t covered in sweat and a brilliant sunburn. He was carrying a small black creature, and it took Eliska a moment to realize what it was. She shook her head, losing interest immediately. She had great reverence and affection for many different types of animals, but small, tame cats were not one of those. She preferred creatures who were wild and powerful, and who could look after themselves. Cats were nitpicky little punks who ran around getting fed by people and were good for nothing at all. Eliska preferred a fierce hunting dog, majestic caribou, or graceful hunting falcon any day. Drahoslav’s affection for the most yellow-bellied predator of all time only lowered Eliska’s opinion of him. Drahoslav himself, in fact, was like a cat - his loyalty was fickle at best, most of the time he was a jerk just for the sake of being a jerk, and he’d mangle your hand if you tried to touch his food. Eliska let out a little exhale of breath by way of a laugh, amused with her own thoughts. She took a swig of ale from her flask, out of habit rather than an actual desire for alcohol - it just made her feel more hot and irritated. She was headed the same way as Drahoslav, to her own personal quarters, but she made no remarks to him as they walked along. She stopped to tuck her armor away tidily and then made her way back out to the camp.

Raven colored hair fell just abve the shoulders of the lean figure. One would assume them female from a distance, however, they didn't care either or what you referred tot hem as, as long as you understood their gender was fluid. Ice colored eyes framed by thin black lashes observed the heavily planted gardens. Not a normal post for someone of their current military rank, however, it was the perfect place to catch up on the gossip with the kasopho, rorgea, and garizha. None of them knew how to keep a secret, especially around soemone like their current guard. A few times a few garizha would bat their eyelashes their way or on the rare occassion a rorgea looked their way, the gard was sure to give them a charming smile. Today this guard wore a dark navy trench coat, a white dress shirt beneath it and tan pants. Their shoes were dark black leather and their rapier hung, sheathed at their side. Very rarely would one see the armor beneath this intruiging choice of attire. Chain metal tops and trousers, steel guards for their shins and arms, and the occasional brass knuckles. It amused them how attractive they felt when it came to women and men alike, however, never took any action towards them. Not only did they feel nothing for them, they simply could not.

"Did you hear that one of the maids was caught snogging one of the bamsi?" One of the women stated.

"No! Who was it?" Another asked.

A converstaion over which maid it could have been. They ruled out any chyagheta or mingtee. They were torn between Daaja Arwen and Nyokka Ishana. The guard knew neither personally, but they knew very well that whichever basmi had snogged either one was in for a rude awakening if the dastadvi heard about it. The guard sighed, sheilding their eyes from the sun as it clawed it way out from behind the claws. A femine throat cleared itsef and the guard gave a slight bow.

"Yes my ladies?" The voice was not yet feminine nor masculine.

"Fadoyu Emery would you care to join us? You look quite warm in that attire. Perhaps you'd like some tea?" One of the garizha asked, a flirtatious smile on her lips.

"I apology my Llady but my shift is over for now," Emery stated.

Some of the garizha whined in protest as Emery was relived of their post. Once out of their view they gave a sigh and wiped theri face with their hand. They slicked their hair back and made their way tot heir next post. Yes, poor Emery was one to take on enough work to make up for any stragglers. However, no one knew if it was becaus ehtey enjoyed it, or if there was another motive. Truth be told it kept Emery busy. They'd rather be working than thinking of eveything else going on in their life. Plus, the extra money was soemthing they could use.

───── ❝ Drahoslav Miklos ❞ ─────

Drahoslav smiles warmly as he placed the kitten down on the bed. His golden eyes were filled with brief joy until a knock came at his bedroom door. The brief joy went away, his monotone face returning, and his eyes went dull. Hiding any trace of emotion, he approaches the bedroom door and swings it open to find a Rudho standing out his door. His eyes glare down at the man that interrupted his small moment of joy, and his eyes start to glow. The 5'8 male looks up at Drahoslav, a bit of fear tinging their green eyes. "I-uh. I'm here to deliver a warning to you by Sakza Geza. Bring another animal here, and you would be detained." Drahoslav listens to the man's words, grabbing onto the doorframe, and crushes the wood under his grip. " Tell Sakza Geza that if she has a problem, then she could talk to me her damn self." It was clear as day that Drahoslav doesn't care about respecting ranks with the way he's verbally insulting this poor messenger. "Not some scrawny wimp barking me damn orders." The volume of his voice wasn't welcoming at all, and he watches the Rudho soldier scurry off quickly. His eyes watching the other man's movements closely, making sure he was actually leaving.

Yup, he was now pissed off for the day. His eyes turn back to the bed, watching the black critter leap off the bed to meet up with him. Drahoslav stares at the broken doorframe, a sigh leaving since he has to fix that now. Closing the door so he can change out of his armor-wanting to wash off the daily grime and dirt of today. Once done, smelling like roses instead of dirt and wearing his clean casual wear, he steps out of the room with the kitten on his shoulder. His eyes drift to the group of fellow Maxius, asking the whereabouts of Ivona. His hair was down and not in his casual braid, and to add, his hair was still pretty wet from his bath. "You're looking for Ivona?" A Maxius says, pointing in the direction of the training field. "She's reading a book in her tree." Drahoslav gives a slight nod of appreciation, and starts heading in the direction. Wanting to ask for a small favor from the woman.

───── ❝ Ivona Grigorescu ❞ ─────

Ivona was still in her tree, flipping the pages of her book while listening to the sound of swords clashing in the training field. The wind blowing her hair and dress while her eyes fixated on the worded paper. Each time someone approaches her, she would start talking to them, and her main attention was on them. She continues with her book, closing it when someone familiar was approaching them. Sighing, she closes her book and tosses it onto the thick branch she was on. "What do you have to tell me about Drahoslav now? I'm not his babysitter." She sounds a bit bothered, at the same time, her voice held genuine feelings. "He may or may not bring another animal...here. Sakza Geza is pretty livid that he isn't listening." Hearing that, Ivona bites her bottom lips.

"I see. Well," she hops off the tree, "I give him a talking to when I see him." The Maxius soldier bows before departing, leaving her alone on the hill with a singular tree. Watching her comrade leave, Ivona crosses her arms, both hands gripping onto her elbows. "Idiot, man. What is he trying to do? Get himself killed?!?" She twirls a strand of her hair around her finger, her eyes filled with disappointment. "I feel like our relationship is more like parent and child. Not friends." Shaking her head, getting ready to climb back on her branch, but a familiar gruff voice calls out to her.

───── ❝ Both ❞ ─────

Ivona races over to him, giving him a good punch on the arm in a way to punish him. "You brought another animal here. Insulted a fellow Maxius soldier. Now you're threatening a superior officer?!? What the absolute shit!" She throws her arms in the air, rubbing her forehead when a headache came through, "What did you bring here this time?" She answered her own question when her eyes spotted a black creature on his shoulder, and she couldn't help but fall in love with the thing. "I...I can see why you brought it. It's rather," a genuine smile appears on her face, "adorable."

Drahoslav clears his throat, trying to bring the attention back onto him. "I need a favor," he says softly and points at his hair that's drying up. "I want you to-" "-braid your hair." She interrupted him before he can continue, and he nods his head. The two lock eyes with each other, and Ivona points down onto the grass, wanting him to sit down. He willingly did, sitting down while Ivona settles on her knees behind him. She grabs onto his hair, braiding them while humming a song in her throat.

Eliska M. Zima

Mentions: Tyral, Ivona, Drahoslav, Ellie, Emery (ind.)

Eliska had a bit of time before she had to be at her next post, which meant that she was bound to be on the prowl for a bet or two to place. It was too early now to go gambling in a tavern, and besides, she didn’t have Emery, who was her alcohol safeguard when she got too caught up in playing to have any idea how much she was drinking. That was a role that had once belonged to Delano. And now that was how she thought of Emery: not quite her friend, not an enemy, but just that person who made sure she didn’t get herself drunk while she was gamlbing. Some of the Maxius didn’t want to gamble with someone they knew so little about, in case she was a hustler. And some of them were hustlers, Eliska growled to herself. Some were goody-two-shoes and some were afraid of losing their money to the whim of pure chance. There were a few people coming in now, and Eliska looked up, pulling her sweat-wetted hair away from her eyes. Tyral and their wild canine, Ina - now that was an animal worth earning the mutual respect of - had just come back. Eliska grimaced at the look of Tyral’s gigantic and unwieldy armor. Still, she couldn’t help respecting someone who could fight while wearing enough metal to make a house out of. The people in her homeland would have laughed their asses off at the very idea. The very idea was cowardly, but until they’d tried to wear that form-fitting prison, they couldn’t truly understand how incredibly hot those things got. And besides, Tyral had subdued a great hairy wolf and forced it to serve him - only the finest of the Medved could pull that off. Eliska considered for a moment making a bet or two with Tyral, but she had enough respect for Tyral not to want to talk to her much - Tyral could have been something in the tundra, though sadly they were stuck here serving to boss people around endlessly. Eliska didn’t quite understand the idea of government, which seemed to her irritating and endlessly controlling. After all, it seemed to be tearing everyone apart now.

The next person who came by was Ivona. She was smiling and waving, and Eliska felt a spark of pity for her. Look at that poor girl, clinging to straws, wearing her heart out on her sleeve in hopes that someone would take an interest in it. It gave Eliska secondhand embarrassment just to watch Ivona struggling to get people to like her. She wanted to go over to her and tell her to stop smiling and waving: everything would be alright if she stopped trying so hard. But Eliska knew the struggle herself - of being too emotional, of struggling to connect - and she knew there would be nothing worse for her to do than to humiliate Ivona in public. Perhaps later, if she wasn’t too busy, she could give Ivona a tip or two. She somehow doubted Ivona would listen to her. Following Ivona’s progress with the slight consideration of placing a bet with her, Eliska saw Drahoslav coming out of the quarter. She let out a little irritated “hmph,” though nobody was really close enough to hear. She’d thought she might place a bet on what kind of animal Drahoslav would bring back next time - her money was on some kind of rodent - but now that he was there she couldn’t. She saw Ivona braiding Drahoslav’s hair and her hand unconsciously went to her own hair. Most of the braids were coming undone and she’d have to tighten them up soon. She would have considered asking Ivona to do it - Eliska’s always came out too fast - but she didn’t want to encourage Ivona’s behavior. As bad as it made her feel, she knew it was better for Ivona to learn how to control her emotions herself. “Drahoslav,” Eliska said as she started to walk past them. “Steal anyone’s money recently?” She looked quite imposing, but couldn’t manage to keep the happy note out of her voice - she’d never met anyone she liked to antagonize and be antagonized by more than Drahoslav. Even Delano, who had a few quips up his sleeve, was, to be frank, slightly scared of Eliska.

Eliska was about to pass them when she heard a wild snarl and immediately turned on her heel. Coming at her was Ina, which seemed intent on devouring Drahoslav’s kitten. Eliska’s fight or flight kicked in before she had time to think about the fact that Drahoslav defending his kitten from a wild wolf would be a heck of a sight to see. If a wolf went for a baby in the tundra, everyone in the general vicinity piled on that wolf and beat the hell out of it. That was Eliska’s natural reflex. Eliska dove straight for the head, which, if she could get it under her control, would give the animal a very hard time indeed fighting her. She saw Tyral go for it at the same time, and gave Ina a hearty hit across the jaw - not enough to really hurt her, unfortunately, since Eliska’s hadn’t gotten a clear shot due to Tyral. Tyral and Ina went skidding through the mud, and as soon as Eliska saw that Tyral had Ina under control, she backed off. No need to worry now, as long as Tyral could keep the beast pinned down. Now this was something Eliska knew: man vs’ nature, where nature was trying to kill man in every way possible. She nodded to Tyral, no ill feelings whatsoever about their wolf trying to take down Drahoslav and his kitten. In fact, Ina was mainly the reason that Eliska kept her fawn, Ignar, in her room. He was still young and liable to be eaten by a number of things. “Your tiger is not very tough,” Eliska said to Drahoslav, moving closer to Ina in case she managed to wriggle free. And then, checking the position of the sun, she said to them, “Well, time to get back to duty. Watch your tiger, Drahoslav.” She glanced at Ivona to make sure she was alright but made no comments to her. She seemed wholly unconcerned with the events, and started trudging back to the quarters to get her armor on. She was slightly miffed at not having placed any bets, but as she laced up her armor and gave Ignar a little something to eat, she figured she might have earned a little respect there today.

Eliska had places to be, but before anything she wanted to find someone to talk to. Her two best options were Emery and Ellie, for very different reasons. Though one was certainly easier to find - those garrisons or whatever they were called swarmed around Emery like gnats - one was far more experienced and wasn’t surrounded by giggling and overt flirting. Eliska knew it’d take her longer to find Ellie, but it was worth it. Eliska started with the usual places. She passed by Emery and gave them a nod, but as usual found them surrounded by gabbling strangers, making her glad she’d decided not to choose them. Finally, Eliska located Ellie walking through the marketplace. Unused to seeing so many people at once, Eliska strode straight through them, trodding upon feet and jabbing people in the ribs on accident. “Ellie,” said Eliska as she reached her. “Guard duty is going well?” She waited for some monosyllabic answer and then continued, “It’s not much to do, is it? Is it even really so important to guard here? People, they fight all the time about things that don’t matter. Surely if we are guards we should be looking out for worse things - bootlegging, kidnapping, murder? You, you are experienced. You know where to find the worse stuff, yes? Maybe we can really help someone today - if the market people fight, so they fight. Others are guarding near here. We could help somewhere else, where we’re really needed.” Eliska looked at Ellie. Her face showed very little emotion, but her eyebrows were raised in anticipation of Ellie’s answer.