Loyalty - Eudora/Torin/Crow

Music pranced through the air with kites and confetti while a parade played along the main street. People’s talk and laughter competed with the loud trumpets, drums, and flutes singing cheerful melodies. Bands, caravans, dancers, mystical beasts and costumes of characters mixed and moved like a kaleidoscope as the party stopped to witness the magnificent attraction. It wasn’t only color and people, but magic being displayed in enchantments, bending the elements, and displaying shapes and stories with light. 

Eudora watched with a non-impressed eye, as the common people jumped and flailed with joy at the sight. The scene was entertaining, to be sure, but she was never one for the loud noise. And she wasn’t the only one in her company it seemed. Torin stood like a boulder among people, eyes scanning the colors and sights with disinterest. If she could be anywhere else this moment, she would, while Haul and Rehan were chatting about the curiosities of the market while watching the passing parade seemingly entertained.

Leaning on the fence separating the crowd and parade, was Crow. With an idle smile, his eyes scanned the caravans and dancers. Varrick found his way by his side, seeming to be pocketing something, before summoning a gold coin to roll between his fingers. 

“Not every day you see such overcompensated displays of art. Hardly the need for all of this,” He gestured his head to the dancing figures of magic in the air. “Sure to give anyone a headache after staring too long.” 

“Not an enjoyer of the performing arts, are you?” Crow said over his shoulder, long mane swishing with the motion. “The singing, cheering, the people?”

“Quite the opposite,” the Haedian flicked the coin in the air, watching it glint the sun before snatching it. “I enjoy it when it’s contained within a single space, and consists of up to three individuals. All this frivolity is unnecessary.” 

“For once, there is something we can agree on, merchant.” Eudora spoke from her spot, voice commanding the attention of both merchants and a few others in the crowd. Torin’s ear perked as the puller spoke. Raising her head, she sighed at the pompous tone.

“A miracle,” she rolled her eyes. The lantern and pick on her side clattered as she adjusted her space in the crowd. “Why do you persist here, Eudora? Why not go home?” 

“Are you keen to be rid of me?” Eudora replied mildly, lip curling with her words. “So honest of you.”

Haul and Rehan pulled away from their conversation to look at their companions with a curious eye. Most of the topic had gone by them in the noise, but everyone seemed to be gathering in to converse so the two left their place by the fence to tune in. Crow and Varrick had turned their heads, watching the encounter between the two pullers, with mild curiosity. The golden Haedian weaved through the people with the leopard puller, avoiding the cheery parade goers pushing past in their wake. 

“I wouldn’t have imagined a lady of her esteem to remain in such a crowd,” Haul mused at Eudora, standing above the crowd with her done up mane, embroidered silks and satins, and silver jewels hanging over her forehead. “The company, as well.”

Rehan chuckled, nodding with a cock of his head. “I won’t say you’re wrong, it is strange. Though I find the gruff one even more peculiar. Miserable as she is, she seems to be lugging along. How they know each other is beyond me.” 

“They share a likeness, as different as they may be deeper within. To the naked eye it’s easy enough to see.” Haul analyzed, but closed his mouth as Eudora caught ear of the two approaching. 

Before more words could be exchanged, the rhythmic tunes of the parade became disarrayed and shouts broke through the air. The crowd flocked away from the fence right as an explosion mixed with party horns went off. Crow and Varrick whipped their heads around to the street only to immediately duck away at the assault of confetti, glitter, and some magical sparks.
Haul and Rehan avoided most of the explosion by proxy to the masses, with some faint splotches marring their coats. 

When the fright of the people calmed down and the crowd adjusted to the mess, many sighs and oohs came at Eudora and Torin. Both of whom were covered from chest to head in paint and decorations. Torin shook her head, splattering colors over Eudora’s side and some of the people around. Rattling her face she opened her eyes through the strands of hair plastered onto her forehead. 

For the first time, Eudora was quiet in the face of displeasure, like a bomb with a lit fuse- quiet before the storm. Her eyes slowly opened through the paint and glitter, a lone piece of confetti sliding down her muzzle. A tremor climbed up her chest, snarling her snout into a vicious scowl. If she could turn as red as a cherry tomato, she surely would and the people sound sense it. 

When the parade officials came rushing to the scene, it was like the floodgates were torn apart. Eudora’s voice could have been as loud as the parade itself as she went off on the poor people on poor preparing, lack of safeguards, endangerment of the civilians, and haphazard management. All colors of the dictionary were flown in the span of her enraged lecture, and the officials were practically shrinking in their coats. 

Crow, Varrick, Haul, and Rehan were cleaning off their coats and attire from the onslaught of party spirit, while witnessing the lecture. Rehan was smiling, giving the off chuckle under his breath as the scene while wiping his nose off yellow and green paint. Haul looked almost as equally looking to leave the scene as Torin, with an avoiding eye of the loud scene. Varrick and Crow’s amusement seemed to have dissipated, both holding some offense to the unsavory attack. It was exhausting being in such company and Crow rubbed his temple. 

“Must she make a scene,” Torin sighed, turning her side to the puller. 

“I’d expect nothing less with such character,” Crow remarked to the miner. “It’s a miracle she hadn’t done it sooner to one of us, I’d wager.” 

“You’d be right. She’s been unusually cordial.”

“You know her well?” Haul and Rehan joined the separated party, the Haedian’s voice teeming with curiosity. 

“Mm,” Torin raised her eyebrow. “Sister.” Varrick’s ear perked, gold hoops jingling as he raised his head. 

“Thought I had you pecked on that,” Haul hummed. “Didn’t happen to inherit your tolerance?” 

“I rather like to thank me for not inheriting from her.” The puller grumbled, wiping off confetting off her chest. “She took all the temper for the two of us.” 

It was no lie. With Eudora’s rage finally coming to a simmer, and yet her eyes were cold as ice as she was listed ways of compensation for the mistake of the parade. It was a hearty list too, with monetary compensation and benefits from the city. No less would be adequate for her and she let them know it. 

It was beginning to feel painful to be standing there, enduring the speech second-hand. Crow was beginning to roll his eyes and itch to sink into the crowd, but the masses were densely packed around them with eyes fixed on the affected Reoseans. The people that were also struck by the blast, were miniscule compared to the spotlight. 

“Must this drag on? We got pretty apologies and some coin, what else is there? Humiliation?” He scoffed, ears pinning. 

Eudora’s attention finally divided from the people to her party, her sneer deepening. “You’d take such offense and let them shrug you off with some ‘pretty apologies’?” She huffed, and Crow gave a sharp look in return. 

“No need for hostilities,” Varrick stepped in, letting Eudora’s glare glide off him as he addressed the party. “These fine people have offered proper compensation, I suggest we take full advantage and accept their apologies. Cool off with a proper cleaning.” He addressed Torin and Eudora, though the former didn’t care for the idea. “This day has been long. Let’s not stretch it further.” 

Eudora scoffed, but closed her mouth with a huff. Her eyes shot to the officials one more time, before she turned her tail. It was doubtful her social mood would continue any longer, and the party pardoned themselves to go their own way.