#indaein

-A Good Deed

It was a small thing, a dirty stripped cat living in the back alley of Navessa. Petrine kept a brown travelers cloak close to her person, it was about the only thing keeping her from dying due to the blasted cold. The rags she wore weren’t cutting it and she wondered how she’d get by this winter. She’d stopped for a moment to rest her legs when this pitiful thing approached her and started mewling at her.

“Shoo…go…ugh…” Her expression twists a bit. It was much easier to have empathy for an animal than any beorc or laguz. It looked young, hungry.

“Fine.” She was inclined to feed the stray. It reminded her a bit too much of herself.

“Are you alone too?” She asked the creature, not expecting much in the way of a response as she offered to feed it some of the bread she’d managed to buy from market. She didn’t have much to offer. She watched it nibble away at the bread.

‘Mangy, awful thing.“ She made a decision. ”…Come with me.“ 

No one was going to take care of her. But she knew she could maybe look after this wretched animal while she tried to make something of herself in the city. 

-A memory that makes them feel GuiltyShe wasn’t sure why she was thinking back upon it now. 

A promising swordsman, Homasa held pride for his nation and a pride for his own abilities that out showed most she’d stumbled across. He had caught Petrine’s eye. She had intended on keeping a close eye on him, even going as far as to help groom him to become a commander. Strength and dedication should be properly rewarded. He knew what was expected from her and he delivered. 

Eventually, Petrine sought to reward him with a magical weapon of his own. Much like her Flame Lance, he would receive a sword in similar style. But not of fire but instead of wind.It made her stomach churn. 

She should have known better than to leave him in command with such flaky allies. The defection of those Laguz had spelled his death, the moment she had heard they defected there was no doubt in her mind it had led to her subordinate’s death.

Still, Laura steeled herself. Petrine was unarmed, so she didn’t have to worry too much. If worse came to worst, Rexaura was only a few rooms away. She could flee and take it.

“Well… the goddesses accept all who come with good intentions,” she said carefully. “And they must favor you already, if you survived the war.”

No armor, no weapon and no steed. It was a rare combination to see that infamous rider of Daein to have, more so when she came here without baring ill will. Considering that she was also was supposedly dead, it was all the more reason to be alarmed.

“I will not pretend, my survival was nothing short of a matter of dumb luck. I won’t ride on the impression I’m blessed by the goddess.” The notion agitated Petrine but she was not about to throw it back at Laura’s face. 

“I came as...well... this is my attempt at good will.” The words came out awkwardly from her mouth.

"Well. Well. Look who it is?"

She'd barely survived Riven Bridge if only because she'd plummeted off it. If her enemy had been more thorough, she was certain that she would not have lingered in this world for as long as she had. Recovery had been long and arduous. With Ashnard gone, she'd lost everything that she had built up for herself over the years. That was war wasn't it?

The last thing she expected was to catch one of the Greil Mercenaries in the middle Daein, especially when she had done her damnedest to keep a low profile. Were they after her? She doubted it but the opportunity was simply too good for her to pass up.

“All alone. Where are your allies?” The corner of her lips upturn cruelly. Could it be?

Dressed in the colors of her country, grey and gold, she strode through the hall with pride swelling in her chest. Her hubris could have drowned the room and in that there was something to hate but also to admire. Few could ever hope to have that confidence and pride, but considering who she had sworn her allegiance to and represented there was far more to scorn. She was not a rider of Daein yet and she was on foreign soil, a guest of the esteemed country of Begnion for the sake of an officer exchange program. However, she had garnered a reputation quickly and at the rate she was climbing she would likely go far but how far remained to be seen. 

Despite how the green haired woman carried herself, there was legitimate curiosity here. But more importantly, above all she must remember to keep her emotions in check lest she embarrass herself but more importantly King Ashnard.

“I can’t believe you forgot your sodding cloak. Survive the Mad King’s war but you’ll catch your death if you’re careless.” She grumbles further.

“Try anything funny and i’ll boil your blood.”

She's thrown her lot in with Ike. The Greil Mercenaries had done her a service, whether they knew it or not, and she felt a small obligation to repay their saving of Lucia. And then there was Begnion and the matter of Daein. Admittedly, and Petrine would be the first one to do so, she had a longing to drive her signature lance into the hearts of a former enemy and those who occupied what she considered her homeland. It was only by Elincia's blessing and Ike's permission that she joined here. Despite the layer of rust upon her abilities and the dull ache in her back she was still at least twice the soldier others were capable of being.

She figured that with time she'd be capable of recovering. Despite her best effort not to she would inevitably cross paths with him. The sorcerer among them and their apparent tactician. Detatched and sharp tongued. Before she delighted seeing him caught off guard, she could stomach talking to him when she had the advantage but only now did her hatred begin to seep in to her behavior. The former Rider of Daein reminded herself to be upon her best behavior.

The awkward moment came when they finally came within about five feet of one another, as Petrine made her way through the encampment in order to foster some sense of belonging. The edges of her mouth shifted with disgust. She stopped in her tracks.

"And do we have anything to talk about?" Her eyes darted towards the tome he held, among many other books before darting back to his eyes.