#maneha

Traveling with the Watcher has taught Pallegina to never be surprised by anything.

Spectral visions? She accepted those years ago. Vengeful gods? Those are nothing new. Adra statues coming to life? That one…that one is more recent, but when the tales first reached Pallegina’s ears, some part of her knew that Desta would not be far behind. The point is, Pallegina has seen it all, and will likely see stranger things in the days to come. To save time, she has simply ceased being shocked whenever the unexpected happens.

And yet…she is shocked to see Maneha again.

Who would not be? Who could possibly expect to walk into a dubious establishment on an island in the middle of the Deadfire, many years and an ocean away from where they last saw their ex-lover, only to see her lounging about at the bar as if she belonged there?

Desta enters the inn at Pallegina’s side, and for a moment she is too distracted by the unique décor of the King’ Coffin to notice their old companion. She notices Pallegina’s sudden staring, however, and follows her gaze until recognition causes her to cry out in delight.

“Maneha!”

 Desta’s typical lack of subtlety is accompanied by a sunny grin as she rushes forward, and there’s no opportunity for Pallegina to duck out of sight before the woman in question turns and sees them both.

For the first time in ages, Pallegina locks eyes with Maneha, and that look alone is enough to bring back a wave of emotions and memories, all things which Pallegina thought she had left in the past.

Meanwhile, Maneha has never been one to easily be taken off guard. There is a brief moment when Pallegina swears she catches a reflection of her own surprise flashing through the other woman’s eyes, but she is quick to recover, and her gaze snaps to the Watcher who is already bounding forward to greet her. The two clasp hands and easily exchange the expected greetings- what are you doing here, how have you been- and Pallegina is granted a moment to collect herself.

By the time Desta thinks to pull her forward, Pallegina is back to her usual self. She gives Maneha a cordial nod, and her feathers barely ruffle when Maneha claps her on the shoulder with a wide smile.

“Now here’s someone I never thought I’d lay eyes on again,” Maneha says. “Damn, Pallegina. How’d someone like you end up in a pirate’s nest like this?”

“By following this madwoman, of course,” Pallegina says, gesturing to Desta, who laughs.

“Oh, we’ve got tons to catch you up on, Maneha. Would you have time for a drink?”

“A drink with old friends? Of course I’ve got time!” Her gaze drifts to Pallegina once more, a familiar spark lighting her eyes. “I’ll be here all night.”

Desta arranges for the crew to stay at The King’s Coffin for the night, and Pallegina spends the evening carefully stepping around mentions of old adventures with Maneha. Half her mind is occupied with the worry that the other woman will say too much about the time they spent together; the other half is steeped in a strange resentment when Maneha shows no sign of acknowledging that time at all.

None at all! Pallegina knows it is ridiculous to be bothered by such a thing when she herself has kept things quiet, but she cannot make sense of it.Unlike Pallegina, Maneha has never been the kind to make secrets of her attractions or conquests; rather, she seems proud of her collection of dalliances.

This attitude of hers has always baffled Pallegina. She makes no habit of announcing such things. It’s not that she is embarrassed- Pallegina simply values her privacy, and always has. The prospect of questions and teasing from companions, however well-intentioned, fills her with a sense of discomfort.

Maneha knew this. Perhaps, Pallegina considers, that is why she avoids the subject now.

The thought brings her comfort, in spite of herself.

As the evening winds down, Maneha throws Pallegina a knowing look and then disappears out the door. Pallegina waits a few minutes, then announces that she needs to get some air. Thankfully, Desta and Edér are oblivious as ever. Aloth does watch her with knowing eyes as she leaves, but she gives him a stern glare, and he says nothing.

She is not keeping secrets, she tells herself. There are not even any secrets to be kept, not anymore. Some things are simply not anybody else’s business.

It’s not that Pallegina and Maneha intended for their relationship to be some big secret. That was just…how it happened.

It was after Thaos’s death, when the worst of Dyrwood’s conflict was over. The team Desta had assembled was gradually drifting back to their old lives, but Pallegina found herself lingering; with her release of service, she had no life to return to. Desta happily brought her into the fold of the Kind Wayfarers, which was admittedly a gracious gesture, even if the career was a brief one. It had, at the least, provided a mission for Pallegina to undertake when she was in sore need for some sense of purpose.

At the same time, Maneha had decided to leave the Giftbearers for good. She’d been enjoying the luxuries of Caed Nua, but wanderlust was taking hold, and she was looking for a new adventure on which to enjoy her unfettered freedom.

Their reasons couldn’t have been more different, but they were both setting out on a journey. There was no reason they shouldn’t travel together.

During their travels…they grew close. Something sparked between them, and with no higher duty requiring her full devotion, Pallegina allowed the spark to catch. She and Maneha spent…maddicho, was it a whole year they spent together? Looking back, that time seemed both far too long and far too short, and it was something of a miracle that it happened at all. For someone like Pallegina, someone who had always lived firmly on the ground, it took a whirlwind to sweep her off her feet.

Maneha was nothing if not a whirlwind.

But whirlwinds never last. The purpose given to Pallegina by the Wayfarers dwindled quickly; they could never replace her beloved homeland, and Pallegina yearned for home more and more with every passing day. Maneha could never understand this part of her, no more than Pallegina could understand Maneha’s contentment with living her life like a leaf twisting aimlessly in the wind.

Disagreements turned to arguments, which turned to fights and wounded feelings. They both saw the end coming; they both decided to part on decent terms, while they still could. It was mutual, and as amicable as could be expected, and that was that.

It was nothing that Desta and the others had needed to know about when Pallegina reunited with them years later. How was she to predict Maneha would show up again, out of nowhere? It’s just another impossible twist of fate, one which has left Pallegina embarrassed and indignant.

But…also pleased. That cannot be denied, not when Pallegina steps out of the inn to find Maneha leaning casually against the hull of the repurposed ship. Waiting for her.

Maneha hasn’t changed much over the years. She is bright and bold as ever, and still decorated in the glinting jewelry she so favors. Her smile is the same, too, and Pallegina can’t deny the old affection called forth when Maneha flashes that smile in her direction.

“Hey, you,” Maneha says with a casual nod. “Still can’t believe you’re actually here. Damn, but it really is a small world, huh?”

“It would seem so.” Pallegina moves to stand at Maneha’s side, and after a moment of awkward silence clears her throat to say, “I appreciate your discretion around the others.”

“I figured you would.” Maneha tilts her head, her large hoop earrings jangling a familiar tune as she moves. “And I get it. My only question is- did you sneak out here just to talk, or did you have something else in mind?”

Straight to the point, as always. Tempting, too. But Pallegina has to shake her head. “I’m only here to catch up. Anything more is not possible at this time.”

“Don’t tell me you’ve gone and found another flame?”

Pallegina’s face warms, and Maneha chuckles. “Oh, I’m just messing with you. You know I’ve never been the jealous type. Not the type to settle down myself, either. You’re free to do whatever you want.” Her smile falls, just a fraction. “Besides, I know you too well. There’s nobody in the world that could distract you, now that you’re back with your Republics.”

“Ac, you do know me,” Pallegina sighs. “And I know you want to say something about that.”

“Just that they don’t deserve you. Never have. But I’ve said that before.”

She has. Many times. Often while drunk. There was once something validating in the words, back when Pallegina was still in disgraced exile. Now that she has a chance to earn everything back, however, they feel more like a slap in the face.

“I have an oath,” Pallegina says forcefully. “My loyalty lies with the Republics, now more than ever.”

A frown crosses Maneha’s face, but it’s quickly erased by a shrug and an air of forced indifference. “I wouldn’t know much about oaths, I guess. But oath or not, it is good to see you again. And if you’re actually happy with this arrangement you’ve got going- well, it’s no longer my place to say anything. I’m just…glad you got what you wanted.”

“…Thank you.”  Pallegina rests her head against the wooden planks behind her, relieved. Up above her, stars decorate the inky blackness of the night sky. She keeps her eyes on the stars as she asks, “What of you? Have you found what you wanted out in the world?”

Maneha chuckles. “All I’ve ever wanted is to keep moving. See new places, have new adventures. Can’t ask for more than that, and I’ve been doing it all pretty well.”

“Good.”

“Yeah.” Another moment of silence passes, though this time it is more companionable than it is awkward. Then Maneha glances over and says, “But you’re sure you don’t wanna repeat any history tonight? You gotta admit, we were good together.”

She moves in close, and oh, Pallegina can feel the warmth of her body. The attention leaves her flustered- Maneha was always so good at that- but she manages to stammer out, “I- yes, I remember.” She swallows, recovering herself, and in a steadier voice says, “But there are plenty of other women in armor back in the tavern. I’m certain you can have a good time with any one of them.”

“You do know what I like. But you know what I like even better than a woman in armor?” Maneha’s eyes gleam with mischief, and Pallegina smiles in spite of herself.

“Let me guess. A woman out of her armor?”

That earns her a pleased laugh. “Got it in one.” Maneha steps away with evident reluctance, and Pallegina misses her warmth immediately. “Well, I can’t say I didn’t shoot my shot. I am glad I got to see you again. And I’m glad you’re living the life you want.”

“Likewise,” Pallegina says softly, trying with all her considerable might to ignore how much colder the night air feels without Maneha pressed against her. “Auret agori. Safe travels.”

“You, too. Hey, maybe we’ll run into each other again in another few years.” Maneha laughs at herself, but her brash voice eases a bit as she adds, “And hey- don’t let that Brotherhood of yours look down their noses at you. Do whatever you want, just make sure they treat you right. You’re worth it.”

“Maneha, wait,” Pallegina calls. She doesn’t know what her own plan is, but when the other woman stops and turns, Pallegina finds herself stepping forward and closing the distance between them, catching Maneha’s mouth in a clumsy kiss.

With one kiss, it all comes flooding back, even sharper than before: the salty taste of Maneha’s lips, the firm touch of her hands, the raspiness of her bawdy whispers. The days spent traveling at her side, listening to her stories and her jokes and her laugh; the nights spent in her arms, letting herself be touched and kissed and loved.

The kiss deepens, and Pallegina moves backwards until her shoulders hit the wooden hull. Maneha’s jewelry clangs against Pallegina’s breastplate as their bodies press closer- a glorious sound, Pallegina thinks, as Maneha’s mouth moves eagerly against her own.

“Maneha,” Pallegina gasps into the kiss, her hands grasping at the amaua’s skin. She runs her fingers over Maneha’s arms, relishing the touch she’s been missing for so long. New scars line her biceps, and Pallegina makes a mental note to ask her about them, if they have the time.

But that will have to come after. Right now, Maneha nips at Pallegina’s bottom lip, and all Pallegina can manage is another shaky gasp.

“Come on,” Maneha whispers, “Say that thing I like.”

A small bubble of laughter breaks through Pallegina’s haze, and she presses her lips to Maneha’s ear. Her hand reaches up to cup the other woman’s cheek as she does so, and she drops her voice in that way she knows Maneha likes so much. “Voc se vellico, mi aimora.”

Maneha’s whole body shivers. “Damn, woman. I missed you.”

It’s not wise to be doing this, not when they both know tomorrow they’ll part ways yet again. But fate has led them to be together again for at least one night, and for once, Pallegina decides not to fight against it.