04-14-2026, 12:07 AM
"That was instinct, Mara, and nothing to do with you being one of the group. You just happened to get there before I did."
The Bandaran didn’t argue, but she wasn’t convinced.
"I'm going with you, you're my friend, and I'm not going to abandon you because of what Beka did. So let's go to the pub, get you changed and then we'll come back here, unless you want to go horse riding? Or do something else fun?”
Calleja shifted awkwardly, nervous energy starting to build up.
“Fine, whatever. Let’s just get outta here, OK?” she replied. “Like, right now? I can’t be stood here any more.”
Following Aeryn’s lead, Mara headed off in the direction of the pub.
“I know you mean well.” The Security Chief’s voice was still low, but there was a sudden intensity to her words. “I’m sorry if you get caught in the crossfire. But when I get like this, I just need some time by myself to get centred an’ get right. I’m not gonna be able to enjoy fuckin’ around on a horse or whatever the options are an’ you don’t want me ruinin’ whatever fun you can have. I’m not tryin’ to be rude. I just need some time.”
She was quiet a moment.
“Besides. I’m embarrassed enough as it is. An’ you wanna put Miss Urban Gang Rat here on a horse? I’m more likely to make the damn thing shit itself an’ head for the next field than have one o’ those big magic man-and-beast moments. Nobody does worse first impressions than I do. On animals or humans.”
The faintest trace of a smile ghosted across her lips at the self-deprecating comment. She’d been around horses and watched others ride them, but they hadn’t appealed to her in the slightest. And based on her few experiences with them, it was a feeling that was more than mutual with the horses.
The Bandaran didn’t argue, but she wasn’t convinced.
"I'm going with you, you're my friend, and I'm not going to abandon you because of what Beka did. So let's go to the pub, get you changed and then we'll come back here, unless you want to go horse riding? Or do something else fun?”
Calleja shifted awkwardly, nervous energy starting to build up.
“Fine, whatever. Let’s just get outta here, OK?” she replied. “Like, right now? I can’t be stood here any more.”
Following Aeryn’s lead, Mara headed off in the direction of the pub.
“I know you mean well.” The Security Chief’s voice was still low, but there was a sudden intensity to her words. “I’m sorry if you get caught in the crossfire. But when I get like this, I just need some time by myself to get centred an’ get right. I’m not gonna be able to enjoy fuckin’ around on a horse or whatever the options are an’ you don’t want me ruinin’ whatever fun you can have. I’m not tryin’ to be rude. I just need some time.”
She was quiet a moment.
“Besides. I’m embarrassed enough as it is. An’ you wanna put Miss Urban Gang Rat here on a horse? I’m more likely to make the damn thing shit itself an’ head for the next field than have one o’ those big magic man-and-beast moments. Nobody does worse first impressions than I do. On animals or humans.”
The faintest trace of a smile ghosted across her lips at the self-deprecating comment. She’d been around horses and watched others ride them, but they hadn’t appealed to her in the slightest. And based on her few experiences with them, it was a feeling that was more than mutual with the horses.