i've gotta follow my heart, no matter how far

[contemptus]

[Carmelita's life is usually pretty easygoing, as she sees it. Ever since she brought her home back down to earth from the high horse those people had placed it on, her life has been pretty damn good. The world is even more vast than she could have dreamed of as a kid; the sights are many, the people are even moreso, and with Fomalhaut ever at her side, she's never had to really worry a day in her life. The only things she really has to worry about are cleaning the clothes on her back, getting something to eat, and finding somewhere to sleep. It's a simple existence, but one no less fulfilling.

...Oh, yeah, and she supposes she has to deal with some odd jobs from the guild. Usually Carmelita's used to taking the jobs at her own pace, but it seems like the job's managed to come to her today. It's a pretty simple looking one; bodyguarding a group of people for their journey into the mountains. It seems like an entirely too simple job, and they mostly just need the muscle because the monsters in the area tend to be rather dangerous. But hey, they're paying well and it looks like a job that could keep her afloat for a little while. And they need lots of muscle, and if nothing else, she and Fomalhaut can provide.

It's what sees Carmelita making her way to the local tavern, all packed and ready to go. (She doesn't need much, Fomalhaut can usually provide whatever armor she needs along with weaponry, so it's mostly just food and water for the trip.) The local party seems to be all there, and Carmelita introduces herself more than easily to the people she'll be guarding, casual and fancy-free as ever. They talk easily, before Carmelita sets her sights on another person nearby. It looks like they're getting all the help they can; Fayola doesn't look like a member of the party at all, but that just must mean that she's another person who got hired on, possibly? Or she could be wrong. Carmelita doesn't seem to care either way.

With an all too easy smile and her arms resting at the back of her head, Carmelita approaches.]

Oh, hey! So you're one of the ones I'll be working with on this job, yeah?

[It's simple enough to ask, really. Just need to make sure she knows just how much she's gotta watch this one's ass as well as the others, potentially.]

Comments

[redsunrise]

[Fayola likes the guild. She does! You'd never know it, the way she grumps and snaps and doesn't really talk to anyone unless she's saying something rude, but Fayola won't do a job she doesn't think is worth doing, and she does anything the guild asks of her.

Today, they ask her to escort a group into the mountains. Traders, or something; they tried to tell her the details of their personal lives and she completely zoned out. It would explain why they pay so well, which is most of what she's keeping track of at present. Fayola keeps her coins counted down to the copper. She thinks of that while the group chatters amongst themselves, and then with the newcomer. Standing at the margins of all the conversation, her face scrunches into its default look of discontent. Really, she's just anxious. Heaven forbid any of them keep trying to talk to her. Ah, but the payment.

Carmelita approaches and Fayola's fight or flight instinct kicks in, in the way that it does anytime anyone tries to make conversation with her. She does not sound happy to be here, or happy to meet Carmelita. Negative one charisma modifier, baby.]

That's right. Fayola Levinheart. [She looks Carmelita up and down.] You can take care of yourself, right?

[She sounds dubious, which she doesn't appear to have the right to; Fayola just barely hits an even five feet, and most of her bulk is in her armor and the afro puffs at the top of her head. Still, the armor certainly looks weighty, and the giant war hammer she leans on is no joke, either. Petite as she is, though, she doesn't look like someone who can lift it. And the armor leaves her arms bare, and the lack of a gauntlet on her left side showcases the fern scar of a lightning burn all up and down her arm, matching the white streaks in that side of her hair. For as little space as Fayola takes up in a room, she's an interesting sight when one takes the time to look at her.]

[contemptus]

[Ahhh, a sour puss. If Carmelita is perturbed by the other girl's look, it doesn't show; Carmelita's expression is as easy as ever, though Fayola might be right to be a bit dubious from looking at Carmelita. She's dressed pretty formally for an occasion like this; an ill-fitted suit that honestly just...the closer you look, you can tell she's had this thing forever from the bits of wear and tear on it. It certainly doesn't look like Lita has any right to judge either, though inwardly, she is.

Hm, she's just a halfpint, isn't she? A halfpint who's seen some shit. And apparently fights like hell, if the hammer and armor is any indication...but personality-wise, she's interesting. Kid with something to prove? Bratty half-pint? Oh, the possibilities are endless, though Lita doesn't give them voice. Maybe her mom told her to stop making such a sour face because it'll stick and she took it as a challenge.]

I can, yeah! I usually just do odd-jobs and shit for the guild and travel about, so no need to worry about me. I'm used to this kind of life. [Lita grins, though.] You can just call me Lita. Nice to meet you, Poof. Let's get through this shit with no problems, yeah?

[If Fayola listened in on any of the conversations, she'll have probably noticed that Carmelita has called literally nobody by their name since arriving. And uh. It seems like you've got one now too. Whoops.]

[redsunrise]

[She was not paying terribly much attention, no, so the nickname catches her completely off guard and immediately makes her angry (angrier).]

Fayola. [Small comfort that it isn't Fay, at least, but that doesn't mean she has to like it.] Is Lita short for something? Because it sounds dumb on its own.

[It's meant as just an observation but unfortunately, due to who Fayola is as a person and the fact that you can't just say that, it is, obviously, super rude.]

[contemptus]

[Oh. Ohhh this one's a fun one, isn't she? If Carmelita is bothered by Fayola's angry expression and rudeness, it doesn't show on her face. In fact, she's not bothered at all; if anything, any tenseness in her body fades as Lita finds a grin worming it's way onto her face.]

Yeah, it is. But the full thing's kind of silly, so I'd prefer not to give it out.

[Carmelita lets one of her hands down, waving off the remark like it's an annoying fly while chuckling.]

But come on, don't look so bent out of shape, Poof! Your face is gonna get stuck like that if you keep it there for too long, yeah?

[redsunrise]

Fay. O. La.

[She says it slowly, fiercely punctuating each syllable, like she thinks Carmelita's a child, or stupid. She does, in fact, think Carmelita is stupid.

Fayola draws herself up, which does very little for just how small she is.]

It means 'good fortune,' like the god Venturo. It's an honored name. Use it.

[contemptus]

Ohh, honorable! How cute. Still seems like a few too many fuckin' syllables to remember, so no thanks.

[Carmelita chuckles easily though; holy shit, someone takes their god worship seriously. It's a little unusual given how irreverent Lita tends to be of other gods, but...

Carmelita. You have said enough.

Fomalhaut speaks into her mind, and her expression goes a touch childish--annoyed, maybe, but eh. She can let it go for now. Fayola's said something pretty interesting, anyway.]

So, is that the god you worship, then? Venturo...think I've heard of them a few times at least, since leaving home. Not that I know much, really.

[...Still, it is cute that Fayola's trying to puff herself up like that--she's so small. Not much smaller than all 5'6'' of Carmelita, but still. It's amusing. But Fomalhaut's getting The Dad Voice with her, so she'll just not use any name for now and hope for the best. And with any luck, they'll be off soon once their clients decide they're ready to leave.]

[redsunrise]

[Wuh-oh, this is, unfortunately, a sticking point, and Fayola is about to make it a whole thing.]

You can't fuckin' count to three? Are you sure you're competent enough to be here? Venturo chose me— [she says it proudly, stood up straight and silver eyes narrowed] —so you'd better show some basic respect. Fayola. I'm not answering to anything else.

[contemptus]

[See, that honestly gets Carmelita to laugh--it's as if Fayola had just told her a really funny joke, and if any sort of offense to the statement is there, it doesn't look present on Carmelita's face.]

Hahaha! I'm more than competent enough--I've been fighting for a damn long time, so don't you worry your pretty little head here, yeah?

But man, lighten up a little bit! I don't really get why you're so pushy about this. I got chosen by Fomalhaut, and I'm sure as fuck not asking you for respect?