<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(235, 107, 86)">Sabina relaxed when Lia entered, and she smiled at the other woman, noting that like her, she'd bathed and changed clothing. <br/>
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<b>"I thought I might share a spot with you tonight, unless you had...other plans?" </b><br/>
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"Of course you may," she replied, moving her satchel out of the center of the stall. "I suppose I did just spread everything out. Let me move over for you." The young woman neatly placed her parchment within the leather satchel, and she dropped her pencil in beside it, fastening the bag. She stood, taking her belongings to the back, left corner of the stall. It was clean, obviously not used very often given the freshness of the hay on the floor. She bunched up some of the hay to make a thin mattress and spread her bed roll over it. <br/>
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<b>"Should we ask Karin to join us? It will be a bit snug but I think we can manage?"</b> Lia asked.<br/>
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"Actually, I think we could all manage to fit in here if we slept side to side--well, except Red, of course," she replied. "Shall we head to the mess house for supper?"<br/>
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They made their way out of the stall and headed toward the fire and chatting groups of soldiers. Unlike the nights in the grass, the men appeared more relaxed, apparently relieved to be surrounded by sturdy walls and soldiers who were familiar with the area. The duo gathered their simple stew and bread from the soldier who offered it, and then they sat beside a small campfire to talk. <br/>
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"You know, I haven't seen Karin since we arrived at the Outpost," Sabina observed, spooning some stew into her mouth. It was bland but hearty, and she was grateful for another hot meal before they ventured out on their own. She turned her neck, looking around for the other woman, but she was nowhere to be found. Red stood out, of course, his mammoth size dwarfing everyone around him, and Grimsson seemed to be walking around the inner edge of the wall with someone who radiated authority. She'd seen Will darting about a moment ago. "Perhaps she's in the bath."<br/>
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Sabina watched the flames flicker, her thoughts leaving the ethereal healer who seemed delicate and no match for the harshness of this journey. Instead, they turned to the strange mist and the Old Woman, to Red's scarred torso and booming voice. He'd seemed to radiate strength and power when he'd spoken, and understanding his strange words was not necessary to realize that he'd sent the crone away. The girl felt a cool breeze pick up, and her red hair danced around her head, imitating the flickering flames. A shiver ran down her spine, and she glanced around them. She didn't know if it was her imagination and because she was reminiscing about that first night, but she felt as though someone or something were watching, that they weren't alone. <br/>
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"Excuse me for a moment, Lia," she said softly, standing and heading directly toward Red. As was her routine now, she placed the remnants of her meal beside him where he sat. She'd noticed the after their second evening meal that he was finishing her food, and she was happy to continue giving him anything she didn't want. <br/>
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"Hello, Red," she said softly, smiling gently at the giant. He didn't seem jumpy or nervous, so she forced herself to relax. His face remained impassive as she offered the food to him, so she tried another language on him, as she always did, "Mīru oka rōju nātō māṭlāḍatārani nēnu āśistunnānu. Mam'malni rakṣin̄cinanduku dhan'yavādālu." She studied his posture, but there were no movements of recognition, so she offered another smile and said, "Goodnight," before returning to Lia.<br/>
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She sat beside the other woman as she ate, and she chuckled when a couple of young soldiers came up to them.<br/>
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"Hello, Miss Lia," he said, staring at the brunette beside her. Sabina smirked when he offered a hasty greeting to her and leaned back, ready to watch a show. She stretched her legs out before her, crossing her ankles, and leaned against a log that she'd sat on earlier. "You look beautiful tonight."<br/>
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Sabina glanced at Lia's face, wondering if she'd ever be that comfortable with her own sexuality. Not that she was a prude or even a virgin; she was just reserved when the topic came up...unless she was participating. To each her own, she decided, and yawned, covering her mouth to hide it. She hoped that whatever had transpired between the woman and their leader wouldn't be an issue on the journey. Thus far, though, they'd studiously avoided each other except when necessary for communicating. As she watched Lia interact with the soldier, she relaxed, her eyelids growing heavy. <br/>
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No longer hiding her yawns, Sabrina stood, stretching, and said, "Lia, I'm going to head to bed. Do you want to finish our conversation before we sleep?" she asked, offering the woman an easy out if she wanted it. </span>