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Sabra Knight

Always hold your head up and walk forward proudly. Her mother would always repeat those words to Alinta and the teen made certain to follow through with the advice everywhere she went. She refused to bow down to others who may consider her position invalid since she was a hybrid who was adopted into a noble family, and while she sometimes hated the restrictions of her family’s ranking the girl also hated being judged for not being a pure Oban. It would have been much better if she had been born a boy but her sister-in-law proved that any woman could be just as badass in the military. Today though it was hard not to punch a few faces as she walked through a nearby training ground used by the Oban military. Even if they weren’t judging her because of her hybrid appearance it was obvious that quite a few of the younger trainees were checking out the girl as she walked through the encampment. Though Alinta supposed she couldn’t blame them because she did recognize that she stood out with her paler features, especially with her long blond hair flowing behind her in intricate braids. At least she was wearing her casual training attire which hid any connection to nobility and her status as a lady. Though it was hard not to give the stink eye to a daring soldier who dared to whistle at her as she walked along. What did they think she was? Some pretty errand girl to flirt with?! A light flush decorated her cheeks at the thought as she shot another quick glare that way and started walking quickly towards the edge of camp.

After all, she was indirectly acting as an errand girl today since she had grabbed some reference materials from the captain for Faisal who was working on a project. She simply hadn’t wanted to stick around for some stuffy meeting or dinner, not when she already had to sit through so many when she was back home or attending social events with her mother, and so Alinta had come in with casual attire hoping to slip in and out of the encampment. It was fine, for the most part, just mostly annoying especially as a pair of loose Xaraan started to race across the training field directly towards her. “Oh for On’os…” She started, the teen twisting backwards to avoid the reckless Xaraan. Seriously?! The documents! The wind had ripped them from her hands and she scrambled to try and gather them before even more chaos ensued.

"You?" Alinta blinked, her hands clutching a few pieces of parchment, but then her expression shifted towards the stable boy. She hadn't even noticed him in her frazzled state! All she could do was let out another sigh as she looked towards Torsten once more. "Thanks. You don't think more xaraan are going to come rampaging through, do you?" She asked quietly as she moved forward to grab another piece of papers that had landed nearby. What a mess. She just hoped she could gather all of the pieces and reorganize them properly. It would be a feat though to explain to Faisal why one had bird talon markings imprinted across it. Alinta closed her gaze and took a deep breath, trying to calm down the rising frustration in her chest. What was with disasters happening right before she ran into this soldier? Not that it was fair to make such an assumption but their first meeting had been during a landslide and she may as well consider the racing xaraan similar to a sandstorm or something.

"As they should." Replied Alinta with a frown before accepting the papers, her expression softening a little bit with the action. At least it looked like everything had been reclaimed even if it was slightly dirtier than before. Rustling through the stack she made certain to reorganize it in the best way that she could before taking the chance to actually roll the papers together. Without wanting to risk another explosion of materials, Alinta tugged at her hairpiece. It freed her braid but also gave her something to tie the papers with which she promptly did before tucking them under an arm for safe keeping.

The question took her by surprise and she was about to decline it but then thought about how Torsten had helped her out. "I suppose." She replied finally with a small shrug. "What if I'm just headed to the market for a bit before returning home? Is that enough of a mission for an escort?" It would save him from having to repeat drills and he had helped gather her papers. Surely she could let him walk with her for a little bit even if she didn't let him take her all the way home.

"I'm sure if your commander hears the story he'll understand." Not that she could really express her position in this situation considering how she didn't like revealing that so quickly. It was much easier to be treated like any other Oban citizen, not some noble lady who was expected to have fancy manners and such. She dealt with that far too much during social events for the family. It was nice to just be able to go out in casual wear and try to blend in with the crowd.

Though Torsten was far too polite and made her wince. Not that she hated him being courteous but it was too close to her usual treatment. "Please, don't. Just call me Ali and no joking like I'm some lady." She gestured to herself, her unruly hair and dirtied attire. "Let's just see how the market goes. Maybe I'll keep you around for a bit longer." She teased before heading along, ignoring the looks of anyone else on the way out as she started away towards the market.

A small smile crossed Alinta's lips. "Thanks." She nodded her appreciation and was happy enough to walk away with Torsten until the teasing began. Ugh, really? She opened her mouth to send out a retort but then Torsten was already on top of things and Alinta had to raise a hand to her lips to stifle her bark of laughter. She supposed that worked!

"I suppose that's one way to handle things." She managed as she simply continued walking and waved off the statement, her finger flashing in the sunlight as she turned away and kept guiding them away from the encampment. The longer she lingered the more likely it was that someone of higher ranking would recognize her and then the fun would be over. "A drink? Sounds good honestly." She admitted as she finally decided to just stuff the papers into her knapsack. What did it matter if they were a bit wrinkled now? The xaraan had done plenty enough of that already for her. "So you're a soldier out here, hmm? Must be fun workin' for the Oban army." She mimicked a bit of the more causal way of speaking that she had heard before in the streets. Why not after all?

Alinta actually chuckled. So that was how things were then? Even her own family didn't seem as rough with their words, at least that she had ever witnessed. "Sounds like a good time." She admitted as she continued along. She always had to endure and hold back her sharp tongue, but to just say whatever? Alinta's gaze gleamed at the thought. She didn't even get to go off on Qaisan that much lately, as desperately as she wanted to sometimes.

"Ah, well maybe sometimes it's best to be a lower rank. You have far less eyes on you, but I do suppose moving up is fulfilling. From what I've seen you have good spirit and work well so surely it will happen." Alinta acknowledged, a rare compliment coming from her when she was usually harsh on others. Her gaze did widen slightly though as Torsten continued speaking and a small laugh escaped after a moment. "I never really took the time to think about joining up. But you think I have the guts for it? Interesting." Truly she didn't know what would happen...her sister-in-law was part of the military but Alinta was from the more political side of the family. It was hard to have too much power out in the open, the family was always doing a balance act as to not disrupt their current ruler. If she joined the army how much would she gain yet lose at the same time?

"Fair enough." Alinta nodded. "Is it true that they sometimes put you up in confinement if it's really bad? Would that be worse than latrine duty? I suppose if you're accustomed to being surrounded by others and training together." She had heard rumors of the previously regime doing such things for stricter training on the soldiers, but she honestly didn't know much about the current army. She had trained mostly on her own and this was her first time openly going to a training ground to pass along correspondence and pick up plans for Faisal to study. He usually wasn't involved as much either because of his own duties as head of the household, but the council was working on a proposal to the king about reassigning and updating some of the desert outposts. Things were peaceful now but the Oban army was forever prepared to defend, especially after spending so much time and effort to rebuild after the past wars.

"Should I have raised a fuss?" Replied Alinta with a raised brow, worried that her appearance didn't seem as casual after all. Then he was bringing up flowers, but thankfully he was talking about the recruits until the compliment sneaked through and a flush decorated her cheeks. "Pfft. Some sort of wildflower maybe, nothing like those in gardens." She retorted with a shake of her head. "They need to work on toughening up you soldiers and working on compliments for the proper ladies." Alinta tried to tease even as she left the encampment behind them and started towards the main Oban streets. "I just need to pick up some herbs from a local shop here and then...well do you have a place in mind for drinks?" As if she actually had an idea of taverns...she had never truly had a drink outside of something back home, save for that one time she had entered a dare to prove herself to the twins. That one had led to a very nasty night and a splitting headche the next morning, something she would rather not repeat.

"I see." Alinta crossed her arms, pondering the scenarios that Torsten had presented. "I'm glad that it takes something major to receive such a punishment then. I just hope it doesn't happen often." She had heard rumors once of a captain who abused it before being dismissed, now it seemed like you truly had to be a bad guy in order to receive such treatment. That was relieving at least. Latrine duty though....not so much. Alinta's nose crinkled at the very thought of having to do such a thing. She hated being treated like a delicate lady, but she also had her limits as to what nastiness she would willingly endure.

"I'll remember that if it happens again. Do you think I could demand a xaraan for retraining purposes?" She mused, actually considering the idea without realizing how haughty such a request may sound in comparison for a dinner. "If a xaraan is running rampant with the troops then perhaps it just needs a new owner to guide it." Alinta could ask for one or a janarim without worries, but she worried about concerning her family. Her mother would probably allow it while her grandmother would probably express some worry. Even though the older Oban noble had retired from society and mostly stayed within her wing of the manor she did have her certain expectations for the ladies of the family. Sariza was a fortunate exception due to her background and Alinta initially had been encouraged to fight and protect the boys but after the resolution of their past....things were too peaceful and her tasks had turned more into those expected of a lady, not a guard.

"Mmmhmm." Teased Alinta who simply shook her head at Torsten's antics. "If anything perhaps it just means your commander needs to give you more training drills to avoid time for preparing compliments for proper ladies." Did she care if he flirted with other ladies? Not really. Did it somehow make her feel a bit...less special? Just a little bit. "Either way, mister charming, the shop is here." She gestured towards the stall and went forward to start browsing through the hanging herbs. "Also, coffee would be fine. We'll go to the Sandy Lane afterwards." She could use something bitter and strong after the early morning she had, the adrenaline from the xaraan incident was fading and her body was starting to remember that she had not slept much the night before.