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The moons now were near the height of their ascension, indicative of the late hour as a cool breeze rolled through the window, bringing the sounds of softly rustling leaves to the ears of the two friends. Mahr's mouth opened wide as he let out a tired yawn, stretching forth his arms and rising from his bed to move about as he shook off his weariness. The subtle chill on the wind sent a quick shiver up Mahr's back, making his rub his arms groggily to compensate. Durris looked at him with an amused grin. "Getting tired from working that dusty old brain, Mahr? I think you're spending too much time in the Archives and not enough going out on the town." Durris chuckled as he watched his friend take a swig from his flask and set it back down on the stand beside the bed.

"Well, it does take a lot of energy to explain history to a rugged and unkempt outsider like you. I know they don't teach how to properly appreciate the finer points of history, or chronological preservation in the Shades," Mahr replied with a tone of sarcastic jest.

"Well we can't all be Peak-Born examples to all of civilization, can we? Someone's got to be able to keep you dust-marrow recluses from forgetting to feed yourselves. Ancestors know if my crew didn't work as security for you scroll-kissers you'd fade away with the rest of the Revered."

"Ha-ha-ha... And I suppose that if it weren't for us doing what we do, you'd have records to learn from at all, huh, brittle plates?"

"H-hey... that's not fair! You know that I-"

"Yes, yes, I know Durris... You can't work up the nerve to talk to her and can't get a chance to because you have to remain professional for the sake of your men... I know the whole sad story. But you should know, she's had her eye on you for some time now, and I think she's getting tired of waiting for you to make a move. Quarry are only such when the Hunters take action, after all."

"Oh... is this how it'd going to be, Reten? Going to harass me because I haven't gone after Inerra and make me out to be some pup longing for something but being too scared to ask? Go ahead and tease me about it all you want, but at least I have a real job, not just some gift of a career where I can sit on my paws and read all day!" The two looked at each other with stern eyes, but then smiled and broke out into laughter, Mahr falling back into his bed and covering his eyes with his arm as water started to come from his eyes he was laughing so hard. Durris rose from his seat and walked to the door, turning from his still chuckling friend and grinning as he nodded farewell.

"Same time next time, Durris?"

"Never miss it, Mahr. Take care, and try not to get buried under the literature. Re' Va ere lo."

"Re' Va ere lo, Reten. Good night, Durris."

Durris walked out of the room and down the hallway to the stairs, running his paw along the smooth stone wall to better balance himself as he made his way to the ground floor of his friend's abode. Mahr had been right about the difference in where the two grew up, as was made obvious by the stone and gleaming metal structure that was his home. Above the outside doorway to the house, Durris could see Mahr's Clan's motto, an amusing yet meaningful dedication to his friend's lineage. "Trust of Brothers of Origin", a reference to his clan's reputation of being fair minded and just to all others, regardless of clan or birthplace. The phrase was etched into the stone and emboldened against the slate grey color by black ink, allowing the phrase to stand out, even in dim moonlight. In front of the home, the large tree stood proudly, the mark of Mahr's clan burned deeply into a large smoothened space on its trunk. The fact that Mahr could afford to stay in such a large place away from must of the city proved his wealth, as most grander homes within the walls were found nearer the beacon tower. Having come from the Shades, the settlements not part of a walled city that sat beneath the massive trees and thus shielded from most direct light, Durris was not familiar with grander or more fancy accommodations. The city where both he and Mahr worked was located near the edge of a large cliff, overlooking the lowlands and forests below, a typical setting for a city the size of Aux- Reydta. The higher elevation of location gave use to the terms "Peaks" and "Shades", which was reflected by the quality of life in both areas and the work done by residents, such as Mahr and Durris.

The chill of a sudden breeze stirred Durris from his thoughts, reminding him that he had to get to his own home before it grew too late at night for him to sleep soundly. His mode of transport was parked not far away, sitting just around the corner and in the shade away from obvious view. Covered by a large tarp, Durris' cruiser was still on its parking gear, its engines quiet and cool. As he threw the tarp off and tucked it away into a side bag, the deep blue and chrome finish of his cruiser shined and gleamed in the light of Senn'ros and Qesun above, reflecting into his deep green eyes beautifully. He mounted his ride and swung a leg over the side, gripping onto the handle bars and pressing his thumb against a gel-like pad. A small green light lit up under his thumb, and the vehicle came to life, its engines revving and the length of the cruiser lifting up into the air as its parking gear retracted into the frame. Within moments, Durris was speeding off down the street, an ear piece looped around his right ear, occasionally beeping and sounding off with com chatter and talk from other patrols. Not unlike most other nights, the streets of the outer city were relatively empty and peaceful. A few patrons outside the taverns here and there, a few couples enjoying the moonlight together...

"Curse you, Mahr! Why'd you have to go and bring up Inerra like that?" Durris muttered to himself, rounding a corner and heading towards the inner city and the barracks. What Mahr had said was true, though, even if he was only being sarcastic. Durris hadn't had much of a chance to find time to spend with Inerra, who worked as the owner of her own apothecary and flower shop. Cute, svelte, and charming beyond measure, it was little wonder Durris had his eye on her. Ordinarily, someone like her would have numerous suitors as it is, however she was unique in one specific way. Unlike most others, Inerra was in fact a tailed Qes, a rarity among the populace. Soft, sunset orange fur with deep blue eyes, and always wearing something that somehow mixed professionalism with charm and ease. The two had talked a few times, but never went on an actual date together. As it stood, Mahr had a better chance of wooing the girl than Durris, as somehow the sly character always managed to find a way to bring home a woman of quality when he went out. Fortunately for Durris, his friend didn't go out too often.

Through the winding streets and roadways Durris sped along, never running into any trouble or drunkards, to the patrolman's minor disappointment but general relief. A full half hour passed before he reached his home, a simple one floor homestead surrounded by soft grass, bordered by similar houses, and only a small banner marking his residence as that of a Legate. Pulling up to the home, Durris pressed his thumb against the pad once more and the vehicle began to fall to sleep itself, lowering its parking gears and silencing its engines, sending them from a soft whine to a loud hum and then into quiet. Dismounting and pulling out the tarp again, Durris covered his ride and pulled a small card from a pocket inside his jacket. He approached the door and quickly slid the card through a key slot, opening the door's lock and letting him push it open. Too tired to really care about much else at that point, he simply shut the door and padded across the wooden floor to his bedroom, crashing hard onto his mattress and falling asleep quickly, boots and attire still on and fully strapped.