Visiting Old Friends: Part 1

Boudicea stepped from the entrance of the Imperial shuttle on Garrin Prime, surveying the large, modern spaceport, lacking the tall concrete walls of military-industrial words, and the massive church spires of a shrine world, the landing hall was done in a style she believed was once called “Art-deco”, but the departure of a few pilgrims, dressed in their worn robes and carrying scripture in large leather-bound books, drawing more than a few stares from the vast, departing sea of people. Of course Boudy herself drew some stares, which made her feel more than a little uncomfortable. Her rosarius made her stand out of course, but she’d expected the population to at least try and avoid staring out of politeness, the 6”5 Sororitas hastening to the exit, even as her red monk’s robes swayed, and snatching the leather bag from where the luggage had been stacked in the gargantuan Spaceport hall, before stepping out into the urban landscape. She bundled herself into the first small, gray squat vehicle she saw, thankfully seeing from the shape of a drive in the front of the noxious promethium powered vehicle, the gruff old man calling back, “Where am I takin’ ya’ darlin’?”, she raised her Ecclesiarchy badge, giving him a cold stare, “St Marrisa’s abbey, outside the city, and that’s Canoness Superior to you, Sir”, she leant back even as the man grumbled, avoiding making his insults audible at least. Soon the vehicle was speeding out of the urban areas and into the countryside, Boudicea sighed, leaning against the door, Brunhilde always insisted on her visits lacking any pomp or circumstance, meaning she ended up lumping in with the proles, of course under the watchful eye of her bodyguards, whom she noticed trailing behind the hired transport in an unmarked vehicle, punctual as always.

Within an hour or so the four-wheeler ground to a halt in front of the innocuos hall, Boudicea nearly knocking her head on the seat in front from the sudden stop, grumbling as she emerged, glancing to see the bodyguard’s car slide off away, now she was in comparatively safe territory compared to the city. She was welcomed, bowed to, offered a drink, and ignored most of it, she was here to see her mentor, not to be pampered by the Hospitaller, she made a cold gesture of waving off any warm words, only stopping to allow a cursory examination of her bandaged ribs and arm, the Sister noting how quickly she healed, which earned an affirmative grunt. Finally she was shown through the halls out to the acreage of garden, where a few of the old and crippled Sisters went about their afternoon walks, her gaze was drawn to the one she had seen so many times before, Brunhilde stood, clipper in hand and basket in the other, knocking down apples and catching them, the smile on her youthful features compared to the distant gaze on the others belied her condition. Boudicea leaned over to the Hospitaller accompanying her, a kindly woman, likely of about forty without rejuves, Boudicea, despite her looks was older than her by at least 30 years, Terran Average, “How has she been…?”, she asked, trying to hide the concern in her voice, “Fine, fine, none of her recent attacks, the cranial swelling has gone down, still receptive to rejuves as usual, still shakes a lot though, I don’t think it’s from nervous behaviour….would you like me to leave you two be?”. Boudicea nodded, before approaching the dark skinned woman, her kindly face turning and smiling a little wider as she set down the basket of apples, in her grasp, her features remained the same as always, short, curly dark hair, brown skinned and emerald eyed, studying Boudicea in turn. “Finally came to visit your old matron hm?”, Brunny said jokingly, setting the clipper against the tree, “I’ve been fed so many of these damn apples you’d think I were a pie”, Boudy sighed, “They’re good for you, the Sister’s only want what’s best-”, she was interrupted by an exhalation of breath dangerously close to a laugh, “Oh please, they’ll be glad when I finally shuffle off, nuisance that I am, I’m just a grumpy old bat, they just won’t tell you to your face”, the former Canonesss Superior shook her head, before reaching out and suddenly pulling Boudicea into a tight hug, whispering, “I missed you….”, the white haired Sororitas blinked, but soon found herself rubbing Brunhilde’s back with a gentle hand, muttering, “I know...I know…”. Despite all her bluster, Brunhilde was proud and a warrior she wouldn’t be seen to be a nervous wreck, Boudicea knew she felt so lonely without her fellow Sisters to chat with, judging by the state of most of the vegetables in this place the topic of conversation was likely to be about whether or not one had urinated themselves last night...