No Gods, Nor Masters

Onward

The girls seemed stunned for a moment. Ahead of them lay a tent colored a deep blue and seemingly made of plastic. It had windows, though cutouts for holes through which the air filtered didn't really qualify as windows, as well as two signs. Written in Japanese, English and, courtesy of a UNSC Translation device sent by doctor Halsey's people as a token of goodwill, the local alphabet and language. The signs read 'Men' and 'Women, with each placed on a specific side of the makeshift building.

Rory was the first to step inside, examining the female side of the place and the changing rooms. She watched as small clouds of steam poured from the inner area, which was separated from the changing rooms with curtains. She then examined the changing room. Rubber mats lay on the floor, there was a long, thick bench in the middle and several shelves with containers to put one's clothes in.

Following her in was Tuka. Rory smiled at the Elf girl, then said, "Ah, Hodolew's daughter. To what do I owe the pleasure."

"O-Oh... Greetings, Your Holiness," She replied and bowed, then noticed Tyuule, "And you as well, Your Highness."

"Please, do not," Rory waved it off and turned to face her, "We are all but guests here, my girl."

"She's right," Tyuule smiled as she set her clothes aside, baring it all proudly...

"B-But, you're..." Tuka seemed stunned for the moment, the sweet little girl. Rory could appreciate the meekness which was instilled into the young Elf by her father, though she wondered if Hodolew had trained her specifically like this, or if his wife's death had led to the girl finding her father more distant than prior. She had been there to help as a witness to the man's wedding, after all.

"I know," Rory nodded, "But I have been..." She hummed, then looked at her halberd as she gently set it aside and started preparing to go into the baths, "I have been humbled by the UNSC, the soldiers that you saw me arrive with just prior to the Dragon attacking you. A truly strange army, they are," and she let out a short chuckle. She paused only as a chill shot up her spine, the memories of the MAC Round blasting apart the mountain coming to her. Tuka had definitely noticed her little jump there, as had Tyuule.

Tuka gasped, "They humbled the Apostle of War? What sort of magics do they wield?" Clearly not willing to confront her otherwise. Tyuule, meanwhile, chuckled and continued arranging her clothes, before plucking up a towel and wrapping it around herself to at least keep some of the breeze out. She still had her BDU with her, though her armor seemed to be lacking this time, perhaps being in the armory.

"Not magics. As per their leader's own statement, it is called technology," She replied softly, "The weapon of men and women unbound from their belief systems. However, Doctor Halsey, who is a woman of science, should not underestimate what faith can do to guide one. And I am sure she does not, even with her blustering," and she looked to Tyuule, "She was the one to bring you here, was she not?"

"I wanted to come. I was concerned over the well-being of the Third Platoon," Tyuule blushed, averting her gaze and suddenly grabbing her right hear, playing with it.

"I have seen this 'doctor Halsey' when she came to get her men," Tuka replied, looking between them, "An elderly woman."

"Age begets wisdom. And doctor Halsey has wisdom in spades," Offered Rory as she finished undressing, all while a seemingly embarrassed Tuka looked away. She hummed, then looked to the blushing Tuka while retrieving one of the towels beside the container she'd left her outfit in and asked her, "Do you care to join us?" with a devious smirk, while the Queen giggled. The elf gazed at her, stunned, for a moment, to which Rory clarified, "We cannot continue our conversation lest you join us, young one."