Depthless Hunger

After an enjoyable time cultivating and hunting mercenaries, Zae Zin Nim was irritated to be dragged back and forced to help, not just with the Irunian training, but with this strange exercise. All of the Irunian women in the group left to do water-based Physique training. She had thought it was something similar to yin development, but nothing seemed particularly feminine. Mostly they were just enjoying the water.

"This is a strange cultural tradition," Zae Zin Nim said eventually. She sat with Inafay and Omilaena away from the river.

"Irun cares about its sex divisions more than you think," Inafay said. "Their military is integrated, but for a lot of other things they split up."

"Separating men and women is reasonable. It's the associations with bathing that I don't understand. Do the men not bathe? I sincerely hope that's not the case."

"Don't even try to understand it," Omilaena said. "I've traveled so many places and seen so many strange beliefs and customs."

They lapsed into silence for a while - the conversation hadn't been flowing well ever since the groups separated. Omilaena seemed either bored or more disturbed. Instead of jumping into the water and teasing the Irunian women, she lurked sullenly behind them. Zae Zin Nim wasn't sure whether it would help to bring it up and settled for saying nothing.

"Alright, what about this?" Inafay turned back to them cheerfully. "I was thinking we should change the policy on Goralian potions. Giving them to healers will prioritize the worst injuries, but if we send one potion along with each of our new soldiers, they might get more use out of them and save themselves."

"Depends on whether you have enough potions," Omilaena said listlessly. Zae Zin Nim only shrugged, since she didn't care about such details.

"Ugh, you two seem determined to be grumpy. We could take the chance to talk about something else... I've honestly been wanting to ask what you do with your hair, Zae Zin Nim, it's so silky and it doesn't seem to get tangled..."