Supplies Meeting

It's so important to be busy.

Ayame has been just that. There had been a grunty drive earlier, and that carefully-dressed Sylph was still finalising some of the paperwork, stood at one of the roads into the village and discussing the basics with a lander butcher. From the top of her bun (with a wand shoved into it) to the tips of her shoes (well, heeled boots. Highly polished), the secretarial sylph speaks softly and smoothly, swiftly salvaging sales and sending the Lander on his way with a satisfied look on her face, under the gleaming half-moon spectacles.

    The life of a messenger involves a lot of back-and-forth. Spending much of her time supporting the refugees, Fukaziroh was present when they arranged a supply wagon to send back home. It seemed only right for her to handle transporting it back. She's well-suited to travelling, can defend herself, and should there be Palace Landers in the area she simply has more options than a group of merchants. Plus of course she has an ulterior motive for keeping an eye on Eas, a place somewhat dear to her heart. Perhaps even a second home of sorts, considering her original first home is currently in enemy hands.

    The sound of a loud voice precedes her. Something rather foul-tongued said about the ancestry of her grunty haulers in a particularly sweet and nice-sounding tone despite the volume. "Almost there, don't you go all dinner on me now!" she coaxes the animals.

    When they appear on the road, the grunties seem quite close to exhaustion. The little sylph driving the wagon seems to have driven them rather hard, getting the most speed possible out of them in the lengthy trip. Not that the sylph seems any less tired really. She hasn't demanded more from her animal team than apparently she demanded from herself, though her effort was more a matter of resting lightly so as to protect the wagon rather than pysical hauling.

Ayame looks a little surprised to see another load arriving - though it's not as though the village doesn't expect to have a large throughput, between the construction and the refugees. She manages a smile, all the same, taking swift steps towards the drive to offer her hands. Neat leather gloves, coming up to her forearms, matching the boots. A shield slung to her back, with a little case to dangle under it - but there's no hiding the Sylph she is, despite her rather more officious look than most!

"I'm sure their ancestry is just fine" She responds to the tirade, having caught the edge of it and flashing the Lander a little grin, and seeking out the angry axe-wielding figure, taking a moment to look her over, before her lips purse. Just a touch.

    The wagon load Fuka's been handling isn't all that similar to a grunty drive. It's more specialized goods and equipment; more expensive in individual size but also far less in quantity and bulk. Tools, metals, the sorts of wood you can't get immediately around here, and of course foodstuffs and clothing hand-made by the lander refugees.

    The little sylph driver grins at Ayame's observation. She seems perhaps frazzled but not outright upset. Tired rather than outright unpleasant. "It keeps them motivated!" she observes brightly. "If you don't swear at them they don't take you seriously as a handler." she claims, entirely illogically.

    Fuka also observes Ayame curiously, eyes wandering briefly. Unlike the other sylph, Fuka's own lips quirk, like she finds something worthy of amusement or perhaps mischeviousness. "Supplies in from Alne." she notes, jerking a thumb back at the wagon. "Are you representing the merchant's guild here? I'd love to turn this over and get myself a long hot bath and some good food and sleep. Not necessarily in that order!"

"I'm not. I was just helping out from an earlier set of deliveries" Ayame smiles a little. Her nose lifts in the air, just a touch - oh, just adjusting her glasses, as she studies Fuka more closely "And I've never really had a problem connecting without swearing at them" She confides, with just a hint of amusement there.

Still, she clutches the little set of papers she'd been discussing to her chest, like a set of schoolbooks, as though defending herself from the other's eyes "And yes, I canm see you need at least one of those" She agrees "If you have a seat, I'll go and fetch the fellow you need"

She doesn't wait for an answer; turning on a spiked heel and sashaying away at speed, the clicks of metal on stone as she trots away to tap at a door with a gloved hand. Then again. A little muted discussion, and soon enough, she's returning with the representative for Fuka.

    Food and sleep and bath, yes. Almost surely not in that order. But earlier than any of those, Fuka's willing to finish her job and also talk. One is important, the other purely delightful; a simpler need for a socially-hungry adventurer who has spent the past who knows how long with only grunties to swear at for social activity.

    Rather than sitting and waiting, Fuka gets up to move around. "My butt's taken on the shape of the wagon seat!" she complains to no one in particular as she dusts herself off. She waits with more or less reasonable grace for the merchant guild rep, who actually seems rather pleased to see her. Possibly for the goods being delivered, or... could it be he actually knows her? Fuka banters briefly, asking after her little baby which the representative assures her is doing just fine. It *can't* be literal of course. There's no way someone would leave a literal baby behind, not with the conversation being still cordial and light.

    "Consigned delivery." Fuka notes, when the merchant mentions payment. "All I need is a signature." she says waving her hand absently. "Plus there should be a peko around here, but I'll pick her up in the morning. Oh, and news!" she adds. "Don't suppose Waku-waku's come back in the last week or two? No? Oh, you probably call her Baroness." she smirks, though she's somewhat disappointed to hear Wake's still nowhere to be seen. Not surprised though.

"Baroness Wake?" Ayame asks with a little sniff of disapproval at Fuka's irreverence, a gloved hand straying to that case secured on her back subconsciously, before it returns to clutching at her paperwork. She keeps a close eye on Fuka, over the gleaming little half-moon spectacles that are surely just for show "I saw her only yesterday. She was discussing the war effort and the ongoing work on ..." A gesture around the place

"I'm helping out with a few of the local efforts. The least I can do." She makes an effort of smiling, offering a gloved hand "Call me Ayame."

    Irreverence, thy name is Fuka. Besides, Wake doesn't mind the name. Tae finds it delightful in fact, and probably teases Wake about it from time to time. Fukaziroh may have little regard for proprieties but she wouldn't say something like that to actually offend the two of them though. She owes them far too much for that, and likes them immensely besides.

    She catches the sniff though, and glances over at Ayame. About to comment about the nickname, she instead waits to hear the news. "YESTERDAY?!" she cries in dismay, apparently truly devastated. "I JUST missed her? Nooooo! You have to tell me where she was heading! I can still catch up, right? Was she riding? Maybe I'm faster than her..."

    And just like that, Fuka leaves Ayame dangling. No return name, no handshake. It's probably not actually deliberate. Probably.

Ayame drops her hand after a moment. Another level look and a little sigh, shaking her head "You know, I'm sure you'll see her if you're around town and making yourself useful" And she chuckles ever so slightly "And maybe get something to eat. I can guarentee there's a lotr of good gruntymeat about - the landers were driving a bunch for the ports, passed through here. Maybe make yourself a little more presentable, as well" She says with a little bit of a generous tone "You did say you wanted a hot bath, after all."

A gesture around the village "Though I don't think she'd be going far. For one, gowns are rarely something one travels at speed in" With just a hint of amusement, her free hand straying for that case at her back again "And her work is coming to fruition here"

    Fuka scoffs at the suggestion she make herself presentable. "Oh please like she hasn't seen me a hundred times worse off than this." she states dismissively, barely exaggerating the words. Still the thought that Wake might actually still be in the area does seem to deflate the little Sylph's burning urgency. "And I'll have you know I'm *always* useful!" she insists.

    The idea of a hot bath and hot food do sound wonderful, and if she has a chance of actually catching Wake here, well, hardly any point in immediately rushing out again and likely missing her! So Fuka figures she has some time to take care of a few personal things. But of course first... information!

    "Her work, her secret, devious work... is coming to fruition HERE?" Fuka groans in dismay. She has no idea what that work is. It's possible Wake shared the information once, but Fuka was in the middle of a Fey Mood herself and probably didn't even hear it. "I don't suppose you can give me any details?" she asks. "It would mean SO MUCH to me to help her out with it, even a little. Like making sure she has good food or takes the time to get rest or something. Or, you know, stand ready to support her if there's invaders around." she blathers on. Then abruptly she sticks out her hand. "Oh I'm Fuka by the way, what's your name?" she asks. The faintest line of a smirk might suggest she actually caught Ayame's name earlier while distracted but isn't acknowledging her own lack of propriety. Passing it off, instead, as absent-mindedness. Which to be fair is entirely plausible.

"... call me Ayame" The stuffy Sylph snorts, smiling stiffly and staring at the scatterbrain with a sigh "Mmm. Everyone seems so very concerned about the Baroness. She seemed in fine health to me, but you're the ... let me see, second person who'd talked to me about her who brought it up so quickly. Does she routinely not take care of herself?" She asks, a trifle surprised "I suppose the Right Clothes can cover a multitude of sins"

"It's very nice to meet you, Fuka" She offers after a moment, moving to fall in with her and taking a step towards the inn. Herding her, just as one might a Grunty. "As for her work, all around you. Rebuilding, revitalising. It's near completion, so I can understand not quite seeing it" She chuckles ever so faintly "I'm sure she'll be delighted to show you about once it's finished."

    Fuka shakes her head at that. "Nah, you don't understand." she says dismissively, perhaps a little annoyed at being told she doesn't see what's right before her eyes. "Oh I know she's been creating this place for a while and it's great." Fuka admits. Landers and Adventurers working side by side. This is something she can definitely appreciate.

    "If that's what you mean by her work though, that's not what I meant." Fuka claims, allowing herself to be gently herded. "Normally I'm sure she'd take care of herself just fine. NORMALLY she'd be with Tae, and Tae would be taking super nice care of her." There's a hint of roguishness in that answer, but only a hint. She actually respects Tae too much to have any desire to taint the woman with tawdry innuendo, in addition to liking her enough to tease.

    Fuka pauses, and considers Ayame. "Do you know anything about Strange Moods?" she asks, seemingly out of nowhere.

"I've seen a few. I had to handle Uta through one. That was an experience" Ayame smiles faintly "I've not succumbed myself, though. A little too clear headed, perhaps" She blinks across slowly as she walks, still clutching that paperwork "Why, are you in danger of one? Or worried about someone who is?"

"There's care, and there's care" Ayame says with an easy smile "Sometimes you need close attention. Other times you just need someone who'll listen to you, then go and do what you need to get done without understanding or caring for the reasons. What matters, in essence" Her shoulders rise and fall, her wings buzzing below the back-slung shield for a moment "It's different for everyone. Why, were you wanting to -" a momentary pause, an innocent look "-take care of her?"

    Fuka grins, a delightedly wicked grin. "I helped Uta through hers too." she notes gleefully. "The Peko trough was, in fact, big enough for both of us." she claims cryptically.

    Uta is one of her favourite people, and she immediately thinks more highly of Ayame for helping her. Sooo she relaxes somewhat, or at least eases off the intensity, projects something slightly more calm. "I was in one a while ago, and they helped me through it." she explains carefully. "I'm not in one now, nor do I think I have any reason to go into one. But you never know, right? Maybe you'll find something to obsess over yourself!" she says brightly.

    "You could say I'm worried about someone in one of those moods, yeah." Fuka explains. "Wake was in one while I was at the end of mine. I didn't even notice her leaving, but once I was done... I mean, I want to return the favour. Mostly to Tae. I said I'd find her if I could, and stand beside her. Help her, make sure she's safe. Make sure there's a friend at her side, if there's any possible way I could. You know?" she offers candidly. "Since it was something involving wandering and probably a lot of danger, so Tae herself really couldn't. But *I* could!" she concludes. "But... huh, if she's been here and she's perfectly fine, maybe she's finished whatever the mood was?" she considers, sounding slightly annoyed at the possibility. Pleased, yet upset she missed the chance to return a favour.

"You should ask Uta about the festival sometime" Ayame muses "And the dance of the slimes. It was an utter delight to watch" She chuckles and shakes her head, pausing outside the inn and turning to look more fully at Fuka, still considering "I don't know. I'm fairly good at keeping a level head. I think I'll be quite safe from the threat of them" She muses, carefully adjusting the pile of papers, levelling them out and neatening them up as she looks over the glasses.

"Well, I didn't notice anything when I spoke to the Baroness yesterday" Ayame considers "And she didn't mention any concerns about that. Still, I'm sure if you speak to her specifically, she'd be pleased to address your concerns. As for those - myself, I'd just say that one thing the adventurer community seems to agree on is the need for care for those in the grip of one of those Moods. It's a good thing, in a lot of ways, and it's certainly turning up fascinating things in turn."

    "It's ALWAYS a delight to have Uta talk about slimes." Fuka notes cheerfully. "Also, in my experience it's those with the tightest laces that end up exploding all over the place when things get a little weird." she adds, perhaps mixing up metaphors a little. "I mean, nothing personal." she claims, grinning and not without some empathy. "But when and if you start resonating, it doesn't matter HOW good you are at normal routine. TRUST me. And if it happens, there are worse places you could end up at than here. Or I guess, Alne right now... that's where Tae was, last I'd seen her."

"Tightest laces?" Ayame adds with a laugh across "Are you commenting on something there?" Such as the corset that offers the curvaceous sylph support, over her shirt "And I realise, but still. I've avoided it all thus far, and I suspect I may be safer than people think. In time, maybe, but for the moment? No, I'll keep to myself" She smiles a careful approval "But I've no reason to doubt you. Should it happen, I'll be glad of any support"

    "Oh trust me if I had your figure I'd be having fun with corsetry too!" Fuka claims, holding her hands up to 'shape' her figure exaggeratedly. "Sadly I have not been granted curves to die for, and am forced to get by with abs you could play like a xylophone!" she boasts, slapping her belly which, covered as it is by layers of cloth and no doubt armor, completely fails to give any hint whatsoever of the truth or falsity of her claim.

    So yeah, Fuka did notice. But she hasn't (yet) gone out of her way to flirt. "Still, just saying. If you like good food and hot baths and stuff like I do, trust me, becoming aware of yourself in one of those moods can be kinda horrifying" Fuka notes. "I mean, I knew what I wanted and was perfectly happy to be led to any of the above. I just completely lost track of everything else and forgot to eat, forgot to sleep... Every waking moment not spent on my baby just seemed like such a waste I... wanted to get it done before we got... you know, invaded."

Ayame's cheeks flush a bright red as Fuka's hands shape that hourglass, and one foot stamps ever so faintly, those lips pursing again as she continues to chatter away and perhaps not entirely listening in her obvious annoyance "Well, do feel free to pretend you're in one and indulge yourself" She smiles tightly, her gloves clenched tight around her paperwork and her smile fixing firmly "After all, if you intend to wait around town for the Baroness, you may as well be comfortable as you wait, yes?" She asks with a rather hopeful tone, eyes flicking to the door.

    Fuka does love to see blushes, and if all it takes is a few gestures, she's more than inclined to probe a bit, see what else might arise. For amusement, of course. "Well, I do like to indulge myself." she says roguishly, not at all embarassed for her own sake. "Mmmmm, I bet those tight laces feel SOOOOOOO GOOD when they come off." she murmurs with a wicked chortle.

    Fuka pauses, putting her hand to the door. "I think I'll see to my comforts, yeah. Seems kind of silly to rush off tonight when she might be coming back any moment. Thanks for letting me know!" she adds, and this time she actually seems sincere. Then, abruptly, she yawns, jaws cracking rudely wide. "Don't mind me. Nice meeting you, Aiyaa~"

"Oh, certainly, don't mind me" Ayame seethes, staring at Fuka with a little huff, those cheeks still so red the blush practically reaches the tips of her ears "You just feel free to indulge however you like. I'm sure nothing I could say would stop you in the slightest" She scowls, turning away a touch and unslinging the shield from her back absently, adjusting things "But a true delight to meet you, Fuka. Do rest well."