Segue: A visit home.

    And it's yet another lovely summer day in Fort Ouph. Miyako Blacklily, Spriggan, Citizen of Eastal, Resident of Fort Ouph and Shibuya, has been Out and About quite a bit of late. Events have taken her across the islands of Yamato, from Mac Anu to the fringes of the Ninetails Dominion, and finally back to Fort Ouph. The day brings her to an outdoor seat at a small, Lander-run cafe, a short walk from the townhouse she and Kotono share.

    The Spriggan sits at a table laden with several large books, one of them sitting open that she refers to frequently, as she works, pen scratching away on the paper before her. Set slightly to one side is a half-eaten cinnamon roll and a pot of tea, with a mug near her hand. (The tea has an interestingly spicy tang to it, and the cinnamon roll is - or was, before she started eating it - half the size of her head, by the look of it.)

    Engrossed in her work, she doesn't look up for more than a cursory glance at passersby, evaluating and dismissing most instantly.

Indeed, Kotono is also here. She's sitting there with a cup of tea and a cinnamon roll as well. Like Miyako, she too is busy at work, looking over some books and taking notes as well. Two heads are better than one, right?

Kotono doesn't look up much at all, only doing so if she needs to take a sip of tea or if something gets her attention. Usually it's something trivial that she brushes off.

    Rizadoman was not a happy camper, which might just be one of the biggest understatements of the year. The look on his face is the face of someone saying do not f'in bother me. In fact he would absolutely not even be here but at the end of the day he had no where else to go and his people were here. So he had taken up a room at the local inn and just brooded. It would be where he was going back to in fact when he catches some little conversation between two adventurers.

    "Perhaps it would be better to surrender. If we did then the war would be over." says one.

     "I am just tired of being scared," says the other.

     Rizadoman hears this and turns and roars at the two, "WE SHALL NOT SURRENDER!" He looks angry and mad and everyone can hear him in the area, he looks like he is moments away from getting a guardian called on him.

    Barely noticing the discussion carrying on nearby, Miyako continues her note-taking, pausing occasionally to turn the page in the book she's referring to. Then a shout carries across the street: 'We shall not surrender!'. She blinks, looks up, and nods as something falls into place for her. One slender hand plucks a different paper from the pile she works on, and she starts taking down further notes. Sometimes a moment's passing phrase is all it takes to inspire.

At first Kotono doesn't pay much heed to anything either. She's busy with her work, that's all.

Then there's that loud shout, and that gets Kotono's attention. Of course, all she does is raise an eyebrow briefly before going back to work apparently. Like Miyako, Kotono's got a plan of some kind as well.

    Poor Rizadoman, appears to have gathered the majority of people's attention as everyone is looking at him. The two other adventurers he just yelled at seem on the border of crying. This finally snaps Rizadoman out of whatever mood he is in and notices everything around him. There is absolutely a look of realization on his face at everything he just did and quickly becomes humble and apologetic. "I am sorry so sorry. Here let me show you I am sorry, let me buy you some... " Looking around the lizardman notices the cafe, "Some tea and pastries yes. For everyone here!" There is a loud shout of joy as the cafe becomes very busy and RIzadoman becomes broke.

    Taking a seat near Miyako and Kotono, Rizadoman sighs, "There goes the discretionary spending budget." Looking up he notices the two, "Oh hello there."

    The scratching of Miyako's pen continues for several moments more, then her inspiration runs its course and she sets down the implement. Her attention turns to her tea, which she sips, then takes a deeper drink of, draining the cup. As she reaches for the pot to refill it, she catches sight of Rizadoman, and his greeting.

    "Oh. Hi," she says. "Don't let me interrupt you, working on stuff." She pauses, then nudges Kotono. "Company. Get the man some tea."

Blinking a couple of times, Kotono looks at Miyako with a look of surprise before shrugging. "All right, I'll take care of it." She stands up and goes to fetch Rizadoman some tea. "One cup of tea, I suppose?"

    Rizadoman looks between the two and is very confused at both of them seemingly distracted for a moment and then a question of tea. "Oh um no thank you. I am just waiting for the crowd." Points towards the crowd in the cafe taking advantage of Rizadoman's wallet. Instead he looks at Miyako and Kotono, "What brings you both out and about today? If you don't mind me prying that is."

    Niyako nods quietly, and sips again from her refreshed cup, her eyes falling on the open book again. "It's a beautiful day," she murmurs, then something in the text catches her attention and she's lost in it once again.

Not needing tea, Kotono returns and sits back down. "Yeah, it's a really nice day out," She says non-sarcastically. "Just a nice day to sit around, enjoy tea and pastries... and all that good stuff."

    Rizadoman looks between the two for a moment and realizes he is most likely interupting and forcing himself to be a third wheel. Still he had started small talk so he will continue to try to persue that for a moment and then will have to go pay his tab. " I suppose it is a nice day. I am glad you two are both safe here and neither of you were trapped in Mac Anu." There is a sad note at the end as he looks about for a moment and then sighs as if he remembers why he was in a funk.

    "Mmm. Mac Anu." Miyako hmms softly as she continues reading. "Guardians. Not malfunction." She pauses brieflt. "Sabotage? Betrayal?" She pauses again, then asks, "Anyone looking into it?" Another line is written, then she adds, "No time, myself."

Kotono shakes her head. "Nope, not me." She says without looking up. Is she bored or just distracted? That's anyone's guess.

    Rizadoman nods his head, "Some are looking I believe." Standing up slowly he gives a bow. " I will leave you two to your work. Please have a good day and stay safe." Rizadoman goes to the cashier of the cafe and pays the tab before he wanders off. Soon he would be wback to being lost in his own thought and not sure on what to do about any of it.

    Miyako nods, says a quiet "Thank you," and reaches over to grab her fork and cut off a bite of her cinnamon roll. "Be well," she says to the retreating back of the lizard-man, and turns her attention to her snack for a moment.

Giving a nod, Kotono says, "Take care, please." With that, she gives a look to Miyako of slight confusion and uncertainty, before going back to her work, stopping only for a brief sip of tea.