A Helping Hand

With Landers being displaced and fleeing from the Palace Landers, it means that some areas have seen their populations surge as the displaced residents seek shelter, safety and food. The city of Carmina Gadelica is no different, especially now that it has a formed government and leadership.

Himari's usually bland attire has been replaced, as she's now dressed in the white kosode and red hakama of a Miko. She's even got a red ribbon in her hair, too. Slowly she guides a small, but overloaded handcart through the streets to where ever it is that she's taking it.

Haru has been seen around Carmina on a number of occasions. At least once a month he puts on a show of entertainment for the folks here in the form of the Duelist League. While the Artificer doesn't come off as a big soldier/fighter type, he does put on one hell of a show. The last one was with Kau, who is a bard that also had excellent showmanship.

The New World Alliance has a joint defense responsibility of the area along with Olympus and SEA. Haru takes it seriously enough to do regular check ins. Spotting Himari in her Miko garb, the white haired Artificer raises a hand. He walks over, "Himari-chan, thats a good look for you." He smiles, noticing the cart as well, "Mind if I join you for your..." He realizes he isnt exactly sure what Himari is doing, "... cart thing? Doing deliveries?"

Himari Saito blinks in surprise when she notices Haru walking towards her, but she keeps on pushing the heavy handcart. "Haru-kun, I... T-thank you," she offers, as she blushes softly. "This is pretty much the only places I wear it though," she admits.

A nod of her head is then given to Haru's question. "You're welcome to join me! I'm taking these to a small kitchen that has been set up. More hungry mouths to feed." She carefully guides the handcart around a loose stone in the road, and looks thoughtful. "I kind of miss the old days though."

Haru is of almost no help with the cart. The joys of having your strength statistics dumped in favor of ultimate magics. He walks alongside the Miko Tanuki as he looks around with his one visible blue eye. "Before the war with the Palace Lands, you mean," he asks, turning back to the former idol. It is something he thinks about a lot lately too. If it wasn't for the War, he would probably still be in Shibuya making little trinkets for people and only doing Adventures for extra money and materials.

"Yes, the days before the war with the Palace Lands," Himari replies as she wrinkles her nose. "It's kind of crazy to admit, but I also kind of miss how this place used to be. I know I travelled a lot, but it was just going to memorials."

"It's funny thinking about it like that," she then adds as her thoughts run away on her. "From what we had, to what we have now. We've all had to do different things, and there's things we can't do at all." She gives a soft laugh. "Like your noodle arms and my ability to cook."

Haru promptly waves his arms around in a wave, making a nice 'S' pattern in both arms to reflect his noodly arms. If he was inflated he would make a good mascot for a car dealership. "I don't know what you are talking about," he jokes, wobbling around to make it worse. He eventually has to stop as he almost smacks another Adventurer with his runaway arm flailings. "No, I know what you mean. Really the three guilds that makes up the New World Alliance are not much for wartime. We are more motivated by exploration and seeing more of the world we live in. It is what drove members to sail across the sea to the Palace Lands, to set a town in Seeker's Landing, and to further explore."

The Enchanter walks alongside Himari, a tall guy, also thinking about what those days were like and could be again. "I'd like to get back to exploring when our responsibility to the safety and welfare of the realm has calmed down. Maybe take a more active role in Shibuya's development when it is returned safely. All of these Adventurers need a place to call home and having options is helpful. Gilgamesh has a big heart and strong arms to welcome them into his Kingdom, but we Adventurers need to take care of ourselves, too. We can't just rely on hospitality." A grin over to the young Tanuki, "And, yes, leaning on our strengths and weaknesses together. I can't sing, for example, so every time I look into Harmonics Theory in Enchanting it goes right into a wall. But give me some metal and a gem and I can make some cool bling."

Himari Saito tries to keep a straight face as Haru tries his best to become a cardyard mascot. Though when he almost hits another adventurer, she bursts out laugh and almost loses control of the card. "Sorry!" she calls back to the adventurer that was narrowly missed.

"I was a Nomad," she then admits. "Even if most people wouldn't believe it. I think it's good that he did include all of us in it, and didn't end up being like the Palace Landers." She purses her lips for a few seconds and looks thoughtful. "Relying on hospitality is how I survive. I should have taken cat as my species, then I could just say I'm domesticated and people would feed me without a second thought." With talk about making things, she then puffs out her cheeks and stares at Haru. "...I tried making candles once. I set fire to my camp."

Haru leans over to give Himari a poke on her side, "Sounds like one HOT creation," he humors the accident prone Tanuki. The idea of running around on fire is one that makes him laugh slightly, especially with how much Fire magic he slings around. One of his summons is a bird of fire. "Would you continue to if given opportunities to contribute back," he asks. A hand gently moves to the cart, pat pating it down as he believes that people do want to do things. They want to help out. "I think there is more to you than a cute smile and a penchant for burning down campsite." A hand gestures across the air in front of them, "Pyromaniac Tanuki, codename Fireleaf."

Himari Saito continues to lead them through the streets, and to an area that looks like its been put aside for refugees who are waiting for more permanent accommodation to be found or made. It's clean, though a little crowded.

She gives a surprised gasp when she's poked in the side, and gives a small squirm. "If I can offer a fair swap, then I'll keep on taking hospitality," she comments. "Something for something. It's the least that I can offer. You also get to know a person well if you eat with them." Her brow furrows, and her ears droop a little. "Unless you mean burning down my campsite. I don't do it nearly as much now that I keep the campfire well away from the tent."

Her face then turns bright red. "I-I'm not a pyromaniac! It's all been an accident!" A few moments pause. "I like the codename though."

Haru considers for a moment as he looks at Himari. A tilt to the head to the right. A tilt to the left. "Red is a good color on you, yup," he assesses. It is more than just the Miko garb. He goes as far to do the little 'picture frame' motion with thumb and index finger. "Well if you are going to have a code name, we need to get you an official badge. Cant have a masked hero going on without their signature accessory." Was that a Tanuki joke? Hard to say. The Artificer swipes his hand out to pull a menu. Only he can see the menu for himself as he scrolls down and takes out a maple leaf. It has a reddish, autumnal hue to it. With great care he runs his finger along the veins of the leaf, causing them to burn as bright as campfire embers without harming the leaf itself. Enchantment. Another item, an alchemical catalyst, is taken out in the form of small glass bead. It rests on the leaf like fresh dew, slowly melting and placing the Witherless enchantment on it so it will always look that way.

Finishing touch, he does a simple accessory craft to make it an affixable pin. "Here we go, Fireleaf's fireleaf," and leans in to affix it to Himari's kosode. "Buy your Fireleaf merch now, with the Fire Festival line including hairpins, earrings, and necklaces. Burning campsites, optional but available upon request." Such a salesman, despite the lack of the actual skill. This is the Haru as a crafter before all this War stuff. A glimpse to simplier times.

The smell of cooking soon starts to fill the air as the duo get closer to the field kitchen. "A signature accessory?" she asks, looking a bit confused at first. She comes to a complete stop so that she can watch Haru work, and a look of amazement soon forms on her face as she watches him work on the maple leaf.

"Oh wow! That's really pretty!" she offers when the crafter has finished his work. She carefully moves to let Haru pin it to her kosode, and blushes faintly as she looks down towards it. "I don't think I'd want anyone else to wear something like this! I'm going to be selfish!" she teases. "Thank you, it's amazing Haru-kun." She then pauses for a moment. "No, the burning campsite is by accident! Everything it's an accident!"

Haru does air quotes when Himari says accident. Then he winks. Or he blinks? Haru only has one visible eye so it is hard to tell. The other eye is somewhere behind that purple monocle of his and that silver rim that keeps it on his face in a way that defies most conventional logic. Like gravity. "Then that one will be a unique, one of a kind pretty piece for a pretty, one of a kind Himari-chan," he teases her with a helping of Enchanter level charm. "I'll have to market the other gear though, got to hit those profit lines and all that. Someone has to buy the food with the extra gold because you /do not/ want me hunting." Lacking the Hunting skill makes it take for-ever to gather raw materials from monsters and animals. "Or Mining. Or Haggling." He makes it simple, "Really if its not negotiations or appraisal, probably leave that stuff to Shiruba. Howling Commander is a great hunter. Mikage too. If you haven't had the pleasure, chat her up sometime. Travels more than anyone I know." The New World Alliance has fascinating people in it. Some times even Haru forgets that with all the bonkers stuff that goes on.

Himari Saito's cheeks continue to burn bright red at the compliment, as she looks straight ahead at the kitchen they're getting closer to. "If I start performing again, you could always use that to push sales," she comments thoughtfully. "I was an Idol, so I've been used to sell stuff before. Then we can finally have Himari Saito branded lunch boxes!"

She then blinks and looks back towards Haru in surprise. "I thought you'd make something like an enchanted trap for hunting. Or something like that." She then offers a nod of her head in agreement. "I know. I've tried, and I'm terrible at it as well. When it comes to anything with food or making or finding stuff, I'm completely useless. I'll have to keep an eye out for Shiruba and Mikage-san and introduce myself to them."

Haru snaps a finger at the notion of 'cant do it all!' and especially specific areas like gathering or creation. "So true. About terrible at thing, not about being useless. We will corner the market on leaf based merch. Maybe get Gwen in on it too." He realizes what he said and looks at Himari. Thinks about Morri, who is Gwen's mother, and her penchant to ship everything. Every-thing. "Maybe not the Pendragons until you've had some of your 'that is totally not water' gourd water." He gives the conversation a pause so that the cart can make its way to the kitchen and the staff that are likely happy to see any relief.

"This is kind of like idol work too, isnt it? Serving the fans. Fan service? Hungry fan service?" Haru tries to find ways to make it sound more 'on point' but settles with, "Meals on Wheels?" There is a light laugh, "Come to think of it, I dont know much about what an idol really does. I imagine its more involved than that and rather demanding."

Himari Saito comes to a halt outside of the kitchen and lets the hand cart's rear legs sit on the floor. She slowly rolls her shoulders and stretches her hands out. "Gwen?" she then asks curiously. At the mention of the gourd, she does reach for it, only to find that she's left it with the rest of her things. "I don't think I'd be anywhere near a pendragon even after drinking it."

"Oh, you could actually do this type of work and, as my father would call, say it's community relations building," the Tanuki comments. "One of the girls from my group actually did meals for the elderly." She then laughs softly and grins. "People think we're just singers, but we do a lot of things." Another short pause, as she moves around the cart to pick up one of the boxes. "The biggest job of an Idol is to be someone that is sought after but never obtainable, while being friendly and caring. For each one of us that makes a debut, there's a lot more who never get past being a trainee."

Haru gets a small box. Noodle arms are good for moving around noodle sized boxes. "That gives me an idea," he says as he looks to Himari with a scheme and a grin, "would you like to give me a hand in revitalizing Shibuya once its back? I will need all the help I can get and what you described is not exactly my strong point." He shuffles, a man in a suit jacket and jeans hauling around goods. "I think Shibuya needs an idol figure like that to add warmth and connection to the city. More than ever given its recent occupation. I want to see it restored as a place built by Adventurers for Adventurers," he says, having big dreams. "I want something the Alliance can rally behind, too. Seekers Landing. Shibuya. We've lost both of our cities in this war and while I was there when Carmina and Eas were invaded, we managed to fend them off." A moment of thoughtfulness to the displaced here, adding in one more, "And Mac Anu was a real blow. So. Yeah. Someone who builds 'community relations' is going to be needed. And building or repairing stuff, though Im hoping Curt can help me there. Have you met Curtana? Nice guy, Knight, handy with a hammer."

Himari Saito takes the time to check the box, and then carefully moves a second box on top. It seems that she's happy to leave the smaller, lighter boxes for Haru. She prepares herself to lift the two boxes and then stops as she listens to Haru speak.

"So you're after someone like a Spokesperson for the city?" she asks curiously, as leans to the side and peers around the boxes. "I can certainly try my best at doing it, though I can't make any promises that I am the best candidate." She shakes her head at the mention of a man named Curtana. "I don't think so?" she replies. "Actually I don't think I have."

With a soft grunt, she lifts both of the boxes and starts to take them into the field kitchen.

Haru carries the boxes with all the grace of the guy that brought the oh-so-heavy box of donuts in. Such a weight, but someone has to do it! "More like a," he considers the word, "cheer group? Its hard to put down what it is exactly. But what we are doing right now is a good example. Outreach. Music. Lifting people's spirits. Making the city feel alive and vibrant. Posters with their names. Merchandise to remind them of the good times. Entertainment." Instead of giving it a title he goes on to describe his vision. "I can manage things just fine. In the Old World I had a lot of training for that sort of thing. However running a town, guild, or organization isn't the same as setting the culture for it. If anything the poliltics and logistics pull far away from keeping down to earth." He places the box inside before going to get another. "Plus it would be nice to hear you sing, along with Uta, Kau, and Fuka just to name a few. You might be able to kick off a fun little band. I'm sure Yeowang would finance it well." More names. A flood of names! "I'll introduce you sometime, to Curt that is. And the others. Uta is my sister, Kau is the best nightmare summoner friend, and Fuka." He taps the box. Probably leave that one alone. "Then again, if I am imposing too much you can tell me. I like seeing people connected, involved, and happy. Call it a life goal." Life goal: make Shibuya party central since they can't get to Lumina Cloth right now.

Himari Saito listens as she carries the boxes inside of the field kitchen, and then places them down where they're needed. "Oh, you want street performers," she then concludes. "People to set up a positive feeling through the city." She purses her lips and slowly nods. "I'll have to try to make some notes and get an idea of the place. It might be easier if there's a central area instead of trying to fill the entire place with music."

The Tanuki then leans against the boxes that are just a bit shorter than her, and considers everything else. "I'll have to chim Elf-chan, and see if she'd be interested," she then comments. "Even a concert hall would be good for performances. Especially if the acoustics are done right. We don't really have the equipment like what we had in the Old World."

She then smiles and nods. "I've heard of Uta, and Fuka rings a bell. But I look forward to meeting them all. Even this knight you're speaking of."

Haru dusts off his jacket. Things we don't have in this world, ay? Need things for a performance, eh? "Don't forget that you are talking to a master Earth elementalist," flex pose one, "a Moonlight Goldsmith that can make precision instruments," flex pose two, "and a skilled enchanter." Flex pose 3, completing the might morphing Enchanter Ranger collection of poses, giving Himari another poke on the side to lighten the serious talks. "The first thing I looked into was things like speaker systems and amplification systems. Admittedly that has taken a turn lately because of everything that is going on, but going back to that 'before the war' times and working on those sound systems again would be great. Shibuya has places to perform. Its not just street performers per say, its the other thing. Making the place feeling welcoming, warm, and alive. Festivals and Events, too. Battle of the Bands, the best kind of PvP."

"Lighting is very important, too," Himari points out with a friendly smile. "And no, my cooking doesn't provide enough light." She makes a face when she's poked again and squirms slightly out of reach, before poking her tongue out. "I don't doubt your craft. Look at my leaf for example!" She does hold up a slender finger at the mention of amplication systems.

"Wireless is where you want to go for microphones, if you can make them. Otherwise you're just going to tether any Idol to one spot. I know for a fact that I could easily use an entire stage at a small venue. If you had multiple Idols singing with wired microphones, I think someone is going to get hurt."

She slowly nods her head. "Battle of the Bands could be good, especially if we can attract people from different areas. I guess I'll have to make up some festivals to celebrate things that we've done or just made up."

"Thats a great idea," Haru says to that line of thinking with a smile on his face, "sounds like you have a knack for this kind of thing. Like right now is the Hot Springs Festival and prior was the Shadow Festival. Between the seasonal festivals and the ones that relate to things we've done, it could be a very lively place again. Plus Shibuya is a port town, so there are lots of options to utilize the water." The possibilities swirl as he considers what having a bunch of talented people running events in the area would look like. It is a nice change of pace from the hustle going on most of the time.

"Local amps to a person might be doable. Things that raise the volume of the person. Would need help from people who know Song to do that Enchantment. Then you feed it Dark or Air mana, boom, Sound that travels! No need for wires or electricity when magic is this great and the result should be similar to a microphone or a bullhorn." The Artificer is true to his class, creating artifacts. Lighting becomes a consideration as Haru says, "Lighting we could look for someone to help with. Curtana is good with Light, for example, and could probably build stages for a venue." Its all shaping up. The ideas are flying!

A thoughtful look forms on Himari's face at the mention of water, and she slowly nods her head. "Well then we have a water festival. One of you great crafters could make water guns, or we just use buckets to have a water fight." She smiles brightly at the idea. "And a big yearly party for Liberation Day."

"I might not be as strong as other people when it comes to magic, but I do know all the elemental magic types. Earth, water, fire, air, light and dark. Not to forget Song," she then adds. "If you want to experiment, I guess I'm a low level one stop. Having a stronger person with Light would be a great help in trying to make it work properly."