A New Year II - Meteor Shower

The mountains near Eas remain free of the Palace Land plague. And there are a plenty people who have gathered up in Alne. Even from here, one can see some of the lights being fired off all the way over in the direction of the Isle of Beginnings. Barely, but it's possible amidst the pure dark of the night.

The only light here, aside from the faint flame of Eas in the distance, are the stars, and the Red Moon looming behind some of the clouds.

There's various mountain spires and small caves in the area. But for the most part, this place is relatively monster free. Nothing that the elite of Adventurers can't handle with a bit of elbow-grease.

There is just enough moss growth here to give people comfortable places to sit, and there's an area people have gathered where the mountain is not quite so hilly, and more 'flat'. A larger campfire - or rather, a pyre - has been set up to quietly celebrate the passing of yet another year.

It has been a tiring pair of years since the Apocalypse. No doubt emotions run a bit high on a day like this. Far away from families. Yet, sharing time amongst a 'new' family of sorts.

They are joined by an old Lander, Rionnag Taisbeanadh, who is setting up a new Telescope to get a look around the Yamato region. Though right now he's busy igniting a Kiseru to puff some smoke.

There's a few birds checking things out, and the Pekos that were used to get up here are for the most part just wandering loose, entertaining themselves.

Oh good, he did get a new telescope. Hopefully this one will survive through the night.

Shiruba sits down on a mossy stone, tail curling around one side to be out of the way of others. She gets out some sticks and her carving tool, using it to wittle down one end of the sticks to points. They don't have marshmellows but they do have bits of meat or vegetables they can roast near the pyre. Her Peko is off frollicing with the others. Her falcon has roosted on a nearby outcropping, just silently watching the proceedings. If anything does wander up here that shouldn't be, she's likely to notice it before most of the relaxing people do.

Everyone could use a calm night observing the sky after the last few weeks.

Big cities and their louder celebrations have never appealed much to Mikage. The Were Fang Ranger is not only shy, but perhaps a bit too socially awkward for that. So, a smaller gathering in the familiar mounains where she had once found her feline companion, Rama seemed to be far more her speed.

So, the young woman is seated against the side of Cyrus' cart, which makes for a comfortable enough place to rest with a blanket or two set out to cover the rougher patches of ground. Rama is bouncing around, clearly excited about the prospect of the evening, occasionally bothering at the Pekos and then racing back to join those who have been gathered with his usual high energy.

This is in contrast to Mikage's more somber demeanor. Among the New World Alliance, she is one of those who has more than enough reasons for wanting to stay in this place, where she is most herself in this new body. However, she is also one of those who misses someone back home quite dearly, and the turn of the year always seems to set that into perspective. Her gaze, for the moment, is tilted upwards, taking in the clouds passing over the red moon.

Yeowang has joined the group spending the evening on the mountain. During the day, she divides her time between hunting for food for Eas and doing organizational work to support various Yamato forces in the region. Her dark coat and pants make her hard to see in the evening light, though her long blonde hair is a beacon by comparison.

Seated on a small camp-chair-like thing on the ground, she takes in the dark sky, letting her eyes adjust so that more and more stars become visible. She's a city girl by choice in RL, but sometimes a bit of time outside the city is nice. And of course she's a scout and hunter in the game, so she's not really out of her element.

    The necromancer of SEA had decided to not party down in Alne, this was a depressing night usually for Setsuna and if anything coming out to stare at the stars and get away from people was always better. At the moment Setsuna was sitting on the grass with the cerberus NotPuppy wrapped around him providing a fluffy back pillow to lean against. There is a canteen of water that he sips from now and then before he looks at the old Lander, who the adventurers have terrorized in the past couple of years, poor guy. "Thank you for inviting us Mr. Taisbeanadh."

     Looking back he stares into the campfire for now as he does his best to think on everything that has happened and is about to happen. Digging deep he tries to find some energy for socialization and as he stares at a campfire he remembers an old movie that started somewhere in america with the actors climbing a mountain and camping. "So, I believe logic dictates that the appropriate thing to do here is to sing Row Row Row your boat."

Cyrus is taking his time to watch the stars above. He's standing, rather than sitting, next to Mikage. His big fluffy tail is laying around her neck almost like a lazy shawl. The man's suit set up to keep himself warm. His attention drifts down from time to time to the playful antics of the Lynx, but right now, he's just enjoying the quiet sound of the mountains and the occassional 'legally not a wark' of the Pekos.

Eventually, the youth shifts down with his back against the cart, and slides his arm around Mikage instead, pulling her against himself and kissing the top of her head. "It looks like it's going to be a quiet one this time." He whispers to Miki.

Though when Setsuna comments on singing Row Row your boat, Cyrus raises his hand. "I veto!"

Rionnag Taisbeanadh continues to lazily set up his telescope. It looks like it's a new one. The old one had been rather irreplacable. Though one has to wonder where he keeps finding all these Telescopes. It may have to do with the amount of travel he partakes in, and his home being in the Ninetails Dominion.

"Ach, you're quite welcome, Necroboy." The old man remarks, as he finishes setting up. "I don't own these hills though." He remarks as he turns the Telescope upwards and leans down a bit. Holding his back with one hand, and the telescope with the other. Taking his time to just... view the Moon.

"I always come to these high mountains to look for the Moon Rabbits." He jokes, as he pans the telescope. "But I'm old now. So it's nice to have some company in case this old body of mine decides to give up the ghost, hrmm?"

Shiruba doesn't seem to pick up on it being a joke. "I don't know if Estelle saw any rabbits," she remarks, even as she's handing out the pointed sticks to the people that want to roast things. Of course she saves one for herself, sticking a bit of meat on it. This should be simple enough to not actually require cooking, right?

"It's nice to get the time to come out and see a view like this," she agrees, both the sky above and the landscape laid out before them.

The look Yeowang gives Setsuna is withering, and if looks could kill, he would at least be seriously injured. "We are not seven," she says quietly, dryly. Her attention moves to Taisbeanadh, though, as he describes his motivations, arching a brow at the mention of Moon Rabbits. She recalls bunbuns being entirely ferocious, and now she has to wonder, "Are they on the same moon as the goblins, or the other moon?" Because if bunbuns and goblins shared a satellite, the battles would be intense. And you could almost certainly sell tickets if you had a suitable viewing device, she considers, always with the financial angle in mind.

"Oh don't say that." Mikage replies, blowing a breath at the Cait Sith's fluffy tail. "You know that's one of those statements that always proves itself false." The young woman is dressed in her winter fur cloak and leans forward a little bit, casting a wary sideways look at her companion. "You're going to doom us all, you know."

She's probably teasing.

Then, she looks over towards the old man and his telescope. "You're not allowed to give up the ghost." However, she does look slightly curious. "But... what do you mean by Moon Rabbits?" The others seem to be familiar enough with Estelle's strange journey, "I hope it's not an entire moon full of Bun-Buns who are all ravenous or something..."

    One of the head of the cerberus's looks at Cyrus and seems to sneeze in agreement with the Snow Leopard before another head pokes it's head up at the mention of rabbit. Turning back to look at the cerberus, Setsuna gives the two heads a look ,"One I have heard you three sing, my singing is just as good. Two you ate two grunties before we came, you do not need rabbit too." Setsuna then sticks his tongue out and looks back to the others for a moment before he shrugs at everyone not to happy with the idea of singing.

    The telescopes of the old man were always interesting, one of them was alve built and almost seemed modern, another could see the past so Setsuna was interested in what this one could do. "So is that telescope strong enough to see the moon bunnies on the moon?" Taking a glance to Shiruba and shrugs, "All I heard about what Estelle saw was goblins as far as the eye could see."

A chill practically runs down Cyrus' back at Mikage's suggestion of a moon full of BunBuns. Those ravenous murder-bunnies are a problem every single year. And he wants none of it. "I really hope not." He points out.

"And honestly." He then notes to Mikage. "If my saying so causes an Apocalypse... I'll accept responsibility and you can call me a God." The youth declares, lifting his head with a dramatic grin.

Before he runs his hand through her white hair and playfully leans in against her.

"Ach lassy, at some point this old body of mine will give in. I've lived a good long life. But I'm not planning on kicking the bucket too soon." The old man remarks with a sense of ease that comes with age around such a topic. A topic that may not come so easily to the younger generation.

"But let's not ruin this New Years with such talk, shall we?" The man takes a puff from his Kiseru, and blows a bit of smoke up into the air.

"The Monsters? No, the Goblins and the other big critters live on the Green Moon. But none want to believe me when I ramble on about that. No, the Red Moon is more special than that." He points out, as he adjusts his telescope to one spot in particular, and then steps away.

"No mochi making Moon Rabbits today." He jokes, before tapping his Kiseru on the telescope, getting some of the ash out. "See for yourself." He bids.

Yeowang nods to the old man about how much time he's got left. Her grandfather is much the same about his remaining time. He sees the end of his life coming closer, but has a well=spent life behind him and family to support him. She smiles as he asks not to spoil New Years, and says, "Indeed. There /are/ some good things to speak of, at least. Retaking Shibuya, for one." That was a major coup for them, and had been a long time in coming, which made it that much sweeter when it was achieved.

When invited to look through the telescope, she will peer through it, but she can't really identify anything she sees. "Something white moving on the red background?" she says. But she will step away, then, and see if anyone can see more clearly than she.

Soujiro Seta looks to be the more 'City' type given how he is usually around people. A certain kind of people. That tend to follow him around. Possibly being stalked. Well today it is just the Cluck Clucks and one mallard. He approaches the evening campsite with a smile as warm as the fire itself. "It is really nice up here." Of course what is really nice about it is that others have found a place to enjoy the night. Finding that little slice of solace is what makes his demeanor so genuine. He gives Shiruba, Yeowang, and Setsuna the typical Souji 'oh hey, you are here!' light up of the face that would fit on a puppy. A puppy with swords. Such social excitement leads to a little misalignment of the sensitive equipment when it is his turn, but he looks through it all the same.

Shiruba's tail wags as she eagerly awaits her turn with the telescope, putting her eye to the eyepiece when the time comes. She hmms and haws a bit, tip of her tongue sticking cutely out of the corner of her mouth as she does. Slightly adjusts her position. Is that movement? Or a reflection? Or maybe it's some manner of shape. building? But she can't quite get a clear enough focus to make out precisely what it might be... and in the end, she gets distracted by peering at some of the lunar surface she can make out instead. "So much moon, so little time," she eventually sighs, politely stepping aside for someone else to have their own turn. Nods to Yeowang. "Something like that, I couldn't make out any real detail either though."

    Setsuna isn't one to turn away from a chance of looking through the old man's telescope. It is almost inspiring enough to make his own. Taking a moment he puts extra magic into his own eyes to help him see any finer details. Oddly in the back of his mind he needs to remember to schedule an eye exam with the doctor. For now though eh looks and looks and while he doesn't really see white things moving , "Looks like maybe a building or whats left of one? Was that other tower on the red moon maybe?" It's a shrug as he move along out of the way not wanting to hold up the line.

     Moving back over to cerberus he looks at Yeowang, "Oh yeah you guys got your home back. Must be nice to be back in your own beds." Its a bit to casual, like saying oh you guys got back home from vacation or something. "Glad to hear that all worked out."

It is a topic that doesn't settle well with Mikage, so she just looks momentarily uncomfortable about it, quieting down back into her more introverted nature. That is, until Cyrus starts declaring that if something bad happens, it proves that he is a 'God'. "Okay, now you're asking for trouble. Settle down, god boy." She tugs at one of his ears lightly in that familiar way of people who have traveled together for a very long time.

With the invitation to take a look at the telescope, she pushes up to her feet, abandoning one of the blankets in the process and offering a hand to Cyrus to help him up. "Come on, let's take a look." The couple are likely on their way to take their own peek when Soujiro makes his appearance. Miki offers a slight nod of greeting before waiting her chance to spy the Red Moon.

That, of course, is when Rama decides to jump up onto her shoulders and lightly jostles the aim of the telescope. "Hey, easy around the equipment, buddy." She offers, scratching the cat on his fluffy cheeks. When she does peer through it, there is a look of confusion that follows. "Um... do people live up there?" The one thing Mikage has never been good at, is keeping track of the lore of this world.

"I could have sworn I just saw something moving along the surface, it... like a space pod or something. It was really tiny." She motions Cyrus to take a look, even as Rama yowls. "No, not this time, Rama." The cat huffs and hops off of her back and goes to sit near Shiruba's falcon.

"Ow-ow, careful, not the ear!" Cyrus over-dramatizes when Mikage gets up and tugs on his ear. He then pulls his arm around her and sneaks her a kiss, before releasing again and walking with her to the telescope as their turn comes up.

When the Lynx causes trouble, he grabs Rama and rotates his upper body to put the cat like, maybe another meter to the side. "Don't make trouble." He tells them, before he gets his turn and looks in there.

"Something like that." He answers Miki as he keeps peering. "Whatever it is, it looks like something is moving out there..." There's a pause, before he notes; "And now they're all gone again." He then gets up and rubs his messy gray hair.

"So... one moon is inhabited by Monsters, and the other one is... what, home to Martians? Moontians? I don't..." He makes a bit of a face. "If it's not all just a play of the light. Could just be the sun reflecting off of natural iron deposits or something. It was all hard to make out." Stepping back.

"Ahh - careful boy!" The old man tells off Soujiro as he moves the telescope and has to affix it again, then listens to what the others are learning.

"See? It's always interesting to look through a Telescope. You can look to the other islands, you could even turn it this way." He points the telescope downwards, towards Mac Anu. "You just need the right vantage point, and you could learn so much. You don't need no new-fangled 'spies' or 'sneaking'. You just watch from a range beyond their perception!" The old man remarks, laughing bemusedly at all of this.

"But yes. There's something up there. I don't know what. I used to think they were Moon Rabbits - Bun Buns or what have you. But it's rare to be able to get a good look really. It's only during New Years that things seem to get into alignment to get a good look."

When the old man turns the telescope down towards Mac Anu, Shiruba's eyes widen a bit. Why didn't they think of something like that?! "Much the same reason I took up falconeering. To observe from a distance, when a lot of things just don't bother looking up without a reason." Windburn is unbothered by Rama, but she does creen briefly to acknowledge that she's being refered to. "That... is not a bad point. No, it is a very good point." The wolfgirl steps a bit closer to the edge of the flat formation they're gathered on. "Maybe a spot little closer... but we could observe, be ready to act when the time comes to deal with the city." She doesn't go into specifics around the old man and the Landers that might get twitchy, but most of the adventurers here likely know what she's talking about.

    Setsuna listens to the old man talk about telescopes, the necromancer has to agree. It is one of those weirdly useful technologies that Scale Emblem hasn't invested in, likely because the majority of their work is dealing with enclosed structures. However it is the mention of the view of moon being best tonight is the most interesting, "So its this time of year when the red moon is probably closer to the planet. Also if it rotates like our moon its also the best time of month. " Just a couple of observations that are probably a bit of an obvious observation still it was said. " I suppose the best we could do is try to find a better telesc..." Setsuna trails off realizing exactly where a better telescope was and its best to not pour salt in wounds. "Either way its all interesting up there."

Yeowang can only share a shrug with Shiruba, and a sigh when Soujiro gives it a bit less care than maybe he should. She nods to Setsuna about getting our home back, though she says, "For most of us, our home is on the road. I have a bed in Eas, for tonight, but I sleep in the rough most of the time." 'In the rough' being a relative term, given her tendency to break out the deluxe camping accessories when she's forced to sleep in the wilds.

The old man's words raise an interesting point, and she asks the assemblage in general, because she's not sure who would know, "How large -is- the world we're on? If it's spherical, is it larger than Earth, if we can see so far without the planet's curvature taking it away? Is it flat because of cheap developers not wanting to calculate all the angles and that's why we can see so far? On earth, we can only see about five kilometers from ground level..." But she nods to Shiruba, "If we can see through the mountains and into Mac Anu, that would be valuable."

Soujiro Seta looks to the telescope. Clearly what he needs to properly use it. Is. More. Training! He swears that the only he saw was a cart or possibly a fish ascending into orbit. Then again, he did dislodge the telescope on his turn. Best to not bring that one up. He doesn't know what the old man is laughing about, but laughter is laughter and he laughs along. Spies. Sneaking. Hilarious!

Soujiro looks to Shiruba, who he has started cross training with recently. "Wouldn't it be great to have these sort of things set up all over the place then," he asks, standing out on the ledge and letting the night breeze billow against his flowing Edo period samurai kimono. The logistics of mass deploying telescopes like this are lost on him, but its a nice thought.

After looking through the telescope, Mikage adjusts her furred cloak around her shoulders, trying to ward off some of the winter chill as she casts her eyes back upwards towards the Red Moon. "I don't know about a telescope, but maybe a pair of binoculars or a proper spyglass would be helpful." Miki knows such things exist, but such devices seem relatively rare.

"This world will never stop being full of new questions and not enough answers." Mikage leans in against Cyrus a little, both for warmth and for companionship. "Still, the idea of using a location like this to spy on our enemies seems useful. Though I don't know if it lends us much insight onto what we're really looking for." Which would be the way into the underground to find the Kunie of Mac Anu.

Looking over at Yeowang, she nods in affirmation of the comment about 'home'. "Cyrus and I pretty much call home where ever we sleep at night. We've never settled much of anywhere." Despite having some roots in Shibuya, the two are rarely ever there.

"Even just that would help, yeah." Cyrus goes along with Mikage on the topic of the spyglass, as he wanders with her and touches her side. Supporting her as she leans in against him. Leaning his head back against her. To think that Mikage is one of the top Arena combattants, fierce and mighty in battle, and here she's just relaxing and being able to be herself. The young man himself can't help but smile a bit. He feels lucky.

"Though sometimes it gets way too cold and rough on the road, and I do harken back to the days of having a comfortable matress from time to time." He points out.

"Ah don't know what this Earth you speak of is, but Alba is round. I can promise you that. It's not that hard to figure that out, astrologically." The old man answers Yeowang. "Flat Alba is a myth only fools believe in." He mutters. "But we estimate that Alba is about 22000 Kilometers around, roughly."

The old man then looks to Soujiro; "Glass is hard to make. And precision creation of a lens for a Telescope is even harder. I don't think any of us have the money or lifetime for that sunny." He answers the Samurai-boy.

Soujiro Seta ooooohs with the sort of big eyes that has the 'You people are so smart!' that has always had him admire people like Shiroe. "Oh! They are that hard to make? Then we should be extra grateful for the one we are using today, thank you for sharing" he says with a bow. Crafting is mostly lost on him except for in one area. He takes out some fresh green tea he brewed earlier and offers it around if there are mugs to share it around in. Of course the samurai is about that tea life. Its pretty good and helps with those chilly mountain winds.

Yeowang nods about Alba being round, "Yes, and the Palace Lands were well over the horizon." She considers a radius of 22000km, though, and says, "That doesn't make sense, then." Earth being 40,000km around, horizons should be shorter here rather than so much longer. Or maybe she's figuring wrong? "I'd need a map to work this out," she admits. "And how high are these mountains?" because that makes a difference also.

As far as lenscrafting, she says, "I think Haru is doing something along those lines, using magic where lensgrinding here is too primitive."

Shiruba accepts tea. Because tea is good. "Yeowang, we're suppose to be relaxing, don't overthink the matter right now." Not that she doesn't bring up some interesting points. Just right now isn't the time to go complete nerd on the mathmatics, when everthing is being tea and cozy bonfires.

"We probably need to talk to Haru if we want something like that." Mikage hrms to herself, following the same line of logic as Yeowang. She then reaches up to pull up the hood of her cloak so that her ears are a bit more protected from the cold air. "We probably have enough monster drops to trade for the work." While they certainly had coin, much of the value that Mikage carried is in terms of unusual monster materials. That's one of the benefits of being a skilled hunter.

"Once we retake Mac Anu, maybe we can get a few nights at one of the inns. After everything we've all been through, it would be a good rest, and a good preparation for what comes next." They all know that driving the Palace Landers out from Mac Anu isn't the end of the War, not by a long shot.

She smirks slightly, "Yep, I'm not even diving down any rabbit hole of trying to figure out how this all works. I'm just going to enjoy it while we have it." Her arm slips around Cyrus, obviously including him as part of what she plans on enjoying for however long it lasts. "I plan on protecting this fucked up, confusing world, so we all can enjoy it."

    Setsuna looks up at the moons as he gets comfortable leaning back on his monster as he ponders the moons for a moment. " Red one and a green one. Really feels like there should have been a third one at some point. " The necromancer then just thinks abut how it would be in a video game before adding, "Maybe its intended for a third expansion." Looking about for another moment or two at the party before he just continues to casually watch the moons. "Good time to relax, so much is happening in the coming weeks I think."

Yeowang peers at Shiruba, shrugs off-handedly. "Oh, I'm not trying to overthink it. I'm just trying to marry up observations and derive a useful approximation. This place is half the diameter of Earth, roughly, but we feel the same gravilty. So that implies a much more metal-rich body than Earth." Because this level of consideration -is- recreational for her. If she were serious, there'd be pages of math involved. "Mining should be quite fruitful, for instance," she gives a useful example of approximation.

Cyrus raises his hands to the air and nods as Mikage mentions getting to rest at the inn. "That honestly sounds like a great time." He expresses. "We better hurry with taking Mac Anu back soon then, though. Because now you've got me looking forward to a comfortable bed." The Cait Sith points out before sliding Mikage into a proper hug - slipping his arms over her.

"Let's protect this fuck up and weird-ass world together. With more years to come, most likely."

"Well, maybe that will be encouragement enough to drag your fuzzy ass out onto the battlefield for once." Mikage teases then gives Cyrus a kiss on the nose. "Come on, let's set up camp for the night and get some rest." It will be a long way out of the mountains in the coming days, and the time for peace is fast ticking by.

She returns the hug briefly, then slips out of it, heading towards the cart to gather camping gear and start to lay out blankets, tents, and other necessities for the others so that no one has to sleep too cold on this chill mid-winter night.

    Setsuna frowns at the thought of spending more years to come but doesn't say much of anything else for the night every now and then checking the menu for the time . Somewhere around midnight Setsuna and Demon would break from camp and head off away from others as quietly as possible but for now he at least enjoys the stargazing.

Soujiro Seta would still hang out around the camp fire for a while longer. For him it isn't so much about the world, but the people in it. So long as there are friends nearby it makes a home out of anyplace. He quietly enjoys the evening with a hot cup of tea and plenty more to share around. The small natural wonders of the sky, untainted by light pollution, and a sight he would not have seen otherwise. Enjoying the present with present company. Tea sip.

Yeowang sees her version of casual cogitation isn't the same as other people's and can only shrug that off. Seeing people departing for the evening, she decides to do the same. "I suppose that's enough relaxation for one evening," she declares, and will jog back to Eas.

Gwen has been enjoying the new years abnd isn't afraid of things this year. She needed to chill out, also try to not think about what her Parents might be up to. She does some up on Soujiro from behind. She's looking him over thinking of outfits already. "Howdy!"

Soujiro Seta has a big smile on his face as he looks over his shoulder. Or maybe he knew! Samurai Sixth Sense! The camp site is winding down with a few heading off for the night or treking back down, but Souji isn't in a rush. He hold a warm cup of tea in both hands as he greets Gwen, "Hello! Are you here to use the telescope?" he asks, handing the cup of tea he had over to her like they were already familiar enough to share a cup.

Gwen nods "I am I wanted to see what's up there it should be quite the sight to see." She will find a spot to sit and she still towers as she accept the cup of tea. "So how are you doing sir? Do you want any outfits for the new year? I have a few ideas."

Soujiro Seta pours himself a cup too. One can not have enough tea! Well, it may be possible, but not tonight. "I am doing great. I get to see lots of my favorite people and push myself to whole new limits of training." Of that list, he is missing his usual swarm of followers. The cluck clucks are still here, and the one odd duck. "Something cozy would be nice. Im partial to the material from the Edo period, but there was also a white and red martial outfit I've been looking at." He will always love his flowy kimono look, but its good to have plenty of variety out there. "How about yourself, Gwen? Any big plans for the new year?"

Gwen says "You really do keep up your Tea Party Repuation doin't you? I think I could do something lioke that. Honestly keep the hell out of the house to not run into what my Parents are up to." She makes a face as she sips at her tea.

"If you make it, I'll try it on," Souji tells Gwen with the sort of direct charm that sparkles. Nope. That is the meteor shower. False alarm. Non-Souji Sparkles. He draws the tea cup to his face, breathing in the steam before an unhurried sip. Enjoying the cool night air against his skin. A hot cup. The quiet company of others. "Hah, are your parents that bad? They seemed nice to me." Sip. "I thought getting to be here with your whole family seemed like a great stroke of luck for you. Even though we are here, you can still have a direct relationship with them. Not miss out in all those moments that are cherishable. I think that is a real blessing." He isn't speaking about himself in this case, but knows many dear friends that are missing their families right now, especially being New Years. No shrine visits. No family time to speak of outside of the new families you forge.

Gwen keeps working at the tea as she hers the thing that just excites her the most. Someone willing to try on outfits.

"No its they are enjoying being in their 20s again."

She gets a dark look on her face. "Way too much. We will do family time on new years day." She grins a bit more. "Oh it is, it's just Morri ... has a shipping wall..."

"Oh, does she like boats?" asks Souji with a tilt of the head and a vapid smile. Yes, Souji, Morri likes... boats.

Gwen chokes on her tea for a moment "...you could kind of say that Souji." Gwen stares into her tea seeking a way out of this line of conversation.

Souji sips on his tea, "What a nice hobby," a-yep. "What got you into yours? The tailoring and fashion side of things?" he picks up on a whole new topic. "Was it something that always interested you or one day it clicked as 'this is what you wanted to do'?" Or a mysterious THIRD option.