A New Store in Shibuya

Haru has been keeping busy, as one might expect, but thankfully that source is no longer dark clothes and emo emo-ness. His previously vibrant clothing is returned, sporting blues, whites, and golds across his shirt and slacks. The character of focus is not him, however, but the store that is nestled on the market front near Pela's Cafe. It is a simple building, boxy almost, but the walls have a certain glossy sheen to it as if made of obsidian. The Door is a large curve of an N, and there is a singular O-like windox with an X frame within. The door is left cracked open and the Artificer within, agonizing over the merchandise layout. "Alchemy here," he takes a fancy bottle and moves it, "or here."

Being a Guild Leader is a lot of work, and as much as Shiruba wanted to help with the return to the Palace Lands to try and root out the source of the Crowns and those abusing their power over others, she had things back home to keep tabs on as well. So there she was, making her way through Shibuya towards the guild hall. Only to stop when she notices the door of the newest shop partially open. Then walk over to investigate, nudging the door a bit farther open to stick her head in. "Haru, you in here? Did you officially open your store while we were gone?" And is he still being emo, but that would be rude to call out in public.

Yeowang has been helping Shiruba with the day to day management of the Guild as much as she can. Following at her side, she discussing the various projects and things they're tracking. Pulling up opposite Haru's store, she looks inside also. "It seems he has," she replies about opening the store, and since the door is ajar, she will push it open and enter. That open door was an invitation, she assumes. "Good afternoon," she calls out as she enters, stepping in and aside to Shiruba can follow, and she watches Haru agonizing over his product layout. "Things that are impulse purchases should be in line of sight, so people notice them," she says. "Necessities will be looked for if they're needed."

"I'm late I'm late I'm late!", a definitely not goth anymore Uta blurts out in panic as she rushes through Shibuya. She stops, or more like, jogs in place, frantically, when she reaches the Pelapuff cafe, looks around in distress, and finally decides to zip in.

Cue suspicious noises, and a few seconds later she dashes out with a slice of toast dangling from her mouth. "Thanks!", she mumbles over her shoulder, with her mouth full of, well, toast, "Now I can be late more properly!", to arrive- well, outside Haru's shop.

It is a very short dash.

Once there, she stops, reaches up to hold the toast in her begloved hand, and just nibbles on it. "Am I in time for the grand opening?", she asks, with, well, zero hint of panting at all. She's in excellent physical form, and she hasn't run much at all. Also, for those wondering, she also ditched the goth getup, and she is back to her nurse's uniform slash gi getup, a creation of the Chain Mail Bikini Plus One.

Little does Shiruba know, Haru has done a ton of te paperwork for the Silver Sword and Alliance since he didn't hop on a ship over there (yet). It is the worst kind of clerical prank. Ha! You thought you had to fill out these forms, but the joke is on you, they have already been filled out! Including a particular one about an expedition into the Palace Lands to look for Feng Huang by Haru. That man and his fire birbs.

"Built, yes," the man with the monocle says as he moves the bottle from one shelf to the next. "Shipments have been going out otherwise, a step up from a traveling goldsmith with a section over at Miho's. This place has not had any storefront customers yet. I had to finish interviewing clerks yet. Someone cute enough to draw in the crowd, but not too cute to distract couples, and with a sharp eye for high loss merchandie, but remaining welcoming." Sheesh, talk about hiring standards. He looks over towards Shiruba now, "I found a local lander named Yumi Omura that is a good enough fit."

A finger motions over to Yeowang, "Was just thinking of you." Haru even said that with a degree of /warmth/ as the two dont see eye to eye on a ton of things. "Being an Atelier, it gets tricky. I was thinking of organizing it by the type of customer. Enchanting supplies here, such as Alchemy catalysts, cosmetic accessories here, and Adventure stat boosting ones here." He is going to spend forever on the layout. You can only do an opening once.

"Early, Uta, which is pure chaos," Haru laughs at that, looking to the toast. Classic Uta. "I was wondering if you could man the store now and again. We all travel often in our day to day, so it will be nice to get some help moonlighting." Get it? Because Moonlight crafting?

Gwen has heard about a new shop, how does she know? Who caught wind? Her parents did and let her know. Gwen also had an idea to prank her mother and might need some help. She's clad in her Ashes Nei cosplay armor today as she arrive and she calls out.

"Oh my mother was right you are open! What do you have for sal...." She just starts laughing at Haru's joke and seems to be unable to breathe...

"Good to hear. More active business will help draw more people to Shibuya, if they feel safe and capable of getting what they need." She doesn't make a distinction between Lander and Adventurer because this is a point where it really isn't needed. Then cups a hand to her chin, thumb and forefinger spread apart in a 'thinking' gesture. "The categories might make it a little tricker, but Yeowang has the right idea. You put the things you know people will come in looking for, like the buff potions and supplies, towards the back. So to get to what they want people have to pass through the rest of the shop, and see all the other things available to catch their attention." She's not the devote businesswoman Yeowang is but she has her share of merchantile skill. Grins. Tail wags a bit. "If you need any more carving work done, just let me know."

Yeowang nods to Haru, and says, "That will certainly help you speed customers through the store. You of course must do the opposite if you want people to linger and make impulse purchases. This is why the chips are not right next to the colas in most convenience stores." She nods as Shiruba confirms, "That's the way to maximize sales. Otherwise your less mandatory items will linger forever in a corner, unregarded.

Uta's low key chewing stops altogether at Haru's request. Her expression doesn't change, it's as if she blue-screened for a few seconds. And then she simply raises the finger of her other hand to point at her nose, puzzled. "Me? I would love to, really, but... I don't have the Mercantile skill?" A frown. "...I think. Let me double check." She flicks her menu open, navigates to her character sheet page, and shakes her head. "Nope, confirmed. No mercantile." She looks up as she dismisses her menu. "But I would be delighted to help in any way I can! I can move boxes. Get things from high shelves. Have I mentioned I can jump really high? And fall really slow. I can also take care of the basics like handing exchanging off the shelf items in exchange for the monetary amount reported on the price tags... but I'd have to take notes for anything that strays from that?" She cranes her neck around the shop. "If have a convenient parking spot next to the shop, I could even set up camp right next to work. Park my traveller's cart here. Commute so short you don't even notice it."

She listens to Shiruba and Yeowang's points about product placements with some interest. "Uh, good point. Maybe I could provide some medicine too. I can do that as well. I mostly prepare potions and drugs for specific cases or on demand. Never thought of producing to sell at an actual shop." Some silence. "See? No Mercantile!"

"Gwen! Hi!", Uta grets, with a wave, before returning to speak with Haru. "So, what's this Yumi Omura like? I suppose we're going to be... Moonlight Colleagues?"

Haru fingerguns Gwen for laughing at the joke. As there are no guns in ETO, it looks more like weird crab clicking. Finger Crabs. No. Just no. "And I trust my Accessory Forging Apprentice can help if I get back ordered. I have been flooded with requests before the doors even opened," he says rather neutrally. It could adversely impact his Adventuring at this rate. Or rather, maybe Adventuring was interupting his crafter life. "Many of which are rings, but Wake's set will be first."

"Part of the safety is having someone that was involved in taking it back and cracking crowns open," Haru says to Shibuya, "sometimes it just takes being 'around' to bring peace of mind. I can't say I won't miss the travel, but," he finally settles on where the bottles go. The rest of the stock goes up in short order. "It'll work out." A step back. Looks good.

Haru looks over to Shiruba and gives a solid nod of his head, "There is a lot of woodworking that I'll have an ask for and couldn't think of a better person to ask. Artisinal woodworking, like on a staff, occasionally gets asked for already. What does and does not constitute an Accessory is easily confused."

There is a hum about impulse buys versus not. "I think back to jewelry store layouts. They are slightly different than those of a grocery store. Odd as it may sound, I don't need to make a high profit on this store." A hand gestures, "but not finding a reasonable rate in the market is an insult to the other craftsmen. I only know of two Moonlight Goldsmiths as of current and neither of us meet the apex of the craft I discovered during my pursuit of those that came before."

There is a grin to Uta's blue screen of Spriggan and then merchant checking skillsets. "I don't have the skillset either. I swear I'd spend my time developing those more if the rate of growth mattered. Really it helps having Adventurers around the store. And we can always get a drink at Pela's afterwards." Or Elfs. Then there is an 'ahhh'. "Having your cart here would be great. Like a cozy little alcove of shopping. It'll do well for Shibuya's economic growth."

On the topic of Yumi, he thinks on it a moment. "Yumi Omura is bright eyed, pleasant, and fairly sharp. She is making money for her family so its a safe bet. Though her father is giving me the side eye." He makes a motion for how tall she is, adds curve dimensions, and keeps going like he is going to air draw a face. "A Lander girl that I'll have to introduce as she just reminds me of those hostesses that are rather good at customer service." No. Not that kind. He thinks.

Shiruba nods her head. "Providing work for Landers will help with economic stability -and- getting people willing to come and even living in Shibuya. Along with the Inn and Pela's cafe." Rubs the side of her head. "I should probably hire a couple of people just to keep an eye on the museum when I'm not around, too." She grins a little at the mention of staves needing carving. "It would seem like a lot of Yamato's crafting professions are intended to interact with each other. Like encouraging them to build together. Much like a lot of them require Hunters or Herbalists to find materials for them."

She glances over her shoulder. "Easy there Gwen. Don't laugh so hard you pass out."

Yeowang smiles to Uta, and says, "That would certainly add a draw to the shop if they sold healing potions as well as Alchemy potions." She knows they require different skillsets, and knows nothing beyond that. To Haru, she admits, "It's still an annoying trip to the Palace lands, but we've managed to lessen the danger of the trip." She nods as Haru describes his putative employee, "It sounds like you have the situation in hand." As far as hiring landers, she admits, "The Red Chain is almost entirely Lander, I guess players aren't very interested."

"Most Adventurers would rather be out doing the fighting or other 'adventure' things," Shiruba replies to Yeowang with a shrug. "But giving Landers a means to contribute is still good for them and for us."

Gwen is just in a good mood and she looks to Haru as she comes out of it. "I would be happy to. Also I would love to carry a small array of your things at my shop. It might help spread awareness of you and your work right? Also I know how that feels when it comes to Moonlight tailors Haru...I got so muchy to learn also we are seriously missing a certain material which I think is a staple to fashion in a world like this."

"Oh I have it if you want some help I could work for you to keep your books?"

She grins she's not Yeowang that much is clear but she is professional level at it.

"Haru any sane father would give you the side eyed. Well cept mine, he's too busy keeping mom out of trouble. Sounds like you found the right lady for the job!" 5R
She looks to Shiruba for a moment.

"Oh Shiruba! I have an idea for a themed outfitr to go along with my Heavy Blade armor set, same for Haru and Uta as well!"

oh no, but on the other han she's in good spirits.

"I do help fun the Red Chain humm maybe I should organize a chairty drive...Oooh!"

    While Vafrum may not be a 'friend' he is a man who has connection and tries to keep an ear, along with eyes, out for potential market partners or competitors; Depending on how one may look at it!

In this, the man with a high collar to hide his werefang mark, gold predatory eyes, a smile to match, comes up to the new store; Or to be new store. He looks it over with keen eyes, before tapping his chin gently with a lethe finger. Today he seems to be wearing his riding boots, black leather pants, a "Goblin King"-isk top.

"That would be great, yes. I look forward to meet Yumi Omura. And while I was thinking mostly to park my cart here just to... you know, go to sleep in at night, it would be nice to have a fixed place to stop between travels. And maybe practice a medical profession from. I'm not sure of how many clinics there are in Shibuya... but I suppose an extra healer and pharmacist cannot hurt. Especially with the shortage in healing ingredients." She nods in agreement with Yeowang. "I'm glad we could help with the Healing Slimes. They luckily need Light Magic, mostly, so... not as much of a pressure on the Herb supplies. Also a good help for big events like battles." A nod. "Yes, I should definitely try and set up a proper medical practice kind of deal somewhere. "She scratches her head. "When I'm not working at your accessory store. Or at the slime labs. Or helping at the Clinic of Tolbana. Or being a vet for the Monster Menagerie in the tower. Or helping with the library system. Or investigating Lore for the LOONS. Or performing with Rylen. Or doing music research at the Music Conservatory in Eas." She taps her lips as she looks up and away. "I should drop something... I mean, technically I won't be able to work at the clinic of Tolbana as often as before, now that Yamato has been freed... I will miss that place."

After giving Gwen a quick glance, Uta flicks one hand dismissively. "Don't worry, don't worry, she doesn't look like she's undergoing any respiratory collapse any time soon. And even if so, I'm here to perform appropriate corrective maneuvers." A short pause. "And if that doesn't work either, hey, I have Setsuna on quickdial on the chimlinks," she adds. Yes, she's joking about the last part.

"Wait, what, Gwen?" Uta blinks, in confusion. "An idea for an outfit? For Haru and me?" She turns to Haru. "...did you inspire her to come up with a shop uniform for the employees?" She turns to Gwen. "I suppose Yumi Omura will get one too. Of course!", Uta exclaims, slapping her forehead. "Haru, you gestured measurements in front of Gwen. Rule one of Gwen Club: you do not gesture measuerments in front of Gwen!"

The new arrival gets a blink and some scrutiny from Uta, who resumes the ritual Nibbling of the Toast. "...I have seen that man before..." She mumbles to herself. "But where... where..."

"It is a very New World thing to do," Haru asides, "to create new job markets for Landers. Working and enriching the ecosystem without endangering it with those that have high barrier to entry." He gets lost in thought for a moment wondering if the opening of this store will have any impact on the price and mining of precious metals and stones. Does that have ecological impacts? The blue eye closes.

"Welcome to Atelier Nox, home of Moonlight Accessories," he notes, the name Nox lending a bit too on point with the Moonlight crafting notion, "we are not open yet, but please feel free to peruse our current stock or ask any questions. We do custom orders." Like a lightswitch, its almost frightening how Haru can go from being aloof, brooding, emo, or irrate to Customer Service Haru.

"Your family is one of a kind, Gwen," Haru notes, "and one that is kind." Aw. "I need better traveling cloaks, Gwen. My townclothes are getting scuffed up when I travel and the repair mats are not always in stock on the road."

Uta gets a, "You will always have a place in front of the shop here," with a motion right outside of the building. It is noted that the store is not perfectly centered with where the door and window might be. In fact, there is only one window and plenty of wall space. Perfect for VIP parking. A finger snaps after the point, "You know, with my newfound skills I bet I could create better equipment for the lab. The Enchanted Glass alone would make an excellent tank for holding monsters slash slimes in observation."

"Well there you go Gwen," Shiruba remarks to her adoptive sister as she folds her arms. "Make Haru something that won't wear out so easily.... and probably plenty of pockets to put things in."

Yeowang nods to Shiruba, "Though Baroness Wake told me about a village of players that had given up on the playing and lived like Landers, pretty much. So, I guess it takes all types?" She smiles to Gwen and says, "All contributions help, of course." She smiles to Uta, "And your healing slimes enabled us to provide for more people than before." But she seems surpriused, "Light Magic? I think I have that...?" She has to check her statistics, which means the UI thing, and here the super-capable businesswoman is slow and nmearly useless. She looks up as Vafrum enters the store and nods a greeting. He may know her as Yamato's only Banker. "Good afternoon," she says to him. To Haru, she says, "I suppose it is, though I'm not sure if it's a deliberate effort to improve the people's welfare or simply efficient use of available resources. I suppose it's a bit of both."

    Vafrum gives Haru a smile. "Only simply curious is all, though I do agree with one part of your conversation." He picks up a bottle with gentle care, looking it over. "To create jobs and places for these-- Landers-- to operate from for the continued and future growth of this world's economy."

He then places down the bottle with the same care of his examination. His eyes shift over to Yeowang and gives her a smile. Though it was hard to determine if it was friendly or that 'corporate' smile. After all, she was a banker, while he had connections to a particular merchant prince.

Then he looks over who else is here, before he spots Gwen and walks over to her. "Ah, Gwen! It is good to see you again." Then, if her hand is available, he will go to reach for it, before giving it a 'friendly' kiss. "Hope your own fashion is being fruitful and prosperous."

"Any net positive impact to the lives of the people that live here can be seen as a contribution to the capital of the welfare of those that live within," Haru offers as he runs out of items in his Adventurer inventory to pull out and materialize. Not having high strength DOES impact your weight limit a fair amount. "The fastest way to rebuilding any lost good will by costly mistakes we have made on a national scale, at least," as his one blue eye drifts to Uta on that one. She would better understand the subtext to that statement. It wanders to Shiruba afterwards, "It makes me wonder if we couldn't start running combat drills here to train up the local guard more. The best way to reduce fear is through the reduction of insecurity, and physical insecurity in a place that isn't protected as a Root Town is important. Plus. There is an upcoming tournament, no?"

"Can you watch the front of the shop," he asks those here, "I have to check on inventory in the back." But he does catch the friendly kiss, giving Gwen a wink to that. Or is it a blink? Haru only has one visible eye so its hard to tell. Maybe its both and neither at the same time. Harudiggers Blink.

"The Lab has been spared occupation, and kept from complete disrepair by a skeleton crew during the stay of the Palace Landers in Yamato," Uta reminisces. "The vats will certainly need full inspection and maintenance... I suppose it would be a good moment to upgrade the facilities." She bites her lower lip and flicks her menu open. "I hope I have enough funds for all the needed upgrades." As if she realized something all of a sudden, she turns to Haru. "Oh, don't worry! If not, it's just time to go questing for more Bags of Coins. I'm sure I'll rake something up! Also clinic work." Another pause. "...which reminds me. I should probably invest in a more stable pharmaceutical laboratory as well. Up to now I've been working with a portable Pharmacy kit. I should order something more complete. More professional. But still fit for the nomadic lyfestyle of a traveller's cart."

"I think you should have that, yes..." Uta comments to Yeowang. "I don't remember if we've ever discussed your character build. Maybe we should at some point. But you strike me as being a Godhand, which... if it were true, would qualify you."

"I saw this peron before...", she mumbles while looking sideways at Vafrum. "Where... where..."

Gwen looks to Haru for a moment then to Uta and Shiruba with a grin.

"Don't worry the outfits will be fit for a Heavy Metal Cover, just like mine!"

Shiruba might know about said western comic.

"Oh uniforms I could do that! If Haru would like that! Yes they are, I think my parents are aliens if I'm being honest. As for that? That is something I can do and Encahnted Glass...? We could use it to say do illusion spells for ads?!"

She looks to Yeowang for input on this.

Then Gwen eyes go wide as she gets he hand kissed and she looks to Vafurm looking a bit sheepish.

"Business has been good yes, sir! So any word on your project? I have the designs ready to make."

Yeowang smiles to Vafrum, who she recognizes after a moment. He's not a direct cometitor, or a competitor at all, really. She doesn't manage any /businesses/ per se, but her bank /lends gold/ to several, possibly that he is involved with. She watches Haru head into the back, and says to Uta, "If you need to do capital improvements to your facility, we can absolutely provide cash for you to do so. At a special interest rate." She nods about being a Godhand, but says, "I picked it for the martial arts. The wuxia business is silly." She hrms as Gwen mentions ads, but says, "The advertising business is practically non-existent here. Literacy is more common than in historical times, but paper is still a rare resource, and word of mouth is the usual method. A bright paintjob to attract attention may be your better bet."

Shiruba just... puts her head in her palm at Gwen and sighs. At least things are back to normal in that regard.

"Oh. A loan. Uh, might look into that..." Uta trails off, lost in thought. And then looks down and mutters, "...I like the wuxia part," twiddling her fingers and rotating the tip of her foot.

Uta looks up again, and gives Gwen a long, deep frown. "...How do 'Don't Worry' and 'the outfits will be fit for a Heavy Metal Cover, just like mine' go together?", she asks. Her question does not sound snarky -- it sounds like she is really trying to make heads or tails of the whole thing.

"...Pizza," she finally exclaims. "Excuse me, good Sir.. Weren't you at the Dragon's Larder? When Asuna was making pizza?", she asks Vafrum.

    Vafrum smiles softly as Gwen talks and sighs a little. "There has been a little snafu to my own plans and preparations, I'll admit, but I am going to see to it. Even if it involves some kicking and screaming." Beat pause, "Figuratively speaking."

        Maybe.

    Then he looks over to Uta and Yeowang, "And yes, you should accept a loan from Yeowang there. I am sure they can set you up with a reasonable interest loan that can be paid off in a reasonable amount of time." His hands come to rest in the leather pant pockets, with his thumbs hanging over the edge. "As they said, special interest rate and trust me... don't sleep on such deals. Banks can /easily/ change their minds."

Though as Uta asks if he was the one at the pizza night he gives a nod of confirmation. "And yes, that was I." He says with a grin, though he looks over to Shiruba. "Including her as well, if you are recalling all the faces there that evening."

Yeowang nods to Uta about the loan, she's a banker after all, but awwws to Uta about Wuxia, "The Wuxia part is fine for those that can use it. It just doesn't work for /me/. I held a number of championship belts in MMA in the real world, though, and the game really holds me back from what I used to do, and the things it enables instead, I don't know how to use." She sounds frustrated by that. On the other, I can roundhouse kick giant monsters, which no one could do in the real world. So, that's different also."

She smirks as Vafrum supports her moneylending efforts, and asks him, "So, what have you been working on lately?"

Gwen says "Mmm you know I haven't done a wuxia costume for myself." Gwen starts thinking over Kunfu dress designs in her head, good save Uta.

"Ah keep me posted and I think I know some perfect models for the employee uniforms!" Oh she's so going to drag her mother into this, it's going to go badly for Gwen but she's going to try to get the better of her mother for once.

"For me? I was humm how to put it I was a compative European Martial arts sort." She grins at this like a shark.

    Vafrum smiles and gets a glint in his eyes, "That is for you to find out once I start the gears. I am sure there will be a place for you as well, Yeowang, but a good poker player never shows his hand too early."

He looks back to Gwen, "Most excellent! I should stop by sometime soon so I can see your prototype designs." Then the fashion queen explains here real life enjoyment of martial fighting and huhs softly. "You are the woman with different skills, are you not." He then looks back over to Yeowang. "Both of you."

The werefang in hiding then moves slightly to the side. "Sadly, I have no such experiences to share in that department. Beyond being a bit of a troublemaker in my youth and causing my family perhaps too many PR nightmares." He shrugs. "But such is youth."

Shiruba nods and turns back to the door. "Looks like things are well in hand here. I'll see you all later, I need to go check on Guild business at the HQ."

Yeowang chuckles as every incident, to Gwen, is a tailoring opportinity. She nods about Gwen's martial art of choice, though the way she phrases it sounds confusing. "I think a lot of players were involved to one level or another," she agrees. Vafrum gets an arched eyebrow, "If you need funding, it will be in advance of your project. If the project is already started, then you need me as a manager rather than as a financier. I can do that, too, of course." She's managing director of the Red Chain, not that they do much, but she's brought Plan-Do-Check-Act to Yamato, so that's an accomplishment, for those in the management field. Though that insight may spoil a bit of Vafrun's intended surprise. She does have what may seem like an eclectic set of skills, but they suit what she knows. She shrugs as he mentions a youth of troublemaking, and says, "No two people are alike, no matter how similar our stat blocks. We all are unique and contribute differently." She nods to Shiruna as she departs, "Farewell."

Uta whistles in amazement at Yeowang's impressive list of accomplishments. "That... was the exact opposite for me in the real world. I wasn't much of the athletic type," she says, retracting her head a bit into her shoulders. The technique known as the Turtle of Self-Consciousness. "I... well, was... -average-, I guess? My athletic achievements included 'standing, 'walking' and 'carrying items'. So..." She trails off gesticulating. "...but yes. I love to be able to practice martial arts in this world. Even if it's just a game." She lowers her gaze, and rubs her chin, long and hard. "...I might actually pick them up for real once we get out. I... I know I'll never be as good as my character here, but..."

After offering her own goodbye to Shiruba, she turns to Vafrum as well. "Oh, yes, but... I see Shiruba so often I no longer bother to record where. In fact, I might start recording where I do -not- see her."

"You didn't make a Wuxia costume for yourself?", Uta asks. "What happened to that replica of mine you wore, once?" And then gets her uh-oh face when she mentions knowing perfect models. When Gwen mentions models, there is a high chance that Shiruba and Uta are involved.

"Oh, the Red Chain. I'd love to contribute with that. Very aligned to my skillset and interest. Been meaning to ask, never got around to it..."

Gwen says "Well that is your costume I haven't made one of my own for myself! I don't want to take away from your style!" She strike a pose at this and she thinks. "We should yes I have a few ideas maybe a swimsuit callenderr for summer and oh a DATE ACUTION!" Oh no she's showing she is Morri's daughter juyst don't tell her she also waves to Shiruba as well.

"I agree on that Yeowang..."

    Vafrum just smiles at Yeowang, nothing said to her, just a simple smile before he slowly looks over to Uta. "I see. You like to make records do you?" He then gives a little wave to Shiruba as she leaves, before his focus moves back to Uta. "Next thing I'll hear about is you jotting down people's spending habits."

He arches a brow slowly, "... and if you do, we may need to speak later."

He snaps a look over to Gwen, "A date auction? Hehe. My, that is an interesting direction to go for charity and swimwear."

Yeowang smiles to Uta as she mentions the Red Chain, and says, "If you'd like to help out, probably the biggest thing you can do is wear this," and she pulls out a strip of while cloth maybe eight centimeters wide and maybe twenty long from her inventory. She will wrap it around Uta's arm, pinning it in place to her sleeve, if Uta allows, and when she unfolds it, the cloth bears the impression of a length of red chain links along the length of it. "People are starting to know when they see this, they can call on you for aid," she explains. "Well, and helping if people ask for it. That's mine, but I don't wear it, generally, as my healing skills are ..." she shrugs. "Inconsistent, I suppose is the best way to say it. I don't like people to get their hopes up and be disappointed, as that will lower people's faith in the organization." Her knowledge of 'healing' mainly orbits sports medicine-related topics, where she's experienced in RL. General healing is not her forte. She chuckles at Uta's skillset in RL, and says, "We are all different. And entered this world on an equal footing, as is right for a game. So now, your martial arts are as good as mine, whatever levels we had in real life. But I am pleased that you are enjoying the practice enough to keep it up after the game, even if you will never get lighting to explode from your kicks in real life." She winks.

Gwen has, fortunately spared Yeowang a lot of the fanciful and costumey outfits. Her clothes, while invariably impeccably tailored, are entirely functional and generally plain compared to what normally comes out of Gwen's shop, and her no-nonsense demeanor has kept the fanciful clothes at bay. Vafrum's smile draws a smirk from her. It seems her guess was on the mark. She won'y pry, then, when he's ready, he'll tell her. She certainly has a number of balls in the air, though she's put a few aside for the tournament.

Uta blinks in surprise at the ribbon. She does let it be pinned, and raises her arm to take a better look. "It will be a honor," she replies, serious, with a bow of gratitude. "I will do my best to fulfil its purpose, and be worthy of what it represents."

Uta shakes her head. "I wish I had that amount and detail of information. No, no, I unfortunately do not keep track of what people spend..." A short pause. Look up and away, tapping her lips. "But I could probably rattle out what books they have in their library..."

Her eyes go wide at Gwen's suggestion. "S-s-swimsuit calendar? D-d-d...date auction?", Uta stutters. "I mean, I'm all for charity and all, but... uh... are we sure it's the right course of action to persue? Maybe we're rushing this. Perhaps we should organize something less hasty. Like a snail race."

Gwen looks to Vafrum for a moment and she grins. "Yes!" She seem eager about this idea and she looking to Yeoang for a moment. "We really are all one of a kind doubly so in a world like this." Yeowang has just mastered an art no one else ever have or may ever well. Gwen wrangling, well when it comes to fashion at least.

"It's for the red chain, uta! Look this sort of thing will make a lot of people who'd not part with coin? Willingly do so..." She then for a moment grins like her mother...for a terrfying half second.

    Vafrum watches the exchange regarding the red chain and the cloth that is given to Uta. He tilts his head faintly, but says nothing on the subject matter. Then grins as he watches Uta seem rattled by the idea of a date auction.

He then peers over at Gwen, to Yeowang, before he walks up to Uta. He then goes to place his hands on her shoulders and leans down a little. "No, rushing would be if the dating was taken /seriously/." He then chomps his teeth near her ear. Just messing with her a little; Now just imagine that if he was in his dire raptor form!

Vafrum then moves his hands away, walking back around. "People /love/ romance. Even one night little forrays of the hugging type. Nothing-- sensual I am sure." He places his hands behind his back and turns on his heel with ease. "And even if it does, well, that is up to the parties involved! After all, a war has happened on this land! People /need/ some fun. Some cheer! Some," He then goes over to Gwen and gives her just a little shoulder rub. "Attention." Then moves his hands away.

"I for one like the idea and I'd even throw myself into this little auction for sheer fun of it, along with support." He then snaps his eyes over to Yeowang. "What about you hmm? Would you do the same? We could even convince 'him' to provide some wine for such an evening I am sure. A little-- demo of products."

Yeowang smiles solemnly to Uta as she reacts to pinning on the Red Chain brassard, and smirks at her reaction to Gwen's suggestions. She nods to Gwen about being one of a kind. She says, of Gwen's chartity drive, "We are always glad to accept contributions, though I think you are as glad to get people into scanty attire as anything else." She seems amused by that. Vafrum's creeping on Uta draws a frown, and she says firmly, "I won't be participating, I'm afraid. But I hope those that do enjoy themselves." She's anti-fun, it's been said. "But I have responsibilities also, so I will depart. Fare well."

Uta squirms. She looks at Gwen. Squirming intensifies. She raises her arm, and looks at her armband. "...So it's to finance some sort of... healthcare fund for the needy? Or the wounded in battle?" She asks.

She gulps. "I... I guess it... it's a worthy cause?", she says.

Vafrum little hand resting and speech... well, let's put it this way. He does not completely reassure Uta, nor make her more concerned. As a net result, at the end. But he does send her on a rollercoster of calm and disquiet that results, in the end, in the same pre-existing balance of concern and reassurance -- except now they're both more intense, and have been shuffled around.

So, with a final shudder (that sends a flutter along her wings), a sigh and a rub of her eyes, she concedes, "...alright, fine, whatever." She returns to look at the band, her arm still raised from earlier. "...I suppose this is part of my responsibilities now."