A Work of Art

    One would assume that Elly will, at some point, get tired of this massive effort. She is not thought of much as an artist, though she's quite capable of carrying a tune. In fact, she's playing the koto to help support the artistic efforts. While it may not have a magical effect, it does seem to make working more pleasant.

    The weather helps, too. It is wonderfully sunny in Eas and the trees have exploded into color. Sakura are everywhere, their petals turning the area a lovely shade of pink as landers and adventurers alike work together to prepare fine works to contribute to the statue of The Blind One.

Ayame is assisting as well, though looking around with a thoughtful, slightly wary expression, over her half-moon spectacles. Her shield on her back, she moves with a basket as she collects various petals, examining them briefly for damage or dirt, and adds them to the collection; whether for dyes, paddings, or just pretty effects not at the trees themselves. She does look fond of the riot of color, though

    Fuka's personal level of artistic talent rather caps out at shadow puppets. Deformed rabbit is conveniently her favourite and appropriate to her skill set. As the saying goes however: Fuka may not know art but she knows what she likes. She's also quite willing to help out, and helping out with the various artistic efforts is a whole lot less mana-intensive than pouring her power into wagon loading with enchanted lifting mechanisms!

    Being willing to help, she's of course gathering petals. This involves a great deal of enthusiasm and effort compared to the carful analysis of Ayame. At least she hasn't bowled over a petal collection! (Yet)

    Elly is able to enjoy the serenity of this pastoral scene. Her music comes to reflect the land. The whimsical notes of an almost playful wind mingle with a soothing theme.

    She has some duties to attend to. It is not only about music. Among the most important of these is to bow her head when a young boy proudly brings her a necklace of some shiny rocks from the mountain slopes. She laughs softly and says, "This is truly the proper thing for a servant of the Goddesses to wear. You are truly kind!"

    When Ayame and Fukaziroh's wanderings bring them near, she calls out, "How are we doing thus far? Are you enjoying the day's labors?"

    There's something in her eye, that indicates she has more on her mind than just casual conversation. She is up to something.

Ayame gives Elly a wary look. She knows that expression. Still, the secretarial sylph smiles, summarising succinctly several studies "We've been quite well, I think. Certainly, these examples will let people arrange the drifts for their art pieces for some time; brightening your place of living is such an important part of life, don't you think?"

Soujiro Seta has been aware of the Palace Lands situation, but has not been heavily involved in doing anything in it. Why? Too busy having fun in dungeon runs or training(tm) to new heights of combat prowess. "Elly," says the samurai with an endearing smile, "everything is looking lovely. Do you need a hand with anything here?"

    "Labors?" Fuka scoffs dismissively. "I don't DO labors! I'm having fun gathering flowers!" she claims. Of course she *does* do labors. Anyone who knows her well enough surely knows how hard she works, both at self-improvement and to help her friends... but then, that's part of the joke!

    She pauses, looks down at a bowl of sakura petals. "I bet I know something that would make everything look even prettier!" she smirks playfully. To which someone might respond 'Fuka no!' if they're familiar with *her* expressions...

    Elly has a most innocent look. But it only comes to her face when Ayame grows wary. It is something of a trope to use this expression to cast even more doubt. But perhaps it will inspire Ayame to fear the worst! In that case, Elly's request is likely to seem an improvement.

    She's a psychologist. It is like being a jedi, only with no laser sword.

    "Hello Soujiro! You know, progress is excellent thus far, but I feel like we need to improve the overall aesthetic. Can you provide tea to our artisans? I hate to impose, but it would be of great value."

    To Ayame, Elly smiles. Pure innocence! "I was thinking you might pose for our sculptors. They would like a model to assist in making some of the finger materials. I am no artist, but they seem quite certain that it will benefit some of their finger work on the statue."

    Before Ayame can push back too hard, Elly turns away to say to Fukaziroh, "I fully support your aims of making everything prettier, so long as it does not disrupt the work of others." Or involve nudity. She does not say that part, but she may be thinking it.

    Then back to Ayame. "So. Would you be able to assist?"

Ayame looks steadily at Elly. It's a very flat stare over her spectacles, of long-suffering resignation and amusement together. A glance down at herself, and a sigh "Honestly, you'd think people would manage" She clicks her tongue and then glances warily at the little case she carries, tucked under her shield. The Right Clothes, indeed.

"I suppose" She says levelly "As long as it is tasteful and you are not, Lady Bombast, trying to play some trick, then I could consent. In the name of art, of course" She says with a slight pinkness to her cheeks "What did you have in mind?"

    Fuka also gets a new look after that reply. In her case, she scowls in mock annoyance. "Spoilsport!" she declares without true heat in her tone. Instead of perpetrating whatever mischief she apparently had planned, she listens to what Wake has in mind.

    "Wait. Your artists want to finger her what? Her materials?" Fuka asks, puzzled. "Wow. And here I was thinking if they wanted her to model anything it would be her ..." she pauses, gives a significant look. "... Well, not her FINGERS at least! I guess it's the whole delicate scribe thingy right? Hands of a scribe? Me, I've got the hands of a tennis star! Or a heavy blade I guess. More Burning One than Blind One there huh?" she grins.

"... You know, it's kind of sad that I've gotten use to wandering into conversations like this when Fuka is involved."

Comes the observation from Shiruba, having caught most of the exchange with her lupine hearing as she rode up on her Peko. But today was not racing, Tradewind was pulling a cart of supplies for the other hard working crafters honing their art to send to Weed's Super Special Project.

"I would be happy to pour some tea," the blue haired samurai says to the Baroness. "I prefer Souji with my friends, which you certainly are one of them," Souji says as he goes to a table and begins to set up a platter. Items are pulled from his inventory. Bowls. A kettle. Ceramic cups. He gets to brewing up a wonderful tea that befits the cherry blossom setting.

"We've not met" Ayame smiles to Seta "A pleasure. I'm Ayame, Lady Bombast's secretary. Among my many duties are stopping her Ladyship getting bored, it seems" She gives a faint smile and a small chuckle, as she looks at them all

"Now, now" She tells Fuka "It's only because they need a model they can see, for all it involves a pedestal" A wink, even as her cheeks flame "And you know precisely what she meant. Don't be smutty" A little sigh, and then nods to Shiruba

"I never quite get used to it. It just happens. All the time. She likes to cause trouble. I'm sure of it"

    "I'm not smutty!" Fuka protests, though with a grin. She's not taking it as an insult, apparently. "Trust me if I wanted to be smutty about it, I'd say in explicit detail exactly what I mean here! I'm being restrained! Or at least refined. Aunt Elly wants me to become a proper lady after all, as long as it's not too unfun!" she explains.

    Belatedly the little sylph beams with pleasure at Shiruba's wry statement, apparently taking it as a compliment. Either that or she's just happy to see her guild leader! "Shiba! Glad you could make it. What would you say is your best feature?" she asks rapid-fire, not pausing for an answer. "We're making hypothetical Goddess statues and you have a great tail and ears I guess, but I don't recall any of the Goddesses having a tail. This seems an oversight don't you think?" she asks.

Soujiro Seta pours a set of twelve cups, taking one in both hands and handing it to Elly first. To be gracious to the host. The next goes to Ayame, taking the time to hand over with the grace of both hands, "Soujiro Seta, Samurai of the Aincrad Liberation Front. It is a pleasure to meet you, Ayame. Please, call me Souji." He keeps a casual set of eye contact. Bright blue eyes that are attentive. The name has had comments through the grape vine. One is the 'harem' issue, in that there are always ladies, cluck clucks and one odd duck around him. There are several enjoying the cherry blossoms in the area. The other is that he is a notable tank of the Tea Party, unrelated to the current tea being presented. These were people who scaled the Tower before the Apoc event. Top tier progression guild before their disbanding.

"You must have your hands full then, Ayame! Elly accomplishes so much and I can see how friends like you make it possible," sparkles Souji.

There is a slight tinge of pink to Shiruba's cheeks when Fuka asks about best features... but then the sylph goes on about her Cait Sith attributes instead of other ones. "By lore the Goddesses existed before Cait Sith and Were Fangs did, so there's no reason for them to have had animal traits. This isn't an Egyptian pantheon. Besides, they're Goddesses, they can probably look however they like." She pauses to swing a leg over the back of her bird to dismount, dropping onto her feet on the ground. "Besides, most iconology of the deities keep their appearances to attractive in a general senses, so they do not feel like bias towards one of the people under their pervey over another."

She then turns and waves a hand briefly in the samurai's direction. "Hello Souji! I hope that training has been helping you, even though there was little we could share with our entirely different combat styles."

"My hands are often full" Ayame smiles slightly "But I enjoy keeping busy, and if I can smooth the way for others to move ahead gracefully, then it's the least I can do" she takes the cup in both hands, waiting a moment to sip gently.

"Lady Bombast may want you to become a proper young lady, Fuka, but so far, exactly how well do you think her efforts are extending?" She asks with a faint grin "And you being restrained? I think that's an excellent idea" She says with a prim smirk

    "I think you're attractive." Fuka says brightly to Shiruba. No, not a lecherous comment. She doesn't follow it with an unsubtle leer after all. No, Fuka's just an animal lover. "Maybe the goddesses should shift iconoclasty to reflect the current world huh?" she grins playfully. "Considering their people include the newer races, seems a bit rude if none of them actually represent them huh? So, what feature of yours do we get to bestatue?"

    The little sylph blinks at Ayame, bringing up a hand to her mouth in mock shock. "Oh MY." she exclaims. "I didn't know you were so into restraint! Naughty!" Fuka grins playfully. "I'm not sure if her lessons on my refinement are all that effective, honestly. I haven't been paying attention!"

    Elly rarely makes a slip of the tongue, but perhaps she just had fingers on the brain. Upon reflection, Ayame does have quite graceful digits. Perhaps the Baroness will write a poem about them. For now, though, there are matters she must attend to.

    "Hello Lady Shiruba," she calls out. Elly would rise, but she's still providing the music for the setting, and the work is far from done. The song has not yet reached a suitable breaking point, either. "How have you been?"

    She has not forgotten the requirements that Ayame delivered previously. Not up to some trick. That is a matter of perspective, is it not?

    "I am not up to some trick. I sincerely believe that you are incredibly lovely and the artists would benefit from you as their muse." A pause. "With Tae busy in the kitchen, I would also enjoy the aesthetic as well. Fear not, though, you can make it up to her later."

Soujiro Seta gets a cup of tea for Shiruba, handing it over with both hands. It has a floral scent to it with a hint of cherries, warm to the hands and a subtle sweetness to it. "It has been a great benefit, Shiruba," the samurai tells her with a bright eyed smile. "The Stride technique has been incredibly helpful for me as a swordsman." Combat. Souji could gush over that for a long time. The man loves all things Elder Tales combat, be it dueling, raiding, grinding, or dungeon runs. "Your ranged style is helpful to me because it is so different," he says as he gets his own cup. Sip. "It makes me think about what it takes to be an archer so I can better position for defense. To know where they can endure and where they need support from me to line up their shots. The Stride is a great example as you push /through/ the adversity, not something that comes to mind immediately with archery. I found it applies to my Vengeance style great, as counterattacks require you to press forward as well." Sip sip. "If you have time, I could use your help in more training. I am working on missile parry techniques so the more ranged skills I know, the more I can nail the timing down on the parry."

    Elly does have a matter to address, though. The tea. How does one play the koto while drinking tea. It is quite a pickle she finds herself in. But she has a solution.

    "Ayame, perhaps before you start posing you might help me with a drink of tea? I apologize for the improper request."

    She very pointedly does not say she is /sorry/ about the request, though. This amuses her.

Ayame's eyes roll, but she assists Wake with her drink of tea, before reluctantly setting her relic-case down, looking around for a reasonably clear spot to move to stand simply; at least offering something of a study with the fitted, severe attire, and the softly glowing wand in her hair. She considered, and sets the shield face face-up, moving to step onto it and murmur, the runes around the edge flickering to life.

She comes with lighting, it seems.

"I admit I rely mostly on my shield for deflection techniques" She tells Seta "But I do practice with other Artes for them on occasion. If you've any legal training, I might be able to offer some, as well" She muses.

And Fuka gets a briefly stuck out tongue "You should always pay attention to her!" She says with a mock tutting sound "How else will you know what to ignore?"

Shiruba accepts the tea, and smiles at her technique being useful. Especially when Souji explains how it is useful despite the difference in styles. "It does pay in a tactical sense to be familiar with what other classes are capable of, to work as a team. You are entirely right." She chuckles softly. "And I can give you plenty of projectiles to practice against, when there are not more pressing matters of couse." She takes a short deep whiff of the tea's aroma, letting out a happy sigh afterwards and taking a sip. A proper scent is just as important as proper taste, the two senses are highly intertwined in the enjoyment of such pleasures.

Then she turns her attention back to the other ladies, only for the pink tinge to start to return at Fuka's comments. She's well aware of how attractive her appearance can be, despite the 'wild child' ranger athsetic of hers, and still tries to remain modest about it. "Really, the lack of animalization has not stopped any of Ninetails' merchant lords from worshipping the Blind One for luck or the Burning One to bless their wealth, so I wouldn't concern over it too much."

    "Whyever would I ignore Elly?" asks Fuka, a little outraged at the very suggestion. "I might not take her advice, but I'd never just ignore her!" she claims. Which ... is kind of ignoring her yes... but Fuka's gonna Fuka.

    She nods and shrugs at Shiruba's observation. "I suppose not." she agrees halfheartedly. "Still, I should see if any of the artists will take a suggestion. A nice discreet tail, some fuzz on pointy ears... you know it'd look cute!" Fuka grins. And then wanders off to do just that. Make annoying suggestions to professional artists, that is. Also to appreciate their work. "Anyways, see ya~!"

Soujiro Seta offers Ayame a cordial laugh, "Understanding the deep stuff like Law and Scripture are beyond me, Ayame. I hope I can lean on you if I come across those matters." He is open about where his skills start and stop without being anguished about it. Elder Tales is a wonderful place where everyone has their focus areas and it gives him the space to appreciate those things more and the people who are capable of them. "I love the combat in Elder Tales," he explains, his demeanor being otherwise warm and inviting. It is not a frothing, bloodthirsty combat nut trope. Athleticism instead. "I could train all day and still find something new or interesting about it. About how people use it. What it does for them. Its wonderful that we live in a world where people have the strength to pursue their dreams, be it with a sword, a shield, or a cup of tea." The tea is raised to Elly, and a toast to Eas with the many ambitions therein.

"Even those not entirely of combat nature can provide useful insight," Shiruba agrees after another sip of tea. "Shenmi works with animals a lot as a performance art, but was still able to give me some advice on how a loyal companion can be a defensive benefit as well as an offensive one." She's a Hunter, a DPS specialist and a Silver Sword, she can talk combat technique as fluently as anyone else.

Tradewind sqwacks, and Shiruba laughs. "Yes, and loyal steeds." The bird preens.

    Talk of being ignored or paid attention to drifts past Elly like the breeze. It does not appear to immediately bother her, in any case. "The tea is a marvel, thank you as always, my friend. Shall I prepare rooms for your company? I do enjoy indulging them with the royal treatment, and you and yours are always welcome, Master Soujiro."

    She does at last reach a suitable point to stop playing, where her music grows soft and the sigh of a spring breeze washes over it. The two mingle perfectly into one, and the Baroness rises.

    She does not exactly /sneak/ behind Ayame, but she does not make noise, either. Actually, no, she is trying to sneak up on her secretary. Perhaps she has some thoughts on being ignored, after all.

"I do make a point of studying law" Ayame says brightly to Seta "It seems to be the study of the mechanical rules of the world, and when people are breaching them - such as how the Crowns worked, and finding ways to detect them" She explains "You can see the immediate application for combat, as well, I hope"

She continues striking a very, very restrained pose. She is not a natural model, for all she stands in her prim, modest outfit. And she does not see Wake.

Soujiro Seta looks to Shiruba, "You too? I learned that technique from Shenmi recently. Cluck Clucks like hanging around me and now they have a means of helping me in combat. They look proud and happy to be a part of it instead of on the sidelines." Turning CHick Magnet into Chick Defense Force. It isnt a huge surprise that Souji is good with animals and people, what with his kind heart and open space to welcome those into it. He looks back to the number of Lander Ladies around that came with him to Eas. "I am sure they would love that, Elly, but I won't speak on their behalf when they can do so with their own beautiful voices." He isn't their pimp, despite what the harem rumors say! Souji is more like a focus of conversation. Like the object of a fanclub or a lead singer of some band. It helps that he is easy on the eyes, approachable, and treats people with trust and respect while having a healthy opinion of his worth. He is downright shiny and balanced with as much internal conflict as a cloud in the sky.

There is a big 'oh!' on Souji's face as Ayame explains Law to him. "I relied on Shiroe for that sort of stuff. There wasn't a plan that he could put together and I couldn't make work." There is a reverence that he has for smart people.

Shiruba nods to Ayame. "I've noticed that from others, although I have no capacity for sensing such things myself. It is as much the literal Laws of this world, as it is the laws of government and enforcement." Then looks at Souji. Looks over to his following of Landers and Cluck Clucks. Thinks of using them in battle... and is reminded of one of the older video games she'd played in the days of console revival. "... That's likely to be both highly effective and slightly terrifying to the enemy."

    Well, Elly is one sneaky baroness/priestess/musician. She will creep up! And pause to very quietly look at what Ayame's version of The Right Clothes is. She opens the case just a bit, so only she can see.

    Her head tilts this way and that and her left eyebrow arches considerably.

    "The Right Clothes for the Right Occasion, indeed," she comments to herself before closing the case again.

    She then realizes that she's still being all sneaky. She has so many options! Elly decides the best of them is to just stand behind Ayame. Looming, really. Considering her height and her love of boots with thick heels, she's really good at looming. And honestly, only someone with her remarkable grasp of etiquette could make violating rules of social distance look acceptable.

Ayame twitches her head to look at Wake with a sigh "Really. Looming like that?" She asks pointedly "What did I do now?" She asks with a click of her tongue, keeping the pose before she chatters to the others.

"And yes. It's very interesting, I find. Though most disagree. I do take part in combat, of course, though strictly defensive - shield and wands give me a wide range of defences, letting others atack"

A pointed look at Fuka there

    "Well, nothing yet, but the day is young!" says Elly, laughing. Being where she is, and not caught, she abandons whatever nefarious ideas she had been entertaining and simply hugs her secretary from behind.

    "I wonder if there should be a statue with more than one Goddess. I will have to look into the lore. Perhaps they are sisters. Or maybe, with luck, I can actually meet them and ask."

    Whatever she's musing, the artists trying to work with their model seem more amused than agitated by her disruption. It helps the they are being paid, though. Elly is the kind of patron they like. Wealthy, steady with her work requests, and just eccentric enough to give them freedom to create.

"I would not put it past them being related," Shiruba replies. She has a few theories from her experiences and lore she's encountered, but nothing concrete enough to be brought up in passing conversation when there are other projects to take priority.

Tradewind chirrups again, this time letting Shiruba know the workers had finished unloading the card of supplies. "Ah, good." She walks back over to her peko and wagon. Taps one of the laborers on the shoulder. "If we can get some of the finished materials loaded up I will take it back with to the port with me to make the next ship to the Palace Lands." The man nods, and starts getting the other not-artisan workers on the task.

Miho has been working hard in the forges on metals for the project, heck she's come by just to chill about but she's dirty, covered in soot and is just rubbing it off her face with a rag. She'll look over to Shiruba as she does and says. "Got to make a lot of heads roll there. Enough about that how is everyone doing!"

Her tail swishes a bit and she has no idea the danger she's walked into.

    You know how sometimes someone gets a sense that somewhere nearby, something terrible has happened. It is as if a million voices cried out for appropriate grooming and were suddenly silenced. Probably by a bad hair day.

    "I must look into something, but my looming is not yet over, Ayame, merely postponed!"

    The baroness glides easily away then. She has a calling! She walks over to Miho and glides into a curtsey. So as to dispel the 'danger'.

    "Miho! I am so pleased you can join us today. We are working on aesthetic matters. Would you like to join us?" See, as long as the answer is yes, that is blanket consent for all that follows. It is a rule. The Baroness just made it up. Which is legal.

Miho has no idea she's in danger and the size difference between her and Wake is almsot comical really with all 5 2 of the tiny little short stack of a smith. Who does seem to be in a good mood.

"Been in the forge the last few days I needed to take a break."

    That sounds like a yes! "Of course. You look like you have earned a spa day." That is how the baroness views it, of course. And frankly, it is not like there will be harm done!

    "Would you like me to help you? The forge has really put your hair through some stress, and your skin could likely use some care, as well. I have some lotions and oils I can suggest for that. And we have some wonderful baths that will set you right in no time at all! Though frankly, warm water feels good, so soaking for a while is a great idea, too."

Miho looks confused for a moment at this. "Wait what are you talking about there but ... a soak sounds good." She grins a bit no idea she's playing right into the Baroness' hands and honestly it's for the best. Miho's long over due for this.

    "It is not problem at all." That is not an answer, but the Baroness rolls with it. She's on a mission. It's in the name of the Goddess! Plus makeovers are fun.

    "Hm, but we can hardly just run off to the bath. But maybe... you know, a bit of earth, a bit of fire, a bit of water. That's really all it takes. And we have two of those things easily handy with the lake and its shore nearby."

    She and the others are on the edge of the Arcade of Eas, where there are many sakura trees in full bloom. A variety of activities are taking place to support artisany efforts. It is all about supporting the Palace Land efforts related to a huge statue of The Blind One.

    To Miho, Wake continues to go on, "I could use some earth to section off part of the lake and then use fire to warm it up. You could have a kind of private bath right here! If you don't have something to change into, I think I have some extra bathing suits that would do the trick."

Miho looks sheepish at this but does reply to the Baroness. "That sounds good and I'll take a swim suit do you ahve any interesting ones?" Oh no she's taken the bait hook line and sinker. "It wouldn't do right to show all my goods off. Got to keep people guessing no?"

    Naniko comes close enough in the art gallery to hear about magic bathing. Reaching out, the water in the fountain balls itself up and rolls out onto the floor in what looks like a lump. It then approaches Miho along the ground, controlled by the bluenette as fresh water from the fountain runs along the ground like it's on a hill, the water ball growing and growing. Raising her hand and pointing it at a spot over Miho's head, the huge water ball floats up in front of her, hovering above the other. "Skidoosh!" Naniko says, lowering her hand to suddenly envelop Mino in water. The water runs back toward the fountain like the angles of the terrain have changed, flowing up and over the edge to re-fill it. Naniko smirks. "There," she says. "Bath accomplished."

    "Interesting ones?" The Baroness is unsure just what that implies, frankly. It leaves matters very open to interpretation. "I tend to only wear one-piece suits, though they do have an open back, so I suppose that is interesting. I could check if there are other options, if you would prefer something a bit more revealing."

    Before she can ramble on much longer, though, Miho is suddenly under the water and getting bathed. The baroness takes a step back, not quite certain what to make of it. "Well! I suppose there are always highly efficient modes to get clean, should you prefer."

Miho is looking to be in good spirits untuil she looks up as she's taking a swimsuit from the Baroness she'll be ready to menu equip it when Sploosh and she lets out a very unhappy noise...

    The air around Miho warms, convection currents being amplified by magic as hot, dry air flows upward over her body. "Sorry," Naniko says, arms out as she manipulates the magic. "That was mean. I couldn't help myself, though."

    Having avoided any water, the baroness is relieved for that, but still rather surprised. She turns from Miho to Naniko, "It.. was one way to do it. Just ask permission going forward. Also, no heat on her hair, if you please. It is time for me to get to work!"

    Wake no longer really has to give Miho a swimsuit. She'll instead focus onher hair. "We'll want to make sure to dry it gently and get going on its hundred strokes."

    She's not speaking figuratively. She has a brush in her hand and she is not afraid to use it. A lot. It's not one of those brutal, jarring brushings. She's trying to make it an enjoyable experience!

Miho had actually loved the idea of a hot tub and now she's not getting it she's a very sad soaked to the bone lzard woman and then she's dried in short order and her long hair. AS ifd anyone's paid attention while in a braid goes past her wasit and almost to her knees. Then Wake is upon her and she make sahn very Salamander sound before she can say anything to Naniko or wake.

    Naniko walks to in front of Miho. "Will you let me take you out for dinner to make it up for you? I know first impressions count for a lot, but I was just being playful. I wasn't thinking."

    When life gives lemons and all that. The braid, naturally, must get address before there can be proper brushing. Wake is good, but she does have to obey certain laws of physics.

    "So.. I will just undo this, and we can redo it when it's ready and.. hm. Nothing is quite ideal. But it will be fixed."

    She pauses to at least get Miho some dry clothes. Modest ones. She may be tall, but she's engaged to someone who is almost exactly Miho's height, which presents many wardrobe options. The style may be different, but a kimono does fit the scene well.

    "Does this work for now? Looking at the blossoms always puts me in the mood for a kimono, honestly. It may just be me."

    And at that, she gets focused. She has to work at fixing Miho's hair, after all. Braids to undo, hair to brush, braid to redo. The life of a baroness is not without its challenges, right?

Miho will take the clothing and put it on while Wake is working with her hair, shes' got a lot of work to do. It's clear though Miho does take care of her hair or at least uses the menu option to deal with it. "That sounds like a good way to make up for it, where would you wanna go?"

    Naniko clears her throat and considers hard. "I wish I spent more time eating out, now," she says. She blushes a bit as she confesses, "I usually just eat menu food..."

Miho stares in abject horror at Naniko. "but that tastes as bad as soggy rice crackers! There's so many people who do make food you can just ask on the chim link why do you do this to yourself?!"

    Naniko blushes hard and takes a step back, the magic faltering and the air returning to normal around Miho. "It's hard for me to get out," she confesses. "I have a hard time with it all, sometimes. Food is fuel, right? It just has to keep me alive." She flips up the hood of her poncho before retracting her arms under it and hugging herself.

Miho would move if she could but the Baroness has her hair and she'll look back to wake. "You need to fix this." She stares "It's souless glop, good food is one of the good speriances in life!"

    Naniko takes a deep breath and lowers her arms to her sides. "Well, I'm taking you out," she says. "You pick the place, I'll pick up the tab. How's that?"

    "Tae is working at the inn today, so there's adventurer food there," suggests Wake. She is still working away, of course. Washed hair can use a touch of oil to shine, and Salamanders need special skincare, too! She's very passionate about her work.

    "And since it's my fiancee, it will of course be the very best Eas has to offer." Not that she is biased! Well she is, but that does not mean she's wrong.

Miho Says "That sounds good to me! We'll head there!" She smirks while he lets Wake get to work and will not fight it.