Two Adventurers Walk into a Bar

    The tournament has been rather wonderful so far. Perhaps Fuka's a bit disappointed some of her favourite people have lost matches, but that's okay. A good loss is better than a win in some cases, and commiseration can be fun too! Though, of course, she's not commiserating with anyone right now. The diminutive sylph is instead relaxing, taking it easy after another day, enjoying an opportunity to relax and unwind with decent food and drink. Not to celebrate, or she'd be in Pela's cafe enjoying pastries or cakes, but to enjoy herself nonetheless.

With the tournament still in full swing, the Green Dragon Inn is quite full this time of day. There is barely a table with a spare seat, other than the one currently occupied by a certain Sylph. That is, for now.

An unusual face for Shibuya, Rylen is currently speaking with a man near the bar, the two signing some sort of document before shaking hands. "The resistance appreciates your support. Have your cart at the docks tomorrow morning and we'll handle the loading." Apparently, he's handling supply shipments to the Palace Lands.

Then, with his usual good cheer, Rylen grabs his drink and... looks around for someplace to sit. One option left!

"Ahh, good day m'lady." He siddles up, shirt-open, looking relaxed as you please. "Mind if I join you? Not much room at the inn today." The Beastmaster grins.

    Considering the tournament indeed, no surprise the most popular inn in town is busy. It's no doubt all out of available rooms, but food and drink is another matter. Fuka is not exactly surprised to be approached. It's not like it's never happened before. But she IS surprised to see who it is, her eyes going a little wide. Coincidence? Fate? Or is Rylen taking the opportunity to do some flirting? Given his open shirt, something Fuka's definitely not oblivious to, it could... well, it could be anything since he's always that way as far as she knows. Well, easy enough to find out! This might even be fun!

    Fuka's expression gives way to a grin, one she tries to minimize with dubious results. She gestures to her table magnanimously, nodding. "Of course! Or is that 'of course not'? I mean, either way you're welcome to join me." she chatters agreeably. "Actually I was considering looking for you at some point, but you know how it is, always everything going on, everyone super busy, that sort of thing~"

Rylen raises his pale eyebrows, returning the grin with one of the same as he takes the chair with one hand and neatly slides himself into it. "I appreciate it." The Pooka takes a drink and looks around, chuckling to himself. "It's good to see such trade coming to Shibuya. I imagine it's good for your Alliance as well. Money makes the world go 'round."

Then, as she mentions wanting to see him, the Beastmaster cocks his head, "Is that so? Color me curious." He leans forward, resting his chin on his free hand and giving her a smouldering look. "Why, pray tell, would a lovely lady like yourself be looking for me?"

    Fuka nodnods enthusiastically at mention of the benefit to the alliance. Yes, she's actually headbobbing more than actually needed. She's not one to care overly much for money herself. It's useful to buy good stuff, but she doesn't collect it for its own sake. Still, she does value what it can buy! "Yes, though we're pretty much funneling any excess profits into the war effort, of course." she agrees. Still, that's to everyone's good. Taking money from those who collect it, and channeling it into good works, well, even the non-merchant side of Fuka can approve of that!

    She can't decide if Rylen's flirting or if this is just Rylen. Not that she minds. It's been a while since she's been seriously hit on, but she doesn't mind it at all. Not when it's playful or ends up being something she can laugh about. It can be a bit scary if it's serious but... well, small risk of that. Fuka's self-aware enough to believe so anyways.

    "Well..." Fuka pauses, looking up and looking a bit flustered. Or rather, looking like she expects she should be bashful and is doing her due best to play it out. "I was mentioning to a certain dear friend that I was looking for ... ah..." she says, drawing out the words either to be dramatic, playful, or because she's actually uncertain how to say it. "Ah, should I say... it's a little lonely sometimes, given how busy I am and how much I move around and she... suggested companionship. And said I might talk to ... to you!"

    And yes, Fuka actually ducks her head like a blushing maiden. Possibly because she's blushing, possibly because she's trying to hide laughter.

"I don't care much for mercantile enterprises, myself, but so far as it fuels helping others..." Rylen tilts his head, accepting that sometimes such things are needed. "You caught me on a lucky day. I'm about to ship back out to the Palace Lands tomorrow with more supplies."

Is Rylen flirting? That is the question, now isn't it?

That curiousity remains as Fukaziroh begins to haltingly lay out her 'needs' as it seems. That lopsided, boyish grin spreads wider, "Ahh, it is a sad thing for a lady to find herself lonesome in these lands. Surely, that won't do."

Lifting his head, Rylen reaches that hand across the table, gently placing warm fingers over one of Fukaziroh's own. "So, tell me more about what kind of companionship you're looking for?" That eyebrow quirks upwards. "Peko? Grunty? There are plenty who prefer cats or dogs."

Then, he throws in a wink, "Or Pooka." Tease.

    It's only a little disappointing that Rylen sees where Fuka's going with this and heads off her teasing. She thought when he'd taken her hand that... well, actually she's not entirely sure what she thinks about it. Certainly she doesn't pull away. She's not the sort to blush and stammer over handholding. But that doesn't mean she's immune to Rylen's charm, or to his charms. She's quite appreciative of a good looking bishy guy after all.

    Still, his response and his tease is too much, and the little sylph breaks out into delighted (and slightly wicked) laughter. "You're not supposed to figure it out so quickly!" she complains, though with good humour and due respect for a tease well-executed. "I was going to drag that out for ... oh, at least a few more seconds surely!" she says, grinning and wiping at her eyes with her free hand. No, she's not actually blushing any more than she normally does, given her fair skin and faerie features. There's always a certain rosiness about her cheeks, though more of youth and vitality than of embarassment.

    "In fairness though, that's what I wanted to ask about. Songbird thought you'd be the best person to ask." Fuka claims, gaining some measure of control. "I mean, I like all animals. My first son had feathers. My second had fur. But since coming here, I've only had Sandy, my Peko. She's wonderful, but she's not really house-trained. And, well, I'm open to options!" she says. "It's just, you know... always on the move, and often in danger." she explains. "I don't want to get a pet and then neglect them by not being around, and I don't want something for battle like Shiba or Miki has. Though their animals are both delightful, I'd really not be happy risking a child like that..."

There is a low, rumbling chuckle from Rylen as she breaks character, his hand gently releasing hers at the same moment. "Ahh, but that's where it is more fun for /me/, darling." The Pooka sits back a little bit, a posture that may be aimed at showing off his physique. "I promise you, there's at least a little bit of brains behind all the dashingly good looks." Another wink follows, showing his own amusement.

"Songbird?" He simply repeats the endearment, perhaps not totally sure who the term might apply to.

Then, he listens, as if completely rapt in what she is saying. That is one of those important things about forming connections with people, giving the impression that you seize their whole attention.

"I see, that is a perplexing set of requirements. Something that can travel with you, can survive danger should it happen, but that you don't intend to train for fighting." Rylen rubs at the partially grown scruff at his chin. "Is 'cuddly' a requirement?" It's hard to tell if that is another attempt at flirting or if he's being serious.

Then, he explains, "It's the great fur, scales, feathers debate. Some people have preferences."

    It's difficult for Fuka to stay serious for long, not when there's little at stake. "Good." she claims in response to Rylen having brains. "Beautiful idiots are boring. Easy on the eyes for sure, but ..." she shrugs expansively, letting the point dangle.

    Fuka appreciates Rylen's serious intention, and resolves to meet him halfway on this. "Not gonna lie, cuddly's a big plus." she claims. "Though I like to think I prefer brains over such things myself, you understand." she adds, perhaps still flirting if only lightly. Still she's trying to be at least somewhat serious. "Honestly when it comes to fur, feathers and scales, I've had the first two. And it turns out I also have a soulbond with Kirin, so that's kinda covered as well! Sorry if I'm not making this any easier a choice, but I'm pretty openminded when it comes to these sorts of things..." she claims.

    With that done, she returns briefly to one glossed-over point. "Songbird? You might know her. Cute brainy spriggan girl? Has a lab inside your ranch?" Fuka teases. While not everyone would call Uta brainy, Fuka's being sincere. She wouldn't mock her friend by saying something like that if she wasn't sincere. Fuka may have different standards than most, but she always sees the best in those she holds dear.

"Well, if you want something portable, you could go for a bun-bun. They're small, fluffy and cuddly, but you have to be careful not to let it get loose and find a swarm." Rylen starts with that suggestion, one finger tapping at the side of his cheek as he seems to think through other options.

"If you wanted something sturdier, a dog, a wolf or even a young bear might suffice. Though I imagine each of those would require quite a bit more training investment." Then, an idea seems to spark in his mind, "If you want something more unique, you might try looking at some Palace Land animals. They're certainly unusual!"

Following that, Rylen starts listing off some names of potential Palace Land animals, including: Polar Bear-Dog, Turtle-Duck, Cat-Owl, Raccoon-Crow to name a few. The Palace Lands is has endless strange creatures.

Then, as Fukaziroh explains who 'Songbird' is, he smiles, "Ahh, their royal highness! I see. I'm afraid that I haven't had much of a chance to spend time with Uta as of late. The war has kept me far, far too busy, even for family."

    "Hmmmmm." Fuka muses, considering the options. "I do like bun-buns but I'm going to be on the road a lot. One getting loose is probably too much of a risk." she admits. "I don't mind training. I'm not afraid of hard work!" Fuka boasts. Not that she'd consider bonding with an animal to be work, not exactly. But she does understand the importance of training an animal as part of taking responsibility for one.

    But the other suggestions are perhaps even more intriguing. A tough animal is good, sure, but that just seems like it encourages using such an animal in a battle situation which is something Fuka's just not comfortable with. She's no pokemon trainer after all. She smiles at the suggestion of a polar bear-dog, picturing such a monstrosity as a lap beast. But the others... "Hmmmm." she repeats. "A flying beast might be good. They can keep out of reach of most monsters, and it'd be something that could travel with me, assuming I trained them properly." she nods thoughtfully. "A cat-owl sounds adorable. And a raccoon-crow sounds smart and playful! Do you know anything about them? How safe they are to domesticate? How to get one, other than... well, the obvious?" she asks. "I tend to travel to the Palace Lands myself these days, helping shepherd some more perishable supplies for our troops, but I don't think I'd be any good at capturing a pet for myself. Not to mention it feels like a bit of a betrayal! Maybe lure something with some good food... what do they eat?"

Finding just the right combination of creature for someone's needs is not always easy. "If flying is the ticket, I'd definitely look towards some of the Palace Land creatures. Their mixed-lineages tend to make them a bit sturdier than a lot of the default birds we find here in Yamato."

Rylen lifts his drink to his lips again, taking a long drink before setting it down. "Honestly, I don't have much experience with them directly. I would imagine it has to do with which of the two creatures their personality most resembles. A cat-owl is more likely to be aloof and difficult to train. Where-as a Raccoon-Crow would probably be quite easy to train and tame. Both are food motivated and highly intelligent."

He folds his arms across his chest, thoughtful, "I could certainly help you capture one, if we were to come across one in our travels. It shouldn't be too hard. The main problem is /that/ exact question. I would imagine fruits, nuts, or seeds are a good cross-over that both raccoons and crows would eat. Start there, perhaps?"

    "Food-motivated and highly intelligent? Sounds like me!" Fuka grins playfully, hopefully making it clear she's being only slightly serious. At least with the bragging.

    She considers the suggestion, nodding slightly. It's true, the Palace Lands are difficult regions, so the beasts there have to be good at surviving. Yes that seems like a good idea, to seek out something like that. Besides it appeals to Fuka's quirky nature! She's just not sure about the logistics. Rylen's help would definitely be welcome. "Well, I'm still here for a few days, but I'll probably be catching the next ship over to the Palace Lands after the tournament. Deliveries to make, fortifications to improve." she notes casually. "While I'm over there I'll ask around. Some of the uncrowned have got to know about these sorts of things, I'll bet. And if you can help, that'd be amazing!" she grins. "It's a little bit scary of an idea, but... well..."

"Well, my ship departs in the morning if you want a free ride." Rylen offers, quirking one of those eyebrows again. "I'd be more than happy to share my quarters if you'd like, darling." That flirty tone returns to his voice at that.

"But, alas, if you need a few more days, then I'll have to await your arrival in the Palace Lands. The War doesn't wait." He touches his chest, as if truly put out by this fact.

"But yes, once we are there, I'm sure we can arrange something with our Uncrowned brethren. A creature like that shouldn't be too hard to track down. It will just be important to develop a good relationship with it. The animals here often seem... more intelligent than those back home. So treating them with kindness and respect goes a long way."

    Fuka laughs at the flirtation, genuinely amused and not expecting it to be meant with any seriousness. It's a game after all. A fun game, and Rylen seems to enjoy that sort of play. If she took it more seriously it might not come across quite so harmless and might make things a bit more awkward, but Fuka has no reason to believe there's any seriousness intended. Especially because she knows what sort of person she is. Fun, sure. Weird, certainly. But attractive? There's a reason the semi-sentient RNG gave her a body easily mistaken for that of a child. A reason she's perfectly happy being a figure few would seriously hit on.

    "I'll have to take a pass on that, or at least a rain check." Fuka grins right back. Playing, not serious. "Duty calls for us both, and I have to wait at least for the awards and closing ceremonies." she says with mock regret. "And the parties. Oh the parties~" she adds with a dramatic sigh.

    More seriously, Fuka does acknowledge Rylen's advice. "I've noticed that with Sandy, and actually a bunch of animals here." she agrees. "And I wouldn't treat one with less respect than I would any person, lander or otherwise." There are some parallels between the smartest beasts and the simplest landers after all, and Fuka has no interest in any one who would abuse either. Even if they're literally just NPCs in a game, as Fuka has come to believe, that's no reason to treat them poorly. "So I suppose I'll have to look you up when I get to the Palace Lands then! Sounds like fun!"

"Such a shame." Rylen replies with a wink. "The job of a hero is never done, is it?" Taking his glass, the Pooka drains the last of it and sets it back down again, giving a sound of contentment. "You enjoy the parties for me, darling. I'll be off on the front lines, fighting the good fight."

He pushes himself up, offering her a bow that has a bit more flourish than it likely should have. "I look forward to the next time we meet. It is always a pleasure to share a drink with a lovely lady." That damn rogueish grin is still there as he tips his head.

    "Hero?" Fuka scoffs good-naturedly. "I'm just a girl who likes parties! Some of them happen to be adventurer parties, that's all!" she claims. "Enjoy the front lines and showing off! Try not to get badly stabbed, it'd be quite a shame to ruin that body!" she adds roguishly, mostly because she's pretty sure Rylen'll get a kick out of the comment. And because he is really quite the work of art, in all fairness. Hey so he's her type, at least physically. Fuka's into the simple pleasures, and sometimes that includes those of the eyes!

    Fuka takes a drink of her own ale that's somewhere between a sip and a quaff, returning it as something of a salute to Rylen's last drink. "Take care then, Ryguy, and ... really, thanks! I'll tell Songbird you give good advice to lonely girls~" she adds.