A Song of Ice and Cream

The situation is back to normal at the Royal Society for the Appreciation and Study of Gelatinous Creatures. Uta got cleaned up, fed, and started getting her regular amount of of sleep. Perhaps more than that, to compensate for her devastating schedule of the last month.

Case in point, she's currently sprawled half-in-half-out of her futon, in her slime-pattern nightie (courtesy of Gwen, of course). One of her nostrils is the origin of a bubble that inflates and deflates with her breathing. it seems like that not even the daylight flooding the place is enough to wake her up.

"Hey, shouldn't Uta be awake at this time?", wonders one of the farm hands outside the lab, as he shovels hay to make monster bedding. "I think she said to wake her up at about this time, yeah," mutters the other. "But right now we're too busy with the hay." Another generous serving is shoveled in. "She'll have to wait until we're done."

    Merek will walk along and into the place, looking about while waving when he notes that Uta is about, though she's kept in the nightie while he takes the time to think about the farm people, "Uta, wake up!"

    It's quite possible Fuka has been introduced to the Slime Lab at some point off-camera. It's certainly possible she knows enough about it to decide it might be exactly what she needs right now, though of course she's never actually done any work there beyond possibly a few casual tasks. Still, it's a place with stuff, and stuff that could be useful to the currently obsessed Fukaziroh!

    She makes her way into the labs, past the farm hands, waving cheerfully to them. "I'll wake her up!" she promises blithely as she pushily makes her way inside. Yes, Fuka's here first thing in the morning. She's probably been traveling all night, based on how grimy she is and the dark circles under her eyes. An obvious change from her normally careful grooming and attention to appearance and self-care.

    She doesn't have to wake Uta up however, as Merek is there to do the deed. It doesn't stop her pushing her way inside however, as it's Uta she's come to see.

The nose bubble pops. Uta stands still. Not a movement, not a muscle twitches. Until, she makes a noise.

"Grmrgnnnnn...."

Her eyes shut tighter in a wince, she slowly, slowly, moves one forearm to shield her face from the light.

"Gnnn... mglghl...."

It seems like Uta is not a morning person. Or, given her irregular schedule, not a 'just awoken' person.

"Mfpfghhh... gflll..."

In a zombie-like state, with herculean effort, she pushes herself to stand. If her hair was cut longer than her current pixie-bob, she'd make a pretty convincing Samara.

Well, minus the part with the cutsey pastel slimes on her nightie. Those kinda kill the horror mood.

Once she's standing fully (but still teetering side to side), she squints through the narrow slits formed by her eyelids, stretches, yawns, and clicks her tongue a few times.

"Mrhghnn...", she greets.

    You know how the best way to get what you want is to be assertive about it? Well that's Fuka in a nutshell. Her fey mood really hasn't changed that, just shaped it a little. The biggest change is Fuka's lack of *other* priorities like eating, sleeping, grooming...

    Speaking of which, she gets in to the door to Uta's bedchamber quite easily. "Is that Uta's dulcet tones I hear? Good hrnguluh to you too!" she greets cheerily, and quite probably loudly. She may have messed up the lyrics of the greeting, but the exact word has never been all that important to her beyond the feelings the words engender. She is, in fact, quite a poet that way.

Despite Fukaziroh's likely irony, there is a subtle differece in Uta's voice. Anyone who's heard Uta grunt before will notice a subtle shift in her grunts. They're slightly more pleasant and melodious.

Not -absolutely- pleasant and melodious, mind you. Just- more than before.

"Mornngghh..."

Oh, look, we're inching into proper word territory!

Uta yawns once again with a long, wide stretch, returns to a hunched posture, and walks right past Fuka, straight to her workbench. She fiddles with some pharmaceutical equipment, scoops up some dark powder from a can into a pot, and fires up what might or might not be a bunsen burner. Merek (and possibly Fuka) will recognize the powder as coffee. With the pot set to warm up, and with her brain having been poked into tasks sufficiently complex to recombobulate some of her neural circuits, Uta turns and looks towards the rest of the assembled people. "Hi, Fuka. Hi, Merek." Half asleep tone notwithstanding, the impression from before is reiterated: her voice, despite being recognizable as unmistakably Uta's, somehow comes off as more pleasant than before.

    Merek will nod along and to Uta and will take the time to relax, "It's nice you are about, doing alright?" the man asks. There is also a wave along to Fuka.

It's not an uncommon sight to see Kauchemar wander through the Quick-Feather Ranch or it's partner facilities. It tended to be her place to crash in Alne when her Messenger jobs required her to stay near the Marina, as well as where she stabled her nightmare steed when not utilizing him. Though wandering into someone's personal space was... well actually that's not super strange either considering she can be rather nosey when she wants to be.

The uncommon sight is that as a performer she typically keeps her appearances up and well groomed. But it's obviously not been as of late as her midnight mane is an unkempt cascade behind her and her outfit still sports the scruffs and dirt of the trek to Garcia. She takes a couple of steps into the room, before her gaze snaps from whatever far-off thing it was looking at to the room around her. "What are you all doing in m--" She stops, lavander eyes blinking a few times as it dawns on her. "--Oh, this isn't the room I use here."

    "Oh hey is that coffee?" Fuka notes, interested. She's a definite coffee drinker. She looks rather eager in fact. "I feel so tired these days." she adds, perhaps as a hint. Of course she looks like what she *really* needs is a solid 8 hours sleep, not a mug of coffee. "Though you certainly seem to need it more." she adds, as she rides the manic edge of her mind fever.

    Merek also gets a sunny greeting from the little Sylph, though it's in the form of a smile and wave rather than words, in reply to his own greeting. Huh, maybe he's not a morning person? That's fine, she doesn't mind everyone's own individual differences. Makes no difference in her friendships.

    She gives a more vocal response to Kauchemar, though it's equally sunny. "Kaumare!" she greets cheerfully. Then she abruptly frowns. "You look terrible!" she adds, in a seriously pot-and-kettle sort of way. Not that she's judging the nightmare for it, just observing it with some sympathy... and some gentle ribbing for someone she's sure can take it.

The pot you watch never boils, no matter how many names the kettle calls it, and Uta is pretty good at not watching her coffee in the making or letting its pot interact with the kettle. She just keeps staring ahead, scruffy and unkempt herself, but in her case, it's just a case of morning hair (and morning brain). She pours herself a glass of water, takes a couple of sips, and after a little more staring in and out of focus, she gives her reply to the nightmare. "...No, Kauchemar, but if you want you can use the tatami space I'm clearing up in a while. I disclaim any responsibility for tabby slimes that might decide to sit on your face while you're asleep. Yes, it's a thing they do. On the plus side, no claws. On the other hand, acid."

"I'm doing alright, Merek, thank you. Just-" Big yawn. "-very sleepy. But I'll get caught up soon."

"You can have some coffee when it's ready, Fuka. In fact, anyone can. I'm making a whole pot, so there's going to be plenty... for... everyone..."

Her words slow down as realization strikes. And then she snaps completely awake. "Now, wait just a minute..."

Eyes completely open, her attention darts from Fuka, to Kauchemar, to Fuka again.

"By the Goddesses-"

She jumps out of her stool, rushes to where Fukaziroh is. "Now stand perfectly still. I will need a brief physical contact to perform medical inspection."

Uta has been studying Strange Moods a lot, and she knows the signs of one when she sees one.

She turns her head towards Kauchemar. "And don't you run away, you're next."

Frazzled mane rustles as Kauchemar shifts a bit to the side and looks down at her disheveled outfit. "I suppose I do." She's not insulted, but that she seems a little off her usual foray in not offering a snappy retort on the hypocrit-- "Guess it takes one to know one." --Okay there it is, but it's mediocre at best. Clearly something else is on the Nightmare Were Fang's mind.

She gives a dimissive wave of a hand at Uta's suggestion of another location. "For one, I know, I have a Tabby Slime. For two, I was just collecting some of the stuff I left here." She produces a few leafs of parchment with a scattering of music notation on them and shakes them lightly. "Inspiration has struck in Eas and I need to keep close to it." Pause.

"I'll take some of that coffee though."

    Fuka inspects as suffering from the exhausted state, or possibly tired, so it must be affecting her stats. She's not sick though, not exactly. Her current state of disregard isn't causing actual disease or anything like that. Yet. She's also hungry but not to the level of granting a status effect. The usual suspects, however, are present.

    She seems amused by Uta's reaction, not offended, and deliberately freezes in position to get her checkup. "Did you want me to strip for proper inspection?" she teases. Seriously Uta's so vulnerable to that sort of tease. So innocent... except aware enough of it to react appropriately.

    "Yeah, I know the feeling!" she claims to Kauchemar, peering over Uta's shoulder. She's not nearly tall enough to peer over her head, not unless Uta's kneeling. "Inspiration, yes! That reminds me. Uta, do you have electric slimes? Or possibly ice slimes? Or maybe some well-calibrated mana-ometers I could do some experiments with?"

    There's probably a better word than mana-ometer, but Fuka doesn't know it. The specific term is unimportant to her, as long as the concept is clear enough!

"No stripping needed, especially from -you-" Uta blurts out, with a blush. "You can't be trusted with-" She hesitates, tapping her lips while she looks up and thinks. "-anything!", is what she finally exclaims.

Fukaziroh might not be aware of it, yet, but Uta sees something else in her inspection. "Fey Mood. The subject is resonating with the Primordial Song. I -knew- it!", she exclaims, punching her fist. "Let me guess, you are working on some crafting project. Something grand, something all-encompassing something... that cannot wait, right?" Uta asks, with a sudden shift in posture. She stands straight, hands clasped together into each other diagonally, genuinely concerned, but restrained. Her soft, soothing, conrolled tone leaves no doubt at this point. It's not generally her voice, it's her vocal -technique- that has been kicked up a notch.

"I will try to come up with something for you if that's what you need," Uta says, as she covers the distance to her washbaisin and navigates her menu to give herself a Menu Grooming Routine. Which involves a lot of shimmering of her body; the first time to clean herself up, the second to replace her nightie with her gi/nurse's uniform, the third limited to her hair, to replace her unkempt mass with a decently combed version thereof.

    Merek nods a little along to everyone, "Anyway. Interesting. That Primordial song will be a bit interesting," he will admit, while he thinks about all of that a little bit, "Well. I wonder what it means," the man admits.

Kauchemar shuffles through her notes again. And again while waiting... then pauses, tiling her head. More specifically tilting her head and twitching an ear in Uta's direction while she's conversing with Fuka. Even in her current state of mind to the sharp ears of the Bard the difference in Uta's voice stands out even if it isn't as obvious when she's not singing. "Huh.. interesting..." But then her attention drifts back to her own focus.

    Fuka watches in fascination as Uta shimmers, cleaning herself up and preparing to socialize with menu functions. It reminds her that she's not exactly... up to her usual standards of presentability. No she's not trying to see something she shouldn't. She likes Uta, but that sort of thing is not at all involved. Except perhaps teasingly, of course.

    While she doesn't know what the primordial song is all about, she's hung out with Uta enough to have some faint clues. That's not the important part though. "OH YES!" Fuka enthusiastically agrees. "Methods for food storage and transport!" she claims, easily giving her 'excuse' rather than the obsession behind it. "I'm creating a method to ... well, basically I'm trying to create refrigeration. Powered by mana, naturally. I've got some idea on the spell forms, but the power storage is giving me *such* a headache I can barely think of anything else! It won't be at all useful if a mage has to be constantly working to keep everything chill!"

    Fuka also adds in protest, mock-hurt but totally pleased nonetheless, "Hey I can totally be trusted with anything!" she claims. "You trust me, right?" she adds, still more teasing than anything serious. "I can't promise what sort of things might happen, naturally. And I can't help it if you might fall badly for me~" she says, laughing as she teases.

Uta, now, blushes an even deeper shade of red. "Nobody is falling for anybody, is that clear? This is -not- that kind of videogame!"

It takes Uta a moment for her mind to catch up, but when it does-

"Refrigeration? That-" The Spriggan taps her chin. "...that could have relevant medical applications. Preserving tissue. Storing medicine and vaccines. Enabling specific chemical reactions. Sterilization, too."

Uta beams at Fukaziroh. "You go girl. This is a good one, well done! I am proud of you!" She turns and steps towards Kauchemar, eager to inspect the Bard as well. "I am sorry for my reaction, earlier. Coming up with such a selfless, altruistic project bound to save so many lives." Her voice lowered, with a hint of embarrassment, she adds, "I wish I could be half as good a person as you are."

While she navigates through her menu to find the option for medical inspection, she turns to address Merek, "Merek, can you please take a look at the coffee while I inspect Kauchemar?"

    Merek nods to Uta, and will go to check on the coffee, while he takes the time to relax and work on it.

    "It *wasn't* that kind of video game!" Fukaziroh protests, not at all seriously. It'd probably be kind of creepy if she was serious about this sort of thing, but she's never actually shown any signs of being that way with anyone, no matter how much of a flirt she is.

    She's quite pleased at Uta's reactions, both the blush and the approval for her project. "That's what I was thinking though!" she totally lies. She hadn't considered refrigeration for medical purposes at all, but she did know it was historically an absolutely huge step in increasing quality of life overall. Just not all the details. Uta's approval warms her though, even if the 'selfless' label isn't particularly accurate. "It's also the first step needed to produce and market ICE CREAM!" she gushes, swept up in the moment.

Kauchemar isn't entirely deaf to the conversation. She does bob a fingertip in Fuka's direction. "That is a very good one, actually. Especially in that you're taking advantage of what this world has to offer in magic and elemental forces to do so." She pauses a moment. "Cold is a pretty common aspect in water and ice, you probably could find frost themed slimes pretty easily... but then you'd have to protect the food from them as well. You'll probably need charged runes like we see in dungeons sometimes. Or crystals. Their static and ordered molecular structure is probably easier to make hold a charge."

Then she's back to staring off, mind wandering to her own project and unflinching as Uta gives her more thorough inspection as well.

"Well, I am at least not going to play it that way," Uta snaps with an even deeper blush, eager to change the subject.

Uta blinks at what comes next. "Ice cream? I mean, uh, sure, that is one of the possible applications, but- ooh. Ooooooh. OOOOOOOOH." Uta says. But adds nothing else.

"Keeping slimes too close to food is a recipe for disaster, believe me," Uta mumbles in response to Kauch's observations. "Hm," Uta says, disappointed, as she inspects Kauchemar. "Doesn't show, but that doesn't mean... I shoud try with the Songs. Those tend to elicit a response anyway."

At this point, Merek will notice that the coffee is ready. Time to serve people, it would seem.

"Oh, that reminds me, Merek- and you too, Kauchemar. You're both invited to the Official Grand Opening of the conservatory when that happens. It-"

Her eyes fall on her futon, still rolled out on the floor.

"Oh, dear, oh dear, no. That won't do. I have to leave things tidy and organized." She drops her current conversation, and heads over to free the tatami space where she was sleeping. "Merek, please check in the box next to the pot," she says, over her shoulder. "There should be some cake. Would you be so kind to offer Kauchemar and Fuka a double serving?"

    Before Fuka's idea had taken over her mind and become an obsession, she had thought it through fairly thoroughly. Both her alliance and her friends are serious about working with the world and the Landers without disrupting them with invasive technology. She'd brought up the idea with the New World Alliance at one point, and received their blessing to try it.

    "Well, I'm an enchanter." Fuka notes, nodding along with Kauchemar's suggestions. "Charged runes seemed like the likeliest approach for me, and of course water magic is most likely to be what's needed. I tried air at first just because it's so much easier for me to work with, but I ended up making a potion of fresh air, not something that keeps the enclosure cool."

    It actually came in handy too, but not at all in a way she'd expected, and it's not something she's bothered to remember how to make. She's probably lost the notes by now too, given that she's lost in an obsession.

    "I'm trying to research the necessary runes. It'll take some experimentation, but I think I'm well on my way with that aspect." she notes. Indeed, the Enchantment aspect is going smoothly. She still needs some work on actually constructing what's needed though, and more research and effort on the enchanting. "And of course, I'm still working on the power source. Fairly sure a permanent enchantment would be relic level, and beyond anyone since the Alves made enchantments. But something a mage could transfer power into, and then runs for a day or a few days on the stored mana, that seems possible! With the right power sources...."

    She cuts off her technomagic blather when Uta mentions cake. And a double serving! "Oooooooh. THANK YOU BOTH!" she adds, practically overflowing with heartbubbles you could almost see. <3

As it turns out just mentioning something Song related is enough to snap Kauchemar's attention back to the immeadiate conversation. "It's finished? Wow, somehow I missed that news." Though not a surprise considering her state of mind. Or that it was only recently. "Congratulations! And of course, I'm sure I can work out time to be there." She looks at the bundle of sheet music in her hand, then huffs and tucks it away in her inventory. The desire is there, but she's not feeling the immeadiate inspiration. Maybe because she's strayed a bit far from the source of it.

"I'll let you know if I come across any interesting new musical aspects. I need to visit the cultural centers of the nations anyways." Kauchemar makes a flamboyant wave of one hand as if gesturing at some far off location, acting a bit more like her usual self for the moment. "If I am going to compose the new land an anthem, it needs to stand with the others of Yamato," the other hand is clenched into a tight fist of grasping at an actually non-physical idea, "while still expressing what makes Eas stand out; what the people have done to make the land their own!"

    "Grand opening?" It's not something that directly competes with Fuka's obsession, but she always takes interest in things her friends are interested in. Their enjoyment and/or obsession being what she takes pleasure in, naturally. "Congratulations! Oh, and while you're working on putting this place in order, you might consider redrawing Setsu's place on the organization chart. Or at least his image." she notes absently, having been looking about and checking the place out. The cartoony image of a man with one bony leg stood out, especially with her recent knowledge.

    After a moment she returns to her obsession, triggered by something Kauchemar said. "Say Kaumare, you have an in with Waku-waku?" she asks. That may not be her actual nickname for the Baroness; Fuka just enjoys not getting names right. "I was considering going there to do some of the construction and testing. I'm sure they have good libraries right? And facilities? I'm sure they'd be happy to get a prototype or something in exchange for use of a workshop, and possibly a little research funding and such?"

"I'll need all the bards and song-hunters I can gather. Trusted people," she says. "The Conservatory will preserve and share Lander culture, but there are some things about the Songs most Landers aren't aware of. Something I, myself, do feel like sharing... but do not yet feel like sharing -indiscriminately-, as I've told you. Keep them among trusted parties."

She moves to sit at a table, and drums her fingers there while looking out of a window. "...I've found out more since our last chat. I'll be glad to share at the right moment." She once again looks to the people in the room, Kauchemar and Merek in particular. "Part of the reason of existence of the Conservatory is instituting a group of Song Hunters, and having enough phonographs for each member to always have one with them. I'll hold a meeting, and that'll be the right moment to share everything I've found out. You're invited, no, encouraged to take part, of course."

"...What's up with Setsuna? Why does he need a new place on the chart? Or a new image? Did he turn himself into a skeleton? Or a slime?" She grunts and hides her face in her hand. "I -knew- this would happen, one day."

"I hope it's a skeleton," she grumbles. "I would feel very conflicted about whether I should pat him on the head or kick him if he's a slime now."

"Have 'a way in'?" Kauchemar smirks at Fuka. "I am her favoritest Nightmare after all." Pause. "Of course, she only really knows two, and the other is my steed so he doesn't really count, but that's besides the point. I'm also her court musician and official messenger." Dismissive flick of the hand. "Not to mentin Tae would probably take great interest in your preservation method, being the one that loves to cook. Of course, of couurse..." She trails off a moment.

Then smacks a hand against her forehead. Thankfully not stabbing herself on the small horn she has. "I almost forgot why I was here." A few utterances and a snap of the fingers summons an armored gauntlet. Which clunks to the floor. "Uh, that wasn't supppose to work that way." She leans down to pick it up. "This is suppose t--ack!" The gauntlet jerks to motion, flicking her on the nose with two digits, and then floating to shake a finger at her sternly when she lets go. "Okay, okay! I'm sorry! It was a delayed reaction, my attention waived. Now stop fussing and go down to my corner and grab my travel bag." The gauntlet drifts ouf of the room.

Kauchemar huffs. "Binders can be so fussy sometimes. Especially ones summoned for specific purposes."

    Merek offers a little bit of cake to Fuka and Kauchemar, while he takes the time to pour everyone a little bit of that coffee while he works along the place and will nod.

    Fuka laughs at that. "He's not a slime, no." she reassures. "He grew a new leg. I don't know, I think maybe Prof had something to do with it." she observes, not being sure of such a thing but of course having a good-faith belief in the gossip. "And you can totally pat him on the head OR kick him, whenever he deserves either! No conflict needed!"

    A little more seriously, she peers at the discussion on song. She's not obsessed with song like some people certainly, but she has a strong appreciation for music and a previously-mentioned interest in her friends' obsessions. "You can count on me to help. And not to blab anything I shouldn't." she says. Then rethinks. "Well, not to blab actual secrets anyways. I'm always blabbing things I *shouldn't*." Fuka grins.

    "Seriously though. If you ever need help hunting down songs, or even just want companionship on the road, let me know and I'll be there!" she reassures. "I mean it too! This whole ice... this whole refrigeration thing is super important, but I don't ever want to be the person that ignores a friend, even for super important things! And that goes for any of you!" she promises without reservation. "You have my permission to drag me kicking and screaming if need be!"

    Fuka watches Kauchemar's performance, wincing a little inwardly as she figures the bumbling isn't usual. Probably a reflection on her own current situation too, Fuka reflects. Oh well, if it's not something either can help, then it's nothing to comment on. She's distracted by cake momentarily though, and that's a good thing! But only for a moment. Soon she's back, more or less attentive. "Summoning seems super cool. You and the other summoners seemed pretty terrifying during the tournament, I gotta say. One day I'll have to show you the terror that is produced by a mighty battle fairy, however!" she grins. "So... whatta ya got?"

"New leg, huh?" The surprise is genuine. "I didn't think someone would have been able to convince him to get rid of that nonsense. Glad it finally happened."

Uta receives the cake and coffee from Merek. "Oh, thanks! Excellent job here," she says, and begins to have some well-deserved breakfast. "I trust your discretion. And just to be clear, I'm not trying to keep -secrets- here. I'm a firm believer in open research and shared knowledge. It's just that, you know, we're dealing with Songs which change the world and re-shape people's minds. The Church of Alba knows of them. They -sing- them in specific occasions. And yet, they're politely secretive about them. Without even acknowledging that they are secretive. So... it's more like... being careful about how we share, and with whom."

"It'll be a while before we can get this thing started properly," Uta says, after a sip of coffee. "Hopefully we won't need to drag you there kicking and screaming. But if so, hey, I've been considering some Physical training myself. That would be good exercise."

Seems like Uta has decided to return the teasing.

"I'll be more than glad to kick your mighty battle fairy sacrum if you decide to challenge me as part of the duelist league." Wait, what? A -second- instance of Uta dishing out brash battle talk? Kauchemar is being a bad influence on her.

"If I remember my medieval etiquette correctly," Uta says to Kauchemar, head tilted and squinting, "I think your binder has just challenged you to a duel too."

"He finally replaced that leg proper, huh?" Kauchemar accepts the cake and chomps it down without really thinking about it farther than food was presented. Eat and get back to work on things. "Summoning is a pretty diverse field in itself, most that follow it develope their own secialties. Uta has her slimes, Setsuna is a necromancer, I focus more on elementals and supernaturals. Spirits and such." She wobbles one hand back and forth. "There's some overlap there, but by the definitions within the game Undead and Spirits are two seperate types of Monster."

She snorts softly as Uta gets a bit spicy with the duel talk. Bad influence? Nah, just getting her to let the Spriggan dark side show a little more.

"That would of been if it had slapped me, like one does with a glove," Kauchemar notes. Then proceeds to chug down the coffee accompanying the cake. Meanwhile said Binder returns, carrier her larger satchel by the strap.

    Fuka shrugs, somewhat disinterested in the distinction between discreet and secret. If her friend doesn't want her to speak about it, that's good enough for her! She's also not at all offended by teasing, naturally. "You know, I've been meaning to join the duelling league." she admits. "You may not know it, but back in the pre-apocalypse days I was a force to be feared in one-vee-one!" Fuka boasts. Possibly even with actual reason! "But ... not sure I have the time right now. Ghhhh, I should *make* time for it! I hate feeling like there's no time for important things!" she says, trying to convince herself and not having a great time of it. Maybe next month... maybe.

    Still, she's not beyond a little more teasing. "No, I think Uta's right. Throwing down the gauntlet practically *defines* a challenge! Slapping someone with a gauntlet just means it's personal!" she says to Kauchemar, grinning. "Maybe I'll throw down the gauntlet with YOU once we both have a bit more free time, huh? Show you how it's done!" Fuka taunts. "Might even help you with your project so we're both done a little faster, if you've got any parts of it that might need a bit of help?"

"Don't give it any ideas." Kauchemar accepts the satchel, slinging it over her shoulder by the strap. "Keeping Monsters in line is an effort of dominance and will as it is." She pats the ghostly gauntlet on top the same way one might pet a dog on the head for a successful fetch and return, then dismisses it. "But yes. When both of us are not... reoccupied with our endeavours. Then I will show you how I got to be a semifinalist in the tournament, yes. Until then, take care." With that she turns and slip out of the room, and in her usual manner manages to sort of disappear into the shadows of the building.

"Kauchemar is right, you know," Uta remarks to Fuka, after a niblble of cake and a sip of coffee. "I have never been the assertive type, but when dealing with monsters you have no other choice. They won't listen to reason. All they understand is superior force."

She places her dish with cake on the table next to her, the moment marked by the quiet sound of ceramic against wood. She holds her cup with both hands, one below it, one around it, and looks down, a veil of sadness descending on her expression. "I have always suffered from a lack of assertiveness, and sometimes, when I am alone, I... I... I wonder if I'm too much of a pushover to be a proper monster handler. I've never amounted to much because-"

While Uta keeps on rambling, slow, surreptitious, a basic pink slime quietly slithers on the table behind her. It elongates and retracts slowly, the closest a blob of goo can come to tiptoing, until it reaches the slice of cake that's been placed there. It opens it mouth and-

*SLAM!*

The martial arts technique is so fast it's not even a blur. The terrified little glob is staring at the gloved hand that's holding it down, pinned to the floor, with a knife held at the closest equivalent of its mouth. "Don't. You. Dare," Uta utters in a low glower, as the Spriggan is completely enveloped in a black magical aura that flutters like wisps of smoke, only her eyes, completely white without pupil, glare down at the minuscule monster.

That face inches down, to almost touch the slime's, which tries to wiggle itself free, but purple tendrils of magic dig into it and -- well, let's just say it looks like it -hurts-.

"Have I made myself clear enough?" Uta's voice is completely different now, like a whisper from a sleep paralysis. The slime nods a few times, frantically. Anything, just anything to make this stop.

"Good," the Dark Silhouette says, and the Aura of Darkness evaporates, revealing the Spriggan underneath. She picks up the slime, carefully places it in her lap, and begins to pet it. "What was I saying? Oh. Oh, yes." She sighs, and looks down at the slime, with a hint of worry. "Sometimes I wonder if I'm cut for this job at all..."

The slime, understnadably, looks very confused at this turn of events. She tries to put up its best smile, but does not look relaxed. At all.

    "Dominance and will, you say?" Fukaziroh says, licking her lips in a way that's probably supposed to be suggestively sexy but more likely comes off like she's eager for more cake. Which, to be fair, she probably is. Of course Kauchemar is leaving so perhaps it's for the best Fuka doesn't manage to ensnare her with suggestiveness and feminine wiles... such as they are.

    Instead Fuka studies Uta's explanation, finding it rather interesting despite her having no particular interest in monster domination. Er, handling. Uta has a certain way about her when discussing one of her pet interests. She's not alone either; it's a trait of certain people, particularly nerds and other social outcasts, that attracts Fuka to them. Not THAT kind of attraction, naturally, just a drawing out of interests and commonality.

    When Uta whirls on the slime, Fuka gets to witness exactly what that leads to. And, not going to lie, it's fascinating to her. She considers reassuring Uta that she is, indeed, cut out for the job. The words seem a bit weak though, a bit unconvincing. She has a better idea.

    "Yes, mistress." Fukaziroh says in a hoarse whisper, sounding about as submissive as she ever gets, which isn't actually saying much. "You have been very clear, thank you mistress!"

    Abruptly Fuka grins, breaking the spell. Suggesting that it was just a joke. "Not going to lie though, that was kind of hot." she says. "You know if you were like that around the boys, you'd have to beat them off with a stick!" she adds. Wait, doesn't Uta actually use a staff in combat? How convenient!

"I- IFGHHLGLG- PFFPFGGH-"

This time Uta's whole face flushes -bright- red, and her tongue is tied up in knots. Her whole cup slips from her hands, and shatters to the floor.

"GH- GH- GH-" She stretches her neck and attempts to vocalize, but by now she's a twitching mess. "N-NO! DON'T EVEN SAY THAT! IT'S ALMOST AS BAD AS WHEN I ORDERED MY MONSTER HANDLING PROTECTIVE GEAR!"

* * * FLASHBACK TIME * * *

Cut to the Chainmail Battle Bikini +1. It's a normal working day, Gwen and Morri going about their business, when Uta bursts into the store. Without context, she yells, "I need a full-body leather suit! And I need it fast!"

One can imagine the faces Gwen and Morri have made at this point.

* * * END FLASHBACK * * *

At least, Uta has one thing to be glad for: that people can't see flashbacks.

    People can't see flashbacks, but Fuka's expression at Uta's fierce blush makes her think she can. She can almost see it, honest. Something about monster handling protective gear, no doubt. Fuka's decidedly dirty imagination can fill in plenty of details. "No, don't tell me. It involved chains and whips? Oh, and leather armor. Lots and lots of leather armor!" she teases relentlessly. Then, anticipating Uta's reaction she raises her hands defensively, palms forward. "It's not my fault! Don't blame me when it's all you doing something like that!"

    Fuka's still grinning though, her mouth threatening to split her head in half like a Canadian from South Park. "I mean, come to think of it, you DO fight using a big stick, right? Now I know, it's because of all the boys you have to fend off! And here I thought I was the only one!"

    Not that Fuka has anyone actively chasing her, not that she knows of. Or that she'd necessarily beat them with a huge axe. Okay she might... but probably not with her whole heart in the chastisement. She's a bit of a romantic after all.

"My romantic life, or rather lack thereof, is none of anybody's business! Not even mine!", Uta blurts out, clearly not paying close attention to what she's saying. "Besides," she continues, in a more neutral and matter-of-fact tone of voice, "chains are Wist's thing, and whips are Kauch's. IN A PERFECTLY INNOCENT WAY. Except Kauch. Ok, scratch the part about Kauch and whips," she says, waving her hand in front of her closed eyes in aggressive dismissal, while she squirms more and more uncomfortably. "Congratulations for your glamour, charm, and success with the opposite sex, but not everyone is like you!"

Wait, Uta actually believed Fuka's boasting?

"I fight with a big stick just because that's what the random generator gave me!"

    Okay that does it. Fuka just completely loses it at that. Just. Completely. Loses. It.

    She's laughing so hard now she literally falls over. The ridiculous teasing, the talk about Uta's romantic life not being her own business, Kauchemar and Wist... but to top it off, somehow Uta thinks Fuka herself has a glamorous romantic life?!

    Clutching at her belly like that delicious cake was actually deadly poison, it takes Fuka some time to recover from the gales of uproarious laughter. After a few false starts, she finally lets out a gasping plea for water. A little while later, she's recovered enough to sit up, though not to rise from the floor yet. Give her time. For now though, recovering, she struggles to explain in a way that won't offend her friend. "D'you know what the best thing about being a sylph that looks like a child is?" she asks, trying hard to maintain control. "It's that anyone who comes on to me hard, I *know* I should be hitting them immediately with an axe! That was the most fun part of playing this character back when it was just a game!"

    It's not quite so much fun when it's her actual life though, naturally.

"Uh... Oh."

Uta releases some of her tension as Fuka's explanation proceeds, and that is visible in the Spriggan's posture loosening up a bit. "I... I guess. Yeah," she finally concedes, scratching the back of her head. "Makes sense." She scratches her head. "As for me... I've been told I look somewhere in my early twenties? So I'm in a bit of a different position there." Gaze lost in the distance, she taps her lips. "I really need to go look in a mirror one of these days..."

She hesitates for some time, then shakes her head. "Ah well. Anyway. Yes. What... what were we talking about anyway?"

"RIGHT!", Uta exclaims, a blush revealing that she remembered. "REFRIGERATION," her hurried and tense tone revealing she's eager to divert attention from what she's just remembered. "I'll try to help in any way I can. I'm no enchanter, but maybe I can help with crafting the enclosure. I am really good at beating things with a st-AT HELPING WITH SIMPLE TASKS THAT INVOLVE WORK."

    As she recovers, Fuka still continues grinning like an idiot. She's relaxing now though, and relieved she hasn't actually offended her friend. Teasing her is fun! Actually offending her though, that'd be a step too far. "You look fine." she assures Uta. "More cute than a beauty maybe, but I won't throw stones there! Besides, I've seen boys looking at you." she reassures.

    This might yet be more teasing, or perhaps it's Fuka's romantic streak talking. There's no guarantee it's reality in any way, except of course Fuka does feel Uta's adorable. "Actually you remind me so much of my best friend. Like... other world best friend, I mean. She's got a bit of a problem with her looks, which is a total shame because she's totally striking and any boy who doesn't think so is an idiot. But she's shy and really kind of wonderful, and I consider myself lucky to be perceptive and pushy enough to insist I would be her friend until she agreed!"

    Yeah that's probably as sketchy as it sounds. Best not think to deeply on it. "Right. Enclosures. Yeah, I'll definitely need a storage space, or maybe a wagon I can modify. Ideally both, eventually... I do appreciate the offer of beating things that really deserve beating, unless of course it's me!"

Whether Fuka meant to or not, she does manage to throw a wrench into Uta having almost managed to regain a normal complexion, by causing her to re-blush some.

"...I'm not sure whether to wish that your friend is around somewhere so you can meet her again, or that she's out there safe and sound," Uta admits, at the end. It's clear she just wants everyone to be happy, but her sentence might sound a bit awkward.

"Oh. A wagon. Uh. That would actually be a good idea. I do have a traveler's wagon myself. It's fantastic. I got the idea after training in martial arts under Master Miyoda at his Swampside Dojo and Used Cart Lot." Wait, what? "With a refrigerated wagon, you could start the Ice Cream Truck business." Uta snaps her fingers and points at Fuka. "Hey, you need someone to compose Ice Cream Truck Music? I think we can arrange something for that!"

There is some silence, and after that, Uta begrudgingly admits, "...I don't think I could beat you up. You're terrible, but you're a good friend."

    It was probably deliberate, though Fuka's teasing is slightly less intensely provokative at this time. She's being ... somewhat gentle now. Playful rather than aggressive. Her grin softens somewhat, relaxing into more of a smile. "Oh I think you could beat me up, if I was terrible enough." she claims. "Maybe. I might yet surprise you though! Let's just say, you could try. And I wouldn't hold it against you if I was dumb enough to deserve it." she says fondly.

    Then she pauses, considers, offers a slight shrug. "And my name is Miyu, by the way. Most people call me Fuka of course, or even Fukaziroh. But my name's Miyu." she adds; an acknowledgment of friendship and trust.

Uta hesitates at the admission. She peeks around, to make sure nobody is around, or anyone can listen; Kauchemar has already left, so that's good.

Uta looks a bit hesitant, as if discussing her private life was something she wasn't entierely comfortable with. Self-consciousness still visible in her posture, she nonetheless decides that Fuka's gesture of trust needs reciprocation. She starts with, "Have I already mentioned that Uta is also my nickname out of the game? And the only part of this character I haven't randomized, but picked as a deliberate (if not very original) choice?" She glances up. "So, yeah, that's what friends have always called me."

She straightens her back, and casts a grin at Fuka. "And I'll be glad to take you on as soon as you join the Duelist's league. My mentor Xander recommends I practice against the most diverse kinds of opponents, and I think beating you up might turn out to be oddly cathartic."

    "I think you might've mentioned it." Fuka suggests, not entirely sure if she had or not, but finding herself somehow unsurprised that Uta is indeed Uta. Not her outside name exactly, but still her nonetheless. "It's not too rare for people to use real nicknames for game names. Though admittedly Fuka's not my real nickname; it was the name of my puppy." Fuka confesses. Yes, she's named herself after a puppy. One might, however, note the past-tense in use there.

    Fuka didn't need a gesture of trust reciprocated. Nor, for that matter, did she decide to tell her name solely because of what was happening at the moment. She's known Uta was a dear friend for a while. This was just the first time it felt right to share it. She appreciates the sharing, and decides, for the moment, to play it straight. To ease up on the teasing and trash talking a little bit. "As for my friend Kohi, who knows? It's possible she's here somewhere. She went to a prestigious university last year ... wait, two years ago now? And we wanted to keep in touch. I mentioned this game, hoping she'd join, and I think she was planning to but ... well, nope, she never said she did. And if she did she'd have told me! We talked all the time and I'm sure she'd have said if she finally joined. She's probably really busy and she's never really been into gaming before, but I'm sure she'd have had fun. Probably by now she's into gaming. I just hope she's having fun with another me, and that these fools are right about bodies just being... well, without minds. We really do have to be copies of our old selves, don't we? So I miss her a lot, but I'm pretty sure she's happy and there's a version of me still her best friend, still talking with her all the time and planning to go to concerts and stuff on vacations."

The moment of seriousness is not lost on Uta. She waits until she feels the moment is right. "Miyu...", she says, quietly, making sure nobody else but the intended recipient can hear her.

Gone are the sleepiness, the worry, the self-loathing and embarrassment, thanks to the concerted contributions of empathy, the Power of Friendship, and coffee. What is left is a genuine, personal connection.

"I do not know if we're copies or still hooked up to a videogame. I do not know if we've always existed in this world as Adventurers and the Apocalypse inserted false memories of a non-existent Earth into our heads to make us doubt our real worth. But what I know is, we're a bunch of crazy people with a goal: to find out what happened to us. There'll be no stopping us. Maybe we're copies. But who knows... the New Year's expansion attracted a massive numbers of newbies. I know, I'm one myself. And I'm in Crescent Moon, arguably /The/ newbie guild in this world. You won't believe how many people joined ETO just in time to be trapped. Even minutes before. As far as we know, Kohi might have decided to give the game a twirl for this special event, and be around with us. Somewhere."

    "Prof had some theories. He doesn't disagree we could be copies, but he suggested other possibilities too. Increased perception of time. I've also heard something may have happened to our old world, and that's kind of terrifying and I'm not even going to think any more about it!" Fuka says thoughtfully. "But I don't think Kohi joined ETO before the apocalypse, not on our server at least. I feel like I'd know her the instant I saw her, no matter what she looked like. Or at least, as soon as I learned her class and interests and stuff."

    Fuka grins once again. "I'd think maybe Kaumare or you were really her, possibly, if you sang the same songs she does. But... no, I've met no bard that's turned out to be her. Maybe she joined another game to get some experience first, before she sought me out! I'd be surprised she felt the need, but she always did take some things far more seriously than I do."

"Increased perception of time, huh? Something like... for every fifty seconds we spend in this world, only one second has passed in the real world?", Uta suggests. "I've been looking into this. Apparently, there was some sort of 50:1 time ratio between the in-game timekeeping system and the real world time when ETO was nothing but a game. And after asking Adventurers familiar with the ETO lore before we got trapped, it turns out there's a suspicious alignment between real world events and ETO Lore Events after taking that particular time ratio into account. Now, if the Expansion also managed to alter our -perception- of time..." Uta trails off.

And then she blinks, switching subjects completely. "Wait, are Kauchemar and I so similar?" She points at her nose, looking slightly cross-eyed. "I would think we're kind of opposite."

    Fuka hadn't really considered the time alignment, but she nods anyways. "That seems plausible." she says. It really doesn't matter to her, not much, but it's an interesting theory. She might bring it up with Prof sometime to see what he thinks about it, but she's not going to lose sleep over it. Unlike some things.

    Fuka straightens, then with some effort she rises, only to lean back against one wall. Abruptly she laughs, then waves one hand in a dismissive agreement. "Yes yes, nothing alike!" she claims, not exactly convincingly. "All I mean is, you're like her if she plays like herself, and Kaumare's like what I'd imagine her if she went all in on being someone else. Aggressive and brash because it's not really herself, but still loving music!" she claims with a smile. "But no, Kaumare's not Kohi. They have different tastes in music, and that's one thing I can't possibly imagine her changing. I mean, she taught me to love music! It's something I couldn't imagine her without."

"Well, if there's anything I can do for you, including singing songs, let me know. I will be more than glad to help. In the meantime..." Uta stretches. "...hhmm... I suppose there's some lightning and ice slimes I need to work on."

She swivels around on her stool, and freezes in surprise as soon as her eyes land on her table. "Oh, hey, look. Cake. And coffee! What a pleasant surprise!" She turns to Fuka with a smile. "Are these your doing? Thanks a lot! You're a real friend. I was, in fact, thinking I -really- needed cake and some coffee. You don't want to talk to me before I've had my coffee. I'm a terrible person." She looks down at the little slime on her lap, that was about to jump off to the ground.

"Right, Mr.Blobby?"

'Mr.Blobby' looks up with the fakest slime smile, asymmetrical, hiding concern. Acidic droplets of sweat form where its temples would be, if it had any bones.

Uta smiles back at Fuka. "See? Mr. Blobby confirms. Although..." She looks down, pensive, rubbing her lips. "He seems quite nervous to me. I think he got scared by something..." She sighs and returns to smile. "Ah well, I'll figure that out later! Mmm. Cake."

And in she dives.

    "No need to do anything special. I do count on your help of course, and welcome it. But singing is great! And anything you can do that helps my experiments. But ... you know what'd really help? Chim me, remind me to eat and sleep and keep to my schedule! It'd be a whole lot easier if someone's reminding me, hey?" she grins. And the big advantage... Uta's a good friend. Fuka doesn't mind her knowing she's in a weakened state and needing help to look after herself. Besides, Uta's been there not long ago herself, Fuka seems to remember.

    She looks puzzled though, when her attention's drawn to the cake and coffee. "Wasn't me." she notes offhandedly, having no desire to take credit for someone else's actions. "I'll help you eat them though! Who knows?" Fuka pauses, looks around, her eyes falling on the sweating slime and shifting away, then sloooowly being dragged back. "Maaaaaybe you have a secret admirer?" Fuka gently teases... all the while maintaining eye contact with Mr.Blobby.