∞ 97: Peace and routine [action]

[chikaidestroyer]

[Things have been fairly quiet in the village with the draftees away on their escort mission. House 42 is especially quiet, with its lone remaining resident spending each day feeding his housemates' pets and then taking care of the horses in the nearby stable. It keeps him busy enough.

He gets around to opening Sheena's tea house around noon today -- later than the last two days he has gone in. He never spends a whole afternoon in the shop; perhaps a few hours a day, just in case anyone is curious enough to look inside. Kogoro stays with him in the tea house, usually content with chewing on a milkbone toy he found in the item shop. Albert himself taps away at his laptop at one of the tables with a cup of jasmine tea nearby.

If anyone looks for him on this somewhat cold day, he can be found at the stables in the late morning or the tea shop for the early afternoon. He is also available by journal.]

Comments

[wise_maiden]

Good evening.

[He might not see much from her backdrop, with the dim lighting, but she's sitting on an empty cot in a secluded area in the makeshift medical center.]

How are things at home?

[chikaidestroyer]

[Albert glances around Raine's room, with the octopus somewhat content and the kitten pawing and playing with the chair legs since someone was around.]

...Quiet. You are no longer at sea?

[wise_maiden]

We arrived at our destination yesterday. [Morning, afternoon--she had been too groggy to be exact on those details.] Now we're mostly back to fighting normally until we're recalled, though some are still using the boats. It's quieter at night, which is a help.

[chikaidestroyer]

I see. [He nods, but does not press for more details.] Anything particularly unusual that you observed?

[wise_maiden]

Hm... there are monsters and dangerous creatures in the area, as well as the waters, which have been causing some issue aside from the Third Party themselves. Otherwise the port area itself seems fairly empty, aside from these facility buildings and the forest.

[chikaidestroyer]

Were you expecting different? There were warnings about the creatures, at least.

[wise_maiden]

No, but it's something different. [A slight shrug.] Otherwise the situation is mostly how we'd expect them to be now, aside from the attacks being lighter during the night.

[chikaidestroyer]

Has there been any noticeable reason for the infrequent night attacks?

[wise_maiden]

I'm not certain. After all, they seemed to catch up to us quickly by the time daylight came around. I haven't exactly gotten a good look at their ships, though.

[chikaidestroyer]

Indeed. I may have to inquire with those who had a better view of their ships.

[wise_maiden]

Quite a few people could do that, I imagine. I've even heard of a hijacking or two, although I know one ended badly.

[chikaidestroyer]

Unsurprising. [And very reckless when they were supposed to be guarding another ship.]

[wise_maiden]

Indeed. Hopefully this should all be over soon, anyway.

[chikaidestroyer]

Has the cargo already been moved?

[wise_maiden]

Most of the work was taken care of when we docked, and I believe the rest was done today. In between fending off attacks, that is.

[chikaidestroyer]

Then you are still there, waiting for the call to withdraw.

[wise_maiden]

That's correct. I can't imagine that we'll be needed for much longer, since there haven't been any new instructions.

[chikaidestroyer]

Well, I cannot guarantee a festive homecoming, but I will be sure to have cooked something for both of you.

[wise_maiden]

Believe me, I will be looking forward to it. A nice quiet meal at home would be very welcoming, once all of this is done. Especially after those last two days.

[chikaidestroyer]

Hm, yes. Is there anything you would prefer?

[wise_maiden]

I don't really have a preference, as long as it's warm and filling somehow. [There's a pause as she thinks.] Or maybe a soup of some kind... would that be all right?

[chikaidestroyer]

You do seem to prefer your soups. [But he smiles faintly.] I suppose it would also be light enough for any aftereffects of returning.

[wise_maiden]

I think it's a good, welcoming dish. [She gives a small smile as she leans back and thinks of it.] Besides, it can be heated back up fairly easily as well, if sleeping turns out to be the more appealing option at first.

[chikaidestroyer]

Then soup it is. You may look forward to it.

[wise_maiden]

[A soft chuckle.] Thank you. I certainly will, then.