Taking Care of Business (Complete)

[kasuga_niji]

Characters: Niji (passed out), Ghost, Robin (out), Arch (out), Flicker, Rosa, Kororen, Ana (out), Zee (out), Ani (back in), Phantasy, Ares (out)
Content: Getting to know you
Setting: the fountain
Warnings: Mixed gender bathing. Perfectly innocent, I tell you. Oh, and a little psychic war with strong language at times.

Comments

[kororen]

"I apologize for my delay, Lady Kasuga." Leirian's mental voice preceded his appearance. "There were several delays, but your message was received. They were preparing to hold a meeting as I left. It is good to see you are resting," he added as he came into view along one of the side streets leading west from the fountain.

He certainly looked a sight. Still missing his shirt, his hair was also coming free from his braid to hang about his face. His drawn sword was wet with fresh blood, the young gimacat to which the blood belonged was slung across his back. And his other hand held that of Ana, as he lead her scarcely a half step behind him.

"Good morning," he greeted aloud, bowing to Niji and Phantasy. "Please forgive my travel-warn appearance, and allow me to present Lady Ilyana Rydel. She will be my personal guest for a time." Turning to Ana, he indicated the other women each in turn. "Lady Rydel, may I introduce Lady Kasuga, who you may remember, and Miss. Phantasy."

[ivyalchemist]

Ana wasn't much better off in appearance, though thanks to Kororen's excellent fighting skills and her alchemy combined they were able to avoid actual injury. The clothing she'd just cleaned was stained again, a bit of blood speckled across her cheeks as well, and her hair in more tangles than it had been previously.

Still she put on the best smile she could manage when they approached, seeming a bit fearful and reluctant to release the younger boy's hand. Her heart was still thudding away in her chest, nerves renewed by approaching the people both familiar and new. Would they really be okay with her intrusion?

"H-hello..." she managed with a wave, "Nice to finally meet you, Miss Kasuga. And nice to meet you, Miss Phantasy. We are... kind of a mess. Sorry..."

Useless to even try, Ana attempted to brush some of the grime from her shirt, only serving to rub it any more. A bit of red came to her cheeks, smile just as abashed as ever.

[indigophantasy]

Phantasy had returned on several trips with bundles of blankets to add to Ares' previously gathered sheets and was just trying to decide the best way to set about washing them all when Kororen and Ilyana arived. She smiled warmly at the other woman, feeling how frazzled and worn her emotions were. "We can fix that!" she said, setting down a pile of blankets. "I was just about to do some washing, and there's even a lovely bath-house set up here! There's nothing better after traveling than a long bath, after all."

[bitchofthelight]

The rumbling of a metal shopping cart on the broken street could be heard for several minutes before Ares came into view, pushing a cart that appeared to be filled with blankets, as well as a few cases and a washboard tied to the lower shelf of it with twine. She listened to the last few statements as she drew near to the group and got down to business so much as a 'hello

[kasuga_niji]

"Good morning indeed, Kororen-kun. Your return is most welcome." Niji set aside her sewing and stood and bowed in formal greeting. "Lady Rydel, you are welcome to our hearth and home. We have several other visitors as well, so it shall be a merry gathering. Please take the time to refresh yourself and your clothing as Phantasy-san suggested. We have a bit of breakfast remaining, if you are hungry