gameofmana | Things are always happening.

[Hair care is clearly something that is important to the tiny Au Ra. Whether it's finding plants and flowers to help keep it clean, using alchemical products to color it, or just...styling it, her tresses tend to be impeccably maintained.

She is only too happy to pass on this esoteric knowledge...well, maybe not the alchemical stuff, at the moment, but the rest is free game! So if anyone is curious, she's off sitting under the shade of the Home Tree, combing out her hair. She may be singing to herself, as well--a bawdy snatch of something that'd be more at home in a tavern than at Home proper.]

[ During the few weeks I-Pin's been in Domina, she had gotten used to combing her hair outside. The last thing she wanted was to have a dispute with Mister Snart about the strands of hair she left on the floor. So, when she saw someone else doing their hair, it was only natural for I-Pin to join them. She smiled at Sara, noticing how neat and well-groomed her hair was. ]

Good afternoon. Do you mind if I sit here?

Not at all! The more the merrier--though I'll stop singing tavern songs. I know there are more polite things to sing. [Still, she's laughing at herself, bright and cheerful.]

I usually brush mine out here because it's less hair to clean...though honestly, between my husband's hair and the cat hair, I really can't tell the difference. Both are white. Though I suppose the Judge's hair is shorter...and Dread's got a beard.

[It was more a coincidence that her thoughts had wandered in a very similar direction.] If it were spring, though, you know, the birds would probably be building nests with our hair! One of my instructors back home told me that, when I was learning conjury, and I always thought that was interesting. How nature takes care of itself, I guess.

[ I-Pin took a seat beside the stranger, her kindness and good attitude infectious. She smiled; it seemed that mostly everyone was slowly getting used to their circumstances. As she crossed her legs, she began undoing her braids, her hair wavy from how tightly bound it was. ]

Wow, you must have to sweep your room floor at least twice a week! [ As she ran her comb through her hair, she frowned at how many split ends had formed. ] But I know the feeling. I brush my hair outside because I don't want to bother Mister Snart.

[ Looking up at the woman, I-Pin's face filled with surprise at the little fun fact. ] Really? What if the hair is too thin or brittle? Wouldn't the birds like thicker hairs?

I don't think they really notice--the birds, I mean. They usually weave their nests out of a lot of things anyway--twigs, down, mud--all in the name of keeping their babies warm, so whether the hair is nice and thick, or not, it's all the same to them?

[Sara didn't have hers bound, but it was somewhat wavy anyway, especially down at the ends. For the moment, it was a deep, eggplant purple at the roots, that lightened to white at some of the ends. Probably not normal--at least, not the white...]

And we do, but Dread helps out with sweeping. The Judge can't, he hasn't got hands, and it'd be ridiculous to ask him to sweep with his tail. [He would probably also get offended. Cats and their dignity.]

I'm Sara, by the way!

I-Pin! It's nice to formally meet you, Miss Sara!

[ Pulling her comb out of her hair, she folded her hands in her lap and bowed her head a little before smiling up at Sara. ]

It must be nice that your husband is here with you. I mean, uhm, it's not nice that you're stuck here instead of home, but that you two have each other.

[ She gave a little laugh, and scratched the back of her head sheepishly, hoping she didn't come off as rude. When she glanced back at Sara, she couldn't help but stare at her hair. ]

By the way, your hair is so pretty! How do you keep it so nice?

Oh, you're I-Pin! The one who was making notes on the billboard! We discussed some things that way--and one of them was how I keep my hair nice, actually! Though yours is perfectly lovely, as well, you know!

[Sara laughed at that, again. Well, there were worse things in life than being easily amused, really.]

I wash my hair every other day. And brush it. I know there are other secrets that the aesthetician back home used, but he had things like alchemical concoctions available to him that I don't, here. Despite being his student for months, Head Alchemist Severian in Ul'dah never shared all the guild's secrets.

[At that, Sara snorted, but there was still a curve of amusement to her lips.]

Oh, and it is nice to have Dread here. My younger sister, too. I mean, it's not Eorzea, but we're the adventuring types anyway, so it's not too terrible. Though Irves really doesn't like the fact that she can't access her magic! Dread and I ended up a little more pragmatic about it, I guess.

[ At that moment, it occurred to her that Sara was one the billboard who also asked about the soap flowers. She wondered if Sara ever found them, because I-Pin had been unsuccessful in her search. At her compliment, I-Pin waved her hand dismissively and let out a little laugh. ]

Thank you, but yours is much lovelier. I don't really take all that good care of my hair. [ Idly, she played with the end of her tresses. ] There's so many split ends. But, that's my fault for braiding my hair right after taking a bath.

[ She canted her head to the side, wondering what were the alchemical concoctions Sara mentioned. ]

Well, if it's any consolation, I don't think you need them. It seems like your hair is perfectly healthy without them!

[ A little envy pooled in her stomach. Sara had so many people from her home. Maybe it was less jealousy, and more a sort of homesickness. ]

Your sister is here as well? And she knows magic? Your world must be full of strong people!!

I think, like most worlds, it is full of people. We have some good ones, some bad, some powerful, and some who just want to live day to day, you know? Irves does like being a mage though! But we don't have any magic here right now. Any of the three of us, and there was a little fellow with large ears I spoke to. He said he didn't have his, either.

[She paused, then.] I want to think it's something about this place. Dread and I are trying to figure out what, and why, but nothing really has come of it yet.

[But then, Sara laughed.] Oh, I don't know if my hair is that healthy! Back home, there was a gentleman we could frequent--the aesthetician. He'd do your hair and makeup for you, and Dread swears that I singlehandedly kept Jandelaine in business. I like messing with my hair, you see. But every two weeks or so, I'd either have it cut short, or dyed...and it was alchemical substances that'd change the color, or grow it out. I'm not certain I could replicate it here, sadly, or I'd try it. Also I've never really been good at cutting hair, though I think that might help with the split ends, if you trimmed them off.

I still think your hair is pretty! We might just have to try doing other things than braiding it, if we ever have a chance. Twelve know I'd need a hand with mine. Other than a bun or a ponytail, I'm not very good at putting it up myself.

It's tough to do the more complicated hairstyles on yourself! My friend would always do my hair back home when I asked him. I can only really do twin braids, or ox horns. But, if you'd like, I could put your hair in a fishtail braid! And, you could do whatever you'd like with my hair—I'm not very picky with hair styles, really.

[ Remembering what Sara had said about the aesthetician back in her home, she eagerly added, ]

You said that every two weeks you'd change your hair? That's amazing!! I never do anything with my hair. Maybe a trim, here or there, but that's it.

Well, Jandelaine had any number of things to help with that. He did makeup and that sort of thing, too. Not so easy to do, here, alas. [Though she had a few things, she was going to run out of lip gloss and eye shadow soon, and hopefully once she did, she didn't present as much of a resting bitchface as her friend Higeki, back home. Higeki, who possessed a curious resemblance to Sarangerel. At least, until you looked at their tails, really...]

I can do a few Ishgardian styles, though I don't think you'd enjoy the styles we did back on Dalamiq lands. My clan liked using mud in a lot of their hairstyles...

My. That was certainly a spectacle.

[Says someone who sounds more bemused by the whole thing more than anything.]

Will you be exploring this location? I might be persuaded to tag along. For now, anyway.

Even having seen its like at least once before, I'm not sure I'll ever get used to it.

[Even with all the other things she's seen? Still, this ranks up there in the weirdness factor. Flying fat moogle mount aside. Besides, it's not here, and she is.]

But yes, I'm definitely going to be bothered to poke my nose in. Dinner will keep, after all. [Sara chuckles at that.] By which I mean what I've brought for it. I was thinking of making crumpets. Luckily, I also have my bow with me.

Though I'd be happier if things stayed quiet, and I could go pick berries or something. Still, wish in one hand...[Considering how pithy her husband can be, it's probably a good thing she doesn't finish that.]

Sounds delightful.

[Says the girl who never eats.]

Perhaps we will find some sort of interesting treasure here. Or a story. I would say both are rather valuable, wouldn't you?

Oh, definitely. [Truthfully, Sara probably...hasn't noticed that Accord doesn't eat. Yet. It might happen someday, but like the girl herself, she doesn't hang around in one place very often.]

I'm almost more invested in the story, but that's a side effect of my profession, as it were.

[The bow she slings from her shoulder is an odd-looking one--it almost looks as if it could double as a harp in a pinch, and makes a rather mechanical-sounding clack as she draws it, nocking an arrow. Then, she grins.]

You don't mind if I go first, do you?

[She certainly doesn't advertise it at least.]

I can certainly sympathize with that perspective. By all means, ladies first.

[There's a definite ironic tone there, at least.]

[Actually, it sends Sara to giggling, just a little. Ladies first. Oh, Twelve. She probably deserved that, though.

Without further ado, she steps in to the cavern, moving slowly. Her weapon doesn't seem to be needed, yet, so she removes the arrow and slings it back over a shoulder.]

Think I need a torch more than I need my bow out, right now. I don't see much more than stone, yet.

[Yet may be the sticking point, here, however.]

[And yes, Sara is making crumpets in a griddle, now. So, sensitive noses may be drawn, as well as her hulking husband putting in his appearance. She didn't have any jam, but there's plenty of butter, and even some freshly sliced apples with cinnamon. It might be a little stretch, but there should be enough for everyone in the Tree, if they wanted to stop by and have some...

Dread, meanwhile, has earned himself a wry look from his wife.]

You could try to leave some for everyone else, you know.

[It's more teasing than chiding, and the wry look turns to a fond one, even as she sets a few more freshly griddled crumpets on a plate, and then sets more to cook.]

I am trying.

[And on that note, Dread reaches for thirds on the apples, scooping up a plate in one big hand.]

Failing, but trying.

The fact that you're failing is the problem! There are a lot of mouths to feed, here! You could at least concentrate on the crumpets; I've got enough for a lot of those.

[Maybe less than a lot, with how Dread is packing it in.] I do want to see if I can get jam, next time. Not sure what kind, but.

I could always make some, too, assuming I could find fruit to make it with. Or jelly. I could make a nice rose hip jelly...

In size I count for three people here, you know that. <[Four or five if you counted Sara and Irves among those people. No, he's neither sorry nor pretending to be sorry about eating his wife's cooking.] Rather see peach, myself, if you can get it.

I think you count for three people anywhere, dear. [A pause.] Unless we're discussing another Roegadyn, or mayhap the Bull of Ala Mhigo, himself.

[Sara shook her head, then.] Not sure we can get peaches right now, assuming they even exist, here. Though I will keep an eye out. It seems like it's a little late in the season for things like berries and some of the stone fruits.

There might be jam for sale, though, somewhere in Domina that I haven't seen yet!

Must be something like that. [He chews on this mentally as he chews on his food literally, though rather than gazing off into space he's just watching Sara at work. No nicer place to let his eyes focus.] We're going to have to make more money somehow.

I've been considering mixing up some salves or oils and seeing if I can sell them through one of the shops already in Domina. I haven't pursued it very far, yet, because I'm not sure what I can find. Best not to put the cart before the chocobo, you know?

[She looked over at her husband, even as she slid a few more warm crumpets onto his plate. There were plenty more to be made, for all her teasing.]

I suppose you could do some bodyguarding work, if you chose, but I would not want to push you into it. [Even though their magic was gone, for the moment. It might be a bit too close to going back to the roots he'd tried so hard to leave behind.]

[Unfounded worries. Dread shrugs an inch or two, which is still a lot of impressive motion given his size.] I could do that. It'd be nicer if we had an arrangement than just working freelance, but this isn't Eorzea...

Makes me wish I'd put more time into learning how to craft beyond hammering in a nail to help the company out.

Well, you have to admit that learning might help us here, if something happens. Besides, I did learn how to craft, and I still feel like that will be constrained by the materials I can collect, here, you know?

[Sara swings the griddle off the fire, for the moment, and lets the crumpets slide off on to the plate. She had a small pile, and no use in making more for now, if they were just going to get cold.]

I'm not sure what other things we could do. Maybe classes of some sort, but still, that might end up more bartering with the others. I'm a bit at a loss, I have to admit.

There are a lot of kids around here. I was thinking I could help them learn to take care of themselves.

[And learn a little discipline and control in the process. Not the subtle knives of a rogue, but the straightforward ways of the pugilist.]

[Meanwhile, no fear of the crumpets going to waste -- Dread barely let some of them touch that first plate before he got them on his own.]

We could always see what needs doing around town, too.

True, we could. And probably should. To both. If you want me to investigate the town, I could do that.

[Only because since she is waist height on him, Sara is slightly less terrifying than her husband. She gives him a slightly exasperated, but fond look as he has more crumpets. She should have bought more ingredients...]

I have seen a few of them, but I haven't spent enough time around here getting to know that many people. I keep losing myself in the woods and seeing what sort of edible things are out there. [Because it takes a lot to keep so many mouths fed, and she wants to do her part!]

[There's upsides and downsides to that. Never mind that Sara is just as capable as he is; people are quicker to believe the huge, burly guy is the fighter they want to trust.]

That's something we ought to focus on. We know it isn't safe here. We can't protect everyone. [Maybe if they both could bring out their Egis, but...]

Well, I'm sure there are others here who can protect themselves. But some of the others, and the young ones...yes, you know you're right.

[Not that they're really arguing, but.]

Did you have something specific in mind?

Wouldn't it be a shame if we let the arts... [Dread balls one hand up and lifts it, raising his voice uncharacteristically.] of the HOLYFIST to go unlearned?

[ He looks at the new cavern in silence, standing very still. It does not show the shock and amazement he actually feels at seeing that spectacle. ]

Do you know what just happened?

[ Zenyatta was not present when Domina appeared, so he has no idea that new locations are created in such a way. ]

[Sara starts a tiny bit--both because the mechanical fellow is very large (compared to her), and it isn't common to have magitek speak in Eorzea. Unless, of course, it was a mammet, which this gentle robot clearly is not. Once she gets over her surprise, though...]

From my best guess, those caverns were contained in that egg that I had. I've seen this happen once before. Domina appeared that way, though what it had been contained in, I couldn't tell you.

[ The stares are nothing new to Zenyatta, and he acts like he had not noticed her surprise, continuing to processing the fact that a new location has appeared instead. (He is also 5'8", not the tallest but still taller than her.) ]

Is that so? That is remarkable. May I ask where you came across such an egg?

[ He lays a light hand on the sleepy flower creature curled around his neck. Bothi came from an egg, and Zenyatta wonders if one of the other eggs was involved. ]

The egg? It was given to me by Rachel. I was helping her and my sister, Irves, with the eggs... [Sara's words trail off at that, and she looks thoughtful.]

I wonder where she found it, then. Or if it was with the eggs...Irves has a snake, now, from one of the others.

[She dimples a little at the flower coiled around the magitek man's neck.] That is not a snake at all, but it's very cute!

Bothi hatched out of an egg with roots coming out of the bottom. They were very fast.

[ Zenyatta laughs softly, and Bothi flickers a vine a little. ]

If you get the chance, perhaps you can ask Rachel where she found it and if she knew what it could do. I would be very surprised if I was holding something that could become a cavern.

I will have to try that, if I see her again. I don't think she suspected; I certainly did not! Or I will get around to visiting her and her family's shop again, at some point...

[It takes a moment for Sara to add things up, but once she does, her eyes widen.]

Oh, are you Zenyatta? I recall seeing you at the meeting, but I did not get to speak to you, I think! I'm Sarangerel Dalamiq, it's nice to officially meet you!

[Because really there are not so many robotic people at Home that Zenyatta does not sort of stand out.]

[ He nods and gives a small bow. He does stand out in this world. There does not seem to be any local technology that even comes close to what he is. However, he has not been treated poorly. If only it were this easy back in his world. ]

Yes, I am Zenyatta. It is a pleasure to meet you Miss Dalamiq. Thank you for coming to the meeting even though we did not speak. I hope it was helpful to you in someway.

Well, it certainly was interesting. And there were, indeed, some good ideas for making life easier for everyone, I think. I'm still doing my best to put some of them into play.

[She smiles brightly up at the mechanical fellow.] And please, call me Sara. I prefer it. And my friends do!

Very well, Sara. I will call you whatever you prefer.

[ He is a polite one, after all. He then laughs. ]

And you may call me Zenyatta. Tekhartha is closer to a title than a family name... though many of my brothers and sisters share the name.

Things are always happening.

When you have long hair, what to do? (I-Pin, etc?)

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In Home's kitchen, with Dread and Sara!

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