She shakes her head, "Probably not until after we get back from the mines. I'm sure we'll be fairly starving by then." She says, taking the food from him with a smile. Taking out her coin pouch she asks, "So, how much do we owe you for the fine meals?"
"Two gold, all in all," Hadrinn replies.
Jin nods, "Yeah, that's probably for the best. Especially if we're going to be leaving relatively soon to take care of this...issue. Unless there was anything you needed to do in town, or needed a couple of days to get things ready? I just wasn't sure when exactly you wanted to get started on all this." She says as she tries to figure out how much time they had to get ready for this trip. "I'm sorry for holding us up with my jabbering. If you'd like to lead the way to Arista's house, we'll follow you."
Derika nods, "Alright, it's my treat this time." She says while pulling out two gold and handing them to Hadrinn, "There you go, and thank you so much for the delicious food."
Hadrinn smiles. 'I'm glad you enjoyed it. That's worth more than the money I make."
Toni puts her hand to her face. "Actually, I made a promise to my friend to go camping with her before I left. I don't know when we'll be back...so I'd rather do it sooner than later."
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Laenid smiles, thinking of the extra time she'd get to spend with Jin before things got dangerous. "That's fine. I don't mind spending a few more days in town."
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"I'm sure Malyoxa would also appreciate the extra time getting used to being up when we are," Toni says. "I really need to get her on a schedule."
She tilts her head to the side slightly as she regards Toni, "Since there is someone looking for you that we know nothing about....are you going to be safe going out camping with your friend?" She asks, the concern clear in her voice.
"Definitely, she's handy with a bow," Toni says. "Unless that's your way of suggesting that you'd like to come along."
She gets a strange look on her face, "I....I don't know. I haven't been camping since....since Makoto and I...." She stammers while looking at Laenid. Makoto was gone and it had been over a year since it happend. She was here now, with Laenid, and things were different. She loved Laenid and the thought of spending more time with her before going on a mission to who knows where was very appealing, she just didn't know if Laenid would want to spend that time out in the wild. It would make her feel better if they were with Toni though, just in case.
Looking up into Laenid's face she puts a hand softly on her cheek, "I don't want to make a decision like this on my own. I'd like to make sure Toni stays safe while camping with her friend, but if you don't want to go...we don't have to, and I'll trust her friend to keep her safe. I don't want to do anything, or go anywhere unless you're there with me and you want to be there. Does that make sense? Am I making sense?" She asks. With so many thoughts going through her head at once, it was difficult to know if what she was thinking made sense as it was coming out of her mouth.
Looking a little surprised she puts her coin pouch away while standing up from the table with his meal in her hands, "Thank you for breakfast Derika. We better get this food back to Chris while it's hot. Thanks again Hadrinn, I'm sure Chris will enjoy it as well." She says while getting ready to leave with the others.
Eldan gets out of his chair and heads for the door, holding it open for the ladies.
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Laenid leans down and kisses Jin's forehead. "Camping sounds like a wonderful idea and I'd love to do it with you...the camping, I mean."
Toni chuckles. "I'll ask Rajni when I get a chance."
Jin gets a dopey looking smile on her face, "Uhhuh....okay Toni. Just let us know when." She shakes her head to try and get the naughty thought that Laenid's words conjured out as she tries to focus on business, "So...yeah, let's go and talk to Arista...and then I think we need to get out of the cold for a little bit." She says with a grin.
"Thanks Eldan." She says as she goes out the door with her hand in Vishanti's.
Gashka thanks him as well as they head back out into town.
Realizing she didn't even think to ask Hitome how she felt about going camping she turns to her friend, "I'm so sorry I didn't ask you how you felt about it Hitome. Is it alright if we go camping with Toni and her friend?"
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Partially as a result of both her nature and upbringing, Hitome tended to be quiet. In fact it wasn't uncommon for people to practically forget that she was even present. She didn't take it personally, besides, it was up to the Summoners to decide their agenda and course of action, so wherever Jin went, so would she.
"That's alright Jin. If you're worried about Toni's safety then it makes sense for us to join her." Hitome replies. The splitting up into smaller groups made sense as well. A group of six would be much easier to go unnoticed, and they would actually be nine when the eidolons were present.
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She looks at Hitome for a moment, as if thinking about something. Finally nodding she says, "Until this matter of whoever this creep is that wants to steal Toni's powers is dealt with, I really do feel better that a few of us stay close to her when she isn't in Valwick. Obviously there are plenty of people here that won't allow anything to happen to her here, so I'm not as worried about that." Pausing for a moment she takes a breath before looking up at Hitome again, "Hitome, you might be my midwife, but you're also my friend...and as such, your opinions and feelings matter to me. You matter to me. I know how quiet you can be, but that's just part of your reflective nature, and how you take everything in....and that's fine, but....I never mean to discount you or your feelings. I'm sorry if this is getting blurted out all at once like this, but I just felt like I needed to tell you that." She says, wanting to make sure that Hitome knows just how important she is to her. Hitome was more than just some kind of guardian or whatever to Jin, and she wanted her to know how she felt because she never wanted her to feel like she was taken for granted.
Hitome looks down at Jin and smiles. "Thank you Jin. As much as I already know that, it feels good to hear it all the same."
Vishanti gives Eldan a smile as they head out the door. "Thank you, Eldan."
Returning the smile she nods, "Okay, now that's settled, let's go see this Arista person and find out what she knows about the Solomon creep." She says, ready to get back down tuo business.
"Alright Juhi, why don't you go wash up for lunch and I'll check on it okay?" She says as she goes into the kitchen to wash her hands.
Juhi nods and heads upstairs to get cleaned up for lunch.
"Alright," Toni says, opening the door for Jin, Hitome and Laenid.
"Anytime," Eldan says as they leave the restaurant and head back to their house.
Jin continues to hold Laenid's hand as they leave the Tailor shop.
Derika gives Eldan a smile as they head back to the house and puts an arm loosely about Vishanti's waist as they walk together.
Arista lets Celine take some of her new toys to the living room to play with them while she works on the laundry as well as cleaning up the kitchen and bathroom.
Toni knocks on Arista's door when they arrive.
The group sees Barclay approaching them as they walk to the house. He raises a hand in greeting to them.
Going to the door with her apron on, a tired and haggard looking Arista opens the door. Taking in Toni and her retinue she gets a concerned look on her face, "Oh hey, good morning Toni. Is everything okay?"
"More or less," Toni says. "I just needed to ask you a question or two."
Being careful not to drop Chris's food she waves back, hoping that he wasn't upset for them taking some time before going back to the mines. As he approaches she says, "Good morning Sir Barclay, is everything alright?"
Barclay nods. "Everything seems to be fine at the moment. I need to talk to Derika and Vishanti. And then Chris and probably you, Eldan."
Arista steps back and motions for them to come in, "Sure, I'll try to help you however I can. Would you or your friends care for anything to drink?"
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"Whatever it is, I'm innocent."
Laenid shakes her head. "No, thank you. I just had breakfast a little while ago."
"Some hot tea sounds good."
Nodding she says, "Alright, Chris was still sleeping when we left for breakfast. He stayed up all night working on that anti venom stuff for us. I was just taking him something to eat. Would you like to come back to the house with us, or do you need to talk to Derika and Vishanti this instant?"
Barclay chuckles at Eldan. "It's nothing like that."
He then nods at Gashka. "We can talk indoors."
Jin shakes her head, "No thank you as well. I had breakfast with Laenid and Hitome a little bit ago, but thank you for asking." She says politely.
Celine looks up from where she's playing and eyes the strangers warily. They better not be here to take mommy away again.
She nods, "Okay, I can make you some tea or something when we get back to the house if you want." She says as she picks up her pace a little, worried about his food getting cold.
She looks over at Barclay with a curious expression. Wondering what he has on his mind.
Motioning to the toys on the floor in the living room she says, "I'm sorry about the mess, I was trying to keep her entertained so I could get some cleaning done." Looking down at her daughter she says, "Celine, mommy needs to go talk to her friends for a minute. Please stay in here and play and be a good girl."
Gesturing for them to follow her, she takes them into the kitchen to put the kettle on for some tea. As she moves about the kitchen she says, "Please, make yourselves comfortable. What would you like in your tea Toni?" She asks while getting a couple of mugs down. The other one with them was apparently the quiet type, but Arista was sure that if she wanted something she would let her know.
Celine doesn't say anything back to her mommy but pets Honey as she watches them until they go into the kitchen.
"Honey and lemon, if you have it," Toni answers. "With a bit of sugar too, if you don't mind."