Who can sleep through the sizzling aroma of bacon fresh off the pan?
“You two have a wonderful day. I expect the day will be very busy for me; otherwise, I would gladly sing and play.”
She speaks of ‘work’ casually, like she needs to put oranges in boxes, write many numbers and add them, polish teeth, or whatever it is that ‘normal’ people do for work. Hanako’s pretty sure slaying zombies isn’t it… and she’s also sure that Maeve and Naysa will not make it to Oppara if such horrors are left to their own devices.
She is not serious of course. Seeing Maeve and Naysa together and knowing her part in keeping them that way has Hanako in a particularly chipper mood.
The fairy sits cross legged on the table in front of Maeve. “Br-r-r-r-rng-ng-ng,” she hums. (It sounds like mmmmm, but in a tiny-bell voice.)
She then swivels her head to the other seven-eighths then points to it. She looks up at Maeve and holds up two fingers. “Da-ding?”
"Thank you" - Garrosh nodded, and poured himself a generous amount of coffee - "Had a good night sleep - no nightmares" - he ponders out loud.
Kilarra prays for her spells, before joining Garrosh for pancakes and coffee. "Did you see her come back last night?" She asks
"Hanako? I did not. Where did she go again?"
Maeve looks at Hanako dubiously but gingerly takes a part of the cucumber that Baldhart offered hed and puts it in her mouth before crumpling her face and spitting it out. "Bleh, how do people take something like that?" She winces, then absent-mindedly takes a piece of lettuce that Naysa cleverly passes her to get the cucumber taste out of her mouth. "OK that wasn't that bad.The second thing I mean. Not the first." Then Naysa and Maeve start having salami and lettuce sandwiches. "I hope your work goes smoothly."Naysa sincerely wishes Hanako.
"Kilarra? Pining over you? Uh.. Probably not. And praising Ragathiel for letting her sleep without you caroling at her." Winter jibes back.
"You could. The results would likely be amusing. At least to the onlooker."Winter snickers.
Garrosh finds the pancakes light and fluffy, and the coffee thick and black. The pancakes could probably use some maple syrup or honey.
“Singing telegram for Kilarra,” she trills as she knocks on the door to the sleepless building.
All of you hear the door being knocked, and Hanako's voice slightly muffled through the thick door." Singing telegram for Kilarra.". Shevan gets up from his seat and opens the door after checking the peephole, revealing Hanako and Winter at the door.
"Where's Piotr?" Winter asks Kilarra and Garrosh.
Hanako sees Kilarra and Garrosh having pancakes and coffee.
“Oh, who is pining now?” Hanako whispers teasingly to Winter.
To the others, “Good morning. Oh! Pancakes, yes! Good thing we did not fill up on cucumbers, Baldy. I am a fox, not a rabbit.” Hanako daintily sits down, adjusts her wares just so…
…and Baldhart leaps off Hanako’s shoulder and onto her pancake! She eats a fistful.
“Oh, honestly, Baldhart W. Fairy. At least wait until I have sufficiently drowned the pancake in syrup.”
The smell of pancakes wafting through the place summons Piotr, or maybe it is the people arriving. "Hey everybody, um... Winter... How's the morning so far?" he lost enough people in his life and felt a stab every time someone asked him if he was okay. Hence the awkward How's The Morning.
"Mornin bedhead." Kilarra says as she drinks coffee. "Eat up quick. We've got ghosts and shit to fight."
Piotr looks down to the table with the heaping helping of pancakes, and gulps visible, but waits, looking back at Winter to see how she is before eating.
"Shush." Winter shushes Hanako. "I mean I was just checking if...he went out last night like you. Or worse, went out and didn't make it back." Winter says darkly.
Winter, to Piotr looks like she hasn't slept well last night, with dark eye circles under her eyes and it looks like she has been weeping recently.
"Passable, all things considered. Though Hanako helped me tie up some loose ends and cheered me up a little with the suggestion of a morning serenade for Kilarra." Winter replies, a hint of amusement appearing. "I wouldn't mind hearing it, to be honest."
Hanako manages to find some brown sticky substance smelling of vanilla in a blue jug on the table.
Piotr looks like he would like to comfort her, but really has no idea how. So instead he gives her an awkward pat on the shoulder, a nod, and then gets down to eating breakfast.
“Oh, well…” Hanako reaches for the vanilla syrup. “There is such thing as taking a joke too far. And music has to fit the mood. It is early, so…”
The syrup pours all over the fairy. She is showering in it!
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Well, now I have no choice…
Who’s in the mood for a song
That’s dad-joke corny
And takes too long
Brings nothing - but trouble
To faces dark with stubble
And ladies - with coffee
That better be strong
Hanako holds up her kafe. Takes in its aroma, then summons a tiny lute into Baldy’s hands.
But no drink is strong enough for you,
Kilarra Dimir, it’s true
We fight side by side
“Well, no - more like…”
I follow your stride
Twenty paces behind
And yet I find
I only really know are a
Great warrior, Kilarra
Who fights like a knight
And wrongs rights with might
And smites with holy light
And knows no fright
At this point Hanako looks like she could use a drink stronger than kafe. But she gladly sips the hot beverage while Baldy strums…
By now, Kilarra,
You’re probably hoping I choke
But I would never
Make you the butt of a joke
Whatever battle we’re in, we’ll win
And I’ll do my part
But one day I hope to learn
What’s in your heart
Hanako then hastily cuts a piece of pancake for herself.
“You know, the trick to improvising these songs in the fly is to have a reservoir of rhyming words. You just fit them into a tune, and try to stay on topic.”
"I am sorry for your loss Winter..." - Garrosh started, but his words got caught in his throat as all hell broke loose - he stopped eating, and grunted at the mess done by Baldhart at the breakfast table, and rolled his eyes at the singing.
"I guess we can talk later - I will go get my gear" - he added, grabbing his coffee and moving out to retrieve his equipment.
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Kilarra sighs and pinches the bridge of her nose. "If you say so. Here's what I'll say."
Kilarra looks Hanako dead in the eyes with a face void of emotion. "I dunno how you do it, but me, Garrosh, and Piotr all came from shit lives. We live in this place where everyone dies and no one cares. We're all grit-filled warriors, and I don't give a rat's ass if I die tomorrow. At least all this shit would be over. But you, you're a fox who's a person, who sings magic songs and dances, and cares about everyone and their left toes. You ain't got a thought that isn't said, and you talk five miles a second. You also got noodle arms like you haven't worked a day in your life, and your magic relies on others to do things for you. Sorry if I have a hard time taking you seriously, and "opening my heart" to you. The pixie showering in syrup doesn't help."
By the end of it, it's clear that Kilarra's been holding it in for a long time, but she doesn't look happy. Instead she grimaces, and finishes by removing eye contact and stuffing an entire pancake into her mouth.
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Hanako appears unfazed by Kilarra’s words. Her tone is calm, but her words are direct. “Baldhart is fully clothed. She did nothing indecent and it is not her fault I poured syrup on her. I would appreciate it if, next time you wish to publicly humiliate me, you leave her out of your tirade.”
Hanako cuts a dainty piece of pancake for herself and continues eating.
Baldhart senses awkwardness. She flings the tiny lute off of the table. (It dissipates sometime after dropping from sight.)
The fairy doesn’t care if she gets more syrup on her dress. She eats a third fistful of pancake. It’s smothered in syrup!
Piotr stops as a hunk of pancake is halfway to his mouth, looking back and forth between the two women in obvious confusion. Ann comes out in that moment, giving Kilarra a scathing look of near contempt, then very pointongly sits next to Hanako. Piotr shakes his head, and goes back to eating.
"Oh my..."Winter is definitely amused as Hanako bursts into song, but as Kilarra curtly snubs her, Winter sighs. "Oh dear."
"Kilarra," Winter chides her, "Each of us are different. Yes, Hanako may have noodle arms, but the same could be said about me. Not everyone wields weapons like you do. Like if I asked you to throw holy fire at our foes, you wouldn't be able to. But I could."
"Point is that we're in a team together. Be less critical - if Hanako's contribution is forewarning so that we don't go into a situation blind, or enhancing others abilities, that is a contribution as well. We all do what we can, to the best of our abilities. And to rub in what people can't do is just rude." Winter points out.
"Hanako, don't let her get you down. You're contributing to the team and don't let anyone say otherwise." Winter consoles Hanako.
Hanako smiles meekly at Ann, and nods in appreciation of Winter’s words. She eats in silence.
For a moment, she looks like she has something to say… but she doesn’t speak.
The fairy looks like she has something to say: I stepped in the path of the poured syrup on purpose.
…but she can’t speak.
Garrosh hears the drama as he leaves the room, and thanks the Gods for the fact he left just in time.
Kilarra stammers "I, that's not, ah f**!. I'll be outside." And she picks up her sword and walks out of the inn.
Hanako says nothing as Kilarra exits. She takes another dainty bite, then rises to pour more kafe into Kilarra’s cup. She makes sure Kilarra’s had about a minute or so to herself before she finally heads outside.
She offers Kilarra the topped-off cup. “The fairy did not pee in it, before you ask.”
Ann watches the others go then moves up to Winter "What happened last night that caused [i]that[i] to happen?" the avid gossiper from her old life is bleeding through.
"Honestly, Hanako was trying to cheer me up, and the thought of her serenading to oh-so-stiff and jaded Kilarra was rather amusing, so I egged her onto it."Winter replies, sounding slightly guilty. "I didn't realize Kilarra would be so mean about it. I mean belittling someone's contribution is really a jerk@ss thing to do."
"If I'd known Kilarra would be that insulting, I wouldnt have - I don't want Hanako's feelings hurt." Winter adds. "I retorted quite violently because I was responsible for Kilarra's reply too."
"She might have been embarrassed?" Piotr offers "I'd be embarrassed if someone started singing to me about my heart and all that other stuff." just talking about it makes the big guy uncomfortable a bit.
Ann rolls her eyes at her brother "I don't think she meant to be mean, she just bottles everything inside until one little crack makes it shatter into... well that. We saw plenty growing up going from nothing to exploding." as his sister mentions that part of their past, Piotr's face goes dark.
"I'll go get our stuff ready." he decides, leaving the rest of his pancakes left uneaten.
When he has gathered his equipment, Garrosh returns downstairs - "Thank you for the breakfast Shevan, and apologies for all the ruckus" - he grunts.
"Winter, like I was saying before - I am sorry for your loss, and that we were unable to get to Omari in time. I wish we could have done more..."
Then he moves outside and waits.
A grouchy Kilarra take the cup and tries to down it in one go, though she chokes part way through. After coughing a few times, she asks "You're not mad at me?"
“I lived with seven succubi. I have heard worse.” Sardonically, she adds, “You know, during my easy life.” She grins after she says that.
But on a more serious note, “I will not pretend to be unhurt, but more than anger, I feel pity for you.”
"I don't need your pity." Kilarra grumbles. "And I'm not succubus-born either."
“You misunderstand—the succubi…” Hanako hesitates, then ultimately drops the topic. “Forget it. Enjoy your kafe in silence.”
Hanako starts to head back in.
When Hanako re-enters, Baldhart gives a guilty look, as she is still devouring minuscule chunks of her goddess’ pancake.
Hanako smiles pleasantly at the fairy. She takes another bite herself and, with kafe cup in hand, joins Ann and Winter.
“Critics,” she scoffs. “Cannot live with them; cannot live if you fight them.”
Piotr comes back down, armed and armored. And Ann winks out of existance. "Ready" he says grumpily.
Shevan rolls his eyes at Garrosh. ”Look – I don't know what’s up with you guys, and I don’t want to know. Cesadia said to make sure you guys had breakfast if you wanted it, and beyond that, I’m not your nursemaid to help you guys patch up. It’s really none of my business.”
”I’ll take the apology,” Shevan grumbles. ”Though I’d still have to wipe up the syrup the fairy splashed around the table.”
”I suppose perhaps she could be, but still there’s no reason to be rude….” Winter replies, ”And its not as if it’s something particularly traumatic, in fact it could even be expected since Hanako is a bard and they tend to like being flamboyant.”
”You know when your brother doesn’t finish his food,”Winter points at the uneaten pancakes, ”You know something isn’t right.”
”It’s really hard to tell how long she had been dead due to the necromantic energies infused into her corpse so…” Winter shakes her head. ”Its hard to say if we could have gotten there in time, and unfair to blame any of you as such.”
”Yeah critics – they’re a diva’s worst nightmare. Though Kilarra REALLY shouldn't have been such a jerk.” Winter comments. ”Are we going to Fort Hailcourse to purge the ghost then, or do you guys have some other destination in mind?”
“Oh, hell. Not another grump.” Hanako sings for Shevan.
Yes
The table’s a mess
And my sweet fairy’s dress
Is all sticky with syrup
So you’re not impressed
With the smack of her lips
And the lack of a tip
And the crumbs on her bum
And her buttery hips
But just think of it, dude
Although she’s rude and crude
My sweet fairy’s expressing
Her love for your food
And if that’s not enough
Cleaning up ain’t so tough
This very song will clean all of
This stuff
Baldhart dances on the table, giggling like a tiny bell as syrup and crumbs and kafe spills dissipate around her!
Quite cheerfully, Hanako says to Winter, “Do not worry about me. My skin is thicker than it appears.” She smiles confidently, though her expression quickly melts into doubt. “Metaphorically thick. I have skinny legs and can cut my finger turning the page of an old book.
“But as long as the ghost does not throw books at my kneecaps, I am ready to return to Hailcourse.”
Shevan rolls his eyes at Garrosh. ”Look – I don't know what’s up with you guys, and I don’t want to know. Cesadia said to make sure you guys had breakfast if you wanted it, and beyond that, I’m not your nursemaid to help you guys patch up. It’s really none of my business.””I’ll take the apology,” Shevan grumbles. ”Though I’d still have to wipe up the syrup the fairy splashed around the table.”
"Fair enough" - Garrosh nodded at Shevan, and took his leave as Hanako magically cleaned the table.
Outside he waited until they were all reunited, and put out the question at hand - "So, what do we know about ghosts, and how are we going to deal with it if it decides to attack us before we can put the body to rest?"
Winter purses her lips then she explains,"We can attack it with magic weapons and cause its incorporeal form to dissipate for 24 hours or so, which will give us sufficient time for us to get the body out and perform the rites."
Winter looks at Hanako, "Well if the ghost was a wizard in life who knew how to do telekinesis, it is very possible, if there were books in the room, that he flung those at us."
Shevan nods at Hanako and thanks her for her help.
Hanako reaches into her efficient quiver and draws a viol.
“I have no magic weapon. I have my one attack spell, which on the street, seemed to work on a ghost.”
"Likewise I have no magical weapons"
“Can we afford one? A magic bow? For you, I mean,” she clarifies to Garrosh.