2023-06-07: Old Haunts and New Acquaintances

• Log: Old Haunts and New Acquaintances
• Cast: Riesenlied, Noeline, Hannah Curie
• Where: Klein Central Ward
• Date: June 07, 2023
• Summary: Riesenlied and Noeline celebrate the return of the Wayside Outreach to Filgaia by taking their children to a cafe in Klein. Hannah and Zephyr happen to find a lost doll belonging to the groun and return it, and are invited to join them for tea.

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============================<* Klein Central Ward *>============================

The central ward of Klein City is dominated by the great, imposing castle of House Klein, black stones with great spires stretching up to the sky atop a high cliff overlooking the rest of the city, with a fine view of the sea far below. ...But while the fortress could be imposing, it is largely open to the public, the government offices of the city sprawling from within the castle itself into the sprawling buildings that have sprung up somewhat less securely. The bureaucratic machine that oversees most of the trade of Meria Boule with other nations requires a great deal of upkeep, and many industries have sprung up to provide for and cater to the officials and merchants involved in the process. Klein City occupies a notable place at the east coast of Meria Boule, and it is in many ways its gateway to the rest of Filgaia, particularly outside Aquvy. Accordingly it is fairly cosmopolitan, favoring bright fashions and a sophistication that can sometimes grate on those who prefer more straightforward talk and manner. The rocky terrain means people are often closer together than not, but it is not known for its great machinery or production as a rule, even if it is one of the more bustling cities of Meria Boule.

BGM: Chrono Cross - Another Termina

<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.

    The Wayside Outreach is back in Filgaia!

    Their airship, the Fereshte, has been stuck in Spira for a few years, and thus most of their outreach work has been focused on that region. But recently, technological developments have let them return via the Elw Teleporter, and now... they're visiting Klein! The airship moored outside town is impressive, certainly -- a large blimp with a dragons-head that's carrying a somewhat rickety-looking sailing ship underneath.

    But Riesenlied has chosen to go to town today, to spend time with Noeline and her children -- and as such, today, an open terrace cafe in Klein's central streets has the somewhat unusual patron of a half-Dragon-looking woman with pale blonde hair in a wheelchair... surrounded by about five to six children. One of them is a crow Beastfolk, about ten years of age, with black hair; another, much taller at about fifteen years of age, has a wiry build and grey messy hair. The rest seem to be about six to twelve.

    "Mom, mom, can we go buy a souvenir?" one child asks, incredibly excited.
    "Hmmm, I think that is a wonderful idea," Riesenlied places her non-scaly hand to her chest. "Go with Janey, okay?"

    Janey -- the fifteen-year old and senior amongst them -- pouts to go, "You're making me babysit? Okay, okaaay. Let's go see if we can't find airsoft ARMs!"

    Riesenlied chuckles and takes a proverbial step back, to let the children chatter amongst themselves; she takes a cup of tea and sips from it.

<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.

    Noeline has already spent a lot of her time on this trip snickering to herself, fully aware of what a strange sight they must make: two Hyadeans, one draconic and in a wheelchair and the other a striking contrast in how dark she looks in the midst of Klein, black hair and red eyes matching with her clothes. She hasn't regressed entirely back to the old days of fully pretending to be a Crimson Noble, but she's damned if she's not going to dress nicely as she accompanies Riesenlied on a family date.

    And it is very much a family date, because the main reason she's snickering is the orbit of several children around them. Noeline somehow managed to handle steering and pushing Riesenlied's wheelchair through town while letting one young child think she's doing all the work and while also carrying one smaller child on her shoulders. She might look quite dramatic now, seated at the cafe like she belongs there - but it's softened by the bright smile on her face and the way she's quick to dote on the kids around her, helping to nudge along any stragglers with the support of the two older children.

    "We're saying we trust you," she pouts right back at Janey, amusement dancing in her eyes. She's already made sure to hand out pocket money to each of them. "Don't get into too much trouble."

    Looking across the table, she catches Riesenlied's eye with a warm sigh. "However did we manage being in Filgaia on our own for so long-- ah, careful!" she adds as she's interrupted by one smaller girl nearly knocking her cup in her hurry to join the others, the attempt at smoothness shifting to motherly fuss in a moment.

<Pose Tracker> Hannah Curie has posed.

Hannah and Zephyr are just returning to Klein themselves--though this is one return out of many, many departures and returns for them. Hannah stops outside the city to take in the sight of the airship. "Thing'a beauty, ain't it, Zephyr?" she comments as she finds a place to sit and take down a detailed sketch, annoytating the various probable technological and magical components of it she can identify or hypothesize based on sight.

A short time later she's wandering the streets, having delivered her package but not ready quite ready to embark on another delivery. She's just barely in her 20's, with short, curly pink hair and bright green eyes that mostly seem to look tired. Dressed in a short-sleeved shirt, denim shorts, and hiking boots, she also has a red-tailed hawk perched on one shoulder, and a bag slung around behind her back with a wrapped bundle on top.

She sighs as she drifts through the city, looking at the various store windows as she ponders something. Zephyr chirps, and Hannah is pulled away from her contemplating to see... a doll on the ground. "... Huh." She picks it up, and glances around. "Good catch. Let's split up, see if anybody's missin' this."

Mage and bird both go their separate ways, the former on foot and the latter cruising swiftly through the city streets. He spots the gaggle of kids (and the women with them), and circles back. He takes up a perch on a store sign across the street and watches the group curiously. A few minutes later, Hannah approaches the group, as Zephyr comes--almost out of nowhere--to land on her shoulder right before she speaks up.

"Excuse me. Sorry to intrude, but I found this in the street, and I was wondering if possibly one of your kids dropped it?" She holds out the doll.

<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.

    Riesenlied looks ever so pleased to be with Noeline, of course, letting them take turns with guiding her through the streets and watching out for things that might catch her chair. And sitting by the side of the cafe with her? It just feels like a date at this point, even with the children around -- they're not so picky they need exclusivity, after all!

    Janey can't help but puff up at that compliment and says, "That's me! Trustworthy Janey!" Wasn't it Calamity Janey before? "We won't, we won't! Just a bit of trouble."

    Riesenlied considers Noeline's question with a fond sigh of her own, unsure of the answer herself. "We made do, but there was certainly an absence that made me even fonder-- ah!" While Noeline is helping the child clean her cup, though, she looks down the street.

    When Hannah sketches the Fereshte, she can notice that it's a mixture of various technologies; the dragons-head and the engine within is likely Hyadean, and possibly the main technological detail that lets it fly; the rest is a mixture of best-of-fit modern solutions, and cobbled solutions from what feels like many various hands lending to it. Like a charming little patchwork of everyone's signatures.

    Riesenlied spots Zephyr for a moment, rather charmed at the sight of the hawk, then to Hannah as she approaches them. "Oh, dear, that is--"

    The little crow-winged girl with them gasps. "T-there it is! I've been wondering where Makki went for an hour! Thank you, ma'am!" She hurries forward with a smile -- before pausing and bowing.

    "Oh, I am very glad. You have been worried since we entered town, Mikaia," Riesenlied says with relief, then nods her thanks in turn to Hannah. "Thank you very much, miss. Would you like to join us for tea? But-- ah, I am being terribly rude."

    She places her human hand to her heart again with a sincere smile. "My name is Riesenlied, of the Wayside Outreach."

<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.

    "Uh-huh. Trustworthy Janey," Noeline responds with a half-lidded stare. She knows her children well; Janey might have fallen into the role of Biggest Sister and spent a lot of time being the one to look after the rest of them, but the Hyadean has no doubt that she still has a mischievous streak a mile wide. Like mother like daughter, after all. "I'll listen out for the screams."

    She flashes a bright smile back to Riesenlied's partial answer, her own feelings written clear on her face. She might appreciate time alone with her partner, but being away from the Fereshte was like cutting part of herself off. It might be a world apart from where the two of them started out, but she wouldn't give it up for the world at this point.

    "There, there," she hums as she helps dab the spill away from the corner of the younger orphan's mouth with a tissue, her eyes watching the hawk circling above. Once done, she hauls the girl up into her lap and navigates her towards a biscuit like it's the smoothest and most natural thing in the world, just in time to catch their visitor.

    She snorts gently at the sight of the doll, but there's a lot of relief in her voice as she nods. "Oh, we appreciate it, thank you. We did try to make sure that we didn't lose anything or anyone on the way over here, but these things do happen, I suppose. Excuse our mild chaos - at this point, I think we've gotten fully used to it."

    Straightening up in her chair, Noeline looks over Hannah for a moment. There's a bit of sharpness to her gaze, the look of someone who's used to sizing people up and picking out observations, but it fades back into a genuine smile almost immediately. "I am Noeline, of the same. Please let us make it up to you a little."

<Pose Tracker> Hannah Curie has posed.

Hannah doesn't mind the Fereshe's odd combination of tech--she more admires the way everything comes together, and the overall effect it achieves, everything working in unison for a common purpose.

Hannah kneels down to present Makki to the crow girl, smiling gently in a way that suggests the action is familiar, even nostalgic. "You're welcome hun, I'm just happy we found you. I bet she was missin' you, too." From her shoulder, Zephyr chirps happily towards Mikaia.

Noeline confesses to them having mild chaos, and Hannah just shakes her head a little. "Oh, it's fine. I grew up with a lot of kids around, so this takes me back a bit." she says with a soft laugh.

Hannah stands and looks surprised by the invitation. "Oh, that's kind of you, but--" From her shoulder, Zephyr makes a soft squawking noise, and Hannah gives him a look. "Well... if you're sure it's no trouble..."

Hannah doesn't look like a danger-if anything the sight of all the kids running around does make her smile, but it's a smile tinged with a bit of sadness, too. She looks for and takes any empty seat that she can find. "It's a pleasure to meet you both. I'm Hannah, and this is Zephyr. We're not with anybody, just ourselves."

<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.

    Riesenlied has to flush a little, the way Noeline gently takes care of the girl and effortlessly guides her towards something that's more appealing to her. They've been together for some years now, but it doesn't mean that she doesn't have her moments, still! The ring tells all, between the two. "Never a quiet moment, it seems, but that is in no way a bad thing at all."

    Mikaia has a cheerful giggle as she accepts her doll, and smiles brightly. "Thanks, Miss Hannah! Zephyr's really cute too! I'm Mikaia... an apprentice alchemist!"

    Mikaia sidles up next to Riesenlied on a seat of her own, and Hannah mentions how she grew up with a lot of kids around. "A big family is wonderful, is it not? The Wayside orphanage started small, but as we travelled and did outreach work, adoption became necessary once in a while... a lot of these little ones have made strong friends from all over, including Meribia and Spira."

    She pours a cup of tea for Hannah, and sets some of the biscuits on the tray closer... and she also sets some seeds on a plate aside, for Zephyr. She's a bird-person, too! Carrying birdfeed just seems natural to her.

    "Are you a Drifter by trade, perchance, miss Hannah?"

<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.

    Mikaia is one of the most mature of their children, especially given the way she tends to have a lot more common sense than some of the others - but Noeline's aware that means that the things she does allow herself are that much more precious to her because of it, and so the bright laugh from Mikaia is echoed by her own quiet chuckle of relief.

    "Well, I'm glad to hear it isn't a bother," she hums back to Hannah with a smile, tilting her head in invitation as she catches that moment of sadness. "And all the more reason to sit down and immerse yourself in it, then. Believe me, we are keenly aware of how much we missed it while we were apart. Don't worry about whether or not it's trouble. This sort of thing is just what we do."

    Her hand has snuck across to find Riesenlied's for a moment now that she's done fussing over the girl in her lap; the touch only lasts a moment, but it's enough time to reassure and agree with her partner via actions rather than words. So instead, she puffs up all over again, this time in Mikaia's defence. "Surely you have graduated at least a little bit? I'm expecting you to come up with your own potions any day now."

    There's a natural gravitation towards the bird amongst the children, though they're well-behaved enough that there's no risk of grabby hands - just 'oooh cool bird' seems to be a very common opinion amongst them. It's almost like they've grown up around a very pro-bird environment. Who can imagine where that came from?

    "I would have thought a ranger, perhaps," she chips in to Riesenlied's question. "Or perhaps a courier? But you would certainly not be the first Drifter paired with an animal that we have met. Any backup is good backup, after all."

<Pose Tracker> Hannah Curie has posed.

"Well it's nice to meet you, Mikaia. And please, you can just call me Hannah if that suits you." Zephyr chirps happily at the compliment, and Hannah smiles warmly. "He appreciates that. And--oh, really? That's wonderful. What kinds of things have you learned about so far?"

"Thank you kindly, then," she says to Noeline's reassurances of it not being any touble.

A large family is good, though Hannah sighs just a bit before nodding, "It is." But then Risenlied mentions the Wayside Orphanage, and she blinks. "Oh!" She looks around at the assorted kids and nods a little. "I see..." And just a little bit under her breath she comments, "So that's why this felt so familiar..."

Zephyr, meanwhile, does rather relish being the center of attention. He hops off Hannah's shoulder go for the birdseed, but when he notices he brings himself upright, almost puffing out his chest, it seems like, and then spreading his wings so the kids can all see his wingspan and plumage. Then he lifts his wings up, as if he's about to take off, and Hannah says, idly, "No tricks in the cafe, Zephyr. Save it for later." Zephyr shoots her a look but Hannah ignores it.

Hannah reaches for the offered cup and carefully picks it up, taking a careful sip to judge its temperature. "Oh, yes, I am. I dabble in a lot of different things... by training I'm a Crest Sorceress, but I also have some experience with ARMs." To Noeline she nods, "Oh, I've done my fair share of deliveries, though not exclusively." But despite her admonishment of Zephyr a moment ago she gives him a warm smile. "Oh, Zephyr and I have been together ever since I was little. Best partner on the road I could ever ask for."

<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.

    "W-w-weeell..." Mikaia stammers out a laugh as Noeline talks about expecting her to come up with potions. "Potions is still a work in progress, I think it might just not be my thing... b-but! I'm really good at enchanting mirrors," Mikaia explains to Hannah, with enthusiasm. "I've learnt about putting a special coating on them that lets them help reflect magic away... since -- well, a lot of the grownups around me tend to do dangerous work. If you're interested, I could certainly try to make one for you!"

    Riesenlied looks terribly proud of her, saying, "I think there is no harm in having a specialty, certainly, and you seem to have found your niche." Noeline makes her own guesses -- a ranger or courier certainly makes sense, but Hannah also explains how she's a Crest Sorceress. And experience with ARMs, too!

    "Oh, I see...!" she gestures towards her seat. "Some of the improvements done on this wheelchair were done by some of my friend scholars in Sielje, using Crest Sorcery as a basis. I owe them a lot to the quality of life I have."

    Noeline mentions how the big family is just part of what they do, and Riesenlied has a smile to that -- but Hannah mentions how that's why it feels familiar. "Ah, is there an orphanage that is part of your life as well, miss Hannah?"

    There's cries of adoration and surprise as Zephyr shows himself off! "Wow! Those wings go wide!" "I bet he can fly over -- over a hundred sharls a minute!" "No way!"

    Hannah mentions how Zephyr is the best partner she could ask for. "I can certainly understand it! I am rather fond of birds myself, particularly Cuccos... though I do not have a partner bird with me at present. Though the local wildlife do tend to come to my aid when needed."

<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.

    Noeline watches Hannah's reaction to the news that they're from an orphanage, and quirks one corner of her mouth up into a lopsided smile. "We are a found family through and through, but no less of a family for it," she somewhat grandiosely declares. "We both come from backgrounds where we know what it's like to feel unmoored from home. So providing one for some of these children is the least we can do."

    Catching herself, she lets out a quiet chuckle. "Well. I speak big, but it's not like we set out to get into this line of work. We just started looking after some of the refugee children around Adlehyde, and then found some more to look after as we travelled, and things ballooned from there. About all I was good for at first was telling stories, but somehow I've gotten the hang of it. Riese is just a natural through and through," Noeline adds with a smirk.

    If anything, Noeline doesn't tease the rather eclectic set of skills that Hannah lists - on the contrary, she nods with approval instead. "That's good. People put a lot of weight in being 'experts', but when it comes down to it, the more a Drifter knows, the more situations they can respond to and survive through. It really doesn't ever hurt to stay well-rounded. Besides, everyone has to start somewhere."

    "If you ask me," Noeline adds a little archly before making a show of sipping from her tea. "I think the idea of making magical protective mirrors is one or two steps higher than potions, in fact. Soon you'll be crowding out the market with Mikaia-brand jewelry," she adds with the goofy confidence of a overly proud parent.

    Her gaze wanders to Riesenlied. She can risk another flat stare and a glum expression, well aware that Riesenlied may at any given time suddenly summon ten or twenty troublesome Cuccos to her side. You don't necessarily need a partner bird when you have a partner army at your beck and call. She's even about to open her mouth - when there's a sudden oddly-synthesized sound of a cucco from beneath Riesenlied's wheelchair of all places.

<Pose Tracker> Hannah Curie has posed.

Hannah smiles to Mikaia, "Aww, looking out for the grown-ups around you. How responsible of you." She appears to consider her offer. "Mmmm... Well, I would hate to be an imposition, but I would be fascinated to see some of your handiwork sometime, if you wouldn't mind showing me. Ah, if that's okay with the two of you, of course," she says to Riesenlied and Noeline.

Hannah takes a look at the wheelchair, and she's giving it an appraising look, thinking over what some of the workings in it might be. "I studied at Sielje," she says after a moment. "That would have been a fascinating project to work on."

She goes silent for a moment as Riesenlied asks her about an orphanage in her life, gently swirling the tea around in her cup. "There is. In Damzen." Noeline explains that they know what it's like to be unmoored... Hannah nods, "Having grounding's important, 'specially for kids in our situation." Does she still consider herself a kid? She continues, quietly, "Been far too long since I've been back home..." She tries to force a smile, "But you know how it is. Drifter's work is never done n' all."

She looks at the kids, and then Mikaia. "I bet you kids've seen all sorts of interesting places, huh? I didn't leave Damzen much growing up until I went to Sielje."

Zephyr chirps at Hannah, and she just says, "If it's okay with Miss Riesenlied and Miss Noeline."

"Always something interesting to learn," says Hannah, in agreement with Noeline's point about not specializing. "Though, speaking of visiting interesting places, I imagine it must be quite a challenge taking these kids around with you to do your work. Though I must admit I am curious, what sort of work does the Wayside Outreach do?"

She spares the wheelchair a glance when it makes that sound, and Zephyr is looking at it as well. In fact, he hops off he table with a careful flap of his wings (making sure not to hit any kids or knock anything over on the table) so he can get a better look under the wheelchair.

<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.

    Noeline's grandiose affirmation of what their family is has Riesenlied reflecting, how every one of them knows in a way how it feels when home isn't welcoming... and indeed, she can only hope she can provide a bit of a base for so many souls that've been forgotten by the wayside, hence the name.

    "I had dreamed of humanitarian work for quite a while, and providing care to children just seemed to be a natural extension of it..." she flushes a bit as Noeline tells her she's a natural, though. "Hardly. I think you were the more social of us two once upon a time."

    Well-roundedness... well, Riesenlied likes round things, like cuccos, but that's not the kind of roundness they're talking about. "I am afraid most of my contribution is my empathic power and the power of the Medium of Life," she chuckles. "I do not swing a sword terribly often these days, with my condition, and I have never really had a taste for ARMs..."

    Mikaia seems buoyed by the approval by both Noeline and Hannah. "W-well, sometimes both my moms have to fight for important things, and sometimes that scares me a lot, so being able to give a little makes me feel a bit more assured." When Hannah asks if she can see some, though, Mikaia actually just reaches into her sidebag for a moment and...

    Procures a little pyramid-shaped prism, from which a clear sense of magical redirection can be felt from. "It's not pretty enough to be jewelry... I'd probably need to get Janey's help with that. But Miss Jay said that the coating is stable enough to be field worthy."

    She smiles and holds it up. "Do you want it, Miss Hannah? As thanks for finding Makki for me."

    "Ah, you studied at Sielje too? We have visited in our time here -- the grand observatory was really as breathtaking as my friend made it sound, and the size of their telescope!" Riesenlied reminisces.

    Hannah mentions how her orphanage is in Damzen, and Riesenlied has to think of it for a moment -- "Damzen... that is on the northern part of this landmass Meria and Klein is on, is it not? I am afraid I have not been there before, but..." She perks up, on the topic of what it is they do.

    "The Outreach provides aid to areas that struggle to have the basics, whether due to war or their remoteness... with our airship, we move water, food, clothing, housing structures, and other necessities to those that need it. We also assist them in finding ways to support themselves in the long-term, whether through training, or connecting them with other communities. I do sometimes worry, as the airship has seen combat before... but we try our best to keep everyone safe."

    A pause. "Perhaps call it a bias, but I also have an interest in helping the various in species in Filgaia accomodate one another as well. It was a long struggle to get our people, the Hyadean, to a point where they could start to integrate... but I think we have made some gains."

    She misses the chirping noise under the wheelchair while she's explaining, though, perking up as she looks down as Zephyr does the same way. "Oh? Goodness--"

<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.

    "Indeed, I somewhat regret missing Sielje the first time I travelled in this area. It would have been quite different to the Sielje of today, of course, but I have no doubt I would have enjoyed my time there. I would probably have snuck into a dozen different lecture halls and laboratories," she adds with another bout of open mischief, too pleased at being reunited with the rest of her family to worry about being sly. "But I will settle for stargazing and peace and quiet, too."

    She doesn't register Damzen as a place in her memories, but she also doesn't really dwell on that, not given the way in which Hannah's face seems to fall. "Nonsense," she counters, though with a smile. "A Drifter's work is exactly as done as they decide it is. Now, I can certainly understand feeling like you need to do more, given the state of Filgaia - but I would suggest everyone can always spare space for a bit of a trip home from time to time."

    "... speaking of giving lectures," her face immediately falls as she glances to Riesenlied with a rather fanged grin. "Ah, I've become such a fussy meddler... more social, certainly, but I can't say I would have ever brought out nurturing speeches or a handkerchief at the ready for grubby cheeks," she teases-- herself, really, given that hers is now folded on the table.

    "Well," she pulls herself back up the next moment as she huffs. "They mostly stay on board the airship, of course. Klein is a very safe city on the whole, and we know some of the people in charge, so I can't say I'm all that worried. The rest of the time we simply... pull together. Any of the crew will look out for them, and many of the children are remarkably capable as it is. Janey and Mikaia made sure the airship stayed safe and afloat for months in Spira, without a chance for us to be there with them." There's a clear pride in her voice.

    There's a bonk from under the wheelchair, and the sound of something detaching, and a roundish metal orb rolls out and immediately lifts into the skies. There is a hint of a disguise there - some feathers and a rather battered cucco 'beak' made out of folded paper that has seen much better days. "... that is one of my partner birds. An ARM that thinks it is a cucco. Honestly, what are you doing coming out?" she grumbles at it as it trills. "What if Riese needed you in an emergency? You're supposed to be the steering mechanism!"

    It is not listening.

<Pose Tracker> Hannah Curie has posed.

"Certainly does my heart good to know there's someone trying to look after kids in need," comments Hannah on the extension of their humanitarian work. Then, "Empathic power, huh...?" She blinks a bit, but then looks thoughtful, and even glances towards Zephyr.

She smiles down to Mikaia. "Looking out for everyone else around you, huh? That's a very admirable quality. You kind of remind me of someone else I knew at your age..." Hannah looks with great interest as the prism is produced, and if allowed, takes it in her hands so she can examine it. "Oh, interestin'..." She turns it over carefully in her hands. "I see... what did you use for the base component?" Then-- "Though if that's a trade secret, don't feel like you have to answer" she adds with a little wink.

But then the offer is made to keep it, and she freezes, clearly a bit stuck. She appreciates the gesture, but returning the doll wasn't all that much of a challenge, but yet to refuse might hurt her feelings. "W-well... Truth be told, it was Zephyr who spotted the doll and found the cafe, so by all rights he earned it. I don't know if I could accept it on his behalf..." She looks to Riesenlined and Noeline with an expression that roughly translates to 'I'm not sure if this is too much and I don't know how to refuse this adorable little girl without hurting her feelings.'

"I remember that observatory," says Hannah with a smile. "Was one of the first things I saw there. Did plenty of stargazing back home but not like that." To Noeline, she chuckles, "Zephyr always wanted to follow me around everywhere, but kept him out of most places, especially the library."

"Yes, that's right. Damzen is to the north, in the desert." There's hesitation as Noeline refutes her point. "Y-yes, that's... that's true, but..." She glances away. "There's something important I need to take care of," she admits quietly. "But... I... might be getting some help with that, so maybe soon..."

Riesenlied explains about the Wayside Outreach. She mentions an airshi... "Oh! Is that your airship docked outside the city? I saw it on my way into town just now. Mighty impressive working you've got there. But that all sounds like real worthy work you're doing. Ah... if you ever need the services of a drifter or a crest sourceress, or her red-tailed hawk... Let me know. I'd be honored to lend my aid to such a worthy cause."

But Mikaia helped keep it running for months... Hannah seems genuinely astonished and impressed as she looks to the girl--and not at all in that way where she is but she might be playing it up a little just to bolster a kid's confidence. "Wow, that can't have been an easy feat. Sounds like you've got a really good future ahead of you, whatever you set your mind to."

Zephyr lets out a surprised squawk as the device rolls out and takes off into the sky, and immediately takes off after it, trying to get a better look at the thing that purports to be a cucco but is not. Hannah herself blinks. "What is that...?" she inquires.

<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.

    "In another time, I too would have enjoyed being a student," Riesenlied does admit, as much as Noeline does. But when Noeline mentions how it's important to take time to come back home, once in a while, Riesenlied notices Hannah's hesitation. There's a softer look on her face, and she tilts her head with a patient smile. "... I hope I am not being too forward, but as fellow Drifters, we, too, would be interested in helping with any troubles you hold too. But, I understand if it is a private matter."

    On the topic of empathic power, Riesenlied explains, "Ah -- I was born with the ability to keenly sense the emotions of other living beings, but... do not worry, it does not mean I am prying into your heart or mind at the moment. My apologies if it alarmed you."

    She's content to not push Hannah on that topic too hard, and instead, "But I think it is worth us travelling to Damzen too, to see if we can provide any aid there, Noeline. And it is a town you have not explored, too... it will be a new experience for us."

    The Hyadean's head bobs to one side to say, "Would it be all right for us to visit the orphanage there too?"

    Hannah asks what the base component is, and Mikaia giggles a little. "Um, it's the oil from a Gigantoad fiend in Spira. It's too dangerous for someone my age to handle, and you have to heat it up first to a high degree, so I got some help from mom with it. But once it cools, it does have magic-reflecting properties... and the shape of the prism helps focus it away from you, like a lightning rod. It's really neat. And... that's okay! I'll consider this a gift for the two of you, instead?"

    Mikaia looks like her head's going to balloon up as Noeline mentions that she took charge in the months they were away. "W-weell, we just... we just mostly kept people's spirits up. The adults on the ship are all really good people, so I mostly just made sure they-- they were looked after too! Like, bringing them bottled water regularly, and making sure their workboots and overalls are clean and don't have holes..."

    The little exchange between Zephyr and the mechanical Cucco gets her attention, and Riesenlied giggles in turn. "Oh, that is Trouble." She pats Trouble on the side of its hull, but seems content to let Noeline explain more.

    Hannah mentions the airship, which gets a nod -- and also offers her services. "Absolutely! We will let you know -- given our nature as Drifters, I am certain it will not be long before we come across each other on Digs as well, that said..."

<Pose Tracker> Noeline has posed.

    Noeline meets the uncertain glance with a smirk, as if to say 'look you're on your own here' in return. "In the end, it's something that Mikaia made, so I consider it up to her what she wants to do with it. If she'd like to offer it to you as thanks for your help, then why not accept?" she hums with an easy shrug of one shoulder.

    "It is a miracle it flies at all some days," Noeline grumps, but she's right back to that very fond grumping as she leans down and catches the metallic orb before it can float too high in the air. (It's got two little wings on the side that it's trying to flap, but there's also a small energy port that's doing all the work.) "It is rickety and sets on fire and the moment we take off we have to wonder if Solaris will breathe down our throats, but it is invariably and indisputably home."

    She holds out the little orb; it looks like old tech of some form, though it's not really clear what given the ARM is pitted with age and use. "Just as you have Zephyr, I have Strife and Trouble - though a lot of the time they will now assist in Riesenlied's movement when needed." It's certainly reminiscent of Marivel, given the similarities to Hob and Nob. "They are weapons, tools, and-- well, we bicker in a friendly enough way at times, I suppose," she adds.

    Mikaia wilts a bit under their praise, and Noeline looks at her with a much quieter smile as she sobers slightly. "I mean it. They might seem like little things, but it means a lot to keep people's spirits up in a situation like that. You two effectively ran the ins and outs of the Fereshte, and I've heard a lot of compliments about you since we've been back."

    "It's true that I haven't been to Damzen," the Crimson Notble continues from behind a hand over her chin in thought, before looking back over to Hannah. "Riesenlied has always had philanthrophy in her soul, but I originally started travelling for the sheer joy of discovery. I can say with pride that I've covered a majority of this area of the world, but I've never had the opportunity to head in that direction. So there is every chance you will find us over there in time, and you will likely have a pair of busybodies aiming to help out."

<Pose Tracker> Hannah Curie has posed.

"... I appreciate the offer, truly I do," says Hannah after a long pause. "I do have one of the best crest sorceresses I know helping me now, though, but if we need additional assistance, I'll reach out." Asking for help is hard for her, but... it's hard not to feel a certain amount of affinity for those who run an orphanage.

Riese explains about her empathic powers. "O-oh! Not at all, I wasn't thinking about that. I just got reminded of something else, that's all."

But then she's asked about her orphanage. "Oh, um... I'm sure they would love to receive any assistance you can offer. I send back what money I can, but..." she's just one drifter. But really, she sends back everything that she doesn't keep for her personal expenses--which is why she's always on the road, as well.

"Well, if it's a gift... " She can tell she's on the 'losing' side of this one, so gives in. "Then I would be pleased to accept it. Thank you very much, Mikaia. She places it very gingerly into her satchel. She'll have to make sure it's situated later so it won't break while she's traveling.

"Looking after the people around you is still important," comments Hannah. "I hope you never lose that inclination."

"That kind of thing does seem to happen rather often, doesn't it?" Drifters running into each other in digs. "I'm... well, I'm coming and going a lot, but I'm sort of working out of Klein at the moment, so we'll probably run into each other sooner or later.

"Strike and Trouble, huh...?" She smiles a little bit. She is very familiar with both Hob and Nob--as well as Marivel herself. It was nice getting to see them all again recently after so long. "Reminds me of another duo I know..."

Zephyr gives Trouble another lookover and then makes his way back to perch on Hannah's shoulder, where he gets a rub under his beak from the mage. "Well, with any luck, I'll have time enough to go back home, soon, so... maybe I'll be able to show you around." She picks up her tea and takes a sip, then reaches for a biscuit as she continues to discuss Wayside Reach's work and asking lots of questions about Mikaia's alchemy training.