Ashen - Picnic

Kowa Brimaine gives Bridget a Xelphatol apple and takes his lead off, feeling vaguely guilty about exactly how much food the poor bird had carried. "This is a nice spot, I think?"
Waku Motohama: It looks good to me. I must say, though...
Waku Motohama flashes Kowa a grin. "It doesn't take a detective to notice your preferences, Kowa."
Kowa Brimaine rolls her eyes. "Forgive me for enjoying a waterfall that's not pelting sleet at me."
Waku Motohama: Uh-huh, sure.
Kowa Brimaine: "I feel very judged by you right now."
Waku Motohama has a practically shit-eating grin. "I have no idea what gives you that impression. What grounds would I have to judge you on, even? It's not like being obsessed with waterfalls is a crime or anything."
Kowa Brimaine: "What will be a crime is this matcha cream pie going cold, as I made it especially for you."
Kowa Brimaine pokes her cheek. "So there, Detective."
Waku Motohama: Fair enough! I acquiesce. I cannot abide food crimes, after all.
Waku Motohama gives Kowa a low bow, and then notices the presence beyond. "And we have our first guest! Hello, Altani. Let's get this blanket spread, shall we?"
Altani Dataq'kahkol is awkwardly carrying a large container of... something. "O-oi, this is the ah... the place, ain't it? Someone said somethin' 'bout... here." She glances at the waterfall and grunts.
Kowa Brimaine: "What would the law do without you?" Altani is waved at. "Yes, help me get Brigid unpacked, Waku. I should hope a few more people show up."
Altani Dataq'kahkol: "Do, ah..." She pauses and flicks her tail, shifting the container she's carrying.
Waku Motohama: Right, right. Feel free to set your offering down over here, Altani! The more food, the merrier.
Waku Motohama begins lightening Bridget's burdens. It'd be a shame for the poor girl to suffer any longer under this weight! And for Waku to have to wait for a tasty meal.
Altani Dataq'kahkol nods, looking a bit awkward. "Aye." She shuffles over and drops off her container of whatever-it-is.
Kowa Brimaine leaves the heavy lifting to the stronger between them in favor of spreading out the blanket. "Lovely evening, isn't it?"
Waku Motohama: I would say, "Kowa, you are tempting fate right now", but I literally checked with the skywatchers before we left about the chances for rain, and you're also like... a manipulator of fate and cosmic probability, so you're honestly probably safe.
Kowa Brimaine smirks at her. "I'm glad you're aware that I control weather."
Altani Dataq'kahkol assists Waku with unloading the bird, giving Brigid a nod. "S'pose so," she murmurs at the mention of the weather, glancing to to the sky. "Spoke t'Kah not too long 'go, aye."
Waku Motohama: Yeah? How's he doing?
Kowa Brimaine: "Sleeping, most likely."
Altani Dataq'kahkol: "Ah... Good?" She shrugs. "Eyes look like m'greatmothers before she died, but... he's kind, he is."
Waku Motohama unpacks Kowa's assortment of goods - setting all the sundries out on the blanket and arranging them, along with the utensils, plates, and other practical picnic matters.
Kowa Brimaine: "He mentioned you were interested in meditation, Altani?"
Altani Dataq'kahkol runs a hand through her hair. "A-aye, he did." She pauses. "What else did he tell y'?"
Kowa Brimaine blinks at her. "That was about it?"
Altani Dataq'kahkol is once again either not noticing or not caring to correct her speech. "Aye, good." She nods a few times.
Waku Motohama has That Grin on her face. "What, is there something more than that to tell, then?"
Altani Dataq'kahkol: "Ain', ain' nothin', there ain'!" Her voice and mannerisms say otherwise.
Kowa Brimaine just lets her lifted eyebrow speak for her.
Altani Dataq'kahkol grunts at the two of them. "Don' y'give me that look, Kowa." She scuffs her boot against the ground.
Waku Motohama: You are so bad at lying, but I won't be pushy. Anything I missed, Kowa?
Waku Motohama gestures to the dishes laid out on the blanket before giving the chocobo and affectionate pat.
Kowa Brimaine: "As ever, Detective, you have given the situation a succinct read. We won't press you on what you're hiding with Ser Kah'li that may or may not be relevant to other recent events."
Kowa Brimaine || Brigid warks happily, giving the Raen an affectionate nudge before ambling off to enjoy his apple in peace.
Altani Dataq'kahkol scuffs her boot again. "If y'mean..." She takes a breath. "He, he reminds me too much'a m'father, he does, 'cept I've actually seen 'im smile." She grunts and falls to the ground, leaning against the box she brought.
Jaaster Taras raises his hand in greeting.
Waku Motohama sets down her own contribution to the party down - two bottles of alcohol. One is a very pleasant, chilled white wine perfect for an early autumn picnic. The other is just straight bourbon, because sometimes fanciness can go take the piss. "Why, hello there!" Waku greets Jaaster, beaming at him and then plopping down on the blanket.
Waku Motohama: You're just in time
Altani Dataq'kahkol looks back to Jaaster. "Aye, pleasan' evenin'."
Kowa Brimaine: "Good evening, Jaaster. There's shepherd's pie - " A favorite the last time she'd made it. "White chocolate matcha pie, drinks, and - Altani, what did you bring?"

Jaaster Taras approaches the gathering with Rollo trotting alongside. Jaaster's got a sizable leather bag slung over one shoulder, and a smaller wooden container tied to his belt. He smiles at those gathered. "Hey there. So, I heard there was a picnic, and I brought something for you folks."
Altani Dataq'kahkol pats the box at her side. "Don' take no credit f'this, I don'." She pops the box open, revealing entirely too many dumplings. "Brought some buuz, I did; got 'em from the ah... the place I went the other evenin'." She nods. "They do good shite, they do."
Jaaster Taras sets the sack down and unties the container from his belt, setting it down as well. Pointing to the sack, he says, "There's some rack of wild boar in there, and that -" pointing to the other container, "has some whiskey apples in there. I know some folks aren't that fond of meat."
Kowa Brimaine reaches into one of her ever-present pouches to present Rollo with a small piece of meat. It's anyone's guess to when she started carrying that around. "Oh, the dumplings look lovely - which place, Altani?" she asks, immediately going for one and a whiskey apple.
Waku Motohama clasps her hands together, sighing in complete contentment at the sight. "Ah, what a wonderous vista lies before me!" Picking up a corkscrew, she takes hold of the bottle of wine, beginning the process of opening it. "Would anyone like some? I've got proper glasses so we can feel like fancy people."
Altani Dataq'kahkol: "Ah... Three Dzo Moon?" She cocks an eyebrow, as if second-guessing herself. "Somethin' like that. Little place, fairly new, good food, good folks." She smiles. "And I met me someone there who is all pleasant ta talk ta, she is!" She flicks her tail happily.
Jaaster Taras: || Rollo calmly ambles up to Kowa and accepts the offering, bumping up against her shoulder as he turns back to Jaaster with a big doggy grin, as though to proclaim "Look what I got!"
Altani Dataq'kahkol looks to Waku and shakes her head. "Don't care f'wine." She pauses and winces for a moment. " 'pologies."
Waku Motohama will give Rollo So Many Pets if Rollo is the kind of pup who enjoys that sort of thing.
Waku Motohama: That, my dear Altani, is why I also brought bourbon.
Altani Dataq'kahkol: "... How much does that burn?"
Jaaster Taras: || Rollo flops over onto his back, tongue lolling out of his mouth and tail thumping the ground.
Waku Motohama: Mm? It's quite smooth. Were you looking for something that'll scald you on the way down? I suppose I could introduce you to what's in my flask, but...
Kowa Brimaine is munching through her apple. "Did you make this, Jaaster? It's delightful."
Altani Dataq'kahkol grunts. "Oh *hells* no! Ya know I can't drink that burnin' shite; I ain't Will, I ain't."
Catrienne Sevin pads up and puts a large earthenware jug in the centre of the group before finding a seat.
Altani Dataq'kahkol nods to Cat. "Pleasant evenin', aye."
Waku Motohama uncorks the bottle with an impressive pop, then picks up one of the rounded glasses, pouring herself some before setting it in the center for anyone to avail themselves from. "That's what the bourbon is for, then. Hello there!" She beams to Catrienne. "I don't think we've properly met as of yet? Detective Motohama, at your service."
Waku Motohama grabs some of those delectable looking dumplings, taking a chomp-chew-chew-swallow before taking a sip of wine. Weird pairing Waku, but okay.
Jaaster Taras nods as he gets some of the shepherd's pie. "Mmhm, it's a family recipe I learned from my mother. Pretty straightforward, really, and there's no shortage of boar or apples in the East Shroud, so it's not hard to pull off, either." He looks up and waves to the new arrival. "Hey Cat. Hope things are good?" He takes a bite of the shepherd's pie, and his eyes go wide before he begins eating again with gusto.
Kowa Brimaine also steals a dumpling, smiling at Cat. "Good evening."
Kowa Brimaine: "East Shroud? I thought you'd lived in Coerthas."
Catrienne Sevin blinks. "Detective?  Ah... Cat.  Catrienne."   She smiles distractedly to Jaaster, nodding toward the jug.  "I know Altani was bringing dumplings so asked around the market for what would go good with them.  They said this stuff then started laughing."
Altani Dataq'kahkol grabs a glass of bourbon and plucks a dumpling from her box. "Aye, Waku's damned bright, she is! She helped m'pa," she pauses and glances around, taking note of who all was here before continuing, "out o' some shite, then we met."
Waku Motohama quirks a brow at the container. "That is an incredibly ominous interaction you just described there, Miss Catrienne."
Catrienne Sevin nabs a dumpling and begins to eat, settling herself comfortably.  "I get that reaction a lot when I ask for ethnic food the actual ethnics would eat."

Catrienne Sevin shrugs. "I think they think I'm not gonna like it.  Joke's on them."
Altani Dataq'kahkol: "What'd they give ya, anyroad?"
Altani Dataq'kahkol takes a drink of her bourbon. Her bourbon that she poured into a wine glass. Because of course she did.
Catrienne Sevin: Some sort of fermented milk?
Jaaster Taras brings a hand down to vigorously rub Rollo and halt the progress of his crawl toward the dumplings, then snags one for himself before shaking his head at Kowa. "Not anymore, or for a few years, really. My family lives up there, and I still visit a lot, but when I'm not at the clinic, I've got a little cabin in the East Shroud." He takes a bite out of the dumpling, then polishes it off. Everything has been aces, and he's deeply impressed with everyone gathered.
Altani Dataq'kahkol looks absolutely shocked. "Yer fuckin' jokin', y'are! Airag? They had soddin' airag here?!"
Waku Motohama lets out a small snort at the sight, but she doesn't comment. Honestly, it's a Mood if she's ever seen one. Given how Jaaster's whiskey apples have already been talked up - and considering that Waku likes both whiskey and apples - she nabs one of those next to try.
Kowa Brimaine 's smile gentles. "A woodland cabin sounds the best sort of idyllic. Lots of land for the wolfhounds, I'm assuming?"
Waku Motohama: --Mmm! Damn this is good. And where'd you say you got the dumplings from again, Altani? I am going to have to pay them a visit.
Altani Dataq'kahkol: "Three Dzo Moon or somethin' like that, aye." She nods, seeming to be in a considerably better mood now. "I was plannin' on takin' ya sometime, I was."
Catrienne Sevin blinks at Altani's reaction.  "I guess so?"
Catrienne Sevin offers Rollo a bit of dumpling, scratching the pup's chin as he licks her fingers.
Jaaster Taras 's pensive stare at the jug of airag breaks as he glances back toward Kowa. "Yeah, it's really nice out that way. The fighting is further off to the north and east of the cabin, mostly, so I haven't really had to worry about that all that much, either. The locals are pretty nice, too, for the most part. That's where I got the whiskey for the apples, from some folks that keep bees out that way."
Waku Motohama: Will be remembering that one. I'd love to go! I always enjoy finding new places to frequent with others.
Waku Motohama glances at Jaaster. "They do mead, too?"
Altani Dataq'kahkol grins. "Only thing I can think o' that'd fit 'fermented milk.' It's a fair bit... sour? Hells, I don't know how ya'd call it, I don't. Used ta love drinkin' it when I was young. All o' our festivals had it!"
Kowa Brimaine 's hand, reaching for the jug, subtly redirects in the direction of another dumpling.
Kowa Brimaine: "You'll have to give me the recipe, if you don't mind."
Altani Dataq'kahkol looks to Kowa. "Oi, I didn't miss that, I didn't. If ya want some, try it. It's good, swear ta the Mother!"
Waku Motohama: I'll try some of it. Let me just... finish this wine first. I cannot imagine that'd go together particularly well.
Waku Motohama sets about doing just that.
Kowa Brimaine: "I'll try a little," is Kowa's compromise, giving the Xaela a faint smile. "There's dessert, by the way. If Waku's not feeling territorial over it."
Altani Dataq'kahkol: "If ya don' like it, just give it ta me; no sense in wastin' airag." She grins. "What kind o' dessert?"
Catrienne Sevin settles back in the grass, eating another dumpling.
Jaaster Taras shifts his attention to Waku, and there's a beat before his smile gets a hint of boyish mischief to it. "When you've got something they want, they do. Turns out they're big fans of yak meat." He looks to Kowa and nods. "Sure. It's pretty simple. You just lay the rack in a pan over a fire, get a little mix of mustard and bread crumbs, then..." He goes on to describe the process for about half a minute or so.
Waku Motohama: I'd never be territorial; food is meant to be shared! 'Sides, you gave me an entire cheesecake earlier, so I can't really find it in me to be selfish.
Kowa Brimaine: "What chocolate matcha cream pie. I've been experimenting with matcha after Waku so graciously gifted me some." She pulls out a small notebook from her pocket and begins writing Jaaster's recipe. "How about this: I'll make some for our sojourn to Coerthas, and you can tell me how well I do."
Jaaster Taras: "Fair enough."
Catrienne Sevin: You are going to be traveling?
Altani Dataq'kahkol flicks her tail and grabs one of Jaaster's apples. "Kowa, if y'gettin' recipes, I... ah... I got one, I do. My father's dzo stew."
Waku Motohama flashes Jaaster an equally mischievious grin. "I'll keep that tip in mind. Thank you." She finishes off her wine, and she rinses the glasses with a bit of water before proferring it to Altani. "Might giving me a sample of airag? Color me interested."

Jaaster Taras nods to Cat. "It's been a little since I've been up north without trying to recover from an injury, so I'm revisiting some old haunts. It came up in conversation, and I offered to show Kowa some spots that a lot of people haven't seen, on account of the war and these spots being kind of hard to get to."
Kowa Brimaine: "I was a field medic, so I'm looking forward to retracing some steps."
Kowa Brimaine 's ears wiggle in Altani's direction. "Oh?"
Altani Dataq'kahkol: "Anyone else want any?" She holds the apple in her mouth, fumbling with the glass and the jar. Eventually she manages to pour a small amount of airag and hands it back to Waku. "Aye," she nods to Kowa. "Y'remember, Will helped me make it when y', ah, when ya first saw m'- my room."
Catrienne Sevin ahhs and nods.  "That sounds like a pleasant trip."
Jaaster Taras looks at the jar again, seems to deliberate with himself for a moment, then nods. "Sure, I'll try some. Can't be too different from yak's milk, right?"
Kowa Brimaine takes another whiskey apple. "Do you have it written down or memorized?"
Altani Dataq'kahkol flicks her tail and looks to Cat. "Y'got a different meanin' o' pleasant than I do, Cat. Been up there a few times before, just a damned lot o' snow." She looks to Jaaster and quickly tears into her apple before tossing the core away. She grunts as she pours him a glass of airag. The girl didn't expect to be serving people tonight.
Catrienne Sevin shrugs, drawing her legs up against her chest.  "Being elsewhere is nice sometimes.  Having a place to go, yeah?"
Waku Motohama takes another dumpling, taking a bite and washing it down with a sip of airag soon after. "...Huh! Reminds me a lot of yogurt. Tangier though? I do think it goes well when balanced out with the savoriness of the meat."
Altani Dataq'kahkol: "I'll need t'show y'," she says after swallowing entirely too much whiskey apple. "Ain' bad, Jaaster. But, aye, what I said 'bout the stew. Maybe when I get a room 'gain'r somethin'."
Waku Motohama: -Oh, actually, genius idea, I'm going to try some of that boar you brought. Bet this'll go with that absolutely swimmingly.
Altani Dataq'kahkol looks over to Cat. "And havin' a place ta go ain't bad, as long as it ain't cold and snowin' and freezin' and all o' that." She grins. "I'll stay in places that ain't that, I will!"
Catrienne Sevin bends to rub rollo's ears.
T'many Allowe: "HEY!"
Jaaster Taras accepts the glass. "Thanks!" Eyeballing the drink for a couple moments, he tosses it back. After a few moments, his face puckers a bit and he gives himself a shake. "Oh, Fury take me, that, uh...phew! That wasn't what I expected." As he reflects on the drink, his face grows thoughtful. "I wonder if fermented yak's milk would taste like this?" The musing is paused as he nods to Waku. "Yeah, the boar helps sort of balance the tartness of the apples. It's actually kind of-" He stares at Tams.
Waku Motohama lofts a hand. "Oi!" She says, her volume more respectful of Kowa and Jaaster's ears.
Kowa Brimaine , busy rubbing one ear, is very grateful for Waku's consideration.
Altani Dataq'kahkol flinches at the sudden shout. "Hells *above,* must ya?"
Waku Motohama: Look, with pants that loud, how can you not?
Jaaster Taras: || There's a solid, rhythmic thumping as Rollo's foot goes on auto-pilot, and he leans into the scritches.
T'many Allowe beamed at the group, seemign to have absolutely no concept of sound regulation or control, even amused that the big trees seemed to help it echo some. "I heard there was some free food! Hi! Wait." She paused. "You guys are with the Enclave yeah?  I mean it's no big deal if you aren't! Oh, wait! It's dog guy! HI!"
Waku Motohama: Nope, no idea what you're talking about. We just picked up this dog man and started feeding him because we all like dogs.
Waku Motohama: But come have some food!
Waku Motohama is an awful person.
T'many Allowe bursts out laughing at Kowa Brimaine.
Kowa Brimaine: "Do you think if we built a lean-to we could convince her it counts as inside and she'd use her inside voice?" Kowa mutters.
Altani Dataq'kahkol: "Speak fer yerself, Waku. I don't like dogs all that much." She grunts and snatches another dumpling from the box.
T'many Allowe: "Not gonna say no to that!" She laughed, meandering on over and seeking a place to make herself entirely at home.
Waku Motohama: Wow, rude. Right in front of the dog-man.
Catrienne Sevin rubs Rollo's belly as he crawls into her lap.
Jaaster Taras smiles and waves at Tams, though there's a bit of a faraway look in his eyes. "H-hey there! Uh...how's things?"

T'many Allowe looked between them all curiously, setting her courier's bag down with a decided -thud- ...and proceeded to unpack several packages, presumably filled with food, all neatly wrapper with paper and twine. "Mill told me t' bring this. Also told me t' tell you guys I didn' cook none of it." She nodded decisively. "I'm Tams...an'....I don' know any of you! Huh!"
Altani Dataq'kahkol shrugs. "I don't like lyin', I don't. 'sides, folks say it's a good thing that I'm... Shite, what'd Kah say? Direct-like, aye?"
Waku Motohama breaks off some of the boar Jaaster brought for herself, plating it like a proper person and testing out the pure meat/fermented milk combo. After studiously munching, she says to Altani, "It's not lying to keep to yourself that you don't happen to be fond of something that just got brought up, especially when a person in your presence really likes that thing. It just means you know how to not poop on people's interests." With that wisdom out of the way - more meat!
Jaaster Taras didn't even register the slight against dogkind as he realized that, no, he'd never been properly introduced to Tams. "Oh, right! I guess we haven't really met yet. I'm Jaaster. That's Rollo, the fuzzy one that's being *the biggest mooch right now*." He raises his voice a little bit as Rollo ambles around, looking for more handouts. Rollo doesn't seem to hear the accusation as he seeks further tribute.
Kowa Brimaine is tithed a small piece of meat from Kowa's shepherd's pie.
Waku Motohama: We met briefly, Miss Tams, while you were committing vegetable crimes - but it was a busy evening, and I don't blame you for not recalling. Detective Motohama, it your service!"
Altani Dataq'kahkol winces and looks away. "A-aye, 'pologies." She pours herself a decent bit of airag, knocking back the drink like it's nothing.
Kowa Brimaine: "I saw you briefly standing on the front desk," Kowa says, tone communicating vague disapproval. "Nice to meet you officially. I'm Kowa."
T'many Allowe: "Veg- Nah! I was plottin' our best course of acttion against the eventually zuchinni takeover!" She nodded. "Speakin' a which..there's chocolate zuchinni bread in there. Somewhere." She nodded decisively, peering towards Jaaster. "Glad t' meetcha proper Jaaster! Don' let Rollo eat none a' that bread!"
Waku Motohama neglects to pursue that line of questioning, instead reaching out to help unwrap the latest additions to the spread. Chocolate zucchini bread? Sign her up! She feets Rollo a piece of boar to placate him even further while she searches.
Jaaster Taras stares at Tams, jaw dropping a touch before recovering. "Ah, right. No chocolate, uhh, zucchini bread for you, Rollo, or you'll get really sick." The hound pauses to look back at Jaaster and let out a disappointed woof before returning to the pie scrap.
T'many Allowe: "There's cheese, too, uh...some more veggie stuff...  Bet you could make a sandwich with the tea eggs and the zuchinni bread..."
Jaaster Taras: "Oh! The cheese should go with the rack of boar pretty well. Maybe the dumplings, too - that's, uh, that's called buuz? Did I get that right?"
Altani Dataq'kahkol: "Aye, buuz." She nods.
Jaaster Taras nods, satisfied with his recollection of new words. A slight frown creases his features, though, as he surveys the new additions and wonders what a tea egg is?
Kowa Brimaine: "There's - " She runs through the current menu in her head - "Shepherd's pie, dumplings, boar, whiskey apples, white chocolate matcha pie, wine, bourbon, and airag."
Waku Motohama finishes off her airag - unlike Jaaster, she took the new addition to her palette /slowly/ and in combination with other mitigating flavors as she got used to it, before washing out her glass again and pouring herself some more wine. Time to nab a bit of Kowa's pie, then maybe she'll revisit some fun boar-cheese-bread combos before setting in for the climax of the evening... Dessert! Oh, was she saving room for that one.
Kowa Brimaine: "We will have leftovers, unless everyone would like to return to Ul'dah half-dead."
Kowa Brimaine steals Waku's glass of wine. "Oh no, I've crimed."
Waku Motohama: I would say I'd arrest you for theft, but I have literally no jurisdiction in any part of the Shroud. Also, I brought it for everyone.
Waku Motohama: So enjoy your stolen wine, you dastardly thief.
Kowa Brimaine: "Eat some pie and maybe you'll feel better about this flagrant violation of justice."
Waku Motohama: Maybe I will! Maybe I will.
Waku Motohama will. In fact, she shoves a nice chunk directly into her mouth-hole to enjoy it with the full force of her voracious appetite.
Altani Dataq'kahkol leans against her box of dumplings and has another glass of airag. She looks at the pie suspiciously for a moment before grabbing herself a piece.
Waku Motohama gives Altani a nod, encouraging her on her path of good decision making.
Kowa Brimaine preemptively hands her a handkerchief before offering Rollo another piece of meat. "You've singlehandedly gotten me to like dogs. Imagine that."
T'many Allowe had quieted with the realization of the rest of the spread.   Her manners, thankfully, weren't as completely loud and offputting as her volume seemed to be for some folks, but the little catte was hardly shy about packing away food.
Jaaster Taras grins at Kowa as he carves away a hunk of cheese and sets it among a slab of boar meat and another dumpling, then turns to Waku. "So, Detective. If you're not hunting down bandits in the Shroud, have you been very busy elsewhere?"
Waku Motohama gives T'many a nod as well - it is one of approving solidarity. Enjoy that food, T'many. There will never be T'many dishes for you. "Work is picking back up again. Being honest, I work mostly on an independent-freelance basis at this point, and while I had a lot of work at the last organization I was with, I needed a bit of... recovery time after all that nonsense. Right now I've got... a stalking case that should be just about finished," she ticks off her fingers. "Been looking over the -
Altani Dataq'kahkol finally finishes her second (third?) glass of airag before giving the pie a small try. She nods. "Y'did good, Kowa," she gives a small smile. "Don't normally like this kind'a thing, I don'. But y'did good."
Waku Motohama | books for a winery to help figure out who's embezzling funds, and..." Slight wince. "I've been consulting on a murder case I've been working on for a few years now, but that one is depressing and awful and would make terrible picnic conversation. I've also been looking into setting up pro-bono consultation work as another part of the outreach efforts with the Enclave."
T'many Allowe positively beamed at Waku...inbetween shoving a bit of bread and boar into her mouth.  In truth, she seemed all ears, simply interested in picking up what she could from the conversation for the moment.   And maybe slipping Rollo bits of cheese.
Waku Motohama: Lots of people can't afford some investigative or legal advice who could really use some.
Kowa Brimaine: "She is brilliant and wonderful," is Kowa's warm praise of her friend. "We are all lucky to know her."
Kowa Brimaine smiles at Altani in acknowledgment. "Thank you."
Jaaster Taras nods to Waku. "That's a lot to handle. I don't know much about keeping books or stuff like that, but if you ever need a hand tracking someone, let me know, and the pack and I will help."
Altani Dataq'kahkol flicks her tail. "Aye, I'm good at findin' folks in cities; ain't too different than huntin' dzo and shite, it ain't."
T'many Allowe 's little tail was flicking. Oh no, she wasn't getting any ideas at all during this conversation.
Waku Motohama grins at Jaaster, about to make some joke - and then... the idea kind of settles in. She squints. Her brain starts working. Setting the food down, she immediately scoots over to Jaaster.
Waku Motohama: That's actually a really smart idea and I literally cannot believe I've never thought about it.
Waku Motohama: How good can they smell?
T'many Allowe: "If you ever need help around Ul'dah, isn' anyone that knows the city better'an me!"
T'many Allowe nodded...and promptly shoved a dumpling in her mouth.
Altani Dataq'kahkol grunts and looks to T'many. "Oi, willin' ta argue that, aye." She taps her chest. "Either me or my pa; we've been ta every single stone in the city's roads, we have."
Altani Dataq'kahkol: "And no, not my father, my *pa.*"
Kowa Brimaine gives the other miqo'te a vaguely concerned look. Chew it. You have fangs and everything."
Jaaster Taras: "Well, they can track game after a proper Coerthan blizzard, so pretty good, I'd say. They're trained from pups as hunters and trackers, even if this one looks less like a hunter and more like a spoiled noble's brat right now." He prods Rollo gently with his foot, which earns an aggrieved whine in protest.
T'many Allowe blinks at Kowa. "Mmffff? Miwm...fwine!"
T'many Allowe probably should not have been speaking with her mouth full.
Kowa Brimaine just. Hands her a handkerchief. "Keep it."
T'many Allowe beamed at Kowa. "Fanks!"  The thank you muffled as she accepted the hankerchief and promptly began wiping her face off with it. "S'real pretty! you sure?"
Waku Motohama has none of her marks of joviality - her clear, bright blue eyes are focused and intent, like she's trying to pick something apart. It's a bit intimidating, really. "How are they trained? What can they search for? You mentioned game - are they specifically attuned to the smell of blood, or can you command them to follow other scents?"
Kowa Brimaine: "...I'm sure." She manages a small smile. "I never did get exactly what you do at the Enclave."
T'many Allowe folded the hankerchief up with surprising care before tucking it into the beat-up looking bag she'd hauled with her - in some place more patches and repair than actual bag. "I'm the Enclave's courier!" She exclaimed proudly, puffing her chest out a bit. "Ain' a better or faster courier in alla Thanalan! I... I didn' get your name! What d'you do?"
Altani Dataq'kahkol grunts. "Hells, I ain't even sure what *I* do there, I ain't," she mutters.
Jaaster Taras is a bit taken aback by the shift in tone, but after a moment or two, he responds. "Well, my family, we raise the hounds ourselves, and once they've seen a few moons, we take them aside and see who they bond with. Then, we train them to our commands. Once we're sure they'll work well with us and the others in the pack, we take them on hunts. Small game first, then bigger. My pack's hunted more than just game, though. They helped me run down a few bandits while I was in Gyr Abania. Helped -
Kowa Brimaine softens a little. "Then we have you to thank for much. My name is Kowa Brimaine; as of this week, I head the Meliorists."

Altani Dataq'kahkol blinks and looks to Kowa. "Oi, y'in charge?" She reaches over and pats Kowa on the head. "Y-Y'did good, y'did."
T'many Allowe nodded. "I also work with kids on Pearl lane a whole bunch - they don' always trust stuffy sorts, but they know me, so it means they'll get help an' food an'-- OH! Did you wrestle stuffy Nalette for the spot!" She grinned.
Jaaster Taras: "...me steer clear of a few Garlean units while I was looking to settlde down in the Shroud, too. All the metal, you know? So, yeah, haven't found anything yet that they couldn't track."
Kowa Brimaine: "Apparently," Kowa replies, looking a tad surprised at the touch but giving a faint smile. "No, I did nothing of the sort - and Lady Nalette seems perfectly pleasant, thank you."
T'many Allowe bursts out laughing at Kowa Brimaine.
T'many Allowe: "You're real nice, Kowa." She nodded...and grabbed for more food.
Kowa Brimaine: "Fine, I'll bite - why do you think she's stuffy?"
Waku Motohama only gets more focused, the tip of her tail thumping lightly on the ground. "Very impressive. How does it work? The actual tracking process, I mean - how did they know what to look for? What can they pick a scent off of? How did they alert you to the presence of the Garleans, and - " Waku pauses, wincing a bit and scratching her cheek awkwardly. "Uh, sorry! Got all caught up with work stuff - um, I didn't mean to like.. I know you probably came out for a fun time, and..."
T'many Allowe laughed. " 'cause she walks around all frowny an' 'Stop that!' 'don' sit there!' 'don' touch that!' 'Don' make that face'"
Kowa Brimaine snorts. "Considering the first time I saw you you were standing atop a desk, she may have a point."
T'many Allowe: "I.... I needed everyone t' see me! I was givin' out directions!"
T'many Allowe nods to Kowa Brimaine.
Kowa Brimaine: "I assure you with your volume that they would have /heard/ you."
Altani Dataq'kahkol flicks her tail and has another dumpling, leaning against the box. She seems content to just listen to everyone.
T'many Allowe: "But what if they didn'...."
T'many Allowe gazes upon Kowa Brimaine in deep reflection.
Light Armeigo smiling LIght walked over to the group leaning on the cane "Got a little gathering going on?" he chuckled looking at them
Kowa Brimaine: "They would have. I promise."
Kowa Brimaine beams at Light's arrival. "Welcome - there is a sinful amount of food here, help yourself."
T'many Allowe waves to Light Armeigo.
T'many Allowe: "HI!"
Waku Motohama || What Light sees is an assortment of people on a blanket with an equally appealing assoretment of food, ranging from whiskey apples and boar meat to dumplings, shephard's pie, and some truly decadent deserts which haven't even been broken in to yet. Waku may or may not have been interrogating a man and is now looking sheepish over the fact as she greets him. "Hey there, Light."
Jaaster Taras shakes his head with a small smile, though it is a trifle shaky. "No, it's fine. I did offer our help, after all. But yeah, if it's something new, they'll need something that smells like what they're tracking, like a scrap of hide or a piece of cloth that's been worn recently. They've been exposed to a lot of smells, though, so they can keep their, uh, noses peeled for something familiar. If it's something strong, too, like oil and metal or blood, they'll let me know right quick."
Catrienne Sevin tries this again.
Light Armeigo smiled slightly "Thank you, though sinful.. perhaps I should flee?" despite his statement he slowly with caution lowered himself into a sitting position wincing slightly
T'many Allowe: "Enjoy the food, everyone! I got some letters t' run to Gridania for Miss Emiyyah~ I'm sure I'll see you guys soon!"
Kowa Brimaine: "Travel safely, Miss T'many."
Waku Motohama only feels more intense guilt at his expression. Ugh! Why'd she have to go and do That Thing when she's supposed to be trying to come off like a respectable person, huh? "I do think there is something you can aid me with then, but I'll let you know about the details another time. Suffice to say..." She averts her gaze. "There /is/ a case I could use some aid with, and I think your pack might just be what I need to get another lead."
Light Armeigo: "Farewell!"
Waku Motohama: --Ah, yes! Travel safe! It was good to -
Jaaster Taras waves to Tams. "Bye, Tams!"

Waku Motohama: -- Goodness, she does move quickly, doesn't she?
Kowa Brimaine: "I don't think she knows any other way to exist but loudly and obviously."
Light Armeigo looking to Waku he smiled "When you got bussiness to attend to, you gotta move with haste"
Jaaster Taras shifts his attention back to Waku and nods. "Whenever you're ready, let me know." His eyes light up like he's just thought of something, and he gets a slightly guilty expression. "Although, uh, I guess I do have a bit more responsibility than I did before...but I'm sure I can still help!"
Waku Motohama tilts her head. "More responsibility?"
Kowa Brimaine 's gaze shifts to Jaaster. "Did she get you, too?"
Light Armeigo turning his gaze to Altani he smiled slightly "How have you been Altani?"
Waku Motohama - after asking this question - sees fit to finally dive into the white chocolate matcha cream pie that's been calling her name since the beginning of the picnic. She offers to cut anyone else who wants a piece a slice with a silent motion of her knife and an inquisitive eyebrow waggle.
Catrienne Sevin seems to be feeling more herself, and there's no way she's turning down pie.  She reaches for a plate with enthusiasm, gently nudging Rollo out of the way.
Altani Dataq'kahkol is full of alcohol and food and is leaning half-asleep on a box of dumplings. "Hm? Aye, been better. Been worse. Talked ta Kah a few suns ago, aye. He's pleasant, he is. Also trainin' with Jaaster and Cat," she gestures to the two of them.
Jaaster Taras lets out a breath, then nods with an expression that's difficult to parse. "Uhh, yeah. A couple nights ago." Looking back at Waku, he continues. "So, until recently, us Operatives followed Otolin's lead - he, uh, if you don't know him by name, he's the tall Ala Mhigan man with the big moustache and the shaved head, real quiet-like. Well, he had some, ahh, some stuff come up, and he resigned. Mill - er, that is, the Advocate - she, um, asked me to take over with the Operatives. So...I did."
Catrienne Sevin: "She made a good choice,"   Cat murmured, giving the jug of fermented milk a tentative sniff.
Waku Motohama gives him a nod. "That sounds like a big responsibility. Not feeling ready for it?"
Waku Motohama takes an exploratory taste of the pie, and then gives Kowa a bright grin and a quick thumbs up.
Light Armeigo arching a eyebrow chuckling as he takes the plate offered to him "is that so?" he said turning his attention to Jaaster
Altani Dataq'kahkol looks to Jaaster. "Yer in charge now?" She grins a lopsided grin. She leans over and... awkwardly pats his boot, unable to reach far enough to him a congratulatory pat on the head like she did with Kowa.
Kowa Brimaine: "I met him briefly, yes. For what it's worth, I think you will do a more than fine job."
Catrienne Sevin wiggles as she sets in on her pie.  "I know him well."  She makes a pleased sound after the first bite, eyeing the rest of the pie.  "Jaaster shows promise as a leader."   She glances up as she licks her fork, then shrugs.  "I love Tolin, but leadership was not his strong suit."
Jaaster Taras closes his eyes and clicks his tongue against his teeth, holding out his hand. Rollo perks up and ambles over, butting his head up against Jaaster's hand. Jaaster scratches Rollo behind the ears for a few moments before opening his eyes and smiling quietly. "If it's how I can help folks, I've got to be ready for it, right?" Rollo pushes past the hand and sits next to Jaaster, leaning hard against him. Jaaster leans into Rollo and sighs. "Otolin's really strong, though. Big shoes to fill."
Catrienne Sevin lowers her plate to her knees, giving Jaaster her full attention.  "Stone is strong.  And brittle.  In 10 minutes, you asked a question that saw straight to the heart of two people you didn't know well - hell, at all.  You've got the potential, you've got support."
Catrienne Sevin: (She's not meaning to knock on Otolin, who is an old friend, just so I'm clear. <3 )
Altani Dataq'kahkol: "Aye, and yer one o' the fuckin' Fists, ya are." She grunts, nodding to Jaaster. "And even if ya ain't, ya said ya fought with 'em, so ya might as well be one!"
Kowa Brimaine reaches for a dumpling, carefully spearing it with her fork. "Yes. There are different types of strength, and more than physical is needed to be a leader."
Catrienne Sevin: You'll do well.
Catrienne Sevin goes back to her pie with gusto.
Waku Motohama: Hey now... there's no 'got to', here. You're ready when you're ready, and it's okay to not feel ready yet. I'll echo the sentiments said here given what I've observed of you, but I'll also say this - being a leader isn't just about strength, determination, will-power, or confidence. It's also about realizing where you might be lacking... and having the strength of character to analyze the situation and figure out how to fix it. It's okay to be scared. Really, all that means is you have more -

Catrienne Sevin is struck by a thought and eyes Kowa warily.  "Not that we did anything exerting and my stitches are nearly healed, Doc."
Light Armeigo smiling he set down his plate sighing contently "this is good food.."
Kowa Brimaine gives her a look that says her escape from cosmic, fate-fueled wrath is narrow. "Good."
Waku Motohama: data to work with about the things you want to improve upon. As long as you don't fall into the trap of apathy, any problem can be overcome. True strength is the strength to continue thinking, even when the world is cold, dark, and tiring.
Catrienne Sevin has the look of someone that knows she's on terribly thin ice and is remembering that she had been bouncing on it earlier.  "GREAT pie, did you make it?"
Waku Motohama finishes off her speech with a brilliant, bright smile.
Altani Dataq'kahkol looks between Cat and Kowa, wincing. She helps herself to yet another cup of airag. "Least it ain't me gettin' that look..."
Kowa Brimaine: "I did," is the toneless reply. "Eat it. Like it."
Catrienne Sevin: I suspect she's going to be turning it on me with distressing regularity.
Catrienne Sevin 's ears wilt and she scrapes up the last few bites, mumbling, "I liked it 'fore you fussed at me too."
Kowa Brimaine softens then, enough to give the woman's shoulder a gentle pat.
Light Armeigo chuckled looking at Kowa "She cares deeply for everyone under her charge, shes given me that look a few times myself.. even threatned to strap me to the bed if I didnt lay down and rest"
Altani Dataq'kahkol grins to Cat. "Ya get used ta it, Mother knows Kowa's looked at me like that a fair damn bit."
Catrienne Sevin purrs low in her chest as she carefully leans out to get another slice, avoiding eye contact.
Kowa Brimaine smiles at her friend, fangs glinting in the sunlight. "And you kept getting up, which means your punishment's overdue. Oh, dear."
Catrienne Sevin: It's a little different, a doc that cares.  Takes a little growing accustomed to.
Altani Dataq'kahkol blinks at the purring. She murmurs something in Auri, shoving yet another dumpling into her mouth. She made sure to buy entirely too many, just in case.
Light Armeigo grinning back slightly "well, I dare say you are the one who pulled me along a few nights ago, so perhaps you should punish yourself first" He chuckled softly
Kowa Brimaine laughs. "Well, you're wearing color today, so I forgive you. You look nice, by the way."
Jaaster Taras flushes a bit as folks have their say, and it takes a few moments for him to respond. "Ah, well. If nothing else, I'm going to be thinking a lot about how I handle things moving forward." His face contorts a bit before returning to a smile. "I appreciate the kind words, though. Gotta make sure I'm deserving of them noROLLOSTOPPITYOU-" Jaaster breaks off and shoves Rollo away after the Hound turns to him and gives him a BIIIG lick up the side of his face.
Light Armeigo chuckled softly "I think this looks nice, perhaps a bit open in teh chest area but, I dont think anyone here is goign to stab me... right?" looks around trying his best to keep a suspicious look upon his face"
Catrienne Sevin 's ears swivel forward; she totally missed that there was a stranger here, as focused as she was on placating Kowa.  "Nah. Most of us prefer fists and feet to blades.  So pop you in the nose maybe."
Catrienne Sevin: Aww, see? Even Rollo thinks you're great.
Altani Dataq'kahkol grunts. "I mean, I got a knife back at Will's if ya *want* ta be stabbed..." She shrugs.
Waku Motohama bursts into a bright laugh, covering her mouth and dissolving into helpless giggles. "See, Mister Jaaster? You've got the trust and support of the most important creature in the world! Isn't that right, Rollo? He's clearly a natural, because he's sniffed out a very good boy!"
Jaaster Taras: || Rollo scrambles away and darts around behind Cat and Altani, poking his head out with a big doggy grin as Jaaster wipes at his face and glares with mock seriousness, grumbling in dragonspeak.
Catrienne Sevin happily fondles the puppy's ears, letting him lick the crumbs and smears of cream off her plate.  "You're a good boy, Rollo."
Light Armeigo looking at Altani "please no, I don not believe Kowa wants any more work on her plate then she already has, im sure she has a file on me already considering how problamatic I can be"
Waku Motohama continues to laugh, her cackle taking on some elements of a hyena. "--Ahahaha! Bahaha! Oh, gosh. Well. I do think the case I have will be doubly worth your time then, considering the severity of it, but that can be talked about later. For now, you really ought to try this pie. It's positively decadent."
Altani Dataq'kahkol waves dismissively. "Aye, aye."

Waku Motohama takes a bite of her own, grinning for good measure.
Jaaster Taras: "Don't encourage him. He's a scamp, a layabout, and a...a goober." Jaaster had to fumble for another insult on account of his threatening facade crumbling in the face of Rollo's unrepentant glee.
Waku Motohama: Of course you have a file, Light.
Kowa Brimaine: "Ilms thick of a file."
Waku Motohama: It's very thorough.
Altani Dataq'kahkol looks to Kowa, grimacing. "Wait, do I have a file?"
Waku Motohama glances at Jaaster again, giving him another snort. "Goober, hm?"
Catrienne Sevin: "A scamp I'll buy,"  Cat let the dog wiggle past to go lick at Altani's boot.  "But I have no idea what a goober is."
Waku Motohama: Your condemnations are thorough and terrible, sir.
Kowa Brimaine: "Everyone has a file. Everyone."
Waku Motohama: Is he also a booger? A charlatan? A... lollygagging loaf of half-risen bread?
Kowa Brimaine: "Light's is just filled with sins."
Altani Dataq'kahkol pulls her boot away from the dog. "No, no, no, don't y'do tha-" She pauses. "... I-is mine full o' sins?"
Catrienne Sevin: That just means he's living a good life.
Light Armeigo blinking as he puts on his saddest puppy dog face "Sins? What sins?"
Waku Motohama smiles sweetly. "Anyone who we've had to use the straps on because they won't stay in bed has a file full of sins, Altani."
Jaaster Taras points solemnly at Rollo. "Him. He's what a goober is." After a final nod to officially pass his sentence, he reaches over and grabs a slice of pie.
Waku Motohama: Light Armeigo, I almost had to /sit/ on you to keep you in bed once.
Altani Dataq'kahkol: "I... I don't think anyone's had ta do that! I don't run off *that* often, not when the healer asks me not ta."
Light Armeigo shook his head "That is slander"
Waku Motohama: Of course, little miss "I-broke-my-hand-three-times-in-two-weeks."
Waku Motohama: Just because you were too drugged up to remember it doesn't mean it's slander, Light!
Altani Dataq'kahkol grunts. "Wasn't me runnin' off, so m'poi- my point is still a point, it is!"
Catrienne Sevin looks resigned.  "Tani, let me show you how to hit things so you don't break bones, yeah?"
Light Armeigo shaking his head "Nonsense, I am a good patient who never breaks doctors orders"
Altani Dataq'kahkol: "I don't brea.. Hells, fine, I'll let ya." She flicks her tail. "I don't normally break my hand, I don't!" She sounds downright indignant and very slightly drunk.
Jaaster Taras looks from Waku to Light to Altani with an expression caught halfway between horror and intrigue. "By the Fury, three times in two weeks? I thought I'd really outdone myself busting my leg twice in three weeks."
Waku Motohama: Altani, the statistics don't corroborate your statement.
Waku Motohama looks to Jaaster. Her smile is tired and one that begs for death. "It might have actually been four. I need to check my records."
Kowa Brimaine: "Your record is outdone," she comments dryly to Jaaster. "Is it feeling any better, by the by?"
Altani Dataq'kahkol: "How many punches have I thrown? And how many o' them have broken somethin' on me? Ya give me them numb- Oi, don't ya bring bigger numbers inta this!"
Light Armeigo looking at Altani he laughed "I think we just gotta admit a loss on this one"
Waku Motohama: Numbers don't lie! Also, Light, you literally tried to be like, "oh no doctor, I need to get up and check on my friends" after we dragged out out of a torture chamber!
Altani Dataq'kahkol scuffs her boot against the ground and has another dumpling.
Waku Motohama: Your leg was broken, you were severely dehydrated, and you were still trying to be the worst kind of annoying hero, you awful starchy potato-man!
Waku Motohama: That was a stressful day and you only made it worse, so yes, reflect on your file and its record of your crimes!
Waku Motohama points dramatically at Light, scowling.
Kowa Brimaine pats the Raen's shoulder, because There Were Some Feelings There, Weren't They. "Hopefully he has a healthier and less risky future ahead of him, yes?
Jaaster Taras 's eyes grow just a *little* wider at the extra count. At Kowa's question, though, he cracks a smile and stretches his leg out to full extension before folding it back. "Oh, yeah, it's just about back to normal. Haven't tried jumping quite as high as I did before the Reign, but the other day I jumped, oh, what was it...maybe twenty fulms up for a forty-fulm drop? Something like that, I suppose. Leg was just fine!"

Light Armeigo was about to retort but looked at Kowa and nodded "aye, Kowa and I have promised to do all we can to cure myself and running around being a "annoying hero" isnt going to do me favors"
Catrienne Sevin is in the middle of eating her second piece of pie when Jaaster describes the jump.  She chokes and starts coughing, clearing her throat.
Waku Motohama settles at the consoling pat of a Fellow Physician, devolving into a petulent pout. "At the very least, I can console myself with alcohol again, while before I had to deal with all of their," she jabs her thumb at Altani and Light, "Nonsense entirely sober."
Waku Motohama pauses, what Jaaster said finally registering with her. "Wait, what?"
Catrienne Sevin clears her throat and goes back to her pie, trying to project an aura of meek obedience. She already knows she and Altani are two peas from different pods, it sounds like she may have a lot in common with Light, too.
Altani Dataq'kahkol grunts and has another cup of airag. She grabs one of Jaaster's apples, standing up. "I've been mostly-like without much nonsense as o' late, I have!" She flicks her tail, indignant. "And... I'm tired and full o' meat and airag. So... goin' ta go find a place ta sleep, aye."
Altani Dataq'kahkol: "Ya lot take care, won't ya?"
Kowa Brimaine smiles at the elezen. "If it troubles you again let me know, yes?"
Kowa Brimaine: "And rest well, Altani."
Waku Motohama lofts a hand to Altani, nodding to her. "Good seeing you! I have been pleased by your current track record, but if you show up in the clinic with another broken hand, please be informed that the body will not be discovered for at least two years!"
Catrienne Sevin: That place I told you about should be open tonight, 'Tani.
Light Armeigo waved a hand "Take care"
Waku Motohama beams, her smile one that is reminiscent of the pure, violent sunshine of a cloudless day.
Altani Dataq'kahkol clenches her fist. "Ain't breakin' noth-" She turns to Cat, grinning. "Big ol' jug o' airag, then! Ain't promisin' *shite* 'bout breakin' things!" She laughs and heads off, waving.
Jaaster Taras looks at Cat curiously, wondering if she's okay, but he nods to Altani. "Rest easy, Altani. Remember, there's rooms at the clinic, if you want to sleep under a roof."
Catrienne Sevin scoots a little farther away from Waku.  Kowa was scary enough, now there are two.
Waku Motohama grumbles something about 'seriously, punch a pillow instead' before shoving her mouth full of more pie and, following that, more wine. Comfort food! The true staple of any true detective.
Jaaster Taras turning to face Waku, he looks blankly at her. "What? I wasn't in danger of hurting myself, I promise! I've made jumps like that hundreds of times, and haven't hurt myself since I was a kid."
Jaaster Taras: (I know how to structure sentences like a functional person, I swear)
Catrienne Sevin regards Waku with the wariness of one that suddenly finds themselves nose-to-nose with terrifyingly large megafauna.  The encounter may end in a great story about the glories of nature, or it may end with the unfortunate a greasy smear on the grass.
Waku Motohama: It - just seems like a very high jump! I wasn't doubting your precautions, given I didn't see you limp here. I was more impressed, being honest - though I'll be frank and say I don't do a particularly large amount of jumping.
Catrienne Sevin finishes her second piece of pie and steals a dumpling.  Yep, definitely feeling better, her appetite is back.
Jaaster Taras pauses for a moment as he processes what Waku was actually reacting to, then nods with understanding. "Oh, right. I mean, you're not wrong. I guess I've just gotten used to it. When you hunt animals bigger than the house you grew up in, and you have to deal with the occasional dragon horning in on your hunt, you have to learn how to take the high ground. For me, that was learning how to manipulate my aether and direct it to my legs so I could jump really high."
Kowa Brimaine conceals a yawn behind her handkerchief. "I will let Waku calculate your jump height to danger ratio on her own; I'm feeling rather tired. Feel free to eat or bring back whatever pleases you."
Waku Motohama flat-out gapes.
Waku Motohama: That's -- so cool?
Waku Motohama: Like, that is /so/ cool, what the heck, you mean you can just go 'woop-de-doo time to make my legs real good at jumping so I can launch myself into the air like a - '
Jaaster Taras looks to Kowa and gives her a wave. "Hope you get some rest, Kowa. I'll let you know if the leg acts up." He hesitates, then continues a bit more slowly. "Ah, I guess since you're the Director now, I should probably mention that I, uh, haven't gotten my physical yet. Who should I go to for that?"
Waku Motohama pauses, realizing she's being what might academically be called a goober, and then looks up at Kowa. Her tone of politeness and general composure is back. "It was delightful, Kowa! Thank you for cooking and - well, facilitating the whole casual gathering, really!"

Kowa Brimaine whistles for Brigid before smiling at him. "We are currently working on the schedule, but I intend to have the Meliorists administer them amongst the division to get a handle of what everyone's strengths are before scheduling the company as a whole." Waku is beamed at, Kowa kneeling to briefly squeeze the Raen's shoulders. "You're welcome."
Kowa Brimaine: "Goodnight, all of you. Safe roads back home."
Catrienne Sevin: Pleasant sleep, Doc
Waku Motohama gives Kowa a one-armed hug before she departs.
Kowa Brimaine settles into the chocobo's saddle, and with a final smile is off.
Jaaster Taras is taken aback. "Oh! Well, uh, it's...hm. Kind of? It's basically second-nature to me now, but there was a bit of a learning curve."
Waku Motohama tilts her head one way. "Learning curve?" Then the other. "...Just how many times did you launch yourself into precarious situations and/or fall flat on your face?"
Catrienne Sevin is content to listen, wiggling her fingers in the grass for Rollo when the pup ambles by.
Jaaster Taras coughs into his hand and takes that excuse to look away as he half-mumbles, "...a lot..."
Waku Motohama covers her mouth with the tips of her fingers, but that doesn't do much to dampen her cackle. "I'll trade you my worst embarrassing blunder for your worst embarrassing blunder."
Waku Motohama glances at Cat. "Open offer, if you feel like sharing embarrassing screw ups."
Catrienne Sevin rubs her face.  "Any sort of interpersonal interactions.  Open mouth, insert both feet."
Waku Motohama: I meant specifics! What's the worst conversation you've mucked up? If it doesn't involve at least five chocobos, two death threats, three violations of public decency and a ruined wedding cake, I'm not impressed."
Jaaster Taras hangs his head. "Oh, Fury take me...alright." Wiping his hand across his face, he looks up at the falls. "So, when I was still a kid - not quite fourteen yet, I don't think - a hunt with my sister Natalii took us into Dravania, out into the Chocobo Forest. We were looking for yeti that had been ranging too close to where we lived, but we lost track of 'em and wound up in the forelands. Well, we decided to do some exploring while we were there, and I caught sight of this big, red fruit.
Catrienne Sevin looks terribly relieved as Jaaster starts talking, because hers still makes her writhe with embarassment.
Jaaster Taras: It was hanging up in the caelumtree, maybe twenty, twenty-five fulms high. Now, at this point, I could jump onto the roof of our cabin without any problem, so what's another cabin on top of that, right? Except...well, I was hungry, and I really wanted that fruit, and I...overshot it."
Waku Motohama covers her mouth, looking equal parts horrified and delighted. "Oh /no./"
Waku Motohama: What happened?
Waku Motohama is the picture of barely restrained glee.
Jaaster Taras buries his face in his hands for a few moments before straightening up and continuing, red as a beet. "I tried to grab for it, and because I wasn't paying attention, I didn't see the branch above it until I cracked my head against it. I woke up later on the ground, broken arm in a splint, couldn't breathe on account of the busted ribs, and my sister, my hounds, *and* her hounds all looking at me like I was the dumbest man alive."
Jaaster Taras shook his head ruefully. "Praise Halone that she'd already learned some healing, or that trip home would have been horrible. Well, more so than it was, even."
Waku Motohama repeats her /oh no!/ once more, a bit of fretful worry entering her voice. She's not a complete demon, after all! "How did you make it home in that condition from the Forelands in that condition?! And..."
Waku Motohama pauses.
Waku Motohama: ...Did you at least get the fruit?
Waku Motohama: I mean, if you tumbled out of the tree, you might have knocked it out on your way down, right?
Jaaster Taras grimaces. "Very carefully, is how." The grimace turns up at the corners into another boyish grin. "But I woke up with the fruit next to me. It wasn't me that got it, though. I could see a spot where it had been pierced, like with an arrow. Just so happens that my sister hunts with a bow - like any reasonable person would, she'd say." Jaaster shakes his head once more, amused rather than regretful. "She still denies having anything to do with the fruit coming down. Says I hit my head too hard
Jaaster Taras scratches his head absently. "I don't know if it was worth it, but that fruit was the sweetest thing I've ever tasted, even with that aftertaste." He shudders a bit. "Never did get a taste for caelumtree fruit afterward, though. I've left it for the Gnath ever since."
Waku Motohama gives him a bnright smile, one that shows off her pointed canines. "Now, if that isn't the sweetest thing I've ever heard - minus the broken bones and all those bits. Guess that head of yours can take a few hard knocks, huh?"
Jaaster Taras grins widely and raps his knuckles against his head. "Well, no one's got a head harder than a highlander. Why else would we think it's a good idea to keep living in Coerthas?"
Waku Motohama lets out another peal of laughter. "Hey, there's a lot of traits I can fault in a person, but stubbornness isn't one I can really pick at, at least intrinsically. Besides! You can just spike yourself into the air like a Hellsguard hitting a Blitzball!" She taps the toe of his boot. "I say that gives you at least some kind of advantage over the environment."
Jaaster Taras: "Well, I won't argue with you there." His grin fades into a yawn, which he belatedly covers. "Oh, 'scuse me. All this good food is making me sleepy, I think. I can only imagine how Rollo's feeling..." He turns and sees Rollo curled up next to him, and he smiles. "Answers that question. I think it's time I got him back home. It was really nice talking with you, Waku."
Waku Motohama: Likewise, Mister Jaaster. Pleasure getting to know you better, and... I'll probably be calling on you soon, eh? If nothing else because I owe you an embarrassing story in return, now.
Waku Motohama: Gotta return the favor. Yours was awful humiliating!
Jaaster Taras: "I look forward to hearing it!" Rolling over onto one knee, he scoops up the big wolfhound with a grunt and stands up. Nodding to Waku over the big lump of fuzz in his arms, he begins trundling off for home.
Waku Motohama gives him a final wave before cleaning up the remainder of the picnic, packing the leftovers away and folding up the blanket. It wouldn't do to litter, after all!