melodiesoflife | Hey, Good Looking!

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Hey, Good Looking!

WHO: Lita Kino, OPEN
WHAT: Lita's still getting used to this place, and could stand to make some new CR friends. She can cook! She can clean! She can shoot fire out of her hands! She's still getting used to that last one.
WHEN: October 17th
WHERE: All over Aqures Ixen!

Grocery Store

One would think that with that many ingredients stocked into her woven wicker basket that Lita was feeding a small army. But nope! It was just Usagi and herself, and given Usagi's appetite as well as Lita's own high metabolism, they could put away quite a bit between them. Besides, it was important to keep a fully stocked kitchen just in case they got any unexpected visitors.

Bags of rice, different cuts of meat, fresh fruits and vegetables, and a riot of tiny spice containers were loaded into her basket, hanging on her arm as if it weighed nothing at all.

Stopping at the baker's stand, she silently weighed the pros and cons of buying a loaf of bread instead of just making it herself. She supposed it would save a lot of time, especially since she needed to dedicate a few hours to her training. Besides, that smell of a crusty fresh-baked loaf was heavenly. With a smile she exchanged a few gil and wedged the bread into her basket as well.

Spotting her was easy enough, for she was still pretty tall for a fifteen-year-old girl. She would be mulling over some produce, or maybe even staring longingly at the fresh cut roses for sale at the flower cart. Hmmmm... She preferred to grow her own, but all of her flowers were back home. A bouquet could add a nice splash of color to their house, she decided, and ordered a dozen of mixed orange and yellow sweet-smelling blooms.

* * * * *

Training Hall

With dinner simmering over the lowest heat setting on the stove at home, Lita could spend the better part of her afternoon at the training hall. She kind of wanted to grab someone by the arm and drag them into the room with her for some sparring, but she felt oddly shy about it. There still weren't very many people she knew, and though she scanned the faces she passed on the way to the training hall, she didn't recognize anyone.

Maybe that was for the best? She was still learning to use her body properly with her new jobs equipped. Lita knew for sure she could take more damage before, but something about this place made her a lot slower than usual. Her strength was still there; if anything she felt even stronger than usual, and her punches and kicks could probably wreck someone who went up against her. But Kukeiko had warned her that monks were weak against magic attacks, and with the Fire Bender paired with it, ice and water spells could easily be her downfall.

She'd have to check out the blacksmith's shop later and see if there was anything she could buy to help with that. Monks couldn't wear any sort of armor, but some sort of magic pendant wouldn't count as armor, right? Or did it?

Lita sighed, cinching her cloth belt around her waist as she took her position on the mat and moved into her stretches. There was still a lot to learn about this place, especially when it came to combat. She was determined to protect her world, though, so if that meant knuckling down and studying how to be the best fighter she could be, then she'd do it!

Limbered up, she bounced a few times on the balls of her feet, then advanced on her stationary foe: the sandbag. She jerked up her knee, slamming her shin against the sandbag with a fierce blow before pivoting and driving her elbow into it with a follow-up attack.

* * * * *

Chocobo Farm

So these were chocobos, huh? Lita leaned against the outside of the corral, arms folded under her chin as she watched the birds wander around the field, scratching at the ground and fluffing their wings.

"Gosh, they're really cute," she grinned to herself. It was kinda peaceful just watching them. So this was how people moved around, huh? Eventually she'd have to learn how to ride one of these guys, especially if she wanted to leave the city in any other fashion that didn't involve airships.

Sure would be awful if she found out she was too heavy for them to carry, though. She was tall and muscular, there was no way she'd make it as a jockey. She'd never had a pet before, either. So should she get one of her own? Just keep renting one whenever she needed a ride?

And would she ever get a chance to see a good-looking farmhand hanging around the place and working shirtless?

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Oh, wow, they have fruit I've never seen before~

[Lailah is happily looking over the fruit section. They had a new shipment and she still hadn't explored all of the fruit the world had to offer. She could have done without the durian one time, though.]

I wonder how you can prepare it...

[Ordinarily Lita wouldn't go out of her way to butt in on someone else's self-conversation. She's not as outgoing as Usagi is. But, well...she can't just keep to herself forever, and if there's one topic she can talk a lot about, it's cooking. Can't hurt to at least try to be more friendly, right?]

Hey, whatcha got there?

[She approaches with a semi-awkward smile.]

Sorry for butting in, it sounded like you needed some cooking advice. Lay it on me!

Oh, wow, are you a culinary artist?

I've made a few snacks at home, and some baking, but I can't figure out how others do their craft!

Then again, back at home I didn't have to eat, so...

Ha ha! Nothing that fancy, but I'm a real good cook.

[She winks, settling her free hand on her hip.]

Baking isn't as hard as most people think it is. You just have to be confident, patient, and precise when you measure your ingredients. It's a little tougher than cooking, but once you've got the hang of it, there's a lot of cool stuff you can improvise.

Oh, wow! I mean, I've watched people do such things, and the way they're so focused is just so inspiring! Maybe my issue is that I can't concentrate for too long?

[Lailah muses on this.]

Oh, my apologies!

[she bows]

My name is Lailah. It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Good Cook!

Heheh! Just Lita is fine with me. Nice to meet you!

[And she bows back just as politely, her ponytail swinging over her shoulder with the motion.]

If you want, I could teach you how to make something. Is there a dish in particular you've always wanted to try? Maybe I know a recipe.

Hmm...

[Lailah grabs a random fruit off of the stand: a durian.]

How about this in a tart?

Uhhh... Well, some people like them, but a lot of people find the smell to be way too strong.

[She smiles sheepishly, taking the durian and putting it back with a light pat.]

If you want to make a tart, it's good to use berries, plums or peaches, or apples. Apples are in season right now, so that's probably your best bet if you want the best tasting ingredients!

Apples! Of course! I don't know why I never thought of that!

What other nuggets of wisdom do you have?

[Hisui apparently had a kinship with birds, given that nearly all of his strike artes and some of his Soma evolutions were named after avians. In any case, he came out to see the birds, too. And one of them tore off his shirt and ran around with it. So have Hisui running around after a gigantic bird shirtless. He's shirtless, not the bird.]

[Wow... She was just kidding about seeing shirtless farmhands, but someone up there seems to really like her! She can't help but giggle at the ridiculous sight of a chocobo cheerfully scampering about, forever out of Hisui's reach. He seems to be okay.]

Hey! You need a hand out there?

Edited 2016-10-18 23:55 (UTC)

Huh?

[Oh, someone was there? This was embarrassing.]

Hey, Lita. What's up?

[In the magical world of Crystallis, someone is always watching when embarrassing hijinks come into play.]

Not much, just enjoying the view!

[Eh heh heh heh...]

Little cold to be running around without a shirt, isn't it?

Which is why I'm trying to get it back!

I grew up in the cold, though, so it doesn't bother me too much.

I am going to make myself a pillow FILLED WITH CHOCOBO DOWN THOUGH!

[He runs off after the Chocobo again.]

Looks like you guys are having fun. Don't mind me, I won't interrupt!

[Besides, if the chocobo ripped off his shirt, he's not going to be able to wear it so easily. Maybe she can offer to mend it for him. Once he gets it back of course. In the meantime, she's content to wait, resting her elbows on the wooden railing with her cheek cupped in her hands. What a great day...]

Fun?!

[Hisui is on the verge of pulling out his hair, but refrains.]

Well, gotta go get it back!

[And there he goes, running off after the bloody chocobo.]

[... and the sandbag came unhinged and flew across the room and slammed into Flynn's chest.]

Ow!

Whoa! Where did you come from?!

[She didn't even hear this hunky guy come in, and that's not like her at all not to notice a total hottie. She rushes over to him, looking him over with genuine concern.]

Sorry about that, I don't know my own strength yet. Are you all right? Let me see.

I'm okay, I'm okay.

[He gets up, and ~~shoujo sparkles emerge~~ smiles.]

That's quite a punch there! We could use someone like you when we go out on missions.

[Lita picks up the sandbag and drags it back to the hook, hanging it up with relative ease. She really is strong for her age and gender, and that monk job gave it an even bigger boost. When she looks back at Flynn, his smile hits her like a punch to the gut. Her eyes half-lid as her expression softens and grows distant.]

Wow, he's so dreamy...

[NO DON'T SAY THAT OUT LOUD! She can't even compare him to her old boyfriend, he looks more like a prince that waltzed out of the pages of a fairy tale. Quickly she shakes her head.]

You really think so? Most people get freaked out when they see how strong I am.

What's wrong with strength? Strength can be beautiful, just as well as femininity. But what makes something beautiful is how it's used. In such a case, strength can also cause pain and suffering.

[he glances to the side.]

In any case, it's something to consider. We could always use a hand.

You really think so?

[She's hanging on his every word. He can't be too much older than she is...old enough that he probably wouldn't ask her out now, but a worthy investment for the future!]

Well gee, when you put it like that, it's hard to say no! What was it you needed?

Edited 2016-10-25 03:43 (UTC)

I would have to check with our leader for anything specific, but we could always use strong people. You can always visit us, and if it's to your liking, you may join. I don't wish to push a noble young woman into anything she's not comfortable with, after all.

[Lita smiles down at her feet, oddly demure. It's not every day a handsome knight invites her to fight alongside him and whoever else he's associated with.]

Oh, uh, no! I'm not uncomfortable. It's just...different. In a good way!

[She fidgets a little with a starry-eyed smile.]

I hope you don't do ask this of all the other girls~

Not many are as gorgeous or strong as the one in front of me.

[smirk]

Good-looking farmhand, you say?

I mean - Donnel is riding his own yellow chocobo into the farm, humming a little as it slows down. "All right, you done good today, Drago! So we can see your kin for just a lil' while now. Just don't get too comfy, we gotta report back to Sir Chrom later."

"Oh, hey Donny!" Lita perked up from where she was just kicking it all casual like. Huh, he seemed to be pretty good at handling the big yellow birds. Maybe he had them on his world too. Since she already knew him, she wasn't shy at all about approaching to say hello.

After all, she could only watch chocobos for so long before starting to get bored. Guys were way more interesting, any day of the week!

"How long are you gonna be here for? Just a few minutes, or is it gonna be a while?"

"Oh! Hi there, miss Lita!" He waved to her, and began to climb off. "Well see, I figured I'd let my pal Drago hand out with his kind for a little bit. Not sure how long it'll be before he's satisfied."

He offered a small shrug. "You tryin' to catch one of these birds?"

"I wasn't really sure yet," she admitted, folding her arms casually behind her head. "It seems like it might be necessary for everyone to have one, but I've never cared for a pet before, much less a really big bird. I'd feel pretty bad if I accidentally neglected it just because I didn't know how to look after it."

Lita turned her head to look at Donnel's chocobo, Drago. "Is it hard to tame them?"

Drago was already chirping and nuzzling its over companions. Donny smiled, watching it and remembered his own animals back home. "It wasn't too bad for me! It rides a lot faster than a horse, I can tell you that. Might even be a wyvern."

He glanced back to her. "'Course, I do have a bit of an advantage. I used to work on a farm, so I get along real well with all kinds of fur and feathers."

She was about to comment on the horse. She liked horses. All girls did. True she'd never had a chance to ride one before, but if one of these birds could go even faster, why that would be ideal, right? But she sure didn't recognize the other animal he mentioned.

"Huh? What's a wyvern?" she asked, one brow jutting upward.

She supposed her ignorance could wait for another day, however. It wasn't every day a gal from the city met someone who was raised on a farm. "I guess that does sort of come with the job, doesn't it?" Lita giggled. "Do you think you could show me what to do?"

He paused, scratching his head - or tried to, given the pot. How did you describe what he saw every day back home?

"Well, uh, lesse... A wyvern is... Okay! Imagine a dragon, but it doesn't have arms and it doesn't breathe fire. That's a wyvern."

Confident, he smiled, thinking what he said was completely normal. "Anyhow, iff'n you need help with animals, you just tell me what the problem is and I'll do my best for ya!"

"What?! You ride dragons?!" If he didn't seem so earnest, she'd assume he was just making it up to impress her. He sure didn't seem like he was lying about it, though. "Sounds kind of dangerous. Sure would be useful to fly around, though..." she rubbed her chin thoughtfully. Glancing at the chocobos, it was obvious to see the thought crossed her mind, but she was pretty sure those birds were too big to fly.

She turned her attention back to Donnel and managed a sheepish smile. "Actually, if you can help me catch a chocobo of my own and show my how to take care of it, that'd be really nice of you. You're not too busy?"

"Oh, I've never ridden one! Just know a gal that does." He waved a dismissive hand like it still wasn't amazing. "If she ever winds up here, I'll be sure to introduce you. Bet you'd get along real well, she's friends with all the ladies in the Shepherds."

But more importantly, his friend needed help now! He rubbed his hands together, eager to be useful. "Ain't ever too busy to help out a friend in need. You gotta be able to do two things with these critters... Ride it without fallin' off, and find buried treasure together. Do 'em both, and you got a good Chocobo!"

He was definitely telling her the truth. A liar would have bragged about riding one, and probably doing an exceptional job of it too. But was it really so strange? There were all kinds of nutzoid monsters running around on this planet, why not dragons with two legs that don't breathe fire that people can ride?

"Yeah, I'd like that. Thanks," she smiled at his offer of an introduction.

Once they started getting down to business, Lita straightened confidently. "Right! I dunno much about finding buried treasure, but that does sound fun. It's the riding part I've never tried before. How does that go?" She doubted it was like ice skating, so she probably couldn't show off or expect any natural talents to emerge.

"Well, you gotta relax the critter first. Show 'em you mean no harm, and that you trust 'em. That'll help 'em trust you." He climbed over the corral, ready to help her find the right bird. "See any out there that catch your fancy? I hear they come in all kinds of colors, but I just stick to good ol' yellow."

"Whoa, really? I wonder if there are any pink ones..." Probably not, but it sure would be cute to see a big pink feathery bird running around. Lita followed him to the corral, climbing up one of the rungs before she vaulted over the rest by swinging her legs up and over the top. She was big, but managed to land pretty gracefully. Now which one...

Planting her hands on her hips, she turned her head, scanning over her options. "Well, that one over there seems pretty gentle. That would be good for a beginner, right?"

Donny had glanced back, intending to help her over the top, but... wow. Look at her go.

It's a stare of admiration, mind you. He needed a moment before realizing she'd spoken.

"... Oh! Right, uh... sure. Sure. Just... slowly approach it, and offer your hand out. Let it get a good look and whiff."

"That's it? Huh. So it's a lot like how you deal with dogs, I guess." Lita stepped forward, slowly and carefully, doing her best to seem deferential when she was so tall. At least chocobos were taller, so she didn't tower over them quite so imposingly.

Gently she lifted her hand, palm turned up. "Hey there. I'm Lita." Apparently she didn't think it was too weird to introduce herself. The birds were supposed to be pretty smart, after all. "You think we could be friends?"

Since the bird didn't appear to disapprove of her, all seemed to be going well. Donny smiled, keeping his distance so Lita would be in control of the situation. It was important that the Chocobo focused on her, not him.

"Looks like he's taken a fancy to ya. Now just begin pettin' him real slowly, but make sure he can still see you."

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Hey, Good Looking!

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Chocobo Farm

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Training Hall

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Chocobo Farm

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