A day in Somerild

Ishgard's skies were clear despite the bristling cold, and the Emperyium residential was bustling with activity as the day drew to a close. Ishgardian restoration had brought about the grandest of adventuring residency as one could hope for, sloping hills and gazebos flourished with hardy flowers and banners, gardens with herbs and snow-faring plants, hot springs with the steam floating into the air and dissipating within moments.

A tall, statuesque Viera walked down the path to a moderately well sized house, her black braid struck through with strands of white, odd colored eyes focused on a basket of herbs in her arms. Beside her was a spritely young Hrothgar with lavender fur and orange hair upon his head, purple face paint crossing his eyes and cheeks. She smiled down at him as he smiled toothily at her, pointing towards the house only a few yards away.

"We're almost home, mother!" He called out excitedly. "Do you think the others are around as well?" Morgan shrugged, smiling gently.

"I'm sure they will be soon if they are not already." She paused when she saw a flicker of dark purple locks peeping over the fence, and as they drew closer, saw that her cousin, Egil, was repairing a bit of fence around their community home.

"Egil? What happened?" Morgan asked, pushing the gate open. Grashakk raced passed her giggling, spinning around under the white willow before trailing off into the house, leaving the two Rava Viera outside. Egil wiped his hands on his pants and stood up, wiping a stray bead of sweat from his cheek.

"Just a little accident. Nothing that could not be easily repaired." His dual colored eyes trailed off into the distance before settling back on Morgan. "A few of the young Elezen belonging to the couple across the hill were testing out new weaponry… on each other. Luckily no one was hurt, our fence took quite a beating though." He smiled and put his hands on his hips, leaning back and admiring his handy work. "I don't think I did too shabby altogether. Just in time for dinner, eh?" He held out an arm and she giggled, linking hers as he escorted her back inside.

The entryway was a change in atmosphere that an outsider would not be able to comprehend. Like a lush forest with dark walls and dim lighting, dried herbs strug out across the walls and plants dotting the vestibule, candles wafting gentle scents of rain and honey peppered the counters of the kitchen, where a young Au Ra with bright pastel green hair was humming gently, hands fluttering across the pages of a book while her eyes stared unblinkingly forward. Greshakk came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Hello Greshakk." Cho said, placing the book down gently on the counter and returning the hug gently. She inhaled for a moment then smiled in Egil and Morgan's general direction. "Welcome back Morgan! The herbs smell lovely. Egil, you have wood stain on your hands." Egil laughed and poked her cheek gently.

"Aye, aye. I suppose I best clean up before supper. Perhaps you wouldn't mind rounding up the young ones and letting Qiutian and Sparrow know Morgan is home? Best not disturb Allora, she was very busy in the lab today." Cho nodded and took Greshakk's hand, headed into the southbound Hallway towards the back end of the house.

"Want me to check on Narzuul and Adam for you?" Egil asked as Morgan set her herbs down on the counter, moving Cho's book onto the small table behind the counter. Morgan reached over to grab a dark blue apron off of the hooks hanging near the cabinets, trying it around her waist.

"Sure, let them know they'll both need to be wrapped up and washed up before dinner is done. Also, please tell Mighty to round up the rest of the family to set up tables. Egil saluted his cousin, dodging a wooden spoon before chuckling his way upstairs.

Qiutian groaned as Nocturne shifted to a knock on their door. She popped open her left eye, watching warily as the door slowly cracked open. Crysanthemum's ward, Cho, stepped in shyly, twisting a strand of pastel hair between her fingers.

"Morgan has returned home." The blind Au Ra relayed. "Qiu, you and Sparrow are going to help cook right? Can I help too?" Qiutian asked and smiled.

"Of course Cho, why don't you head back to the kitchen and I'll go get Sparrow, alright? Where's your mother at?" Cho tilted her head, thinking for a moment.

"I believe she will not be able to join us this evening." Cho said sadly. Nocturne hopped up, stretching and tapping Qiutian's nose before striding to the door.

"We'll that's alright, I'm sure she's plenty busy nowadays. How about this, I'll escort you back to the kitchen, how's that sound?" Cho nodded and smiled softly, grabbing his sleeve as he led her back to the kitchen. Qiutian stretched and threw on one of Nocturne's older black t-shirts, before padding down to Sparrow's room. She knocked thrice, but no reply was had. She waited a few moments, knocked again, and when no response was given yet again, she gently pushed the door open. The lights were off and the room was quiet.

"Ah." Qiutian said, thinking. "If she's not here, than she's probably with the kids." Qiutian skipped down the hallway to the ward's room, where a gentle singing could be heard. She opened the door and inside, the Free Company's current fosters were all seated around in a circle, listening to Sparrow sing a silly song about phurbles and sylphs. They all turned when the door opened up, and excitedly called out Qiutian's name.

"Hey kiddos. It's almost dinner time, why don't you all let Sparrow come with me and head into the dining area to help Mighty set up, eh?" The children jumped up excitedly, filing out in a zig zag and giggling at one another besides. Sparrow stood, stretching and cracking her neck, tail flicking to the side.

"Thanks for the save, my voice was starting to crack from extended use." She said, smiling at the pumpkin-witch. "Morgan's back then? Should we grab Allora?"

"Probably not." Qiutian replied dryly. "She had a rather poor day at the markets, I could hear her fuming over Nocturne's snoring and the subsequent slamming of the labs doors. We'll slip by when dinner's just about ready to make sure she eats though." Sparrow shrugged and the two traipsed back towards the kitchens.

"Vidar, where is your sister?" Vidar looked up from his blade, placing the shining cloth down on the table and meeting the amber gaze of Narmanda. She looked somewhat frazzled, something he was not used to, and his brow furrowed.

"Last I thought she was in her room." He said slowly. "I take it she's not there." Narmanda sighed, brushing a stray lock of mint green hair from her face.

"Yes, I wanted to talk to her before Morgan got home but I just saw Egil pass by talking to Mighty and it would seem the time has passed." She huffed a bit and sighed again. "That being said, perhaps we should head downstairs and see if we can help get things settled for dinner." Vidar nodded, placing his sword down and coming to a stand.

"Do you want to try and find Amaryllis?" Vidar asked as they exited the room.

"If we ca-"

"Lookin' for Amy?" The two turned to see Tsutsuji briskly walking towards them, a basket of laundry in her arms. She stopped, looking up at Vidar and over to Narmanda. "I saw her headed towards the Alchemy lab, she was talking to herself pretty loudly and said something about "potions for hair growth". Narmanda and Vidar exchanged exasperated looks as Tsutsuji seemed to ponder something before shifting the basket in her arms. "Then again, Allora was in there earlier and she seemed like she wasn't in mood for company so…"

Both Narmanda and Vidar paused, blinking before it clicked for both of the implications.

"Ah feck."

"Godsdammit not again." Tsutsuji watched the two run past her towards the stairs and shrugged, turning before running straight into her sister.

"Oi Ansu, why are you up here?" Tsutsuji said, rubbing her nose. Ansuriumu tilted her head.

"I was… busy." She said lamely, avoiding her sister's gaze. "See you at dinner. Don't be late, you know how Morgan gets when we're late to gatherings." Tsutsuji rolled her eyes and walked towards her bedroom, stopping when she caught sight of Torsten, slipping a shirt on with very distinct nail marks on his back. She stopped, looked back towards Ansu's retreating form, and back at Torsten, who had just noticed her and waved, a dark blush on his cheeks that looked suspiciously like exertion… Tsutsuji smirked and walked into her room, chuckling under her breath.

"Oh Ansu, you are a horrible liar."

–

Narzuul handed Adam one of the forge’s hammers and took a step back from the forge. The two were actively repairing weapons the Company had brought in from the week’s battles, as well as crafting marketable items for the markets. The forge was hot and the air around them stifling, but still they worked as fluidly as a river, handing off blades, lances, scythes and more. Adam wiped the sweat away from his scales, handing over Egil’s katana to Narzuul, who sheathed it and set it to the side.

“Oi, Morgan’s back.” Came Egil’s voice. The two turned to see the Viera entering the forge, a fresh shirt on and hands free of wood stain. “She asked that you two make sure you’re cleaned up before you come trailin’ into the kitchen, and to wrap up everything you're workin’ on. The girls probably won’t take long to get dinner ready and we should help wrangle the kids and the others to set up the tables.”

“We eatin’ outside then?” Narzuul said brightly, pulling off his blacksmith’s gloves and tossing them on a side table. Adam turned the forge off and closed the casing, brushing his apron off.

“Sounds like it anyway. Ah, you finished my katana?” Egil reached over to pick up the weapon, tilting it and pulling it out of its sheath in a flash. He smiled, admiring the work on the blade.

"It's like new. Thank you Adam!" Adam nodded, setting his work gear off to the side.

"Has Sparrow gone to help Morgan?" He asked. Egil nodded, sheathing the blade and gesturing towards the entrance.

"Cho should have picked them up. Let's go get the rest of them shall we?" The three men walked inside and instantly came across a pale miqo'te with white hair, looking slightly concerned look on her face, a diminutive lilac toned miqo'te child hiding behind her dress.

"Ah, Kaida, will you be joining us for dinner tonight?" Egil asked, winking at the small child. Kaida blinked, before putting on a tentative smile.

"Oh, why yes, I was just wondering if anyone had seen Hedones or Ardonias? Both have been overworking and I'm about to put my foot down, on both of them if need be." Narzuul and Egil laughed, but Adam looked thoughtful, before snapping his fingers.

"Ah, I saw the two of them pass by the workshop earlier." Adam said, his black scales glinting blue in the tinted lights. I don't think either of them were on their way to work per say but I could be mistaken. You'll most likely find them there though." Kaida beamed and bowed slightly, taking the hand of the small miqo'te and tugging her along the hallway, waving her thanks. The three watched them go, before walking down the hallway and out into the back patio. Mighty was already outside, wrangling a few of the orphans off the willow tree, while a few of the older children were setting plates on one of the tables.

"Need any help?" Narzuul called to Mighty, who turned his scarred visage to the trio and smiled toothily.

"Not much I can't handle!" He boasted playfully. "Albeit, many hands make light work, might you lads help move the tables out?" Narzuul and Adam nodded, moving around to settle down the youngsters, while Egil entered the house again to figure out who was left. He knocked gently on Ükhel's door, and he heard short shuffles before the door cracked open and iridescent eyes peeled up at him in front of pitch black sclera.

"Dinner, Ük." He said, booping her nose. "You have to eat too. And uh… tell your voidsent to behave himself this time, eh?" The Xaela rolled her eyes, but smiled and nodded her head before closing the door. The samurai turned back to the spell weaver corridor, stopping right in front of the Alchemy lab when he heard a commotion from within. He groaned inwardly as he recognized the agitated tone of Allora, and the hissing alto of Umbra. He sighed, steeling himself for the worst, and pushed the lab door open. A tall Viera with forest green hair and pink highlights was blinking in confusion at Umbra, who had a dagger in her hands, while Allora was trying to carefully clear up broken glass, mumbling under her breath "...knew I should have spent the extra Gil on the shatter proof glass vials…"

Egil cleared his throat and all three women turned to him. His ears pricked up as he heard two sets of running feet, and Narmanda and Vidar came skidding into view, looking rightfully panicked. "Amaryllis!" Vidar said breathlessly. "What are you doing?" Amaryllis shrugged, looking somewhat sheepish. "I wanted to see if I could get a potion to grow my hair faster." She said cheerfully, completely oblivious to Umbra's obvious irritation. "Is that why you are here too?" Narmanda sighed, stepping forward between Umbra and Amaryllis. She grabbed Amaryllis's arm and pulled her to the door, looping her other arm through Vidar's and turning to Allora. "Sorry about that, I'll get these two out of your hair." Vidar leaned around as Narmanda started to drag him and his sister through the door. "Send me the vial amount she broke and I'll replace them!" He said, his voice echoing down the hallway. Egil chuckled then turned back to the sisters who's irritation was still visible. "Alright, Morgan is back, so dinner will be getting done soon." He said. Allora brightened up marginally and Umbra resheathed her dagger. "Everyone else is already setting up so I guess… just show when you're ready." He waved awkwardly and shut the door, exhaling in relief that he'd been able to avoid any unfortunate alchemical "accidents" today. -- Tsutsuji walked out of her room after swiftly placing all her clothes in their appropriate places, and went to Autumn's door, knocking lightly. "Come in!" The Xaela called. Tsutsuji pushed the door open and smiled to see both Autumn and Severa, both relaxing on the floor sofa in the path of the sunlight. Severa waved and her eyes poured back over the pages. Autumn shut her book and fluidly came to a stand to greet the pink skinned Raen. Tsutsuji smiled and gave her a quick hug. "Sounds like the Matriarch of Somer is home." She said. "Everyone's gathering downstairs for dinner. Just thought I'd come let you know." "Greatly appreciated Tsu." Autumn said. She turned to Severa. "We were merely catching up on some reading while we waited for evening. The sun is just so bright today." Tsutsuji squinted at the window and laughed. "It sure is, still, it will be nice to have an outside dinner tonight." She turned and stepped through the door, stopping at the threshold. "Ah, have either of you noticed anything… odd, about Torsten of late?" Both girls exchanged a brief look of confusion before shaking their heads. Tsutsuji smiled, then waved off their bewilderment. "No worries, likely just a trick of the light. If you could ensure he knows to be at dinner as well, I'm going to head downstairs and see if Morgan needs any help." -- Morgan hung up her apron and rinsed her hands off