- Luca’s eyes gazed up on the bright blue sky, clouds slowly floating across the sky. The aspiring adventurer breathed in the pure air from the entertainment district, something unique to the place considering its bustling business at night. She stretched her arms upwards in a not-so-effective attempt at shooing away the laziness sinking in, though she couldn’t rest just yet – she had to make it to the slums before any pompous noble could catch a glimpse of her. You see, nobles were common acquaintances with Luca, considering she already robbed them so many times. Not like they’d starve without their needless luxury, right? Still, Luca couldn’t help but wonder what the brat bunch she looked after in the slums would react today. Those kids always had something surprising for Luca in their sleeves after all, and always had something unusual for her and much to her surprise, today wasn’t different either. Luca was surprised as she could feel a heavy bump on her back and arms wrapping around her waist the same happening on her legs, only then did she notice the children she was supposed to meet in the slums. Seeing all those brats with large grins on their faces and calling out for her name seemed to vaporize the archer’s fatigue. “You bunch of misfits!” Hands on her waist and with furrowed brows, Luca picked up the younger out of all five, a hume-bunny girl, carrying her around on a piggyback as if chasing the others. “I told you to wait for me at home!” not taking their caretaker and mentor’s words seriously the children played along, laughing and fleeing from her. After a content and much more energized sigh, she put the girl on the ground. Crouching to their height level she handed over a small leather pouch to the older out of all five, a Chienthrope boy. “Give this to Gilq, he knows what to do with it. Don’t lose it, and go through the safe path around the old city. Got it? Wait till I get back home, okay?” After diverse forms of agreement from all five, Luca waved her hand as the children quickly vanished from sight. Her lips curled up in a satisfied grin, those sneaky brats were fast at learning. Breathing in once again, she hummed in a satisfying tone thanks to the thought of today’s mission being complete, though the noble who lost some of his unneeded stuff was quite stingy. Her eyes peered through the many businesses around looking for something that could catch her interest, all the while patting her pockets confirming she at least had enough coins to get a simple snack or drink around, hopefully. @Ame no Uzume
"fuuuuuhhhh~!" Uzume breathed a long, heavy, sigh as she wiped her brow. The Laughing Maiden was once again a mess. It had been another long night. It had always been a long night. The self-proclaimed 'Heavenly Alarming Female' would not have had it any other way. Last woman standing amongst the ruin, Uzume was always the first to greet the rising sun in her establishment. On this particular day, it was because she had not slept. As she tip-toed amongst the chaos she began to separate the washables from disposables with all the expertise of an often-repeated morning routine. She went with a subtle dancer's grace, dodging a sleeping patron here, picking up a cheap and empty saki bottle with a tabi'd toe there, Uzu rapidly made progress toward the sorting of the cozy banquet room's items into two piles. Dusting off her hands she wrapped what was to be thrown out in a large and dirty sheet. Heaving with all her strength, Uzu haphazardly hoisted the large bag over her shoulder and with one foot opened the sliding door toward the street. At a waddle she heaved the mass around the corner where it would be available for pick up. Emptying her makeshift bag into the large can, Uzume stopped to stretch her back and then hustled back inside for her broom humming as she went. In moments, the sliding door was once again open revealing Uzume and her broom. Breathing deep the morning air, Uzume tied a handkerchief to protect her hair, and took to sweeping the street before her establishment. At a stop she used the broom's handle to poke one of the overhead sign's hooks back on to its fastener and went about her business. Uzume was a veritable cleaning tornado. A few hours later it was properly morning and Uzume was ready to open again for a morning low flow of patrons looking for a nice breakfast before hitting the dungeons. Then there was the preparation for the after lunch flow... Before that, though, she had awhile to herself at last. Relaxing in the garden, Uzume sipped her tea. "Mmmm I'm getting sleepy..." Shaking her head, and in spite herself, she dozed off. Her fragrant pot of herbal tea was left to draft in the wind. It was a picture totally at odds with her little snores.
A disappointment grimace slowly changed her expression. Upon seeing just how many establishments were either closed or just incapable of properly serving possible customers. Right, right, the entertainment quarters were meant for night bustling parties, but – Luca’s right brow arched for a moment, as her eyes caught a glimpse of something interesting. Out of the many establishments, one could be considered ready to serve a customer, save for… The archer slowly approached stopping before the establishment; the overhead sign titled under the name of The Laughing Maiden. Even the establishment managed to crack a smile from the aspirating adventurer, although… It didn’t seem like the maiden was laughing at all. In fact, the maiden was peacefully dozing off. Muffling her laughs Luca enjoyed the snoring woman scene for a few seconds before doing anything. Luca entered the laughing maiden, steps muffled with perfect precision, an ability built and refined after many years of pickpocketing nobles and stealthily fleeing without being noticed. Luca quietly inspected the whole place, baffled at how squeaky clean the establishment was – she could see a barely blurry reflection of herself on the floor. Soon after Luca returned to the entrance wondering how she would deal with the sleeping woman while mid work. Hand to her chin, an inaudible humm. Her lips curled up in a large grimm as she noticed the tea cup on the table – Luca swiftly picked up the tea, putting it on another table just behind the maiden in a way she couldn’t see it when waking up. Luca then left the store before her, returning soon after without any sneaky approaches or steps. Perhaps the sound of her now audible footsteps would wake her up, if not – “HELLO THERE~! Good morning! Is this the laughing maiden I so heard about just back on the street? I heard you guys make an awesome coffee!” With an intentionally louder greeting arched forward in order to look at the woman before directly in her eyes. @Ame no Uzume
