062 [voice]

[ahappylie]

[Things have been difficult for him lately and he's been avoiding "certain people" with a vengeance, but there is always one thing that he knows can cheer him up.

Souji opens his journal one day and with as bright and cheerful a voice as he can muster (which is kind of like rainbows barfing sunshine) he says:]

So who here is being a grumpy grump after the holidays? I know you're out there~

I've heard of at least two: the one with the spiky hair who hates being asked about it and the one with the skirt who hates it being called a skirt.

There have to be more, aren't there? [He degrades into what sounds like baby talk.] So who's being a grumpy-wumpy bear, hm?

Comments

[Written]

[whiskytraitorfirefight]

[Okita Souji... it doesn't ring any bells, but she jots down his name in a notebook. Maybe there'll be something in the library.]

Some bare basics on the time period. Museum visits, knew some history buffs. I don't think I recognize your name though. Should I?

Ginia.

[Written]

[ahappylie]

[Oh, silly Ginia. He burns all those books every week when they show up. Oops.]

Mm, not in particular. I was just curious.

It's nice to meet you, Ginia-san. I knew another Ginia who was here before, a very lovely girl. [With the unwritten question of - Was that you?]

[Written]

[whiskytraitorfirefight]

[Such shame. Such such shame.

It's an unwritten question Ginia sees right away. She closes her eyes, sighs.]

Don't you know? People named Ginia are always lovely.

[Written]

[ahappylie]

That's good to know - we were getting to be somewhat like friends when she left. If all girls named Ginia are as lovely, I'd like to be friends with you as well.

[Written]

[whiskytraitorfirefight]

[Getting to be somewhat like friends. Ginia can accept that. It's better than running into people who knew her as a friend and see the disappointment over not being remembered.

She still doesn't like the idea of making friends. It's a hard one to accept.]

I suppose we can work on being somewhat like friends again.

How did I know you?

[Written]

[ahappylie]

You were friends with mutual friends of mine and I met you a few times that way. One of them made you a necklace, a special one, that helped with your speech.

I always thought you had pretty hair. [Because he can't be too serious without putting something flippant in there.]

[Written]

[whiskytraitorfirefight]

[Friend of a friend, a necklace that helped with her speech. She couldn't speak. Can't speak. But if the necklace could help... Did it allow her to speak or was it solving a different problem?]

I still have very pretty hair.

[Written]

[ahappylie]

Yes, you do. It's nice to see that some things don't change, Ginia-san.

[Written]

[whiskytraitorfirefight]

[Some things don't change, but what about all the other things?]

I look forward to getting to know you again and finding grumpy grumps.

[Written]

[ahappylie]

So do I. I live at House 50, if you're ever interested. Or you can find me in the barracks toward dawn after my shift at the Welcome Centre ends.

[Written]

[whiskytraitorfirefight]

[House 50, barracks, Welcome Center. Good to know.]

By the by, does the Welcome Center need any more volunteers?

[Written]

[ahappylie]

We never turn down any volunteers - people to stock the outposts or man the main desk and help New Feathers as they come in, point them to the Guide and tell them about the town. Feeling a bit like you need something to do?

[Written]

[whiskytraitorfirefight]

I need my pull my weight around here somehow. I wouldn't mind stocking the outposts.

[Written]

[ahappylie]

Blankets, food, compass, map and warm clothing. The maps and compasses can be found at the Welcome Center, along with the blankets and food. The clothing is easy to find at the stores. There are several outposts in the forest that may need upkeep since I haven't made the rounds lately. The town map shows you their positions.

[Written]

[whiskytraitorfirefight]

How long does it take to get to the outposts, assuming I can borrow a horse from the stables?

[Written]

[ahappylie]

Shouldn't take long, maybe half a day at most if you're efficient. There are signposts pointing the way to the village as well, but they may be covered by snow. If you could check those on your way out, it could aide anyone coming in during the winter.

[Written]

[whiskytraitorfirefight]

Can do. I can do the first set of rounds tomorrow morning. How often should I check the outposts? Two or three times a week?

[Written]

[ahappylie]

Once a week is likely enough unless we have an influx of New Feathers, then two or three seems about right. If you don't need to restock anything, it's as quick as a ride around the village and you're back. Sometimes people don't always stumble on them right away.

[Written]

[whiskytraitorfirefight]

Got it. I'll swing by the morning to pick up supplies from the Welcome Center.

[Written]

[ahappylie]

Wonderful! It'll be good to see you again. I'll stay a little into the morning shift so I can catch you.

[Written]

[whiskytraitorfirefight]

I'm an early riser so you shouldn't need to stay too late. I hate ruining other people's schedules.

[Written]

[ahappylie]

Oh, I don't really have a schedule anymore - I no longer teach in the mornings so it's simply my own training regiment.

[Written]

[whiskytraitorfirefight]

What do you teach?

[Written]

[ahappylie]

I taught swordsmanship - Tennen Rishin style of Japanese kendo. My student was very dedicated, but he left recently so I've simply been training on my own.

[Written]

[whiskytraitorfirefight]

Is it difficult to learn?

[Ginia's keeping her options open when it comes to fighting and honing her skills.]