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[flyingsolos]

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[purrtagonist]

Five minutes is better than anything I can do.

[b. . . because he has no wings]

Keep practicing; I'm sure you'll turn five minutes into ten, and then twenty, before you even know it.

[flyingsolos]

Don't worry, I'm not about to give up on it.

... But you know, I might have to have you help me out a little.

[ oh, dear. ]

[purrtagonist]

All right.

[. . . that. was a quick agreement]

But my services don't always come for free.

[only sometimes]

[flyingsolos]

And you'll be charging... what, then?

[ wow, stealing her lines? ]

[purrtagonist]

I haven't decided yet.

[SHE STILL HAS THAT IOU AKIRA YOU SHOULDN'T BE CHARGING ANYTHING]

[flyingsolos]

... Right. Well it's too dangerous to owe you anything, so maybe I'll ask someone else.

[purrtagonist]

[hEY]

Kidding, I'm kidding. I'll help, depending on what you want me to do.

[he enters the Sapphire and beelines for the kitchen]

[flyingsolos]

[ again, she follows!! ]

I want to try to see if I can carry someone while flying.

[purrtagonist]

[it isn't mealtime, but there are severs around for Akira to flag down anyway. he requests a cloth wrapped around a clump of ice, for the lovely lady with a bruised shoulder, and thankfully the tavern workers don't seem against heeding that response. the barmaid disappears into the kitchen. she'll be back in a second]

[then he turns back to Rion]

[. . .]

Princess carry style?

[flyingsolos]

... Under the arms, probably. You're a little too... statuesque.

[ She says this very solemnly, even if she leans a bit against the nearest wall. She's definitely going to feel this tomorrow. ]

[purrtagonist]

Aw. I was looking forward to it, too.

[faux disappointment. the barmaid returns with a makeshift ice pack, and Akira takes it from her with gratitude. then he turns around and--]

[-- hm]

Why don't we sit at one of these tables?

[she looks like she needs to get off of her feet for a bit]

[flyingsolos]

Your friendship level's got to be at least seven.

[ but Rion is quick to nod, shifting properly upright and giving Akira a nudge to direct him to her table of choice. On the way there, she'll get a few friendly calls from some of the natives, which she'll return with a warm, slightly softer smile. ]

[purrtagonist]

And we're still at level three, so I've still got four more ranks to go.

[he makes note of the people who call out to Rion with familiarity, letting out a thoughtful noise as he does so. and when they reach her table of choice, he takes a seat and slides the ice back across said table towards her]

You seem well-connected.

[flyingsolos]

[ wow he seems very matter-of-fact about their friendship level?? Akira sure is weird.

Rion laughs, though, accepting the bundle and placing it on her shoulder. ]

That's what happens when you sing in the marketplace every day! I managed to snag a few fans.

[purrtagonist]

[ha ha! he sure is! he must just be a weirdo who likes making weirdo references that don't make sense!]

Every day, hm?

[he must have been working on the opposite side of the marketplace to have missed so many performances]

What time, and where?

[so he can catch the next one]

[flyingsolos]

In the morning for about two hours... and the afternoon for another hour. It's right by that one stand that sells the really big rugs.

[purrtagonist]

[oh. that's why. he is not a morning person. no excuse for missing the afternoon performances, though]

Noted. Look for me in the crowds the next time you're out there.

[THUMBS UP]

[flyingsolos]

What's this, Kurusu-kun? Am I finally going to win you over as a fan?

[purrtagonist]

Friend first, fan second. But who knows? Maybe I'll be forming your very own El Minha fanclub after only one performance.

[flyingsolos]

You'll have to fight the current president first. But just you wait, I'll completely win you over!

[ ... yeah, her eyes are shining. ]

[purrtagonist]

[. . . Kou was totally right, wasn't he]

Who's the current president? Is it our waitress? The rug shop owner?

[flyingsolos]

[ Kou is usually right. ]

The rug shop owner, yep! He says I'm great for business.

[purrtagonist]

[especially in matters related to Rion]

No wonder he lets you perform there every day.

[. . . all joking aside, this conversation does make him wonder--]

If you've made so many new contacts, have you been able to talk to people about-- [waves at]

[everything??]

[he means the political situation in El Minha]

[flyingsolos]

... Oh.

[ Rion's gaze flashes inquisitive, and she takes a quick look around the room. ]

Not so much in the marketplace, though they did say to ask them anything if I needed to. But I've been hearing things in some of the taverns...

[purrtagonist]

[he's about to chalk this question up as a lost cause before she mentions something about the taverns, and his attention on her sharpens. he's careful to keep his voice low too, so no one can casually eavesdrop on their conversation. as the shadier types are apt to do, he's realized]

What have you heard?