Work Text:
[WoL POV]
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa, much better." were the grunts and sound of satisfaction from a figure hunched over various baskets of flowers and tea leaves. They were dressed in an apron, though they were curiously far from any typical kitchen setting, in a plain of rolling grass fields, and a tapestry of stars above. Their black apron painted with a myriad of grass stains past beyond their sleeves, they certainly seemed taken with their task. With a shake of their head, they try to clear away the fogginess which came with sleep, again and again, focused and refocusing on organizing the tea and flowers by type until-
They woke from an abrupt nap surrounded by their worried chocobo and minions.
"How did I-, oh. Thank you for protecting me there, let's call it a day, ey?" They said as they lightly caressed their companion's beak with the side of their index finger.
Their arms hurt, and any attempts of standing straight left them hunching once more. They have overworked their back again. One of the worst strains, in their opinion, to get.
If anyone sees me now, they wouldn't believe I am any hero or savior. Just -, ah bugger it. I'm going to bed. Wait... a soak does sound nice, but I did promise to make it back for that delicious salmon didn't I-
Forgoing even standing up, they waved a hand over their precious baskets, vanishing them, and in the next moment, they and their band of companions were gone. If one had blinked, they would of missed seeing anyone was there, under the night sky of the Azim Steppe.
[Meanwhile in the Warrior of Light's residence: Male Au Ra House Steward POV/3rd person POV]
A splash right outside the front door had everyone inside jump, so to speak. It can be one of many things, but what is certain, is that something, or someone, fell into the hot spring. This time however, the aether signature locked front door opened shortly after, with a familiar exasperated chocobo taking up the doorway, holding up their soaked companion by the back of their collar.
"I'm back!" said a familiar face and voice. "I thought of resting in warm water, but after thinking it through, it's best not to actually do it, at least, not out there, no matter how tired I am" with a drop and a stretch, they dried themselves with magicks, showing off an ease and comfort with aether few possessed, and more envied.
One might think they wouldn't need any help, but besides security reasons for having others watch their space, there was another reason. Their own well being benefitted from living with others, than being alone. Plus they were "quite forgetful, having help actually made their days not a drag as well", or so they proclaimed. The houseworkers were all shocked initially at how someone could sleep for so long and eat only a meal then sleep more initially, but thankfully with their presence, those days were now much more further and far between now, with interesting skills trade shared between them, as well as the good food that might been missed otherwise.
With a smile and a smirk, they hummed quietly, but far from being unheard "It's good, to have said in advance where I would be spending the night. Inn rooms, are a bit like Airbnb-" and there they go again, with words which hold no meaning to their ears. "- but there is nothing quite like one's own bed. Or a warm home and familiar faces to come back to."
Smiling now at the whimsy they live their life, he bowed with his left hand to his back first to guide his mind on the now well-practiced bow, and his right hand to his heart, and from his heart, "Welcome home."
This one, I wouldn't mind-, and don't mind, serving, or more accurately, servicing. Plainly, my fears of serving another in general, have been laid to rest. Freely done without pressure, it is like an extra service to make them laugh. Surrounded with friends at work, with a reasonable, albeit at times worryingly aloft and adrift in their thoughts employer. Ahem. Hence my work is ever important.
They gave him a smile when their eyes met after he thought that through, and they declared, "Ok, I'm staying for at least a week now, or until work gets a bit hectic again." Wait what- They laugh, pat him lightly at the arm and go off to talk to the others, while curiously snapping baskets of tea and flowers from thin air. A new habit of theirs. His fellow Au Ra colleague, the female Au Ra House Steward, bursts out laughing at their employer.
"Heh, I know you well. The temptation of food got to you."
Their employer replies back with, "Well if you guys make the best salmon, cake rolls, and soup, all in one place, without running across the whole face of Hydaelyn; it would be my loss if I didn't get to eat it often!"
As the two talked, the quiet one, a Male Miqo'te Mender who trained in Othard, gave him a signal while examining the baskets, pointing to the cabinet and the fireplace. Glancing at the cabinet, then back to the Warrior of Light, he saw that while they were dry, they were still covered in stains, and they would still need a bath- so he searches for a face and body towel, places it neatly on his arm, and offer it silently when they turn back around to their curious employer. Their eyes shined and they smiled once more, taking the towel and disappearing down the stairs to shower right before dinner. His fellow Au Ra took to sorting some flowers for display, and others for dyeing, all the while, the tea was thoroughly examined twix the Miqo'te's fingers, and sorted repeatedly before they would be processed further. He smiled and starts preparing the week's WoL's luncheon tea service, which was exclusively for them and the WoL's close friends, in advance. Right on cue, the door opened again, this time to the Miqo'te from Limsa Lominsa's own Bismark, who followed the Warrior of Light's cooking ideas to their residence. He had returned with the new stock of flour.
"Well look at you all, being chipper!" He says, placing the flour down. "What did I miss?"
It was just another day at the WoL's residence.