Chapter Text
The evening sun burned bright and hot, rays of light pouring through the drifting clouds. Rustling of shoes, claws, hooves and feet alike could be heard shuffling about the village, everyone out and about tending to their errands. A noise could be heard in the distance, a soft clanging of a hammer repeatedly striking a nail.
At the edge of the village were a group of folks from all sorts of origins, working tirelessly to build another home for their ever growing town. A tall and stout satyr stood near the foundation, leaning against a post and wiping the sweat from his brow. He carefully sat his tools down, looking over the horizon as he began strolling down the trail. A hand rose up to his hairline, blocking the blinding sun as he stepped away from the frame of the building.
"I'll be just a minute, boys!" He yelled over his shoulder, the other workers murmured their acknowledgement without so much as sparing a glance, focused hard on their work.
The Satyr began walking down the small stone path at a leisurely pace, seemingly looking for something. His hooves had a steady click with each step as he spun around, looking around the corners and bushes with his arm still overhead, dirty blonde hair sticking to the corners of his face.
The construction site was a small walk away at this point, and the satyr's ears suddenly perked up at the sound of rhythmic tapping in the distance.
The sound of hooves clacking against the stone tile path became more and more constant as a smaller figure came into view, rounding the corner with armfuls of wooden boards and a belt full of tools.
A smaller satyr with rich auburn hair and fur began slowing to a jog as she approached the taller man.
She let out a huff, seemingly out of breath as she tried to poke her head around the stack of boards to get a better view of the body in front of her.
"Sorry that took so long," she puffed out, "I couldn't find the wood you wanted, I had to ask mom to help me look," She added sheepishly.
The larger satyr let out a gentle laugh before leaning over to take the boards from the girl, effortlessly holding them under his right arm.
"That's alright, Ochako. I appreciate it nonetheless," he leaned down and kissed her on the top of her hair, careful to avoid the horns poking out, "I was just getting a bit worried, that's all."
She wordlessly unsheathed a couple of tools from her belt, handing them over to the older man with a subtle eye roll, "I'm fine, dad. Nothing's going to happen to me if I'm not within your range of sight for one hour." She countered playfully.
"I know I know, you're all old and independent now," he dragged out dramatically, "But you can never blame a father for stressing over his kid," he stated matter-of-factly.
Ochako let out a giggle, "Of course not."
She reached her arm up, straining the muscle with a small stretch, "Do you need any more help?" she added.
He let out a small grunt in thought as he carefully put the acquired tools in his own belt, "I think we've got it from here, thanks honey. How about you check on your mother? She might need help with closing soon," he suggested.
"Of course," she readily agreed, leaning over to give her father a quick hug "I'll see you later, try not to work too hard, alright?" She gave a stern glare to emphasize the statement.
He tiredly chuckled, patting ochako on the shoulder, "I'll try my very best. Now off you go, don't keep your mother waiting!" He smiled, waving her off as he turned back towards his work site and began a brisk pace back, wooden boards and extra tools in tow.
Ochako smiled back fondly, slowly trotting back down the winding stone path. The clouds had become more abundant, filling the space with gentle shade and a slow breeze. The clearing of grasses, weeds and flowers became more apparent the closer she got to the heart of the town, still peacefully ambling through the edge of the commotion. She mindlessly ran her hand along the rough stones and bricks that made up the walls and paths of their village, feeling the hardened grout and lose pebbles that flew off at the intrusion.
Making a sudden sharp turn between two towering buildings, she discreetly wandered down the darkening alleyway. Small pipes ran along their walls with random bouts of hot steam, causing Ochako to flinch away from the mist.
Peeking left and right, she emerged from the shadowed crevice, pushing her way into the town that was bustling with the evening rush of everyone tending to their shops, gathering groceries, and many heading to their homes for the day. She squeezed her way into the crowd, worming her way around and between people, dodging the loud chatter before stepping onto a wooden porch with loud thumps of her hooves.
She politely waved to the few people making conversation on the patio before slipping by and briskly pushing open the door. As she walked inside her ears perked up at the familiar voice of her mother.
"Hey, ochako!" Her mother warmly greeted, "Did your father send you here again?" She tutted. "I keep telling him you need a nice break from time to time."
She promptly dropped the damp rag from her hand that she had been scrubbing the countertop with.
She pushed past the small gate separating her from behind the bar and the customers so she could stand face to face with her daughter.
"It's fine, mom. Really! I like helping you guys out when I can," she earnestly responded, gesturing with her hands to affirm her point.
Her mother sighed with a fond smile on her face, "I know you do, but I want you to have some time for yourself too, you know. Your father and I can keep things afloat just fine," she tried to reassure her.
Ochako folded her arms together, pinching the fabric of her sleeve as she rolled the fabric between her fingers to feel the texture, "I know," she responded somewhat doubtfully, "But we've been having a rough season. I just figured I'd try it help out where I can."
Her mother reached out a hand and lovingly rubbed Ochako's shoulder, "We'll get through it, honey, don't worry," she uttered in an impossibly soft, yet stern voice.
She pulled her hand back, pursing her lips slightly as she readjusted her apron and settled her hands on her hips, letting out a soft sigh, "Listen, it's pretty slow this evening and we'll be closing in a few hours. How about you just help me tidy things up and reorganize right now, and It'll make closing by myself easier for later. When you're done, just go and take some time for yourself, sweetheart. Go for a walk, talk to that deku boy or something,"
she huffed with a small laugh as Ochako groaned and playfully rolled her eyes.
"The point is, just go do something with your own time for once. Enjoy yourself," she raised an eyebrow pensively, "you got it?" she questioned with a slight grin that Ochako couldn't help chuckling at,
"Yes ma'am. I will," she replied with a slight smirk,
"Just as soon as I help you finish cleaning."