Fumeko played with the coil, examining all the numbers in a circular dial. "All done miss," the technician nodded after plugging it to a wire.
They bade the man goodbye and went back to their newly installed device. "Hm," Fumeko sounded, picking up the handset; she began rotating the dial.
"Don't play with it," Hotaru caught.
"I'm not playing, just trying to call."
"The line's only connected to Kria, so unless you're calling here."
"Oh," Fumeko set the phone back down, "So this can't call to Burnetrout? Noted," she moved away. "We'll get commissions using this now?"
"Jotou and I talked it over and it seemed like the better choice."
"It really put a dent in our party funds, but luckily it can still last us a while longer. This investment will be for more income so we keep staying afloat," Jotou reasoned.
"And, we don't have to keep making trips to the guild only to get no commissions," Hotaru added.
Fumeko folded her arms, "The people who were supposed to be responsible are finally stepping up… At this rate, we're gonna be out of jobs."
"The less velatos the better, who cares whether the Ordinate gets them or we do. People are dying, we can't be hoping to profit off of it," Jotou argued.
"That's true… Asobi, you can't call Zayexiwovu with that," the corner of Fumeko's eye caught.
"Huh?" the cord dangled in the magician's hands, "No! I'm trying to call Jotou; where're the letters on this thing?" she kept turning the dial.
"That's… not how it works," Hotaru's ears fell.
The phone was placed back, "Oh… someone else has to have one too don't they."
Jotou put her hand to her ear, "Asobi, try again," she mimicked a phone.
Her eyes glittered, the phone already in her grasp, "Hello? Jotou? Can you hear me!?"
A grin grew on the blonde, "Yup, loud and clear."
A slap went across her shoulder, "Stop messing with her," Hotaru scolded, a small grin on herself. Fumeko grabbed it and it placed it back on the holder.
"Ring! Ring! Ring!"
"AH!" Asobi jumped behind the sofa, "Why is it so loud!? Is it angry!? I'm sorry telephone!" Asobi hid.
"Shh," Hotaru shushed, taking the call… "Yes, this her residence. … Oh? … Uhm, yeah, we'll accept it. … Thank you," she put it down.
"Who was that?" Fumeko raised a brow.
"The guild; looks like our investment's already paying off. There's been a velatos sighting. We're going to the beach!"
_
Kria Beach, a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. However, tourists were now scarce to the port city-country.
The southernmost edge of Kria was open to the sea, the closest port was the expertly named South Port. Piers were upon the sand, but did not extend to the sea where hundreds of umbrellas painted a picture.
Their various colours reflected the afternoon Sun; shops along the higher platform of wood sold many novelties that could be exclusively found, in another shop right next to it—probably for a cheaper price.
A beach wrap with floral patterns was tied around her waist, covering till her feet and a matching loose crop top that blew in the breeze as Hotaru held her sunhat down, basket in hand.
The redhead faced the waves of turquoise, white foam as it touched the shore. She set the blanket in the freest spot she could find under the Sun, "Hey!" Hotaru tapped away Fumeko's hand which reached for the basket.
Fumeko wore a simple swimsuit of purple, "What? You brought that to eat didn't you?"
"We just ate lunch."
Sand sifted through her wriggling toes; so fine it might as well be powder. She was fixated on her bare feet, feeling the sensation, "So… sandy," Asobi muttered, her pale feet not wearing socks for once.
"We need to get you some clothes…" Hotaru stated, the elf still wore her usual magician's attire besides her legs. "And you just refuse to wear it," she turned to Jotou.
Jotou was still in her adventuring attire—arms crossed. Her face in a sour twist, "I'm still not okay being exposed like that, alright? It'll take some time.
Besides, we're here on a velatos hunt not some beach trip," her sword still hung to her side. No illusion required for her identity; who could tell it was her from the hundreds of strangers?
That was the only thought in Jotou's mind—too many people. "The sand gets everywhere and the Sun, I want some shade. So loud," she scrunched her eyes together.
Hotaru sighed, her ears popped from under her sunhat as she took it off and pushed it down onto Jotou's head, "You gotta have some fun too grumpy," she chuckled.
Jotou flinched then grimaced, "Fun? What fun?" she glanced around, kids yelling and screaming, various smells of food mixing with the scent of the sea.
The amount of people sweating, not even minding the sand sticking to their skin and one could only imagine how many people have been peeing where people swam, "This is a nightmare marketed as a daydream."
"Don't be dramatic; let's eat and then go make a sandcastle or something," Fumeko invited.
Asobi's eyes glimmered, "We can make castles with this!?"
"Pass," Jotou rolled her eyes, "The beach is only fun when there's a few people," she closed her eyes and imagined, "The night breeze, some seafood and low lights.
The stars and moon; and the ocean waves just make the best sound and the cold-warm sand- Uh, sorry," Jotou shook her head, having been caught smiling.
"How romantic," Hotaru tilted her head in a smirk.
"Especially the seafood part," Fumeko's mouth watered at the thought; what's food without atmosphere?
"Whatever, I'm still keeping my eye out for the velatos," Jotou went back to a frown.
"They said it was the size of a whale, I doubt we'll miss it," Hotaru reasoned.
"Then why are so many people here in the afternoon of all times?"
"It's the twenty-ninth of June, next week's pretty much autumn. It's the last few days to enjoy the spring Sun and its hottest during the afternoon; it's nice and warm really," Hotaru answered.
"Fine, then I'm gonna go explore the pier," Jotou turned, "Alone," she added. "You guys have fun."
Hotaru gave up, "Okay… stay safe. And at least let your hair down. I promise the wind is nice," her tail wagged.
"Fine," Jotou pulled her hair tie off and immediately felt her blonde locks being blown by the breeze. Jotou turned around, "I guess it's nice," her eyes glazed over as she walked away.
"It sure is…"
"Jotou! Look at this!" Fumeko waved a card in her hand; Hotaru's purse was laid open, but Jotou had already moved on.
Hotaru turned immediately, "Hey!" she rushed over.
"Why is her face spotty? Her skin's usually smooth," Asobi took a glance at Hotaru's ID. Fumeko was snickering to herself.
"I took that photo when I was fifteen alright! Give it back!" Hotaru plucked it right out of Fumeko's grasp.
"Wolf-human female huh?" Fumeko chuckled.
"So what? Call me a wolf-girl, I don't care anymore. It's just who I am," Hotaru took her purse away.
"Wolf~ Wolf~ Wolfy-wolf," Fumeko hummed away.
"You really want me to show you wolf?" Hotaru's fangs glinted as she glared.
_
The people passing by would give a quick glance to the beautiful outlier who walked along the planks, blonde hair so carelessly flowing in the wind under a hat.
The locks flew onto her eyes. Jotou brushed it away, pushing it behind her ear; she stared down for the most part. The stores were all the same; maybe a few restaurants that would open later.
Fluffs of pink cotton candy passed her hidden view. 'Have fun… As if that's so easy. And this isn't exactly fun, is it now. How am I supposed to just forget everything; especially in a place like this.'
A disgusted snarl eyed back to all the people and the blonde could easily see all those who gazed at her. Was it just her beauty or the fact she was having a sword to her side? Probably the latter…
'It's not their fault… I just don't feel the best today.' Jotou sighed. 'Maybe I should try and have fun.' She looked up, immediately regretting it as the Sun shined right in her eye.
She squinted before taking a look around her. 'What's that?' A building made of stone not too far away. Moss could be seen from this far out and the stone was faded.
However, it seemed that people were less crowded near the area at the edge of the port, where it was connected back to land. Curiosity getting the best of her, she approached.
It seemed to be the end, or start, of the platforms built on the sand. The beach was not too far and it overlooked the sea. By squinting, maybe she could spot her friends.
She walked further in; stained glass of blues and greens made up the windows and pews were left empty. The blonde heard the shifting of a curtain from the entrance, coming from a booth in the middle.
The halls were empty as a woman with black hair came out of said booth, holding her handbag with both hands. A sigh and keeping her hands close to her heart, she walked out to the entrance.
"Oh, young lady are you here for confessions? Sorry I took so long; Father Keel is still there. If you would like, you can join me for a small prayer," she apologized, crow's feet along her eyes.
Jotou realized it was some sort of church, "Oh don't worry," Jotou waved her hands, "I don't believe in this kind of stuff. Carry on though."
"Hm, you must be here for some reason. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone I saw you here for confessions," the old woman assured.
She turned to the front of the pews before Jotou could reply, "What a nice sight, such a beautiful young girl coming to church," she seemed delighted as she muttered.
The words above the entrance were too faded to read; especially with the oddly drawn alphabet. "Confessions huh?"
She sighed, "I hate this sort of stuff, but I guess it can't hurt to try," Jotou walked in, the scent of sea dandelions filling her lungs. It filled her with some sort of, vigour.