[PQ] [seasonal event] kindness keep a lonely company

AMALIA And then, remarkably, they come. The first one, somehow both surprising and not. Amalia cannot help the bright and brilliant smile which cuts her face at Deimos' arrival, coupled as it is by a rosy blush. "Deimos," the gentle baker breathes, her dark voice heavy with an unspoken emotion, grateful and bold and shy. "Thank you." Almost involuntarily a hand snakes out to reach him, the slightest brush of fingers across the countertop. They are interrupted swiftly, and she draws her hand back as quietly as it extended, suddenly unwilling to meet his eyes. Jigano she greets with another smile, slipping around the counter to offer her friend a quick but heartfelt hug. Rexanna is next, the strange but friendly woman met with a nod and a wave. She is somehow more radiant than the last time they met, leaving Amalia quietly bemused. Kiada's appearance fills her with a swell of protective affection, and she steps forward, ready to greet and tend and care, before remembering herself. Of course, the girl does not know who she is- she was a leopard last time, her other self, fierce and fearsome, protecting her cub. "Ah," she manages awkwardly, pulling herself short, "Of course not." Darker eyes flicker to the little deer, smaller than last time but still a fawn. Will he know her, she wonders, extending a hand in greeting to the companion who seems to have glued himself to Deimos' side. Two more, and the shop is full. Lily's hug is unexpected but not unwelcome, and the girl returns it fondly. The last to arrive is the only stranger, but as flower crowns are offered and soft greetings exchanged Amalia finds herself charmed. "Of course you're welcome," she says with a smile, looking at Phoebe for permission before placing a flower crown delicately upon her honey hair. Glancing between the three women who have assembled for crafts, Amalia clears her throat. "Would you like to get started? There's more supplies around back... If anyone wants to make dolls I can come show you how." Confident they will be able to start on their own, she returns to the group at the counter, though a frown of unease flickers across her face. They are all of them, to a one, Outlanders. Putting her customer service mask back in place, Amalia smiles at the trio of baker's and gestures to the bowls of dough. "We're going to make hewa, a traditional Fiat Lux loaf." It is easy, somehow, to say these words, for it is not her saying them- it is the memory of her grandmother, speaking through the girl. "It's a very simple dough, so you can flavor them however you like. Once you choose your flavor we'll turn them out and knead them." With practiced ease she demonstrates, using her hands to mix honey and lavender into her bowl - with a glance at Deimos, who provided the herb - before turning the dough onto the wide, flour-covered counter and beginning to knead. Team craft: Rexanna, Lily, Phoebe Your table contains: 5 small bottles of paint: red, blue, black, indigo, yellow A spool of thin orange silk ribbon Two needles and thread A pile of smooth sticks and twine Moss Glue Snacks and tea Looking for the cloth to start your banners, you quickly find that there isn't any! Oh no! Luckily Amalia has told you where to look, and one of you may remember spotting some clean linen hanging to dry in the herb garden behind the shop. Perhaps you should go retrieve it, and pick some of the flowers which bloom around the bakery on your way? Team bread: Deimos, Jigano, Kiada Your table contains: 4 bowls of half-mixed bread dough, waiting for seasoning Small and bowls of assorted seasonings: honey, salt, thyme, rosemary, lavender, cinnamon, basil, cardamom Three small bowls of flour Three small bowls of water A large bucket of water on the floor Snacks and tea The collection of seasonings gives off a dizzying, delicious aroma. Amalia invites you to add the ones you would like into your bread, and has demonstrated how to mix it and begin kneading. Hope you washed your hands, but if not, there's water to rinse them off! There is no posting order! I tend to avoid getting emotional I'm not shutting you out It's just the way I'm born But I see myself next to you until we're old