[ti]private[/ti][002] The Importance of Mail

The sound of another person talking directly to her makes Hekate freeze up, tensing like an animal about to pounce. She stands there, stock-still, as if hoping she'll be mistaken for a statue, and ignored. Perfectly, almost eerily still, except for the fact that her entire body is shaking. Though, the words Old Nyariner's Shack cause her ear-wings to flutter for a moment.

This mysterious stranger, whoever they were, was on the same quest she was. Hekate turns, slowly, slow enough that you could just imagine the sound of statue self scraping against the ground below her. And as she turns, her face is revealed to Franka. Her face, scrunched up in anxiety, wet with tears, with her one uncovered eye staring right at Franka through her blurry vision.

"I-I-I-I-I-" She sniffs, trying to hold back more tears from coming out. "I- d-don't- kn-know the w-waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!" Oh, she looks like a mess. On her shoulder her Torchic finally rouses from his sleep. Lil Guy looks up at her and rolls his eyes, before looking at Franka with clear disdain for his trainer's emotional state.

Some of Franka's words finally click in her brain, as Hekate's eyes shoot wide. "Wai-wait, th-there's a map???"

Franka

The gentle pats on the shoulder are appreciated, as is the calming floral scent that seems to emanate from the stranger. Hekate's sniffing slows, just a bit, into a quiet whimpering. It's only now that it hits her that a handsome woman is talking to her- wait, no, a handsome woman is offering her comfort and gentle pats!! Hekate tenses up all over again, her nerves being struck like hot irons.

Lil Guy, on the other hand, is ticked off about being seemingly ignored - at least from his perspective. He opens his beak in a silent cry, puffing himself up as big as his tiny body can manage. It's a clear attempt at a threat display, even if his Phantom form betrays it's all bark and no bite. Not to mention Hekate's emotional state robbing Lil Guy of any chance of intimidation.

She tries to focus on the issue at hand. Map, map, map. The other woman raises her hands, and Hekate gasps in surprise. A map!!! Pointing out of town, to the- Never Eat Shredded Wheat- east!! "B-but how do- how did you-" It's only now that Hekate notices the blinking UI element in her own vision, prompting her to open her minimap. She raises a shaky finger, presses the mid-air button, and... ta-da! The solution to all her problems!

"Th-th-thank you!!! Miss, uh, um...." A beat. Hekate hadn't introduced herself yet!! Get your shit together, girl! "I-I'm Hekate!!!! N-Nice to meet you!!!!" She shoots a stiff hand out at a solid 90 degree angle, for a handshake. She remembered it this time!!!

Franka