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The main dining area of the inn was bustling with activity. Not as much as it would be on a truly busy day, but at least just under half of the tables were occupied with people. It was Elka's first day back to work since the earthquake. Her hands were mostly mended, just a few still healing scabs on the edges that weren't causing her much problems. She couldn't say she was thrilled to be back on the floor. Hard work like this had never suited her, no matter how many years she had worked here. It had been such a blissful vacation, being able to spend her time either wandering the city with Kayde or lazing about in her back bedroom, reading books all day or sleeping.

"That earthquake was quite something, huh?" one customer said loudly, smacking her lightly on the shoulder. She glared a little at him. Some people were so touchy and she never did like the way he looked at her. Not anymore. "Glad to have you back, girl."

Elka sighed, putting down his plate of food on the table before looking towards the entrance. Where was Kayde? She was getting hungry. And she certainly could use a break from these types of diners.

Instantly, Elka was suspicious. Putting down her clipboard, the Ice woman placed her palms on the table, leaning forward close to the man's face. She could already tell by how much he was trying to keep it still that it wasn't something she was going to like hearing. Probably he agreed to some favor like he always was. Something that he would volunteer her to do, too. Something that might be dangerous or traumatizing like some of the other jobs he had forced her to go along with. And never told her what she'd be getting herself into.

"Held up? By what, Kayde?" Keeping the ice out of her voice was difficult.

Elka frowned at his explanation. Oh, she was going to judge him. She was going to judge him hard. Kayde didn't seem to understand that he didn't need to help with everything. That there would always be someone else to do the work, too. Better than he could. Some of the stuff he agreed to was so....Ridiculous for his skill level. He had spent his life as an acrobat in a traveling show. He didn't know the first thing about fighting. He didn't have the qualifications to help investigations or rescue people lost in the woods.

"I'll ask again. What did you agree to?"

A strong sigh escaped the Ice woman's lips, followed closely by a very loud "Kayde!" Many people looked their way, but remained in their seat, not seeing a need to step into the business of other people. Others knew getting in the way of Elka's anger wouldn't do anything anyway and that Kayde could easily handle it on his own. It wasn't uncommon knowledge that he often deserved it when he provoked her.

Oblivious of the attention they were gathering, though knowing her voice had been louder than she'd intended, Elka lowered it, leaning in even further so her face was a good foot now from his own. "Why do you take these dangerous jobs? You're not a fighter."

All Elka could do was sigh once more, straightening herself back up straight. There was no point in talking about it any further. Kayde was so stubborn, his heart far too golden for his own good. He could, and never would, leave someone in need without first offering what support he could do them. A very noble thing to do, but it would get him in trouble one day and that worried her. Not everyone was sincere. Sometimes people tricked others into helping just to take advantage of that kindness. She didn't want to see that happen to him.

"Oh, Kayde," Elka breathed, bending forward once more to place the palms of her hands on each of his cheeks, squishing his face a little in the process. "Why do I love a fool this much?"

The cheeks of the woman darkened quickly, her eyes widening bigger than the man's had at her words. She hadn't meant to say that out loud! She thought she had thought it only. She'd meant to think it only. Of course it was true. She did love him. They'd been happy together in Neued for years, now. It was common knowledge to everyone how she felt towards him. She didn't need to say it. Saying it was so embarrassing. And he had made it more embarrassing by also saying it out loud.

Pursing her lips, Elka froze for a few seconds. Than she released him and stood back, hands nervously grabbing at the clipboard on the table.

"Uh....N-No....I didn't....I'll go get our food now!" And she took off at a sprint towards the kitchen, without even asking him what he'd want. She'd figure it out once she got in there. Knowing him for years didn't count for nothing.

Nearing the kitchen doors, Elka slowed her pace so as not to barge roughly through the swinging doors. Even if no one was coming towards them at the same time, the cook wouldn't appreciate her being hard on the doors or making such a racket. She'd for sure get a talking to by Entaria, as well as one from Pamalaya if she was nearby. That Wind girl loved nothing better than to shove some wrong in Elka's face. She always thought she was hot stuff just because she had radiant hair and fair skin.

Regardless of how quietly she had entered the back rooms, the cook was looking at her funnily. In the far back, Elka could see Pamalaya smirking at her over a pot that she had been clearly ordered to watch over. Perhaps for some assistant who had had to step away for something important, like a missing ingredient. She realized she had been standing in front of the doors motionless for a good 15 seconds, staring off into the distance. Quickly, she blinked a few times rapidly, staring down at the empty sheet on her clipboard. She hadn't even taken their orders. No matter. She could make something up.

Once they were given, she waited around awkwardly for them, putting off the moment she would have to go back out there and face Kayde. Eventually the time came. Balancing the two dishes on one arm, a skill she had perfected over the many years she had been working here, the Ice woman went back out to the table to lay them down. She than sat herself in front of one to take her dinner break. She looked down at it, unable to bring herself to say anything to him.

The affect was instantaneous.

All at once, the embarrassment she had been feeling disappeared, replaced by a growing excitement. They could finally these this hot, claustrophobic world for one just as hot, but covered in luxurious beaches and sand? Oh, she couldn't wait to bask underneath the sunshine, with the soft sound of the water all around her. Her family had taken many trips out to Matori when she was a child. She had nothing but fond memories of being there.

Elka ignored her stew, dropping her spoon in it with a tiny splash. She looked at Kayde with shining golden eyes. "Really? Do we really?"