@engxlhaft
-- The final moments of the day, just before dusk, were strangely quiet. Perhaps it was moreakin to a ‘social quiet’. It was time to go home, time to make the final preperations for the evening and course of tomorrow. The rush of people leaving their humdrum jobs was long gone, and even people out walking thinned considerably. It would be a couple hours before the night beckoned them back. Rider observed passerby over edges of crinkled newspaper. Unlike humans, a servant’s work is never done. Absently, she turned the page and crossed her legs with a curious hum. There were many presences in the park today, but she was still here alone on the bench. How droll,she thought-- she looked great with her hat and jeans. Having a Master in fashion had its upsides There was a tap on her shoulder. --- A presence. Rider lifted her chin, turning her whole body around and folding the paper up in one quick movement. Her mood lifted immediately at the sight of the young girl before her. Rider beamed. Unable to help it, she reached to put her hand on Manaka’s head and gave her hair a ruffle.