“Astrid.” She took the extended hand, gave it a firm shake, and was hit with the immediate pulse of knowledge that, despite appearances, Tansy was no human. Astrid’s best guess was some kind of fae, though the vision gave no other information with this brief contact and lack of effort to get a better reading on her part. The only thing that gave away her sudden vision was a slight flinch, but she smiled warmly and added “It’s good to meet you” to make up for it. Tansy seemed cool--there was nothing to worry about there. This city was bound to be full of interesting surprises and non-human beings. At least, that was the word that had been traveling the wind.
“Thank you for your help! Oh, and this is heavier than it looks.” She shrugged the backpack off her shoulder and gingerly handed it over the desk. Turning toward the direction that Tansy pointed, she inhaled deeply and exhaled with a sigh. Another grumble from her stomach urged her forward. Why hadn’t she stopped for food first before coming here? The kitchen wasn’t hard to find, and the closer she walked the more her stomach seemed to vocalize.
She approached the soup, feeling a wash of comfort as she took the ladle in her right hand. No harm adding a little something of her own to this ‘stone soup’--it was the least she could do as thanks. Astrid took a slow breath and fixed a gaze into the pot. Summoning up the warm embrace of Earth from her feet, she stirred deosil three times before pouring some into a bowl for herself. Her grandmother was always saying that soup should feel like a hug, and Astrid couldn’t help but carry on the little spell as tradition.
Moving out of the kitchen, she went to where everyone else was sitting and eating, finding a quiet unoccupied space to sit.