Makin' my rounds.

Wh— [His eyes light up, the idea of a gift immediately swelling him up into the largest grin he’s managed yet.] Really?! Holy smokes, you mean you don’t even know any of us and you’re giving us good stuff?

Dang!

[Swings his arm around him into a tight hug, squeezing him one armed and grinding his balled up hand into the other man’s arm.] Gee whiz, Wayne, you and I are gonna be great friends!♪ [Scrunches his face up at him in his grin, in the next moment distracted by lunging for the box and tearing it open like a hungry raccoon.]

I’ll be happy with anything, honest! I don’t need to make any trades, chances are it’s better’n what I already got!♪

[Wayne chuckles, bashfully scratching the back of his head. Truth be told, he did not know where the farming supplies came from, but he figured the farmers in town would make much better use of it!]

Shucks, it’s no sweat, really. Sprites, if I didn’t give ‘em to you, they’d probably just go to wast—[Before he can finish, Wayne finds himself pulled into a hug. His nose slams into Fritz’s shoulder. Blinking, Wayne attempts to hug the other man back, but the moment is already over.]

[Shakes for a moment after his feet settle onto the wooden surface, a little frazzled for the experience and how easily that could have gone wrong. If he were a smarter man, Fritz might have learned something. But, emboldened, he turned a beaming face to the blond with fists ready to pump for air.]

Hell YEAH I held that so good! My own and all the owns— [Punches out to the air at his side as if working off the adrenaline before hopping down off of the chair and finally checking himself over.] Seems all good, don’t think I’ll know I broke anything until it hurts, heh!

[Leans to follow the gesture of his thumb, quirking an eyebrow.] Eh? Yeah, I’m a farmer! This’s been my farm for over a year now! Weird, though… I don’t think I ordered nothing— [Scratches his cheek before putting on a (he hopes) convinceable grin.] —but I’ll be happy to take it anyways!♪

[Wayne rests both hands on his hips, chuckling at the other man’s reaction.]

Well, you’re awful cute, aren’t you? That’s right—you didn’t order these. Actually, they’re from me, boss. [He walks over to the box and slides it over to Fritz. The contents inside made it heavy, but he presented the bundle nonetheless.]

Oh— thank you very much. [He may be brewing up a scheme to feed this man, but that doesn’t mean he won’t sincerely be grateful for the compliment to the restaurant’s decor.] No, no, I left it all intact— just the way my grandfather had it. It makes me feel like part of him is still here, you know?

I do, in fact. [Raeger’s stepping behind the counter as he talks— and he talks to keep the other man talking and distracted. Meanwhile, he’s filling a glass with ice cold water.] It’s been just me ever since my grandfather passed— I feel like I owe it to him to keep it running in its best possible shape, you know?

[He’s got the glass filled halfway with water when Wayne asks for the very thing he’s fixing— and yet here, Raeger hesitates slightly. If he brings it over, Wayne will probably down it, leave the mail, and run. Raeger has to be tactical about this. He needs to buy time. He can probably prepare a pretty nutritious meal in only a few minutes if he can get Wayne to wait, but he’ll need something that’ll keep him parked long enough for Raeger to get a plate in front of him.] Absolutely— coming right up—

[Suddenly, it strikes him.] Ah, hey, I hate to ask too much of you, I know you’ve got the rest of your route ahead of you— but would you mind doing me a favor, just really quick before you go? I’ve been trying out this new salad dressing recipe. Made it fresh from scratch this morning, but my shift hasn’t started yet, and I’d love to focus test it with you really quick— to see how it came out?

[As Raeger explains the history of the beautiful restaurant, Wayne relaxes and walks in further. From the decorated walls, beautiful dining arrangements, and craft of the open kitchen, it was clear that everything in here had a story to tell. What was Raeger’s grandfather like? How much of his cooking ability did he pass down to the man before Wayne now? There was something incredible about Raeger telling the story of his grandfather through this establishment.  Wayne inhaled deeply, marveling at what he could only imagine was a fascinating family history.]

Well tell you what, I’m sure you’ve done your granddaddy proud. This place is a beauty. We seem about the same age, and I sure as Goddess couldn’t run a restaurant all by myself, heh. ♪ Good on you! [Wayne abruptly turns around when he notices that Raeger’s voice suddenly seems further away. He’d gotten so lost in thought that he failed to notice the other man wandering to the kitchen. As if instinctively, Wayne loyally approaches Raeger again. He even abandons his messenger back on a dining room chair.]

[With his back turned to the door, Wayne was busy unpacking boxes in the post office. He hums a random tune, before hearing a recognized voice and spinning around.]

Hmm? ♪ [Eyes soften, smiling at the familiar woman.] Welll, g’morning sweetheart! You’re up bright and early, aren’t you? [After making his way to the counter, Wayne also rests his elbows on it and leans a cheek into his palm, closing the gap between himself and Holly. He admires the farmer’s charm.]

Ah—

[He shakes Wayne’s hand, confused for a moment how the handshake even initiated, but does so dutifully just the same— his eyes narrowing slightly with mounting concern. So the cowboy was going to put up a fight, was he? Raeger knew this gambit all too well— the throw-yourself-back-into-work-as-fast-and-hard-as-you-can-before-anyone-notices-how-unwell-you-are maneuver. He’s a master of it.]

[But being a master of it makes you a master of dismantling it, as well.]

Oh— yes, that’s me. Good to meet you, Wayne. Please, come in— just to give me my mail and get some directions, of course. Can’t leave without delivering my mail. Or getting directions.

[He smiles, opening the door to the restaurant bruskly and shooing the cowboy inside.] Come in, please. Have a seat, and I’ll be sure to get that mail from you immediately. As soon as you’re sitting.

[Wayne opens his mouth to say something, but finds himself being rushed inside the restaurant, abruptly stumbling through the door. He finds himself staring at the carefully arranged dining room and his eyes admire the rustic decor.]

Well, I’ll be darned. Beautiful place you got here, boss. You designed this yourself? [With a grin, he places both hands on his hips and turns his admiration to Raeger.] Am I to understand that you run this joint by your lonesome?

[Suddenly, widened eyes catch a glimpse of the wrist watch around Wayne’s left arm.] Oh, shoot. I shouldn’t stay too long. Still gotta find Mineral Town, wherever that is. Heh. ♪ [Wayne’s brows furrow bashfully. Strangely, he finds himself feeling guilty for having troubled this kind stranger so much.]

@blackcauldrons: The Witch Princess had never gotten company before so the knock on her door that echoed mid-conjuring had caught her off guard. Who dared disrupt her work?“Must you knock so loud!”  She opened the door, visibly upset. “What do you want?”

[Upon seeing the woman open the door, Wayne’s eyes soften and a smile accompanies his features.] Pardon me, miss. I should have known to be more respectful of a lady’s property. ‘Specially one as lovely as yourself. ♪

[He holds the box up with both arms, as if to gesture to it.]

Huh—

[Raeger tries to adjust to the sudden halt, putting his foot down, too, to make sure they both don’t go toppling. He cranes his neck to see what the stranger is gesturing to behind them— and freezes suddenly in realization.]

Oh— oh, mail! You— mail. Okay.  

[Thank goodness he didn’t embarrass himself too much over that misunderstanding. The mail, of course. Now he’s facing a bit of a dilemma, having left the mail bag behind— but now that the man is upright enough to (hopefully) stay that way, Raeger entrusts him to the doorway of the restaurant to lean against for a second while he fetches the poor, forgotten mail bag. Fortunately, the mail pieces have all managed to stay inside the bag— and Raeger wastes no time in handing it over. He’d offer to carry it for him, but he’s fairly certain he heard once that that is a sacred duty to carry the mail, entrusted only to— well—]

[Um. Was it cowboys, or mail carriers? Or— both, was it? Didn’t the original mail system deliver on horseback? Raeger shakes his head to regain his focus. He puts a hand out, as well— an offer to help steady the stranger should he need any more help walking.]

It seems you lost consciousness in the doorway— please, come inside and rest. I can get you water— not to mention probably something nutritious to help in this heat.

[Wayne furrows his brows, watching as Raegar retrieves his messenger bag and keeping himself steady by clutching the doorframe. He weakly takes the bag from Raegar and breathes a quick ‘thank you’ before cloaking it around his shoulder.]

Lost consciousness? You don’t say. Shucks, that’s... a little, ah— embarrassing. But I appreciate you. [Missing Raegar’s social cue, Wayne instead takes the man’s hand and gives it a single, firm shake (despite his compromised state).] Awww, no, no. I couldn’t trouble you for your hospitality, boss. You’ve already done enough for me. But I—

[A momentary darkness clouds Wayne’s vision, but he blinks several times to regain his sight.] Woah there, headrush. Heh. Guess I moved too soon? [Touches a hand to his forehead.]

Aw, shucks! [Frowns in disappointment, snapping his fingers.] If only we’d used hindsight— coulda had me down outta here lickity split if I’d asked ya to bring a ladder! I never think of those things in time— [Snaps into a grin, beaming at him.] Well, nice to meetcha as it is, heh!♪

[Grins at the set up, nodding approvingly as he steadies his hands on the edge and finds the best way to drop himself down.] That looks great, Wayne! Alright, I’m comin’ down feet first— [Pauses, unsure what other way he would have managed and pondering that a moment longer before shaking his head and setting his hands to gripping the wooden edge of the attic.] Uhh, okay— three, two, —

[Before he even finishes that train of thought, he drops his feet down between his arms, not accounting for the momentum that would swing his body down and loosen the grip of one of his hands before he could steady the fall better—] Wa—WATCH Ah—out—

[His feet start cycling far above the chair, straining but managing to keep one hand gripping the wood as he scrambles to attach his other hand back to the ledge with wildly moving legs.] Uhh— hrf— thought— that was— taller—

[Wayne’s eyes widen with slight fear upon seeing Fritz make the abrupt leap. Instinctively, he maintains a firm grasp on the otherwise worn chair and winces when the other man collides into it. But Fritz’s somewhat safe landing causes Wayne to sigh in relief.]

I’d say that was a close one, but you held your own. ♪ [Eases his hands off the chair.] You alright there? You didn’t break any bones on me, didja?

[Raeger waits patiently for the stranger’s dazed cooperation, unwavering from his singular goal in getting this man into his restaurant. Subconsciously, however, the aura this man exudes (even in his weakened state) penetrates even his single-minded determination to get him out of the sun. That hat— his outfit— this is a cowboy if Raeger’s ever seen one— and he has. A fair few. The blond is closer to him in age than most of the old cowboys that come through town and stop in Raeger’s restaurant looking for food and work. And a great deal more put together.]

[Well—besides his tenuous grasp on consciousness. That’s probably docking him some “put together” points. But his outfit is clean and professional, if perhaps not the best suited to the stifling heat of Oak Tree’s summer months.]

[One hand grips the stranger’s wrist to keep his arm from simply slipping down again, and Raeger juts his opposite shoulder out to lock him in the hold. He hesitates only for a second, freezing in place as he meet the stranger’s eyes sidelong— all too able to understand, with no confusion about what he could possibly be saying this time, as the cowboy mumbles again— “you’re male”?]

Ah— …yes. [He confirms this bluntly— yet knowing full well the man couldn’t have actually been seeking confirmation about it. He’ll put the implications aside for now, however, and simply ignore them until he can fetch a glass of water. Surely this stranger won’t begrudge him helping him just on the basis of his gender— or, at least, won’t fight him enough to prevent help being adequately delivered. Raeger clears his throat, hoping he isn’t noticeably flushed.] I’m just— I just want to help, sir.

[He moves quickly, with a heft and a soft grunt— using the strength in his back and knees to stand up, hoisting the incapacitated cowboy up with him. Raeger wraps his arm around the blond’s waist to steady him— and does his best to ignore how much more awkwardly aware of the motion he is now that the “you’re male” bit has come up. Just— get him inside, Raeger.]

Up we go, up and in—

[With the help of the stranger, Wayne manages to rise to his feet and keep one arm draped around the man’s shoulder. His head falls tiredly into the crook of the other person’s neck, a single distressed huff emitting through his nose.]

[He makes several attempts to clear his throat as the two begin moving towards what Wayne presumes is the other man’s home. Suddenly, he stops, placing his body weight on the heel of his left foot. His balance falters for a moment.]

S-Sir.... Wait.

[Wayne raises his free hand and points an index finger to the disheveled messenger bag on the ground.]

Mail... I was— [Wipes off the sweat with the back of his palm.] Bringin’ you your mail.

Nnnnn— [He pinches his brows together, as if trying to regain his consciousness.]