Stroll with purpose
Now see, Bailey loved making soaps. It was his hobby, it’s what he made money on, it was his passion. Soaps, cakes, anything sweet smelling, even perfumes, he loved to make it and loved to make other people happy with it. Today though, the whole time he was mixing wax and pressing soaps into shapes and molds he was looking outside, at the bright sun, the way the breeze lightly brushed the grass, taking in how pleasant it must be out there… if he left his work too soon though it would be ruined.
He persisted for as long as required, glancing anxiously outside every few minutes as if in just a few seconds the weather would turn to storming. It was another half an hour or so of preparing the soaps before he was done, and able to let them sit. He cleaned up as quickly as he could, not wanting to outside with wax clinging to his nubs or his feathers, before practically dashing out as fast he could. The light breeze ruffled pleasantly through his feathers, as he let out a sigh of relief he turned to walk directly into the breeze, just vibing with the atmosphere.
He should probably do something while he was out though, not just walk, right? He was low on limes for an upcoming soap line, and an upcoming conditioner order, oh and he had quite a few cherry cakes he should be accounting for.. It couldn’t hurt to hit up the market? It was mid afternoon so there should still be good stock to pick from, and the energy should still be fairly positive since it wasn’t too near closing.
So he wiggled his little butt on down towards the market, at speed but in no exact rush. He took time to look around and take everything in as he wandered down the little paved path between two fields. To the bigger creatures and pacas, the town he was nested in looked tiny probably, but to him it was still full of surprises and mysteries.
He reached the market, walking past the stand he would usually be set up at, smiling at the sight of some younger pacas playing some kind of game that involved spinning counters sat around it. He’d be back tomorrow to potentially clean up any trash or counters they lost and left behind, but it was never a big job, he was just happy the space was being used.
Pulling his eyes away from that, Bailey wound through the markets, giving everything a cursory glance out of politeness, even if he wasn’t in need of it. He made his own preening solutions so he didn’t need to buy any, but he grinned at the paca at the stall and gave a glance at their wares regardless, and for just a moment was tempted by a few of the things they had for sale. He did wander on though, moseying on towards the fruit market, where he actually needed to be.
The fruit market was usually busy, and that day was no exception. He waited patiently to move past other pacas waiting in line for stalls he didn’t need to be at, waited patiently in line to get past another queue, all usual stuff. He had heard it was quite stressful for many a paca, but he found the bustling environment to be extremely relaxing, even if he did get bumped into once or twice by an apologetic person in more of a rush than he was. He was always more than happy to let them by, he didn’t set the pace of the market or the world, so mightspeed to them and their schedules.
After a good few minutes he found himself at the stall he needed for the limes. He flashed the keep a grin, and they grinned back, recognizing him easily.
“Ey Bailey! What can I do for you?”
“Hi - I’m nearly out of limes and I think I could do with a cautionary stock up on oranges if you have many left?”
“Had a feeling you’d be comin’ for oranges so we kept you a bag back.”
“Ha, I have that much of a routine huh?”
Thinking back on it, his caution stocking of oranges did tend to happen round about the same time in a week. It was one of his favorite scents, and likely his favorite taste, so the reason he ran out so fast was because he probably ate as many as he actually squeezed down into his recipes. They were good for him, at least!
He picked out the limes he wanted - which was most of the ones that were left, paid up and thanked the keep, before shuffling off once more, attaching the bag he was given by a strap around his neck with only minor fumbling. The bag rest up on his back as he walked, not dangling harshly from his neck, and he crossed the market slowly to get to the stoned fruit stall.
He wasn’t as loyal a patron to this market - he typically got stoned fruits on his delivery order of minerals due to being stocked by the same vendor, but today he was in a bit of a time pinch. All the same he approached with a bright smile, pleasantly surprised he was still recognized.
“Haven’t seen you in a while Bailey, nice to see you again.”
“I do need to come by more often!”
He nearly cleared them out of cherries, though he did minorly regret that. It made the bag extremely heavy, and his walk home may not be too far but it wasn’t exactly a short trip either. He tanked the keep regardless, before internally scalding himself for not having thought further ahead.
Whatever. It was a nice day, at least he got things done in time!
A few hours had passed in total since he had first set out, and the temperature was starting to come down, the breeze settling. It was still a wonderful experience, walking back, the even gentler breeze ruffling his feathers as it came up from behind him. The trip back took longer due to him having to drop the bag once or twice to recover, but while he was sat waiting to feel ready again he looked around, at the bugs in the grass, the flying insects darting about to get their last mad dashes in before the sun went down, and even some just waking up for the nightly routines.
Getting home was a relief though. He was quick to store the fruits, and check in on his soaps, relieved to see they had set just fine, and would be ready to package in the morning.
Now...time to work on those cherry cakes.