She enters the Honky Tonk and it's like a fresh breeze blows in with her. Paul's shoulders loosen, behind the bar, Natsumi's feet pick up a little bounce as she goes. Even Ginji and Ban stop play-fighting over in their booth and just grin, leaning against each other as they share the piece of pizza they could afford.

Akabane, at the bar, freezes. After a moment, he clasps the brim of his hat between two fingers and turns to smile at the new arrival. "Welcome," he murmurs in a slow, careful tone, causing Natsumi to stutter and falter over her own cheerful call.

The woman is tall, healthy, a little thick around the middle. Her chocolate skin is clear and healthy and her hair bound tightly back in cornrows. Her sundress swirls around her ankles, reminiscent of grass in the wind. Her gaze passes over Akabane with sadness and settles on Paul. "I hear there are retreival specialists who work here?" she murmurs.

Paul bows, low. "Lady, I'm just surprised that one like you might need help."

Her smile is bright and benevolent. "Sometimes it's best to work outside one's own organization, dear, when there are extenuating circumstances. There is a package I need to retreive."

Paul says, "Well, Ginji and Ban work from here." He gestures over to the pair and their vanishing slice. "Akabane Kurodou is also in the courier business, but..."

Akabane is sitting, frowning at his hand, flexing his fingers thoughtfully.

The woman shakes her head. "No," she says, and her gentle expression is as blank as it's been. "I don't think he'll be necessary."

As she walks past him to Ban and Ginji's booth, Akabane rises from his stool and leaves without another word.