Chapter 20 - Girls' Day Out

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~ Lilith ~

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I took a bath, with both of me, it’s amazingly convenient to be able to scrub your own back and other hard to reach places, and I must admit it was rather enjoyable to relax as the other me scrubbed my hair. After we were both clean, I practiced magic with both of me at the same time as we tried to dry off each other how I had previously, with fire and wind magic.

It took a couple minutes to get used to the sensations but before long it became as easy as doing other things like talking or putting together the puzzles, etc had become. I got a little carried away as I had begun trying to pass control of a single spell between the two of me like one might a hairdryer.

I was interrupted by a knock on the door accompanied by Nellie’s voice, “You need to finish up, I still need to help you figure out what kind of outfits you want, Lilac finished early and is ready to leave when we are.”

“Ok!” I yelled back with both of me. For now we both shifted into plain white pajamas, exited the room and followed Nellie to a large dressing room, where she presented us with many different styles of clothing we could mimic to come up with a pair of outfits we liked. It’s really convenient to be able to mix and match to such an insane extent. I can take parts I like of many different outfits and combine them together.

I’m ashamed to say we made Lilac wait… a bit, ok maybe a lot. But I am really happy with the results, both of me have somewhat matching but opposite outfits. Same basic blouse, and skirt, with knee-high socks and some kind of squarish wooden sandal with a small heel.

Lilith me had a blouse colored black with white accents and frilly bits around the neck and at the end of the sleeves, with a plain black skirt, and white socks, with black shoes. While Taylor me had a plain white blouse and a pleated white skirt with black accents and a frilly hem partway down and at the end, paired with black socks and white shoes.

Nellie, on the other hand, was wearing a much simpler outfit than usual, consisting of a cobalt blue blouse with sleeves reaching her elbows, with a short black skirt peeking out from underneath, paired with tan colored leggings and simple black flats, with the white of her rabbit fur peeking out in place of socks.

I commented telepathically on her outfit, “I’m surprised to see you out of your uniform!” 

Nellie ruffled her skirt a bit with a smile, “Lilac took my measurements and bought some clothes for me. It is best to not draw attention, and my uniform likely would. This seems more natural, besides you can’t expect me to wear the same outfit all the time, that’d be ridiculous.”

Both of me looked off to the side at that last comment, telepathically muttering, “I don’t know what you mean, I can change my outfit anytime! It’s just— you always catch me with the same… one. Not my fault you have bad timing.”

As I finished my line Lilith me poked Nellie’s tummy with my finger as both of me giggled a bit. Nellie sighed and grabbed her bag before motioning for us to follow her out.

As we entered the lounge room, Lilac stood up and looked at the three of us and remarked, “My, my, you two look like a matching set of dolls. Nellie I hope the clothes fit well and are to your liking?”

Nellie replied with a small bow, “Mmmhmm, thank you greatly, Miss Lilac.”

Lilac was wearing the same outfit I had seen her in the day I met her, minus the crumpled hat, green robes with golden trim, flowy sleeves and mahogany accents, like her belt. She grabs her bag as well and walks toward the foyer, turning back to look at us “Well then ladies, shall we depart?”

It was my first time back out since that day, as we walked within eyesight of the spot where I had that fight and killed that man I couldn’t help but shiver slightly. Lilith me shook my head side to side trying to clear my head of unpleasant thoughts, as Taylor me muttered softly to myself, “Happy thoughts,” and kept walking beside Lilac on autopilot.

After a few minutes of walking, we reached a street lined with various shops, tailors, shoemakers, leatherworking, and woodworking. Lilac dictated the pace and led us on a leisurely stroll, giving both of me time to glance into several stores and do some minor window shopping.

One of the more unique things I spotted was what I could only describe as a floating recliner chair, it had a mannequin lounging in it as it floated slowly in a circle around part of the display. Lilac remarked that she had seen one at Kafora, one of the lazier teachers, by her account, traversed the entire school in it, and she presumed even taught in it.

Lilac chuckled before she recounted one story, “I recall one year his students colluded to delay him giving their final exam by setting up an elaborate set to spells to trick the chair into thinking gravity was reversed in his office and classroom so it would flip upside down dumping him on the floor as it ‘floated’ over the ceiling.”

‘Maybe I don’t need one that badly…’ I thought to myself, though I would like to see how it’s made so I can figure out how the spells work with {Deconstruct Spell}.

We neared an intersection with what seemed to be a major street, it was at least twice as wide if not more as the others, and I could see some floating carriages as well as a couple of wheeled ones, all but one of the floating carriages were being pulled by horses. I made a mental note to ask Lilac about that later, I found it odd they should even need horses.

Before we reached the large busy street, Lilac turned to the shop to our right, “We’re here!”

As Lilac and Taylor me walked into the shop, Lilith me paused a moment to look at the sign, before remembering I couldn’t read it at all. Glancing at Nellie, she answered my silent question, “Jivete’s Custom Tailory & Fashion Emporium.” I gave her a nod and walked inside.

Lilac told the three of us to look around, as she went to find assistance. I really wished I had a camera or something, there were so many interesting designs and outfits I could have a field day with. Not like I have a problem, I didn’t spend hundreds of hours making outfits in Sims and character creators in games. Na~~ waaay~~, couldn’t be me.

As I strolled through the store I did my best to commit some of my favorite things to memory for use later. I contemplated if I could ‘eat’ the clothes the same way I did the swords and be able to recreate them later.

One issue with that is the weight of things I absorb doesn’t magically go away, sure over time I can bleed it off, but absorbing a giant pile of clothes wouldn’t be practical at all, well, maybe if I wanted to clone myself again, but I think two is plenty, and even then I don’t want to always be split.

I was brought out of my pondering as Lilac tapped on the shoulder of Lilith me, “Look Lil, I got my hat repaired!”

As I looked over Lilac from the perspectives of both of me, I couldn’t help but laugh a bit as I reached a startling conclusion. Lilac and Nellie both seemed rather confused with my reaction. Fighting to stifle the laughter, I tried to find words in my vocabulary of Estari, but could not.

Lilith me got closer to Lilac and pulled on her sleeve saying, “Down please,” after a moment Lilac caught on and kneeled closer to me, pretending to whisper I told her telepathically, “You look like a witch! A real bonafide witch!”

She pulled her head back and looked at me, whispering back, “What do you mean? What is a… ‘weetch’?”

This time I whispered the word out loud, “Witch!” before replying telepathically, “A witch is a kind of fictional magic user in my world, they were often depicted as women with robes and pointy hats, and your outfit looks a lot like that.”

Lilac looked at me and whispered back matter of factly, “We don’t have a witch in this world.”

I looked her up and down, paused for a moment, snickered, then pointed my finger to her nose and said telepathically, “Are you sure about that?”

Lilac blinked at me as she pulled away from my finger, stood up and simply replied, “Yes, I’m sure.”

Lilith me scoffs while Taylor me giggles, as I think to myself, ‘I guess my humor is lost on her. Ah well, I thought it was funny!’

Lilac looked between the three of us, “Are we ready to leave, or did you want to look around more?”

I replied out loud with Lilith me, “Want to look more,” and Taylor me added, “Please.” Leaning closer to Lilac I feigned whispering while asking telepathically, “If it’s ok, I’d like to get a few outfits, I want to try some experiments with mimicking them.”

I planned to practice mimicking small details by eyesight at first, and then testing how well absorbing clothing works for the purpose. I also planned to see what I could do with the extra mass, maybe I could learn to control a pet cat as a third body?

Lilac contemplated for a few moments before looking at Nellie and answering, “Nellie would you mind helping us pick out two outfits each for Lil and Taylor?”

Nellie nodded, “Mmmhmm,” and the four of us proceeded to look around the store, searching for outfits that would fit my kid selves but also be of a style adult me could wear without issue.

I trended towards the simpler looking outfits, though there were some really fun looking options, I don’t want to stand out right now. We picked out some pieces that could be mixed and matched, a short knee length skirt plus an ankle length one, a pair of leggings and shorts.

Four different tops, a simple blouse not too different from my current one, a long sleeve top with excessive frills, as well as a sleeveless top, and finally a two piece top with a simple inner shirt and an outer coat. Most of the clothing had varied amounts of frilly bits and most had some patterns sewn in, for practice in mimicking more complex things.

I knew that any design I could pull from my internet search, I was able to relatively easily mimic, more or less. Complex parts of physical items of this world, I am not so sure of. I have yet to test the limits of the shapeshifting ability but somehow I feel like the ‘perfect’ bit only applies to magical detection and its maximum potential.

So far, most things I have shifted to were creations of my imagination, even if based on real creatures or clothing. I have no true idea how well my ability to mimic an existing person or existing detail is or can be. I do know the swords I ‘swallowed’ appear to be identical, as best as I can recall, though I did not look at them in detail beforehand.

As I was lost in thought, Lilac and Nellie led both of me to the register, where they paid for the items. Once we were back out on the street I returned to full awareness, and we began to follow Lilac once again.

“I have another place we must stop by, and then we may do a bit of browsing before lunch. After which we should return home,” Lilac remarked as she turned back to look toward us.

Mimicking an excited child, Lilith me asked, “Where going now? More cool stuff to see?!”

With a laugh Lilac answered, “You’ll see soon enough, it’s only around this corner,” she pointed ahead toward a small intersection we had passed on our way to the clothing store.

We rounded the corner and walked past a couple of stores before stopping at one that reminded me of a mixture between a magic shop and a weapon shop. I looked toward Nellie and she read the name out loud for me, “Hildibrand’s Hall of Hardware.”

Lilith me giggled a bit as Taylor me whispered, “Manderville Man!” while doing my best imitation of the pose from my memory, Hildibrand Manderville, a goofy character from a ridiculously comical questline in Final Fantasy 14. I ceased my silliness after a moment, as I began to wonder what a crazy coincidence it is to hear that name.

After a moment of contemplation, I looked up to notice Nellie and Lilac both looking at me rather… oddly. I tilted my head to the side in confusion and Lilac started laughing quietly as she patted Lilith me on the head, “You’re really quite silly Lil, somehow I find it endearing despite usually being annoyed by flippant people.”

I laughed deviously internally, of course it’s impossible for her to resist the charm of my utter cuteness! Only a monster would be capable of showing contempt in the face of such overwhelming kawaii~!

Nellie looked around and then at the both of me and then Lilac before leaning closer and whispering, “Mistress a few people are staring after your… display, I am afraid someone might question your upbringing if you continue such behavior.”

Lilith me gasped as Taylor me hid her face in her hands. Nellie please, say it isn’t so, you’re not a honest to goodness monster are you? After renewing my resolve, both of me tried to give her the double whammy cute attack.

Nellie grabbed a hand from both of me and pulled toward the store, “Let’s hurry inside now children, no need to cause a commotion.”

Failure. Nellie I had no idea you could be so heartless! How could it be?! I thought if anyone it would be Lilac. Clearly, I shall need to develop more powerful weapons of cute. Internally shouting a warcry, ‘Let the arms race BEGIN!’

Nellie pulled down Lilith me’s arm. ‘Oops’ I thought. I was holding it straight up in the air to signal my resolve in this war against cuteness. ‘I mustn’t tip off the enemy or upset them, lest my surprise attacks become thwarted or ineffective!’

As we entered the store Lilac prompted us to look around while she went to discuss something with the clerk. With Nellie a few paces behind, I began to examine the store, Lilith me looking over the items for sale while Taylor me was taking in the store as a whole.

It’s still rather difficult to pay attention to lots of detail like this, but the more I practice it the easier it becomes to do it subconsciously. From Taylor’s perspective I could see the store seems to stock all sorts of magical weaponry, bows and arrows, swords, halberds, axes, scythes, staffs ranging from one to three or four meters in height, and… wands.

Lilith me looked over a shelf filled with wands, seemingly made of various materials, ranging in lengths barely longer than a finger, attached to something like a keychain, to ones nearly as long as a rapier, some seemingly as sharp.

Curiosity got the better of me and I picked up one that seems to be made of a dark, rich colored wood that’s around a foot(~30cm) long. Holding it close to my face I start to examine the fine details carved into it, as well as a golden band seemingly marking where the ‘handle’ is.

At first I didn’t notice anything, but after several seconds I realized that my mana— or whatever you want to call it, I still don’t know the proper name, I should ask Lilac later. Anyway, my mana was being sucked into the wand at an accelerating rate and was starting to feel warm.

I tried to place it back down in its holder on the shelf, but I was too slow and it erupted in flame within my hand, I immediately let go and as it hit the ground it shattered in a small explosion that vaguely reminded me of a small firework. A puff of purple smoke rose toward the ceiling, the only remaining evidence of the wand’s existence.

Nellie ran up to me, “Are you alright?! What did you do?”

I could only stutter and stammer with a dumb look on my face, I know because Taylor me could see it. I truly was losing the cuteness war at that moment. As Lilith me continued trying to find some words, Taylor me noticed an employee rushing over.

The young woman looked at the three of us with a befuddled expression, “What happene—” as she noticed the purple smoke slowly billowing up around Lilith me, she glanced toward the shelf and the empty wand holder. “Did this child destroy a wand? You didn’t let her try to cast a spell did you?”

Nellie looked down at Lilith me with a mixture of worry and disappointment, her mouth frowning as her eyebrows slant apologetically, “I’m afraid it did get destroyed, though she only seemed to be looking at it as she held it.”

Trying to mix in the wording the attendant did, Lilith me spoke, “No casting spells, looking at pretty…” I couldn’t remember the word for design, nervously I pointed toward another longer wand with more visible markings and motioned across them, “...pretty writing.” I knew it wasn’t the right word but it was all I could think of in the moment.

The attendant seemed to be thinking for a moment, soon after Lilac approached. Followed by a gentleman dressed in fancy attire that made him look as I imagined a watchmaker from the late 1800s would. The man stepped in front as the attendant made way, moving behind Lilac.

“What happened here, little girl?” the man asked me, with a gentle look on his face that only increased the guilt I held.

Doing my best reply, Lilith me took a small step toward him and spoke quietly, “I was looking at pretty wand,” gesturing toward one on the shelf, pointing at the designs along it, “holding to look, wand got very hot, then was on fire and I dropped it and it went boom!” I made sure to hold both my arms out mimicking an explosion, while trying to look as cute and innocent as I could.

The man put his hand to his chin as his brows tilted inward, deep in thought for a moment as he looked over me, while I continued to hold my arms out with a cute apologetic expression, unmoving as I held even my breath.

After several long moments the man reached over and grabbed another, somewhat longer wand, with a reddish color like cedar, and a handle that looked like black leather. Holding the handle side toward me he asked me to touch the handle with my palm.

As I held my palm to it, I could feel the same thing happening again, only not as quickly, my mana was being sucked into the wand, as I began to feel heat from the wand he yanked it away. He looked over the wand for a moment before looking at me, his eyes darted between me and the wand a couple of times.

He turned toward Lilac and asked her, “This girl is your apprentice right? Just how strong is her magic exactly?”

Lilac frowned as she shrugged and answered truthfully, “I have not had a chance to measure yet,” she leaned in close to the man and whispered “but I believe it to be extremely high, I would appreciate it if you keep it a secret, I don’t wish to draw undue attention, I expect many would kidnap her to get their hands on such a powerful child.”

The man regarded Lilith me with a smile as Lilac spoke, when she finished he looked back to her, “I understand, If you would please, I’d like the four of you to follow me to the back, don’t worry about the wand.”

Nellie and both of me looked at Lilac for reassurance, she responded, “It will be alright, I’ve known Hildibrand here since I was a child in this very town,” smiling as she gave him a friendly pat on the shoulder.

Leaving the attendant behind, the four of us followed Hildibrand into the back area of the shop, where I could see all sorts of workbenches and tools and products in the midst of being created or repaired. Passing through the room we entered another smaller room with a few other kinds of assembly or crafting machines of some sort.

We stopped before a machine that looked like a mixture of a weight scale in a doctor’s office, and those ‘test your strength’ carnival attractions, with two arm cuffs like a blood pressure machine. I felt a bit apprehensive as I looked between the machine and Hildibrand. He smiled at me like a gentle grandpa and grabbed a small stool from somewhere and placed it on the ‘scale’ before looking back to me.

“It will be alright little one, we’re going to measure how much magic you have, it won’t hurt, just stand on the stool and put your arms in here,” he gestured to the two arm cuffs.

With a reluctant sigh I climbed up the ladder like side of the stool and placed my arms into the machine, Hildibrand reached over me and pulled a lever on the side of a panel filled with knobs, dials and buttons that I couldn’t see before.

The cuffs began to close around my arms, feeling like a blood pressure machine, only with softer feeling material and with less force. The large meter in front of me began to glow, starting from the bottom and slowly rising toward the top. Taylor me could see the top part of it better, reaching nearly to the ceiling, it was maybe 3 yards(~2.7m) tall?

There were symbols as well as line markings all along its length, I had no clue what they meant other than higher seems better, especially judging from the surprised seeming reactions of Hildibrand as the glow passed the halfway mark toward the top, and was increasing in speed.

Even Lilac made a small gasp as it reached the top and another color began the journey again from the bottom. Hildibrand’s stare shifted between me and the machine with his mouth hanging open. As the second wave of color reached the top within seconds of passing the first third I could start to feel heat like with the wand.

“HOT!” Lilith me yelled, and Hildibrand seemed to snap out of his astonishment and quickly flipped the lever and the machine released me. I quickly yanked my arms from the machine, and almost fell backwards off the stool, thankfully Nellie caught me, and placed me back on the floor.

Hildibrand pulled Lilac to the other side of the room and started whispering to her, I was able to eavesdrop thanks to my telepathy, “Miss Quinn, just where did you find her? I have never seen or heard of anyone with this much magic power, ‘cept maybe that damned Queen.”

Lilac whispered back, “I’d rather not get into details, I think some unsavory types are after her, I do know she’s from a distant country, she and her sister are still learning the language. They are quite smart and talented, before the damned lockdown I aimed to take them with me to Kafora to properly nurture that talent. I would appreciate it if you kept this between us.”

Hildibrand glanced at me with a worried expression as his eyebrows pinched as his lips formed a slight frown before he responded, “No need to fret, Miss Lilac, the secret is safe with me, in fact when she’s ready, bring her back and I’ll craft a channel worthy of her. If you care for it, that is.”

Seemingly relieved, Lilac replied, “Much appreciated,” ceasing to whisper, she continued, “If there is nothing else we should be heading out, if my channel is ready, oh and I will pay for the one she broke.”

“Of course,” Hildibrand responded as he turned toward the door, motioning for us to follow, “Please, I’ll handle the transaction personally.”

As we walked back through the workshop, Hildibrand pointed toward the door, “Head on out, I’ll meet you at the counter, I need to retrieve Miss Lilac’s channel.”

With a nod Lilac said, “Of course,” turning to the three of us she added, “let’s go everyone, we’ll stop for lunch after I finish up here.”

We reached the counter and waited for a couple minutes, as I glanced around the store, thinking about what Hildibrand said about making me a channel. I pondered about both, whether I need a channel at all, and if I had one what kind would I like? I was curious how many of the different weapons are actual channels or just enchanted weapons or similar.

At the least it seemed there are options for staffs and wands of all sizes, from clear magical items to mundane looking walking sticks or keychain type ornaments. Though given how even that giant machine reacted to me and seemed to grow hot, I wondered if I am even capable of using one of any kind.

Pulled back from my thoughts by some chatter, I could see Lilac pay Hildibrand, as he handed her what looked like an umbrella. She fiddled with her belt for a bit, attaching the umbrella to it like a hilt via a belt loop. I looked at her, puzzled.

“Special?” I asked Lilac, as I pointed at the umbrella.

Lilac smiled mischievously, “Very,” then proceeded to fiddle with the handle for a brief moment before withdrawing a rapier. Shifting the rapier to her other hand, she pulled something on the umbrella which released with a click. Lifting it up, another click followed by a ratcheting noise accompanied the opening of the umbrella, which then resembled a shield.

“Amazing!” both of me exclaimed at once. A moment later I realized I accidentally spoke in unison, and tried to hide it by having Lilith me say “Is it magic?” While a moment later, Taylor me asked “Stop rain or only fight?”

With a small laugh Lilac replied, “Both, magic and will stop rain,” with a wink she added “Swords, arrows, and spells too!”

‘Seems really handy, I could go for something like that one of these days maybe.’ I thought. Lilac folded the shield back into an umbrella, then inserted the rapier into it. For a moment she demonstrated it working like a mundane umbrella before clipping it back to the holder on her belt.

Taking a couple steps toward the door, she looked back to us, “How about we have some lunch before I take you back home?”

“Yes!” exclaimed Taylor me, “Yaaay~~! Yummy food!” Lilith me added a moment later.

With that, the four of us left the shop, Lilac led the way while both of me walked behind with Nellie taking up the rear. We traced back the same way we’d come for a while, walking slow enough to do a bit more window shopping. The crowd had started to get thicker, making me feel a little anxious.

We took a turn off the path we’d taken, “Not much further, near the next intersection is a really nice place. And don’t worry Lil, we can stay till the crowd thins out a bit, though it should have by the time we finish,” Lilac explained, as we continued down the street.

After a minute or so we were standing in front of the restaurant, I could see inside, it looked rustic but yet fancy at the same time. Patrons inside were dressed not too different from the party I had crashed not long ago, a bizarre mixture of various eras of styles coexisting. I feel rather partial to the styles that remind me of Noir. Some of the fancy Victorian dresses look interesting too, though I do prefer a less poofy bottom than some of them have.

Lilith me looked at the sign, and then to Nellie, she diligently read it to me, “Emerald Blossom.”

Lilac opened the door, stepped in and held it as she looked back toward us, “Shall we?” and motioned for us to enter.

Within moments of us entering a waitress greeted us, “Table for four?”

“Yes, that would be perfect,” Lilac replied.

The four of us followed the waitress through an open dining room, into a smaller hallway then another, less occupied room, we approached a table next to a large aquarium, “Is this table to your liking?”

Lilac looked toward the three of us, Nellie answered, “Yes,” while Lilith me added, “Wonderful!” and Taylor me finished, “Pretty fish!” Turning back to the waitress Lilac gave her an approving nod, and we sat down. Lilac and Nellie sat across from each other, Lilith me sat beside Lilac while Taylor me cozied up to Nellie, leaning against her with a yawn.

The waitress set down four menus on the table, then asked us what we’d like to drink. I telepathically ask Nellie to ask what the options are. Seemed there were several different kinds of juices, both cold and hot tea, a couple kinds of milk, several different types of champagne, meads, and beers.

Surprisingly I was allowed to order a drink that was a mixture of fruit juice and a bubbly mead. Lilith me and Taylor me both got that, but each with a different kind of juice. I was only guessing but I tried to get what seemed like Strawberry and Blueberry for the juices. It seems like similar plants and animals exist here but with different names. Lilac ordered a hot tea and milk drink, whereas Nellie got a cold tea and champagne mixture.

Nellie, Lilac, and Lilith me looked at the menu while Taylor me closed her eyes while resting snuggled up to Nellie. As I decided what things I wanted to try, and which me was going to order what, I said softly with Taylor me, “Lilac, question,” and then continued telepathically “when we get to Kafora, what is the plan for us?”

Lilac lowered her menu and looked into my eyes for a moment before answering, “I’m not entirely sure, but I absolutely intend to do some experiments together. With luck we can find out what you’re truly capable of. I’d also love to enroll you, I’m sure you could learn some things, but the practical exercises and training should be most beneficial. I also imagine you might enjoy the wargames and arena quite a bit. I must admit, I would love to see you best a few arrogant fools, especially at the annual region tournament, a dozen different academies participate.”

“Fun,” Lilith me replied, as I continued to look over the menu.

I definitely thought I wanted to try the dish that sounds quite a bit like parmesan chicken, based on the description and the drawing. There also was one that seemed like a combination of steak and seafood, I decided to try that one too. Lilith me will order that one, while Taylor me will get the parmesan chicken seeming one.

Nellie put down her menu and gave Taylor me some headpats. After a few moments she asked, “Lilac, I assume there will not be a problem with me accompanying you and mistress to Kafora?”

Lilac lowered her menu, peeking over it to look at Nellie, “Not at all, in fact, if you have any talent for magic, I could see about having you enrolled as well. There are also several different kinds of classes you could find useful even without the magical aptitude for spellcasting. There are also physical attack and defense courses that you both may benefit from.”

“I see, thank you,” Nellie replied, as she ruffled Taylor me’s hair.

The waitress returned with our drinks, and we placed our food orders. I wanted to fully appreciate the flavors of the drinks, so I made sure to only drink from one at a time, having Lilith me and Taylor me take turns. The one I guessed as blueberry seems fairly close, from what I can recall. The ‘strawberry’ one tasted a bit more tart than I expected, it also felt like there was a hint of raspberry flavor. I guess it was close but not quite a strawberry.

As we waited for our food, Nellie and Lilac broke into a fair bit of small talk. Despite staying together and eating together for over a dozen days, we’ve been fairly quiet together. Either having things to get to in the mornings, or by dinner time, energy is low and not much conversation happens.

Aside from language practice with Nellie, which mostly consisted of her talking about things from books, I’ve only had 3 real chit chats with her, and they weren’t the longest. I’m honestly pretty bad at conversations and being social at the best of times.

Even as they were chit chatting beside me I had remained quiet, thinking to myself. Though once I realized, I started trying to pay attention, though I didn’t really find anything I could add or comment on. Most of their conversation was talking about themselves.

Lilac recounted the man from the party, and her youth, how he had been part of a trio of friends, with herself and her half brother, until noble politics tore them apart. I wondered how he was, I left him in... poor shape. I also wondered why I should even care? He seemed intent on at best holding Lilac against her will, at worst, raping her or even drugging and brainwashing her? At least I thought I recalled correctly.

So much had happened recently, and my memory was never stellar to begin with, so a lot of things felt like a jumble. In between errant thoughts, I caught some of Nellie’s background. Her parents never expected to have her, Nellie’s mother, like all the miscreated in Acresia’s military, are meant to be sterilized.

They raised her as long as they could, and seemed to cherish her, but at some point they could no longer continue to care for her. Nellie was unsure of the details, and being a small child, blamed her parents, and felt abandoned. She understands their actions now, but for much of her teenage years resented them.

That resentment and feeling of abandonment caused her to distance herself from people, a habit she kept, even after she understood the circumstances. Her desire to freely travel the world by herself, was another thing she kept from her teenage years.

Though, now she wishes to do so by my side. It seems after that incident at the party, the connection we shared, and the seemingly permanent one way telepathic link she has to me, allowing her to feel my emotions and sometimes sense my thoughts, has made her practically inseparable from me.

I couldn’t say I totally hated the idea, the first while here was so lonely, not being able to talk to anyone, being homeless, etc. I never wanted to repeat that again. Still, I couldn’t help but worry about the way both Nellie and Lilac’s ‘attachment’ to me started, and that there might not be any real feelings behind any of it, even though it seemed the manipulative effects of my mana and the twilight leaf smoke would have long faded.

Before I realized it, the waitress had brought our food, and the conversation died as we began to eat our food. I kept zoning out and had missed parts of it. Both the meals I picked were very delicious. I was rather lucky, nothing had tasted bad to me. Lilac had some sort of dish that seemed to have crab or something like it. Nellie had some kind of noodles with chicken or some type of bird.

I was able to coerce a bite of each of their meals, in exchange for a sample of my own, it all seemed good to me. While I’m relieved I still worry when I’m going to run into something I dislike and how bad it might be. I’d rather have encountered some things I mildly disliked than this suspense, I worried the first thing I dislike is going to be something I’ll find so awful it will ruin my appetite or worse.

Some time, and a few drink refills later, our food was all gone and Lilac was paying while we stood by, waiting to leave. I worried I might have drunk a bit too much, both of me felt slightly wobbly. We managed to walk home relatively uneventfully.

The crowds had lightened by the time we left, as Lilac had mentioned. Somehow I still managed to bump into someone, after tripping with Lilith me, I think I scared them more though. I screamed rather loudly in surprise, mostly with Lilith me, but Taylor me squeaked a bit too. I really need to get better about that. It’s not ideal when I accidentally do something with both of me.

Once we arrived home, Lilac told us to go on up, she had other business to take care of and would not be back until late, possibly past dinner. Before today I would have been more worried but I think she is prepared to take care of herself now, after visiting Hildibrand’s shop.

Once we arrived home and put away our things, Nellie asked me to shift back to just me, just Lilith, take a bath and get ready, she had something she wanted to do. I was somewhat confused but she wouldn’t elaborate.

I spent maybe a good hour relaxing in the tub before getting out, drying off and getting dressed, still with my default black outfit for now. Once I left the washroom Nellie called me into the lounge. When I arrived she was dressed up as if she was some rich noble woman, with expensive looking jewelry and a fat purse. Her ears were hidden with a mixture of a fancy hat and a hairstyle to cover up her lack of human ears.

“Uh.. what’s going on?” I asked her telepathically.

With a devious smile, Nellie snickered, “I think it’s time for you to go hunting, and I’m going to be your bait.”