The waiters serving Echo’s tabled side eyes Carrot as he places the last of the dishes down onto the table, quickly taking his leave with out a word. Carrot stares at his back for a long moment, seemingly debating whether or not to tormenting the poor man. Just as the server was about to round the corner Carrot let out one loud, short honk, sending the man three feet in the air as he about jumped out of his own skin.

Aleta shook her head turning and scolding the goose, “Its not ok to torment the minimum wage workers, especially the server and custom service industry.” She lectured, giving Carrot a long disapproving stare, “Instead torment their bosses and other supervisors that perpetuate this state of undervalued workers being underpaid and over worked.”

Carrot took the lecture in, listening attentively.

“Remember, capitalism is bad, as is the patriarchy, fuck the government.”

Carrot squawked happily, nodding along enthusiastically.

Enzo shivered, “I didn’t know you thought this way…” He muttered beneath his breath. Unfortunately for him, Aleta had extremely good hearing on the account of the cat like ears perched on top her head.

“Oh yeah, most people don’t.” She did not elaborate further, choosing instead to begin eating her food.

Enzo looked to Echo for help only to see them shoveling food into their mouth without a care. He couldn’t help but sweat just a tad. Looking back to his own meal he just caught on to Carrot snatching part of his meal from across the table. Well making his valient attempt, Enzo grabbed him tightly by the neck, glaring daggers as the goose squawked flapping its wings to get away. He let go only after he felt the goose wouldn't try the same stunt again.

Carrot shuffled away from Enzo hissing violently as it hopped down from the table, waddling away to terrorize someone else. Enzo couldn’t help but scoff turning his attention back to his food, violent shoving it into his mouth and chewing, sneering down at his food. A high pitched scream provided adequate background noise.

Echo looked up briefly to see what's happen, only to see the manager of the fine dinning establishment being chased by a very angry goose, hissing and honking at the man. Off to the side a few workers stood, pointing and laughing. Blinking once they shrugged paying no more mind to the scene as they returned to their food.

Aleta watch the show with great interest, take slow bite of food as she became observed with the hysterical scene. She smile proudly feeling very accomplished. “Fuck the patriarchy.” She whispered beneath her breath.

Echo hummed in agreement.

----------

Echo, Enzo, and Aleta left the restaurant with full belly and a satisfied goose. Hopping back into the car they drove a few streets down, pulling over by a clothing store front. Aleta nearly leapt out of the car, ready to rush into the store for nice clean clothes. Echo and Enzo followed behind the excited Aleta with a much more measured pace. Carrot chased a random passerby.

By the time Echo and Enzo entered the shop Aleta had already disappeared behind the numerous clothing racks. Unbothered, Echo wondered off leaving behind Enzo who was playing a game of eye spy for Aleta. Humming to themself Echo scanned through the rack of tank tops, pulling out a simple light purple one. Nodding to themself they moved on quickly pulling out a pair of nice black dress pants and walking off to find their friends.

Enzo found himself lost in shelves upon shelves of clothes. He had no idea where he was. Closing his eyes for a moment he listened in trying to find Echo’s or Aleta’s voice. When he heard neither he sighed to himself, accepting his fate.

“You find anything?” Echo asked from behind him.

Enzo’s fur puffed up as he spun around, “Not yet.” He muttered

“Hmmm, well this shirt would look nice,” Echo held up a plain dark green shirt, “And how about these?” They held a pair of black dress pants.

“Uh, sure.” He accepted both, a slight pink in his cheeks.

“No problem! Now to find Aleta…”

“You two find things?”

“Speak of the devil.”

“We got it, ready to check out?”

“Yep.”

The trio checked out in matter of minutes, throwing on the clothes as soon as they were bought in the changing room. The tree exited the shop soon after, ready to head to the church.

The drive took longer then they had previously expected, but they arrived at the church long before dinner. Once Enzo parked the car the group got out, taking a look at the massive church.

“Well this is it.” Echo muttered hope in their eyes.

Aleta couldn’t help but feel sorrow as she looked at her friend. Her eyes drifted to the ground as she couldn’t hold back a frown, “Yeah…”

Enzo felt a burst of fear in his heart, it finally hitting him Echo may be going home soon. Home to a whole different dimension. Home to where he could find them. No, he couldn’t let that happen. He couldn’t let them leave after they’d made him so… so… happy.

Enzo shock himself out of his spiraling thoughts, “Well, no time like the present.”

“Lets go!” Echo basically hopped towards the entrance of the church.

Aleta and Enzo share a glace before bracing themselves and heading off after Echo. Carrot waddling behind them.

The trio pause at the entrance to ask the nearby church worker where the library was.

“The library?” She asked, looking them up and down.

“Yes, you see were college students, were doing a thesis project on the different gods and to be able to read a few text would be phenomenal in helping us out.” Echo lied.

The lady seemed to soften slightly at the explanation, “Well I suppose we can let you into the public library, it is public after all…” She muttered the last part under her breath.

The three shared a look.

“Well follow me.” She lead the way with a straight back and perfect posture leading them down a long hallway, to the final door on the left. Nodding to the two people standing guard. They nodded to the lady and the tall tale sign of mana light up the double doors as they began to opened.

Echo’s jaw dropped at the spectical, “Wow.” They couldn’t help but mutter.

The lady leading them looking back with a smug smile, “Here you go the public library. No books are to be removed from this zone. If you do so, it could lead to a immediate ban from this church, a fine, and up too three years jail time depending on the tome.”

Echo whistled, “That’s no joke.”

“No it is not.” The lady agreed, turning around and walking away.

“Wait you said public library, is there a private one as well?” Echo called out, stopping the lady.

The lady gave her look, “There is, but there is no reason a college kid like you should have access to such books.” The door closed with a bang behind her.

“I’m twenty four.” Echo muttered to themself, glaring at the closed door.