Cleaning up the workshop actually doesn't take nearly as long as I originally anticipated. I take the chance to turn even what little leftovers I have into shaved ice first though to enjoy a little more of the frozen treat. If I'm to enjoy myself for the night I might as well do it right after all. By comparison I'm done with everything else, from the cauldron to the cups, bowls and spoons, pretty quickly.

I'm not quite ready to go out yet though. I don't hit the bath, as that would take a little longer than I would like, but I freshen up down at the creek. Some cold water to the face and a quick wipe down with a wet cloth will have to do right now. It certainly is refreshing. There is no doubt about that.

It is time for a change of clothes as well. I probably could visit the inn for a drink after work in my work clothes, but for anything more it would be more appropriate to wear something else. I decide to wear the new summer dress Agnieszka made for me. This is why I spent good coin on it after all. I certainly didn't get it, just to have it gather dust. I might as well wear it any chance I have.

Refreshed and changed I'm about to close the trunk at the foot end of my bed again as my eyes come across something else in it. The bandanna. The yellow one with the red embroidery. I swallow hard and close the lid of the trunk, only to open it again a moment later.

My lips are dry and my fingers tremble slightly as I reach out for the not so innocent piece of cloth. I almost flinch back as I touch it but in the end I take it out of the big chest.

With practiced ease I gather up my hair with the bandanna, bundling it up a little as I tie it back. I haven't ever worn this kind of bandanna, but I certainly have worn bandannas before after all, especially when working on some of the more volatile concoctions we learned to produce at the academy. By all rights it shouldn't have felt any different, but for some reason wearing this bandanna still felt a little strange.

It is too bad that I don't have a proper mirror. I doubt I will get one anytime soon either. Well, it isn't like I really need one. Mirrors are mostly vanity products after all. Unless you are a spellcaster specialized in divination. For them mirrors, especially decent sized ones, were essential. Ah well, I'll manage. After all I have so far already.

Still, I felt self conscious all of a sudden. With trembling fingers I checked to make sure the bandanna was on straight. Of course I could just take it off again, but I don't. Not even as my trembling fingers brush against it as I straighten it out a little.

I hesitate one last time, my heart fluttering, as I reach the door. Then I'm through and out. Before I can think any more on it and possibly get cold feet, I head down to the inn.

Apparently things are pretty lively down there. The sounds of music and laughter reach my ears well before I reach the inn. By the sound of it, it isn't Rafal, the only local bard I know so far, who is playing though. It has to be someone else.

As I stop at the door briefly, I can finally see that it is one of the local farmers as far as I can tell, not someone I have met before for sure though. I take the chance to survey the rest of the common room as well.

Apparently most of the adventurers I know are still out. The place is still lively enough though. Some of the tables have been moved to make a little more room at the room's center for those brave enough to dance.

Well, that isn't something I will do. Probably. Especially as I'm not really familiar with the local folk dances. Watching other people dance still could be fun though.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

Before I can linger any longer someone waves me over towards the tables that have been moved out of the way. It is Agnieszka and I almost miss a step, as I realize, that she has tied her graying hair back with a bandanna very similar to the one I'm wearing.

She flashed me a mischievous grin, as I sit down across from her.

“Your grandmother's?”

It takes me a moment to realize what she means and I blush furiously, but in the end I nod.

“Yes. And the new dress you tailored for me.”

Now it is her turn to nod.

“It suits you. The dress I mean. Although I have to admit you looked pretty good in your grandma's old dress as well.”

For a moment she is silent and I take this chance to order a cup of wine from Krystina who apparently is helping out her parents. Then Agnieszka speaks up again.

“The bandanna really matches your hair nicely as well though.”

I blush a little more and almost down half of my cup of watered down wine right away, as Krystina drops it off at our table. Both she and my neighbor break into a giggling fit at the sight. The innkeepers' daughter has to leave again before she even has a chance to comment though. Thus Agnieszka and I are left alone, at least for the moment. Judging by the way some of the other patrons are looking our way this might change before long though.

Finally as I calm down again and my blush recedes a little the older woman speaks up again.

“Are you sure? We told you about the bandanna and the implications, right? Are you really sure about this?”

I take a deep breath and nod.

She takes a sip from her own drink and nods as well.

“Good, good. This really shouldn't be something you regret afterwards, you know.”

She breaks into another mischievous grin.

“And now we should do some dancing!”

Before I can protest she is already standing and worse, she pulls me to my feet as well. We are already halfway to the dance floor as I finally manage to squeak out a protest.

“But I don't know how! I mean I have never even had a chance to really watch people dance around here.”

She waves off my concerns though.

“It is pretty simple really. We don't dance any fancy dances after all. The only tricky part is, that you have to listen to the music for the right clues so you know which step comes next.”

I stare at her bewildered and she breaks into laughter.

“Don't worry too much. Just look at my left hand. I'll provide the necessary clues. You just have to move with purpose. Just don't hesitate or worry. No one will mind, even if you bump into the others in the beginning. And if they laugh it is in good humor. Most likely they started out just as clueless after all.”

And thus I receive my first dancing lessons as the musician starts playing the next piece. It is a little slower than what he played before. Maybe he knows I'm new at this?

Agnieszka is true to her word. She gestures with her left hand, as she holds mine with her right, to provide me with the necessary clues. I stumble a little in the beginning but I figure it out quickly enough and before long we are moving in unison with the other dancers. I don't even mind when the tune finally picks up a little speed again.

As we return to our table I'm sweating a little. So is Agnieszka, but she doesn't seem to mind. She just grins at me.

“Now, that wasn't too hard, or was it?”

“No, nothing like that. It actually was fun.”

We order another drink. By now it takes a little while until we get it though, as the room has filled a little more. Even some of the adventurers who have been out all day have returned.

Out of the corner of my eye I spot a familiar trio. Zofia, Elzbieta and their male companion are talking guild business with Krystina at the guild counter. Well, it is mostly Zofia who is talking business. Elzbieta's eye's are curiously enough on me instead. Well, probably. It is either me or Agnieszka. Although, no, probably not the latter, as someone just whisked her away to dance.