As Iris and Kaira approached the inn, ready to meet up with Sera and Tanith inside, a voice called out their names. They paused, turning to see a familiar figure hurrying towards them.

“Marly?” Kaira's voice was incredulous as she called out the woman's name. “What are you doing here?”

It was Marlena, Kaira's seamstress friend, who approached with a mix of exasperation and relief in her eyes. “Oh, for Alos's sake!” she exclaimed, her voice tinged with frustration. “Why didn't you two tell me you were back in the city?”

Iris's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “What do you mean? Why? What's going on?”

Marlena looked at her urgently. “I've been trying to find you, you never told me how long it would be until you returned!” she said, her voice tense. “I have something important to discuss.”

Iris winced. She knew Sera and Tanith were waiting inside, especially Sera. She couldn't afford a delay. “Can we take this inside? I really need to talk to Sera about the meeting we just had with Lady Arden.”

Marlena sighed. “Yes, yes. I have time. But I really must speak with you.”

“Thanks. It shouldn’t take too long.”

As the three of them entered the inn, Kaira hung back to chat with her friend while Iris led the way into the tavern area, the buzz of midday conversation greeting them as they walked in. Sunlight streamed through the windows, dappling the wooden floor with shifting patterns of light and shadow. A barmaid hustled between tables, distributing mugs of ale and plates of hearty fare.

Another barmaid approached them, glancing around as if searching for an open table. “It may be a few minutes,” she said, her voice slightly harried. “We're pretty busy for lunch today.”

Iris spotted Sera and Tanith at a corner table and waved off the barmaid. “Don't worry about it, I see our friends over there.”

The woman's expression brightened. “Oh, good! We'll come by to take your orders as soon as we can.”

“Thanks!” Iris called back as they made their way over to the table.

Sera jumped up as they approached. “Iris! You're back.”

“Everything go well?” Tanith asked. The sun elf leaned back against his chair and crossed his arms.

“Yeah, sorry you waited for so long,” Iris said, feeling apologetic.

Sera smiled, her eyes showing no trace of irritation. “It's no problem, we figured it would take a while.” She glanced at Marlena, confusion flitting across her face. “Oh, sorry. I didn't realize you would be bringing anyone else…”

Marlena gave an awkward smile. “Hi, sorry to interrupt. I'm Marlena. Here, I'll just…”

Without waiting for an invitation, Marlena grabbed a chair from a nearby occupied table, her abrupt action drawing a chorus of annoyed protests from the table's patrons. She ignored them, dragging the chair over to the table and taking a seat, her intense gaze fixed on Iris.

Iris chuckled and sat down next to Sera, while Kaira settled next to Marlena.

She noted the papers, scrolls, and ink pots strewn across the table; it looked like a miniature office had been hastily set up amidst the bustling tavern. She noticed Sera and Tanith's focused looks, waiting for an update on their meeting.

“We went over everything with Lady Arden,” Iris began, raising her voice slightly to compete with the din of surrounding conversation. She unrolled the papers Thalia had given her, spreading them out on the table, her finger pointing to various sections as she recapped the details of their discussion. The meeting replayed in her mind, her focus narrowing to the papers and her friends' attentive faces.

Sera and Tanith leaned in, their eyes keenly tracking the movements of Iris's fingers as she outlined what had been promised by the city’s lady. The two listened intently as the information flowed, their thoughts quickly calculating and assessing the implications of each word. When Iris finally looked up, it was Tanith who spoke first, his voice steady and pragmatic. “From the loot you gathered on your quest, we should be able to gain around twenty to thirty gold by selling it since your group offered to invest the proceeds into the guild.”

Sera nodded and added, “Fenren Trading House has also committed to investing one hundred and twenty-five gold. It's a good start, but we still need more.”

Iris frowned, her eyes scanning the numbers scribbled on the papers before her. It's not enough. Where are we going to get the rest of the money? She felt a tightening in her chest, a familiar knot of worry forming.

Sera noticed Iris's distress and reached across the table, her hand gently touching Iris's, offering a wordless reassurance. “Don't worry, Iris. We'll figure this out,” she said, her voice calm and soothing. “In the meantime, let's focus on getting ready for the guild. I'll meet with you later to discuss our next steps with the Guild Council.”

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Iris nodded, trying to shake off the anxiety. “Maybe I can take on a few more quests.”

“We can take on a few more quests,” Kaira corrected.

Marlena burst into laughter, her face breaking into a wide smile as everyone’s focus turned to her. “By Eona's bountiful tits, this is too perfect! That's exactly why I'm here!”

Iris's eyebrows shot up in surprise. “What are you talking about?”

Marlena leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Did you forget our partnership?” she whispered, her voice laced with amusement.

Iris's eyes widened in realization. “Oh my god,” she breathed, her hands coming up to cover her face in a mixture of embarrassment and disbelief. “With everything that's been happening, I completely forgot.”

“What partnership?”

Iris turned to Sera and explained, “I provided some designs for lingerie–undergarments for women–to Marlena to make. She thought she could sell them to the aristocrats of the city.”

“Wait… you came up with those?” Sera asked.

Iris tilted her head, puzzled. “Yes…?”

“I've heard about them everywhere,” Sera said, her eyes fixed on Marlena. “You’re the seamstress who makes them?”

Marlena nodded, her grin widening as if she'd won a prize. “How much do you need for this guild?”

Sera sighed, a hint of irritation in her voice. “One hundred gold.”

“That's it?” Marlena shook her head, disbelief etched in her features. “You have no idea how much we're making off your designs. You have that and more waiting for you in our business.”

Iris burst into laughter, her body shaking with mirth. She laughed until she began to cough, and Kaira quickly passed her a glass of water. Iris wiped tears from her eyes, trying to catch her breath. “That's some protagonist bullshit right there,” she managed to say between gasps. “Wow.”

Turning to Sera, Iris's eyes glowed with a renewed determination, a spark that had been missing. “Let's fucking do this.”

Sera looked at Iris with a smile that mirrored the fiery determination in her eyes. She then turned to Marlena. “How quickly can we access those funds?”

Marlena shrugged, her fingers drumming on the table. “Give me a day, and I'll have it ready.”

“A day?” Iris asked incredulously. “That's amazing, Marlena, thank you!”

Marlena waved her off. “It's your designs that have made it possible, Iris. You deserve it.”

Kaira clapped her hands together. “Alright then! We've got the money we need. Now, let's talk about setting up the guild.”

The group leaned in, their focus now centered on the discussion at hand. Plans were discussed, strategies outlined, and roles assigned. The initial excitement gave way to a more measured approach, as they talked through every detail of their upcoming venture.

Sera took charge, her voice steady as she shared her insights on dealing with the Guild Council. “I will get with Guildmistress Valentina,” she said, her eyes flicking to each person in turn. “I’ll let her know we’re ready to proceed.”

As the group conversed around the table, Iris felt herself relaxing. Everything was really starting to come together, and all she had to do was plan to convince the council. She knew she already had Guildmistress Valentina’s support, so she would just need to worry about the rest. The group was so engrossed in their discussion that they didn't notice Neri approaching until she greeted them with a bright smile. “Hey everyone!”

Iris looked up and met Neri's eyes, offering a small smile in return. “Good afternoon, Neri. How are you?” she asked.

“I'm good, a bit hungry, but I’m just excited to see the city,” Neri said, her eyes full of anticipation. “Is there any chance we could do that today?”

Iris glanced at Kaira, seeking her opinion. Her girlfriend's nod was all the confirmation she needed.

“The others wanted to meet up tonight to discuss the future,” Kaira added, her voice soft but assured. “But other than that, we're free to do whatever. I'd be happy to show the both of you around.”

The idea appealed to Iris. She and Kaira had walked around the city before, but she was eager to explore it again with a tourist's perspective. The city was vast, and she was sure there were hidden gems waiting to be discovered.

Neri's smile broadened, her eyes lighting up with gratitude. “That sounds great! Thank you, Kaira.”

Iris was about to reply, offer to get Neri lunch, but she hesitated, a nagging feeling gnawing at her. She scanned the crowded tavern, noticing the vibrant mix of patrons, the laughter, and the clinking of mugs. But there was something missing.

Fuzzy ears. Three tails.

She narrowed her eyes, suspicion creeping in like a shadow, and turned back to Neri, her tone cautious. “Neri?”

The young telv woman's smile remained as she turned her attention to Iris.

Iris inhaled deeply, her chest constricting as if she were bracing herself for a blow. She already had a sinking feeling, but she had to ask. A throbbing headache was building, adding to her discomfort.

“Where are Akane and Mocha?” she said slowly, her voice sharper than intended.

Kaira muttered a curse under her breath, her eyes darting around the room with newfound urgency.

Marlena, who was clearly lost in the conversation, unhelpfully chimed in. “Who are Akane and Mocha? Wait, isn't Mocha your horse?”

Iris groaned.

Neri, her face a picture of confusion, turned to Iris. Iris could see it coming, like a train hurtling down the tracks. She closed her eyes, steeling herself for the inevitable.

“I thought they were with you today?” Neri asked, her voice laced with genuine bewilderment.

There it is.

“Why? Why do the gods of this world hate me?” Iris whispered to herself, her voice a mix of frustration and resignation, as she pressed her fingers to her throbbing temples.

Kaira laid a hand on her shoulder and squeezed. “I’ll help you look.”

Iris just nodded.