Being one with Darkness has given Mirano no particular need for sleep, but due to the incident he, Shizuru, and Neviah had experienced recently, it was his first time to be lulled to sleep by distress and fatigue, so regaining consciousness within Darkness' care has mildly surprised him. With his eyes still closed and his mind reeling from shock in recollection of the unusual events, Mirano scrambles to sit up. As soon as he steadies his breathing, the void in his mind makes itself known, and the Unknown Child perks up at its presence, sighing in relief.
The subsequent comfort has enabled Mirano to get a grip of the shadows around him and he was able to get a clearer image of his location as he extends his senses through it.
From the uncanny stacks of wooden crates towering around him, Mirano has deduced he was within one of the prohibited rooms of the Panuluyan; specifically the storage room within the communal bathroom, as suggested by the stab markings on the wall on his right. Remnants of his bad fall disappeared in the area and the floor below him is strangely cleared and Mirano briefly wonders as he stands up whether the Owner (or one of his servants) has cleared it out. He spares the closed depression in the wall a final glance and disappears out of the room.
Mirano immediately inhales the soap and dim lighting wafting across the communal bathroom. Laying his eyes on the patrons entering and exiting the shower stalls has made him aware of his own hygiene. In this seemingly cozy environment, it is a sin to stink. Even without attempting to take a whiff of his ebony shirt, its growing stickiness against his skin is enough for Mirano to scrunch his nose. How long has it been since his last bath?
As much as he wishes to enter the shower, his mind is occupied by thoughts of Shizuru and Neviah's welfare. Since their flight from the burning town, he and Shizuru have been on their toes all night, reeling from the unusual turn of events and the possibility of the mysterious man in white following them back to town. Despite the shock and exhaustion, they dashed past the woods that night, hauling the semi-conscious Neviah back to the Panuluyan. Mirano knew that the repercussions caused by his powers had caused the Usor's initial loss of consciousness and he worried that Neviah might never speak to him again after witnessing such a horrendous power.
Mirano frowns at the thought and he clenches both fists. The voice within his mind is silent as he mentally dreads the ability Darkness has bestowed to him. Then again, Shizuru mentioned to him that if he hadn't unleashed his Darkness that time, they might have suffered a far worse fate. But still...
"Out of the way, boy!"
Someone passing by clashes their large figure to Mirano's shoulder, knocking him to the side and ultimately interrupting his train of thoughts. As he turns to look at the perpetrator absent-mindedly, they return a harrumph to him and go on their way. For a while, Mirano didn't understand their rudeness, but felt a sharp tinge run across his left temple.
"A gift." the voice begins, catching Mirano's attention.
The Unknown Child lowers his head and whispers, "What?"
"Do not doubt the extent of this gift." the voice replies, its presence more prominent now than before. "Be wary of your emotions, for it fuels this power. For destruction or otherwise... it all depends on you."
The pain in his left temple seems to run across it again and Mirano frowns as his temple pulses. The voice repeats its statement again.
"That doesn't make it any easier!" Mirano's voice comes out in a snarl and he stomps out of the communal bathroom.
With the humid atmosphere making his clothes damp and sticky, Mirano's irritation heightens all the more he continues to think about the voice's statement. The void's unpredictable movements, as well as its cryptic messages hasn't always elicited these replies from him. Mirano believed that the voice was his guide, sent by the Beda Rainforest in an attempt to assist him in his goal to discover his identity. As such, despite its peculiarity, Mirano has placed his faith in it. But in these times, when he hasn't even validated Shizuru and Neviah's safety, the layers of mystery in its voice are not very helpful.
Mirano descends to the staircase with heavy footsteps, as if dragging large weights behind him as he turns towards the counter, hoping that the Owner, who seems to be occupied with paperworks behind it, may have an idea where his companions might be. Before he can even ask an inquiry, the Owner immediately jumps to him, handing Mirano the piece of paper he had just finished scribbling on, and pushing him to the Panuluyan door as he stressfully babbles something about Dinner.
"... And don't come back until you have all the ingredients! Thanks!" the Owner remarks, throwing a large wicker basket to Mirano before shutting the Panuluyan door.
Despite catching the basket on his arms, the lack of context has Mirano swiping a hand over his face with a sharp inhale, unable to process what reaction he should have with regards to the situation. The wicker basket seems heavy with his slouching posture, the paper settling on the bottom of it. Another sharp pain, this time, Mirano seethes as it crawls to the back of his nape. He fishes the paper out of the basket to look at its contents, quickly regretting the choice upon seeing the Owner's garbled handwriting of a list of items. Moreover, the high noon's sun and its blaring heat has made his ebony shirt and scarf a dreadful blast furnace, and Mirano groans as he feels large beads of sweat form and trickle down his skin.
"Were you kicked out as well?" a voice asks.
Recognizing the tinkle of the voice, Mirano immediately turns around, finding Neviah sheepishly grinning at him. Apart from the same wicker basket in Neviah's hands, there seems nothing to be out of place about him. Mirano's face immediately softens upon seeing him, as it lacks any of the terror he initially saw from him after that incident. As much as his chest swells with relief for Neviah's safety, Mirano hesitates to lunge for an embrace due to the irritating sensation brought about by the heat and instead approaches the Usor while mirroring his smile.
"Seems like it." He points to the Panuluyan door with a pout. "What is happening?"
Neviah puffs his cheeks and his amiable face morphs to an exhausted frown. "Well, the Owner said our stay within his establishment is overdue and Shizuru doesn't have enough Alk to cover for all of us." Neviah inhales, as if trying to encapsulate the gravity of what he is about to reveal. "So, the Owner agreed to forgive all of our dues in exchange for labor around the Panuluyan. He has sent me to go fetch..." Neviah tucks his auburn fringes behind his left ear, raising an eyebrow in hesitation as he shows Mirano a piece of paper. "...ingredients? But I have no idea where to get these, as all of them are unfamiliar to me!"
The Unknown Child brings his paper to the one Neviah has and finds that, despite the distinct messy handwriting, all the items on both of their lists are basically the same. Mirano exhales loudly as he keeps the list in his shorts' pocket. "How long have we been staying for us to warrant such a treatment?"
Neviah places a hand over his mouth, perplexed, much to Mirano's confusion.
"Oh, long enough, definitely. And I even awoke before Shizuru, so..." Neviah murmurs as he counts his fingers. "Three nights... at the very least."
As someone who has no idea of how lodging and its house rules works, Mirano has no particular say at what the Owner can impose on them, though the urgency of the unfamiliar task has piled upon the irritating things he has experienced today.
"Perhaps we should just complete his list, then? There is no point in returning empty-handed right?" Mirano hums. "After all, we are indebted to his hospitality."
"I believe we are." Neviah runs a hand over his forehead, keeping any remaining hair strands away from his sweaty face. He looks on his shopping list once more. "I've only walked on the street across from here and none of the shops are selling food items." Motioning to the main road, Neviah continues. "Perhaps there are some there, but I have not persisted because of the growing afternoon heat!"
"Then let us start checking the shops there. If we cannot find any, we can always ask." Mirano suggests.
"Let us hasten, please." the Usor groans as he begins unbuttoning his green robe, revealing a gray button collar shirt tucked in his khaki slacks held by a heavily decorated leather belt. "Once this is over, I'll be needing a long shower."
Mirano chuckles at the sentiment, as the mention of a bath has indeed made him aware of his current unpleasant condition. As such, he jogs to the main street, following the wagons trotting on it and taking refuge in the little shadow they cast. Neviah follows closely, huddling while frantically turning his head in search of any familiar signs.
Whatever the Owner is planning to cook, it is definitely a large and urgent wave of delicacies. While the list is dotted by common spices that Mirano encountered when he assisted the Heleian Encantos in foraging, much of the items on the paper are specific things he only encountered now. Either that, or the Owner's handwriting is just too warbled to be read.
"There!"
Neviah's sudden shout startles Mirano and he finds himself getting dragged by the Usor at a low bungalow with a large overhead sign reading, Carmen's Condiment Center. Pushing the door open rings the bell above it and despite getting initially startled by the bell's low chime, Mirano follows Neviah inside.
An earthy aroma fills the air as he looks around the place, large furnished dark oak dressers replace the walls and its labeled drawers immediately draw the two young men's attention. Several open barrels and crates litter the space, showcasing a variety of powders and dried flora, most of which are emanating a distinct smell; some pleasant, some tolerable.
There aren't a lot of people shopping inside, though as Mirano follows Neviah to search for the shopkeeper, he notices that the customers measure and package their spices independently.
"Hello, we are in need of a few spices?" Neviah has found the shopkeeper, a fine stout lady, about mid-life, with graying ponytail hair and a simple dress and apron, behind the counter on one corner of the shop.
The shopkeeper curtsies in front of Neviah and Mirano. "The shop operates on a self-help system. I can show you where each item is, but you have to weigh and package your purchases by yourself."
Neviah grimaces at the idea, thinking that it's a meticulous process. Mirano, however, continues to look over at the customers doing the same thing the shopkeeper has explained.
"I want to do it," Mirano mutters to himself, pulling his list and showing it to the shopkeeper. "However, we do not know how much the Owner needs."
Upon receiving the list, the shopkeeper raises one of her eyebrows in amusement, as if understanding the incomprehensible handwriting, much to Mirano's confusion.
"Fascinating." the shopkeeper whispers, turning to rummage for something under the counter. "Allow me to prepare these in honor of the Panuluyan Owner."
Neviah's face immediately lightens up. "Really?"
"That will not be a problem," Mirano replies, though he still wishes to be able to weigh spices.
The shopkeeper claps twice excitedly. "Great. You can pick it up once you're finished looking for the other ingredients!" She waves the paper. "I shall hold on to this until your return."
"Oh, that'll be of big help to us! However, we're–" Neviah gestures his right hand to his and Mirano's chest. "-- both unfamiliar with Digma cuisines and it is our first time to be tasked with shopping for food. Is it alright to ask where to find any of these ingredients?" Neviah asks.
"I understand the sentiment. That ol' Owner likes to send his new servants to do impossible tasks!" The shopkeeper looks at the list once more. "Well, you're in luck because all of the other ingredients can be found in the Hawker Circle!"
"The Hawker Circle?" Mirano and Neviah repeat in unison.
The shopkeeper leans on the counter, a small smile forming on her lips as she begins. "When you exit this shop, follow the alley between the Carpenter's House and the Bakery. It will lead to a plaza where several peddlers and traveling merchants stay for a day or two to trade goods. I'll jot down which merchants to purchase each of these," the shopkeeper offers. Before either Mirano or Neviah can say yes, she already has her quill out. "It's not difficult to spot these traders, though the Hawker Circle is notorious for its exotic goods and lax purchasing rules, so be wary!" She hands back the paper to Mirano.
At the thought of seeing familiar Usor items, Neviah leaps in excitement, barely saying goodbye to the shopkeeper for her kindness. "Let's go, Mirano! I wonder if a Usor peddler has some familiar snacks from Solferino!"
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"Wait, Neviah. We still have to complete the Owner's tasks!" Mirano calls out as he follows the Usor to the alley.
As much as Mirano shares Neviah's excitement over finding new items, he holds the shopkeeper's warning close, especially when he realizes that the cacophony of the market echoes past the nearby establishments despite them not having emerged from the alleyway yet.
Like most Digma towns, the people of Macer have dedicated a space of their community for the public to gather. The local plaza is outlined with cut stone floors; a large stone fountain sits in the middle of it, featuring a stone sculpture of Halli. It was meant for a lot of other things, too, and while trade has been in the spirit of Digmas born in Macer, they have not thought of using their public plaza as a place for selling and buying... until of course, the Hawker Circle.
As of late, traveling merchants have been capturing local consumers' attention due to the unpredictable trinkets they offer; most of which are acquired on multiple different journeys from across the four ends of CANDEMARO. The long duration between their departure and stay in Macer has only made these products well-sought, so despite their less frequent visits, they still turn a profit out of it.
Mirano expects to find stalls and shops in the Hawker Circle similar to the ones he saw out in Macer's main road, but instead, he found carriages and wagons full of unfamiliar items. He almost mistook some of the wares hanging by one wagon's door to be merely decorative. People crowd on multiple carriages, yelling and raising their hands, offering prices for a ware some peddlers are offering. The intensity between every "Mine!" equally fascinated and horrified Mirano. Meanwhile, Neviah has been quickly enticed by numerous traders' goods, exclaiming at every turn how each item piques an interesting memory.
From the noise to desperately following Neviah, Mirano's irritation begins to eat through his mind once again as he pushes his way out of the crowd. Upon finding a relatively free spot to get enough air, Mirano frowns at their lack of progress. Up in the sky, the country's sun is still taking joy in blasting its intense rays over the land, insensitive to the grudges of people like Mirano, who haven't got a chance to clean themselves before being pushed to this situation. Mirano claws on his itchy cheek, leaving a distinct reddish mark on it. As he looks back to the crowd, he barely spots Neviah's auburn head. He considers running to search for him or complete shopping first before looking for him. Weighing his options, Mirano ultimately goes to the latter, thinking that it will probably be easier to convince the Usor to leave if he finished the task for them.
Looking at the list and the shopkeeper's guide, Mirano was able to locate the first few traders that matched the description. Some initially offered deals in a singsong voice, but when Mirano relayed that he was shopping on behalf of the Panuluyan Owner, the traders' tone changed and they immediately gave the item. While that aspect is already baffling, the items Mirano receives from the sellers are even more puzzling.
"A knife? 'A quarter pound of Selma' is a knife?" Mirano asks the fourth seller he meets.
"An enchanted kitchen knife!" the seller proudly quips. "The finest blades from the blacksmiths of the East! Cut, slice, mince, julienne? This knife can do it!" he wraps the blade in a thin linen cloth.
Mirano accepts the blade with two hands, carefully setting it down on his wicker basket with a dubious frown. He has no question when it comes to blades; pray K'raas he wields multiple ones, but he is not understanding the correlation of this to the other items he had already purchased. What has the Owner subjected him and Neviah to?
"Aren't you a blade user, too, brother?" the seller says.
Mirano blinks, glancing down on the handles strapped on the side of his belt then to the seller and nods. He watches as the seller grins before reaching to one of his vest's pockets and hands him a small square paper.
"In the event you need assistance for repairs or enchantment, visit our blacksmiths!" he says.
While he finds it reassuring to be offered such a service, several worries are currently fogging Mirano's head, and he barely returns a polite smile to the seller before going off to find the next merchant. He glances at the paper, not willing to take notice of the details within it, then keeps it in his shorts' pocket. Mirano has scoured the circumference of the Hawker Circle in search of the last seller, who seems to have the last two items on his list, but was unable to find them. The area is still filled with buyers trying to haggle with some traders, much to Mirano's frustration. If there is an area he has not yet properly scoured, it's the one past this crowd. Neviah is probably around there, too.
As Mirano ponders on the best way to go around it, a small, robed man stands beside him. Had his mind not currently occupied by other things, Mirano would have quickly noticed that the man had unclipped one of his blades off of the strap of his leather belt. Upon realizing it, however, Mirano snaps to the man, his eyes that bleed by the sclera glaring sharply to the perpetrator as his hand reflexively reaches out for its handle.
"Calm down, brother!" the man waves his hands as he leans backwards. "Fine blade you have here! Say, I can offer something of the same--no-- greater value to this!"
Mirano could feel his blood boil and his temples sting even more. The void in his mind is growing erratic as the man nonchalantly inspects his blade.
"Don't!" the voice returns, as if tugging on his brain in an attempt to stop him from whatever he is about to do.
"What do you say, brother?" the man flashes him a devious grin.
"Is there anything that can equal my blade's value?" Mirano asks behind gritting teeth.
With one swipe of his free hand, the man has made an orange glass marble appear on his palm and he holds it with his thumb and index finger across his left eye, as if using it to peer at Mirano's surprised face.
"This might look like a normal Elixir, but no! This is a rare Elixir, one that is the product of an early development!" The man says with a grin as he brings it closer to Mirano's face. "Look closely! This can be a powerful weapon on its own!"
A whip of flame swirls across within the marble. It is the second time Mirano has closely seen an Elixir and it still fascinates him how the element has been concentrated within that small space. At the sight of the Elixir and the flames contained within it, Mirano thought about Shizuru and how the Digma might find the item useful. But his blade... one of the twelve blades Rai had given him... Is it worth the trade?
As Mirano mulls over the offer, which is already unreasonable to begin with, the man's sudden yelp interrupts the Unknown Child's musings. When he looked back up, he found the man levitating a few feet off the earth, pleading for help. Across him, Neviah holds out his glowing spell book, shooting a disgusted look at the man as he eventually drops both Mirano's blade and the Elixir on the ground.
"Cut the crap, mercenary! It is unfair to offer a trade without consent!" Neviah hollers.
The commotion has interrupted both traders and buyers alike and they whisper among each other, wondering about the situation.
"M-Mercy!" The man cries, flailing his limbs helplessly.
But Neviah ignores him, gritting his teeth even harder. "Garfede*! Punishment to the likes of you!" he curses, waving his hand to the side.
The motion has sent the floating man tumbling to the other side of the stone plaza. As he slides away, items from within his robe fly out and people from the crowd gasp in recognition of their possessions, many of which were stolen without their knowledge. The cacophony of mercantile eventually disappeared and turned to a chant of dismay and justice.
Mirano stares as a crowd of consumers takes the man away. For a moment, he has lost touch with his senses as the void in his mind turns placid again.
He flinches upon feeling Neviah's hand over his shoulder. When he looks at the Usor, he finds him offering his blade and the Elixir to him. Relief washes over his face as he takes the blade on his hands, sighing as he straps it back in place.
"Thank you, Neviah." Mirano whispers.
Neviah chuckles at the thought. "No worries. We cannot afford to be both scammed by these unruly higglers, don't we?"
"You speak as if you were tricked into buying a useless item, huh?" Mirano raises an eyebrow to him.
Neviah offers a sheepish laugh in reply. "Almost, but I managed to stop myself. Plus, we have something to do, right?"
Mirano nods, offering the shopping list to Neviah for him to see the remaining items they have to retrieve.
"What luck! I have seen that seller over there!" Neviah points to his right, a carriage with a propped awning on its side. "Is that the last one?"
With the largest crowd now thinning out, Mirano easily spots the one Neviah is pointing at. He looks at the Usor and nods. "Yes... only these two items and we'll just pick up the spices."
With a big smile, Neviah and Mirano run to the carriage, showing the list the Owner made for them to the soft spoken seller. The seller gives the two items they need and the two grin at the completion of their task.
"Give my regards to the Panuluyan Owner." the seller says as he hands a different wrapped item to Mirano.
The cloth feels warm on Mirano's hands and it emanates a pungent, earthy smell that makes Neviah retch as soon as he comes close.
"What is this?!" Neviah exclaims at the seller, pinching his nose.
One whiff of the smoke from the package and Mirano's pupils dilate in recognition of it. He looks up to the seller. "...Mako mushrooms... right?"
"A fine nose you have! That is a batch of recently dried Mako Mushroom stems. The Owner is fond of those as a snack!" the seller claps.
"These stinky ones? What a peculiar man!" Neviah's voice sounds stuffy as he attempts to peek at the parcel. "Please put it in your basket, Mirano. I will not travel back to the Panuluyan with that!"
Mirano looks at the seller, grinning. "Thank you. If the chance arises, will I be able to purchase these from you in the future?"
"If you can find me on the road or chance upon me again here." the seller replies, pointing a thumb to his bright violet carriage. "Parker will be happy to be of service."
Mirano bows to the seller with a smile, inviting Neviah to hasten back to the Panuluyan, his feet somehow powered by the aroma of the dried Mako mushrooms in his basket. As he and Neviah retrace the way back to the Panuluyan, the appearance of the entrance has given him a splash of relief, especially when they meet Shizuru by the lobby.
"Jyu!" Mirano excitedly calls upon noticing him, stopping in front of Shizuru, who, coincidentally, looks as clammy as him and Neviah, as though the Digma has been doing some hard labor. "Where were you?"
"That's my line!" Shizuru replies, swiping his right arm across his sweaty forehead, glancing to Mirano then to Neviah. "Were you together all this time?"
Panting, Neviah barely nods at the inquiry.
Mirano watches the Usor fret over the sultry atmosphere in the lobby and eventually excuses himself to search for the Owner. He glances back to Shizuru. "The Owner has tasked us with shopping for a few things."
Shizuru clicks his tongue, envious of their opportunity to go outside. "I'd rather shop than repair things around here! Not that I'm not skilled with repairs, though, but..." the Digma puffs his shirt by the collar. "... today is not the most ideal day for physical work!"
Mirano smiles at the sentiment, shrugging his shoulders. "It isn't the most ideal day to linger outside among crowds of buyers, either. But it was nonetheless a worthwhile experience."
"I was worried that you'll have a difficult time shopping due to your unfamiliarity with Digma items, but I'm glad to hear that Ahki was with you."
Mirano squints. "Ahki? You mean Neviah?"
Shizuru nods, though he avoids Mirano's questioning gaze. "But don't tell him I was the one who decided on that nickname."
"That'll be one thing you cannot count me on," Mirano laughs, reaching in his pockets and gesturing for Shizuru to show his palm. He places the Elixir on it and grins. "I believe this was yours."
Seeing the Hi Elixir as soon as Mirano retracts his hand, Shizuru's eyes bulge in surprise and he stutters as he inquires where Mirano has gotten ahold of it. Mirano relays the incident that occurred in the Hawker Circle that time.
Relieved at the return of his Hi Elixir, Shizuru huffs. "It's not impossible, considering mercenaries do take advantage of the informal system of the Hawker Circle to scam people out of their Alk. Still," he takes one more look at the Elixir and keeps it in his pockets, gazing back at Mirano with a smile. "Thank you."
"Great work today, Youngins!" the Panuluyan Owner's voice rings from the other side of the lobby, catching Mirano and Shizuru's attention.
They look over their shoulders to find the Owner by the doorway leading to the dining area, munching on some of the dried Mako mushrooms Mirano and Neviah had brought. Beside him, Neviah slouches to hide his grimace over the delicacy's stinkiness.
"Freshen up before dinnertime! You're free to use the sauna room for tonight!" The Owner calls in finality as he disappears back to the dining area, hauling both wicker baskets with him.
At the declaration, Neviah and Shizuru whoops in excitement. Shizuru being nearest to Mirano, takes his hands and flails it happily while hopping in place. Mirano did not fully understand what the Owner meant, but at the sight of his companions' big smiles, he was able to share their glee. Neviah dashes past them, tapping Shizuru by the shoulder.
"Last one to the bathroom is a big fat loser!" he declares while running up the stairs.
"No fair!" Shizuru exclaims, following him. "Let's go, Mirano!"
Giggling, Mirano joins the chase, gliding across the wooden hallway towards the blue door leading to the communal bathroom. Upon arriving in place, he looks towards the other end of the hallway, finding Shizuru and Neviah attempting to physically prevent the other from advancing forward. Shizuru pulls on one of Neviah's arms, while Neviah laughs in amusement as he attempts to take a step forward. Both young men keep a small wooden crate of toiletries with them, with Shizuru carrying two and it amazes Mirano how the Digma was able to keep it from falling.
"Jyu, Ahki! Hurry up!" Mirano calls with a wave of his hand.
There was visible surprise in their expressions at finding Mirano by the door and Neviah pouts, pointing as to why he didn't retrieve any of his belongings in their shared room first. Mirano gently retaliates by pointing at the extra crate Shizuru has been carrying and the Digma sticks his tongue out guiltily.
"Whatever. I'm too excited to experience the sauna to care." Neviah smiles.
Mirano pushes the door open and the stuffy atmosphere soon makes him frown once more. "What is even a sauna room?"
Shizuru hands him the other crate of toiletries. "It's like a small room filled with steam. It's meant to detoxify and relax anyone who stays inside."
"It's even more relaxing when you add aromatics to the source of the steam. Chamomile is one of my favorites!" Neviah adds as he enters one of the shower stalls.
"A hot room made for relaxation?" Mirano raises a brow as he enters the adjacent shower stall, pulling the curtain close behind him. "After moving about town on this arid day, it sounds dreadful to think about spending time in a heating room!"
"You won't regret it, I promise." Shizuru calls from the next stall amidst a rushing of water.
Reading the instructions on each metal knob for the shower, Mirano promptly twists one of it open and water begins to sprinkle from the shower head above, immediately drenching his hair and clothes. The cool water has made him sigh. With the crate of toiletries Shizuru has provided him, Mirano scrubs his whole skin off of the grime and massages his ebony hair free of the worries of the last few days. Once they were finished, the three, each wrapped in large towels, found a sauna room for them.
The square room with a small furnace for heated stones in the middle was more than enough for them and their clothes. As soon as they close the door behind them, Mirano agrees to Shizuru that the steam is indeed calming. As they sit beside each other, Mirano, Neviah, and Shizuru share stories of their day, gasping and laughing at the shenanigans the Owner has put them through. Then, with the steam eventually amplifying its calming properties, the three fall silent, relishing the peaceful sensation in the room brought about by the steam and each other's presence. After a long day, it is indeed a good way to end it. Neviah yawns satisfactorily, smiling as he leans back on the damp wall of the sauna room. Mirano gently pokes his cheeks, reminding him of the Owner's invitation for dinner, but Neviah points at Shizuru, who is sitting next to him, head gently bobbing out of drowsiness.
The image is so adorable for both Mirano and Neviah that they share a soft giggle, prompting Shizuru to shake his head awake and invite the two out for dinner. Upon retrieving their belongings, they exit the bathroom, each dressed in a linen pale orange bathrobe provided in their crate, joining the Owner for their final dinner in the establishment.
By the next morning, with all three refreshed and free from the worries of the past, sets out to their next goal: Solferino.
----
To be Continued...
*Garfede (slang) Usr.,: "Silence."