Morning came faster than Lin Liqiu would have liked. The sun light pouring into the room was a rude reminder that it was time to get up. Dragging herself out of bed, she caught a whiff of something delicious smelling.

“Good morning sleepy head,” Lin Liqin casually greeted Lin Liqiu as she stumbled out of the room. “I was worried it'd go cold before you got up.”

“I... smell bacon...” Lin Liqiu mumble as she made her way to the table. Sitting down, she grabbed a crispy piece from atop the pile on the nearby plate.

Sliding another plate across the table, Lin Liqin offered, “There's scrambled eggs too, if you like? And fresh milk in the ice box.”

Lin Liqiu raised an eyebrow as she kept nibbling at the bacon. Able to read his sister's gaze as if she'd asked a question aloud, Lin Liqin elaborated, “I patched things up with Yamada. I took the order he was supposed to pick up yesterday with me. Gave him a bit of a deal off the original price as way of apology, but was able to negotiate a good price on the produce so it all evened out. Good thing too, scrambled eggs and bacon are about the extent of my culinary talents. It's not fair really.” Putting on a pouting face he continued, “You got dad's skill at the forge and mom's skill in the kitchen. Couldn't you have left anything for your dear brother?”

“I left you mom's charm and dad's way with words. Both of which seem to be more than you can handle,” Lin Liqiu mockingly chided with a big grin as she took a large bite of eggs.

“Speaking of more than I can handle... Yamada's wife was all over me while I was at the farm and Yamada didn't seem to mind. In fact, he seems to be on board with the idea after she told him he could have multiple wives. I'm supposed to take him out with me a couple nights from now and show him how to pick up women.”

Lin Liqiu nearly choked on the large piece of bacon she'd just swallowed. Lin Liqin nodded, “That was my reaction too.”

Lin Liqin started digging into the food too and soon the twins had cleared both plates. “I'm headed down into town for a bit, if you want to tag along,” motioning to the icebox, he continued, “Neither of us are big milk drinkers. Perhaps that baker of yours could put it to better use.”

Blushing slightly, “Aimi isn't mine, she doesn't belong to anyone,” Lin Liqiu stammered, even as she got up from the table and retrieved the milk.

With a light chuckle, Lin Liqin exited the cabin with a beet red Lin Liqiu in tow.

As one of the larger towns on Duihaiguo, Mitsushima was bustling with activity. With a large bay carving out a section of the western coast, the town is located along the narrow strip of land that separates the northern and southern sections of the island. This natural barrier formed a neutral zone between the Gaian controlled territories to the north and the Japanese encampments to the south.

Duihaiguo natives as well as Gaians and Japanese citizens could be seen scurrying about their business. Lin Liqin much preferred the pulsing crowds making their way through the streets over the stuffy forge at home. As soon as they entered the city he was quick to bid his sister farewell, “I've got a few things to take care of real quick, but I'll catch up with you at the bakery.”

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Before Lin Liqiu could ask him to wait Lin Liqin had already hurried off down the street and rounded a corner. Little did she know that as she made her way to the bakery he'd doubled back and was following from afar. -Sorry sister. There are some things you have to do on your own, but I wouldn't miss this for the world.-

As she approached the bakery Lin Liqiu caught a glimpse of her reflection in a puddle. The blush of her face made her look like a piece of metal fresh from the kiln and the mild embarrassment of seeing herself like this only caused it to deepen.

Finally, the sign for the bakery came into view, Fluffy Delights. Lin Liqiu froze for a moment before making her way inside. Lin Liqin was currently rooting her on from a nearby alleyway, -You got this! Just be yourself and let the chips fall where they may.-

A bell hung over the door rang out as Lin Liqiu entered. “Welcome to Fluffy Delights! I'll be with you in just a moment,” a voice almost as sweet as the pastries on display came wafting from the back along with the smell of fresh bread.

Lin Liqiu waited patiently for Aimi to finish. Eventually a woman with flour dusting her cheek approached the counter. Despite being two heads shorter than Lin Liqiu she was much curvier. It was obvious Aimi enjoyed her baked goods just as much as everyone else. Seeing Lin Liqiu, Aimi smiled revealing her dimples, “Hi there stranger! Been awhile since you've visited Liqiu, how are you? Did Liqin come with you?”

Lin Liqiu didn't miss Aimi's expectant gaze as she glanced around the bakery. “He's supposed to meet me here in a bit,” Lin Liqiu answered. “While we wait, how about we make a trade? I'm thinking a dozen tarts sounds fair,” she offered as she placed the milk on the counter.

Aimi could tell the milk was fresh and there was still a light chill from the icebox, but she knew there was no way Lin Liqiu could get it back home before it spoiled. “No wonder Liqin does the negotiating, that's way off the mark. Four tarts,” she countered.

“Eight.”

“Six is my final offer, but since you're a friend I'll throw in that fresh loaf of bread that just came out of the oven.”

“I can work with that, you got yourself a deal.”

Aimi quickly put the milk in her own icebox before moving about the bakery collecting the bread and tarts for Lin Liqiu. When she passed the items over Lin Liqiu couldn't help herself. Despite the large breakfast she'd had she greedily bit into a cherry tart.

While Lin Liqiu was enjoying the delicious pastry the entry bell rang again. Aimi and Lin Liqiu both glanced at the door expecting Lin Liqin, but found five men instead. One man elbowed the one next to him while laughing, “Check out the lady working the counter, no wonder they call this place Fluffy Delights!”

-Why did it have to be those idiots?- thought Lin Liqin as he continued to watch from his hiding spot across the street.

Seeing the men's lewd stares Lin Liqiu stepped between them and Aimi. One of them seemed to recognize her, “Well, isn't she a tall one? If I'm not mistaken boys, this here is the Demoness of the Forest Forge in all her glory.”

Despite not wearing her smithing apron, it wasn't uncommon for others to identify Lin Liqiu based on her physique. “If you've heard of me then you must know my reputation,” she said as a large hammer appeared in her hand.

“Now now, no need to be so hostile. We heard a rumor that your brother has been giving the bakery a wide berth, so we thought we might offer the miss our services.”

“Yeah, that's right. Your brother's been hogging all the action!” another man chimed in.

-Of course this is all Liqin's fault,- thought Lin Liqiu.

“Now that I think about it. If your carnal appetites are half as big as your brother's maybe you could handle all of us yourself,” stated the man on the end as he openly looked Lin Liqiu up and down.

At that moment the door bell rang again causing all eyes to fall on the newcomer. “If you're looking for a dance partner I'd be more than happy to step in,” Lin Liqin offered before continuing, “I'll even sweeten the deal. If I can't keep up I won't show my face in town ever again.”