I sat back in my chair, looking at him thoughtfully.

He can’t possibly be more than fifteen!

We’re 17, and that’s definitely of an age to think about getting married!

It what now?!

Short quick flashes of cultural understanding were shared with me, flickering into awareness in my mind.

Oh…! I could feel my eyes widening as I suddenly “knew” this. I found myself darting a quick look over to Eshaan and feeling my cheeks heating even more. OH!

Soriya spoke up while I was dazed. “So, your family doesn’t approve. Are you sure this isn’t a kidnapping?” She smiled lazily, toying with her silverware.

Allen’s brow furrowed and he replied angrily. “Of course not! You’re free to talk to… um…”

I giggled. “How about ‘Juliet’?” I suggested politely.

Soriya burst out laughing. “Oh you are a mean one!” She said to me.

Allen looked back and forth between us doubtfully. “I… appreciate your understanding for discretion but…”

Eshaan patted Allen on the back, rather more forcefully than he touched me, I noticed.

“Lily is a seer; she’s always making jokes about things only she understands.” He said. “I’m sure she isn’t being insulting. She doesn’t have a mean bone in her body.”

I flushed even more, feeling extremely conflicted by that.

Soriya laughed. “He’s got you dead to rights there, Lily.”

“So about your fiancé!” I blurted out, hoping to rush past this. “Did you have a plan? Does she even know you’re thinking about… assisting this elope?”

Allen looked down. “No. I haven’t had time to discuss it with her, I’ve only just met you. In truth… I’m a little bit desperate as well, you see.”

He looked up, his eyes blazing with earnest energy. “But that’s why this is so perfect! I can get you passage on one of… on an airship. And you can help me and… Juliet… get clear away! We’ll leave on the same ship, it’s perfect!”

Eshaan frowned. “Well, something that’s been bothering me, actually. How did you know we were adventurers?”

Allen looked at him blankly, then said “You’re joking, right?” He pointed at Eshaan. “That’s a combat tunic.” He pointed to Eshaan’s side. “That’s a Gruminstar style blade with a worn scabbard, and there’s a soulstone in its hilt.” He pointed to Soriya. “That’s a Sages Robe, and your pendent is made of 3 soul stones.” He pointed to me. “And while I gather you’re in disguise or something, your staff shows signs of wear, and it has 3 soul stones in it.” He sat back, frowning at us. “You’re all regular combatants, and none of you shows a single scar, so that means you’re likely a {Spiritist}.” He leaned forward again his eyes slightly eager. “If it helps, I can sweeten my offer, I know a tailor who does excellent work, and can get you a high-quality Sage’s Robe as well!”

He crossed his arms and sat back, clearly satisfied. “Indira might not recognize the tells, but they’re quite obvious if you know what you’re looking for.”

We sat there silently, stunned. I finally ventured “What… do you even need us for?! If you can figure all that out…?”

Allen frowned at us as though we were particularly dim. “Well what good is just knowing something?! I know where Pri… Juliet lives but I don’t have the strength of four men, the magical skills of even the most modest turnip, or eight hands.”

Soriya burst into laughter and turned to me. “I like him! Let’s keep him!”

“He’s sharp, we need a ride, and it sounds like a worthy cause.” Eshaan turned to me, a slightly pleading look on his face. “Come on, Lily, let help!”

I twitched a reluctant smile. “Very well, Allen. You’ve just hired yourself a group of wedding planners.”

Allen’s smile was so bright it almost hurt to look at.

“You seem to have a pretty good insight into things.” Soriya folded her hands together and leaned her elbows on the counter. “So, does that mean you have a plan?”

Allen grimaced and shrugged. “Not much of one. Juliet’s family is throwing a masked ball in two days’ time. I’ve already got invitations, but… well she’s their daughter, there’s no way they won’t notice if she just vanishes!”

“I think I’d like to make sure that she’s actually ok with this plan first…” I ventured.

“Oh she is.” Allen nodded confidently.

“But you’ve only just met us, how could she possibly know about your plan to elope?” I protested.

“Well…” He coughed. “I… was planning to see her at the ball. And just… I don’t know. Something!”

I smiled at him fondly. “It’s true love, it just has to work out?”

He blushed and looked down. “It has to. It just has to!” He squeezed his fists tightly in his lap and looked up again. “And when I saw you three at the warehouse it… it was just so obvious! Sent by the crystal dragon!”

“That aside, what about places to hide while you arrange transport?” Soriya asked. “I can’t imagine that you and her are… well life on the run is no fun at all. Do you have money? Papers?”

Allen nodded; his expression serious. “I have contacts. My father’s business partners and a small stash of my own money. That part is simple, and I do have a plan for that!”

Soriya raised an eyebrow quietly. “Is that really enough to support you and Juliet?”

Allen scowled. “My father started his business with a loan, I know I can do just as well as he did!”

I glanced at Soriya, and we exchanged a look.

So, his father started a business, did he? Wonderful. Son of the Ghalagher family then. I thought, and judging by Soriya’s expression, she seemed to share it.

Allen slapped his hands lightly on the table. “Now that that’s settled, we must address the particulars. First of all, we’ll need party clothes and masks for all of you. We must hurry!” He stood up.

I raised an eyebrow at him, but Soriya beat me to it, bouncing up out of her chair. “Oh yeah, now you’re talking! Shopping! And brand new clothes! And masks for a masquerade! This is going to be awesome!”

Eshaan nodded eagerly. “I’ve never had a chance to attend a fine party, this sounds like an adventure all its own.”

I scowled at them then looked up to Allen. “While I can’t deny I would like new clothes, shouldn’t you have time to tell the shop owners about your plan? Are they even open at this time of night?!”

Allen nodded. “They will be.” He narrowed his eyes in thought. “Though you make a good point, I should probably go in first to let them know…”

I nodded in satisfaction. “To keep the identiy hidden.”

Allen smiled at me, briefly making me think This Juliet girl is a lucky girl before I shook my head clear.

“It is as you say, Miss Lilyanna. Please follow me.” He led the way out of the Silver Scales and we headed into the main streets, the lamp posts flickering to fitful life all around us with small light crystals starting a soft glow.

I admired the view while we walked. “This is really something.” I said.

Eshaan nodded. “Like I said, the Empire has been good for the cities. It’s push for magitech innovation has helped a lot of people.”

“It’s also been excellent for trade and relations.” Allen chipped in. “The true value of peace is the ability of the people to generate wealth without being crushed by wars of conquest.”

“That certainly sounds like what a merchant would say.” Soriya commented.

“Seems like something a far-sighted merchant would say. Rather than the kind who only saw a profit. After all, wars can be extremely profitable.” I opined.

Eshaan looked at me strangely, then nodded slowly. “I never thought about it like that. I like it.”

Allen coughed discreetly. “While I thank you for the compliments, we have arrived.” He pointed to a discreet establishment with bolts of cloth and dressmaker’s dummies in the shop windows. I did note that the windows were not completely dark, the shop was clearly closed. The sign in the window said as much.

“If you’ll give me just a moment.” Allen approached the front door and rapped in a complicated pattern, then waited. After a moment, he frowned, then rapped again, more loudly.

Within the darkened shop, a small flickering light appeared and slowly resolved into an elderly monanin man holding what looked like a small candle holder, only with a light crystal mounted in it. The door opened and I heard hurried and slightly irate whispers exchanged between Allen and the monanin tailor (for that was clearly what he must be.) Just when it looked as though the tailor would turn Allen away, Allen pulled out a large stack of brightly colored paper and waved them in front of the tailor.

I boggled. I could buy all of Breezewood for that much money! I thought in amazement. Followed by a sharp jolt like stepping off a staircase and failing to find the next step. Wait, how do I know that?

Otherme’s response was slow in coming. It’s just what’s true. You know the value of a zeni, and you can see those are high value bills.

I bit my lower lip, feeling a chill of fear skate up my spine. How do I know that though?!

Otherme was silent for a longer moment, and then softly said Because we know it. And so you know it.

I took a sharp breath, feeling a spike of fear shoot through me.

Eshaan noticed instantly. “Lily?” He looked at me questioningly, and stepped over. “Are you ok? You just went pale.”

I smiled wanly at him, feeling the prickle of tears in my eyes. I swallowed, and shook my head. “No. I mean, yes. I mean…” I trailed off, unsure how to complete my sentence. It sounded silly to say it. How do you complain about becoming yourself? It wasn’t like there was anywhere I could go back to, was there? Or was it anyone to go back to?

Eshaan hesitated a moment, and then pulled me into a gentle hug. I resisted for a moment, then let him. He caressed my hair gently.

“It will be ok. We’ll make it ok.” He said. Somehow, that helped. He was so confident… and we were jrpg heroes, weren’t we? Wasn’t fighting destiny and fate what we did?

I hiccupped a small sob, and then pushed away from him. “Thank you.” I whispered.

Soriya pretended not to have noticed my lapse.

Allen turned back with a smile, the wad of bills in his hand having vanished. “I believe we have come to an accord.” He said, gesturing us to the shop.

The tailor glared up at him under bushy eyebrows. “I’ll thank you to stop inviting people into my shop.” He said with a rusty burring accent that reminded me strongly of Eideth.

“I’m called Adrik.” He sized us up, then shrugged and turned back to his shop, stopped, and glared back at us. “Well?! If you’re cooming, coome on then!”

Encouraged by this, we all dutifully trooped into his shop behind him. He closed the door behind us, and then slowly walked around us for several minutes, muttering softly in a language I didn’t understand. He turned back to Allen. “Yoo’ve paid enough, so yoo’ll get the work! Boot it woon’t be ready until tamorrow!” He stuck out his chin fiercely in a challenging stance.

Allen nodded eagerly. “Of course master Adrik, of course!”

Adrik glared at Allen once more then shook his head. “Deem full romantic idealist. Danno why I boother.” He stumped over behind the counter, then pulled out a short stepladder, heading back to us with a mutter.

“Stand here, dun moove!” He commanded, and then proceeded to climb the step ladder and measure every inch of us, having us spread our arms, move our legs, wrapping a measuring tape around our chest, waist, hips, down our legs, along our arms, and muttering all the while.

When he finally climbed down off the step ladder, he nodded. “Doon. Back at 3 bells tamorrow! They’ll be reydey.” And with that, he pointed at the door. “Now geet!”

Bemused, we shuffled out the door, which was slammed soundly behind us, and the closed sign was slapped very firmly over the window.

Allen rubbed his hands together, grinning like a loon. “Master Adrik is a genius. This is going better than I hoped!”

I coughed. “Ah… Allen. That was… a lot of money.”

He looked at me in confusion. “Well of course, you have to pay for quality, and double for speed!”

Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

I opened my mouth to protest, and then sighed. “Never mind. I suppose we will bid you goodnight then.”

Soriya perked up. “Wait, we need you to pay for the rooms!”

Allen blinked and then laughed. “Oh, yes of course! You are on retainer after all!” He pulled several zeni bills from his pockets and handed them to us. I boggled at the values.

“I trust that will be enough.” He smiled smugly, and I could tell we had most thoroughly been read as backwater bumpkins.

Eshaan nodded, clearly slightly dazed by the money, but working hard to stay on task. “This will be great. Where and when do we meet you tomorrow?”

“Oh, why, 3pm, here, I should think.” Allen looked around, then nodded.

“I see.” Eshaan looked at Soriya and I, then shrugged. “I guess we’ll need to spend some time tomorrow coming up with an elopement plan.”

I smiled slowly. “I think I have an idea. Eshaan, do you dance?”

Eshaan’s eyes got wide. “Uh… no. Not a skill that fishermen or troopers ever have a chance to learn.”

“Well, I guess we’ll have to improvise then!”

We waved goodbye to Allen, and then turned and headed back towards the river, where we’d be more likely to find an inn that wouldn’t charge us all of our newfound wealth.

I looked over at Soriya. “You soaked him.”

Eshaan looked at me, then nodded slowly. “You’re just going to use Gate to return back to Breezewood aren’t you?”

I smiled politely. “We are going to use Gate.”

Eshaan shrugged. “Well so far, this is the easiest 500 zeni I’ve ever made!” he waved the bills and then tucked them into his pockets.

A few careful scouting probes into what an upscale alleyway looked like, we found what looked like a quiet street with no staring eyes, and Gated back to Breezewood.

Night had well and truly fallen in Breezewood, and the gravel road to my home was only lit by the light of the stars and moon.

Soriya yawned and stretched, then said “As much as I love a life of adventure, this is great. I get to sleep in my own bed at home, and I get to see the world. But right now, I only plan to see my bed.” She smiled and waved at us, then slowly ambled towards her home, leaving me alone with Eshaan.

Eshaan and I headed towards my home, the faint glow of the light crystal from inside the windows and the thought of my bed luring me on.

As we stepped inside, Eshaan said “You know Lily. I thought this heroing thing would be simple. Easier than following Commander Khine, even. Obvious. And yet, here we are possibly kidnapping a girl for a rich noble’s son just because we need a ride to the capital in time to steal an invention from a competition.”

I stopped and looked back at him, seeing his face creased with worry. “Do you not want to do this?” I asked quietly.

He was clearly struggling with it, and finally he shook his head. “I don’t know. Ask me in the morning.” And then silently walked off to the guestroom mother had loaned him.

I headed up to my room, pondering. I really hadn’t thought about this at all. It was just… how the plot was supposed to go. There had to be a path forward, and here was a path. Were we doing the wrong thing?

I sank down on my bed and started undressing.

Well we are helping pirates. There’s that. I thought sourly.

But that’s what JRPG heroes do, and air pirates are romantic figures. Heroic romantic figures even.

Can I really say that?

But isn’t it true if the world follows tropes?

I tossed and turned in my bed for quite a while before sleep finally claimed me.

The following morning I woke at my usual time (just after dawn). As I was getting ready to head downstairs though, to my surprise I saw Soriya heading down the gravel path towards my house.

Odd, she’s usually not awake before ten bells at the best. I thought. I hurried downstairs to meet her at the door, concerned something was wrong. When I opened the door however, the bright smile on her face only confused me. Clearly not at all was wrong, but…

“Soriya, what on earth are you doing up so early?” I asked in puzzlement.

“Are you kidding?! We get to wear fancy dresses and attend a party and kidnap some kind of noble’s daughter to elope! This day is going to be awesome!” She enthused.

I tried to suppress a smile, but failed completely. There was a reason she was my best friend, after all.

“Alright” I laughed. “I guess I can understand that, but the dress won’t be ready until 3 bells, and we don’t have a plan. Also, I’d think you’d want to visit with Daniyel a bit?” I smiled mischievously at her.

“Well, alright that’s true, I would, but the plan is easy! Get in, dance, eat, then get out with daughter!” She flipped her hands at me.

Eshaan wandered out of the guest room yawning and rubbing at his eyes, his tousled hair looking even more rumpled than normal.

“What’s going on?” He yawned.

“We’re discussing how to kidnap a noble daughter.” I replied with a smile.

He blinked a few times, his sleep fogged brain slowly catching, then he laughed. “Oh, that’s right. We did agree to do that.” He frowned again shortly after. “Doesn’t this bother either of you though?”

Soriya blinked in confusion and then tipped her head to the side. “Eshaan, I’m not going to actually kidnap someone. If she doesn’t want to go, we’re not taking her.” She glanced over at me, and I nodded emphatically.

“So, there’s that. But honestly, I think this is legitimate because, well… the story threads all lead this way.” Soriya added.

Eshaan yawned again and nodded. “Great. So, how does this work in the stories? Is there a plan all set up and ready to go?”

I looked over at Soriya, and tipped my head to the side. “You’ve probably played more of these games than I did…?” I trailed off questioningly.

Soriya tapped her chin with her forefinger thoughtfully. “That’s probably true, but they all tell the same kind of story. We get in with the costumes and masks. We meet up with the girl, and tell her what the plan is. She puts together a bag of things, and we sneak out of the mansion. Sometimes it’s a sewer route, sometimes it’s an alleyway chase, but it really is just a simple in and out expedition.”

I groaned. “Sewers? Again?!”

Soriya laughed and patted me on the back. “Don’t worry, I’m sure the spores, molds, and fungi won’t hold your previous killing spree against you!” She said with a broad smile.

I groaned even louder, burying my face in my hands. “Can’t we just have an alleyway chase?!”

Eshaan frowned looking back and forth between us. “I must be missing something. Why would there be a chase, couldn’t you just use Gate and take us… wherever?”

I gaped, eyes wide, and looked at Soriya who looked equally poleaxed. Soriya muttered softly to herself “Why don’t we just use a phoenix down on Aerith…?”

I turned Eshaan and pulled him into a big hug.

“Eshaan, you brilliant idiot! Yes, of course we’ll use Gate!” I exclaimed.

“Urm… thanks? Who’s Aerith?” He frowned down at me in confusion. The look of idiot bafflement on his face was wonderful and I hugged him again.

“Never mind. Nobody, hopefully. I think the plot of the stories just blinded us… of course we’ll use Gate! I just… need to make sure that I have mana, and a little bit of time.”

***

The actual plan… if you could call it that… it was more like an improvised jam session… came together quickly after that. We’d slip into the party, Allen would explain, Juliet would come with us. We’d need clothes for them and us to change into… and a whole lot of soap, just in case! And then we’d make a break for it, either into the sewers or out an escape tunnel of some kind. Which, honestly, probably did lead into the sewers. Mother’s journal (of course) held a rough sketch of the local sewer system, and a simple map of the layout. This time, even the airship docks were laid out. Apparently Yirath had been a big city for a long enough time that there wasn’t much change.

Mother came in during our planning session, and made some pithy commentary as well as adding a few gently worded warnings about the slimes and undead that were found in the sewer system. We stocked up on elemental crystals again, and mother insisted on pressing several potions into our hands.

I again promised to be very careful, and then had to promise that I would save the party dress to show mother when we came back. That was Soriya’s addition to the plan. She couldn’t stop giggling. It seemed she was more excited about the clothes than she was about the adventure!

With that settled, Soriya and I re-dyed my hair, and we spent the rest of the day speaking with Daniyel and Darshanna about the airship progress, and taking notes on the next piece of equipment that we should keep an eye out for. Actually, Soriya spent most of the time speaking with Daniyel, the rest of us talked with Darshanna and Eideth.

And then when it was time, I summoned up Gate, and we stepped through the void and into the quiet alleyway in Yirath. I half expected everything to go wrong then and there, but the alleyway remained quiet, and we made our way to the tailor’s shop without much more than a few stink eyes from the town guards. I had to hope that the tailor was really as good as his word, or this would not go well.

Allen met us at the door to the tailor’s shop with smiles, and the tailor met us with scowls and muttered grumbles… and the most glorious dresses I’d ever seen. Soriya’s was a confection of blue and gold, with shimmering violet highlights in the weave of the fabric. Mine was pure white with pink highlights. Eshaan’s outfit was trim and sharp, looking a little like a martial uniform, and a little like a tailored suit, and all of the outfits came with an elegant matching domino mask.

“Goo awn, try em awn!” The tailor urged. “Goot to make sure they fit, doon’t cha!?”

I held what felt like acres of silky fabric hesitantly, feeling panic gripping me. This wasn’t just a dress, this was a lawn ornament!

Eshaan sighed, then smiled wryly at us. “Come on, lets do this.” Suiting action to words, he ducked into the changing room. I shot a panicked glance at Soriya who just laughed, pushing me into the other changing room. “Go on, go on! You’re gorgeous, and that other you knows exactly how to wear it! If you’ll listen to her, I’m sure you’ll find she’s super excited too!”

I stopped and listened to otherme. It was true, she was ecstatic… and she was also very excited to see what Eshaan looked like in his outfit as well.

I sighed, looking down at the costume. “Well… I guess I get to be an anime princess now. Wait… does this mean I’m going to have to dance!?”

The only reply I got from otherme was a gleeful ‘Eeee!’ of excitement.

I closed the door and carefully unwrapped the confection of a dress. A ball gown, with opera gloves. What was a little disturbing was… it wasn’t even strange. I looked at the costume and just… knew how to put it on. Otherme didn’t really add anything but a slight squeal of excitement. I took a deep breath and started getting ready.

It took a lot longer than I expected. I fidgeted with my braid, then shook my head and just undid it entirely, letting my hair fall free. I felt like a Needfest present wrapped up in pink and white with a bow.

A strange echoing confusion… Needfest? A big week of parties and gifts at the end and start of the year?

How do I…

Memories of past festival weeks and Needfest presents and feasts… and I just… knew this. My incipient panic was interrupted by Soriya’s excited hammering on my changing room door.

“Come on, lets see it!” she demanded. I heaved a sigh, picked up the hem of my big swirly skirts and opened the door, stepping out.

The first thing I saw, of course, was Soriya. Soriya’s dress really was lovely, just as I thought it would be, and Soriya was shockingly pretty. I fought down a wild surge of jealousy at how well she fit into her ballgown. It was almost identical to mine, done in what looked like a confection of night sky. She wore a matching mask, and even without her trademark witch’s hat, she looked wise and mysterious and also just a bit sinister. I turned to look at Eshaan and felt my heart stutter.

He was gorgeous. Full stop, end of discussion. His costume made him look like some famous general or hero of legend. But what really got me was that he was staring at me, his eyes wide and his mouth hanging open. I could feel my blush reaching nova heat as he continued to simply stare.

“Well!? Say something, dolt!” Soriya pushed him.

“Ah. Um. Ah…” He stumbled, staring at me. “Lily, you’re gorgeous.” And then he blushed lightly under his mask, looking down.

I felt like I was going to pop from embarrassment, my fists squeezing the fabric of my skirt so hard I felt like I was going to tear it.

Eshaan shook his head, and glanced over at Soriya. “And you too, Miss Soriya, you’re very beautiful too. Your dress is lovely.” But his gaze turned back to me as if drawn by a magnet, and he wouldn’t stop staring. He wasn’t even focusing on my breasts, he just kept looking … at me.

“Alright you too, knock it off.” Soriya stepped between us, breaking eye contact. I felt like a rope had been cut, and almost stumbled.

“I’d say that’s ah sooksessful day’s woork.” The Monanin tailor turned to Allen and nodded, a huge smile on his face. “Yoou’ve paid. Nou get outta me shoop.” He made shooing motions at all of us and we were swept out of the shop, still in our new party clothes, onto the street. The door slammed closed again, and the sign in the window flipped over to closed emphatically.

“Is he… always like that?” Eshaan wondered aloud.

“Oh yeah. But he makes the best clothes you could ask for.” Allen said.

“It’s just… I’ve never heard of a Monanin tailor.” Eshaan went on, turning to Allen. “Aren’t they all… gears and machines and hammers and stuff?”

Allen turned to Eshaan with a frown. “Why on earth would that be so? They’re people like any other. They wear clothes, eat food, and make things. Make things really really well! Fantastic trade partners!” He added with a firm nod, then turned to us.

“Now! You’ll probably want to change back until the party, and I expect you have some questions about our little plans!” He clapped his hands and rubbed them together excitedly. “I shall hire us a carriage and take us somewhere discreet!”

Suiting actions to words, we were shortly boarding a quite nice hansom cab painted yellow and black. Allen gave directions that I couldn’t recognize, and the cab jolted into motion.

The cab rocked something fierce, and I felt myself sway and almost tumble. “I expected a smoother ride in a magitech city!” I said loudly, to be heard over the rumble of the cab’s wheels on stone.

Soriya nodded, or at least I think she did, the cab didn’t seem to have the best springs. Or any springs, really.

“My apologies for the ride!” Allen said over the rumble of the wheels. “We should be at the Caramel Café shortly! It has tables where we can discuss discreet information.” His eyes sharpened. “Though I’m very curious, this cab has quite a smooth ride, do you know of a craftsman who can create smoother?”

I blinked in surprise, baffled. But of course, I hadn’t ever ridden in any other cabs in this world.

“Ah… I know of an engineer who might have some answers to that. I’m not one myself.” I replied.

At that I could see Eshaan perk up. Oh that’s right, he’s an engineer of sorts. Though they’re kind of like archeologists in this world.

I had to squish down hard on the though of Eshaan wearing a little fedora with a bullwhip at his side.

The ride was, as Allen promised, over quite quickly, which given how sore my butt felt from just that short ride, was a blessing. We descend from the cab, Eshaan and Allen both offering their hands to us to step down. It was awfully convenient to have an Eshaan shaped handhold, my poofy skirts made it hard to see where I was placing my feet!

The Caramel Café turned out to be another high-class establishment. Of course, where else would the son of a mercantile family take us? Some sort of quiet dining crossed with a country club, apparently. The interior smelled of plush leather and rich food, old smoke and money. I didn’t know that zeni could have a smell, but whatever it was, it was in this building. The staff at the entrance saw Allen coming, and I could see the slight distaste in their expressions when they saw us change to respect when he took off his mask and politely asked for “…seating for my friends and I, in the discreet section please.”

We were ushered into a quiet study of a room, with leather wing chairs and bottles of what had to be expensive liquor in a rainbow of hues. Soriya made a cooing sound of pleasure and beelined right for them, pouring out small dram glasses of blue and green and amber liquid.

I shook my head fondly. “I’m just going to go change.” I said, hefting my small bundle of clothing as Soriya downed one after another of the glasses.

Allen nodded. “Of course. That way, you should find the ladies washrooms.” He gestured.

Eshaan pulled uncomfortably at his collar. “Yes, where is the men’s?” he asked.

“Ah, that way as well, a little further and on the opposite hallway.” Eshaan nodded his gratitude, and rushed out the door. I bit my lip looking after him. It really was such a shame he wanted out of those clothes; he looks so handsome in them.

But if he felt as awkward and confused as I did in this dress… I really couldn’t blame him, and so I hurried after him, ducking into the lady’s washroom to change.

A short time later, my hair back in its braid and feeling much more myself, I rejoined our little cabal in our little cubby.

“Now, what have you laid out?”

Eshaan took the lead, laying out our bare bones plan as though it was a tactical plan of battle.

Allen nodded, then spluttered to a stop when we reached the part where I used Gate.

“Wait, what!? You can teleport!? But we can go right now!” He leapt to his feet.

“Ah, not exactly.” I held up my hands. “I need to have been to the place I want to go to. It’s why we need an airship at all.”

“Oh… oh yes. Of course.” He sank down into his chair. “Still… what a phenomenal ability…”

Soriya’s cheeks were flushed, but her voice didn’t slur. At least, not so I’d noticed. She did seem more energetic and cheerful than normal though. I sighed. Well, at least she’s a happy drunk.

“The primary issue I see is that if it takes time to conjure up your teleport, then there really is only one method out. That, and there are almost certain to be guard patrols that will interrupt us.” Allen said, outlining the rough map of Juliet’s mansion he had drawn for us. “The sewer route is most likely, I’m quite sure that the Cait- that is, that Juliet’s father’s wine cellar reaches the lower catacomb levels. We’ll need the keys though.”

Eshaan smiled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. “Actually… I think I can solve that part.”

I smiled at him. “Acquisitions training?” I asked teasingly.

He nodded, blushing. “Yeah. Acquisitions training.”

Allen looked back and forth and then his eyes widened in sudden understanding. “Oh, I see! Well!” He shifted uncomfortably on his chair. “Adventuring does have strange skill requirements.”

I pursed my lips. “You’ve got no problems hiring adventurers, but you’re a little squeamish about hiring lockpicks?”

Allen scowled at me. “Quite different, Miss Lilyanna! Quite different! Though I suppose ancient ruins have their share of puzzles and traps, I hadn’t properly considered those skills have… other uses. I’m quite sure you put them to only scrupulous uses.”

I caught Eshaan’s flush as he looked away, and drew Allen’s attention so he didn’t see.

The final touches were put on our plan, Allen’s map of the mansion helping us sketch. And before we knew it, it was time to put the plan into action. The great elopement caper was underway.