We stop into the tailor at after finishing all of our shopping. I get put into my silly red outfit. It's fairly comfortable, actually. The materials are really nice. It's good for formalwear.
First is dinner. Hanamaya apparently worked everything out while she was in town and.. uh, Rin and I weren't. She's too good to me. Hmm... Right, the restaurant. It's apparently known for its excellent Jianhokun food. I can't wait to try it. I wonder if they have rice? Jensin doesn't produce much of it at all, so it's been a while.
Next is some play. I gather that it's something about sailors or sea life. But everyone who's seen it apparently loved it, so I've got no problems going to see it.
And last is our arrival back home. Both of my girls have something planned. I'm hoping it involves sex, but even if it doesn't, I'm sure they have something pleasant in store.
The Zone rings got finished earlier, and they commented on how strange it felt. They thanked me for it, so I guess it's fine as long as they're happy. I do wonder how, or even if, it plays into tonight's surprise? I suspect it does, but I deliberately try to avoid speculating on how.
I'm waiting for the two girls to finish being put into their own attire. I'm excited to see them.
Sentral connects. Shipwreck?
¬what did you find Sentral£)¬
¬wind and water have rendered bird 22 incapable of flight# crab is not capable of flight# water has carried them down# observe)¬
It shares a vision. The bird, struggling to fly in massive winds. The crab on its back hanging on. The bird falling into the water below... a fucking whirlpool? What?! Oh my, those rocky outcroppings over there would make short works of ships, no wonder they call this area cursed. The bird falls into the whirlpool. The crab does too, but manages a grip on the ground beside what looks for all the world like a portal. The bird gets sucked through the portal, and spat out into another body of water. It attempts to swim upwards with its wings, and clears the water, holding place midair. And there's where the bird is now. Above a.. lake? Are those blue and brown things along the shore trees? They look more like coral. Hm, I hear someone walking up to my fleshy body. I set the bird down on a tree and dig its talons into a branch(?). I order the crab to entrench itself. Hopefully there's enough light that neither runs out of energy. I disconnect from both for now, and order Sentral to bring the remaining 21 birds home and recharge them.
I'm really interested in what's on the other side of that portal, but this date night is more important. I turn to whoever is approaching me.
Rin was the one who finished first. I'm surprised. It's more of a suit than anything. She's still clearly a woman, but the garment is more handsome than beautiful. The fabric is largely blue, with a lot of white and and a little black here and there to bring out the primary color. Buttons go up the front in two columns, and the front coattails fall off to the side. In contrast, my own suit's coattails fall from the side down to my front, like a triangle with a line cut through the middle. I wonder if that's where the sex divide in clothing is here? Will Hana also come out wearing a suit? I had been expecting dresses from both of them, but I wouldn't mind.
Me, "Rin, that looks great. Blue is a good color on you, and you wear that suit well."
Rin, "Thank you. I chose something that said 'confident' to me. This is apparently women's formalwear in Friegheim. Yours is also Friegheim style. Hana's will be Al Ruheiban, but you'll see for yourself.
Me, "I was a bit curious about that. I had expected a dress from both of you, but I'm really happy with this. I notice that aside from the primary color, yours has more white, while mine has more black."
Rin, "That's one of the differences, yes. The other is the symbology on the buttons, the different turns on the sleeves, the coattail direction, and a few other minor things. Or, so the tailor explained to me!"
Hana comes out next. She is wearing a dress. "How does it look!"
Me, "Very green. Several shades. Poofy hem, black leggings, is that a choker? The structure looks complicated. That said, you look rather beautiful in that dress. A great choice!"
Hana, "Heehee, thank you. We thought about reversing our garment choices, so she'd be in the dress and I'd be in the suit. But I think this is better."
The last of Wed's men, oh, this one is a woman, nods at us and hauls our clothing away. My spare suit is in its own large bag, the rest of the clothes are in a more normal bag. I'll separate them tomorrow.
I turn back to my girls. "You're both
beautiful
. Shall we away?"
One girl on each arm, I'm led to the dinner.
- - -
At the restaurant, we're seated without delay. We make small talk about the ocean, and how we all know little about sailing. I'm glad to see the food is, in fact, primarily rice based. However, there's no mention of sushi, or ramen. Of course, I looked at the descriptions, rather than the English- er, Japanese nouns, it seemed they traditionally didn't use a whole lot of seafood in their meals, and instead focused on fancy uses of ham and pork. These are meats that I typically considered less than high class in the past, but wow, they did something to it. The meat is sliced thinly and seems to be heavily spiced. I'm a little too ignorant of the culture to appreciate it to its fullest, but even so, it's an incredible meal.
Exiting the building, I propose we ask one of the nearby carriages to take us to the playhouse. I connect with the girls, ask them, and a unanimous agreement comes forth. So, I proposition a few. The first two tell me they are bought out for the day, but the third is willing to take us up. And, if we would like, he'd wait for the play to finish, and take us home after. I agreed to the extra charge. I confirm with him that he doesn't mind taking us outside of the city for this. He's unsure about taking us outside the city, but a few extra silvers changes his mind.
The play was in a large building, stone, but with orange and blue decorative fabric hung around from the front. We were far from the only people here, but since we arrived in a carriage, we are guided by a well dressed man to a separate line. It's carpeted.
I'm suddenly struck by a desire for carpeting in my cart.
¬then get some silly)¬
¬it might be comfortable# I'd want to see how it feels on my feet please# since we are in your cart most days)¬
¬alright then# tomorrow I'll see about some carpeting# I'll do that before exploring the portal)¬
Silence.
¬portal£¬ ¬portal£¬ They both are confused by this.
¬oh yeah# Sentral lost one of my birds to a whirlwind and whirlpool that were above a portal about 200 feet below the water# I've got the crab on our side and there's some sort of lake on the other side# the trees look kind of like coral)¬
¬that's bizarre= and you didn't think to tell us£)¬
¬Sentral told me about it while we were putting on these clothes# sure I'm curious but date night with you two is more important)¬
¬you are# I've never even heard of anything like this# and you go stumbling upon it almost immediately)¬
I guess I'm lucky. ¬do you want to explore it tomorrow with me£ you're both welcome to view it through the bird's eyes too)¬
¬yes= Galdr preserve me yes=)¬
¬heehee# I'd also like to come and see)¬
I nod. ¬tomorrow then# after carpeting)¬
We're distracted with our conversation and come to the front of the line. The gentleman looks at us strangely. I guess it does look odd to outsiders when we have a conversation in telepathy; no sound, but we look at each other and make expressions. He schools his expression and greets us in Al Ruheiban.
¬he wants the tickets# I've got them)¬ Hana lets go of my hand and reaches into her dress, producing something out of sight. She hands them to the man behind the counter.
The clerk bows and says something, before motioning to the side. We walk inside.
The interior is also carpeted, and well lit, though not with fire.
Rin opts to speak to answer my curiosity, "They're enchanted lights. Not expensive, but candles are cheaper. I hear nobles often buy enchanted lights instead of burning candles. This is a way of showing off wealth."
Not far in, yet another sharply dressed man meets us, and guides us to our seats. I'm surprised when he opens a door though. I was expecting nice seating, but I was not expecting box seats. We have a superb view.
There is some time left before the play starts, it seems. A woman, well dressed, comes by and asks us, in Jensin, if we want any snacks or refreshments. Hana asks for that fruity drink from the bar in Karmm. I request some salted nuts. Rin asks for ice water. The woman nods, and leaves.
