Yuna made her way to Alice's house late into the evening, after introducing herself formally to all of Paradise's residents at their homes. She'd liked Lopez's the best; furnished with carefully stained wood shelves, a cozy beige couch, and upbeat music made her feel immediately welcome, and that was before Lopez really started to talk to her.

"You'll like it here," Lopez said. "I guarantee it. Hell, I've never met anyone who hasn't liked it. It really lives up to its name."

Yuna nodded. "I've only been here for half a day and I'm already in love. I've never seen so many flowers-"

"-or trees," added Lopez.

"Or butterflies-"

"Or clean rivers!"

They laughed at themselves for a few moments. Yuna looked up at the clocked and shot out of her seat. "I have to get to Alice's house now, sorry!"

Lopez shook his head and smiled. "No worries. Don't want to keep the major herself waiting."

Yuna waved as she stepped out the door, but a sudden shout from Lopez stopped her in her tracks.

"Wait! Is it alright if I call you by a nickname? Like Miss Y?"

After a moment of consideration, Yuna approved the moniker. She tasted it on her tongue and decided that yeah, it was alright if Lopez called her by a nickname. After all, he was her first friend. An antelope, but still a friend. She'd have to get used to befriending animals.

She'd also made a quick stop at ReTail by Cheri's recommendation. It smelled awfully homey for a flea market, like baking and breakfast food. Reese was delighted to see Yuna and rapidly finished a transaction with Elvis so they could chat.

"Welcome to our humble little store, Yuna," Reese tittered. "I'm Reese, by the way, I run the store with my husband Cyrus."

She gestured to a blue-furred alpaca painting a lamp-stand. He nodded at Yuna in acknowledgement and continued working, making Reese tutt.

"Ignore him. He's never very talkative when he's into a project." Reese's sunny face reverted back to the smile Yuna had been met with. "Have you gotten all moved in?"

"Yeah. Well, kind of," Yuna admitted. "My house isn't going to be finished until tomorrow, so I'm staying with Alice tonight."

"Really?" Cyrus perked up from the other side of the room. He dropped what he was doing and scurried over to stand beside his wife. "That's pretty forward for Alice."

"How so?" Yuna asked.

"Well, it's no question that Alice is a miracle worker," Reese began. "She really gave this town a face-lift. Cyrus used to sleep all the time before Alice came around, that's how much she's rejuvenated this town. But all the same, she can be a little… distant."

"Cold," quipped Cyrus.

"Not that that's any flaw in her character," Reese continued, "just something to keep in mind."

Yuna spent a minute gazing up at Alice's house when she arrived. Two-storied, grass-roofed, with two wings stretching out from either side. Alice lived on the northeast edge of town, right next to a path to the ocean, which Yuna liked, even if it was a little too close to the train tracks for her personal tastes.

She knocked. A few terrorizing seconds passed before a voice called down, "Let yourself in." Yuna turned the knob and stepped inside.

Alice's living room was wide and brightly lit. Black and white checkered furniture made up most of the room, including a double bed against the east wall and a few cabinets and tables. A large vinyl player played something plucky, something that reminded Yuna of the dance halls she used to go to. She rubbed her fingers against the player's speakers, relishing in the vibration with every croon.

"This is one of my favorites," Alice said suddenly from behind. Yuna started forward, caught herself on the wall, then turned to face Alice.

Alice just smiled. "K.K. Slider is one talented dog. He's a DJ most of the week, but he does acoustic shows Saturday nights at the Club. I could take you there, if you wanted."

Just something to keep in mind. "I would be honored, thank you."

"Oh please, it's not an honor," dismissed Alice with a wave of her hand. She walked over to an ornate coffee maker next to the bed. "I'm just the mayor, not a goddess."

Yuna covered her mouth. "I'm sorry."

"No need to apologize," Alice said. She turned around with two cups of steaming coffee and set one down next to Yuna on a clean desk. "I just don't like being put on a pedestal. Cream or sugar?"

Yuna looked skeptically at the mug. "I mean, we're about to go to bed. I'm kind of tired, you know. It's been a long day."

"Understandably," Alice said with a nod. "Don't worry about that with this coffee. It's Brewster's best, and he makes it specially for me; guests drink as much as they want without getting too hopped up on the caffeine."

"I'd love some cream," Yuna said after a pause. "And sweetener, too, please."

Alice did as was requested. She handed the mug back to Yuna and sat in front of her, crossing her legs and carefully cradling her coffee in her hands.

"By the way, you're welcome to sleep in any room on the first floor," Alice said. "Or the basement, if you want. I'd offer you my room, but I don't know how comfortable you'd be in a bed someone else sleeps in."

Yuna blushed. "I'd like to sleep in the northernmost room, if that's alright. I, uh, always feel safest there."

"Of course. There a record on in there, too, just so you know."

"That's alright," Yuna replied. "I sleep better with music."

"Me too."

They drank. Yuna cast shy glances at Alice, who'd changed out of her formal outfit to a comfortable, loose dress. Her skin was bronze from the July sun, which had also put highlights in her short, dark red hair. Still poised and at ease.

"When did you become mayor?" Yuna asked without meaning to. Alice set down her empty cup and rested her hands on her knees.

"I arrived in Paradise a few years ago, maybe two. It feels like forever, in a good way," Alice began. "When I got off the train, everyone welcomed me as their new mayor. The person that was supposed to take that job got off at the wrong spot and never corrected it. They were so convinced I was the person that I couldn't say no. I moved in, registered as a citizen, and went to work. Only three animals lived here back then. The mall was slow and small. I got into fishing, then bug hunting, planting orchards, the turnip market, anything I could to make money. I started building things. My first project was Serena's Fountain."

"Serena?"

"She's a goddess in this town's lore. I thought the blueprint was gorgeous, and that a spiritual thing would be a good morale booster, so that was the first one I picked. Eventually I got around to other projects, and expanding my house, and new animals just kind of… moved in."

"You've definitely done a good job," Yuna said quietly. "Everyone here really loves you."

Alice didn't say anything, but a small smile did blossom on her face. A sudden heat that was unfamiliar to her rushed up out of Yuna's chest and spilled over her body. The loss of energy made her realize how tired she was, and she gave her mug back to Alice.

"Thanks for taking me in tonight, by the way," Yuna said. "It's very kind of you."

"Don't mention it." Alice stood and gestured to the north room. "Feel free to leave whenever you wake up. Or stay for breakfast, whatever you prefer. I'll be upstairs working if you need anything."

"Thanks again!" Yuna called as Alice disappeared up the stairs. She crawled into the bottom bunk in the room, shut off the leaf-printed lamp, and slept in Paradise for the first time.