I have returned and I apologize for taking so long, accounting classes are difficult. With that said I hope this chapter makes up for it
….
Chapter 2: Things Don't Have to Stay the Same
Two days had passed since Yuisu and Rem had informed their significant others of what had transpired with Sya and her hostess. While Haru and Tsuen both face palmed at Rem's outing of things, Mara could not help but snicker before reminding the other two that Kasumi was cool with it.
From there things were at least calm and now the five of them were focusing on the party.
"Damn look at all these options, you could never get bored eating here!" Mara exclaimed as she pulled up the buffet's menu on her phone and looked over it at her many eyes. It seemed to cover all spectrums of styles from traditional Japanese to more nouveau dishes.
"Those tomahawk steaks look so juicy." Haru had to stop herself from drooling as Mara tapped on a picture of said cut of meat.
Still her sharp talons tapped in excitement as it was clear this place got their stock from a good supplier.
"Look at those delicious treats… all that sweetness." Rem on the other hand was drooling once Mara got to the dessert menu, which caused the small pink spider girl to jump in surprise as the gremlin's warm salvia hit her shoulder.
While those three focused on the food they could not wait to sample, Yuisu was trying to shop for Sya's gift with Tsuen aiding by looking at Sya's social media pages for any relevant information.
"Why is it so hard to shop for an eighteen-year-old? I mean I was that age not that long ago," Yuisu thought to herself as she scrolled through multiple gift ideas with none of them being appealing. She then looked over at Tsuen who was facing a similar situation based on her droopy horse ears and tail swishing side to side.
"No, that would cost us all too much money." Tsuen mumbled as she moved from one post to the next.
"Maybe Kasumi has an idea of what we could do." Yuisu was ready to give up before Tsuen's expression changed from one of annoyance to one of intrigue.
"I never knew Sya could play piano," Tsuen said as she clicked on a video from of the girl's performances and soon beautiful sounds were being expertly made which caused Yuisu to quickly lean over to join in the viewing. She watched in awe as Sya played with professionalism she had only seen from people much older.
"Holy shit she's amazing." Yuisu's words seemed to represent the reaction of Haru, Mara, and Rem who had lost interest in the food options after being entranced by the music.
Haru gently wrapped a fluffy snow colored wing around her wife while Mara and Rem rested their heads on Tsuen's strong yet comfortable shoulders. A few more minutes passed before Sya finished, a brief silence was broken by thunderous applause as she got up and bowed with a smile on her face.
"So, I imagine getting her piano lessons as a present is out of the question?" Tsuen joked as she closed the video.
"Still, who would have thought Sya was such a talented musician." Mara stated as Rem agreed with her girlfriend's assessment.
"I've been working with her for a while now and I sure as hell did not expect something like this." Rem's eyes widened as she saw the many videos that Sya had as a pianist.
"Well, if she can play classical music maybe she likes listening to it as well." Yuisu's mind began to think of possible ways to use this information. She then remembered seeing an ad for a big performance by the London Symphony Orchestra down in Tokyo.
"I honestly want to listen to some more. There is just something magical about her playing." Haru admitted as Tsuen smiled.
"Want to watch another one?" Tsuen offered as Haru nodded excitedly. The centaur looked at the many options before clicking on one of the more popular videos.
The five of them soon refocused on the screen as Sya's finger began hitting the keys. A few minutes went as the music just flowed out the speakers, they were so into it they failed to see someone entering the kitchen area.
"Ahhhh Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 C-Minor Sharp by Franz Liszt. It is such a wonderful piece." The figure's pleased voice caused Tsuen to pause the video, the group turned to see Aluru had joined them in being enchanted by the performance.
"How the hell did you know that without looking at the title?" Mara was shocked by Aluru being able to name drop both the title and composer of the song being played even though she was at the kitchen sink.
"I have an ear for classical music. Everyone from well-known people like Lugwid Van Bethoveen to hidden gems like Jan Dismas Zelenka." Alura just shrugged as turn the handle to begin filling her watering can.
"Seriously?" Haru questioned as Aluru the can was quickly filling with the life-giving liquid the latter needed for her garden. "Alurane, like myself, and other plant based liminals loves the arts. When I first heard Elgar's Salut d'Amour it caused me to fall in love with the genre." Aluru reponsed with a smile, everyone but Yuisu failed to notice the bit of pain behind it.
"That makes sense. I mean I remember reading somewhere people playing specific to make their flowers happy." Tsuen commented, causing Rem to think about the concept.
"Do you think roses like listening to hard rock then?" Because you know Guns N Roses?" Rem pondered allowed before playing Haru rolled her eyes.
"The band is not named after the plant Rem, it is named after the lead singer. Besides I doubt something fragile like a rose wants to listen to something aggressive." Haru pointed out before the two got into an argument about it which then dragged Tsuen and Mara into it with each of them having an option on the matter.
While that was going on, Aluru finished filling her watering can and went back into her room without saying anything. Only Yusiu paid attention to what she was going.
"That wasn't normal behavior at all." Yuisi bit her lip as she knew she had to act quickly.
"Hey Tsuen, can you order two tickets for the London Symphony Orchestra Show in Tokyo? My credit card information should be saved on my computer.
" Yuisu interrupted the conversation before passing her laptop over to the centaur who realized it was for Sya's gift. "Great idea there Yuisu." Tsuen commented as she got to work while Haru looked over at her wife with worried eyes.
"Everything okay?" Haru asked Yusiu who nodded wanting to make sure no one else got involved with what she was about to do.
"Yeah, I just need to go ask Aluru something, be right back." Yuisu's reassuring tone was enough for Haru.
She hated lying but sometimes delicate situations needed it. She left the dining room and made her way to Aluru's door.
On the other she could hear Aluru humming to classical music playing in the background.
"Well, it is now or never." Yuisu took a deep breath before gently knocking on the door, "Hey Aluru it me Yuisu."
"Come in." Aluru's chipper voice gave approval and Yuisu entered the sight here of Aluru watering her plants with one hand and performing other tasks with her vines while air conducting the song with the other.
Yuisu could tell Aluru was already in a better mood, but she could tell something was still off.
"Sorry for interrupting you." Yuisu apolgized as she walked towards Aluru who looked at her without a care in the world.
"No worries, just taking care of my little seedlings." Aluru waved it off as Yuisu looked down to see many sprouts coming up.
"They are looking healthy." Yuisu compliment Aluru's work which caused the flowery woman to swell with some pride.
"What can I say? I have a literal green thumb." Aluru grinned as she wiggled the appendage causing Yuisu to chuckle.
"True, but it is clear you put a lot of care into this." Yuisu looked over as Aluru was now blushing.
"Well I cannot take all the credit, it was your funds and approval that made this little project possible. It has been nice to rediscover my roots…the pun was not intended there" Aluru unintentional return to humor caused both women to giggle before Yuisu remembered why she was here.
"So, Sault d'Amour… sounds romantic." As soon as Yuisu brought up the song Aluru mood changed and the look of depression washed over her face.'
"It is… Quess found a hand-cranked record player on one of her trips out of our home forest. It was the first track on the record we tested to see if it worked," Aluru explained as Yuisu got a sense of understanding.
"It was their song…and now a bittersweet memory." Yuisu felt empathy for Aluru after realizing what it meant to her.
"I thought you two were on better terms?" Yuisu figured the two had made up , but after Aluru turned to her that clearly was not the case.
"I thought we were, but everytime I try to bring up the past she backs away. It's like she's afraid of it." Aluru's eyes filled up with tears, the situation was clearly hurting her.
"I think she just worried about going back to who she was." Yuisu suggested as Aluru just let out a laugh.
You mean like me?" Aluru questioned as Yuisu felt guilty about what she had unintentionally insinuated.
" Aluru, I didn't mean it like that," Yuisu apologized as Aluru shook her head.
"I know you didn't, but it's not wrong. I mean look at her and look at me… she has freedom, a business, a wife and daughter and all I have is this." Aluru's hand gestured over her room, particularly her garden.
"Come on, what about all those guests you became friends with and what about everyone else in the house?" Yuisu tried to make Aluru feel better, but it was not working based on her metaphorical wilting body language.
"You mean the same people who I never told about my love of classical music or the host who's trust I am still trying to fully earn back?" Aluru countered as Yuisu saw how vulnerable she was in this moment.
"I am such an idiot." Aluru cried before feeling a hand on her shoulder. She looked up to see Yuisu looking at her with sympathy.
"Poor decisions do not make someone an idiot, rather it is those who do not recognize they made poor decisions," Yuisu spoke in a very wise tone which made Aluru chuckled a little.
"Whose quote was that?" Aluru asked as Yuisu just gave her a small smile.
"My uncle's. He used to say it whenever I was down on myself like you are right now. Aluru, trust me when I say I want to help in any way I can, because in spite of what has happened, I still care about you." Yuisu's genuine tone caused Aluru to tear up again before hugging her.
Yuisu felt overwhelmed by the trust Aluru was giving her, the two had always had a rocky relationship but in this moment, she knew that did not need to be the case. She wanted to return the favor.
"The other girls and I are here for you; you just need to be more open with us." Yuisu let go of the hug and saw Aluru looking at her with a smile.
"Thank you." Aluru appreciation was simple, but it was a needed step forward for the two of them.
"Need any help with anything? I figure the best way to start getting to know you better would be doing something you love." Yuisu saw Aluru blossom after extending the chance to bond.
"Actually I could use some help feeding these little guys, measuring can be a pain when you already doing everything else. "Aluru lifted up her vines and showed the various tools wrapped around them.
"Happy to." Yuisu went over and grabbed the bag marked fertilizer before siding next to Aluru.
"Well then let's get started." Aluru instructed as both began tending to the garden and the relationship between host and homestay.
...
On the other side of town May whistled at the order for the birthday cake that just came in. The customer had asked for the best ingredients, and she was willing to pay well for it. As she began to formulate her plan for this piece, her scale turned a bright yellow. For chameleon liminal this was the signal for excitement and boy was May absolutely giddy for this job. Before she could think any further the front doorbell rang causing her to return to a more subdue green.
"Dang and just when I had the flavor selected too." May snapped before heading out to the floor.
"Welcome, how can I help you today?" May greeted the customer before recognizing who it was.
"Can a girl get a discount, or do I have to give you another good dream?" Lethe asked in a flirty tone while wiggling her eyebrow, causing May to turn a cute shade of pink.
"What are you doing here Lethe?" May was shocked to see the succubus as the pink had a bit of blue.
"I was in the neighborhood and thought I would come and sample some of your delicious baked goods. So about that discount and my offer." Lethe put in the effort but May returned to her normal coloration.
"Sorry I am going to have to decline." May smirked as Lethe snapped her fingers and playfully sighed.
"Can't blame a girl for trying." Lethe said before looking over the selection she had in front of her. She took a few minutes as there were so many good options to choose from.
"Maybe I could provide a little assistance." May decided to help out a friend after seeing her overwhelm.
"No but if you are up to a suggestion, the cranberry tart is one of my favorites." May pointed at the pastry and Lehte licked her lips.
"Then I will take one of those and a melon pan." Lethe stuck up two fingers as May began bagging her order.
"So, what really brings you up this way? I mean I know I make some great stuff, but the trip from Tokyo definitely isn't worth it," May wondered as Lethe got out her wallet to pay. Cash in her hand soon turned to baked goods once the transaction was made
"It's because of Tokyo I am here. Agent Will is helping me plan a move to get away from all that." Lethe's mention of the agent caused to May realize why she had ordered for two. "That would explain the melon pan; he loves these things." May remembered the many times Will came in to get one.
"Indeed he does, and by the way this tart looks delicious." Lethe eyed May had picked for her hungrily
"Thank you." May accepted the compliment before probing further, " So not happy in the big city?"
"That and other stuff are influencing my decision. It's just time for it, you know," Lethe stated before taking a bite of the tart.
"I get that, my mom keeps bugging me about when Kyle is going to pop the question and when she can expect grandkids. I am like 'slow down, woman'. Let him and I save up some money before making big life changes." May turned a light shade of red to match her annoyed tone.
"Well luckily I don't have to worry about a parent breathing down my neck. Funny enough, what sparked it was actually a selfie I took with Yuisu the last time I was up here." Lethe chuckled as she showed May the picture in question.
"From the night when we all…." May coughed into her fist as the pink from earlier returned as she looked at the photo.
"Yup." Lethe hummed as she closed her phone and May took a deep breath to calm down.
"Speaking of Yuisu, does she and the others know you are here?" May asked as Lethe shook her head.
"Nope. I figure I will surprise them once everything is finalized. So make sure you keep my presence hidden," Lethe warned her before pulling out a pair of sunglasses to 'hide' her identity.
"Will do, Agent Lethe," May teased with a salute before the two shared a chuckle.
"Speaking of said finalization, I am going to have dinner at that new buffet with Agent Will and his lady friend this Saturday to celebrate. You and Kyle should come with since you're in on my little secret," Lethe offered but May frowned after thinking it over .
"I would love to, but Kyle has to cover a shift at Wildlife since Chione has to help out at the inn that night. Yuisu and most of them are going out for a birthday," May explained as Lethe understood.
"No worries, but we will have to get together sometime soon. Text me later, I am sure Lethe stated as she quickly finished her tart and walked towards the door to head back to Agent Will's office but not before waving to May.
"Sounds good. See you later, Lethe." With a return wave May watched Lethe depart.
"Alright, back to the birthday cake. Now where is it being delivered to and when again?" May picked the ticket back up and she saw it was at the very buffet that Lethe had invited her to and on Saturday no less. May pondered for a second before shaking her head.
"Nah that would be too much of a coincidence". With that she returned to her preparations unaware the cake was indeed for the same birthday party that Yuisu and company was attending.
…
As promised, things are not staying the same as Yuisu and Aluru are trying to bond, and Lethe is now officially making the move up to Okyando. What happens next is anyone's guess, but I am sure it will be interesting. Especially at the buffet come in-universe Saturday night. Till then see you guys next time.