Every year, Cascades Town hosts a town-wide festival in honour of this picturesque village. Today happens to be that day, and though Rin is tempted by the infectious festive spirit, there are other sullen matters that occupies her thoughts.
At her request, Tobi has given her solitude following last night's revelation.
When Rin checks in on Deidara, he is already busying himself with his usual clay moulding. There is artwork strewn all over the floor, from the tiny bird sculptures that sits innocuously on his head to the spiders that scuttle up and down his arms.
"I'm fine," he mutters without looking at her.
"Then you should be ready to go," she says.
"What?" He answers quickly, "I'm fine but I'm still not one hundred percent. I need more rest."
"I'll need to check to make sure," she says.
"Can't you do it later, woman? I'm busy here."
He brandishes a half-made spider sculpture in the air.
"I'm here now, do you think I have time to go back and forth at your beckoning?" She answers irritably.
Her annoyance is genuine. It is an indicator that Deidara is perhaps back to his old irritating self.
So he finally relents and she checks his viral levels. It now sits at zero.
"I suppose another day would do," she sighs.
"I told you. Okay can you leave now please, I'm busy making masterpieces."
"You'd also have the decency to at least come for your inn's celebratory dinner tonight. Don't be late."
"Yeah, yeah," he makes a waving gesture at her without looking, "I'll come down if there is food, no question. Okay goodbye."
x
That afternoon, she sits by the writing desk and stares reminiscently at the lilac-grey dress.
Rin had attempted to return it on her way out of town several days ago, but the shopkeeper was adamant she keep it.
"It is a rental dress and I haven't even paid you!" Rin said incredulously.
"I saw you in that dress and I was proud that you wore it as you did. Please accept it as a reminder to love yourself," the shopkeeper answered.
Rin will have use for this dress again, and secretly she is grateful for its presence. But she does not like wearing the same thing twice in between two close events, so she decides to alter it.
Though she is not an expert seamstress, she manages to emulate a more conservative style. When she tries it on, she is rather pleased with her work.
x
Thirty minutes past the celebratory time, he sees Rin already seated.
"I was starting to think you may be eating your artwork for dinner," she says mockingly.
"Load it up won't you, hm," Deidara mutters.
He takes a seat beside her.
"Have you all eaten already?" he asks grumpily.
"I told you not to be late, we just finished our first course," Rin answers drily, "Don't make a fuss!"
Her hand reaches to halt his arm from flagging the waiter.
"Lay off it, woman, I need my food, hm."
"Don't talk rubbish, it was your fault for being late. This is your free dinner so quit being so self-entitled," she says reproachfully.
"Hold on a second, what do you mean 'your free dinner?'"
"Well, I'm not staying at this inn am I? So I am a paying guest whereas you are not."
He frowns.
"Wait, you paid to come to our celebratory dinner?"
This time, Rin is looking bemused.
"Is that a problem? My inn doesn't seem to realise a major festival is happening around them. I might as well find dinner and join in on the celebrations."
But something in her tone indicates dishonesty.
Deidara lets out a long derisive snort at her comment.
"Hate to break it to you but you just sound like a loser."
He sniggers into his drink before catching a brief glimpse of Rin's contemptuous scowl.
"Why are you talking and sitting next to a loser then?" She snaps testily.
This shuts him up. And Rin is looking rather pleased with the self-mollifying retort.
"Well, without food, what am I supposed to do then, steal from the kitchens?" Deidara says.
He feels the edginess from somewhere within his very empty stomach.
"Don't be silly, just wait for the next course."
"Tche!"
He gives in with a resigned scowl. Instead, he arrests his attention to the environment.
There are only five tables. The rest of the guests are hovering at the bar, where the smell of flavoured sake stenches the air.
And the idea hits him.