Citlali drank more than usual tonight. She'd thrown back a whole bottle in the first hour. That alone sent red flags to Chasca, Xilonen, and Mualani. Sitting across from their elder, they traded glances, wondering who would be the first to break the silence. Getting dragged into one of Citlali's tirades wasn't their idea of a good night.

Inevitably, they were dragged in by Citlali herself.

"I just don't get it," she grumbled. "Curse that tease. Curse that bird."

She finished off another shot. They all tried inching away, but Citlali wouldn't have it.

"I mean seriously! It's been days since he promised me. When's that stupid bird going to invite me?!" She sniffed. "I even picked out the lingerie I'd wear…"

"Okay, I'm going to regret asking," murmured Xilonen, "but what are you talking about? Why would you wear lingerie for a bird? You looking to seduce a Qucusaur?"

"No," she said irritably. "Aether! He promised but hasn't made any moves on me at all! I mean, aside from asking me to read light novels with him… He said I have to meet with his bird first, which I thought was a euphemism until Mualani told me about Tubby. Apparently, she's got to talk with me first. So, where the hell is she?!"

Citlali took another shot and grumbled.

"Stinking birds are ruining Teyvat."

"You're drunk and upset, so I'll ignore that little comment," said Chasca. "Tubby's a busy Adeptus. I'm sure she'll get around to you."

"But when?! Light novels and chill can't satisfy me forever. I'm dying here!"

"There, there," said Mualani, patting her shoulder. Citlali leaned her head on Mualani's chest and burped.

"Thanks. You're a good youngster… I wish Tubby would take a note from your book…"

Xilonen said, "If you're so tired of waiting, why don't you just track Tubby down yourself?"

"I tried," she said. "But every time I try fortune telling where she is, I just see a teapot. Wherever she is, Tubby's in a world beyond Natlan. It's just not fair…"

"Hey," said Mualani, "We'll put in a word with her. I'm sure she'll be interested in meeting you."

"Thanks, you're a good kiddo." Citlali paused. "Wait a sec, what do you mean 'We'll put in a word with her'? Using the royal we? It's not like anyone else can visit Tubby, right, girls?"

Chasca and Xilonen glanced at the table. Citlali's eyes narrowed in consternation. Her reddened cheeks flushed a shade redder.

"No. Did you two already…? When?! How?!"

"Few days ago," Xilonen admitted. "We joined the group just last week."

Citlali sputtered. Indignant (and slightly drunk) tears welled in her eyes. To think, her two friends got a head start on her, when she was the first one to notice Aether. It felt like a backstabbing treachery. They had enough decency to appear slightly ashamed.

She burrowed her face into the table and sniffed.

"Freaking Tubby," she grumbled. "Well, at least Mavuika didn't get an invitation yet."

"Actually, she told me that Tubby visited her a month ago," said Mualani without thinking. "She's now a provisional member."

Citlali slammed her fist on the table. "Gods damn it. Waiter! Bring me another bottle!"

The trio watched helplessly as Citlali drank herself to sleep. All the while, she complained about Tubby, Aether, and everything else that irked her—and most everything irked her deeply. Even once asleep, the rants continued in the form of sleep talking. They picked her up and carried her into a hotel room so she could sleep it off.

"Tubby really needs to speak with her already," said Chasca as she closed the door behind them. At the mention of that Adeptus, Citlali stirred.

"Blasted, no-good, blue-balling scoundrel," she murmured. "She's doing this on purpose. I bet she doesn't blue ball anyone else…"

Somewhere in Inazuma, Yae Miko sneezed. She dabbed a handkerchief to her nose and returned to her editing.