A Leisurely Stroll Through The Marketplace

Crossing its forelegs, Bee processes the information given to it just now.

Bee: ...Okay. That explains enough for me to understand it. Thanks for the clarification.
Candy: No prob. And... what do we do now?

Everyone exchanges glances, seemingly a bit lost about what the next step could be. Sirens gradually get louder and two police cars arrive at the scene the ladies had left behind afterwards. Police officers leave the vehicle, swiftly taking the bound criminals to their cars to arrest them. Then they return into the police cars and leave the place, this time without howling sirens.

Evelyn: ...Good question. Our job here is done, the police carried out their duty, too. There is nothing left to do for us here.
Ume: But now that we are together like this, in the middle of town and with a newfound companion, how about we have a bit of fun of our own?

Excited about the suggestion, Evelyn claps into her hands in delight.

Evelyn: A wonderful idea! This way, we could get to know each other a little more! What do you all think of that? A small shopping trip among peers!
Gertrud: I would not mind that. Sounds like a better plan than just heading home now.
Candy: I have some free time left, too! Let's go!
Ume: Now that's the spirit!
Evelyn: Sorry Bee, but with everyone around, you will have to go back into my handbag again.
Bee: Yes yes, I can't let myself get spotted in public. Nothing to do about that...

Bee breathes a deep sigh, returning the Honeycombat into its hammer space and reluctantly flying into the bag that Evelyn holds open for the not-so-small bee. She closes it behind her, friendly gesturing at the others to leave their hiding place.

Evelyn: Come on, let us head out.

With that, they step out of the alleyway and into the lively city.

Candy: Poor little one. Bee didn't seem to be happy about having to stay hidden in there.
Evelyn: Sadly, it cannot be helped. It was Bee's own wish to not be seen by other people. So, where do you want to go? Any suggestions?
Candy: Oh, here, me! Ice cream would be so nice to have right now! I feel a bit tired after the fight...
Evelyn: I agree. It took more effort than I thought it would, with Colonel appearing all of a sudden. The juice I brought with me would do the job, too, but something cold would surely be more refreshing.
Gertrud: Why not? Using magic is actually exhausting, so I won't complain.
Ume: I could use a small portion of ice cream, too!
Evelyn: Great! So what are we waiting for? I know just the right place!

A few minutes later, they made themselves comfortable at a table in front of a small ice cream parlor.

Ume: This premise is so cute! And they seem to have a variety of products with people like us in mind. Lactose-free, low-sugar... how mindful of them! Evelyn, how did you find this?
Evelyn: Oh, that is actually a funny story. This small building used to be owned by me. Edgar and me had a little dollar store here before we retired. And after that, they took over. If it were not for that coincidental outcome, I might not ever have tried their ice cream.
Ume: Really? You don't say!
Gertrud: Indeed. I remember them dragging me here after they had their first ice cream.
Evelyn: Ohoho, I am sorry about that, but it was just too good.
Candy: Now I can't wait to try it out, too! If Granny Evelyn says it's good, it must be good!

With several ice cream bowls on a tray, a waitress comes to bring them their respective ordered product. A small version of a banana split is placed in front of Evelyn, one scoop of berry ice cream goes to Gertrud, a strawberry sundae to Ume and two scoops of light blue cotton candy ice cream topped with whipped cream find their way to Candy.

Waitress: Here you are, thank you for waiting!
Evelyn: Thank you very much. I am certain it is as delicious as always.

The waitress flashes a smile, then leaves them so they can enjoy their ice cream.

Candy: That looks so good! I'll start!

Candy eagerly shoves a spoonful into her mouth, then holds her cheek in bliss, slightly drooling from her mouth.

Candy: Wow, sooo tasty! And it's not too sweet like some other ice cream around.
Evelyn: That is correct. I have not been able to find a better place to have ice cream in this town in my 72 years of life yet.

Caught up in her enthusiasm, the other women join in and also try their ice cream, leading to a similiar reaction from them.

Ume: Oh, this is excellent. The way it melts in your mouth even though it's low sugar is just right.
Evelyn: I am glad you also like it. ...Before I forget, you might want some, too.

Evelyn opens her black handbag just a little, offering the bee inside a small portion of her ice cream with the thin end of her spoon.

Evelyn: Here you go. You also want to try it, right?
Bee: Oh boy, thanks so much!

Happy to get some, too, Bee eagerly polishes the ice cream off the spoon. Satisfied, the mascot leans back and Evelyn closes her bag again to keep it hidden.

Time flies as they enjoy their ice cream for a little while, chatting in between. Then they take their leave, strolling as they keep an eye out for what they could do next.

Evelyn: Okay, our blood sugar is stable again. Where should we go now? Do you all have places where you usually go when you are in town?
Ume: Not really, I only just moved here, after all. Back home, I used to visit the book shop and library frequently. However, between starting my new work at Amari Town University and moving here, I haven't had much time to explore the town center until today. It's nice to finally be able to get to know my new home a bit more.
Candy: What, Auntie Ume works at the university?! No wonder you're so smart!
Ume: Thank you, little fledgling. So, what about you, Gertrud? You have been a bit quiet.
Gertrud: Evelyn asked you two about what you enjoy doing here. I only come to the town center when she makes me or when I somehow end up walking there during my walks, and she is fully aware of that.
Candy: So you never come here to have fun for yourself? That sounds actually a little lonely. Whenever I am here, I go window shopping with my friends.
Gertrud: It is not lonely at all, child. I enjoy spending time with my friend, and I don't really need more than that. If Evelyn is happy, I am, too.
Candy: Wow, such an earnest friendship... You two must be really close!
Evelyn: We are. We truly are. So... any suggestions now?
Gertrud: To be honest... now that we are already here, I would like to try that "window shopping" Candy mentioned. It sounds nice.
Evelyn: Window shopping it is, then!
Candy: Alrighty! I'll show you around! That's my specialty, after all!

Candy, in her element now, grabs the others' hands, starting to drag them to a near boutique, which unfortunately triggers Evelyn's back pain. They patiently wait for her to recover for about two minutes, then head to the stores. Visiting one shop after another, all of them have fun running from store to store.

-------

At home and changed into her nightgown, Evelyn carefully lies down on her bed, smiling as she covers herself with her blanket.

Evelyn(thought): Everything has become very chaotic lately. But... spending time together only doing whatever we wanted afterwards was fun. I had no idea who was going to join us, and I still have no clue who the last one might be. Despite all of that, I have a gut feeling things are going to work out somehow.

She closes her eyes, falling asleep peacefully for the first time in over a week.

--------

It's the middle of night, the moon is up high, shining full and beautiful. A woman, at the zenith of her life, stares out of her window at the night sky with a longing gaze.

"When... just when will I finally meet you...?"