25.ii Of Peach Soda Pop and Pilfering

~ Anari ~

For every stride Anari made, the cute consultant made three. Though she had to keep up a brisk pace, the mint green corgi panted happily. She introduced herself as Baobei and consistent with what our cadre had seen so far, she was unglamoured enough to reveal her distinct breed characteristics.

When Baobei asked where they were staying, Anari once again took the reins and named a small bed and breakfast inn that she had stayed at in the past.

Baobei gave an enthusiastic woof. “Oh! Baby Granny’s! Excellent choice. Did you know that it’s the only inn that sells real buttermilk pancakes?”

Anari grinned and nodded. You see, the spider did in fact already know this. Buttermilk pancakes along with other familiar breakfast goodies were one of Anari’s favorite dining experiences aside from her live catches. And she did not plan to return to work until she filled herself up with some.

As Baobei led them through the very green, but bustling village streets, she prattled on about how their inn was right between the uptown shopping district and the hilly bike paths.

At one point, Baobei turned to Ham Song and said, “Might I ask, what is the matter with you?”

The pig lifted a bristly eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

Baobei cocked one of her bat-like ears to the side. “Your posture is so poor. Is it because your back is broken, Hamlet?”

Anari did her best to stifle her laughter. By the looks of Bodhi and Ritsu, they were putting forth a lot of effort to do so as well.

“Broken?” Ham Song squeaked. “First off, my name is Ham Song and my back is quite fine. This is how I walk!”

Baobei smoothed her pastel paws over the front of her uniform and sniffed. “Then you are the Luckiest there ever was because broken backs are not especially cute.”

When the group reached the adorable little bed and breakfast and checked into their rooms, Bodhi announced that they were going to take a nap to try to sleep off the booze. Ham Song made it known that he was bound for an isolated countryside path where he could escape all of this tourism and just enjoy the scenery.

That left Ritsu and Anari alone to figure out how to proceed with locating the quarterstaff.

“We can talk about it over pancakes,” Anari suggested. Sun Ritsu, who, judging by the look on his face, had never had a pancake before, seemed content with the idea of letting Anari show him the ropes.

They ate their pancakes in the common space on the main floor. Since it was the middle of the day, the room was mostly empty, for which Anari was grateful. She preferred to spend time with Ritsu when there was no one around.

After practically drowning his shortstack in maple syrup, Ritsu made a cut along the seam of the oozing layers and took a bite.

“Oh. I remember these.”

Right, Anari remembered. He has spent time in the mortal realm where pancakes are more common.

Although the spider was curious about Ritsu’s experiences beyond the Ninth Heaven, she wanted to get down to business. Since no one else in this strange cadre cared about sticking to their goals, it was on her to help everyone stay on track.

“Sun, when it comes to finding your staff, I think I know where we can start looking.”

Ritsu licked the syrup from the corner of his lips. “You do?”

“Yes. Most of the tourism here is dedicated to furthering the cute agenda. But there is one historical sighting left – The Hall of Perfect Light. Hardly anyone goes there these days, but it just might hold clues to locating your staff. I believe the fairgrounds will open in a couple of hours.”

Ritsu, who had miraculously finished his serving, fiddled with the edge of his fork and mumbled, “Would you… Would you mind… coming along with me?” Then quickly, he added, “We don’t have to wait for Ham Song or Bodhi this time.”

Anari gently smirked as she removed her shades. Folding them and tucking her knuckles under her chin, she hummed, “What? Like a date?”

Ritsu looked up from his fork. “Yes. Maybe we could get something to eat on the way there.”

Anari, wishing she hadn’t removed her shades, blinked rapidly. She didn’t expect Ritsu to be serious about this. And what was more, she didn’t think she would ever say yes to another sun clone asking her on a date.

(It’s just one date. It’s not like you’re going to marry him! Come on, you’re on vacation.)

Meeting Ritsu’s eyes more sincerely this time, Anari said, “We could do that.”