"Mmm! This is so good, it's been so long since I've had real food." I dug into the plate of gyoza, the juices exploding in my mouth.
"Glad you're enjoying it!" Rivi had moved off my lap to give me freedom to eat as she reclined against the wall, watching me with enjoyment.
"Now," she clapped her hands as I continued stuffing my face with food. "Let's talk about what happened last night. I know we both said and did a lot of things, but with the blood awakening I want you to think seriously about what you really want going forwards. Our beast blood isn't something to mess around with, and it's natural that this being your first time dealing with it, there might be some things that you said or did that you didn't really mean. So, that being said, what do you want to do now?
"We could give you a couple days to settle in and think about things, more really if you need it. Or we could show you around. I settled you in the Tea House because it's kind of out of the way and not many people stay here, but we also have a bath house, a music hall, a brothel, some more eateries, as well as some outdoor recreational facilities, so whatever you want really.
"Flora here works for the Tea House, but I've assigned her to attend you for the meanwhile if you need anything or want someone to show you around. Of course." She grinned and stuck some fingers up to her face in a pose. "I'd love to show you around too."
"But enough of the business talk!" She said, casting off her last facade of dignity. "How are you!? Are you overwhelmed with everything? Are you…" She reached out a hand, worry etched across her expression, but she held herself back. "Are you ok?"
I blinked at the sudden overflow of information, my brain temporarily freezing. "Uh…" I tried to examine my own thoughts or feelings, but couldn't really reach anything. "I'm not really sure. I think…" I looked down at my lap blankly, then back up at her suddenly with more determination.
"I think I don't really want to think about it. I haven't really made any final decisions yet, from what I can remember. Just…I think being Silvie…works for now. And…" I struggled to put my thoughts together. "I want to keep being around you. I know that much, so… If you don't mind, I would love to have you show me around…Whenever that works for you, I guess."
My feelings were a mystery to me, but staying behind in my room alone to "think about things," sounded like a nightmare. Instead I just wanted to cling to any shred of normality I could find, and hoped the feelings worked themselves out in the meantime.
"Ok!" Rivi brightened. "Yay!! I was worried you wouldn't like me anymore. Sometimes when people say things like that under the influence of the blood awakening they have a counter-reaction when they wake up again, kind of like whiplash." She grabbed my hands. "What about now, do you want to go now?"
"Wha—" I dropped my chopsticks. "At least let me…" She pulled me up to my feet then started dragging me out of the room.
"There'll be more food in the city! Come on!" She pulled me down the corridor of the Tea House. "The faster we go, the less Marian will scold me!"
"Ahh, what about clothes? I'm still in my yukata!"
"We'll buy you new clothes! They'll fit you better!"
"Ruf! Ruf!" Rufi bounded after us, not wanting to be left behind.
"Ahh," I stumbled after her, a grin inexplicably breaking over my face. When was the last time? When was the last time someone did something like this for me? I couldn't think of an answer.
"So? Here we are." Rivi turned around in front of a clothing store, finally giving my arm a break from being yanked after her. "This is what you wanted to do first, right?"
"Uh, yeah." I scratched my arm, feeling suddenly self-conscious.
"Then let's get to it!" She pulled me after her into the store. "Hello!" She called into the store.
"Hello!" A call came from the back of the store. "Ah, Mistress Riviera, what brings you here today?" A woman with red-orange fox ears wearing a beautiful summer yukata came from behind a counter to greet us.
"We're looking for some clothes for my friend here, but don't mind us too much, we'll look around for a bit, and ask you if we have any questions."
"Very well, mistress." She bowed respectfully, a grin briefly flickering across her stoic face before she returned to her place behind the counter.
"Now," Rivi spun back to me. "What kind of clothes do you want to look at? Kimonos? Dresses? Robes? Active wear? Underwear?"
"Uhh," I looked around the two story store packed with women's clothing a little overwhelmed. "I'm not really sure, is there something you want to start with?"
"Oh?" She teased, her voice dropping seductively. "You want me to pick out your clothes? You sure you don't mind?" She put a finger on my chest, pulling lightly at the edges of the yukata.
"Uhhhh…" I stiffened, my face flushing. "I-I don't really mind, uh, too much." Her face was too close to mind. I swallowed. "I just." I sighed. "I just don't really know what I'm into, I guess."
"Ok!" She brightened, dropping the seductive mood. "Then we'll try out a few styles, and see how they fit you, how's that sound?"
I nodded, relieved she wasn't pushing any further, though my whole body was still tense. "Ok, that sounds good. Ahh—" I started laughing as Rufi suddenly started licking my cheek from my shoulder. "Stop girl, that hahah, tickles, ha, ahh!" Rufi leapt at my face and I stumbled backwards, slipping down to the ground. "Girl! What's gotten into you! hahaha." Rufi continued licking my face, stepping on my throat and cheeks as she continued her conquest.
"No you don't!"
"Aieeee!" I cried out as Rivi suddenly leapt on top of me, grabbing Rufi off my face.
"She's my girl, you hear? Mine!" She told the small bat-winged beast as she held it up off of me.
"Rivi!" I cried, her weight crushing my lungs and stomach. "Get off me!" I squealed, kicking my legs and laughing harder than ever.
"Oh right!" She rolled off of me, keeping on hand on the scruff of Rufi's neck as she stood up. "You good?" She offered a hand to me as I tried to stop laughing.
"Yeah heheh, I'm hehehe, I'm alright." I said, wiping the tears from my eyes before I took her hand and got up off the floor.
"Ee." I froze suddenly as I saw the shopkeeper and remembered where we were. "Hehe," I hid behind Rivi. "She's not mad is she," I whispered.