Yvonne nodded determinedly and resisted the urge to lash out over Lillian’s continuously nagging question. Her mouth flat-lined with neutrality on the subject. The hybrid’s idea of dyeing their skin wasn’t going over well with her pure-blooded companion, but it was Lilly’s crackpot scheme to cross the Raiaeran border and delve deep into enemy territory. If they didn’t take measures to fit in, among the old elves and hill dwarves across the sea, their little jaunt into a realm they didn’t belong would end in… shall we say, unpleasantness.

Together they walked the streets of a peaceful town near Ninyama, on a slope of the Shirayama mountains. The Alerian mongrel had come to Akashima before at the behest of one Vixen Crowsfoot, an enigmatic woman she preferred to consider a friend. Whether the consideration was returned unto her was dubious at best. Vixen and Yvonne’s relationship had been business-oriented and the albino was a wonderful anomaly to say the least.

The half-and-halfling tried to admire the many-tiered pagoda towering in the distance, though wary of the rising sun and the hindering effect it would have on her sensitive eyes. She couldn’t help but take in that which she could - the simple and exquisite design of paper-walled houses, wooden beams and supporting pillars which held aloft decorative triangular rooftops. The mountainous landscape, the Akashiman architecture nestled upon ledges and ridges and the trees interspersed between the buildings filled her with reverence.

Yvonne’s admiration was interrupted by an overeager Lillian Svalesin, shouting about alchemy and how a potion might substitute for the half-dwarf’s own ideas. Before she could grab her companion Lilly had dashed over to the storefront, brimming with scientifically minded curiosity. It was just like the pure-blood to go running off with a head full of questions and to drag the little woman along behind by her conscience.

Her Alerian companion had her face smushed against the alchemy shop window, to have a not-so-sneaky look inside. The mixed breed caught up with her friend and was about to prise her away from the window by a tuft of her long white hair - Lilly hated when she did that but those strands were within easy reach - however the taller elf turned and held Yvonne’s shoulder before she could. She would have to make do with her voice.

“Lilly, listen ta me. Deep breaths dear, in, out,” advised the voice of reason, who made gestures following upward inhalation and downward exhalation. “We won’t be going inside until ye take it down a notch. Ye need ta understand that nekojin be people, not pets, and should be treated with respect. I don’t want ta hear any impolite comments about claws, ears or tails, understand?” Yvonne placed her hands on her hips and looked up at Lilly squarely. She hadn’t put her foot down with Lilly before, so perhaps the first-time impact would help her comprehend the gravity of the situation.

“They can be prickly about their features, much as I can get cranky about me lack of height,” she explained, eventually sighing. This was already exhausting, standing outside the store in the bright, burning heat. The cave-dweller certainly favoured being indoors but this was important to her. Yvonne believed every creature should be held in high esteem, no matter how unusual. At least until their personality prompted otherwise.

“Try ta be nice,” she finalized and made an effort to smile. Her willpower was waning while she endured the sunlight on her back. She couldn’t act the mother figure more than she already had, and Lilly would be Lilly. Hopefully Yvonne could address the impending mess after the fact, as she had done in the past.

Yvonne took the lead and quietly knocked at the alchemist’s door, to alert the owner of their presence. It was early morning after all, not a time for loud noise. The hybrid remembered the social concepts she had learned during her first visit to Akashima, and drew upon them easily, as though she had understood them all along. Her time with Vixen was not so long ago.

With the attention of the nekojin upon her the diminutive drow bowed in the doorway, before stepping inside at all. She held her angled posture for many seconds, meeting the alchemist’s gaze as soon as she righted herself again. It wouldn’t do to peer inside and look over another person’s belongings, no. This shop belonged to the nekojin lady seated at the counter, whom drank a clear liquid Yvonne failed to recognize, for all her alcoholic expertise. It was respectful to seek permission to enter the sacred place of another in Akashima.

“Hello there,” the little one began. “Apologies for tha early hour. May we come in?”