Yes...Food… I could do that easily enough. “Mmmm yes.” I said, coming home...was a sore subject for me. I could feel the eyes on us and hear the whispers, but in a way. We evened each other out. He was a tall man, one with two souls and I was small and had none. It was no doubt confusing to a lot of the residents here. I couldn’t exactly blame them. Even if I wanted to hold Nevin’s hand tight, I had to resist the urge.

Every so often our hands would brush up against each other and I’d reach out with my fingers, in an attempt to let that sensation linger just a little longer. I lead him down toward the main street, lanterns painted with intricate patterns and colours littered the shops. Signs were placed out and despite being a small village the thoroughfare was bustling.

“Follow close.Know small shop. Is best. Ayaka bring home from the food all the time.” I glanced up at Nevin who looked as though he were about to correct me on my Tradespeak, instead he stopped himself and cleared his throat. He reached up and rubbed his neck with those long, slender fingers, a frown on his lips that he soon shoved away.

“Here now.” I had to pull on his sleeve to stop him walking forward. I pointed to a shop front. Steam rose out from one of the side windows, it looked as though it could house 8 people at most. 6 if one of those people happened to be Nevin. Still, the place only had the one patron inside - aside from the chef. A tall and sleek full blooded Nekojin with midnight blue fur was exchanging words with the patron. They were laughing.

I smiled. It was a quaint place. I think Nevin would really like it. I stepped up to the door and pushed it open, the bell jingled.

<”Welcome! Please-”> The man turned to her, his whiskers bristled and his deep blue eyes turned to slits. <”We don’t serve soulless here.”> He pointed to a faded sign above one of the menus. <”Take your dirty friend and leave.”>

Oh... .

So that’s why Ayaka never took me here. My ears drooped and I offered him a small smile and a bow. <”S-sorry...can I possibly place an order to go?”>

<”No.”> Came his curt reply. <”Now leave.”>

I nodded, disappointed and turned to leave. Only to find that Nevn hadn’t moved an inch. He stood, still blocking the doorway. “A-ah… we need to be the going...they closing.” Nevin still wasn’t moving.

I noticed as he was staring steadily at the man sitting down, ignoring us as he ate slowly. Then he drew in a deep, deep breath, and let it out slowly, and stepped back. “Alright.”

I breathed a sigh of relief...I was worried he was going to start something… I’d have to try and explain to him that confrontation was very rude here. I ushered him out the store quietly. “Am sorry...uhm...should be doing the medicines instead?” I asked, if we couldn’t eat at my favourite place - maybe we could just go find him something for his throat.

“Eteri the worried about throat.”

“I wonder.. If they'll be closed too.” His voice was very soft.

I forced a laugh as I reached out to lightly squeeze his arm before pulling away. “Not be the silly. Many places open laters….and they be the closing between lunch and dinner.” That much was true, I was just not too specific on the time. I could tell that he was suspicious, but I didn’t have the heart to tell him that the man kicked us out because of me.

<”And what the hell do you think you’re doing?”>

I jumped at the sound of my sisters voice. It’d only been half an hour….what was she doing back already?

I turned to see Ayaka standing behind us, her arms crossed. <”Did that man kick you, a paying customer out?”>

Oh no...Ayaka was one to start things. I didn’t want this to be a scene. Please, please, please don’t let this be a scene <”It’s ok I was just showing him where-”> I stopped as Nevin interrupted.

“Apparently, they were closing.” There was a tight pleasantness to Nevin’s voice behind me. He knew? How?

He didn’t understand us...surely...so maybe he just guessed? Oh no… I shot my eyes back to Ayaka. She had that look in her eye. Oh gosh…

Was magically disappearing a power? Could I have it right about now?