>>1061476
1: yes! She's at low stress and has been performing very well! She'll appreciate the trust you'll be giving her, and will probably enjoy the challenge. It's a win/win.

But it will draw a lot of attention to her. Wasn't she having concerns about that? Hmm. Ultimately it's her choice if she wants to be in the spotlight. Also, Landi will be there too, outside with you. Dotti might not like that. Oh, I guess Landi being there isn't a complete negative; she can run interference when people try to tempt Dotti into making deals. Work as her intermediary, basically. Hmm, I wonder what Salt would want her to do... probably accept deals that can cause an uproar. You'll probably have to warn her that if she doesn't protect Dotti you'll retaliate against her.

>true form?
Hmm, that might be unfair to Dotti. She'd be doing all of the serving work. Would it be so bad if you got a pretty dress to wear? You don't necessarily need Landi to help, because you won't have to wear it while flying; you can find somewhere private to shapeshift then put on the dress.

Screw your true form, have the biggest bust at the ball! (Okay, maybe second-biggest, if Dotti wants to show up the aristocracy)

Kayk 2023/04/16(Sun)13:59 No. 1061528 ID: 43c327
File 168167877384.png - (17.52KB , 530x433 , LF6-91.png )

The next day I’m free, Serah invites me to the guild and says she’s had one of her preferred seamstresses supply me a dress on a few dresses. It fits, and I can even put it on myself!

Serah is supportive of the idea of catering the luncheon in my lizardfolk form, and not just because I look good in purple; It’ll also help the nobles recognize me when they look for my bakery. It’s not like I serve pastries as a full-size dragon (though the idea is tempting, especially if the Fire Marshal ever comes back).

Dotti is confident she can handle herself well in front of the nobility, as long as Serah and I give her tips on what to do and what not to do. She’s not afraid of the attention, but hates the idea of getting caught up in court politics with paper and favors and people she describes as “human-sized Landis.” It’s a fair assessment.

Serah and I make sure Dotti won’t make any faux pas, and warn her not to take any requests by the nobles at face value. She’ll be a curiosity for them since she’s technically hired help (and thus expected to defer to the nobility) but no one expects a fox spirit to do what she’s told, so there is plenty of leeway in how Dotti can handle herself gracefully.

Afterwards, I blow off a little more steam with Fritz. He’s getting more confident around me. I wonder where that’ll lead?

------

At last, the day arrives.

Serah is dressed to the nines in a casual version gown with a daring neckline, gloves, and necklace. She says there won’t be any dancing at the meeting, which lets her show off a bit as the most eligible bachelorette at the event. It’s also relatively small, as noble gatherings go, so she’s confident that there won’t be any surprise guests who insist on turning the event turn into a date. Still, that neckline clearly has Serah a bit nervous, and she tugs it up a few times before she gets ready to hop aboard the Kayk Express.

“Are you sure about that dress?” I ask her.

“I made a few adjustments to my Jotund Juice mutagen a few days ago,” Serah sighs. “I didn’t realize it would affect my fit. But don’t worry about me. Landi has enchanted the neckline to tether upwards to my necklace, which should prevent accidents, and she’s also cast a durability spell on my gown for the ride, and a few extra spells to prevent any glimpses when I dismount. I’ve thought this through- it’s the price of entry to have such impeccable style.”

“And she’s wearing a super-teeny corset under it too,” Landi says, “Unlike some dragons.”

“What?” I ask. “I don’t need bras.”

“Living dangerously!” Landi laughs. She piles a few more pastry boxes into her inventory space.

“Dangerously?” There’s nothing dangerous about it. I really don’t need them.

“Ignore her, she’s stupid,” Dotti says succinctly. “We’ve got all the food loaded safely into Landi’s space. Let’s go!”

“One moment,” Serah says. She goes back into the Adventurers’ Guild and returns with a floating, disembodied skull with a magnificent beard and glowing green eyes.

“You!” Dotti hisses and hides behind my tail.

“Indeed! It is I!” Archibeard declares. “Hello, Miss Terrorscale. I don’t believe we’ve been acquainted. How is your mother of late?”

“She’s… fine,” I say, eyes wide. “Um, Serah, is this going to be a problem?”

“Believe it or not,” Serah sighs, “Archibeard, or Malazar as he is known in polite society, has the authority to speak directly on behalf of my father. Please show him the proper respect when he’s not being a jerk to Dotti. He is my contingency plan in case there are any surprises.”

“Now, now,” the skull titters. “Your father is quite pleased with your alliances of late, even if they aren’t marital. I shan’t speak a word out of place.”

“Daddy can be as pleased as he likes,” Serah mutters, but she doesn’t press the issue. “Kayk, your tail, if you would.”

Serah ascends my tail like a staircase, and I’m very glad we practiced her climbing my dragonscale in heels before today.

Kayk 2023/04/16(Sun)13:59 No. 1061529 ID: 43c327
File 168167879417.png - (16.94KB , 626x840 , LF6-92.png )

I take a low and slow flight path to the Marquess’s estate, making sure Serah is as regal as possible and keep my neck to break the wind so it doesn’t mess up her hair. All our efforts are about to pay off.

I land gracefully upon the small, grassy field in front of a very old manor house. The Marquess’s guards are staring in awe, their hands nowhere near their weapons. One of them even bows his head before another guard slaps him upside the helmet.

I could get used to this. Is this what it’s like when Mom visits castles?

Serah slides down my scales the correct way so that they don’t scrape her dress, alighting on the grass with perfect poise. Archibeard floats down with her.

“Lady Kensington,” a well-to-do butler says with a bow. “Emissary Malazar. It is my pleasure to welcome you on behalf of Marquess Mallory and her retinue.”

“House Kensington is grateful for your Lord’s hospitality and invitation into such esteemed company,” Serah says. “While I am, alas, away from my lands, I cannot hope to provide gifts of my own worthy of her opulence. Pray Miss Terrorscale’s offerings of a luncheon on my behalf suffice.”

“The Marquess is delighted to host such a luncheon,” the butler smiles. “You travel in such interesting company. We shall delight in hearing tales of your adventures inside.”

Serah allows herself to be escorted alongside Archibeard inside. A guard steps up to me and clears his throat.

“So, uh,” he says, “When they said a Terrorscale was going to come by for a luncheon, this wasn’t exactly what came to mind. If’n you don’t mind the joke.”

“Oh, no,” I give him a grin. “My mother would be flattered, I’m sure.”

“You can set up over there,” the guard points. “We’ve got tables and chairs all set up.”

“Awesome,” Landi says. “Imma drop all the food and stuff on those real fast, okay? Okay!”

“Do you have a place for me to make myself ready?” I ask the guard. He points at a carriage-house that’s just barely large enough for me to squeeze in. Thankfully it’s made of stone, so the heat from my transformation won’t risk anything. “Thank you. Dotti, please take charge and help Landi set up while I get dressed.”

One uneventful transformation and dressing-up later, I come out in my fabulous new outfit and find a pile of boxes full of our food and tiny jugs for the luncheon drinks, but no Landi. Dotti is alone.

“Where’s Landi?”

Dotti shrugs. “She put all the stuff here and said she was gonna go make sure Serah didn’t have any wardrobe malfunctions.”

“And you didn’t think to stop her? You know the Marquess doesn’t want a fairy in her court!”

“What was I supposed to do?” Dotti asks. “Bap her? Good riddance! I’m glad she’s not here. I can do my job better without her.”

What should I do?

Don't worry about Landi, Landi isn't your responsibility and she is out of your hands. You are only here to serve food for everyone with Dotti and nothing more, so just focus on that. Trying to find Landi will only get you in just as much trouble as her.

If Landi gets into trouble, or causes trouble for Serah, it'll be on Landi, not you. And she'll probably get a big enough punishment for messing with or not listening to Serah, probably enough to learn to grow up. Let the fairy learn from experience.

and your food should be a good enough gift to make up for whatever mischief Landi causes, so just make sure you follow Serah's orders and stay here to make sure everything goes smoothly on your end.

so yeah, just focus on getting things ready for the party, and be ready to serve.

>>1061529
Don't abandon the food. Ask a guard if she's seen her. Maybe ask someone to send a message to Serah warning her that Landi has gone missing.

You should follow her in. You can shapeshift yourself a lot bigger - or, to be more accurate, you compress yourself down a lot to be a lizardfolk. Can you compress yourself down to fairy size? Landi's hiding place is probably going to be small, and it's probably - no, it's definitely going to be under Serah's dress. How else is she going to maintain the spells on it?

>>1061533
I think this is a good idea, but instead of asking a guard if they'd seen Landi, I would actually write a private note to Serah about how you lost track of Landi, and Dotti saying Landi went off to find her to make sure her wardrobe doesn't malfunction. Afterwards let a guard or servant go in and send the private note over to Serah. We don't want any guards knowing a fairy snuck in after all. With a private note, Serah will be more aware in a discreet manner.

>>1061533

This. Landi may cause trouble, but abandoning your post to try and stop her risks that trouble being doubled. Write down a message saying "Landi snuck inside", and ask one of the guards to give it to Serah as soon as possible. I'm sure they don't want to deal with the Marquess' bad mood if a fairy is spotted inside, so they should be more than willing to cooperate and prevent such an event.

>>1061529
Stick to the plan, if Landi causes trouble it's on her head. Definitely send a note to warn Serah

Kayk 2023/04/17(Mon)20:14 No. 1061637 ID: 905310
File 168178766936.png - (9.28KB , 409x399 , LF6-93.png )

I can’t abandon my food; I have a job to do. Still, I should at least warn Serah that something isn’t going according to plan. If Landi’s discovered, that’d make the Marquess very disgruntled, and she isn’t known for being very gruntled in the first place.

I quickly scribble a note to Serah warning her that Landi’s gone missing, fold it up and hand it to a guard with instructions that it’s a very private note to be given to Lady Kensington. The guard nods and takes it inside; he’s quickly replaced by another one. It’s all very professional.

Dotti and I busy ourselves setting up. Marquess Mallory’s butler informs us that the serving staff will be handling place-setting, alcohol and cutlery, leaving us to do what we do best: sweets and savories. We’re limited by not having a full oven, but Dotti’s fire magic will be more than enough to heat up the food. She’s not conjuring an open flame; she’s spending a bit of mana to heat the food and air itself. Sometimes I wish I had a connection to the spiritual realm; it would make magic so much easier.

A few less-social nobles have left Marquess Mallory’s estate. They’re either not interested in being involved in the noble politics in the gathering hall, not savvy enough to realize that leaving the party early to peek at dragon and fox spirit is a bad move, or they’ve been out of the game so long that it wouldn’t matter if they were.

I stay in the background to plate the food and make it presentable as the non-socialite nobles mill around and wave at Dotti to request food. She’s following all the cues Serah and I gave her, and handling herself well for now.

The first noble Dotti speaks with is a very elderly gentleman who’s very happy to see something new for the first time in… well, forever. He starts up a long-winded story about life in his day, and how when he was young, men were brave, women were virtuous, and children respected their elders, and he is just not ordering any food at all. I think about interrupting the conversation as Dotti is too polite to leave him be, but then I spot a second Dotti across the lawn and realize that Dotti’s cast an illusion of herself to sit and listen to the old man’s tale, nodding every ten seconds.

The second noble asks for a pastry and hot tea, which is easy enough for Dotti to prepare on her own. I overhear the noble praise her work ethic, remarking that if Dotti were to live at her estate, she would have no need to work at all.

“No need to work?” Dotti asks. “What would my title be?”

“Your title?” the noblewoman asks, confused.

“There are only two kinds of foxes that don’t need to work,” Dotti says, matter-of-fact. “Noble foxes with big fancy titles, and pet foxes. So what title would you give me?”

The noblewoman stammers a bit and insists Dotti wouldn’t need a title, but she’s lost her train of thought and Dotti takes the opportunity to slip away and help someone else.

The next noble, a portly man with great poise and patience, asks for “one of everything.” Dotti excitedly rounds up his order, I plate it all out with great detail.

He lifts a fork between his fingers and takes a single portion of a single pastry. Then he does the same to another. And another. Soon he’s taken a single bite of every pastry and sandwich we’ve prepared. He smiles contentedly.

“Very good!” the portly noble exclaims. “Very good indeed. I do think I’m quite full now.”

Dotti is quivering with barely-contained rage.

What do I do for each of the below, if anything?

1. Dotti’s auto-nodding illusion
2. The still-circling noble intent on convincing Dotti she doesn’t need to work
3. The Food Waster

1. Nothing.
2. Engage the noble in polite small talk about other subjects (the town, marquess Mallory, your family recipe) until it is time for your employee to 'serve other guests.' She's learning
3. Graciously collect the finished food into the trash. Tonight, after the party, Dotti feasts.

>>1061638

The staff in general often eat leftovers after these sorts of events, it's an accepted perk of the position. Make sure the food is removed from the area after he is 'done', and put in a part of the servants area or kitchen or whatever where it's traditional to collect these sorts of things for the waitstaff, groundskeepers, townsfolk after the nobles have left, etc. etc. It doesn't get thrown away, you don't put things 'in the trash' at this sort of event, you quietly and efficiently remove them from the sight of the nobles. Make sure Dotti sees you do this.

>>1061637
1. Nothing
2. Request that the noble not poach your waitress. She is YOUR employee. Basically, imply that he would be stealing something from a dragon.
3. Put all that stuff aside and tell Dotti you both can decide what to do with the partially-eaten food later. These people are not normal customers, you can't order them around sadly, and nobles really do waste a lot of food. Maybe you can feed wild animals near the estate? Or maybe the servants of the castle would like some, if you cut off the bitten parts. If she's still mad about it then tell her she might have to sit this one out; you should've warned her ahead of time about how much food nobles waste.

1. I'd argue not to do nothing since if the old man figures out he's talking to an illusion, he might find it rude and get sad. Kindly tell the man that you need your employee's help, and that we have plenty of food for him to eat if he'd like.

2. this >>1061638

3. this >>1061645 and/or this >>1061641

>>1061648

Yeah, agree with all these choices.

3) Interrupt before this gets heated. Tell the portly hog that you appreciate him taking the time to sample your entire menu, and that you're willing to offer him a delivery subscription. Explain to Dotti that he ordered the bits because lowdown excuses for chefs sometimes create a sample platter with only the best parts of bad dishes while their general menu is an average mud; you don't stoop to this, and you're willing to show the whole meal to a potential customer. As for the leftovers, most of your meals cover the nutritional needs of all species, and this party likely has a small retinue of pets and servants waiting outside.
1) Have Dotti replace her 'twin sister' for a few minutes to cool down with some boring study.
2) Cast a disturbed look at her and ask if she was planning to do something untoward a fellow lady. Implicate her for unwanted sexual affairs with Dotti.

1/3 Kayk 2023/04/23(Sun)15:33 No. 1061994 ID: 40607c
File 168228920380.png - (10.37KB , 500x303 , LF6-94.png )

Before the noblewoman can swoop in and talk to a fuming Dotti a second time, I make my own approach to her and ask, dead-on in the eye, if my employee has assisted her to her satisfaction.

Yes. Yes, she has.

Satisfied with that display of dominance, I decide to defuse the Dotti Bomb by placing a hand on her shoulder and asking if she’s feeling okay. She growls and murmurs horrible, awful things that she’ll do to the Food Waster.

“You’re right,” I say quietly. “There will be a lot of food he doesn’t eat. Will it make you feel better if we ask Marquess Mallory’s butler where the food is going?” Dotti nods, but doesn’t take her eyes off the Food Waster as the wait staff swoops in and takes his plates away, as the butler promised they would help with when we arrived.

While we walk over to the butler, I gently ask Dotti if she’ll allow me to gracefully exit her from her “conversation” with the elderly noble. She blinks and acts a little ashamed at being caught out, but agrees. The elderly gentleman is quite disappointed when I (without Dotti Prime) hover my hand over the illusion’s shoulder and ask for her assistance in preparing another dish.

“Well,” the elderly noble coughs, “I do say, this young fox has quite the ear for the stories of my grandfather’s campaign against the elves. She is welcome to visit my estate and learn more, if she wishes. I dare say my grandsons could learn a thing or two from her about respecting their elders!”

I’ll make sure to let Dotti know she has an invitation. Maybe this noble actually means what he says.

I join up with Dotti Prime and the illusion fades away. Dotti is much more relaxed now that she sees the serving staff enjoying a bite of the Food Waster’s sandwiches.

“Chevalier Travere?” The butler smiles. “He is watching his waistline. He quite enjoys your food, but cannot indulge as much as he used to. Miss Terrorscale and Miss Dotti, if he approved of all those dishes, if I may be so bold, you may count him as a vote of confidence in the circles of food critics. Do not worry, the wait staff appreciates your efforts. We will not let any go to waste.”

“You’re a good human,” Dotti says, eyes shimmering.

Our conversation is interrupted by a shrill woman’s voice echoing from the inside of the manor.

“FAE! IN THE BALLROOM! GUARDS, GUARDS!”

There’s a tremendous shattering of glass, then the pounding of guards’ boots inside. The guards outside stand to, and a few of them rush for the doors.

“I apologize,” the butler says, rushing to attend to the chaos inside.

2/3 Kayk 2023/04/23(Sun)15:33 No. 1061995 ID: 40607c
File 168228922384.png - (45.24KB , 1046x937 , LF6-95.png )

“Landi,” Dotti says sagely.

“Landi,” I agree. The chaos dies down a bit, but there’s still quite a lot of raised voices and upset nobles inside. “I hope Serah managed to get ahead of that.”

“Me too,” Dotti says. “If I was Landi in there, I’d head for the first hiding spot I could. Oh, I bet she’s under a table. Or Serah’s dress.”

No way would Marquess Mallory search there. Would she? Oh, this could go very badly for Serah if she didn’t get that note…

“There she is! SEIZE HER!”

Another round of shattering glass, and then relative calm. The nobles in the courtyard are growing nervous, except for the elderly gentleman, who is grumbling and complaining about how back in his day, they knew how to handle these things.

A minute later, a trio of guards burst through the doors in the front of the manor, one of whom has a bug net with Landi inside. Serah is nowhere to be seen, which I suppose is a good thing at the moment.

“You’ll need to turn out your inventory, missy,” one guard says.

“But! But but but-“

“You’re lucky we don’t shake it out of you,” another guard threatens.

Landi complies and opens up a portal. Bottles of exceptionally fancy wine spill out, followed by potions, elixirs, and bombs that spill out onto the grass in the hole through the bugnet.

“I knew it,” the head guard says. “You’re not going anywhere, missy. I can’t believe you’d bring alchemical bombs inside a noble estate. I can’t even tell what half of these do.”

“Excuse me, Miss Terrorscale,” another guard taps me on the shoulder. “This fairy assisted you in carrying goods to the estate. I she your employee? Were you aware of any of these bombs in her inventory?”

“No, and no,” I say, very grateful I wasn’t required to hire Landi to pass my fire inspection. I peek over his shoulder. There’s a lot of Serah’s stuff “I have absolutely no control over her, but I did ask her to carry some items for me. That’s the extent of our working relationship, and I have no idea of anything else she carried with her.”

I pause. There’s a lot of stuff in there, and if I don’t step up now, Serah might never see it again after the guards confiscate it. I need to act fast.

“I see some other familiar items in there,” I say, far more assertively than I intended. “I demand to see what else she may have stolen.”

“I see,” the guard says. “Ah. Hm. I’d hate to come between a dragon and her property.”

Dotti is positively gleeful. I try to ignore it.

3/3 Kayk 2023/04/23(Sun)15:34 No. 1061996 ID: 40607c
File 168228924669.png - (7.73KB , 466x328 , LF6-96.png )

The guard allows me to come up and root through Landi’s inventory. They’ve taken out all the tiny alchemical bombs and carefully set them aside, along with any particularly dangerous alchemical oils. The rest of what’s in Landi’s inventory is… interesting.

There’s a hip flask, coin pouch with regular (non-Kensington) gold coins, eight potion bottles, some parchment, ink, lewd magazines, a bundle of arrows, a thong…

I stop my search when I come across the thong. Why is there a thong?

“Don’t ask,” Landi says through the bugnet. “The lucky ones are safe!”

I don’t ask, and I have no idea what she’s talking about.

Suggest two things:
1. What items Kayk claims as hers so they don’t get confiscated
2. Any additional items that popped out in a search of Landi’s inventory, and if Kayk claims them

We already claimed the bombs weren't ours, so we can't claim them.

We could PROBABLY ask for the dangerous elixers, but we'd need an excuse. Maybe say that they along with the potions were SUPPOSED to be a gift for your boyfriend for his adventures that you had Landi hold on to, but you can see now that she can never ever be responsible enough fairy to be trusted with anything again for anyone (saying this to get our point across to Landi, and we're probably stressed enough to not hold back what we say to Landi despite being our friend).

Overall, Claim the elixers, and the potions. I think out of everything, Serah would want those back most, and these could keep the guards from tracing them back to Serah since she was known for doing alchemy.

Claim the potions, elixirs, and the arrows (probably Rae's, she'd probably appreciate you not letting them get confiscated). You could try to claim the bombs, but you already said you didn't know anything about them. Maybe you could make a claim on one, saying that it came from your own collection, while leaving the rest.

I suspect that the thong is Serah's. Claim it, and if anyone asks just say that it belonged to your sister.

Other items that are pulled out of Landi's inventory:

-Mary Kil's lingerie: A little souvenir from poker night. Freely given to Landi as a gift for making her feel all glowy and nice. Claim it.

-4 Ace of Spades: Well THAT just spoiled any chance of you playing poker with her in the future. At least with any stakes. Don't claim.

-Friendly Fire Toggle Off Amulets: Some training gear acquired from Sunshine. It'd probably be tough to find replacements, so claim them.

-Fishnet tights: ...Wait a minute, those actually are yours! How did Landi get her hands on a pair? Absolutely claim these!

Oh yeah, and request that the guards shake all the fairy dust off of her so she doesn't cause more trouble. Or better yet, request that you blow/snort the fairy dust off of her like your mother did to her. This will be her punishment.

>>1061996
1: Claim anything that's clearly Serah's (though, not the bombs or anything that clearly could have been used to help in the heist, that would make you/her complicit), and anything of significant value that obviously didn't come from the manor. She probably only stole wine, anyway.
For instance, you should claim the more expensive potions/elixirs, to return later. Those would be a pain for Serah to make again.
You should also claim anything that you feel like taking, like the coin pouch. Nobody is going to tell you no, and it's not like she'd be getting it back anyway. It's free loot! Maybe Landi can beg for anything that actually belongs to her.

2: Uh idk

>>1061999
I meant to say oils, not elixirs, but still.

For additional items, Landi has a picture or painting of her crush Flax. you don't claim it, but the guards will probably question him later.

Serah would probably like the thong to stay out of Mallory's grubby hands! If they question your girth, firstly that's rude and second you are a shapeshifter. Claim the potions just in case. Claim they're scale care products.
Other items: Bottle of unlabeled mutagen, half empty. Not claimed. Genice's fairy sized hair dryer. Claimed. A love letter written while Landi was drunk that's about Jek but unsigned and unaddressed. Claimed..?

How could we also forget: isn't Rae's cake dress in there too? Do Rae a favor and don't claim it, to Landi's dismay.

>>1062042
Too late, you reminded us, it’s Kayk’s cake now. It’s too pretty to ditch!

Kayk 2023/04/29(Sat)13:11 No. 1062328 ID: 3bef4e
File 168279910572.png - (4.94KB , 300x300 , LF6-97.png )

I look through the pile and frown. I can’t claim Landi stole all of these things; that’d hurt my Dragon Rep, and mom cares very much about that. Fortunately, since Landi carried my catering supplies on the way over, I have a plausible excuse to say I just let her hold on to a few of my items for safekeeping.

There is, however, something that she actually DID steal of mine in there.

“My fishnets!” I growl, swooping in to grab those. “Landi, how did you get these? Why?”

“Uh…” Landi says. “I might’ve still had those from when you flew us from your mom’s place to Minga? I haven’t cleaned my inventory out in a while.”

“You should have given me those back immediately,” I huff. I grab my fishnets, and when I do, I also swipe what’s very likely Serah’s pink-striped thong and the additional lingerie. I don’t know whose that is; it’s too small for Serah, but I don’t want it disappearing just in case it belongs to someone we know. No guard questions me on these. Good. A lady’s secrets deserve privacy.

Next are the things that are obviously Serah’s: the bombs, elixirs and potions. I’ve already said the bombs aren’t mine, and frankly I don’t want to be anywhere close to the idea of bringing bombs into a high society setting, so those are going to get confiscated. The potions and elixirs (and one half-empty bottle thing I don’t recognize) are in flasks and vials I recognize as Serah’s, and it would be a massive headache for her to re-make those. There are some oils, too, and those are probably dangerous, but they need some prep time before they’re armed and active.

But how do I justify taking them?

“Mine,” I declare, and scoop it all into a bag.

The guards don’t protest.

A collection of Amulets with fire labels? Mine. Coin pouch? Mine. Mushy love letter written by Landi? Mine. A big purple layered cake dress that’s way too small for me? Mine. Tiny hair dryer? Mine.

This feels good.

“Um…” One of the guards shuffles his feet and looks like he wants to say something. Before he can open his mouth, I go into a crouch and bare my teeth at him. No, he doesn’t.

“Mine,” I hiss.

“Yours! All yours!” he gulps.

Kayk 2023/04/29(Sat)13:12 No. 1062329 ID: 3bef4e
File 168279912314.png - (20.07KB , 687x850 , LF6-98.png )

As I sort through the pile, the party inside the manor is spilling out into the courtyard. Dotti steps up and handles the incoming wave of nobles and their food requests, but soon she won’t be able to handle it all herself without my help to prep and plate. I need to wrap this up fast. I lift the bag, clinking and clanking, and throw it over my shoulder with ease.

Before I can go to stash the bag under my prep table, an elderly noblewoman steps beside me and tut-tuts dismissively. She’s wearing what is quite possibly the most decorated hat I’ve ever seen, and carrying a small vibrating poodle-dog in one arm.

“Little winged harlequins, all of them,” says the noblewoman. “Guards, throw that clown in the dungeon. Use the mailbox to lock her up if you have to.”

“Ah.” Serah, dress flowing and billowing, quickly joins the noblewoman. “There she is. Esteemed Marquess, allow me to offer my sincerest apologies for-“

“There is no need to apologize for this thing,” Marquess Mallory interrupts. “Unless you had nothing to do with it, that is.”

“She is contracted to me,” Serah says, “And as such, her misbehavior is upon me to redress.”

“Yay Serah!” Landi cheers. Serah shoots her a murderous glare.

“You Kensingtons have quite the menagerie,” says the Marquess. “I am appreciating my decision to keep you at arm’s length. I have enough troublesome patrons already.”

I barely remember Serah’s worries about being forced into patronage seem to have been resolved. That’s good!

“Now, regarding your claims,” the Marquess says, “This fae has stolen from me and mine. I will be the one to deliver punishment. Perhaps I shall humor this City and send her to be arrested. See how they like taking out the trash for me, after all they’ve taxed my estate.”

“While you do have that right,” Serah shuffles her skirts, “I do believe I am best in a position to enforce the punishment. Would you really trust their upstart courts and justices of the peace to keep an eye on her?”

“True,” says the Marquess. “But you did say she was contracted to you. I would not have her get off lightly.”

What punishment does Serah propose that will satisfy Marquess Mallory?

>A big purple layered cake dress that’s way too small for me? Mine.

Okay, but Landi is NOT getting that one back, for Rae's sake.

>punishment

Rehabilitation at a rehab center. if Landi is so addicted to vices such as drinks and partying enough to the point to ignore orders and ruin this party, and not take responsibility, Landi must go into rehab to fight those addictions and learn to grow up, just like everyone else, make a point to even mention that her other fairy friends are more responsible than she is with their own respective jobs, and Landi is still trying to recapture her college days. Until she can overcome those addictions, she will not be able to work with Serah in the meantime.

If Landi complains, Serah can say it's either rehab, or the contract between her and Landi is over.

Pillory as jewelry.
Ten (eye)lashes.
Repayment fourfold of the value of stolen objects through its equivalent in magical product, to be paid in installments. This could mean fairy dust directly, conjured items, or enchantments.

>>1062332

oh yeah, and it's a good thing we took Landi's coin purse, because rehab will mostly be coming out of her own money

>>1062332

Rehab, AND therapy, and financial reparations equivalent a percentage of the value of the specific financial damages she has caused, the percentage to be adjusted based on her income and net worth and level of wealth.

I'm gonna take a cue from >>1062332 and agree that the punishment should suit the crime. However, I disagree with him on what the actual issue is, and thusly how it should be dealt with.

Landi entered the venue, ignoring orders specifically not to do so, and attempted to make off with expensive wine that was not meant for her. Illegal trespass and Thievery. I don't believe that Landi's love for booze is the issue, it's more her lack of self-control and willfully ignoring direct orders.

I agree with >>1062333 and their suggestion of putting her in a pillory as punishment. It shouldn't be hard to prepare one that can hold her at her size. Take her dust, and restrain her for the remainder of the party on a table off to the side of the room. It punishes her trespass and ignoring orders by putting her in a position where she physically cannot, and it punishes the thievery by making her a spectacle where she was previously trying to go unseen. It's simple, easy to prepare, and more than appropriate.

In the long-term, I think Serah should discuss her contract with Landi, in regards to her authority over the fairy and instituting punishments for when Landi ignores direct orders. If Serah cannot trust her to do what she's told, then they need that assurance as part of their contract.

This would also give Serah a chance to finally look over that awful contract she signed when she first met Landi, and all the terrible horrible clauses listed within. They might want to get that revised.

>>1062332
No, Rae needs to wear it again at some point. Remember to give it back to Landi later.

There is one issue we must not overlook. Her contract to the Big S. I'm sure Landi did this partially to earn some brownie points, which means if we help her with that she'll be less destructive in the future. Part of her punishment should probably involve something that can cause notable change. Could community service accomplish that? Cleaning up the city, maybe? Redecorating places? Planting flowers, landscaping, that sort of thing? So long as it's something *new*, rather than maintaining a current appearance.

What would be a fitting punishment? Maybe we should consult Dotti on this matter. Definitely in front of Landi

Kayk 2023/04/29(Sat)20:11 No. 1062375 ID: ff9cef
File 168282428495.png - (14.57KB , 486x600 , LF6-99.png )

“You have my word that my fairy will not cause any more trouble at the luncheon,” Serah says. “And she will pay restitution for the broken glassware and any wine she’s absconded with. I will also appoint a custodian to oversee her rehabilitation and compliance with the monetary restitution.”

“A custodian? That is a start, but I demand she be made an example of what happens to Fae in my court,” says the Marquess. “As for money, you can just make more of that, can’t you, little alchemist? She is contracted to you, surely she has your wealth close at hand.”

“She will earn it back,” Serah says. “Without my alchemy.”

“Uh,” Landi sputters. “I don’t have a job. How am I supposed to-”

“SILENCE!” the Marquess shrieks. “Guards, place this pest in the pint-sized pillory. And make sure she has no more tricks to play on us. Shake that harlequin until the only glow I can see is the flush of SHAME upon her cheeks!”

Landi’s wings go rigid in shock. The guards pluck her out of the net and pinch her by the wings, bouncing and worrying her with enough force to shake her dust free.

“Ow! Hey! Ow! That’s twisting my wing!” Landi shouts, dust flying off her in clouds. “You pigs! Stop it! Stop! AH! Serah, help!”

Serah looks about to protest, but she sighs and puts a hand to her forehead. “You’re only drawing more attention to yourself, Landi.”

By the time Landi’s been shaken to dullness, the grass beneath her has been coated in sparkling fairy dust. The guards slap a tiny pillory set into a chain necklace and hand it over to Serah.

“Lady Kensington, you are to wear that necklace for the rest of the luncheon,” Marquess Mallory says. Serah takes the chain and hesitantly places it around her neck, realizing it’s probably the safest place for Landi at the moment.

“I can’t believe this,” Landi says, her face flush. “Okay, fine! I’ve learned my lesson!”

“Has she, though?” the Marquess sniffs. “Lady Kensington, you should reconsider your association with this winged buffoon.”

“I will,” Serah says. “Landi, we’re going to have a talk later.”

“Ugh,” Landi mutters. “Okay, yeah, sure. Now can you lower this thing a bit so I can get comfy between your boobs, please? This is starting to chafe.”

“Absolutely not,” Serah says. “And we have yet to appoint your guardian to oversee your repayment, rehabilitation and good behavior.”

“I thought that was you?”

“No,” Serah says. “Unfortunately, keeping track of you and your behavior is more than I have time for at the moment. However, I think I may be able to find a volunteer.”

“Oh, shit.”

“Dotti,” Serah calls out sweetly, “Could you please come over here for a minute?”

“NOOOOOOOOO!”

-----------------

The luncheon winds down. My food has been a smashing success, and more than a few nobles have made plans to meet up with each other at my bakery in the coming weeks. I’ll need to make it presentable, even with the flour being stored there. I’m sure I can make it work, or, failing that, I can stash it in my room or something. Who cares about bed space, I’ll have rich customers!

Dotti is grinning like a fox who got into the chicken coop. She’s been given the task of overseeing Landi’s repayments and good behavior, with a few special perks to go along with it. She mentioned something about zapping, and I don’t inquire further.

Serah takes me aside once Landi has been released from her pillory necklace.

“Kayk, thank you for everything you’ve done,” Serah says, placing her hand on my arm. “I don’t have to worry about Dotti at all when she’s with you. It’s been such a load off my mind. I can’t thank you enough. May I ask you something?”

“Anything.” I smile. It’s been stressful, but the rewards are worth it.

“I bring this up with you first, since you’re the one with the most scheduling constraints,” Serah says, “But… I have a few leads on finding the girl who saved Dotti’s life. I’ve learned a few things about where the refugees went after the great fire, and why no one wanted them on their manors. The soul-eaters scared everyone so much, even the divines… it’s a long story, but I think the ones that ended up with them are the Church of Censorship. It may be dangerous, so you don’t have to say yes, but… do you have time to help me fly out to a few parishes with Dotti?”

“Of course,” I say. “I’ll give you my schedule.”

“Thank you,” Serah smiles. “I’ll tell Dotti once we all get cleaned up. This has been a big day for everyone.”

It has, but things are looking up. The future is so bright, I can’t help but feel optimistic, no matter what I’ll be flying into.

Kayk has lost 15 STRESS. [40/100]

END OF POV 6 Kayk 2023/04/29(Sat)20:12 No. 1062376 ID: ff9cef
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The next thread’s title will be Lazy Fairy: Petra.


Who Will be the POV of Thread 7?

A. Moonshine, a.k.a. Landi, a Fairy
B. Lady Serah Kensington, Heir Countess of Kensington, a Human Alchemist
C. Dorothea, a.k.a. Dotti, a Fox Spirit
D. Raelynn, a Wood Elf Ranger
E. Taranis, a Stormcrow of Odin
F. Kayk Terrorscale, a Half-dragon Baker


---
Thread will remain open for one week to count votes.

Dotti.

Petra is her story, this is her resolution. As nice as it would be to have another Serah thread, I think we can save it for thread 8. This should be Dotti's.

Serah!

Dotti feels fitting given her relationship of sorts with Petra herself.

Soooo tempted to pick Dotti, but I'm feeling it should be more Serah focused for some reason.

Someone help me break the tie with another tie. I vote for Raelynn!

As much as it pains me to keep Dotti from being the protagonist in the fulfillment of her story, I think it's important to let other characters shine as well.

So it is that, with a heavy heart, I choose Archibeard....and also Serah, whatever.

C) Dotti!

Serah. Dotti knows what she'll want in this thread, we don't need to guide her to the goal this time. Serah will be handling the fallout from Dotti's obsession and dealing with potential political barriers.

Been a while since there's been a Serah thread, right?