"I'm starting to think back and feel like we should've just kept moving onward. I wouldn't need to be freezing here." Yumiko sighed, rubbing her shoulders from the cold.
A current of wind sped past them, making them feel colder than before. "I don't understand how these people survive in this terrain. It's like ongoing rainfall, and the snow doesn't look like it'll stop anytime soon," Kou stuttered with his words and rattling teeth.
Another current of wind past them and nearly blew off their clothes, but in the middle of its motion, Ayuka believed she noticed a silhouette in the distance that moved from one roof to the other. However, when she looked again, she realized it wasn't anyone. "Am I going insane?" she thought to herself.
She returned her looks to the others, noticing they were around a wheeled cart. It had a steaming atmosphere. It was covered with a roof and had warm drinks and snacks. "Look at all of these," Yumiko called, smiling and looking at the collection from left to right.
Tim's hands were closed into fists, having them raised in front of his chest. "So awesome! I can't wait to taste these buns!" Tim squeaked, acting like a little girl, and that caused his body to change into feminine and then back to his masculine. Ralphie grabbed the back of Tim's head and pulled him close. "Don't do that. We almost got busted because your feminine instincts came out."
Tim continued sparkling. "But they look so delicious! I can't help but be excited about it!" Ralphie sighed and released Tim to continue looking at the collection, and then the woman behind the wheel cart greeted them. "Oh, do you like these? Go on, you can pick whatever you'd like, and the first one is free." The woman claimed.
Everybody grabbed one slice of buns and tasted them. In an instant, everybody but Ayuka fell in love. They were practically glowing with enthusiasm and the deliciousness of the buns. "So good!" they called in unison.
Ayuka seemed unimpressed by their reactions, keeping her arms folded. "You guys sure know how to keep yourselves occupied, huh?" she wondered, "Come on, Ayuka! Give them a try!" called Kou. She rolled her eyes. "Fine... Why not?" she picked up a bun and bit into it.
As she did, she noticed all four of them leaning their heads closer in silence, waiting for her response. She looked at their faces all around her and felt uncomfortable. "Guys, that's a bit too close to my... um... chest..." but none of them cared, so instead, she gulped in discomfort. "How is it?" asked Kou.
All four of them were waiting impatiently.
"I mean... it's good." Her response made Yumiko unamused. "Wow... You could've said something more interesting." They finally backed away from her. "Would you like more?" the woman asked, and everybody but Ayuka hopped in close like bunnies. "Yes, please!" but before they could spend money feeding themselves, Ayuka dragged them away. "That's enough of buns for now. We can buy more of them when we're on our way back to the ship." Ayuka's decision upset others to their destination.
They found themselves in front of the palace. They were standing on the outside terrace, which seemed like a gathering area.
The outdoors had a bar and tables used by other people. It was like an outdoor tavern with a woman quickly delivering drinks to people. "Here you go, sir." She approached a man with a smile, dropping the beer. "Thanks a bunch, Alina." The man spoke and then cheered together, with the man in the opposite seat.
"Alina! Over here!" called a woman. "Right away!" Alina walked toward the palace's door and looked at Tim and the others. "Oh, hello. If you came here to drink on the terrace, we're sorry. We don't have any free chairs for the five of you, but I'm sure we can find some on the inside."
Ayuka raised her palm in front of her chest with a smile. "No, need, thank you. We just came here as visitors." Alina blinked in confusion but understood. "Um, all right." Alina was about to knock on the door, but Ayuka quickly interrupted her. "Wait, we changed our mind." Alina looked at them again. "Could you please find us a table for five?"
Alina smiled kindly. "Of course, right away." She knocked on the door loudly. "Hey, Silvio! Open up the door!" Alina shouted and then waited for the door to open.
"What are you doing, Ayuka? I thought you wanted to ask around for the WPDA." Yumiko told, but Ayuka placed her finger on her lips. "Be quiet. I'm still trying to do that. We need to be careful. Let's try blending in like normal people and find the right time to ask later." She whispered, and that's when Yumiko sighed. "How about you tell that to our captain?" she turned the thumb and pointed at Tim.
He blinked in confusion. "Who? Me? Why?" he acted dumb, and Yumiko looked to the side. "Nevermind..." The door opened after Yumiko finished her sentence, and a man appeared in the frame. "Customers? Alina, I told you, we're full on the inside too." Explained Silvio. "I know, but I'm sure you can find a table for five."
Silvio looked at them thoroughly. They wrapped their scarves around their mouths, other than Tim. "Hold on... there's something familiar about them," Silvio claimed, which put all of them into nervousness. "Um... I don't think so... We just never came here to eat." Explained Ayuka, and that's when Tim realized something. "What? No, we're supposed to ask about-" That's when everybody else but Tim froze in place. "You idiot!" Ayuka instantly jumped at him and tackled him on the ground, pressing her breasts into his chest and looking directly into his eyes. "Don't say another word! You hear me?" Tim couldn't speak as he felt her palm pressing onto his mouth.
Yumiko, Ralphie, and Kou stepped in front of them with their arms crossed behind their backs. They smiled and covered their bodies. "We're sorry about that. Those two just have a relationship problem!" giggled Yumiko, with Kou and Ralphie nodding.
Tim and Ayuka instantly flipped their faces toward them and shouted simultaneously. "No, we don't!"
Yumiko gently rolled her eyes behind, rubbing her boot under the snow, kicking it into their faces. "No problem. I suppose we can find you a table for five." Silvio claimed and then walked inside. "Please, come this way," Alina added.
Yumiko, Kou, and Ralphie happily followed them. "Huh, I guess that worked out fine..." Ayuka claimed, and that's when Tim looked her in the face. "You do know you can get off me now, right?" Tim said. "I will, but you better keep your mouth shut. I don't want to screw things up because you couldn't keep quiet." Tim sighed and looked at her in the eyes, suspiciously. "I think you just wanted to do that for fun. I don't recall you ever knocking me on the ground like that before."
Ayuka blushed from embarrassment, stood up, and moved her hair behind her ear, looking to the side. "So, what if I did? I haven't had a chance to hold you like that for too long." Tim picked himself up, leaned his arm on the knee, and giggled. He stood up and patted her on the head. "Don't get too attached! Let's go!" he ran after them, leaving Ayuka alone.
"That was embarrassing..." she finished and ran after him.
To be continued...