Stroll back home.

A lot has happened in just a couple days. It's almost overwhelming, though actually in a good way. What is it now, sometime in the afternoon? As you ponder, you arrive back through the gate of Castle Phoenix. Up ahead, you see Thomas and Bek conversing with one other just outside of Laira's shop, though she's either not home at the moment, or she's actually getting some sleep for once... in the middle of the day. They spot you approach as you make your way in that direction.

"What have you been up to?" asks Tom.

"I was just hanging out with Snow," you answer. "What's up with you?"

"Not much. Ah, you have to give me some tips on how you do it. I'd love to hang with a catfolk girl. Their ears are adorable."

"I keep telling ya!" the dwarf calls out. "Women are all fine and dandy, but _muscles _are eternal! Train your body more, and then you'll be happy like old Bek."

You shrug. "You're probably giving me too much credit."

Behind them, a short distance down the road, stands Peony and Yin. They're both holding little watering cans and are quenching the first of the flowers planting alongside the buildings nearby. Peony is the first to spot you, but the devil beside her only falls behind by half a second. Both girls raise their hands high to wave and steal your attention, with them also shouting out a greeting simultaneously.

The adorable devil maid Yin make her way over first, with a big smile on her face, and she's dressed as she always is. "Are you well, Master?" she asks.

Peony follows behind--a gorgeous woman of nature itself--of course not dressed in anything, while it's debatable if she needs to or not. "Greetings, m'lord."

While you feel Tom's looming stare, you try to ignore it as you respond to the two girls. "Hi. I'm doing well, yeah. How about you?"

Yin twirls her hair around her finger nervously. "Good... B-But is it true that you've been spending alone time with a bunch of the others here?"

"Yeah, I suppose that's technically true."

Peony opens her mouth wide in excitement, as if she can't contain the words attempting to escape. "That gives me an idea!" she blurts out.

Yin looks saddened by the interjection.

However, the dryad continues. "You should spend some time with Yin!"

The devil has no words. She begins to blush, and when she tries to speak, her lips quiver. She finally manages to get out, "M-Me?"

"And then me next," Peony explains.

You turn to see Thomas suddenly closer than before, with a stare that pierces like a dagger at your neck. "Aha. Well, that sounds lovely," you say as your attention slowly shifts back to Peony and Yin. "That sounds like a fantastic way to spend the rest of the day."

You know, Tom might come across as a little pathetic, but I feel bad. It isn't like he's never done anything bad. He's just a guy trying his best. Maybe he deserves a win eventually. I'm starting to feel a bit guilty.

"Let's do it then," you add.

Yin looks around panicked, as this was sprung on her rather abruptly. "Wait," she mutters. "Uhm. Can we meet somewhere? I'm not ready."

Peony raises her hand. "I know just the place! How about I take our darling there while you prepare? You know where I'm talking about. That place down the hill, with all the flowers and stuff?"

Yin nods. She smiles wide. "That sounds lovely."

"Wonderful. Come on, m'lord. Let's go."