Get ready for the trip.

It's weird to think about. Feli, Lepo, K'iina, and Aak'aba are all living near here now, at least for the time being. The first two are out in the mountains somewhere, presumably far from where Vyzia is nesting. I'm not sure where Aak'aba went, but she does seem to prefer peace and quiet. K'iina is the one who is coming back the most often. She's formed a sort of gamer rivalry with Lynx already. Meanwhile, the Lady of the Lake pops in and out at her leisure. This was already a fantasy world, but it's like a fragment of a storybook has formed within these walls.

You lean back against the edge of a table covered in sewing pins and balls of yarn. Luna does work with more than silk, as evident by much of what you've seen, from sneakers to jeans, though it's her favourite fabric to weave. It's always dim inside her shop and home. There are numerous moths that flutter about, though congregate mostly around the few lamps she keeps lit. In fact, it's a little difficult for her to resist the allure of the glow. Her instincts tell her to approach sources of light for no real reason. It's just the result of a Demon King's experimentation. Insectrin are considered a race in the same way catfolk or bunnyfolk are, but they were man-made, and they're all together strange because of it.

It means many of them deal with mistrustful eyes. People either think them as minions of a villain, or odd disgusting bug-folk who would sooner spit acid or roll dung than hold an ordinary conversation. Of course you know that isn't true. Or rather, they aren't any more peculiar than anyone else you meet in Absoterra. Some have gone down a darker path, while others haven't, which is the same as any other sentient being.

Bombyx insectrin are said to be bizarre, shifty creatures who prefer the cover of night, and are foul for leaving power from their wings everywhere they go.

You look to Luna's back as she works. She wears a navy dress, though alike her others, it's cut down her to make room for her wings, which are gorgeous--like two pairs overlapping, swirling with hypnotic brown. Her tinted skin contrasts beautifully with a head of creamy white hair, which you know to be softer than any fabric. Her ankles and wrists are forever bound by bands of this exceptional fur. Yes she does in fact leave dust in her wake, though around her is also an aura of confidence and passion. When she turns, you lock eyes. Her lashes are lush and bold and her lips shine--face decorated with subtle care and precision. Perhaps she thought to fight back against insults by spending more time accentuating her appearance, or it may just be that she's always loved the art of lavishing one's body with colourful decor.

So lovely, yet also so cute. Her antennae are just as soft and fluffy as her hair, and you know them to be overwhelmingly sensitive. They twitch as they pick up the slightest movements in the air.

"I don't think I could ever trust another person to decorate my body, Luna," you say. "To feel the touch of another's outfit would be strange now."

"You already know how I like being repaid," she whispers beneath her breath. Then with a smile, and a quick peak at pink in her cheeks, she turns away and back to the project spread over the desk in front of her.

"Oh. So it's purely transactional. I see."

Immediately, she turns back around, blushing lightly. She marches her heels over to where you lean, wraps a measuring tape around your back, and tugs you in. The two of you embrace, with your hands slipping swiftly down to grab her hips. Your lips touch, and you're blessed with the chance to once again feel her softness. She melts in your arms--body sensitive, but also heart already aflame whenever you're near. After the kiss, she lingers a mere inch from your face and absorbs the image if your eyes to her memory. Then she slips the tape back around, and once again turns to where your sight is blocked by a large set of wings.

"I'm almost finished," she says. "Don't let me get distracted."

"May I ask a question in the meantime?"

She steps slowly back over to her workstation. "I can work and talk, yes."

"Are you able to make entire outfits super fast, or are you just always working on new fits for everybody here, waiting for things to come up?"

"While I'd say both, it's especially the second one."

"How many outfits do you have in progress for me that I don't know about?"

"That's a secret."

"Well, thank you for this one."

"Of course. I like a man in a suit... and if you're going to be meeting with Queen Catherine II, right alongside Lady Nyllia Tesgella, you should look your best. It'll be an honour for me, if either of them compliment what you're wearing even once. Perhaps the queen herself will commission something."

"If that's something you've wanted to do, I'm sure I can make it happen."

"Mmm. What do you think? Slingshot bikini, or risque one piece?"

"... For the queen?"

"That's right."

"Both, and she can try them on for us. It's the only way to know for sure."

"You're so smart."

You watch her work. She's truly the best of her trade. While there isn't that much left to do, so you've missed witnessing much of the craft, even the final touches are done with such skillful yet speedy movements that you can't believe how lovely her creations always turn out. It's done with passion. She loves it so much, that of course she's constantly practising. She's always learning. That's how a master is made.

She turns at last. Once again she sashays from her desk, though now she leans her rear against the back of a chair not far away. She beckons a hand and says, "Please. Try it on."

You approach and look it over. As expected, the suit already looks fantastic. "Right now?"

"If you'd like, I can leave the room. But then I'd be sad." She frowns. "But if you prefer me sad--"

"Relax, relax. Don't worry, Luna. You'll see me naked soon."

"Oh good."

After undressing before the watchful eyes of a moth, you feel the gentle embrace of the fabric to your skin. You've worn fancy garb by her before, and this is no different in quality. Though the prominent colour is your favourite colour, blue, it's clearly meant to match your other new article--the enchanted cloak, which rests folded beside it. To match, it also is a beautiful balance of dark and light, trimmed with reds and blues and golds. The entire wardrobe has been meticulously designed for you alone, so it hugs every shape of your body with incredible comfort. Not only is it fitting of a world filled with goblins and wizards, you feel a step above the rest--a king, coming to Avana by royal request. Looking in the mirror, you feel both fancy and powerful. One may assume a cape with a suit would look tacky, though it isn't even. Perhaps that's Luna's skill at work, or your own presence fills the outfit exactly as it should. It's likely both. Regardless, you feel more than ready for your trip.

Regal garb or not, you're bound to garner attention once people realize who you are. You might as well look the part.

"Excellent," says Luna with fingers to her lip. "Please, wear it around for a bit this afternoon. Get used to it. We'll have it washed and ready before you leave tomorrow."

Knock knock.

Luna perks up and peers to the doorway with interest. "I wonder who that may be. You're much closer, Kyle. Would you please take a peak?"

You don't have to walk far before you reach the front door. Then you turn the knob, and pull it open to see Xue.

As always, she's clad from top to bottom in a very formal, soldier-like outfit. She's still pretending to be somebody else--Xue, a mysterious man with powers of frost. Of course, her actual name is Xiaoqing, a traveller from Earth, and her magic comes from a pact with Aak'aba the Empress of Ice.

"... I was looking for you," she says. To keep her identity hidden and her presence mostly ignored, she doesn't speak much, and does so rather quietly. "May we speak?"

You turn back to Luna. "Thanks again for the suit. I'll do what you suggested, and wear it out. Really, this is amazing. As always. When I get back, for every compliment it gets in Avana, I'll repay you with one favour."

"Ooh. That's a dangerous amount of power to give me," Luna replies. "What if you're given a hundred compliments?"

"Then so be it."

She giggles. "Go on. Speak with him. I greatly look forward to your return, Kyle."

You bow politely, and then depart from Luna Silk.