#Nokto handling customers I just

[otomehoneyybearr]

Achroite's Lucky Bag

Achroite-Style New Year: Desire Liberation!

It's the New Year, and I found myself in the snow-covered land of Achroite.

Leon: "Matias.... isn’t here yet. Did we get here too early?"

Jin: "Well, he’ll be here soon enough. He’s a stickler for punctuality."

Nokto: "If you say so. Looks like we’ll have to wait a bit longer, think you can handle it?"

Emma: "Huh?"

Nokto: "You’re shaking like crazy."

(He noticed?! I thought I was hiding it well…)

Emma: "I’m fine! It’s just a little cold, that’s all."

Leon: "If you’re cold, come over here. It’ll be warm in my arms, don’t you think?"

Jin: "Hold on, hold on. Wouldn’t my youthful and fit body be a better source of warmth?"

Jin: "Come on, don’t be shy. Jump right in!"

Emma: "I absolutely will not!"

Nokto: "Haha, looks like she’s not interested in you two and your blatant ulterior motives."

Nokto: “If it were me, I could warm you up from the inside out.... What do you say?”

Rio: “Prince Nokto, you’ve got the most blatant ulterior motives of them all! Emma, I’ll protect you from these guys.”

Rio: "Here, take this. This vest is better than nothing, right?"

Emma: "But then you’ll get cold! I’m fine, really. Keep yourself warm, okay?"

Rio: "Emma buttoning up my vest for me… I'm so happy, my body's already starting to feel hot..."

Clavis: "Haha, even while shivering, you still think of others. How noble of you. Take this as a reward.”

Emma: "What’s this? A… clay doll?"

Clavis: “It’s the Warmth Clay Doll 2.0. Shake it and it’ll heat up”

(So there was a version before this one...)

(It might be a trap, but if it will really warm me up, then just a little won’t hurt…)

Emma: "...! Wow, it’s actually warm!"

Clavis: "Looks like you’ve taken a liking to it. Go ahead and shake it some more."

Emma: "Okay!"

(The more I shake it, the warmer it gets. How does this thing even work?)

(Wait, is it… swelling up?)

Matias: "It’s best to stop shaking it now.

Emma: "!?"

Matias: "I've also received one of these before and it didn’t end well."

Matias: “Given it’s a revised version; its effects are likely more potent and... Hmm? You’re looking a bit flushed—are you alright?"

Nokto: “Maybe it’s because you’re grabbing her arm and leaning in so close.”

Matias: “My apologies. It was impolite of me to grab a lady’s arm so suddenly.”

(It wasn’t just the closeness—there’s also distinct charm about him that’s different from the other princes of Rhodolite...)

Matias: “Keep that clay doll in your coat. As long as you don’t shake it excessively, you should find it useful.”

Emma: “Got it. I’ll use it carefully. Thank you, Clavis.”

Clavis: “Haha, that smug expression on your face is adorable too.”

Matias: "Now then... it’s been a while, everyone. Thank you for coming."

Leon: "It’s unusual for you to host something for the New Year. Got something you’re eager to show us?"

Matias: "Indeed. This year, the Royal Academy is hosting a New Year’s Festival."

Matias: "I thought you all might enjoy it, so I invited you."

Jin: "I heard the school used to run classes right after the New Year. Guess times have changed, huh?"

Rio: "Classes right after New Year’s? That’s a pretty studious school!"

Matias: "It’s more of an Achroite tradition than academic policy.

Matias: “Here, people celebrate from the year’s end into the New Year, then promptly return to their daily life.”

Matias: "When people think of New Year’s, they likely picture the fireworks at the stroke of midnight."

(I see. So customs really do vary from country to country...)

(Meanwhile, I usually just want to relax for a bit at the start of the year...)

Matias: "The festival is already underway. Allow me to guide you."

....

Emma: "Wow!"

(The Townsquare is packed with stalls selling all sorts food and souvenirs...!)

(Warm grape juice, coffee, salmon cream soup, and cheesy potatoes...)

(Just the smell is making me hungry!)

Jin: "Guess there’s no hot wine here... Drinking that in the snow is unmatched."

Nokto: "It’s a school festival. Of course, they wouldn’t have alcohol."

Jin: "Fair enough. Guess I’ll settle for coffee."

Jin: "Oh, and pile on the sugar like there’s no tomorrow.”

Nokto: "I think I’ll go for coffee too. What about you?"

Emma: "I’ll have one too."

(It's rare to have coffee in Rhodolite, so I want to savor this as much as I can.)

Rio: "Looks like everyone's having coffee, huh?"

Rio: "Prince Jin wants extra sugar, Prince Nokto only wants milk, and Emma prefers it with plenty of sugar and milk—"

Rio: "Got it! I’ll go place the order."

(Wow, Rio is amazing. He remembered everyone's preferences after hearing them just once and is placing the order perfectly.)

(Oh, the shopkeeper is using something like a cloth bag in the pot… Is that how they brew coffee here?)

(They’re putting what looks like dark brown powder into the bag and pouring hot water in a circular motion...)

(Wow, the powder is puffing up! And—)

Emma: "It smells incredible..."

Matias: "Waiting for coffee is a pleasure in itself."

Matias: "If the New Year’s festival becomes an annual tradition, perhaps someday I’ll visit with my future queen..."

Matias: "While waiting, she’d rub her hands together and smile, saying she made the coffee sweeter than usual today."

Matias: "But when she finally takes a sip, she’ll realize the cups were swapped and will be surprised by the unexpected bitterness."

Matias: "And as she laughs about the mix-up, the warmth in my chest would surpass even the coffee itself—"

Emma: "Prince Matias?"

Leon: "Looks like he’s wandered off into his little world again."

Nokto: "Being this happy just from the smell of coffee is a talent in its own right."

......

(Coffee with lots of milk and sugar has a warm sweetness that’s different from tea. It’s delicious.)

(Everyone around us is holding coffee while enjoying the festival too.)

(You really can't resist this roasted aroma, huh?)

Emma: "Oh, there are snow sculptures over there."

Matias: "Yes. All of them were made by students. Each has its own motif."

Emma: "Really? A motif…"

(What should I do? They all look so abstract that I can’t figure out what the motifs are.)

Leon: "What’s with the serious face?"

Emma: "Um, I was just thinking how deep and complex art can be..."

Leon: "Don’t overthink it. Just take it at face value and enjoy what you see."

Leon: "Look over there, that snow sculpture’s pretty straightforward, don’t you think?"

Emma: "It looks like some kind of oval... Do you know what it is, Leon?"

Leon: "That’s meat. Bone-in meat."

Emma: (Huh? Seriously!? But now that he says it, I guess it COULD be...)

Rio: "There's a plaque under the sculpture that says 'Hope, Despair, and Forgiveness.'"

Leon: "There you have it."

Emma: "Leon, do you just want to eat some bone-in meat?"

Leon: "I saw it at one of the stalls earlier, but I’ll save it for tonight. If I’m having meat, I want some booze to go with it."

Jin: "Hey now, is that how someone from the land of art and roses is supposed to act?"

Jin: "Leave it to Big brother Jin to nail the theme of a snow sculpture in one shot. Look at that round one over there."

Emma: "What is that supposed to be?"

Jin: "No doubt about it—that’s a chest barely contained by the neckline of a dress—"

Emma: "Stop interpreting things with such blatant desires, especially at a school!"

Nokto: "Emma’s right. Besides, sculptures like these usually have more abstract inspirations."

Nokto:  "Take that one over there, for example."

Emma: "It’s a long, wavy, board-like shape... What’s it supposed to be?"

Nokto: "It’s obvious. It’s the sensation of pure bliss when—"

Emma: "Nope, absolutely not! ....Huh?"

(Clavis and Prince Matias are both staring pretty intently at the same snow sculpture.)

Clavis: "Art is open to interpretation, but... this is one thing I cannot concede on."

Matias: "My apologies, but I’m not willing to back down on this either."

(Are they arguing about something? Why—)

Clavis: "The motif of this snow sculpture is clearly feet. That should be obvious to anyone."

Matias: "No, it’s a waist. That graceful curve can only represent a waist."

(………)

(Well, at least they’re actually fighting.)

Clavis: "This isn’t getting us anywhere."

Matias: "The creator of this sculpture is over there. It might be unrefined, but we could ask them directly."

Clavis: "Very well. No hard feelings, no matter the answer."

(And they’re off.)

(……)

(And now they’re back. They're both looking a little dejected, though...)

Clavis: "To think it was meant to be a nape of the neck…"

Matias: "It seems we both have much to improve on. Let’s call it a draw this time."

(They’re shaking hands firmly... Clavis and Prince Matias have such an interesting relationship.)

Rio: "Hey, Emma, look at this."

Rio: "That snow sculpture kind of looks like your silhouette when you’re reading a book."

Rio: "And that one looks like you when you’re holding your cheeks after eating something delicious."

Rio: "Huh, now that I’m thinking about it, everything here is starting to look like Emma."

Rio: "Does this mean I’m surrounded by snow sculptures of Emma? Wait, is this paradise...?"

Emma: "There’s no way these are sculptures of me! Rio, you’re as over the top as ever..."

Matias: "The creator may not have intended you to be their motif, Miss Emma, but I can’t entirely rule it out either."

Matias: "At the very least, it seems this will be a year that might become significant in your life."

Emma: "What do you mean by that?"

Matias: "In Achroite, it’s tradition to drop melted beeswax into water on New Year’s Day and interpret its shape to predict the coming year."

Matias: "The abstract shapes of these snow sculptures are inspired by that tradition."

Matias: "Though, most people are tipsy on hot wine while interpreting, so they often just voice whatever their desires are at the moment..."

Matias: "Desire itself isn’t inherently bad, as long as you know how you manage it."

Matias: "After all, it’s the longing for something that drives people forward in life."

Rio: "Then I guess it means I’ll keep openly expressing my love to Emma this year too!"

Matias: "Indeed, I’m sure you will."

Matias: "Miss Emma, have you seen anything in the snow sculptures that speaks to you?"

Emma: "Not yet…"

Matias: "Hmm, you’re quite modest."

Matias: "If there’s anything you desire, please don’t hesitate to share it. I’ll do what I can to fulfill it."

....

(Before I knew it, the festival fun carried on into the night.)

(Prince Matias said that once the New Year’s celebrations are over, everything would return to normal.)

(The Townsquare is lively, filled with stalls offering hot wine and baked goods.)

Jin: "Drinking hot wine in the cold really warms you up."

Leon: "That's what New Years in Achroite is all about. All that's left is the fireworks."

Emma: "They’re launching fireworks?"

Matias: "Unfortunately, the fireworks are only at the stroke of midnight."

Matias: "Fireworks outside of the New Year’s celebration are generally prohibited in Achroite."

Matias: "That’s why the citizens cherish the New Year’s fireworks so much."

Emma: "I see. That makes sense."

(I wanted to see the fireworks, but if that’s the case, then it can’t be helped.)

Matias: "……"

Matias: "Miss Emma, would you mind lending me that doll from earlier?"

(The doll... does he mean the Warmth Clay Doll 2.0?)

Matias: "Thank you. Please step back a bit."

Emma: "Sure... Wait, Prince Matias! If you shake it like that—"

Matias: "There, it’s ready."

(Huh? Prince Matias just tossed the doll into the air...)

Emma: "Wow!"

(Snow mixed with colorful, sparkling lights falls down—it’s like a firework display!)

Clavis: "Hm, it could use some adjustments, but not bad for a start."

Matias: "I never thought I’d end up using your traps like this."

Matias: "But with the hot wine and fireworks, we’ve managed to recreate a modest Achroite-style New Year."

Matias: "What do you think, Miss Emma? One day, I’d like to show you real fireworks if possible."

(It’s so beautiful. The snow, the sparkles, the warm wine... It feels like I’ve stepped into the pages of a book.)

(I’m so glad I came to Achroite.)

Matias: "......"

Emma: "Oh, sorry. I was so captivated by the scene... Is something wrong, Prince Matias?"

Matias: No, nothing at all."

Matias: "Perhaps it’s the hot wine talking, but after seeing your expression, I found myself predicting the year to come."

Matias: "And I’m confident about one thing."

Matias: "This year is bound to be a wonderful one."

Tanzanite | Ruby

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[scorchieart]

👩‍🍳Whatcha got cookin' on WIP Wednesday'? Share a WIP and show what you'll be feeding us next! 👨‍🍳

Great news! My new laptop finally arrived so I can get back to doing the things that I normally do. It's amazing how dependent we've become on these things, isn't it? Can't complain too much, though.

Shall we break in the new machine with some wri— Oh no, Clavis, not that kind of breaking.... Wait, put that down! Stop!! Claviiiiiiiiis!!!!

Nokto lightly padded up beside you. "Can you believe him? Can't even be bothered to help his brother in a crisis."

"You are not a child, you can handle it on your own," huffed Yves.

Nokto waited for him to turn around before inching closer and whispering "He used to love styling Licht and me back as kids. We were his best customers, you know" into your ear with an acerbic undertone.

"Only because you two would hound me incessantly until I did!" Yves snapped back, curling brush in hand.

"Come now, Evie, you should thank us for letting you hone your craft on our infantile noggins. I'd think that adds up to at least one emergency appointment, wouldn't you?" He jauntily leaned against the dresser and ran a hand through his hair. "Just a brush through will do."

"Not happening," said Yves.