***[POV: Photogenic Fox-in-a-Wolf]***
"Would something like having a career of your own and achievements to stand on help?"
The directness of her question catches me off guard, but there’s no sarcasm or taunting in her tone. I pause with my chopsticks halfway to my mouth, with a piece of what Anise called ’amberjack’ balanced between them.
> What is she... getting at? <
Looking into her pale blue eyes, I don’t really see anything especially eager. Like someone bluntly talking about the weather.
"Among other things, yes. I don’t think it would be a miracle fix, but if some parts of the situation were different, then things may be different.."
Nodding while leaning back, she lazily takes another sip of the ’shochu’ she ordered. Judging by the color of her cheeks and the slight changes in the way she moves... it has more alcohol than the cans she ordered, that time with the takeout.
"You know, I’ve actually been thinking about something since we first met. There is a... professional opportunity I could introduce you to."
Feeling a twitch of annoyance at the way she waits until I finish chewing - before I grab the last available bite. Forcing me to decide between responding immediately or mulling over what she means as I stuff my face.
> Well, she can wait. She has drink to sip. And this body seems like a black hole for seafood. <
As Vrika gets more sensation out of me tasting food than from listening to the seamstress and I talk, it has no objections. Afterwards, I carefully set my utensils on the little rests and sit up straight.
"If this is about some sort of charity because of what I just said, then I’m afraid I’d prefer not to hear it."
"Trust me, I wouldn’t risk my professional reputation with a colleague over anything like that. This is entirely about your look. The fact they you don’t have a job and might be hungry for one is a bonus for them."
"My... look?"
I doubt she means the twintails. Perhaps she means-
"Your natural poise for one. Your thick dark hair and creamy skin tone without any special lighting. But most importantly your figure and eyes matches this designer’s ideal."
She gestures vaguely at me... and I think the drink is getting to her because despite all the objective compliments the hand wave almost had a ’fed up’ quality to it. I don’t know much about drunks in this world from Helene, other than a few movies.
> I really hope she isn’t the belligerent kind... <
"So this would be something that uses the look of my body. Are they another seamstress?"
"Well, something like that. I have connections with several designers that I went to school with or worked together at internships. One of the still local ones contacted me the day before you showed up in my boutique."
Convenient timing. But I’m not entirely sure why she would lie - or if she is really so exceptional with doing so while she is under the influence, as I do not see any of the usual signs of deception.
"Go on."
"They had a model cancel last minute. Personal emergency or something - I didn’t really care at the time, my friend caught me at a bad moment. But they’ve texted me twice since to be on the lookout and to give them any contacts that could help them find someone."
A soft knock on the wooden frame of our private area makes me turn my head. The voice I recognize as Reina calls out politely from beyond the screen.
"Anise? Forgive the interruption."
"Come in, Reina. What is it?"
The young woman slides the screen panel aside just enough to step through, bowing forward as she enters. Her movements are as graceful as before in those layers of traditional clothing... but there’s something slightly less professional in her posture than when serving us.
> Yet still sort of formal. It’s like always being on guard with an attempt at respect. <
"My grandfather noticed you were dining with a guest this evening. He would very much like to meet you both, if you would honor him with a moment of your time."
The expression on Anise’s slightly flushed face softened. Revealing genuine affection there... for this young woman’s relative? If I said I was not curious about the connection, I would be lying.
"Of course. We’ll see him. How is he feeling today?"
"Much better, thank you for asking. He is in the front garden area, taking his evening tea."
Eyes flick to me briefly, seeming more curious than she did when only playing hostess.
"However, he mentioned that your companion is welcome but not required if she prefers to remain anonymous. That she carries herself with... particular grace."
> The old man was watching us? <
While I look to the corners of the room, across the table from me... the tipsy blonde stands up surprisingly smoothly while fixing her dark dress. She gestures with her hand for me to join in standing up.
"We’d be delighted to meet him. Your grandfather has always had excellent instincts about people."
"Thank you both. He will be very pleased."
Bowing, she leads us from the private room back through the main dining area, which has grown a little livelier as the evening progressed. Most of the other diners who I’d glanced at in the main seating area when we came in have left.
> I suppose I was eating for quite a while... seconds and thirds... <
"How long has your grandfather owned this place?" I ask as we walk, genuinely curious.
"This location is newer, only a decade old. However, the restaurant has been open since before I was born."
Truly, I find this impressive... as in my world the humans did not have such places of bounty. Cooking at home over a hearth was the norm for them - and the few places that I might consider to be equivalent to a long established restaurant?
> Were either well known food stalls in the bazaar or larger communal eating areas where older women slaved over pots, to feed those forking over hard earned coins for the day. An unsubtle tax from the kingdom, in a way... as we ’subsidized’ these places and also owned the farmland. <
"Ginzaburo has a head for business and fish - but he’s a charmer and a gentleman, don’t worry."
I wasn’t especially worried before, but now I am. Because I’m not sure if I can pronounce that name as fluently as Anise just did!