She listened to Corriander’s ideas, and giggled at his response about Lavender. “She’s keeping it a secret? I guess it wouldn’t be as fun if you knew.” About the part of working up an appetite, she didn’t know if she could eat. It was a nervous habit. But she remember he said something about games. “Games? That could be something fun!” Again, she was all smiles.

As they walked along, she couldn’t help deny she felt cozy. This was a nice feeling, she thought. “Something special?” replying surprisingly. This caught Meara’s attention immediately, perking her interest. “Hm. Well, I can’t wait then.” but then a mischievous smile played with her lips. “Can… Can I have a little clue? Pleaseee? Just a tiny, tiny clue.” Meara put her head on his shoulder, she looked up at him with a grin.

Meara put her head on his shoulder. In all honestly, Coriander wasn't expecting them to move along this fast but...

But, Cori didn't mind at all. So, he decided to just... enjoy this time.

"Ah ah ah..." he said, shaking his finger and returning Meara's mischievous grin. "It's a secret... You'll just have to wait."

"All I'll say is that it's a very special place for me."

They eventually came to one of the game stalls; the classic "hit the milk bottle" game, with a bunch of prizes on the back wall.

"Shall I win something for you... darling?" he said, emphasizing that last word.

Spring 1-5th

Virtus watched Meara go, and then Coriander follow shortly after. He was thinking about what both of them said as he left the lake, he would talk more but he never had any idea what to say, As he made it part way into town he came upon a flier for the cooking contest and examined it "Well they are going to have to wait a little while." He said to himself and continued on his walk back to his farm.

Virtus disappeared for five days, anyone who came to check up on him would notice that the farm and the monsters were cared for and that there was a awful racket coming from inside the farm house. But he would not answer the door and for a long time it seemed like he just kinda walked off the face of the earth.

Spring 6th Cooking contest

He had done it, he had made enough chocolate sponge cakes, and preludes to love for everyone in town, he smiled down at his creations they were perfect, it only took him six days, six days of failed dishes sat in the sink but he had made something that was not only edible but perfect.

He took care of his farm for the day and hooked up Buffamoo Bill to a cart and had him ferry the food and a table to display it down to the town. When they got there he set up his table in a split on one side were the prelude to love drinks on the other was little plates that had a piece of sponge cake on it all lined up in little rows for passerby's. When everything was set up he gave Buffamoo Bill a piece of cake and sent him home and waited for people to come.

“Sure!” She winked at Corriander, “But maybe I will win you something instead.” Meara smirked at him, “It’s a challenge.” Her voice became silky in her friendly competitive nature, and she cocked her eyebrow. But she was knocked off her silly nature when she realized the ring in his voice when he said darling. Meara’s eyes grew wide but then she coughed and shook her head, as if dismissing her girlish nature. She laughed and turned the situation, “If you win me that cute stuffed bunny, I’ll let you calling me darling.” Meara mewed, but she cover her mouth because she had a silly girly grin from ear to ear.

Her eyes wandered over and she saw a face she knew. “Chocolate sponge cakes!” And they looked really good. Oh man, she really wanted one of those. She had one at the bakery once, but the baker hasn’t made them recently. “Virtus! Virtus!” She called out his name and waved at him.

“Corriander,” she turned to him in excitement, “After you maybe win me the bunny…” She squinted at him with a smile, so he knew she hadn’t forgotten her bet to him. “Virtus made chocolate sponge cakes. I say we should go try them out. They look tasty.” She continued, “And then we should try out everyone else’s foods. My mouth is watering.”

Nanashi had spent the week doing his usual routine. Get up, take care of the monsters, drink a bottle of milk, go to town and handle his pet shop business, then close up and head off adventuring in the dungeons. Lately, he's been staying out until 2 AM and has been a little tired. Since today was the Cooking Festival, his shop was closed for the holiday so he rested a little more at home more than usual. Although he loved eating food, he had no talent for cooking and so this particular festival didn't interest him other then the nice smelling foods. It made his stomach rumble harder when he could smell all the delicious foods from his own home.

Deciding to at least go and check out the festivities, the half-demon traveled to the town and saw the town bustling with people. It was then a particular scent caught his keen nose... Baked sweet goods. Chocolate Sponge Cakes if he had to guess. Fluffy ears perking up as he followed the scent, his tail twitched in mild excitement as he spotted the farmer he spoke to yesterday giving away the delectable sweets.

Moving closer, he shifted as little shyly in place but his mismatched gaze were wide and shining . More looking like a dog giving the puppy dog eyes. "May I have one, Virtus?" the silver haired man asked softly.

Virtus was proud of his work, and of the animals who helped him by giving him the things he needed to cook. As he had been getting compliments all day. Virtus was more than surprised when Nanashi showed up and gave him the puppy dog eyes. "It's what they are there for." He said handing a small glass of his Prelude to love drink and a piece of chocolate sponge cake to Nanashi "Enjoy." He said a actual grin on his face as he said it.

He was amazed by the fact people liked his cooking seeing as he was normally awful at it but today things worked out extra well and apparently he went above and beyond as people would come back for seconds but he would have to turn them away so other people could have some.

Ears twitching as he took the glass and the chocolate sponge cake, the mismatched eyed man gave a pleasant 'thank you' before lightly nibbling a piece of chocolate sponge cake. The fluffy tail around his waist, acting as a belt, twitched before releasing hold and simply wagging from side to side happily behind him. The delicious taste pleased Nanashi's sweet tooth that caused a gentle toothy happy smile.

Though a bit of emotions got a little carried away, as silver fur went over his bare arms, and his face briefly turning to that of a canine, a fluffy mane around his neck and his eyes a red color. He suddenly realized this and his body shifted back to normal in a blink of a eye. Pleasantly eating the sweet and taking a sip of the drink.

Mari smiled to herself. Today was the day. The cooking festival was today. She stepped into the plaza, basket in hand and companions at her side. Lilac followed her as always, along with the new addition to their little family, Clover, the orphaned chipsqueek she had found five days ago. They continued on past throngs of people, until she saw familiar faces. Virtus was selling cakes to Nanashi, and Meara was off to the side with Corriander. She walked up to them, determined in her own way.

"G-good morning. Do you mind if I, um, set up my stall next to yours?" She asked, mostly to Virtus. Her free hand rubbed the back of her neck nervously as she sent a friendly smile to Nanashi. "Uh, i-it's just you g-guys seem to be having a good time, and I, um, I also brought some cakes and well, u-um..." She stuttered with the words, trying to convey her wishes to the others. Last year she had sold a good amount of sweets, but she was so nervous being the only one there. People had always told her she was a fine cook, but the truth was she could only make sweets and more homely dishes. Definitely not like the curry her grandmother made. Oh god how that curry burned, she couldn't get the taste off no matter how much milk she drank.

"Hmm, alright, I guess I was getting hungry, too," Coriander replied, handing a coin to the man chuckling behind the stand. Three balls were put on the stand in front of him. Coriander picked one up, aimed, and threw the ball.

It missed. Alright. No biggie. He still had two balls left.

He took the next one, and threw that as well. This one hit the top bottle, which teetered slightly, but didn't fall.

Oh, that was right, the bottles were weighted. Coriander mentally slapped himself for forgetting that fact. That meant he had to win it with this one. He picked up the last ball. He had to focus for this one. He wanted to see Meara's smile when he won her that bunny. He aimed, and...

Wait a minute... didn't Meara say she was going to call him "Cori"? He distinctly recalled that she called him "Coriander" just now... Maybe she forgot? Maybe she wasn't used to it yet?

And it was with that distracted mindset that he threw, with the ball hitting the sweet spot in between two of the bottom bottles, sending all of them toppling to the ground.

Mears watched him closely. When it all came down to the last bottle, but something seemed to slip with Corriander, she thought. But like it wad her nature, she laughed sweetly. The girl walked up near him and then linked her arm with his, hugged his arm. "These things are a trick anyway." Her lips curved into a sweet smile.

"But...you kinda seemed, distracted, there at the end." She didn't want to pry, or seem annoying. "What are your thoughts?" Meara tried to be comforting, and her body straightened up to look at him and listen inventively.

The flower shop girl approached both Nanashi and Virtus and asked if she could set up shop with him. "Sure." He said a slight smile appearing on his face. "I never did properly thank you for giving me those moon drops. So i had something made for you." He continued he walked over to a small bag he brought with him. Inside were a few potions, a wrapped up lunch of onigiri, and a simple bracelet with an amethyst set in the middle, "One of my woolies found the amethyst so i paid the blacksmith to make something out if of it. This was the result and I'm not much of a jewelry person so you can have it if you want. If not you can always give it to someone else." He said

Finally he turned to Nanashi. "How was it?" He asked the half monsters a little curious as to how it was. He hoped it was good enough to win but all hopes of winning faded when he saw Nanashi revert a bit they were replaced with worry. "You alright?" He asked a touch of concern seeping into his voice. Perhaps the concern was from him thinking Nanashi was a friend or perhaps it came from being a guard, Virtus didn't know but he did not want anyone to get hurt.

Mari looked up at Virtus, smiling as he gave permission. She had begun to set up her stand with the help of Lilac when Virtus spoke again. She turned back to him, surprised at him thanking her. She blushed, nodding.

"I-it wasn't a big deal, um, I-" She was surprised once again when he presented a small bag to her, saying he had made whatever was inside for her. "O-oh, thank you, it's beautiful. Um I- uh..." She turned a deeper red, stuttering. He had gone out of his way to make all these food her because she had given him extra flowers, and something so beautiful. She had seen other girls around town wearing jewelry, but she had never owned anything other than a simple locket from her mother. Her grandmother had always said that modesty was a true beauty, and Mari had usually spent her time on flowers, too busy to find and refine gems. She smiled softly, slipping on the bracelet and holding it up in the light.

After a few minutes, her stall had been set up, and she laid the basket on the table. That basket contained the object she had slaved away over for days, trying to get every little detail perfect. She slowly took off the kerchief, revealing a cake. It wasn't large, but it wasn't as small as the others she had made. It was plain, with layers of strawberries in between the cake. White icing had been smoothed over top, and the whole thing was decorated with place on top. She brought out smaller versions of the cake, setting them across the table like surface. Next came a blue vase full of bright Pink Cat flowers, placed near the front of the stall to catch attention. Once done, she sat on the edge of Lilac's wagon, looking over the bracelet.

Nanashi glanced toward the flowershop girl and gave a light wave of greeting before looking toward the earthmate when the half monster was addressed with concern. Giving a soft grunt of amusement, he gave a simple smile and a nonchalant wave of his hand and scratched a ear in mild embarrassment.

"Oh it's delicious. So much so I got a bit too excited that I almost turned into my monster half. But no need to worry." Nanashi answered before curiously watching Mari set up her pretty little stand. The scent of flowers slightly overwhelming his sensitive nose, giving him a mild headache. He didn't complain though, he liked flowers all the same.

"Hmm? Oh... that is..."

Coriander cleared his throat again.

"Ah, uh... I just found it strange that you called me Coriander. I thought you were going to call me 'Cori' now. Did you change your mind?"

He hoped not. To be honest, he'd been kind of looking forward to it. It was a small thing, but it made it seem like they were close... like it was confirming their relationship... or something.

"A-Anyway," he said, noticing the stuffed bunny on the stand. "I may have been distracted, but it all worked out in the end."

He took the stuffed bunny and presented it to Meara.

"Now, darling, what do you say we sample some cakes?"

Meara blinked at him when he mentioned calling him Cori. In a way she almost seemed defensive, but not in a mean way, almost in a slightly panicked way. “No! No I didn’t change my mind, honest! But… when I brought it up at the bakery, it seemed like you didn’t really feel comfortable with it. So, I was hesitant because I thought it offended you.” She sighed and looked away, disappointed in her actions. Her mouth opened to explain more but she was distracted by the fact he was holding a stuffed rabbit.

From a worried look, her face lit up because of the image of honestly how cute it was to see Corriander holding a stuffed bunny. And also the fact that he actually got it and it was adorable as well. “It’s precious!” and like a leap, she took the bunny and then lunged towards him. Her squeeze was tight and she didn’t let go for a little while. In the midst of her squeezing him, she repeated, “Thank you!” like a child.

After feeling satisfied that he knew her excitement and gratitude, she released her hold and looked at the rabbit. But she also remembered she lost her bet… and he can call her ‘darling’ all he wanted. Which isn’t bad, it’s a win-win situation, she thought. Still though, her tongue pressed against her cheek because she still lost a good bet. Oh well.

“Alright Cori.” She paused with a shifty smile, “Looks like you won, then.” Her eyes flickered in a quick up-down motion, then she swiftly grabbed his hand. Ironically, she gave a triumphant smile as if she won something. “Let’s go have some cakes!”