"Congratulations, then, on your win."

"Thank you. Would you like to play with her a bit?"

"I don't know. Kitten, would we? She seems a touch worn out."

"Since we are planning to keep her, I'd suggest letting her rest a bit, before the next act."

She laughs. "Very well. I'll be keeping her with me, then."

Eliana smirks.

"Any household business to discuss?"

"I should be able to transmute the coins we collected from our last stop to a form that will be acceptable here, so train fare will not be an issue."

"Good. And my pet might at least have some examples. I believe her dress is over there somewhere." She gestures lazily.

"I don't believe we will be going anywhere until tomorrow, unless there is some manner of midnight train."

"There are, but they're usually less enjoyable. The nice trains leave at a decent hour in the morning or early afternoon, and I'm sure we'll want a private room, if not a whole car."

"Then the most pressing question facing us, I believe, is tonight's dinner."

"I can go shopping - unless you two got groceries while you were out?" This she directs to the Keres and Hisame. "Or we can go out to a restaurant, I suppose."

"We did not," the Keres says, spreading an array of coins out on a nearby table.

"I would prefer not to eat out."

"Then I suppose you will all have to keep my pet company. Unless you'd rather accompany me, or be unconscious while I'm gone, darling?" she directs towards her pet. (She feels the pet would rather have the decision made for her, but, well, Nausicaa is still learning her way around the pet's detailed preferences.)

"I want whatever makes you happy," her pet says.

Pat. "Such a wonderful pet. Why don't you come with me? You can carry my things, and we can walk arm in arm." Oil curls under her skin, and the pet's injuries are healed with a wave that sends shivers up the spine.

"Mmmmm Yes, mistress."

"Are you going to redress her?"

"I was planning to. Do you have an alternate suggestion?"

"I was just wondering how much trouble you might get in if you didn't."

She laughs. "There'd be public order officers involved. Dreadful business."

"Party crashers. Alas. We shall await your return, then."

"I look forward to it."

And she gets her pet decent, then heads out to grocery shop, returning soon enough with enough supplies for meals for the night and morning.