Dancing Fox Inn XIII- Luck Costs Extra

[Deathkeeper]

Mist crosses his arms and pouts, looking away.
”No, foxes are awesome. I meant like a cow or a hippo or a rat.”

He can’t help but sigh at the other question.
”Yes, it can. I feel like I’m in over my head all the time.” It can be very confusing, having two mortal and one divine version of your wife around and they’re all technically the same person but also not really.

[Recaiden]

"Rats are cute! They're like tiny possums!"
Mei insists.
"Foxes are fine though, honestly."
She looks over at the fire herself, not quite sighing.
"And there's the trouble of keeping divine business from affecting them when it doesn't need to. But I think everyone feels in over their heads, so don't let it get to you too much."

Good thing there won't be any new versions popping up to confuse Mist any time soon.

[Deathkeeper]

Mist shakes his head.
”I usually don’t. I have the benefit of only one goddess having plans for me. Though I could swear Keiko was seriously thinking about trying to make me a mom that one time.” Mist had been trying out being a girl for Leah at the time and Keiko had given Mist a truly worrying look at the mention of children.

[Recaiden]

Mei gives Mist a look. Did he say...?
Well, better not ask.
"Well, don't worry about me having plans. Not my thing. I don't even have any followers in this world. Anymore."
Except those kobolds you've forgotten about, Mei. Forgotten about again.

[Deathkeeper]

Mist raises an eyebrow. ”What? My wife wants kids and I was a girl at the time. You think a mischief goddess wouldn’t make things happen? It can happen.” he says to explain her look.

”Aw, that’s alright though. You clearly don’t need any. You seem very capable without them.”

[Recaiden]

"What? Oh, I thought you meant, uh, something else. Mischief, that does make sense." Maybe she should- no, no, other gods are just even more trouble most of the time.

"Well, thank you, Mist. You're quite right. My infrashtructure runs perfectly without any direct worship of, uh. But sometimes I wonder if it might help find reliable people."
It's just like finding people to help around the inn? Probably?

[Deathkeeper]

Mist nods. "Yeah, getting help is usually a smart idea. Even for...whatever it is that you do. Try that." is the bartender's suggestion, even though he knows he has very little idea of what it is Mei is talking about.

[Recaiden]

"Mhm. I had some help before, but they've their own existences to live. Asta's gone off to work in a worldstorm, and- oh? Me? I make stars! And the little ones, uh, planets!"
Mei nods a couple times, and peers down at her drink. It's empty? How did that happen?

[Deathkeeper]

Mist doesn't really know how to reply to that.
"Well.
Um.
That's nice.
I think."

[Recaiden]

"Yess, it definitely is nice."
Mei tilts her head back and forth for a moment before pushing the glass away.
"Another, thanks."

"So, you must hear things? Do you know anyone looking for work or, uh, that other thing?"
Looking for religion, Mei?

[Deathkeeper]

Mist pours her another drink, though not showing off as much this time.
”Not really, no. Most people I might have met are from the Skullfort Town and if you got anyone from there it might count as follower poaching since that’s kind of Message’s Base.” He doesn’t know if Message takes that sort of thing so seriously but he can believe it would be considered rude.

[Recaiden]

Just because the customer won't be paying enough attention to appreciate it, is that any reason not to show off?
Yes? It is?
"Oh yeah, that would be rude, wouldn't it? Ooh, do you think she needs any planets? Or you, I guess. Mortals usually don't, you know? But it can't hurt to ask, can it ?"

[Deathkeeper]

"Uh, she has her own projects but I don't know if she's looking for help on them. As I am not a god, goddess, or cosmic dragon I do not have any need of planets." Mist says, personally quite baffled to be put in a conversation where he has to say that sentence.

[Recaiden]

"Heh, that's okay. You know, even mortals who want to rule the world, they usually want to rule their world in particular, riiight?"
Mei's smile slips away as quickly as it appeared in the first place, and she looks down into her outrageously green beverage.
"I came here - the nexus - to visit some people. But most of them are dead. That's what happens with mortals. It's in the name."
She nods to herself. What else should you expect?

[Deathkeeper]

Well, this got dark quickly.
”Aw, you can find new people to visit. You’re a strong, pretty shiny dragon, you can make lots of friends.” the bartender assures her. He can at least say he’s seen less approachable immortals in his lifetime.

[Recaiden]

"It's not the same, though."
The compliments do Mei some good.
"But you're right, aren't you?"
"I'm sure this time no one is going to level a block, or burn down the bar, or set out on a crusade to destroy the world."

[Deathkeeper]

Mist laughs nervously. Just what kind of friends did this goddess have?
”Yeah. Uh. That. Won’t be happening. Please.” He sure hopes it doesn’t. Would be bad for business and his continued breathing.

[WarKitty]

A tarantula with a sheaf of papers and a notepad and pen walks in the door, stopping to blink its eyes at the size of the place and then waving for any passing worker.

[Deathkeeper]

The owner, Mist, approaches the spider, vulpine tail swishing.
"Can I help you, little guy?"

[WarKitty]

The spider scratches out a note on the notepad and hands it to Mist.

The note reads:

May I please put up some posters? We're hosting a party! And you're invited as well, lovely creature!

[Deathkeeper]

Mist blinks but nods after a little thought.
”Yeah, sure. What’s the occasion? Maybe Leah would want to come...”

[WarKitty]

The spider writes back:

No real occasion - Lady Arachne enjoys these sorts of parties. It's always a good chance to see the local citizens and everyone enjoys them. I do always enjoy seeing how pretty everyone looks!

She scurries up the wall a bit and starts smoothing out a poster. It adheres magically, the tastefully shimmering paper advertising:

Masquerade Ball!
All are invited! Outdoor garden party. Those interested, or with suitable skills to help, may contact Lady Arachne - please send letters with one of the spiders.

[Deathkeeper]

Mist squints at the poster.
”Do you need a flutist? I haven’t gotten a chance to perform for an audience in a while.”

[WarKitty]

The spider nods, reaches into her folder, and hands Mist a small application form. It's quite simple, requiring only his name, skills, and requested payment method, and a contact location.

[Deathkeeper]

Mist writes down simply that he is a talented flute player (and barman, and knife juggler), that he prefers any physical currency or precious item, and that he can be easily found at the Inn.

[Recaiden]

"Those are the things that happened last time." Mei explains in a wistful voice. "But that was a long time ago; I'm sure things will go better now!"
She turns towards the door, expecting that something is about to happen.

Oh, and look. A little spider with big posters. A masquerade? That's perfect!

"Did you say you play the flute?" That went by while you were definitely dead-timed, Mei. It might have been a different scene entirely.
"I have a project that's waiting on some good flute music, if you're interested in another bit of work?"

[Deathkeeper]

Mist blinks and tilts his head.
"Well I guess the place could use some new upholstery. What's the project?" he asks the dragon.

[Recaiden]

"I was thinking of making an analogue of my usual work but without using the normal dimensions: length, breadth, depth, right? It'll take some particular ingredients. For the first one, I need good flute music to pass the gate."
That might not explain as much as you think it does, Mei.

[Deathkeeper]

Okay, now Mist is really confused. "You want to make a non-3D place? And you need to...get past a gate first? Like, there's a music test to get past a gate to make a non-3D space?"
Nope, that still doesn't make any sense when he says it out loud.

[Recaiden]

"Well, it isn't a place or a space, right? But pretty much what you said. There's a music test to get past a gate to get the pieces to make a non-3D system." Mei smiles. "I suppose technically I could get the pieces elsewhere, but it would be a lot more trouble. More bother than just practicing the flute myself."
Explaining what these pieces are wouldn't help Mist too much, she doesn't think.
"I expect two or three songs will be called for."