What is that? Agostina, my terrifying landlady, stares balefully at .
A hole? I smile.
A hole?
A big bad hole, I nod.
You put a hole in my walls? she shouts.
Yep, I say while clicking my tongue.
This idiot put a hole in my wall, she stares at it, uncomprehending.
You know, sotis it happens.
Holes? Are you saying that holes happen?
Well, now, lets not dismiss that as if it was so stupid. Maybe there are so wood-eating bugs that
You better tell Clodia that Im having her pay through the nose for that! she says and then she slams the door behind her.
Im so close to sighing in relief but then she opens the door again.
And if you damage my property once again, Luciani, Ill poison your damn tea and have you drink it through your ears. Is that clear?
Is the ear thing so elven slang?
Aye, mada, I stand to attention like a soldier.
Humans, she spits out before going back.
Well, that wasnt the most pleasant exchange, was it?
I have to admit, though, I did put a very conspicuous hole, the size of a baseball, in the wall. Its hard not to notice it as soon you enter the apartnt.
I do need to practice my magic sowhere, dont I?
A training ground of so sorts or
Soone knocks on my door.
Luciani! You have a visitor! my landlady shouts from the other side of the door.
Camilla is almost thrown at by my landlady, who shuts the door right after.
That woman is even worse than they describe her, Camilla looks at with wide eyes. I just asked her where you lived. Shouldnt she avoid barging in her tenants apartnts?
Oh, wow. Hi. No, yes. Shes a bit much, but I just damaged a wall andwhatever.
I stumble a little on my words, confused.
I take a step back and look at her again.
Shes wearing a pinkish dress, similar to a spring fashion look back on Earth. It doesnt have many frills, but her cuteness is still off the charts.
Hi, again, Camilla, Im getting a grip on myself, finally, what brings you here?
You promised a dinner, rember? she winks at .
Oh.
Did I?
You dont rember? Dont worry, I already sent a ssage to the owner to reserve a table for us.
I an, at least Im not starving in this world. Everyone seems quite happy to take out for breakfasts, lunches and dinners. In fact, I start worrying about my waistline. Will I beco a little pig and then find out that Elves actually eat humans?
Could that beco sexual?
Probably.
Hello? she waves a hand in front of my eyes.
Sorry, I just realized that you Elves really like taking people out to eat, I note.
Yeah, I know that humans are usually more reserved and aloof. We like to treat our guests. Even if they are stinky humans. Are you coming dressed like that?
I look at the simple garb that I acquired from the market. Or that Clodia bought for . I dont rember whats what. Its just a simple combo of brownish pants and a linen shirt.
I have so nicer clothes, I say with a smile, but I still have to wash them. You might find them a bit weird for your tastes, though.
I have a [Cleanse] wand with , to show , she simply points a stick at and mutters sothing.
The next second, I feel like I just took a shower.
WOW! I imdiately go for the armpit sniffing. I dont stink anymore!
Its a must when you spend your entire day in the kitchen, baking. This cleans flour clumps from your hair easily. Its also a quick solution to cleaning clothes to re-use. However, if you buy one, dont forget to wash the clothes regularly. This is a quick fix, but most of the dirt simply dissolves and becos almost invisible. If you overuse it, you might find yourself covered in very nasty gri at so point. And its going be hard to wash that off.
I listen to Camilla with rapt interest.
Shes refreshingly direct and honest.
So, where are the other clothes? she jiggles the wand.
Right.
After getting her to clean my jeans and shirt I was wearing on the subway, I take a quick look at my backpack and other stuff I hid under the bed. I havent even tried to use my phone. I rember turning it off in the subway, but I never turned it back on again. I suspect that seeing remnants of my past life would not be pleasant at all.
Are you ok? she asks when I stay a bit too long crouched above the backpack.
Yeah. Im trying to avoid thinking of ho. I cant go back, and I still have so things I carry with that remind of that.
Shes surprisingly tactful for such an energetic person and doesnt ask any questions.
By the way, are the two guards in front of the building here for you? Camilla changes the topic while I sit on the bed.
Yep. Clodia said so people might have it out for , especially while we are in the middle of a negotiation. She says its extrely unlikely, but a couple of chaperones would also help get accustod to Amorium.
And are you? Getting accustod, I an, she smiles and sits in a chair in the apartnt.
Im not sure I ntioned it, but this is basically a studio apartnt. It is quite large, but there isnt the usual privacy of a multi-room solution.
Honestly, Ive mostly t nice people. I havent suffered any racist episodes. I got treated to lots of als and very nice people want to work with because of my baking knowledge. Considering the precarious situation I was in when I arrived, Im doing extrely good.
Camilla bit her lower lip. Not sexually, but with a well-hidden frown.
Laying roots in a new place is not easy, even if people are nice and if you make money, she gives a sad smile.
I dont know how we went so deep into this lancholic vibe, but it happened so naturally, I didnt even notice slipping into it. And Im pretty sure shes only partially talking about .
Camilla, I need to be honest with you. Im not sure I can pick the Three Roses. I
Its fine, Joey. But lets go put so food in our stomachs before we talk about refusals and business, okay? Ill wait outside. Get changed.
After shes out, my eyes linger on the door for a few seconds.
And I smile with both eyes and mouth.
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