Sunlight wedges between velveteen curtains and hard-wood windowpane to light the room with an ambient attempt at daytime. Shadows wrap the room’s stately dignity in mystery; a gold candlestick here, a flicker of emerald fabric there, a room of riches waiting for patient exploration. Paintings of lavish women and abstract landscapes cover the wall as well as any wallpaper and an army of rugs carry a cross-continental discussion of flora across the gleaming mahogany floors.

The room even smells like money. A discrete bowl of rose perfume just barely covers the musk of antique furniture and sensually thick fabrics.

She’s spent the day in bed, staring at the carvings on the headboard and breathing in the smell of uncountable fortunes. Last night’s pretty young audience is off in a bath so as to be presentable for mummy and daddy when they come home for lunch. If she pricks her elongated ears she still can’t hear the sound of bathwater; but then, houses this expansive surpass such things as rattling pipes.

Her muscles ache for the downy mattress and the silky sheets even as she rolls out of bed. The floral rugs, soft and fluffy, delight her bare feet. Her first task is to collect the clothes she sloughed off in such eagerness the night before. She plucks them from their places across the ottomon, the divon, and the desk.

She pauses on her return to admire a ruby crusted necklace in the shape of a swan. Light enough, common enough, and expensive enough to sell without being traced. She wraps it in a dainty lace scarf - equally miss-able - and slips it into her pocket.

That should even off her tab with room to spare.

"Nothing," Taya repeats to herself. They perch on a shallow stone wall that segments street from park. Dandelions fill cracks in the sidewalk and Koneko plucks one to swirl between her stubby fingers. Taya keeps her eyes on the pavement and her shadow-reflection that sprawls like fingers over speckled cement. Shadow Taya slumps her shoulders forward and sighs. "Is it because I'm not good enough to wash dishes?"

"Trying s'what counts."

"I don't think I can do this." Hair slumps over her shadow shoulders in dangling clumps. She presses her thumbs against the hollow juncture of eyesockets and eyebrows. Prickly eyes and thick throat warn her belatedly of the tears about to come and she fights them with deep breaths. "I know I'm not good at anything. But I thought if I actually tried, and since it's someplace new, maybe... I wouldn't fail completely?"

Furry palms descend on her shoulders. Stubborn gentle warm weight against her back. Taya's first instinct is to twitch out of the hug but instead she leans against Koneko's head. Velveteen ears flick against her cheek with the delicate brush of butterfly wings.

"Haven't failed. Daijoubu I said." Koneko rocks her by the shoulders just had enough to flop her in multiple directions. It's silly and intentional and it makes Taya want to smile more and cry harder. She wipes a hand across her cheek and sniffles. "Will be O-K. No crying."

"S-sorry. I'll try to, um, stop."

"No sorries." Koneko's voice goes stern while she tucks the dandelion behind Taya's ear. It tickles. "Yeah?"

"Sor- um. I remember."

"Good."

They wait in quiet while Taya quickly extinguishes her tears and de-reddens her face. Koneko's hand rubs against her back in a circular motion until her breath smoothes into something calm and natural.

“Ne. Tommorrow Sagesan comes." Koneko hugs her once more and pulls out before Taya can feel awkward for the continued contact. The Nyamal leans back and slants her eyes into the afternoon sun. Passing clouds shadow her face. "Good, right?"

"He is?" A smile sneaks out. She misses Sage and she wonders what he'll say when he sees her. Will he be proud she's trying so hard to adjust? Would he be surprised?

"Mm! Comin' to visit patients. Said we meet him at carriage stop an’ then go to lunch.” She watches Taya’s face light up and preens in the satisfaction that she is a good friend.

"That'll be fun! If he has, um, time for lunch? We could go to the crepe place that's nearbye. I wanted to try there, and I think he would like that, right? And oh!” Her excitement wraps in on itself into stillness. Taya stares at her shadow again. ”No. I can't."

Koneko tilts her head to the side and cocks one ear. "Oh? Don't want to see Sagesan?"

"No. No, nothing like, um. I have a thing." Her trecherous cheeks pink and she hopes it blends with her pre-existing flush. She nudges the pavement with her toe nonchalantly. “You can go. I'll just, um, maybe next time?"

Koneko doesn't say anything for a while. They both watch pedestrians cross the street and file in and out of the deli-that-didn't-need-help-at-this-time-thanks.

"Maa. Will tell Sagesan y'say hi?"

"Thanks."