Two pairs of feet walked down the halls of the Concorde Summit's large venue. One of them belonged to someone currently walking with maximum care, and the other… was Raveena.
More specifically, Raveena in just her socks.
Aya had tried very hard to act normal while wearing someone else's trousers, someone else's top, and very much not enough fabric under it all.
Every few steps, she would fidget. She did a tug here, a pat there, and a teensy fiddle with the waistband.
"You're walking weird," Raveena said as she eyed the rabbit-folk.
"I'm trying not to walk weird!" Aya whispered.
"You're making it look weirder, honestly."
Aya's ears drooped slightly. "I-I can't help it! Your clothes are… very tight."
"Sorry about that, but you're going to have to endure for a few minutes," Raveena said with a shrug, ignoring the occasional stares from passersby, with most of them doing a double-take at her socked feet.
"…Sooo, Raveena? You never told me… what brings you to the Summit? I didn't think you'd be here," Aya said.
Raveena gave her a glance and smirked a little. "Yeah, I wasn't invited, if that's what you're wondering."
"Oh? Then… why are you here?"
"Got voluntold."
"By who?"
"Professor Vask," Raveena sighed. "She called for me, asked if we could talk. So, we did. Next thing I know, I'm being plucked straight out of student life and installed as her assistant."
"Oh dear, really?"
"Mm-hmm. She made me a deal. In exchange for tagging along and helping her at these brain-fests, she'd waive the entire project load for our Arcane Tech class. Not just mine. Everyone's."
Aya gasped. "Wow! That's very generous of her, then?"
Raveena scoffed lightly. "She also bought me this outfit, because she wanted me to fit in as elegantly and as properly as possible."
"Well… you do look nice in it," Aya smiled, eyes darting downward before quickly redirecting to a chandelier. "A-and I'm very grateful you let me borrow some of it."
"You're just saying that because you're wearing my trousers."
Aya puffed her cheeks. "I'm saying it because I mean it!"
"I know," Raveena said. "Thank you."
After a few minutes of walking with Aya pointing out the directions, they finally reached the point where they weren't far from their location. And when they arrived, there, just outside the Hearthgarden Kitchen's broad doorway, stood Petra. She looked like she was anxiously waiting for someone.
"Petra!" Aya called out with a wave.
Petra's head snapped in her direction. "AYA?!"
She dashed forward practically bounding down the hallway to meet Aya halfway.
"Goodness, I was so worried!" Petra cried, skidding to a stop just short of a hug, but clearly tempted. "Where were you?! Are you okay?!"
Aya nodded quickly. "I-I'm fine! Really! I just… sort of, ran off, I guess? It's a rabbit thing…"
"A… rabbit thing?"
Aya smiled sheepishly. "Yes! Instincts, I guess we can call it that. It's complicated."
Petra sighed with relief and rested her hands on her hips. "We were all looking for you, you know! Richard, Juniper, and me… we split up, and I came back here 'cause I thought, 'Maybe she'll come back for her clothes.' And, well, here you are!"
Aya laughed nervously. "Oh… right. My clothes…"
Petra tilted her head, realizing something. Then her gaze very obviously trailed downward, drinking in the finely tailored trousers, the elegant, but tight top, and finally the formal shoes that were absolutely not Aya's size.
"Speaking of clothes…" Petra murmured slowly. "How…?"
Aya looked down at herself, then scratched her cheek with a nervous smile. "Ahaha… it's not mine."
"No kidding."
"A… good friend lent them to me. So I'd have something to wear!"
"A good friend?"
Aya gave a nod, then turned slightly to gesture toward the tall panther-folk looming just behind her. "Yes! She lent me the clothes. Petra, this is, um… Raveena Ves—"
Gasp!
Petra recoiled a step, her whole fluffy tail puffing up in alarm. "Wait! You're… oh no, are you the Raveena Vesper?! Like… that Vesper? The new transfer everyone's been talking about back on campus?!"
Raveena frowned. "Wow. Sorry to disappoint."
"Petra," Aya quickly stepped in to draw the squirrel-folk's attention. "Raveena's a nice person. She won't hurt anybody, alright? Don't believe all that stuff people were saying about her at the start of the year."
Petra blinked at her. Then turned her eyes toward Raveena, who was now staring very intently at the opposite wall.
Then she looked back at Aya and nodded.
"If you say so," Petra sighed. "As long as you're okay with her."
Aya smiled. "I am."
Petra puffed her cheeks slightly, but gave a little nod back. "Okay then…"
"So… Petra? Where are my clothes?" Aya smiled.
"Oh! Your clothes! Right!" Petra perked up, smacking her forehead gently. "I set them aside inside the kitchen. I made sure no one touched them."
"Thank you! I'll go get them in a bit," then she glanced over her shoulder toward Raveena. "Just… got something to talk about first."
"Alright! I'll head back in. I'll just, y'know, roam around the venue after this or something. I hear there's custard sampling somewhere."
Then she offered Raveena the most careful smile ever invented by a nervous squirrel and waved awkwardly.
"Nice meeting you, Raveena… Miss Vesper… Ma'am."
Raveena gave her a look, then she nodded. "Nice meeting you too."
Petra vanished into the kitchen immediately afterward.
As soon as Petra slipped into the kitchen, Aya let out a soft, guilty sigh.
"I'm sorry about that…" she murmured, turning toward Raveena. "She didn't mean to be rude. She just… she panics easily! Like… a lot."
But Raveena just smiled at her. "It's okay," she said. "Honestly… I'm glad you said what you did."
"Huh?"
"You didn't have to. But you did anyway."
Aya's cheeks puffed slightly as she balled her hands up at her sides, though it looked less intimidating and more like a bunny trying to fit a vegetable in her mouth.
"Of course I did!" she huffed. "It's only natural, right? Since we're friends!" then she added with a little stomp of her foot, "And also, people shouldn't just believe everything they hear about someone! Especially when it's all rumors and nothing confirmed to be real! That's not kind! That's not… fair!"
Raveena stared at her for a few seconds, and admired how adorable Aya looked in such a state. Especially since she was wearing her clothes… it was quite a sight.
"Alright, alright," Raveena said calmly with a chuckle, and before Aya could react…
Pat.
Her hand landed gently atop Aya's head, right between the ears, and she rubbed it in place a little bit.
Aya flinched with a surprised squeak. "Eep—!"
"Relax," Raveena said with a half-smile. "I told you. It doesn't really bother me."
"R-Really? Are you sure?"
"Of course I am. But… thank you. It's such a treat to see you act like that for me."
"Well… that's only… the right thing to do…" Aya trailed off as she slowly relaxed under the patting, ears twitching, and face flushing a soft shade of pink as she muttered something else quietly.
"You're welcome, you meanie…"
Raveena's ears gave the tiniest flick. "Did you say something?"
Aya flinched, straightening right away. "N-Nothing!! I mean… I should go! Yes! To the kitchen! To get my clothes! And then I'll find a bathroom to change in and then I'll return your clothes right after!"
"Oh. Uh. It's alright, you know," Raveena said, waving her hand lazily. "There's no rush."
"But…. but your clothes!" Aya said. "Don't you need them back?"
"I mean, eventually. But you can just return them whenever. Later, maybe. Tomorrow. When things calm down. Besides, I've got to hurry and head back soon, Professor Vask'll eat someone if I miss another talk. Probably me."
Aya frowned at that. "Oh stars… I really did take up your time, didn't I? I'm sorry…"
Raveena leaned down slightly. "Hey. No need to apologize. You showing up was a bit of a mess and a surprise, sure. But it was better than having you wander the Summit naked and afraid."
Aya let out a helpless little giggle, covering her face with her hands. "Oh dear… you really didn't have to say it like that!"
"Well, it's true, isn't it?"
Aya then pointed downward. "B-But… your shoes! Don't forget!"
Raveena followed her finger as it pointed down to her socked feet.
"…Huh. I honestly forgot. Guess the socks were too comfy."
Aya stepped carefully out of the shoes, one foot, then the other, and nudged them forward gently with her toes before crouching to pick them up.
Then, with both hands, she held them out to Raveena. "Here… and thank you again. For letting me borrow them."
Raveena smiled as she took them back. "It's nothing."
She knelt a little to slip them on, tightening the laces while Aya watched. To the rabbit-folk, there was something oddly elegant about the way Raveena did something as simple as that.
As Raveena stood and adjusted her collar, Aya looked at her curiously. "So… how long will you be here at the Summit?"
Raveena shrugged. "Far as I know? As long as Professor Vask needs me. Probably till the end of the event."
"Oh! Same! I'll be here the whole time too!"
"That so? That's nice. Hope whatever cooking you and your team are up to has been smooth sailing."
Aya nodded quickly. "Mhm! So far, so good! We've even gotten some praise. Chef Tulliver said we were clean and efficient!"
"Look at you," Raveena chuckled. "Summit star already."
Aya flailed her arms. "I'm not!"
Satisfied with the rabbit-folk's reaction, Raveena smiled, turned in place, and adjusted her sleeves one last time. "Alright, then. I'd better go back to the professor, she's probably still waiting for me."
"Oh, okay! Bye then!" Aya called with a little wave.
Raveena lifted her hand in return, fingers flicking lazily as she strode off.
Aya watched for a bit as the panther-folk left, and for a moment, she just stood there.
That walk. That tail flick. That strangely elegant confidence wrapped up in a nice, sharp outfit…
"Raveena really looks beautiful in that…" she thought to herself.
Then she remembered something, Petra's reaction upon seeing her earlier, along with the rumors about Raveena from back at the academy.
Trouble with professors. Doesn't talk to anyone. Probably cursed someone once…
Ridiculous stuff.
But… honestly, Aya was glad she never really believed any of it.
They'd only hung out a handful of times back on campus, chatting for a bit, having lunch under the cinnamonwood tree… and even having dinner with her. But even those small moments were enough to make Aya wonder…
What is she really like when she's not avoiding attention?
Or focused on a broken machine?
Or trying not to look flustered when someone compliments her?
This Summit… it might be a good chance.
To spend time with her again for a bit.
So, before she could second-guess herself, Aya took a deep breath, stepped forward a few times and called out, "Umm… Raveena?"
The panther-folk stopped mid-step and looked back. "Hm? What is it?"
Aya hurried over, not even minding her now bare feet. "If… if I can find you again later, or somehow, you're not busy. Do you maybe… want to have fun around the Summit together? Explore a little? Just us?"
Raveena blinked. "Me? You want to hang out?"
Aya puffed her cheeks. "Yes! Why not? We hang out together back at Saint Maribelle's, don't we? Or… do you not want to?"
Raveena let out a quiet chuckle. "It's not like that. Just surprised, that's all. But sure… I'll do my best to get some free time."
"That's great! Well then! I don't know where to find you other than your room, but if you need me, you can find me either here in the Hearthgarden Kitchen or at the Briarrest Cabin!"
Raveena raised a brow. "Where's that?"
"Oh! Um… it's just a few walks away from the Summit venue," Aya said quickly. "I'm not great with directions, but if you go out through the big main entrance and head west-ish, it's there! It's the student lodging cabin, you can't miss it!"
Raveena nodded slowly. "West-ish. Got it."
Aya smiled widely. "Great! Well then, off you go!"
Raveena smiled as she turned again. "All right, I'll see you around, Aya."
"See you as well!" she replied, ears and tails twitching happily as she turned back toward the kitchen.