The Vixens' room was chaos.
Not destructive chaos—fashion chaos.
Bunny stood on the bed, hands on her hips. "Okay, turn around. Slowly."
Nyxian sighed dramatically while adjusting a strap. "Why do I feel like we're going to war instead of dinner?"
"Because appearances matter," Bunny said firmly. "And don't pretend you aren't doing the same thing."
Nyxian glanced at her reflection.
"…Rude."
Zee smoothed the front of her dress, quietly watching the others. "Do you think he'll like this?"
The room went silent for half a heartbeat.
Nyxian smirked. "Oh? This matters now?"
Zee flushed. "I just meant—"
"You meant exactly what you said," Bunny teased. "And yes. He will."
Llandra stood near the mirror, arms crossed, pretending she wasn't thinking at all.
She absolutely was.
I'm just being polite, she told herself. He's a guest. That's all.
Still, she adjusted her hair again.
Downstairs, Jax had arrived early.
He'd secured a table near the center of the restaurant—clean, well-lit, and far enough from the kitchen that the heat wouldn't overwhelm conversation.
When the Vixens entered, he stood immediately.
Bunny and Nyxian reached the table first—far too quickly to be coincidence—and slid into the seats nearest him.
Jax pulled out their chairs without comment.
Nyxian noticed.
She smiled.
The evening flowed easily.
Drinks arrived.
Jax lifted his glass and took a sip—
FOREIGN TOXIN DETECTEDNEUTRALIZING POISON
"…Oh," Jax muttered.
I can't get drunk?
Another prompt appeared.
DISABLE TOXIN NEUTRALIZATION FOR THIS DURATION?
"Yes," he whispered. "Absolutely."
CONFIRM
The mead was… different.
Sweeter. Earthier. Not bad—just unfamiliar.
Conversation circled back to Merriweather's shop, Jax's disappearing act, and his negotiation with the troll.
Nyxian exaggerated shamelessly.
"You should've seen his face," she said. "Like he'd just realized he was underpaid his entire life."
Laughter filled the table.
Then the main dishes arrived.
Jax took one look—
—and knew.
Nyxian caught his expression. "Yeah. It's… food."
"Edible," Bunny added helpfully. "That's the highest praise."
Jax raised a hand. "Can I ask something strange?"
The waitress blinked. "I've heard worse."
"Does the kitchen have any spices I could use?"
The Vixens froze.
"…Why?" Zee asked carefully.
The waitress hesitated. "I could ask the cook. Or… you could come with me."
Jax stood, plate in hand. "I'll be quick."
He glanced back. "Don't eat that."
His vision flickered.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEARN SKILL:CULINARY ARTS – CHEF
"Yes," Jax said immediately.
CONFIRM
Thirty minutes passed.
Then—
The restaurant filled with an aroma so rich and savory that conversations stopped mid-sentence.
"What is that?"
"I want that."
"Did we order wrong?"
Jax emerged from the kitchen carrying two plates.
The waitress followed with three more.
They were beautiful.
The Vixens stared.
"I just made an au jus," Jax explained. "Changed the cut, cooked it differently, used what spices you had. There's… potential here."
Bunny took a bite.
"…Holy Nerf scuttle."
Nyxian followed.
"Oh my gods."
Tables nearby began standing.
"I'll have whatever that is."
"So will we."
The shift leader hurried over, wide-eyed. "Mr. Darquebane… tonight may be our most profitable evening this month."
"I'm glad," Jax said. "Make it the special."
The shift leader nodded eagerly. "Your meal is on the house."
Jax raised a finger. "No need. But we'll accept a round of your finest mead."
"Done."
The Vixens ate like they hadn't tasted real food before.
"This," Llandra said quietly, "may be the best thing that has ever touched my lips."
Nyxian glanced at her.
Then at Jax.
Then back.
"If you play your cards right," she said sweetly, "it might only be second best someday."
Llandra choked.
The table erupted in laughter.
Later, as drinks arrived, Nyxian leaned back. "So. What chaos are you planning tomorrow?"
Jax smiled. "Business. For the next few days, actually."
"Can I help?" Nyxian asked.
"So can I," Bunny said quickly.
Jax set down his fork. "I'd like to spend the next few days with all four of you—if you'll allow it."
He turned to Llandra. "Help me choose a weapon tomorrow."
To Zee. "Accompany me to Merriweather's."
To Nyxian. "Help me organize negotiations."
To Bunny. "Shopping."
Nyxian smirked. "So you want to date all of us?"
Jax blinked. "That's not—"
She laughed, lifting her glass. "Relax, dragon killer."
"To new friendships," Jax said, raising his own.
They drank.
Nyxian leaned toward Llandra. "And maybe more."
Llandra spat again.
The laughter echoed.
Jax leaned back, smiling.
One hell of a first day, he thought.