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Bliss was not entirely comfortable with the seating arrangement for her table. She liked that she was seated between Cyrus and Caora, but Lucy and Thomas were less than welcome additions. She didn't personally hate them, but it seemed like they had been intentionally avoiding everyone for the past few days. It was understandable, but Bliss believed in unity. But the atmosphere at the table was a little more tense with those two around. There wasn't even that much talking, aside from Lucy recalling everything she had been reading in the study over the past few days. 

    [color=orange]”...So it actually pays to get vaccinated. Even without a booster shot, you'll recover faster with less severe symptoms. It's a medical fact that...”[/color]

    Bliss wasn't really sure if this was a great topic to start with. The last thing she wanted to think about was a virus or anything like that. [color=#F08172]” So what you're trying to say is that it's a bit like substituting some of the sugar with applesauce in a cooking recipe?”[/color]

    [color=orange]”Huh?”[/color]

    [color=#F08172]”If you substitute some of the sugar with applesauce, you reduce the amount of sugar in the recipe. It doesn't entirely remove it, but it still tastes sweet.”[/color] Bliss nodded. [color=#F08172]”Did you try the muffins? I did that with them.”[/color]

    Lucy eyed one of the muffins on her plate. [color=orange]”Really? I couldn't even tell. That's a cool trick!”[/color]
    
    Bliss smiled and nodded.

[color=ADD278]”The basis of which is pointless. Anyone with even an ounce of self control wouldn’t care how much sugar is in a recipe.”[/color] Thomas remarked in regards to their prattle, nonchalantly. He looked down to a plate that had yet to be filled with food, and then back to the infinites at the table. [color=ADD278]”Cooking in general, even, is just a pointless cultural artifact. Instead of worrying about macronutrients in pastries, humankind would be better off just manufacturing intravenous or oral supplements and living off those — the technology has been here years already. Don’t we have anything better to talk about?”[/color] Thomas asked, his own prattle rife with disinterest.

[color=hotpink]”I like sugar!”[/color] Caora shouted out in the middle of the speech, and then giggled with a blush. [color=hotpink]”But I can’t have too many yummies...I need to watch my figure, hehe~”[/color]


[color=D1c2bf]“As much as I agree with your sentiment of practicality, Thomas. You overlook the positive effects of rich flavours and the relaxation that the hobby that is cooking brings to the people.”[/color] The politician presented as a counterargument. [color=D1c2bf]“There is little question that the eating and drinking of tasty foods and drink significantly adds to the experience of leisure.  Sometimes, indeed, it is the core of a leisure experience.”[/color] He continued to prattle, enjoying the chance to discuss a more intellectual topic. [color=D1c2bf]“Furthermore, I would reckon the disappearance of cuisine would lead to the collapse of the tourism industry in particular, and subsequently the downfall of several nations.  Such is the economical necessity of the product besides basic sustenance.”[/color] 

Cyrus then turned to Bliss. [color=D1c2bf]“So on the topic of cuisine, I would very much like to hear more. I relish the chance to improve my own cooking.”[/color] He said, smiling at the Nanny.

Bliss cleared her throat with a cough. [color=#F08172]”W-well, It's like Caora said. Not everyone can have a lot of sugar. This is why it's important to find substitutes for things, so that everyone can enjoy what you make.”[/color] Bliss placed a finger on her chin. [color=#F08172]”As an example, you can completely replace sugar with honey, which won't raise a diabetic's blood sugar levels as much. And because honey is sweeter, you can use less of it. You also use less liquids in your recipe as well ”[/color]

Lucy stroked her chin. [color=orange]”Maybe I should be learning this 'cuisine ' thing.”[/color] 

    Thomas was beginning to like Cyrus, much to the contrary of what he had seemingly proclaimed days before. Although Cyrus didn’t appeal to Thomas’s own beliefs, he was eloquent and commanded respect from his peers. Truly, Cyrus was a deserving candidate to be the Infinite Politician. 
    
    However, as evidenced by his first remark, Thomas himself did not have much interest in cooking; and as evidenced by Cyrus’s, he lacked an relevant understanding of it too. Seeing as he didn’t have anything to contribute to the conversation, he directed his focus elsewhere. Specifically, Table Three, something interesting seemed to be happening there.

Unlike Thomas, Cyrus had made an effort to pointedly ignore the going-ons of table three. Once again he was reminded that some of their company, such as quarreling fools over there, had apparently never been to any kind of proper gathering of sorts. How else could Cyrus explain that some people did not even manage to appear civil amongst all of their fellows in this confinement? It was honestly a rather baffling display. Instead, he preferred the company of people who could at least entertain him with a simple conversation, such as table one. [color=D1c2bf]“I have tried to learn cuisine. And I must say my abilities are… sub-par, unfortunately.”[/color] 

.As soon as bliss opened her mouth to speak, the entire table shifted. [color=#F08172]“Ah!”[/color] Bliss's eyes shot open as she grabbed a hold of the table. Felix hadn't hit the table especially hard, but the impact was enough to make bliss jump a little bit. The nanny looked up from the table, and flashed a nervous smile. [color=#F08172]”W-e can't be good at everything. But practice makes perfect.”[/color] The nanny glowed with joy as the conversation carried on.

    Lucy yawned and stretched. It wasn't long before she needed to use her hand to hold her head off the table. The fingers on her other hand rapped against the table as she waited for the seconds to tick by.[color=orange]”Hey Caora?”[/color] She eyed the trap. [color=orange]”Are you any good at dancing?”[/color]

Caora looked back at Lucy with a puzzled expression. [color=hotpink]”Hm? Me?”[/color] He asked, pointing at himself. [color=hotpink]”Ummmmmmmmmm...I’ve only danced with daddy; I kept my feet on his, and he danced well, so….Maybe? Ehehe~”[/color] He giggled, blushing from the embarrassment. 

[color=orange]”I see, sounds like you could use some practice.”[/color] Lucy stood up. [color=orange]”Fortunately, you are in the presence of a dancing prodigy! I mean, sort of.”[/color] she pushed her fingers together. [color=orange]”A-anyway, just make sure you don’t step on [i]my[/i] feet and you’ll be fine. I’m sure I can dance well enough for the two of us. You should really be thankful you get to dance with someone like me. I know I would!”[/color] Lucy stepped away from her seat to approach her dancing partner.

It did Cyrus well to see the Nanny perk up in comfort as she was enjoying the conversation. But all good conversations had to change subject sometime as the dancefloor was starting to get occupied. Cyrus was somewhat surprised to see Lucy invite the trap to a dance. She didn’t seem like the type to deign herself to invite someone she’d definitely consider below her station. Alas, maybe the politician had misunderstood the prodigy? 
Nevetheless, the dancefloor waited. And the poltician wasn’t above joining it. [color=D1c2bf]“Bliss, would you mind joining me?”[/color] he asked, extending his hand to her as he invited her.

She extended her hand. [color=#F08172]“N-not at all! I would love to!”[/color] her other hand reached for her umbrella. This one didn't have a giant pick on top of it.[color=#F08172]“I hope you don't mind if I dance with a prop.”[/color]

Cyrus didn’t really see a reason why she would dance with a prop, but he saw no reason to object. [color=D1c2bf]“Not at all.”[/color] He answered simply, then he lead her to the dancefloor. With one hand in hers, he set the other on her waist to lead in the dance to a slow, but happy tune. He was most curious, however, why she had taken this prop for the dance.

[color=pink]”Oh, uhm...”[/color] Caora hesitated, averting his eyes; his blush deepened. But then, he giggled again. [color=pink]”Ok, let’s dance! I want to dance all night, and be a pretty dancing princess!”[/color] He took Lucy’s hand, and then joined her to the dance floor. He made simple steps, but showed to have surprisingly good athletic ability, never breaking a sweat. [color=pink]”Ehehe...This is fun!”[/color]

[color=orange]”Oh, you're actually pretty good at this.”[/color] Lucy was able to keep up with Caora's rhythm, but her expression wasn't nearly as relaxed as Caora's was. [color=orange]”But how long can you hold up? Fwahahaha!”[/color] Anyone watching the two dance might guess and say “longer than lucy.”

When bliss got up on the stage with Cyrus, she opened her umbrella and rested the pole on her shoulder. And then she started to shift side to side. [color=#F08172]“I'm not a very flashy dancer, but I remember watching some musicals when I was younger.”[/color]

[color=D1c2bf]“Oh, don’t worry. I’m just about average as well.”[/color] Cyrus said, but one look at his form showed he was being modest. Surely he was no professional, but he definitely danced good enough to impress high society.  The slow tune allowed Cyrus to take his time and help Bliss getting into the dance by leading.  

The nanny continued to dance at her modest pace while Caora and Lucy lit up the dance floor around them. [color=#F08172]“About earlier.”[/color] Bliss danced further away from everyone. [color=#F08172]“I didn't really want to burden you with that earlier, but I'm glad you were there to hear me. I've been feeling much better recently.”[/color]

Cyrus smiled softly at the Nanny. [color=D1c2bf]“It was my pleasure to hear it.”[/color] He responded to her, then he paused for a second. [color=D1c2bf]“I, too, have been feeling a lot better as of late.  Less… angry.”[/color] With Cyrus’s reputation, it wasn’t hard to imagine what he was talking about exactly. [color=D1c2bf]“I think both you and Krista are very courageous in that regard...”[/color] He added, before switching topics. [color=D1c2bf]“Say, have you been to the third floor yet?”[/color]  

[color=#F08172]“I was there a few days prior, after Felix invited me to help set up this”[/color] Bliss looked all around herself. [color=#F08172]“I didn't do any exploring, mostly just talked over a few design choices with Krista and everyone else. I most certainly didn't enter the hospital side. That entire pillar of this place just startles me.”[/color] Bliss winced, but then she smiled. [color=#F08172]“Of course, if we went together, I don't think it would be so bad.”[/color]

[color=D1c2bf]“I’ve had a look around. There was a carnival there.”[/color] Cyrus said, keeping up the dance’s moderate pace while talking. [color=D1c2bf]“I was wondering if you might want to go there with me.”[/color] He said, before pausing again. [color=D1c2bf]“I… might have some things of my own to say.”[/color] He continued with uncertainty in his voice.   

[color=#F08172]“O-oh.”[/color] Bliss [i]almost[/i] missed a step, but she she was able to catch herself. [color=#F08172]“Um, yes! I would love to! A carnival sounds good.”[/color] The corner of Bliss's smile twitched. [color=#F08172]“I hope the sisters didn't tamper with it too much, it could be a nice place to visit.”[/color]