CHAPTER 269: CHAPTER 269 - I TRY THAI, SHE TIES ONE ON

"And you’ve been practicing like that? For three days straight?"

"Is that excessive?"

Anise laughed at my return question as I polished off the container of ’Tom Yum’ soup. I’m not sure I’m the biggest fan of the citrusy tangy notes in a lot of this food, but it’s still quite good overall.

Of course, I’ve found very little I will not eat heartily in this city so far. Except milkshakes, ice cream, and other frozen treats. After biting down on that fudge one... I have learned to take my time or avoid them entirely.

Pushing another container my way, this time a copy of the ’Pad Thai’ that I saw her enjoying, she shook her head and tapped on the counter.

"Honey, most people on their first shoot show up having maybe looked at themselves in a bathroom mirror and smiled a bunch. You’ve built yourself a mini studio all just because a few people appreciate your look."

I felt heat creep up my neck. She wasn’t wrong, exactly. I did get a *little* carried away at the start.

But it did sound like something I would want to do if I had the freedom to... and I’ve been researching a lot more than just-

A ratio of 1 other type of video to 12 model ones still counts, thank you.

"I did it because I now know I can, not because others think I could. You were the spark, not the fuel."

"Oh, you’re on fire alright."

She pulled up the tablet I’d let her handle, running through the recordings I’d taken. Particularly, she seemed stuck on the one I ’performed’ for most recently.

Twenty minutes of the poses that I’d memorized, transitioning between all the perfect ’commercial’ smiles while pushing through rapid changes of outfit off screen. Ending with some of the more artistic expressions within the dynamic photography scenes that I’d found appealing.

"Citra, do you have any idea how good you are at this?"

"I’m... at least adequate I assume?"

"Adequate. Damn, should have asked for more than just the other model’s agreed upon original contract... wait you haven’t sent any of this to Ember yet, correct?"

I shook my head while chomping down on another juicy prawn. She said it was shrimp, but I’m almost certain that is not the case.

I spent a lot of time diving into rivers for the larger, three clawed arm variety of this particular crustacean. So assuming they taste the same here as my world, I am confident I am correct.

To be fair, cooked is even harder to tell the difference. So I will not admonish her.

"I wonder if he’ll take a bet after that last one he lost... no, he probably already suspects I am hustling him again. Oh well."

The blonde pokes at her ’Som Tam’ in mock disappointment. The salad was something I wanted to try next, though she warned me that eating the papaya if I was going to truly gorge on the other spicy things might not be wise.

Sure, taking her word for it would be smart... but I haven’t had an upset stomach yet from food. Just nausea when stressed - and likely from the pregnancy. I did throw up the other morning again...

"Citra. I need to ask you something - and I want you to really think about your answer."

"Alright."

Since she hasn’t asked the question quite yet, I reach over and begin to drink from the sweet and nutty can of ’coconut water’. It helps lower the tone of the spice in my mouth a bit more and is just generally quite tasty.

We may have to stock up on some of this as well!

I might also have to start really writing out a plan of what to eat and *when*... after the apocalypse begins. Because all these tasty foods have different expiration dates apparently.

"How serious are you about this? Because what I’m seeing here... this level of dedication, combined with your natural talent? You could have a real career in this industry."

I believe she thinks the look I gave her meant I wasn’t taking her seriously. Honestly, I guess I was not... but that’s because there is no way that I can entertain such a thing.

"I’m talking other major brand campaigns. Magazine covers - not just inserts. You even play to a video well, so you might quickly take up with internet or televised commercial spots."

In another world or another life, the idea might have been completely thrilling. But with the countdown timer always lurking at the edge of my vision, with everything I knew was coming...

"...I might consider other offers like this one. For the next month, at least."

Anise frowned and squinted her pale blue eyes at me while leaning her elbow on the counter. For a moment, I get the sense that she is treating me like her unruly niece instead of my own person.

But I don’t... hate it.

"Just a month? Resume portfolios take time to build, Citra. Years, really. And your next job won’t be as generous as this one."

"I understand that. But... I simply can’t make long-term commitments like that right now."

Trying to use words that wouldn’t reveal too much just made her look even deeper at me. Like I had secrets to spill if only she was willing to push hard enough to tip me over.

Not that I think she would be so forceful, but I still reach over and hold onto her wrist. Lightly, companionably. And with a look that stressed that I would not answer even if she asked more directly.

"Okay. I won’t pry. But I want you to know that what you’re capable of? It would be a shame to waste it."

| ANNEXATION SUCCESS! |

"Yes, I know. But I’m also still quite young."

Letting my focus fall from the system interface, I let go of her and steal something from her side of the food. Knowing she ordered more of these ’Moo Ping’ than she can consume.

"One never knows what life may bring. And planning out years in advance really is not for everyone."

"That’s certainly true enough. You just seemed so perfect for it. And you wouldn’t even have to worry about getting pregnant since Kyrie is-"

Choking on the bite of pork skewer that tried to go down my lungs, I cough it into a napkin and glare at her with watery eyes.

"...a woman. What? Okay, so in vitro fertilization is a thing, but that’s not something that happens by accident in the back of a friend’s boutique."

"Please just stop talking."

I knew I should not have let her have those cans. Especially when she popped the top of one and it clearly smelled of alcohol...

⧖ ☾ ❄ ☽ ⧖

After waking and showering, the sound of soft snoring from my living room was audible as I padded to the kitchen. Apparently my apartment’s couch was becoming some sort of communal guest bed for my... friends.

Grabbing a protein bar, bottled water, and a loaf of hard bread - I remained careful not to wake the seamstress. Not because I think she deserves to sleep in more after drinking to excess in someone else’s home.

I just don’t feel like babysitting her.

Saying as much in the note I scrawl on the pad she had out sketching clothes on - an empty page, of course - my wolf points out that I’m doing an awful lot of writing about where everything is and what I don’t mind her using.

"Well, at least *she* hadn’t brought out any photos of anyone. Or called down a worrisome werewolf on my door on purpose."

...Yet. Which is one reason I want to get out of here quickly.