The Festival

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The next day, Narina once more found herself lying upon the wet surface next to the bottom of the massive waterfalls.

Once more.. she found herself living among dragons, doing what they did, eating what they ate, and of course, snuggling with baby dragons, which were currently stumbling and tumbling all over her, squaking .

Next to her, Astralis lay peacefully, flopping her tail a little before yawning and nuzzling her snout into Narina's cheek.

After a while, Narina had begun to understand the purpose of all of this.. the more she learned to be like a dragon, the more dragon like she felt.

The key controlling Prism Dragon wasn't intense training, it was learning to be as dragon-like as she could..

And the more Dragon-like she got, the more she began to appreciate the dragons who lived here. After a while, she began to let the older dragons attempt to 'spoil' her.. and the baby dragons started to feel like her own children... in fact she even started naming the babies.

Astralis.. however, felt so close to her, that the only one as close that Narina could've ever known other than Astralis, was Mizo.

"Dragons form lifelong partnerships.." Wild Dragon had explained. "They aren't romantic partnerships. It is like forming siblings. They do so because dragons only lay one egg at a time, so it's rare they ever have siblings.. as a result.. they form these partnerships.. and for unexplainable reasons.. these relationships become near telepathic.."

"So.." said Narina, climbing up onto Astralis's back. "I'm going to be assisting in the Festival tomorrow.. you know.. for our school.. are you sure you want to be there? You'll mostly just be hiding in my bag.."

"Rrrrrrrrhmmmmrrr.." Astralis hummed calmly.

"Alright.. fine.. I get it." said Narina. "You want to be there for me.. But you're going to be bored."

The dragon purred a little and went back to sleep.

Narina smiled. "Alright. But don't come crying to me when you've found you can't stand doing nothing all day."

____________________

As it turned out.. Narina wouldn't find the festival as fun as Narin used to.

After all Narin never had to wear a maid outfit.

"You're kidding me." said Narina as she looked at her rather embarrassing outfit, as she stood in the kitchen for one of the large restaurant tents that had been built on the Festival Grounds.  "Do I have to?"

"You're mostly going to be in here baking the dishes unless somebody requests you as a server, so it can't be that bad." said one of the Baking Club members a brown haired girl named Suzuki

"And how many people do you think are going to request me as a server?" Narina muttered as she took a large set of gourmet cupcakes from the oven and began setting each on a plate with garnish.

"Oh.. eh.. just do your best." said Suzuki. "I'm sure you'll be great."

Narina smiled. "Thanks. Have customers come in yet?"

"Yep.. We've just opened our doors. Your break will be in 3 hours, then you can go enjoy the other facilities." said Suzuki. "Just be back soon after that, your pastries are the heart and soul of this place."

"Got it." said Narina.

"Narina!" One of the girls peeked into the kitchen. "We have two strawberry shortcakes and coffees for table 3, and they requested you as the server."

"Got it." said Narina, taking a couple of plates and balancing them on one arm while grabbing a coffee pot with the other hand. "Coming right over."

And boy was Narina in for a surprise when she saw who was sitting at table 3.

"Nina!? Stoor!?" Narina said, her expression turning bright as she reached the table.

"Hey there!" said Nina, giving Narina a wink. "What are you waiting for!? Sit right on down!"

"Thanks for the excuse guys!" said Narina, sitting down. "I've been baking all day, I'm feeling exhausted."

Stoor laughed and held up his coffee mug. "Cheers everyone. So Narin... I mean NarinAAA.. how's life as a G-I-R-L?"

"Not so loud!!" Nina whispered sternly.

"Not like how you fantasize about it." Narina muttered. "Guys have it so easy! Bras are soooo annoying, I've gone commando sometimes and just wore an undershirt. Guys keep staring at me, it's creepy. I can't take a bath with other girls without feeling nervous. And once a month my stomach hurts so bad and I bleed out of my-"

"OOOOKAY!" said Nina, cutting Narina off. "We get it."

"It's not a gender bender anime Stoor." said Narina. "So get your head out of the gutter."

"Come ooooon!! There have to be SOME perks.." said Stoor.

"Well, to be honest, " said Narina. "I guess I'm more confident sharing my feelings.. it used to be that I'd rather punch a bro in the shoulder and get over it, but I find I can actually talk with people now."

"No way that trait is gender specific." said Nina. "Guys can be touchy feely.."

"Well not without being laughed at and called a sissy!" Stoor said. "Narina's got the perfect excuse!"

"So it's in the nature of a girl to be a sissy?" Nina said, glaring at Stoor and Narina both.

"Eh.. eh.." Narina and Stoor both looked at each other fearfully. They knew that look.

"What I'm.. er.. really saying." said Narina. "Is that it's EASIER for girls to feel, since our minds our more emotionally based. While as guys we're more physical.. so, we can be less feely.. and kind of dumb.."

"Thank you." said Nina, taking a bite of cake.

"You always know what to say with her." Stoor whispered to Narina.

"Saving your butt from her as always.." Narina said with a grin.

"Heh.. you may look different.. but you've still got that old Narin charm." said Stoor, giving Narina a fist bump.

And just like that.. Narina's day turned sour..

Because somebody else appeared, walking through the flap of the tent, carrying her parasol with her, and accompanied by her monster  companions.

"Hello." said Violet. "I would like to request to have Narina Yukata as my server please.. and have her write a special message on my order.."

"Ummm." said the girl at the entrance. "Sorry, but she's serving somebody else right now. We have plenty of other girls available.."

"Perhaps you didn't here the mistress! Kehkehkehkeh!" cackled Devon Demon. "We want her as our server! Get it!!?"

"Now now.. Devon." said Violet. "I don't see why I can't share a table with those two over there.. that way I can share the server as well.."

Violet smiled deviously as she sat next to Narina. "I would like a small fudge cake please, with a little extra sugar.."

Narina stood up nervously and bowed. "Will there be anything else?"

"Make the message say, 'with lots of kisses' heart Narina!" said Violet.

"R-right.." Narina said.

"Violet!?" said Stoor. "That you!?"

"Oh.. Stoor, it's been years hasn't it.. you too Nina.." said Violet.

"What's with the zombie, clown and weird demon?" said Nina.

"Oh, I've learned to use my abilities in such a way in which I can create intelligent shadows.. so to speak." said Violet. "Trust me.. they're quite real..  You could say they're my replacement for those dull androids.."

"Is it just me.. or does she seem way different from when we knew her?" Stoor whispereed'

"You have no idea.." Narina muttered. "Just try not to make her angry.. "

"Why?" said Stoor. "Can't I just.. well.. ask her out? Cause she seems real h-"

"Nooo.." Narina said, looking nervous, sweating. "Last person you want to go out with.. trust me.."

"Narina-chan.." said Violet. "I thought you ought to know by the way.. I signed us up for a certain event later today.. and I think it might be quite riveting.

"Ummm.. and what is that event?" Narina said.

"You know how the students demonstrate their powers by broadcasting live feed from the training room?" said Violet.  "The Powers Tournament?"

The Powers Tournament, it used to be Narin's favorite Festival Event. Near the end of the Festival volunteer students got together for training matches in a tournament bracket setting. Whoever won, got the main prize, which changed every year.

Narina glared at Violet. "I'm not participating in that."

"Why not?" said Nina.

"First of all.. it's true I've been training myself so I could stand at Violet's level.. but I'm not going to fight when I've got a responsibility to all my customers here! Cake is an art that isn't lightly abandoned!" said Narina. "Secondly.. the prize this year.. is me.. and I'm not sure I want to compete for myself."

"Wait.. WHAT!?" said Nina.

"Yep.. a date with me is the prize." said Narina. "The entire student council voted on it.. I'm the prize. There's an all expense paid trip to the Cheese Cake parlor and everything.."

"And.. would you like to go on a date with me... or Greg, whose also entering?" said Violet.

Narina's eyes went wide as the revelations hit her.

There was a pause.

"I'm entering." Narina stammered. "ENTERING!!!!"

Violet grinned.  "Wonderful.. I look forward to seeing you on the battle field.  Narina-chan.."

Violet got up, and left the table, giggling to herself.

"What have I done?" Narina stammered. "LOOK AT ME!! I JUST KILLED MYSELF!!"

"Well, better than going on a date with Greg." said Nina.

"Wait.. whose Greg!?" said Stoor.

"Haven't you been reading Narin's emails you idiot?" Nina said. "Come on! She mentioned him several times!"

"Uhhhhh.." said Stoor. "I've been distracted.."

"By what!?" Narina asked.

"Remember that time back when we were kids and we snuck into old man Gar's house and took a particular set of magazines from him? Cause we were curious what was in them?"

"Yeah?" said Narina. "Then your big bro took them from us because he said we were way too young to know what was in them."

"Well.. my bro finally felt it was time we knew.." said Stoor, chuckling and winking as he held up a magazine in his hand. "I already looked.. it's incredible.. "

"Y-you mean it!?" stammered Narina, taking the magazine.

"Yeah! Well, it took the both of us to get this treasure!" said Stoor. "Only makes sense that you should get a peek in too!"

"Alright!" Narina opened the magazine and looked at the front page. Then she frowned. "Ooooooohhh.."

"Excellent right!?" said Stoor.

"Uhh.. I'm a girl now Stoor.. my.. hormones.. aren't quite.." Narina stammered, her face going red.  "OH MY GOSH!! THEY ARE HOT!!!"

"GIVE ME THAT!!!" Nina took the magazine, then her jaw dropped when she saw the magazine contents. "DEAR LORD!! Narina! Shame on you!! Don't tell me you're actually attracted to-"

"HEY!! I used to have a nosebleed looking at MYSELF in the mirror!" Narina squealed with embarrassment. "The way my hormones are just aren't normal okay!?"

"HAHAHAHA! Worth it right ol' buddy!?" exclaimed Stoor.

"N-NO! Now Nina's angry at us!" Narina stammered.

"Oh yeah.. didn't think about that.." Stoor muttered, cowering under Nina's demonic stare.

For a moment Nina continued to glare at her friends.. then.. she sighed and slapped a hand to her forehead. "DAMN It! I can't get angry at Narin any more.. she's too cute looking! I can't get angry at cute people!"

"DAMN!! NOW I REEEEAAALLY WANT TO BE YOU!!" Stoor exclaimed.

"Well.. what do you know.. being a girl really does have perks.." said Narina.

"ARE YOU KIDDING!?" stammered Nina. "There are tons of perks to being a girl!! Some day.. I'm going to take you shopping and you'll see!"

Narina frowned. "Not sure I'm ready to shop for anything except a good set of new video games."

"Narin J- I mean Narina Yukata!! You.. Will.. LEARN.. the THRILL of SHOPPING!!" Nina exclaimed.

"I agree.. mmmm.. Narina must learn the thrill of buying clothes.."' Nue walked in, she was wearing a maid outfit as well, having come in for her shift as a server at the Baking Club.  "Narina.. is this them?"

"Yep!" said Narina cheerfully. "That's Stoor, and this is Nina. Guys, meet Nue!"

"Hello N- EH!?" Nina stopped mid sentence as Nue's face plopped into her chest.

"Sniff sniff.." Nue sniffed as she buried her face in Nina's chest. "She smells like coconuts.."

"Yes.. I have Island Lover's Perfume." said Nina.

"Narina insists on the strawberry perfume.." Nue muttered. "Mmmm."

Nina chuckled. "Eh.. she's exactly as you described her Narina.."

"Wait.. you use perfume!?" Stoor said.

Narina blushed nervously. "I've.. dabbled.."

"Really?" Stoor said, grinning slyly. "Then why do I smell strawberries right now?"

"WELL IT SMELLS BETTER THAN THAT STUPID COLOGNE YOU WORE LAST HALLOWEEN TO ATTRACT THAT CINDY GIRL!" Narina growled.

Stoor opened his mouth.. then looked down. "You're right.. eheh.."

"Hey! Narina!"

"Well it's getting crowded here isn't it?" Narina said, "Hey Sora, how are you?"

Sora grinned as he stopped next to the table. "Thought I'd take a look at how you're doing! Eh? Who are they?"

"My friends.. from the Roots too." said Narina. 

"Nice to see somebody from the same place I grew up!" said Sora, laughing.  "Sorry about this though.. I was hoping I could steal your friend for a minute.. or 30.."

"Eh?" said Narina. "Why?"

"I.. thought I'd order you as a server.. and maybe instead of making me a cake your duty would be just to hang out for a bit.."

"That's brilliant!" said Stoor. "Let's blow this joint!"

"No!" said Nina, pushing Stoor back into his seat. "Actually.. Narina.. you and your nice friend go on ahead.. we'll stay and chat with Nue.. right Nue?"

Nue nodded. "Yeah.. sure.."

"Wait wha-!?" Stoor began before Nue and Nina covered his mouth with their hands.

"GO!" Nina exclaimed. "Have fun!!"

"What were they up to?" Narina muttered as she and Sora left the tent.

"Who knows?" said Sora. "But I paid a lot of money.. so I thought maybe I'd keep you for the entire day! Sound good?"

"Well.. I left my recipes to my club mates.. so.. guess it should be okay!" said Narina. "Yeah! Let's hang!"

"OH!! Wait just a minute!" said Sora. "It's not a real festival if the girl doesn't wear a Yukata.. which is weird.. since your name is Yukata.."

"I kinda came up with the name on the fly, so please don't judge.." said Narina.

Sora laughed. "Alright alright! I've got an extra Yukata from my younger cousin that should fit you.. You don't mind purple do you?"

"It's my favorite color actually.." Narina said.

A few minutes later, Narina was dressed in a light purple yukata with a red belt and patterned in lotuses.

"These slippers are just so uncomfortable." Narina muttered as she walked alongside Sora. "I don't get why girls like this.. I mean.. the Yukata is pretty comfortable.. but it's tough to walk on these slippers."

"Aw, come on, you look awesome.. like all mature an everything.. it's nice that  we can have Japanese style festivals like this every year.." said Sora. "I mean, many old traditions have disappeared since the 22nd century... not many people even speak another language that isn't English.."

"My family speaks Japanese." said Narina. "I speak a bit too, and so does my sister.. my dad's always been very traditional. Maybe I can teach you some time.. oh.. HEY! Look! What's that?"

Narina ran over to a booth where a bunch of moving targets were flying around on a conveyer belt as people with toy guns tried to shoot them.

"Wow! I always loved the prizes these people put up for this!" said Narina. "Except.. I really suck at this game.."

"Heh.. really?" said Sora with a chuckle. "Then why don't I win something for you?"

"Sure!" said Narina. "Thank you! Hold on.. I'll pay for-"

"Nuh-uh.." said Sora. "I'll take care of it.. don't worry, I have money to spare.. one shot please..'

Sora placed his money on the booth and took a gun.. he took aim.. as he did, Narina held her breath. "Focus.. focus.."

"Alright.. NOW!" Sora fired his toy gun, and  instantly a target fell down.

"YES!" Narina pumped her fist. "And here I thought most festival booth games were scams!"

"Actually, you're thinking of American Carnivals." said Sora. "Alright.. what prize do you want?"

"The one that I've been dying for every year! The Holo Music player!" said Narina.

"Sorry, we're all out of those.." said the booth manager. "But.. we do have this."

The man handed Sora a large stuffed doll of a pokemon that looked like a plesiosaur with a spiked shell.

"A Lapras Doll?" said Narina. "I guess that's okay.. I like Pokémon.. "

Sora handed Narina the giant stuffed doll, and Narina hugged it. "It's so soft.."

"Heh.. you really are a girl." Sora said.

"And is that so bad?" Narina asked.

"No.. I guess not." said Sora. "Do you feel okay as a girl?"

"Ask me that before the school year started, and I probably would tell you I was miserable.. but now.."

"Now what?"

"I feel like I was always Narina Yukata.." said Narina with a  cheery smile. "interesting right?"

"By the way.." said Sora. "I've.. um.. entered the tournament.. for later today.."

Narina stared at Sora. "What!? Why!?"

"I heard about Greg entering, and everyone knows how he freaks you out, even though he's your buddy and everything.. and Violet seems like she really scares you.. so I thought I'd do you a solid.. besides.. if we get that date to Cheese Cake Parlor, we can chow down on all the free desert we like! A gathering of two friends.. sound good?"

Narina smiled. "Thanks.. but I'm really hoping you don't have to fight Violet.. I'll deal with her myself."

"But.. say that I win.." said Sora. "How.. would you feel about going with me?"

"I wouldn't mind at all.." said Narina. "Didn't I just say? We're friends! You're my Stoor away from Stoor! Just like Nue is my Nina away from Nina! And this Academy is my home away from home! Heh.. I've got to remember that one.."

"Right.." said Sora. "But.. on another note.. even if that isn't a real date.. what.. would you call this? You.. in a Yukata.. me.. winning you a prize.. ?"

"Well.. if I didn't know better, I'd say it were a date." said Narina.

"So.. do you know better?"

Narina looked left and right make sure nobody else was listening, then she smiled back at Sora. "I guess I don't know better..


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