Shangri La Pt. 1

59: Preparation

"Great Pisces, it's me Izumi! I have brought you your afternoon tea!" Izumi spoke through the door, causing Shiro to flinch and instantly seeing something flash through her sight until she realized what it could be. 

"Ah– That's it." 

"Huh? What's it?" 

"Izumi, you may enter."

As they watched the door slowly slide open, Izumi revealed herself just as she was carrying a tray with a tea set in her hands as she turned back to close the door behind her. 

"Forgive me for not returning to you an hour ago, I had lost track of time as I was serving the Princess earlier today for a friend." Izumi explained before anyone would ask. 

"That's alright, Izumi, I'm sure your friend must've felt relieved to know they have someone like you that is willing to help them." Shiro answered effortlessly. 

"Y-Yes– Oh– And I have brought tea for everyone else in case they were in need of a refreshment." Izumi added as she approached the small group with the tray still in her hands. 

"Ah~ The sweet little Lady brought tea just for me, then I'll savor every drop." Ray hummed as he took a glass. 

"You're not the only one she brought tea for, dumbass." Gin chirped, causing Ray to flinch and turn aggravated. 

"Ha? Did I hear someone try to start a fight with me? Oof!" Right away Ray and Gin's short spats interrupted as Zeri didn't waste any time smacking both boys on the back of the head. 

"Both of you be serious, now's not the time to be goofing off." Zeri instructed with annoyance in her tone.

"Hm? Something serious? Ah– I shouldn't be trying to meddle in your conversations, right? Then excuse me and I'll–" 

"Just a moment, Izumi." Shiro interrupted, forcing the greenette to stop in her tracks. 

"Ah– Y-Yes, Great Pisces?" Izumi asked as she turned back to face the Great Pisces. 

"The Moon Festival is approaching soon, isn't that right?" 

"Y-Yes, and it will be quite busy in the palace pretty soon as well. I'm certain I'll be having to work more for everyone else and not just you, Great Pisces. I'm sorry if I will not be of good use to you during the time before and after the festival is over, but please don't–" 

"Actually, I was going to be requesting you to do a little mission for me." Shiro answered, stopping the greenette right away. 

"H-Huh? A mission... for you?"

"Shiro, don't tell me you're making her do that?" Zeri questioned right away, already knowing what the Great Pisces was about to ask. 

"Not to worry, Zeri, Izumi is quite talented and knowledgeable of the city and can manage to find her own way through this mission than someone else. Now then, I know what I am asking for might leave you with more questions, but I do not have enough time to answer those questions for the time being. As you have known, the Moon Festival is a time where people from around the world come and visit this city. Travelers, merchants, even the wealthy, you name it." 

"Y-Yes, I-I know that." 

"Good, then the reason I am reminding you is because this mission can only be done during the Moon Festival. Like I said, there will be a lot of wealthy people that will be here during the festival, and they will be carrying with them jewels of the highest quality that can't be simply bought. Before the end of the festival, I ask that you try and get your hands on each and every one of these wealthy people that carry these items and try to get your hands on their things to bring to me." Shiro instructed, leaving everyone speechless.