They sunbathed by the pool for a while longer, but Varesa, worried that she might catch a cold if she soaked in the water for too long, led her ashore first.
The fish tails retracted, and legs reappeared. Both of their inner garments were mostly wet, clinging to their bodies, and their hair was dripping wet.
Varesa quickly grabbed a towel and wiped Bai You from head to toe, rubbing her cheeks and ears a little longer when she did so.
Then, after they were dressed, Varesa said:
"Let's go back for lunch."
Then she pulled Bai You upstairs, and after a while, they returned to Varesa's room and tidied up a bit.
After the two finished getting ready and went downstairs, the aroma of food wafted from the kitchen.
In the kitchen, Odette was stewing a pot of meat, while Columbia sat on the sofa outside humming a tune.
Hearing the two return, Odette came out of the kitchen, looked at them, and said:
"You two are finally back! I thought you went out to eat."
Odette looked up and saw their still-damp hair, and raised an eyebrow.
"You said you were going to have fun, how did you end up soaking wet?"
"We blew bubbles in the garden pond for a while," said Bai You.
"Your injuries haven't healed yet, and you dare to go into the water?" Odette frowned.
Varesa spoke first, "We're all Water Nymph, isn't it normal for us to go into the water? Odette, why are you doing this too?"
"Okay... I forgot. Let's get ready to eat."
After Odette finished preparing the dishes, their lunch began.
Varesa would occasionally add a spoonful of stew and some vegetables to her bowl.
"Eat slowly, no one's going to take it from you."
"Mmm... delicious."
As she ate, Varesa scooped up a spoonful of soup, brought it to her lips, and took a sip.
Feeling the temperature was just right, I naturally handed it to Bai You's mouth.
Bai You got used to it and ate it without hesitation, the two of them going back and forth.
Odette shook her head at the sight, while Columbina ate quietly, occasionally glancing up at the scene.
"By the way, how did your practice go this morning?" Varesa suddenly asked.
"The dance part is fine," Odette said.
"I'm only missing the part with you. Let's go over it a few times this afternoon. That should be about it."
"Then we'll go up to the rehearsal room in a little while." Varesa nodded, then looked down at Bai You.
"I'm rehearsing with Odette this afternoon, and you're sitting in the front row listening, okay? I've prepared some water and bread for you."
"But you'll be a bit tired after rehearsals tonight, and you need to pack your things for tomorrow's cave trip tonight."
Odette added.
"You're so thoughtful, but everything's with Bai You; it's all prepared."
Varesa laughed.
After eating, we rested for another half hour.
Varesa then led Bai You, Odette, Columbina to the rehearsal room.
Upon entering, Varesa, as usual, immediately began preparing the Bai You.
She dragged out the chair in the middle of the first row of the audience seats, laid out cushions and blankets.
Place a glass of honey water and a few small pieces of bread on the table, then press the person inside and wrap them up, leaving only their small face exposed.
"You're on your own throne, sit tight." She ruffled Bai You's hair. "Just call if you have any questions, or if you're feeling down."
"Okay, okay."
Bai You held her water bottle, but her eyes darted curiously around the rehearsal hall.
Columbina sat down in the chair next to Bai You, Bai You took some bread and fruit from her System Space for her.
The two were happily eating at their seats.
At this point, Odette changed into her training clothes and went to the barre to stretch and warm up.
Varesa also stopped, and first closed her eyes and sang a few lines of "Ah--", the sound rising from low to high, layer by layer, and then falling steadily back down.
After warming up, the two stood in the center of the hall.
"Let's do the whole thing first, and see how far we've come," Columbina said softly.
The sound of the zither began.
As soon as Varesa began to sing, Odette began to dance, her toes touching the ground, spinning, raising her arms, her skirt billowing and then gathering.
But just as they reached the middle, Columbina raised her hand.
The music stopped.
"Here." She looked at Varesa.
"In the second verse, the key change is too abrupt, like you're rushing to climb upwards."
She paused, glancing indifferently in Bai You's direction. "Also, you were daydreaming just now."
Varesa's face flushed.
She was indeed distracted. As she sang, her gaze involuntarily drifted to the small face wrapped in a blanket in the front row.
Looking at the adorable Bai You, my heart softened, and my anger became chaotic.
Columbina's tone remained gentle:
"Who you're thinking about can be heard by the audience, but you can't let it pull you away first. Now."
"Okay." Varesa composed herself and stood up straight again.
I did it again, and this time it went much better.
The next step was to grind it over and over again.
Columbina patiently worked through it, piece by piece.
Varesa and Odette both made mistakes and started over without the slightest impatience.
At this moment, Bai You watched their repetitive movements and singing. Although the movements were graceful and the singing was beautiful, the constant repetition was making Bai You sleepy.
But then he thought of Varesa, so he could only straighten his back and pretend to listen attentively.
After an unknown amount of time, the rehearsal seemed to be coming to an end, as Odette and Varesa's movements completely stopped.
She then shook her head to clear her head, and then clapped her hands loudly.
" Varesa's song is great! Odette's spin is so steady!"
"The audience is really supportive," Columbina said with a smile, then she clapped lightly.
Varesa and Odette exchanged a glance, both seeing barely suppressed joy in each other's eyes.
After days of meticulous refinement, the program is finally complete today.
"That's it." Varesa breathed a sigh of relief, and the first thing she did was walk back to the front row.
He scooped the little supervisor, wrapped in a blanket and secretly yawning, from his chair, and hugged him, blanket and all, to his arms. "Sleepy?"
"I'm not sleepy at all." Bai You hugged her neck, rested her face against her sweaty neck, and said in a soft, sticky voice, "Listening to you sing makes me feel so at ease..."
"Then go back and rest," Odette said as she packed her things.
Afterwards, the group returned to the hall, Bai You and Columbina sat down on the sofa.
"Sit here and warm yourself by the fire." Varesa took a blanket and covered Bai You's legs.
Then Wolverine turned to Odette and asked, "What's for dinner?"
"You've been singing all afternoon, don't eat anything too salty, I'll make you something light."
"Together, together." Varesa rolled up her sleeves and followed, but as she passed the sofa, a small hand tugged at her hem.
"I'll go help too," Bai You, making a move to get up.
Both hands pressed down almost simultaneously— Varesa pressed down on her left shoulder.
Odette turned around at some point and placed her hand on Odette's right shoulder, the movement perfectly coordinated.
"The wounded," Varesa said.
"Sitting," Odette echoed.
This part of the story is getting a bit boring. After a few more chapters, once the transition is over, there will be a new storyline, and then we'll go play in Mondstadt.