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[Lysithea appears on the screen in front of a doorway painted mint green, looking grim, but resolute. Her arm is in a sling and she has obvious scars and cuts across her face and neck, but at the very least, she is in one piece. She couldn't say the same for some of her friends.]

I am one day late.

I am pleased to announce...

[And here she makes a gesture with her good hand, and it becomes clear that this is a recording through the eyes of her Omen. The bird flaps back a few feet to reveal a recently renovated building that looks, if not grand, at least, well... intact.]

The grand opening of the Patisserie Lysitherie. Located in the Willful Machine, [address here], five minutes' walk from the closest Lamp Friend.

[Lysithea steps inside and her Omen follows to showcase part of the interior.]

...I'm sure I've prattled on about my business long enough, so I won't bore you with more details. Just know that our trade rates are exceedingly reasonable, and we seek to procure only the finest ingredients from the docks. It is winter, of course, so temper your expectations accordingly. Additionally, all purchases will come with a package of Weeping Wafers, our first in-house concoction. The taste is nutty and earthy with hints of nutmeg and almond. It's delicate - and not excessively sweet.

Most importantly, it is made with raw, diced Weepers.

After the... occurrences of the previous month, I imagine we could all benefit from their magic. If you seek mental stability, come by and we're happy to provide you with free samples. Don't take too many, though - I don't know what the effects are if you overdose.

...Well, that's all. Thank you for your business.

[...It is evident that Lysithea has no idea how to end this. After a moment, she looks around awkwardly and then dips her head as if in a bow before the transmission cuts.]

[action, ota, at the Patisserie]
[Lysithea will be manning the sweets shop during business hours. Her employees are welcome to join her when they're free - she could use some extra help, given her dislocated wrist. Drop by to sample normal baked goods, Weeper products, or simply strike up a conversation.

On slow days, Lysithea can be found eating her Weeping Wafers and fingering what appears to be an old research journal of some sort.]

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For Mako?

[Lysithea clearly finds this surprising. Mako's outward facade of strength and resilience is generally very convincing.

Then again, it's not as if anybody was immune to the effects of corruption. She was popping these once daily.]

What happened? You two weren't taken to the... [she doesn't even know how to describe it] events of November, were you?

No, no! Not that. He's just... having a hard time. Getting a little smokey, you know?

[ Does she know? He doesn't know if that's a normal corruption symptom either ]

I'm not that worried, I just want to head it off. Before it gets worse.

Erm.

[Lysithea frowns, her brows furrowing deeply.]

I... don't know.

Is he releasing smoke? That does seem to be more than a bit concerning. I'll give you two dozen wafers.

[Mako gets special treatment.]

He's just... smoking? His skin is smoking. It is very concerning, Lysithea, and I don't know what I can do to help him! You know Mako, it's all blah blah I'm surly blah. He won't let me help him!

[ Wu lets out a long-suffering sigh, waving his hand emphatically ]

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I hope they work! All my clothes are starting to smell like smoke because of him. I'll come by and pick them up, and-- oh one of those little cakes? The really delicate ones? He loved those.

Take more cakes.

[Lysithea responds, a bit quietly.]

...I am worried, Wu. He's not the only one showing odd symptoms around here. I had a temporary fit of corruption on that stupid boat, but -- it really progressed so quickly and I completely lost my mind.

If that happens in the town to many of us...

[She doesn't finish that thought.]

But really, Mako...

You've got to make him understand that his mental wellness is of the utmost priority. He's going to ignore you, but -- you know what I mean.

[ Wu lets out a heavy sigh and nods ]

I know. I know! I-- the last time I tried, we got into a huge argument and I kind of accidentally shot him and then he was sick for like three days. I don't know if I can go through that again, Lysithea! He's so-- [ dramatic ] frustrating, sometimes.

But I'll try. I'll try harder. I don't want to know what happens if he gets too corrupted. I guess, I guess that's what this is, isn't it? Corruption? How did you handle yours? You didn't, um. Turn, did you?

Ah.

...Yes. I... remember that story.

[The Mako and Wu dynamic hasn't changed much in four years. ...Or, well, four months.]

Well, it isn't on you to save anybody from themselves, of course. Sorry if I put too much pressure on. I'll go scold him myself, but honestly -- he should know better after everything we've been through.

I'm... not sure. I don't think the boat was a normal type of corruption. It was extreme - and sudden. All I could think about were the shames and secrets I had buried in the darkest, deepest recesses of my mind.

The person who was with me -- we talked each other back into rationality, I think.

No, it's fine. I'll do more, and try not to hurt him this time. He just, he gets to wrapped up in his head, and this time, it's making him corrupt! You'd think he would be worried about that.

[ If their positions were switched, Wu is sure that Mako would be doing everything he could to bring Wu back. Hadn't he, when Wu had been cursed with that Loneliness in October? ]

It does seem to be talking that does it. I'm sorry that that happened to you, Lysithea.

I do think that you scolding him might do something. He respects you, and he listens to people he respects.

I'm sure he wouldn't be with you if he didn't respect you.

[She pauses.]

There's an iron-hard streak of independence in Mako - I understand it, to some degree. I've always felt similarly. Impossible - unseemly - to accept help. But Mako... he feels so keenly that he must be able to sort his own problems that he can be blind to the fact that they exist at all.

And you can't solve something you can't see.

[On that philosophical note, Lysithea abruptly changes tacks.]

And what of you, Wu? How were things for you this month?

[ He doesn't really want to interrogate that first part. Maybe he does respect Wu, maybe he doesn't. Wu really isn't sure. ]

I know. I know! And I keep asking him to let me help, but he won't. He just tries to do everything himself, and we know how well that's turned out before.

[ But, well, Lysithea doesn't need to solve their relationship issues. Wu can... totally do that himself... ]

Oh, it's fine. People are being so annoying, but that's just the trials of running a business. Can't find good help. [ Wink wink you know because she runs a business too. ] Really, though, it's good! The cold is bringing people inside, business is booming, Bolin's putting on the show-- oh, you should come! It's really weird, but it's going to be a lot of fun. Did you know he's getting Shiro to sing?

[ Wu is still awed that he managed it. And Shiro is going to wear those little gold undies. ]

'So annoying'...?

[Lysithea can't help but hide a smile at that. She would absolutely describe people that way. It is a bit alien to hear it coming out of the unflappably energetic Wu.]

What's wrong? Do you need more waiters or performers or the like? I'm afraid performance truly isn't one of my fortes. ...And I imagine many others in the town might agree.

I'll come by more often. I was a bit... preoccupied last month.

[being kidnapped]

Is Shiro doing it very reluctantly?

It's nothing like that. It's just-- people! People moving slow, people who can't make decisions, people who are late to their performance slots.

[ He lets out a heavy sigh and shakes his head ]

You're welcome any time, of course. I would say for free, but Mako told me I have to stop offering free tickets to people so we can "make a profit."

[ Yes, he does put air quotes around that ]

I don't think so, really. Shiro is shy, but I think he's enjoying flexing his, ah. Acting chops.

[ Yeah. Flex those acting chops, Shiro ]

Is that right?

So you're starting to realize how unreliable people are even after they seemingly commit to a responsibility?

Be careful, Wu. You're going to turn into Mako.

[this is probably a dig.]

But I'm happy to trade you some pastries - or supply more for the Raccoon Room. How much are you 'charging' for a ticket nowadays?

That-- I-- [ He lets out a laugh, grinning at her through the feed ] Oh, no. That's a real danger! Don't tell the big guy, but I never want to take on that much stress. Sheesh!

Ah, I don't know. Mako does the accounting. I think "a really nice feather, or the equivalent"? Honestly. I would accept pastries, but I can't promise you that Mako will. He likes having cold, hard... shells. And rocks. And feathers.

At a certain point, you know, when you become like us... you just realize that you can't trust anybody else to do anything, and you've got to do it all yourself.

[Lysithea nods in agreement with herself.]

By the time you're doing the planning, management, and routine tasks all on your own, it's too late.

And what do you mean Mako won't accept pastries?

[As usual, when confronted by the idea that anybody could possibly value anything over sweets (who really wants stupid rocks???), Lysithea finds her mind incapable of grasping the concept.]

That's absurd. All goods are considered currency here. You can literally pick up a rock off the street.

[ Wu shudders ]

No, thank you. Nope! I'm still a fan of delegation. Big fan. One lesson from my months as a king, delegate!

What I mean is, Mako likes things that are less, ah, perishable, as payment. You know, he grew up without very much, so money, even the strange money here, he has an eye for it.

But I would happily spend that money on more of your pastries.

Cakes... can be less perishable.

[Lysithea mutters rebelliously.]

You can freeze them.

[...]

Fine. I suppose that's a point to Mako. Ugh, it's not as if I don't have stacks of rocks taking up space in the back room. I'm happy to offload some of them into your business.

And I'll bring them back around to buy more cakes!

[ Money makes no sense, does it? ]

But thank you, Lysithea. It'll make Mako happy.

[ And with that, Wu can come collect his anti-corruption cookies and will give Lysithea a flyer for the upcoming performances at the Raccoon Room ]

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