The Neon Moon was packed.
Voices filled the air, laughter rolled through the room, and the warm glow of lanternlight spilled across crowded tables and clinking mugs.
The hostess spotted the Vixens the moment they stepped through the doors.
"Oh! Welcome back!" she said, smiling brightly. "Right this way — your table's already prepared."
Llandra glanced around at the overflowing dining room.
"Is this because of the festival?"
The hostess shook her head.
"No, dear. This is because of the man you brought with you yesterday."
They followed her through the crowd.
Whispers trailed behind them.
"That's the party from last night—"
"Are they with the chef?"
"Do you think he'll make more of that dish?"
Their table sat at the center of the floor.
Reserved.
Empty.
Waiting.
Bunny leaned in. "Have you seen Jax?"
The hostess nodded toward the kitchen.
"He's back there."
A waitress appeared almost instantly — setting down glasses of the good mead.
Nyxian smirked and lifted hers.
"Of course he is."
But there was something else different tonight.
Something impossible to ignore.
Bunny inhaled deeply.
"This place smells… AMAZING."
It didn't just smell better.
It smelled transformed.
The kitchen doors swung open.
Jax stepped out.
He wore one of the outfits Bunny had chosen — sharp, refined, confident. Not ostentatious… but commanding.
The room reacted before he even reached the floor.
Applause broke out.
"That's him!"
"He's the one who made the dish!"
"He looks surprisingly handsome for a human!"
Jax froze mid-step.
Then he smiled — shaking a few hands as people reached out, thanking him in passing.
Before he could sit, the shift leader hurried forward.
"Everyone — your attention, please!"
The voices quieted.
The Vixens stared.
Jax… took the floor.
"Thank you all for coming tonight," he said. "For those who were here yesterday — yes, the Beef Au Jue special is back."
Several tables cheered.
"But I've also worked with the kitchen today to add three new dishes to tonight's menu."
Excitement rippled through the crowd.
"And in a few minutes," he continued, smiling, "every table will receive a complimentary sample of our new appetizers. Please — enjoy them, and if you like what you taste… order as much as you want."
The room erupted in cheers.
"Eat well, drink well — and make tonight one to remember!"
Nyxian leaned back.
"Ever the showman."
Bunny blinked.
"Wait… Jax owns this place now?"
He finally returned to the table and took his seat.
Llandra studied him.
"So… when did you buy a restaurant?"
Jax shrugged casually.
"About an hour and a half ago. Technically I only own twenty percent — but my investment came with managerial control. Fired the old manager. Promoted the shift lead. Trained the cooks. Added four appetizers and three mains."
Bunny grinned.
"Well… it smells like you made the right call."
Moments later the kitchen doors burst open.
Plates streamed out.
Tables cheered.
People clapped.
Energy filled the air.
The Neon Moon wasn't a restaurant anymore.
It was alive.
A patron approached their table — a stout man with a flushed face and watery eyes from laughter and drink.
He clasped Jax's shoulder.
"By the gods, sir — these flavors are divine! You must have the most exquisite palate!"
He gestured emphatically to his own mouth.
Zee didn't look up from her drink.
Her tone was casual.
"Oh. I can assure you — he has an amazing tongue."
The man paused.
Blinking.
Then nodded with profound respect and walked away.
Jax nearly choked on his mead.
Nyxian's eyes lit up like festival lanterns.
Zee sipped again.
Calm.
Unbothered.
"And," she added softly, "I hope he keeps using it on me."
Jax did choke this time.
Nyxian leaned forward.
"That so?"
Zee smiled faintly.
"And perhaps… on more than just my mouth in the future."
Jax sprayed his drink.
Nyxian clapped in delight.
Llandra stared down at her plate — cheeks warm — lips curved in a quiet smile.
She knew.
They both knew.
And somehow…
She didn't feel threatened.
She felt connected.
Bound by the same foolish, wonderful mistake.
They had fallen for the same impossible man.
Jax cleared his throat desperately.
"Oh look — food. Please… eat."
The first bites broke the tension.
Then came the silence.
Then the awe.
Llandra lowered her fork slowly.
"…This may be the best meal I've ever had."
She lifted her gaze to Jax.
He was already looking at her.
Their smiles matched.
Soft.
Dangerous.
Honest.
The night rolled on in warm laughter and full plates.
Strangers toasted across tables.
The staff moved like dancers instead of laborers.
For the first time… Solmere felt hopeful.
Bunny leaned over her plate.
"So — what shops are you buying tomorrow?"
Jax chuckled.
"I've got a full day of errands. I was hoping you could help me navigate the markets."
Bunny's ears perked.
"More shopping? Yes please." She paused. "Do I get to make out with you on our date too?"
Jax nearly inhaled his food.
"I— It's not a date. It's— assistance."
Bunny pouted.
"Llandra got a date. Zee got a date. We agreed everyone gets a date."
Nyxian raised her mug.
"We did. He just wasn't present for the decision."
She pointed at him.
"I get you the day after."
Jax stared into his drink.
"…I may need stronger mead."
The night ended with swaying steps and flushed cheeks.
He walked them back to the inn.
Nyxian was tipsy.
Bunny was cheerful.
Zee was… terrifyingly content.
They reached the stairwell.
Bunny hiccuped.
"Today was their day. Tomorrow is mine. Soo… you should kiss them goodnight."
"I don't think—"
Llandra grabbed him.
No hesitation.
No restraint.
Not gentle like before.
Hungry.
Real.
Heat instead of wonder.
The world spun.
She broke away — breathless — regal composure destroyed.
Jax barely had time to blink before Zee launched forward and wrapped herself around him.
Her kiss was deep.
Unapologetic.
Possessive.
Nyxian whistled and tugged her off him before gravity could fail him.
"Not tonight," she grinned. "Schedule, remember."
She pulled Zee away — still mumbling about future possibilities.
They vanished into the stairwell.
Jax stood alone in the hall.
Heart racing.
Mind spinning.
He turned toward the magical lift that carried him to his suite.
He exhaled slowly.
"What a world…"
The doors closed.
"…what a world indeed."