As Amarillo watched the elder Temmie pulling book after book off of the shelves, her eyes widened. What a mess he was making! But, it wasn't anything that she was worried about. She remembered plenty of times where her friends had asked her for book recommendations and she had made piles bigger than what Bob was making. She glanced down now and then to read the titles and flip a couple open so she could skim a page or two. All of the books that Amarillo approached grabbed her attention almost immediately, and she found it hard to pull herself away from them so she could examine the next ones.

The Tem reached one particular book that took place among the stars that brought forward a sudden thought to her mind. She had completely forgotten about the star chart that she had been working on for months. Every week, for about a year, Amarillo had to search the sky for any changes, such as a new star that may have appeared, or perhaps even a new constellation that may have formed. She also remembered with a jolt that tonight would mark exactly one year since she began this little project. After tonight, Amarillo would have to take her charts to an astronomical specialist at the Capital so that her work may be critiqued. "I, um...", she began to say, but her sentence trailed off as she returned her attention back to Bob, who had stopped and turned back to survey the trail of books he had created. Both of them were speechless, but for two completely different reasons.

Amarillo blinked a couple of times, trying to bring her words back. "... Erm, I actually already found, um, a book that I think I'm, er, going to check out...." she glanced back at the books and then smiled apologetically towards her former mentor. "I... er, usually, I would love to help you clean up these, erm, books... but, I actually have to go. I'll, uh, see you later!"

And, with that, the younger Temmie rushed to the front desk, where she could see a line already forming with other monsters that were carrying stacks of four or five books. She wondered silently how the library had suddenly become so crowded. Amarillo looked hastily at the clock and saw that she was about to be late, because she had to chart the stars at the exact same time as she did the previous nights, or her charts would be inaccurate. There was no time to waste! She set the book that she had been carrying onto a nearby shelf and darted out the door, without even a glance back at Bob. A thousand thoughts and plans were racing through her mind, and all she could think about was getting back to her room at the Inn so she could grab her belongings. Amarillo had a feeling that she wouldn't be back in Snowdin for a while.

An old voice she hadn't heard since her father had worked in the core had been hissing into her ear through the phone, spouting out nasty words about her father's past and the actual monster he was. "You know what, I'm ending this here, Gatsby. You can go and eat a hotcat.". She was completely ticked off that her dad's closest friend would confront her through the phone like that. She sighed, hanging up after blocking his number from being able to contact her, hoping it would hold him off for a while. She hadn't gone far, so she turned around and walked back to Grillby's. She opened the door and smelled the woodsy scent again. It was empty besides one other face, someone new that she hadn't met before. "Hey, uh.. Sorry about that Grillby.. It was a false alarm. I didn't mess anything up, did I? I probably did... Ughh... I'll make it up Grillby." She said with a stressed look upon her face, her light teal locks curling softly against her beanie. She felt heat in her eyesockets, trying to suck the tears back in so she wouldn't seem like she was trying to get pity.

She waited as she watched Grillby preparing to close up, hoping that she didn't make him waste an order of food. She would feel horrible if she had, a heavy feeling filling her stomach, the gross, fluttery feeling of guilt approaching. She sat down on her usual bar stool, placing her skeletal phalanges against her temples and forehead, letting out a breath of stale air. Thankfully, Grillby was a monster she felt comfortable around, despite her inactivity in the small town.

Niskel was glad that Luis seemed supportive in his own way, even if the chipmunk cashier knew that effectively they were still strangers as this was still a business transaction, even if the pair of them were being familiar and cordial with each other. That was simply how Haldor ran his business, to make his customers feel like family, and while many of them did, the often realistic man knew better than to think it went any further than skin deep.

Still, there was that unexpected and flattering request for a copy of his music once he finished it, and even if that went nowhere at all it was a wonderful thing to even offer to do, given that he was pretty sure the angelic monster hadn’t heard his work at all. It would at least be a positive enough contribution in their interaction to leave him feeling more pleasant despite the rigors that customer service was in general. Those little one off interactions often made it worth all the trouble. “You too!” he affirmed in response to the bidding that he have a good night, already directing his attention to the next in line.

---

After making his recommendations at their behest, Niskel waited patiently for the party to make up their minds. Most of the time patrons figured out what they wanted off the chalkboard menu hanging above and behind him on the wall that led into the kitchen while they waited in line, but on rare occasion someone did have trouble deciding. It wasn’t usually such a big party, but since it was really outside of his control, the chipmunk just bided his time until the seeming leader of the group came to the fore to place the orders for everyone. “Okay, two plain cappuccinos, one iced chai tea latte, two hot green teas, and five cherry scones,” he repeated back, to make sure everything was correct, and making amends if need be before telling them the total so currency could be exchanged.

The rather secretive whispering of several of them pinged at his sensitive hearing, but he opted not to comment on the exchange even if it did only seem to pique his suspicions of the group all the more. There were plenty of capable monsters here if trouble broke out, including the owner himself. He’d just mind his own business in the meanwhile, which meant passing the numbered placard to Zephyrus once the order was paid for. “Enjoy your evening gentlemen,” he bade them in farewell as they moved to find a table.

---

This hooded figure was indeed a strange one, Niskel decided, not that monsterkind couldn’t be strange in all manner of ways, but for the moment, this particular entity did stand out in a crowd. At the end of the day, however, it seemed like that might not be all that strange given that special events tended to attract people out of the proverbial woodworks anyway, so he put on his best customer friendly smile, slightly buck toothed and all as he did indeed exercise his patience with her. “Not a problem at all, we’re glad to have you.” And indeed this was true on most levels, even if he still got a bit of a weird vibe off the woman. “All right, one caramel macchiato with almond milk and a bowl of beef stew for you,” he confirmed as his furry digits danced across the register to ring up the order and finally informed her of the total.

He’d just entered in her table number from the top card in the stack when she sneezed, prompting him to offer a mildly sympathetic smile. “Ah, be well,” he hummed in a softly encouraging tone, since sick patrons were rarely good for business. It was far too easy for illness to get spread around in public if the bearer wasn’t mindful in his experience, and while sneezes could be innocuous enough, they could also be ill omens in their own way. “Enjoy your supper,” came the final well wish as he passed her the number card when their transaction completed and he left her to find her seat.

---

“One strawberry smoothie it is then!” Niskel chirred cheerily in reply, adding that to the order along with the aforementioned scone. The transaction from there was rather efficient given that Boreas wasn’t really much for conversation the cashier had found, but frankly that suited him just fine as currency was exchanged along with the table number, leaving the frosty guard free to find that corner seat that was about as secluded as was feasible on such a busy night as this.

It wouldn’t be long after Boreas found his seat that one of the serving staff came out with his order, exchanging it for the table card that had been put on its little stand and leaving the recalcitrant monster to his repast with a simple smile and bidding to “Enjoy!” before slipping back to the kitchens, leaving the reptilian alone for the time being.

---

On the performance stage it seemed like the technicians were just about done preparing the setup for the poetry slam event, clearly satisfied with the microphone checks, lighting, and other event setup that required their attention as they moved to and fro across the raised platform at the far end of the left side of the building. It looked like it wouldn’t be long before the event would properly start, and while there would still be some time to sign up after performances began, it would be in the contestants’ best interest to sign up sooner rather than later with the faun waiting rather patiently at the signup table so clearly labeled off to the left side of the stage.

The Riverperson would return a small wave to Niskel along with a thankful nod before being towed along to the table and taking a seat. She was grateful for all the kind people that worked around these places as it made it much easier for her to relax in a situation were she usually was quite anxious and panicked. So his reassurance was very much appreciated and she hoped he knew that! From her seat she peered over to see.. Another hooded figure enter the establishment, which at first made her hands clasp at the lap part of her cloak and it also caused her to tense back up and almost freeze still on the spot. That is until she got a bit of a better look. Noting that the cloak revealed parts of the monster underneath's look, she seemed to relax again- Somewhat. Whomever she thought it was originally was not who it actually turned out to be, although she did think it to be quite odd another monster was wearing something similar to herself. Did her cloak go into fashion while she was busy working or something?

Putting those thoughts aside she soon looked back to the other two at the table. Luis and Fia. For the most part she watched their rather endearing  back and forth, however if either looked close enough, they'd of probably noticed a rather starry smile peeking out from under that hood. Just watching her friends friendly banter was enough to bring out a bright smile from her. The giggles and chuckles the two were giving off... Maybe the smile was more then just aimed at their banter.
She seemed to react quite surprised when she was addressed by Luis though- Probably because she got a bit lost in her thoughts there! "Oh, um" Her shy demeanor seemed to come racing back rather fast but she did her best to reply to the winged monster. "_{Yes, yes! Although I probably wouldn't of had the nerve to come alone so.. I'm glad Fia and I crossed paths earlier}" She gave a shy smile to her vibrant friend before giving Luis one too. "_{It's good to see you again, especially in such high spirits}"

Speaking of Fia though, River was also grateful for how understanding she was being, rather then making her feel pressured to participate, Fia instead gently encouraged her but reminded her it was her own choice if she wanted to join in. Fia's kindness caused the hooded monster to let off a light giggle, as she felt comfortable enough to do so even in this public space thanks to her friend. "Thank you, Fia, this all really means a lot to me".
When her friends attention went back to Luis, River's starry smile returned however and her eyes would go between the two, noticing the small bits, the return of the giggles, to slight lean in's and how her friend's eyes watched the monster before her. Her smile started to slowly sort of change- She was noticing things she caught herself doing when falling for Zarc. Was it just coincidental? Should she try talking to Fia about it directly? Perhaps... This monster. Luis, he always seemed to make Fia smile from what River had seen- and laugh. She moved her hands together and stared down at them for a moment as they rested gently on the table in front of her. Was she being too concerned for her new friend? Maybe.. But she did want for Fia to be happy. She always deserved at least that.
She pried herself from her thoughts enough to catch onto the conversation going on though but didn't yet contribute to it.

When Yanezi left a seat for River though, she of course would politely take it, quietly thanking the feline as she did before then opting to look out the nearby window for a moment in thought, keeping an ear in on the conversation though and after a short while of pondering she turned to Fia beside her with a small smile on her face that was hidden by her hood. She hesitated for a moment before leaning up to her friend and cupping her hands around her mouth as she whispered something to Fia, obviously something she wanted only her to hear. It only took a few seconds and once she was done, the riverperson held a hand to her mouth and would give off a gentle giggle, looking roughly in Luis' direction when she did. Soon though, she was being addressed so she would straighten up abit and focus back on the rest of the table.

When the feline spoke to her at first her hood lowered out of shyness but she made it clear that she was listening. River pondered what had been asked for a moment before then speaking up, lifting her head back up again slightly, "_{You too! Uhm-}" She fumbled her hands together for a moment before continuing, "_{It is nice to get off the boat for a bit.. It gives Ridley a break too-}" More hand fumbling came when it came to actually answering the question, mostly because what's deemed as 'interesting' can be very differently to different monsters, so she was unsure of what to answer with. But a lackluster response like "No, not really" also certainly wasn't interesting either. Soon though, the food and drink for their table was also brought out for them and she was taken off guard a bit as something was also put down in front of her even though she had declined at ordering anything at the front when she had entered earlier. The thing that caught her off guard most however was what she had been brought. The monster stared down at the muffin for a few moments, not even noticing as one of her hands moved to hold the badge that held her cloak up as her anxiety raised. Mentally she tried to convince herself that it was simply, just a coincidence.

She did however glanced to the door for a moment before then fumbling her fingers around her badge for a few moments and lowering her head, she was anxious, but she didn't want to let down her friends or come off as rude, so she did her best to try and finally answer Yan's question, "_{Well. Nothing too much, aside from some things you've probably heard on the news already. Although.. Off the riverways has been rather interesting as of recent for me at least~}" She covered another little laugh, this time with both hands before she then took another quick look around the room, there were so many different monsters here. The one with buttoned eyes caught her attention for a couple seconds before her eyes would dart elsewhere again and then finally her attention returned to the table. "_{Of all the poem's that you guys have heard before, do you each happen to have a favourite in mind?}" She herself was still pondering if she was going to enter or just watch this time but regardless she thought it was time she asked something to them.

Jess nodded then looked at the cavern's ceiling with its light scattering of clouds and the translucent blue atmosphere that only partially simulated the Surface sky. "It really is the perfect day for a sketch." Jess looked back to her art then looked at Sid. "I used to love drawing bird wings when I was five or four. Wanna see the drawings?"