Sun Ritsu hadn't noticed that Anari had left the group to order a cute consultant at the nearest welcome booth. He was still holding a half-conscious monk while he stood before a construction site that was mostly taped off from the public.

Ham Song whimpered at Ritsu's heels. "Don't get too close, Ritsu. Something about that bridge doesn't smell right."

"It's only half a bridge," Ritsu said under his breath as he scanned the area. The structure was not made of wood or stone, nor did it branch off from the main landing deck where the tourists gathered right before they crossed over onto the next giant. The material that made up the bridge could probably be a metal, but something about it was incorporeal. As if it didn't entirely exist on this plane.

The heart of the construction site was oozing something that did indeed stink. It also gave off a neon, putrid sort of aura. There were a few spirits with hard hats picking their way around the debris. Most of them looked like dog spirits, but unlike the canines Ritsu had encountered so far, none of them appeared to be of a recognizable breed.

Ham Song called out to the closest worker. "My good mongrel!"

The dog spirit of an indiscriminate breed ambled in their direction. He stopped where the yellow tape divided the construction site from the paved pathways.

With a low chuff, the dog said, "You two should move it along."

"What's that smell coming from under the bridge?" Ham Song asked without missing a beat. He looked up at the dog expectantly and nudged Ritsu a little closer to the tape.

The construction worker's eyes darted from left to right before he finally said, "If anyone asks, they were volunteers. Unfortunately for them, they weren't really skilled enough to work on this project. They got trapped under the bridge. That's their essence you're smelling. The spirits are rotting there."

Ritsu raised an eyebrow. "Volunteers? What's that supposed to mean?"

The dog lowered his voice, his lip coming up over his canines in a snarl. "It means, Mr. Monkey, that the victims were actually prisoners. Cute offenders of the worst sort." Ironically, he added, "You know how it is around here. You gotta pay the price if your behavior's not up to code."

Ham Song stomped his foot to get the dog's attention. "How could their essence possibly still be attached? Those spirits should have moved on to the Lake of Ninefold Darkness by now."

The dog's snarl dissolved into something more pitying. "You would think. But that bridge isn't a normal one. Some big shot organization is behind the whole thing. They want to build highways all over the Ninth Heaven. Standardize the way of travel between the giants and all that."

Ham Song blinked. "It makes sense."

Sun Ritsu, who, don't forget, was an idiot, admitted that he didn't understand.

The dog sneered, "What kind of sun clone are you? I thought monkeys were supposed to be clever."

With that, the construction worker returned to his duties. Ham Song and Sun Ritsu put some distance between themselves and the tape before they were approached by any tourism personnel.

While they waited on a bench for Anari, Ham Song explained, "Benevolent monkey, as of now there are many ways to cross the void and travel from giant to giant. Some methods are more convenient than others, such as the ferry we came on. But some giants, such as the one home to the Ox and Tiger Provinces are notoriously difficult to reach."

Ritsu understood now. "Building a highway would make traveling simpler and easier for everyone."

The monk, Dear Traveler, was still cradled in Ritsu's arms. Groggily, they interjected, "It would also make whoever was controlling all those bridges very, very rich."

Ham Song added, "But never mind the implications of the final product. One of the reasons why this has never been done correctly is because the void has a mind of its own. I've seen it eat bridges before. Once you stretch a toe outside the protection of a giant, there is no telling how kindly the void will treat you."

"But even if you have an accident in the void, won't you just go to the Lake of Ninefold Darkness regardless?" Ritsu asked. "Those spirits shouldn't be trapped like that."

"A mystery for another day, lawful monkey," said Ham Song. "Here comes the spider with one of those dyed corgis. Monk, pull yourself together, will you?"

With a compliant yawn, Bodhi stretched and shimmied out of Ritsu's lap and onto the empty spot beside him.

"Right." They pointed at the corgi. "Wouldn't want to embarrass myself in front of our insurance policy."

For every stride Anari made, the cute consultant made three. Though she had to keep up a brisk pace, the mint green corgi panted happily. She introduced herself as Baobei and consistent with what our cadre had seen so far, she was unglamoured enough to reveal her distinct breed characteristics.

When Baobei asked where they were staying, Anari once again took the reins and named a small bed and breakfast inn that she had stayed at in the past.

Baobei gave an enthusiastic woof. "Oh! Baby Granny's! Excellent choice. Did you know that it's the only inn that sells real buttermilk pancakes?"

Anari grinned and nodded. You see, the spider did in fact already know this. Buttermilk pancakes along with other familiar breakfast goodies were one of Anari's favorite dining experiences aside from her live catches. And she did not plan to return to work until she filled herself up with some.

As Baobei led them through the very green, but bustling village streets, she prattled on about how their inn was right between the uptown shopping district and the hilly bike paths.

At one point, Baobei turned to Ham Song and said, "Might I ask, what is the matter with you?"

The pig lifted a bristly eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

Baobei cocked one of her bat-like ears to the side. "Your posture is so poor. Is it because your back is broken, Hamlet?"

Anari did her best to stifle her laughter. By the looks of Bodhi and Ritsu, they were putting forth a lot of effort to do so as well.

"Broken?" Ham Song squeaked. "First off, my name is Ham Song and my back is quite fine. This is how I walk!"

Baobei smoothed her pastel paws over the front of her uniform and sniffed. "Then you are the Luckiest there ever was because broken backs are not especially cute."

When the group reached the adorable little bed and breakfast and checked into their rooms, Bodhi announced that they were going to take a nap to try to sleep off the booze. Ham Song made it known that he was bound for an isolated countryside path where he could escape all of this tourism and just enjoy the scenery.

That left Ritsu and Anari alone to figure out how to proceed with locating the quarterstaff.

"We can talk about it over pancakes," Anari suggested. Sun Ritsu, who, judging by the look on his face, had never had a pancake before, seemed content with the idea of letting Anari show him the ropes.

They ate their pancakes in the common space on the main floor. Since it was the middle of the day, the room was mostly empty, for which Anari was grateful. She preferred to spend time with Ritsu when there was no one around.

After practically drowning his shortstack in maple syrup, Ritsu made a cut along the seam of the oozing layers and took a bite.

"Oh. I remember these."

Right, Anari remembered. He has spent time in the mortal realm where pancakes are more common.

Although the spider was curious about Ritsu's experiences beyond the Ninth Heaven, she wanted to get down to business. Since no one else in this strange cadre cared about sticking to their goals, it was on her to help everyone stay on track.

"Sun, when it comes to finding your staff, I think I know where we can start looking."

Ritsu licked the syrup from the corner of his lips. "You do?"

"Yes. Most of the tourism here is dedicated to furthering the cute agenda. But there is one historical sighting left – The Hall of Perfect Light. Hardly anyone goes there these days, but it just might hold clues to locating your staff. I believe the fairgrounds will open in a couple of hours."

Ritsu, who had miraculously finished his serving, fiddled with the edge of his fork and mumbled, "Would you... Would you mind... coming along with me?" Then quickly, he added, "We don't have to wait for Ham Song or Bodhi this time."

Anari gently smirked as she removed her shades. Folding them and tucking her knuckles under her chin, she hummed, "What? Like a date?"

Ritsu looked up from his fork. "Yes. Maybe we could get something to eat on the way there."

Anari, wishing she hadn't removed her shades, blinked rapidly. She didn't expect Ritsu to be serious about this. And what was more, she didn't think she would ever say yes to another sun clone asking her on a date.

< It's just one date. It's not like you're going to marry him! Come on, you're on vacation. >

Meeting Ritsu's eyes more sincerely this time, Anari said, "We could do that."

Hey Peaches! I've got another art teaser! I think it's pretty obvious who this is, but I wanted to share my excitement with you anyway <3