Finally outside the estate and completely free. Yona released the illusion spell on her clothes, revealing her black tights, leather belt, and snug blue tank top.
"Ah," she sighed, stretching her shoulder muscles as she looked around for where her Bowbo had gone.
Where's that damn carpet at? Did it go to the service cleaners again?
She began walking toward the city's market.
The excitement and contentment she felt in that moment made her believe nothing could disturb her good mood.
About seven minutes into the walk, Bowbo made its appearance—flying down in front of her.
As expected, it had gone to the service cleaners. Its sparkly purple, white, and black threading glistened with no specs or loose strands.
"I see you still remember you have a master to pick up?" she teased, hopping onto the carpet.
Bowbo wiggled its tassels in apology.
"Better late than never, bud. Take us to Tammi's place." Yona pulled out a medium-sized plush pillow, laying it under her elbow as she stretched out across Bowbo, her voice lazy as she gave the command.
Lifting into the sky, Bowbo and Yona headed toward their destination.
They passed over the city market and red district. People looked up, recognizing Yona almost instantly.
Greetings were shouted out:
"Hey, Yona!"
She tapped Bowbo, signaling it to pause.
Yona leaned over the edge of Bowbo, waving to whoever had called out.
"Hey, love!" she called back, continuing on her way.
She often hung out in the markets and red district, drinking and chilling with her older brothers, sisters, uncles, and aunties. They loved when Yona came to visit—always guaranteed vibes and laughter.
"Yona the beauty, my dear! When are you gonna come visit your sisters again for a good time?!" called Big Sister Li Susu, a waitress at one of the viewing brothels.
"I'll come visit, Big Sister Li—and the other sisters—maybe tomorrow night. I heard you've got some new faces. Of course I wouldn't miss out on that." Her voice was loud and silky with sexual charm as she licked her lips and gave a wicked smile that left onlookers too flustered to look—and too stunned to look away.
"Haha! Big Sister Dawn's been waiting for you to come in and show off a bit," Li Susu laughed, waving as Yona departed. "Now that I've seen you, you know you can come in any time."
"All right, I'll see you," she said with a flick of her fingers.
But it wasn't long before Yona was stopped again in her journey.
"Haha! Yona, my girl, you coming out to drink with us uncles again tonight? I want a rematch from last time! Casting dizzy spells between drinks is foul play—shows no honor!"
Ren Guhan, an uncle, drinking buddy, and long-time friend of her father, hollered from the window of the Drunkin' Drinkers Tavern.
"Uncles, now don't start burning bridges after you've crossed them," she fired back, voice smug. "You're just mad you didn't think of it first. What about the first couple times I drank with you? The tricks you pulled then? This doesn't even compare."
"Sister Li said you put wine in your mouth, mixed it with a mouthful of soul fire, and poured it into a cup. Then you made poor Old Ren drink it! Haha!" another uncle laughed from inside the tavern.
"Hmm, cheeky little brat," Uncle Ren muttered, glaring at her, clearly remembering the memory.
Yona giggled unapologetically.
"True, but you deserved it," she said with a cheeky grin. "Didn't you all see what he did to me first?"
"Hey, that was then and this is now!" was his only reply. "Now you have to pay for drinks tonight—no refusals!"
"…." Yona blinked, speechless. What was she, three?
"Tsk. Fine, when I've got time later, I'll come drink with you. But don't try to pass out again just to make a youngster pay for you old bulls. Think you can skip out on the bill again just 'cause you're 'too drunk' to remember?" Her voice turned sharper—teasing but deadly serious. "See if I don't go to Aunty this time and collect my debt. Let's see how she reacts."
Everyone who knew her understood—Yona did not take losses lightly.
"Why you gotta bring my wife into it? It was a joke! Of course, Uncle will pay for you," he coaxed suddenly, like a man realizing he'd just stepped on a landmine.
"I don't know if you're joking or not, but I can ask Aunty to see if it was a joke," she teased, flying off on her carpet.
"Hey, wait—I was just—" he tried to finish his sentence, but she was already a distance away.
"Looks like we're sleeping in the shed again tonight," someone commented, sending the whole tavern into a fresh burst of laughter.
"Ahahaha!" Laughter echoed in the distance, fading as Yona soared farther away.
⸻
Reaching the east side of the city, Yona lowered the carpet into the city streets, gliding through groups of people as she rounded the corner to Tammi's house.
Soon, she pulled up to a little courtyard tucked away in the corner, surrounded by weeping willow trees.
Dismounting from the carpet, she walked up a stone path to the door of the cottage. Without knocking, she stepped inside and went straight to the kitchen, where the delicious smell of cake and cookies lingered in the air.
"Babes, your true love has returned!" she announced, hugging the tall, slender figure from behind as they busied themselves with treats on the magical stove-oven.
"Hmm. Move back so I can grab my cookies," came the deep masculine voice with a slightly feminine lilt.
"My lonely heart! Oh, heaven smite me! My Tammi doesn't love me anymore! I can't go on!" Yona dramatically raised her hand to her forehead and fell backward, pretending to faint.
Bowbo, her partner in crime, played his part well, catching her a few inches before she hit the floor. She continued to cry dramatically.
"Woo! How will little ol' me continue on in this cruel cru—"
A cookie was shoved into her mouth, cutting off her theatrics.
Tammi, both annoyed and amused, was now facing her, hands on his hips and face darkening.
"Why so active today? Looks like you've got enough energy to help me clean this kitchen. Finally learning manners, huh? Working for a meal instead of snatching free ones?" he scolded, pushing her out of the kitchen.
The door slammed behind her.
Yona flinched.
"How noble of you," she muttered, making her way to the living room sofa.
"I heard that!" came Tammi's muffled voice from the kitchen.
"Get your ears checked, because you heard nothing," she called back, sticking her tongue out in his direction while making a face.