2025.12.10
Lando Estate.
After dinner, Wayne strolled around the lawn outside the grove, looking for cuties like Monica or Veronica. He had to admit that the magical barrier of the Lando Estate was dependable. The mist that covered the entire Londan gave it a wide berth, and he could see the large moon when he looked up. There were very few stars, though, almost no visible ones.
The magical barrier could keep out the mist that emerged in Londan at night, but only the supernatural one. The smog that came from the factories was unaffected, so one would have to leave Londan to see a starry sky.
While walking, Wayne saw a hand doing a come-hither gesture at him from behind the tree. There stood Veronica.
He went up to her with a beam. “What a coincidence, Veronica. I’m looking for Monica. How about you?”
I’m looking for you!
Veronica grabbed the scum’s collar with practiced ease, pinning him to the tree and sniffing his collar. Perfume!
During dinner, she had smelled the complex mix of scents on him, but she couldn’t make herself confront him when there were other people around. Thus, when she spotted Wayne wandering toward the grove, she came and intercepted him.
Where does the smell of perfume come from? What did you do today? She fumed as she considered the possibilities, glaring at the scum and opening her mouth to speak. Then...
His shy look infuriated her so much that she threw a punch at his face, her other hand clutching his collar tightly. “Stop playing innocent before me. I’ve read all of your diary without missing an entry.”
“I know. You’re my most loyal reader.” Wayne covered his nose and pretended to be in pain for appearance’s sake, clenching his teeth. “I noticed during the meal that you didn’t seem to have an appetite. What’s wrong? Was the food not to your liking, or did your relative visit?”