I'm not absolutely sure how everything could develop like this.

  "So, what kind of preparations do you exactly have in mind, Talisa?" (E)

  "First, we need to establish a general strategy for how we're to go about this. By all means, I don't trust Akasia to improvise everything once she's there while not getting distracted by the fact that she's inside a human town." (T)

  Yeah, I can kinda see that happening.

  She still rapidly hurls questions at me at times, so I can only imagine how she’ll act near an entire town of humans.

  "Tskch, what do you have in mind?" (A)

  "While I will make sure our territory stays in order, I want Masiabi to patrol the border more diligently than ever before, especially to the south." (T)

  "So far it's like always." (M)

  "Next, I want Kyroki to accompany you. She may unleash her poison to bail the other two out in the case something were to go wrong. Meanwhile, Eritu will function as our communication link, through her familiars we can stay in contact." (T)

  Is it just me, or is this whole thing getting bigger and bigger?

  "Last but not least, Neri!" (T)

  Me!?

  "Y-yes?" (N)

  "You really need to watch Akasia. I don't trust her to be able to completely contain herself. Make sure she isn't getting into trouble." (T)

  She's asking me?!

  Not having many other people near my former home, nor any siblings, I’ve never even watched over other kids before.

  Not to mention giant spider monsters!

  "Hey, that isn't nice, Talisa." (A)

  "Don't you dare cause problems for your little sister, Akasia." (T)

  At this, Akasia flinches.

  I think even Akasia is mindful of the situation.

  But why would anyone ask me to rein her in?

  I'm certainly not fit to control a spider monster like Akasia.

  Or Kyroki, for that matter.

  And Talisa is over fifty years older than me...

  "Um, what about you, Talisa?" (N)

  "Someone needs to stay here and make sure that the Sanctuary keeps standing until you return. We've got here thousands upon thousands of familiars, and someone has to ensure that they'll continue to behave. Otherwise this may lead to rogue behavior and the respective repercussions." (T)

  So she has to mind the nest, or thousands of spiders may roam all over the area, unguided?

  Brrrr.

  Yep, that’s a good reason for her to stay at home.

  "If you're now finally finished bickering, we need a bit more to prepare our little travel group. One thing in particular about the familiar that poses a huge issue." (K)

  "Right. I see your point." (T)

  "M-me? What is wrong with me?" (L)

  "Your face. You can't keep it." (K)

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  "My face!?" (L)

  I'm just as alarmed as she is!

  "What Kyroki means to say is that she's supposed to be dead for the humans. Therefore, letting her all-too-recognizable figure run around town is an issue." (T)

  "Exactly." (K)

  "So, what do you suggest?" (A)

  "That should be obvious. We'll have to change her appearance." (K)

  Change her appearance?

  Like a disguise?

  With everyone else but Kyroki, I wouldn't be so nervous about that.

  "Oh my! A makeover! I'm all in with this idea!" (A)

  I feel like things are escalating again.

  "The three points to attend to would be her attire, her face, and foremost, this hair. That one is a dead giveaway." (K)

  "Oh, I'll do her hair! I have all kinds of dyes at hand!" (A)

  "M-my hair?" (L)

  She grabs at it, as if trying to protect her mane.

  While unusual, I guess having pink hair is in some way special to her.

  When my own hair changed, it had some impact on me, although all the rest made it seem almost insignificant.

  "Don't you worry, it's only temporary! Also, it’ll be fun! I always wanted to work with human hair that isn't attached to a corpse! Just you wait! This is gonna look so nice!" (A)

  I, I have slight doubts about her abilities.

  "Then I'll do her clothes." (T)

  Sure, who else?

  "Once you're done, bring her to me. I'll do her face." (K)

  "Oh, do you want some of my makeup for this task?" (A)

  "No, that won't be necessary." (K)

  What exactly does she have in mind?!

  "In the meantime, I'll look for human stuff in the treasury!" (M)

  "Then I guess I should start preparing the travel route and spreading my surveillance network." (E)

  Everyone is suddenly getting so busy.

  "Wh-what exactly is happening here?" (L)

  Yeah, I'm similarly overwhelmed.

  "Didn't we say? Travel preparations. Now come, as we can't idle our time away." (T)

  "I'm first!" (A)

  Akasia almost snatches Liana's arm, her grin maybe not all that reassuring.

  "I-I'll come with you!" (N)

  As if I could leave Liana alone in that situation.

  We arrive at Akasia's chamber.

  I get a mild panic attack when she shoos out all her familiars, which also affects Liana.

  Thankfully, Liana steps in front of me, blocking my view, sparing me the sight of all those spiders.

  Yet as the familiars move along the corridor, away from us, nothing further happens, and I can eventually regain myself.

  While doing so, I feel from Liana a mix of protectiveness, annoyance, and uncertainty.

  She isn't even sure whether or not she did it because she truly wanted to help me out, or just to avoid the mental backlash of my panic.

  However, that’s nothing I can focus on at the moment, as Akasia invites us in.

  Inside, I discover that Akasia apparently has a mirror cabinet nearby where she starts rummaging through a stash.

  "Plonk, tonk, plock"

  "No. Not that. This ain't it either. Hmm, close, but not quite. There! This is it!" (A)"

  I'm glad the other flasks didn't shatter.

  "This one will look great on you! It's quite a dark blue that we'll work into your hair!" (A)

  "You, you have hair dye?" (L)

  "Of course! Didn't I say so? Who do you think supplies Talisa for her colored silk? I always wanted to use it, but couldn't apply it to my hair properly. Probably the acid. It just won't mix well. But don't you worry, I practiced on humans and the dye even sticks to smooth Arachnae hair, other than mine, so it should work on yours pretty well!" (A)

  She mentioned corpses before, didn't she?

  "I, I'm not quite sure about this." (L)

  "Nonsense. This is just some color." (A)

  "Maybe you should allow it, Liana? I mean, then you can go to the city." (N)

  I don't want to pressure Liana, but at this point, complying seems better, as far as they're willing to go for her.

  "Okay. Fine. You didn't just control me, Neri, right?" (L)

  "No, I didn't! And to be sure, you absolutely aren't to take that as an order!" (N)

  "Right. I guess that should count as a counter. Well, please start." (L)

  "Yay!" (A)

  And so Akasia gets to work on her head.

  With precise movements, sponges, and tools I can't even explain, she massages the color into Liana's pink hair, until it's fully dark blue.

  After wiping off the excess, she turns Liana to face the mirror.

  "So, what do you say?" (A)

  "I-it doesn't look bad." (L)

  "Of course! I'm a master!" (A)

  It truly doesn't look too unnatural.

  It even fits with her blue eyes.

  "Ehm, so what do I do if it rains?" (L)

  "Uh, seek shelter?" (A)

  "No, well, yes, but what about the color?" (L)

  "What about it?" (A)

  "Wouldn't it be bad if it gets washed out?" (L)

  "What!? No, this is excellent dye! Of course it won’t wash out. I said temporary before as your original color will grow in again. It will just look a little strange till it fully grows out." (A)

  You could've really said that before, Akasia!

  Not even Liana can respond to this revelation.

  "You should go to your next appointment then. I'm sure Kyroki already eagerly waits for you!" (A)

  That can’t mean anything good...

  Yet for Liana to be allowed to go, we must go see her.

  I already know the way and guide Liana on.

  "That woman... is quite something." (L)

  "Yes, but I think she means well. She's often the first to jump to my aid when I need something. She likes humans the most here and is very open. So I guess she's someone you could get along with here." (N)

  "Mhm. What about this Kyroki?" (L)

  At this, I guess my face scrunched up a bit.

  "So bad?" (L)

  She probably meant it jokingly, but couldn't help sounding genuinely concerned.

  "She's ehm, enthusiastic?" (N)

  "You don't make it sound any better, Neri." (L)

  "Sorry, but she's, well, she's..." (N)

  "There you are!" (K)

  Right there!

  "Finally! How much longer did you intend to keep me waiting here? Come in, everything's prepared. The surgery can begin right this very moment!" (K)

  Eh, surgery?