Loading User Commands:
[X] Head to the dining room. Alice might be worried.

---

"I think I'll head to the dining room," says Grimnír. "I haven't had lunch yet, and Alice might be worried."

"She certainly seemed so when she asked about you earlier," says Eirin. "The doll-maker rarely gets concerned about anyone other than Marisa."

She gives him an enigmatic smile.

"You must be something special," she whispers.

...

On the way to the dining room, Grimnír feels like he is being watched, but he pays it no mind. He remembers that Eientei is populated by a number of rabbits, and while they are part of the mansion staff, they are generally skittish and avoid contact with visitors and patients.

The leader of the rabbits is supposed to be a bit less shy, but he hasn't had the chance to meet the person. What was the leader's name? It was Terry, wasn't it? In any case, the leader must be preoccupied with something more important, like organizing the defenses or training the new recruits. Or perhaps she is far too busy trying to harass or molest another person in the mansion. Wait, where did that come from? He isn't even sure if the leader is a girl.

Grimnír walks cautiously, but it looks like he isn't going to have another random encounter out in the hallways this time. He soon finds himself in the dining room. Alice and Reisen are almost finished eating. There is a single place to sit beside Alice.

"I'm back," he says. "Looks like I barely made it for lunch."

Alice looks up and smiles gently at him. Without warning, something soft hugs his face tightly. He recognizes the sensation immediately.

"I missed you too, Shanghai," he says.

"Ah! Come back here," says Alice. "Don't give him a difficult time."

Shanghai let's go of his face immediately, but she hovers just a few inches in front of him. The doll gives him a bright and cheery smile as she bows. He can't help but admire this doll. Even its facial expressions are incredibly lifelike.

"It's alright," says Grimnír. "I don't mind it at all."

Hearing this, Shanghai stretches her arms and does a little somersault in the air. After flying around the room a little bit, she finally settles down on his shoulder. Shanghai closes her eyes and giggles silently as he begins to stroke her hair.

"I-I suppose that its fine then," Alice says. "Anyway, would you like to have something to eat?"

"I'm sorry if it isn't to your liking," mumbles Reisen. "I only know a few dishes."

"What are you saying?" counters Alice. "Your cooking is wonderful. You should have more confidence in yourself."

"T-Thanks," the bunny mutters, turning a bit pink.

"If Alice says that it's good, then I won't hesitate to gorge myself, if you don't mind," he adds.

...

During the meal (which was wonderful indeed, he notes), Grimnír immediately updated the two about his progress. Personally, he feels like he wasted a lot of time. But to his surprise, both Alice and Reisen were visibly impressed when he told them that he was given one of Yukari's calling cards.

"Maybe we can get her help after all," Alice says thoughtfully. "I wouldn't hope for too much, though."

"Is it really that big of a deal?" asks Grimnír.

"O-of course it is!" says Reisen. "Yukari rarely makes it this easy to meet her. Most of the time, she'll just watch quietly as you run around in circles trying to find her."

"I see," Grimnír says. "So how were things on your end?"

Reisen explains their trip to the Forest of Magic. Thankfully, they didn't encounter anything dangerous. They were able to gather the herbs pretty quickly, so they returned to Eientei to report to Dr. Yagokoro. Eirin said that she needs a few hours to process the materials into something usable.

"I think you two can take a break for a bit," Reisen says. "We can't do much until master Eiren finishes the elixir. Depending on the results, we might have an idea on what we can do for a permanent cure."

"A break?" returns Alice. "I believe that there are better things we can do. Right, Grimnír?"

"Huh?" he says. "Sorry, I believe that you just lost me."

Alice smiles at him gently.

"We aren't finished with your training."

They have time for one topic, probably.
[ ] Master defensive magic (earth element)
[ ] Train offensive magic (fire element)
[ ] Train utility magic (water element)
[ ] Train _____ magic.
[ ] Refuse her training. You have something else to do. (Specify)