[GrayGriffin]

Ah, the Festival of Golden Thread. One of the most popular festivals in Evelon, and one that Dr. Langlin had not attended for a long, long time. But his daughter Bina had asked for it, and who was he to deny her? So now she was running ahead of him, tails flicking with excitement, as he looked around, walking much slower before she ran back up to him.

"Come on, Dad!" she laughed. "If you walk any slower, I'll leave you behind!"

[GrayGriffin]

"Bina..." he sighed. "I haven't been to this festival for a long time, you know? It's all so...overwhelming."

She laughed, reaching out to grab his hand. "That's why you have to come see more of it! Then you'll be much less whelmed!"

He didn't pull away, but he didn't move as she tugged on him either. "Where do you plan on going anyways, Bina?" he asked.

"The parade!" she exclaimed.

Oh no. Oh no, no, no.

[GrayGriffin]

"You mean...just watching it, right?" he asked slowly. She laughed, shaking her head.

"What? No way, that'd be boring, dad! I'm going to enter the contest! You can watch if you like, but I'll be standing up there in the spotlight!" She posed dramatically, one hand over her heart as she raised an arm into the air.

Man, where had this side of her personality come from? Neither he or Dimension was really the type to seek out attention like that...

[GrayGriffin]

Well, at least she realized that he might not be as eager to participate. So he just nodded. "Well, I suppose it wouldn't hurt," he said. "You're not going to be out of my sight for too long, are you?"

Bina chuckled. "Daaaaad!" she muttered. "I don't need you always worrying about me, alright? I'll be fine! But you can stay close enough that you'll hear me if you're so worried." She reached out to pat his arm.

[GrayGriffin]

"Of course I will," he said immediately. He was definitely still worried about this whole thing despite her constant reassurances, and he knew that Dimension would definitely want him sticking close to look out for their daughter at this festival. With that, the two of them started towards the sign-up tent. Bina even let Langlin put his arm through hers, while she continued to tug excitedly at him, pointing out the various attractions around them.

[GrayGriffin]

Quite a few times, they ended up stopping for a snack instead of continuing on to the sign-up tent. Bina wanted to try everything, it seemed, and she wanted her father to try them alongside her. Here, she wouldn't take "no" for an answer, so Langlin did what any good father would do and taste-tested everything she shoved in his face.

Besides, maybe if she got distracted enough by the other booths, she'd decide not to participate in the contest after all.

[GrayGriffin]

However, despite all the distractions, they eventually made it to the sign-up tent nonetheless, Bina bouncing on her heels as they hurried towards the tent flap. Langlin found himself slowing down as they approached, still not quite ready to actually let her go. But he'd basically promised, hadn't he? And maybe...if he could let her do this on her own, and it went fine, that would prove she was fine on her own, wouldn't it?

[GrayGriffin]

Bina reached out to the tent flap, ready to open it, when suddenly a voice came from behind them. Both father and daughter turned around, blinking in surprise.

"Lambastian Science Division?" asked Bina. "Dad, do you know anything about that?"

"I'm...not really with any formal research groups," said Langlin. "So no, I'm afraid I don't."

"Well..." she asked, grinning slightly. "Why don't we go find out, then? You're still wearing your labcoat and everything, we can totally bluff our way in!"

[GrayGriffin]

Langlin stared, eyes boggling at the suggestion. "Wh-wh-what?" he asked. "You-you want to go look at something we've been told to stay away from?" At least the contest was formally sponsored by the festival!

"Why not?" she asked, eyes glittering with excitement. "That sounds way more exciting than this contest! Come on, aren't you a little curious?"

Langling had to admit...he was. And now that he thought about it, if they investigated together, he could keep a much closer eye on her, couldn't he?

[GrayGriffin]

"Alright, Bina," he said, taking her hand and starting towards the sound of the commotion. "Let's go see what's going on there, then."

She boggled at him. "R-really? You're really just going to let me go do this?"

"Why not?" he asked. "This whole trip was for you, after all. So if this is what you decide you want to do, I have no problem going along with it. Besides...you're right, I am slightly curious."

She giggled, leaning against his arm for a moment. "Thanks, Dad. You're the best!"

[Choice: Investigate commotion]

[GrayGriffin]

Well, Dr. Langlin had to admit he was not expecting that outcome. They'd ended up being actively dragged into the situation by two other people in labcoats-and despite the fact that he'd been a bit reluctant, he found himself trying to stand up straight and adjusting his own coat some more, wanting to show that he could be professional about it. If Bina noticed, she didn't call him out on it, which he was quite grateful for.

"A Chaos?" she asked, eyes wide. "I've only heard of them, but that doesn't mean I don't think they're real! Of course we'll help out!"

[GrayGriffin]

Langlin listened to the two options. One of them definitely sounded like it'd involve more interacting with people, so he was quite relieved when Bina spoke up, saying "Oh, we'll go investigate the crowd! I bet two sets of eyes are better than one for that anyways!"

Langlin nodded. "We'll meet you back here later, I guess? Let you know what we find." With Bina waving at the duo, the two of them left to return to the main festival area.

"Thanks for that," he said.

"No problem, Dad!" replied Bina. "I saw you getting a bit uncomfortable when they talked about interviewing all the staff, so I figured this would be much easier! But, um, you don't mind if I ask a few of the festival-goers questions anyways?"

"That'd be fine," he said. "As long as you do all the talking."

"Oh, I have no problem with that!"

[GrayGriffin]

With that, Bina skipped back towards the festival crowd, Langlin following along behind her. He glanced around, trying to see if there was anyone unusual or...Chaos-like among them. Of course, it wasn't as if there was any easy signifier of that.

Bina wandered around for a bit more, also keeping her eyes out, but soon got tired of just looking and ran up to a random festival-goer.

"Hi!" she said, waving. "I just wanted to ask, have you seen anything particularly strange going on here?"

"Strange?" the festival-goer said with a laugh. "Well, a pretty lady just came up to talk to me, I think that's pretty strange."

[GrayGriffin]

"...ah?" asked Bina, staring in surprise. Her ears flicked back and forth, as if she was confused about how to react. Langlin, feeling the stirrings of his paternal instinct, immediately marched forwards.

"I don't think it's that odd," he muttered, a slight growl coming from his throat. Behind him, his tails lifted, the flames on their tips beginning to glow brighter. "Unless there's something about you that's actually repellant to women?"

"Wh-no!" said the man, waving his hands. "I'm-I'm not here to bother your da-"

"She's my daughter."

"Daughter! Yes, that's what I was going to say! I'm not here to bother your daughter!"

[GrayGriffin]

"Good," muttered Dr. Langlin. "There's nothing else you can tell us, then?"

"No..." said the man, still staring at the flames. "I'm sorry!" he added quickly. Langlin shook his head, turning to walk away.

"Did you really need to do that, Dad?" asked Bina. "Not that I'm unhappy to see you actually stand up like that, but I could have handled him!"

"I didn't want to leave it to you alone," replied Langlin. "Though...I suppose if you're sure I can leave the next bothersome individual to you instead."

"Sure!" she said with a giggle. "Should we go on asking more people, then?"

"Alright. Maybe they'll be of more help."