An exuberant task

Eve is just a little nervous. Not that they would admit it, though. Today they sit at Bao the Baobear’s office, getting registered so they can properly tour in New Bao city. It is a new and exciting territory that Eve has waited all their life to enjoy! They’re especially excited about all the famous dessert shops.

Right now, both Bao and them have returned from searching the previously lost forms. Which are a very important set of papers that Eve has to fill in order to wander around freely. And as mentioned, they are a little nervous because there’s a dizzying amount of forms. Bao struggles to gather them in their chunky paws. Eve’s eyes wander around restlessly, trying to occupy their mind with something as if it would help decrease the exuberant task they will soon have to endure. They fixate on a potted set of yellow flowers on top of Bao’s desk.

Suddenly, they snap back to Bao as they hear their name being called.

“There you are, I thought I lost you for a second.” Bao smiles warmly, not at all bothered by Eve spacing out.

“Haha, sorry…” Eve scratches the back of their neck.

"No need for apologies.” Bao reassures them. “Now, if you could fill out these forms for me..." They say, sliding the mount of papers across the desk and then offer Eve a pen.

Eve can only gulp and start, taking the first sheet and clicking the pen to reveal the nib. Soon it will be over, they think to themselves. They look down to examine the form and… It is comically simple. Eve didn’t really look at them very well when they found them outside the office, and they should have. It would have helped calm their nerves, at least. As Eve continues filling two, three and many more forms at a comfortable pace, they start to think a bunch of these forms could have been compacted into one or two papers. Talk about inefficiency. They couldn’t care less though, as they are soon finished. Eve smiles and clears their throat to attract Bao’s attention. They have kept busy with sorting a few colorful pens.

“I’m done.” Eve smiles proudly.

“Very well, let me just take a look.” Bao takes the pile as Eve nudges it back to them.

Bao checks over the papers. They do it swiftly, as they surely have done it many times before. By now it should be easy for them to tell if everything is in order.

"Everything looks good to me!" Bao finally says, nodding in approval. “Good job!”

Eve can’t help but shy into themselves at the small compliment. They hold their face on their paws and squish their cheeks. The words repeat in their head man times, as they savor the sweet taste of praise. Indeed they did good, they think egocentrically.

"There's just one last thing!" Bao pulls Eve out of their thoughts. Rummaging through their drawer, Bao pulls out a shiny camera and points it at Eve . "We'll need to take a photo for your Recipe Card! Say bao!"

Eve quickly makes a flattering pose, gingerly flapping their wings, before they sit perfectly still and say “Bao!”

The flash of the camera doesn’t even blind them. They’re already used to it because they love taking selfies all the time. Bao looks at the picture the camera took and nods satisfied. Eve thinks it must be because it’s such a good photo!

Bao excuses themselves for a second and goes into another room to finalize Eve ’s Recipe Card. Eve is to wait in the office for now. As they look outside the window into the blue sky, they think this stressful meeting turned out to be excellent!