Ryoka knew that she didn\u2019t have the same sense of normality she used to have. Her reactions to things like monsters and magic had been tempered by her experiences in this world, and she could look at Goblins and magic spells without batting an eyelid.<\/p>\n
And of course Erin and Octavia were both independent young women who had experienced just as much, if not more, than Ryoka had. But it was still slightly worrying that of the two of them, Octavia<\/em> was the one who reacted normally.<\/p>\n \u201cHow did you\u2014was that a teleportation <\/em>spell?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat kind of flour did you mean, Ryoka? Did you mean acorn flour, or wheat flour? Oh and, how did you do that?\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka felt like throwing up. Her insides felt like someone had shoved an electric egg beater in them. It had been like that last time as she recalled, although at that point she\u2019d appeared above the rooftops of Celum. She\u2019d been more preoccupied by not sliding off the roof she\u2019d landed on to worry about throwing up.<\/p>\n The smell wasn\u2019t helping. Octavia was staring at Ryoka in shock, but Erin had, in her own way, adjusted to the situation in a second. There was almost something commendable about her mental resilience.<\/p>\n \u201cSo was that a spell? Oh wait\u2014you look like you\u2019re going to throw up. Here!\u201d<\/p>\n She handed Ryoka a large, empty jar. It looked like the disposal container for failed alchemical reactions. The taller girl pushed it aside and took a few deep breaths.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m fine, Erin. Just give me a moment. And fresh air.\u201d<\/p>\n She stumbled towards the door of the shop. Erin hesitated, and followed her. Ryoka had to step around upturned chairs and avoid two puddles of potions. Octavia\u2019s shop was trashed. <\/em>What had happened here?<\/p>\n Oh, right. Erin.<\/p>\n It took a while for Ryoka to regain her internal sense of balance. Her head was still spinning, but when she felt ready to explain things and not throw up, she looked around.<\/p>\n Erin was standing next to Ryoka, staring up into the cloudy grey sky. The winter air blew her hair wildly, but she didn\u2019t appear to notice.<\/p>\n She was smiling. It was so surprising to Ryoka that she stared. Despite being marooned in an unknown city and all she had presumably gone through, Erin was still smiling.<\/p>\n Ryoka touched her own face. She wasn\u2019t smiling. She rarely did.<\/p>\n Erin grinned at Ryoka. The other girl was clearly happy. Then she threw her arms around the other girl.<\/p>\n \u201cHey!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m so glad you found me! I was so worried\u2014but you just poofed out of nowhere! How did you do it? Was it magic?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo\u2014sort of. It was a mage. I met a mage on one of my deliveries, remember? Teriarch?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou mean that grumpy mage guy? He teleported you?\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cYes. He did. He helped me find you and get to you. I was…worried. But it looks like you were okay. What happened?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know! One second I was taking a nap as Toren pulled me around, the next\u2026poof! I\u2019m out in the middle of nowhere and there are wolves and bears! Well, just one bear.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka listened as Erin gave her a garbled explanation of what had happened. She shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cYou fought off a wolf pack?<\/em> And scared away a bear?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUm. Yes?\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka wanted to disbelieve, or at least believe Erin was exaggerating or boasting, but one look into her eyes told her Erin was telling the truth. It almost made Ryoka\u2019s adventure seem normal.<\/p>\n Almost. The Dragon and the game of riddles still trumped beating down wolves with your bare hands. It felt like a dream, even minutes after it had happened. She\u2019d talked with a Dragon. A Dragon.<\/em> They were real. He was real.<\/p>\n Ryoka sighed. She was back in the real world. She had to focus. She noticed Erin still hadn\u2019t stopped hugging her and frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay. That\u2019s enough. Get off.\u201d<\/p>\n She broke Erin\u2019s hold and the girl beamed at her.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m just so glad you\u2019re here! You\u2019ll never believe who I met! That girl in there\u2014the angry one\u2014she\u2019s named Octavia and she\u2019s an [Alchemist]! Can you believe it? She\u2019s got all kinds of cool potions, too!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can believe it. I know her, actually.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka looked back inside the shop. Octavia had left the two girls alone for a few moments to try and mop up some of the potion on the floor.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat the hell happened? I saw a bit when Teriarch scried you\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhoa! He can scry people?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2014But I didn\u2019t get a good look. Erin, what are you doing?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCome on, let me show you!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin tugged Ryoka back into the shop. The instant they entered, the noxious smell in the air assaulted Ryoka\u2019s sinuses again. Her nose had already gone numb.<\/p>\n \u201cNo! No! Out!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Octavia shouted the instant she saw Erin enter. To Ryoka\u2019s surprise she jabbed the mop at Erin like a spear, trying to keep the [Innkeeper] at bay.<\/p>\n \u201cHey! Watch it, Octavia! I\u2019ll help clean up! Ow!\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka caught the mop and stared at the girl made of fabric and stitches. Octavia looked like a normal person, albeit with a Frankenstein-esque appearance with all the stitches on her shoulders and neck. She also looked uncharacteristically flustered. She pointed at Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cRyoka, you know this girl?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHi, Octavia. What\u2019s happening?\u201d<\/p>\n The dark-skinned girl waved her hands and tried to push Erin back out of the shop.<\/p>\n \u201cDo something about her! She\u2019s an insane fool who\u2019s going to get us all killed!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh come on! It was only o\u2014two accidents!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin protested, but Octavia was clearly upset. She glared at Erin, fists clenched.<\/p>\n \u201cYou melted<\/em> a hole in my kitchen! And then you nearly poisoned us both!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka interposed herself between the two girls. Both tried to explain at the same time, with much arm waving and accusations.<\/p>\n \u201cI just wanted to make some magical stuff! Like food or a potion! I even paid Octavia a lot of gold to help me out!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI thought you wanted to do a few experiments! I had no idea you were this insane!\u201d<\/p>\n Octavia pointed a trembling finger to the part of the shop where the smell was most overpowering. Ryoka saw what looked like the epicenter of a localized disaster; a cauldron had partly melted, and a thick purple residue clung to all the nearby surfaces. The [Alchemist] turned to Ryoka, imploring.<\/p>\n \u201cPlease, keep her away from my ingredients and potions! She just keeps mixing them together without any sense of the danger.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Both girls turned and stared at Erin, who looked hurt.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s how alchemy works, though, right? We have to experiment to\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Octavia clutched at her dreadlocks. Ryoka had to agree with her on this one.<\/p>\n \u201cErin, you can\u2019t just throw ingredients and potions together. If alchemy is anything like science, you need to document your work. And all this stuff is magical. You need safeguards.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat, really?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s what I said! <\/em>But you create a poisonous cloud and melted\u2014<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOctavia, shut up for a second.\u201d<\/p>\n Both girls shut up and stared at Ryoka. She almost felt like an elementary school teacher dealing with a bunch of brats. But still, Ryoka had to smile a bit. Erin was fine, and she\u2019d even managed to piss off Octavia. And Ryoka had a bag full of money and a spellbook. Wasn\u2019t something supposed to be going wrong by now?<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s start over. Octavia, I\u2019ve just finished a delivery and I came here to find Erin.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut how\u2014I don\u2019t know anyone who can just cast<\/em> a [Teleportation] spell out of nowhere. Was there a spell circle? No one can just click their fingers and just\u2014wait\u2014that delivery to the High Passes\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRunner\u2019s confidentiality, Octavia. I can\u2019t tell you anything.\u201d<\/p>\n The stitch-girl looked disappointed. But then her eyes widened.<\/p>\n \u201cIs it the potion maker? Do you have another\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cShut up. Please. Octavia, this is Erin. A friend of mine. She\u2019s an [Innkeeper] in Liscor, far from home.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHi.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd Erin, this is Octavia, an [Alchemist] who talks too much for her own good. And she tries scamming everyone she meets, so don\u2019t take any of her bargains.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNow, explain to me how you two met. And what happened. From the start.\u201d<\/p>\n Both girls looked at each other. Then they began a more coherent narrative that Ryoka could actually follow.<\/p>\n The story went like this: Erin, coming into the city had a jar full of bees and two jars of honey. She also had a desire to get rid of said jars, and thus went to find an [Alchemist] to sell them to. Octavia, being known as the enterprising (and annoying) [Alchemist] she was, was only happy to take Erin\u2019s goods and her money if possible.<\/p>\n The interesting part of the story was that Erin was only too willing to give Octavia both, if she helped Erin do her own experiments. Octavia had happily accepted, but it turned out that Erin\u2019s style of experimentation was insane, to say the least.<\/p>\n \u201cShe just threw two potions into the mixture. Just like that.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Octavia pointed a shaking hand to the place where all the poisonous smoke had come from. It had been neutralized by some kind of white powder, but Ryoka and Erin were both keeping clear of the area.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was after<\/em> she melted a hole in my best cauldron trying to make soup with ground up Corusdeer horns!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin shrugged helplessly.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought I could make something warm and tasty, you know? Something magical.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI told you it wouldn\u2019t work. Corusdeer horns can get so hot they\u2019ll melt through almost anything<\/em>. Putting them over a fire is just asking for a melted fireplace. And in a soup?<\/em> You\u2019d melt a hole right through your stomach!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut Ryoka said\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cErin, Octavia has a point.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin looked at Ryoka as the other girl shook her head. For her part, Ryoka was uncomfortable with Octavia\u2019s description of Erin\u2019s activities as well. Erin could easily have blown up Octavia\u2019s entire shop or killed herself trying her mixtures out on herself.<\/p>\n \u201cI know you\u2019re excited, but you should really try and think over what you want to do before experimenting. Set a goal, make a hypothesis, and then mix something up, okay? And run everything by Octavia first.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAw.\u201d<\/p>\n The shorter girl sagged a bit. Octavia looked relieved.<\/p>\n \u201cGood. Now, I\u2019ll expect you to pay for damages. I\u2019ll send you the bill\u2014you can leave and\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? I\u2019m not going. I haven\u2019t even finished half of the things I wanted to try yet!\u201d<\/p>\n The [Alchemist] froze.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? You can\u2019t be serious.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin looked indignant. She grabbed her money pouch and jingled it in front of Octavia\u2019s face.<\/p>\n \u201cDidn\u2019t I pay you for experiments? Sure, a few of them went south, but I still get to try out more stuff! You promised!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI said that, but\u2014you can\u2019t seriously expect\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Octavia spluttered and tried to argue, but Erin was already looking around for more ingredients and potions to mix and match.<\/p>\n This looked like one particular bargain that had backfired spectacularly for the stitch-girl. Ryoka\u2019s lips twitched. She saw Erin looking at a rack of mana potions. Octavia angrily reached for Erin\u2019s shoulder, but Ryoka caught her arm.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t try to stop her, Octavia. Erin\u2019s a better fighter than I am; I\u2019ve seen her kill zombies with only a frying pan. She can beat a Gnoll in a fistfight.\u201d<\/p>\n That was all true, but it made Erin turn red and Octavia hesitate.<\/p>\n \u201cBut\u2014now, I understand a deal\u2019s a deal, but let\u2019s be reasonable here, Ryoka. You can\u2019t just expect me to fulfill my end of the bargain now, can you? What about damages and the costs of my lost reagents? True, I factored that a bit into the price, but I should be recompensed for my damaged shop and trauma, I really should. You can\u2019t really justify letting Erin continue after all she\u2019s done, can you? Let\u2019s call it quits and I\u2019ll throw in one\u2014two potions, free gratis, alright?\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka watched Erin\u2019s eyes glaze over as Octavia wheedled and pleaded with her. She raised one eyebrow at Octavia.<\/p>\n \u201cHow much did<\/em> Erin pay you for letting her use the shop?\u201d<\/p>\n The stitch-girl hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cUm\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf it\u2019s over ten gold coins, she could probably buy out that entire rack of potions. I know they\u2019re not high-quality. And how much do carrots cost? A few Corusdeer horns?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell\u2014that is to say\u2014you can\u2019t just simplify the base ingredients cost to a few coins, Ryoka!\u00a0 You know that. You and me\u2014we\u2019re businesswomen. You know there\u2019s transportation fees and procurement costs for adventurers and in the winter prices go sky high\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka stared Octavia in the eye until the other girl\u2019s words ran down. She looked back at Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cGo ahead, Erin. Do your worst.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin smiled brightly. She already had some carrots in her hand and another Corusdeer horn. Octavia went pale.<\/p>\n \u201cStop that!<\/em> Don\u2019t you know how much those c\u2014no, not that one! That\u2019s rare! I only have\u2014Ryoka, do something! Ryoka!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n —-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Alchemy really was quite fun. Erin didn\u2019t want to be an [Alchemist], and Ryoka had told her she shouldn\u2019t take any other classes in any case, but she enjoyed the feeling of experimenting with all the things Octavia had in her shop.<\/p>\n True, she\u2019d nearly poisoned herself once with that terrible cloud, but that was a mistake. Now that Ryoka was here, Erin was taking things slow. She wasn\u2019t even mixing potions now; she was doing something she\u2019d always wanted to try. She was making magical food.<\/p>\n Slowly, Erin stirred the last of the powdered Corusdeer horn into the big pot of soup bubbling over the fire. This time the powder dissolved without<\/em> causing the entire liquid mixture to glow white-hot and melt the pot, so Erin considered that a good sign.<\/p>\n \u201cMm. Smells good, doesn\u2019t it, Ryoka?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMhm.\u201d<\/p>\n That came from a desk a few feet away. Ryoka was lying on the desk, slumped over, using one of Octavia\u2019s stools as a seat. She\u2019d cleared away all the alchemy equipment so she could sprawl out on the smooth surface.<\/p>\n She looked tired. But she was staying with Erin as she worked, and Erin was glad to have her here. It had been so surprising to see Ryoka just fall out of the air. Was it magic? She hadn\u2019t really told Erin anything, but Erin was fine with that. Ryoka had found her!<\/p>\n Carefully, Erin added some dried thyme to the soup. That wasn\u2019t part of her magical formula; it was just for taste.<\/p>\n Octavia was off sobbing somewhere, or so Erin assumed. She got really mad because Erin wasn\u2019t being cautious enough, but that was what [Dangersense] was for, right? Besides, Erin hadn\u2019t destroyed anything after those first two attempts. She\u2019d just used up a lot of Octavia\u2019s stuff; that was all.<\/p>\n And it looked like it was all worth it. Erin breathed deeply and inhaled the scent of her new soup. Ryoka\u2019s suggestions had done the trick.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s see. Cold carrots with a gelatin, lots of wheat flour, and less Corusdeer horn. And I washed the horn this time!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin wasn\u2019t sure about edibility of any of Octavia\u2019s ingredients, but the powdered horn had been washed, and now it was being boiled. That was okay, right?<\/p>\n Ryoka cracked open one eyelid and stared at the bubbling soup.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy did you add the herbs? Won\u2019t that mess up the entire mixture?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo\u2026I don\u2019t think so. See, if this were potions, you\u2019d have to add all the stuff while it was hot and I couldn\u2019t add stuff like seasoning. But this is just one ingredient, so Octavia said it would probably be okay.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh. There\u2019s no catalyst, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUm. Yeah? It\u2019s just food, so I\u2019m really not doing proper alchemy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLooks good to me. Is it supposed to bubble like that?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin looked back at the pot and yelped. The Corusdeer horns had made the soup extremely<\/em> hot. But the flour and thicker mixture was diluting the heat; it was only bubbling over rather than meltingly hot. She stirred and blew and added more flour and water as Ryoka watched.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s sort of surreal to see you here, Erin.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, I can\u2019t believe all that happened already. Weird, isn\u2019t it? I never thought I\u2019d get to visit a Human city so easily.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNeither did I. You know it\u2019s over a hundred miles from here to Liscor?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou made the trip in one day. Even if you were asleep, Toren had to have been booking it to run that far so quickly. And you say you slept through the entire thing?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin scratched at her cheek awkwardly.<\/p>\n \u201cI, uh, well, I didn\u2019t get much sleep the night before, okay? I might have slept for a long time.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka sighed. Erin felt moved to turn and look at her now her soup was back under control.<\/p>\n \u201cYou okay, Ryoka? You seem down.\u201d<\/p>\n She saw two shoulders twitch on the Asian girl\u2019s comatose form.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sort of tired. Been a long day.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt really was.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin reached for a stick and lifted it into the air. She eyed the pink smeared layer at the end, and then shuddered and dipped it into the soup, praying it wouldn\u2019t interfere with the taste.<\/p>\n Octavia had an interesting way of testing potions. She had this\u2026thing. It looked like a layer of flesh on a stick, really. It was gross, but it came out of this jar with magic runes on it. According to Octavia, it mimicked Human flesh and other body functions. And it was reactive, so you could see what happened to skin or your stomach if you dipped it in the potion. If anything burned, turned black, or started dying, you had a problem.<\/p>\n It was also expensive, and Erin had burned the last four tests she\u2019d used in the soup. Something about the mixture was making it literally too hot for consumption even when Erin had taken the pot off the stove. But now she thought she\u2019d done it.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, hey, look Ryoka! This time it\u2019s not burning!\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka grudgingly raised her head and eyed the dripping flesh-tester as Erin lifted it out of the soup.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s disgusting. Remind me why you wanted to even use Octavia\u2019s shop, Erin?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin hesitated. She stirred the soup a bit more and then took it off the fire. She spoke as she filled a bowl with the bright orange-yellow mixture. It had floating bits of thyme in it, and Erin\u2019s [Advanced Cooking] sense told her it was probably not too bad in terms of taste. But the real test would be seeing how it affected someone.<\/p>\n \u201cI wanted to make something magical. Something\u2026useful. Something other people can\u2019t steal that only I can do, you know? Maybe even something that can help people \u2013 not just feed them. Like the faerie flower drink.\u201d<\/p>\n She offered the bowl to Ryoka.<\/p>\n \u201cHere. I think it\u2019s done. Want to try some?\u201d<\/p>\n The other girl stared at the bowl of steaming liquid and looked back at Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy don\u2019t you try it? Shouldn\u2019t you do it if you\u2019re the creator?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause\u2026I don\u2019t want to.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell then, why should I try this stuff?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAw, come on. It\u2019s probably harmless. The flesh-test didn\u2019t do anything.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat doesn\u2019t reassure me. I could still get food poisoning or have a horrible reaction.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy [Dangersense] isn\u2019t going off. That means it\u2019s okay, I think. And Octavia said the Corusdeer horns aren\u2019t poisonous or anything. Just\u2026hot.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka eyed the soup like someone watching a ticking time bomb slowly counting down.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAw come on Ryoka, I dare you to eat it.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin pushed the bowl onto the table. Ryoka pushed it away.<\/p>\n \u201cI said no.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI double dare you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI triple dare you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cErin\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI triple double dog dare you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStop.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI quadruple dog d\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAlright, fine. <\/em>Shut up. I\u2019ll try it.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka grabbed the bowl and hesitated as she eyed the soup. Cautiously, she dipped a finger in and looked back at Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cIf I die\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re not going to die. Just try it!\u201d<\/p>\n The other girl looked around and pointed to a wall.<\/p>\n \u201cThe healing potions are over there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd Octavia\u2019s neutralizing potion is there. It\u2019ll take down most potions.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRyoka, it\u2019ll be fine! Just try it.\u201d<\/p>\n The tall girl eyed the potion, sniffed it, sighed, and then reluctantly sipped a bit of the bowl. She instantly made a face.<\/p>\n \u201cHot!\u201d<\/p>\n She licked her lips, paused to consider, and then swallowed some more.<\/p>\n \u201cIt tastes\u2026good, actually.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin smiled widely. Ryoka nodded as she drank the rest of the bowl.<\/p>\n \u201cWhew. It\u2019s hot. And it\u2019s\u2026staying\u2026hot. Erin? What\u2019s happening?\u201d<\/p>\n Gingerly, Ryoka prodded at her stomach as Erin tried to explain.<\/p>\n \u201cCorusdeer horns burn for a long<\/em> time. I thought\u2014you know, since this stuff is magical I could use it in a food to warm people up. Because\u2026it\u2019s so cold.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka considered this. She prodded at her stomach and then shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cIt doesn\u2019t hurt. And the warmth seems like it\u2019s spread out. I feel like I could walk outside naked without a problem. But it doesn\u2019t feel bad\u2026<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPleases don\u2019t go nude.\u201d<\/p>\n Both girls laughed. Then Ryoka grew silent. She stared at the pot of soup and then looked at her friend.<\/p>\n \u201cErin. Do you know what happened? Why did you suddenly vanish? Where did Toren run off to?\u201d<\/p>\n She had an idea, but Erin didn\u2019t want to say it out loud. Slowly, she nodded as her smile faded.<\/p>\n \u201cI think he did something. I think he was the one who abandoned me in the middle of nowhere.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka nodded. She let Erin stare into the fire for a few seconds before she asked her next question.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026What are you going to do?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin shrugged. She felt odd when she thought of what Toren had done. It was betrayal. She didn\u2019t know why, or how\u2014she hadn\u2019t even thought he could do that. But when she thought of her skeleton deliberately leaving her to get lost or die, her heart hurt. She kept her voice low as she replied.<\/p>\n \u201cI might have to kill him. Or\u2014if he\u2019s just disobeying orders, maybe Pisces can fix him? I need to ask Pisces. But if he\u2019s dangerous, I\u2019ll have to take care of him somehow.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs that even possible? He seems immortal and he\u2019s dangerous.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s not that<\/em> strong. I mean, he\u2019s a bit stronger than before, but if you break him into pieces you can keep him from coming back together.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka nodded slowly. Erin smiled, bitterness mixed with ruefulness.<\/p>\n \u201cI might need help, though.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s why I\u2019m here, right? I\u2019ll give you a hand.\u201d<\/p>\n Gingerly, as though her face were unsure of how it all worked, Ryoka smiled. Erin smiled back.<\/p>\n \u201cWanna show Octavia the soup?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI suppose. I\u2019ll get her. She\u2019s sulking upstairs.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin poured more soup into a bowl as Ryoka went to get Octavia. The [Alchemist] didn\u2019t have a very welcoming expression on her face when Ryoka finally got her to come back and look at Erin\u2019s creation, but her natural curiosity got the better of her and in minutes she was trying the soup herself.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is<\/em> hot, even when it\u2019s not on the fire. Look\u2014I added some snow and the temperature didn\u2019t even change. Tastes waterier, though.\u201d<\/p>\n Octavia patted her body and then took one of her arms off and studied the cloth. She reattached it as Erin gaped and shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cSeems like the effect spreads from the stomach. It didn\u2019t affect my arm as cloth, but the effect works when I reattached it. I feel warm all over.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2014but wh\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI feel warm. Hot, even. If I was outside I\u2019d be fine. And\u2026hold on, I wonder if the effect actually protects you from the cold or just makes you feel warm?\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka commented as she fetched some more snow from outside. She melted the snow she was holding in seconds, and soon she was smiling.<\/p>\n \u201cI bet I could run barefoot as long as this lasts.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can sell this.\u201d<\/p>\n Octavia\u2019s eyes glittered. She looked at Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cMind you, it still felt really hot going in. You might want to adjust your recipe.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka nodded. Then she had a thought and scowled.<\/p>\n \u201cDamn it, Erin. It is going to be this hot coming out as it felt going in?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEw. I hope not. But doesn\u2019t it warm you up?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin put aside Octavia\u2019s magical arm trick for a second to bask in her own success. She sipped her soup and felt the warmth spread. Yes, she\u2019d done it!<\/p>\n \u201cHow did you know this would work?\u201d<\/p>\n Octavia stared at Erin curiously. Erin shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cI just have this\u2026skill. It\u2019s called [Wondrous Fare] and it sort of works like [Advanced Cooking]. I get a sense of how to make food magical. I think.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka scratched her head.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat I don\u2019t understand is why the soup works like that. What\u2019s in the horns that does all that?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDunno. It\u2019s magical.\u201d<\/p>\n Octavia cleared her throat.<\/p>\n \u201cCorusdeer horns are used as alternative fuel sources by [Blacksmiths], [Chefs]\u2014anyone who needs a really hot fire. They burn for a long time and they burn so hot you have to divide up a horn into sections to really use them. One horn can go for as much as twelve silver pieces or double that if there\u2019s a shortage\u2014want to know how many you used?\u201d<\/p>\n She glared, but Erin only stared back.<\/p>\n \u201cWanna know how much I paid you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat barely covers\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Octavia hesitated. Even she had a problem telling barefaced lies, apparently.<\/p>\n \u201cThe soup will be a good addition to my stock. Just write down the recipe and I\u2019ll improve the mixture. I can probably sell\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHold on, that\u2019s Erin\u2019s soup. Not yours.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, she can have it. I don\u2019t need any right now; I know how to make some. But I\u2019m not sharing the recipe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Octavia moved with the speed of greed. She stopped in front of Erin, glaring. Ryoka reached for her shoulder but this time Octavia pushed her hand away.<\/p>\n \u201cThat wasn\u2019t part of the deal! I let you experiment here\u2014I deserve to know the recipe!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin blinked at the alchemist girl.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, it wasn\u2019t part of the deal.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cExac\u2014huh?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt wasn\u2019t part of the deal. I just wanted to experiment; I didn\u2019t say I\u2019d give you the recipes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes\u2014but\u2014let\u2019s not be hasty now, Erin. We can make a trade\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTomorrow, maybe. Ryoka says we\u2019ve got to do other things right now. So I\u2019ll be back tomorrow, Octavia! I want to try making a lot more stuff next time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWait, t\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka shut the door in Octavia\u2019s face, grinning. Erin grinned too as they walked out the street. Ryoka had already taken off her shoes and put them in her Runner\u2019s pack, and she was cautiously walking along the frosted cobblestones with her bare feet. She grinned.<\/p>\n \u201cThis stuff works well. I\u2019m surprised, though, Erin. I didn\u2019t expect you\u2019d be that rude to Octavia. She\u2019s pushy, but that was surprising.\u201d<\/p>\n As a matter of fact, Erin felt guilty. She made an unhappy face.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, I figured out she was trying to cheat me pretty early. I didn\u2019t want to be mean, but she just doesn\u2019t let me do anything unless I just do my thing, you know?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s fine by me. It works well on her.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka stepped into a snow drift and out of it, shaking off the melted snow. This time her smile stretched across her face, like the Cheshire Cat. Erin had seldom seen the other girl so happy.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is fucking amazing. I can run<\/em> with this soup, Erin!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCan\u2019t you run anyways? I\u2019ve seen you running in the snow\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot like this.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka waved her hand and shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cRunning in those shoes? I\u2019m slow in those. I\u2019m at my fastest barefoot; this stuff is helpful. I\u2019ll<\/em> buy all of your soup even if no one else does.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think a lot of people will eat my soup! Isn\u2019t it amazing how no one made it until now?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah. Amazing. Or\u2026impossible.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka led Erin down the street, attracting plenty of stares as she walked outside in what was essentially a t-shirt and shorts without shoes on a wintery day.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d like to know whether Octavia could<\/em> reproduce that soup even with a recipe. It might be that she can\u2019t, or at least, not so easily. You have a skill, right? It could be that [Wondrous Fare] allows you to make magical food without needing some other kind of reaction or spell.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally? That would be so cool!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin hurried after Ryoka, struggling to keep up with the taller girl\u2019s stride. Ryoka noticed and slowed her walk down, leading Erin deeper into the city.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere are we going, by the way?\u201d<\/p>\n Eying one of the signs where two streets crossed, Ryoka took them right. She slowed again to walk next to Erin, speaking over the rumble of an approaching wagon.<\/p>\n \u201cFirst things first. We should get word to Liscor and let everyone else know you\u2019re safe. Olesm, Selys, Klbkch\u2014even Halrac was worried about you, you know. Mrsha kept trying to follow me when I left.\u201d<\/p>\n Both girls walked to the edge of the street to avoid the wagon as it moved past them. Ryoka especially kept her feet clear. The driver of the wagon stared at Ryoka as he passed, nearly running down another pedestrian who started cursing at him.<\/p>\n \u201cHaven\u2019t you ever wondered how cities kept in touch besides Runners and caravans?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin had assumed Runners were the only form of communication. Ryoka shook her head and explained.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s a spell\u2014[Message]. You can send, well, the equivalent of magical emails to people. Not a long message and I think there\u2019s a mana cost with the distance involved and perhaps even the atmosphere, but\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh! You mean, like Twitter? Magical Twitter?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, something like that.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s really expensive, though. So we\u2019re only going to send a single message for you. Think of what you want to say; make it concise. It\u2019ll cost a couple of gold coins either way.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s a lot of money for just one spell!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin was indignant, Ryoka resigned.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s one spell, but there aren\u2019t that many people willing to play telephone all day long. Besides, not all [Mages] learn the spell. Ceria told me it\u2019s not easy to cast, either. You have to be at least Level 15 or so. Here. It\u2019s down the same street as the Runner\u2019s Guild.\u201d<\/p>\n She was staring so much at all the sights that Erin nearly missed the building Ryoka pointed to. The other girl acted as if this was nothing special, but this was the first city Erin had been to besides Liscor, and even then, she\u2019d never really explored every alley and building there either.<\/p>\n The people were so normal<\/em>-looking it almost hurt. True, they wore rougher garments with a lot less color and logos than Erin was used to, but they were all Human. Sure, some wagon drivers cursed at the pedestrians and some people had swords, but wasn\u2019t that the same as angry people in cars and people carrying guns from her home?<\/p>\n People were people. And though Erin was happy to call Drakes, Gnolls, and Antinium her friends, she always felt a bit alone in Liscor. But here everyone was Human.<\/p>\n It made her smile. And because she smiled, Erin had a different experience of walking through Celum than Ryoka.<\/p>\n The Runner strode through the crowds, impatient, often waiting for Erin, a semi-scowl plastered on her face. But Erin smiled and said \u2018hello\u2019 or \u2018excuse me\u2019 to people as she walked past. And for every person who gave her an affronted look or just ignored her, two more gave her a smile or a surprised word in response.<\/p>\n Erin stood out from the crowd. Ryoka noticed it as she waited for Erin next to a large building with the symbol of a wand with wings painted on a sign. What the other girl saw was that Erin had no problems waving to an adventurer or a guardsman striding down the street. Other citizens walked wide of people with arms unless they knew them, but Erin was fearless. And these surprised warriors usually waved or smiled awkwardly back.<\/p>\n All Erin noticed was the odd look Ryoka gave her before she pushed back the door. Inside, Erin gasped at the sudden change in temperatures.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s so warm!\u201d<\/p>\n It was indeed like walking into a completely different environment. Despite that, there was nothing like a fire in the large room with one large staircase set against one wall. Ryoka glanced at the doorframe.<\/p>\n \u201cHeating runes or something like that. Looks expensive.\u201d<\/p>\n She let Erin further in. Neither Ryoka nor Erin had ever set foot in such a building, and so both stared around in surprise, if not awe.<\/p>\n This building which was not<\/em> a Mage\u2019s Guild was expensive, to say the least. Smooth floorboards of rich wood glowed as hovering mage lights gave steady, clear illumination to the room. A second floor overlooked the lobby-like ground floor, where several receptionists were busy tending to their queues of people. There wasn\u2019t too much of a line; but those who were waiting looked like they were all rich, or employed by rich people. The only exception to that rule were the two adventurers waiting in a line of their own.<\/p>\n It was that one that Ryoka took Erin to. Erin stared in fascination at the sheets of paper the people at the counter were writing on. Once a stack had been collected, they were sent upstairs.<\/p>\n \u201cOh. I get it. They\u2019re writing it all down so it can be sent off!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLooks like they make backlogs and the mages come in later. Might be a little bit before our message gets through.\u201d<\/p>\n The adventurer in front of Erin and Ryoka finished his business, and then the man at the desk gestured and Ryoka and Erin walked forwards.<\/p>\n \u201cAre you an adventurer? This line\u2019s for adventurers or runners only.\u201d<\/p>\n The man spoke briskly, barely looking up from his paper. Then he noticed Ryoka\u2019s bare feet and scowled briefly.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m a City Runner. Here\u2019s my seal.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka reached into her travel pouch and pulled out a glittering seal that was made of some blue metal and silver. Erin was entranced by the way the colors blended together and sparkled, but the man barely looked at it. He nodded and passed it back.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you have a message to send, or are you here to pick up? The mage on duty hasn\u2019t collected any incoming messages for your guild.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMessage to send.\u201d<\/p>\n The man grabbed a fresh piece of paper and dipped his quill in the ink pot.<\/p>\n \u201cName?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019ll be sending the first message.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka gestured to Erin. Erin smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cHi\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cName?\u201d<\/p>\n The abrupt response made Erin feel like she was at an airport or something.<\/p>\n \u201cErin Solstice.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDestination?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUm. Liscor?\u201d<\/p>\n The man scribbled down on the piece of paper, quill blurring so fast that Erin could barely follow. He wrote faster than most people could type, and his writing\u2014far from being ink splattered and cursively-illegible\u2014was almost agonizingly straight and easy to read.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd who are the recipients of your message? Please list more than one person if at all possible.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay. Selys Shivertail or Krshia Silverfang. Selys is a Drake and Krshia\u2019s a Gnoll. Oh, and Klbkch! You can add him too. He\u2019s an Antinium.\u201d<\/p>\n The receptionist\u2019s quill paused when Erin mentioned that. Erin sensed Ryoka was covering her face in her hand as everyone in earshot looked at her. She blushed.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, he is.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The man at the desk recovered quickly.<\/p>\n \u201cVery well. And the contents of your message? Be aware of the prices for longer messages.\u201d<\/p>\n He pointed to a board over his head. Erin gulped as she noticed how expensive messages got.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay. Um\u2014this isn\u2019t part of the message. This is just me thinking. Uh, write this. \u2018Hi guys, this is Erin. I\u2019m well\u2014\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n Wearing a pained expression, Ryoka interrupted Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cCancel that. Write this instead. \u2018This is Ryoka. I am with Erin in the city of Celum. We are both well, and we will attempt to return soon.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n The man efficiently scribbled down their message and then crossed out the parts Erin had said. He offered the sheet of paper to the two young women.<\/p>\n \u201cDoes that appear to be correct? Yes? Then the price will be\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Erin\u2019s face fell, but Ryoka just dug at a pouch and dropped several gold coins onto the counter. The man collected them, and then for some reason used a magnifying glass to stare at each of the coins in turn.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s he doing?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s checking to make sure they\u2019re authentic.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh.\u201d<\/p>\n That done, Ryoka received a few silver coins in return.<\/p>\n \u201cA mage will send your message via spell sometime today. If there is a response, we will hold the reply for one week before disposing of it. Thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n That was that. Erin turned to go, but Ryoka hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026Wait. I\u2019ll send one more message now.\u201d<\/p>\n The man looked up.<\/p>\n \u201cVery well. Your name?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRyoka Griffin. The message is also to Liscor, but the only recipient is Krshia Silverfang.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin watched the man writing on a fresh piece of paper and looked around the room. This was a lot of work compared to using a phone, but she could also see how useful it was. No wonder a lot of merchant-types looked like they were sending messages to other people. You could get good tips about the markets in other cities. Or evil monsters trying to swallow people whole.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd the contents of your message?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin looked back as Ryoka took a deep breath. The other girl seemed to think for a moment before she nodded and spoke.<\/p>\n \u201cSend this: \u2018Krshia Silverfang, this is Ryoka. I have what you want. Tell the others to wait for my return.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n The man looked up.<\/p>\n \u201cIs that all?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin noticed something then, as the man showed Ryoka the piece of paper. He\u2019d looked sort of bored when she spoke to him, but when Ryoka had delivered her cryptic message he\u2019d become more interested. Come to that, so had the woman standing at the counter next to them\u2026as well as the other man behind the counter. They looked the other way when Erin stared, though.<\/p>\n Ryoka paid for the second message and then she and Erin walked towards the entrance of the building. Erin told Ryoka what she\u2019d seen in a hushed voice. Ryoka only shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t bother keeping your voice down, Erin. I\u2019d bet there are spells that can record our every word in here. And you can bet that more than one person\u2019s going to read that message or pass it along before it gets to anyone in Liscor.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally? How do you know?\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka smiled crookedly.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause knowledge is power, or money. [Message] spells don\u2019t seem to be that well-encrypted magically in the first place, but having secretaries handle the mail means that all kinds of secrets are probably sold off or kept. Most people might not know that, but you can bet all those [Receptionists] read all the messages before they go out.\u201d<\/p>\n She hadn\u2019t bothered to lower her voice. A rich, fat man waddling towards an exit looked at Ryoka with a horrified glance, and Erin winced as the people at the counters glared daggers at Ryoka\u2019s back.<\/p>\n \u201cAre you sure?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s Human nature. But I didn\u2019t say anything they can use; just so long as our friends know we\u2019re safe, it\u2019s fine.\u201d<\/p>\n They were outside the building now. The rich guy had done a u-turn and was moving at speed back to the desk to confront one of the flustered secretaries. Just in case though, Erin lowered her voice.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat was that message to Krshia, though? What do you have? A delivery?\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka didn\u2019t look around, but she jabbed Erin with an elbow. Gently.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s private. Let\u2019s not talk about it; I\u2019m sure that spells can be extended past a building, and there\u2019s always Skills as well.\u201d<\/p>\n That made Erin worried for two entire streets, until Ryoka paused to reassure her.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t worry; Runners are used to transporting all kinds of secret stuff. I doubt anyone would pry too far into my business, but I\u2019m just being cautious.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou really think about different stuff than I do, Ryoka. I just try not to let a monster eat my face off and make good food.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe all have our skills. Don\u2019t worry about any of it. Right now, our next goal should be finding you transport back to Liscor.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin made a face at Ryoka as they walked along through the snow. Ryoka still looked completely fine wearing practically nothing, even though it was starting to snow. She was making Erin feel cold.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know how we\u2019re going to do that, Ryoka. I left my sledge outside of the city, but there\u2019s no one to pull it. Unless you\u2014?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo. I suppose we could buy a horse for you and I could run with you, but that\u2019s risky.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRisky? Why?\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka looked exasperated.<\/p>\n \u201cThe roads aren\u2019t safe<\/em>, Erin. The main ones might be, but there\u2019s always the chance of a monster or bandit attack. I can outrun most monsters and I\u2019ve got some items that will help me, but even on a horse you\u2019d be a target.\u201d<\/p>\n Scowling, Ryoka kicked through a pile of snow, ignoring the looks the other pedestrians gave her.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019ll be hard getting you back quickly and safely. A caravan\u2019s normally how people travel, but those are slow. We could<\/em> hire adventurers to guard you, but that would cost a lot of money.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdventurers? Isn\u2019t that overkill? Look, Ryoka, I don\u2019t know about riding, but why don\u2019t the two of us just go back together? You\u2019ve got those martial arts moves and I have some skills. If we get some stuff from Octavia we can probably handle most monsters, right?\u201d<\/p>\n The other girl considered Erin\u2019s suggestion.<\/p>\n \u201cI did get more of the potions and bags from her. I suppose you might have a point but\u2026damn it, I don\u2019t know if there\u2019s any dangerous monsters or bandits nearby. The Runner\u2019s Guild would know, I guess.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, do you need to go check in with them? If you want I can wait\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cI can check in later. I want to get you back to Liscor before I take on any requests. But I can ask for information. Okay. Let\u2019s say we go by ourselves. We still need provisions, more of Octavia\u2019s potions and bags, a damn horse\u2014I wonder if we can rent one\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Erin\u2019s stomach growled.<\/p>\n \u201cCan we talk about all that stuff over dinner? I haven\u2019t eaten in ages.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Neither had Ryoka, as it turned out. And once Erin reminded her, it turned out that both girls were famished.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019d never get to another city before dark, I guess.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin nodded in agreement. She was tired; all of what Ryoka was saying sounded like a lot of work she didn\u2019t want to do right now.<\/p>\n \u201cI have to go bother\u2014see Octavia tomorrow, anyways. I want to do more experiments before I go. And it\u2019s late. Why don\u2019t we stay at an inn?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAn [Innkeeper] staying at an inn?\u201d<\/p>\n The notion seemed to amuse Ryoka. She led Erin down another street, and both girls looked out for inns.<\/p>\n \u201cThis\u2019ll be great. You know, I was really scared when I woke up, but now I\u2019m thinking this could be more like a holiday.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou always look too much on the bright side of things.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka grumbled as she pushed the door open to an inn. Erin followed her inside and felt the heat of a roaring fire wash over her at the same time the babble of several voices and the clink<\/em> of metal meeting pottery hit her ears. She smelled roasted and burnt meat and found herself in an inn.<\/p>\n It was weird. Despite her profession, Erin had been in a grand total of two inns in this world before this, and one of them was hers. And this, clearly, was not her inn.<\/p>\n For one thing, it was a lot more run-down than Erin\u2019s brand new sparkling inn with glass windows. This inn had only shutters, no glass, and it also had stains and tracked in dirt that Erin noted the instant she walked in. There was a bit more mess and a bit less polish, but the inn made up for that with its clientele.<\/p>\n In that it had some rather than none. The room wasn\u2019t exactly heaving, but there were about fourteen people inside, not counting the staff. Two young women circled the room, delivering food and drink to the tables as weary-looking men and women ate. At the far end of the room, a group of five noisy adventurers were laughing and drinking loudly.<\/p>\n Yes, it was an inn that failed to impress, but it gave Erin the sense that it would be a decent place to eat and sleep. It might not have been home for her, but it was clearly looked after by someone who cared, and that alone made it worthy of respect.<\/p>\n Ryoka gave the inn and the entire room one look before she turned to go.<\/p>\n \u201cCome on, Erin.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? But why?\u201d<\/p>\n Before Ryoka could respond, the [Innkeeper], an older woman in her mid-thirties, rushed out of what looked like the kitchen. Spotting two potential customers she hurried forwards with a big smile on her face. Her apron was slightly smutched, but she looked friendly\u2014if harried. She slowed as she recognized Ryoka, and then beamed.<\/p>\n \u201cIf it isn\u2019t a City Runner! Miss Griffin, isn\u2019t it? Do come in, please!\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka wore a pained expression as the woman approached. Erin smiled and received a wider smile in return.<\/p>\n \u201cWelcome to the Frenzied Hare! Do take a seat. My name is Agnes; and I do know you, Miss Ryoka Griffin. You stayed at my inn just as you were starting out as a City Runner. Do you remember?\u201d<\/p>\n It was something that Erin had noticed. Whenever Ryoka didn\u2019t want to say something or talk with someone, her face would become very closed off and she\u2019d change her posture to be more withdrawn. She was doing that now, even though the woman was acting really nice.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry. I don\u2019t recall. Please excuse us; we were just looking in.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh. I see. But if you\u2019d like to stay, we have food hot and ready.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat sounds good to me!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin smiled at the woman. Agnes smiled back.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, and who are you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy name\u2019s Erin. Please to meet\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOne second, please, Miss Agnes.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka dragged Erin away before she could introduce herself. Erin glared; Ryoka was being rude, but Ryoka herself looked annoyed.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re not staying here, Erin. We can afford a much better inn.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? But she\u2019s nice. And this place doesn\u2019t look so bad\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve seen good inns, and this isn\u2019t one of them. The food smells burnt, there\u2019s an obnoxious group over there, and the inn\u2019s not crowded despite it being dinnertime. There are better places to be if we\u2019ve got money. Let\u2019s find one.\u201d<\/p>\n She had a point, but Erin was reluctant to concede. Ryoka walked back to Agnes, whose smile had slipped slightly. She had a resigned look in her eyes before Ryoka even spoke.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry Miss Agnes, but we really have to be going.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI understand. But if you ever want to stop by\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n The older woman looked crestfallen and slightly hurt. That made up Erin\u2019s mind.<\/p>\n \u201cNah, let\u2019s stay.\u201d<\/p>\n She interrupted Ryoka. The other girl turned and glared silently at her, but Erin ignored the look. She smiled at Agnes, who gave her a more genuine smile of surprise in return.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d love to have whatever you\u2019ve got. And we\u2019d like to stay the night, wouldn\u2019t we, Ryoka?\u201d<\/p>\n The other girl looked exasperated, but gave up.<\/p>\n \u201cI suppose we will. A table for two, Miss Agnes. Away from those two, please.\u201d<\/p>\n She nodded at the adventurers who were spilling a lot of their drink on the floor in proper quaffing style. Agnes beamed and led the two girls to a table at the other side of the room, talking excitedly with Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cOh thank you. You know, it\u2019s been hard since my poor husband fell ill. He\u2019s been abed these last two weeks with a terrible fever, and I\u2019m trying to keep the place running, but I just don\u2019t have his levels, I really don\u2019t. I was a [Tailor] by trade before I became an [Innkeeper] with him\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally? That\u2019s so odd. You know I\u2019m an [Innkeeper] myself, Agnes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSomeone as young as you? Bless my heart, that\u2019s quite an achievement! No wonder you\u2019re friends with Miss Griffin, Miss Erin was it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPlease, call me Erin. Yeah, I have this inn near Liscor, but I\u2019m uh, travelling abroad for a bit\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n By the time Erin had sat down with Ryoka and they\u2019d ordered some beef with potatoes, the meal of the day, she\u2019d become entirely invested in Agnes\u2019 struggle. \u00a0She\u2019d even met the two barmaids, Maran and Safry, and they\u2019d both been cheerful and welcoming, if tired. Agnes had chatted happily with Erin before going back into the kitchen to cook, a scene so familiar to Erin that she felt a strong bond with the woman.<\/p>\n Ryoka sat with her arms folded, a scowl on her face. She had refused to take part in any of the conversations. Now she was waiting for their food, clearly annoyed that Erin had chosen this inn to stay in.<\/p>\n \u201cAw, come on Ryoka. Agnes is nice! Don\u2019t you think so?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s fine.\u201d<\/p>\n That was her problem. Ryoka got grumpy if she didn\u2019t get her way. Erin was determined to remain upbeat, though.<\/p>\n \u201cAgnes said she knew you when you just got here, Ryoka. You really don\u2019t remember her?\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka shrugged, looking uncomfortable.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s an [Innkeeper], Erin. No offense, but I sleep in a lot of inns in my job.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou remember me, though.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou kind of stand out, Erin. This place\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka let her voice trail off. She shrugged, looking darkly resigned.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s just eat. We can talk over dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOoh! I think I see the food.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin turned in her seat and smiled as Safry came out of the kitchen, balancing two plates and two drinks \u2013 boiled water and milk in her hands. Ryoka sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t get your hopes up. Food around here isn\u2019t always as good as your inn.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re so pessimistic, Ryoka! Come on, how bad could it be?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTell me you didn\u2019t just say that.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n —-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It was entirely the meal Ryoka had expected, and clearly, not the one Erin had envisioned. She saw Erin\u2019s face visibly react to the slightly charred meat and lackluster potatoes as Safry put them in front of them. Ryoka took a fork and poked at her meat, wondering if she\u2019d even be able to get the fatty bit down or whether she should just order another plate and choose the best parts between the two of them.<\/p>\n Safry apologized to Erin as she put the drinks down. She was already friendly with Erin, something Ryoka couldn\u2019t believe.<\/p>\n \u201cSorry. Agnes ain\u2019t got a Skill. You sure you don\u2019t want anything stronger to drink? Helps wash it all down.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, it\u2019s fine. Thanks Safry!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin smiled at the other young woman, and then went back to looking at her plate. Ryoka sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cSee what I mean?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt could be good!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin tried to be optimistic as she speared a bit of meat and put it in her mouth. Ryoka watched as Erin chewed, tried to swallow, and was forced to chew more. Her face fell.<\/p>\n \u201cAw.\u201d<\/p>\n There was way too much gristle in their meat. Ryoka was picking at her potatoes with her fork; they could have used more boiling and they were bland as, well, bad potatoes.<\/p>\n \u201cLooks like the husband had all the cooking talent in the marriage. That, or this inn makes most of its money serving alcohol.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRyoka! Don\u2019t be rude!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin swallowed her bite with some effort. She looked visibly disappointed, but she tried to eat another bite of potato.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, this isn\u2019t good\u2026but maybe Agnes just doesn\u2019t know any recipes?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMore like she\u2019s probably never had to really practice until now.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka sighed. She\u2019d begun to understand the advantages of levels, as well as the drawbacks they created.<\/p>\n \u201cHer husband\u2014I guess he had the cooking Skills. Agnes doesn\u2019t, and so she never bothered to learn how to cook that well since she didn\u2019t have to with him around. After all, what\u2019s the point? Someone with [Basic Cooking] can do all of what\u2019s needed, which means that unless you live in a Gnoll tribe where the work gets passed around, you probably don\u2019t learn a lot of skills unless that\u2019s your job.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka took a bite of her potato and grimaced.<\/p>\n \u201cOr maybe it\u2019s just her. We can still find another inn, Erin.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, we\u2019re staying here. Agnes is nice.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin was wearing her mule-like expression. Ryoka hated that look; it meant Erin was determined to do things her way. She sighed and chewed the potato and washed it down with water. Food was food, after all.<\/p>\n Why was she so upset, anyways? It was just one meal. After all that had happened today, she could take a terrible meal and a lumpy bed. It was just\u2014Ryoka had gotten spoiled from Erin\u2019s cooking, that was all.<\/p>\n The two endured two more mouthfuls of food before Erin put down her fork, looking distressed.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is really no good.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI told you. We can leave\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I said we\u2019re staying. But I\u2019m going to have a word with Agnes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? Erin. You can\u2019t just\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Too late. Erin was already up and walking into the kitchen. Ryoka ground her teeth. If Erin caused more trouble, she\u2019d\u2026she\u2019d\u2026<\/p>\n Do what, exactly? Ryoka\u2019s memories kicked her and showed her an image of her challenging a Dragon to a game of riddles. Compared to that, what was getting tossed out of an inn by an angry [Innkeeper]?<\/p>\n Erin was gone for quite some time, and Ryoka was idly wondering if she could pull out Teriarch\u2019s book of spells and read it under the table, somehow. Given that it was practically the size of the table, she doubted she could make it work. The adventurers were still laughing and getting on her nerves across the room, and she was just about to order some alcohol and get stinking drunk to put an end to her miseries until tomorrow when someone called her name.<\/p>\n \u201cRyoka? Is that you?\u201d<\/p>\n A familiar voice caused Ryoka to jerk up in her seat. She looked towards the entrance, and there in the doorway stood a familiar giant young woman.<\/p>\n \u201cGaria?\u201d<\/p>\n Garia Strongheart strode into the inn with a huge smile on her face.<\/p>\n \u201cRyoka!\u201d<\/p>\n It had been a long time, or Ryoka would have remembered to watch out for Garia\u2019s crushing strength. The hug the shorter girl gave Ryoka made her bones creak, but Ryoka didn\u2019t care. She was even moved to smile at Garia as the other girl took a seat with her.<\/p>\n \u201cGaria, it\u2019s been a long time. How have you been?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, you know. I\u2019ve been running deliveries; nothing special. But you\u2014I haven\u2019t seen you in weeks, Ryoka! I didn\u2019t even know you were in the city\u2014no one in the Runner\u2019s Guild mentioned seeing you. What happened? Were you on some kind of really special delivery? I thought you were just going down to Liscor for a while!\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka realized with a pang that she hadn\u2019t told Garia about what she was going to do. She shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a long story. I\u2019m not doing any deliveries at the moment; I\u2019m actually with a friend.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA friend? You?\u201d<\/p>\n Garia\u2019s open face was a bit too shocked for Ryoka\u2019s comfort, but she sat and Ryoka flagged down one of the barmaids\u2014what was her name again?\u2014and soon they were talking.<\/p>\n \u201cAnything new happen? Where\u2019s Fals?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, he\u2019s out on a delivery. Nothing\u2019s new\u2014unless\u2014have you heard about Persua?\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka made a face.<\/p>\n \u201cTell me she\u2019s dead.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo\u2014actually\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Garia broke off and sniffed at the air. Ryoka stopped and looked up too.<\/p>\n Something had changed. The odor of the inn, like background noise, had long since stopped sending active messages to Ryoka\u2019s brain. But something had changed. The odor of slightly burnt meat had changed, and something new and fragrant was in the air. It made the mouth water, and it was coming from the kitchen.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s that smell? Oh, did Jerom recover? He\u2019s a good cook, although Miss Agnes who runs the inn right now isn\u2019t so much.\u201d<\/p>\n Garia looked guilty and glanced around for the innkeeper as she talked with Ryoka.<\/p>\n \u201cI never expected you to come here. I stay here all the time because it\u2019s cheap and Agnes is so nice, but the food isn\u2019t that good. You can probably find a better place, Ryoka.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re telling me?\u201d<\/p>\n Why was a nice innkeeper the only requirement for both Garia and Erin? But Ryoka was still bothered by the new smell. Her eyes narrowed as one of the barmaids went into the kitchen and came out with a very familiar bun and burger on a plate. The barmaid offered it to one of the customers and Ryoka groaned.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s not.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWho? Is someone doing something?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin. Damn it. It was always her stupid ideas. But even as Ryoka watched, more food began to come out of the kitchen as both Maran and Safry struggled to keep up with the flow.<\/p>\n \u201cHere\u2019s a, uh, hamburger, Miss Ryoka. [Innkeeper] Erin said you\u2019d want one.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka eyed the burger with the toasted bun and thick, fried patty. This was a homemade burger with all the fixings; it even looked like Erin had mayonnaise somehow and put it with the fries.<\/p>\n How the hell could she cook so fast? It had to be the [Advanced Cooking] skill, but she was still far quicker than she had any right to be. Ryoka\u2019s stomach growled as she stared at the wonderful hamburger, a far cry from the plate of food Ryoka had pushed away.<\/p>\n \u201cIs that\u2026what\u2019s that, Ryoka?\u201d<\/p>\n Garia was staring hungrily at the burger, and even Safry looked like she could use some. Ryoka grunted and took the plate.<\/p>\n \u201cTell Erin to make another for Garia. And if she\u2019s making more food\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, she is. Like lightning, that one. She\u2019s got [Advanced Cooking]. Isn\u2019t it amazing?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c[Advanced Cooking]? That\u2019s really impressive. Ryoka, do you know the new cook?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s my friend. She decided to help your innkeeper out. She\u2019s an [Innkeeper] as well.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka grumbled into her burger as Garia tried to press her with questions. The juicy meat was making her feel a lot better, and Garia\u2019s eyes nearly popped out of her own head when she got hers and tasted it.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is delicious! And what\u2019s this stuff? Did the barmaid say? Fries? Oh! They\u2019re a potato! Your friend is amazing, Ryoka!\u201d<\/p>\n Both girls devoured the food as Ryoka watched the room change. The diners hadn\u2019t exactly been diving into their meals, but now everyone from the tired workers to the adventurers had found a separate stomach for Erin\u2019s far higher-quality food. It flew out of the kitchen and in accordance to the laws of commerce, the livelier mood and smells drew more customers in.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd now she\u2019s talking with the guests. Wonderful.\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka tried to catch Erin\u2019s eye, but the girl had now exited the kitchen and was animatedly talking with people, being trailed by Agnes who was giving the other girl amazed looks.<\/p>\n Garia was munching down her second burger, but she stopped to stare at Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cShe looks so\u2026so normal. Nothing like you, Ryoka. How did you meet her?\u201d<\/p>\n Should she lie or tell the truth? Ryoka was debating answering Garia when she noticed a disturbance at the other end of the room.<\/p>\n The adventuring group was clearly not a group of Gold-rankers, like Halrac and Griffin Hunt, but they were certainly boisterous enough for two groups their size. They\u2019d been laughing, telling rude jokes and generally causing a mess since Ryoka had come in, growing progressively drunker. She already hated their guts, but even the exclusively-male team had found some delight in Erin\u2019s cooking.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, that had only made them more excited. Ryoka saw one of them grabbing Safry\u2019s arm as she came by with a refill for their tankards. She tried to pull away, but then one of the men grabbed at her breasts while the other felt at her legs.<\/p>\n She knew that it was common in a time before lawsuits and rules about sexual harassment, but Ryoka\u2019s blood boiled at the sight. Safry finally pulled away, looking clearly distressed, but the men only laughed harder. Ryoka growled and tried to stand up.<\/p>\n \u201cRyoka. Don\u2019t pick another fight, please.\u201d<\/p>\n Garia had seen the same thing as Ryoka, but she only looked uncomfortable rather than angry. She tried to tug Ryoka back down as the other girl eyed the adventurers. There were five of them and two were still wearing armor. Ryoka itched to pick a fight, especially with the man who slapped at Safry\u2019s butt as she retreated.<\/p>\n She had two options. Do something, or do nothing. Most of Ryoka wanted to get up and kick that adventurer\u2019s face in, but one part of her and Garia was telling her that was a bad idea.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t, Ryoka! If you cause trouble you could get hurt!\u201d<\/p>\n That was true. It wasn\u2019t her fight, and the men had only treated Safry like an object. That was all. Perfectly normal. Ryoka clenched her fist, and then felt the missing fingers on her hand.<\/p>\n She looked down. There were stumps there. She sometimes forgot, now, that she\u2019d lost her fingers. Garia hadn\u2019t even noticed yet; Ryoka had kept her right hand under the table. She\u2019d lost her fingers to overconfidence. A curse, maybe, but the Goblin who\u2019d bit them off had taken her off-guard. And that was only a Goblin. It only took one second, one mistake\u2026<\/p>\n She stared at her hand. She stared back at the man. Slowly, Ryoka relaxed back into her chair. The moment had passed.<\/p>\n Simmering, Ryoka sat back down. The adventurers hadn\u2019t even noticed her. She watched them now, and saw how both Maran and Safry clearly didn\u2019t want to go near their table. But all too soon their tankards were empty, and Maran went this time to give them more alcohol.<\/p>\n This time it was more jokes and more grabbing hands in all the places they shouldn\u2019t be. Garia gripped Ryoka\u2019s arm with a hand strong enough to hold her in place. Maran turned red as one the men tried to tug her blouse down.<\/p>\n Again, Ryoka agonized, but this time Erin saw. One second she was talking to Agnes and an older man at a table, the next she was standing in front of Maran, pushing the man\u2019s hands away. Ryoka heard her voice clearly across the inn.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t do that again, please.\u201d<\/p>\n The entire room went silent. Garia\u2019s mouth formed a perfect \u2018o\u2019 of horror, and Ryoka saw men and women stop and stare at the adventurers. All five men had gone still. Agnes looked horrified. Erin was just calm.<\/p>\n \u201cHey mistress, we didn\u2019t mean anything by it. We were just being friendly!\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka heard the drunk words; an echo of other phrases she\u2019d learned to despise at parties by drunk men and women. She gritted her teeth, but Erin was still calm. She gave the adventurers a big smile.<\/p>\n \u201cPlease don\u2019t touch Maran. She\u2019s just trying to do her job, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOr what? We paid good coin to sit here. Don\u2019t you know who we are? We\u2019re the Brilliant Swords of Celum!\u201d<\/p>\n One of the men threw that out there, looking proud as if he expected applause. Erin didn\u2019t bat an eye.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, but you\u2019re still guests. And this is my\u2014Agnes\u2019 inn. But I\u2019m in charge for tonight. If you don\u2019t behave, I\u2019ll kick you out.\u201d<\/p>\n This time all the adventurers went still, and Ryoka could hear people edging away from Erin. But she didn\u2019t even blink as the bigger men stared at her. Then one laughed, a forced laugh that sounded far too jovial.<\/p>\n \u201cFine. We\u2019ll not lay hands on her. My promise, good mistress.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGreat!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin smiled and turned to go. As she did, the man reached out and slapped Erin on the butt.<\/p>\n The room fell silent. Ryoka knocked back her chair, but Erin moved first. She turned around and looked at the grinning adventurer in the eye. He smirked at her.<\/p>\n The fist that crunched<\/em> into the man\u2019s nose sent him flying backwards in his chair. He crashed to the floor as his buddies stared at Erin in shock. The entire inn was a frozen scene; Ryoka\u2019s smile could have cured depression.<\/p>\n Then one of the men roared and pushed himself back from the table. He reached for Erin, but she grabbed a mug from the table and smashed it across his face. He staggered back and she raised a chair and smashed it across his chest.<\/p>\n Bar fighting. Erin kicked the table over and then punched another man hard enough to send him to the floor. Ryoka watched as customers fled, and then heard a voice.<\/p>\n Garia was sitting in her chair, staring at Erin as she took on all five men at once with a good deal of success. She stared at Ryoka, pale-faced.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s<\/em> your friend, Ryoka? She\u2019s even crazier than you are!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know. Isn\u2019t she great?\u201d<\/p>\n Ryoka grinned. Then she turned, vaulted a table, and kicked a man in the back. He staggered into his buddy and Ryoka got to do a roundhouse kick on the man who\u2019d slapped Erin on the butt. She saw Erin kicking one of the downed adventurers and grinned when she saw a plate of potatoes and meat mostly untouched.<\/p>\n She\u2019d just managed to smash it across a man\u2019s face when someone else tried to grab her. But Ryoka hit him with fast jabs and he missed as he swung at her clumsily. It was chaotic and messy, but Ryoka had been trained a lot better than a bunch of idiots with swords who were drunk. And she had Erin to watch her back.<\/p>\n Between the calls for the city watch and screams, Ryoka felt her blood pumping as she punched and kicked and dodged. The best part of the fight was when Garia seized one of the men and threw him into a wall hard enough to make him lose all his dinner. And that was before one of the regular customers decided to join in and help out Erin by laying one of the adventurers out with a punch.<\/p>\n It looked like it was going to be a good day after all.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Previous Chapter<\/a> Next Chapter<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Ryoka knew that she didn\u2019t have the same sense of normality she used to have. Her reactions to things like monsters and magic had been tempered by her experiences in this world, and she could look at Goblins and magic spells without batting an eyelid. And of course Erin and Octavia were both independent young […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":52856846,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_searchwp_excluded":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"patreon-level":0,"patreon_level":0,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[11693082,349],"tags":[7224,250708,4330244,4472517,11693079],"twi_volume":[11693131],"twi_collection":[],"class_list":["post-2300","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-volume-2","category-writing","tag-fantasy","tag-inn","tag-web-novel","tag-web-serial","tag-writing"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
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