Eisso went from annoyed, to questionable, to general confusion and reluctance towards Malin. At first, he was fine—then he started asking questions that Eisso thought had obvious answers. He tried his best, however, to make sure it didn't effect his performance around camp too much.

It was nice to be able and sit down and talk with his friends. Eisso, Kenzie, Morgan, and Lucina had gotten busy doing everything that needed to be done. About two months in the journey, though, and everyone was adjusting fine.

Everyone was eating dinner, and for the first time during their march the four of them were able to just…talk. It wasn't an entirely bright conversation, however.

"If we continue at the rate we've been going in, I don't think we'll make it to Plegia by the end of the year," Morgan was saying. "That's enough time for them to bring the war elsewhere—it's just Ylisse against the Grimleal, sure, but we don't have enough people to fight if they drag all of Plegia down with them. We don't have much choices in reinforcements."

"And we can't spend more time traveling?" Lucina asked.

"That would work for a little while," Eisso began, "But if we make a habit of marching nearly all day, it would slow us down after a while."

Morgan nodded in agreement. "We don't want sleep deprived soldiers," he added. "It would effect their performance on the battlefield as well."

"So there's nothing we can do about this?" Kenzie said. "Half of us are already sleep deprived. The other half sleep in. We can't enforce a schedule?"

"It would take a while for everyone to adjust," Morgan replied. "And even when they do, some people would stay up anyway." He looked over at Lucina. "And, yes, I'm specifically referencing you. You're one of the best fighters, but you're also one of the most notorious all-night trainers. Did you even sleep last night?"

"I did," Lucina said. "At least an hour. At most five."

"And the night before that?" Morgan asked.

"Around three hours," Lucina replied. "I can survive on little to no sleep, Morgan. And—for the most part—I'm training, so shouldn't that make up for it?"

Morgan didn't say anything. He just sighed.

"Can…I join you?"

All four of them looked up. Eisso looked back at his food when he recognized Malin.

"No," Eisso said. "The table's full."

"Aaaaaaare you sure?" Malin asked, almost playfully. "Because it looks like there's enough room for four more people."

"What if those were reserved?" Morgan said.

"Everyone else is already seated and talking," Malin pointed out. "And besides, the only other person who'd join you is Owain. From the way you're all huddled together and not speaking very loudly, this is a leader conversation plus one, so there wouldn't be anyone else you'd invite."

"Damn," Morgan muttered, barely audible. "Of course you're using tactics against us."

"Look," Kenzie said, "At least two of the four of us aren't exactly…comfortable around you. You got into some touchy subjects with Eisso and…well, I'm not sure what Morgan dislikes about you—"

"He's a creep," Morgan replied. "That is the simplest way to put it."

"—but your company is just a bit weird for some of us," Kenzie finished.

Eisso couldn't tell if it was annoying or reasonable that Malin didn't look the least bit offended.

"So you don't want me sitting with you?" Malin confirmed.

"We do not," Eisso said.

"Fine," Malin said. "But you're setting a bad example." He shrugged and walked away.

"Does he…really annoy you two that much?" Lucina asked, looking at Morgan and Eisso.

"He writes theories about living people!" Morgan said. "And then protests by saying that 'they weren't alive when he got seriously invested in the theory.' How could I NOT be annoyed by him?"

"Calm down," Lucina said. "One man should not be worth screaming."

"I personally agree with Lucina," Kenzie added.

Eisso stayed silent. He didn't want to list the reasons why he didn't like Malin. He just continued eating his meal.