The next morning, we regroup downstairs at the inn as planned.

"Is everyone now prepared to begin our journey?"

We nod. Good morning to you, too, Amelia.

"Then let us depart."

She leads the way out of the inn and back into the quiet city. Remnants of last night's festival litter the ground in a series of petals and general debris.
The clean-up detail is hard at work. They wear thick gloves as they half-heartedly remove the decorations and debris.
I wonder how long they've been working on this.
The festivities continued even after I threw in my hat and went to bed.
Leanna and I share a glance and she smiles.
We follow Amelia through the twists and turns of the city.

"Where exactly are we going now?"
I like to know where I'm headed.

"To the crystalrail station."

Crystalrail? Sounds like it might be a transport system like the Corellian Rocket Tram. Leanna speaks up before I even ask.

"Where are we taking the crystalrail to?"

"Bazada."

She looks up in suprise.
"Embermyst is in Bazada?"

"They say you can find anything there."

She shoots Zack a look which he returns with his usual stony gaze.

"What's so suprising about Bazada?"

"It's just closer than I expected."

"No, Embermyst is not within Bazada, but Bazada is the closest station to the location of Embermyst."

Leanna still seems skeptical but doesn't push it. I guess we'll find out whether or not Amelia is right.
We continue the rest of the way in silence. After a few minutes, we arrive at the station.
The setup is a more complex version of the Rocket Tram, not automated at all. The ticket booth is right across from the entrance.
While they sort out retrieving tickets, I look around. Vendors selling food and trinkets line the perimeter of the enclosed space.
The building is mostly empty at this time of morning.

"We must hurry if we wish to catch the next crystalrail. It is nearing the platform."

Once we get our tickets, we rush down a back hallway which opens up to the platform.
Arriving on the platform is a sleek bullet train, porcelain white with windows dotting the sides. Just like the Rocket Tram, it hovers above the ground.
A pair of long crystal rows run along the bottom of the train with identical crystal rows lining the track.
I cross my arms.
Obviously the crystals below have to do with keeping the train up, but otherwise I bet it's just like the Tram.
Leanna glances back at me and fails to hide her giggle.

"What is it?"

"Nothing, it's just you two are making the same face right now."

I glance over at Zack who looks back at me. We both have our arms crossed and an unimpressed look on our faces.
Zack nods at me, which I return. He gets it.

"Poooi..."
The pango eyes the crystals on the train, his mouth open in anticipation. Leanna notices and snatches him up.

"Poi!"
He wriggles at first, but after she gives him a few pats on the head he calms down and grins at her.
We are about to board the train when the attendant stops us.

"Sorry, pangos are not allowed due to equipment which is sensitive to energy absorbtion."

"Oh..."
Leanna looks sadly at the blue glob in her arms.
"I'm sorry, my friend, but I think this is where we say goodbye."

He blinks back at her in confusion, a worried smile on his face.
"Poi?"

Leanna's lip trembles.
"I'm sorry!"

She gives him a final hug and sets him down on the ground. Then with glassy eyes full of tears, she rushes into the train. The pango blinks.
"Poi poi?"

Amelia cocks her head to the side and looks at it. The pango mimics her.
"Poi!"

"I have not known you long, but I will be saddened to see you go."
She nods and then hops onto the train.

Zack looks at the pango and instinctively his hand protects his guns.
"Try not to eat anyone else's weapon."

"Poi poi?"
The pango blinks at Zack's retrating form.

Finally, it's my turn.
He blinks and grins.

"Poi poi!"

"I didn't expect this to be so difficult."

He cocks his head to the side and tries again.
"Poi poi?"

"I'm sorry little friend, but this is as far as we can go together."

"Poi?"

He tries to hop onto my shoulder like he has done so many times in the past few days, but I don't let him.

"I'm sorry, but you have to stay here."

"P-poi?"

I quickly turn around and head onto the train...
While other people board the train, I join the rest of my group. Leanna tries to control her sniffles while Amelia looks down at her feet.
Zack acts as casual as always, but the nod he gives me feels lackluster. We're all feeling the loss of the pango.
He was my first friend when I came to this world...

After we've had a moment to compose ourselves, we search for our train cabin.
We pass through a few cars before we finally find our cabin towards the end of the train.

Amelia slides open the door, then shuts it immediately.
"Impossible!"

"What's going on?"

She opens the door and we all peer inside. Inside the cozy cabin are red plush seats, a rack above the seats to hold the luggage, and a rectangular table in the center.
There is also a pango bouncing happily on the seats.

"Poi poi!"

"Pango!"

Leanna squels excitedly and scoops him back up into a big hug. We all file into the cabin after her and shut the door before anyone notices the pango.
When Leanna notices our stares, she clears her throat and sets him back down.
"But, how did you get in here?"

"Seriously. Weren't you just outside a second ago? How'd you get in here and find our cabin before we did?"
Most intriguing.

"Poi!"

"Impossible..."

"I think the pango broke Amelia."

Zack, as unfazed as always, plops down into one of the seats and leans back.
"Some things just can't be explained."

And that is where you are mistaken, my friend. There is an explanation for everything. We just have to find it.
However, with how often the pango seems to disappear and reappear unexpectedly, you'd think we'd be used to it by now.

I take a seat as well and the pango hops into my lap. Leanna pouts as the pango moves away from her.
Amelia seems to have recomposed herself and also takes a seat.

Not much later, I feel the jerk of the train departing and hear the calming hum of the engine. Both Leanna and Amelia stare out the window.
Zack has his head down and his arms crossed. I think he may be asleep but it's hard to tell.
Remembering how I found him at the campsite, I can only assume this guy can literally sleep anywhere.

My eyes feel droopy too.
I really went all out last night and did not get enough sleep. I doubt anyone will mind if I just caught up on a few of those hours...

When I awaken, everyone else is awake too and looking more bored then ever. Only the pango snoozes in my lap.
"How long was I asleep for?"

Leanna glances at me.
"Just a few hours."

"Are we almost there?"

"No. We will not arrive before tomorrow."
Amelia decides to chime in.

"Tomorrow?!"
How slow is this train please?

"Yes."

What am I going to do with all this spare time? I put my hands in the sleeves of the other arm each and close my eyes, starting to meditate.
Only a moment later I come to the realisation that this method will only work for me, not curing the others of their boredom.
I open my eyes again and reach into my pocket, pull out a deck of sabacc cards and lay them out on the table.

Leanna cranes her neck to see better.
"What do you have there?"

"My cards."
I cut the deck and shuffle them. By no means I'm a pro, but Nico and Gault thought me some tricks.

"Want to play something? There's enough people that we can play 'Cheat'.
I don't have a sabacc table with me, so we have to do with something else. I do put away the sixteen special cards, however.

"How do you play that?"

"It's easy. Each round you will put a card from your hand face down on the center of the table and say what card it is. Like this."
I put one down as an example.
"One Master.
Then anyone at the table can decide whether or not I'm telling the truth. If you think I'm lying, you call out 'cheater!' and I'll have to reveal the card. If I was lying, then I take all the cards on the pile. If I was telling the truth, then whoever accused me takes all the cards and the next person starts a new round.
You win by having no cards on your hand."

"Sounds like fun. I'll play."
Alright, Leanna's in.

Amelia looks thoughtful.
"Although I have not partaken in this game before, this sounds like it would be a stimulating challange."

I glance at Zack.

"You in?"

He shakes his head.
"I'll pass."

Leanna frowns.
"Why not? I know that mercenaries love card games and it's not like there's much else to do while we wait."

"It's just not my type of game."

As a mercenary, I think I know what can spark his interest...
"What if we play for money?"

Zack sits up and looks at me.
"I thought you didn't have money."

"I do have money..."
I fish in my pockets and drop some credit ingots on the table.
"...It's just not usuable here."

Amelia leans in close and peers at the credits. Even Leanna takes an interested glance.
"I fail to recognise this type of currency."

"Well, I'm not exactly from Esaria."

Amelia stares intendly at me again. After a long pause she looks back at the ingots.
"I see."

I point out the different types of ingots I have.
"Make sure you get the smaller ones. They're the most valuable."

"Are these not made from copper?"

"Uhm, basically."

"And the silver ones from silver or nickel?"

"Nickel, I think."

"Then suffice to say, shouldn't the silver ingot be more valuable than the dark one?"

Well, she got me.

Zack leans back into his seat.
"If it's not money I can use, then I'm not interested."

"Zack-"

Leanna was about to say something but Amelia interrupts.
"I will pay you for his ingots."

Zack sits back up.
"Go on..."

"For any ingot of his you receive, I will trade you one of our coins."

"Amelia, you really don't have to do that."

I think Leanna doesn't understand Amelia's purpose behind this offer. She found a scientific interest in my credits, and wants to study them. Probably.

"I know."

Leanna looks uneasily between Zack and Amelia. I think she still views Amelia as a child, but her intellect is sharper than of some high ranking officers or Sith I knew.

"Alright, deal."

As Zack settles in, I deal out the cards. Zack frowns when he looks at his hand.
"These cards are strange..."

"Like I said, I'm not from Esaria."
I give a brief rundown of the suites and face cards. When I look back up, I see Amelia staring at me. This is getting a little uncomfortable. I think she's about to figure out my circumstances.

"Let's start the bet."

We all throw our stakes on the table.

"I'll go first."
I drop a card face down on the table.
"One 10."

Silence. No one reacts.
"Okay Leanna, it's your go."

"Okay..."
She slides a card on the table, her face completely blank.
"One 2."

I can feel the truth behind her statement. Nobody else calls her out either.

"Amelia's go."

Her face even more stoic than Leanna's, Amelia places a card onto the table.
"One Mistress."
Her face is unreadable, but I can sense the truth. Again, no one calls her out.

Maybe they aren't quite understanding how to play... although I guess it is just the first round.

Finally, it's Zack's go.
In usual Zack fashion, he stoically slips a card down.
"Two 8's."

I was about to call him out but Amelia was faster.
"Cheater."

Without breaking from his poker face, he flips over the card to reveal different cards than 8's. Silently, he collects the pile.

We count how many cards each person has in their hands and split the first round of bets between Amelia, Leanna and I.
Then we throw in our next round of bets.

"Okay, me again."
Better stay with truth.
Heh, maybe I should mess with them a little. I purposely let it slip on my face that I might be lying. A Sith has to be in control of everything about oneself, after all. So a play with my mimic is nothing to me.
"Two 3's"

Leanna calls me out.
"Cheater!"

I flip over my cards to reveal two 3's.

"You tricked me."

I grin as she grabs the cards.

Leanna looks slightly worried at her hand then smoothes her face.
"Two aces."

She uses my own strategy as well, now. A nice try, but I can see through it.

"Cheater."
Zack fell for it.
Leanna grins as she flips over two aces. Zack wordlessly collects the cards.

Called it. I have to give a comment, though.
"Using my own strategy as well... you learn fast, Leanna."

"It was too good to resist."

Amelia puts down her cards.
"Two 7's."

Her sabacc face is superb, but I still can sense the truth so I stay silent. Nobody else calls her out.

Without delay, Zack lays down his cards.
"Two 5's."

Before anyone has a chance to react, Amelia calls out, beating me again to it.
"Cheater."

Zack grumbles under his breath as he collects the pile.
Amelia looks smug at Zack's disgruntledness.
The bet for this round get's split between Amelia and me and we start a new pot. The two of us are even thus far.
Back to me again.
Going to stick with what I do best.
Because this strategy worked so well last time, let's try it again. I purposely let it slip on my face that I might be lying.
"One Master."

Nobody calls me out. It seems they learned from last round.

Leanna lays down her card, looking confident.
"One Master."

Hm, that's the same card I put down just now. I bet she also has one. It feels like she's baiting someone to call her out.
Nobody does that, though. They must think the same thing I do.

Amelia wears the same stony face and slips down a card.
"One Commander."

This time I feel a sublte change in her very presence. She's lying.
"Cheater."

Amelia wordlessly flips over her card to reveal a 10 of Coins. She slips it back into her hand and takes the pile.

Zack plays his card.
"One 6."

Again, Amelia is faster than anyone else.
"Cheater."

Zack growls in frustration.
"How do you know every single time?"

Amelia just stares at him with her same blank stare, which frustrates Zack even more.

"This is the dumbest game ever!"
He throws his cards down on the table and knocks over the coins before crossing his arms.
Leanna jumps away from the table as Zack hits it, her eyes wide. I'm a little taken aback as well and jolt back, which wakes the pango. Only Amelia remains unfazed.

"Poi poi?"

"So, should we continue playing?"
My position right now is too good to surrender without trying.

Zack turns to look sharply at me.
"Of course!"

Zack picks up his cards back up. Leanna and I glance at each other and burst out laughing.
At first Amelia looks at us in bewilderment, but our laughter is so contagious that she breaks a smile.

"Are we playing or what?"

We resume the game with smiles all around.
The longer we played, the more into the game everyone became.
Needless to say, Amelia correctly guessed Zack's cheats every single time, much to his ever growing frustration.
In the end, I won the game with the first to run out of cards. At last I got some usable money. Repaying Leanna is my priority for it.

When we were tired of Cheat, I thought them a couple of other games we could play with just a deck of cards. It was late into the night when we all decided to turn in and go to sleep.

...

...

...

The sun shines brightly through the window and splashes on my face, forcing me awake.
Leanna and Amelia are both already awake, but Zack still has his head down as if he's still asleep.
I look outside and squint at the sky.
"What time is it?"

"It's already past noon. We slept through the entire morning."

"We did?"

Leanna giggles at my alarm.
"Normally, that would be a bad thing, but in this case it's okay. We're almost at Bazada."

I nod.

Zack gradually wakes up and we all make sure we have all of our things.

After another hour or two, the train stops and announces our arrival to Bazada.
The sun hangs high in the sky as one by one we step off the train. As soon as I set foot in the city, I'm assaulted by the sound of voices.
Makeshift stalls line the sides of roads and alleys as people pack the streets.
Traders entice onlookers to view their wares and costumers haggle in heated shouting matches.
Are we going to have to travel through that? I blanch at the thought of getting trapped amidst the sea of people.

"We have arrived in Bazada."
Really, Amelia? I haven't noticed.

"So, this is the closest city to Embermyst, you said?"

"Yes."

Considering the bustle of this place, I find it a little hard to believe that the hidden city is so close. No wonder Leanna seemed so suprised.

Amelia seems to read my thoughts.
"Of course, close is a relative term. We must first traverse some rough terrain and pass through the forest before we find Embermyst."

She points towards the south where I can make out the tips of treetops, and then she glances up at the sky.
"Considering only a few hours remain before nightfall, it may be in our best interest to spend the evening here in the city and depart in the morning."

Leanna nods.
"Good thinking. This marketplace is so huge, people say you can literally buy your hearts desires here."

I doubt that statement is true in my case.
"Is there something you're thinking of buying?"

"Nothing in particular, but I would like to check out the stalls. Traders from all over the world gather here to sell their wares."

"Poi!"

I glance down at my feet and watch the pango wiggle excitedly. He casts hungry looks into the crowd.

"Is there a lot of magic here? I haven't seen this guy so excited since he first tried to eat me."
Personally, I can't feel anything out of the ordinary.

Amelia bends down and scrutinizes him. She pokes him with a finger and the pango giggles.
"Poi poi!"

"I'm going to the inn. I'll meet up with you later."

Before any of us can react, Zack slips into the crowd. Well, that was to be expected. Eh, I'll ask anyway.
"...Should we go after him?"

Amelia doesn't even blink at Zack's departure. She's too preoccupied with the pango. Leanna shakes her head.
"No, but since Zack's left, I'm going to go too. Should we meet back up at the inn?"

"Sure."

She nods, and heads into the crowd.

The perfect opportunity to spend some time with Leanna. I head in the same direction I think she's gone and duck into the crowd, trying not to bump into too many people as I explore the marketplace.
I've never seen a place this crowded before, not even Nar Shaddaa's Promenade. It doesn't feel like I'm walking as being pushed by everyone.
Despite all the people, and my patience wearing thin already, I'm fascinated by the market stalls. Merchants sell all different types of merchandise, ranging from clay pottery to magic amulets.
As I'm being pulled through the crowd, I see a glimpse of blonde hair and white armour. That must be Leanna!
I wade through the crowd and see Leanna frozen in place.

I can't sense any imminent danger, so I make myself known.
"Hey, Leanna."

She blinks at me.
"Hey!"

And greets me with a bright smile.

"How's the marketplace so far?"

"Really interesting! There's a lot of cool stuff I haven't seen before…"

She seems distracted.
"Do you smell that?"

I breathe in deeply.
An overwhelming sweet smell wafts by on the breeze.
"There's really no way I couldn't."

"I think it's coming from that stall over there. Come on!"

She darts back into the crowd and I quickly follow until we stop at a stall filled with delicate glass bottles.
"Is this perfume?"

"Yes, welcome, welcome!"
A man as tanned as me clad in silken robes ushers us closer to the stall. He selects a glass bottle filled with a pale pink liquid and offers it to Leanna.
"A noble scent to match such a noble woman."

Leanna blushes and delicately sniffs the bottle. Her eyes widen in recognition.
"Is that extract of Spirit Orchids?"

The man grins broadly and claps his hands together.
"Yes, yes! Very rare, from the far Celestial Mountains."

"I never expected to find this perfume here…"

"What is it?"

Leanna offers me the bottle and I take a tentative whiff. It smells fruity, but not like anything I could recognize.
"This is a flower?"

She nods.
"The Spirit Orchid. It only grows in the deep forests on the Celestial Mountain range."

'Celestial Mountains'? Sounds like a place I'd like to visit sometimes. But...
"Why is it called the Spirit Orchid?"

"The roots are a very pale white and when it grows it almost looks like it's floating in mid-air, like a spirit."

Interesting.
"That's kind of neat."

She nods absentmindedly and continues to hold the bottle.

"Do you want to get it?"

Leanna quickly shakes her head.
"Oh, sorry. It just reminds me of home. My grandmother used to wear this perfume whenever she left the house. When I was little, that meant taking me down to the market."

She smiles fondly at the memory, but her eyes hold a hint of sadness.
"I loved wandering the shops and stalls. It didn't matter if I had nothing to buy. It was a chance to leave the house and be like everyone else."

"It sounds like you didn't get to go out much…"
Given how she carries herself, it wouldn't be too far fetched to assume she is of noble offspring. Plus, if her grandmother used such a rare and expensive perfume regulary...

"It was complicated."

She doesn't offer up any more information and returns the bottle to a blank spot on the shelf.

Although she's been very helpful in helping me understand this world, Leanan doesn't seem to talk about her past much. Eh, can't blame her much on that one. I don't go out of my way telling my past to anyone either.
I glance at her again. She looks pensively at the bottle, a small crease in her brow.

Suddenly, a new scent cuts through the floral parfumes. It smells sweet and yet spicy. It smells delicious!
"Hey, Leanna, do you smell that?"

She jolts out of her thoughts and blinks.
"Smell what?"

"I think it's coming from this stall over there!"
I grin, and just as she did before, I dart back into the street.

"Hey, wait!"

We weave through the people before stopping in front of a stall filled with an assortment of baked goods. I breath in the heavenly sweetness of sugar and sigh contentedly.
Leanna closes her eyes and inhales.
"It smells so delicious!"

I browse the array of cookies and tiny cakes. Leanna gasps.
"They have cinnamon parfaits? I love those!"

"What are those?"
I have never heard of cinnamon before.

"They're cinnamon and vanilla custard layers with apricots."

"Hmm…"
Still don't know anything more, but it somehow sounds appetizingly.

"What do you think looks good?"

"Actually, that cinnamon parfait you mentioned sounds really good."

"They are! And they're not super sweet either which is why I like them."

I fish in my pockets for my winnings of yesterday. It's not much, but it's a start.
"Today's treats are on me."

Leanna looks amused.
"Are you sure you want to use your life savings?"

I chuckle.
"Don't worry. You've been very generous towards me ever since Meadowhill. This is the least I can do to repay you. I know it's not much, but please consider this as a token of my appreciation."

Leanna smiles bashfully.
"Thank you."

I grin, then pay for a cinnamon parfait each for Leanna and myself.
"Cheers."

I hold up my dessert and take a bite. As the sweetness melts on my tongue, I let out a contentend sigh.
"This is even better than I imagined!"

Leanna giggles and lets out an equally happy sigh as she bites into her cinnamon parfait.
"This is why I love markets."

I nod in agreement as we return to the streets.
One of the guards in the marketplace notices Leanna's Mage Guild emblem and pulls her over to talk.
"Sorry, I need to take this."

Since this looks like official business, I better leave them be.
"We can catch up later, then?"

She smiles.
"Okay."

I decide to seek out Amelia.

I stand by awkwardly while Amelia mutters to herself. She seems to be in the middle of something and doesn't notice my presence. That's not good, if I'd wish her harm she'd be dead...

"Hmm… male, adolescent, of the cerulean variant..."
She holds out her bracelet. The pango blinks at it, then looks back at her.
Amelia cocks her head to the side as she observes him.
With Amelia's attention still on him, the pango scoots closer to the bracelet and looks at her again.
"Go on."

He cautiously sniffs at the bracelet, then sticks a tongue out to lick the air. Afterwards, he grins widely at Amelia.
"Poi?"

"Interesting… Normally, a cerulean pango would leap at even the slightest trace of magical residue-"

Amelia doesn't have a chance to finish as the pango leaps into her arms.
"Poi poi!"

"Eep!"
She fumbles the catch and pulls the pango closer to her chest to stabilize him.
"What do you think you're…"

Her voice trails off as she looks down at the still smiling pango.
"Poi?"

Amelia blinks as the caution melts away from her face. The corners of her mouth curl up in a smile and she squeezes the pango in a cuddle.
"P-poi poi!"

The pango wheezes as he's squished against her chest.

It looks like they're having a moment. Maybe I should give them some space.
I begin to step back when Amelia's gaze lands upon me.
She lowers the pango.

"I was testing an analysis."

"I wasn't asking."

She clears her throat.
"Regardless, I am going to the apothecary."

"Apothecary? Can't we just heal with magic?"

"Yes, there are mages who specialise in healing magic but they use earth magic which neither Leanna nor I possess. As such, we will need to purchase healing items to treat a wound."

"I see. That won't be necessary, however."

"What do you mean?"
Amelia tilts her head slightly.

"I am capable of healing wounds with my abilities."

"I thought you were no mage?"

"I'm not. I'd rather call myself a sorcerer. I use a slightly different form of magic than you guys."

She looks sharply at me, observing me again.

"As I said, I'm not from around here."
I should probably get myself a map of this world sometime.

"Why have you not told us before?"

"You haven't asked. Besides, I told Leanna that I'm a sorcerer when we met, she just hasn't pursued the matter further."

"I see…"

"And anyone has a secret or two they keep, no?"
I wink as I smile at her.

"It would seem that way, yes. Alright, I will not pursue this matter, for now. But I am going to the apothecary regardless."

"Better be safe than sorry, huh? I get that. Would you like me to go along with you?"

"No, it would be faster if I go alone."

Before I even have a chance to react, she turns on her heels and walks away. I really do hope I haven't done something stupid just now…
As she goes, the pango pops his face face over her shoulder and gazes longingly at me.
"Poi poi…"

A single tear rolls down his cheek.

Why is he making such a face? He could literally leave at any minute and come back to me.

"Come back!"

He turns around and disappears from my view.
That sneaky little pango!

What's next? Oh, right. Zack went straight to the inn in Illumia too… What's going on at all these inns? I'd like to know too!
I rush into the street and look for any sign of the inn.
Luckily, I manage to spot Zack in the crowd before he disappears back into the sea of people.
Shoving my way down the street, I finally locate the inn just in time to see Zack.
He stands in front of a large notice board filled with pinned papers.
As I get closer, I can make out some of the flyers which include a portrait of a scowling face and a large monetary number.
Is Zack checking out the available bounty contracts? Seems like the bounty system here is different from the Bounty Brokers Association. Maybe he's looking for a specific one.

I'm about to call out to him when a young blonde wearing a skintight suit of 'armour' flounces over to him.
Twirling a lock of hair between her fingers, she seems to study the board.
Every so often, she shoots pointed glances over at Zack, hoping to catch his eyes, but his attention never wavers from the board.
Finally, she speaks.
"Do you have a bounty on your heart?"

For the first time since her arrival, Zack looks at her. She grins devilishly.

"Because I'm looking to collect."

He refocuses on the board, and she frowns. For her second attempt, she bumps up her ample chest and touches his arm as she speaks in a sickly sweet voice.
"So, are you a bounty hunter?"

Zack shrugs her arm off of him.
"No."

"Then you must be a mercenary."

He doesn't answer. She seems to take that as sign of encouragement and her sultry smile returns. She leans in close to him and runs her fingers up his arm.
"I've got a mission I could use some help with. Are you for hire?"

Again, Zack brushes her hands off of him and steps away from her.
"No."

She seems a little taken aback but quickly recovers and slides closer to him.
"Are you sure there isn't… something I could offer to change your mind?"

"No."

She sighs before plastering that same smile and lets out a small laugh.
"Geez, you're kind of dense."

I wonder who is, really.

"I was hoping to spend some intimate time with you. So, what do you say?"

Zack crosses his arms.
"No thanks, but if I'm ever in need of your services then I'll go find you at the brothel."

Pff, I could feel that burn from here.

The woman's eyes grow wide like saucers. With a sharp huff, she tries to slap Zack who sidesteps out of the way.
"Ugh!"

She let's out another huff before storming off.
I move out of her way as stomps towards the exit. She did not look happy. Understandable, but her approach was kind of… direct.
Well, that was something.
I go stand beside Zack.
"What was that about?"

He shrugs.
"Who cares?"

I take a look at the wanted posters on the board. Most of these faces look like the generic weathered and scarred bandits I am familar with. The typical scum and scoundrels, just with different types of scars.

"Huh, is this what you had to take care of in Illumia?"

Zack fixes his expressionless eyes on me.

"When we first reached Illumia, the first thing you did was find the inn. And then when we came here you did the exact same thing."

He relaxes slightly and nods.
"Just staying up to date with the news."

"Sounds like the life of a mercenary is pretty interesting."

"Something like that."

"Excuse me, are you a mercenary?"

As one, Zack and I turn to face another scantily dressed woman. This one has fiery red hair and a mischievous glint in her eye. Zack narrows his eyes.
"Yes..."

"Are you sure you're not a rogue? Because you've just stolen my heart!"

Zack sighs and facepalms. Well, I think that was a better start than the last one. I still have a bad feeling about this, though…

Zack ends up shaking her off and searches for the innkeeper to buy a drink.

And I'm ready for a little bit of me time. I head into the crowds and apprecciate all the marketplace has to offer. I couldn't find a globe or world map, sadly. However, I bought this perfume for Leanna. The merchant luckily was fascinated by my ingots, it would have been quite expensive otherwise. I'll wait for the right time to give it to her...

After exploring the city, I meet up with the rest of the group back at the inn.
Tensions are high as we eat in silence. I think everyone is a mixture of weariness and anxiety for the next leg of our journey. Even the pango is strangely silent and obedient.

Once we finish eating, we head upstairs to find our rooms. Upon finding her room, Leanna suddenly perks up.
"Oh! Amelia, you and I will be sharing a room tonight."

Amelia speaks dismissively.
"Naturally. That would be more appropriate than the alternative."

She pauses. Then she looks at Leanna with interest.
"Are you insinuating that you would rather share a bedroom with them?"
Amelia points to Zack and me.

"W-what? No! Of course not!"

"Oh, my mistake. Of course you could not have meant both of them. There aren't nearly enough beds. You must have meant him."
Amelia points to me.

Leanna's face turns pink and she shakes her head.
"Amelia, that's not true!

Judging by that reaction… -no, I shouldn't read too much into it. But maybe some day…

"If that is false, then why is your face red-"

"The point is, I'd obviously rather share a room with you."

Amelia blinks.
"If that is the case, then why even bring it up?"

"Because I'm excited! It'll be nice to have some girl time."

Amelia studies Leanna, then nods.
"I concur. Sharing a room has proven to strengthen bonds amidst peers and foster camaraderie."

"...You mean make friends?"

Her delicate and hopeful voice alone makes me want to hug her right now. I guess I've already fallen.

"Precisely."

Leanna grins and Amelia smiles back.

"Poi?"

We all glance down at the pango by our feet. Is it my imagination, or is he trying to ask us which room he is going to sleep in tonight?
Amelia snatches him up in her arms.
"The pango needs to spend the night with us tonight. We need him for science."

As Amelia slips into their bedroom, Leanna nods rapidly.
"Yes, for science."
Then follows Amelia into the room and slams the door shut.

There's a moment of silence as Zack and I stare at the closed door.

"Is it just me or did that seem unusally suspicious to you?"

"Definitely suspicious, but I'm not even sure why."
Maybe it was their way of pronouncing 'science'.

Still baffled by what happened, Zack and I enter our room and get ready for bed.

Although the train was more comfortable than I thought, it couldn't compare to a real bed. As I snuggle into the blankets, I soon drift into a restful slumber.

A/n.: I'm sorry it took such a long time to get this chapter out. I don't want to bore you with details, so short story short is: I wanted to write the card game scene with pazaak but couldn't get my head around the rules. Then I tried it with sabacc and failed as well. After long and frustrating weeks I settled with the standard version.
I'm glad for all of you who are interested, and I hope that the next chapter won't take that long.