Game Master: The party of adventurers take this chance to spend the evening behind stone walls and double padded cushions in the world famous Arbornalea Adventurer's Inn. Every piece of comfort from all over has been brought in to give adventurer's a taste of the high life before heading back out to take on the many calls to arms they're needed for most. For some, it's a relief from roughing it in the woods or desert, but for some - namely two - it's the highlight of their entire adventuring career and something they deserved from the beginning.

The Chipmunks and Chipettes lounged around in a private gathering room to spend the evening before heading to bed. It had plenty of pillows and lounge chairs, all built for relaxing while they talked the night away. The room was dimly lit by the center fireplace as well as the distant sconces on the walls. They could hear the chatting and cheering of patrons far off in other rooms or the grand hall. While for some that might have been a fun way to spend the evening, the 6 Munks, now in evening casual wear thanks to Theodore, kept to themselves as they preferred most of the time.

In one corner of the room, Eleanor removed her slippers and dipped her feet into a shallow heated pool. She immediately felt her stress and soreness melt away. Right behind her Jeanette caught up to join her with towels in hand. On another side, Alvin sat with Simon and Brittany as he played his lute. Simon quietly listened as he looked into GM generated manuscripts and books, something he didn't create himself and therefore had no knowledge of. And Brittany, fresh from a bath laid down on one of the lounge chairs beside the boys as she relaxed to Alvin's music.

Brittany: Now this is the life! This is what your guys' games should be about all the time.
Alvin: No kidding, we couldn't get a place this nice when we were touring!
Simon: Well played Game Master, going for a Greco-Roman style for this room, well played.

Amidst the relaxation and respite, the Chipmunks and Chipettes continued to talk about their days in the past since starting this game and going on this adventure.

Brittany, flipping onto her back to look at the ceiling on the lounge: So, like, let me get this straight. You guys play this kind of game all the time?
Simon, putting a book down: Correct. Every other Saturday night. Just not to this capacity. Our games were more of the pen and paper kind.
Brittany: Guess that explains why you guys go radio silent.
Alvin: Oh it's great Britt, you never know what's going to happen! My favorite parts are when our dice rolls totally mess with Simon's plans.
Simon: Luck and chance do have a very important part in it. That being said I really don't appreciate it when you try and do something stupid and it pays off with a high roll.
Alvin: I'm choosing to have fun.
Brittany: And for our game we have to...
Simon: Defeat the Mad King of Terrorlorn.
Brittany, sarcastically: I'm shaking in my boots. I bet he's a wimp.
Alvin: That's the spirit Britt.
Simon: I admire the confidence, but we're talking about an end game level-
Brittany: Si.
Simon: Yes?
Brittany: No one's asking for a lecture right now. It's spa time.

Meanwhile on the other side by the warming pools, Jeanette and Eleanor sat with their shins deep into the water.

Eleanor: Oh man, this game makes you feel sore but then comes right back around with this water feeling soooo good...
Jeanette: Isn't it wonderful?
Eleanor: I'll say. Trudging around in metal boots and wool socks through mud is wreaking havoc on my soles.

Before the two groups finished their conversations, Theodore came through the door to the private area with a large serving cart. The food atop it was plentiful and mouth watering with all sorts of items that looked familiar and different.

Theodore: Dinner is served everyone! I even took the liberty of testing out my new Sacred Treasure, so don't be afraid to ask for seconds!

The 6 Munks all sat together around a central table not far from where they were inside the private room, gorging and stuffing their cheeks with all of the delicacies that Theodore brought with him.

Jeanette, grabbing another bowl of the soup from the Sacred Treasure: This is incredible Theodore!
Brittany stuffing her mouth with what appeared to be some kind of shellfish: MHM, dis ish waaay better dan dose travel crackers!
Alvin doing the same: This is the best part of the game so far!
Simon: I'm surprised Game Master made the tastes so sophisticated.
Theodore, putting a large wedge of cheese on his plate: I dunno... If you ask me, it all just tastes like food we have in real life.
Simon: I suppose that given the available databases for Game Master to use, it only makes sense that there wouldn't exactly be new flavors to choose from. At least not yet this early on in its development.
Eleanor: No complaints here! A tuna or whatever fish steak like this is good anywhere you go!
Brittany and Alvin with their mouths full: MHM!
Theodore: Thanks guys! I didn't do everything, but I got a lot of help from the kitchen here. Maybe one day Game Master will let me experiment with new stuff too.
Simon: I'm sure we could work something out. I'll put it on top of the list for when I can make future improvements.

They continued to scarf down the entire meal as the night went along, then when they were done they all sat beside the ornate fireplace while they let their stomachs settle before heading to their bedrooms for the night. The lights around the room had long fizzled out so the main source was the fire in between their casted shadows. After some time while they sat and talked, Brittany nudged Alvin's shoulder with hers. When he turned to face her she gave him a look meant just for him then with a look of his own to her and a nod, they got up and left for the rooms while the other 4 stayed behind, not even noticing their departure.

Hours later in the darkened bedroom, Eleanor woke up in a haze. The only light came from the full uncovered moon outside their luxurious balcony that came with the room. The room itself was an open concept where it all curved around like a half circle towards the great forest gardens of Arbornalea. The 6 munks all shared the room, and the beds were scattered distantly apart which was a nice surprise Eleanor thought. They didn't have to be so close in tents crowding a fire like the first few days they were out in the world when they began their adventure. It was peaceful, almost dreamlike.

When she gathered her thoughts more, she pondered on that for a little while longer before getting up and putting on a complimentary robe over her evening wear then got out of bed. She stepped along on the beautiful mirroring tiles towards the balcony. On the way she passed by a sight she was used to, even before the game began and playfully rolled her eyes. Way before the rest of the group caught up, Alvin and Brittany removed themselves from the private lounge to get to the room for their own private time. Despite there being 6 beds one for each of them, as always and to no one's surprise they decided to share the same bed almost involuntarily. At first Eleanor didn't want to get in their way or even notice what they were doing but when the rest of the group first walked into the room, they all giggled. Alvin and Brittany had collapsed on top of the bed together without even going into the covers with their casual clothes still on. They had been so tired and full that they didn't switch into sleep-wear and even now, they were still completely out like a light with Brittany resting her head on top of Alvin's chest and Alvin heavily snoring, one of his arms dangling off the bed.

Eleanor shook her head with a grin and continued towards the balcony, but much to her surprise there was another awake. Jeanette sitting along the edge stargazing.

Eleanor got close enough to Jeanette and decided to speak up softly so as to not scare her.

Eleanor, rubbing her eyes and yawning: Jeanette? What are you doing up so late?

Unfortunately though, that didn't work as Jeanette almost fell off the rail in shock. Eleanor helped keep her stable.

Eleanor chuckled: What am I saying, 'up so late'? It's not like it's real.
Jeanette: It's real to us! Everything the game is simulating is based on our actual neural feedback. Isn't it amazing?
Eleanor: I guess so. I guess I just can't get over that part. Sometimes it's like we're not playing a game at all anymore.
Jeanette: I think it's marvelous. For all intents and purposes, we're in another world. Look!

Jeanette pointed towards the moonlit sky and Eleanor noticed the vast amount of stars in the sky.

Eleanor: Wow, that's amazing! It's like stargazing back home at the lodge!
Jeanette: Even the constellations are different, Game Master created them with expert detail to make them make sense and even have legends behind them.
Eleanor: It's impressive, I'll give it that. But... how does it all work? I mean, in the real world, we would normally play a session every 2 weeks for like, what, a year? Do we just log out or something then come back in for the next session?
Jeanette: According to Simon, our entire time here will just feel like one long night of much needed sleep. One big shared dream we'll all vividly remember when we wake.

Eleanor noticed that when Jeanette said that, though she looked up to the stars, she was blushing.

Eleanor: Who'da guess ol' brainiac was so poetic.
Jeanette nodded shyly.
Eleanor: Well if it's all going to feel like one night of sleep, I don't mind if we slow down a bit. We got all the time in the world apparently.
Jeanette had a big smile on her face. For just a little bit longer, the two sisters sat at the balcony looking at the stars, talking about the game and the stories Jeanette discovered about the constellations.

Epilogue

It was the next morning after their stay at the Arbornalea Adventurer's Inn, and the 6 Munks began to set off once again. Eleanor and Jeanette sat by the lobby's fountain as they finished up checking their gear and retying their twin tails and bun respectively. Simon made sure to keep check of their remaining coin and kept a ledger of what they were taking with them.

Simon: And just like that we should be ready to take on our next quest. Is everyone accounted for?
Eleanor: That was so relaxing. If only we got to stay longer. It was like a weekend trip to the spa with Miss Miller.
Jeanette: Well, the more quests we take the more coins we will have and the more times we can stay!
Eleanor: That sounds better than going to stop the Mad King.
Simon: We need to remember that eventually we DO need to stop him.
Eleanor: But can't we keep coming back here? You know, for a neural health day?
Jeanette: Oh can't we Simon? Arbornalea is such a beautiful city and we only saw a fraction of it.
Simon, blushing as they bashed their eyes: I-I suppose the threat is ongoing...

Eleanor and Jeanette smiled in victory.

Simon: Where is Alvin and Brittany?
Eleanor: Take a guess.
Simon: Ah, well, then I'm glad I was able to take that into consideration.
Eleanor: You'd think of all times to not be lazy, it would be now.
Jeanette: Sorry, we tried to get them out of bed...
Simon: No, no I get it.
Eleanor: Speaking of, where's Theodore?
Simon: I believe he was getting some extra supplies.
Eleanor, called out into the lobby: Theo?

Theodore from the distance: I-I'm coming! Let me just-

The three turn towards the voice and notice that Theodore struggled to stay on his feet and pull a bag of supplies dragging along the ground. Simon looked away to hide his chuckle while Jeanette tried to just smile politely.

Eleanor: ...What...cha got there Theo?
Theodore: Well everyone loved dinner so much last night I figured I'd bring the ingredients with me for the road!

Editor's Note: It's been a while since I posted some more MunkQuest. While I haven't exactly made any new ones, there are still several old ones left to post. Please enjoy.