Since the PS3 was now set up in their room, David and Lily lounged on their bed, the soft glow of the screen flickering in the dim light. They were engrossed in an episode of Two and a Half Men on DVD, their laughter breaking the quiet as Charlie Harper delivered another snarky one-liner.
David leaned back against the pillows, smirking. "This guy's life is such a trainwreck, but man, I can't stop watching."
Lily nudged her boyfriend playfully, her eyes still on the screen. "Kinda makes me feel like we've got it all together in comparison."
"How so?" David asked, raising an eyebrow as he glanced at Lily, his smirk lingering.
Lily gestured at the screen, where Charlie was juggling yet another chaotic romance. "I mean, we're not living in a beachfront house, but at least our love life doesn't look like a bad sitcom plot."
David chuckled, reaching for her hand. "Fair point. But I wouldn't mind the beachfront part."
"Sure," Lily teased, leaning into him. "As long as we don't get the drama that comes with it."
"Well, we were involved in drama," David said, picking up his controller and pressing X to pause the episode with a sigh. "But it wasn't us fighting each other. It was the ants—Flik leaving the colony, Atta, her mom the Queen, the Colony Council… all that chaos."
Lily exhaled deeply, folding her arms as a flicker of frustration crossed her face. "What makes me even more pissed off… they never stopped to think about the bond between Emily and her godfather, and Dot. It's like Flik meant nothing to any of the ants. Nor his inventions or genius."
David nodded, his brow furrowing. "Yeah, for all their 'togetherness,' they can be damn selfish sometimes."
Lily tilted her head, a wry smile creeping onto her lips. "Guess that's what makes us human, huh? We actually care."
"But… let's not ruin this with sad and angry stuff right now," David interjected, breaking the tension as he set the controller down and gave Lily a small smile.
She glanced at him, her lips curving into a softer expression. "Yeah, you're right. We deserve a chill night."
David smirked and grabbed the controller again. "Exactly. Now, let's get back to Charlie Harper making us feel better about our lives."
Lily laughed, leaning her head on his shoulder as the episode resumed. "Fair trade-off."
David pressed X to resume the episode, the laugh track and Charlie, Alan, Jake, and Berta's lines filling the room with a warm buzz of humor. After a comfy moment of silence, he broke the quiet again. "So, what do you wanna do with the others after this?"
Lily tilted her head, thinking for a moment as she rested against him. "Well, maybe when Gypsy finishes her nap… let's see if everyone's up for a little exploring. We are in New Orleans, after all."
David grinned. "Good call. A walk down Bourbon Street might do us some good. I'm sure Heimlich would appreciate all the food options."
Lily laughed. "Yeah, just keep him away from anything spicy, or we'll never hear the end of it."
Meanwhile, Mike and Angela were interlocked with each other, the female human's head resting gently against her fiancé's chest. The soft hum of the hotel room's air conditioning filled the background as they relaxed in their own little world.
Mike absently ran his fingers through Angela's hair, his eyes half-closed. "You know," he murmured, "I never thought I'd be this content just hanging out in a hotel room."
Angela smiled up at him, her fingers tracing circles on his shirt. "I think it's because we're in New Orleans. There's something about this place that makes everything feel a little more... relaxed. Even the chaos feels kinda nice."
Mike chuckled softly. "You mean the chaos we bring?"
Angela's eyes twinkled. "Exactly."
They both gently pecked each other on the lips, the moment soft and unhurried.
As Angela pulled back slightly, she smiled, her eyes glinting playfully. "So… what do you wanna do later?"
"Well… maybe try out the pool with the gang," Mike said thoughtfully, though a hint of a smirk betrayed him.
Angela raised an eyebrow, her grin widening. "Is that your way of making an excuse to see me show off more stomach and rear end?" she teased, her tone dripping with flirtation.
Mike chuckled, wrapping an arm tighter around her. "Maybe… but can you blame me?"
Angela giggled softly, her fingers tracing lazy patterns along Mike's arm. "I know I've said this a million times, but the pool and the beach? Best places for outfit changes. Especially when it comes to you."
"Oh, yeah?" Mike chuckled, a playful smirk tugging at his lips.
"Yeah," Angela replied, her voice turning sultry. "The hot, toned look, the way you're not afraid to show off for me… I swear, you oughta be shirtless in front of me more often."
Mike let out a low laugh, leaning in closer. "Trust me, I feel the same way."
Both of them leaned in and shared another kiss, slow and tender, as if the world outside their room didn't exist.
"I love you, Mike," Angela whispered, her voice soft but full of warmth.
"I love you too, Ange," Mike replied, his tone steady and sincere, his hand gently brushing her cheek.
Meanwhile, Gypsy was snoring softly, her delicate stomach rising and falling with each gentle snore and sigh. Manny laid beside her, his antennae relaxed as he watched her peacefully. His hand moved in slow, tender strokes over her chest, his touch light and comforting.
He couldn't help but smile, marveling at how beautiful his wife looked while she slept, her colorful wings faintly shimmering in the dim light.
After about another minute, Gypsy let out a soft groan, her eyes fluttering open. The hazy light of the afternoon filtered through the window, and as her gaze landed on Manny by her side, a smile tugged at her lips. She giggled softly, still half-dazed from her nap.
"Morning, my sleeping beauty. Or should I say afternoon?" Manny teased, his voice warm with affection as he leaned in closer, brushing a lock of her antennae gently.
Gypsy stretched and gave him a playful glance. "You're lucky I love you," she teased back, her voice still thick with sleep, before pulling him into a light, sweet kiss.
"How was your beauty rest, my dearest?" Manny asked, his voice rich with affection as he rested his chin gently on his wife's shoulder.
The moth stretched once more, a soft yawn escaping her. "Perfect, as always. Although, I might need a bit more time to fully wake up."
Manny chuckled, his fingers lightly tracing the curves of her wings. "Well, I'll make sure to keep you entertained while you ease into it," he said, a playful smile crossing his face.
"Can't believe you stayed here the entire 2 hours I was asleep," Gypsy said, her voice a mix of surprise and affection as she shifted slightly to face him.
Manny shrugged, a soft chuckle escaping him. "Well, I thought I'd help you relax a bit more. Plus, you're so elegant when you sleep."
Gypsy smiled, her eyes softening. "Elegant, huh? You're just saying that to be sweet."
Manny grinned, leaning in closer. "Maybe. But it's true. You look like you belong in a dream."
Gypsy blushed lightly, her antennae twitching as she playfully swatted at him as a smile tugged on her lips. "Oh, stop it."
Manny chuckled, his eyes gleaming with affection. "I'm serious, Gypsy. You really are beautiful."
The moth sighed, rolling her eyes but unable to hide the warmth spreading across her cheeks as she playfully swatted her husband's arm. "You're impossible, you know that?"
"It's what you love about me, is it not?" Manny said with a sly grin, his eyes twinkling.
"Yeah, it is," Gypsy replied, her tone playful as she rolled her eyes, though the smile on her face gave her away. "You're lucky I do, or I'd have kicked you out of here hours ago."
Manny chuckled, his arm slipping around her waist. "Well, I'm glad you're stuck with me then."
Gypsy leaned into him. "Me too."
Later, after everyone had finished their break, the group began to trickle out of their rooms, chatting and stretching as they gathered in the hallway.
"Alright," David said, clapping his hands together. "Anyone up for a walk down Bourbon Street?"
"Me, me! I am!" Emily shouted excitedly, bouncing up and down like a little ball of energy.
Lily giggled at her daughter's enthusiasm, reaching down to steady her. "Looks like someone's ready for an adventure."
Emily beamed, looking up at her mom. "I wanna see the music and the colors! And maybe get some ice cream too!"
David smirked, tossing a glance at Lily. "Sounds like we've got our afternoon planned already."
The group began making their way out of the Bourbon Orleans Hotel, the chatter and excitement of the city greeting them as they stepped onto the sidewalk.
"How far is Bourbon Street?" Dim asked, his childlike curiosity shining through as he lumbered alongside the others.
"Just a couple blocks," Mike replied, glancing over his shoulder. Then, with a sigh, he added, "And yes, Heimlich, we'll get beignets there."
Heimlich's face lit up, his wings fluttering excitedly. "Oh, wunderbar! I can already taste the powdered sugar!"
Everyone let out an amused sigh as they strolled through the lively streets, the sounds of jazz music and distant chatter adding to the vibrant atmosphere.
"So, Gyps, did you sleep well?" Angela asked, walking beside her with a curious smile.
Gypsy nodded, her expression warm. "I did, actually. Manny made sure of that," she said with a playful glance toward her husband.
Manny straightened up, puffing out his chest. "Of course! A gentleman always ensures his lady gets her beauty rest."
Angela chuckled. "Well, whatever you did, keep it up. She looks radiant."
"Radiant even at my old age?" the moth teased, a hint of self-awareness in her voice.
"Hey, you may be old, but you've still got your looks," Lily chimed in with a grin. "Just… the bottom of your eyes are showing a bit, that's all."
Gypsy let out a soft laugh, touching under her eyes with mock drama. "Ah, the curse of age. At least I've still got charm to make up for it."
Manny smirked. "And don't forget you've got me. That counts for something, right?"
Gypsy gave him a playful nudge. "Oh, more than something, dear."
Once they reached Bourbon Street, the group looked around, taking in the lively scene around them. Brightly colored buildings with wrought-iron balconies lined the street, some draped with beads from past celebrations. The air buzzed with music—jazz pouring out from open doorways and street performers entertaining small crowds.
Vendors called out, selling everything from pralines to handcrafted trinkets, while the smell of fried food and sugary treats wafted through the air. Emily's eyes went wide as she spotted a musician playing a saxophone, tapping her mom's leg eagerly. "Look, Mommy and Daddy! Music!"
Lily smiled. "That's jazz, sweetie. This city's famous for it."
Heimlich sniffed the air dramatically, his face lighting up. "I smell the food! Where are the beignets?"
Mike laughed. "Let's soak in the sights for a bit first, Heimlich. You'll get your food, don't worry."
"So, besides jazz and beignets, what else is around here?" Francis asked, glancing around with his usual mix of curiosity and skepticism.
Tuck and Roll, meanwhile, were thoroughly entertained, chuckling and clapping along to the upbeat rhythm of a street performer's jazzy tune, their excitement drawing smiles from passersby.
"Well," David began, gesturing to the bustling street, "there's plenty—street art, shops, food stands, and maybe a parade if we're lucky."
Angela pointed toward a colorful shop with Mardi Gras masks in the window. "And don't forget the souvenirs. Those masks would make great gifts."
Francis smirked, crossing his arms. "Yeah, because nothing says 'I've been to New Orleans' like a glittery mask that'll just sit on a shelf."
Slim chuckled. "Oh, come on, Francis. Embrace the spirit of the place."
Lily, glancing toward the street, added, "And you can't forget the trolleys. They're kind of an iconic part of the city."
"The trolleys?" Francis asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah, they're like a fun way to get around," Mike said, his hand resting casually on his sister's shoulder. "They've been here since the 1800s, and they run up and down St. Charles Avenue, through the Garden District and all the way to the French Quarter. They're a little old-fashioned but really charming."
David continued, "They're mostly electric now, but they still have that vintage feel. You can ride for just a few bucks, and it's a cool way to see more of the city if you don't feel like walking everywhere."
Angela grinned. "And if you're lucky, you get a seat by the window to watch the street life go by. You'll see everything from local shops to the old oak trees lining the avenue."
Francis raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Hmm, sounds like a trip we could add to the list."
Mike grinned. "We'll have to do it before we leave. It's one of those things you can't miss."
As they walked, the group's attention was drawn to a group of Mardi Gras dancers performing nearby. The lively music filled the street as the dancers swayed and twirled with practiced ease, their costumes shimmering in the sunlight.
Some of the female performers wore revealing bikini-style costumes, their toned midriffs and legs on full display. One dancer had on a sparkling emerald green bikini top paired with matching bottoms that were adorned with gold accents and strands of beads cascading down her hips.
Another wore a hot pink bikini set with sequins that caught the light, her outfit completed by tall glittery heels and a feathered boa draped across her shoulders.
Others combined elements of leotards with daring designs. One performer wore a black and silver one-piece with a plunging neckline and sheer panels along her sides, paired with thigh-high boots.
Another dazzled in a vibrant blue leotard with cutouts along the stomach and back, accented with a flowing train of feathers attached to her waist.
The dancers moved with energy and confidence, their costumes designed to captivate the crowd while adding flair to their choreography.
Each step and turn seemed to bring their outfits to life, drawing cheers and applause from onlookers. Emily clapped enthusiastically, her eyes wide with amazement at the dazzling display.
"Wow. Just look at them," Rosie remarked, her tone a mix of admiration and intrigue as she watched the performers twirl and sway.
"Are they all like this?" Heimlich asked, his wide eyes glued to the dazzling dancers.
Tuck and Roll clapped enthusiastically, cheering in their usual chatter, clearly enjoying the colorful spectacle.
Angela smirked, nudging Mike playfully. "Bet you wouldn't mind if I borrowed one of those outfits, huh?"
Mike chuckled, scratching the back of his neck. "I mean… you'd definitely turn heads."
Rosie rolled her eyes, her voice laced with amusement. "You boys and your wandering thoughts."
"Hey, we can dream, can't we?" David said with a smirk, shrugging his shoulders.
Lily raised an eyebrow and leaned in closer to him, her voice teasing. "Well, maybe your dream is one I can make come true somehow."
David blinked, caught off guard, before a sly grin spread across his face. "Oh, is that so? Should I start placing requests now?"
Lily chuckled, giving him a playful nudge. "Maybe. But only if you behave yourself."
Rosie snickered, shaking her head. "You two are something else."
They later spotted Café du Monde, its iconic green and white awning standing out against the lively backdrop of Bourbon Street. The smell of freshly brewed coffee and sugary beignets wafted through the air, drawing the group in.
"Ah, there it is!" Angela said, pointing ahead with a grin. "Café du Monde. You can't come to New Orleans without stopping here for beignets."
Heimlich's eyes lit up at the mention of the sugary treats. "I can smell them from here! Can we go in now?"
"Let's get in line," David said, already heading toward the entrance. "We'll grab a table and enjoy the experience."
The others followed, the group excited to indulge in the iconic French Quarter staple. Emily bounced along, her excitement palpable as she tugged at Lily's sleeve. "Mommy! Beignets!"
"Soon, sweetie. We're almost there," Lily assured her with a smile.
So, anyone up for the pool after?" Angela asked, a playful glint in her eyes.
"Oh, yeah," Francis replied, already looking forward to the idea.
"Indeed," Manny agreed, his voice full of enthusiasm.
"I did say I was gonna take a dip later," Gypsy added with a soft laugh, glancing over at Manny.
"Or at least put your feet in," Lily teased. "Be a shame if your wings get damaged by the water."
The moth giggled, rolling her eyes playfully. "Yeah, so I've been told so many times."
Rosie smirked. "If only you could join me, Slim, Tuck, and Roll. The water's refreshing."
Gypsy chuckled at that. "Maybe one day we'll all cool off together in a way that's safe for us bugs with wings… but for now, I'll stick to the safe side with mine."
As they went inside, the cool, air-conditioned atmosphere of Café du Monde greeted them, a welcome relief from the heat of the street.
The group made their way to a large table near the window, with a perfect view of the bustling scene outside. The scent of fresh beignets, powdered sugar, and coffee filled the air, making everyone's stomachs growl in anticipation.
"Alright, who's ready for the best beignets in New Orleans?" Mike grinned, pulling out a chair.
"Me!" Emily said eagerly, her eyes wide as she bounced on her feet.
"I think we all are," David added with a chuckle, taking a seat next to Lily.
As they settled in, the waiter came over to take their order. Gypsy glanced around, still marveling at the lively vibe of the place. "This place really has its own energy, doesn't it?"
Francis raised an eyebrow, his gaze drifting to a group of tourists nearby. "Yeah, it's a whole vibe… but I'm here for the food."
The waiter returned quickly, setting down a tray of hot beignets, their powdered sugar almost overflowing. Everyone eagerly dug in, their excitement only growing as the sweet, warm pastry melted in their mouths.
Emily's face lit up as she took her first bite. "Yummy!" she exclaimed, powdered sugar covering her cheeks.
Manny smiled, looking around the table. "Now this is what I call a treat."
"Well, Heimlich? Happy now?" Slim asked, raising a brow as he watched the caterpillar eagerly take his first bite of a beignet.
Heimlich's face lit up with pure joy, powdered sugar already dusting his cheeks. "Oh, ja! This is the most wunderbar thing I have ever eaten!" he declared, taking another big bite, crumbs spilling onto the table.
Francis smirked, leaning back in his chair. "Careful, big guy. Don't eat the whole tray before we get a chance."
Heimlich waved a hand dismissively, his mouth too full to reply. Tuck and Roll clapped and laughed at the caterpillar's enthusiasm, clearly entertained.
"Guess it's Heimlich-approved," David said with a grin as he took another bite of his own beignet.
"Approved and devoured," Angela quipped, watching Heimlich reach for another pastry.
"So, first, how long are we staying here?" Rosie asked as she handed Dim a beignet, powdered sugar lightly dusting her fingertips.
"And next state?" Dim added, his deep, childlike voice curious as he glanced at David and Lily between bites of his pastry.
David wiped some sugar off his fingers before answering. "We're here for another 2 days. Gotta soak in as much of New Orleans as we can."
Lily nodded, taking a sip of her coffee. "After this, we're heading to Texas. First stop is Dallas."
"Texas, eh? That'll be interesting," Manny said thoughtfully. "Plenty of sights to see there, I imagine."
"And hopefully good food too," Francis added with a grin, already imagining what Texan cuisine might have in store.
"Trust me," Mike said, leaning back in his chair. "If there's one thing Texas knows, it's how to eat."
"But one thing we hate about Texas, not to be racist, is the stereotypes," Lily said, her tone thoughtful as she looked around the table. "Whether people actually are like that or if it's just beliefs about what Texans do."
David nodded, his expression serious. "Yeah, the whole 'cowboy' image gets old. It's like people forget there's more to Texas than just boots, hats, and ranches."
Angela added, "And there's a lot of diversity in Texas. It's not just one big, homogenous place like some might think."
Rosie tilted her head, her tone light but sincere. "That's true. Every state has its own reputation, but people forget there's so much more beyond what they see on the surface."
"Well, I'm excited to see what Texas really has to offer, minus the stereotypes," Mike said, grinning. "Besides, it's not like we're here to judge anyone—we're here to enjoy ourselves, right?"
Everyone nodded in agreement, the conversation shifting back to the excitement of their upcoming adventure.
"Uh, Lily, you said 'racist.' What is that?" Gypsy asked, her tone filled with genuine curiosity as she looked to her friend for an explanation.
Lily paused, trying to think of how to explain it simply. "Well, Gypsy, racism is when people judge others or treat them unfairly because of their race or where they come from," she explained slowly.
"It's when someone thinks one group of people is better or worse than another, just because of something like their skin color or background."
Gypsy's wings fluttered lightly as she processed the information. "That sounds terrible," she murmured. "Why would anyone do that?"
David sighed, his voice soft but firm. "Unfortunately, Gypsy, some people are taught those ideas, or they just grow up thinking that way. But it's important to treat everyone the same, no matter where they come from or what they look like."
"That's right," Angela added with a nod. "We're all people, no matter where we're from, so we should treat everyone with kindness."
Gypsy smiled warmly, clearly understanding. "I see. That makes sense."
"Does the ants' treatment of Flik count?" Slim asked. "Because, you know, he was different from the others and was cast away because of it."
Mike then sighed. He, along with his family, always hated being reminded of his now missing best friend ever since Flik abandoned Ant Island. And he hated the fact that he was mistreated just because he made mistakes with his inventions or that he was different.
"Well, I mean…" Mike began, his voice softer than usual. "That's a tough one. It's not exactly racism, but it's definitely discrimination. Flik was treated badly because he didn't fit in with the rest of the colony. He was seen as less because of his ideas and his different way of thinking."
David looked down at his coffee cup, his fingers tapping it lightly. "It's something we all hated about what happened to Flik," he added, his voice carrying the weight of old memories. "He was always trying to help, but people judged him for the smallest mistakes. The colony pushed him out because he wasn't the same as everyone else."
Lily gave a small, frustrated sigh. "Yeah, it's like they couldn't see beyond his differences. He was just trying to be himself."
Angela shook her head. "Flik was one of the bravest bugs we knew. And he got treated like that? It's hard to understand why."
Manny gave a knowing nod, his tone thoughtful. "It's the same wherever you go, isn't it? People fear what they don't understand, and instead of embracing differences, they push them away."
Mike's gaze turned distant for a moment, remembering his friend. "Exactly. He just needed people to believe in him, to see his potential instead of his mistakes."
"I think a lot of people miss that lesson," Gypsy added softly. "Being different doesn't mean you're less."
"If only the ants knew that before they crushed our bond and we had to kick some ass on Jerry Springer," Lily said, taking another beignet, her voice carrying a hint of frustration but also a touch of humor.
Mike rubbed his temple, his smile fading slightly. "But I'd rather not discuss any further about our incident right now," he said, his tone soft but firm, signaling that he didn't want to revisit those painful memories.
"Good call," Heimlich agreed, nodding thoughtfully. "Anyways, what else don't you like about Texas stereotypes?"
Lily chuckled, shifting the conversation. "Well, it's the idea that everyone there is just into cowboy hats and country music, and that they all live on ranches or in the middle of nowhere. It's like, people forget that Texas is a huge state with cities that are pretty modern and diverse."
David leaned forward, his voice serious but light. "Exactly. And the whole 'Texan pride' thing? It's fine, but it doesn't mean everyone there is the same. Some people take it too far, thinking they're better than others just because they're from there."
Angela nodded, sipping her coffee. "Plus, there's this whole thing about people thinking Texans are all loud and outspoken. It's just a stereotype. Not everyone is like that."
Rosie chuckled. "I get it. Some stereotypes are so over the top, they're funny. But still, they're just not true for everyone."
Mike smiled a little, his mood lightening. "Yeah, we're all individuals. Texas or not."
"What's country music?" Dim asked, his head tilting slightly as he looked around at the group.
"And what's wrong with it?" Francis added, his voice curious but tinged with a bit of humor. "I mean, it's just music, right?"
Lily sighed, her tone turning slightly more serious as she set her beignet down. "Country music is a genre that's all about telling stories, mostly about things like heartbreak, drinking, and small-town life. The problem is, a lot of the songs can be pretty repetitive and focus on really old-fashioned ideas, like macho behavior or stereotypes about what it means to be 'tough' or 'American.' It's not that the music itself is bad—it's just the kind of message it pushes sometimes that doesn't sit right."
David nodded in agreement. "Yeah, a lot of country music can be super focused on themes like patriotism, loyalty, and personal struggles, but it often leaves out a lot of nuance. And, well, the way it sometimes glorifies alcohol and toxic masculinity doesn't help either."
Angela jumped in, her voice a little more passionate. "Exactly. It's the whole 'pick-up trucks, cowboy junk, boots, and cold beer' thing. It's a lifestyle that's not necessarily representative of everyone in a place like Texas—or anywhere else, for that matter. It just feels kind of forced sometimes."
Mike sighed, rubbing his neck. "Some of it's catchy, but yeah… there's a lot of it that just doesn't vibe with the way people actually live. Not everyone's a cowboy or a redneck, but that's what a lot of country music makes you think you have to be."
Gypsy chuckled softly. "Sounds like country music is a bit too one-dimensional, huh?"
The group nodded in agreement, reflecting on the idea that while the genre had its place, it wasn't something that resonated with everyone.
"Big Tex in the State Fair and occasional stuff like that we can handle," David said with a shrug. "But cowboy stuff and alcohol isn't really our thing."
Lily nodded, her expression serious but lighthearted. "Exactly. We're more about the people and the places than the whole 'cowboy' stereotype. Not every Texan is out roping cattle and living off being a drunken lame-o."
Angela added with a small laugh, "We like to enjoy the fun parts of Texas, like the food and the culture, without getting bogged down by the old-school, over-the-top cowboy image."
Mike chuckled. "Yeah, we're just looking for a good time without all the country clichés thrown in our faces."
Manny smirked, nodding. "Yes, of course. Life's too short to be stuck in one story."
After everyone finished, they left the restaurant and looked around, taking in the lively atmosphere of Bourbon Street.
"So, should we explore some more around here or head back?" Lily asked, glancing at the group with a playful smile.
Mike stretched his arms overhead. "I'm down to explore a bit more. We've barely scratched the surface of this place."
David looked around at the bustling street, taking in the sounds and colors. "Yeah, there's definitely more to see. We can always head back to the hotel later."
Gypsy nodded. "I'm in. This city has so much life—let's enjoy it while we can."
Manny grinned. "I agree. A little more adventure never hurt anyone."
Tuck and Roll both gave a thumbs-up, clearly happy to be part of the fun.
"Well, looks like we're exploring a bit more, then!" Lily said, leading the way as the group wandered deeper into the heart of New Orleans.
