Sincan stood in the forest for a while, resting under the shadow the trees provided. He had too much to think about. After a while he started walking towards the campsite.

Sincan*: "Is it too hard to ask that I succeed, just for once?"

He walked out of the forest and noticed Jake sitting there, tinkering with his devices. Jake gave him a quick glance and returned to his machines. Sincan had no reason to talk to Jake nor did he feel like he would have a pleasant conversation.

Jake: "Why didn't you go with them? Planning something?"

Sincan: "Not really."

Jake: "As much as I hate to admit it, they do like you."

Sincan: "They like my performance, yes."

Jake: "If that's how you feel then fine."

Sincan made his way to the RV and picked up Moris' gaming device.

Sincan*: "Guess I'll kill some time."

----

A few hours had passed when Jake burst into the vehicle.

Jake: "You look like trash."

Sincan: "What do you want?"

Jake: "Kos called. Says she wants to ask a favour."

Sincan*: "Shit."

Sincan grabbed the phone from Jake's hands and answered.

Sincan: "You're kidding me...Fine..."

Jake: "Anything I should know, oh great boss?"

Sincan: "Need to meet up at someplace called Johnny Frost's."

Jake: "What about the campsite?"

Sincan: "Cervo's coming back."

They proceeded to put on their winter clothes and made their way outside where Cervo was practicing his moves.

Jake: "You okay?"

Cervo: "Fine. Totally fine. I'm good."

Cervo was jittery. Jake had a horrid expression on his face.

Jake: "How much did she make you eat?"

Cervo said with erratic eyes: "How much can the Lyclan body handle?"

Jake slowly backed off.

Jake: "He can handle himself. Let's go."

Sincan nodded and took off with Jake.

----

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

Firil was standing cheerily on the sidewalk with the others. Ice cream in hand, she could not be happier. Moris looked up to find Jake and Sincan turning the corner.

Moris: "Finally."

Shuk waved his hand and the two made their way to the group.

Sincan: "So?"

Kos: "Oh we just had a great idea and didn't want you guys to miss it."

Moris: "What she means is that we're now her carriers. Get ready, boss."

Sincan: "I think that's enough actually, we've had plenty of fun."

Kos: "Are you sure about that, boss? I think there's. lots. of fun to be had."

She flashed him her phone.

Sincan*: "Damn it."

Sincan: "I guess you're right."

Firil: "Really? Thanks, Sincan, you're the best boss I've ever had!"

Moris: "Throwing Vanessa under the bus? Ouch."

Firil: "Except her, obviously. Now let's get started. The night is young, after all!"

And so it began. They started by hitting some of the Appliance stores. It was not only fun for Firil and Kos but for Moris and Jake as well. Moris bought himself a new blender and Jake took one of the stoves. The girls mostly just looked at the cool machines.

After that, it was onto the Beauty stores.

Sincan: "Kind of cliche to go to the store filled with beauty products, don't you think?"

Firil: "Just because it's cliche doesn't mean it's bad. Plus, they look nice. Now hold onto these."

Sincan was trying to balance the bags he was holding. He started walking behind Firil but tripped on something and fell. Kos walked ahead of him with a sly grin on her face. Surprisingly, Jake lent Sincan a hand.

Sincan: "I didn't expect someone like you to help me."

Jake: "I have standards."

They both picked up the bags and started walking towards the group. Shuk was the life of the party, everyone's attention was focused on him.

Sincan*: "What makes him so attractive anyway?"

Finally, they went to the clothing store. It felt like hell for Sincan. Once the nightmare was finally over, they were all standing outside, bags in hand, heavier than even Atlus's burden.

Kos: "Hmmm. I've got an idea."

Sincan*: "I could deal with one less of those."

Kos: "Shuk, Jake. Would you two be willing to take these bags back to the RV?"

Shuk: "I'm pretty strong so I'm sure we'll be able to handle it."

Shuk and Jake grabbed the bags and started heading towards the gates of the city. They were out of sight in no time.

Kos: "I've got a perfect idea. Why don't we try out the sky lifts. I hear the view from them is to die for!"

Firil: "Well if you're so sure, then I'm in!"

Moris: "I'll be sure to snap some pictures."

Sincan: "Fine."

They walked past the sights of the city. Tall buildings at every side.

Sincan*: "I wonder how it looks from up there. Guess I'll see one day."

----

They arrived at the station. A simple ride that traveled throughout the sights of the city.

Kos: "Oh, seems only the couples rides are available."

Sincan: "You have to be kidding me."

Moris: "It's just a ride so who cares."

Moris and Firil paired up together which left Sincan with Kos.

Sincan whispered: "You did this on purpose."

Kos: "And you'll know why soon."

Sincan*: "Wait a minute, is she trying to get rid of me?"

He had no time to think as they boarded their respective carriages. Sincan could see Firila and Moris as they conversed. After a while, his carriage was gently floating through the city. Whenever he looked below, he could see the glimmer of the city. Kos was enjoying the view, unwilling to break the silence.

Sincan: "So why did you do this?"

Kos: "I don't like annoyances, Sincan. I like being in a boring situation so that I don't have to worry about anything."

Sincan: "And?"

Kos: "I don't care enough to keep holding onto your voice tape. Truth be told, it was Shuk's idea anyway."

Sincan: "Knew it."

Kos: "You piss him off or something?"

Sincan: "Yeah."

Kos got up from her seat and stood in front of Sincan. She raised her hand towards him and waited for a reply.

Sincan: "What do you want, tell me?"

Kos: "I promise to delete my copy of the recording and you promise not to mess with me ever again."

Sincan: "This deal seems a bit too sweet."

Kos: "Obviously I don't forgive you for going against what I said but that doesn't mean we can't reach an understanding."

Sincan*: "After all that? Hell no."

Kos: "So do we have an understanding?"

Sincan: "Of course we do."

Sincan*: "And that is that if I can just delete Shuk's copy of the recording, I'll be golden."

----

Moris was enjoying the view with Firil. They couldn't keep quiet and laughed the entire way through.

Firil: "You know what, Mor? you're not half bad."

Moris: "Hehe, really?"

Moris*: "Please don't."

Firil: "Yeah, you've got a charm to you."

Moris*: "Please, just figure it out and leave me."

Moris: "I guess I do, don't I?"

It was an amazing trip. For Firil. They arrived back at the platform. Meeting up with Sincan and Kos, Moris noticed something was off. He didn't question it. After all, it was none of his business.