“For the last time, I’m not lost! I’m just a regular traveler.” Talia put her hands on her hips. “And to prove it, I’ll help you with... whatever it is you do here.”

“Help us?” Zane raised an eyebrow. “I don’t know, Sparkles. Do chandeliers know how to mine? Or farm? Or chop wood?”

“Chandeliers?” Talia sputtered, her voice rising. “I—! Listen, I can totally help with this... humble village.”

“’Humble’? That’s a nice way to say ‘falling apart.’” Lyra smirked. “Okay, Princess Sparkles. You want to prove yourself? Farming, mining, or woodcutting? What’s your pick?”

Talia puffed out her chest. “All of it.”

Darius raised an eyebrow. “Ambitious.”

Zane sighed. “Fine, but first you need a place to stay. We’re big on hospitality here in Drudgery.” He pointed at a pile of wood on the ground. “There’s the inn.”

Talia’s eyes widened. “That’s not an inn. That’s a pile of junk.”

“Welcome to Drudgery!” Lyra threw her arms wide. “Luxury accommodations for the fancy traveler.”

Talia pressed a hand to her head. “I can’t believe this place is even allowed to exist.” She flipped her cloak dramatically. “Fine! I’ll stay outside the village. I brought a tent.”

The trio stared at her.

“You brought... a tent?” Zane asked, half confused, half surprised.

Lyra clapped her hands. “Oooh, let me guess! Does it sparkle like your robes? Maybe it’s made of diamonds?”

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“It’s a perfectly normal tent!” Talia snapped. “Nothing fancy.”

Darius tilted his head. “Why bring a tent to a simple countryside visit?”

“Because I plan ahead!” Talia crossed her arms. “That’s what normal people do.”

“Sure it is,” Zane said.

They left the village, walking until they reached a small clearing. Talia pulled a small, fancy-looking cube from her pouch.

“What’s that?” Lyra asked. “A jewelry box?”

“No,” Talia said smugly, holding the cube up. “It’s my tent.”

Zane raised an eyebrow. “Your tent is a jewelry box?”

Ignoring him, Talia tossed the cube into the air. It hovered. Glowed. Hummed. With a flash, the cube unfolded.

Threads of magic wove together. Walls of swirling stardust turned solid. The roof burst open like a flower. A crystal lamp floated down beside the door, flickering warmly.

The whole structure glowed. It was beautiful. Magical. And way too much.

Lyra’s jaw dropped. “This isn’t a tent. It’s a palace from the heavens. Does it serve tea? Please tell me it serves tea.”

Zane pointed at the glowing structure, eyes wide. “This isn’t blending in! This is the opposite of blending in! Do you even know what a tent is, Sparkles?”

Talia crossed her arms, trying to look unimpressed by her own creation. “It’s a tent. Perfectly normal.”

“It looks like it’s about to fly into the sky,” Zane shot back. “Is that one of the ‘normal’ features?”

Lyra ran over to the entrance, sticking her head inside. “Oh my gosh, it’s bigger on the inside! And are those floating chairs? I need one. No, I need three.”

Talia pinched the bridge of her nose. “It’s basic. Normal. Standard equipment for a well-prepared traveler.”

“Normal travelers don’t summon a glowing star mansion from their pocket!” Zane said, throwing his arms up.

Lyra came back, grinning. “This is the best thing ever! I’m moving in.”

“No, you’re not!” Talia snapped.

“Why not?” Lyra pouted. “It has room! And floating chairs!”

Darius stepped forward. “You say you want to blend in. But everything you do says the opposite. Why?”

Talia flinched, her confidence cracking. “Because...” She hesitated, then waved her hand. “Because I like to be prepared! Is that a crime?”

Zane smirked. “If this is blending in, I’d hate to see you standing out.”

Talia bristled. “It’s a normal tent.”

“Right,” Zane said. “And I’m the King of Drudgery.”

Lyra gave him a mock bow. “Your Majesty.”

Darius turned to leave. “Let’s hope her blending efforts don’t cause trouble for the village.”

Talia groaned, watching them walk away. “I don’t care what they think. I don’t.”