Maria stared blankly at me for a moment before bursting out laughing. “Oh, Makers no, dear. I only called him that since he thinks himself such a charmer. Doesn’t help that half the women in the camp agree with him.”

Awkward though it was to be laughed at, I was glad my companion was at least viewed as trustworthy.

“I know trying to wrap your head around these things we say can be a bit much. Don’t let it bother you over much dear. Most of us would be happy to set you right if you have questions.”

“Thank you.”

“Now best I be getting off to work. Those sheets won’t wash themselves. Take care dear.” Maria informed me before heading out the door.

I felt a little lost now that I was left to my own devices.

With nothing better to do, I examined the bed. Just like the rest of these people’s fabrics, the sheets and blankets were astonishingly soft and smooth. The pillow may as well have been a cloud. A little excited to finally have a real bed after so long, I climbed on to lie down.

After many long years, I had almost forgotten what it was like to lie on an actual bed. I was quite certain I had never lain on a bed like this though. I doubted that even the elders had beds this nice back in Sanctuary Valley.

After a few blissful moments spent doing absolutely nothing, I got back up to examine the chest. It was a plain wooden box with a lid. There was plenty of space for me to store all of my stuff, aside from my spear. There was even room for the things that had once belonged to Martin's departed party member.

I looked down at the bag I had been carrying since meeting Martin's team. It had served me extremely well so far, but I wasn’t sure if I was going to be permitted to keep it.

It made perfect sense to let me use the dead man’s items while we were traveling back to the camp. Now that we were back though, I was worried that I would be forced to return them. It was possible that the man had family who would have had first claim over his belongings.

I hoped not. I really liked having a bag that wasn’t full of holes.

I was going to need to offer to return the things sooner or later. With a sigh, I set out to do just that.

I found Salvador waiting for me just outside of the building. He seemed to instantly pick up on my reluctance to bring up my borrowed supplies.

“Why the long face? Were the accommodations not to your liking? Perhaps we could find a nice space to pitch a tent instead.”

I had no idea what the length of my face had to do with anything, but I did not want to lose the opportunity to sleep in a bed over a misunderstanding.

Before I could formulate a response, Salvador held up his hands in a placating gesture. “You may relax, I am only joking. Now tell me, what is on your mind?”

It was another unfamiliar turn of phrase, but I was fairly sure he was asking what I was thinking about.

“Do I need to give this back?” I asked while holding up the borrowed bag.

“Oh, I had nearly forgotten about that. Regrettably, there is another with claim to our departed Reginald’s belongings.” My disappointment must have shone on my face as he continued. “Worry not, should it be necessary, we shall find you suitable replacements. There may even be a chance that you will be permitted to keep what you have already. Let’s go ask.”

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Salvador led me back across the camp to one of the wooden buildings. Even at a distance I could hear shouting from within.

“Worthless, all of you! I require samples of completely new specimens, not just more of what you happen to find nearby!” A man’s voice bellowed.

“Sounds like our friend is in a good mood.” Salvador joked. “Let’s go have a chat, shall we?”

Reluctantly, I followed Salvador into the building. I was surprised to find a cluttered collection of plants taking up most of the room in the building. Three men dressed like the builders I had seen outside were being reprimanded by a man half their size.

The shouting man had an impressive amount of hair, considering that none of it was on the top of his head. As the man shouted, his prodigious red beard waved about wildly. I was too distracted by the animated facial hair to translate more than a few of the words he was shouting.

Eventually, the man dismissed the workers and turned towards us. His scowl faded somewhat as he sighted Salvador.

“Bah, I see the indigenous life has yet to do you in.” He remarked in what might have been a joking tone. “So, other than to bask in my glory, what brings you to my workspace? Hopefully you brought me something more interesting than these dullards can manage.”

“I most certainly brought something interesting, though perhaps not what you would be expecting. It is my understanding that the late Reginald owed you something of a debt?” Salvador asked.

“That’s right. That blowhard was as good at dice as he was at making friends. The monster that finally put an end to his blathering cost me over a thousand credits.” The bearded man grumbled while running a hand through the poofy red hair on the side of his head. “That his stuff then?”

“That it is. Though I do believe my lovely friend here would be remiss to part with it.”

“Who’s this now?” He asked, glancing towards me. “Wait… You're that Kyo girl, aren’t you?”

“Yes.” I replied. I wasn’t given time to say anything else before the man resumed speaking.

“You’ve already done more good for me than half the imbeciles, did you know that? The moment you got close enough for the system to latch onto your codex, my job became that much simpler.”

“What… job?” I asked.

“What job? What job!? Do you not know who I am, girl?” He rumbled indignantly. “I am Alexander Zwick, the greatest botanist this world has ever seen and you should be honored to have the pleasure of meeting me.”

I had absolutely no idea how to respond to an introduction like that. Fortunately, I wasn’t alone.

“Now, now Mr. Zwick. You can hardly blame a girl for not knowing the names of those on the other end of the world. Besides, you have certainly already benefited from her knowledge of local plant life.” Salvador remarked as I floundered for a reply.

“That is true…Very well, I’ll forgive your ignorance just this once. Maybe I’ll even name a fern after you at some point for your assistance. Now what was it you were here for again?” He asked, seeming to have totally forgotten.

“Reginald’s possessions and what you intend for them.” Salvador reminded him.

“Bah, I hardly have a need for that rubbish.” He waved a hand dismissively. “If you can bring me some new samples I’ll let you keep the lot of it.”

“Samples? Of plants?” I was fairly sure that was what the man wanted, considering that he had a job that translated to ‘one who studies plants’. I wanted to be sure though.

“Obviously! I want you to bring me new plants that I haven't seen before. Surely this jungle holds a wondrous bounty just waiting to be discovered.”

Rather than reply to the loud man, I dug through my borrowed bag. It didn’t take me long to locate the item I was looking for.

Mr. Zwick’s eyes widened at the sight of the cocoa pod. I barely had my hand out of the bag before he snatched away the seed pod.

“What is this little marvel? Hmm?” He said examining the plant with an almost unnerving amount of focus. He soon started muttering things to himself while turning the pod about in his hands.

I didn’t want to interrupt him, but Salvador held no such reservations.

“A good enough trade, yes?”

“What? Oh. Yes, yes. Take the trifles and go.” He said distractedly, not even bothering to look away from the pod as he waved one hand dismissively.

Salvador gave Mr. Zwick a cheerful wave leading me back outside. “Sadly, we must part ways here as I have other matters to attend to. Should you have further need of me, merely send a message and I shall endeavor to come swiftly to your aid. Do take care until we meet once more.” He said before giving me a flourished bow and sauntering off.

I was now alone in a camp full of strangers with little idea what to do with myself.

At least now I knew I would be allowed to keep Reginald’s nice bag.