Jon followed Marsha out of the arena. Instead of turning into the street, they went further into the alleyway. Here, there were staircases built into the wall.

Going up here, led to the top of a small building. They walked across until they were back at the main road.

Marsha took a seat on the edge. Jon did the same. The busy road of people hung underneath them.

They didn’t speak for a while. They just allowed themselves to take in the surroundings.

“I don’t quite get what all of this is about,” Marsha finally said.

Jon raised his eyebrow.

“These people… I don’t understand what they live for.” Marsha sat up. “I”m not saying it’s foolish of them, but I don’t quite know what it means to live… a meaningless life, you know?”

Jon took in the sights. He somewhat understood, but he had lived on the farm. His days were spent looking at the farm or fiddling with blunderbuss. Even with the few times he visited the Apartha Townsend with Dan, He never understood what it meant to live in such a busy place. What did people spend their time doing?

“Yeah,” Jon said simply.

“I do not mean to make this about myself,” Marsha continued. “I’m just happy to have a break from all of this nonsense.”

She made a flick of the hand towards the arena. “Stupid people wanting stupid stuff. I never understand it.”

“What do you want?’ Jon asked.

Marsha sat quietly before responding.

‘I want to travel the world. I want to become strong. I want to be the best version of that.”

Jon nodded. “Me too.”

“Ahh, I knew you were a kindred spirit.” Marsha relaxed in her posture as much as John had ever seen. "Is that why you joined up with your friends?”

“Yep.” Jon answered.

“That’s why I departed with Jocasta.” Marsha made a sigh. “She can be a handful, and it’s stressful, but being around her also meant that I’ve been able to have all sorts of experiences I never would have done without her.”

She leaned onto her thighs. “I just wished she took care of herself more. “I want to care about her… but she makes it hard.”

Jon hummed in agreement.

She turned to him.

“Would you like a drink?”

Jon nodded.

Marsha quickly dropped down off the roof from where she sat. Soon, she came back up, pulling herself with one hand, the other hand carry a bottle and two cups.

She separated the cups and gave one to Jon. She opened up the bottle and poured each of them a cup.

“To headaches,” she mentioned, holding her cup up.

“To headaches,” Jon murmured. He clicked cups with her and took a drink.

It was still a far way away from Farmer Grave’s drink, but at least there seemed to be a sweet flavor.

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“I’d been holding on to this for a while,” Marsha explained. “I wished I could have shared it with Jocasta… but I never thought there could be a moment when she could appreciate it. She has these very particular tastes, you know?”

Jon nodded again, taking a second pour of the bottle and drinking it. It was now he started feeling how tired his body was after all of the exercising earlier.

They took a third and a fourth cup each, Marsha gave more and more of her personal thoughts as she did.

“Sometimes, I feel like she just looks through me,” Marsha continued. “I mean, I live my life, more or less to protect her from any danger that could come her way, right?”

Jon’s head felt heavy and light at the same time. He nodded slowly and took another drink.

“Leaving us to clean up. Why do we always have to clean up?”

“I like cleaning up,” Jon admitted.

Marsha nodded. “I see. I hope I didn’t insult you.”

Jon shook his head. "It’s annoying, but I like it.”

They went on like this, Marsha continuing to talk as Jon glumly responded and drank. Eventually, Marsha stopped talking, and she and Jon took turns finishing the bottle.

Jon was feeling hyper and exhausted at the same time. He wondered if it had something to do with his emotions.

“It seems that it’s getting close to night,” Marsha said.

The sun was partway down the horizon, making the sky a warm pink. Jon nodded.

“I think… perhaps, I should turn in,” Marsha said. “I must be ready for tomorrow. I’m sure Joanna can take care of herself tomorrow.”

Jon nodded. He then followed her off of the roof.

At the bottom of the staircase, deep into the crevice that was the end of the alley way, was a wooden door. She pulled out a giant key and unlocked it.

Jon grimaced with understanding. It made sense.

She turned to Jon.

“I don’t think Jocasta will be back here for a while,” Marsha said. “She’s probably planning out for tomorrow, but she can do that herself. Would you like to come inside?”

“I should get back,” Jon answered. Not only was he tired, but he also wanted to get back to the library before anyone got worried about him. The last thing he needed was Hector coming back and causing a scene.

“Okay, Jon. Good night, then.”

Jon gave a silent wave.

She closed the door behind her. Jon departed through the outdoor hallway. Part of him regretted not going inside to a palace where he could be comfortable. But if Joanna were to show up, he didn't think he could ever be comfortable.

He walked past the curtain entrance without incident.

At least until he heard someone call at his back.

“Hey!”

Jon rolled his eyes as he turned around. Jocasta was peeking out front he curtain. She stepped out.

“You wouldn’t be trying to poach my best worker, would you?” she asked with a grin.

Jon had nothing to say. He didn’t have time for this. He turned and started walking away.

“Wait! I have to pay you!” Jocasta ran out from the curtain and cut him off.

“You did good work today!” Jocasta explained. “You and your friend-”

Jon tried to peek past her arm. He considered even shooting her aside with his gun so that he could walk by, but he was even too tired for that. He sighed.

“I don’t need it,” Jon explained. “I’ll just show up tomorrow.”

“What, are you like allergic to money or something?” she asked, genuinely curious.

Jon shook his head. “Just tired.”

“Too tired for money?” Jocasta shrugged. “You must not have anybody at home to worry about.”

Jon’s eyebrows arched. “I don’t… My family takes care of me.”

“And you take care of them?” she asked back.

“I have a job,” Jon answered. “I’m… I’m King’s Guard.”

Even as he spoke it, it felt a little false. Every time he spoke with Lana, he was a little further into the process, but there was also something always missing before it became official.

“You’re nice for King’s Guard,” Jocasta explained. “I’ve met some of them up north. Not very nice people. Always begging for tolls, and-” Jocasta shook her head. “Whatever. You’re not like them. I like giving you money.”

It felt like a genuine compliment, and so Jon smiled. “Thank you.”

“I’d keep trying to hire you,” Jocasta explained, “but I think you’re gonna keep rejecting me.”

“Yep.” Jon gave a smug smirk.

“That’s okay. You’re one of the good ones, I suppose. We need you out there.” Jocasta shrugged. “I trust you’ll give us a good show tomorrow.”

Jon nodded with a smile. “Tomorrow.”

Jocasta stepped aside. Jon walked off, glad that for once he and Jocasta were able to come to common ground.