{-Myr-}

She alternated between being dragged down by the real reason Casrane was here and why they were doing this, to trying to make the most of the moment together. Someone had to be the positive one, after all. No matter what else was going on, it didn’t change the fact that Casrane was with them now, and they should take the most out of the opportunity.

And when even that couldn’t motivate her? Myr thought about where they were heading next—Ilaetasi.

If not just to keep away the silence, as soon as they entered the city, she asked, “Do you think we could make a tiny detour and visit Esaphi? I know it hasn’t been that long since we last saw her, but I want to know how she’s doing.”

Casrane considered it, then nodded. “It won’t take away too much time.” She glanced at the players. “So long as you’re okay with it? You probably don’t have a lot of extra time…”

Zetai shrugged. “I’m pretty sure we’ve all got more spare time than you realize we do. Maybe except for Reynneak, he still pretends to have a life. But that wouldn’t matter anyway—I don’t think any of us mind if the twins want to. It’s no fun if we stick strictly to the quest.”

“We shouldn’t take too long with Kulric,” Reynneak agreed. “We should all be able to see her before we have to leave for the day.”

Tinath caught sight of something the rest of them didn’t, though, and casually remarked, “Or before we even got to the shop.” Prompted by Myr’s look, she gestured towards where Esaphi and her parents were.

First, Myr simply observed them for a moment to determine two things: if it was really them, and if they were having any kind of bad conversation. Deciding that they were, in fact, Esaphi and her parents, and their conversation seemed to be on the lighter side, she spared no more time in walking up to them.

“Good afternoon, Esaphi!” she said, gaining the attention of all three of them. “I, uh, hope I didn’t interrupt anything. I didn’t expect to see you in the city, I had to come over and say hi!”

Esaphi gained an even bigger smile when she saw the six of them. “Oh, Llewel and Myr! And the players! And—Casrane? You’re here, too?” She glanced at her parents and, before she could even ask anything, they nodded and she walked the rest of the way to them. “What brings all of you back here so early? Nothing… bad, I hope..?”

Casrane shook her head, managing a small and almost genuine smile. “No, it’s nothing worth worrying you over.”

“What are you with the twins for? I didn’t… think that was something you were going to do again…”

Unintentionally or not, Casrane avoided giving a proper answer. “We’re just here to check in with Kulric.”

“There’s a quest to visit each of the shopkeepers,” Myr explained. “But since we were here I wanted to see how you were doing! And it looks like you’re good! Or I’m guessing so, if you’re actually in the city?”

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Esaphi nodded. “More or less. I’m still not… completely sure about being out in the city, but there was something I needed to do here. Apparently they’re going to do an event I’m involved in and I wanted to talk with the person who’d be organizing it…”

“That sounds exciting! And I bet you’re going to do great, no matter what it is! Because you’re great no matter what you do.”

“Maybe if I keep thinking about your positive attitude, I’ll be able to do it without feeling like I want to melt into a puddle…” She shook her head. “But you’ve probably got other places you need to be, right? Are you going to be staying the night?”

“That’s the plan!”

“I’ll come meet you later in the inn. That way I won’t take too much of your time now.” Esaphi glanced at Llewel and Casrane, too. “Then we can all talk without being in a rush or anything.”

Myr didn’t know if she was exactly happy with that decision—it was easier to forget the situation around someone else who didn’t know what was happening—she nodded with everyone else. From there, Casrane waved goodbye, and continued to lead the way to the shop. They didn’t say anything until they were right in front of the shop.

“I’ve got something else to do, but the rest of you can go ahead and complete this part of the quest,” Casrane mumbled. “I’ll come meet you inside when I’m ready.”

Llewel grabbed her hand before she walked away. “Can’t someone else go with you, at least..? Or can you tell us what, exactly, you’re going to get?”

She shook her head. “I promise, it’s just something a little further away from here. I’m not getting into any trouble.” She pulled her hand back and left before any other objections could be made.

Reynneak, though hesitant, took the first step to the shop. “Well, I have a feeling there’s no point in waiting for her. We might as well do what we can while she’s gone.”

Everyone, albeit all with some form of reluctance, mumbled or nodded their agreement. They walked into the shop together, Kulric peered around a player at the counter to give them his greeting.

Once that was done, he called in a more natural way, “I’ll be right with you in a moment!” before returning to the other player.

“Is there anything we need to get while we’re here?” Zetai asked, glancing at Reynneak. “Everything still well-stocked from what we got from Ucadra?”

“We didn’t use that much stuff,” Tinath remarked quietly. “We avoided even the easier fights…”

“As far as I’m concerned, the less fights we’re in, the better,” Llewel pointed out. “Casrane was right to try to keep us out of them.”

She shrugged. “I get that. But I still think I’d feel better if I could tear up some enemies.”

Completely unaware of the conversation, Kulric must’ve finished talking with the other player, because he walked up to them and asked, “Now, just to make sure, I sense that you’ve got the box from Ucadra’s quest with you. Are you here for that or are you just looking to shop?”

“We’re here for the box.” Zetai handed it to him.

He just brought it behind the counter for a minute, did something with it, then returned it to her. He glanced at each of them, a sense of knowing in his eyes that Myr hated to acknowledge. “So, got any plans for the remainder of your stay in Ilaetasi, or are you planning on heading out right away?”

“We’re probably going to head to the inn as soon as Casrane gets back,” Llewel answered.

Myr nodded, once again being the more optimistic of the two. “We met with Esaphi on our way here! She’s going to meet us there and we’re going to be able to talk for a little while. But tomorrow, we’re probably going to start heading to Kehnore.”

“Be careful,” Kulric said. “But… maybe I don’t have to say that. You’ve got all these players and Casrane with you.”

Llewel glanced back at the door and frowned. “I’m not too confident in all of that…”