Even though Tinz was getting quite used to his new roommate, her words still stung something deep within him. Could a healer really help him? If they still existed, was that his best bet? Endless questions swirled in his mind, but one singular goal still existed for him: get better. He really didn’t like the outlook of things however. How were they supposed to find a healer when they’re just two complete out-of-their-normal-habitat people?

  A Goddess turned internet fanatic… and if they go searching for a healer, Tinz will surely collapse within the first two hours of walking. Sooner than that, even.

  He crunched a cookie as he thought of ways he could avoid walking, crumbs falling to his lap and quickly being collected back up into his hand to be eaten. Magnolia had a makeshift bed at this point on the floor made of tons of blankets and pillows, mostly from Tinz’ bed. His own was nearly barren now save for a few stuffed animals and one lone blanket. He didn’t care much as it made for much less of Magnolia’s complaining that her back hurt from the floor.

  As for the Goddess herself, she was once again hogging up his computer, entranced by whatever streamer was on there doing whatever it was they hooked viewers with. Her expression was blank, too focused on the screen to emote. Tinz simply continued eating his cookies.

  “Hey, internet freak, I have a question.”

  Silence.

  Tinz’ crunching became a bit angrier as he reached into the cookie tin to find he had eaten the last of his snack. Anger was truly rising that afternoon. Slowly, he set the tin down and sighed, trying to reign in his temper. “Magnolia, are you even there?”

  More silence, followed by a nose exhale. Tinz’ fake calm broke, and he grabbed the cookie tin to throw it at Magnolia, albeit his throw was extremely weak.

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  She barely moved a muscle yet caught the tin in one hand; she lowered it to the floor gently, and took out the remaining earbud she was wearing.

  “Yeah?” she looked at Tinz as if he didn’t just chuck metal at her and she didn’t just catch it without even looking.

  “...Nevermind,” Tinz groaned, flopping back into bed. Magnolia quirked an eyebrow but ultimately went back to watching without further comment.

  Tinz’ expression grew worse as he laid there, mind filled with ideas on how he could simply not walk. They all required money, or magic, or–

  “THAT’S IT!” He shot up, quickly falling over to the side from dizziness. Magnolia only looked over with just her eyes, not bothering to move her head. “Can’t you create animals?” Tinz asked while struggling to sit back up.

  At this, Magnolia finally paid attention with a gleam in her eye. “Why yes I can! …But why do you ask?” the gleam dissipated slightly.

  “Well, I, uh,” he stuttered, unwilling to admit he actually kind of wanted to go for the healer idea. “If, hypothetically, we were to look for a healer, I’d need help with walking. Animals are good for that, yeah?” he faked looking quizzical. Magnolia mimicked his facial expression.

  “That’s true, any healers would probably be far from here, so walking is a must… but what’s in it for me?” she grinned mischievously.

  Tinz blinked. “My eternal gratitude?”

  “Not enough!” she slapped her hands on her lap. “Let me use your phone while we travel and then I’ll make you an appropriate creature!” her hands extended forwards with wiggling fingers. Tinz sighed exasperatedly.

  “Okay, fine, just be thankful I have unlimited data,” he grimaced, thinking of his phone bill; surely she’d go over the limit somehow, unlimited or not. Magnolia spun in her seat rapidly with a loud “WAHOO!” When she stopped, and it took her a moment to gain her bearings, she looked seriously at Tinz.

  “So,” she began, “What kinda animal ya lookin’ for,” she said in a strange accent, hands resting on her lap. Tinz faltered.

  “No, why the change in character– actually, nevermind. …Surprise me? As long as I can ride it or it’d work as a service animal,” he nodded.

  With that, Magnolia stood up abruptly and ran to the backyard. Tinz’ eyebrows furrowed in confusion before following after her. When he got there, she already had a summoning circle laid out on the ground, and was holding her arms in front of herself with a determined expression. Tinz gulped.

  “Hope I don’t regret this,” he mumbled as the circle lit up a blueish purple light.