Blood there, sludge here, and dirt in places Symiel never thought they could be found in.

After essentially becoming a refugee (or rather, a stubborn noble on the loose,) the young man stumbled upon a group of other men (Ruben, a rogue. Sol, a bard. Zane, a cybernetic barbarian. Aleksey, a raccoon creature that’s an artificer.) along the roads of the Barren Underground within the world of Cavernae—a place riddled with monsters and the occasional hibernating Kaiju—but that’s not the point.

It’s been ages since the group last settled down and took a break from constantly fighting for their lives. As someone that grew up with comfort at his fingertips and a wave of his hand, Symiel was exhausted and battered. In truth, so were the others.

With plenty of gold left to use for other necessities, the men eventually found shelter in a hotel not too far from the Middle Ring of the main kingdom. Thankfully, it wasn’t too “disgustingly poor and unhygienic” according to Symiel. So, with everyone settling into their own rooms, he decided to use his time to freshen up, bandage a few wounds, and head down to the hotel’s cafe and library. They didn’t have books with paper like his family house once did, but the technology was enough to get some reading in.

After picking a device out to borrow for the time being, Symiel eventually chose a spot on the second floor’s balcony. Much to his dismay, one other person was there. No matter. Maybe she isn’t that a bad… and won’t bother me… he thought.

“Excuse me, miss. May I?” he gestured to the seat next to you.