Find a seedy inn.

Nearby, there's a run-down old building with noise coming through boarded-up windows. There's a sign falling off a nail that reads, "Rose's Bud". The door creaks as you push it open, and inside are several people at tables around a small room. They're laughing and drinking and overall having a great time, though it's definitely not the nicest tavern in the world. Everything is made of old, splintering wood, and you pass by some broken glass on the way through.

There's a woman behind the counter with red hair and a patch over her right eye. The arm on the same side is marked with colourful symbols and imagery as a sleeve all the way from her shoulder to her wrist. She has a leather vest opened deep enough to show a generous amount of her chest. As you approach and look closer, there's yet another small marking on her right bosom of an anchor.

"You like what you see, sailor?" she asks.

"Oh, uh. Sorry. I'm Kyle, and this is my party," you reply.

"Amazing."

All right. I guess she doesn't really care who people are in a place like this. Dumb thing to say. "We just need a place to stay for awhile. We've got money."

"Then pull up a seat and enjoy your stay. Rose's Bud is open for anyone... unless they're a guard. But if you cause too much trouble, I'll throw your ass out in a second. Need a drink? You look like you've been through a lot tonight."

"You can tell?"

She eyes over Lalarin beside you. "A bit."

Lala once again eyes over her lack of pants. "S-Sorry. This isn't proper at all. Honestly, this is only temporary."

The woman laughs. "I don't care. No judging here. Walk around with your tits out if you really want. Honestly, I respect it."

Fang raises her hand. "So do I."

"Can we talk about something else?" Lalarin pleads.

Your party sits at the counter. You take a deep breath as you're finally able to rest your legs, and the rest of your body as well. It feels like you were just blown through multiple walls and crushed by a robot. With a hand on your head, you lean your below on the counter and look to the woman before you.

"Do you got a room we can sleep in just for tonight?" you ask. "We can pay."

She nods. "Common room in the back, though it's not the prettiest."

"A weird way to advertise."

"You don't all look like the type to frequent this place. It's not hard to tell."

You can't help but stare, not because she's beautiful, or because of her chest. You have a strange feeling yet again. It isn't of darkness though. Instead, you feel a sunny warmth. There's pain and fear, but at the forefront is the sense of family. You notice her eyes are on the other patrons, not yourself. The room may be dirty, yet there are makeshift fixes throughout.

"This is a safe haven, huh?" you ask.

"What was that?" She turns back. "Guess so. Everyone needs one."

"... I understand."

"You look familiar. Though I suppose that's because you're just one of many who are wanted. Especially since the new king took the throne."

"Wait, what was that?"

"Yeah. He's really cracking down on crime, or so he says." She eyes you over. "You're not just an adventuring party, are you? Otherwise I'm damn sure you wouldn't be here. I can see it in your eyes."

"Now you're curious?"

She smirks. "I don't know. Maybe it's something you said."

"Yeah. I'm wanted, and for a stupid reason. I'm only here to rescue my comrades and get back home."

From behind the desk, she pulls out a small piece of chocolate. As she nibbles, she leans back on the wall behind her--next to a shelf of bottles. She chews and swallows, and then finally looks back to you. "I've got two special rooms in the back, but they'll cost you more."

Fang huffs. "Now we're being up-sold."

That's not it. Her entire mood shifted. She would have told us about those rooms before if she was just trying to milk us for our money. She also didn't even tell us what the common room was going to cost. I'm getting a strange feeling from her, but it's a positive one.

"Thank you. My name's Kyle, like I said before. Just Kyle." You wink.

She grins. "Rose. Welcome to my inn. Have fun splitting the rooms, because I don't got four."