Seek out a place to stay.

With the streets now illuminated only by magic lanterns and a sea of colours across the sky untouched by the pollution of light, you, Niki, Eva, Amara, Snow, and Xiaoqing seek the first tavern you can find, or even better, an inn to sleep after dinner. There's likely no shortage on either considering how many travellers pass through or venture to Tanver's Crossing, especially merchants and adventurers. None of you wish to shop around, so the moment you turn the next corner and see a three-storey building alive with lights and the sound of chatter and laughter, you make your decision to approach.

You still stand out. Either it's because some people know your identity, it's an aura your party gives off, or simply due to the fact that you're gawking around like a lost tourist, but you're slowly learning to ignore the attention. It comes with the territory. Surely if a noble was walking the streets they'd garner some sort of behaviour from passersby, and you're that and more--an adventurer from the beginning, a demon for a time, and a hero now, and on top of that, a king.

The building has a foundation of stone brick while the rest is dark wood, and hanging over a tall set of double doors is a sign that reads, "Journey's End," with a carving of a horizontal greataxe. The entrance is open, filling the street with music and the scent of food.

Niki is of course the first to enter, followed closely by the others. You're last, though you stop short of the entryway when a voice speaks from behind.

You turn to see a young, well-kept man with dirty blond hair pulled tightly back into a stubby ponytail. His face is smooth as is his demeanour, with a confident smile, but a flash of malevolence in his gaze--not bloodlust to the extent to mean you physical harm, but he doesn't hide his intentions nearly enough to avoid your Kitty Sense's vibe check. He's clad in form-fitting metal plates. At his side is a thick gold-trimmed blade, and a shield hangs from a strap off his back.

"Outsider, huh?" the guy asks with an arrogant tone in his voice. When he speaks, he looks briefly to his two companions, likely for assurance.

"Yeah. It's a crossroads directly connected by road to Tivera. Aren't there a lot of outsiders here?"

"Not what I mean. There's a different, you know? Between somebody travelling to Tanver's Crossing, and an outsider. Some people struggle to fit in."

At his right is a dwarven man who stands short even by the standards of his kin, though his beard nearly touches the ground. He walks with a staff much taller than him, and is garbed in thick, dark navy robes. He seems to often laugh whenever the face of his party speaks, backing up everything he says with a sneer. And every time a chuckle escapes him, he slaps his round stomach.

"What he's telling you," speaks the third and final companion, at his left. "Is that you look like a lost puppy," she says. The woman is an elf, with short, green hair, so dark that it almost appears black, especially without the vibrance of the sun. She wears dark leather from neck to feet, with an incredibly deep cut V between her cleavage all the way to her belly button. At her hip dangles a hand crossbow and quiver of bolts, while three blades are sheathed on the opposite end, each a different style and length.

The pony-tailed man smirks. "Just kinda makes me laugh whenever I see a man walking around with a bunch of beautiful women, like he's trying to convince everybody around him that he has game. It's always the same. Then on their first real adventure, they fall to a pack of goblins."

"Goblins!" shouts the dwarf with a wheeze. He smacks his hand against his stomach again.

Envy. Yeah that's the go-to for when guessing the intentions of a bully, but I think it's really true. He must see a lot of visitors from afar here, of all different sorts, but he's singling me out. Either he's drastically underestimating me, or he's upset I'm entering the inn with, who some may describe as, five baddies. Either that or he just does this to everybody, which is even sadder. It feels weird to say this, but I suddenly miss Imaeris. I'd rather it be him.

"If I see any goblins in there, I'll let you know. Don't catch a cold out here," is all you respond before heading inside. You can feel the leader's frustration as he's ignored and dismissed so easily.

You moment you step foot inside, you're greeted by the welcoming smiles of your own companions, and it's like the previous conversation never happened.