Talk on the road.

For a couple gold, your party hitches a ride with a trade caravan conveniently leaving around the same time. It gives you feet a break, an provides a more safe journey on roads that can occasionally contain monsters. Thankfully, this caravan not only has a handful of different wagons run by merchants, but they've hired several guards to walk along side. It's likely monsters won't even attack in the first place at such a sight. The prey isn't easy enough.

The four of you sit back on the back of a wagon. The road is bumpy, and the seat beneath you is nothing but splintering wood. It certainly isn't the same as Uber.

It's difficult to track time without a watch or phone, but it feels like you've always been on the road for a couple hours, and it'll be at least another or two before you reach your destination. The whole ordeal leaves plenty of time to converse with your allies. The entire time, you can't help but think to yourself just how much a fish-out-of-water you are, yet you've continued to avoid bringing up your situation with the only friends you've made, under fear of them thinking you're insane. Not only did you come from nowhere, but if you opened with admitting you're from another world, it's possible everyone would have avoided you. It's a secret you've decided to hold until you feel closer to those you wish to admit it to.

"Hey, so what are the sunhearts all about, Niki?" you ask, trying to make conversation.

"That's a weird question," she replies. "What do you mean?"

"I've never been to... Uh."

"Oraang Desert. That's where we hail from. Though sunhearts are nomadic, they stay within that general part of the world."

"Maybe you can show me one day."

She starts to look uncomfortable. "Maybe... It's pretty boring though. You'd probably hate it. This empire is much more interesting."

Silence passes by. There's an easy feeling in the air, as it looks as if Niki is unsure of what to say next. You look over the side of the caravan, and watch the emerald hills move by. In the distance, you spot the tips of towering mountains. There's a forest as well, in both directions. The sky is filled with clouds, though not enough to block out the vibrant, warm light from the sun above.

"Thanks for keeping me around, guys," Niki says softly.

Amara turns her head. "Of course, Ms. Vakila."

"Every time I try to join a party, something goes wrong. I was starting to feel kinda..."

"Lonely?" Eva asks.

"Maybe! Look, I'm no good with this. Just thanks for recruiting me, Kyle. You're a cool guy, all things considered."

Eva smiles. "Uhm. I feel the same way. Thank you for not kicking me out already."

Amara nods. "I am also thankful to have such interesting friends."

"Is that what we are, huh?" Niki asks. "Friends? I guess that works for me."

You look down at your handles and twiddle your thumbs. As more time passes, you fall deeper into thought. You've fought monsters with these girls--travelled afar to clear out a dungeon with them, slept around them, saw quite a lot of them, and they were the first people at least somewhat kind to you upon arriving here.