Ride home.

You aren't certain where the other girls are, but your party hitches a ride all the way back to Avana. It's a dull journey, but it's welcome. You've been through a lot over the past few days. Though you should be resting, you can't help but think about what's ahead. The Vampire Queen is your enemy now, but you have powerful allies too, just like William said. It would be irresponsible to bring everybody to confront her, though. Some of your allies don't fight, and if you were to fail, you would become responsible for the **** of many. There's also the matter of them potentially coming to your manor while you're gone, and then Peony or anyone else left behind would be in trouble. You'll need to figure out who is doing what and where.

It starts to rain. By the time the wagon enters the city, it's coming down rather hard. You and everybody else hurry along the quiet streets greeted only by the patter of raindrops along the cobblestone path. Your clothes start to sag, and you're not the only one.

Your party scurries inside, though before you can follow, a soft hand gently wraps around your wrist. You turn to see Peony there standing happily--more than eager to be out in the rain. Droplets cover her technically naked figure from head to toe. She is in many ways a plant, so instead of running for cover, this girl is energized.

"Welcome home, Lord Warren!" Her smile is wide.

Her grip doesn't loosen. "Hey, Peony. Do you mind waiting until I get someplace dr--"

She then wraps her body around your arm and squeezes tight, soaking you even further. She rubs her head affectionately on your shoulder. "You've been gone so long. I was really worried that something bad happened."

"We've barely even talked," you mutter beneath your breath.

"B-But I'm bound to you, m'lord. You wouldn't marry a girl and then leave her, would you?" She frowns.

"I haven't married anyone! I'm getting water-logged, so--" You look to her pleading face and sigh. "Peony. I missed you too. Thank you for taking care of our home while I was gone."

She giggles. "It was no problem," she hums while finally letting you go. "Please change into something dry before you get sick, okay?"

"Of course." So now you want me dry?

At last, you return to your own abode.

It really does look less impressive by comparison to the castle you were staying at. Though it's large, you've been lacking the funds and resources to fully furnish the interior, so it's mostly barren. But it's home--cozy, relaxing, a place to try and relieve your stress.

By the time you make it inside though, you have no idea where everyone went. The quiet is nice at least. You leave a trail of water behind as you step along the hall--socks squishing in your shoes, hair sticking to your head, clothes feeling heavy. You feel a chill as well. Finally, you reach the door to the bathing room. The last time you were in one of these, you received quite the royal welcome, but now you just want a place to get out of these clothes and warm-up before changing into something comfortable and dry.

You hear murmuring and giggling as you reach the door.

Damn it. Of course they raced here to get in first. Now what am I supposed to do? Guess I'll just go get changed for now...