Steven: "Right, I actually found something and thought you might like it."


    I had the pistol bouncing around in my pocket and since the timing isn''t going to get better, I may as well hand it to Madelyn now.


    Madelyn: "Oh, a musket pistol?"


    If Madelyn is such a gamer, she might like the musket pistol I lifted off Mayer. It''s not exactly the best gift in terms of origin, but it''s perfect if I try to think like her. It''s historical value and the themes of medieval fantasy magic mean the musket is perfect for a rogue like her.


    Madelyn: "Ooh~ it''s a flintlock."


    Steven: "You know about guns? You can have it if you''d like it."


    Madelyn: "I just happen to play video games. Where did you get it?"


    Steven: "Looted it from the fort."


    Madelyn: "Is there like... replication magic so it has infinite ammo?"


    Woah, she''s already trying to customize it?


    Steven: "I... well, don''t know. It''s possible the mages at Twilight might know how to do it."


    Madelyn: "We should name it... uhh~ let me—oh! It''ll be called the "1776 Flintlock Scavenger variant."


    Steven: "Can you even remember a name like that? What does scavenger even have to do with it?"


    Madelyn: "Yeah, you looted it like a scavenger looking for gold. You know, let me keep a theme here. I''ll start wearing a bandana once it''s enchanted with replication magic."


    I may have to stop her...


    She showed restraint and handed it back. Does she not want it?


    Madelyn: "Here, you can have it back."


    Steven: "You don''t want it?"


    Madelyn: "Not right now… I don''t have a holster so please don''t let me lose it."


    She couldn''t avert her gaze. It drew her in but resisted its call. I eventually put it away in my bag for safekeeping.


    Steven: "Did you find anything out about Joan?"


    I sat next to her and faced away from Joan as she was with Lilith.


    Madelyn: "Joan… why are you being secretive and whispering?"


    Steven: "You''re the closest I''ll get to a psychologist right now and I don''t want to ask her. It might make her sad."


    Madelyn: "Selective mutism or Aphasia."


    She crosses her legs and clasps her hands.


    Madelyn: "I thought it was passive-aggressiveness but Lilith found out she was 9. I''m sure it''s one of the 2."


    She sighs and looks back at Joan.


    Madelyn: "Don''t take it as fact, it''s just my observation."


    Steven: "If it''s mutism, you think she''ll be able to talk one day?"


    Madelyn: "I honestly don''t... know... huh..."


    Joan gets away from Lilith and crawls towards us. She leaned against my back, catching me completely off guard. It scared me a little and I put my arms out as a barrier to keep her from falling.


    Steven: "Easy, I don''t want you to fall off the bed."


    Lilith: "Joan says she''s tired."


    Steven: "She said that?"


    Steven: "Well, alright then. It''s an hour early from the usual time but we can all get ready for bed."


    Madelyn: "Is she getting a bed to herself or sharing?"


    Lilith: "She wants to share with... Rayna and Steven."


    With Rayna...


    Great, I have to walk again...


    If it''s the last time for the rest of the day then I''ll live with it. The dorm isn''t that far to begin with.


    Madelyn: "She wants to sleep with the heroes of today."


    Steven: "I don''t want to leave you 2 alone."


    Lilith: "We''ll be fine."


    Madelyn: "Yeah… I don''t have to hear you snoring."


    Steven: "I don''t snore..."


    Lilith: "You do... it''s just not as disruptive as she''s making it out to be."


    Madelyn: "Don''t kill it, Lilith!"


    I grabbed my bag of clothes and took everything I''d need; mostly clothes. As I prepared my bag, Madelyn was tossing around ideas in her head.


    Madelyn: "You think we can sell our technology and be rich?"


    Steven: "Don''t… I love this world the way it is."


    Madelyn: "How''s that?"


    Steven: "Simple… it''s simply beautiful. Adventuring with everyone these past few months taught me multiple lifetimes and I wouldn''t mind if this trend kept going for a little longer."


    The room fell quiet.


    I couldn''t possibly have made it awkward!


    When I turned to see what was going on, Madelyn and Lilith were sitting close together on the bed staring me down.


    Madelyn: "Are you thinking what I''m thinking, Lilith?"


    Lilith: "Wights are calm but get sentimental easily?"


    Madelyn: "Scary~ can''t imagine dying and waking up with the mindset of a reminiscent monk."


    Steven: "Hey!"


    These girls!


    I''ll get them good one day.


    I throw my bag over my back and grab Joan by the hand. I was ready to head over to Rayna''s dorm for the night and said my goodbyes.


    Steven: "You ready, Joan? We''re going to Rayna''s dorm... see you all tomorrow. Goodnight."


    Lilith: "Goodnight—"


    Madelyn: "Goodnight—"