For some inexplicable reason, several aborigines felt a shiver run down their spine. They halted their steps somewhere on the inn stairs.
They had just come from a wonderful meal in the Inn Canteen as they were too tired from their travels to go outside (they ate different flavors of noodles) and the premier restaurant next door was fully booked.
Veronica rubbed her arms as she looked around, "I feel targeted."
Cassandra nodded, but thought it was just the cold as she continued climbing up, seeing the hallways with large maneuvrable windows letting air inside.
After all, the fresh breeze could enter the building and it was quite refreshing.
"Hm, you're right," Veronica said, following the other girl to their designated room.
Cici and Vivi followed promptly, also looking around a bit. "Here's your room," one of the so-called 'bellhops' arrived and pointed certain doors. "These two rooms are the premier suite, for the two ladies."
As noble ladies, they never shared rooms.
"These two rooms are the family rooms. One for the lady servants, and the other for the guards."
"Thank you," she said and Lulu, their guide, handed a few copper to the man.
"Is that needed?"
"No, but we like giving a few coppers for people's service. It shows our appreciation."
"I see," the aborigines nodded, duly noting the practice. Lulu saw that everyone was ready to settle in, she smiled and bid her farewell.
"Well, we'll meet here tomorrow mid-morning," she said, "See you tomorrow!"
"Wait, Lulu."
It was Casandra. Lulu blinked and waited for her instructions but was instead greeted by shiny currency. Cassandra was a fast learner, and she was handing Lulu some copper.
The younger girl immediately flinched, "Oh nonono, at least not until I finish my job!"
"I insist…"
Lulu's lips twitched and knew it would be difficult to explain the subtleties. "Uhm… I'll take this as my advance tip. You don't need to give me anymore!"
They nodded and Lulu really said her good nights before scurrying away.
Even if it was a bit confusing, everyone took note of this little culture before separating and heading to their own rooms.
Cassandra's room was one the best rooms in the inn, and she couldn't help but admire the interiors a bit, using a few chairs here and there.
The cushions were super soft, the textiles were smooth, and the designs were simple, but the colors were complementary and pleasing to the eyes.
Even if it wasn't gold-plated like those luxury rooms she had been in before, she actually liked this much better. What was a luxury when the person using it wasn't as comfortable?
She was just about to settle down when a knock came. She blinked, expecting it to be Veronica and almost lost her footing when she saw who it was.
"Gill?"
"Hi…" he mumbled, his face a little awkward. Cassandra just found it cute.
But she didn't appear too friendly. She crossed her arms and waited for him to speak. "I… I'm sorry for running out on you like that."
"You just realized this now?"
Gill rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm… not very good with emotions," he said, "Otherwise I wouldn't snap at anyone so much."
"Well, you're right about that," she said, "I wonder how any woman dealt with you before."
For some miracle, none of his people mentioned Juni in front of Cassandra. However, Gill also didn't want to hide it from her.
"Well, she left me," he said, "I was never there for her, she said."
Cassandra was not surprised he had a lover before. After all, in Xeno, many men had many lovers before and after marriage.
She was just… uncomfortable, as any woman would be.
"Oh?" She asked, trying to appear cool. "And…? Why are you saying this now?" Did he want to warn her of what to expect?
Because she really didn't like it.
Gill shook his head. "I wanted you to know… that I don't want to make the same mistake again."
He looked at her, so beautiful, so fiery, and definitely deserving of much more than what he was giving her so far.
He couldn't help but step forward, "Let's talk about that some other time…" he said, leaning forward.
"I've been wanting to do this for a while."
…
The next day.
"Ah~ I had such a wonderful sleep. I wonder what that hotel would be like…" Veronica asked, curious. That would be their 'luxury' accommodation. A beauty-loving girl like her really wanted to see it.
"I heard it'll open in about a month," Cassandra answered her, a little bit absent-mindedly. "They're using a different construction method so it took some time."
Veronica stared at her friend, impressed. "You got all that in one night? Where? At the inn restaurant?"
The tour will start well after breakfast.
At her question, Cassandra blushed and unconsciously twirled her beautiful purple hair.
Could she say Gill visited a bit last night? Then she recalled the wonderful goodnight kiss that took away her soul.
Kyaa!
Cassandra covered her face in shyness.
Fortunately, Veronica was too busy daydreaming to notice her friend's eccentricity. If she did, she wouldn't hear an end to the pink-haired girl's nagging—who was still bitter because Brandon was not in the territory at this time.
Apparently, the blonde was clearing up paths to another territory nearby with some guards he was training.
Unfair!!
"I want to go to the noodle shop today!" The pink-haired girl said. They were so tired last night they only went to the inn canteen. Now, they could folly about as they want. The tour didn't start for a couple of hours, anyway.
The two girls arrived at a noodle store, though not without buying several finger foods from different stores along the way.
They bought something called French Fries, Gugu Bird Tea Eggs, Hash Brown, Friend Vegetables, and the like.
By the time they got back to the inn, where their guide was set to pick them up, they were still bloated.
The two women felt embarrassed.
The tour hadn't even started yet!