Rereading the last post sends a shiver of doubt down your spine… You’re probably just overthinking it, you overthink to yourself as your companions study your blank expression with a mixture of doting adoration and mild concern, after all, you had that whole talk on the train! Rezalith’s smarter now! More cautious! And your pals had a point earlier: since when has anyone used the restroom in this DARK QUEST of yours?

Surely she’s… just taking a little break?

…

…

Yea, RIGHT. Clutching your stomach in slightly mock discomfort (you’ve always had a weak tummy), you shoot your tour guide a pleading glance! B-bathroom, you whine through clenched teeth, wh-where…?!

“Ah… th-the BATHROOM EXHIBIT...” The Chytree answers with a sagely nod, “O-one of our more popular exhibits, if you can believe i-”

No, you groan, where’s… you wanna go where the other person in your group went!

“... I’m still here, Ant.” Chirps TT down at your side with a reassuring smile! “Don’t worry!”
“Heheh… hey Rook, where’d… where’d I go?” Snickers Volka, her eyes closed, but her mouth open wide with childlike glee.

NO, NO, NO! You want… D’oh, where’d REZZIE go!? The one in the veil!? You wanna track her down! The curator lights up in recognition… and then subsequently deflates a bit.

“... Oh… you… want a break too, huh…?”

YES, you answer with an emphatic nod! She’s dang-err, you just… wanna keep an eye on her, is all! Cheesti studies your expression and relents with a resigned nod.

“... I understand… My little sister can be a handful too…”

The word SISTER drives a cold, hard spike through your head. She’s… she’s not your little sister, you mumble as you stumble through the sudden burst of mind fog! Thank God she isn’t…

When your explanation doesn’t cut it, you add a little more argument to the pile: Look, it’s not that she’s weird or her exhibits are boring, you reply with a placating smile, it’s just-

“YOUTHINKI’MWEIRDAND/ORMYEXHIBITSAREBOOOOORRIIIIING!?!?”

Your hands find their way onto your face as you realize you’re dealing with the living, breathing equivalent of a house of cards… made of broken glass. You feel a tug at your robe and lock eyes with your favorite fuzzball. Yes?

“Spiral-patterned carpet, remember?” She asks as she tugs you onto a particularly plush rug! “Don’t be too long, kay?”

What would you do without her? Giving your gal an appreciative scratch behind the ears, you scurry off after your fiery friend while Volka and TT tend to the crying curator! Yeesh, some people…

>CONTD.