“That’s alright with me.”

“Uhm…” Little Droplet spoke up. Compared to before, the youth appeared more listless and tired. “Can I join, as well? I’m quite useful as a healer, after all. I’m not in the mood to actively play right now, so travelling would be very nice.”

Bloodless Sunset chewed on his lip. Ice hated travelling with healers after what had happened the last time.

But once more, Ice gave in.

Why?

Well, because Little Droplet was as talented a mage as Ice was. While their spells were slower, they had a clear grasp on the language. Mistakes rarely happened.

As long as someone wasn’t envious about his skills, there was no reason to hide away.

Besides… He could relate to the feeling of wanting to get away from reality by simply exploring Haven.

Seeing Ice nod, Blackstone excitedly clapped her hands together. “That’s great! Now if we take along Spiderlily too, we will have a nice party, don’t you think?”

“But isn’t she busy with the delegation?”

“Asking can’t hurt.”

White Light laughed at the side. Look at how the two-man trip had turned into a group excursion.

Spiderlily, as they found out when Blackstone asked her, was more than willing to ignore the delegation quest in favour of following the group.

Ice had merely listened when Bloody voiced his surprise at her decision.

Blackstone was quickly growing into what Bloody was for him. A comfortable person to be around, someone to enjoy the game with. Sure enough, Spiderlily didn’t necessarily prefer playing alone just because she was the quiet and calm type.

If Ice usually didn’t play with people because it made him nervous, she didn’t do it because there was no one she wanted to play with.

Why not take the chance when you found your match?

The group gathered near a teleport point, which was somewhat close to the huge forest that hid the largest elven settlement. Blackstone was happily chattering away to Spiderlily, who nodded once in a while, and Bloody was checking his equipment.

Little Droplet was blankly staring out into the meadows.

Subconsciously, Ice found himself walking over. He didn’t say anything, only stupidly opened his mouth, but Little Droplet noticed and smiled.

“Oh, are you worried about me? Thanks.”

It felt like a perfunctory comment. Ice creased his forehead, looking over the small frame of the player. “Are you alright?”

“I’m…” Little Droplet paused. They sighed, shoulders drooping. “It was my dad’s death anniversary last week. I’m still a bit out of it. It’ll pass in a while.”

The healer dropped their head.

“I just… miss him a lot. It’s quiet at home without him.” The slender frame twitched. Little Droplet looked up again, a smile appearing on their face, as if nothing had happened. “I apologize. Dark topic. Uhm, let’s get going?”

It wouldn’t do anyone good to pressure the healer into talking when they didn’t want to. Ice returned to Bloody’s side, throwing a look at the equipment as well.

“Okay. For now, we’ve planned on taking a carriage, since the route we’re taking leads us through several areas where you can’t use your mounts. It’s easier to take a carriage from the start than switch between flying and walking, even if that might be faster in the end.”

Bloody presented his and Ice’s plan. No one complained.

Blackstone laughed, her braids bobbing up and down. “We’re tag-alongs! Don’t mind us. We just want to enjoy watching a quest about a dragon.”

“Which hopefully will not result in it coming out and destroying this place”, Little Droplet added, snickering slightly.

“God, we’d be in trouble if it got out that we messed up a quest that resulted in the game being destroyed.” The wolfman snorted out a laugh, covering his mouth. “If that happens… Hey Ice, can I mooch off you? I don’t think I’d be able to get a job.”

“Yes. I think my parents wouldn’t mind”, Ice responded seriously, causing Bloody to laugh even louder.

“You’re a good guy”, Blackstone sighed wistfully. “I take everything back. Please don’t join the entertainment industry.”

Ice tilted his head. His parents often said the same - that, while they’d love for him to work together with them, they didn’t want him to truly join the industry.

As they conversed cheerfully, the carriage they’d take drove up the long-winded street.

Two horses were dragging it, with the driver holding the reins. The carriage itself had a roof, but it was clearly meant to transport cargo rather than people.

Bloody shrugged when Blackstone looked at him. “You don’t exactly get luxurious carriages going all the way to the Lythian Forest. We’ll all have to travel a bit uncomfortably. On the bright side, it’s not like we will notice sleeping inside.”

“We also can’t take a nap to pass the time, though”, Blackstone retorted.

Sleeping in moving vehicles - carriages - and logging out was possible, of course, but the game didn’t like the thought of you using that to skip all the way ahead to your target. If you didn’t log in again after 24 hours and didn’t stay for at least a full hour each time, the carriage driver would “throw you out” and you’d end up logging in to find yourself on some street.

At least you’d get your money back for the part you didn’t get a ride for. Like getting off a taxi earlier.

“We could play card games… If I had cards, which I don’t.” Bloody began to whine, a wolfish sound. He got into the carriage with ears tilted down. “I should have brought some. Hello, sir. Thanks for taking us along.”

“My words, Foreigner. Safest with you lot coming along.” The man - whose beard more or less hid all of his features - waved a fleshy hand. “Don’t have any cards for you though.”

“It’s okay. We will find conversation topics”, Blackstone replied in Bloody’s stead. She struggled a bit but got into the carriage with Spiderlily’s help. The elf followed her, then the healer, and lastly the Ice Emperor.

“What do you wanna talk about?”

Bloody’s ears flicked back up. The carriage began moving, an unsteady shaking transmitting over to them. It was hardly comfortable when you had no pillows and couldn’t even stretch your legs, but they’d manage. Blackstone would have it the easiest, considering her height.

“I don’t know. How about your family? I know Ice’s parents, but are yours famous too? Are they acquainted?”

“Oh, no, no. I only got to know Ice in Haven. Never met his parents. My family is a common, run-of-the-mill family you’ll find anywhere. I’ve got one little brother whom you’ve seen and no other siblings. We’re a peaceful lot.”

“That’s nice.” Blackstone leaned on her knee. It was hard to see the tall beauty they had met in her. “I think it’s widely known - I’m not in contact with my parents. Happens sometimes. That’s why I’m relieved that Ice is so lucky with his parents.”

“Yes”, Ice agreed softly. “They always support me. I couldn’t wish for more.”

Little Droplet lifted their head, hair falling away. The bright eyes were turned to Ice. Suddenly, the youth smiled a bit. “Support… That’s important, isn’t it?”

“It’s a sign of love”, Spiderlily whispered from their side. Her face had softened significantly, gaze far away as if in a memory.

“My father always supported me”, Little Droplet said, voice high like a little bird’s. Their smile brightened the carriage, filled with love and affection for a person not around anymore. “Always teaching me and being by my side. Showing me the beauty of the world. He said, even if things don’t always go as planned, he’d hope that I’m always happy. Even without him.”

The words sounded like said by a man who knew his death was coming. Spiderlily must have noticed it, for she seemed a bit sad. “He sounds like a good man.”

Little Droplet puffed up their chest with pride.

The mood, which had turned incredibly heavy for a moment, became warm again.