Cha is a city like no other, with its mighty castle in the distance and different districts leading up to it. The guardswoman is nice enough to give us a map of the city and a recommendation for a Middle District inn, located in a cluster of them, each full to the brim with travelers, sightseers, and locals.

Along the way, we pass through the Merchant's District. Izumi and I take our time looking through the different shops – it costs nothing to browse, and we can't help but revel in proper civilization. Finally, I pick up a new pair of socks. I don’t have a spare pair of boots yet, but the socks are better than nothing.

Though I can’t read any of the signs on the establishments, Izumi has a bare-bones proficiency that works out well for us. More accurately, you might say that I’m at her mercy. She whoops excitedly and drags me into the next store.

“An apothecary!” she exclaims.

I rack my brain for the word. “Apowhat? Like a medicine-seller?”

“Medicine,” the shopkeep agrees. He’s a sharp-looking older gentleman. “Potions that will cure what ails ya.”

“Do you have a first-aid kit?” I ask.

“I’m sorry?” He looks blankly at me.

“Antiseptic?”

“Antimagic?”

“Ibuprofen?”

“Eye of burned puffin?”

“Something to heal injuries?”

He hands me a glass bottle filled with a cloudy, ruby-red liquid.

“Yes, exactly!” Izumi takes it, holds it up and hums a few bars of a song I don’t recognize.

“This better not be a narcotic.”

“Horn of narwhal is over there.”

I can’t even with this place.

I almost don't want to stop shopping, but now we’re just wasting time. Our packs seem heavier with every detour. Soon, though, we find ourselves at our destination.

There it is: The Silver Turtle Inn. Without a tavern attached to it, the inn is small, with a sparse interior. Two children play tag while their mother waits behind the counter, beckoning us closer. She's homely but well-dressed, a proper businesswoman who knows what she's doing.

"Welcome! A room for two?"

"Please," I answer with a nod.

"First time in the big city, hm?"

"Is it that obvious?" Izumi asks, crestfallen. I think she'd rather have the look of a seasoned adventurer. "I hope we don't stand out too much."

"You're fine, honey," the innkeeper says with a smile. "Greenhorn adventurers come here every day trying to make something of themselves. You'll do just fine. And you're in good hands now that you've picked my Silver Turtle to stay at."

"Do you have baths?" I blurt out.

"Nothing so fancy," the innkeeper apologizes. "But we do have a well 'round back where you can draw some water up for yourselves and wash off. Included in the price of a night's stay."

I think I'm going to tear up. "Thank you."

Izumi and the woman begin haggling over the price, and I find my eyes glazing over. What's the difference between a copper and a silver? How many silvers equal one gold? I was just as confused when we bought our equipment. It's not like I'm saying I hate math, but learning a new economy is a chore and a half.

"Earth to Hiyori." Izumi is waving a hand in front of my face. I blink. "This is Earth, calling Hiyori."

"Sorry. What's up?"

"We can go to our room now."

Thanking the innkeeper again, we head up the stairs to a hallway full of numbered rooms. We enter the sixth door and I'm amazed, once again, at how different it is from the real world.

There's a small dresser in one corner and a bed in the other, with very little in between. I guess we'll be sleeping together again – but it's better than a bedroll and blanket, that's for sure. And not having to keep watch for violent creatures at night is peace of mind I never knew I wanted before.

We drop our packs next to the bed and take a moment to breathe. During the silence, my stomach growls. I want to get cleaned up, but I think that'll have to wait until we've eaten. Izumi consults the map and looks at me with a smile.

"I can see why the guard recommended this place. It's central to just about everything." She points to a spot near the X that represents The Silver Turtle. "The Adventurer's Guild is just a few buildings down, and they always have taverns attached."

"That's a thing?"

"Why wouldn't it be? How else would adventurers from different cities know where to hang out and talk shop?"

She's right, but I still feel apprehensive about the idea. It's like going undercover to investigate some weird subculture, except my partner is already one of them.

I think about Lavender's mirror in my pouch. It's like I always start to think about them when I get nervous – maybe because they were the first person to try to make me feel welcome in this strange new place? There was always something grounded about them, not like Izumi with her head in the clouds.

"Then let's get some lunch and talk to some guild members," I finally say, hoping it comes out confident instead of nerdy as all hell.

Izumi hugs me. "To a new adventure!"