Krey awoke much earlier than he had the day before. He didn’t often get to sleep in a proper bed in an actual building, and part of him wanted to make the most of the experience, despite now being fully awake. He decided he might as well get up and get dressed; maybe Coryandr and Jayd were serving breakfast.

All was silent in the Apple Bobber Inn, but when Krey crept down stairs and turned into the main living area, he saw he wasn’t alone, and neither had he been the first to wake. Livia was curled up in a chair by a window, staring out into the dawn. He decided to make his presence known with measured volume, rather than sneak up on her. “hey there.”

Livia didn’t jump even slightly at the sudden break of the silence. She turned her head to look at him, and smiled. “Good morning. Wasn’t expecting to see you first.”

“Neither was I,” Krey said with a half smile, “but I bet Emilie isn’t expecting this either, and the face she’ll make should be an entertaining start to the day.”

Livia gave that a single cough of laughter before looking back out the window.

Krey joined her there, leaning against the wall, and for a while, time seemed to stand still. “Livia,” he finally croaked, his throat still somewhat groggy. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but you seem… well, you’re practically glowing.”

“I’m in a happy mood,” Livia chimed. “First truly good mood I’ve been in since I got to this world. I was all torn up last night, but… this morning…” she took a deep breath. “Part of me is glad not to be going home just yet. I think my inner adventurer is finally starting to surface. This morning… I suddenly don’t feel like I’m in such a hurry to find a way out.” She looked up at him. “I mean… this is what I always wanted, right? To explore worlds far from home? Well… here I am.”

Krey’s smile broadened, and he nodded. “Here you are.” He noticed that Livia was a little red around the eyes, but decided it could probably just be attributed to having gotten just a bit tipsy last night.

“Glad to see you two up and about,” came the familiar gruff tones of Harshal O’fry. “We’ve got some business to discuss.” With him was a man dressed in forest greens and earthy browns, wearing an assortment of tools - and possibly weapons, from the looks of it - on his belt. Harshal gestured at him with a hand, and introduced him. “This here is my brother, Kenrick. He’s the head of the Orchardeers.”

Kenrick O’fry saluted them somewhat casually. “G’day to you. You’ll be working with me to settle your tab here at the Apple Bobber.”

Livia unfurled her legs, and stretched her whole body from toe to top as she stood. “And what kind of work do the orchardeers do?”

“We contend with the Acrevil Orchary to gather our fruit harvests. Only orchard in Berodyl that wasn’t planted by the hands of men; she’s an all-natural patch, and she’s all ours. However, she’s got a fierce temper, and tends to sic horrid beasties on us while we pluck her succulent treasures.”

Krey chortled. “Absolutely wonderful imagery.”

“I always thought so,” Kenrick said with humour, but without changing his face. “This year, a bunch of bastard vampire squirrels have moved into the hollows of many-a-tree in the orchary. They’ve got to go, and it’s our job to evict them.”

“Ah, hence the steel on your hip,” Krey pointed.

“Quite right, Sir Knight, quite right. Sharp tongues may be beyond the ken of monsters, but sharp blades are not.” Kenrick drew his steel shortsword. “Quite an eloquent eviction notice, this thing.”

Krey was somehow still managing to retain a mostly straight face. “Yes, I imagine it gets the point across.”

“Will you two pack it in?” Livia groaned. “I’m sick of these little quips!”

“As am I,” Emilie agreed, descending the stairs and making her entrance. “As for your vampire squirrel problem… I may have an idea or two as to how we can make getting rid of them a less tedious undertaking.”

“Then please, Fair Lady,” Kenrick said while bowing his head, “enlighten us.”

“I’d be happy to,” Emilie lilted.