"We just had to make sure there were no surprises, that’s all," I said truthfully. "So you guys didn’t change your mind? You’ll still be doing the job?"
"Of course." She cocked her head. "Why? Did something happen?"
"No, just curious."
"Well," Lisa said, clasping her hands together. "Unless you’ve decided to renegotiate the fee you’ll be paying us, we’ll be doing the job without any issue— even if Jack decides to remain dour about it."
"We’re not renegotiating unless you two are open to renegotiate."
"Then it’s settled. Just place your things in the boat, and we’ll be off." The young woman merrily patted my backpack but I quickly knocked her hand aside. "Oh—"
"Sorry," I quickly said, cautiously protecting my backpack. "But I’d rather you not touch my stuff."
"Of course, I do apologize." She placatingly backed away, and lowered her head. "I’m sure you have your reasons, but do not worry, we won’t ask any questions."
"Thanks."
Gennady and I soon found ourselves in the small boat riding the waves into the sea; he had to tie his bike down so it did not fall off into the rough waters. The two men began rowing as Lisa and Jack simply settled into the seat across from us.
It took a while, but we eventually saw the ship awaiting us in the distance. We got closer and closer until we finally arrived, and we climbed aboard the transportation vessel. I steadied myself as I stepped foot on deck, while Gennady, Lisa, and Jack trotted along as if the ship wasn’t rocking with every passing second.
"Think you’ll get sick?" Gennady asked, cocking a brow.
"No," I said, grabbing hold onto his arm. "I just have to get used to this. It’s… less stable than what I’m used to."
And by that, I meant it wasn’t like the one time I went on a cruise ship ride back on Earth. It was a completely different experience— but the constant swaying feeling while standing was something I could bear given enough time.
"If you will follow me, I can show you to your rooms." Lisa approached us from the side, smiling. "Apologies if it’s not suited to your liking, but we aren’t a business that ensures the quality of the traveling experience— we’re still rather new to this kind of ‘people transportation’, you see."
"And how about that?" I asked, gesturing at Gennady’s bike which was just brought onto the deck by some sailors.
"We’ll keep it in cargo."
I turned back to Gennady and he seemed fine with it, so we let them take his bike down below deck. We followed Lisa as she led us to our rooms— the ship was not exactly the biggest one in the first place, and it was built to have more space for transporting goods rather than people. It probably prioritized speed rather than bulk deliveries, which was all the better for me since I would prefer it if we reached Taw sooner rather than later.
I had expected Lisa to bring us to some shared sleeping quarters, and was surprised to find myself standing in my own private room.
"We… don’t have to pay for our own separate rooms, right?" I asked, resisting the urge to count how many gold coins I had left after spending it on potions and other traveling necessities.
"Of course not," the young woman said, waving a hand dismissively. "I just find it rather… improper for a young girl such as you to be sleeping in the same room with an older man like him. No offense."
Gennady shrugged. "None taken."
Lisa turned back to me and cocked her head. "Unless you prefer to sleep—"
"I prefer to sleep alone," I cut her off. "Thanks."
"I’m glad to hear it." She smiled and nodded at Gennady. "I’ll bring you to your room next, and I’ll leave you be, ok?"
I waved farewell to my companion and the young woman as they headed off further down the hallway. I closed the door behind me, making sure to bolt it shut so that no one could just enter without me letting them. I hear their footsteps slowly fade into the distance and sighed.
"I might be a little seasick," I murmured under my breath.
It was nothing unbearable, but it was an unusual feeling to have after so long staying grounded on land. I glanced out the window of my room, and saw the distant lights of the city of Luke as nothing more than a blur.
Won’t be missing that city, I thought, remembering how I was pretty much locked in a room for the entirety of the time I spent there. At least the beach was nice, apart from that weird encounter with the Half Elf and the possible panic attack I spontaneously suffered from.
In other words, it wasn’t exactly a pleasant stay, yet compared to my time in the Free Lands, I had rather enjoyed myself; I placed my backpack down and quickly rummaged through it. I had everything important— nothing was left behind, which was good.
If I somehow left a grimoire or tome which contained anything that could possibly be traced back to me or ‘Aria’, I might be forced to throw away my Hunter’s license and get a new fake identity. I would not have liked that, considering that was my mom’s name which I cherished very much.
It was one way I remembered her, another being the purple pointed hat that was neatly folded in my bag; I stared down at it, and almost instinctively reached out to it. I paused, and shook my head.
It did not belong to my mother; I had bought it from a milliner and had them design it to be as similar as mom’s was, but it was not the same. I slowly closed my bag and sighed.
My mask was stuffy; wearing it
