“I take it this means that the explosion didn’t… change you somehow?” Arwin asked, ignoring the incredulous expression on Lillia’s face. “Change me? It damn well changed me, but it didn’t let me start snacking on the Mesh itself!” Lillia exclaimed. “You’re not messing with me, right? You can actually eat magic?” “It’s not all sunshine and rainbows. It’s not just that I can eat magic,” Arwin corrected, his features darkening. “It’s that I have to eat magic. If I don’t, I’ll die.” The surprise on Lillia’s face turned to a confused frown. “I’ve never heard of something like that before. So you can’t eat normal food?” “No, I can. It just doesn’t sustain me in the way that magic does. I’ll also ask you not to mention that – you’re the only one I’ve told, and I’ve only told you because I’m hoping you might have some insight as to what happened to us.” Lillia pulled her knees up to her chest, wrapping her arms around them and chewing her lower lip in thought. “I definitely got changed by the explosion. It took my class away and gave me a new one called Hearthkeeper.” “Yeah. I got it from an Achievement – probably the same one that you did. Does the word Sunset mean anything to you?” “It does. That was the one I got as well,” Arwin rubbed the bridge of his nose with a frown. “I’m not sure if that gives us more answers or questions.” “I don’t need to,” Arwin said. “As I said, we’re both stupid. You already have two people that can stay in your inn. Me and Reya.” Lillia opened her mouth, then paused. She blinked, her brow furrowing. Slowly, she let her mouth close again. “I – oh, shit. You’re right. I didn’t even think about that because you were… well, you know.” “I’m well aware, yes. But that would work, wouldn’t it?” “I don’t see why it wouldn’t,” Lillia said, excitement starting to enter her tone. “You’d still have to pay me for the rooms, though. It couldn’t be free or it won’t count.” “I think we can handle that as long as your prices aren’t ridiculously high. It’s not a big price to pay, at least until you can get enough people here to keep yourself alive. We might even be able to go farther. The other two members that joined my guild may be in need of an inn fairly soon. They might be able to move in as well.” Lillia’s eyes lit up and she took a step forward. “You’re serious? Two more people?” “Yeah. You’d have to have actual rooms for them, though. Does this crappy place have anything like that?” Lillia cleared her throat. “It… well, not yet. I’ve got two rooms upstairs that I trust the floor in. The rest of it is liable to collapse – but still! I can make do with that, and the money could go toward renovations and making more rooms and a better tavern! Having you and Reya here would also remove enough of the debuff on my abilities for me to get some helpers in the tavern.” “I’ve got twenty-seven gold and nine silver right now,” Arwin said, looking through his pouch. “Would that be enough?” “Twenty-seven? Are you kidding me? Yeah, that’s more than enough. I only have to charge a silver a day!” It was a bit odd, seeing excitement on the face that had belonged to his mortal enemy for so many years. He’d never seen her direct anything toward him other than disgust, anger, or apathy. I suppose I was no different. That smile definitely suits her well, though. “What?” Lillia asked. Arwin realized that he’d zoned off and shook his head to clear it. “I just got lost in thought. How strong are those buffs you get if we properly fill your tavern and inn?” “Pretty damn powerful. I don’t even know the full extent of what they do. A lot of it is gated behind how many people are staying or eating here.” Arwin nodded. “We’ll have to make it a priority to get more attention here, then. If your power is anything like mine, then I suspect you’re going to have some form of scaling factor that means you need to get more and more people to stick around to keep yourself from dying.” Some of the excitement in Lillia’s expression slipped away. “Shit. That could be bad.” “We’ll handle it,” Arwin said. “After all, we’re going to have a whole guild to back you up soon enough.” “Optimistic, are you?” Arwin chuckled. “Perhaps. Either way, I get the feeling Reya is going to be ecstatic about this. She already eats your food constantly, so being closer to it will probably make her blow steam out her nose. I’ll introduce you to the rest of the guild shortly – assuming they stick around.” Lillia started to nod, then paused and looked down at herself, gesturing vaguely. “Wait. What if they… well, you know.” “For now, I’d suggest keeping up your disguise. They’re decent people, but I don’t know how they’ll react to the truth.” “Even if we’re part of the same guild and they’re staying here constantly? They’re going to have to suspect something.” “Then you’d best make sure you really seem to be into your role,” Arwin said dryly. “Hopefully you’ll have the place in a bit more order by the time they come around. Speaking of which, is there anything else you need made?” “I – oh, yeah. Definitely. I still need more utensils, and some more cookware would be incredible. I don’t know if I can afford anything extra right now, though.” “I could pay you with supplies. That wouldn’t count against your class, would it?” Lillia tilted her head to the side in thought for a few seconds, then grinned. “I think that would work.”