The door to the lounge slammed open, revealing Maya and Torryn soaking wet, dripping on the floor.
"Maybe you should use a towel-"
Maya's face was bright, a smile drawn across it despite the grey weather.
She ran through the room, throwing herself around Mori's neck, who was sitting by the fire.
"And I was just beginning to dry..." he said.
"We found him! The Ferryman!" she said.
Mori gave in and hugged her back.
"Good. You deserve a new fair start, and now you'll have it."
Maya laughed, and cried.
Torryn also walked in, sitting on the floor by the fire.
"I was considering bringing you across the border myself," said Mori.
"Before we go, make sure to take that perception curse off, remember, the one for the succubus? Turns out every female I encounter looks pretty bad, now," said Torryn.
"Ah, so now you want to look at girls?" Said Maya.
"No, not what I mean but..."
"Just say my name, it'll undo it. I added an easy break so you wouldn't worry about it," said Mori.
"But I said your name a few times already," replied Torryn.
"It's the full name, Memento Mori."
"Memen-"
"STOP. I'll tell you when to take it off, it stays for now," said Maya.
"What?! I'm old enough to have girls look normal, what even is this?!"
"I need my brother locked in, concentrated as we evade through the border. Final order!"
Torryn loudly sighed, lying down on the floor.
Maya sat in the armchair across Mori, the whole group resting inside as the weather grew into a storm.
The rain became heavier, while the wind kept hitting the inn with all its force.
To the others, it was simply bad weather, to Mori, it was the best weather.
When his mother was back from work, she'd always ask him 'With weather like this, we'll need to do a balance patch'.
Whatever he wanted to eat, she'd order the ingredients and he would direct the kitchen. More often than not, it ended up being a lasagna, although there had been a few pizzas in there.
"Really? It's kind of crowded there," said Mori.
"That's what he said, I don't know much more."
"What time?"
"In the afternoon, he'd find us, he said."
Mori nodded, in thought.
"Alright, we'll eat and head out."
It didn't take too long for Mary to appear with trays with mountains of food on them.
She made a few trips back to the kitchen, leaving the trays in the middle of the table, everyone serving themselves what they wanted.
"Sit with us," said Mori.
"Nonsense, I'll eat in the kitchen! You guys enjoy your meal," she replied.
"Just sit with us, it's fine, really."
Mary seemed reluctant but ultimately sat down at the table.
"Eat with us. Don't just sit there."
"I'm not used to sitting with clients..."
"Nonsense," said Torryn his mouth full.
Mary smiled, grabbing herself a plate, and joining them on that meal.
"I couldn't help but hear you're leaving soon?" she asked.
"Maya and Torryn are, we'll be staying a little longer," said Mori.
"Sorry to see you go. Hope you enjoyed your stay."
"We sure did. Why don't you come with us? Start an inn up north?" asked Maya.
Mary had an uncomfortable reaction, making Maya quickly apologize.
"Ah don't worry about it. It's just that everything I've ever known is here, in Dustriver. Things are bad, but I don't know how I would manage somewhere I've never been."
"Well, if you change your mind, we'll be up there, waiting for you!"
Mary smiled. "Thanks."
The mountain of food slowly went down, mainly because of Torryn and Maya who had a greater appetite.
While the others kept eating, Mori turned to look outside, it was still raining.
"Ready?" asked Aura.
"I think, yeah."