From the top of the hill, they could see Waneir in all its glory. The city was surrounded by white walls that almost looked like they were made of clay. Inside, countless buildings of the same material stretched across the landscape. Off in the distance, you could see a white sandy beach, and beyond it laid a vast expanse of water. Even a lighthouse could be seen overlooking all of it.
"It's so pretty," Rion muttered.
Lie nodded in agreement. "Mhm, especially at sunset, much bigger then I thought it'd be too." She then started going down the hill. "Let's try to get there before it gets dark."
Rion pulled his gaze away from the view and turned to Lie. "Right!"
As they descended the hill, Lie and Rion made their way to the front gates, where the guards let them in without any trouble. With night quickly approaching, they set off in search of an inn.
Along the way, Rion couldn't help but take in all the sights. Compared to Ralia, Waneir was like night and day—both in population and sheer size. Even at sundown, the streets were alive with people. Vendors calling out to passerby's, street performers entertaining eager crowds, and tourists making their way about. The energy was infectious, a stark contrast to the quiet nature of Ralia.
One thing also to mention was the sheer abundance of fish. It made sense though, given the town's location.
Eventually, they arrived at an inn. Upon entering, they found a middle-aged woman behind the front desk. The moment she saw them, her face lit up with excitement. Rion and Lie stepped forward, but before they could even say a word, the woman blurted out—
"Are you two a couple!?"
"Huh? We—" Lie started, but before she could finish, the woman cut her off.
"Wonderful! In that case, rejoice! Since today is Valentine's Day, all couples get a special discount!" she announced proudly.
"Ah, I didn't realize Valentine's Day was today," Lie remarked.
"…" Rion remained silent.
Lie took a moment to think them turned to Rion. "Do you want to take the offer?"
"Well, I'm never one to turn down a discount." Rion responded.
Hearing this, Lie chuckled before turning back to the woman. "In that case, we'll take you up on that couples discount."
A massive smile spread across the woman's face. "Then I highly recommend the suite! It comes with a luxurious king-sized bed, which, dare I say, is sturdy enough to—"
"We'll take a double," Lie interjected bluntly.
"B-but, you—"
"A. Double."
The woman sighed, clearly disappointed, but proceeded with their booking.
—
"Woah, this is a pretty nice room," Rion said as he plopped onto his bed.
"It is. Even has a shower," Lie noted as she sat at the edge of her bed, removing her boots. Standing up, she stretched and looked toward Rion. "Alright, I'm gonna take a quick shower."
Rion gave her a thumbs up. "Sounds good. I'll go after you."
Lie disappeared into the bathroom, and shortly after, Rion could hear the muffled sound of the showing turning on.
Rion then got up and walked over to the window. Pushing it open, he leaned on the sill and took a deep breath. The cool ocean air brushed against his face as he looked up at the night sky, now covered with stars. A small smile formed from his lips.
(And thus, Rion's adventure continues...)