After being kicked out of a few more restaurants the group settled on ordering food from some street vendors. They all enjoyed some beef skewers as they began moving in the direction of the inn.
While walking through the streets of Pesinwok Alix could not help but feel even more nostalgic. They were at the mid-section of the city which was closer to where Alix stayed so she recognized more sights.
Old restaurants that her parents used to take her to, spots that she remembered playing around in despite her parents discouraging it.
She was truly home.
"It feels nice to be back here after such a long time. Doesn't it?" Winston asked smiling at the girl. Alix nodded.
"I had not realized that I missed this place so much. From the food to the refreshing smell of the ocean that gets stronger as you get closer." Alix closed her eyes and inhaled deeply.
"It all feels so comforting." Alix scanned the sights. Her eye unconsciously moved to the area that her childhood home stood. She couldn't see it from here so she could only hope in her heart that it was still there. Her smile faded as her eyes shifted to the palace.
In comparison to every where else in Pesinwok the King's Palace stood on it's own island a small journey away from the mainland. She didn't know why this was and honestly despised the homeowners too much to care.
'Ponali may be the true cause of my father's death, but you were the blades that ordered his execution!' Alix clenched her fist tightly before releasing them only a second later.
'Not now. I have other things to focus on.' Alix followed Winston and Eric to the Inn that they mentioned. The sky began to grow orange as the Blaze had just started fading.
"Here we are." Winston gestured to the building before them. It was made of marble, like most other buildings in this part of the city. Above the door in the words, "Hopeful Inn" were displayed in golden letters.
"How quaint." Alix sarcastically stated. The entire building was very eccentric. The owner was obviously quite proud of the establishment and was not afraid to showcase it.
"We should go in. You two will need rest for tomorrows activities." Alix and Eric nodded to their older companion and entered the inn. The inside was just as outlandish as the outside with its polished marble surfaces.
It was as though the owner wanted an occupant to be able to see themselves on every part of the building. It was successful on the front at least. Alix followed the boys to reception.
"Hello, I see you two have returned from your daily outing! Is this the person that you were waiting for?" Behind the desk stood a neatly dressed human woman. She wore a blue attendant suit that was fully button. She smiled politely at Alix who grimaced in response.
"That is correct. This is Alix Dem- I mean, Ren. This is Alix Ren." the receptionist nodded. Alix and Winston agreed earlier that it was for the best that she kept her last name hidden. She shouldn't march around proclaiming herself daughter of a man perceived as a traitor after all.
"Alright. It is my understanding that you wish to get her a room here. Is that correct?"
"Yes, that is correct."
"Alright, then if the lady could please step forward to begin the process." Alix moved to the desk and was passed a pen and sheet of paper.
"How long will you be staying?"
"Just for the night. Then I'll move to the Marconix Dorms."
"Understood. Will anyone else be staying with you during this time?"
"Unless you count my fish and peccary as people then no. It will just be me." The woman frowned. She looked at Mo and then over the desk at Trouler.
"That could pose a problem." Alix's eyes narrowed.
"What could? The receptionist cleared her throat before speaking.
"We at Hopeful Inn do not allow for pets to stay in our establishment. This is due to the unpredictable nature of monsters of any category. Thus, I must request that you get rid of the monsters or we will deny you staying here." Alix rolled her eyes and backed away from the desk.
"Then, we'll leave." The woman was shocked. "You do not need to do that Ms. Ren! As I said, you simply need to rid yourself of those monsters then you can stay with no issues." Alix shook her head.
"You call them monsters. I call them family. If they can not stay here then neither can I. Simple as that. I will find somewhere else to spend the night." The woman wanted to try to convince Alix otherwise but Winston gently shook his head signaling it was no use.
"O-okay? I guess, this is goodbye then Ms. Ren. I deeply apologize that you could not stay with us." Alix waved dismissively and left the building with Mo and Trouler. Leaving Winston and Eric with the receptionist.
"Is that girl insane? She called those things her family. I understand having a pet but all monsters get killed eventually. They're simply too dangerous to keep for too long. Yet she calls those things family?" Eric shrugged.
"It's just how Mama Wolf is. There's no sense about it."
"That girl was your mother?!" The woman exclaimed.
"No I- actually she kind of is. She was kind of motherly wasn't she?" Eric and Winston returned to their room while Alix wandered the streets in search of a new place to spend the night.
Mo and Trouler went with her in silence. They were happy that the girl saw them as family but felt bad that she needed to find a new place to sleep because of them.
"Lexi I-"
"It is fine, Mo." Mo's eyes widened as the girl comforted him.
"You as well, Trouler. I understand that inn's refusal of accepting monsters. They are very dangerous after all. It is my own fault for continuously forgetting that." Mo and Trouler sat in awe. This girl truly cared for them.
The string connecting her and Trouler shook slightly as its color shifted from pink to silver. Trouler snorted happily still unable to talk but that was likely due to his age.
"So where to next?"
"There is only one place that I am certain will let you two stay with me. Hell, you should fit right in over there, Mo." Mo's interest was peaked.
"Where might this place be, Lexi?" Alix pointed into the distance. Mo followed her finger to what looked like a smudge next to the bright noble section.
"What is that?"
Alix breathed out to ease her discomfort.
"That is where the pirates stay."