Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

??? (1): Uhh, hello? Is anyone else here?

??? (2): You know what. With all the horseshit Z Team throws at me, I'm not even gonna act surprised anymore.

??? (3): I can certainly sympathize with that.

??? (4): Whatisthisdeviceandwhatarethesewordsappearingonit?

??? (3): Oh, you can use the rectangular looking button at the bottom of the screen to add spaces to your sentences

??? (4): Thank you very much

??? (5): You have my thanks as well.

??? (6): Wow! This is so COOL!!! Are you guys adventurers too?

??? (7): HUH??? WHAT THE HECK IS THIS THING? WHOA RE YOU PEOPLE??? ARE YOU GUYS SHINOBI TOO???

??? (2): Okay, this is giving me a headache. Is there any way we can change our nicknames?

[ADMIN] Users can freely change their nicknames using the settings icon in the upper left

7 people have changed their nicknames

Aether: Oh thank goodness

Gudao: I second that.

Robert Robertson: Alright. Now that my brain doesn't feel like it's gonna cave in on itself, let's get to introductions, yeah?

Naruto: HMM OK, WELL I'M UZUMAKI NARUTO AND I'M GONNA BE THE NEXT HOKAGE!!! BELIEVE IT!!!

Aether: Naruto I think you have Caps Lock turned on. Turn it off pls

Naruto: OH

Naruto: Better?

Robert Robertson: Much.

Aether: Anywho... My name is Aether. I'm a Traveler looking for my missing sister.

Gudao: My name is Fujimaru Ritsuka, but my friends just call me Gudao! It's nice to meet all of you!

Celica: I am Celica, a priestess of the Goddess, Mila. I've recently set out on a pilgrimage to discover the cause behind my Goddess' absence.

Daenerys: A noble goal. I am Daenerys Targaryen, last surviving daughter of House Targaryen and rightful Queen of Westeros.

Robert Robertson: Okay. Well, I'm Robert Robertson III, a Dispatcher at SDN and a retired hero.

Gingerbrave: Wow! That's so COOL! My name is Gingerbrave! I'm the bravest cookie on all of Earthbread! One day, I'm gonna make a Kingdom where every Cookie can live happily!

Robert Robertson: …

Aether: …

Gudao: …

Celica: I’m… so sorry did you just say you’re a cookie?

Naruto: WOW COOKIES CAN TALK?!?!?!?!

Gingerbrave: Huh??? Yeah? Aren’t you guys Cookies too?

Daenerys: I haven’t the time for this foolishness. Farewell.

Daenerys has left the Chat.

[ADMIN] has added Daenerys to the Chat.

Daenerys: What is this? I thought I left.

[ADMIN] Participants are not allowed to leave the Group Chat unless forcibly kicked or timed out by Administrators or Participants with Administrative Privileges. ADMIN would also like to tell Participants that there are no strings attached to this chat. It is merely the second wave of an ongoing experiment to see if different universes can safely enter contact with each other. ADMIN would like to apologize for any misconceptions or concern, but reminds all Participants that their participation, while not required, is greatly appreciated and incentivized. Thank you.

Robert Robertson: Huh

Gudao: Ominous

Aether: What a weird conversation this has become

Celica: I agree. But perhaps this will be fun? I mean, I’ve lived at the Church for a good part of my life, so I haven’t had the chance to make many new friends aside from the few people my age in the village. I would quite like to know more about each of you.

Naruto: Uh yeah what the fancy lady said

Celica: What?

Robert Robertson: Okay, we’re gonna have to work on those manners. How old is everyone in this group anyway? I don’t want my job being put on the line just cause I got caught chatting with a group of kids like some kinda creep.

Aether: Oh, I look around 17

Gudao: I’m 19, last I checked.

Naruto: Huh? Wuzzat mean??? You have some kinda slow-aging jutsu?

Aether: Time… works differently for me.

Gudao: Me too, man. Me too

Celica: Um… well, I’ve just turned 16 myself.

Naruto: According to Gramps I’m around 12 years old, dattebayo!

Gingerbrave: I don’t know how old I am. I guess since I was just baked I’m the youngest here, huh?

Robert Robertson: Oh God I’m gonna lose my job

[ADMIN] Administration would like to remind all participants that only those participating in the chat are able to see and interact with the chat, meaning outside interference or observation is a non-issue.

Robert Robertson: Yeah that doesn’t exactly make me feel better about all this

Aether: Well how old are you anyway?

Robert Robertson: 32

Naruto: HAH?! So old! You’re liable to keel over any day now, huh gramps?!

Celica: Naruto! That was incredibly rude! You should apologize to Sir Robertson!

Robert Robertson: No no, it’s fine. Trust me, I deal with way worse on the daily

Robert Robertson: Also… don’t call me ‘Sir’. Makes me feel old

Gudao: Older*

Aether: PFFT

Naruto: HAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHHAA

Gingerbrave: WOAH

Celica: Oh Mother Mila, bless me with your infinite patience and wisdom that I might weather this storm…

[ADMIN] Administration would also like to inform all Participants that destruction or discarding of individual cellphones is not possible and that throwing phones off a balcony will not get you out of participating

Daenerys: Damn

"Robert!"

In the SDN office building, Robert Robertson III (Yes, that is his real name. No, his father didn't name him that because he hated him... maybe) a.k.a the former hero Mecha Man, sat half slumped at his desk, head in his hands as he massages his brow in the vain hope of staving off the migraine he could already feel coming on. Between his early retirement as Mecha Man, being offered this job and put on a team of barely held together ex-villains, Robert had quite a lot of things on his plate at the moment. Something not at all helped by the mysterious smartphone that he'd found on his desk this morning. Initially he'd been afraid it was another one of Z-Team's pranks and that the second he turned the thing on it'd start blaring porno clips and bagpipe music again.

He was honestly starting to wish it had just been that. Juvenile pranks by a group of maladjusted "reformed" criminals looking to lash out against a perceived threat (a.k.a Him) would be a thousand times better than whatever this crap was. Taking a deep breath and ignoring the way his ribs seemed to creak like old wood, he turns to look over at his 'Uncle' and the sole reason he got this gig in the first place.

"Yes Chase?" Robert drawls, looking and sounding utterly fed up with the world. Chase, formerly known as the hero Track Star, had been forced to retire thanks to the unknown side-effect of his powers. Super-speed at the price of advanced aging every time he used it. Brutal. But, despite his accelerated age, the old 'Uncle Chase' Robert knew and loved was just as fiery and foul-mouthed as he remembered.

"Don't you cop that attitude with me, ya little shit! Get your head together, boy! And get off that damn phone. We're in the middle of a shift here!" Chase huffs derisively, grumbling a bit as he dips back down past the partition between their cubicles and gets back to his own team. Chase could be a real taskmaster when he wanted to, but Robert knew him well enough to know that, for all his shit-talking, he was really just a softie. Well, mostly for Beef.

As if summoned by the thought of him, the chunky little Chihuahua ambles his way into his owner's cubicle, apparently roused from whatever nap he must've been taking by Chase's yelling. As much as he loves his Uncle Chase- and as much as that man spoils the little dog- Beef's number one person would always be his papa. Robert smiled, the cold, dead pit that used to be his heart thawing over just a bit more in the presence of the obese little dog. Scooping the little chonker onto his lap, he swivels around to face the computer once more. Much as he dreads dealing with more of Z-Team and their bullshit, he has a job to do. Besides, even if they are a team of fuck ups and pieces of shit, Robert had always been someone who believed in the power of change.

Plus, he was quite the fuck up himself.

As he moves to turn his clunky monitor back on, Robert's brown eyes flicker towards the black screen of his mysterious new phone. There were so many questions surrounding that thing. Where'd it come from? How'd it land on his desk? Why him? Was any of that 'Multiverse' bullshit real, or was this all another elaborate prank? 'Honestly, if Z-Team managed to pull off a prank THIS elaborate, I'd be more impressed than anything.' Robert couldn't help but hum to himself. Getting Z-Team to work together was like trying to herd cats... who were hopped up on ketamine. If they could pull their shit together enough to set up and execute something on this scale? Well maybe they weren't so hopeless after all.

"Alright," Robert hums, finally getting himself back on track. As his computer screen lights up with the Dispatcher UI, he readjusts his headset and prepares to (try) to lead his Team to their jobs. "Let's do this."

Chapter Text

Daenerys: So. I see this device is still here.

Daenerys: I should hope the rest of you remain as well.

Gudao: Yep, still here

Aether: I’m here too. Just stopped by this cute little village outside of Mondstadt to get some rest.

Naruto: Dude… cute?

Aether: ???

Naruto: That’s like… something a girl would say.

Aether: …

Gudao: …

Celica: Go on.

Naruto: … no.

Naruto: I sense I’ve made a mistake of some kind…

Robert Robertson: Ah. I was wondering why my phone was having a seizure. 

Robert Robertson: Good morning to you too strange people who live in alternate universes and may or may not be manifestations of my impending psychosis.

Gingerbrave: Good morning!!! :D 

Naruto: Morning, ‘ttebayo!

Gudao: Morning!

Aether: Anyway Naruto did a misogyny

Naruto: DUDE!!!

Gingerbrave: What’s a misogyny?

Celica: Nothing you need to worry about.

Gingerbrave: OK! :D

Gudao: Wait how did the cookie figure out emoticons???

Gingerbrave: My new friend showed me

Aether: Friend???

Celica: Are there more Cookie people?

Gingerbrave: Well, yeah! Of course there are! There’s my friends Strawberry Cookie and Wizard Cookie, then there’s Custard Cookie III, Chili Pepper Cookie, the sugar gnomes, the Cookies of Darkness

Robert Robertson: I’m sorry, the fucking what????

Gingerbrave: ???

Gingerbrave: The… sugar gnomes?

Gingerbrave: Here I’ll send you a picture!

Robert Robertson: No I meant the-

Gudao: SHH!

Gudao: Let him be silly.

Gudao: Before he has to witness the Horrors™

Danaerys: Yes. Let him be young while he can.

Robert Robertson: … Yeah okay we’re definitely going to have to talk about that….

Gingerbrave: Got it!!!

Gingerbrave: Attached Image File New_Friends.jpeg

Celica: Aww! How sweet!

Gudao: Those little guys are adorable!

Robert Robertson: How did they even know how to operate a smartphone?

Gingerbrave: Oh! They say they’ve been around for ages! In fact, they’ve been around since ancient Cookie times! Back when there were still Cookie Kingdoms all over Crispia!

Aether: MY HEART

Aether: The cookie land is called CRISPIA!!! I can die happy. That is the cutest thing I’ve ever heard in my life

Naruto: PSH! Whatever! I gotta run! School’s boutta start and I gotta ace this exam! It’s my first step on my road to becoming Hokage! BELIEVE IT!!!

Celica: Good luck, Naruto!

Aether: Yeah, good luck!

Robert Robertson: Good luck kiddo

Robert Robertson: Anyway, before I forget. @Daenerys how old are you? Just so we’re all on the same page

Daenerys: I’ve just turned 17 a fortnight ago

Robert Robertson: Oh Lord have mercy

…

“Hey, Naruto?” A shrill, yet not entirely unwelcome voice snapped Naruto out of his giggling. Man, this ‘Chat’ thing was FUN! But now was the time to get serious, ‘ttebayo!

Standing next to him in the hallway was Haruno Sakura, glaring at him with the same look of annoyance she always seemed to have whenever he was around. Well, it was a bit nicer than all the other villagers' faces. They always looked like they wanted to rip his guts out and spit on them! Sakura just kind of looks fed up with him. Which is certainly an improvement in his book! Plus, Sakura-Chan was pretty! She had hair like flower petals and eyes like grass.

“What are you doing? Iruka-sensei told me to get you. It’s your turn to take the-” Sakura can barely get the words out before a bright orange blur is zipping past her, nearly bowling her over. Naruto, the brilliant fool he is, is already whooping and cheering like he’s passed the Genin Exam.

“All right! Just you wait, Konoha!” The blond spitfire declares proudly, blue eyes burning with fierce determination. “I’m gonna ace this Exam! Hey, Sakura! Are you gonna be cheering me on?”

“PAH! In your dreams, Naruto!” She balks incredulously. Naruto, as always, lets the anger wash over him like water off a duck’s back. As annoying as he was and as much as he got under her skin, even Sakura had to admire his resilience. 

Now if only he could be any less obnoxious about it.

With the same cheeky grin as always, the whiskers marking his cheeks perfecting his ‘mischievous fox’ look, Naruto leaves Sakura with a casual two-finger salute, ducking into the classroom to take his test.

He was going to ace this test. He had to! 

Man, everybody in the Group Chat was gonna be so excited to hear about how great he did!

Chapter Text

Celica: My friends and I have just arrived at Novis Harbor

Celiac: I’ve heard rumors of a renowned mercenary staying nearby, but have yet to-

Celica: Oh!

Gudao: Celica? Are you alright?

Gingerbrave: Oh man, I hope everything is okay

Celica: Yes forgive me I am quite alright there’s just

Celica: Such a cute cat here and I wish you all could see them

Gingerbrave: Ooh! Send us a picture!

Celica: How???

Gudao: Next to the box where you type out your messages, there should be a small square shaped icon with a plus mark 

Gudao: It will then ask whether you would like to take a photo or not. Hit ‘yes’, then it should open up the camera feature

Gudao: Once there, aim your phone towards whatever it is you want to take a picture of, then press the white circle button that should appear at the bottom of the screen

Aether: Jeez, you’re like a human instruction manual

Gudao: Let’s just say I work with a few people who are… unaccustomed to modern technology

Gingerbrave: Do we think that’s suspicious?

Danaerys: Yes, I believe we do.

Celica has attached 3 Image Files

Celica: Ahhh! Gudao thank you so much for your help! These babies were so cute and friendly! If I wasn’t on a quest right now I’d want to bring them all back to the monastery with me!

Aether: Awww~ They’re adorable!

Gudao: Wow, so many. And they all look well-fed too. They might be boat cats

Gingerbrave: WOAH! What the HECK are those?! I’ve never seen dessert creatures like that before!

Gudao: Well, Gingerbrave, they’re not dessert creatures. They’re flesh and blood animals

Gingerbrave: Fl-huh? Bl-what?

Aether: Let’s… maybe save the world-shattering revelations for when the designated father of the group returns.

Gudao: What?

Celica: I would rather not discuss the matter of fathers

Daenerys: Nor would I

Gudao: When did we decide that–

Robert Robertson: Okay, what the fuck did I just  walk back in on?

Celica: Hello again, Mr. Robertson!

Gingerbrave: Hello!

Robert Robertson: Hello to both of you, too. Where’s Naruto? Kid said he was gonna take a test and hasn’t been back since yesterday. 

Gudao: Now that you mention it it is a bit concerning that we haven’t heard back from him

Gudao: He seems like the type to blow up everybody’s phone over the smallest thing

Celica: BLOW UP??????

Gingerbrave: IS THAT A THING?!?!?

Robert Robertson: No, kids, it’s just a turn of phrase. 

Robert Robertson: Anyway it’s nice to know someone else is just as paranoid as I am

Gudao: ???

Gudao: Thank… you??????

Daenerys: Could you not just call on his attention as you did for me?

Robert Robertson: Fair point

Robert Robertson: @Naruto You alright there, bud? Did your test go well?

Naruto: OH MH GOHG YOU GUYS I DID IT I DID IT I DID IT I’M A NINJA!!!!!

Aether: CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!

Gudao: Nice job, man!

Celica: Oh my goodness! Congratulations, Naruto! Well done!

Daenerys: I applaud your efforts. I hope this will only be the beginning of many more achievements to come.

Gingerbrave: HOORAY!!! YOU DID IT!!! Congrats on acing your test!

Naruto: Thanks guys!!! I was scared I wouldn’t get my forehead protector after failing the test, but Iruka-sensei said I proved myself as a ninja after learning the Shadow Clone Jutsu and protecting the Scroll of Seals!

Gudao: …

Aether: …

Celica: …

Gingerbrave: … 

Daenerys: I… 

Robert Robertson: You… failed the test???

Naruto: Yeah, which sucks

Naruto: But that test was stupid anyway! All I had to do was steal a super special scroll and learn a secret jutsu

Celica: You STOLE it?!

Gudao: I have… so many questions

Aether: Hang on, wait a minute, start from the beginning. What exactly happened???

Naruto: OK! So, first I went into the test and I was supposed to perform the clone jutsu, but all my clones turn out looking horrible!

Naruto: It really sucks cause there’s this girl in my class that’s super cool and really pretty and also her chakra control is really good and she’s super smart and all her clones look so real it’s crazy and also she–

Robert Robertson: Ok, ok! Let’s get back on track here. You couldn’t make the clone. What happened next?

Naruto: OH yeah sorry about that!

Naruto: Anyway, so after I failed I was super bummed and stuff. But then Mizuki-sensei told me there was another way to pass the test that only really exceptional students can try and I was super excited!

Gudao: That is insanely suspicious. Naruto-kun, did this guy ever give you any indication that he was a trustworthy adult, aside from him being your teacher?

Naruto: Well, not really. He mostly used to just berate me and punish me for not doing well in class

Naruto: But I can’t help it, ‘ttebayo! The lessons are so BORING!!!

Aether: Wait this guy was BERATING YOU?!??!?!

Gingerbrave: WOAH, what the heck?! That is not cool!

Robert Robertson: That has to violate several moral and ethic codes, especially for an educator. Tell me you have someone to talk to about this

Naruto: :D

Robert Robertson: Besides us

Naruto: :(

Celica: Oh, Naruto. I’m so sorry you had to experience such abuse. I can’t imagine why anyone would ever be so cruel to such a sweet boy like you.

Aether: “Sweet” she says

Celica: Aether.

Aether: BUT, I 100% agree that this Mizuki guy sounds like a scumbag

Naruto: YEAH, HE WAS!!! He told me all I had to do was steal that super secret scroll of seals and learn one of the jutsus inside, cause only super strong shinobi can master those, ya know?

Naruto: But then he went and told everyone that I was going rogue and I STOLE the scroll so everybody would chase me down! Good thing Iruka-sensei found me first otherwise I’d be TOAST!

Gudao: Well… you did actually steal the scroll

Daenerys: Regardless of your actions and the foolishness behind them, your trust was abused and manipulated in a way meant to put you in harm's way.

Daenerys: Such cowardice is deserving of no quarter.

Aether: Kinda intense, but also. Fair enough

Naruto: Anyway, so Mizuki caught up with us and was saying all this stuff to Iruka-sensei about me. And then he…

Robert Robertson: He… what? 

Robert Robertson: Naruto. Whatever it was he told you, I want you to know that you’re safe here, alright kid?

Celica: I agree with Sir Robertson. Nobody here will hurt or berate you, Naruto. You and your secrets are safe with us.

Gudao: Normally I’d say something about ‘stranger danger’ and all that, but… yeah, Naruto-kun. We’re here for you. Whether you want to tell us or not, it’s totally up to you.

Gingerbrave: Yeah! We’re not going anywhere! We’re gonna stick together cause that’s what friends do!

Naruto: Everyone…

Naruto: Damn it! You’ve all got me tearing up all over again! So not cool! I’m a Ninja now, I’m not supposed to cry like a little kid!

Naruto: But… thanks

Naruto: Mizuki revealed the truth behind why nobody in the village seems to like me. It’s cause… on the day I was born, a demon fox known as ‘The Nine-Tails’ broke free from its prison and went on a rampage

Naruto: In order to stop it, they had to seal it inside of someone. That someone… was me.

Gudao: Naruto…

Robert Robertson: They sealed a fucking DEMON inside of a goddamn BABY?! Who the fuck is running that place??? 

Celica: That’s far too cruel! How could anybody do something so vicious to an innocent baby?

Celica: Oh, Naruto. I’m so terribly sorry you had to find out that way.

Naruto: Thanks guys. It… it really means a lot hearing you guys say this stuff…

Robert Robertson: Of course kid. Finish your story.

Naruto: Right! So, uh, after Mizuki said that I was the Demon Fox, I got really upset because it just… explained so much! But then Iruka-sensei said that I wasn’t the Nine-Tails. That I’m just Naruto, and that I was a great student.

Naruto: He tried to get me to run away, but a future Hokage can’t just run from his problems, no matter the odds! So I stood my ground and performed the Shadow Clone Jutsu and summoned, like, 100 shadow clones!

Gudao: Wait A HUNDRED????

Aether: How does a kid go from not being able to make a single clone to pumping out 100 of them???

Naruto: HEY! It’s cause I’m UZUMAKI NARUTO!!! I’ll make the impossible possible and there’s nothing anybody can do to stop me! Believe it!

Naruto: According to Iruka-sensei, the reason I couldn’t do a regular clone jutsu but could make all those solid shadow clones was cause of just how much chakra I have. It’s too much for more precise techniques but enough for super big ones

Celica: Naruto, that’s incredible! I hope you’re very proud of yourself for such a monumental achievement.

Naruto: Aww shucks! Come on, it was nothing for a future Hokage like me, ‘ttebayo!

Gingerbrave: And then? What happened next? Did you beat up that jerk?

Naruto: You KNOW IT! He looked like he was about to pee his pants he was so scared! We totally kicked his butt and that’s how I earned my forehead protector!

Robert Robertson: Well, you certainly had a busy day. Proud of you kid

Naruto: Thanks Gramps!!!

Aether: OOP

Gudao: Well there it is

Celica: I suppose the wholesome atmosphere couldn’t have lasted long.

Robert Robertson: Alright. I take it back. Goodbye.

Naruto: WAIT NOOO DON’T LEAVE I’M SORRY AKSJNFKJHBWFOWN

Aether: The immediate regret is sending me 

Gingerbrave: Where are you going?

Gudao: Gingerbrave… never change

Gingerbrave: OK :D?

“Hey, Celica? What’s that thing you always seem to be staring at?” 

The priestess in question immediately looked up from the device she’d been practically glued to for the past… oh dear, just how long had that conversation gone on for? It was so easy to lose track of time with this “Group Chat”. Immediately her gaze drifts to the curious face of her dearest friend, Mae. 

The young mage had a very blunt and straightforward nature, never afraid to speak her mind and rarely ever bothering to mince her words. Huh, a bit like Naruto in a way. Though it’s clear the boy lacks the slight amount of tact that even Mae has.

Face glowing in the dim amber lantern light of the rented room they would be staying in for the night, Celica was grateful at least that the blush blooming across her face would be obscured by the low light. How embarrassing, that she’d been caught so distracted by the strange little device she’d grown so accustomed to.

“Forgive me, Mae. I was just speaking to some…” She paused, stuck on the right word for the members of the chat. Could they really be called friends so soon? Sure, Celica herself had said on the first day she wanted to befriend the other participants of this chat, but would it be too soon to call them such? It’s only been a few days. Would she be getting ahead of herself if she did call them her friends, or should she be safe and use a more distant term for them? 

As she pondered this, Celica could hear a small voice with startling clarity, speaking in the back of her mind. A voice she didn’t- couldn’t have recognize! After all, she’d never even heard GingerBrave speak! Yet… somehow in her heart, she could hear him speak so clearly. 

“We’re gonna stick together cause that’s what friends do!”

At that, Celica couldn’t help but smile.

“Friends… I was speaking to some friends of mine.”

Poor Mae, she looked so confused by her friend’s statement.

“Huh? How can you be speaking when you haven’t said a word? All you’ve been doing is tapping away at that weird slab thing!” She exclaims, not necessarily accusing or belittling, but simply bewildered in a way that was so refreshingly Mae.

Celica could only laugh, a polite, tittering little noise, even as Genny- bless her heart- immediately began chastising Mae.

“Mae! Don’t be rude to Lady Celica. If she wants to talk to the people in the magic slab, then that’s her business!” The shepherd-turned-cleric decries. The adorable look of frustration on her face as she puffs up her cheeks and furrows her brows only serves to redouble Celica’s laughter. With the grace of a Lady holding court she delicately raises a hand, signaling to both girls to stop.

“Genny, thank you. But it’s quite alright. I understand the confusion.” She pauses for a moment, pondering how exactly she can explain and prove this ‘Group Chat’ situation to her friends. “Hmm, I don’t believe I’ll be able to show you how this works since the screen can’t be seen by non-participants… How about this? I’ll try to explain this ‘phone’ business to you both when we set out tomorrow. Does that sound fair?”

That seems to satisfy Mae’s curiosity for the time being, and Genny seems surprised and intrigued by the prospect of learning more about this mysterious ‘phone’. 

“Alright, Celica. I trust your judgment. I’m looking forward to learning more about this tomorrow!” Mae declares, a boyish grin on her face. Genny, while more subdued, shares the budding mage’s enthusiasm.

“Yes, I’m looking forward to it myself. It should help make the sailing a bit more bearable.” As she says that, the fluffy haired girl has to hold a hand to her mouth to stifle a yawn, eyes drooping as exhaustion settles in.

With another warm smile, Celica, now changed into a thin nightgown, moves to snuff out the lantern. “Well, I believe that’s our cue to get some sleep. Goodnight girls.”

“Night, Cel!”

“Goodnight, Lady Celica.”