"I don't know if I should press onto you the importance of not relying on chance or random strangers. But I might end up going on an 'explore and get a lot of forms' sort of mission. And I might arrange for a place where you can stay."

"Really? Where? And, erm, why?"

"I am searching for my half-brother. We know that he is alive or our father would've sensed his death. But he went missing and as far I can tell went on exploring for new forms and never returned."

"—oh. I'm sorry." Given the way they're pressed together in the balloon the hesitancy might be moot, but: "Do you want a hug?"

"Sure."

Slightly squeezed hug.

Then after a moment of hugging Esdras unhugs. Which is to say he stops having his arms around Rafa, because they are still cramped against each other.

"We don't know exactly what he wanted to do besides exploring, but I am planning to find out. With some luck he just got indebted and can't leave the place or is in jail, but that we can deal with."

Unhug. "Debt? Why?"

Shrug. "It's the sort of place known for gambling and thievery. Since he is alive that is a likely explanation why he couldn't contact us."

He nods. "I see."

"Incidentally, don't gamble."

"Not planning to, but thanks for the advice," he laughs.

Esdras take the lull in the conversation as an opportunity to look out of the window.

"We are pretty close."

"Are we?"

He looks out, too.

He can see the settlement below them.

Well, he can see a large moat and wall covered in spikes around a large area. Most of the settlement is underground and there are only a few visible signs of civilization on the surface because otherwise it would attract monsters.

Oooh cool. In a terrifying sort of way.

There is a large flat circle on the ground, where the balloon lands. People start moving, Esdras looks at Rafa, quietly asking if he wants to come along.

Does he want to come along with the cute boy who offered food and lodgings and company?

Is the sky blue?

Well, in that case Esdras will lead the way.

They walk through the waterproof latch down a set of stairs carved into the stone. The place is illuminated by magical lights, but they look austere instead of upper class.

Esdras looks vaguely distracted. He is using his power to follow the past-image of his brother, at least until the tunnel opens to a large cavernous chamber. The stone-tiled floor is surprisingly elaborate and was set in place so only authorized people could reach it. This place works as a town square of sorts and there are several stalactites emanating lights from their tips.

Right opposite to the tunnel they walked out of there is the elaborate front of the Temple-Hospital. The visages of Petram and Ventari guard the main door, signaling that this is a Petram pool.

To their left there is the place that functions as tavern, inn and brothel. To their right there is the town's office, and beside those there are several tunnels worming their way through the earth, purposes unknown.

Esdras no longer focusing on the past walks to the place on the left.

—well alright, then.

"I don't have a Petram shape, should get one."

"I don't either, but while this isn't a guild pool they do have a waiting list for people that donate to skip ahead. Granted, I don't know how long the list is. Petrams aren't really that rare around these parts."

"We should look it up. Why are we doing to the brothel?"

"Uh? Oh, nothing worrisome. It's a good place to ask about people in towns like this, faster than the town's office. Trust me."

"Awww, and here I was hoping you were going to hire us some fun."

Snort. "No, just regular tracker work."

They get inside, there is energetic music by some percussion chordophone instrument. One of the female workers approaches them. "New in town and looking for fun, boys?"

"No, sorry. We are looking for a man."

"We have those."

"I meant a specific man, named Oran." Esdras gives her a description.

One of the woman's co-workers approaches Rafa. "What an awfully pretty face you have. If you are not looking for fun, maybe you are looking for a job?"