"Peace and progress, then." Lily offers her arm.

"Peace and progress, Lily," and she clasps Lily's forearm.

And they continue on toward the gate. When they get close enough, Sable calls out a friendly greeting. "Peace and Progress, friends!"

There are three guards on gate duty at the moment: a wolf woman, a panther man, and a human man.

"Peace and Patience, travelers!", comes the reply from the human.

The wolfgirl — who looks to be the ranking guard, if the extra flourishes on her insignia are anything to go by — calls out as well, "Peace and progress, adventurer!"

She strides up to meet Sable and Lily, reaching out and clasping the foxgirl's arm gladly. "Welcome back to Spasiba, Miss Silver. What brings you this far south?"

She clasps the guard's arm in return and replies, "Peace and Progress, lieutenant. It's good to be back. I'm escorting this novice alchemist to town, and getting her settled in. I might get a long-term place here myself, even."

"Good to hear."

She turns to Lily and offers her arm to clasp. "Peace and progress, traveler."

Lily clasps her arm with the guard's, a little awkwardly. "Peace and progress, friend."

Her eyes widen fractionally at the feel of porcelain beneath the cloak, but she smiles encouragingly at Lily and nods. "Welcome to Spasiba, Miss. If you're planning to move here, you should be aware that we have fairly liberal laws here, but we respond fiercely if someone crosses the line. Miss Silver can explain them in more detail if needed, or you can ask at the guard office. Do you swear to refrain from murder, theft, and unlawful enslavement while in Spasiba?"

"I do so swear."

She decides not to touch that "unlawful" with a ten foot pole.

"Then welcome," she says with a nod, and she leads them back to the gate.

The panther man, his armor bare of any rank insignia, steps quickly to open the gate.

Sable quirks an eyebrow. "Did they finally get you some new trainees?"

"Aye," she says with a nod. "It took two weeks after you helped us repel the hydras before they approved the budget, but they did get it done. This one just joined last week."

"About time," she replies with a smile. "Good they didn't keep you understaffed too long. Thanks for the warm welcome."

"Have a good evening, ladies."

"And a good evening to you too."

She looks at Sable. Onwards they go?

Indeed! She leads Lily onward, into Spasiba.

In they walk, passing a guild-hall, a few pubs catering to adventurers, a sketchy-looking inn, and pausing at a more moderate one. Calling itself the Glass Poppy, it looks well-maintained and comparatively quiet.

She turns to Lily. "This looks like a likely place to find a decent rate. Want to try here?"

"It looks fine to me, but I'm no expert."

"That's okay, that's what I'm here for." She steps up to the door, opening it and holding it for Lily.

Lily smiles slightly at Sable, and walks in, craning her neck to take a good look.

The lobby is calm and tastefully decorated, with a small seating area, some exquisitely-crafted glass flowers resting in a vase on a low table surrounded by a pair of comfy-looking couches. Directly across from them as they walk in is a receptionist's counter, featuring a bored-looking catgirl who perks up at their entrance.

"Welcome to the Glass Poppy, the most focused inn in Spasiba. We provide a safe and pleasant place to stay, do it well, and do nothing else. Will you two be checking in tonight?"

"Hello, I'd like a shared suite for the two of us for the next... let's say week."