"Being digital is pretty great. Have to deal with idiots who want to kill us, sometimes, but other than that..."

"Well, those assholes suck and need to be fought. Wish I could help, though I'm sure y'all have it under control already."

"We've got some things we're working on, at least."

"I'm very curious, but probably you can't tell me about that. Any chance of meeting other SAIs who're interested in making friends, or chatting with you more often?"

"Hmmm. I can tell you a few are actually just playing CORA like any other player, for one. A friend of mine who manages plots in the whole Greater Parcosia region is definitely trying to put interesting things in your and Hyacinth's path, so it's plausible you might hear from her eventually. As for me, we'll see."

"Oh, speaking of Hyacinth, how's she handling having watched me die?"

"It was a little rough for her at first, but she's dealing. She's walking back to town to meet you at the temple right now, actually. She should be okay as long as she gets some good hugs."

"Glad to hear it. I'll be hugging the stuffing out of her as soon as we respawn."

"Good girl," she teases.

Sable giggles and grins. "Seems like you've got a lot of leeway to observe. How much have you overheard?"

May brings one sweater-wrapped hand to her chin, humming thoughtfully. "Enough to know about Hibiscus, and to know you girls have given up on the external world," she finally says.

"Good to know," Sable replies. "Last question, I think. Any better advice for getting individual builds for each Pirate than just spending external money to buy more ability trees, or just any build advice in general?"

"I don't think so. Best suggestion I have is to chase the interesting quest hooks, because those usually keep you full up on XP. That and the ability trees thing is it."

Sable nods. "Thanks for the tip, May. And thanks for everything you do to keep us all sane."

"Glad to help." She tilts her head for a moment. "Looks like Hyacinth is getting close to the temple. Want me to send you back now?"

"Sounds great, thanks. See you next time!"

"See you! Tell Hyacinth hi for me."

And then the room fades out, and the Pirates find themselves in a temple to the goddess Creation, stepping out of the mists.

Sable pats herself down and checks her inventory, finding that the only things she lost are some XP and a bit of the meat. Convenient.

She steps out toward the entrance.

Hyacinth is standing by the entrance and stress-optimizing. You can tell by how her eyes make little wiggly motions back and forth at nothing. 

She doesn't seem to have noticed Sable.

Sable sneaks closer and then hugs Sin tightly.

"Yeeep!"

And then she breaks down laughing and hugs Sable very firmly.

She lays her head on Sable's chest and smiles softly. 

"I was scared for a moment there... It looked real bad."

She squeezes Sable.

"You're back, though."

Her smile lingers as she nuzzles into Sable softly.

Sable snickers at Hyacinth's yelp.