Ruger raised an eyebrow slightly, then slowly stepped forward, turning toward another Teleportation Array a little farther away.
He had only just started walking, intending to go around that spot, when the figure with her back to him seemed to think of something puzzling. She leaned sideways, tilting her head in apparent surprise, and actually began adjusting the direction she faced as well.
At first, she turned this way and that, seemingly uncertain, but gradually she turned toward the Teleportation Array Ruger intended to choose.
Understanding dawned on Ruger's face, and he tried changing direction again.
This time, however, she did not react the same way. Instead, she turned around outright and began scanning the nearby crowd.
When their eyes met, Ruger stopped teasing her, though he was still very curious.
"Were you waiting for me?" Ruger asked curiously.
"You could say that, or you could say otherwise. Some things needn't be defined too precisely. I'm waiting for my fate..." Mona said with a cheerful smile.
Ruger kept walking, making his way unhurriedly toward the nearest Teleportation Array.
Mona followed, still smiling.
"Did you eat too much? Did Jillian and the others abandon you?" Ruger asked as he walked.
"You could put it that way, or phrase it differently: I abandoned them." Mona smiled serenely. "Varin was already planning the journey. She even included my share of tableware and emergency rations. Just like when we explored the Small World, we would help each other and travel together. But... in the end, I chose you instead, leaving poor little Varin heartbroken..."
"Maybe Varin's secretly laughing because she finally doesn't have to carry your share of the soup," Ruger said.
As he walked, he took out his Identity Badge and, after some thought, stored a set of coordinates on it. They marked