Magnus' POV:

"Finally, relaxation!" Josie cries in relief, falling back on the queen bed of our hotel room. Evangelica rolls her eyes with a smirk, and I chuckle at the princess' dramatic act.

"You're just overreacting, traveling through the woods wasn't that bad. You just have to suck it up and get used to it." I tease, crossing my arms. Josie huffs, spreading her arms out.

"Excuse you, I haven't had years of knight training and exploration outside the kingdom! In case you forgot, I was practically locked in a castle for most of my childhood due to my overprotective parents."

"True, but didn't you get at least a little bit of training in self-defense?" Evangelica asks, taking a seat in the second bed across from us. Josie hums in response, nodding and closing her eyes.

"Yeah, but not much. I learned just enough to protect myself against anyone who attacks me. Hey, did we happen to bring any spare clothes with us?" Josie rolls over on her side, reaching over the bed to grab her bag. Evangelica and I look at each other, then I shrug and shake my head at the princess.

"I don't think so, but it doesn't really matter. We are going to be running around place to place." I say, holding back a laugh at Josie's horrified expression.

"WHAT!? No spare clothes?! Ugh, how am I supposed to look pretty then? I mean, I always look pretty, but like c'mon!" Josie whines, look from my amused face to Evangelica's deadpan expression.

"Oh, wow, your so modest." Evangelica says, her voice oozing with sarcasm. Josie smiles wickedly at her comment, nodding.

"I know right? I am very modest. Anyway, I need clothes, so we are going shopping tomorrow." Josie orders, sitting up and looking confidently at us. I look at her with a frustrated frown, and Evangelica raises a challenging eyebrow at the young teen.

"Oh? And who put you in charge?"

"I did, now if you excuse me I'm taking off this hideous, bulky armor." Josie states sassily as she pulls her chest plate off her body, revealing the top past of her pastel pink dress she had underneath it. Then, after tossing the plate onto the floor much to Evangelica and I's protest, she takes off the silver metal protecting her legs. With a satisfied sigh, she hops up from the bed.

"I guess if we are spending the night we might as well get comfortable." I agree, removing my own armor, carefully unlike Josie, and am left in my black tank top and grey shorts.

"Now, I know you all want to go to sleep but-" Evangelica started. Josie leaped up and gave Evangelica a cold stare.

"Don't even start. I am cold, I am hungry, I am dirty, and most of all, I am hungry." Josie then flopped back onto her bed and covered herself with a sheet. Evangelica attempts to suppress a laugh, then throws her hands in the air dramatically

"Oh my sincerest apologies, Josie, for trying to plan for how we will set you up for civilian life." Josie, seemingly missing her meaning, waves one hand in the air absentmindedly.

"You are forgiven, just do not test my patience again." I chuckle and shake my head at Evangelica. Both of us prepare our bedrolls and attempt to sleep.

~

Attempt-ed, I should say. My nerves were on edge and it is seemingly impossible to sleep. There are so many questions that need to be answered, so many unknowns. Right as I wonder whether I should try taking a walk, I hear a soft noise from across the room. I quickly open my eyes and make sure not to move, as to not startle who or what was making the noise. Looking over, I see a small mass in the covers of the bed that had been housing Josie. Quietly, I get up and silently cross over to the side of the bed. Lifting up the covers carefully I see Josie, eyes filled with tears. Shock freezes my body as I stare wide-eyed at her. Josie, who was never anything but smiles and mockery, was crying. Weakly, Josie lifts herself up from the bed and rubs the tears out of her eyes.

"...Well? What do you want!" Josie snapped, giving me a frustrated look. Realizing that maybe I shouldn't have bothered her, I panic.

"Oh- Josie- I... sorry!" I fling the cover back in her face and step back awkwardly.

"Magnus!" Josie wines, and pushes the cover off. Her grumpy face shifts into one with concern and confusion.

"I've never seen you so... awkward." Josie says, almost to herself. A soft red color covers my face. Josie thinks for a moment, then panics.

"I didn't mean that your awkward- I just meant that normally your so tough and quiet and-" Josie sighs.

"Can I ask what's wrong?" I ask. Josie chuckles sadly in response

"Yeah, sure..." she motions for me to sit beside her. "I guess... I wonder if all of this was a bad idea..."