After they finished with their cheers, the 'steel dragon' began to introduce Rowan to everybody, starting with himself.

"Name's Aron. Sounds like iron! Pretty fitting, doncha think?!"

"Haagh~, you say that every time, isn't it starting to get old?"

"This snarky lil' lass over here's Avisec," Aron gestured with a clawed hand toward the metal bird. "But we just call her Avy."

Avy gave Rowan a sidelong look before greeting him. "Pleasure."

He decided it must have been a casual welcoming word in the local dialect rather than something used out-of-context, and returned it with a light bow. It would not do to try and emulate her, lest the situation turn into something akin to his earlier attempt with Jin when he first arrived here.

"That fella over there? That's Sentinel, Sen for short," Aron pointed at the chunk of metal floating at the other end of the table.

Sen responded with a 'pip', and Rowan did another light bow. He could not garner any hints as to how Sen felt towards him, due to a complete lack of discernible facial expressions or body language. However, he had a feeling that this being's behavior was just as neutral as its dull grey profile and singular glowing red 'eye'.

"Quiet one here's Seryuah," Aron tilted his head at the blue-haired woman. Her particular greeting involved shrugging one shoulder, while the hand that was curled into a loose fist on the table opened with its palm facing upwards. The thing that stood out the most, however, was the strangely exaggerated look she was giving him. It may have been meant for humor, judging by the chuckles it elicited from Aron, Avy, and Jin.

"What was that supposed to be?!" Jin questioned.

"Just a spur of the moment thing, I dunno," she replied, returning to her normal, laid-back demeanor.

"HAH! Well anyways, you've already met Jin-"

"'Hail there!' *snrkt*"

"-and I'm sure he's treated you... somewhat decently?"

"...Quite," Rowan replied as he gave a look of disdain at the 'sage' who was mimicking his 'mistake'.

Aron chortled at this remark, before moving on to the final person at the table. "Last one's Eto, but you don't need to worry 'bout 'er, she's gonna be leaving us soon."

He was shocked. "Is... is she dying?"

A short silence, before abrupt laughter rang out from everybody else except the sleeping woman and Sen.

"Ooooh buddy, haven't had anybody so serious since Zero-Two when he first arrived," said Aron while wiping a non-existent tear from his eye.

"I know right?!" exclaimed Jin. "Jeez, I miss those days when he'd freeze up whenever I so much as laid a finger on him. You'd think I committed a capital crime for dirtying his clothes or something!"

Aron turned his attention back to Rowan. "Well, hey buddy listen. What we mean by 'she's leaving us' is that she's gonna be visiting another world soon."

That piqued his curiosity. "You visit other worlds?"

"Yeah, we do that sometimes. Don't concern yourself about that right now, you'll get there in the future," dismissed Aron with a wave of his hand.

"Hey can we get back to eating now? I'm starving!" interrupted Jin.

Rowan didn't feel very good about leaving the subject behind, but if it was a topic they would cover eventually, he decided it would be prudent to wait and be patient. As for the matter at hand, however...

"Mmph! Mm, *glurk*, Jannikete never disappoints," Jin managed to say while wolfing down his meal.

He watched as they all ate with their own various methods. Jin deftly utilized two wooden sticks with one hand to pick up pieces of the 'sushi', while Aron resorted to a beam emitting from the center of his palm as his large hands and comparatively small fingers were too unwieldy otherwise. Seryuah merely used telekinetic magic to eat while sprawling back on her seat, Sen appeared to disintegrate a piece every now and then, and Avy pecked like a... well, like a bird.

Unfortunately, it would seem as though he could no longer avoid sampling these repulsive dishes as Aron took notice of his inaction. "So, Rowan. Noticed you didn't touch anything yet. You don't gotta be so modest!"

"Ah, forgive me, but back home we would consider it beneath us to eat... pests," he said, eyeing the food all the while.

"PFFFHT- wait, hold on," Jin spit some of his food out to talk, much to Avy's dismay. "This whole time, you thought we were eating worms or something? Was that why you gave me that look when we first met?"

"...I can only assume I was in the wrong and that these are not the spawn of insects. Could I trouble you to enlighten me, then?"

"This is rice. It's a grain, kinda like wheat, in a way. Go ahead, try some! Oh, and don't worry about using chopsticks, just use your hands!"

Grateful that Jin was not forcing him into another potentially embarrassing situation, Rowan decided to take one of the simpler looking ones, a deep-red slab of meat laid over a ball of rice.

He was taken aback. The flavor of the meat was delightfully pungent, and the texture, very tender and just a tiny bit coarse. Such a combination was complemented by the rice, which had a tangy zest to it that helped whet his appetite, and the nature of it being granular helped meld it together with the meat as he chewed, granting it a new texture altogether! It all reminded him of a certain dish that also embraced such simplicity back home.

"So? Whadja think?"

"It was... surprisingly delicious. It reminds me of something we ate back home called a sandwich."

"HAH!" Aron interjected with his signature guffaw. "Does this look anything like a sandwich to you?!"

"No, but... agh, never mind," said a flustered Rowan as chuckles rolled through the table's occupants. "I still would not have thought that fish could get so colorful. Every time we cooked them, they would end up losing their color."

"You think these are cooked fish? They're raw!"

"Always nice to watch a newbie experience everything for the first time," mused Avy.

Rowan could not help but gaze at the dishes splayed out in front of him in a new light. Was this truly raw fish? The veritable rainbow of colors were so vibrant that they were utterly enticing!

He spent the rest of his time at the restaurant trying as many types of sushi as possible, marveling at the variety of flavors that met his tongue all the while. After sampling at least fifty different kinds, he was introduced to condiments that he could add. His particular favorite was the salty black soy sauce, which he found helped greatly in wringing out the meaty flavors of the fish. On the other hand, his experience with the pasty green wasabi granted him an unexpected shock to his tongue and nostrils. It prompted him to recoil backwards and even shed some tears, much to the amusement of his new acquaintances.

Of course, while they enjoyed witnessing this at his expense, they did not spend their entire time doting on the newcomer. They were holding their own conversations with one another that involved many words, phrases, and subjects that Rowan had never even heard of before. Though he had difficulty understanding this foreign dialect, he managed to piece together the general meaning for parts of it. A majority of their discussion involved gossip about friends and family, though at times they would speak of "projects", "experiments", "discoveries", etc. Occasionally, they would mention the elements, but he had no idea what carbon, ammonia, and sodium chloride were.

Much too soon for Rowan's liking, though in reality about ninety minutes had already come and gone, the time came for them to leave. Everybody went their separate ways, with the still sleeping Eto being carried off by Aron and co, and Jin leading Rowan away to where he would spend the night. He was in a much better mood after having a small feast, enough that he could engage in small talk with Jin as they traveled on the moving roads of the city.

"The meal was most enjoyable, Jin. I thank you for that, but I do have to wonder why you did not take me to a more popular eatery."

"Huzzabwuh huh now?" Caught off guard by that statement, Jin couldn't help but sputter in surprise.

"There were plenty of customers, certainly, but never enough that the restaurant would run out of vacancy. Back home, there would be exotic locales that would have lines of up to a thousand people..."

"You ever heard o'reservations?"

Rowan's eyebrows furrowed. "Reservations?"

"It's a sort of process created to prevent lines from having to build up in the first place. People can 'reserve' an appointment for restaurants so that they can guarantee a spot for themselves, at the same time taking away the pressure of having to serve a ton of patrons standing outside before the day is over."

That system made sense to Rowan. At least, for mortals it was something that seemed necessary. Back home, as one climbed the echelons of power, the need for sleep and other bodily needs would gradually be lessened all the way into non-existence at the Lesser Exalt level. Everyone could wait in such long lines patiently and without issue, as it would all be worth it to be able to dine in one of these famous sites.

"That seems about right. The experience was tantalizing enough that it felt off without seeing a long line out front, so that clears up my confusion. However, if there was one thing I would recommend adding, it would be music. Back home, there would be locally renowned musicians playing in the background..."

"Some of us like to hear ourselves think, y'know! If you really want to listen to some music, just go request a Pad. Here, like this."

He watched as Jin gestured at one of the idly floating glass panels to come to him. Earlier on it went unnoticed, but these objects had metal coverings on their corners with grooves and bumps. The Pad hovered about half a meter away from his face, and lights dancing around within the glass began to form messages.

VERIFYING...

USER RECOGNIZED: JIN SOOK

PERMISSIONS GRANTED: MEMBER [R]

ADJUSTING PERSONAL SETTINGS...

DISMISS UNIT? (Y)/N

"Just like that. Go on, give it a try!"

Repeating Jin's motions from earlier, Rowan was approached by an idle Pad, which greeted him with similar messages.

VERIFYING...

USER NOT RECOGNIZED

PERMISSIONS GRANTED: GUEST

At this point, a list of rectangular panels of light displaying various environments popped out onto the panel, with "SELECT THEME" displayed on top. He continued to appreciate this culture's ability to suit as many tastes as possible, and decided to choose the one depicting a prairie setting.

Once again, the light shifted itself to cover the glass panel and proceeded to generate a scenery so realistic it felt as though Rowan could reach a hand in to touch the swaying, overgrown blades of grass. Some wooden signs sprung out from the ground within the prairie, containing words such as "HELP CENTER", "MAP", "GAMES", "MUSIC", "CONNECT", and "LOG OUT".

After asking Jin what he was supposed to do next, Rowan tapped the sign labeled "MUSIC". Two small baubles no larger than two centimeters each came out of one of the Pad's metallic corners, and after a quick reassurance from Jin, they were allowed to nestle themselves into his ears.

He heard... the pleasant strumming of a lute. Or whatever the lute equivalent of this world was. The experience was completely unexpected, as he felt a certain intimacy with the instrument's sounds the likes of which could never be achieved if he were to have listened from a distance. Though the things that existed back in his home were extravagant in their own right, and that it would take a lot to convince him that there was any better, Rowan had to admit that there was a certain charm to everything here. There was much to look forward to, and he felt his anticipation build up for whatever awaited him next.

"Hey man, we're here!" announced Jin.

Abruptly, though he could have sworn they had some time left, Rowan's attention was brought up by Jin shaking him by the shoulder. He was welcomed by the sight of a lavish red carpet that led into the building he would rest in for the night. Scattered groups of individuals were seen passing in and out of the entrance while being received or sent off by helpers.

"Alright, see ya later!"

"Eh?!"

"Hm? You didn't think I actually live here, did you? Welp! See you tomorrow!"

Rowan stood there, flabbergasted as Jin actually left him by his lonesome. While he could just find a remote area somewhere and meditate until morning, he was truly hoping to experience more of what the city had to offer him. Well, he would still be able to, though he felt it might become frustrating.

He made up his mind to go in the building and negotiate a room to stay in. "Surely, Jin would not mind if I put it on his tab?" Rowan thought as he passed by a helper grinning and gesturing him in.

After motioning the Pad to leave, he was once again assaulted by a blast of wind billowing out from a long, metal bar. He wished to ask Jin later what the purpose of these wind contraptions were, but in the meanwhile, he could at least enjoy these pleasantly cool and dry environments that seemed like an inherent trait within the city's buildings.

He approached what appeared to be the receptionist counter. Behind it were five attendants. Starting from the right, they were: A cloaked reptilian with reading glasses diligently scribbling notes in a book, a female human with cropped, auburn hair conversing with someone through a Pad, a two meter tall conical amalgamation of metal and lights, a yellow-flowering treant standing at a height of four meters with a soft looking canopy of leaves, and a muscular, dull-green humanoid. Rowan decided to pick the woman of course, who looked up at the advancing person and flashed him a beaming smile.

"Hello! How may I help?"

"Greetings, miss. Might I kindly request lodging for one?"

"Uhuhu~, sure thing! Let me just verify your profile, one second please."

A nearly inaudible click was heard from a small contraption facing Rowan. After a little more than one second, she finished gazing at the rearranging lights on her Pad.

"Alright, you're all set. Enjoy your stay at the Moonlit Hotel!"

Needless to say, their polite exchange startled Rowan. Not because he expected a rude, fleeting personality like that one civilian, but because she did not ask him for any sort of payment.

"Ah, pardon me miss, but you forgot-"

"Oh. Oh! My bad, it completely slipped my mind." There. Although he was reluctant to let go of the opportunity to stay for free, he would rather not incur the wrath of the local authorities.

"You're free to stay in any vacant room in the hotel!" What.

Rowan was almost at a loss for words. "Erm, very well. Have... a good night, miss." He walked away from the lady, who returned a 'good night' of her own, to clear his head. After everything that happened within the past couple of hours, he decided some sleep was in order. Exploring more of the city would have to wait.

Or so he thought, as he was hit by the abrupt realization that he had no idea where the stairs were. He stopped to have a look around the lobby of this 'hotel'.

The area was bathed in a soft, off-white glow emanating from the ceiling. Combined with the polished marble floor, it cast the whole place in a serene light. Such a tranquil atmosphere was only interrupted by youngsters playing amongst one another by the giant fountain in the center of the lobby. Of course, such an object was a bit small compared to the size of the lobby itself. Off in the distance, he could see an opening in the wall leading off into two areas. Judging by the symbol on the wall portraying a humanoid relieving himself, that place was definitely not what Rowan was looking for. Tracing the red carpet from the entrance to the hotel, however, he managed to locate something rather peculiar on the opposite end.

Five circular platforms were seen transporting passengers up and down glass tubes attached from floor to ceiling. The one in the middle was largest, clearly meant to support the more colossal citizens. Since these civilians were scarce in comparison, that particular elevator did not have much traffic. Assuming these tubes were stairwell equivalents, Rowan made his way over to one of the side platforms currently descending.

Glass doors slid away as it landed, allowing a throng of individuals to spill out. Once the last lifeform stepped out, the small group of people lingering outside began to file in, Rowan following suit. He stood next to a giant snail 160cm tall whose shell was like a painted mosaic, listening to the catchy jingle coming from somewhere as the platform rose. Its progress halted every now and then to let off passengers on different floors. He was not sure when he himself would exit the vessel, seeing as the past four floors were seemingly open expanses of jungle, desert, tundra, and cave. Finally, he managed to reach a promising looking one.

He stepped out into a quiet hallway with carpeted floor. Dim yellow light pervaded this place, and wooden doors lined both sides. This sort of quaint, peaceful atmosphere was precisely what Rowan needed right now.

Without delay, he picked one of the doors that shone with arrow shaped lights towards the doorknob, and opened it. Relieved that he did not make a mistake, he entered the vacant room, ready to lie down immediately on the immaculate bed in front of him. As one with precise control over his divine energy, all Rowan needed to do was sieve himself of any filth and render the need to bathe null.

He was curious about the floating ethereal sign made of light on the other side of the room, however. Walking over, he reach a hand out to touch it.

The wall directly behind it suddenly disappeared, revealing a view of the city. Seeing it from his new vantage point and without having to deal with the hustle and bustle on the ground, Rowan once again admired how enthralling this foreign realm was. Its strange blue glow crawled up the buildings from below, fading away just after reaching their midway points. Above the skyline hung this world's moon in all its glory, though the lack of stars was somewhat jarring.

He discovered the wall was actually still there after testing it out of curiosity. This might explain the lack of windows in the city's architecture; they must be using some type of illusory magic to accomplish the same purpose, but without having to worry about others peering in from the outdoors!

Deciding he had finally had enough for one night, Rowan let himself fall backwards onto the bed. There was still tomorrow to look forward to, in all its vague glory. And Jin... ugh.

He closed his eyes, though as he drifted off into unconsciousness, he took comfort in knowing that there was more this fascinating realm had yet to show to him.