Roxy and the blonde captain, Ruby Collins, stepped through the front doors onto the hotel's valet parking area. The warm August night revealed a sky full of stars unobscured by light pollution, even from their hotel. They stood on a lush plain between the vast moor of arid earth and hills and a temperate forest teeming with vociferous birds and nocturnal predators.
As they prepared for their conversation, the pixie discreetly manipulated a ring on her finger. It warmed up instead of glowing like other cultivation artifacts, keeping Ruby oblivious to its function. "What is there to discuss, Captain Collins?"
"First, I want to apologize for my actions, both for questioning your authority and allowing my soldiers to tempt First Lieutenant Vanity into breaking the rules," Ruby started.
"Apology accepted, as long as you follow through," the pixie narrowed her eyes.
