We step inside.
The door shuts with a soft thump behind us.
I shake snow off my hair at the entrance like a mildly offended cat before stepping in properly. Jiang takes off his headband, antenna finally free, stretching a little like they've been holding their breath all time.
"Whole day now is ours," he says, sounding very pleased with himself.
"Shh." I flop straight onto the couch, face-first, arms spread. "No goofing around."
He blinks. "Oh."
"First step is cleared," I say, voice muffled by the cushion. "Fake health camp. Red blood. No magnets screaming ALIEN DETECTED. Congrats, we survived level one."
I roll onto my back and stare at the ceiling dramatically. "Now we speedrun."
He tilts his head. "Speed… run?"
"Yes," I say seriously. "Life progression. Plot efficiency. Emotional development. Future planning."
He nods slowly, like this makes perfect sense. "Ah. Strategic advancement arc."
