Why Rinka decided to explore to the east, she's not exactly sure. But here she is, standing on the threshold. As she steps through into the training yard, she looks around, curious. There is a building at the end of a long path, but as she steps toward it... the ground beneath her feet suddenly gives way.

"Yahhh!"

Rinka throws herself forward, catching the edge of the pit, and dangles for a few seconds. As she hastily claws her way back to solid ground, she hears a whistling noise and instinctively dives forward. A series of darts prick the ground behind her, and Rinka feels a chill go down her spine.

She doesn't have time to think about it as the ground begins to rumble. Rinka clambers to her feet and starts running. When a section of ground suddenly thrusts upward in her path, Rinka jumps over it like a hurdle. Only to have to throw herself to the ground and roll as wooden spears suddenly shoot from the trees.

"Ahhhhhhhhh!!! What is this place?!"

Worst obstacle course ever.

Maybe after her experience in Mahoney's house, Rinka would have skipped on exploring any of the other directions. But here she is in the north, lost as can be inside Vanderweele's castle. Also ridiculously cold, despite the fact she's wearing a winter jacket, hat, and gloves.

As she wanders the halls, Rinka hugs her arms around herself and wishes she'd just stayed home. Deeper and deeper into the castle she goes, until she finds herself in a long hallway with a single door at the end. She looks up at the wolf emblem, then pulls the door open to find a large round room.

And a new exploration buddy.

Now this is more like it. The ghosts are gone and the city is prepping for the holidays. With a small internal scream, Rinka realizes it's just a little over a month until Christmas and she still hasn't found a gift for her mother. Which... she always has a hard time shopping for her mother, so no surprise there. But that doesn't mean she'll stop trying to find something.

So you're likely to find Rinka at The Towers, roving from shop to shop as she tries to find something for the woman who already has everything. Sometimes she's looking at jewelry or handbags, sometimes she's looking at expensive scarves or other accessories. But nothing seems quite right.

Or you might find her at the petting zoo when the stress of shopping finally gets to her and she needs to relax. Please excuse her while she cuddles this bunny.