"You said you've travelled around a lot, right?"

Courage tilted his head slightly at the plumber, smiling a warm smile as his ears perked up slightly, having interest in hearing about Mario's varying adventures.

Courage nodded, picking up a dumpling of his own and chomping on it, taking a quick sip of the warm cider afterward.

"Make yourself at home; mi casa es tu casa!"

He shuffled carefully over to the rocking chair, using a hindleg to push his folded clothes to the side and placing the tray down with a soft huff of exertion.

The change in warmth was immediately palpable as the fireplace roared to life, a cosy blanket of heat settling into the old bones of the house.

The entire building was made of various types of wood, the majority of which was unpainted, excluding the doors and staircase. A fireplace with old, dust-coated photos sat atop it sat across from the entrance, unused timber neatly piled inside, ready to be burned.

Courage chuckled, taking off his winter clothes and gently placing them on the old rocking chair (whilst ignoring the armchair like it carried the plague), before he vamished through one of the doors into another room.

"I'll get us both a cup on the stove, then!"

A warm smile grew on Courage's face as they finally approached the old, green door of the farmhouse; It definitely looked like it had seen better days, but considering the size and the dog's missing arm... repairs would be an uphill battle for Courage.

"How about Spiced Apple Cider? I don't drink a lot but that stuff's just 'mwah'!'

He made a kissing gesture, letting out a doofy little giggle as he did so. It felt nice to talk to someone again in person; last people he'd met here had been... Vince and Bee, maybe?

"Plenty of hot Cocoa!"

Courage was glad to steer far away from the topic too, ears tilting upward as the home loomed ever-closer, his paw scratching absentmindedly at his side.

"I've got a load of party foods too, and some winter twists on my favorite of chicken dumplin's!"

"...Yeah, a lot happened."
He nodded affirmatively, continuing at an even pace as he kept walking, falling rather quiet after his response.

He smiled, picking up the pace now the farm was in sight (and also intent on getting Mario out of the biting cold of Nowhere's winter), his tail swaying slightly.

"It used to be cosier, honestly... You'd have loved it 20 years ago."

"...That so? I'd like to visit somewhere that isn't either a blast furnace or the artic circle!"
He gave yet another chuckle, before letting out a soft 'oh!' at the appearance of a sizable farmhouse on the horizon.
"There it is! My home."