"I can't believe you did that."
Jean's been repeating the same sentence for the past twelve hours. Nelen's still hasn't talked to him, so I decided not to wake her up. The night went by without problems. Nelen and Esmeralda were already sleeping next each other when we got inside, so we proceeded with the usual routine. We ate more of Danella's curry, took a bath, and went to sleep. At least, that's what I thought. Jean persisted on following me around because he said what I did was wrong. I swear he acts like a little kid sometimes.
"I swear. You act like a little kid sometimes."
"No, you." He pouts and tugs on the polo shirt I borrowed from old man Jayce.
"Using my own comebacks against me, huh? That's clever."
"No, you."
"Can you at least stop following me? I've got a date today."
"A date? Oooh. Who's the unfortunate one? Arra?"
"How did you know?"
"Wait. It's really Arra?"
"You getting a bit jealous?"
"Yes."
"Well, too bad for you. She invited me first. Now, please don't ruin this for me. I'm going."
"Oh, good luck!"
That's unexpected. So he understands. I guess that's part of the reasons why I like him being around. He may be obnoxious, clingy, and impulsive, but at least he's understanding. He has a lot of money, too. How does he get those Void stones, though? Maybe he'll teach me once I stick around some more... Oh, the market areas are starting to get more crowded, as usual. I better get to the subquarters.
"Hello. Is Arra here?" I ask Strauss, who's busy reading a pamphlet.
"She went to the orphanage, saying something about a date or something... Don't tell me. I already know." He glares at me.
"A bit weird, but thanks for the information."
"Get going."
What's with him today? Is he jealous because I get to go with her while he immerses himself in work? That's not my fault. Also, there's that other thing. I didn't see Khrall again. For someone with a scratch, he sure is taking a lot of time getting himself fixed. Wasn't his injury only a scratch? Oh, well. I guess there's no point in thinking about it. I got back to my temporary home approximately twenty minutes after twelve.
"Did you forget something?" Una smiles and continues to write something.
"Have you seen a girl with blue eyes and a dress armor?"
"Oh, do you mean Arra? She's at the library."
"Thanks."
Is it me, or is it getting a bit hot in here? I mean, I only wore a green, borrowed polo shirt along with blue jeans. On a date. I'm so stupid... Well. I can't change now, can I? I'm already twenty minutes late. I hope she doesn't say much about this... Wow. She looks gorgeous. Her hair's tied to a ponytail, she's wearing oval glasses, and her light blue mini dress perfectly accentuates her curves. She's busy reading a book about... Flowers?
"Hey, Arra." I sit next to her.
"Oh, Sol. Where have you been?" She gently puts the book down.
"I've been looking for you. We never actually specified the meeting place, so..."
"Hehe. Sorry."
"Don't worry about it. We're here now. Should we go, or do you want to spend your day here? I'm up for both, actually."
"Then let's do both. I've missed this place for a while now."
"Seriously?"
"Yeah. Let's bring Nelen and Esmeralda along, too. It'll be much better that way. Like a double date."
"Sounds like a plan. They're sleeping, though, so how about we read books until they wake up?"
"I thought you guys went somewhere?"
Jean whispers something to Danella and unwraps his hand around her. Arra resumes reading her book, while Danella looks away and goes to the direction of the dining room. Jean goes for the bookshelf and stands idly before picking a book and joining us. It's about... Seduction? What? How did a book about seduction get inside an orphanage?
"Where are the kids?" I ask him.
"They're in the backyard playing. I must say, Arra. The clothes you choose suit really well on you. That ponytail also make you sexier."
"Thank you." She slightly smiles and continues on reading the book.
"What are you guys doing?" Jean whispers, hoping not to disturb Arra.
"We're reading until the couple wakes up. Arra wants a double date."
"Well, that's good. Don't forget to bring me something once you get back, okay?"
"I don't even have money."
"You should've told me earlier. Here's a pouch. Be sure to surprise me with something."
"W-Wow. Thank you. It feels heavy. Just how much did you put in here?"
"Trust me. Memories are much more worth it. Oh! Don't forget to treat the couple, as well. I kind of made Nelen mad, but I'm too shy to make up with her. Don't tell her I said that, though."
"I'll tell her. Don't worry." I tuck the pouch in my pocket.
"We really do think the same. That's what I like about you."
"Arra?"
Nelen messes with her hair as she starts the question with a lazy tone. Esmeralda's also behind her, yawning. Arra slightly raises her hand and was about to say something, but the couple goes straight past us and into the dining room. The smell of fried chicken fills the air. Is that because of Danella?
"The food's ready." Danella peers into the room and disappears. Jean smirks at us before following her, the book still in his hands.
"Are you hungry?" I ask.
"Yes, and I know we both are. Let's go."
The chiming voices of the kids filled the dining hall as I led Arra by the hand. Jean and Danella were nowhere to be found, but there's Nelen and Esmeralda. They're talking to the kids while old man Jayce slept through the noise. Gods, the smell of chicken sure is nice. Did Jean taught her that?
"Hey, guys. Ready to work? Jean misses you two." I greeted the couple as we sat beside them.
"Oh, hey Sol. We didn't notice you there... Oh, my. Arra? What brings you here?" Esmeralda pinches Nelen's cheek.
"The two of you literally went past us in the library."
"I don't think I'm ready yet." Nelen grins and pinches Esmeralda back. Good. She's feeling better now.
"Oh, it's okay. Let's wander around for now. I'll pay for everything."
"Aren't you going to continue the investigation?"
"Not today. I'm going on a date with Arra. We're going to have drinks."
"Let's come with them, Nel." Esmeralda's eyes glowed. "It's going to be fun."
"Come on, Nelen. Don't be such a party pooper." Arra teased.
"I'm not really in the mood, so..."
"No. You're coming with us whether you like it or not. After we eat, of course. I think the chicken's ready."
"The chicken's ready!!"
Jean screamed and held a huge tray of chicken while Danella came out with another one. The children cheer with their high-pitched tones, and old man Jayce tries to shut them up by screaming at them. It doesn't work, though, and his pain can be seen from across the room as he shakes his head in resignation... Ooh. There's that smell again. Mmm. Chicken. It looks amazing. I can't wait.
"Where are we going?" Esmeralda claps three times.
"Wherever we want. Feel free to voice your opinions, everyone. Arra, do you know good places where we can all have fun?" I said.
"How about a picnic in the fields?"
"The weather's all cloudy, to be honest. What about you, Esmeralda?"
"There's a drinking contest coming up tonight."
"I'll die... Oh, wow. This chicken's good. Let's hear your offer, Nelen."
"Starting a brawl at the Gallows before doing what Arra and Esmeralda said."
"Won't you get arrested for that?"
"Brawls in the Gallows are allowed." Nelen nods and dips her chicken in white sauce. Esmeralda mimics her.
"All right. Fuck it. We'll do all three. Whose offer's going to be first?"
"Let's do my thing with the Gallows first. Ooh, I'm getting fired up!"
"Care to remind me why starting a brawl is fun?" I pour an unnatural amount of gravy in my plate.
"Because it's allowed. Most business establishments are usually made with stones capable of silencing some magic. Spell-breakers."
"I don't believe you. Back then, I saw the Chimerians and those robed men summon their spellbooks."
"Well, that's correct, but Spell-breakers only have the ability to silence Element and Purity magic. The mages probably did it because they want to support the big guys by chanting Beast magic onto them." Arra takes the chicken off my hand. "If the fight actually happened, they'll hide in the back and let the muscle-brains handle it, but enough about that. Come. Let's go and finish our meal so we can actualize this fun date."
...
A few minutes more, and the kids were out playing again. Jean and Danella excused themselves to go "clean up" as we waited for Nelen to grab whatever she forgot. I know they were lying, but I couldn't care less. I saw love bites on the back of Danella's neck when she was giving the children their food. It piqued my interest, sure, but it's their decision and I didn't want to bother... Man. Hidden relationships sure are spicy.
"So how do we attract their attention?" I ask as we walk through a market. Nelen told us to follow her, so we complied.
"Easy. We give them a challenge. The pouch will be the bait." Nelen replies and grabs Esmeralda's right breast. Just why exactly am I with these horny people?
"I don't think they'll bite, though. Don't you have a bit of a reputation around here?"
"Let's buy masks, then. I'll also take my ponytail off."
"Just how prepared were you?"
"Prepared enough to know where our masks a--"
"Wait. You already bought masks?"
"No. Wearing masks is a custom before issuing brawls, though. So no one comes after you after it happens. I know someone who sells masks. He's right around that corner. Esmeralda, you should wear one too. We'll have matching ones."
"Do you want to wear masks?" I ask Arra, who's absentmindedly watching the couple. "Hey, eyes over here. We're dating. At least pretend to be interested."
"Oh, sorry. It's just that it's been a while since I had a break. I'm not used to it."
"Want to quit the Legion and join us? Jean's a gallant boss, and we all have control over our schedule."
"I'd love to, actually, but I'm going to have to decline, sorry. I still have my priorities."
"Like what?"
"A woman has her secrets. Let's help them pick masks?"
"Too late. We already picked."
Nelen hops around, pinches Arra's left cheek, and hands each of us a plain white vizard mask. Did she really think she would fool everyone with this? She even dragged Esmeralda in this. It looks stupid.
"It looks stupid."
"Wait, really?" Nelen leered.
"It's all white, and you're still wearing your eye-patch. Try terrorizing the kids in the orphanage. They'll instantly realize."
"Sol's right. While you did look cute acting all excited, I'm afraid that I have to agree with Sol's statement about your... disguise ... being..."
"Stupid?"
"I hate to say it, but yes."
"Esmeralda! Does the mask look stupid?"
"..."
"We're changing. Help."
The shop only had a small assortment of face wear, so picking something wasn't really that hard. Arra and the couple took their time choosing, while I dusted off a pair of shades I found on the ground. It looked like someone wore it before, but the color's preserved and the lens look antique, so it was bought for six hundred. It's immortal. Just like me. Perfect. Ah. There's a nice pair of girly earrings right there. Ripe for the picking. This is what you get if you don't specify what you want, Jean. You brought this to yourself.
"I'm having these plus whatever those girls are buying." I take three thousand off the pouch and give it to her. Now we play the waiting game.
"We'll be having these."
Finally, after two minutes of arguing, Arra puts four pieces of designed balaclavas on the counter. It had different colors, but it matched exactly what we were wearing. The light blue is for Arra, the white one's for Nelen, the green one's for me and the black one's for Esmeralda. Arra laughs when Nelen asked about the earrings, and soon enough the four of us were walking the streets looking like we're about to storm a bank with flying colors.
"Why are we wearing the masks now? And why are you wearing shades?" Nelen asks.
"That's not important. What matters is that we get the job done. Are you sure you know how to start it?"
"You should worry more about yourself. Arra, are you ready?"
"Readier than you'll ever be." Arra punches her arm.
"Alright. Sol. I'll kick the door, and you'll greet everyone by screaming 'What's up, fuckers?!'. Is that clear?"
"I'm seriously going to do that?" I frown as I open the door to the bar. She grins from ear to ear.
"Yep. Let's make this something to remember."