A/N: Ah, the classic anime misunderstanding. One of the many enjoyable aspects of anime to me. I hope you all enjoy the chapter and continue to show the story the support you have all been showing. Thank you again, have a great day. Rhino out.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Waking up the next morning after falling asleep on the opposite side of the bed, Topaz feels a strange weight on his chest. Looking down, he sees Winter using his chest as a pillow and feels her hand holding onto his tail. Slightly panicking thinking that she will wake up an accuse him of trying something with her, Topaz tries to gently move her off of him. He is successful in getting her to lie on her pillow instead of his chest, but the grip she had on his tail could not be undone without waking her up. Trying once more to get her hand off of his tail, he hears her mumble and shift her position, yanking his tail.
Topaz: "Ow!"
Winter: "Wha~?"
Winter opens her eyes at the surprised yell from Topaz, she looks down at her hand and sees it holding Topaz's tail. Her eyes widen for a moment before it turns into a glare. Drawing her hand back, she prepares to slap Topaz with everything she's got.
Winter: "You-!"
Topaz: "Before you get angry for no reason, I have done nothing. I woke up a few minutes ago with you lying on my chest and my tail in your hand. I swear on my life that I haven't done anything nor thought of doing anything."
Winter: "Why should I believe you?"
Topaz: "For starters, I have two girlfriends in whom I love dearly, so why would I risk that trying to make a move on another woman? And secondly, you did yank my tail pretty well there, so your promise to hurt me if I did anything. So even if I did something, you've already hurt me."
Winter: "Fine, I will believe you. You aren't showing the usual signs of someone lying. I apologize for jumping to conclusions and for yanking your tail."
Topaz: "It's alright. I'm glad to get the misunderstanding done before anything got too out of hand."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Running through the back alleys of Mantle, Topaz sees his target in front of him. After spending the day hiding about in strategic positions around Mantle, Topaz and Winter were able to see one of the bandits they are after speaking to a very shady looking character. Winter chases after the shady character while Topaz is on the bandit. Jumping over a trash can the bandit threw over, Topaz lands and quickly gains on the bandit. Getting close enough, Topaz jumps and tackles the bandit, holding him down.
Bandit: "Bastard, why are you chasing me?"
Topaz: "For information obviously. Where is your base?"
Bandit: "What are you talking about?"
Topaz: "You know, if you are going to try and play innocent, you might want to hide the tattoo that shows you're in the bandit group."
Bandit: "What tattoo? You're lying."
Topaz: "Really… then what is that strange symbol on the back of your right hand there?"
Bandit: "Um… I-It's a birth mark. Yeah, a birthmark."
Topaz: "That's new. I've never heard of a birthmark bring bright red, or being in the shape of a beowolf skull."
Bandit: "…"
Topaz: "That's what I though. Now, where is your base?"
Bandit: "I'm not telling you shit."
Topaz: "You will tell me everything I want to know. If not, I will show you just what an animal is capable of."
Bandit: "Ha, I'd like to see you try."
Topaz gives the bandit a sly grin and throws a punch at the bandit's ribs. The bandit tries yelling out in pain but Topaz covers his mouth preventing any noise from leaving.
Topaz: "Are we feeling a little more talkative? Or should I continue."
Bandit: "Go fu- *cough*"
Topaz: "Let's try that again."
Bandit: "I-I'm still not gonna say a thing."
Shaking his head at the Bandit before pulling out a knife. Pointing the knife towards the bandit's face, the bandit tries screaming once again, but Topaz stops him. Raising an eyebrow at the bandit, Topaz chuckles.
Topaz: "For someone trying to act so tough you really can't do much alone. Do you really think anyone will come and help you?"
Bandit: "O-Of course they'll h-help me."
Topaz: "You are a bandit, that has been captured. The only rescue you will receive is death."
Bandit: "No, that's not true."
Topaz: "Welcome to reality. Do you really think you are the first bandit we've tried talking to?"
Bandit: "No, you're lying. Our leader would never do that. He told us all that we are being paid enough that we all could live happily."
Topaz: "You are all bandits, do you really think anyone would care should another not return. It just means a larger share for everyone else."
Bandit: "No…"
Topaz: "So, will you talk now?"
Bandit: "F-Fine. I'll talk."
Topaz: "Good, to start where is your base?"
Bandit: "I-It's about three hours west of here. There is about fifty of us there, well minus whoever you already took out."
Topaz: "You said earlier that you were all being a paid. Who from?"
Bandit: "I-I can't say. He'll kill me."
Topaz: "And who says I won't?"
Bandit: "F-Fine. It was Jacques Schnee."
Topaz: "Really, Jacques Schnee is behind all of this? Is there anything there that can be used as proof against him?"
Bandit: "I-I think so. If I remember right they signed a contract that should be in the leader's tent. I-I can help you find it if you let me go."
Topaz: "Not gonna happen. Thanks for the info but you are under arrest."
Bandit: "Under arrest? Didn't you kill the others?"
Topaz: "That? Oh that was all a bluff."
Bandit: "You-You tricked me?"
Topaz: "Yep."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Having dropped of the bandit with their contact, Topaz makes his way to the inn where Winter was finishing up the paperwork for the shady character she chased after. Walking into the room, Topaz gives winter the news.
Topaz: "I know where their base is. And their backer."
Winter: "They have a backer? And how did you find this info? The guy I chased was just looking for a good time, whatever that means."
Topaz: "Pffft, you don't know what that means?"
Winter: "Of course not, is it something fun to do?"
Topaz: "Winter, it means relations between a man and a woman."
Winter: "…"
Topaz: "…"
Winter: "Oh. So I'm sure you are used to that then."
Topaz: "Not at all."
Winter: "Huh?"
Topaz: "I said not at all. I love my girlfriends but we aren't ready for that yet. Maybe someday, but not quite yet."
Winter: "I see. I'm sorry for assuming otherwise."
Topaz: "Don't worry about it."
Winter: "Now then, how did you obtain the info."
Topaz: "The guy I chased was indeed a bandit like we thought. After catching up to him, I used my charisma to get him to talk."
Winter: "How many times did you hit him?"
Topaz: "Once or twice."
Winter: *sigh* "Whatever, you got the info, that's all that matters. So, where are they?"
Topaz: "They are in a small camp about three hours west of here. There should be around fifty of them in the camp with physical proof between them and their backer."
Winter: "Who is their backer?"
Topaz: "Your father."
Winter: "My fa… but why?"
Topaz: "I don't know. Maybe he's trying to scare the populace into buying more of his products. Maybe he's doing something in Atlas he shouldn't be. We will just have to wait and see when we get this evidence."
Winter: "Right. We need to tell General Ironwood about this. This is big news and we need to act fast."
Topaz: "Sure, I'm ready whenever you are."
Winter: "Alright then, let's go up to Atlas."
Topaz: "Right."
Making their way out of the inn and towards the air pad, the two find a ship headed to Atlas and board it. Landing up in Atlas, Topaz and Winter ran into Atlas Academy and arrive at General Ironwood's office. Knocking on the door, they are quickly let in.
Winter: "General Ironwood, sir. We have news about the bandits."
Ironwood: "Winter, and Topaz. What news?"
Winter: "Topaz was able to get information out of one of the bandits we arrested today about their base and their backer."
Ironwood: "That's great! So where are they?"
Winter: They are in a camp about three hours west of here."
Ironwood: "Good, do we know their numbers?"
Topaz: "From what I was told around fifty sir."
Ironwood: "Fifty? Gods there's quite a few of them. What were you saying about them having a backer Winter?"
Winter: "According to the bandit Topaz questioned… my father is paying them to cause problems."
Ironwood: "WHAT!?"
Topaz: "It's true sir. And according to him, the leader and him have a contract that is being kept in the leader's tent."
Ironwood: "Concrete proof? Good. We can bring him down for everything he's done."
Winter: "Yes, we can."
…