After walking in front of everyone for five minutes straight, Ripply, who was three paces behind Centshuu and had gotten enough of keeping a watchful eye on Avery, took his focus to Centshuu and grunted.
"Hey, Centshuu, a word," Ripply said as he increased his pace to meet up with Centshuu and walk beside him.
"Sure, Ripply. What is it?" Centshuu asked as Ripply finally got beside him.
".." Ripply was interrupted before he could say anything.
"Are you finally done with staring at the pug over and over again?" Centshuu asked sarcastically and Rippy's eyes widened in surprise.
"How did you know I was doing that?" Ripply, who had always been a few paces behind Centshuu, asked. He was shocked because Centshuu never once looked back, so how did he catch him in the act? He wondered.
Centshuu chuckled.
"Come on now. We've been a team for how many years? You and Kove might have been doing your thing before I, Mosey, and Shieve came along, but I think we've all known each other long enough for me to know what you're up to" he said, and after a couple of seconds, Ripply sighed.
"You can't blame me for still having my reservations about the pug. You gave him your jacket and both of us know the significance that leather has to you, so, aside from reservations, I think curiosity is another thing that drives me to be watchful of him", Ripply said in defense of his actions, and Centshuu smirked.
"Curiosity huh? Well, I can't deny that I share the same feelings you do about the pug. He is a mysterious one for sure, but he gave us the tip about the Ferallith, so that's kind of an upside. Anyway, let's forget about the pug for a moment and talk about what you called my name for", Centshuu said.
"About that. Well, I was going to ask what the update on the job we were on is going to be? I know and hope you haven't forgotten why we came into this forest in the first place and, after spending days finding the right spot and setting things up, are we just going to abandon it for the possibility of hunting down a Ferallith? With how long it's going to take us to find the target, we're basically abandoning our first goal, and I hope we do find the Ferallith, but what about the possibility that we don't? We don't have the leeway to be making risky moves like this", Ripply advised.
Centshuu chuckled "Leave it to you to confront me about my decisions in a way that the others don't find out," he said, swiping underneath his nose.
"I'm only doing my job. Yours is to lead and mine is to make sure you're thinking about the right things as you lead us down whatever path you've decided on. Every good leader needs a balance" Ripply said, and Centshuu nodded his head while still smirking.
"That indeed they do." Centshuu said, then took in a deep breath and sighed.
"On a serious note, I've already thought about all that, and I've weighed our options which pointed me in this direction. I know we're in a tight spot right now and our current job might do something to take care of part of our problems with the buyers, but that's not enough. Getting the Ferallith is such a huge score that it's going to change our lives and take us to the next level in this business. I know it's a risk, but you know how risky this job was before you started. We all did, so don't worry and just trust me. You clearly saw something before you decided to recruit me back then and, since we teamed up, my risky decisions have always panned out, so have it in mind that this one will too."
After listening to all Centshuu had to say, Ripply's doubts were reduced greatly, and he conceded on any further discussions concerning Centshuu's decision.
Ripply smirked and then said "Alright Centshuu, forget I said anything. I trust your decision one hundred percent— well, maybe ninety-nine percent."
Centshuu looked at him, grinning from ear to ear with pride and saying: "Thank you"
"On to the next thing I wanted to talk about. Unlike our usual jobs, this one is a Ferallith we're dealing with, and we can't use regular methods or equipment, so where are we going to get the tools we need? We're already low on funds, hence why we took our previous job, so we can't afford to buy things to successfully carry out this new job", Ripply said, feeling and looking less concerned compared to before, because he had a feeling that Centshuu had already thought about this particular subject of their lack of preparedness.
"You're right, not having the proper equipment is a serious issue as it's the difference between our success and failure, and maybe even our death, because the type of prey we're going for isn't something to joke about. Good thing I've already thought about that" Centshuu said, and Ripply, who knew just as much, smirked and chuckled.
"I thought so. Alright, how are we going to get the things we need? Do you know someone by any chance? Someone who can give us the tools on credit so that once we get the job done and get the money, we can pay them back. Even if they want a little interest on the loan, I'm sure we can negotiate on how much" Ripply said, and Centshuu's expression changed a little.
Ripply, who took notice of this change in Centshuu's expression and overall demeanor, grimaced.
"Centshuu, what aren't you telling me?" Ripply asked, and Centshuu looked at him with a little hint of nervousness.
"About the equipment thing, well, you're right when you asked if I know someone we can get them from. However, this isn't someone who sells or lends things," Centshuu said, and Ripply, who was starting to get an inkling of what he was going to say, frowned a little.
"Centshuu, who is this person? Where are we going to get the things we need?" Ripply asked, with a hint of aggression in his tone.
"We're going to get them from HIM, which means our destination after we spent some time at the Joint is THAT PLACE," Centshuu said and immediately Ripply's eyes widened.
"Centshuu, are you being serious with me right now? THAT PLACE? Really?! You know what happened last time we were there, right? Forget last time, you know what's going to happen this time if we show our faces there, don't you?" Ripply asked and Centshuu shrugged.
"Sure I do, but what other choice do we have? It's the closest place to the Joint, and it's the only place we can actually get what we need without having to pay or owe more credit", Centshuu said, and Ripply stared at him with annoyance for a short while.
Ripply sighed then looked back at the others before returning his gaze to Centshuu.
"Just so you know, you haven't told any of them this information yet. What do you think they are going to say when you tell them that they have to return to THAT PLACE? They aren't going to like it, you can trust me on that" Ripply said, prompting Centshuu to look back at the guys and Avery for a moment before returning his gaze to his front.
"Don't worry, it's going to be fine. I'm sure of it. I'm sure the profit from successfully subjugating the Ferallith will outweigh any resentment and unresolved feelings they have towards THAT PLACE and THOSE PEOPLE" Centshuu said, then sighed and kept a straight face.
After quietly looking at the man to his left for a couple of seconds, Ripply grunted and looked forward, saying: "I hope so, 'cause what you're about to have them do is a massive ask, but you've already put us in a situation where we have no other choice but to agree. I just hope they don't resent you for it later"
After a moment, Centshuu cleared his throat and said "I think I can live with that. They can have all the resentment they want towards me, as long as they are doing so while being debt free and having enough Squarez in their pockets to get a hot chick to suck them off"
"Alright then," Ripply said, then kept quiet.