15 FBI! Open Up!
*Argus's Narration*
The Adventurer's way…
-Rattle~
My head sways while the wooden wheels of the 'Taxi' turn.
My happy eyes are drawn to the numerous battle-parties walking… to the one thing they have in common.
A party of Amazons giggles as one of their own cracks a joke.
Another party walking with squinted eyes and a smile.
A band of Pallums stepped on, singing a song of love and glory, tapping their armor for instruments.
There's even a lot sitting outside a bar with mugs and cigarettes in their hands.
My head turns as the carriage passes by them, no longer wishing to switch places with anyone.
"You sure this is okay, Loli? We're short on Vs, aren't we?"
"We were… but not anymore," Lili said as her eyes turn to me.
"And… when did that happen?"
A pause takes over her while a finger taps on her knee.
As if deciding on a leap of faith, she draws a deep breath before speaking with steely eyes,
"Look… The price tag on the freedom I dreamt of was… 10 Million. So, I started…"
"Fraud, theft… murder?" I filled while looking at her with an eyebrow raised.
Lili's small shoulders stiffen as her eyes darts to the floor a second later. In a quivering voice, she said,
"I did not murder anyone…"
"So you outran the spear guy?"
Maybe it was the first time she was facing the reality of her deeds, or she just never thought I'd figure it out.
But the reality of the situation is- Lili isn't worth a Vali of trust...
But, from the way I was seeing things, Lili was simply desperate. And if desperate enough, even an ant would give you bite to remember.
In defiance of the thing I hate the most, I asked myself…
What would I have done in the same situation?
And ironically the answer lies in the very thing I loathe.
'Morals are only good so long as there's something to be gained from them.'
"I've always lived in a fantasy Lili... So, I never really understood what hunger is… But, I do understand loneliness… and only recently I've come to understand desperation. So, my reply to your silent question is my version of a dialog from my favorite movie…"
"It is what it is… we can try and sugar coat it but, it won't change a thing... You can cry, or feel bad… or promise to never do it again. Maybe the only reason you're still here is that I'm your safest course of action. But, no matter your past or reasons, in the present you're with me… and in my future is where I want you to stay… it's called forever.
A single day with you has made me think that… even, in Reality, I can be happy! ... That's the sole reason I've been smiling since morning. So, will you throw logic out the window and chose to walk this story with me? That is… as my LOLI!"
.
.
The teary eyes of the little girl gazed at that smiling idiot.
That dumb dreamer who reached out his hand to a fraud…a lair, a con artist like her.
That sheepish smile on his face personified the genuine beauty of sincerity. Painting the most beautiful sight, she had seen in her life...
Lili's shaky hands slowly rose to grasp the hand that came to her, not out of pity… but, for a genuine bond of friendship.
And soon the tears she swore would never come out again at five… gushed out like a dam being broken.
Washing away all the pain, the resentment, denial, and most of all… her loneliness.
- For all had been worth it, if it led to this moment. She thought…
.
.
.
*Somewhere in the South-East parts of the city.*
With a thud, Argus jumped out of the carriage before stretching his back as far as he could.
"It sure was a bumpy one, wasn't it?" he spoke, while his eyes locked on to the nearest food stall.
"Geez… You're like an old man… and where you're off to?" said Lili, as paid the 'Taxi Fare'.
"Apple pies!" he replied as he ran up to that stall.
Their current destination was Lili's go to Black Market shop.
Lili would glance at Argus's 'Apple-pie-stuffed' face every few seconds as they walked towards their first objective of the day, wanting to ask that has been spinning in her mind since the moment she met him.
No longer being able to stop herself, she asked,
"Can I ask you one last thing, Master Argus?"
"Shuhle… whsshh up?" The dork replied with a full mouth.
"For the love of god! Just eat that up first!" she groaned while pinching the bridge of her nose.
-Gulp.
"Yeah… sure can have a slice too."
"No, thank you. Now after… all is said and done… Can you please drop the Loli?"
"But won't she get hurt?" *Confused*
"No!… I mean the name you've been calling me with."
"but you are Loli…"
���Just how the hell I am this Loli! ... and what does that even mean!!" said Lili with a face flushed in anger.
"Just how the hell are you NOT Loli?.... and 'you' mean Loli! You're like... My Shinobu! or Filo! ... Or freakin' Paimon! Ya' feel me?"
"Aaah! … Master Argus! You better tell me what Loli means or I'll duke it out with you! Right here...! Right Now!"
"Ugh… Fine! Loli means someone really compact and cute!" he said, with a smiling wink.
"Wai-Wahhaa! You pervert!"
