She Unexpectedly Meets...

"Even so, we've already purchased a lot of things." Robin pointed out. "It's best not to cause any trouble while we're here." She said.

"Well, if you say so, Robin." Chelsea pouted. "But you're definitely coming out with us next time, too!"

"If circumstances permit." Robin chuckled. On their way back to the inn, they stopped at a group of food stalls to eat the ramen that Robin had discovered earlier.

"Whoah, you are right, Robin! This dish is really good!" Chelsea exclaimed. But Robin wasn't really listening. Her attention was focused on the conversation of a raucous group in a nearby stall.

"...and after I said I wouldn't kill him, he completely lets down his guard and I knocked him out with my club. Hahaha!"

"Hey, I hear that elf brats cost a high sum in certain places. In that case, wouldn't this be a truly profitable venture?" Another one asked, eagerly.

"Sure! Seems like I'm gonna soon be a rich person, so this round is on me!" The first one agreed drunkenly.

"But, aren't you afraid that he'll escape during this time?" Another one asked.

"Of course not!" the speaker chortled. "I tricked him into saying that he can't leave that derelict warehouse without at least three people with him. Even if I left the door unlocked, he wouldn't be able to leave!"

"That's our boss! So clever and crafty! Three cheers for boss!" the others raised their glasses.

The light Robin's eyes took on a cold glint as she heard the story. Then she took a slow breath, and the frostiness was hidden. She exchanged glances with the other two, who had also heard the story by now.

"So?" Robin asked, inclining her head in the drunk foxes' direction.

"What do you think?"

Jasmine and Chelsea exchanged glances. Robin obviously wanted to help the poor elf child that had been captured by those sneaky foxes. But she would need their help.

"It's great! I would definitely regret not bringing such an incredible find back to the inn we are staying in!" Jasmine nodded enthusiastically, making the conversation seem to be about the ramen.

"Me too! I can't believe we hadn't discovered this earlier, but now that we know about it, who would ignore it!" Chelsea also got the hint and laughed.

The Ramen stall owner puffed its fur up in pride. It seemed that his food was really tasty to humans. But of course, that wouldn't affect his business.

"If you wish, our stall has a takeout option." He said slyly, not wanting to miss the opportunity to swindle these two ladies and their guard.

Robin looked at him with a piercing stare. "It has been a while since anyone claimed they could take me out." She said slowly. "Are you up for the challenge?"

The stall owner felt sweat dampen his fur. He had been seen through! "What are you talking about? This is a normal regular stall. please don't claim us capable of threatening you."

"Oh? But if the ladies had agreed to be taken out, then the only happy person would have been you." Robin said, bringing his dark thoughts out into the light.

"There is no need to patronize this stall anymore." Robin said, turning away.

"But what about the ramen!?" Chelsea asked, playing reluctant to part with it.

"I can make a better one. You can ask me for it when we return." Robin replied.

"Yay! You're the best!" Chelsea cheered as they left the venue, and the dumbfounded stall owner behind.

-----

"Where do you think the elf child is?" Jasmine asked.

Robin turned towards Chelsea with a grin. "Oh Chelsea, could you do us a favor and help us find the elf kid?"

"Why should I?" Chelsea pretended to be reluctant in order to get greater profits.

"Because, while I did say that you can request it, I never said my ramen was free." Robin's grin widened wickedly.

"Oh, you!" Chelsea realized she had been check-mated. "Fine. Let me see if I can get a read..." She paused a bit as she tapped her crystal ball pendant.

"It seems we're in luck. You have met this person before." Chelsea said, taking them through several side streets and alleyways, even balancing atop a wall along their route.

"Hmm? I'm pretty sure I would remember meeting an elf, though." Robin said. "I wonder who it could be?"

"I'm not sure. Could it be someone you met back in Port Oracle?" Jasmine asked.

"I haven't a clue." Robin shrugged. "I suppose I'll know when I see him."

They finally arrived at a small abandoned warehouse rotting away in the corner of an overgrown estate. When they opened the door, Robin paused as she saw the figure within.

-------------

"Dirk, what in the world are you doing here?" She asked.

"Hero!? Izzat really you!?" Dirk asked.

"If I was a fake, do you think I'd throw my weight around in a city like this? I'm not a glutton for punishment, I can assure you." Robin chuckled.

"It really is you! Great!" Dirk brightened up considerably.

"Your speech has cleared up tremendously, but you still haven't answered my question, kid." Robin pointed out.

"Me mother's relatives were in the capitol. They saw and recognized me, so they were taking me back to meet me gran'pa. I didn' really wanna come,but all my pals told me that I'd regret if I didn'. They're holdin' down tha fort until I come back, they are."

"You still had relatives?" Robin asked.

Dirk frowned. "Yeah. I was upset fer the longest time cuz they never came to see me. Turns out, mum had run away from home. They had no idea mum was even alive, but had been looking fer her a long time. When my bloodline resonated with theirs, they recognized me as her son."

"So you're on a trip to see your grandfather, huh?" Robin replied, nodding. "Then, what are you doing here?"

"I lost sight of my relatives, and these fox people told me they would help me find them if I followed their orders." Dirk replied, frustrated. "I had no idea that they were leading me into a trap."

"Apparently, in this city, elf slaves are considered a priceless commodity." Jasmine inspected the invisible dirt under her fingernails.

"You are naive for trusting a fox-kin. There's not a single honest bone in their body. You would be happily sold away, even helping them count the money before you knew it."

"But, that don't make sense!" Dirk exclaimed. "Aren't we supposed to speak the truth?"

"Yes, that is true. But the rules never said you had to tell the whole truth." Robin pointed out. "There are many ways of twisting the truth around by cutting a sentence short. That, and we met the three hooligans who brought you here bragging about how they were going to become filthy rich."

"Um, hate to interrupt, but why don't we talk about this back at the inn?" Chelsea asked. "Those so-called 'hooligans' could be back any moment,you know."

Robin realized Chelsea was right. "Come on Dirk. If you need someone to find your family, I don't think they would be around here. If you follow me, you'll be sure to find them quickly." She held out a hand.

"All right. It's terribly dull here, anyways. Even though there are enough cracks for whispers, there aren't anyone her to whisper through the cracks." Dirk agreed as he grabbed Robin's hand.

--------

"Ugh!" Gerard frowned.

"What's the matter?" Elise the fairy asked.

"Robin must have picked up another black hole. Now my food portions will be even less!" Gerard rumbled through gritted teeth.

"How do you know?" Elise asked.

"My gut instinct." Gerard asserted. "It has never failed me before!"

"But, what if your gut instinct is wrong?" Elise asked.

"It's never wrong!" Gerard declared. "Robin has surely picked up some other hard-luck life. He attracts them like a magnet!"

-----------

On their way back, Dirk finally asked the question that was bothering him.

"But Hero, what you doin' in demonkind territory?" Dirk asked.

"Ara? Do you have something against us demons?" Chelsea asked pointedly. While her smile was still just as lovely, the hidden undertone warned Dirk to be cautious of his words.

"No ma'am! I'm part demon, meself." Dirk hastily answered.

"Elves are considered demons?" Robin asked, scratching her head.

"Yeah. They are good in nature magic. How come ye don't know that?" Dirk asked.

Robin patted Dirk's shoulder. "I grew up in a place that had little to no mention of such things."

"Is that so...Then, ask away! I learned a lot about demons while on our way here. And this information is completely free!" Dirk said confidently.