She Explores Nine Tails City

When they entered the inn, Quinn gave them another quick explanation in front of the innkeeper.

"When requesting for things, you must be careful about your words. There are ways of saying things that can be interpreted two different ways. For example..." Quinn took out two gold and placed them on the check in counter.

"Give us four rooms: two large, two regular size."

The innkeeper smiled at him, then pushed the coins back. "Apologies. I cannot give you any room."

Quinn nodded. "Words must not be said or agreed upon casually. The innkeeper was right to refuse. Even a single word can cause you to be denied purchase or agreement."

Then Quinn pushed the two gold coins back towards the innkeeper. "I am willing to give you two gold coins in exchange that you lend us the exclusive use of two bedrooms for groups, as well as two regular bedrooms, for the duration of one month, starting today. Do you accept?"

"I do." The innkeeper nodded, pocketing the gold coins. Then he handed over four keys. "Welcome to Honest Inn. I hope you enjoy your stay." The innkeeper smiled.

Quinn turned back to the group. "Let this be a lesson for you. In the case of temporary acquisition, you must always include a time limit, and method of payment. In the case of permanent acquisitions, you must include a method of payment, as well as the fact that the transfer will be permanent. This prevents them from using the loopholes in the deal to steal it back."

"So any trades must be phrased like a legal contract, huh?" Robin mused. "Interesting..."

"It's not interesting. It's a nightmare." Christian shook his head. "What difference was there in what he said to the inkeeper, aside from more words?"

"Actually, what he said was, in face value, completely different." Robin pointed out.

"The first time, he asked the innkeeper to 'give' him those rooms-not adding a time limit. This could mean two different things. The first interpretation is to transfer ownership, literally 'giving' a room away for free, seeing that there was no payment mentioned. The second interpretation is that the inkeeper could give him the room for one second, and then take it back, since permanent ownership was not specified. Either way, Quinn would not be able to rent those rooms like how he intended." She explained.

"In the outer ring, I suspect the inns there would have accepted Quinn's dubious first contract in order to gain profit. But, since the inns here cannot swindle, they cannot accept the contract."

Realization dawned upon the group. So that is how it was.

"For the duration of our stay, you cannot accept or agree to anything before consulting me, Quinn, or Jasmine. Do you accept this restriction?" Robin asked the group.

"Yes!" everyone else immediately agreed, but Christian asked a question, instead.

"What about Jasmine? Wouldn't that mean she would be able to get away with consulting herself?"

"It's not Jasmine's wits that I am concerned about." Robin rolled her eyes, causing the company to laugh.

"No-No need to laugh!" Christian exclaimed with a rare stutter. Robin blinked, but said no more on the subject. Quinn left to see about getting an audience with the strategist that afternoon, and the company settled down in their rooms.

But, at a certain point in the afternoon, the girls decided to go out shopping.

"Come on, Robin. We need a strong man to be there to prevent trouble." Jasmine winked as she and Chelsea dragged Robin out with them.

There were many commodities in abundance in this town: ornate mirrors, colored smoke, makeup and costumes, as well as various food stalls lining the streets. Robin even found a stall selling ramen.

Seeing that there were a lot of fox-kin around, and that those that looked human still sported fox ears and a tail, Robin felt that their group of mostly humans stood out.

It wasn't long before they ran into trouble.

--------

"They've been gone for a while now." Sir Drago observed.

"Don't worry about it. Women's shopping lasts hours. They probably pulled Robin along to carry the bags." Christian waved his hand dismissively.

"Bard Quinn has also not returned." Sir Drago noted.

"He's probably catching up with his old friend, or going through legal procedures right now. If they decide to start drinking, he may even stay there overnight." Keith replied.

"But..." Sir Drago fidgited. "I want to go out and look around."

"Why didn't you accompany Robin's group?" Christian asked.

"I thought Bard Quinn would be back soon. And I....wasn't invited." He replied, sadly.

"Wait a minute. If you're just looking around, it shouldn't be a problem, right?" Sir Raymond pointed out. "We only have to consult them for purchases and agreements. If we don't say anything while we're out, it shouldn't be a problem to take a quick stroll about the city."

"He's right. He's right!" Sir Gray clapped Sir Drago on the shoulder.

"Just looking around isn't a problem! I'll come with you. My sister is a big fan of the fox-kin's superior cosmetics, so I know a few things about this town."

"Oy, and you never told us? I'm hurt." Sir Raymond teased.

"While you're here, how about you get some face powder as well for your dar-ling fiancee." Grey returned the favor.

"Urk! my wallet." Sir Raymond looked pitiful.

"Will my life savings survive this trip, I wonder?"

Sir Gray laughed aloud as he, Sir Raymond, and Sir Drago left the inn.

Sir Drago wasn't a talkative person, so he was content just looking at things, and occasionally asking questions. At that point, only Keith, Christian and the rest of the knights were still in the inn.

"It shouldn't be a problem just going out for a look, right?" Christian muttered.

"I disagree. You would immediately attract misfortune." Keith was adamant this time. "What if you annoy the strategist to the point where he magically manipulates you into cutting off your own head? You've been lucky enough so far, but who knows when your lucky streak will end?"

"Che! But still, it isn't fair that everyone else gets to go out!" Christian made a face.

"If it's going out to take a look, then tomorrow is just as good as today." Keith replied evenly. "You know this is an important period of time for Robin. Let's not make things more difficult for him."

"...Fine." Christian growled with a black face. Keith had hit upon his weak spot. He really did feel guilty towards Robin for all the trouble he had caused the young man.

"I will wait one day, and not a moment more!" Christian declared.

-----

"Hey hey, pretty lady, why don't you come play with us?" A sleazy-looking humanoid with fox ears crooned.

Chelsea turned about, and smiled lightly.

"I'm wearing a veil. How surprising is it that you think I am beautiful without even seeing my face. If I were actually ugly, then I wonder what your friends will think about your sense of beauty."

"That's something that can easily be fixed." The fox reached his hand out, only to snatch it back when a sharp icicle fell from the sky.

"I suppose it might,but your hand wouldn't. Your legs as well would be difficult to treat..." Chelsea chuckled darkly. "Keep your hands to yourself, or I don't mind using your three legs for target practice."

The sleaze-ball shrunk back away from Chelsea. "Ooh we've got a nice cold one here." he chuckled.

"No you don't." Robin replied, stepping forward. "My companions will never become acquainted with you, or any cheap tricksters like you, right girls?" She asked them. This effectively cut off any chance of the foxes kidnapping the two women.

"Right!" They answered emphatically.

"You!" The sleazy fox scowled darkly.

"What you?" Robin asked. "If you got something to say, then finish it! Provocations are not allowed though. You can keep those to yourself."

The fox man clicked his tongue and continued on his way. Robin watched him leave before she turned to the two behind her. "I get the feeling he went to go call his friends to come out and play." She said.

"Who wants to play with those scoundrels!" Jasmine scolded. "I was this close to blasting them outside the city! Hmmmph! Making moves on our Good Chelsea!" Jasmine hugged Chelsea's arm.

"I'm flattered that you'd say that, but I can't show you my water healing arts without an injury." Chelsea replied.

"Tch!" Jasmine clicked her tongue.