Wakfu: Traces - Well Met

Bonta. The sight alone made her feel a little queasy. There was a mixture of feelings that couldn’t find their bearing in the inner storm she was experiencing. Excitement. Fear. Shame. Concentration. Longing. The earlier goodbyes to her small family gave her enough confidence to go through with her plan to return to Bonta, and her two travel companions were just as reassuring, but hesitation ruled. Only for Alys, however.

After hugging and clinging onto Adamaï during the goodbyes and telling him to wait for her until she would be old enough to become his ‘dragon bride’, Bebe was her usual excited self when she ran through the Bontarian gate and shouted for Alys and Fernand to hurry up. Fernand was rather relaxed after he called out for Bebe to not stray too far and not be impatient, the time he spent in Emelka having done him a world of good. He healed exceptionally well and found a good friend in the Eniripsa doctor, not to mention that he didn’t need to travel with Royale or Vivienne anymore. There were less worries than previously and that certainly brightened his mood.

The female Eliatrope had the silent wish she could be as little worried as the Cra, but that felt impossible. Her eyes kept getting drawn towards the tall towers and the palace seen in the distance over the rooftops, the wonder if anyone noticed her return flickering like a candle’s flame. At least she knew where to go this time; no wild chases through the city, no detours and no needing to ask where she could find the supposedly famed bazaar that belonged to Kerubim Crepin. This visit should be rather smooth… or so she was hoping for with all her might.

“At least we don’t have to buy provisions,” Fernand said out of the blue after he eyed the fresh looking wares of the stalls they passed after they made their way into the bustling city, his thoughts still on Emelka rather than his upcoming journey to Sadida. Alibert and even Mrs. Preucel made enough food that would last them a few days, all to aid the travelers on their journey to whatever future they had in mind. The kind offer was greatly appreciated, more so because it cut back on time spent in Bonta. Alys may be charmed by the city, but Fernand wasn’t.

Fernand was the one carrying all the food and provisions they were generously given, while Alys had packed some extra clothing for herself. After her talk with Yugo and receiving his blessing once more to act as his messenger to the world, she knew she needed to be more presentable when meeting important folk. While her usual grab wasn’t indecent, even after she cleaned and patched it up, it still wasn’t all too formal and she had therefore packed one of the gowns Renate and Canar gifted her during her stay in Sadida. It would do nicely, no matter that it took up some space in her bag. At least she was able to stuff some first aid supplies in there too as a precaution, though she of course hoped there would be no need for them.

“I wouldn’t rule out buying anything just yet,” Alys said while she examined the shopping street they walked through to find anything recognizable and lead the tiny group in the right direction,” you never know what you may find. Who knows, you might find something of interest in the shop we are going to visit.”

“I doubt it.”

Alys lightheartedly shrugged at Fernand’s stubbornness. She had a feeling he would change his mind once inside the bazaar and feasting his eyes on all the peculiar but intriguing wares Kerubim sold, and if not, then Bebe was sure to change it for him. There was enough to see there. She hoped she would be granted entry however and not be shown the door like in Kalchas. The old Ecaflip may have said before that she was always welcome, but things happened since… How much of what happened in Kalchas and Brakmar had reached to others? The Council of Twelve, Ush Galesh and also Joris? Did they know of it or was she worried over nothing? All hopes were on the latter thought.

“Is that…?”

Fernand’s unfinished question brought Alys back to reality rather than little worries. She slowly blinked and ran her fingers through her bangs and across the pin she wore to bring her focus to whatever caught the Cra’s attention, the many eyes which stared straight back at her startling her. She came to a quick stop in her walking while taking in the faded, torn and layered faces that were drawn on various pieces of paper, some old, some new but all with an ominous looking ‘WANTED’ written over their heads. The whole wall was plastered with wanted posters and the sight alone gave Alys goosebumps.

“Am I imagining things or does this one look like Royale?”

“Royale?” Alys sounded surprised, though there was no denying the growing heavy feeling in her gut after her memories catapulted towards the Sacrier they had traveled with,” are you sure…?” She stepped up next to Fernand to check out the poster he was intently staring at before she frowned and reached up to carefully peel the sketch off the wall without tearing it. The corners refused to remain intact but the sketched portrait and the prize for the turn-in were in one piece after Alys held the stiff paper in her hands. There was no denying the resemblances between the sketch and the Sacrier. “She does look like her. I don’t remember seeing a wanted poster for her the last time I was in Bonta… These are new,” she said, sounding confused and thoughtful,” what is this about?”

“Do you know what she was in for the first time you met?” Fernand asked after he took the poster from her and Alys stepped back to have another look at the wall. Royale’s recognizable face with the blank eyes was present several times among the many pieces of paper though that was the only face she and Fernand recognized.

She shook her head as she replayed the prison scene in her head. Royale didn’t utter a word about the reason behind her imprisonment, aside from a broken nose or something similar. But would punching someone warrant a wanted poster? The guard’s words of caution were far more alarming and that he told Alys she was better off not knowing about the Sacrier’s crimes suddenly made a great deal of sense. But what had Royale done to have her face printed on these posters? “No, she didn’t… and she never told me afterwards either. We never spoke of it again.”

Fernand disapprovingly clicked his tongue while holding the torn free poster out to Alys, his eyes searching for Bebe. “What ever she did, it seems serious with the reward prize,” he muttered while thoughtfully stroking his goatee, the numbers printed on the paper forming a rather high sum of Kamas. The bounty was nothing to sneeze at, but it couldn’t hold his attention when he saw Bebe doing something she wasn’t supposed to, the idea of claiming the reward tossed aside fairly quickly. “Bebe, no! Don’t touch that,” he was quick to call out, but it was already too late.

The young Osamodas giggled as she gently prodded the outer rim of a glaring eye, the deep voice coming from the shield the eye was attached to sounding immensely displeased,” mind your manners, kid! Do you know who you are poking, ‘ey?”

“You’re funny,” Bebe laughed with the broadest smile imaginable before she turned around to a rapidly approaching Fernand, the hurry in his step not meaning anything to the child,” Fern! Fern, this shield can see me and talk!”

“Ahh, but that’s not all he can do, little girl!” another voice boomed, the sheer volume of it forcing the Cra to skid to a stop and stare at the giant of a man that loomed over Bebe. The man’s smile was wide but welcoming, even if his large size intimidated the archer, and there was a spark in his eyes which matched Bebe’s excitement. He sat on a chair on a tiny terrace of an equally tiny bar, the Shushu shield which had captivated the Osamodas resting against it. “Kazruul here can block any attack. Any attack! Just imagine, little girl! Imagine a big man like me swinging an Iop sword at Kazruul and he will knock it straight out of my hands, and perhaps send me flying too!”

Bebe gasped with large eyes of amazement,” really? He can make you fly?”

The bald man laughed at the innocent question before he leaned on his knees to bring himself closer to Bebe, placed a hand against the side of his mouth and whispered with a following wink,” his friendship does make me soar.”

“Oh please, spare me…” the Shushu grumbled before his eye focused on the Cra and the woman lingering behind him, the very same Cra the girl was talking to as if she knew him,” ‘ey, you! Longshanks! Fetch the girl before he’ll talk her to death! You’ll thank me for it later!” The large heater shield wiggled a little while he shouted towards Fernand, a tinge of impatience tied to it.

Fernand and Alys exchanged an uncertain glance after the Shushu urged them over before they obliged, not hesitating as it didn’t feel like danger was hanging in the air, no matter the Shushu weapon’s urging. The hand Fernand laid on Bebe’s shoulder was enough for her to take a few steps away from the stranger and his weapon, though she stuck close to examine the Shushu with just her eyes. “I am sorry she troubled your… uhh, shield.”

The man’s deep chuckling following Fernand’s apology had a pleasant ring to it, the atmosphere remaining light to everyone’s greatest relief. “He’ll live. So you’re the little miss’ parents? My apologies, I didn’t mean to lure her away from you.”

“It is all right, sir, she has a tendency to wander,” Fernand said while his voice dipped a little in tone and concealed a hidden lecture and warning towards the Osamodas, something which fell on deaf ears. He didn’t linger all too long on it as no harm was done, though he would have prefered it if Bebe would stick close and not get distracted by the most peculiar things, like a Shushu and a Feca giant.

“Sir? Heh, I aint nothing of the sort! Call me Soren, friend, everyone does,” the stranger said before he extended a massive hand to Fernand in greeting,” why don’t you, the sweet lady and the little miss have a seat with me here? I’ll buy you all a drink to toast to our meeting!”

The stammer Fernand let out after he accepted the greeting and his hand almost got crushed in Soren’s firm grip didn’t phase the large man in the slightest while he waited for an answer, his broad smile unwavering. “We honestly can’t, we have somewhere else to be, but thank you for the generous offer,” Fernand managed to say after holding back on the urge to rub his hand and ease the soreness.

“That’s a shame. You look like decent folk. I wouldn’t have minded to get to know you all, but if you got somewhere to be, then so it is. Are you sure though? This place’s got some tasty brew, not to mention food!”

Alys nodded in answer after Fernand flexed his fingers behind his back and looked a little stiff,” we are certain, but maybe we’ll meet again someday. The chance is there.” It wouldn’t be the first time she stumbled across a previously met someone in the middle of the wilderness and she had a feeling it wouldn’t be the last either.

“If we do,” Soren laughed,” drinks will be on me and Kazruul! I am mighty curious to learn what stories you have to tell. We’ll be up till the morning, boasting and singing! Drinking!” He nudged his elbow towards Fernand, even though he was out of his reach, and winked at the Cra before he smiled more kindly towards Alys,” mark my words, sweet lady, I’ll look forward to see you all again.”

“What’s all this then? You owe people some coin, Soren, or did Kazruul spout profanities again?”

Soren’s smile dropped for a second when a voice sounded behind him before a broad grin replaced it and he sat up in his far too small chair to look to the woman standing behind him. “Beretta!” he said rather loud and slammed an open hand onto the table, causing his half empty tankard to rattle before he snatched it up and motioned with it towards Fernand, Alys and Bebe,” come meet our new friends! This is uhh--Longshanks, his sweet lady and their little miss. We just met!”

“I am pretty certain those aren’t their names,” the woman said with a soft chuckle,” please excuse him; he gets excited when meeting new folk. He means well though.” She gave Soren’s broad shoulder a little pat before she flicked her high but long ponytail over a shoulder and set a hand on her hip. She was obviously a Rogue, the tight dark leather and half mask she wore screaming her faith, the pistols holstered to her belt only adding to her identity. She was caressing and stroking a long strap which rested over her shoulder and was attached to what appeared a long firearm while examining the trio Soren introduced to her. “Not to pry,” she suddenly said after something caught her attention,” but were you thinking of collecting that bounty?”

“Bounty…?” Alys asked before she looked at the poster the Rogue was gestured to with a slowly twirling of a finger,” oh, no. We aren’t bounty hunters.” She folded the poster and tucked it away in the pouch hanging from her belt before she pulled her shoulders somewhat up and smiled for the woman dressed in near black. She had far more innocent plans with the wanted poster, having several questions she wanted to find answers to, though the Rogue’s inquiry did make her wonder where Royally had gone after she deserted them in Brakmar.

The Rogue nodded approvingly, the smile she showed on her black painted lips overly sweet,” more for us.”

“Right,” Fernand muttered after his eyes wandered up and down the woman with the peculiar name, the fact she was a Rogue not sitting all that well with him. At least her Feca companion made a good impression, albeit a bit boisterous for his taste. Bounty hunters however… Shady kind of people most of the time. “We should be on our way,” he said out loud to make Alys and Bebe aware it was definitely time to go, before he took Bebe by the hand and stepped away from the terrace,” good meeting you, Soren.”

The large man tapped his temple with two fingers to respectfully salute Fernand, the expression on his face and in his eyes remaining kind and soft for his size,” my pleasure, Longshanks, sweet lady and little miss. Until we meet once more.” He didn’t move in his chair while he watched the trio take their leave and walk down the street, a silence following their departure until the chair creaked under his weight. He turned to Beretta to look at her, first with the same expression he wore when he said his goodbyes before it changed into a rather smug smirk and he folded his arms over his broad chest. “And that, sweetcheeks, is how you make first contact.”

“Really, Soren?” the Rogue asked after lifting the long rifle from her shoulder and held it in her arms, revealing it was a Shushu weapon like Soren’s shield,” you had to talk with them? You couldn’t have just watched them and let them pass?”

“What...? The little blue girl was adorable, I couldn’t just ignore her,” Soren said with a tilt of his head before he jerked with a thumb towards himself and then the shield beside him,” I love kids, and so does Kazruul!”

“Leave me out of this.”

He laughed at the Shushu and gave him a lighthearted pat before he leaned with an arm onto the small table and rose his eyebrows at Beretta,” besides, now we know what she looks like. No harm done! How about a nice drink to celebrate, hmm? I’ll order your favorite.”

“Could you not?” she asked offended, his attempt to charm her falling flat. Her hold on her rifle tightened while an expression of agitation and dismay was visible underneath her mask,” we already had a description of her! Show some restraint the next time we cross paths with her again. You could have blown our cover with you acting all friendly.”

The Shushu rifle had been silent all this time to listen and observe the situation, and perhaps that was why he remained reasonable in comparison to his wielder. “Calm, love,” he said, his voice a bit rough but it held a smoothness which immediately caught Beretta’s full attention and had her look at him with large eyes,” they aren’t any wiser.”

“But darling,” she almost whined as she rose the weapon so she could look in the pair of eyes which adorned the redberry trigger guard of the rifle, appearing a little distraught,” this could have backfired on us. If that happened, the boss would have our heads and I am not ready to part with you. The thought alone is unbearable.” She hugged the rifle against her bosom and nuzzled the barrel with her cheek, her affection and whiny attitude causing Soren to snicker with a rolling of his eyes.

“It didn’t happen and that’s what matters. Nothing can break us apart, love, but we have a job to do,” the Shushu said, sounding fairly determined and cool headed after getting snuggled,” we best get ready and inform the others about our findings. They are waiting for us.”

Soren sat up a little, the smile he held disappearing to make way for a frown. “We’re leaving, already? But we haven’t relaxed in weeks! We can sit a little while longer.”

The huff Beretta let out bordered on annoyance after she hung the rifle back over her shoulder and stuck her chin up, the Rogue not in the greatest of moods. “You heard Nez’val, Soren” she said sharply as she brushed past the table and tipped the Feca’s mug over to show him she wouldn’t accept him stalling for any more time,” let’s go.”

The remainders and frothy foam of the ale spilled over the table after the tankard toppled onto its side, the drink soon splattering onto the floor and Soren’s boot. He stared at the wasted drink in deep disappointment before he gave the leather clad behind of the passing Rogue a playful tap in compensation and rose up to a standing. “You’re the boss, Nez’val,” he smirked at the glaring Shushu before he lumbered after Beretta into the streets of Bonta, the duo with their Shushu weapons going in the opposite direction of where Alys and Fernand were going.

--------------------~*~--------------------

It took a little while longer before the travelers ascended the many stairs to one of the upper levels of the city and caught their breath on the top of the final stairway they had to climb, the bazaar Alys guided them to ahead of them… to Bebe’s biggest relief. The young girl was exhausted. She rolled over after she dropped herself onto the pavement, panting while gazing up to the clear blue sky with her arms and legs stretched out. “This is even higher than those stairs in Osamodasia!”

“It isn’t all that bad,” Alys chuckled as she leaned over Bebe and smiled at her before holding her hands out for the girl,” come on, just a few more steps and we’re there.” Nerves began to kick in after she pulled Bebe up to her feet and allowed herself to look at the shop with the toxic green painted awning, not having seen it in the daylight. She was so close, and all she was hoping for was that Joris would be home and had the time to listen and give her advice. That’s all she wanted…

She swallowed as she crossed the quiet street and closed in on the bazaar with Bebe and Fernand following after her, taking note that the visible Shushu eyes on the building were closed. Even the curtains before the windows downstairs were drawn shut. Not a good sign…

Before Alys could knock on the door, the eye above the doorway opened and looked at her with a mildness which was either feigned disinterest or grogginess. “What is it?” The Shushu could be heard asking while his upper eyelid stretched itself downwards to keep the expression of being on the border of frustration. He ignored the wide-eyed and awestruck girl next to Alys, but only for a moment as it was difficult to ignore the Osamodas throwing herself against the closed door to have a closer look at the talking eye, narrowing his eyelids as he glared down upon Bebe.

“Good afternoon, Luis,” Alys said with a light tilt of her head after noticing the Shushu wasn’t in the greatest of moods, especially with being stared at by an ecstatic but so far well-behaved Bebe,” I missed you...”

The eye widened a little in surprise at hearing her before he caught sight of her smile. He turned his gaze away with a huff before he muttered,” Alys, it has been a little while… I’ll take it you are here to see the old coot?”

“Among other things. Are any of them home?” She sounded hopeful with her question as she reached forward to lay her hands upon Bebe’s shoulders and gently pull her away from the door. It looked like the small shop was closed at first glance, giving the impression that neither Joris or Kerubim were present.

“Some are. I’ll let them know you are here,” Luis said before he opened the door for the trio on the small front patio of the shop to grant them access without much of a fuss. He didn’t wait for any of them to enter, the eye above the door closing as the Shushu shifted himself to another part of the house he possessed to find the ones who were at home.

Fernand stood a bit behind Alys and Bebe with a hand upon his side while the Eliatrope was conversing with Luis, having watched the Shushu with a skeptical look in his squinted eyes. He wasn’t all that convinced by Luis’ well mannered attitude and wasn’t afraid to express it either. “Great, another Shushu…” he said after the door opened, the distaste apparent in his voice before he quickly grabbed for Alys’ arm when she stepped over the threshhold,” really, Alys? We are just going to step into the belly of a Shushu?”

Alys looked back over a shoulder before she gave Fernand a small smile and said while urging Bebe to go inside with her,” he is actually rather nice… and that comes from someone who was once kept as a prisoner by a Shushu. Luis watched over me the last time I was here.” She laid a hand lightly against the doorpost as she smiled appreciatively at the memory before entering the bazaar, noticing not much had changed since her last visit. The curtains which covered the back wall were drawn open this time around, revealing more shelves with weapons, jars and other trinkets on display, but otherwise everything seemed in place and untouched.

A soft creak sounded and although it didn’t startle her, it did have her search for the source of it. Her eyes wandered, searching until they rested on a small figure above. Kerubim stood on the stairs which ran along the walls while peering past the legs of the balustrade to whomever had entered the shop, too short to actually look over it. His face brightened up after he recognized the woman dressed in blue and laughed a little before saying while making his way down the many steps with quick hops,“ Alys! How have you been, my dear?”

“An Ecaflip! Fern, look!” Bebe squealed as she peeked past Alys’ leg towards the short but fluffy feline, the wish to pounce him and having a closer look burning inside of her and causing her body to jerk forward. She didn’t get far however, her pounce interrupted by the firm hold Fernand had on the back of her tunic. Her excitement was easily predicted by him the moment the elderly looking Ecaflip made his presence known and he was also swift to act to it. What was it with Osamodas and those gambling felines…? He didn’t get it.

“I see him, I see him,” the Cra mumbled as his honey colored eyes wandered over the wares the small shop had to offer, remaining in the doorway to not intrude while still suspicious of being eaten by the Shushu once the door would close behind him. Though from the looks of it, Alys had guided them into an antique shop rather than the acid-oozing insides of a monster’s stomach. He continued to keep the stitched fabrics of Bebe’s top clenched between his fingers to not her stray away from him after he ventured further inside, following Alys as she went to meet Kerubim at the bottom of the stairs.

“It is good to see you again, mister Crepin,” Alys smiled and knelt down to give the old cat a warm hug, feeling him pat her back comfortingly in greeting before she leaned back and looked at him,” I have been well, all things considered… I hope you don’t mind that I brought a few friends with me.”

Kerubim leaned a little to the side to look past Alys after she rose to a standing, eyeing Fernand and Bebe with an inspecting eye before he said, “Of course not, my dear! Travel companions?”

Alys nodded before she motioned towards the adult Cra and his adopted daughter to introduce them,” they are Fernand and Bebe. We have been on the road together since my last visit to Bonta. Fern, Bebe… meet Kerubim Crepin, the shop’s owner.”

Fernand straightened his back before he bowed somewhat to respectfully greet the old Ecaflip, saying with a serious tone as he closed his eyes and lowered his head,” well met, sir.”

Bebe sprinted the moment she was released and clasped her arms around Kerubim’s neck to grab him and hold him tight, nuzzling his fluffy cheek with a giggle while he stood frozen and perplexed at being suddenly cuddled. “He is so soft! You’re so soft, mister,” she said as she continued to hold Kerubim, standing taller than the old feline no matter that he was presumably ten times her age or more.

Alys held back on a chuckle as she watched Kerubim getting snuggled by the girl and said while smiling apologetically,” I am sorry, she is a hugger…”

Fernand’s eyebrow twitched as he watched Bebe being too forward towards Kerubim and quickly straightened up from his bow to march over with broad steps. “Bebe, he is not a bow meow. Let him go,” he said sternly while trying to peel the Osamodas off the Ecaflip, the girl’s pointy ears drooping while her grip around Kerubim’s neck tightened in defiance,” Bebe…”

“Ah no, it is all right,” Kerubim said with a light chuckle while waving a reassuring paw at a glaring Fernand,” children do what they like. She means no harm, hmm?” He smiled at Bebe while he hummed at her, seeing her nod frantically to answer him before her arms slipped away to release him from her aggressive snuggling. He turned back to Alys when the young Osamodas stroked his thick tail instead with careful pets, flicking it to keep her entertained as he asked the Eliatrope,” what brings you here today, Alys? Did anything happen?”

“Several things,” she admitted with a small nod, the smile she had fading to make way for a grimace,” I need to speak with Joris about a certain matter. Luis mentioned you both are home.”

”I said some are home,” Luis interrupted after he shifted back to his position above the doorway and glared at the Eliatrope and the Cra who flung himself around the moment he heard Luis’ voice behind him,” not all of them.”

Alys looked puzzled at the Shushu’s correction until a lisping voice from above drew her attention away from Luis,” I can pretend to be him, if you like. I do a pretty good impersonation of Joris if I say so myself.”

Kerubim laughed under his breath as he looked up the winding stairs to the one who had spoken, looking amused by what had been said. Vibrant in the dim lighting upstairs was a pair of golden eyes that gave away the position of a gangly looking creature with a long curling tail and pointy ears, sitting crouched upon the stairs’ balustrade to peer down at the gathering below. “Not by a long shot, Atch’, but it would be a good try all the same.” He turned his head to speak to Alys after he nodded with a sense of faint guilt, not having good news to share,” Luis is right, my dear… only some of us are home. Joris left for the kingdom of Sadida yesterday on the King’s order and he won’t return for another few days. Atcham is the only one with me.”

“I see…” It was difficult to cloak her disappointment at the news, even though she did try and prepare herself beforehand for the chance she wouldn’t be able to meet with Joris. Obviously, hoping with all her might wasn’t enough. At least she knew where he was.

“You must be the Eliatrope princess,” Atcham said after he rose to a standing, slouching and prowling a little as he made his way downstairs. The further he descended the stairs, the better the daylight falling in from outside hit him. He was a hairless Ecaflip with long limbs, tail and ears, his snout stumpy with a pointy chin and an underbite while his eyes looked swollen and bulgy. He was old from what Alys could tell, though she wasn’t all too certain about her guess; there were so many wrinkles with the lack of fur. “You’ve been the talk in this house for a while.”

Alys looked him up and down while Bebe was quick to scamper for cover behind Fernand, the spindly feline scaring her a little. Atcham seemed unfazed by the girl’s reaction, his narrow slit pupils moving swiftly over the visitors before they focused on the Eliatrope when she gave an insecure nod. “I’m not a princess, but yes…” she said before she held out a hand towards Atcham in formal greeting,” it’s a shame we didn’t get to meet during my last visit. My name is Alys, I am an emissary for my king and people.”

“Atcham, brother of Kerubim,” the Ecaflip lisped after he eyed the extended hand and sucked on his lower lip in thought with a tapping on his chin,” I was occupied with Ecaflipus business then, I think.” He glanced to the Eliatrope before he inclined his head instead of taking her hand to conclude the introduction, and asked while scratching his long crooked neck,” what is it you require from Joris?”

“I am very sorry, it is something I prefer to only discuss with him.”

“Private, hm?”

Her cheeks turned a deeper shade of peach, the intrusive question from the furless feline making her more insecure than she already felt. “No, not exactly… But--”

Kerubim rose his paws to gently interrupt Alys and gave her a warm smile after stepping in front of Atcham. “You don’t have to explain it to us, my dear. Atch’ is merely teasing you. However, that Joris isn’t here, doesn’t mean you have to leave right away. Why don’t you and your friends come upstairs for a moment, stay a while? I am certain Joris would appreciate to know you came to pay us a visit and are doing well.”

He would? She grimaced at Kerubim after the wondering thought crossed her mind, his words sounding alluring but also like he was trying to come up with ways to have her stay for a bit longer. Was she that easy to persuade by the mere mention of the Bontarian master? Apparently she was. “Very well…” she said after quietly sighing in defeat and gave a small smile in return,” thank you, mister Crepin.”

“But of course. Follow me, we can get comfortable in the lounge,” Kerubim beckoned and made his way up the stairs, the visiting trio soon following after him while Atcham lingered a little to watch everyone go up the stairs.

Fernand was a little reluctant to wander further into the Shushu possessed house, the sense of claustrophobia creeping up on him. This place seemed cramped and small from the outside and the narrow winding stairs didn’t improve it. Yet as he turned the corner and set foot on the landing, he was surprised to see the length of the corridor ahead. It looked far too long for what the building looked like on the outside. A trick of the mind, or the eye? Maybe magic? Was it the Shushu’s doing? He lingered at the beginning of the hallway to try and find logic in the puzzling layout of the bazaar, until a voice beside him stirred him from his thoughts.

“Don’t dawdle.”

Fernand scoffed at the eye on the nearest closed door before he stepped over a basket to not lose track of Bebe and Alys. The corridor may not appear as cramped as he expected it to be, but it was still filled with all sorts of junk. He wouldn’t say so out loud though. To his biggest surprise, he only just found out that these Ecaflips were somehow associated with the master of Bonta and Alys did seem to hold a great deal of respect for them. He better not overstay his welcome if all that were true. This dear friend though… the one Alys mentioned in Emelka after he asked her if she was going to meet someone special in Bonta. Was it really the master? What was she going to discuss with him if he were home rather than Sadida? Kalchas and Brakmar? Sounded plausible… In fact, it was the most logical conclusion.

The lounge he entered was rather welcoming and although cozy, it didn’t feel small or suffocating for someone like him. He nodded in quiet approval before a nudge against the back of his knee made him jolt in surprise and spin around to see who was behind him, the brushing of Atcham’s bare arm against his leg causing some nerves to spike. It still was peculiar to see an Ecaflip with not a single hair on him, a little disgusting even.

“By Ecaflip’s whiskers, you’re slow for a Cra,” Atcham commented as he slipped past Fernand to enter the lounge and claim one of the cushions by the low table, his claws sinking into the softness before he kneaded it while sitting down. It did take Fernand long enough to traverse the hallways but other than Luis, he was the only one to comment on it. The kneading of the pillow continued before his squinty eyes turned to the Eliatrope seated beside him. “So, princess, any luck with solving your dreams?”

“You… You know about my dreams?”

“There are no secrets among family,” Atcham smirked before his long bat-like ears perked up and turned somewhat towards the kitchen Kerubim was rummaging in, listening intently for a moment before he said,” I’m in on almost everything that goes on in this place, all four of us are.”

Why was that concerning? Alys swallowed when she met Atcham’s golden gaze and didn’t break it, the sense of unease creeping up on her. What exactly did he know and how much? The moment alone with Joris in the attic… Did he know about that too? The thought alone made the hair on the back of her neck stand up while her lips pressed firmly together to push back the growing heat in her cheeks. “I… see,” she said rather stiff before she tore her eyes away from him to focus on the shallow grooves in the tabletop instead,” I haven’t had much luck, no...” She caressed the texture of the wood with the tip of a finger while she thought about her nightmares. She had yet to tell anyone about how it recently changed; it was something she wished to discuss with Joris but with him being elsewhere… it had to wait.

“Not a single lead?” Kerubim asked after he popped up in between Alys and Atcham and placed a tray on the table with a few mugs of milk, generously giving everyone present a drink.

Alys shook her head after she pushed a mug closer to Bebe before accepting another mug from Kerubim. “We’ve been too occupied with other things, more important things, to chase after nightmares,” she said, the images of the broken golden hand and dragon skeleton flickering through her head until the thought of blood made her frown,” there is something you might be able to shed some light on.” She opened her pouch to pull out the folded up wanted poster and hand it over to Kerubim,” could you perhaps tell me about this person? Anything at all?”

Atcham leaned closer when Kerubim took the poster and unfolded it, his eyes narrowing while he took in the sketched face on the crinkled paper before he asked,” who is that piece of work?”

“She was in the same Bontarian prison I was taken to for questioning,” Alys explained,” she was kept there after Joris got me out, but we crossed paths again after I had an audience with the king of the Osamodas in Osamodasia. She claimed to have been released for good behavior. She joined us and had been a part of our little group until recently. We lost track of her in Brakmar.”

“You went to Brakmar? My dear, what ever drove you to that place?”

“Information, mister Crepin. Trust me, I wouldn’t have gone near Brakmar if I were on my own, not after all the warnings and words of cautions I received about that place. But we’ve been in search for Bebe’s family and were told about an informant in Brakmar who could help us. It was a chance we had to take… Our visit to the city was an unpleasant one, and unfortunately also the reason why I came here today to talk with Joris. Things… happened.”

An uncomfortable silence fell over the lounge. Nobody wished to go into detail about what happened, or ask about it. It still felt unfinished.

Kerubim picked up on the growing unrest amidst his guests and refocused on the wanted poster he held to not linger further on the matter of Brakmar. “This Sacrier who was in prison with you…” he murmured while stroking his furry goatee,” I recall Joris told me about her, or I assume it was her. It was shortly before Brakmar took their leave from Bonta. Joris was called in to help with the investigation of a prison break. It was a violent escape from what I gathered. Two fatalities. Nothing pretty…” He sighed while his small ears flattened. “Because it happened after the commotion during the masquerade ball at the palace, Brakmar kept pointing fingers at Bonta for what he claimed was a flawed security.” He held out the wanted poster to Alys to hand it back before he said with a mournful shake of his head,” you dodged a bullet with no longer being in that one’s presence, my dear. If she is truly the very same as the one who escaped, you should consider yourself lucky she didn’t do anything to you… or others.” He couldn’t help but glance towards Bebe, his bushy eyebrows forming a concerned frown.

Alys was speechless and so was Fernand. The look they exchanged said enough but there was a hint of disbelief. Two dead. Why was that so difficult to believe? Royale had a knack for violence, she proved this with all the fights she tried to pick or when she freed Vivienne and purposely caused that tunnel to collapse. Alys had reluctantly played with the thought that the toymaker lost his life then, but she never dared to think it true. But now… she had to face facts. Royale was indeed capable of such if she wanted to and it made the Eliatrope sick to her stomach. Did she truly lay her faith in a murderer? “I didn’t think she--”

Kerubim reached over to push the wanted poster down and lay it on the table when words fell short for Alys, slowly turning it over to hide Royale’s face before he gave Alys’ arm a comforting pat. “There is nothing wrong with trying to see the good in others. Don’t blame yourself for the time she’s been with you, for it is obvious she had some good qualities to have gained your favor and make you doubt about her innocence. Instead, praise yourself lucky and learn from this. That’s all you can do.”

“We knew she wasn’t all there, Alys,” Fernand said with a drumming of his fingers on the tabletop,” she caused us plenty of trouble ever since we let her tag along… This news isn’t a real surprise, not to us.” It still angered him, perhaps even more than it angered Alys. He believed Royale to be a criminal since they met and that hadn’t changed during their journey. The wild look in the Sacrier’s eyes said enough. Although the confirmation from the old cat was appreciated, it came a little too late for Fernand. The damage was done and now he had to live with the bitterness of knowing he tried to get along with someone like Royale.

“I know…” Alys sighed and rubbed her forehead before she gave Kerubim a weak smile and folded up the poster to be rid of it,” thank you, mister Crepin. I appreciate you telling me this.”

“It is no problem, but with Bonta and Brakmar having played a part in the subject, I do have to ask if you managed to get through Bonta without trouble. You know… after what happened.”

Atcham nodded to Kerubim’s words before he added,” even I noticed the increase of bow meows in the streets. Ush’s eyes and ears were all over the place after you left, though that simmered down since. It isn’t something an outsider would notice, but we’ve had plenty of dealings with him to know when he is up to something.”

“I can’t say I noticed anything out of the ordinary, not when we arrived here today,” Alys said while she pondered about what was shared with her. There was that bow meow she found looking into her room at the tavern, but that was weeks ago. Ush hadn’t approached her in any shape or form since the ball and she was fairly grateful for it too. The diminish in his activity in the city was good news however and made her feel a little more at ease with being in the bazaar,” this visit has been rather calm so far, in comparison to our last visit.”

“It has,” Fernand agreed before he drank a bit from the offered gobball milk, his eyes wandering through the room. It seemed they would be here a little while but he didn’t mind; they were in good company. He was curious if the plans were going to change however. Not that there were clear plans to begin with, as all they thought of was to go to Bonta and take it from there, but he and Bebe would eventually continue to Sadida. With Master Joris visiting that kingdom, would Alys be willing to tag along with Fernand or was she going to wait here for the master’s return? He hoped for the first, for Bebe and his own sake. It felt too soon otherwise. He would have to ask her when he gets the chance though for now he would let Alys talked with the Ecaflips, the way she looked at peace rather reassuring for someone as skeptical as him.

They would head for Sadida eventually, with or without her.