Chapter 2: A Fight, and a Thief's Job
Alright sure I'll keep this up, I hope to meet everyone's expectations. Enjoy!
Front yard of the Disgaea Guild
A grid system overlapping the grass opening, stopping just at the edges where the trees were growing suddenly appeared, Hank seeing nothing new recounted his days of his training, and began issuing orders.
"El-...I mean Berry Melon try to get close enough to the Orcs on the left side, while at the same time keeping a distance just out their reach, and while you're at it tell me if you can hit the closest to you with a fire spell" Walker ordered.
"Roger!" Berry Melon exclaimed.
She tiptoed through three squares, her target still a few squares away, once at her position she aimed a fire spell, her range just barely reaching the Orc closest to her.
"I can hit one from here!" Berry Melon called out.
"Good, if you take out the first one, then it should take the one behind it two turns to reach you, and just for the record you'll be attacking first. Now then I'm going to shoot at the Orc farthest to the right next, Elfie you aim your bow at the one in front of my target last, hopefully if my evility could guarantee a critical hit for you, it should be enough to take it out in one hit despite you being so weak." Walker ordered
"R-right!" Elfie said.
Walker walked but a single step, having a gun that could reach up to five squares allowed him to keep a safe distance while Elfie's bow could only reach four, but if Walker's plan works there would be no Orc to reach her.
"Keep our distance, and they won't even touch us for the entire fight, okay I'm ending our turn!" Walker announced
Berry Melon cast fire on Petite Orc giving it surprisingly high damage.
"No~ my one, only, and convenient to the combat plot elemental weakness *oink*!" The Petite Orc wailed as he vanished like all defeated foes do, and at the same time Berry Melon leveled up by one level.
Walker fired a single shot at the Orc, impressed with himself when he saw that it killed it in one go. Then it was Elfie's turn, she fired a single arrow, and with Walker's evility, it was a critical hit, just barely enough to take it out as planned. Elfie was happy with herself, and even more so when she found out she leveled up two levels. With their turn over, they stood their grounds as the Orcs began to formulate a plan of their own...
"*Snort*-we have them by the snouts now, we didn't need all those troops to being with-*snort*!" The Orc Captain declared victoriously.
"Your complete denial of even the most obvious is most-*oink*-impressive sir!" Petite Orc complimented.
"*Snort*-yes, I am a natural strategist aren't I, that is why I want you to get as close as you can to that red haired brat while I-*Snort* stay here, and evaluate on your combat efficiency-*Snort*" Captain Orc commanded
"Sir I will do my best-*Oink*-despite the impossible odds!" Petite Orc declared
Petite Orc advanced upon Berry Melon stopping just one square away from her, his tiny feet unable to carry him further.
"Sir I have reach my maximum distance-*oink*-what are my orders now?" Petite Orc called out
"*Snort*-excellent work now I want you to stand there, and draw all their attention to yourself. For the mad house party-*snort*!" Captain Orc shouted
"For the mad-*oink*-house party!" Petite Orc cried out
The enemy declared their turn over causing them to turn control back to Walker, and his team.
"...This is almost sad..." Walker muttered
"W-Walker, help! I can smell his breath! It reeks of booze, and blind ignorance!" Berry Melon called
"So that's why they are so weak to fire, they must be combustible from all the alcohol in their system." Elfie figured
"We can discuss whatever flammable alcohol they drank later, it's our turn now, so here's what we'll do. Berry Melon retreat to our side, while still being able to hit that Orc with another fire spell. To make it easier I'm gonna shoot that 'Captain' of theirs first, then you burn the little fool. Elfie you'll wait it out next to me, I'm not gonna risk unnecessary injury if both our shots don't finish off that Captain of theirs" Walker suggested.
"Walker...O-okay!" Elfie said, moving herself back one square next to Walker.
"...I'm just gonna step one square forward to get a better shot." Walker said as he took to his word, and moved up a square.
"Oh..." Elfie said
"Use all my magics!" Berry Melon shouted excitedly
She retreated three squares away from her target, upon aiming her fire spell, she was glad to see it could in fact reach, and with her attack a confirm hit she stood her ground.
"I'm all ready here!" Berry Melon shouted
"Great! Remember, me first, then you, Elfie will be our support if for some reason it's not enough to kill it, alright it's time to execute!" Walker concluded.
He fired a single shot to the Captain Orc doing only taking one fourth of his health while Berry Melon performed a second fire spell on the last Orc, and with the added critical damage bonus she made quick work of it.
"Well alright then I guess if that's all there is to it, I'm ending our turn, your move Captain Dork!" Walker called out
"It's Orc!" Captain Orc argued
With Walker's turn ended Captain Orc counted his remaining foot soldiers, and after counting, and recounting several times, each concluding to zero, it was obvious that he had no choice, but to get his claws dirty.
"*Snort*-you shall have the honor of dying by a high ranking officer! I shall make the spots of your demise into a dance floor-*snort*! That way we can literally dance on your graves-*snort*! Captain Orc assured
He took four steps forward, but unfortunately, he was still two squares away from the closest target.
"*Snort*-no matter, hit me with your best shot! I'd like to see you even try to penetrate my armor-*snort*!" Captain Orc challenged, and thus ended his turn, and allowed Walker his turn.
"...I was wrong this isn't almost sad, it's completely sad. Oh well, here's how it's going to work, I'm going to perform my special, then Elfie you shoot him with an arrow, and when all else fails, Berry Melon you finish it with a fire spell, sounds simple enough right?" Walker ordered
"You finally remembered my new name~" Berry Melon said melancholy
"I'll take that as a 'understood', you Elfie?" Walker said
"A simple plan from a simple demon, yes I do." Elfie admitted
"*Sigh*, don't friendly fire Walker, she can't help it...(can she?)" Walker mumbled, then thought.
"Remembered, remembered~" Berry Melon sang
"...Alright, before we distract ourselves any further, execute!" Walker ordered
"Tri-Burst!" Walker roared
He fired two consecutive shots, performed a series of unnecessary front flips, and fired a third mid flip, landing perfectly on the ground. The attack left the Orc Captain with one fourth of his health remaining which Elfie's critical arrow shot made quick work of the rest. Their first victory was theirs, the grid began to vanish signaling an end to the fight, but the Captain Orc apparently had something to say, for he did not vanish in a burst of light like his allies did.
"*Snort*-how could this be!*Snort*-I was motivated to party, that should have been more than enough to kill you all-*snort*!" Captain Orc said
"Seriously why didn't you poof out of here? You're not all that important." Walker scoffed
"*Snort* I am too important, your first opponent is always the re-occurring one-*snort*!" Captain Orc insisted
"You've gotta be joking, you important? You didn't even have a real name! Hell your 'name' is the same as your title, that's how unimportant you are." Walker argued
"...*Snort*-that may be, but the Orc family tree is strong as it is numerous!*Snort*-you've only broken a twig in the smallest branch connected to an even bigger branch connecting to the trunk...*dead*" Orc Captain concluded soon afterward disappearing along with his foot soldiers.
"Looks like a victory on our side, and you two even leveled up a bit, this should make our future fights easier." Walker congratulated
"Looks like they dropped something." Elfie noticed
Sure enough right where Captain Orc died, there was a small brown, leather bag. Upon picking it up, opening it, and dumping the contents into his empty hand he was rewarded with several hundred HL.
"Well ain't this a treat." Walker said to himself
"We can finally score some well deserved snacks! To the cake shop, away!" Berry Melon shouted
"...Pretty sure their closed by know, it's getting dark, and even if they weren't they will by the time we get there. So let's just eat dinner for now, and rest, hopefully someone has noticed our ad, and will come to us with a job." Walker said
"Dinner? As in not eating out of scraps from dumpsters?" Elfie curiously asked
"That really depressed me, if you promise never to speak of your homeless days, I'll give you extra servings whenever you want" Walker said.
"I'd appreciate it, and it's a deal" Elfie said.
"Then let's go inside" Walker said.
"Hooray~" Both girls cheered
The three teammates entered their home, Elfie in particular was more excited being allowed somewhere with a roof underneath.
"Uh...Berry Melon why don't you show Elfie to her room, just give her any room besides yours, and mine while I make us some of my should be famous chimichangas." Walker instructed
"Brother...Is that still the only thing you can cook?" Berry Melon asked
"...Shut up...there's nothing wrong with my chimichangas" Walker mumbled as he made his way to the kitchen.
"Well then, follow me" Berry Melon said opening the doors that lead to the hallway which connected to the multiple empty rooms
"Now just pick any room you want! They're all the same, 'cept of course for mines, and Walkers...for now." Berry Melon said
"Hm~ I think I'll just close my eyes, and pick one at random" Elfie suggested.
"B-but your eyes are alrea-...well if it will help you choose, then go ahead" Berry Melon encouraged
She extended her arms forward, and felt her way around the hallway, bumping into random doors, and walls until feeling one doorknob she felt comfortable with.
"How about this one?" Elfie asked
"Sure! It's even next to my room, we'll be like neighbors, I already can't wait to borrow a cup of sugar from you!" Berry Melon exclaimed
Elfie opened the door to her new room though it was similar to Berry Melon's, and Walkers in every which way.
"I haven't had a room to myself in an eternity, I don't even know what to put in here." Elfie said
"...What about your sign thingy, that could be used for decoration" Berry Melon suggested.
"Yes! It could bring attention to myself, and my sad past unlike your boring life with no accomplishments" Elfie said.
"Hey I accomplished...stuff, I just can't remember!" Berry Melon quickly defended herself.
"S-sorry, let me go get it, it should still be at the front yard" Elfie said
"Meet back in the dining room I'm sure Walker's done cooking by now" Berry Melon instructed.
Elfie nodded, and made haste to the front yard while Berry Melon made haste to the dining room/discussion hall. It took Elfie much longer than expected to find her sign considering the fact that it was now night time, but eventually she uncovered it from dirt, and leaves, returned to the guild, and upon opening the doors to the dining hall she was met with a pleasant sight. Walker, and Berry Melon where sitting by the left side each with their own plate of food, but between them was an empty chair, in front of it, was third plate of food.
"Made it just in time, hurry up, and eat so we can discuss important guild related topics." Walker said
"You didn't start eating without me?" Elfie asked.
"Why would we do that? Then we won't get to know each other better!" Berry Melon cheerfully replied.
"By that she means we need to understand what makes each of us tick so differently so we can work better as a team." Walker reiterated.
"Oh~ come on Walker, what's the point in making a guild if you're still gonna act like a lone gunner?" Berry Melon asked.
"It's in my nature, and you can't fight nature" was Walker's only response.
"No it's called being tsundere" Elfie corrected.
"Damn it there you go with that honest mouth of yours again!" Walker angrily responded as Elfie took her seat.
"So~ if she's telling the truth, and you believed that, then you really are tsundere?" Berry Melon teased.
"Ye-I mean no! That's completely wrong, Elfie that's enough out of you!" Walker said.
"It's in her nature, you can't fight nature!" Berry Melon repeated in a poor impersonation of Walker.
"Don't use my words against me! Geez! Ganging up on me like that, you guys really think like demons alright, completely unfair, now eat." Walker ordered.
The team took several pieces of chimichanga before a conversation suddenly began.
"It's not bad" Berry Melon said with a stuck up voice.
"Well so much for your cute, and innocent facade, but I'm not gonna lose my cool because you said that" Walker assured.
"Well then let's have Elfie do that for me...Elfie, what is your honest opinion about Walker's food he made?" Berry Melon cheerfully, but also curiously asked.
"Oh, no..." Walker mumbled as Elfie swallowed the food in her mouth.
"...It is the best meal I had in my entire life...I think I'm going to cry...*sniff*" Elfie reviewed.
"Aha! See it is great! If a honest person such as Elfie says it's the best, then it has to be the best!" Walker exclaimed.
"Didn't see that coming...where's the dessert?" Berry Melon suddenly asked.
"Well there is one thing missing though..." Elfie suddenly announced.
"What?" Both Walker, and Berry Melon asked with mixed feelings.
"I heard that some humans put 'love' in their meals to make it taste better, and I think this is lacking it." Elfie said.
"Well of course it is, love is hard to come by! I couldn't find any love in the markets, and I have no clue on how to make it from scratch." Walker quickly defended.
"Love is not a spice, it's...well...it's not a spice, but..." Berry Melon tried to explain.
"Love is a feeling inside you that drives you while you cook. Apparently this in turn makes cooking much better, and your food taste better as well. Of course your not suppose to love your food, but the people you're cooking for." Elfie explain more clearly.
"How do you know so much?" Berry Melon asked like a curious schoolchild.
"Oh~ it comes to us healers sometimes, I suppose it has to do something with our history as supposed fallen angels. Or it came to me during one of my studies as a healer, there are tons of made up stories about healers, in relationships with just about everything. Kind of distracting considering the fact that those books were kept right next to the magic scrolls, and whatnot." Elfie explained in detail.
"So there's no love in these?" Berry Melon asked.
"None that I can tell, but I've only read about it, never felt, or tasted it" Elfie said.
"Walker, what's wrong with you? Don't you love us?" Berry Melon pleaded with watery eyes, and a quivering lower lip.
"Don't stare at me like that, or it'll get stuck like that" Walker simply said.
"I'm not hearing a no~" Berry Melon teased.
"Oh my~, b-but we've just met" Elfie bashfully said with flushed, rosy cheeks.
"You're getting ahead of yourselves, or you're just messing with me, I don't care to find out, but if it'll get you to shut up I'll answer your question" Walker said sounding annoyed.
"Yeah, and?" Berry Melon practically shouted.
"You're both handy in a fight, and you two don't normally piss me off, so I guess I don't find you two a hassle." Walker answered.
"...Typical" Berry Melon said.
"What?" Walker said to himself.
"I should have expected an answer like that, I guess it's too soon" Elfie said to herself.
"Quit speaking in riddles, and just tell me what you're trying to say!" Walker ordered.
"Let's just finish our meals, and go to sleep, I need my cutie sleep" Berry Melon said sounding disappointed.
"I suppose that's the peak of our interesting conversation" Elfie said.
"Yet we got nowhere from it" Walker reminded.
"Either way, your food is delicious, and I'm happy to partake in it" Elfie said
"Then I'm gonna end our meeting with this before I forget" Walker said.
Walker then tossed one hundred HL to Berry Melon, and Elfie.
"W-whats this?" Elfie asked.
"It's currency...more precise it's your share of the loot we got fighting those orcs, of course I keep most of it to buy our items, and weapons, and the rest you girls can use for whatever. The more we get payed the more you'll get in return." Walker explained.
"You're giving me a home, and a job~" Elfie weakly said sounding very touched.
"...Uh yeah, figured I'd try something different than the rest, just to keep you motivated into doing your best" Walker said founding himself in a sudden awkward moment.
"Thank you...thank you so, so much" Elfie heartily thanked.
"Okay~ well I already finished my food so I'm gonna hit the sack, you two just...do whatever you want" Walker quickly said putting his plate away, and getting out of the room.
"Something I said perhaps?" Elfie asked.
"Naw~ he's just not use to the whole friendship thing, you know how gunners are." Berry Melon assured.
"Actually he's the first I've met" Elfie corrected
"Well done you!" Berry Melon unnecessarily congratulated.
"Thanks...well I suppose I'm done eating for today, I have a figure to keep after all, healers have a responsibility to keep ourselves looking as beautiful as possible. Mostly because it has an added positive effect when we demons see us treating them." Elfie admitted
"I wish I had that same effect when I'm burning them to a crisp" Berry Melon said with a hint of envy.
"If it helps, there's no one I wouldn't mind being burned by then a red mage such as yourself" Elfie complimented
"Really?" Berry Melon squeaked, instantly perking up
"Well except for maybe a Empusa, or even better, a Succubus!" Elfie said
"Oh~...yeah I went through that phase too" Berry Melon admitted
"Don't we all" Elfie said
After picking up their plates, cleaning them including Walkers, and retreated to their bedrooms while having idle chit-chat. They waved goodnight to each other, and everything went dark, and quiet as the trio drifted off to sleep. It was late into the night when Elfie woke up to creaky floorboards just outside her doorstep, fearing it was a possible crook taking advantage of some poor folk she equipped herself with her bow, and tip-toed towards her room door. The previous fight with the orcs gave her new found confidence in her fighting ability so instead of slowly opening the door to spy on the would be thief like a normal human, she instead opened the door as quickly as she could, and aimed a arrow at the head of the would be thief just as she had turned around. However she quickly lowered it once she found out who it really was...
"Berry Melon? What are you doing?" Elfie whispered curiously
"Oh, you know...um~ sleepwalking?" Berry Melon whispered back
"But you're awake..." Elfie whispered
"I am? I-I guess so-hehe~ I guess I better return to my room then" Berry Melon whispered, though she remained where she stood.
Elfie stared at her for several seconds, Berry Melon still just awkwardly standing in place.
"...Well are you going to, or what?" Elfie asked
"I-I am, I-I just can't do it when you're staring at me like that" Berry Melon complained
"...Oh, I see what's going on...fine, do whatever you want, but I'm gonna ask how Walkers morning was, and something tells me I won't be surprised by his story" Elfie teased, and before Berry Melon could defend herself Elfie retreated to her room, and quickly went back to sleep. Elfie woke up to a shining new day, starting with a few stretches, washing herself, and sluggishly made her way to the dining room to see Walker finish reading a letter he must have received just recently.
"Good morning Walker, how was your sleep?" Elfie asked in genuine sincerity.
"It was fine until I woke up, I haven't told you, but that red mage sister of mine has a habit of sleepwalking into my bed in the middle of the night. It's been like that ever since our parents left us to fend for ourselves when we came of age, she just can't get over that habit of hers" Walker explained
"I see, and where is she now?" Elfie said smiling more broadly than normal
"Still asleep, she's kind of a heavy sleeper, it's hard to wake her up sometimes so I didn't bother today, but that's not important. What is important is this letter I got, apparently someone read my advertisement, and wants to hire us for something, says here they'll give us more details once we meet them at...the fountain it seems" Walker explained
"So we actually do stuff here?" Elfie asked
"That's right, we're not just some lazy club that does nothing like the 'glee club' by the markets" Walker criticized
"You just haven't heard them sing, hear them out once, you might change your mind" Elfie defended
"Well I doubt, I'm not particular a fan of people singing other people's songs, even if they sound better doing so" Walker said
"I don't see it like that, it's more like a new rendition of a great song that deserves more attention that it gets" Elfie continued
"That's fine, and dandy until you get them singing stuff you hear over, and over again, I mean come on, we hear it all the time on the radio, and Television, no need for you guys to sing it too" Walker said
"That's true, but it's not always often, just when they have a huge demand for them to do so, it's not their fault" Elfie added
"Yeah I guess...wait we got off topic! I was going to say to get your stuff, and come with me to wake up Berry Melon" Walker quickly said
"Aw~ I really like our conversation, but orders, are orders, I'll get my bow" Elfie said
"That's better" Walker said following Elfie to her room.
They went to her room where she picked up her bow, and not much else, then they went to his room to see Berry Melon sprawled on Walkers bed like a passed out college student on a Saturday morning after a kegger party just after finals week was over...basically she's still asleep.
"Alright, so how are we going to do this..." Walker asked his new healer
Elfie took the initiative climbed on top of Berry Melon, and proceeded to gingerly smack her across the cheeks several times, increasing in force every so often.
"W-what are you doing!" Walker shouted
"What? I'm gonna heal her afterward" Elfie reminded
"Oh yeah~" Walker remembered
Several minutes later Walker was once again combing her sister's hair, her cheeks bright red, though whether it was because of the multiple slaps, or because she was furious was anyone's guess.
"Hey I'm voluntarily brushing you this time, you should be thankful" Walker argued
"I have mixed feelings!" Berry Melon declared
"I did heal you after all...by the way, can I have a turn Walker?" Elfie asked
"I'm not a brushing machine! Just do it yourself, anyways Berry Melon we got a job offer, so as much as I want to rub it in your face I'd like to keep it professional" Walker said as he tossed the brush over to Elfie.
"Thanks, I know how much you like to rub it in" Berry Melon said
"Right you are, now then, let's head out" Walker said
With both girls hair neat, and straight Walker lead his team outside, and upon a closer inspection he made a sudden observation.
"Elfie...where are your shoes, or were you too poor to afford them?" Walker asked
"You don't know? Healers are always barefoot" Elfie explained
"Why? Isn't that a little uncomfortable?" Walker asked
"You see we healers learn to treat our patients in a multitude of ways, whether to heal their injuries in combat, to heal mental anguish through therapy, sympathetic looks, or just being next to them to them to make it seem as if they are popular among the ladies" Elfie explained
"That didn't answer my question" Walker said
"...Sometimes our job may require a bit of...desperate requests, which is where my...assets come into place" Elfie began as she hovered her hands towards her chest. "Sometimes it's not enough though despite their perky, round, soft, and somewhat larger than average size, some demons prefer other body parts. That's where our feet would come in, we just lift our dress, and-" Elfie continued
"O-okay, okay stop! I know your honest, but don't be specific! I'm not gonna ask about that ever again, let's just go now!" Walker practically shouted
"It's no big deal" Elfie muttered.
They began walking across the dirt trail
"Don't you have any shame woman?" Walker asked
"It's just my body there's no shame in that" Elfie said
"Let's change the topic then shall we?" Berry Melon suggested
"Sometimes I feel like we talk more than we work" Walker said
"We haven't worked yet" Berry Melon reminded
"Exactly!" Walker said
"Is this how it's going to be like the rest of the time?" Elfie said
"Yup, and hopefully you won't be the only one, Walker who are we gonna have join us next?" Berry Melon asked cheerfully
"I don't know, haven't put any help wanted signs up so I don't think anyone would come to us looking for a job yet, but that's fine it's not like I have the cash to pay any more" Walker said
"You think that can change when we finish this job?" Elfie asked
"Don't forget we have to buys weapons, armor, and items, speaking off armor I don't believe you have something to increase your defense Elfie" Walker noticed
"I cannot tell a lie, I do not" Elfie admitted
"Back to the rhyming fighter yay!" Berry Melon cheered
"Hopefully she's sick, and a non-rhyming assistant is there" Walker said
"I've always like the shopkeepers, even if they didn't like me, cause you know, no HL" Elfie said
"Is that really all?" Walker suspiciously asked
"Well I did only just stare at them, they never introduced themselves to me" Elfie added
"Well if our client chooses not to say his, or her name, then by all means don't stare...I don't know how you do that with your eyes closed, but just don't do it" Walker instructed.
"Crystal" Elfie said
They made it to town, ignoring most of the sights of demons parading through the streets for some unknown celebration that would simply take them out of their responsibilities such as providing food, fresh water, and proper plumbing to the town. After being covered in confetti, nearly dragged into a dancing circle by Berry Melon, and just narrowly ducking from a oncoming tossed Prinny which blew up shortly after, they made it to their meeting spot at the Succubus Fountain where a lone Thief Class looking away from her guild kicking at the water clearly bored.
"Are you our employer?" Walker asked as he attempted to dust off the confetti, and glitter off his hat.
"My aren't you the smart one *giggle*" the Thief sarcastically responded with a squeaky, and teasing voice
"Right, this is gonna be fun...alright well what's the job you hired us for?" Walker professionally asked.
"Oh~ it's more of a scouting mission really. See I don't know if you noticed, but I'm a thief" their thief client admitted.
"No~!" Berry Melon gasped.
"You boys look different than the last ones I saw a long time ago so much more effeminate" Walker commented.
"What are you talking about creep, I'm suppose to be like this I'm a gi-" the Thief began.
"Right, right I get, it's not a choice, I know your types, and I understand now what's the mission?" Walker asked wanting to get back to duty.
"You dummy I'm-oh! Whatever your jobs are simple, you just help me scout for possible targets! Go inside their houses as whatever it takes, and take note of what they have inside" the Thief explained
"So how's our pay going to work out sir?" Walker asked.
"...My name is Milky, and that's how you're gonna call me for the rest of our trip. As for your pay I'll give you a portion of my stolen goods" Milky said.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Milky!" Elfie quickly said.
"! Uh...thanks, nice to meet you too...anyway I have a few houses I've been suspicious about, so you three just go inside, obviously no one has ever let me in a house before because well...you know I might, and by that I mean I will take something from them" Milky concluded.
"Seems easy enough, alright leads to the nearest house" Walker said.
"Just follow me, once we get close I'll keep watch from one of the nearby roofs when I see you come out just make sure there's open land for me to land on next to you" Milky said as she began walking, the rest following.
"By the way my name is Berry Melon!" Berry Melon exclaimed.
"My name is Elfie, and until you've introduced yourself I've been silently staring at you." Elfie said.
"O~kay~" Milky awkwardly said.
"...Walker..." Walker simply said.
"I was wrong about you, I thought you were smart, but any man that can't clearly tell I'm a pretty girl is a complete dunderhead" Milky said.
"Hey I don't care how feminine you look, I've read plenty of books about thieves, and if they read you guys are made up of girly boys, then it must be so." Walker said.
"That was a long time ago! I was...confused" Milky admitted.
"You're still confused now, maybe you should just stick to stealing, because self identification seems way off your scale" Walker mocked.
"Watch your mouth jerk! I can steal the pants right off ya, and you wouldn't even notice" Milky said.
"Yeah, yeah I'm not saying your thieving skills were bad, in fact if I didn't think it was so easy then I'd be impressed with your sticky fingers" Walker began.
"Really?" Milky said sceptically.
"Yeah, but your clothing is a tad strange to me, though I don't mind, whatever floats your boat. If it makes you feel like a pretty girl, and that was what you were aiming then it's fine by me" Walker said.
"It's suppose to represent who I am...the cat ears, and paws show that I'm a cat-burglar" Milky declared.
"What a terrible cat pun, I think I'm gonna need new ears before my old ones begin to bleed" Walker ranted.
"You jerk! It took me forever to figure that out, and I thought it was pretty funny, if you keep this up I'm deducting your pay!" Milky exclaimed.
"I sincerely apologize, Berry Melon you take over on the conversation." Walker said.
"No need we're already here" Milky pointed out.
In front of them was a red brick house surprisingly well kept, and clean on the outside, it stood out compared to most of the dust cement, and wooden houses on the town.
"I can see why you'd pick this place, I bet they have tasty snacks inside~" Berry Melon figured.
"Alright remember go inside don't look conspicuous looking, and make sure to point out all the portable valuables. I'm talking video games, jewelry, but don't take it all you'll never get away with it" Milky said.
"Can do!" Berry Melon exclaimed.
Milky jumped out of sight behind a roof from the building next door while the three guild members took their new sudden acting roles just as they knocked on the door. Several seconds later a Archer Class answered the door looking disgruntled.
"This better be a good reason to distract me from tea time peasants" The classy Archer class said with a sophisticated yet rude voice.
"We believe your house is infested with Mothmans...possibly Messengers" Walker explained.
"Well of course I have a Mothman as my messenger! If all you've come here was to state the obvious then I must ask you to leave for you are interrupting what should be a pleasant tea ceremony" The Archer said in a holier than though accent.
"Did we say Mothman, I meant...ghosts!" Berry Melon exclaimed.
"Good heavens, Ghosts? Well I wouldn't want to spend my days being spied on by spirits, it will unsettle me during tea sessions, and make my snacks unappetizing! Please come in, I do apologize for my rude behavior" the Archer said in a completely different, but polite tone.
"Thank you kindly" Walker thanked.
They went inside admiring the many different trinkets of glass animals, porcelain dolls all placed in separate glass cabinets, and an ancient looking record player. The were standing at what appeared to be the living room, a rectangle opening appeared to lead to the kitchen, and a gleaming wooden zig-zaggin staircase lead to the washroom, and main bedroom as well as the guest bedroom. Back in the living room they saw a silver platter on a wooden table decorated with white linen, and a beautiful jade vase containg several colored flowers that resembled a bunched up rainbow. The platter contained a softly steaming pink teapot with matching tea cups, and scones, biscuits, and brownies all stacked together to make a pyramid partly eaten.
"Wow~" Berry Melon stared.
"Fancy" Walker complimented.
"Why thank you, it's not often I get complimented by such a wild man such as yourself" the Archer said.
"Elfie you get to work inspecting this house for ghosts, you know what to do" Walker instructed.
Elfie nodded, and proceeded to walk around the living room eyeing everything without staring at one object for too long while Walker, Berry Melon, and their Archer host took a seat in a sofa so soft they could feel like falling asleep right then, and there.
"Got any sarsaparilla?" Walker asked.
"I'm afraid I don't know what that is exactly, but I do have tea. For example, my collection is comprised of Earl Grey, Darjeeling, Ceylon, Assam, and not to sound too proud of, but I recently acquired a heavily sought after, and very rare White Pearls! *Giggle* my taste buds giggle at the mere mention of my White Pearl-*giggle*" the Archer said.
"White Pearl, as in actual white pearl?" Walker said sounding dumbfounded.
"Oh? Don't be silly pearls aren't very good with tea, they are too salty from the salt water, and all icky from the clams, not that I don't enjoy a good clam now, and again, but I digress, perhaps you could simply help yourselves to some of my snacks" the Archer said.
"R-really? Thank you so much! Thank you, and your beautiful hair!" Berry Melon exclaimed as she began to help herself to the snacks.
"Y-you really think my hair is beautiful?" the Archer said.
"Uh-huh! My hair can only go straight down, but yours looks so bouncy, shiny, and full of life! Aw~ now I'm getting jealous, better eat some more snacks to pass the feeling away- omnomnomnom" Berry Melon exclaimed as she began to empty the room of all it's snacks as the Archer now focused her attention of Walker, expecting some sort of opinion.
"...What?...oh you're hair right! How long did it take to make it look like that?" Walker asked, though not really caring he was only buying time for Elfie to finish her examination.
"W-well it takes several hours of dedication to make them curl just right, once I do, I take a break with a cup of tea, which by the way you still haven't help yourself to" the Archer reminded.
"Oh I'll-oh look my assistant is coming back!" Walker said as he noticed Elfie coming down the stairs with a good to go signal, or something, he wasn't entirely sure what hand sign Eflie was doing.
"Of course, the ghosts! Please tell me you got them all!" their Archer host exclaimed.
Elfie did not respond to the Archer's plead, instead walked over to Walker, and muttered something neither of them could hear.
"...Uh~ she tells me, that she has completely exorcised the ghost haunting your...bedroom window" Walker said.
"Oh? Well that explains why I get so cold when I open it at night" the Archer said.
"...Right, well we must be off" Walker quickly said.
"You're leaving so soon, but I haven't had a visitor in quite a while, won't you stay for brunch, that means an expensive lunch in peasant talk" the Archer explained.
"N-no thanks, too busy- come on Berry Melon!" Walker quickly said as he carried Berry Melon away from the tray of snacks.
"Is there any way to communicate with you in case the ghosts come back?" the Archer said.
"Y-yeah we have a guild just outside of town on a dirt road, Disgaea Guild to be exact come to us if you have a job, now gotta go!" Walker quickly advertised as he was about to shut the door behind him.
"Wait, what about your thoughts on my hai-" the Archer quickly said, but it was too late, and Walker shut the door before she could finish.
"*Sigh*...I guess it's just another one of those boring d-" the Archer was about to conclude when suddenly the door opened again, with Walker still holding the door knob.
"You have great hair okay, happy? Bye!" Walker rapidly spoke, and shut the door behind him once again.
The Archer was a little confused, but happy all the same as she gently stroked her hair feeling like the rest of the day is going to get even better.
As they walked away from the house Milky jumped from behind them practically making all three of them jump.
"So how's the house anything worthwhile?" Milky asked.
"She has some very expensive tea, the little weirdo" Walker noted.
"That won't work, demons aren't particularly fond of tea, even rare ones won't sell well here, what else?" Milky asked.
"She has some tasty snacks, and from my expertise in fine snack tasting I can tell those were home backed, I should have asked if she was the one who made them, phooey!" Berry Melon exclaimed.
"That's yummy, but it's not gonna fill my wallet, give something I can work with!" Milky exclaimed.
"She has an amazing collection of ribbons, brushed, and dresses, they seem to be made of rich material, as well as silver, and some gold." Elfie said.
"That's much better! Gold clothes, and silver brushes are always a win, I can make a lot of HL selling them to designers, or I can simply melt the silver, and gold, and sell it like that." Milky said.
"You seem to have it all planned out way ahead" Walker noticed.
"Well not one to brag, but I am pretty smart for a thief" Milky said.
"And pretty feminine for a boy" Walker scoffed.
"That's because I am a girl!" Milky angrily replied.
"Whatever helps you sleep at night, so where's our next stop?" Walker asked.
"Just keep following me" Milky grunted.
"So Milky...I like your name, Milky, it's so cute, it's very fitting for a cat-burglar." Berry Melon complimented.
"Thanks! I wish I could say the same about yours, I was kind of expecting a fire mage to be called something that's not named after a fruit drink" Milky playfully teased.
"Well everyone loves Berry Melon, so that means everyone will love me!" Berry Melon explained while poking at her cheeks, and smiling gleefully.
"That sounds more conceited than cute" Milky said.
"...I'm obligated to still like you in order to keep my cute smiling face" Berry Melon mumbled.
"What was that?" Milky asked.
"Oh I was just thinking about how we almost the same height!" Berry Melon noticed.
"Oh yeah! This the first time I haven't had to look up at someone!" Milky said.
"Me too! We could be like sisters! Oh, here's an idea! Wanna be sisters?" Berry Melon quickly exclaimed.
"H-huh?" Milky said clearly confused.
"Don't mind her, she just blurts out whatever pops into her head" Walker explained.
"But It could be fun! Even if it's temporary! We could gossip, talk about boys behind their backs! We could even share clothes! What do you say wanna switch clothes with me?" Berry Melon quickly ranted
"W-wait a minute that's a little embarrassing" Milky said.
"Yeah, I don't want my sister wearing a boy's clothing, and I don't want a peeping kid like you near my sister." Walker said/
"I'm starting to think you're calling me a boy on purpose just to tick me off" Milky said.
"Just passing the time with chit-chat" Walker said.
"Geez the people I hired...wait a sec...I think we missed it...we did!" Milky suddenly realized
"Must have been our conversation, it has been distracting all of us, and misguiding us" Elfie figured
"Either that, or that huge party going on outside" Berry Melon figured
At that point a Wood Golem was running across the streets wearing a bathrobe while shouting "toga!"
"Great now we got to go back!" Milky exclaimed
"Did you choose this day knowing that most demons would be too distracted to notice a thief steal from three houses in one day?" Elfie asked
"I would have done this even if they weren't partying, but this adds to my favor" Milky admitted
"Let's just hurry up, it's not like you're paying us by the hour" Walker said
"You wish!" Milky retaliated
"I do wish that actually" Walker said
"Geez~ it's like you have a smart mouth, but it's only pretending! You're not smart at all if you couldn't even see our next target" Milky ridiculed
"How was I suppose to know! You haven't even described it!" Walker exclaimed
"It's that!" Milky pointed
The building she was pointed at was a one story tall, perfectly square, and dark, gray in color, it's windows revealed a black curtain, but not much else. All in all it seemed like a very plain building though darker than the rest.
"Let me guess, you chose this building because it stands out?" Walker asked
"Yup, now let's do the same to this one, anyone needs me, I'll be sunbathing on the roofs" Milky said as she hoped away.
"I don't like the vibes I'm feeling out of that one, let's make this quick" Walker said
Both girls nodded, and the trio took careful steps towards the house, Berry Melon, and Elfie walking behind, and very close to Walker who was also reluctant to knock on the door, let alone enter it.
End of Chapter
This is still just the beginning there are much more things in store in the future, much, much more.
