Chapter 7: Take A Breather

Alright! Are you ready for this? I have so many awesome things planed for this chapter, it's gonna be great!

Peach Basket: Curse of Writer's Block go!

...Huh? W-what...what the hell happened to all my ideas? Crap I can't think of anything...well. Enjoy!

Disgaea Guild Morning.

Kimberly awoke as the sun just started to peek out from under the horizon, and the darkness turned a dull gray with a shading of light blue. She clapped twice, and the lights in her room immediately turned on. She didn't know they could do that, but it did not surprise her when it did in fact she'd be more surprised if they didn't. She rubbed her gentle eyes softly, uttering a tiny yawn as the last of the sleepiness in her system started to wear off. She looked around her room, still many things to unpacked, besides her sitting on the bed was the stuffed pony she was recently gifted from her new friends. She still had no name for it yet, but she felt today, or at least by the end of the day fate would grant her one. She did her bed as neatly as she always done, during which she wondered if she could get Walker to bring in her own mattress back at her home, but for the moment the quaint little thing would be just fine for now. After placing her gift on top of the pillows she made her way to the connected washroom thankful of the cleanliness inside, but it wasn't enough to hide her distaste when she looked at herself in the mirror (Which she also made a mental note to ask Walker to replace with her own). She was suffering from a recurring defect we all call 'bed-hair', her curls curled where they shouldn't, more hair tipped to her left rather than equal on both sides, and she had a hard time looking clearly at herself with all the loose strands covering her field of vision. She glanced at the shower besides the latrine hesitant at first, but upon closer inspection it appeared fairly white, shiny, and unused...at least for a several years. After a quick shower which we have no reason to intricately describe due to privacy issues, she wrapped herself with her personal towel she kept in a luggage which covering her entire body down to her ankles, and looked back in the washroom sink mirror. Combing her hair during her shower while applying her usual amount of shampoo, and conditioner had made it wavy, her hair reaching just below her thighs. Thus after a long blow drying session, and an even longer curling session the morning sun had completely risen, and she could hear the soft footsteps of her roommates waking up just as she had finished putting on her attire, and walked out of her room.

Firefly awoke with a start, finding herself escaping yet another nightmare made up by her own fears, and doubts. She thought to herself that hopefully nothing in her dreams would come get her in the real world, but she was always cautious. Turning around the open window revealed the splendors of nature, a vibrant array of healthy colors, mostly green which is considered a very unhealthy color in most cases as well, very strange. Already fully awake she got herself ready through her usual routine of checking, and double checking the closets, and under the bed for monsters, something she is very reluctant to do. After confirming that she was indeed alone, at least in her room she cleaned herself up, got dressed, and very quickly combed her short hair, undoing any knots, and twisting strands that may have arisen during her constant shuffling about during her sleep. During her preparations she had taken under consideration what her plans for today will be...of course serving Walker was her first priority, but other than that nothing else seems to come to mind. Usually she would be at home tending to any fault in security, perhaps she could do the same here, but it would hardly take a full day to do so. Then she remembered about Elfie's counseling, and figured it was long overdue to finally get a backbone. So with that goal in mind she left her room, and headed towards the dining/guild hall with everyone else.

Walker woke up with a grunt as he predicted that once again Berry Melon was under his blankets in a state of sleep so deep it could rival death itself. Uncaring though he got out of bed, looked outside, and let his thoughts on the first few days sink in. He was unsure of what to make of his team, but maybe it was too soon to rate them, after all they haven't had such a bad first few days. He walked across his room back, and forth stretching his arms, and shaking his head to shove the sleep out of him. Going into his bathroom he began the process of proper hygiene despite the second person in the same room. Once complete he equipped himself with all his gear, then remembered the Axe Milky had stolen from that warrior yesterday, he had no use for it, and neither did anyone else in his team. He was thinking of selling it until he realized the shops were closed today, so he instead decided upon using his storage out back to keep it out of the way of his inventory pile. Having nothing else to do, but hopeful of something happening later today that could distract him he left the room leaving Berry Melon to her undisturbed sleep for the moment.

Though it was hard to tell, Elfie was awake, and not sleepwalking, her eyes already adjusted to the bright glow of the morning sun. She stretched, and flexed her body, but there was little she could do while wearing such a long garment, and the heavy cuffs on her wrist didn't help things either. Remembering about her cuffs she looked down on them as if seeing them for the first time, and clanked them together, how she keeps forgetting to take them off before she goes to bed is beyond her, but considering how they don't disrupt her at all the thought quickly left her brain. As for what today will be bring she had no idea, nor did she really care, if she could ask for anything it would be to see new patients adorning her with attention, and just letting that feeling sink in for a while until she was satisfied. She smiled at the idea, and got herself ready with a quick shower, a quick polishing of her cuffs, a mental note to herself to actually buy polish instead of having to scrub them down with a wet towel she previously used, and left her room to prepare a breakfast for everyone, declaring herself the new chef of the guild on her own accord.

Lloyd awakens from his sleep, he is depressed as usual, everyday in his life has failed to give him reason to continue living. He has concluded that his new compatriots do not respect them, and when given the chance they will undoubtedly rob him of all his traits leaving him a empty husk of what used to be a Skull Mage. He is reminded of his books in which he shall retrieve today from his home, it is not fear of death that drives Lloyd to endless studies, time of course cannot be returned. He envisions his reaper sharpening his tool to harvest his soul in a soon to happen course of his time. Despite the healthy amount of hours he had slept, his eyes had a slight dark bag under them, possibly due to an extreme case of depression not yet recorded, or excelled at such a high amount. During his usual morning cleaning ritual he recalls a time when he was with his parents, the thought sent shivers down his spine as the ancient memory is a lingering reminder of what he once was. He sighs to himself, forcing the memory back into the corners of his mind he wears his garments, and exits his room to continue his research on the different personality traits of his so associates, which he foolishly calls companions.

Berry Melon continued to sleep, her lazy self unconsciously moving about as if searching for something to cling to. Nothing else seems to be going on, and it doesn't seem as if she'll be waking up anytime soon so...

Milky woke up as casually as the everyday Joe, but after sleeping for so long she felt wide awake, and more energized than ever. It was obvious that if it weren't for her occasional night raids she could be considered a morning person. However a good night's rest was only a partial reason why she was so excited in the early morning. She recalled back to yesterday, and realized that Walker had not commented on her being a boy for the majority of the day, which could mean that all her nagging, and subtle hints may have payed off, and he was ready to accept that. Then again he didn't exactly use the words she, or her, or miss, but maybe he was just embarrassed from such a odd mix-up. Either way Walker had given them time for themselves seeing as how they aren't doing any work for the day so she was going to spend it, and enjoy it with a vengeance. She showered herself, now feeling confident in her body she shook the wetness off herself until she realized she was given a complimentary towel by Walker. Feeling slightly embarrassed, but happy no one was around to see her habit she donned her cat gear while giving her goggles a good wiping, reminding herself to actually use them for once as she left her room to head towards the main hall.

Even asleep, if you're real quiet, and real close you can hear Peach Basket utter an assortment of incantations, hexes, and curses. Wishing for the suffering of others whether they be enemies, or allies, to her the only thing that matters is her feelings on the subject. To a demon, human, or angel the curse of a Shaman is similar in every way, but of course the opposite can be said of that of Peach Basket. The curses she was whispering unconsciously were filled with adoration, and respect of her new pack, or clan as some of her kind would call it. The curses she shall present will be a gift to her new allies, while to the rest of society they shall be a trap. To wish misfortune, and misery is how they pray to their God of Despair. She woke herself up mid-chant, and hopped out of bed, she never recalled what curses she had cast, or whether they even worked, or not, still stared at the morning sun with a smiling, evil grin, and a piercing stare that could have frightened someone if she didn't appear like such a cute little girl. Feeling the pangs of hunger hit her large stomach through her tiny tummy, she decided that a shower was not needed, and combing her hair is just plain ridiculous when she occasionally wears a large skull on her head. She ran out of her room to greet her friends with new friendly curses.

Oddly enough everyone had opened their doors almost simultaneously, exiting towards the same hallway together.

"Morning" Milky said.

"We know it's morning" Elfie reminded.

"I'm pretty sure she was greeting you...Elfie was it?" Kimberly said.

"Well while we're all here, I'm gonna need your help waking up Berry Melon" Walker announced.

"Again?" Elfie said.

"Is this gonna be a constant thing?" Milky wondered.

"Unfortunately yes, unless she somehow wakes up on her own sometime soon" Walker said.

"Well it is her own fault for staying up so l-" Kimberly began until Elfie's hand suddenly covered her mouth.

"What's going on between you two?" Walker said sounding exhausted of their shenanigans already.

"Let's keep that part a secret for now, trust me" Elfie whispered close to her ear.

"I didn't know we were suppose to keep it a secret" Firefly whispered close to Kimberly's other ear.

"D-don't breathe so heavily like that when you whisper you two" Kimberly said.

"Relax I'm a girl, girls can get away with doing stuff like this to other girls" Elfie assured.

"I'm fairly certain they don't" Kimberly argued.

"Who's the honest one here?" Elfie said.

"How am I suppose to know that?" Kimberly said.

"Oh yeah, you're new here...you see I'm the honest one" Elfie blankly said.

"*Ahem*" Walker interrupted.

"Tell her, tell her I'm the honest one" Elfie implored.

"I can already tell this is gonna be an awkward conversation...We're gonna continue this elsewhere, in the meantime...Lloyd, Peach Basket, Milky go wake Berry Melon up" Walker ordered.

"But I did it yesterday!" Milky complained.

"Yeah well they didn't, and I need someone with experience to show them how it's done, the rest of us will meet you at the Guild hall" Walker ordered as he, Kimberly, Firefly, and Elfie left for the kitchen.

"They're just making us do the work because we're shorter than them" Milky said.

"Is it that bad?" Lloyd said.

"Curse of sleep! Classic, used in fairy tales a lot! Need kiss of handsome prince to undo curse!" Peach Basket explained.

"I don't think it's like that Peach Basket, she woke up all the other times, we just need to be a little more extreme than a alarm clock" Milky explained.

"Curse of loud ringing!*Bzzt*,*bzzt*,*bzzt*!" Peach Basket buzzed, imitating a electric alarm clock.

"Yeah like that, but save it for when we get there" Milky said as they headed towards Walker's bedroom.

"What do we need to do?" Lloyd ask with zero confidence.

"Plan, plan, plan!" Peach Basket repeated.

"I-I don't know, I'm a little new at this, but I'm open to suggestions" Milky said as they entered Walker's bedroom.

Meanwhile

"I have zero confidence in them, I'm going to wake her up myself after breakfast" Walker announced

"We are so superior to them, ohohoho~" Elfie playfully teased.

"I would think that was very arrogant of you if you didn't say it so humorously" Kimberly said.

"W-what if she never wakes up a-and we have to live life without a red mage!" Firefly panic.

"Sounds like you put no thought in that" Walker said.

"I wonder what's for diner?" Elfie asked out loud in a gruff voice.

"It's morning Elfie...that means breakfast right?" Firefly said suddenly feeling very confused.

"Why are you asking us? I was expecting you, or somebody else to provide" Kimberly said.

"You're not the least bit curious about the way she said it...*sigh* never mind" Walker said.

"Very well I shall prepare a delicious breakfast for all of us" Elfie said.

"Good, for a second there I thought your head was malfunctioning" Walker said.

"Can't a girl have a little fun?" Elfie asked with an innocent look on her face.

"You know, looking at you like that...I think I'll join you in the preparations, just to be on the safe side" Walker said.

"Aw~ Walker you want to spend time with me" Elfie said looking bashful

"Really starting to hope you're getting the hang of lying, and I just haven't noticed" Walker muttered darkly in his breath.

"In that case I shall prepare the beverages, don't wish to be dead-weight after all" Kimberly said.

"I don't want to be dead-weight, p-please let me do something!" Firefly pleaded.

"We'll think of something" Walker assured.

Elsewhere

"I don't believe it! How is she still asleep?" Milky cried out loud.

"She not affected by insomnia curse on her face!" Peach Basket shouted in a frenzy.

"So that's what it was? It looks more like a bunch of doodles with the word 'owned' in bold letters on her forehead" Lloyd noticed.

"Not true! Raccoon mask around eyes too!" Peach Basket argued flailing her black marker about.

"Are you really a Shaman?" Milky wondered.

"Well I don't mind returning back a failure, it's the norm for me by now" Lloyd said.

"Well I do, we need to come up with something" Milky said.

"Oaah~" Peach Basket groaned, deep in thought.

"Maybe she's prone to cold things? She looks pretty snugged with that warm blanket on her" Milky said.

"I suppose that's where I come in" Lloyd said.

"Right on time no less" Milky remarked.

"So where do I hit her?" Lloyd asked

"Well we don't want to hurt her, so maybe we could just-" Milky began

"Everywhere!" Peach Basket shouted

Lloyd chanted quickly under his breath, and soon a chill in the air surrounded the group, and a body of ice formed around Berry Melon before shattering, blasting everyone with freezing ice shards. Berry Melon woke up instantly the blast of ice chilling her body even under the blankets as everyone else took cover under the bed

"C-c-c-col-l-ld!" Berry Melon shivered.

"Is is it over?" Milky wondered.

"You think Walker would mind all the ice in his room?" Lloyd asked

"Blame cold on summer snowstorm!" Peach Basket proposed

"Because that's believable" Milky sarcastically remarked.

"S-s-s-so c-c-c-cold!" Berry Melon went on

"So just cast a fire spell, you are a red mage aren't you?" Milky reminded.

"R-r-r-r-right!" Berry Melon stammered as she began to focus her magic.

Elsewhere

"Did you guys hear something, from just behind the walls?" Walker suddenly asked as they set the food on the table.

"Must be your schizophrenia acting up" Elfie assured.

"I don't have schizophrenia!" Walker angrily declared.

"Oh darn, I always wanted to treat someone like that...oh well" Elfie said.

"Don't diagnose me with random diseases, and disabilities! Just because you tell the truth doesn't mean everything you say will eventually be truth" Walker reminded.

"Yes sir" Elfie pouted.

"What was it you heard Walker?" Kimberly asked.

"Like rapid tapping on the wall, but it ended so quickly, and everywhere all at once...what the heck are those kids doing there?" Walker wondered.

"You know they are only children physically" Kimberly reminded.

"I know, I know they are over a hundred years old, but that's still pretty young in demon years" Walker said.

"Excuse me, miss Firefly, you can stop hiding in the refrigerator now, it's alright" Kimberly urged as she notice the walk in refrigerator was slightly ajar, and Firefly was peaking through the crack opening.

"Yeah, it's no big deal, it's not like whatever I heard is just suddenly come at us-" Walker was saying.

Suddenly the doors to the dining room flung open, and out came Berry Melon, Lloyd, Peach Basket, and Milky screaming at the top of their lungs, and flailing about in a frenzy as if the end of the world was coming...because they were on fire.

"I don't even want to know, put them out!" Walker shouted.

"I can't I don't have enough spit!" Elfie cried out.

"Damn it! Firefly get your ass in here, and put out those flames with magic, or something!" Walker roared

Firefly rushed out of the refrigerator, and muttered incompressible gibberish that demons call spells, and a wave of cool wind blew across, and around the entire room like a really wide twister, flinging the little running bodies this way while their flames burned out at the cost of them crashing either on the floor, and walls. The food miraculous stayed on the table, and even on their plates, as if nothing has happened. Even the scribbles on Berry Melon's face had disappeared, though if it was because of the burns, or Elfie's spit was anyone's guess.

"Well thank goodness that the food is still here, but I'm afraid the wind may have cooled them off a bit too much, but excellent job nonetheless" Kimberly said.

"I'm just g-glad I didn't mess up...too bad" Firefly sighed with relief.

"I think we should worry more about the smoldering teammates across the room" Walker said.

"No problem, I may not have enough spit to put out a raging fire, but I do have enough to cure them of their injuries" Elfie assured.

"Go do it, maybe being spat on could teach them a lesson" Walker said as he sat down the table on a random seat of your choosing.

Elfie began the process of curing her allies, spitting at their comically charred bodies which made them appear like oversized, twitching pieces of charcoal...it's okay to laugh they'll make a full recovery. After their full recovery they took their places on the remaining empty chairs.

"The food's a little cold" Walker muttered.

"Well I coul-" Berry Melon was saying.

"No!" Everyone minus Firefly, Kimberly, and Lloyd shouted.

Berry Melon reeled back in a defensive positioned, and nibble silently on her food of seasoned pork-chops, eggs, and hash browns.

"Nice weather we're having..." Kimberly awkwardly spoke after the moment of silence.

"It's alright" Walker muttered.

"Did you see the new baby pandas at the zoo?" Elfie suddenly asked.

"Where do you come up with these sorts of questions?" Walker wondered out loud.

"There's always the occasional baby panda at some zoo somewhere, I wasn't lying. Just asking an honest question" Elfie defended.

"I don't even know a zoo near here that would keep baby pandas" Walker said.

"That is a little strange don't you think? No zoo's in the netherworld?" Elfie said.

"That's because most of the living things here talk, and a zoo here would be more like an open apartment complex for demons who don't mind living outside" Walker said.

"Did...did you actually put some thought into this?" Kimberly asked.

Walker refused to comment.

"Well in any case I'm glad that the tea I have prepared is still piping hot" Kimberly said.

"What is this amber tea anyways?" Milky asked in a vague attempt to sound upper class unintentionally.

"It's aged Pu-erh tea I had delivered to me from an ancient tea forest. Steeped it for five minutes at about 200 degrees Fahrenheit, and as you can already tell it has a very natural taste to it. You could almost feel mother nature embracing you with her gentle arms, and soft bosom, or picture yourself in an ancient forest wandering the unexplored terrain searching yourself.

"I kind of taste a bit of artichoke in this" Walker commented.

"Yes well...some people with unrefined taste do comment on the very faint taste of artichoke, but rest assure I used only leaves, but even so, to taste the artichoke you would need very sensitive taste buds...perhaps your life calling was to sample tea?" Kimberly said.

"I just said what I tasted is all" Walker muttered soon after biting down a huge piece of pork.

"You should see him when he's comparing sarsaparilla root beer, he can find the slightest fault in any drink, and complain about it" Berry Melon told.

"If they don't make it right, especially if I paid for it, then damn right I'm gonna complain" Walker said.

"I understand your passion perfectly! It is an insult to be served faulty tea...or sarsaparilla" Kimberly added.

"Exactly!" Walker said seeing Kimberly as if for the first time.

"Well Walker I do hope your love of sarsaparilla does not become a addiction" Elfie said.

"Addiction, and passion are two different things" Walker stated.

"Me want sarsaparilla now!" Peach Basket announced.

"Welcome to the guild Peach Basket" Walker welcomed.

"I heard that very few countries sell the drink anymore" Elfie said.

"Ah yes the one thing that I cared to know when I was studying humans...they stopped selling it everywhere almost as if they were too good for it-bah! No wonder they turn out either really weak, or really fat, no sarsaparilla to give them a man's body" Walker said.

"But your throwing range is equal to Kimberly's, and mine" Elfie muttered.

"What?" Walker asked.

"What?" Elfie repeated.

"So where are we going today?" Milky asked.

"I'm going to do nothing productive all day" Berry Melon said.

"I've got a business to run, someone got to keep this place alive" Walker said.

"I have things I must retrieve from my home...horrible things" Lloyd said.

"Sound fun! I wanna go!" Peach Basket declared.

"There really isn't any point in me exploring the town, as there is staying here...I suppose I'll follow one of you on your field trips" Kimberly said.

"Fine it's decided do whatever you want, just don't make this guild look bad" Walker said.

"Now you're just asking too much from us" Elfie said.

"I'm hoping you guys can cope with the challenge" Walker said.

"Well there is this ice tea I've been curious about all night, I suppose that's one way I can spend my day" Kimberly said.

"I think they have ice tea at that cake shop Walker took me a while ago, I'll come with you" Berry Melon said.

"Don't spend all your earnings at once there" Walker warned.

"Hm~ mind if I tag along?" Milky asked.

"So long as you stand on the opposite side of next to Berry Melon when we walk then no I don't...no offense" Kimberly said.

"*Sigh* okay, it's a deal" Milky reluctantly agreed.

"Walker me, and Firefly would like to accompany you to wherever it is you'll go" Elfie suddenly said.

"I do?" Firefly asked herself.

"You're not gonna diagnose me are you?" Walker suspiciously asked.

"...I can't lie the thought has occurred several times" Elfie admitted.

"Just keep it to yourself, and we have a deal" Walker said.

"Of course, did you hear that Firefly? We get to be his concubines today" Elfie joked.

"W-what!" Firefly shouted in a panic.

"Elfie~" Walker groaned in disappointment.

"Just kidding, just kidding...well if everyone is finished I suppose we should say our 'see you laters'" Elfie said.

"Food! Yum!" Peach Basket exclaimed.

"It was rather scrumptious, and with large part due to my exquisite tea choice" Kimberly said.

"I had mostly juice though" Berry Melon stated.

"Well...it still helped" Kimberly said.

They scrubbed their plates clean after breakfast, complaining about the lack of a Prinny to do so for them. They let themselves finish so they could leave all together until Walker had a sudden reminder.

"You guys go on without me, I want to dump this lousy axe at the storage we have out back" Walker said.

"We'll follow you there" Elfie said.

"...Fine" Walker reluctantly agreed

Splitting apart from the group Walker, Firefly, and Elfie walked around the building. Elfie, and Firefly were chatting senseless behind Walker's back, while Walker tried his very best to ignore them. It didn't help matters when they two would occasional take quick peek at him.

"Elfie shut up" Walker at last muttered.

"Sorry did you want to say something?" Elfie asked.

"I'm not the chatterbox kind of Gunner" Walker said.

"That explains why you seldom join our conversations" Elfie said.

"I get frightened at the thought of saying something I shouldn't have" Firefly said.

"Well I do have a question for you Elfie" Walker said.

"My measurements?" Elfie asked

"W-what no! Quit acting like one of them...what are they called again, Empusa?" Walker asked.

"That is one type yes" Elfie assured.

"Yeah quit acting like that, you're a Healer" Walker said.

"Well to be honest I didn't start out as a Healer...I was a Lilim for a few hundred years, then reincarnated, and trained to become a Healer" Elfie revealed.

"That explains a lot, but why do you suddenly switch classes like that? The only time I'll want to reincarnate into is a Sniper, and so on like that" Walker said.

"Why do any of us do so? I suppose with our huge life spans, living with a body for so long would get tiring. If given the choice would someone who has spent a hundred years in an aging body reincarnate into something fresh, and new, or would they continue with their same body as if it were a prison?" Elfie asked.

"If you ask me it depends on the person, if they give up their bodies so easily then what makes them think that having a second new one would be any different. Frankly I'd prefer to push the boundaries of my Gunner race, and I'm not slowing down any time soon." Walker said.

"I don't like change" Firefly simply said.

"Well when you put it like that, then maybe I will stick with being a healer after all" Elfie said.

"You were thinking of reincarnating?" Walker asked.

"Well I came upon more Mana in our fights, why not use them?" Elfie said.

"You could be using them to power yourself up now, learn some new moves, anything to give us an edge...speaking of I think I could learn something myself" Walker said as they reached the walk in storage shed.

"It's not gonna be dusty, old, and rotten inside is it?" Elfie asked.

"This place is clean from the inside out, I saw to it to that, and it wasn't easy considering it was as big as a small house" Walker said.

"Did the air suddenly turn cold?" Elfie asked.

"It's probably just a morning breeze, let me just quickly put this in a rack somewhere, and we can go." Walker said.

"Oh~ that flower looks so nice, it really sticks out among the grass" Firefly said spotting a wild Tulip besides the storage house.

"I think it's a Tulip, but that can't be right, flowers don't grow naturally in the Netherworld, unless a Alraune is involved." Elfie said.

"You don't suppose there's one here?" Firefly asked.

"Looking at this flower it's definitely recent, half a week tops since this flower was born. The Alraune can't have gone far, and even in a thick forest they still stick out" Elfie said.

Walker ignored the pretend detectives, and opened the double doors. Almost instantly an apparition appeared in front of him in a cloud of smoke.

"Boo!" The apparition shouted.

Walker's entire reaction to this apparition in one second.

0-200 milliseconds- Walker reacts in shock, loading girly shout.

200-300 milliseconds- Walker realizes apparition is merely a Ghost Monster class, girly shout now pending.

300-500 milliseconds- Walker's examination of it's equipment, level, and stats reveal Ghost is no threat, girly shout canceled.

500-800 milliseconds- Walker begins combative response for poor attempt at frightening him, 'jackass', 'moron', 'loser', and 'failure' all pending use.

800-1000 milliseconds- Walker prepares for first contact speech.

This concludes Walker's entire reaction to the apparition in one second.

"What the hell were you trying to do moron?" Walker asked.

"I-I was just trying to do my-" the Ghost nervously said.

"Have you been living in there? Without paying rent too?" Walker accused.

"Rent? N-no that's not-" the Ghost.

"Wait before you explain yourself, I'm gonna put something in here. Why don't you wait outside" Walker ordered.

"Well okay sure" the Ghost said.

Floating out of the way he waited outside while Walter turned the lights on, and walked towards a suitable rack to place the axe in, leaving the Ghost with the two girls curiously staring at it.

"...I don't suppose you two are scared of me are you?" The Ghost asked.

They both shook their heads.

The ghost sighed in disappointment as Walker came back.

"Alright, so my associate here could be included in this conversation because I know she'll want to say her part, I'm gonna need you to introduce yourself" Walker said.

"Well...my name is Limbo, and as you can see, I'm a ghost" Limbo said.

"Limbo, the plane between life, and afterlife...it suits you" Elfie complimented

"R-really? I thought so too, but it did nothing to help me with my job" Limbo said.

"You mentioned something about a job before, can you be more specific?" Walker asked

"Well as a ghost, and a demon I play an important role in frightening people, but as you can see..." Limbo began.

"You're a failure at it" Walker stated.

If Limbo had a mouth it would be frowning right now.

"Don't worry about it, we just happen to have someone with us that can help you cope with being a failure" Elfie said.

"I don't want to cope, I want to improve" Limbo said.

"Well try not to suck so much then, come on girls we gotta stop the rest of our team from giving us a bad look" Walker said.

"As you wish, come on Limbo we need to introduce you to the rest of the team" Elfie said.

"Whoa, whoa why do you suddenly include him-her...it into our group like that?" Walker asked.

"Were else is he gonna go?" Elfie said.

"We did say we could have used more monsters a while back" Firefly realized.

"*Sigh* I hate it when you guys use my own words against me, fine he can join, we'll find a room for Limbo, but you can't stay in the storage shed" Walker said.

"Don't I get a say in this?" Limbo asked.

"Not when you're freeloading no" Walker assured.

With their sudden new teammate the group began their walk through the single dirt road to meet up with the rest of their team.

Lloyd, and Peach Basket

"This is what my house looks like on the inside" Lloyd began as they entered his abode.

"Smell fear, and self loathing. Love it!" Peach Basket declared.

"I see my suffering brings you joy, this is going to be delightful" Lloyd muttered sadly to himself.

"Can smell curse items, gonna look, find curse dolls!" Peach Basket said.

"There on a shelf somewhere, I'll just start packing things...alone" Lloyd said.

"Untouched? Not used?" Peach Basket called out.

"...I had no need for them, they looked collectible...until I found out they weren't, there went several years of my life I won't be getting back" Lloyd said.

"Dolls curse you before they worked? Must be special! Peach Basket want them!" Peach Basket exclaimed as she at last found them on a tall shelf, on the middle counter.

"...Take them, you'll make better use of them than me...of course they wouldn't even work for me, they are unresponsive, and make terrible companions" Lloyd said.

"Happy! Curse dolls mine! Give curse doll after I done with them! Everyone gets one!" Peach Basket announced as she began swiping at the blank sacks with demon human bodies.

"How does that work?" Lloyd asked.

"Me make them look like us! Me chant hex! Me use body part to complete! Curse doll now works" Peach Basket explained.

"Body parts? You don't mean..." Lloyd began.

"Hair, spit, nails, anything from clan member! Then give to everyone, curse everyone! Me happy, you happy!" Peach Basket said.

"If you say so, but you must excuse me if I'm skeptical in these actually cheering me up" Lloyd said.

"Wait, and see, wait, and see!" Peach Basket assured.

"Well if you say so...I suppose another curse to live with won't make much of a difference to my life" Lloyd said.

"Now you thinking with curses!" Peach Basket said.

"I'm packed here, my inventory is full, perhaps we should join the others...although I doubt they'll be happy to see us" Lloyd said.

"They be happy! Happy to see me with curse dolls!" Peach Basket assured.

"I believe Berry Melon was dragging everyone to a nearby cake shop...where would that be?" Lloyd said.

"Why ask me?" Peach Basket said.

"Perhaps we'll see them along the way" Lloyd said.

"See red mage stuff her face!" Peach Basket said.

"That would be hard to miss" Lloyd said.

"Ooah~" Peach Basket moaned as she noticed a small full body photo of a demon woman wearing very little clothing, but Peach Basket could easily identify the class.

"Oh I forgot about that...I wish I could say the same for my tragedies" Lloyd said.

"Summer Idol! Me friends with Idol long ago! We love Idols...Onmyo monks cool too" Peach Basket declared.

"Is that so? But you are complete opposites" Lloyd reminded.

"We discuss secrets to each other, use secrets against each other, learn new secrets from using secrets on each other, learn more curses that way! They learn things too, all happy!" Peach Basket explained.

"So it's like a yin-yang thing?" Lloyd dully asked.

"...Me not know that...We all happy, no problem, keep learning curses!" Peach Basket said.

"So long as you're both getting something out of it, it doesn't change? She thought that way too, it did nothing for me" Lloyd said.

"You keep picture...you miss clan member?" Peach Basket asked.

"No...she gives them out to all her clients, says to give it to someone who makes movies, or owns music studio so she can be recognized" Lloyd explained.

"Ooah~" Peach Basket groaned.

"Exactly" Lloyd said as they left the building.

Berry Melon, Kimberly, and Milky heading towards a cake shop.

"I know I only visited once, but it's been so long since I had a frosted cake, and so far that's the only place to get some here" Berry Melon excitedly.

"How are you still skinny?" Milky asked.

"...I'm a red mage, I have to have a petite body, or else I won't be a red mage" Berry Melon explained.

"That doesn't make any sense, though I doubt you'll give us a more reasonable explanation when you are so excited about snacks" Kimberly said.

"I've been waiting for a day to use my hard earned HL on something, and besides getting new leggings this is it" Berry Melon said.

"Didn't you die during a fight, technically you didn't really do much compared to me who lived through the fights" Milky said.

"Can't hear you over my adorableness!" Berry Melon shouted

"That's funny, I am far more adorable than you, and I can hear her perfectly fine" Kimberly said.

"No I am! I say all the cute things in this guild!" Berry Melon argued.

"What cute things? Normally mages like you would say foolhardy things like 'bonk' or 'magic, magica, magi' not offering fire for the fire god" Kimberly stated.

"I'm an individual, and that makes me cute, what do you say?" Berry Melon asked

"Well I...uh, well I say things like 'shoot', or 'please hit', but it's all self conscious of course, I can't stop myself from saying them" Kimberly quickly defended.

"Cat got your tongue?" Milky said.

"I really hope, for our alliance that you don't mean that literally" Kimberly said.

"No, no of course not, I would never steal from my friends...I'll think about it a lot though" Milky stated.

"Well that puts me on a strained ease" Kimberly said.

"A face full of cake will fix that right up" Berry Melon said.

"No thanks, I'll be quite alright with a cup of tea if you don't mind" Kimberly said.

"Iced tea coming right up then! It's just a little further now" Berry Melon said.

"Stop teasing me about this Iced tea you seem to know so much about. By the way, what samplings of Iced tea will they have available? Orange Pekoe, Darjeeling, Earl Grey? You must tell me" Kimberly said getting excited.

"Raspberry, orange, lemon, strawberry...maybe even apple!" Berry Melon said.

"Oh...I see, well tea is tea even with such...normal ingredients. I shall find a way to enjoy it" Kimberly said.

"There I see it! There's the owner too! The Heavy Knight" Berry Melon called out.

"Strange for a store owner to be outside his shop during work hours" Kimberly said.

"Looks like a crowd gathering maybe something's up?" Milky said.

"Oh no, I sense a disturbance in the cakes" Berry Melon muttered.

Despite the slight feeling of dread Berry Melon was feeling they continued in a normal pace, eventually more, and more demons began showing up, but they never got close between the Heavy Knight, and in front of him three equally angry looking demons. A Togabito, Barbarian, and a Gargoyle, many of the spectating demons kept several yards away from them, as if waiting for a grid to pop up any minute, and sure enough the Heavy Knight shouted in a loud, but noble voice "Battle Start!" A grid beginning to spread soon afterward. The demons watching retreated to safe distances, not wanting to get involved because once one enters a grid, only through victory, or defeat can they get out. The guild quickened their pace, and by the time they were at the edge of the grid, on the Heavy Knight's side they saw that it was still his turn.

"What's going on?" Berry Melon asked more worried for the pastries rather than the Heavy Knight.

"I must ask thee to stand aside little girl, this fight is mine, and mine alone" the Heavy Knight declared.

"When snacks are involved it becomes my fight...snacks are involved right?" Berry Melon asked.

"Among other things, yes, that is correct" the Heavy Knight said.

"Who dares fight against all things sweet, and delicious?" Berry Melon asked, slowly losing her calm.

"I repeat young girl, this is more than just sweets, those demons over there belong to a faction that still retain to an ancient, and dead belief that all demons must destroy humans, and angels, and forbid the use of any items, or tools created by them." The Heavy Knight explained.

"You mean tea kettles, cups, household cleaning appliances, and electricity?" Kimberly said.

"They believe that such things only weakens the demon spirit, and that we must all abide in impossible to live environments, and feast upon defeated heroes, and passing humans only" the Heavy Knight explained.

"How barbaric!" Milky exclaimed.

"They feel my business is a disgrace, and that feeding demons sweets is considered an act of kindness. Not knowing the many health hazards it could cause demons such as diabetes, and toothaches from cavities." The Heavy Knight explained.

"Is that why you're running this shop! ?" Milky cried out.

"Only a strong demon who fears no pain, or illness could devour so many sweets, I understand your reasoning, and wish to assist you" Berry Melon spoke out in the most serious tone she has ever been heard speaking in.

"Your assistance is appreciated, but I do not wish any harm on a bystander such as yourself" the Heavy Knight respectfully declined.

"You forget that when they messed with my treats, they made it my business!" Berry Melon exclaimed.

"I see I cannot dissuade you, very well enter the grid, and serve under my temporary leadership." The Heavy Knight said.

"Come on girls!" Berry Melon urged as she entered the battle grid, and stood next to the Heavy Knight.

"If we must, perhaps Walker would come by, and assist us if we hold them off long enough" Kimberly said as she equipped her Wooden Bow.

"If I help you're buying my share of the cake" Milky said.

"Of course, now come on!" Berry Melon urged.

"I am Aegis" the Heavy Knight introduced himself.

"My name is Berry Melon, sweets connoisseur" Berry Melon said.

"Hearing you say connoisseur like that over side dishes had made me give second thoughts about this, but I never go back on my word. You may call me Kimberly" Kimberly said as she stood on Aegis left hand side.

"I'm just suppose to be a simple thief, nothing more, why am I fighting in most of these battles...*sigh* just call me Milky" Milky said standing just behind Aegis, and the go through barricade of the grid.

"We are all well met, now we must do battle, to live, or die we should soon discover our fate!" Aegis roared as he equipped his Bardiche spear.

End of Chapter

Finally got some time out of studying, you know trying memorize the parts, and controls of a plane is more life threatening than you think so I had to study hard. Well I believe this would be the last time (at least for a while) that I'll have you guys wait so long for a chapter. Figured 1000 words a day for seven days per chapter is good enough. Thank you for your patience (especially today), reviews, and support.