Chapter 10: Dancing Heists

Leleil kept his glare at his opponents, to his left sat Kageichi, the Pandawa chef had just drew a new card which could be useful for him. To the right was Lumiere, the Eliotrope who he recently found out was his nephew was smiling like usual, holding his cards but once again not looking at them. "Hey, Lumi? You know you're not gonna keep winning if you play without looking at your hand." He told him mostly to get an advantage.

"Oh! Alright, um…" Lumiere looked at the five cards in his hands, but still being new to poker he was unsure of what exactly he had. "Hey Kerubim? Can you tell me if this hand is good?"

"Well, let's have a look shall we?" Kerubim circled over stand at the boy's side.

"Hey hey, no helping him out! He's gotta win on his own!" Leleil argued.

"Oh relax, I'm only telling the boy what kind of hand he has. Nothing wrong with that." The old Ecaflip smiled as he looked into Lumi's hand. "Hm, well I'm sure you can win against one of their hands with this."

"You really think so?" Lumi giggled when Kerub reassuringly patted his head.

"Alright, if you're done let's put'em down!" Leleil grinned, confident as he was the first to show his hand. "Straight flush, read it and weep boys!"

"Damn… I fold this time…" Kageichi sighed.

"Well, Lumiere? What about you?" The cocky Ecaflip looked back to his nephew, but when the Eliotrope put down his hand his jaw nearly dropped to the floor. "A-Are you kidding me! A royal flush!?"

"Is that what this hand was?" He curiously asked to Kerubim. "Leleil was the one you said my hand could win against right?"

"That's right and you did a great job my boy." The old Ecaflip smiled.

"I swear, Ecaflip must love this kid to give him luck like that. And that face of his makes other poker faces a joke…" He said as the Eliotrope continued smiling in obliviousness. "That! That face right there!"

"Oh calm down, a couple of losses isn't gonna kill ya." Kage told.

"That was ten losses! It's his first damn time playing!"

Hehehe, my name is Lumiere Crepin. And just a few days ago, me, Kerubim, and Kageichi met Kerubim's brother, my uncle Leleil. He's really silly, I don't really get everything he says sometimes but he's really nice too. We got to go to a fun dungeon together and I can't wait to do more as this adventure goes on!

"Ugh, are we close to the next town or what?" Leleil groaned as they continued walking down the road. "I wish you guys thought of renting some Dragoturkeys or something, we could've got there so much faster by now."

"And where would be the fun in that? There'd be no time to enjoy the adventure, to enjoy the bonding with your party members. To get a better lay of the land with your own two feet." Kerub responded.

"I like the lay of the land when in bed, it's much more attractive that way." He crowed. "Like that one cute Cra I was with, she was definitely a sexy looker. Though that Iop boyfriend of hers certainly caught me by surprise."

"Lazy and dirty minded, definitely sounds like the kind of brother you don't wanna talk about. Isn't it Keke?" Kageichi teased the grimacing old Ecaflip. "And if you really wanna know, we're only a few minutes from the next town. I guess we can probably check out a show while we're there too."

"A show? What do you mean, Kage?" Lumi asked.

"This town has a pretty popular club with shows, music bands, some plays.."

"And showgirls!" Leleil continued. "I remember that place, there was this really hot group of showgirls that played there once that came from Bonta I think. I think that was their names too, the Bonta…"

"The Bonta Folie's, they were quite the show." Kerubim hummed in thought. "I remember when I first met those girls, it was exactly when I found my dear Lou…"

"Lou? Who's that?" The Eliotrope asked the Pandawa curiously.

"I'm guessing an old sweetheart of Kerub's, I can tell he must've liked her alot." Kage whispered to him.

"Oh yeah… Sexy Lou." Leleil cooed. "I remember when I met her too, she was definitely someone I could enjoy a night on the town with."

"Leleil…" Kerubim pulled at his brother's pants, staring up at him with a seething glare. "Did you think I would forget those times you tried to hit on her… or did you forget that I was right there when you tried?"

"Oh yeah, I did didn't I? Pretty sure you gave me that same glare back then too, guess it's fate that we're going into this town then isn't it?" The younger Ecaflip looked down with a grin to his older but still considered younger brother. "Why are you getting angry? You knew that I'd make my move the moment I saw her."

"Yes I did, I'm pretty sure I also threatened to hurt you the last time you tried." Kerub growled as their eyes locked on each other. "Yet hear you are trying to bring up those memories in front of me."

"And now we have a bonding moment between brothers." The Pandawa chuckled. "Such a loving moment, isn't it?"

"Yeah, it's pretty nice." As always, the young Eliotrope just didn't know what was really going on.

"It's no big issue, after all you two weren't married so she was still open for getting taken from ya. I guess you did almost get hitched but… you ruined that didn't you?" Leleil's words struck a very bad chord.

"Leleil…" Kerubim spoke lowly.

"It was back in Ecaflip City right?" He continued smugly.

"Ecaflip City?" Lumi asked.

"The City of Gambling. A place where you can place a bet on anything." Kage explained. "Money, titles… there was even say that you could bet things like one's memories."

"That's right." Leleil told. "You know out of all of Ecaflip's children, Kerub here is the favorite. He always had the best luck out of all of us, it was no different for when he was in Ecaflip City. He was the talk of the city… all until he tried to go up against The Baron." He knew his brother was listening, but it didn't stop him from continuing smugly. "Kerubim met his match, he just couldn't beat him. He went to riches to rags in a matter of minutes, but did he stop? No, he bet the last thing he had left. The ring he plan to marry Lou with."

Kage could tell the rising emotions coming from the smaller feline. "Leleil, I think that's enough."

"And he lost again, in doing so he lost the ring. And Lou lost all memory of their time together... poor forgotten Keke." He finished even when he heard the Pandawa's warning.

"For.. forgotten…? The word struck a strange pain in Lumiere's chest, but he was unsure why.

Kerubim could feel that same pain, he however knew why it was there; he sighed heavily as he made his way past his brother. "Let's… make our way into town." He spoke low and bluntly, obviously saddened.

"Um… Kerub?" Leleil quickly began to regret what he said, expecting the old feline to get angry and argue at him. "Damn… did I go too far?"

"That's an understatement, idiot." The Pandawa answered. "You don't talk trash about someone's mistake in their love life, especially when that someone is family."

"What, and you're some big fountain of knowledge here?" He argued.

"It hurts…" Lumiere kept clenching at his chest, his eyes appearing distant and lost. "Being forgotten… feels terrible… and hurts so much…"

"Lumi…" The regret began to build as Leleil saw tears run down the Eliotrope's cheeks. Added with the angry glare from Kageichi, he sighed and had enough of it. "Ugh! Alright I get it, I royally screwed up! You don't have to make me regret it more than I already do, so can you stop with the crying, Lumiere?"

"Huh?" Lumi wiped his cheeks, completely oblivious to what what had happened to him. "I was… crying?" He asked confused.

"Don't worry about it Lumi." Kage assured. "Only one who needs to worry right now is your Uncle Leleil."

Me and my big mouth. Leleil groaned as the walk into town had become more awkward than he wanted. Besides seeing his new nephew cry albeit unknown to him, Kerubim had been awkwardly quiet. The poor old Ecaflip was lost in thought at the memory of his past mistake, a reminder though on purpose was supposed to only irritate and tease him; I know I gotta apologize, but that's more difficult to do than anything else. He pondered as they stopped at the closest inn. The three were continuing to discuss what to do before spending the night, as they did he decided to walk over to the next corner. "I gotta think of a way to apologize… ugh! Why does this have to be a damn pain?"

"Well I'll be, is that you Leleil?"

"Huh? That voice, was that…?" The familiar voice caught the Ecaflip's attention as he turned around to see who called him. "No way, it is you!"

"Hm? Leleil is gone." Lumiere was the first to notice as they sat inside the town's local inn. "Where did he go?"

"No clue, guess I should've figured he was gone when I didn't hear his constant groaning anymore." Kageichi joked.

"Do you think he's ok? We should go look for him." He suggested.

"Don't bother Lumiere." Kerubim sternly told, his eyes focused on the glass of milk in hand. "Knowing him he's probably off finding some partner to enjoy himself with."

"What's he gonna do with his partner?" The curious Eliotrope asked out of habit, unaware of what exactly the Ecaflip meant.

"A question for later, Lumiere." Kage quickly answered to help Kerub out. "Leleil really got you with what he said, didn't he?" He asked to the silent Ecaflip just staring at his glass. "If it makes you feel better, I can tell you that he's really frustrated trying to find a way to apologize."

"I can tell that just by looking…" Kerubim sighed. "It's just hard to have it brought up and to remember it, the day when I lost that game… the day I lost Lou. I managed to find her again and I enjoyed my days with her once more, but there were days that I thought… would she had forgiven me for how I acted in the past?" The old Ecaflip was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't know notice the Eliotrope's hands reaching under his arms. Lumiere lifted him in the air and pulled him into a tight hug. "L-Lumiere, that's too tight! Too tight!"

"Don't be sad… please don't be sad Kerubim…" Lumiere whispered as he looked at the Ecaflip. "I don't wanna see you sad anymore… so please cheer up."

"Lumiere…" Thinking about his own worries, the old Ecaflip never noticed how saddened he was making Lumi. He smiled softly and patted the boy's head tenderly. "Okay, you can put me down now." The Eliotrope did as told, putting Kerub back in his seat as he kept petting his head. "You're a very good boy to worry about me, Lumiere. I'll be just fine now."

"Okay, Kerubim." Lumiere replied, finally showing a smile himself. "So, what should we do now?"

"Well, we might as well go ahead and find your uncle." Kerubim told. "If I had to give a guess, he might be in the club where the Bonta Folie's performed."

"Makes sense, what better place to find some tail than a cabaret?" Kage asked.

"Huh? But couldn't he just grab yours or Kerubim's?"

Not trying to answer the oblivious Eliotrope, the three began to make their way to find Leleil. Following Kerub, they made their way towards the large red building shaped as a tower, a golden star at the top of it as a large muscular pandawa in shades and a black suit took guard of the entrance. "Wow! This is the place!? It's big! And shiny shiny!" Lumi shouted twice in absolute excitement.

"Hm, it's been a long time since I've been here." Kerubim told. "Wonder if the ownership has changed over the years?"

The moment Kerub had asked that, the door shot open as Leleil was thrown out and fell flat on his face. "Does that answer your question?" Kageichi responded blantly as the Eliotrope ran to the feline's side.

"Leleil! Uncle Leleil, are you ok?" Lumiere asked worriedly as he helped the Ecaflip to his feet.

"Lumiere? What are you doing here?" Leleil questioned as the other two moved closer toward him. "You guys went to find me?"

"Let's just say you have a good nephew that worries about you." The Pandawa smiled.

"So these are the friends you were talking about, Lel?" The four looked back to the club's entrance as they saw a large figure appear. A tall, muscular, well dressed ram with thick long horns and black beard, wearing a purple suit and several rings on his fingers. "Hm, they do seem exactly like you described him." The ram grinned showing a pair of golden teeth.

"Is Flava Flav here a friend of yours, Leleil?" Kageichi questioned.

"Rodin, he owns this place…" Leleil groaned. "Though he doesn't have much customer service when it comes to throwing someone out."

"I'll have you know I'm much classier when doing it to a paying customer…" Rodin boasted. "I just did it to you this way because you were an old friend… or at least a former old friend now. Well then, I think that's enough of a show so I'll be on my way." He turned his way back to the door whispering to his guard. "Make sure he doesn't come back in here, the other three aren't an issue."

"I'm glad you're ok, Leleil." Lumi smiled.

"Yeah… perfectly fine. But right now I gotta get back in-hey!" The Ecaflip was ready to go back when Kage lifted him over his arm. "Put me down, Kage. Hey, I said put me down!"

"Let's get back to the inn, shall we?" Kageichi gestured the other two as he lead them back.

Leleil tapped his finger against the table in their room, still irritated at being brought back to the inn like that. The three waiting for him to say something as he just glared back angrily at them. "You guys shoulda just left me there. I need to get back in that club."

"Was harassing a few showgirls not enough?" Kage asked.

"I wasn't doing that… not at first at least." He muttered under his breath. "Rodin, he had this item that he showed me years back. I wanted to get it from him so I asked about it."

"You just asked?" Kerub questioned. "Or did you get a bit angered and ask in a vulgar way?" He stared back as his brother stopped tapping his finger, his eyes looking nervously away from his gaze. "As I thought… you could never just ask nicely."

"Look I can be as nice as I want, but when he got on the case of why I got pissed." Leleil argued. "I'm not gonna give my whole life story as to why I want something, if I can get it I'll get it. He just didn't want to give it to me is all."

"So now you're planning to steal this item?" He quetioned his brother more.

"No other way..."

"Do you think he's not gonna tighten security after throwing you out? Knowing im there's plenty more guards inside watching for you than out." Kageichi explained. "Chances are you'll lose more than whatever item you're gonna try to steal."

He didn't want to admit it, but Leleil knew the Pandawa was right. He needed a good plan to get himself in undetected, a way to go in and out to get what he wanted. Though he knew that what he did before is what got him in this place, he needed to ask for help. "Kerubim, do you happen to have a plan?"

"Oh? So you want me to help you now?" Kerub questioned with a smirk. "I thought you wouldn't ask me for any help anymore. Why should I help you in the first place?"

The old Ecaflip had meant it more as a prank, but he noticed the struggled look in his brothers eyes; Leleil looked as if he was really hurting on the inside when he stood up from his chair, he slowly began to lean down and bow toward him almost painfully. "It's really important… please, Kerub. I… I need your help on this…" Leleil's plea caught the three by surprise, especially to the old Ecaflip he gave it to.

"Well… I suppose if my big brother needs me then I just can't refuse." Kerubim smiled as Leleil rose his head. "I do have one plan from the old Crepin bag of tricks, that may be useful. Lumiere, could you grab something from my bag?"

"Hm?" Lumiere watched as the Ecaflip gestured him closer and to kneel down, he lent an ear as Kerubim whispered to him and nodded in reply. "Okie dokie, I'll go look!"

"What's Lumi getting?" The Pandawa asked as the boy jumped inside the haven bag.

"Just an important item for our plan. We'll have to get some disguises for ourselves as well." Kerub told. "If we're going to get Leleil inside, then we'll have to play the role of entertainers. All we need are the outfits of a manager, the bodyguard, and the entertainment."

"Wait, entertainment?" Leleil questioned.

"Exactly as I said…" The old Ecaflip smiled pointing to himself. "The manager." Then to Kageichi. "The bodyguard." And back to his brother. "And finally, the entertainment."

"Okay but, how exactly am I playing the…!?" The moment Leleil realized what his brother meant, his fur began to stand on end as his eyes became slits in anger. "No… no… no… No freaking way!"

"What? What's the problem?" Kage asked.

"No problem, because I'm not gonna do it!" He exclaimed. "I swore I would never wear that again and I made sure I wouldn't!"

"Wore what?" The ambiguous answer only made the Pandawa more confused.

"Years ago, Leleil had lost a bet to our father and was made to wear a rather…"

"Kerub shut it!" Leleil cut off his brother. "I was forced to wear a stupid outfit ok? But as I said, I threw the damn thing away. So there's no way I'm gonna play whatever plan you have in mind."

"Kerubim! I think I found what you wanted." Lumiere's head popped out from the haven bag, as he began to get out however the purple Ecaflip's eyes widened at what was in the Eliotrope's hands. A pair of large white harem pants with bright purple designs at the end of the legs, the belt decorated with red and gold sequins with gold beaded fringe hanging off them by thick red string, a thinly veiled purple top with smaller gold sequins hanging from both the end of the top and the sleeves and a gold necklace with a red gem in the middle to top it off. "This is the right thing, right? It's really pretty."

"Why…."

"I am so into this plan right now!" Kage grinned with an evil snicker.

"Why… do you… have… that!" Leleil snarled absolutely fuming.

"I happened to see you throw such a valuable piece of clothing away, I thought it would be a waste." Kerubim smiled. "I thought it would only be the right thing to do by giving it back one day. And now you can use it again for our plan."

"Hell no! There's not a chance in the Shushu's Realm you're gonna make me wear that again!" He growled. "If anyone should wear it, let it be Kage!"

"I can't, I don't have the hips for it." The Pandawa teased.

"Don't have the-your hips are bigger than mine!" Leleil retorted.

"Well my hips don't lie that is true, but I'm just gonna pass."

"No way, you wear it!"

"No, you wear it!"

"You!"

"No you!"

"You!"

"You!"

"I can wear it!" Lumiere's proclamation turned the three's attention towards him, Leleil and Kageichi's faces burned a bright red as they imagined just what the boy would look like in such an outfit.

"Lumiere, it's not really something for you to where." Kerub told.

"Why not? Can I not wear it because it's not for me?" He asked confusedly. "I just thought I could help, and I don't want Uncle Leleil to do something he doesn't want to do."

"Wha!? I u-um…" Leleil's blush grew while growling in frustration, he moved closer and snatched the clothes from the Eliotrope. Glaring back and pointing back to the other two he snarled. "I hate you both for this! I hope you know that!"

"Oh yes, we certainly know." Lumiere chuckled.

As nighttime came at the club, the large Pandawa guard from before stood at the entrance when he noticed the four figures coming his way. Kerubim took the lead wearing red sunglasses and a green suit, Lumiere and Kageichi walked behind the wearing black suits playing the part of bodyguards and between them was a figure hidden in a brown cloak. "Excuse me my good man, we would like to enter the club if you please?" Kerubim asked.

"Business?" The guard questioned.

"But of course, me and my men are here to have our lovely dancer entertain tonight's guests." He gestured back to the cloaked figure. "She's rather shy when walking around in crowds, so you understand hiding her face."

"The boss didn't mention any special dancers coming." The Pandawa tilted his shades to show the glare in his eyes. "Why don't you leave from here, before I make you leave?"

"You're certainly a very defensive guard, not even letting us in first before kicking us out." Kageichi spoke as he moved closer to lean an arm on his fellow Pandawa's shoulder. "Come on, from one fellow security guy to another. Can't you just let us in so our girl can put on a show?"

"No can do buddy, I don't like the way you guys came in so you ain't getting through me." The Guard told.

Kageichi couldn't help but sigh. "Well, so much for playing nice." With a quick motion of his arm he grabbed the Pandawa's shoulder and tightened his grip enough to make him wince in pain. "Now then, I'm only using like a quarter of strength here so right you got two choices. Either you be a good old pal and let us go in to entertain the crowd, or I go and shove my fist so far up your back door that everyone who passes by will say "Wow, that is the whiniest hand puppet I have ever seen!"

"H… H-Hand puppet?" The Guard nervously asked.

"Shoulder… Deep…" Kageichi's dark tone of voice made into a whisper made the much more muscular bear a trembling mess. "Well?"

"Y-Yes, I um… u-um believe that you're right. I just remembered how the boss told me about guest entertainers coming tonight!" He quickly rushed and opened the door. "By all means go on in! Please do!"

"Thanks a lot buddy, really appreciate it." Kageichi smiled patting the guard's shoulder before entering with the others and whispering to Kerub. "How was that? Good acting you think?"

"Rather hard to believe that was acting… but it did work." The old Ecaflip responded. "The guard was simple, but it may be tough if Rodin can recognize us."

"What do we do now, Kerubim?" Lumiere asked.

"If Kageichi could do a little more of his acting, we can get on the stage for the next step of our plan." He explained as the cloaked figure behind them groaned silently. "Be sure to give them a good show, will you?"

"I hate you…" The figure snarled.

The club was just as Kerubim remembered, the large room full of patrons sitting at their tables with food and drinks. The large stage, ready to lift its curtain for the next cabaret or other performances. It was like a trip down memory lane. "Ladies and gentleman! May I have your ears?" Kageichi stood atop the stage, the light shining down on him as he caught everyone's attention. "Our next show is about to start!"

"Who is that? I don't remember planning this show." Rodin questioned.

"She came all the way from Brakmar, a devious beauty who's elusive dance entrances all around her." Kageichi gestured to the curtain as the light shined over it. "Give it up for the voluptuous belly dancer. Lovely Lei Lei!"

The curtains rose up as the lights shined on the entertainment, there stood Leleil wearing the same belly dancer outfit shown at the inn, his eyes filled with disdain as most of his face was hidden by a thin veil. The music soon began to play, the Ecaflip's hips bumped left to right moving forward on the stage as he began to dance. His hips moved more in tandem with the wave of his arms, twirling about the stage as the guests watched in awe even keeping Rodin's attention.

Kerubim noticed this. "Lumi quick, while he's distracted."

"Right!" Lumi focused at his target and threw a portal toward the backstage. Summoning a second portal under the table they sat in, the snuck down and jumped in to appear behind the stage. He looked to the old Ecaflip trying to hold his gag reflex from the portal. "You ok, Kerubim?"

"I'm alright… come on." Kerub lead the boy through the backstage, moving past the dressing room of the showgirls and deeper inside. "Leleil said that item he's looking for is in a small black box, inside of Rodin's office… there!" He pointed towards them as the manager's office door was in sight.

The two made their way towards the door, the Eliotrope ready to open it when a large shadow suddenly loomed over them. "Looking for something?"

Leleil was nearly at his breaking point, the dance had continued for longer than her wanted and wanted out. "Hey! What's taking them so long?" He whispered back to the Pandawa eyeing him with a smug grin. "Any longer and I swear I'm gonna jump off this stage."

"Fun as this is he's right, where are they?" Kageichi couldn't help wondering as well when a sudden explosion stopped the show. Lumiere and flew and skid on the ground to the center of the stage. "What the hell?"

"Honestly, it's impolite to just sneak into the backstage." Rodin stepped onto the stage wielding a large hammer that resembled a white cloud. He noticed his guests running out of the club in terror then looked back to the four in front of him. "Clever little plan, but you should've had someone else playing the dancer. I could recognize that swishing purple tail anywhere."

"Great, so I wore this damn thing again for nothing!" Leleil snarled looking to his brother. "At least tell me you got the box?"

"W-We weren't able to get inside his office, I'm sorry Leleil." Lumiere apologized.

"Oh, you mean this?" Rodin held out his empty hand and revealed the small black box in question. "Oh Lel… why'd you have to come back to me this way? You know I had planned to give you this the first time I showed you… and just like before you break my heart."

"I'm pretty sure I told you the last time too, but I'm not looking for any commitment like that." Leleil retorted.

"Commitment?" Kage questioned the conversation when he suddenly realized what he meant. "Wait a second… are you telling me you guys were a thing? And he's like this because you dumped him!?"

"A thing? What kind of thing?" Lumi asked.

"Of course that's what it is…" Kerubim sighed in disbelief, he should've known it was because of something like that.

"Since you felt the need to break my heart a second time… then the least I can do is break your body!" Rodin dashed toward Leleil, raising his hammer into the air and ready to attack.

"Look out!" Kageichi reacted fast enough to grab Leleil and dodge, but he wasn't fast enough take the blow from the hammer to his left shoulder. He jumped with the Ecaflip back to the others, but aside from the pain he noticed how he couldn't lift left arm. "Oh great, my shoulder's dislocated…"

"Leleil told me about you, some Pandawa cook right?" The ram smirked. "I'm sure your food could suit his and some first time adventurers tastes, but I doubt it's really much."

Kageichi's blue ear twitched for a moment when he heard that. "I… I'm sorry? What was that you said?" He questioned as he turned back to face the ram.

"I've tasted food made in five star restaurants, I'm saying that whatever you could possibly make wouldn't be able to hold a candle." Rodin smirked. "At first glance at you, I can just tell what your food is good as… gutter trash."

"Are we gonna stand here and talk about our favorite cooks, or are we gonna fight?" Leleil snarled as he got into a fighting stance with the other two right behind him, but before he could move the Pandawa held him back with his good arm. "What're you doing?"

"Just hang on… I got this." Kage told rather coldly.

"Hahaha! Please, what can you do with only one arm?" The ram questioned.

Looking back to his left arm unable to move, Kageichi clenched his fists and inhaled deeply. After breathing in he gave out a loud growl, his muscles bulging forth from his arms and through his suit. The four watched in a state of awe and fear as his fur turned from blue to red and in a fearsome roar the top half of his suit exploded from his body as they heard the additional sound of an audible pop from his shoulder. Aside from Lumiere beaming with eyes of amazement, the three were completely dumbfounded as the Pandawa moved his left arm around with ease, his shoulder relocated as if nothing happened. "Whew… I haven't done that in a good while."

"What the hell are you man!?" Leleil exclaimed.

"Me? I'm just a normal old Pandawa chef." He replied nonchalantly.

"What kinda "normal" Pandawa realigns his freaking shoulder with only his damn muscles!" He exclaimed in disbelief.

"A very skilled one? In anycase, it's only due to this bastard and his big mouth." He glared coldly back to the ram in front of him, walking toward him slowly while cracking his knuckles. "You really think you can just talk about a chef's cooking like that, without even trying it?"

"S-Stand back." Rodin stuttered, the previous scene added with the murderous intent coming from the Pandawa made him fearful as he kept his hammer above him. "I can hit you much harder this time! You'll lose that arm with the next hit!"

"To think you'd not only insult my food without trying it, but to instantly degrade it to gutter trash? You have made a very big mistake…" Kageichi was grinning in an evil fashion, with his next step Rodin swung his hammer down but stopped midway as he grabbed at the middle of the handle and broke the hammer in half. "Now then, as a chef I think I'll at least let you try one of my favorite dishes to change your mind. How about a nice big knuckle sandwich… ON THE HOUSE!"

With his realigned arm, Kageichi slammed his fist under the ram's chin with so much force that Rodin shot straight into the air and through the ceiling. The club security watched in fear, quickly turning tail and running out before they got attacked by the red monster before them. The Pandawa breathed slowly, calming himself down as his fur reverted back to its natural blue coloring. Lumiere and the two brothers just watched in disbelief as he turned back to them and said, "Well that was fun, anybody hungry?"

"I am!" The Eliotrope cheered.

"Alrighty, I got your plates all hot and ready." Kage had taken the liberty of using the kitchen at the inn they were staying in to cook dinner for everyone, but as he re entered their room he noticed how the two Ecaflip's took a step back. "Seriously guys, how long are you gonna be scared of me?"

"You broke a level 200 Vape Hammer like it was nothing." Kerubim told bluntly.

"Not to mention flexing your muscles to realign your shoulder." Leleil added. "You are the weirdest Pandawa I have ever met."

"Oh don't start… you do know that whole situation was your fault right?" Kage retorted. "I'd almost feel bad for that Rodin guy if he didn't talk trash about my food."

"Oh right! Can we finally see what's in the box, please Uncle Leleil?" Lumiere bounced on his bed in excitement as the purple feline held the box.

"Kerub, catch." He tossed the box over to his brother. "Go ahead and open it."

"Very well, but why not do it yourself?" Kerubim questioned it but decided to go ahead and do as his brother asked. Lumi and Kage circled around him as he slowly opened the box, the anticipation was exciting as the lid was fully open. They looked in surprise and found that what was inside was just a ring, a simple gold ring with a modest size gem sitting atop it.

"That's it? It's just a ring?" Kage asked. "Just a simple ring? No magic or anything? What, were you trying to sell it or something?"

"Lou…" Kerubim spoke softly, his hand trembling as he pulled out the ring to look at it better. "This was… the ring I proposed to Lou with. But how did you…?"

"Back when I was with Rodin, he showed me this ring he found when he managed to get into Ecaflip City. He won it in a bet and told me where it came from, I had put two and two together and figured out it was yours." Leleil blushed as he nervously scratched his cheek. "I'm uhh… I'm sorry for bringing up all those bad memories before… it wasn't really nice and all." He looked to see Lumiere staring back at him, the boy's genuine smile only brightened his blush. "A-And I didn't want Lumiere to get all upset with me either so there!"

"Hehe, look at you playing the good Uncle." Kage smiled. "I guess you can be pretty cool after all."

"Thank you, Leleil." Kerubim spoke, happy to have something of his long lost love again. "If you don't mind me asking, how did you know this was the same ring?"

"Rodin told me about it, how some idiot Bow Meow went from riches to rags and began groveling just gamble again." Leleil's honest answer made Kerubim slightly irritated, but he decided to let it go. "I mean I had to agree with him on that one, You shoulda stopped at least the third game you lost, you had so much cash and you just let it all go." The old Ecaflip felt the twinge of anger again and it was beginning to be hard to calm down. "But man I didn't expect that Lou would lose her memories from it. If I was there though, then well… I definitely would've taken the chance."

"Why you!" Kerubim had enough and jumped on his brother, pulling painfully on his ears as they wrestled on the bed they were on. "You dirty little two timer! As if I'd let you lay hand on my Lou!"

As the two brothers began to fight against each other, Kage and Lumi just stood in watch. The Pandawa smiling as he gave the boy one of the plates in his hands. "Here Lumi, a show like this can only go well with good food!"

"Oooh, looks yummy too!" Lumiere grinned as he helped himself to the food.

Finally got this new chapter done, hope you all read and review. Hey, you wanna see what Lumiere and the others look like? Well thanks to my friend Eroborus, I got just the pic to show how everyone looks. art/Lumiere-and-the-gang-So-far-694571506?ga_submit_new=10%3A1500932690