The group rented a car and drove to Ruskal. By the time they had gotten within three miles of it, it had gotten dark enough to see the neon lights shining brightly, flashing different colors and on and off. Amelia looked excited, but the others were dreading the trip.
When they got there, Luger parked the car and led the others in. "Well, this is it."
"It's very bright." Steven said, using one hand to block his eyes.
"We're finally here!" Amelia looked around eagerly.
"Welcome to Ruskal!" A woman dressed in as little as she could legally get away with approached them. "You all here for fun, or are you lost?" She giggled, playing with her curly hair. "Whichever it is, don't lose your heads while here."
"Or our wallets." Luger muttered, walking past her.
"Hey, isn't that Spif?!" Nils suddenly spoke up, a finger jabbed in one direction.
"Eh?" Wesson looked at him and then to where he was pointing.
Springfield was, sure enough, talking to the bouncer at one of the nightclubs. After a bit he shook his head and walked on, looking confused, lost, and just a little bit irritated.
"Springfield, what are you doing here?" Luger asked, walking over to him with the others following.
"Never mind me, what did you bring those three here for?!" Springfield gestured to Amelia and the younger two. "Did you lose it and switch brains with Jaivan while I was away?!"
"Amelia wanted to see the place while we were in the area." Luger sighed. "Now, it's your turn. Why are you here, Springfield?"
Springfield glanced to the side. "…I'm trying to find someone."
"Who?" Amelia asked. "Is it urgent?"
"Well, yeah. He's kind of my ride back." Springfield rubbed the back of his head, looking down with one hand on his hip. "We had a week-long break in the project, so Professor Sylvestre asked to take me to 'gather supplies' for something. BULL—" He paused, glanced at Amelia and Wesson and then straightened up, crossing his arms over his chest. "A likely story! He came here and vanished into one of the clubs while I made a call to Arctica!"
Wesson's jaw slowly lowered while Nils shook his head disapprovingly. He leaned in towards Wesson, speaking through the corner of his mouth. "Remind me not to join him on leave. Ever."
Wesson nodded, grimacing. "Well, while we're here we may as well help you look for him. Did you hear which one he went into?"
"I've asked at all of them but the biggest." Springfield looked over at a brightly-lit building. "The one coupled with a casino over there."
"If you want to find someone in one of the nightclubs of Ruskal, boy, I've suggest you go into the nightclub itself." The woman from earlier walked over. "While an Elw does stand out here, you know how many faces the bouncers see in just one night?" He gestured to the large building. "If he's here for money, he'd at the casino. Check there, hun."
Springfield looked unsure and then turned to the others. "I don't want to go in alone. Will you join me?"
"Yes!" Amelia smiled brightly. "Of course we will help you, Springfield!"
"You were going in there, anyway!" Wesson frowned at her.
Luger sighed. "Well, I see no other choice. Stay close, you two." He nodded to Wesson and Nils. "We don't need to be looking for anyone else in this mob."
"Is this even legal?" Nils asked skeptically. "Don't they have rules against kids like…" He motioned to everyone in a circle, including Amelia. "…us?"
"Just don't drink anything and keep close to the adult." The woman pointed to Steven. "Say you're looking for your idiot dad and they'll laugh and let you in. You have no idea how many kids with mothers we have coming in to get their dads from the casino."
"Alright, that settles that." Springfield said, nodding.
They made their way to the casino. The bouncer looked at them skeptically at first, but let them in. "Stay with the adult, don't drink anything and no gambling, got it?" He said as they passed him.
"Wow, we're actually here!" Amelia said as they walked through the golden-yellow halls. They heard loud music blaring from a room, a sure sign of the nightclub.
"Well, let's go swimming." Luger said, looking at the dancing people inside the room. "Maybe you and Wesson should wait out here, Nils."
"They have to stay with Steven, remember?" Amelia reminded him.
"Unfortunately." Wesson looked at Nils who was staring wide-eyed into the crowd.
"Nnn-no, I think I'll just stay back in the lobby." Nils said, crossing his arms. "You know, in case he leaves."
"Can't take that long to find an Elw in here…" Springfield said, but he looked doubtful as he said it.
"You have to stay with Steven, he's the adult!" Amelia said firmly. "If you don't, you'll be kicked out!"
Nils groaned.
Wesson sighed. "Nils, let's give it at least ten minutes before we retreat outside. It's a bad idea to be alone here, anyway. We can't kill humans." He glanced away darkly.
"Bu-" Nils puffed. He held a hand up in protest, but dropped it as the rest of him drooped. "Okay."
"Why is it a bad idea for kids to be alone here?" Amelia asked.
"Seriously? Study up before going to a place!" Wesson stamped his foot.
Luger held up a hand. "Wesson, calm down. Amelia, this place is unfortunately not safe for children to be on their own. There have been several children kidnapped and killed by people here, and Wesson and Nils are usually the target ages."
"Not to mention forced prostitution." Nils added aside. Wesson nodded.
"Oh Guardians!" Amelia cried, her hands going to her mouth in shock. "I had no idea!"
"Clearly." Wesson said with a sardonic tone. Then he glanced to the side and muttered. "Nitwit."
"While they can fight, without using their ARM they can't fight off any attackers." Luger shook his head.
"Yeah, we can." Nils interjected. Luger motioned for him to shush.
"You see, the kidnappers and murderers and rapists all aren't hesitant to use force. We, however, have been trained not to kill humans. And when they get violent, ARM or no, they could kill the human attacking." Luger continued.
Amelia looked horrified. "I had no idea about any of this!"
"Seriously, sheltered." Wesson hissed to Nils.
"Anyways, we should go in, find Professor Sylvestre, and then get out." Springfield cut in. "Just keep close to each other and don't drink anything. And don't accept any offered drinks, either." He turned to Steven. "Uhm…you should lead us inside."
Steven looked at the club and frowned. 'That place is so noisy…is that music? Horrid. I need to do something about that.' He thought, and then looked at Springfield. "Yes, I suppose I should." He then motioned for them to follow as he made his way inside, taking Amelia's hand as they entered the mob.
Luger looked around. "Steven, you're tallest. Tell me if you see an Elw."
Wesson gripped Luger's sleeve and Nils' cloak, looking around nervously. "This place is too hot…"
"It's because of all the bodies rubbing together causing friction and producing heat." Springfield said, looking around. "Nn…everyone's so tall…"
"Guess a smoke bomb would cause too much panic." Nils sighed.
"Yeah, then we'd never find him." Wesson giggled.
"I think I see an Elw over at the bar." Steven spoke up.
"Oh, good, let's go there." Springfield said, looking around. "Erm…lead the way?"
"Follow me." Steven said, looking over his shoulder. Then he began to push through the crowd, looking over his shoulder every now and then to make sure they were still there.
When they finally got there, they could see Sylvestre was chatting it up with a sexily-dressed woman, two empty glasses between them and two more in their hands. "Yes, it's so much more interesting in the city, isn't it? The garden always put me to sleep." He did a fake yawn. The woman giggled in response.
"Well, I must admit I was surprised when I saw you here." She said, leaning over a bit with a sultry smile. "After all, most Elw don't really hang out with humans, much less go to their parties."
"Well, I'm not 'most Elw', am I?" He leaned closer as well, smiling.
"That's gross." A young voice surprised both of them into sitting up and looking over. Wesson had his arms crossed over his chest, shaking his head. "Really gross."
"Yeah." Nils said in disgust. He and Luger also had their arms crossed disapprovingly. Springfield slowly shook his head.
"What are you doing here—all of you?!" Sylvestre stood up, setting his glass down.
"Dad, don't you have better things to do?" Wesson sighed heavily. "Or at least have come here without Springfield?"
"Dad?" The woman looked between Wesson and Sylvestre. "You don't look at all related!"
"He's adopt—"
Sylvestre was cut off by Wesson saying "I'm a mad scientist experiment. You're next."
"He's kidding, right?" She looked at Sylvestre.
"Of COURSE he's—"
"No, he's not. You should see the last five girls." Luger said, smiling wickedly.
"Yeah, I was one of them." Nils added with a heavy sigh.
"So was Springfield." Luger gestured to him.
"He tricked me." Springfield sighed.
"Will you boys stop it!" Sylvestre snapped. "You're the worst sons ever!"
"Hey, he called me his son!" Wesson beamed. "That's never happened before!"
"GET OUT!" Sylvestre pointed towards the door.
By now his companion had given them all some space. She leaned back against the bar, her lip curled upward and an eye twitching. The barkeep had walked over and a few of the other patrons had stopped what they were doing to watch.
"Is there a problem here?" The barkeep asked.
"No." Sylvestre huffed. "I'm going to step out, I think." He paid for the drink and then pointed to the door. "You four, out. Right now. I'll follow."
"Yes, dad." Luger said, smirking as he walked out with the others.
"Don't you start on that!" Sylvestre yelled as they walked through the crowd.
Amelia and Steven looked at each other as they walked, clearly puzzled by the interaction.
Once they got outside, Sylvestre looked at Luger. "Where is your car?"
"Over there." Luger pointed to it.
"Good. We'll talk there." Sylvestre grabbed Luger's arm roughly and pulled him along. "Just my creations." He said, shooting Amelia and Steven a look when they started to follow.
Amelia stopped, looking worried. "Will they be okay?"
"We'll be fine. We're just going to face a lecture." Luger assured as he was pulled away.
Once outside the city limits, Sylvestre stopped and turned to them. "WHAT were you THINKING?! Why were you even IN there?! H:05, if you wanted to do something else, you could've gone to Port Timney!"
Springfield cringed. "I can't drive, though…"
"So take a friggin' TAXI!" Sylvestre snapped, and then he turned to the others. "H:04, H:07, and H:08, WHY are you even HERE?!"
"Well, Amelia wanted to check out the town…" Luger glanced away, rubbing his cheek with his finger. "And then we ran into Springfield, so we started looking for you…"
"And that DEBACLE?!" Sylvestre snapped, spit flying.
"Well, we just kind of got caught up the in the-" Nils started. "Uh, Wess started it!"
"Hey, I suggested it, you agreed." Wesson said, frowning. "Don't try to put me in the spotlight here. I didn't turn you guys into girls, or mention the 'other five'. All I said was that-"
"Oh, shut up!" Nils interrupted. He threw his arms in the air. "Whatever!"
"I'd ground you, but you must be travelling with the Princess for some important mission." Sylvestre sighed heavily. "But, this goes on your record, you insubordinate children!"
"'Insubordinate'?" Springfield cut in sharply. "You're the one going out drinking with some woman under the pretense of getting supplies! Why not just leave me to the garden if you're going to do this?!"
"YOU'RE NOT DOING THAT RABBIT STUFF!" Sylvestre roared. "And that's final!"
"I can ask to have Professor Tiggs care for me, instead." Springfield said in a calm, steely tone. "Since you're so easily distracted. By the way, this is going on YOUR record. I'm reporting to General Lennox first chance I get. I already told Colt about it, so I'm sure Professor Tiggs will know very soon."
Sylvestre scowled. "Springfield, if you want to be doing this project much longer…"
"They have me doing it because no one else can. I was already grounded, as you recall." Springfield said, giving a shrug. "So, no matter what you say, I'm doing the project. They require it more than they require you caring for me."
"How DARE you?!" Sylvestre raised his hand to strike him, but Luger stepped between them. "Move, H:04."
"Professor, as much as I am for punishing insubordination, I don't think it's your place right now." Luger said calmly. "As he said, he told Colt, who will tell Professor Tiggs, who will in turn report about it to General Lennox. Your little jaunt here will surely upset him."
"I want to return to the Elw village." Springfield said calmly. "To avoid troubles, I won't tell Vassim about this. But, don't take me out on that pretense again. I have to be there in case they face problems with her."
"Her?" Luger looked at Springfield.
Springfield nodded, smiling. "Yes. This beautiful new ARM I've been introduced to and am working with."
Wesson looked at Nils and spun his finger next to his head in a "cuckoo" motion.
Sylvestre frowned and then sighed heavily. "…I suppose you're right, H:05. The ARM takes priority over your disobeying me. Very well, I'll take you back to the rabbits."
"The 'rabbits', sir?" Luger questioned.
"The Elw village." Springfield clarified.
"Ah." Luger nodded. "And, as for the rest of us…?"
"Well, you most likely blew it for me with that girl and everyone else like her in this city." Sylvestre huffed.
"Just as well. Inter-species relations is gross." Wesson stuck his tongue out in a disgusted manner.
"Just continue with whatever you were doing." Sylvestre shook his head, waving dismissively. "By the way…what ARE you doing? And who was that man with—who is STILL with the Princess, alone?"
"Oh, that's Steven." Wesson said, smiling.
Springfield turned to him. "I…don't recall any 'Steven' in the crew or the guards. Is he new?"
"No—well—he's not from Adlehyde." Wesson shrugged. "He's from Heralda. We picked him up in Adelaide, though."
"You just picked up a stranger, and now you're leaving him alone with the Princess in Ruskal?" Sylvestre asked flatly.
"He's not a demon." Wesson said firmly.
"I never suggested he was. He IS, however, a man. And she is a vulnerable teenage girl." Sylvestre looked at Luger. "We better go find her, before she ends up seduced into something her age should not."
"Cuddling in a nightdress with a shirtless man?" Springfield said, to which Sylvestre coughed. "He seemed a decent enough guy."
"You don't even know him!" Sylvestre argued.
"Well, if he was going to seduce her, he had many opportunities to already and didn't take them." Luger said calmly. "He's a good person."
"Ruskal can change a man." Sylvestre said darkly, and then turned and walked off to find her.
"Pot to the kettle." Nils whispered to Wesson.
Springfield shrugged and followed him. "Let's go make sure her virtue is intact."
Wesson looked at Nils and shrugged. "I'm sure she's fine."
Back in the club, Amelia had borrowed a bathroom stall and changed into a pretty dress. Steven waited patiently outside the restroom the whole time and was there to greet her when she came out. He apologized for a lack of appropriate apparel and took her out on the dance-floor. While the drunken and dazed people around them danced in a variety of freestyles Steve and Amelia began dancing something akin to the Foxtrot.
"I had no idea you were such a good dancer." Amelia said as she followed right in step with him.
"I've had a few teachers, and my mother taught me a few moves." Steven said softly. "Where did you learn?"
"Oh, royal tutors." She said, shrugging a bit as they danced. "I had to not look like a dunce at formal gatherings. Usually, Luger is my dance partner at first." She smiled shyly.
"You care for him?" Steven asked.
"Oh, yes." She went a bit pinker. "But, I know it's a lost cause…he can't experience that kind of feeling."
"Why?" Steven asked curiously, pulling her close as someone pushed through. "Oh, sorry."
"Well," She looked up at him. "It's alright. Uhm…Luger wasn't…built like that, I guess. I've tried teaching him, but he hasn't quite grasped it."
"Everyone can love." Steven said gently. "He just needs you to teach him more."
She looked up at him and smiled softly. "You're right. I'm confident I can teach him to love. Even if it's not me…" She looked down.
"Oh, cheer up." Steven said, gently tilting her face up with one hand. "You haven't lost yet."
"Thank you, Steven." She smiled.
"Hey, everyone!" The DJ's voice called over the din. "Grab a partner and dance REAAAAAAL close, 'cause it's time for close embraces!"
Steven pulled Amelia close and they begin to dance the tango, Steven making sure not to do anything too complicated for her. She kept up rather well, and they were up close and their faces inches away from each other when Sylvestre came in and saw them, his jaw dropping.
"What is this?!" Sylvestre cried. "I knew it! I knew it!"
Luger came in with the others behind him and blinked. "Whoa. That's pretty intimate."
Amelia looked over and gasped. "Oh, Luger! You're back!" She looked at Steven. "We should go join them."
"Aren't we still dancing? They can wait until the end of the song." Steven said, continuing to dance with her.
"You're right." She smiled and leaned into him when they came back together, smiling. "This is pretty fun. You're so lively."
"Should we go out and wait for them?" Springfield suggested, looking at the others. "They don't seem to be ready to go yet."
"We can't leave her with him like that!" Sylvestre hissed.
"Professor, please. It's a dance." Springfield frowned. "It's not like they're going to a bed together."
"Come on." Nils tugged Wesson's sleeve. "Let's get out of this noise."
Springfield left the room with the other two in tow, Wesson inquiring about his recent activities. Luger remained in the room to watch Amelia. He smiled at her skill as well as her confidence in the arms of a relative stranger.
"So, you're working with an awesome new ARM?" Wesson asked, looking at Springfield as they sat on a bench outside the club.
"Yes." Springfield smiled. "It was a little rough at first, but she likes me now."
"Hn. And…you mentioned a garden before?" Wesson asked.
"Yes. Oh, here." Springfield untied the sack from his belt and handed it to him. "You can have these. They're Heal Berries and Revive Fruits."
Wesson took the sack and opened it, looking in. "…It's a bunch of fruit." He handed it to Nils.
Nils looked in the sack and pulled out one of the larger ones, a medium-sized red oval of a fruit. "That is one weird tomato." He said, turning it over in his hand.
"It's a Revive Fruit. It works like smelling salts, but you squeeze the juice out over the person instead of bringing to their nose." Springfield explained.
"And…these?" Wesson pulled out a Heal Berry.
"That's a Heal Berry. It heals you up a lot faster than a week in the hospital." Springfield said with a smile.
"…Where did you get these? Are they even legal?" Wesson put the Heal Berry back in the sack.
"Of course they're legal!" Springfield frowned. "The Elw made them."
"Ah, of course. So, they are infused with…magic?" Wesson asked.
"Yeah." Springfield nodded.
"Magic makes you loopy." Wesson looked at Nils. "Right?"
"Wouldn't know." Nils said slowly as he sniffed the Revive Fruit. He made a face and pulled it back. "Can you make, you know, drinks out of these or something? Something we can wash down with something more appetizing?"
"The Heal Berries taste fine. You don't eat the Revive Fruits." Springfield said, frowning. "It's for people that are, you know, unconscious?"
"Isn't that what a bucket of water is for?" Nils said, handing the fruit and bag back to Springfield. "I don't know."
"Try it before you mock it." Springfield said, handing it to Wesson again. "You'll find it will come in handy sometime. Trust me."
"Won't you need them?" Wesson asked.
"Well, no. Not really. But, I can get more from Mariel if I need them." Springfield said, shrugging dismissively. "I think you'll need them more."
Nils and Wesson looked at the sack in the younger boy's hands. Nils shrugged. "Why not? I mean, what's the worst it can do?"
Wesson nodded reluctantly and cautiously pocketed the berries. "I feel like we just finished a drug deal." He said.
Nils looked around the bright casino lobby. "Appropriate enough place, I guess."
"I feel dirty." Wesson pulled out the sack and handed them to Nils. "Here. You take the magic drugs."
Nils held them out in front of him, giving the sack a hard and scrutinizing gaze. Springfield shook his head in disbelief. Nils turned his head to look at it through the corners of his eyes. "Yyyeah. I got it." He lowered the sack and looked at the other two. "We'll let the princess have it! Magic berries would totally be her thing! Awesome souveniiiirs." He shook the bag in front of him, but stopped short. "Unless they're poisonous."
"Should we boil them for five hours?" Wesson suggested jokingly. Both Nils and Springfield shook their heads and sighed.
Before Springfield could further champion the natural medicine, Sylvestre walked out of the dance-hall. He was looking back into the room where Luger continued to stand watch over Amelia's activities.
"Well, she's not coming out for a while." Sylvestre sighed heavily. "What the—Springfield, are you giving these boys those berries?!"
"Am I officially a drug trafficker?" Wesson asked.
"Quick, let's flush 'em down the toilet!" Nils jumped up on his feet. Springfield reached up to stop him.
"Don't worry, boys. Those aren't drugs." Sylvestre said, shaking his head. "They're not addictive at all. They're just rabbit-made healing items."
"Rabbit?" Wesson blinked.
"Farm-bound Elw." Sylvestre explained with a wave of the hand. "I call them rabbits."
"Ah. Well, are you sure it's safe, dad?" Wesson looked at the bag in Nils' hand. "I mean, it's not going to make us loopy?"
"No, it's not." Sylvestre shook his head.
"But, it's never been t—" Springfield was shushed by Sylvestre's hand raising quickly.
"It's fine." Sylvestre said calmly.
Nils sat down. Springfield breathed a sigh of relief. "All the same…" Nils said, looking at the bag of magical fruit. "I think we'll let her highness test this out."
"You're a really bad guard, you know that?" Wesson elbowed him in the side.
"Since it's going to be sold in public stores and issued out to troops, it's understandable that the princess should try it now." Sylvestre said calmly.
"Wait, what? Everyone's taking the Heal Berry? Is this some demon plot?" Wesson frowned.
Springfield laughed. "No, no. Nothing like that."
Luger stepped out then, Amelia and Steven behind him. "What's so funny, Springfield?"
"Luger! Did you know that everyone will be taking the Heal Berry?!" Wesson cried.
"I did hear about it being produced as a wonder medication, yes." Luger nodded. "It'll be cheaper than first-aid kits, and take less room in your bag."
"So, you approve of this?" Wesson took one of the Heal Berries out of the sack and held it out.
Luger walked over to examine it. "Oh, wow. It's actually out now?"
"Well, they were just shipped out to the human market the other day." Springfield said. 'These are ones that Mariel gave me."
"Who?" Luger looked at him.
"An Elw girl I've been spending time with." Springfield explained. "Anyways, yes. This is a Heal Berry."
"Wow." Luger looked at Springfield. "Do you mind if I take the sack for our trip?"
"By all means." Springfield smiled.
Luger took the sack from Nils and put the Heal Berry into it, tying it to his belt. "Thank you, Springfield."
Wesson and Nils looked at each other nervously.
Meanwhile, Amelia was discussing dance with Steven. "Do you know many traditional dances as well as ballroom?" She asked.
"I mostly know ballroom." He said, shaking his head. "Before I could learn much else, my people were attacked."
"Oh…" Amelia looked down. "I'm sorry, it must hurt to remember that."
Steven nodded, and then gently squeezed her hand in his. "But, I think they would be happy to see me with you all. After all, dwelling on the past never did anyone any good."
She nodded, then looked over at the others. "Uhm…what are you doing?"
Luger looked over at her. "Oh, just discussing whether or not Heal Berries are drugs. You?"
"Just dancing and Steven's family." She looked at him. "I think we've spent enough time here. We must hurry on."
Steven nodded. "We have to find the others."
"Again, what ARE you doing?" Sylvestre asked.
"Amelia's—" Wesson was cut off by Sylvestre giving him a sharp look. "Sorry. Princess Amelia's going on a journey to meet the Guardians. After all, she is the new Shaman."
"I see." Sylvestre looked over them all. "Why did she pick you?"
"Because I think they will be best to accompany me." Amelia said, smiling at them. "Well, shall we return to the ship?"
"We should head back to the submarine." Springfield said, nodding to Sylvestre.
"Yes…" Sylvestre sighed. "Well, let's all be off, then. Take care, Princess."
"Good luck." Springfield waved as he walked out with Sylvestre.
"Good luck to you." Luger replied, turning to the others. "Are we all for leaving now?"
"Yes!" Wesson said, letting out a heavy sigh of relief. "Finally!"
Amelia giggled as they walked out, heading for their car.