A/N: Here's the next chapter. Enjoy.
Puck couldn't help, but blame himself for the mess they were in. He should have known coming to the capital was a mistake. But it wasn't as if he had much choice in the decision. For some reason or another Roswaal had been particularly adamant on Emilia visiting on this day. Claiming that if the half-elf wanted to appeal as a ruler of the common people she would need to mingle and interact with her future subjects.
A decision that wasn't without its merits. But he wasn't convinced, the clown was up the something and the theft of Emilia's insignia, the one thing that validated her candidacy to the throne only further went to prove it.
Worst was the fact that they were completely out of there depths and floundering to find a thief in a crowded city rampant with crime and other nasty creeps who'd like nothing more than to harm his contractor.
Grrr! It was infuriating. This day couldn't get any worse…
"Sit. Stay. Roll over. Good boy!" Emilia said, crouching down and patting the little fur ball they had come across.
I stand corrected.
When Emilia suggested that they use their newly acquired tag along to track down the thief he was skeptical and attempted to dissuade the girl to little result. Now it seemed that she was more set on the idea and had even begun to take a fancy to the stray.
"Aww, you're so cute!" Lia squealed, cuddling the pup tightly to her bosom. Puck's eye twitched as the small puppy who at first seemed hesitant and resistant to the half-elf's touches was now smiling and panting under the barrage of playful attacks.
"Huh Lia? Are you sure this is a good idea?" Puck asked, watching as his surrogate daughter fondle over the black furred pup.
The girl of course scoffed at the suggestion, ignoring the spirits worried if not jealous stares as she continued to pummel the panting dog with ear scratches and tummy rubs.
"Stop being a worry wart. I already told you the plan is full proof." She said confidently, smiling warmly down at the bundle of joy nestled in her arms.
It was a strange sight to see and one that the Great Spirit would admit was somewhat comforting. It wasn't every day something so small and delicate acted affectionate to the silver-haired spirit user and not flinch at the sight of her. A reaction she had garnered far too often in her life.
Puck wasn't naïve and as much as he may have tried to shield her, the truth of the matter was that Emilia was hated by just about everyone around her.
She was a half-elf. The one related to the individual responsible for so much pain and destruction in the world. It was for that reason she had chosen to join the royal selection to decide Lugnica's next ruler. She wanted a chance to prove that she had nothing in common with that horrible woman and could bring about peace and prosperity for everyone regardless of how she looked.
The theft of her insignia complicated that prospect. Without it she would be disbarred from competing and lose all sense of recognition. After all a ruler who couldn't protect a tiny pendant had no business at all governing.
It was the sickening reality to her situation and a realization that may have led to Emilia subconsciously latching onto the one thing that could provide her with a layer of protection and security from her distress.
It wasn't as though I could do much about it, but maybe…
"Arf!" The pup barked, seemingly enjoying the pleasant petting and rubs.
Emila giggled, a genuine smile playing at her lips that was a stark contrast to the forceful pleasantries she had been expected to commit herself to since coming to Roswaal's manner.
Puck for the most part watched the exchange with interest, a mischievous smile playing on his face despite the reservations he may have had about their new friend "Well isn't this a surprise! I never took you to be a dog person Lia."
The girl rolled her eyes as she hugged the small dog closer to her. "Are you jealous Puck?" She asked, with equal amounts of teasing.
The sprit scoffed "What? Me? No way! We cats will always be superior to those mangy fleabags." He said, looking down at the pup with a superior smirk.
The dog growled and Lia soothed him with a head scratch.
"Don't be mean Puck." She scolded. "Besides, he's going to be helping us so play nice."
Puck batted away her warning leer with a wave. "Fine, fine, but don't act like I don't see what you're up to. You intend on taking him with us when this is all over. Little miss puppy snatcher." Puck said impishly.
Emilia flushed, but didn't deny the accusation. "We'll maybe, but only if he doesn't have an owner! I won't just abandon him! "
Puck sighed at the fiery look in girl's eyes.
There you go again not being truthful to yourself. Honestly this daughter of mine
"Well let's not waste any more time. We should get moving before are friend here loses the trail. "
"Your right." Emilia nodded, determined to get back what was taken from her. In her arms the fluffy little arm ball could do little, but accept it's situation.
Puck couldn't help but to chuckle at its expense.
Maybe this day could still prove interesting.
Subaru was at a loss for words. He'd had always hoped for excitement in his life, what person his age wouldn't, but this wasn't exactly what he had in mind.
"So uh…are you sure were heading in the right direction?" The girl, Emilia as he learned her name after a rather awkward exchange, asked with a hint of skepticism. Not that he blamed her for it. Looking around it was clear to even a shut in like himself that the area they had wandered into wasn't a place for the faintest of hearts and was by no means somewhere a woman in lavish clothing should be wandering.
Subaru whined, he wanted to say - 'No, I don't know if were heading in the right direction. In fact I don't know anything at all. Stop asking me. I'm going to get us both killed.' But instead what came out was "Arf bark arf."
Emilia smiled, clearly not having understood a word of what he said. "Alright, I trust you."
You really shouldn't. The pup whined, continuing their easy pace through what could only be the cities more impoverished area.
Not that he had room to talk. Despite her demeanor and promises of treats Subaru couldn't find it in himself to trust the silver haired girl, at least not entirely. Having spent the majority of the day sniffing the sidewalks for any signs of her would be thief, he hadn't failed to notice the nasty looks people gave their group, specifically Emilia who did her best to ignore them, but there was no way in hiding the obvious distress it caused her.
Her sprit Puck, tried to keep her distracted, making idle small talk and insulting him every chance he got, but it was clear he cared for the girl and was enraged by the insults that were thrown at her in soft murmurs that his heightened hearing couldn't help but pick up on.
"Half-elf."
"Half-devil."
"Silver hair."
"Witch."
"Keep away."
"Die."
It was hard to stomach and even harder to ignore as he took a deeper notice of the girls more elfish features and pointed ears.
Is she being discriminated against? If so is there some kind of social stigma against demi-humans?
It wasn't beyond the realm of possibilities. It was a common issue usually seen in these kind of fantasy worlds which made her plight in being this countries next ruler even more sympathetic.
Not that he had much to say on about her chances, he hadn't met any of the other candidates, or seen how far the animosity against the nonhuman populace went but if the way she treated a small animal was any sort of indication then she was well on her way toward being a kind ruler. An attitude that spurred him to help her despite his own reservations.
A Natsuki always helped those in need as his father would say. So that's just what he did, his search having led them to a not so friendly part of town where there was bound to be trouble and where he'd more than likely meet a gruesome end at the hands of some deranged murder.
Try not think to think about it. He shook his head as his thoughts led back to every single manga he had read where the hero was led into a damning situation by a heroine in distress.
At least they had some kind of OP skill set and weren't stuck licking for scrapes off the streets. Subaru mulled over grimly as their destination drew closer.
He'd give this form credit for at least being reliable. The keen sense in smell and the ability to differentiate the various odors a crowded city produced had truly been a god given bone that had cut their search time by hours and best of all it was still light out. No legitimate murderer did their killings in broad daylight right?
"Is that it?" Emilia asked, as the trio stopped in front of a rundown shack that looked more like a discount pawnshop then a criminal safe house.
"Yeah it is," Puck said, although his voice was strangely grim in contrast to the elation Subaru had expected. "But something feels off…"
A warning that did little to ease the tension in the air.
It had taken them several hours and a mistake or two on his part but he had done it. They had found the thief's hideout and there was not a thing that could go wrong. Everything was just fine. Right?
"Someone help me!" A voice cried out as a yellow blur sprinted out of the building. The girl Subaru noted was covered in deep gashes, blood staining her clothing.
"T-That's the thief!" Emilia had just enough time to declare before a glimmer appeared from the dark abode and a knife flew out of nowhere.
"Lia look out!" Puck shouted, conjuring an ice shield that deflected the blade from piercing her.
"Ara, ara." A sultry voice said as Subaru felt a foreboding sense of dread. "What an unexpected surprise."
A woman appeared from the darkness dressed in all black, her figure was one to be envied as she smiled calmly at them with a serene look that would have put many at ease if it wasn't for the blood coating her face.
For the first time in his life Subaru felt utterly terrified.
"Tell me," Elsa Granhiert said. "Which one of you would like to die first?"
A/N: Boom! There you have it.
Next chapter will probaly conclude the Elsa arc since our boy Subaru isn't playing Dark Souls to beat her.
Still trying to see where I'm going to take this, but so far I'm really enjoying it.