Roses Can't Bloom In The Dark

by NakaruSoul

Roses are red, violets aren't blue, I'm somehow in RWBY, whatever shall I do? I also find this world that's being threatened to be engulfed by darkness to be very intriguing. What captivated me the most, is a beautiful rose that's fighting to grow in these dark times. And to see it mature, the darkness must be pushed back. It'll be almost impossible but it must be done. After all-

3. Summer, Meet Amber

Me: Oh My God, it's been months already and I haven't uploaded a new chapter but I just can't find the motivation to keep writing beyond a few sentences each day. What should I do? What should I do!?

Inner me: Play video games.

Me: Neat idea!

Yeah. That's a fairly accurate depiction on why this chapter took so long to get out.

Anyway, just thought that I should inform you all that other people's POV will be in third person while Alex's is in first's just to prevent any confusion.

Enjoy the story. I must admit, it seems that my writing skills are getting rusty for some reason.

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-0- = line break

(0) = Pov change

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Chapter 3: Summer, Meet Amber.

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"Well then, looks like we've got everything that we've came here for." May Oliver announced cheerily as she stretch her arms above her head and arch her back backwards. She could feel her joints crack with a small satisfying plop as she walked out of the automated glass doors of the supermarket. The warm air immediately assaulted her face once she left the confines of the air conditioned building and she let her arms down with a delighted sigh.

"I think we may have bought more than we were suppose to." Commented her redhead companion that accompanied her along for the trip. May look over her shoulder and saw Summer walking out of the same door she had just walked through, glancing worriedly over at their other companion/pack mule behind her.

Instead of the teenage male who would wear shades, regardless of time and place that she had expected to see, all she saw was a mountain of groceries that seem to have sprouted legs and was walking on their own. Then again, Junior being hidden behind mountain of bags has been a sight so frequent for her that she couldn't imagine seeing him without it. It's a good thing he 'volunteered' to help because she couldn't imagine carrying all that home all by her lonesome.

Junior let out a strained grunt but is clearly holding on better than he used to after he grown used to the weight. He's clearly complaining less about his treatment nowadays too after his attempt to rebel against her. Of course that ended rather spectacularly as one would expect as his face suddenly found itself embedded into a wall so deep that only his arse was sticking out.

Such a gentleman Junior is.

Completely unlike a certain other teenage boy that she knew. But she knew better than to take him along when they have a lot to carry. It's mainly because he's pitifully weak. He would most likely buckle under the weight of all those groceries and then be buried under it. Seriously. Summer's stronger than him by a large margin and she's a girl. But to be fair, Summer had been training to be a huntress for years now so she can''t really compare her strength to his. It would be an unfair comparison, really.

Like pitting the main cannon of an Atlas's air-fleet against a potato gun.

A limp, flimsy potato gun that can't even shoot straight.

"Oh, don't be silly Summer. There's no such thing as buying too much. We simply overestimated our pack mule's weight capacity." May wave off her concern easily without even taking a glance at Junior's direction and started walking away form the supermarket.

"The mountain of bags seem to be increasing more and more each time we call him over though." Summer pointed out, eyes looking upwards towards said stack of groceries as she followed her along with Junior.

"Nonsense. You're just imagining things." May huffed indignantly as one of the many bags dropped from the top of the stack. Junior, being someone has experienced something like this more times than he could count, quickly stick out his leg and caught the bag in midair by precisely sticking out his leg underneath the falling bag. Now he's just balancing himself like a man on a tightrope, praying that he doesn't fall over and increasing the amount of money he owe to the scary lady.

Thankfully, Summer came to his rescue by taking the bag away so he could finally put his foot down again.

Sadly, she tossed it back up onto the mountain instead of carrying it herself to lighten Junior's load. Summer didn't even look remotely guilty for doing that and she quickly walk away to May's side. May hazarded a guess that Summer still held a grudge about that time when Junior ate the last cookie that she was saving.

It's alright to tease her or pull pranks on her but when you take her last cookie then you better be prepared to face one hell of a storm in the form of a petty, grudge holding redhead.

"Well then, let's head on home shall we? No point in wasting any more time here than we should. I dread to think what would happen if we were to leave the boy alone in the store for too long again." May involuntarily let out a shiver as memories of last time popped into her head. Oh, the chaos, the horror. Just how did he managed to flood the entire cafe with chickens is a mystery that everyone is still trying to figure out. All those feathers, all those chicken poo, scattered everywhere like those weird paintings in the art museum.

Random teleporting chicken he says. Yeah right.

"Oh, I'm pretty sure he's already fallen asleep without us there to keep him awake." May could hear Summer's tired sigh, already given up hope that her co-worker would actually be useful for once without having someone to keep him in line. He's a hardworking lad as long as you keep him in your sights but as soon as he's no longer in your field of vision then BAM! He'd go using that weird skill that he has to fall asleep on the job. Either that or he'd just cook up something weird just to tease our adorable redhead. She swears that he put in more effort in being lazy that actually getting his job done.

As May walked with her companions in tow, she idly noted that the sidewalk was bustling with life. Not surprising as today was Saturday. Plenty of people were roaming around the streets, each going about their day, following some sort of routine that was ingrained into them to keep some sense of normalcy they have in their lives.

Speaking of normalcy, hers has been utterly shattered the moment a raven haired teen applied for a job at her cafe. It certainly didn't help that he looked a lot like her deceased son, only plenty of years younger and with different hair and eye colour and let's not forget to mention his personality too. Thankfully, she adapted just as fast.

At first she had wondered if the enemies that she had made over the years found him and decided to place him here just to get under her skin by reminding her of her son every time she looked at him. Even though she had long cut off any involvement with 'that side' and is well in retirement for years now, that didn't stop a few grudge holding idiots to try getting revenge in any way possible.

She had hired him alright, despite not knowing his motive. But it's mostly to keep him close by so she could keep an eye on him just in case he tried to anything.

And of course, her vigilance were not rewarded as the boy did nothing of sorts that would bring harm to her or the people around her other than headaches due to his ignorance with how the world works and his lack of common sense. It's almost like he's not from this world...that or he just lived under a rock until now; which is more believable given his unwillingness to venture outside unless forced. Not to mention his dislike of people intruding his personal space as she often saw him shirk away subtly from other people whenever they got too close to him.

But he's perfectly fine when Summer's the one that got close to him though. Then again, Summer had mostly just ran up to him just to swat him in the shoulder or head for the things he did to her so he really didn't have the chance to move away.

Either way, no longer was she constantly alert for any form of threat the boy may pose but she's still keeping an eye on him because he could be biding his time.

Life is undoubtedly more interesting nowadays, doubly so whenever Summer's around. It's mostly chaotic at times but thankfully, May had found some sort of routine to cling on her fleeting normalcy. The weekdays were calm, like the ocean under the clear sky. Customers who enjoyed peace and quiet would come here during those days to sit and relax in her cafe.

Weekends however, was busier as people who were too busy or lazy to cook for themselves would find themselves here. It helps that Summer would be around to help out but May thinks that most of the customers came here just to watch her two employees interact with each other. And when evening rolls around the corner, the concept of civilized dining was suplex out the window by a man wearing green spandex, shouting obscure things about youth and her cafe was transformed into a rowdy tavern in a blink of an eye.

People got drunk. You can just about guess what would happen when a crowd of drunken people gathered in a small around would normally go, especially when some of them have short tempers.

Either they would drink each other under the table or a fight ensues.

It was mostly the latter though.

And she was left wondering when did they ever stock up on alcohol beverages. Last she recalled, her cafe never even serve them in the first place. She blamed the boy. Somehow, one way or another, it's always his fault for all the strange things going on.

She had long given up in keeping the peace whenever a fight broke out and let them do what they want. She wasn't mad even with all the broken furniture, dishes and windows all around since the patrons pay for the damages they had caused by the end of the night. What they didn't know is that she has a way to buy them all with a hefty discount and they had payed for the original price.

That's why they put out all the expensive decorations during the evening and hide them during the day.

It nets her more lien this way.

She also haven't forgotten the one time where he managed to start a drinking contest without her knowing as she was too busy in the kitchen to realize the strange order regarding large quantities of beers in barrels. How on Remnant did she even missed those she would never know.

She only realised that something was going on outside when she heard a group of people chanting 'Chug! Chug! Chug!'. She could easily guess what's happening outside as she had heard that particular chant way too many times during her youth and a budding headache was already making itself known at the back of her head. She went to investigate and voila! There he was, standing with one foot on top of the table as he chug down the contents of the mug in his hand without even spilling a single drop. His opponent in front of him was clearly struggling to stay upright as his bloodshot eyes bulged of his socket, looking ready to faint.

In the end, the man twice his size fell, eyes rolled upwards until only the white of his eyes could only be seen as the remaining drink in his mouth came pouring out like a stream.

Seeing all the other fallen bodies all around told her that her employee, barely of legal age, had effectively drank everyone under the table like a champ and is still going for another round with the next guy. Despite feeling peeved at seeing a few of the fallen challengers staining the ground with questionable liquid coming from either their mouth or their crotch, she's gotta admit that the kid can hold his alcohol.

She had also discovered that Summer had tried drinking upon being urged by almost everyone. It was that day did she found out that Summer only needed to take a sip before she gets drunk. She's a rather happy drunk. A happy drunk with ridiculously low alcohol tolerance because the second sip knocked her out and she went into her la la land while sleeping in the corner, smiling as she muttered happily in her sleep while snuggling comfortably against a pot of cactus. It's a good thing Summer had aura, otherwise she wouldn't looked so comfortable.

The boy on the other hand….

Well, he can't stop giggling like a four year old girl on acid.

And when the last his challengers (meaning everyone in the cafe) fell before him in a heap of tangled limbs, stacking themselves up mountain and drizzling water into the air like a literal man made fountain as their bladders finally given up, she decided to join in on the fun instead of being a responsible adult and scold him for what he had done. Maturity was overrated anyway.

So she sat in front of the boy and challenged him to a round. It's a bit unfair as she's didn't even have a bit of alcohol in her systems and the boy looked just about ready to pass out.

Needless to say, she shamelessly took advantage of his drunken state for some Q and A but only got more questions than answers. It went on until he suddenly changed when she asked a particular question, as if everything about him just shifted.

'What do you planning on doing in the future?' She recalled asking.

The smile and cheer that he wore during the duration of his drinking match was gone without a trace and all that's left was a blank face with a faint reddish hue on his cheeks, mostly from all the alcohol he had consumed. He just sat there, face flushed and staring at his empty mug in his hand, looking like he's contemplating about the questions about the universe.

He seem to be completely out of it and unaware of his surroundings because she kept snapping her fingers in front of his face, trying to get his attention. The sound of her fingers clicking together could easily be heard amidst the snores and burbling of piss that one or all of the customers are going to clean when they woke up

Her eyes drifted over his form. He was like a sad drunk, weeping away at the table and complaining about the unfairness of life. It reminded her of herself one upon a time when she was unsure what kind of path lies ahead of her. It made her want to reassure him that everything will be fine even though she had no idea what's going on inside his head.

And when she give small pat on his shoulder to show some form of support, it instead send him falling towards the opposite direction and slamming his face onto the floor. Then she found out he was just sleeping with his eyes opened.

She really should have saw that coming.

Oh lets not forget to mentioned that Junior has to pay for it all the beer because he lost the drinking contest even though he didn't participated at all. His father would not bail him out of that one, regardless of what Junior had claimed.

Both her employees had to take a day off the next day because of the massive hangover they're feeling.

She had to drive Summer home that evening because she wasn't sure if she could make it back herself in her state. Thankfully, she didn't have to deal with Summer's parents because they're out of town that week. She couldn't imagine explaining to them just why their daughter looked so smashed and was suffering a massive headache….or why she was clutching on to a pot of cactus with no intention of letting go...or why there a small chunk of the plant was missing with clear teeth mark on it.

She never knew what happened to that cactus.

Oh well, at least it will serve as a memento for Summer to remind her of her first attempt at drinking.

May blinked when she saw the bank that she usually goes to make her transactions and with a jolt, she was knocked out of her reminiscing as she realised that she was so lost in thought that she hadn't noticed that she was already half way back home.

Hmm, now that she's already here, she might as well withdraw some cash. She recalled the boy had already used up the last of his money when he purchase his scroll so some advance pay for this month wouldn't hurt. He'd earned it after all, despite all the headaches he had given her.

She'd have to sent Summer ahead first though. They had been gone longer than she had expected and Summer would have to supervise the boy in her place. It wouldn't do if she left him alone for too long after all. Who knows what kind of trouble he would come up with when they're gone.

Still, even with all the strange things he could be doing while they were gone, it's not like he would trick a child into working for him while he slacks off in the back now would he?

(0)

"Alright Amber, are you ready yet?" I shouted upstairs to the little girl that I have basically manipulated into thinking that she would be paying off a non-existent debt if she were to help me. What can I say, the kid's persistent in paying me back and I'm not going to refuse free help when I can. Side's, I can't wait to see how she would look in that costume of hers.

"Not yet!" I heard her shout back, a soft thump and a high pitched 'Eep' coming from upstairs told me that she may have fell on her bum while trying to get it on.

I felt a sense of disappointment for being denied the cuteness I was looking forward to but oh well, what can I do. She'll come down eventually and when she does I'm so going to take a picture of her while grinning like an idiot. My eyes glace towards the clock on the wall and I saw what time it was. Oh snap, it's been that long already? I need to get back to work pronto. "Well when you're done just come down to the counter and I'll tell you what you should be doing okay?"

"Kay." Amber shouted back in acknowledgment and I nodded, not that she could see it, and quickly make my way back outside just so I could remove the 'on break' sign.

Once that's done, I put myself behind the counter and waited for the customers, like always. It's always the waiting, waiting for time to pass, waiting for the customers to come and go and waiting for the inevitable trouble that should have come a long time ago since my arrival here.

It's just so weird that nothing had happened yet. After all, aren't all Self-inserts by definition a deus ex machina? Then again, maybe Fate is laying in wait for me to let my guard down just so it could surprise me with a kick in the balls.

While I'm waiting for fate to sneak up behind me like a ninja, I could always use the time to think of a perfectly reasonable excuse that I could tell the ladies just why I didn't just call the cops that there's a lost child here that they could come pick up….

Shit, why didn't I think of that in the first place?

The logical part of my mind dictates that I should call them right now so they would pick Amber off my hands that way I could avoid all the fuss when Boss and Summer came back. But the mischievous part told me that I still haven't take any pictures of Amber in her costume yet! I still want to take shots of her as she serves customers too. Then there's the small, harmless prank that I have in store for Summer.

I could call the cops later but I don't know when the ladies will be back. Glancing at the clock tells me that they have been out for a while now and could be back pretty soon. So I'm not sure if I have the time to paw Amber off to the authorities before they came back if I wait any longer.

Well, I could lie that I've only found her recently just before they returned but I'm not sure if Amber would follow that lie. She might be too self righteous to lie. That or she might let slip that she had actually been here longer than I had claim and I'd be in more trouble than before.

Argh, this is so agonizing to think about. On one hand, instant problem solving when I call the cops but on the other, cute pictures of Amber and Summer's varied and amusing expressions when she sees Amber.

In the end the logical part of my brain was told to stuff it by the mischievous part and it declares that we are going to commence operation 'Wing it' until the foreseeable future and the priority was set to 'don't get thrown in jail'.

Damn my weakness to cute things!

"I'm ready!" Amber suddenly chirped beside me and I jerk back in surprise. Damn, the kid's like a ninja. I mean, the soles of her new shoes comes with those squeaking things that you'd often see toddlers wear and I didn't even hear her come down from the stairs. Then again, I was busy trying to come up with ideas regarding how to avoid being accused as a pedophile. Sadly, none had came up as of yet.

I snap my head towards Amber and saw that her costume fit almost perfectly, almost because it's a bit saggy, and a grin made it's way towards my face. "Oh my gosh!" I squeal in a manly way, (A Manly way I say! And you're a filthy liar if you think otherwise!) and dart forth to pick her up.

Amber let out a yelp as she was lifted off the ground and had her cheeks pressed against mine as I cuddle her like a possessed madman. "You're just the cutest thing ever!" I exclaimed, completely losing myself to the mushiness of her cheeks as I continue to snuggle my face against hers.

"Eep! Big bro, et' go! It tickles!" Amber cried out in fits of giggles, squirming to get out of my grips.

I let out a gasp as I realised something that I should be doing right now instead of snuggling the bundle of adorableness in my hands. I promptly let go without thinking and Amber let out another yelp of surprise as she fell to the ground. Thankfully, she landed on her feet like a cat and wasn't harmed in any way and a squeaking sound came from her shoes as intended.

"Okay, hold still. I'magonnatakeapicturerightnow!" the words was blurt out rapidly as my scroll was whipped out faster than a flasher could flash himself to a minor.

My scroll made a soft click with a *ahem* flash as it did it's duty. Amber's eyes were squint shut by reflex when her eyes were assaulted by the bright light and ruining the picture.

Or would have, had it not made her look all the more cuter.

I'm so glad that I bought this thing. Who would have thought I'd still have enough money to buy it after using half of my salaries to pay for Summer's debt.

I still kinda feel slightly guilt that I basically forced her into a part time job and used up all her weekends like this but at least I'm trying to fix it. Also, it's to get rid of her before I get dragged into some of the bullshit that every main characters get themselves into. It would be only a matter of time before something happened with Summer in the center and I unwillingly get dragged into the fray.

Now that I think about it, the only reason why I could even afford the damn thing was because the clerk at the store gave me a 70% off. I would have been suspicious, had it not happen more than once to me when I'm off shopping. But the only times things can be bought cheep was when Junior's around though so that means I won't get any discount if I go alone.

Well, I'm not going to look at a gift horse in the mouth so I won't question why Mr. Wear shades indoors get special treatment. Instead, I sought to abuse that privilege of his and always have Junior around when I'm off shopping, much to his annoyance and much relief to my already crying wallet.

Junior must be a very special guy since the clerk was in tears, like he had just met a being higher than his pitiful existence when Junior approached him. I remember back then I was completely flabbergasted when I saw the original price for the scroll and doing my best to bargain the price down as Junior waited outside. Apparently I took too long and he came in to check and that lead to the discount. Still, hope the Clerk is doing okay. He was spluttering a string of unintelligible words and may or may not let loose his bowels when he saw Junior.

"Muuu~" Amber pouted angrily as she rubbed her eyes, trying to recover from her blurry vision due to the camera flash. She let her hands down, blinking rapidly before turning to me with a death glare, an adorable death glare. "No pictures! My mummy already take enough at home." she exclaimed, crossing her arms in front of her in an 'X' as narrowed her eyes at me, cheeks puffed up as she attempt to be intimidating. She kinda reminds me of Summer whenever I got her mad. It just makes me want to tease her more.

"Took." I corrected her, looking smug as I wave a finger in the air pointedly while my other hand stuffed my scroll with the newly acquired picture into my pocket. Now I have something that can be used to tease Amber when she grew up...assuming that I'm still around by then. "And you were too late. I already took your picture anyway." I informed her with a grin, waggling my eyebrow cheekily like a bastard that I am.

Anyway, let's stop thinking about the future and focus on the present.

I clap my hands together to get the girl's attention as I kept my eyes on her. "Well then. Now that you're ready to get to work, I suppose I should tell you what your duty is." Amber's eyes widen slightly and started nodding enthusiastically, feeling eager to help out and pay back her non-existing debt to me as she smiled. "Okay, here's what I need you to do." I started, arms gesturing at the tables in front of us. "See those tables over there?" Amber's eyes followed, taking in the sight and nodded.

"Your job is essentially just cleaning and delivering." Pretty simple and easy, perfectly safe and suited for a child that seem to have ADHD (Not confirmed) or is a chipmunk on sugar rush in human form. Amber turn back to face me, confusion apparent on her face as she tilt her head. I rolled my eyes at her and tried explaining again, this time with more details. "When you see a table with plates and cups but no people sitting by it, I need you to put those plates and cups on this tray here. Can you do that?" I asked her nicely, waving the tray around that previously wasn't in my hand.

Amber nodded in confirmation, eyes completely focused as she regarded me and I place the tray on top of the counter. "After that all you need to do is to take those dirty dishes and place them in the sink in the back." I gave a jerk of my head towards the kitchen. "I'll clean them when I have the time or you can help too when there's nothing left for you to do."

Again, Amber nodded silently and I took it as a sign that I could continue on.

"The other thing you need to do is to deliver food to the customers. Just come over to that section over there to collect it and I'll tell you where it needs to go." I gesture at the pickup area which is essentially just a wall that was cut out so it would connect with the kitchen with a wooden counter there to place the food. "Don't worry, I won't give you anything heavy or easily spilled over unless you're ready for it so don't fret." I assured her as I turn to face the front door, keeping a look out for any approaching customers...but mostly for Boss and Summer. I was praising myself mentally that I had actually thought that far ahead for once. Normally I would just give her whatever without thought and realised my mistake when it's too late and watch as everything falls to the ground in an unceremonious heap when she tries to deliver them.

Huh, it must be my big brother instincts kicking up again if I'm actually starting to worry about something like that. I haven't used them in a while now since my siblings are all grown up and didn't need me to be the mother hen anymore. That or I just don't want to clean the floor when she actually spills everything...and paying for the dishes. I'm dead broke already.

Here's to hoping that I don't forget about that tidbit afterwards.

I noticed Amber nodded again out of the corner of my eye after I informed her of her duties as I kept looking out the door, silently hoping that my luck will hold up and I could actually resolve the entire issue with Amber being lost without much of a fuss.

Yes, I'm actively jinxing myself in hopes that it would just come true already and won't catch me by surprise. So far there has been no luck in that department and it's really making me anxious. Who knows just what will happen in the future if my good luck keeps building up. I suspect that good fortune would all come crushing down in a big tidal wave of fuck you when I least expected it. Hopefully I wouldn't be squatting on the toilet seat then because if so, then I'd literally be caught with my pants down.

"Well, then. With all that said, I guess it's time to start working. All we have to do now is to wait for any customers to come in so you can do whatever you want until I call for you."

Amber nodded once more, not complaining about having to work already like I usually would.

Wow, Amber such an understanding little girl. I've been telling her what she has to do and not once did she interrupted me, looked worried or even complained. I felt rather impressed with her maturity. If it were me and someone was explaining something of great importance to me, I'd be zoning out and barely giving the person that's talking to me any attention at all. Still, despite having known the girl for an hour at most, I know enough that it's just not like her to be this quiet. A bit too quie- Wait a freaking minute.

Suspecting that something was wrong, I slowly turn around to see just what my newly acquired assistant was doing. As expected, she was silently nomming on a lollipop that I gave her, nodding to herself in heavenly bliss when the sweet flavors assaulted her taste buds and not to mention completely ignoring me while she's at it.

Oh. So this is what others felt when dealing with me. Sadly, I do not have Amber's natural defense called 'Aura of cuteness' to protect me from the brunt of their annoyance when I'm ignoring them. Evidently, Summer has that protection too and she knows all too well that it will mostly keep her out of trouble and has been milking it for all it's worth lately. Damn her and those puppy dog eyes of hers.

"Oi! Stop eating those sweets already. What have I told you about eating too much in one day?" I warned Amber, pinching on the end of the lollipop stick that's sticking out of her mouth and trying my best to pull it out of her mouth without hurting her teeth.

"Nuuuuuu~" That was Amber's response, as she latched on to the candy with her teeth with no intention of letting go. Well, with all that sugar she's consumed I have no doubt she'd be plenty energized to help out now so I got that going for me at least. Amber tried pulling away from me but I kept a firm grip on the stick and wasn't giving her leverage to pull away from me. I tried pulling upwards but all I managed to accomplish was lifting Amber up from the ground like a fish danging on a hook.

I would have find the scene funny if I wasn't trying to prevent the kid from getting diabetes.

The familiar ringing of the bell informed me that someone just walked in and I quickly let go of candy. Amber dropped to the ground with a squeak from her soles as I turn to face the front door, slightly panicking as I thought that Summer and Boss were back.

When I saw who it was that entered I allow myself a sigh of relief and relaxed as it was only the old lady that frequent this cafe during the afternoons. Idly, I noted that it's really late now and the ladies still haven't returned yet. Odd. Wonder what they're doing right now.

Oh well, guess there's more time before the inevitable explanation I have to give. Hope future me would have cooked up a believable story then but for now, I guess it's time to get to work. Time to see just how well Amber would do as a waitress.

….

….

…

And of course, ten minutes in and I had already forgotten all about the part where I'm not suppose to let her carry the tray when there's anything heavy on top. She dropped the entire thing like one would expect when letting a six year old hold fragile objects. I don't know if it's normal but the word 'Bankruptcy' kept echoing inside my mind as I tried to reassure the crying child that no, I am not mad at her for dropping the dishes and looking for any wounds that she might have gotten from the glass shards.

At least I managed to kept a smiling poker face while silently mourning my wallet.

(0)

When Summer returned back from her shopping trip ahead of her long time friend -slash- aunt figure, she was expecting a lot of things. Things like the cool air of the air conditioner as opposed to the warm one outside, the sight of a lazy co-worker that may or may not be asleep while standing, having to suffer one of his teasing spree or maybe even having to dodge one of his traps that he had prepared when she was out.

But out of all the things she had prepared herself for when she entered the place that caused so much to change in her life, she was not prepared for this.

The first thing she saw when she entered the cafe was a tiny, child sized panda.

Said tiny panda was walking on it's two stubby legs as it head towards one of the many tables in the cafe. From what she could see, it was heading towards one that had old lady Lavender sitting by it. Lavender was watching the black and white bear approach with clear amusement twinkling in her eyes. Summer also noticed the little steps that the panda made seem to be squeaking whenever it's feet touches the ground as it walk in a jolly manner, skipping lightly every once a few steps that made the little creature all the more adorable to those looking.

She knew it was a kid wearing a panda suit just from a glance, who doesn't. From what she could tell from a brief glace at the child's face, it's little girl perhaps? She wasn't sure yet.

Shaking her eyes away from the panda, Summer quickly look around to see what everyone's reaction was when faced with such an odd scene. She noticed that like her, everyone was staring at the panda with an intense focus. The air was so tense that it could smother a Nevermore as it was flying through. They also seem to be silently cheering it on for some reason, some were whispering to one another excitedly as they look on and Summer got her answer as to why they were doing so when she look back at the child.

When little girl finally reached the table Summer saw that she was carrying a tray with a bowl of soup on it. Just what kind of irresponsible idiot would let a child carry something like that is beyond her. The child seem to be struggling to maintain the balance of the tray as tried to carefully place the tray on the table. Due to her height, that task proves to be a problem and she could clearly see puddles of the soup already spilled onto the tray. Her first instincts were to rush over and help, taking the tray from the tiny panda so that she doesn't hurt itself. But upon seeing how hard she was trying, she felt compelled to join in the silent cheering and she did so with gusto while still not clearly understanding the situation around her.

And the question still remained, why is there a child in a panda suit in the cafe?

Summer quickly tore her gaze away from the adorable child and glance towards the counter, hoping to find her co-worker there. He would most likely know just why a kid serving the customers in his place. But when her eyes landed on the familiar looking male, she found that her co-worker was holding his breath, his body entirely tensed and his eyes were starting at the panda with a gaze so serious that she had wondered if it was actually someone else standing there. This would be the first time since knowing him had she seen him so focused without a trace of the usually lay back atmosphere around him. If anything, he looked outright horrified and is about to suffer a heart attack from all the stress he's feeling before fainting.

She never imagined that she would see him this way. It's already odd by itself that he could actually feel stressed at all with the way he choose to live his life.

It's just so weird to see him so alert for a change. Usually he only put in effort or attention when he's trying to get a raise out of her or when Aunt May was nearby. She briefly wondered if the person behind the counter was actually an imposter and had replaced her co-worker during the time she was out.

But that thought was cut short rather abruptly when she heard a soft clunk originating from where the panda was last seen, followed by sharp gasps all around her from the other customers. She quickly turn her head back to the child, fearing the worst as she thought the tiny thing might have tilted the bowl too much and spilled the soup completely.

Summer saw the bowl on the tray wobble visibly even from a distance and the contents were spilled just a little bit more, splashing onto the tray and table. She also noticed that the child had turn her head just enough for her to see her face. Apparently, the panda head was actually just a life like hood and underneath that hood revealed a doll like face with a tanned skin tone. Her short brown bangs that were clearly visible along with a pair of brown eyes widen in fearful panic.

'Oh no it's going to spill over!'Summer thought to herself, her hands shot upwards to cover her mouth to stop herself from gasping out loud as she watched in muted horror while the bowl continue to wobble.

Everyone seem to be holding their breath as they watched, the entire cafe turned deadly silent like a graveyard in the dead of night. At the corner of Summer's eyes, she saw her co-worker had already pushed himself half-way over the counter.

It looked like he was about to jump towards the table where the child was at to stop the bowl from completely spilling over but she knew that he would not be fast enough. Thankfully, just when he was about to leap off and most probably slam his face onto the floor due to his positioning, the bowl then made one last clunk as it finally settle down on the tray, staying as still as a statue and everyone breath out in relief at the same time.

Jerkface promptly slump over the counter like a puppet with it's strings cut and let out a long, tired sounding sigh as he relaxes. Perhaps he's relaxing a bit too much because he looked like he had fallen asleep there, completely unmoving as he became one with the wooden worktop.

Oh, who was she trying to kid. He totally fell asleep there. How he managed to keep his job for so long with that lazy personality of his is a wonder that's for sure. Maybe she should ask Aunt May one of these days to get an answer if she could remember to.

The little girl still had a look of panic on her face as she stare at Old lady Lavender, no doubt still thinking about the mess she had made as she looked down at the table and then back towards the old woman.

The old lady didn't seem to mind the spilled soup as she move the bowl away from the tray while the child appeared to be frozen in shock. She also seem to be largely amused by the sight of a hardworking panda as she smile warmly at the child. She gingerly reached out her hand and stroke the girl on the head, saying something to her to ease her worries.

The child seemingly relaxes and let loose a small giggle as she nodded to what the old woman was saying. She quickly took out a cloth from somewhere on her, most likely a pocket or something and proceeds to clean the table and the tray. Idly, Summer noticed that it's the same one that she usually uses when she wipes tables. When the child was done the old woman said something that Summer could interpret as a 'thank you' due to having heard it so many times while working here and could recognize the lip motion. The child nodded bashfully, trying to hide her face behind the tray she was carrying before leaving with a happy smile on her face.

She was skipping merrily on her way and creating squeaks when her feet touches the ground as she head to serve other customers.

Upon seeing such a scene Summer could help but snicker to herself as a feeling of giddiness arose in her chest upon seeing something so cute. She wasn't the only one enjoying the sight of a child in a panda costume running about because the rest of the customers seem to be in good mood themselves. But now that the panda serving event was over, Summer quickly snap her mind back to the problem at hand, her face took on a serious expression as her eyes wander towards the only person in the vicinity that may or may not explain to her just what's going on.

Said person was still slouching over the counter, still haven't moved an inch since attempting to vault over it. With a roll of her eyes, Summer started moving forward towards the counter to wake him up and start interrogating him for answers. Hopefully he would answer without any of his word games that he usually employ to keep her distracted until he found a way out.

But as she was moving, the child in the panda suit had, for some inexplicable reason, suddenly dash towards her from her blind spot. But being someone who had trained in a combat school before, she had noticed the incoming child missile even before she saw her. But truthfully, it's because of the rapid squeaking the child made whenever she took a step. Summer twisted around towards the source of the sound only to be greeted with the sight of the panda rushing towards her with a bright and happy smile on her face.

Once the little girl got close enough, she leaped and latched onto her leg like a koala, or rather, like a panda. Thankfully, Summer had succeeded in suppressing her instinctive response towards flying ballistics otherwise she would have dodged out of the way or used the nearby furniture as a shield. Either way, the child would have been hurt had she reacted defensively and she was thankful that she didn't; but it didn't stop her from feeling confused at the child's actions and her body from tensing like a coiled spring when she suddenly jumped at her.

The child had managed to knock her back a few steps since she didn't expect that much force behind her charge but that's all she managed to do. A pair of brown eyes look up at her that seem to be sparkling with childish innocence as they stared into her silver ones. Said silver eyes could only stare back in pure confusion as the owner of said eyes tried to figure out what the child wanted and why she's sticking to her like so.

At the sight of the curious child tilting her head to the side at her in a quizzing manner, Summer suddenly had the unexplained urge to glomp the kid in the panda costume, cuddle her and then rub her cheeks against hers. It had taken most of her willpower just to stop herself from gushing over the child and she sorely wishes she could just pick her up and snuggle away.

It should be noted that Summer was wearing her casual grab right now instead of her work uniform; mainly because walking in the streets while wearing a maid outfit is just plain embarrassing for her. The stares she would get would be too much for her, especially the weird ones she would get from the males. She knows for a fact that Jerkface wouldn't mind being in his uniform when he goes out to do stuff but that's mainly because he's just too plain lazy to change them and opt to just go with whatever's convenient for him.

She also had a faint feeling that he would walk around naked if he couldn't find something to wear for the day. Maybe that's why she took it upon herself to bring in the laundry for the two people that were living here whenever she came by just so she wouldn't have to witness a traumatic event. But she left his underwear alone though. There's no way she's going to touch that vile piece of undergarment even if some sort of miracle weapon that could erase all Grimms from the face of existence was hidden in there.

She didn't know what's worst, the fact that she was already familiar enough with him to guess his habits or that she had already accepted that kind of thing is the norm for him and started taking steps to counter them.

Looking back at the child, her mind started to run a mile a minute with countless questions being processed but not one has been answered.

Who's this girl? Where did she get that costume and where can I get one? Why is she hugging my leg? Can I pinch those wittle cheeks of hers? Why is there a little girl in the cafe in the first place? Can I take a picture with her-

Summer's thoughts were cut off when the child's innocent smile turned into a wide grin that spread across her face. For some reason, it unnerved her a lot as the visage reminded her of a wolf removing it's sheep clothing...and her weird coworker whenever he's about prank someone.

"Mummy!" she called out to her and then smother her own face against her leg like an excited cat would when trying to get it's owner's attention.

And just like that, Summer's brain came to a crushing halt and she could only stare at the child with her mouth agape. The child's shout managed to attract the attention of almost everyone in the cafe and all eyes were on her before she even knew it. Thankfully she didn't notice them as her brain had malfunctioned and was attempting to reboot itself; otherwise, she would be a blushing mess right now from all the attention she was getting.

The patrons within the cafe were watching the two girls like they've just found the latest juicy gossip to talk among themselves.

A sharp gasp came from the back of the cafe and that was what restarted Summer's brain.

Summer snap her gaze away from the adorable chibified child of unknown origins and look straight towards the counter where the gasp originated from. There she found her lazy co-worker with his hands covering his mouth. The expression of pure disbelief was etched onto his face like a painting, clearly visible for all to see; his bright blue eyes were widen in surprise as he stare at her incredulity and his bangs were hanging slightly in front of them as he reel his head back from his slouching position. Now that she thought about it, his hair was a bit longer than she first met him, jet black and quite ridiculously spiky that it reminded her of a pincushion. Just how long had it been since he last got a haircut?

Oh right, practically never, because he never went out unless forced. She had also asked what kind of gel did he used to make them stand up like that and the amount it would take to keep it that way but according to him, it's all natural.

Anyone looking at him right now would think that he was genuinely shocked at the sight of a six year old child calling someone that's barely fifteen mother, but not Summer. No siree.

That's mainly because she knew what kind of person he is by now. Just looking at that obviously fake shocked face of his made her suspected that he may have a hand in the mysterious child calling her mother.

Heck, why did she even bother to suspect him. It's definitely him. Definitely.

"Well I never, Summer!" he exclaimed in a way that managed to sound like he had been struck by lightning. It didn't help that there was a flash of light and the clapping of thunder going off behind him at the moment. It would've been extremely convincing had she not already knew that he was faking it. His hand was probably on the light switch under the counter that he would occasionally use for dramatic effects like that fake lightning strike just now. She had no idea how and where he got that sound effect though. Must be something new.

"You never told me that you had a child already. To think that you have been leading me on for so long with all the flirting we did. Oh, how my poor, fragile heart shatters." He cried out dramatically as he clutches he chest, the area around him went dark with only a spot light shining on him.

Summer instantly facepalmed.

It's been three months and he still hasn't let that go. It briefly made her wondered why they were still friends in the first place. But if she were to be honest, he's genuinely a nice guy when he wasn't being annoying like right now, not that she would ever admit that to his face. She was also reminded that things were usually more interesting when he's around because he tends to make you stay on your toes if you don't want to be surprised by the things he does.

"Okay, one." She lifted a finger up. "She's not my child and two," another finger joined the first as a small red hue became slowly visible on her face as she maintained eye contact with the guy. "We have never, in any possible way, been flirting with each other and three, I think your poor shattered heart could take a few more beatings."

"Weeeeeellllll, my heart could probably take a rocket blast without much problem but only once though because I'll be dead if I actually tried." Jerkface stated while dropping the act with an amused smirk on his face as he did a so and so gesture with his hand. "Also, you have no proof that she isn't your child." The lighting had already turned back to normal as he lean against the counter, placing his chin on his palms and wagging his eyebrows.

The panda child look up at her with bright glistening eyes and pouted at her. "Is Mummy mad at me?" she asked with a heartbroken voice, her lips were quivering as those brown eyes of hers stare into her silver ones.

She wanted to hug her. She wanted to hug her so badly but she settled with patting her head gently, causing the little girl to squirm under her touch before giving Jerkface a deadpanned look. "Unless you have severe short shortsightedness, you can clearly see that we look nothing alike. You must have bribed her or something to get her to do this." She said as she pointed at the oh so adorable child, her voice the same as her gaze: as dry as Vacuo's deserts.

"Well, you're half right about that. She's actually willing to do it for free thought but I'm still going to pay her anyway because I'm such a great guy." Jerkface shrugged casually with not a single trace of shame in sight for using an innocent child for his own amusement.

"Well, whatever prank you were planning has failed." Summer declared with her chest puffed up in pride. It's all thanks to spending too much time with him that had let her develop a kind of resistance to avoid being turned into a flustered red mess. It had been a long and tenacious journey for her. Every single time they met he would try something to get to her and it would always ended up her getting all red and shuttering as he laugh or snickers at her when she did.

All those tortured days she had spent being agonized by her embarrassment had finally saw fit to reward her. Now she could take at least a few compliments or teasing from Jerkface without going red. And thanks to the hints and tips from a certain anonymous aunt of hers, she is slowly getting back at him now. There's no way she's going to let him win all the time after all.

Jerkface, to her shock and surprise, pouted. An honest to Oum's genuine pout. She had seem him pout before alright but all those time it was just him pretending to be upset or dissatisfied. Now though, now he seemed to be upset for real that his prank didn't go the way he had intended. Not that she know what he was planning in the first place.

"Alright Amber, you did your part, you can let go now." Jerkface told the child with a disappointed tone as he let out an annoyed huff, crossing his arms around his chest as he sulks deeply while his eyes darting down towards the panda latched onto her leg.

Summer had to stop herself from fist pumping in victory

When the words left his mouth, the panda child disengaged from her hold and hopped a few steps back before spinning around on her heels to face Jerkface. Amber, as she was called, did a childish salute with her hand but ended up swatting off her hood instead, revealing her short brown hair for the world to see. She let out a surprised 'ah' before quickly tugging the hood back on and scampering away towards the counter.

Once Amber reaches it, she suddenly shot Jerkface a thumbs up, grinning widely with her teeth showing while Jerkface gave her a thumbs up of his own along with an approving nod. Summer couldn't help but feel like she's missing out on something as she watch the two interact with each other. Amber then place both her hands together, palms up and held it towards Jerkface with a look of anticipation. Said person just frowned and place a lollipop on her hands before she cheerfully stuff them down her costume's pocket.

"Remember, enough sweets for today okay?" Jerkface warned the child, surprising Summer as he sounded stern for once. Amber just pouted before giving a reluctant nod and dart off to the side to do her own thing, leaving Summer and Jerkface alone.

With Amber gone, Jerkface just melted back into the counter, hoping that no one would see him so he'd have more things to do. But it's pretty useless as he would always be the first thing people see when they entered this place.

Summer couldn't help but smile at how happy Amber looked as she move away before turning her attention back to the male. "So what was the prank you were planning on pulling with her anyway?" Summer asked as she move closer so they don't have to raise their voices when they talk. It would certainly stop a lot of people from overhearing their conversation.

Jerkface gave her a confused frown before he closed his eye, one of his hand went up to rub his chin as he hmm'd like he's actually doing some deep thinking. "Not sure, can't remember." he finally told her with a shrug.

"Seriously?" Summer uttered out in disbelief, unsure whether or not to believe him.

"Hey, what can I say, I have a short memory span. If a plan already fails and no longer have any value, I purge it from my memory for more space to store more of my dastardly plans."

"It's been only a few seconds."

"What were we talking about again?" He asked innocently while tilting his head in confusion but Summer could see the twitching at the corner of his lips, just like all the other times he would when he did something to irritate her on purpose. He's hiding something, that's for sure.

"Ugh, never mind." Summer gave up on pursing the subject, rolling her eyes and lightly shaking her head in resignation. And to think she had wondered just what kind of secrets he was trying to hide from her three months ago and was curious to know more about him. Now she's not really sure if she ever wanted to find out just what is going on inside that head of his. The more she learned the more she wished she didn't. She can already imagine the horrifying jumbled mess that made up most of his thinking process.

And so, in effort not to pry into the mind of someone who would pour ketchup all over fries like a deranged psychopath, Summer turned her gaze towards the kid that's hiding behind a pot of plant and happily sucking on the lollipop, looking like she has just entered her own little heaven. It looks like the plant was positioned just right so Jerkface couldn't see her. "So, who's the child?" Summer finally asked the main question that had been plaguing her mind.

Jerkface inexplicably stood up straight, those bright blue eyes of his seem to shining with their usual mischievous glint in them, one that she had seen plenty of times during the duration of the time she had spent working here. That by itself was enough to make her worry. The look in his eye usually meant she would be in the receiving end of a prank or his.

Jerkface then did a grand gesture towards the child in panda suit was supposedly at, both arms stretched out towards her and face brimming with pride, like someone dramatically presenting something of grand importance. "She's the product of our love! Please acknowledge her existence and let her call you mummy." He announced with a grin worthy of his namesake.

Summer bristled as her face suddenly flushed a healthy shade of red. She wanted to say that she would never have a kid with him but she remembered the look in his eyes and didn't fall for the bait. Instead she just narrowed her eyes, forcing down her blush through plenty of practice that she had before and gave him the best deadpanned stare she could muster.

"Ha ha ha." Summer said, as in, saying those words out loud instead of actual laughing. Her eyes narrowed a thin margin, her eyes never leaving his with her deadpan look still in place. "Yeah, no. The joke wasn't funny the first time and it certainly isn't funny the second." Her tone was so cold that it could freeze hell over.

Jerkface drops his arms with a slouch before he look to the side with pout. "You're no fun at all. It used to be so easy too." Jerkface muttered the last bit to himself but Summer heard and tried her best to hide her grin. She was immensely satisfied that her poker face held like she intended. Usually it's not so perfect and she'd look like her entire face was twitching and he'd call out on her bluff.

"I'm still here you know." she added, sounding rather smug.

Jerkface immediately turn back to her. "But how can you be so su-"

"That's because I could and most certainly would, remember giving birth to a child." She stated the obvious with a roll of her eyes.

"Ah! That's because I was the one who gave birth to her instead!" He declared, sounding ever so serious that manged to stun those who were listening in on their banter into silence because of the sheer conviction in his tone. Gasps echoed all around, shock and surprise was clearly the main emotions they were feeling as some heads that were originally pretending to be focusing on their own table snapped towards the scene

The silence was broken when Summer started snickering, doing her best to stop herself from laughing out loud. She purse her lips together with a hand over her mouth in her attempts to hold her laughter in. His claim was so absurd that Summer really couldn't help herself. "Really, who's the kid." Summer asked once she managed to get her laughter down.

"Who?"

"Kid in the panda suit. That's who."

"Oh, that's Amber." Jerkface answered before shutting up, as if telling her that that was all she's getting about their new waitress. A few moments passed in silence as they stare at one another, Jerkface looking rather neutral while Summer just looked unamused.

"And?"

"And what?"

"Care you elaborate a little more on the mysterious child?" Summer pointed at the child behind the large flowerpot.

"Oh. That." Jerkface intoned, finally noticing that Amber was eating the sweet that he had specifically told her not to. "Oh Amber~ come over here please." He called out to her in an oh so sweet voice that sounded like it was filled to the brim with promise of punishments. Oddly enough, Summer almost thought that it was Aunt May that was standing in Jerkface's place because he sounded so much like her when she was in her parenting mode.

The plant suddenly jerked as Amber flinched behind it and slowly poke out her head to see whether or not she had misheard her name being called. Jerkface didn't look amused when he saw the lollipop in her mouth and pointed at the ground in front of the counter, silently telling the child to get over there immediately.

A guilty look was ever present on Amber's face when she slowly walk over with her head down to where Jerkface was pointing, looking like a criminal walking towards her execution with their shoes squeaking with each step. Summer couldn't help but be reminded of the squeaky shoes that she often seen toddlers wore.

When Amber reached the counter Jerkface lean over the counter and place his open palm near her mouth and nodded at it. Amber took her lollipop out of her mouth and placed it there. Jerkface ignored the stickiness of the candy and gave her a stern stare. Amber had the decency to look sheepish as she let out an 'eh he he', rubbing the back of her head with her tongue sticking out.

With a roll of his eyes, he wrap the lollipop in a wrapper and put away. "Anyway, someone is really interested in meeting you so I thought I'd might as well introduce you two."

"Really?" Amber asked eagerly with a bright smile, her entire body seem to be vibrating with energy as she stop in front of the two, her eyes darting towards Summer tilt her head in an angle that seem to convey curiosity.

"Amber, the Tiny Panda, meet Summer, The Cookie Snatcher. Summer The Cookie Snatcher, meet Amber the Tiny Panda." Jerkface introduced them, nodding at each of them respectively.

"Oi!" Summer cried out. "It was just one time! And what's with the weird titles you keep giving people?" she finished with a bemused glace at the male's direction.

"And it just had to be the one time that I was actually looking forward to trying that new recipe. I spent the whole day thinking about them too." The male murmured in annoyance, sending a glare that caused Summer to glance away while whistling as innocently as she could. "Anyway, elaboration complete. I do believe that my job's done here." He nodded to himself in sanctification, feeling like he had accomplished a great deal and completely neglecting the part where he's suppose to explain to her where the child came from, why she's here and what are they suppose to do with her.

Summer just stare at him, her flat expression seem to convey that she is anything but amused. Amber just tilt her head to the side as she watched them both with waning interest.

Jerkface gave Summer a goofy grin but it died an ugly death when he saw the narrowed eyed stare that Summer was giving him. It seem to have deterred his will to continue messing with her. Of course it would, she had given him that look enough times for him to know that it's time to stop or else he'd suffer the consequences. Mainly, more chores for him to do as Summer pushes hers onto him as punishment. If there's anything else he hates more than being forced outside, it's more work to do.

"I sorta found her outside and took her in because she was hungry." he quickly blurted out. Summer blinked in surprise, her gaze turning towards Amber and found that she had already lost interest in what they were doing and was sneaking around the counter to where Jerkface had placed her lollipop.

"So, you just happen to find a random child outside….and took her in? Just like that?" Summer worded carefully so that they would be no misunderstandings, arms crossed and gazing into Jerkface's eyes for any sign of lying...not that she had that particular skill in the first place but that didn't stopping her from trying.

"Yep." he responded immediately, completely unaware what Summer was trying to imply when she said that.

"I'm guessing that you made her work for you in exchange for food?" Summer asked, thinking back to when she first saw Amber when she was serving the old lady.

"Yep." he repeated in a 'no big deal' kind of way and popping the 'P'

"So it's basically forced child labour then?" Summer's exclaimed in surprise but not loud enough for everyone else to hear.

"W-what!? No no no no no!" Jerkface panicked as he wave his arms in front of him. "I didn't force anyone to do anything! I can't believe you would even think I would do something like that….well, I did trick her into thinking that she could pay off her nonexistent debt if she helped out." He finishes with a sheepish smile.

"I'm calling the cops." Summer said, sounding rather unsure if she should send her (maybe) friend behind bars for scamming a kid into debt as her hand reach into her skirt pocket for her scroll. Now that she thought about it, there was the sinking suspicion that maybe he did the same to her when they first met since she's also in debt because of him.

Jerkface's eyes widen to great proportion at her claim and he quickly turned his attention towards Amber, the Tiny Panda, thinking that maybe he could use her as a distraction to stop Summer from calling the cops on him. "Amber, what do you say when you meet someone new?" he tried to hide the panic in his voice as he asked her in a way a parent would when trying to get their children to do something.

Amber immediately come to his aid without question and ran around the counter to meet Summer, eyes shining brightly. "Hello, I'm a panda." She greeted cheerfully as she shot her hand up into the air in greeting. Then she place both her hands near her chest, fingers arched to act like paws before she skipped forward and let out a squeaky 'rawr'.

Her sudden greeting cause Summer to temporary forget what she was about to do and she switch her focus to the little panda. "Hi….? Yes, I can see that." Summer greeted back and instinctively took her hand out of her pocket to give a small wave. She was a bit taken aback by how energetic Amber was but then again, it could be all the sugar she had consumed. Again she was hit with the unexplained urge to pinch those soft little cheeks of hers and smother her with hugs. Her fingers were twitching just to do just that.

"Pandas don't go 'rawr' Amber. They're more docile creatures and uses a variety of sounds to communicate with each other; some growl, some squeak others bark or huff. It really depends on what they wanna say though." Jerkface explained sagely, secretly relief that Summer was no longer in process of pulling her scroll out.

"How and why do you know something like that?" Summer gave him a quizzing stare with an eyebrow raised.

"Useless internet trivia." he answered

Amber tilt her head with a frown, eyebrows furrowing together and looking to be in deep thought before brightening up again. "Then I'll just go 'ruff' instead" she barked, her child like voice only made it all the more adorable, her hands still acting like paws by her chest. If she had a tail, it would totally be wagging excitedly.

"That would probably be a dog instead." Jerkface pointed out.

Summer crouched before Amber, both her knees pulled up to her chest and her hands placed on her knees as her bright silver eyes gaze warmly into Amber's brown ones. "Oh~ aren't you just adorable." she half cooed, half squealed as she went to pinch her cheek with both hands, earning a squeak from the girl as she tries to swat the hands away from assaulting her cheeks.

"Big bro Alex! S'fe mwe!" Amber cried out in panic as she struggled to escape from Summer's grasp.

"Who?" Summer stops her abuse on those little cheeks of hers upon hearing an unfamiliar and strange name coming from Amber. Then again, she had never met the child before so it wouldn't be strange if she call out to someone she never knew. But still, Alex? Now she's curious to meet someone with such an odd name.

"That would be me." The male in front of them helpfully supplied.

"Wait, your name is Alex!?" Summer exclaimed in surprise as she turn to face him. Her brain was wracking her memories for a time where he had ever mentioned his name to her. But it was after searching for a moment did she became aware that he had never told her his name before. Alex, huh. What kind of colour is that?

Amber used the chance Summer's pause had given her to escape and she broke free from her grasp with a quick yank of her head. Summer's fingers slid off effortlessly from those smooth cheeks of her and Amber quickly dart away to hide behind the counter. Summer's head snapped back to face the little panda. Amber's head was poking out to see whether or not Summer was going to follow her just to pinch her again as she glared rather angrily at the redhead. Amber's face were slightly red and stinging now but other than that, there was no harm done.

At the sight of Amber's distrustful stare, Summer couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed for losing herself like that and chuckled as she rub the back of her head. The little girl just duck back behind the counter after sticking her tongue out at her.

"Well, yeah. Why?" Alex finally answered her question, tilting his head slightly in an inquiring manner. Summer return her attention back to him before answering.

"Alex is such a weird name Is that why you never told me in the first place?" She regarded him with quizzing expression and Amber just let out a 'Ha' as she point at finger at Alex, looking like she had won some sort of argument and is looking quite proud of herself.

She could see his eyebrows twitched as he smiled at Amber, but unlike most of his smile, this one seemed strained. It's almost like he's feeling annoyed that his name was being mocked. He uses his hand to make the go away gesture at her and Amber dutifully obeyed, giggling as she left them alone. Once she's gone Alex turn his attention back to Summer "It's because you never asked." he told her in mock ruefulness. "You've known me for months and you never bothered to ask for my name? Then again, you have been calling me Jerkface ever since you've known me. It's almost like you wanted my name to be Jerkface." He accused with an expression of obviously fake hurt, pouting and quivering his lips as he look sadly at her.

"Well, it's not my fault that you always have that stupid grin on you face." Summer retorted as she cross her arms in front of her chest, turning to the side as she pouted with a small huff.

"Well, it's not my fault that you're always so fun to tease." He countered.

"Then stop teasing me!" Summer let out as she put her hands on her hips and stood tall, glaring at Alex while trying to look intimidating. But unbeknownst to her, her attempt to look somewhat threatening has severely diminished in effect because she was pouting and Alex just smiled at the sight, clearly enjoying her reactions.

"Then stop being so cute!" He quipped back, unable to hide the amusement he's feeling in his voice.

"I don't know what you find cute about me at all!" Summer replied, looking slightly miffed because she couldn't understand what he has to gain by riling her up so much as her back arched like an angry cat.

That caused Alex to paused and put his hand on his chin as he stroke his non-existent goatee. "That's a tough one. Pretty much most your facial expressions are some kind of cute." he finally said, grinning like an idiot.

Summer spluttered denials almost immediately with a reddish hue on her face, trying her best to hide the fact that his comment got her flustered. Evidently she failed because Alex was making the face that got him the name Jerkface in the first place. Summer look away and took a deep breath to calm down. She could feel the heat on her cheek receding after a moment and sighed exasperatedly. "Ugh, you're impossible to talk to." She paused before continuing. "Alex's still a strange name though. It doesn't even sound like it could be linked to a colour." She murmured out the last part.

"No it is not!" He uttered out with a scandalized gasp. "I-It-" He stopped short, unable to continue and his eyes started darting around as if trying to find some sort of answer hidden around the place. His eyes stopped on the light bulb hanging above them and his eyes widen as some sort of idea seem to form in his mind. His eyes quickly snapped back towards Summer. "It stems from electricity! Just replace the 'E' with a 'A' and cut out the rest after the 'T' and place an 'X' there." he told her, but there was a certain uncertainty in his voice. It almost like he just made it up on the spot and wasn't sure if it would fly.

Probably because he did.

But she's going to conceded to his argument mainly because she didn't think it would be worth the effort to continue arguing. "That makes sense I suppose." She told him. "Still sounds strange though."

"Says the girl that was literally named after a season." he remarked.

"Hey! I'll have you know that my name is actually quite common." Summer righteously defended her own name.

And so, their banter continued as they went off track again and again with no end in sight as Summer kept forgetting to ask what they were suppose to do with Amber.

She will in time though.

(0)

"I could teach her how to be a waitress so that she could replace you one day." I told Summer when she finally asked what I'm going to do with Amber. One of my hand was held up high and holding on to the third lollipop Amber had taken out to eat without me noticing. Amber is currently hopping in place, trying to reach her sweet without any progress and choose to latch onto my leg and started climbing up like I'm some kind of bamboo tree. You know, if I were completely green, it would look like a panda trying to reach for the leaves (read: lollipop) at the top of the branch.

Seeing that Summer's no longer going to be with us anymore once she's out of debt, we're going to need more help around here. The cafe -slash- tavern is getting really popular these days and honestly and we're ridiculously understaffed. It's a miracle that the customers were all patient enough to wait for their orders to arrive, even if it took about half an hour to a full hour to do so. I've heard Boss muttering to herself about needing to hire some help once Summer's gone too.

"Replace me? Why!? Do you really hate me that much that you're willing to use a random child that you've found on the road for a substitute?" Summer accused with a frown. The confusion and sadness was clearly evident in her voice as she asked me that; poor girl looked like a kicked puppy.

"No, it's not like that Summy." I said with both my hands placed in front of me in a placating gesture, smiling wearily. I'm not even sure if I'm capable of hating such an adorable creature like her. "The reason why you're being replaced is because your debt is almost paid back in full. You only have to work until the end of the month before you no longer have any reason to work here. I thought you knew that." Not that she knew of course but at least it would cause her to pause to think about whether or not me or Boss had ever mentioned the little tidbit to her. Something which she's doing right now because she had a thoughtful look on her face. "With you gone, we're going to need more help more than ever. I don't fancy taking on the zombie horde all alone without a cute mascot to act as distraction." I continued.

I'd figure Summer would be happy to know that she no longer has to suffer all that teasing from me but yet, somehow she didn't look so happy as I thought she would as she regarded me with a raise eyebrow. "Are you serious? Because I don't remember something like that being mentioned before." That question was delivered with so much skepticism that I couldn't help but mimic Summer's action and raise an eyebrow of my own, feeling no small amount of surprise.

Wow, to think that someone like Summer is actually capable of being suspicious of something. She had grown so much since we've first meet that I really couldn't tell whether or not I should feel proud or guilty that I have a hand in that. There was one thing that I figured out very quickly about her during the first week here is that she was somewhat gullible.

Okay I lied. She was very gullible.

She usually just believed me no matter what I say and boy did I took advantage of that just to see how far her naivety goes. Last time she even believed me when I say that cotton candy was made out of cloud particles that people harvest. Looks like she finally learned to take what I say with a SDC crate full of salt.

Oh how I'll miss the old naive little Summer, but at least her naivety would show ever once in a while so that's fine. Then again, it was my fault that she's starting to be more cautious than before so I can't complain. Clearly she hasn't forgiven me for tricking her into eating raisin cookies thinking that they were chocolate.

"Serious is my middle name." I answered her cheekily with a smile.

"Alex Serious? Now your name just went from odd to ridiculous." Summer told me as she shook her head lightly, trying her best to hide her smile so she could stick to her serious inquisition mode. "What's your last name then? Might as well just tell me so I don't have to find out in some big reveal later. I know how dramatic you can be from time to time."

Hmm, I could tell her my full name since there's not much of a point to keep it hidden. But it's not like I ever tried to in the first place; the subject just never came up. I'm still impressed that I'm able to get by for three months without even naming myself.

There's still the colour aspect of the naming rule to consider. Sure some people around here have names that could be considered normal in my world but their last or middle name will always have something to do with colours. My real name sure as hell didn't have anything related to them. Will the people around me become more suspicious of me if I were to told them my full name? At least with Alex I can still pass it off as electricity. I could use a fake one but hell, I have a very bad naming sense and it might just be worst than my real name.

Then again, I could always change the subject.

Oh well, time to pull an excuse straight out of my ass...or from my dirty mind to use as a distraction. Preferably by saying something that would stop her from asking ever again all the while leaving her a blushing mess. I really like to see her blush. I miss those times where it could easily be achieved.

Alright Brain, don't fail me now. Give me something to work with here.

And just as I had asked the organ floating in cerebrospinal fluid inside my skull like some mad scientist's test subject, it had provided a reasonable answer dutifully. Or rather, the organ down south did, the one that could never be trusted with logical thinking and decision making.

"Well...my last name could be Rose if you want it to be." I suggested without thinking, the words come straight out of my mouth without having a chance for my brain to properly comprehend it first. It's like all the other times I could have avoided trouble had I just stop for a second just to think about what's about to come out of my mouth.

I blinked, surprised at what I had said. I blinked again and let loose a mental irritated growl at my libido for even thinking of that in the first place. No, bad libido. Seriously, I know she's cute and all but dudeeeee she's Ruby's mum. That fact by itself is enough to ward me away from ever getting too close to her least I prevented the adorable ball of cuteness and sunshine from ever being born if I interfere too much. Sides, she's jailbait right now, not that I know the legal age for sex is in this world so we're following the laws of my old one for now. Oh well, what's said is said and could never be taken back. Hope I didn't just dig my own grave with that line.

Wait, since I'm technically the same age as her, does that mean I'm also underage to have sex too?

Curses! And here I was, planning to head to the strip club again one day….once Miss saggy tits no longer works there of course.

And of course, the yet to be fully corrupted Summer had no idea what I was talking about because she just looked confused as fuck right now, which is a good thing I suppose. "Why would your last name being the same as mine have anything to do with-" Summer trailed off, a look of realization dawn upon her features as her eyes widen slowly while looking at me.

Oh well, looks like she knew what I was talking about after all. At least she would think that I'm joking like always, hopefully. Apparently, it took Summer a full five second to understood the implication of what I had said, kinda slow yes but three months ago she would still be obvious to things like that so there's progress there at least. It took her another five to get her face from her usual pale white complexion to resemble a very ripe tomato.

Summer crossed her arms and glared, the redness of her face still hasn't receded a bit. "Never." She stated. "I'd rather marry a miserable drunkard than you." She delivered without her usual trace of shuttering. I couldn't help but feel a little twinge of disappointed about that. It looks like I'll have to step up my game if I ever wanted to get her to be the stammering mess like before. "And I pity whoever ended up marrying you in the future." She added with a tone of finality that this conversation is over before huffing and looking away.

She's trying act calm but I know that she's actually flustered inside. The frantic waving of her ahoge is a dead giveaway. And yet she still wonders how everyone is able to read her so easily. Has she ever looked up at her head? Or does her ahoge stay immobile when she's looking at it in the mirror or senses that it's owner is trying to take a peak at it. Could it be sentient then?

"Eh, I'd rather stay single anyways so your pity is meaningless." I told her truthfully. There's no way I'm going to tie myself down with marriages. The freedom of being single is too intoxicating, there's nothing on Earth, or Remnant, that I would trade it for….maybe video games. Yeah, I'll totally marry the girl that would buy me video games and let me play them in peace every once in a while.

Summer just rolled her eyes at me. "I'm guessing that's your excuse for not being able to get a girlfriend. I'll be surprise if someone could even like you the way you are." She was sporting a grin now, satisfied that she managed to get a jibe in. "Anyway, are you really not lying when you said I'm almost out of debt?" She asked, almost hopefully.

Seeing that there's no point in dragging things out like I usually do, I answered. "Yep."

Summer blinked, clearly not expecting me to just give out the answer like I just did. She'd probably expected something among the lines of diversion or some light teasing but she carried on anyway. "I was under the impression that I owe much more than I've been earning."

"Well, I may have exaggerated a bit when I told you the amount you owe. You kinda only have to pay Boss a hundred lien at best."

"A bit!? You said I owe Aunt May at least a thousand lien for the repairs." Summer cried out exasperatedly.

"Yeah, a bit. All I did was add another zero at the end. No big deal there." I shrugged.

"No big-. I've spent many sleepless nights just agonizing about the amount I owe. It would've at least taken a full year before I could finally pay off my debt." She groaned with her face in her hands and shaking her head.

"It's only a year. It's not that bad you know." I raise an eyebrow, clearly not understanding her plight. Teenagers and their money problem, bah.

"It is if I had to spend my weekends meeting you for a whole year." She said in a joking tone, smiling slightly.

"Ouch. That kinda hurt." I put my hands on my chest to give her an expression of mock hurt.

Summer snorted, but still remained smiling. "You know, my life used to be less aggravating and stressful before I met you."

"But had it ever been this interesting before you met me?" I wagged my eyebrow knowingly with a smirk..

My words made her think about what I've said as she rubs her chin in thought. It didn't take long for her to get her answer. "Huh, I guess you're right about that. But it would be better if I didn't have to see your smug face every time though." She quipped.

I took a step back with a gasp. "How could you even say that!?" I uttered out in shock. "I'll have you know that my mama says that my face is quite dashingly handsome." I told her defensively, not that mum ever did but hey, who needs to know that right?

Summer snorted in amusement. "I think she meant to say repulsively annoying." There's humor in her voice so I took no offense. Not like I could in the first place since she's almost right on the money. Just the annoying part. I'm not that repulsive…. Am I?

I would have replied but the tugging on my sleeve told me that someone was trying to get my attention and I turn my head to see who it was. Amber stood next to me, one hand holding out a notepad for me. "Caztomers' want this." she told me as she said the word 'customers' wrongly. Looks like the little panda had been doing her job all while we grown ups have been slacking off and chatting with each other. What a bad example we have set for her.

"Aww, thanks a lot Amber. And also, it's Customers, not caztomers." I took the notepad from her hand while petting her head with my other hand. Amber squirmed gleefully under my touch as I went to read just what she had wrote.

I immediately felt my eye twitched because what's on the notepad was not words that I was expecting but drawings of what I assume to be a plate with an unidentified object nesting on the middle, spewing magma out of it's pores and with steam coming out of it that looked like a face of something screaming like the damned souls in hell.

No way I'm going to spend my time deciphering this. I'm not a decoder of ancient texts. I would have told Amber about it but she's still looking at me as if I could understand her god awful drawing and waited for me to make it so she could deliver the order. I'd hate to disappoint her so I'd need a new plan. One that hopefully distracts her while I find out just what's drawn on this notepad.

My eyes quickly dart around to see if there's anything I could use and upon noticing the redhead on my side, I believe I've just found the distraction I needed.

"Amber, why don't you become friends with Summer while I go make this eh?" I suggested to the tiny panda as I wave the notepad in my hand. Naturally I'm going to head to whichever table she got the order from and ask again while she's too busy sticking to Summer, firing a metric shitload of childish questions like a minigun with unlimited ammo crafted from her endless pool of childish imagination while giving no opening for Summer to answer.

Amber perked up with a smile, obviously interested with the prospect of getting more friends and nodded excitedly, head bopping up and down with the hood nearly falling off. Then she ran towards Summer, leaping and latching onto her leg as I quickly move away to save my ear from bombardment of questions that would no doubt come from Amber. Obviously, this is when my selective deafness comes to play and I ignored Summer's plead for help as Amber kept asking multiple questions in the span of a few seconds.

I think I've mentioned it before but the kid's got a strong set of lungs.

-0-

"So, care to explain why there's a child here, doing the things that you were suppose to be doing?" Boss questioned sharply, heels tapping on the ground with her hands on her hips as she stare at me with a stern expression that only a very crossed mother could get right.

I gulped, feeling some sort of primal fear from within me. An emotion that had been buried deep and long forgotten within my subconscious due to years of human evolution. But due the sheer pressure that's Boss's emitting, said emotion came springing out of it's prison and took it's rightful place within my mind just to tell me that I've done fucked up. It had been a while since I had seen her like this. I usually did my best to keep on her good side to avoid facing her wrath but now I'm waist deep in shit because of my rather stupid decision to take Amber in instead of just calling the cops myself. I could try to dig my way out but I'm just scared I would only dig my own grave deeper. I'm not willing to test my luck on it without any form of insurance since I've been pushing it a lot lately.

Boss had just returned from her trip to the bank with Junior in tow. Said pack mule immediately head towards the kitchen to place the bags down, looking like he had finally found relief after years of torment and suffering. Summer was slumping down at a free table, forehead first. Her eyes completely devoid of any form of life as smoke continue to emit from her ears.

It looks like has stopped working. Not surprising considering that Amber had been talking her ear off for like twenty minutes straight.

The little girl in question is standing awkwardly in front of the counter, feet shuffling with soft squeaks and hands fidgeting as she look between me and Boss lady, unsure of what to do in this situation as we were talking about her right now.

"It's because she wanted to help?" I told her as I give her a sheepish chuckle.

Boss raised a skeptical eyebrow and look back at the girl, eyes scanning what she was wearing before returning her attention back to me, some kind of emotion was clearly visible behind those green eyes of hers but it was gone before I could tell what it was.

"Er...I can explain?" I spoke up, feeling unnerved by her stare.

"Can you really?" Boss asked with a raised eyebrow.

My eyes dart towards Amber, mind thinking of a reasonable excuse that doesn't sound out of this world but everything I came up with is just that so scrapped that idea. Hyperactive imagination isn't really doing me any good here. I could tell her the truth but that by itself is already odd, not to mention stupid. Then again, they say the truth is often stranger than fiction so why not just used it and hope Boss accepted it at face value.

I look back at the woman in front of me and spoke what comes naturally. "Would you believe me if I said that the kid has a goody two shoes that won't take the food I've given her for free and wanted to pay me back in some way so I gave her some of my chores for her to make up to me?" I said it all without taking a breath, hoping that my fast pace ranting would put Boss off a bit to diminish some of her irritation.

It didn't work. All it did was made her raise her eyebrow further.

"And just where did you find the child that just so happened to be a hungry goody two shoes that's willing to do half your job while you sit behind the counter without even helping her?" Boss crossed her arms in front of her chest, fingers tapping on her biceps as she regarded me with promise of unfathomable suffering in the form of more work, less pay if my answer doesn't satisfy her.

I winched, feeling slightly guilty as her words stabbed me right in the heart. In hindsight, I should have done that from the get go so Amber wouldn't be so nervous when she started. "Right outside?" I answered, shrinking in place and trying to appear as small as possible before the crossed, dangerous looking woman.

"Why was she outside in the first place?" Boss sounded genuinely curious for once.

"I suspected that she was lost and starving, hence the reason why she's so willing to help out when I gave her food. Kinda like a stray puppy now that I think about it."

"And you just took advantage of her, just like that?" If I didn't know any better, Boss sounded kinda annoyed with me for some reason. Hmm, must be my imagination.

"She was offering free help. Who in their right mind would deny free help?" I defended myself, using a perfectly valid excuse to just take random kids in and ensla- put to volunteer duty.

"Not when the one offering to help is obviously a child that got separated from their parent who could be worriedly searching the entire city right this very instant." She retorted instantly, somehow having moved in front of me without me noticing and slamming a fist right down at my head. My face was comically slammed onto the counter as the force of her strike drove my head down.

Ow.

Amber winched as Boss' fist found itself on it's usual spot on my scalp and could only look on with no idea what to do.

"It's one of those common sense things isn't it?" I muttered as I rub my now budding head to ease the pain. Man, the women in this world sure are tough. I think there's a permanent bump on my head and a bruise on both my shoulders after being abused for so long by the only two ladies that I know in this world. I probably deserved it. Probably.

"We really need to have a talk about it one of these days instead of letting you figure everything out all by yourself." Boss sighed, shaking her head.

Oh boy, it's not going to be something to look forward to isn't it? My lack of ability to integrate into society is really showing lately. Then again, what did I expect after spending years holed up inside my home and barely show interest in what's going on outside. I doubt I could tell what I should or shouldn't do back in my own world, let alone this one. It's a miracle that I managed to survive this long.

With another sigh, Boss turn her head towards the rebooting redhead. "Summer." Boss called out and she immediately responded by sitting straight so fast that I could see an afterimage of her laying on the table with it's eyes wide open. It would seem that the trauma of being caught slacking off by Boss that one time remains engraved deep within her as it did to me. Then her shoulders slouched, apparently remembering how tired she was after survive the minigun of questions also known as Amber as she turn to regard Boss.

"Yes?" She asked, sounding as tired as she felt.

"Call the cops." Boss told her with a serious edge in her tone as she eyed me like a criminal suspect. I started to sweat as I gulped in fear. Her words made me feel like I've been placed on the chopping block with Summer as the executioner. I'm not even sure if she's calling to cops to deal with Amber's situation or to deal with me.

Summer was so stunned by what she heard she could only blink in response, that or she just hasn't caught up with what Boss had said and is currently processing it. Her head immediately snap towards me, then towards our employer and once again towards me. Afterwards, a grin worthy of Cheshire cat made way towards her lips as her fatigue seem have to vanish slowly as she held out her scroll in front of her, eyes staring into mine with clear mischief dancing behind those silver iris of hers. I could only gape at her in betrayal. I thought we were cool mate. Had all those cookies I've offered you long ago not enough to sway you to stand beside me during times like these!?

"Sure~!" Okay, Summer sounded rather eager there.

Amber then turn to me, looking very worried as both her little hands clasp together in front of her chest. "Am I in trouble?" She asked, sounding confused and panicky.

"No Amber, Your not." I answered her because I don't need her panicking like a headless chicken if she thought it's her fault. Well, if we're talking schematics then it's technically is her fault but I'm not that heartless as to tell her that... But if we were to look at it logically, it's mostly just my fault because I was too dumb to realise an easy way out of this mess back when I had the chance.

The traitor started dialing on her scroll with a cheeky smirk on her face because she knows just as much as I do that I'm in trouble. Feeling slightly worried that they weren't kidding around, I quickly turn to the green haired woman. "Just to be sure, you're calling the cops report a missing kid instead of a kidnapping right?" I asked in a hopeful tone. Getting into trouble with the cops would mean a lot of problems, especially when I'm not even in any databases in this world...or am I? I don't really understand how dimension traveling works. If I'm lucky then maybe I would automatically have my own identity created and slide into the system when I popped in.

"Of course not." Boss scoffed and I felt like the executioner's axe fell. "Just so you know, anything you say right now will be recorded and held against you in court so I suggest you better not run you mouth as you'd like." she warned.

My mouth slammed shut and my mind started churning for possible loopholes in what Boss had said. But instead of an oh so eloquent and witty response from my brain that would no doubt cause the people in the vicinity to facepalm or sigh in expiration, It decided that it would be funny and gave me one that would no doubt cause a blushing redhead to whack me on the shoulder instead.

"Summer's breasts." I blurted out just as I briefly wondered if it was actually the guy down south that provided that instead of my brain.

Boss looked surprised at what I had just said because her stern and judging look she had adopted ever since she started her inquisition was temporally gone in favour staring at me incredulity. She turn to look at Summer who was busy talking into the phone and didn't heard what I've just said and look back to me, narrowing her eyes as she did so. "Except for those. You'll need to work for them." She told me, a hint of amusement in her tone.

"Damn. There goes that plan." I muttered out in genuine disappointment. Oh well, not like I was expecting it to work in the first place. Amber just tilt her head in a curious manner at our conversation, not really understanding what's being said in front of her and settled with watching us. Then her eyes wandered towards something else and I noticed that Summer was approaching us and walked up next to the green haired woman. She looking rather pleased with herself as if she had done the world a great service that only she knew of.

"I've already informed the police that we've found a missing child." She announced happily with a face that seem to be screaming 'praise me'. "They asked me if I could bring her to the station so they could identify her."

"What? I though you were going to report me as a kidnapper." I look at Summer in a mixture of surprise and confusion.

"Pffff." Summer suddenly place both her hands on her mouth to keep herself from laughing. Even Boss was chuckling to herself as if I had just told a very funny joke. Was it something that I've said? "You, kidnapping? Oh that's rich. As if you'd ever work up the motivation to do something so troublesome." Summer told me with a smile and giggling rather cutely. "Aunt May told me to call the police about a missing child silly. So don't go worrying you butt off like you've committed some sort of crime just for making sure Amber got something to eat and didn't get snatched off by some weirdo-" She suddenly paused as she gave me a once over. "Well, a weirder weirdo then." She added as an after thought with a shrug.

I pouted at Summer for calling me that but choose to ignored it because I'm too relieved to even care that she called me a weirdo. Apparently, I've been worrying too much about getting thrown into jail. But despite no longer feeling like I'm knee deep in shit, there's a question in my mind regarding what Summer had told me. It's about the fact that I've never heard Boss said anything about telling Summer to inform the police about a missing child.

"She did?" I asked in disbelief. "Since when? All I've heard from her was 'Summer, call the cops.'." I quoted, using my fingers to make air quotes.

"It's a girls thing." Summer simply answered cryptically, smiling smugly at me and clearly getting back at me for all those times I've been giving her cryptic answers to her questions.

What's this? Witchcraft? Does this mean the women in Remnant all knows telepathy!? Is my mind no longer a safe haven that I could retreat to just so I could get my privacy and ignore the world!? Anyway, jokes aside, I wonder how long it took for them to understand each other to that degree. They've spent years together so I really shouldn't be that surprise if they could get what they wanted to say across without really saying anything other than doing a couple of motions with either their hands or eyebrows.

"So why do we need to bring her to the station in the first place? If Amber's parents are looking for her, shouldn't the cops tell them where she is so they could come and pick her up instead?" I asked a perfectly reasonable question that may or may not have been born from my unwillingness to go out into the afternoon sun. It's like, 'too freaking hot to be out' degrees out there.

"There are many reasons for that but the main reason was because of that one time." Boss explained, as if automatically assuming that I know just what that one time she was referring to. She seem to have noticed it because I have that 'I have no idea what you're talking about' look on my face, one that she had seen plenty of times since I came here.

Boss just rolled her eyes before continuing her explanation. "Some really bored person made a fake report about finding a lost kid before. Then the parents went there only to find that they have been lied to. It happened quite a few times and now the police is being very cautious so you can't fault them for not taking any chances anymore. Side's, they still need to take your statement and stuff. I don't really know. I've never found a lost child before." Boss ended with a shrug and Summer was nodding along the whole time. But I could tell that she had no idea that something like that had happened either and is just pretending that she does so she doesn't look like she hasn't been paying attention to the news.

Heh, I suppose trolls are universal after all. Well that explains why we can't just tell Amber's parents where she is and wait for them to come get her but I couldn't help but feel that there's something more that Boss' not telling us. Oh well, maybe I'm just reading too much into it. It's not like Boss herself is involved in some shady business dealings with equally shady people right? Right?

"Well then. I suppose we still have time for some interrogation before you take the kid to the station so why don't you head towards the kitchen first while I close shop hm?" Boss suddenly asked in an oh so sweet tone as she smiled, one that never reaches her eyes. It sent shivers down my spine and I couldn't help but gulped involuntarily as the hairs on my body stood on their own.

I quickly glance at Amber, someone whom had been strangely silent during our entire conversation and found that she was missing from her spot. So that's why I haven't heard a peep from her. It looks like during our chat, she decided that she had something better to do and left.

I promptly turn around and tried to run. "I just remembered that I have something very important to do so I'm just going to go-" my words were cut off while I was trying to escape as I felt a hand grabbing onto my collar and I felt the fabric dig into my neck as it halted me from my escape.

"Oh, I'm sure you could spare a few moments to can't you?" Boss said from behind me and I was reminded of a devil collecting it's due. "Summer, take him to the back while I close down."

"Yes ma'am." Summer did a sloppy salute and marched over to take me off Boss' hands. "Come on Alex, let's get going." I heard Summer chirped happily as she got closer. "You can come along too if you want Amber." she told the little panda that had moved behind the counter at some point. Upon hearing her name being called, Amber stick her head out and I saw that she was in the process of unwrapping another candy and I sent her a disapproving stare. Amber quickly hide the goods in her hand and whistled, or at least tried to whistled, as innocently as she could but all that came out of it was her blowing air and saliva out of her mouth.

"Who's Alex?" came the question from the lady holding on to me as I find myself being passed on to the redhead like a ragdoll. I know resisting will get me nowhere so I just stayed limp as Summer grabbed onto the back of my shirt.

"The name of Mr. McSmugface here." Summer told her with a giggle as I found myself being dragged away on the floor to the kitchen and I can't help but feel a sense of déjà vu at what's happening.

"That is one weird name." Boss muttered thoughtfully.

"No it's not!" I cried out. "Alex is a perfectly normal name." I pouted as I wave my arms around and kicked my legs in the air whist being dragged on my ass like a child being put on time out.

"Oh, relax kid. I'm kidding." Boss waved me off with a light shake of her head before she noticed something that caught her attention. "Summer, there's a note stuck on you back."

"Huh? Since when was it there!?" Summer let out in surprise and quickly move her hand to her back to remove said note.

"Since Amber first latched onto your leg." I answered her question proudly, nodding to myself at the accomplishment. A flawlessly executed plan that was. Amber would first get into close proximity to the target and then do something to keep her from suspecting why she needed to get so close. Then I would draw the target's attention away and let her do her thing while the target wasn't looking. I'm rather impressed that it was actually pulled off without a hitch. Normally thing never went so well when I planned something.

Summer frantically grabbed the air around her back a few times as she tires to grab the piece of paper on her back. When she finally got it off her and hold it in front of her to read it. "Kick me." She read out before slowly turning to look at me with a raised eyebrow.

I smiled at her and she planted the note onto my face before dragging me away. Amber followed us all while trying to contain her laughter at the sight of me being dragged away with a paper mask.

….

…..

…...

I place down my cup onto the table after taking a sip from it. "And that's what happened." I told them, eyes scanning the room and looking over the occupants that had gathered to listen to my story. Amber was sitting at the far end with a piece of paper and crayons to keep her busy. Summer and Boss was sitting in front of me while Junior had already returned home as he had done his duty and wanted to escape before Boss gave him another job to do.

"That explained literally nothing. All you did was take a sip from that mug and said those words when we sat down. You didn't even try to explain anything." Boss pointed out, looking very unimpressed with the stunt that I've tried to pull and Summer just nodded at what she had said and Amber was busy doodling away so she didn't heard us.

Odd, usually there should be a scene break in these situation so we could just skip the entire exposition thingy. But it looks like that's nothing like that in real life and I'd really have to explain it to them.

Aww man, I really wish life was a video game and that there's a skip cutscene button somewhere.

-0-

End of Chapter

-0-

AN: Hey guys. Thanks for reading. Originally it's suppose to be longer and more things were suppose to be in it like Summer teaching Amber how to do things properly or meeting one of the canon characters.

I've originally planned that Alex would meet one canon character each chapter so that everyone would know who he is by the time the canon rolls around but then I remembered that he had years before that happened so I left the meeting canon character part to the next chapter.

Then my motivation to write suddenly started flying all over the place and things got delayed a lot. I left even a lot of things out, rushed in a lot of places and well, you get the idea. There's lots of plot holes to find and things that don't make sense that's for sure.

I'm sorry for the low quality of this chapter and I do hope you'd forgive me for that.

I promise to get on with the plot properly instead of dragging it on for no reason on the next chapter so you'd have something to look forward to at least….as soon as I figure out whether I should write the next chapter for The Unseen Guardian or Subject Zero first.

Yeah… planning ahead has never been my forte.