Chapter 2: Small Expectations
As he approached the store, he turned to one of his henchmen. "Gary, I don't want any trouble. This should be easy with the old man." The man simply nodded and awaited further command. With that, Roman advanced into the store.
The inside of the store was nothing too big, but also not limited. It had a wide variety of magazines, ranging from short stories to informational articles. Many people bought Dust Informer, a magazine listing monthly new-found uses for Dust. Another popular short story others ought was named Dust: An Elysian Tail, which followed the adventures of a greatly troubled soldier. This late at night, the store was tended by a very old man who held a great appreciation for Dust. He was surprised when a customer came into his store.
Gary wondered why he was there. After all, he had been informed that the only person there would be the old man. Could Roman not take him singlehandedly, he wondered. While he continued to dwell on those thoughts, he entered the shop with Roman. Roman approached the counter where the man stood. With his hands, he quickly drew a dust pistol and aimed it at the old man who raised his hands in alarm. "I believe you have something I require", Roman said in a low voice. "Please", the old man said, "just take my money and leave." Gary, becoming bored with the usual hold up, moved to scan the store for others. He noticed a girl in the back, one who looked small and weak.
For a moment, he stood there confused. The girl had her back to him. She wore a red and black outfit with a cape. Even her hair was a dark reddish outline among the black hair she had. She was wearing headphones, so Gary moved toward her, drawing his scimitar blade as he advanced.
Oh cool, thought the girl, a new magazine of Dust Informer! She thought of all the ways she might improve Crescent Rose. Without warning, she was roughly yanked backwards and she angrily removed her headphones. "Yes?" she said. "Put your hands in the air", Gary said. "Are you", she hesitated for a moment, "robbing me?" Angrily, he yelled, "Yes!" She simply looked at him. "Oh." Playing along, she motioned him to move forward. With his back to her, she kicked him with a force of a trained warrior. Screaming, Gary flew through the window and landed outside the store. He was surprised, then, when he saw a figure fly past him. Standing, he watched as a monstrous weapon transformed into its true form. She had unsheathed Crescent Rose.
Finally, she thought, back into action with my favorite thing! She glanced around and noticed Roman and three henchmen running out of the store. She shot Crescent Rose. With its scythe shape, the strong shot threw her towards the first henchman. She quickly smashed into him. Following this move, she performed a vertical one-eighty, crushing the second guard beneath the blade. As the final guard fired upon her, she quickly shot her weapon in three different spots, causing her to take a serpentine motion towards him as she knocked him out. Now only she and Roman remained in the opening.