Chapter 2
Love Heart closed his eyes and probed the surrounding area with his mind, searching for any unfamiliar minds that might be pursuing them. Sensing nothing, he shook his head and turned back to the others, who were seated on some large rocks sticking out of the ground.
"Nothing's coming for the moment, it's safe to take a break," Love Heart reported
"Alright, if you say so." Confidence leaned back, lifting her helmet up off her face.
"I can't believe that a snow storm covered the one place we wanted to go. What are the odds?" Shivering Critter crossed her arms, "Glad we got out of there. I hate the cold."
"I'm with you there." Love Heart took a seat on the ground, "After that 10 year winter during the dark age I've had my fill of cold weather anywhere."
"So glad I was still up top in my climate controlled hut for that one. I would have lost my mind!" Critter exclaimed.
Trez wrapped his arm around her shoulder, "OI'll keep you warm love!" Critter smiled and kissed him gently.
"Well do we have a new destination in mind, or are we just going to keep going until something happens?" Confidence asked, lying down on the ground and staring up at the sky.
"There should be a town nearby somewhere, but I lost my bearings while we were running, do you two know what's nearby?" Love Heart directed his question at Trez and Critter.
Taking a moment to look around, Trez then pulled a GPS console from his pack. After a few seconds he returned his attention to the others. "There's a few towns nearby."
"Lemme see." Critter snatched the handheld and glanced at the screen. "There's one we'll hit in an hour or so if we keep heading south."
"Good, as long as there's someplace nearby. So should we get going now or wait a bit?" Confidence Heart asked.
"Wait a little bit. We practically ran the last 20 miles to get away from the storm." Flopping down on her back Critter placed her arms behind her head, smiling as the sun beat down on her.
"Fair enough, as long as we're waiting…" Confidence Heart sat up, crossed her legs and closed her eyes.
Critter shot a questioning look to Trez, who merley said "Meditating." Before reaching over and beginning to run his fingers though Critter's little crest of hair.
"You two do that a lot huh?" Critter directed the question to Love Heart.
"Yeah, all psychics do that, it's more refreshing and re-energizing than sleeping, and using our powers really drains our minds after a while. Though at the moment Cassandra's using clairvoyance to gain some insight about our immediate future,. Love Heart nodded at the fennec.
"Oh good. Wake me when she is done claring her voyance." And with that Critter closed her eyes.
"Not much for psychics are you?" Love Heart asked.
"We're proivate. An she doesn't loike anyone messin with her head. Got enough o that back home. Dinkum?" At Love Heart's confused look he translated, "Understand?"
"Yeah, I understand, but I won't read your mind unless I need to speak with you so no one else can hear," Love Heart reassured him. "I know how much psychics freak people out."
He nodded to him then thought of something. "Have you eva had a psychic read yer moind without permission?"
"I have, I can block it now though but I know how invasive it feels," Love Heart replied. "I try not to read someone's mind unless I need to." Accepting that, Trez fell silent as he kept watch while Critter and Confidence rested. After a while they took to the road once more heading for the town.
The town turned out to be a small but rather brightly lit one, a small glowing pyramid easily visible near where the center of the settlement.
"A magical town, at least we know the coalition won't be here," Confidence Heart said, relaxing, "keep your eyes open though, something's gonna happen here."
Critter laughed, "Not like it can sneak up on us, whatever it is. This place is brighter then noon in the desert." Sliding her sunglasses on she looked away from the pyramid.
"You'd be surprised," Love Heart cautioned, "I mean Earthbenders can breathe underground and hide there until you walk over them."
"OI'd sense any nearby." Trez replied while splaying his hand palm down over the ground. "Got nothin mate."
"Fair enough, just making a point," Love Heart waved at some of the people walking by, a few looking rather alien. "So should we see about getting rooms for the night then?"
Trez and Critter nodded in agreement. Behind her lenses, Critter was already scoping the are for anything worth her while to steal. So far things were not looking promising.
"Stick together," Confidence cautioned, "we don't want to split up here."
"Wouldn't even dream of it." Critter replied. "Right babe?" Trez said nothing but gave her a sideway smirk. Since the town was so small it didn't take them long to reach the one inn around. Trez held the door open for their party as they entered.
Love Heart let Critter and Confidence enter ahead of him and once inside headed for the counter. The innkeeper was a strange scaly humanoid with a long nose and compound eyes, its face somehow formed an expression no unlike smiling as the four of them entered.
"Ahh, heartbound, I don't see your kind very often," the alien's voice gurgled as though he were underwater when he spoke.
"But you do see our kind?" Critter questioned him. She tried not to stare too hard at his odd exterior.
"I have. A total of three, seven now, but I've never seen a group as large as yours," the innkeeper answered, "How many rooms do you need, four?"
"Two will be good," Love Heart answered.
"Preferably one with a good view so I can enjoy your charming little hamlet." Leaning on the counter Critter smiled sweetly at the alien man.
"Of course, just give your credit cards or chips and I'll get you your keys," the innkeeper held one out of his three fingered hands. Love Heart stepped forwards and pulled out a card that he passed to the man.
"So if we want food, does your inn serve it or do we have to look elsewhere?" Critter was now looking around the common room, checking out who was hanging around.
"We serve food, but the other restaurants in town are usually better, we do have room service though," the man said, passing the keys to Critter and Love Heart, traditional metal keys.
"Don't see these very often," Love Heat commented, taking the key from the innkeeper.
"Thanks. You've been a big help." Picking up her bag Critter headed for the stairs, Trez close behind as always. "We'll let you two get settled in and then we'll meet up to decide meal plans. Sound good?"
"Sounds good," Love Heart answered, "It'll be nice to be able to leave my armor somewhere for once."
"Same," Confidence followed after Love Heart into their room. The room they were assigned was on the ground level with a window and thick blinds, giving the two of them the privacy to remove their armor and change into more comfortable clothing, even Love Heart pulled a shirt and pants over his cyber armor.
Critter and Trez were on the floor above, allowing for the view Critter requested. First thing she did was fling open the blinds and survey the area. There was a small overhang almost directly below the window and it appeared to cover some benches below. Trez had fallen instantly onto the bed with a happy sigh, "OI love a good soft bed."
"Over your dirt shelters? I'm shocked."
Tossing a pillow at her he chuckled. "Enjoyin the view?"
He felt her plop down next to him, "It'll do I suppose."
Confidence Heart was doing several stretches while Love Heart opened the curtains to check the courtyard, "At least this place is safe from outside forces," he commented.
"Just watch your back out there, something's gonna happen, good or bad," Confidence cautioned, finally standing up and stretching backwards, "I'm good to go, let's see if Critt and Trez are ready for dinner yet."
"Alright," Love Heart nodded as they left the room.
Critter had opted out of her armor and was changing into one of her civilian outfits when Confidence and Love Heart knocked on the door. "Coming." Opening it she greeted them in tight black leather pants, boots, and a loose white shirt that exposed her shoulders. "You guys hungry?"
"Yep, let's go see what's in town shall we?" Cassandra offered.
"Trez, let's go." He came to the door instantly. "Ready." They joined the other two in the hall and they left the inn.
The town was refreshingly calm as the four Heartbound wandered through it searching for someplace to eat. Love Heart searched the place, spotting a couple restaurants and asked, "So, do any of you have a preference?"
"Anywhere with meat and I'm happy. Trez doesn't like seafood though."
"It smells." He said in his defense.
"I doubt we'll find any seafood this far inland," Confidence answered, "I smell something like barbecue though, let's take a look," Confidence jogged off, forcing the others to take off after her.
"Perfect." Critter sniffed the wind with her highly sensitive nose, mouth already salivating at the thought of barbecue.
"Well let's get going before Confidence leaves us behind," Love Heart took off after the fennec.
Trez and Critter followed as well. A brief walk brought them to the stall selling the barbeque food. Critter didn't take long to decide on what she wanted, "Let me have a half rack of those decadent ribs I smelt and is that mac and cheese?" The woman behind the counter nodded. "I'll take a big helping of that too." As she got her food Critter told the others, "I'll get a table while you all order."
"Alright, thanks Crit-," Confidence's gaze shot up and her head jerked left and right before settling back to looking at the menu on display.
"Relax, I'll know when something's about to happen," Love Heart answered, "Wow, you have cheeseburgers here? I love magic!" Love Heart grinned as he ordered.
Trez ended up with grilled veggies and a pulled pork sandwich. He also ordered himself a tall glass of beer and went to join the others.
Love Heart ended up with two cheeseburgers and french fries along with a large glass of some soft drink. "I know it's junk food but as long as it's available I'm going to indulge. It's probably the only thing I miss from the old days," he said as he sat down.
Confidence had a huge bowl of salad and a large steak and she rolled her eyes as she sat down, "So you order a happy meal in the middle of a magic empowered town?"
"What?!" Love Heart exclaimed before digging in.
Snickering Critter tore a huge chunk of meat off the ribs. "Mmmmm that hit the spot." Looking at Trez she asked, "Can I have one tiny sip of your Amber Fluid?" When he hesitated she held up her fingers indicating a very small amount of space, "Pleeeeeaaaassse!" Trez finally handed her the mug and she took a quick swig then returned it. "Your stuff good guys?" She asked Confidence and Love Heart.
"Ith's good," Confidence said, her cheeks stuffed with food she quickly swallowed. Love Heart just nodded as he ate, not speaking with his mouth full.
Without even asking Trez stole a bite of Critter's mac and cheese, making her squeak in outrage. "Oh come off it love." She stuck her tongue out then resumed eating.
Love Heart and Confidence finished their meals and sat back. They were surprisingly fast eaters and they waited for Critter and Trez to finish their meals. As soon as her meat was gone Critter picked up one of the rib bones and without even trying she bit it clean in half. Holding one broken end up she started to suck the marrow out.
A snicker came from nearby from a hooded figure in a long robe carrying a long copper staff. "You never did like leaving anything behind, did you scavenger?"
The bone fell from her fingers as she heard the voice call her 'scavenger'. "You have got to be kidding me." Whirling around she confronted the figure, "What the hell are you doing here?"
The figure just laughed again, "Stopping in for a rest probably the same as you, Critter." The figure pulled her hood back to reveal a green coyote's face then shrugged back, revealing that she was only wearing a dark leather top and shorts with a double barreled shotgun, a revolver and a sword hilt strapped to her belt. "I could ask what you were doing here too."
"I was enjoying a meal with my traveling companions but now my appetite is ruined." Critter's eyes flicked over the coyote, "What on earth have you been doing that you need rest, Crafty? Been studying for too long?"
"Hey! I do just as much travelling as you do," Crafty Heart Coyote snapped back.
"I guess you two go way back then," Confidence Heart surmised.
"You could say that. Last time I saw Crafty though she was front and center at my banishment. I was surprised she wasn't taking pictures to commemorate the occasion." Shifting her legs so one crossed over the other, Critter put a knife within easy access range of her hand.
Surprisingly Crafty just sat down and faced Critter before speaking, "I was hoping you wouldn't bring that up..." she sighed and stared at the ground.
"Beg pardon? What no stinging retort? Witty comeback? Not even a lame insult?" Critter tried not to let her confusion show. This wasn't like Crafty at all.
"Take three guesses why I'm down here. Both of you." Crafty turned to face Love Heart.
"What have I got to do with this?" Love Heart asked.
"You two caused quite a stir back home. Love Heart raging at the elders started it all. A Guardian standing up to them, telling them off then storming away and leaving his guaranteed safety and rank behind to serve the humans they'd long given up on. Everyone was talking about that and quite a few of us were doubting the elder's judgement. Of course Critter's little crime spree annoyed most of us and I admit I was happy to hear you were going to be reprimanded, but none of us were expecting you to be banished." Crafty leaned back and stared up at the sky.
Critter shrugged, "That makes two of us." She fought the urge to look skyward. "Of course at that point they'd used up all the other punishments on me so nothing much was left. But I never would have expected you to leave. You were so… adjusted."
"Well that event was the last straw for a lot of us: first they say we can't leave our homeland to help others then they cast you out to the very land they said we had to stay away from? It sounded like they were going crazy and weren't able to make sane decisions anymore. We felt for you, Critter, you were bored and those of us who spent most of our time on caring missions were just as bored as you were. And with their decision to banish you we decided it would be better to take our chances down here or at least keep doing something to keep us from going totally crazy up there. You two changed a lot of lives on your own." Crafty nodded, "And despite it all I weathered the apocalypse because of both of you. But I wouldn't go back and change anything"
Feeling someone take her hand Critter looked and saw the gloved hand of her boyfriend giving it a squeeze. "OI'm happy you were banished. Otherwise we nevah would have met." Kissing him she forgot momentarily about Crafty.
"Love Heart, what's a Guardian?" Confidence asked, giving the green bear and odd look.
"Higher ranking Care Bears, we coordinated larger missions or mission swarms and took on the missions with the greatest risks," Love Heart explained.
"Yeah, even Tenderheart and Brave Heart didn't have the nerve to speak out when the elders made their decision to close off contact with Earth," Crafty chuckled.
"I'm so mad I missed that! I wish I could have seen all the people who left and heard Love Heart's speech. I would have given them a standing ovation." Critter sighed, "I'm not surprised though that those two didn't speak out. They were in pretty deep."
"It was hardly a speech. I just shouted at them for about five minutes then stormed out of there," Love Heart answered.
"Still would have been worth seeing." Looking back to Crafty Critter asked, "So why exactly are you here again? I know you said resting but you never told me from what."
"From walking, from travel. What else should I be doing around here?" Craft cocked her head on one side.
"Aren't you a bit... underdressed for travelling?" Love Heart asked.
"Nah I'm good." Crafty waved them off, "I need to meet a friend soon anyway. So how did you two end up together, Critter?"
"Love Heart and Confidence were in the area when they heard about one of my jobs and decided to look into it. We decided not to kill them and allowed them to travel along with us. Since I finished my business we voted as a group and decided to head north but the weather decided we were wrong so we came here instead," Critter explained.
"Actually I meant you and Treasure Hunt," Craft added. She turned to Confidence who was standing up and turned away from the group, "What's up?"
"I need to go get my equipment, something's happening soon," the fennec replied before taking off.
"Jumpy isn't she?" Crafty asked.
"No. She knows what she's talking about. Tou should get ready for something too," Love Heart nodded to Critter and Trez before taking off after Confidence.
"Well at least Love Heart acts how I remember him acting," Crafty commented.
"I don't remember him at all. But as to Trez and I...I stole from him and we ended up dating." As she spoke she checked all her knives to make sure they were accessible and shifted her bo staff to a better location. "I know it's surprising since we never really hung out back home."
"Hah! Can't say that doesn't make sense. You're right about Tenderheart and Brave Heart, those two were dedicated the way things went but they always went with the elder's decisions. I worked with Love Heart a few times on missions and he was always more... driven I guess. Love Heart always treated his missions more seriously. He was more like a soldier even back then but he had his own way of doing things. He became a guardian because of how successful and inspiring he was." Crafty smiled, "Why are we agreeing on so much today, Critter?"
Critter shrugged before standing up and stretching. "Maybe there is a lunar eclipse or something. If you like I can go back to harassing you and teasing you." Thinking of something she glanced briefly at Trez before looking at the floor. "Speaking of teasing and harassing, do you umm know what happened to Trickster Heart?"
"He left too. We hung out for a bit but we kinda lost each other during the apocalypse. Knowing him he's probably riding around on a motorcycle, or a hovercycle." Crafty grinned, "Why do you ask? Gonna have a fling with him if you find him?"
Critter's cheeks flushed rosy red. "Of course not! I have Trez. He was just one of the friends I left behind so I was wondering if he had left too."
"Oh please sheila. Even OI knew you two had a thing goin." He looked nonchalant but there was a hint of jealousy in his voice.
"Let's go find Love Heart and Confidence. I guess you can come along Crafty. Try not to slow us down." Critter gave the coyote a smirk.
"Sure just... Shit!" Crafty spun around then charged down the road that led out of town.
The two watched Crafty dart away. "What the hell! They all just took off everywhere! Why bother traveling as a group?"
Trez shrugged, "This is woi we 'aven't done the group thing." Nodding she held out her hand to him. Smiling he took it, "We're good. Just us two."
"So who should we follow?"
Trez shrugged, "Whichever makes noise first?"
At that moment, Confidence came charging past, fully decked out in her combat armor, tossing Critter's own armor down in front of her as she sped past, chasing after where Crafty had vanished. Love Heart followed shortly after.
"Get your armor on, Critter, something's going on and you'll need it, com'on!" he added, before taking off after Confidence and Critter.
"Hear that love. Armor on now," Trez said, mocking Love Heart.
Smirking Critter shrugged, "Guess there is nothing to be done." Grabbing the hem of her shirt she stripped it off followed by her pants. Standing there in her undergarments she folded her clothes before putting on her armour then she and Trez raced after the others.
Love Heart and Confidence came to a halt, spotting Crafty crouching behind a large brush.
"What are you doing here?" Crafty whispered to the new arrivals.
"Cassandra had a premonition about this so we followed it," Love Heart explained.
"No shit. You're a psychic too?" Crafty asked.
"Crazy, minor psychic, but I check the future whenever I can. Critter and Trez should be following soon," Confidence answered. "So what's going on?"
"I'm afraid to find out..." Crafty gritted her teeth.
Critter and Trez managed to catch up and joined Love Heart, Confidence and Craft behind the bush. "So why are we hiding behind the shrubs? What's the problem?" Critter asked as she fingered the amulet around her neck.
"Look, I'm not in the mood for Coalition bullshit today, so just turn around and I won't roast you alive." The angry male voice came from the other side of the bushes. Crafty motioned for them to peer through the bush.
A fiery red fox wearing simple clothing and a large traveller's pack was surrounded by six men wearing heavy black armor with skull shaped helmets, two of which had winged jetpacks attached.
"Anger Heart," Love Heart whispered, "I'm not surprised he left too."
"Well today is just a day for all sorts of reunions." Critter sat back on the ground. Knowing Anger Heart as she did she knew she'd be able to hear the gist of what was about to go down.
"Yeah, but don't relax." Love Heart lowered his helmet, obscuring his face as Confidence did the same, "this is going to get ugly."
"You are to stand down and submit yourself for examination by order of Emperor Prosek./" One of the jetpack mounted soldiers leveled a heavy gatling gun at Anger Heart.
Anger Heart bristled than tossed his pack a fair distance away, "That it, you're dead!"
"Fire!" As the triggers were pulled Anger Heart seemed to burst into flames and four energy beam and two heavy bullets flew at the burning fox, only to bounce off the fire that now enveloped him.
"Fuck off!" Anger Heart yelled form within the flames, throwing a bright purple fire ball at the nearest soldier.
"He's a firebender?" Critter asked, shocked.
"No, Burster," Crafty said, "enough talk though, let's go!"
Love Heart gritted his teeth and jumped in, his psi-sword springing to his hand as he attacked the first of the soldiers to spot him and sliced partway into his armor. Confidence didn't bother and just grabbed the first one she came across from behind and jabbed a vibro knife into his armor, then pulled the armor open with just her own raw strength. Crafty leapt in and pulled out he shotgun, squeezing off the trigger and sending two balls of ice at one of the soldiers in a jetpack, hitting one of the wings before charging in with her staff that suddenly began to crackle with lightning.
Critter leapt on the soldier directly in front of her, anchoring herself to his torso with her legs. Her next move drove two of her daggers into his neck, finding the gap between his armor. The soldier next to him tried to fire at her but found himself instantly swallowed by the ground which closed over him, preventing escape. Trez and Critter exchanged a quick nod before looking to their next opponents.
Love Heart managed to wear down his opponent's armor before slicing clean through the neck. One of the jetpack soldiers tried to take off but Crafty grabbed her revolver and fired six pale blue bolts flying into the backpack and causing a small explosion, at that moment Anger Heart raised his hand and a giant column of flame erupted right in front of the now falling soldier, who fell right into it. One of the foot soldiers tried to shoot Crafty only for the bolt of energy to suddenly vanish upon contact with an invisible field around her body. The ground began to rupture where the buried soldier had been as he began to punch his way to freedom.
"This one's on me babe." Raising her voice she called, "Pay attention now Love Heart." Hand going to her necklace Critter whispered a word and was instantly shrouded in a cloud of pitch black fog like substance. It flowed over the man coming out of the ground. He was able to scream once, arms flailing before his body went limp. Critter's form began to emerge; she looked the same except for being made of the dark substance and having empty black eyes. "That answer your question?"
"Definately!" Love Heart replied before charging the soldier who was still trying to shoot them and slicing his rifle in half before attacking him directly. Crafty charged in and struck the soldier with her staff which sent a powerful surge of electricity though his armor, several cracks forming that Love Heart managed to ram his psi sword through , silencing him.
The last soldier hefted the Gatling gun attached to his jetpack and began firing wildly at the animals surrounding him. Anger Heart turned and began to pelt him with dozens of bright purple fireballs. The fireballs struck him over and over and over until his suit melted off him and the now exposed body had been turned to ash.
Critter placed her shadowy hands on her hips, "Well that seems a little like overkill to me. Feel better Anger?"
"No such thing when dealing with Dead Boys." Anger Heart took a deep breath and the fire around his body dissipated, leaving his clothing somehow undamaged, "You're that hyena that Craft was always butting head with back home. Critter Heart right?"
Saying another word her shadow form retreated back into the amulet, leaving Critter her blue self once more. "Awww I'm flattered, you remember me. I think you know Treasure Hunt too, right?" She indicated the echidna next to her.
"I never really spoke with you back home, but I knew you somewhat," Anger Heart said. "Hey Crafty, you alright?"
"I'm just fine." Crafty re-holstered her weapons and sauntered over to Anger Heart, wrapping her arms around him, "I was worried about you, are you alright?"
"I'm just fine now, thanks." Anger Heart smiled and the two of them kissed.
"AH! Your hoochy outfit makes sense now!" Eyes wide and finger pointing accusatorily Critter continued, "You little tramp you were waiting for your secret boyfriend. Anger Heart...Really?"
"Nah, she always dresses like this," Anger Heart answered. He broke off from Critter before turning to Love Heart, "Hey Love Heart is that you?"
Love Heart lifted his helmet and grinned, "You got it. It's good to see you again."
"Hey!" Anger Heart launched himself and Love Heart and grabbed him in a tight hug, laughing like a kid, "It's great to see you again!"
"You too buddy, so you're a burster now, another psychic eh?" Love Heart asked.
"Yep, I think it suits me pretty well." Anger Heart grinned back.
Trez groaned. "OI bloody don't loike all these psychics around." He whispered for only Critter to hear.
"You aren't alone in that. It's why I gave them a look at what my necklace does. So they won't look further into it," Critter replied.
"All these blokes are so...active."
Grinning she pinched his cheeks, "I think someone needs some Jolly time." Turning back to Crafty she asked her, "Well it's only fair to ask. How did you to hook up?"
"Yeah what about Guidance Heart? I thought you were with her," Love Heart commented.
"I was." Anger Heart sighed dejectedly and sat down, drawing some patterns in the dirt, "We managed to stick together during the dark age until we made it to Tolkeen. We had to flee when the Coalition was about to invade and finally made it to Lazlo. Guidance became a body fixer, a doctor. We tried to keep things going but eventually we just couldn't and she broke up with me."
"I found him blowing off some steam, among other things, in the middle of some ruins from Tolkeen and managed to help him along. We started travelling together and one thing just led to another." Crafty grinned, "Oh and before you ask, yes I'm psychic now too, they call me a 'mind melter' and I can do a lot of cool stuff. I just use these cool gadgets I picked up in Lazlo to save my energy: frostbolt shotgun, TK-revolver and lightning staff. Magitek is awesome..." Crafty got a goofy grin.
"Well that explains why a laser rifle didn't mist you." Confidence nodded, lifting her helmet.
"Is there like a mailing list or something Trez and I can get on to become psychics too?" She allowed every bit of sarcasm into the comment as she could.
"Trez can't," Love Heart replied, "you need to channel your potential psychic energy into either magic or psionics. We're unique though, Heartbound I mean. In theory beings as old as we are shouldn't be able to develop psychic powers so late in life. But if you wanted I could help you learn how to develop your own psychic abilities."
"You don't want to get the powers the way I did." Confidence tapped her head, "remember, I have those little needles in my skull driving my insane."
Critters hands flew up, "Kidding! Was totally kidding! I'm totally fine with what I have." Trez nodded in agreement.
"And what did you give up to get what you have?" Love Heart's voice had suddenly become severe as he stared at the amulet around Critter's neck. The silence fell over the area as his question was posed.
"How did he not get that she was being sarcastic?" Crafty whispered.
"Love Heart gets into a zone sometimes and vocal cues slip past him," Anger Heart whispered back.
Critters eyes narrowed, "That is most definitely not your business. Don't hold your breath waiting for an answer."
Crafty stepped forwards in an attempt to defuse the situation, "Maybe we should get away from the mini-graveyard we created before anyone else shows up."
"Seconded!" Confidence raised her hand, "let's get back to town."
"Sounds perfect." Critter's eyes didn't leave Love Heart's, "You stay out of my head. I feel you digging around in there and it will be the last thing you ever do."
Love Heart didn't respond as they headed back to town. Crafty and Anger Heart exchanged looks, secretly exchanging a psychic conversation before breaking off, Anger Heart going to Love Heart and Crafty moving to walk with Critter and Trez.
"Hey Critter, is everything alright?" Crafty asked.
"Everything is fine. Why do you ask?" She smiled sweetly at Crafty. "Just because Love Heart is sticking his nose where it doesn't belong and I didn't feel like telling him what he wanted to know."
"Critter, I know we never got along, ever, but we were still close in a strange way and you don't have to pretend with me. I left only a week after you were kicked out, we've both been through the same apocalypse, the same hell on earth trying to survive the waves of aliens, demons, and other monsters, working to learn new skills and abilities by whatever means we had to survive and keep going in this world. Sorry am I being too sappy?"
She looked away for a moment, unsure of how to respond. "Still proivate love," Trez told Crafty. "If she doesn't want to tell she doesn't have to."
Critter put a hand on his arm. "She makes a sappy point. It's not like I have any girlfriends to talk to."
"Your call love."
"Let's just say I had to give up something I never thought I would need. Demons love doing crap like that, knowing things about you that you don't know."
Crafty nodded, "I've met a couple demons in my life, both times I barely got away alive even with the powers I've developed. If they don't offer you a deal they'll probably just try to kill you and eat your soul." Crafty glanced over at Anger Heart, "I know we like to brag or josh about how much we like things now, but for the first hundred years or so just surviving was nearly impossible. My powers came out by accident one day when a three headed wolf tried to eat me, I accidently tore it apart; did the same to some people who tried to help me. I had to force myself to be alone for years until I could control my powers and even then most people just ran once I told them what I could do."
Critter nodded. "I sought out this demon. I wanted a way to become the greatest thief ever, and I didn't care what it took. If my thieving was the reason I no longer had a home then I was going to use it to make a better life then I could have ever gotten. He offered me the power of shadows, allowing me to hide in the dark and move about silently and in exchange I just had to give up a part of myself. I was angry back then and I didn't care, it seemed so trivial. I only needed enough for myself and no one else and it felt so good." She flexed her hands as she remembered the euphoria she felt during the dark times.
"Only enough for yourself..." Crafty mulled things over for a minute then looked at Treasure Hunt, "You didn't meet her until after I take it. I can hazard a guess as to what you gave up. Does it hurt to use it?"
"No not at all."
Scowling Trez spoke up, "But it gets harda for you ta let it go."
"Trez that's not-" His look cut her off however. "Yeah we met after. And now that we are serious, I'm really realizing what I gave up."
"Demons love irony, they feed on misery. At least your powers are tied to an item and not a part of your body. The demon won't get your soul." Crafty gave an attempted smile but it failed. "Don't worry I won't tell anyone."
"Thanks. It's nobody's business like I said." Smiling she flicked the necklace, "Oh yeah I knew enough about demons to make sure it was an item and not tied directly to me."
"So mind if Anger and I get a room in the same hotel you're staying at?" Crafty asked, "or if we join you guys?"
"Might as well it seems to be a theme. We meet people from home and we just take them up into our former party of two," Critter noted.
"If you want us to take off we will," Crafty answered. "We're heading south anyway, going close to Central America if possible."
"Us too mate," Trez told her. "Moit as well join up. More eyes on the road."
"Cool!" Crafty grinned, "just like old times huh Critter?"
"Just like. With maybe a little less teasing and prankery on my part. But we'll see how the journey goes," she replied with a wink.
"If anything's come of this, we've matured at least." Crafty chuckled.