We saved another victim, but of all the people to work for Suck, it had to be him? The door opens as Reese stares down at the counter, still wondering what he's going to do. Should I tell Penny? Of course, she should know he's working directly for Suck. But something keeps eating away at that idea, as if his body itself rejects it. She'll be devastated, and the last thing she needs is something like that. Do I have any other option?
"It's you again." That dry voice forces Reese's head swinging up.
For a moment, he can only give a blank stare to Ronny before snapping back. "Ronny, correct?" The composure in his voice waning.
"Is Penny alright, or do I just keep missing her?" Ronny asks.
"Y-You've got it right on the dot. Penny's been dealing with things as of late, so I'll be stepping in a lot more." Reese says.
"Rough day?"
"Nope, better than usual, I'd say." Reese says.
I have to keep cool, but how can I do that when I'm serving the man who was just pointing a gun at me?
"Doesn't look like it, or sound like it, either. But I'm not forcing you to talk, just something I noticed."
At least he doesn't recognize me at all, but this'll make conversing hard. Why him, of all people? I knew he trusted Suck, but I never knew he was working for them. I just need to breathe and take it slow.
"You're reading into things." Fixing what Ronny usually orders. "Haven't seen you around in a bit, something been holding you up?"
"It got a bit hectic at work, so I didn't have the time."
"And I presume you aren't in the mood to tell me?" Reese sets the other's drink down.
"Penny usually has good advice." He takes a sip before his eyes close in on Reese. "What about you?"
"Maybe I can't match Penny's prowess at it, but I've been one friends come to when in need."
There's a moment of staring from Ronny before he finally gives in. "Fine, not much I can do to change her not being here."
A small smirk forms over Reese's face. "I'll do the best I can, so what's been on your mind?"
"I've been trying to figure something out, but it's not exactly easy to solve." Going silent, Ronny searches his mind for a way to explain his position. "How do you convince good people that they're on the wrong side?"
How strange. So he doesn't believe we're bad, then? Just that we're fighting for the wrong side. Unfortunately, we still have to disagree. And there's no chance any of us would change sides unless Suck changes.
"Well, are you absolutely sure that they're on the wrong side?"
"Yes, I don't have a doubt in my mind. But I'm also sure that they aren't on that side for the wrong reasons. That's the problem."
I doubt I can convince him yet, not until he begins doubting the people he works for. But if the things I've heard from Penny hold true, it won't be easy.
"Have you considered your own side on this? Even if their side isn't good, that doesn't mean the side you're on is absolute either."
"I've addressed the issues with what I stand with. It's the right place to be."
In a perfect world, we'd be able to show him all the people we've saved. But if that doesn't convince him, it'd blow our entire operation, we'll have to find another way. Telling him that we're the Kamen Riders won't work. I'd imagine it would bring the same result.
A slight hum as Reese thinks to himself. "There's not much I can say with limited information, but I'd say to not be so sure on your own side. You never know what could be hiding."
"Sorry, that's about as much as I can say." Ronny says. "Penny would've said the same thing as you."
"Is that so? Guess I must be better at this than I thought." Reese says. "If you can ever tell me more, I'd be happy to give whatever advice you need."
"I'll consider it." Ronny stands up from the seat. "I've spent enough time here, and it's getting late."
Reese looks out the windows, a shadow of orange filling the streets as the sun comes down. I should get ready as well, can't leave Lily waiting.
"Until next time, then. Hopefully, you find a solution to your problem." Though, Reese hopes it's one that involves leaving Suck.
Ronny nods before leaving the café. Not too many people are still inside, and the ones that are don't seem to be ordering anything soon. So, Reese takes the chance to step away himself, going into the door leading to the Emporium. Jes was still inside, sitting down with her head in her hands.
"Is everything alright?" Reese asks with a reassuring smile.
Shifting up immediately, Jes gives him an annoyed look. "Obviously! I wouldn't be dealing with this if you hadn't let me go down in the first place. I mean, why would you even think I was ready for that, idiot?"
Can't say I'm surprised about that being her reaction. I'm sure she's mad at herself enough as is. Reese stays silent, letting her vent to him.
"You'll get it right in due time. I wouldn't have let you go if I didn't think it was a good idea."
"Well, it wasn't a good idea. Are you even listening?"
"The outcome wasn't good this time, but now you understand how careful you need to be, yes?" Reese asks, followed by a reluctant nod from Jes. "No matter how bad the outcome or idea, we can always learn something. Now, that doesn't erase what happened, but you can prevent it from happening again."
"Whatever." Jes says under her breath, letting go of the annoyed tone from before.
"Today's been rough. You should go back home. I don't want to worry your parents by keeping you here too long."
Before Jes can respond, the door to the safe house swings open, Penny finally returning. "We got lucky. There shouldn't be any detrimental damage after what happened."
Reese looks over to Jes. "See? Everything turned out alright."
"This time." Penny says. "You have to be more careful with people, especially them."
"I-I know…" Jes says under her breath. "I'm gonna go home, see ya."
The door to the café shuts as Jes leaves, Reese sighs before facing Penny. "I hope she feels better. I can't imagine what's going through her head right now."
"I'm just being honest with her. We can't afford to make big mistakes with something like this," Penny says.
"You don't have to explain it to me, I understand. That's why I did my best to tell her it's okay. I just hope it got through."
She's still a kid, and at an age like that, it'll be hard to get through to her when she makes a mistake like that.
"Well, thanks for talking to her, Reese. And sorry for making you work so often, I'll take the rest of tonight."
"Please, I'd be fine doing it every day if you needed me to." As much as he doesn't want to do this, he should tell her what happened. "There's something I need to inform you of, though."
Penny leans back against one of the Emporium's walls. "What is it? Did you get something on Suck we can use?"
Reese shakes his head. "That regular you talk to frequently. I don't know when it started, but he's working for Suck. We had a run in with him and his partner. They were with soldiers."
Penny's eyes widen for a moment before her hands run down her hair as she groans. "Seriously?! God, can something go right for once? Why the hell is he working for them?"
Reese shrugs. "I don't know, but I had a conversation with him while out there." He points back at the door to the café. "He doesn't think we're bad people, just that we're on the wrong side. So, we might have some leeway to convince him."
Penny takes a moment to sigh before looking back at him. "That's something, at least. Thanks, Reese." She waves him away. "Go on, I'm not gonna hold you up any longer."
Reese waves as he walks to the door. "Don't worry about a thing, we've still got a chance." Finally stepping into the café and then outside.
As he walks down the street, an expected phone call comes in. "There you are, so where do we start?"
The tired voice of a woman speaks from the other end. "You sure you can do this, Reese? It's alright if you can't, I don't care about it that much."
"I said I would do it, and I don't turn down friends." Clearing his throat. "So then, where to?"
"Um…" It takes the voice a moment to think. "Is that store with the colorful clothes still around? Or did it close down?"
"Why don't we find out? Don't lose interest in me, alright?" Reese asks.
"I'll try. I've been getting better at it. That's what the people here say, at least." Her voice is weak and slow, just managing to hold up the conversation.
Knowing exactly where to go, Reese traverses the dull town, each street the same as the last. Until he stops near a building with colorful clothing displayed in its windows. The door rings as he steps inside, greeted with a smile by the man behind the counter at the far end of the store.
"I was getting worried that you forgot about us!" He says with a joking grin. The name tag on his shirt reads Kal.
"Please, I could never forget this place. I'm only surprised that it's able to stay open." Reese says.
"Not like there's much they can do. It's not like we're 'susceptible' kids, or going bankrupt." Kal scratches his head. "Anyway, the place is yours to look around, as always."
"You have my thanks." Reese pulls the phone back to his ear to speak. "Let's have our looks, then, shall we?"
Reese spends at least half an hour just wandering the store, running his hand through articles of clothing and accessories, describing every single one over the phone. After picking out what the person over the phone says she'd like, he finally makes it back to the counter.
"Done already? Where does all this go, anyway? Not like you ever wear any of it." Kal asks.
"I have my hobbies." Reese says as he pays for the items. "Just so happens they involve clothes."
Kal just laughs. "Yeah, right! But I can't complain, it's nice having a regular."
With everything in order and paid for, Reese waves goodbye as he leaves the store, speaking to the phone again. "You sure you don't want me to run back and grab anything else?"
A small laugh comes from the other side. "No, that's fine. You already do a lot for me."
"That's what friends are for. I'll do whatever you need," Reese says.
"Thanks, Reese." She pauses, taking a moment to breathe. "I think I'm getting tired, but I'll see you at the safe house, right?"
"Of course, take care until I get there," Reese says, hanging up as he puts the phone away, making his way through the dull street in silence.