Chapter 3-12: First I've Heard

Over time, the cronuts are becoming a big hit. So many people are walking over to the stall and buying cronuts.

One customer asks, "One cronut, please!

"I'll take three!" another customer says.

Dylla helps the customers make the purchase, "Thank you!"

"What a crowd," Silver says.

"Guess we did okay at drawing people in," Epel says.

"I've never been on this side of things at White Rabbit Fest before. It's surprisingly fun," Deuce says.

"For now, anyway. Unfortunately trouble often finds its way into pleasant locales like this. We should be on guard," Silver says.

"You're right, Silver. All sorts of people come to festivals—troublemakers included. Remember those relatives of mine who live nearby? Well, they warned me… about this one seriously bad apple in town," Epel says.

"I remember you mentioning it once," Jasper says.

"Huh. First I've heard of that," Deuce says.

"And he's called… Cold One Duke!" Epel says.

Everyone becomes confused from the name.

Deuce is stunned to hear it.

"Cold One Duke, eh? Somethin' about that name's ringin' a bell…" Grim says.

Deuce is even more stunned to hear it.

Grim shrugs it, "Eh, must be my imagination!"

"Phew…" Deuce sighs in relief.

But Silver remembers something, "Wait—did you say 'Cold One' or 'Cauldron?'"

"Grk!" Deuce flinches to hear it.

"Cold One. Like, he's super cold and uncaring?" Epel says.

"Ah, so he would show no mercy in a fight? That sort of thing?" Silver says.

"Sounds really scary," Ortho says.

Deuce becomes nervous, "Y-yeah! That's right! He must be REAL scary!"

"Apparently he squashed a big gang all by himself, without any help," Epel says.

But Decue becomes defensive, "Th-that's not true! It's an exaggeration!"

"Huh?" Epel replies, becoming confused.

But Deuce corrects himself, "Uh, I mean—what kind of brute is he…"

"Isn't he the COOLEST? I was obsessed with learning all about him in middle school!" Epel says.

"Really?!" Deuce asks, surprised.

"Why is that so surprising?" Silver asks.

Deuce quickly says, "N-no reason…"

"You've really never heard of the legendary Cold One Duke before, Deuce?" Epel asks.

"Huh? Uh, yeah... News to my ears!" Deuce says, feeling flustered.

"Deuce becomes nervous," Sereia says.

"Yeah. He's being weird," Tanzanite says.

"Something feels off…" Briar says.

Deuce quickly says, "No it doesn't! Everything feels perfectly on! Th-the point is, we gotta be on the lookout for trouble just in case! That's what you were getting at, right, Silver?"

"Indeed," Silver says.

"Then let's keep our eyes peeled while we're dealing with our customers," Epel says.

Suddenly, Grim and the Twins turn to hear the noise, "...Huh?"

They look to see a few delinquents making a scene at the stand.

The first delinquent says, "Give us four o' them donuts. Make it snappy."

"Of course. Just a moment," Dylla says, and presents the cronuts to them, "...Here you are! That'll be 12 thaumarks."

But the second delinquent says, "That much for these puny things?"

"...Hey! You got chocolate cream on my clothes!" Another shouts.

The first delinquent says, "That does it! You better fork over cash for the dry cleanin'!"

Dylla sternly says, "Excuse me? You dropped it on yourself."

Soon, the Delinquent Leader says, "Oh, so now you're blamin' the victim, huh? You got some nerve!"

The group grows worried to see the situation.

"Oh, no—I think that's the trouble we were supposed to look out for…" Epel says.

"And they're giving Dylla trouble," Sereia says.

"That group seems to be about our age," Silver says.

The Delinquent Leader soon demands, "Pay up!"

"Calm down. Don't make me call the police!" Dylla says.

One of the Delivery Staff says, "Dylla, they look dangerous…"

"I don't care. They're in the wrong, and I'm not gonna let them push me around!" Dylla sternly says.

Then turns to the delinquents, "I know you're going through your rebellious phase, but that's no reason to ruin this nice festival for everyone…"

"What're you yappin' about now!" The Delinquent Leader says and kicks the stall.

"Ack!" Dylla yelps.

Everyone is shocked to hear it.

"He kicked the stall," Silver says.

"And broke part of the display…" Epel says.

Soon, Deuce rushes over and screams, "Get away from my mom!"