Complete Private [Homecoming] Another Chance

[Hanno Futaba]

With the world being somewhat turned upside down, and with the lander exodus reaching every corner of Arcia, it was already expected that other kingdoms would find themselves with hands full of troubles. Between those troubles, certain Starcalled were particularly problematic, and it fell to the Lions Pride's responsibility to keep their custody at times.

Hanno, about halfway through the bridge, could soon spot a group of four tertorian guards, marching relentlessly and in a perfect diamond formation, surrounding a figure that Hanno couldn't quite figure out at first, not when he was close enough to raise his hand in a greeting, along with a brief salute.

"Greetings. You must be the faerin we were told about... Are you here by yourself?"

"Greetings. My name is Hanno Futaba. Lions Pride Captain Knight." Hanno said, with a serious expression never truly leaving his face as he neared the group of tertorian guards, showing his identification. "Certainly I'm not the only one, I have other knights waiting for me by the end of the bridge."

"Understood, sire." The soldier opened the way, revealing the girl that was being escorted while surrounded by them.


"So this is the troublemaker, hm? Is it only her?" His gaze fell on the young lady, hardening his eyes at the sight. How did things come to this were beyond his comprehension, but he could only guess there were probably good explanations for this. Not that he would stop and question anything in front of the far less lenient guards that were keeping her under their watch.

"Yes. At least, for now." The guard tightened his grip around his polearm. "Get her out of here. We don't need any more petty outlaws to disrupt the order." He left the girl to Hanno's responsibility, turning away with the others.

"Certainly." Hanno's eyes remained locked on her, opening slightly to reveal the shimmering emerald hue it had, and the scarlet ring that outlined his pupil. "I will personally teach her a lesson she won't forget." He said, taking her with him and moving on to cross back to the end of the bridge.

Taking her into custody was hopefully the right choice.

@Glamora Dark

 

[Glamora Dark]

Just a little earlier, Glamora Dark's retinue, or, more accurately her captors had stopped as Glamora flinched and froze in her tracks. She had seen something horrible from between their well-polished butt-guards.

Gurk...

Glamora grimaced.

Well friends, it has been a pleasurable escort. Now, apologies for the detour but would you mind it terribly if we were to take a quick and sharp left here and maybe throw me over the bridge? Yes, that ravine down there will do nicely. Thanks.

Attempting to do just that, she was suddenly grabbed by the hem of her collar like a mama cat might do to its babycat.

TERTY KNIGHT: I am begging you… please just CROSS THE BRIDGE before I am actually tempted. You’ve been shown a GREAT mercy as a show of renewed friendship towards Astorea, I don’t know why you won’t recognize this instead of putting my patience on trial as if I have wronged you. If you haven’t forgotten, YOU ENTERED TERTORIA ILLEGALLY you SHOULD be in PRISON.

When you put it that way I do actually feel kind of bad. Fine, you win, let’s get this over with.

TERTY KNIGHT: Tria grant me strength…

Catching up to present, it was less that they were escorting Glamora at this point rather than trying to shoo her away with their poles like she were some kind of trash panda. Frankly, they weren’t very far off. And so Glamora was poked and prodded into Hanno’s custody.

Glamora didn’t want to admit it, but Hanno was a familiar face. The witch sighed deeply as she switched captors and captor-countries in an exchange that unfortunately only served to inflate her ego.

----Still, there was a dark cloud looming over her, which the little witch was playing up her bravado to hide. It was almost as though she had made peace with something and had nothing left to lose.

----Financially, she really didn't have anything more to lose. In fact, she had been forced to stash the loot she had stolen from the newly-formed mafia she had accidentally helped establish in a Tertorian hiding place until she could somehow plan her return... if she ever managed it.

When the proceedings were over, and she and @Hanno Futaba were at last alone, Glamdark cleared her throat with a little *ahem* as her gaze leveled to meet the strangely scary gaze of the Astorean Superhero.

Tell me, Hanno, are you like some kind of black reaper of death who only comes about to crush my hopes and dreams? Is this karma? Don’t be silly, this isn’t karma because I haven’t done anything wrong. And yet, here we are…

If it's a prison cell, I demand solitary confinement, at least then I won't stand the risk of being prison-murdered for my intelligence and good looks.

 

[Hanno Futaba]

Hanno waited patiently for the exchange between the 'familiar-looking' girl and the tertorian guard. For most of part, he remained with a firm and unchanging expression, keeping his cool and locking a serious and hurried gaze on the guard, to urge him to let her to him already.

When she was finally on his custody, he saluted the guard, walking across the bridge all the way until they reached a jail wagon.

Glamora's words then caught his ears, and he turned to listen to her, raising an eyebrow... At the same time, however, that his serious face was gone, replaced by a grin and a hearty chuckle.

"What?! Black Reaper of Death? Not really. Like I said, I'm here to teach you a lesson, and from the report I've received, I don't think keeping you locked in a jail will do you any good." He smiled faintly.

"So you know my name. I guess that means you are that Glamdark." Hanno said, crossing his arms and turning to look at the girl. "Or should I say, Glamora Dark." The name had surprised him, since it also sounded too similar, the face was somewhat matching... Just the... Size? Yeah, the size didn't match at all. Also, she sure looked younger, didn't she? Probably it was some sort of witchcraft, or some kind of youth potion.

"You are worried about being murdered now? Didn't you like, try to get yourself thrown off the bridge? Please don't try that ever again." The last few words escaped with a severe tone, almost like a scold.

He moved to the drive seat, and tapped next to him, inviting her in and helping her to get up if she needed.

"Come on, buddy. Unless you want to travel inside the jail."

Hanno said, peeking at the small container that pretty much only kept his gargantuan shield locked.

@Glamora Dark

 

[Glamora Dark]

Glamora Dark's life was akin to living in a little special place in hell reserved only for her, She had landed herself an all you can eat buffet of pie that only came in the flavor humble. Glamdark hated humble. It was, forgiving the pun, her just deserts however.

Glamdark thought on some version of this and her digital life's story as Hanno, who was well established before, continued to speak to her after having seemingly at least doubled his prospects since they had last met. And with her Glamsense she could tell, it hadn't even had anything to do with what she had lost to him either. No, she was just a footnote to be scrubbed away for more thrilling history when convenient!

(----Hmph!)​

Well, if I'm to be murdered anyway, I'd rather it be on my own terms. Oh~ and you can add 'Dark Master' as well by the way~ I am also that, since we're listing and all~

Glamora proudly pouted while swishing her hair over her shoulder as she looked around.

...But is there really any worse punishment than you taking everything I own? If you're not after my life, or my imprisonment what's left? I hadn't pegged you for the sadistic type----

She continued, pushing her luck. Which wasn't great to be honest.

----But if it'll satisfy you to kick a witch when she's down, teach away~ ah but you'd should hurry~ as they say~ it's bad manners to disturb the dead. Hmmmmmm~ I don't see any suspicious fellows just yet~ I'd say you have roughly 24 hours from the moment we step off the bridge. Shall we proceed with my sad parade Hanno? Until my next appointment anyway. I'm rather sick of this bridge...

Glamdark blinked.

Actually... was there always a bridge here? I had thought there were robots everywhere. Many, many, robots.

Tilting her head in utter confusion, Glamora filed that concern away and glanced back over at Hanno replying:

No, Hanno, I do not want to ride in the jail.

Pause.

Wait, is the jail comfortable...?

Presumably they got to driving from there...


@Hanno Futaba

 

[Hanno Futaba]

He shook his head, just urging the fellow faerin to sit on the rider seat along with him or to hop into the jail already. "Both are comfortable enough, one is better for a bit more of fresh air, and the other is a bit better if you want some ceiling over your head." He explained. "This bridge will take a while, some guy known as Aalam and others worked really hard to build this thing up."

Hanno laughed heartily when he heard Glamora's words and attitude regarding what he had in mind, however. "A sadist? Is that how I'm looking like right now?" He pondered, shrugging a bit before making the horses start moving, regardless of where Glamora decided to stay. "I have no intention of punishing you, is that what you thought I had in mind?" He asked, turning to glance at her.

"I wouldn't do such a thing. Even because you've helped me... And them, a lot." He turned face the road on the bridge. "A lot of kiddos from Finweald are really happy thanks to you. It was illegal gold, now that I know about everything, but... It is illegal gold that helped a lot of people."

He admitted that much.

"And I want to help you back. I've heard that you are owing a lot. What's up with that, Dark Master Glammy?" He asked, curious about it.

@Glamora Dark

 

[Glamora Dark]

"..."

Glamdark’s eyes had narrowed, as she studied Hanno suspiciously. She was like a stray cat being offered a whole can of tuna.

“I haven’t figured out your angle yet, but if it’s all the same I’ll sit in the front, then. Apparently I have missed… much… on my abruptly cut short vacation.”

Coughing awkwardly Glamdark had climbed up next to Hanno.

"And yes, keeping me in suspense is rather sadistic!"

******* and so they began to travel *******


Sitting up front Glamora looked around while trying to avoid meeting Hanno's gaze. She was pouting and would only glance at him from the corner of her eye when she needed to. She was being rather childish. Still, Hanno finally mentioned something that caused her to fully turn to face him in shock. Glamdark's eyesbrows shot up and down like one of those little fireworks with the parachute as they finally seemed to decide and settle into an incredulous expression...

Off the hook like that?
Really?
Fat chance!
People always want something!
There's always a transaction, even if you can't see it!

"Really? You want to help me? Pfft. As if! Don't expect me to fully fall for this... ploy? Grr... I don't know what this is! But! People don't just do nice things for free. See? I am being nice and falling for whatever it is you have planned for me, but in return I get a free ride."

Glamora was speaking as though she had been through some kind of rough history, but honestly, she never had. In fact, the only problems she seems to have ever encountered would appear to have only sprung from the wellspring of her own inspired genius.

"More importantly~ so you were saying I was a hero of sorts~ indirectly~ yes? I would love to hear about more of the good I've done indirectly because I haven't been present to see my indirect achievements directly. But first... guh..."

Glamdark heaved a great big sigh. It was apparently becoming a habit.

"Haaaaahhhh. Fine. If you know this much and you aren't arresting me then I guess I'll consider it your price that I fill in the rest of the story. That way, if you ask me for anything else, I won't feel guilty saying no. Yes, a free dark lesson from your wonderful Dark Master, Glamora Dark."

She'd never admit it, but Hanno was the first person to call her Dark Master. And so, she was already fairly domesticated. Oh Glammy.

"You see, Mr. Hanno, illegal money has a wonderful and some-might-say dangerous property to it. And, what that property is, is that it grows. Yes, your illegal money can grow, sometimes exponentially even~! But. And there is always a 'but' for any little happy dream on this planet, but, that money will only grow for the most illegal person of them all. Yes, Hanno, long story short, I was not the most illegal person, but damned if I wasn't close. The Dark Parlor was supposed to be my golden goose, and what I earned from providing a little entertainment would have kept me pretty comfortable----and the loan I had gotten at a horrid interest rate which I was going to pay off easily with my establishment winnings would have been gone in a flash the very next day. As we know, that didn't happen. What followed was merely me following an unblameable drive present in any living thing's nature, namely, the drive to fight and run for my life. Nobody can blame me for that. Well nobody but…"

Glamdark holds a thumb up over her shoulder pointing right at where she had came from.

"And so, to summarize, I owe some people a lot of money, more money than I borrowed, and more money than I have ever possessed. So, when our little reunion time is done, I suppose I'll need to get back into the groove of things. That groove being fighting or dying, of course, because there are going to be people looking for me. This, it appears, is my destiny. And you said you wanted to help me with this? Clearly, I don't need any help, I have it handled. You won the winnings, and you spent them to increase my prestige---we could hardly just go and nab it back. Well, we could, but I don't think you would feel very heroic doing it, and my pride wouldn't allow it anyway... and besides I probably owe thrice that by now."

Glamdark nodded as if finishing a lecture, in her mind she was doing just that.

"And so, there is nothing you can do for me, because I would only come to owe more trying to pay you back. Unless you know the location of a few expensive treasures or somehow have yet another great sum of money on you to *errherm* pay off my tab."

Glammy sighed. She'd just asked for a handout. It was a joke, but a painful one.

"----Fun fact and a bit of trivia, Endra's Favor deals in coin right? Well they say there's two sides to every coin. I'm not saying Endra Favor endorses dirty money... but... that just means you need to 'wash' it right? So, in case you're wondering, that's why I haven't just gone and blown up this mess with a good ol' Glamdark Whamdark. Knock down one wall and find yourself a new neighbor, that sort of pain. I learned that first hand when I went and did just that. What I'm trying to say is that my creditor is safely comfy up in Endra's Favor, I should've copied them, but then they'd just sue me and rob me of their money that way..."

Blinking for a moment in thought, Glammy turned to meet Hanno's eyes.

"You know Hanno, you're very easy to talk to. I actually feel a whole lot better about how unfair my life has been up to this point. I was planning on just blowing myself up and taking them with me, but now I feel like I've got a chance. I am The Dark Master after all!"

And so, Glamora Dark rode alongside Hanno while rambling her whole life's story.


@Hanno Futaba

 

[Hanno Futaba]

"Then I guess I am a sadistic man." Hanno kept his smile, almost as if he had accepted the title. Maybe he did, maybe he didn't? His face remained the same anyway.

... And so he did as @Glamora Dark talked, talked, talked, and talked. Talked like Hanno has never heard someone talk before. Not even Kepler, Majolica, and Brad when he was particularly talkative got him to listen to such a long talk before. But it was entertaining, it was strangely charming to listen to someone show their problems and immediately reveal how most of it was their fault with so much pride and self-confidence.

"Of course I want to help ya, Dark Master Glammy." He watched a building appearing from a far, still a few minutes away, so he continued to talk-

"Regardless if Endra is encouraging you to get into a money laundering scheme, or that you have been meddling with illegal money, all I know is that your illegal money helped to fund the reconstruction of a lot of things, including some orphanages... And that isn't something I can just ignore." Hanno explained, side glancing at the faerin.

"So I wanted to learn who exactly was the debtor that helped so much, and I kinda wanted to get them out of their problem and help them to go back to their feet... But I didn't expect it would be you. Terrasphere is so small." He hummed, seeing the building getting closer, apparently seeming to be a tavern conveniently located out of nowhere, just like a roadside diner.

"We can discuss the details of how we are going to help, and how deep is your debt while taking a bite of something. What'cha think?"

 

[Glamora Dark]

Spoiler: peaceful days

...

There was a long pause as @Hanno Futaba's question hung in the air. Glamora Dark's expression was somehow firm. Unreadable. In that quiet moment, Glamora Dark was thinking. She was wondering with all her might what it was that Hanno truly wanted. What was his angle? Why go through all the trouble? How could he possibly benefit from this? There was no way he could, was there? What was she missing? What was it that she couldn't see? Why? She would be a fool to take any of what the person beside her said at face value. No! Seriously! What was he hiding?! Grrrrr~ She thought over and over in mounting frustration. To defeat me so utterly, yet---- no. I won't accept it. People just don't work that way...

Fine.

The Dark Master finally mustered. She at last turned to look at Hanno directly.

You are without a doubt a sadistic man, Mr. Hanno. (And I suppose I can let you treat me to lunch).

She muttered that last bit.

(Pudding).

And this bit as well.

(I want pudding).

In almost a whisper.

And at last, Glamora Dark was quiet, at least, for a bit...

...Crossing her legs, she let her chin rest against her hand, as she thought and thought and thought.

***

The wagon continued to rock along quiet roads until at last two seemed to come upon a roadside tavern. It was a part of a conveniently-occurring little pass-by town that was apparently throwing some kind of festival. And yet...

Glamdark's eyebrows shot up incredulously.

My~ now isn't that strange, Mr. Hanno. A festival with no people. What, is it the end of the world or something? Don't you feel a little sorry for all the hard work the people put into it? Why, if nobody had come to my Dark Parlor, I think I would have been rather depressed for weeks. Not that I have any money, mind you, but the least we could do is take a stroll around and get their hopes up. At least for a little while...

 

[Hanno Futaba]

Hanno could only hold back a laugh when Glamora requested for a pudding, but if anything, he was very glad the girl had finally decided to trust him, at least that was what the wide grin on his lips showed as he moved the cart into the building... Unfortunately, the tavern proved to have no pudding, in fact, it had no food at all! All supplies had gone to a nearby town for the sake of a festival.

It didn't take long for Hanno and Glamora to reach the town, and apparently, as Glamora had noticed, they have reached the town faster than the festival has reached it. "... That is very strange, indeed." Crossing his arms, his eyebrow perked up. "Maybe someone will know what happened..? Well, I am in no hurry. So a stroll together would be nice. Besides, we still need to find your pudding-" His stomach growled, making him frown. "... And I kinda want to bite something too."

As they strolled... It took a dozen minutes to finally find someone. And these 'someones' were a large horned man and a slender man, both wearing uniforms that clearly reflected their gastronomy expertise, setting up a flier on a board.

"I am telling you, Jack. These Travelers are a hard folk to please. Ugh~! Such a bunch of tasteless brutes. They know no cuisine! All they want is grease and icky food that will shorten your lifespan by years~!"

Dramatic, the slender man gestured a lot, while the large man, gruffier and more stoic, turned to look at him. His gaze was fiery and confident.

"Don't worry, Larry. My plan will go right. To satisfy Travelers, we need the help of Travelers... And uniqueness."

Jack slammed his hand against the flier he had just glued on a board, making Larry jump startled.

"You will see. With this, together, we will make a food everyone will knee pleading for more."

Interested, Larry rubbed his chin, looking at Jack with a tiny smile.

"Well~ I trust you to get this plan going~ Ah~ But now, if we only had those brutes to help us~"

"It will be pretty hard to get a help from people you are calling brutes, buddy." Hanno spoke, suddenly appearing behind the slender man, that leaped on the large man's arms with a squeak-

"EEEEK-! Wh-Who are you-?!"

"Name's Hanno. Hanno Futaba... And my friend here..." Hanno allowed @Glamora Dark to introduce herself. "... What's up with that? Are you guys needing a help or..?"

"Yeah. You could say that. We need a certain fruit..."

He placed the slender man down on his feet, taking a side step to show the flier on the board. It was pretty self-explanatory- It showed the illustration of a strange tree with eyes and green circles on its hands, apparently a type of treant? It requests any traveler to collect these green circles, that are rare fruits called Sweerbles.

 

[Glamora Dark]

Dark Master Glamora Dark.

...

And brute is apt for this one, for sure.

Glammy said, pointing with her thumb at Hanno while she glanced at the flier.

Never heard of it. Sorry. Find someone else.

Regardless, if it's rare you should be selling them, not using them. How are you going to maintain a menu with rare ingredients? That sounds like a pain.

Anyways, I'd like to order pudding. It's my last meal so put your back into it. This guy said he'd pay for it.

Glammy continued, as she still pointed at Hanno with her thumb.

...

So what's the deal with this festival, anyway? It's not very festive. Actually, I've been having a rough time and this place is really bumming me out. Do you have a suggestion form somewhere? I'd like to leave my thoughts while I wait for my pudding. I'm sure they'll be very useful. You are welcome.

@Hanno Futaba

 

[Hanno Futaba]

"Oi"

Hanno crossed his arms, looking at @Glamora Dark that had essentially confirmed he was a brute. But at the same time he crossed his arms, he didn't really retort it, returning his eyes to the two men, that listened to the complaints and remarks of the witch faerin.

"Puh- You wouldn't understand~! Of course, maintaining a rare menu for a whole year is an arduous task~ But it is for a festival, an important one at it, so it is completely feasible~"

Larry explained, and Jack elaborated:

"These fruits are also very efficient. Their flavor is very strong, so just one is enough for a very generous batch. And this treant? It is supposed to have at least six of them. If we have such a delicacy, we could lure more Travelers, and hopefully we can save the festival... But the problem is that we don't have a lot of time, because we've heard a caravan is coming tonight, and we expect the guests to stay for maybe a couple days."

Hanno nodded at the information, but knowing the Glamora, he was almost sure that wouldn't be enough. "That's very good, and all. But as you can see, the illustrious Dark Master Glamora Dark has asked for her pudding, not for a rare meal. And as a lady of her caliber, she must be compensated as such, for both going through the trouble of not receiving her pudding right away, and for helping you as well. She is even offering her very precious feedback for... Uh... Such a monotone festival."

"Hah-?! Monotone festival~?! How dare you~?!"

"How dare you." Hanno corrected, feigning to be indignant. "I am her knight, don't raise your voice to me, and even less to Dark Master Glamora Dark. You should be honored she is coming here."

"Honored~? She... Huh~? Jack? Isn't she the woman that was on those 'Wanted' fliers~?"

"Slanders! That was a work of political agenda, trying to taint her reputation... You know how it is." Hanno defended, shaking his head and sighing.

"Hmmm... Well. I can see that happening."

He rubbed his chin, pondering, shuffling a free hand into his pouch, and pulling out a feedback form to hand the faerin girl.

"Anyway. If compensation is what the illustrous Dark Master Glamora Dark needs to help us, I can arrange her a VIP badge for the festival. That should grant her priority on the lines, and up to 10 gold worth of consumables for each stall. I can also make her a pudding as an extra, you won't taste a pudding as sweet and wonderful as mine, I can ensure you."

As the knight Hanno was, he finally remained his mouth shut, crossing his hands behind his back and turning to look at Glamora, waiting for her decision.

 

[Glamora Dark]

By now, Glamdark had scurried to a table and sat. Resting her chin on her hand, she listlessly looked out a nearby window while tapping her finger on the table. Though she didn't appear to be, she was actually listening to Hanno and the other two's conversation rather intently.

Heh. She'd gotten a reaction out of Hanno at last, which flecked her dower expression with a grin. But, she blew it away with a sigh as she continued to ruminate on the future. She didn't ruminate very long however, because...

huh?!

Knight?!

Wha-hwa-wha-wha-WHAT-are-you-saying-you-goody-two-shoes-nincompoop-----!

Her finger tapped faster and faster, as first her cheeks burned, then her entire face. She was practically a tomato now. Maybe the chef could use her as an ingredient.

Fine...! Fine, fine, fine! Clearly I am the person for the job!

Hopping up to her feet, Glamora snatched the feedback form from the chef.

I like a pudding master with confidence. We can save this form for after my knight and I's triumphant return.

She said, giving Hanno a look.

you...

I knew it. I knew there was a catch. I've actually been made part of a mobile penal colony!!!

Just as you need materials to ply your craft, so do I for my great works. And so, I'll need what glass bottles you have to spare. They don't need to be nice. Any lying around will do. Based on how generous your treant is feeling, you may even receive them back.

Jack did one of those sideways nods and Larry went into the back grumbling all the while. He returned with a carton of glass bottles that looked like they still needed to be washed.

Good. Much appreciated. You know what, Jack? I like you. You don't like me and you make that very clear, and I appreciate that. It cuts through the pretension. Only children play pretend.

Glamora Dark, who was very hypocritically guilty of playing pretend, spoke honestly as she shakily hefted the small wooden crate of bottles outside. Stopping at the door, she adjusted the box with a little jump and said one last thing.

And Larry. I retract my statement on your business acumen. I was wrong.

And exited.

***


Outside, Glamdark studied the bottles, tilting her head this way and that, while taking turns holding the up towards the sun. Her eyebrows made a valley of frustration as she worked.

Grrr... I can't deny this fruit sounds interesting. I want to eat it. I want to eat something nobody else has and brag about it.

This will be a good send off for the Great Dark Master Glamora Dark.

----That's right. I still need to "write out" my "feedback" form for that "other" problem. I'm sure those two won't miss one bottle, assuming they all make it. I could say it was broken or demand they give it to me. Yes, this'll be a good test to find the sturdiest one that can hold the most magic so I can make the biggest bomb.

A painless one would be nice too, I hate to hurt.

haaaaaah~

(There really is no way I can let him get involved, is there...?)

Glancing over the bottles, Glamora Dark muttered that last line just a little too loud.



@Hanno Futaba

 

[Hanno Futaba]

The blurting and the embarrassment of @Glamora Dark brought a faint chuckle out of Hanno's lips, that narrowed his gaze at her when she gave him a look. He simply winked as a response, enjoying the situation somewhat. He wasn't one to treat others ill, but teasing and making them flustered was always a treat.

"Lady Dark Master Glamora Darkness will show you how valuable her help is. So prepare her the best pudding you may have." Hanno added, then bowed. "Now, if you will excuse us-"

And he darted off, along with the fellow faerin.

Away from the town, Hanno could finally snatch Ghast back to himself, that was hiding inside of the wagon that had brought them here. Wielding it, he peeked at the shield as she had her central eye wide open, looking around. "Found anything, Ghast?" He wondered, and the shield wiggled her tentacles, rumbling quietly.

"As expected. Not as easy as one would expect, eh?" He shrugged. "It is supposedly rare, after all."

The witch's muttering caught Hanno's attention, and his ears twitched as he turned to look at her, crossing his arms with a small smile. "Hm? Letting me get involved in what, m'lady Dark Master Glamora Dark?" It was a mouthful to say that all the time, but it felt amusing to play around it. "I am your knight, you know you can open your little heart to me, don'tcha?" Despite the overall teasing, the sentence carried a hint of genuinity.

As he approached, Ghast remained attentive, looking around while Glamora and Hanno talked to each other.

"Bero bero~"

A weird noise echoed from the trees.

"Ku..?"

Ghast narrowed her central eye, focusing for a moment... Until she spotted an outline inbetween the trees.

Spoiler: ?!

Ghast rapidly poked Hanno's face, eventually gluing her tentacle on his cheek and forcing him to look back- "Ack! What, Ghast?!" He frowned a bit.

"Be bero bero~!"

"Huh?! Wait, isn't that?!"

"Bero~!!!"

And it darted off.

"HEY! WAIT!"

 

[Glamora Dark]

Ah~ it always feels nice when my theory skates smoothly into practice~

Glamora said counting her bottle automatons. They milled about her as she directed them with a wand like a conductor. Satisfied, she had them line up, as she glanced toward Hanno. Watching Hanno retrieve Ghast, however, Glamdark said nothing.

I'm not getting involved with whatever that thing is.

Yes, she simply nodded...

He's... talking to it...

...and made a slight face as she watched on. The expression quickly passed, however, as @Hanno Futaba revealed he had overheard her.

Eavesdropping were you?

Hmph.

Well, then surely you heard me when I said I wouldn't have you getting involved. Didn't you?

And yet, she paused. A light flickered across her eyes and settled in a slight, sardonic, grin.

Ahhh, but then you did say you were my knight, yes?

She said, letting the sarcasm drip.

Thrice as loyal as a bottle and thrice's, thrice, thrices as strong at least.

Well~ you've heard of one little foul-up of mine~ what's another at this point between friends~?

With a flash from her inventory, Glamora Dark held up a book of Tertorian origin.

Tell me, Hanno. How lenient do you think a Tertorian librarian would be over an overdue library book? Is it really my fault that they showed me the door before I could properly return it? Of course not. For the record, I would never make that mistake. Even if I did, I can assure you I would be positively understanding of the circumstances...

Unfortunatly, I do not think they will be so kind.

The book looked important. Only...

...And what is that disgusting sound?

Slowly, Glamora Dark turned in the direction of the noise. Surely enough, she saw the treant. At that moment, Glamora Dark wasn't sure if the tree-creature-thing or the tentacle pulling her companion's cheek to look at it was more disgusting...

...

And then, the treant took off.

And. There. It. Goes.

...

Glamdark looked at Hanno.

Seriously, Hanno?

You know, when I agreed to this I pictured we would be finding something more along the lines of----

Spoiler: Glamora Dark flicked her wand and a rough aracanamany drawing appeared in the air.

----This.

...

Right, this festival's doomed. Let's go get back on the wagon and take the long way around the town, shall we? The very long way. The more way in-between us and these people the better. Then, they won't see our faces and give us any more weird requests.

Glamdark said this as she failed to notice herself rolling up her sleeves, tightening the laces on her boots and adjusting them by lightly tapping the toe against the dirt. Her mind and her heart were completely out of sync. She didn't want to do this. Glamora Dark wanted that freaking fruit.

 

[Hanno Futaba]

The sarcasm was met with the most gentle smile Hanno could pull off, with a polite bow and a nod. "But of course, m'lady, illustrous Dark Master Glamora Dark. For you, I shall be thrice as strong as your worst nemesis to keep you safe and happy." He spoke with a dramatic done, and then leaned back and tilted his head. "Which apparently is a fed up head librarian, huh?" Hanno rose an eyebrow.

With the appearance of the strange treant, however, caught Hanno way too off guard, but probably not as off guard as @Glamora Dark's overly realistic illustration of what she expected their encounter to be-

"That's a great illustration, but what the hell that's nasty!" His whole face frowned at the sight, but it only bought the strange treant even more time for it to run away, darting off and only leaving dust behind, along with a trail of... Footprints? Rootprints? Whatever it was the case!

"Yeah, it will be doomed if we don't hurry up!" Hanno said, rushing as soon as Glamora was done with her incongruous reaction, where she prepared herself for a chase while she voiced how ready she was to abandon this mission...

Spoiler: Chasing Around

"Hey, buddy! Come back here!" Hanno roared, running as fast as he could, running past trees and shrubs while the strange treant hopped around, letting out its outworldly cry-

"Bero~!"

As it turned to a sharp left, Hanno struggled to make such a turn, nearly stumbling on himself and crashing against a tree, gritting his teeth as he went back to his feet. "Gods- This thing is so damn fast." Hanno looked around, trying to find it, while Ghast, on his back, had its central eye opened and darting around, apparently following the creature's movements with accuracy.

"Bero bero~"

It popped its head from behind a shrub before disappearing.

"Beroooo~"

It wiggled behind a tree, hiding again.

"BeRo bErO~"

It hanged upside down, at the treetops high up in the sky.

"How does it do that..? Is there more than one of these?!" Hanno crossed his arms, letting out a sigh and looking to Glamora.

"Do you happen to have some spell to help us out?" He asked, turning to look at the treant again, that bero beroed even more, sticking out a purple tongue at the two of them.

 

[Glamora Dark]

"Sure."

Glamdark said, as she walked up beside Hanno and put her hands on her hips.

"I might have a little something."

She seemed no worse for wear after the chase. In fact, it was like she was used to this. Looking down to her left, Glamdark found one of her bottle automatons and reaching down, grabbed it. Next, she drew a line in the dirt with the toe of her boot as she adjusted her form. What followed after was a deep breath as her gaze seemed to sharpen...

And then...

"Got you."

...came the 65mph pitch. The bottle flew out in a curveball as it cut into the brush almost like a boomerang. It was a quick on-the-fly modification to the pitch that Glamdark intended to throw for honors on the baseball field. A pitch, she was certain she would be invited to one day throw.

The witch slowly transitioned back into a neutral stance with all the grace of a practiced martial artist.

And then there was a small explosion.

"Well Hanno, I don't know how it managed to move like it did, but surely there's not more than one of them."

The witch said tempting fate.

"They're supposed to be rare, aren't they?"

Flipping her loose hair over her shoulder, she nodded.

"Request complete. Let's collect the goods and go get paid."

...

If only anything in her life was ever that easy.


@Hanno Futaba

 

[Hanno Futaba]

The build up, the throw, and the explosion made Hanno blink, with the echoing desparing noise of the creature going through the forest.

"Berooooo?!?!?!?!?!?!?!"

Hanno covered his eyes, frowning at the explosion that sent some crisped leaves and branches floating down, pursing his lips as he glanced back at Glamora, letting out a nervous chuckle.

"That was a hell of a spell, buddy, but you probably exploded it into pieces, didn'tcha? How are we going to get the fruits?" Hanno looked at Glamora with an awkward smile.

Soon, however, a blurr came from the exploded treetop, and a loud thud was followed by the imponent presence of the creature:

Spoiler: !!!

"Bero."

Hanno blinked, frowning a bit as he got in a defensive position. "Huh-?!" The faerin rose an eyebrow at the nasty face the treant had on its face. "That looks kinda pissed off, Dark Master Glamora Dark- Doesn't that also look strangely accurate to your illustrations from a while ago?" He wondered, narrowing his eyes even more.

But before he could question it too much, the treant stomped forward, pulling a fighting stance, glaring intently at @Glamora Dark.

"Bero."

And in an instant, it suddenly charged at her direction, with each step sounding like a stomp that even made the earth tremble.

"Not so fast!" Hanno thrusted himself forward, shielding his fellow faerin, but it only made the treant even angrier, and unwilling to give up. It lowered its upperbody, avoiding Hanno's shield and suddenly going up with an uppercut that nearly connected with Hanno's chin.

The knight barely dodged, leaning away just in time with eyes opening widely. "Woah, that's- AAAAAAH?!"

The treant took the opportunity to follow up with a grab, holding Hanno's arm tightly and swinging him above its head, slamming the faerin on the ground once, making Hanno let his shield go while gasping, and then being slammed to the other side, and to the other side, and to the other side- while he flailed. "Whaaaat- OOF- Theee- GAH- Heeeeell- ACK?!"

 

[Glamora Dark]

"P-P-P-Pieces?"

Glamora blinked. In her annoyance, she'd forgotten what they were here for.

"H-hardly! Uhm! Don't be silly Hanno~ noooow~~~~ just because I couuuuuld doesn't mean----It's fine! I'm sure it's fine! It was hardly anything! Just a little sliver of a sliver of my power----and certainly not a fully powered bomb... Oh. ho. ho. ho~"

Glammy pointed while looking a little pale.

"See? Look at that rustling, It's totally----uhm... well... Standing right in front of us now... doesn't it seem a little too fine?"

Glamdark stopped as Hanno spoke. Something was off, but it just wasn't quite registering with the witch.

"----A tree. Angry? Surely, you just. But now that you mention it, my drawing does seem a little more apt now, doesn't it? ---But why is the air so tense...?"

An arbor blur. Trees weren't supposed to move that fast. Well... they weren't supposed to move at all, but that's besides the point isn't it?

----As the above thought passed through Glamora Dark's mind she moved a fraction of a mili-moment too late.

Then, Hanno was there to absorb her mistake.

"!"

A frown formed as Glamdark's right hand swung low to mimic the tree's uppercut on her self-proclaimed knight in a fierce and instantaneous counterattack. Glamdark's hand, however, was not empty... In it was a hapless bottle soldier that she was wielding like a club in a barroom brawl.

---The bottle flashed like a samurai blade flying from its sheathe as another explosion rang out when it connected with the strange treant's trunk.

Meanwhile, the four remaining bottle soldiers scrambled about holding Ghast above themselves like a pillow in an attempt to catch Hanno before he hit the dirt again, and again, and again.

"Pull yourself together Hanno! You're my knight aren't you? Do whatever it is you heroes do when you're about to pitifully lose! Isn't this the time for you discover some kind of strange new esoteric power?!"

There was a hint of annoyed concern in her voice as she flustered her very best to hide it.

That hesitation nearly cost her. A vine wrapped around her ankle and yanked her hard.

"Tch."

The remains of the glass bottle in her hand glinted as she was flung, viciously slashing the vine. Unfortunately, she was already airborne. The hairs standing on the back of her neck seemed to be telling her she was about to collide back-first into a tree. Hopefully, a non-sentient one.

Glamdark's wand flashed as it sailed upward with a black and gold glow and scooped her hat on to it. Then, with a whirl and a whip she threw it at Hanno.

"Use it like your precious shield!"

The witch hat glowed with dark power. And, the reason for that was....

*Thwack!*

Glamdark hit the tree and slid down it with tears in her eyes. And, catching what was left of the air in her lungs she sputtered:

"Retaliation Roulette!"

*Vhoom!*

The hat seemed downright volatile now. Ready, for the avenging blow.


@Hanno Futaba

 

[Hanno Futaba]

Every questioning @Glamora Dark had about the treant was responded by its wrath, that resulted on Hanno being swinged around like a ragdoll. The faerin gritted his teeth, trying to endure each slam against the ground with as much resilience as his body could muster. Of course, he had suffered much worse through all his time in Terrasphere, but that didn't make the situation any less bad, only more bearable.

"Glamora!" Hanno's eyes widened between a slam and another, seeing the faerin being throw away by a vine.

The last slam, however, was cushioned when he went straight against Ghast, with the bottles holding her to make sure Hanno would stay firm when landed on her. "Gh-Ghast?!" The shield's tentacles wrapped around the faerin, and along with Glamora's hat-

Swoooosh!

"!!!"

The treant stumbled backwards, giving room for the faerin to roll away with his shield, just in time to also snatch his buddy's hat, letting out a tired cough and a glance at her, with a smirk crossing his lips despite his eyes hinted some concern for how tired she looked. "Thanks! You are right, what I was doing, being beaten up when I should be winning for you, right?"

Swinging his fist forward, he placed himself in a fighting stance, with his shield on an arm, and Glamora's hat on another.

"Now, 'Bero-Bero'. Time to be taught a lesson-" Hanno pushed onwards, swinging the hat in a diagonal movement, forcing the treant to take step back and bend backward to avoid a slash. The knight followed up with a low kick, striking the side of the plant's... 'Leg'? Then, he slashed the hat again, hitting the side of its head.

"B... Bero?!"

It trembled, giving room for Hanno to approach with a shield bash, only making its eyes spin more before he reached for the tip of its head, letting go of his shield and Glamora's hat, swinging the treant over his own head to slam it against the ground, with its squirming quietening for a moment.

"Beeero......"

While it was still stunned, Hanno yelled for Glamora-

"Dark Master! Take the fruits before it recovers!" He tried to tighten his grip around it.

 

[Glamora Dark]

"Did you just suplex a tree...?"

I think I'm repeating myself, but I really need to not push my luck with this guy. Oh right, the prize.

"Ow. I guess I should hurry---my gripes---of which I have many---will have to wait..."

Struggling to rise, Glamora Dark revealed her wand once more and with a swoosh arcanamancy threads appeared around her remaining four bottle minions.

"Hyup!"

She swung the wand, and thus the thread, and thus the bottles like a cat-of-nine-tails whip. Her target, of course, was the treant. No, more accurately, her would-be targets were the treant's fruit.

The bottles gripped them tight like a bundle of fishing lures and Glamdark yoinked the wand back returning them to her.

"Still... alive... Hanno?"

The witch sputtered, still feeling all not that great on the account of being thrown.

"I think we've finished, erm, mugging the tree, so any ideas for a getaway?"

In her arms were four bottles and four fruits. It was like a flower bouquet celebrating their questionable victory. She didn't remember how many she needed but she sure as heck wasn't coming back here...

"You know, thinking productively, if I ever need someone to have a bad day, I'll just give them the same quest we're on right now. Oh, that's right, you're a Lion Hanno; in you expert legal opinion: I wouldn't be liable for anything that happened to someone if I did so, yes?"

The witch wobbled waiting for Hanno's plan to get them out of there.

@Hanno Futaba