Two Worlds - Round 2

"Meh, not so interested in going afters 'em little annoying ones." Ivy mused. "But it's a job."

...


That's beside the point. Banafrit wrote. He is getting sick.

"Little annoying one, yes." Kamen smiled, crossing his legs. "But according to the information our customer had, he hired himself a body guard. Although..." Crimson eyes twinkled in amusement. "It wouldn't be a problem to you, would it, my dear children?"

"You bet." Karem leaned forward and threw his arms around the white man's shoulders. "You're the best, Kamen!" He stood up. "We'll be leaving now. We'll be back soon with good news."

"May the good fortune follow each of your steps." Kamen smiled, adjusting the collar of his loose white yukata. He shot a look at Ivy. "Not saying good-bye to me?"

*

Memphis stared at Banafrit darkly. "And what makes you think I'm not? I know what I'm doing; Iris better stays in the workshop and has his mind occupied. If he learns about this... the moves that the Chameleons are making... And the Bounty Hunters-"

"Good bye." Ivy offered, only this and nothing more.

...

Do you have no care for his well-being?! Banafrit wrote angrily. Yes, he made a mistake. But you're killing him with the way he is! All I'm asking is to allow him a little rest. That's all.

Karem chuckled as Ivy came and joined him to leave. "You should try and act more lovable around him, you know? So that he will save us the good orders."

He smiled to the sun. They walked out of the store and back into the street of London.

Karem startled, remembering something. "Damn! I forgot my ice cream! I'll be right back, wait here okay, Ivy?"

*

"You're getting it all wrong." Memphis replied tiredly. "Look, I never forbid him from resting. My orders are on long terms. If he's rushing, he's doing it voluntarily. I have no responsibility in his well-being."

Ivy nodded. "Okays." She offered, noticing a stray kitten sitting nearby, which she cheerfully rushed over to.

...

He is feeling dejected, that's why. As his brother, you should act more kindly towards him. He wants to please you.

She replied, turning the page of the notebook.

It's a child's mind game. He wants you to be happy, so if you continue pushing, he won't rest until it's done. That's why I'm asking for you to lighten up.

It didn't take Karem that long. He returned with a brand new ice cream cart. The sound of it rolling across the yard indicated how heavy it was; still, Karem looked really happy with it. "Hey, Ivy, know what?" He called out to the girl, "Kamen actually found out how to keep the orange color bright~! He's such a genius!"

*

"All right, I will consider that." Memphis nodded, knowing that the woman would not leave him alone until he at least said he would do something. He tried to change the topic, "Which reminds me, I wanted to see you for something as well... Did the Bounty huntress make a move?"

"Ach, he sure is something," She muttered, then said cheerfully. "Wonderfuls! So! What's our plan?"

...

Banafrit shook her head.

Not that I know of. I know she has been on the move, but she hasn't struck quite yet. I'll keep an eye out.

"Can't say right now." Karem mused, "Maybe we should drop by for a visit.

*

"I see. Please keep an eye on her. Don't let your guard down; we don't know her strength yet, but she sure is no common person."

Ivy nodded. "That works!" She replied. "I'ms kinda wondering about them bodyguard he has."

...

She nodded, then bowed, writing swiftly. Sorry to disturb you.

"It was not a bother." Memphis lied again. He then returned to the papers as a sign of dismissal.

Clark Hamserton's house was not farther than 200 meters from the Livingstones' mansion. It was not as big as the Livingstones' one but surely huger than commoners' houses and luxurious with a large and beautiful garden. It was tea time and Mr. Hamserton was having an afternoon meeting with some of the nobles. Next to him sat a little girl with red hair, who was smiling all the time to any joke that those boring nobles made; she was said to be his far cousin, Lady Marina Dillima's youngest daughter.

"This the place?" Ivy questioned, glancing up at the gate of the house. "This where the... dear man... lives?" She glanced over at Karem.

"That's right, Ivy." Karem studied the luxurious gate with a thoughtful look. "How about you getting us in?" He offered, green eye twinkling mischievously.

The house was surrounded by high stone walls and there was only one gate to get in at the front yard where four strong guardian stood to watch over everyone went in and out. The road to the house was wide and decorated with low trimmed bushes, so does the front yard. No tall trees, guardians and dogs wandered around and check the place every second. In a glance, Karem knew that there's no way that one would be able to get in without being notice. Put his fingers onto his head, he started to think of a plan to penetrate the house.

Ivy had a different plan altogether. She glanced around, and gently rapped on the gate. "Hello~" She called to the guards. "I'm here to meet with Sir Hamerton!" She said cheerfully.

(yay /o/ I'm NPC)

"Do you have appointment?" One of the guards asked earnestly with his eyes looked down on Ivy.

"Well, I'm sure I hads one..." She scratched her chin. "And ifs I hasn't, then someone really messed up." She smiled sweetly up at the guard.

"This is not a playing ground for you kid." Another guard commanded. "Do you think that we would believe in your kid joke? Look at your clothes and face, who do you think you are? Do you think our master would know a poor kid like you? Get out of here with your stupid lie." He shouted at Ivy.

Ivy's eyebrow twitched in irritation, but she made sure to keep smiling kindly. "Ach, certainly clothing isn't all that important... Besides..." She reached into her pocket, and brought out hidden jewelry, probably taken off of some nobles before she killed them. Still, the gleaming jewelry was simple enough to be taken as her own, but of enough value to be seen as a treasure in the nobles' eyes. "I'm sure your master will be pleased with the wares of such a little peddler, aye? I'm sure this is better than any of you can do with your standings around all day."

The guard took a quick look at the jewelry that Ivy got in her hand, just a glance but he can recognize the worth of it.

"Sorry miss. If you don't mind, I'll take this to my master and ask if I can let you in." He offered, more respectful to Ivy. "You know, we servants cannot let you in without permission."

Ivy shook her head, putting the necklace back into her pocket. "'Haps you won't be's all offended when I say I don'ts trust ye enough to let you just run off with my wares, ey?"

The guardian sighed, he shook his head. "Then may I know how to call you please? I will pass your words to master. I can't let you in without asking for master's permission first."

Ivy seemed thoughtful. "Calls me Iyanna. Just a wandering peddler, I am." She offered. She knew better than give off her actual name.

"Miss Iyanna. Please wait here." The guard offered and ran in to see his master straight away.

****

"Iyanna? I don't know anyone name that." Mr. Hamserton replied the guard.

"She got a jewelry that have Ondelias family symbol on it, master."

"Ondelias... Did the only member of that family already died just some months ago?" Mr. Hamserton's guests started to chattered around. Surely they recognized the famous Ondelias, who had earned his name by trying his luck on Her Majesty. And of course, they remembered that he had been dead awhile ago, too.

"Could that be..." Mr. Hamserton hesitated. "Tell her that I'm tired and..."

"Wait, uncle..." The girl with red hair finally raised her voice. "I want to see who this girl would be. Can you tell her to come back tomorrow?" She smiled at her "uncle" with her best smile, tried to convince him to agree.

"... Are... are you... sure?" Mr. Hamserton swallowed his saliva, his face bleached and his eyes looked like he couldn't believe any words that his dear "niece" just said.

"Absolutely, uncle." She smiled again. "A little girl would cause no harm right?"

"O...k...k... To...morrow... then" He nodded tremblingly.

"Tomorrow, then? Aye." Ivy nodded at the guard who returned the information to her, then glanced at Karem. "Hows about that?"