Chapter 5

"Now, that's about all, I think. Yes, Robin?"

"I want to know some more stuff." Robin squashed the embarrassment he felt from speaking and acting like a child, even if he knew that was what's considered normal.

"Stuff? Like what?"

Here Robin was in a dilemma. He couldn't just tell her "About everything". Or could he? He was technically five years old. Some absurd things were expected from him, right?

"I want to learn about everything!" Robin was sure some red was showing on his face now that he actually said something like that.

Thankfully, Hilda found it cute as she cupped his face and cooed. "My, you are just adorable. Hmm, tell you what, I'll speak with miss Petunia. She's the one teaching all the kids in the tribe. You're a bit young, but it's better to learn than to mess around the dunes I say."

After managing to escape her grasp Robin tried to compose himself. "Thank you, Hilda."

"You are very welcome Robin. Now I have to go attend my duties, you kids have fun."

Hilda quickly departed leaving Robin to stew in his thoughts. It wasn't optimal, but he found something productive to do. He needed information about the world mostly because he wanted to make his life easier. Also, after what he just learned about the creatures of Grimm, some avenue to personal power wouldn't hurt either.

True, the tribe would do its best to protect itself and, since they were still here, they did a pretty good job. But Robin did not want to live his whole life here. His experience of death granted him an unbridled curiosity about life. He wanted to explore, feel and see new things.

Sure he just got here so it was not like staying for a time was unbearable. The Yiayas were interesting in their own right and he had much to learn before he even attempted to leave.

"Stop right there you bastard!"

Robin turned around. Honestly, he completely forgot about Vance. The weight of his thoughts and the newly acquired information were far more important than the older kid.

"Listen here mutt! Just because Hilda is nice to you and smiles at you doesn't mean you're anything special. I'm cooler than you and I'm the one she likes the most so don't bother her anymore!"

Robin just kinda looked at him. He didn't know what to actually think of Vance. Sure he was a bully, but Robin was practically an adult. In his mind, Vance looked just like any other trouble-making brat, in no way, shape, or form threatening.

Seeing him hyperventilate, thinking Robin was planning to steal away his crush, was pretty amusing. Of course, Robin did not have such sentiments for Hilda, wishing her well just so she could continue taking care of him.

"Jealous, Vance?" Robin asked with a small smirk, adding fuel to the fire.

Vance choked, red in the face. "Y-you stupid mutt!"

He ran towards Robin, fist raised up, intending to deal with his apparent love rival. Robin simply waited for him to get close, then easily moved to the side and tripped him. Vance lost his balance and, with the grace of a plank, fell face-first into the sand.

Robin sat on him, the corner of his mouth twitching at the familiarity. Vance in the meantime froze also because of the familiarity. Fortunately for him, Robin was not feeling as vulnerable as yesterday so the pummeling did not start.

"Hey, Vance?" Robin asked in a relaxed manner.

Vance on the other hand was confused. He had already covered his head in his hands. However, the pain he expected never came. With confusion and some healthy fear mixed in his tone he responded.

"W-what?"

"Your dad's one of the tribe's hunters right?

"...yeah?"

"Tell you what. You ask your dad if he can teach me some stuff and I'll give up on Hilda."

Robin felt a little bad seeing how Vance perked up at that. Still, he wanted to learn as much as possible and if he had to manipulate a little kid then so be it. In any case, he was not doing anything actually harmful to the brat.

Vance unsurprisingly jumped the gun and agreed to ask his father to teach Robin. With that Robin got off him and even helped him stand up. The older boy sent a few suspicious looks at Robin.

"Why do you even want to listen to the old man? It's not like he'll take you hunting. He doesn't even take me hunting." He said, obviously not pleased with that aspect.

"I find it interesting and want to learn. That's all there is to it. Besides, if I'm too busy running between Petunia and your dad then I won't be around Hilda that much."

Any doubts Vance had instantly disappeared. There was not much to be expected from the thinking process of a small child. Vance was only interested in his crush. In his mind, Hilda was far more important than his father's boring spiel. Most likely, in his mind, Robin was an idiot for trading Hilda for that.

"Fine, I'll ask dad tonight. Now you have to leave Hilda alone."

"Of course." Robin nodded with a serious face. "It's a promise between men!" He said, stopping himself from slipping out a laugh.

"A promise between men…" Apparently, Vance was quite enamored with the concept. "Yeah, it's a promise between men. You'd better not break it!" He said, pumping his fist and looking at Robin with fire in his eyes.

Robin bit his tongue to stop himself from laughing at the kid's antics. He swore he won't break his promise and left it at that. Vance left running, kicking up sand in his wake. Now that Robin was left alone he felt a little stumped.

He had no duties to attend to and no friends to hang out with so he suddenly found himself with a lot of free time. Previously, the old Robin would have played all day with his action figure, but that was not an option now for obvious reasons.

He felt bad for doing nothing. There was an urgency in him that told him to be productive, to use the time he had to his advantage. Unfortunately, for the life of him, he had no idea what to do. Physical activity was out. He was already lacking the necessary nutrition to grow well, let alone develop his body. Also, he was five years old. Other than running there was not much he could do without risking permanent damage to himself.

Read a book? Where would he get one? The tribe didn't look the sort to bother with literature. Maybe the chieftain had some, but how would he get them?

Could he even read for that matter? Yes, the language was the same, but was it also true for the writing?

For now, he would have to find something to do until tomorrow. Hopefully, Hilda's and Vance's inquiries would be successful and this unpleasant feeling would leave him alone.

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