Chapter 15: Meeting Daki

"Hello there, Haco," greets Daki, walking towards Adora and petting the cat perched on her shoulder.

Haco meows and purrs happily at the attention.

"Please, have a seat. Coffee?" asks Daki, taking a seat on one of the couches.

"Yes, thank you," smiles Adora, sitting down on the other side.

"I hope your journey went smoothly,"

"Sadly, no. I was spotted and followed by four of Zahtan's followers. I had to use one of the contingency plans you had written down in the notes, the four of them are currently locked behind the fake wall,"

"Really?" Daki raises an eyebrow, "We will take care of them from here on, then. Any ideas on how this might have happened? The path should have been secured,"

"I don't know how long they were following me, but I noticed them first after seeing a machine that had pilots as characters and looked a bit into it out of curiosity. I played a game there with two individuals named Charlotte and Neo, and the trackers came in as spectators," recalls Adora.

"Charlotte! Can you describe what she looks like for me?"

"She was pale and of average height. Her dark curls fell to her shoulders, wide grey eyes peeking out from underneath her bangs and she was dressed casually─" Adora gets interrupted as a sound comes from the kitchen and someone comes out with a slice of pizza in their mouth.

"Oh yum, pizza! Can I have a slice? Also, how are you holding up? Stressful under the spotlight, isn't it," she remarks with a smile, "Sharara?"

"Oh, the other brother Dara! It's been a while since I saw the twin brothers Daki and Dara together," exclaims Adora as another figure emerges from the kitchen.

Adora watches as Sharara removes the slice from her mouth and approaches her, coming to stand close to her face.

"Huh?" Adora looks at her in confusion.

"Can you please tell me where you saw Charlotte?"

". . . Um I─"

"Adora, can you do me a favor and use that book to gently smack Sharara with it?" intervenes Daki.

Adora leaves Sharara speechless as she does what Daki says.

"Boink!" she says as she does it, smiling gently at her.

"Don't act rashly. Remember that the reason you are in this mess in the first place is that you did something you shouldn't have. Our word is our bond and you used that rashly without deep contemplation of the possible consequences," he continues.

"But I need to keep my promise!" protests Sharara.

"I understand. And I'll help you keep it. But, right now you are a known wanted individual to the public. Getting you to her in a private setting is going to be difficult. On top of that, we don't know what you are going to do when you reach her. There is also a possibility that she might just hand you over," explains Daki.

Sharara sighs in defeat and sits down on the couch, disappointment lacing her face.

Haco climbs into Sharara's lap, nuzzling her as Adora pats her hand, "It's okay, things will get better soon,"

"Thanks," smiles Sharara.

Daki watches their interaction.

"I know you want to be the path that helps Charlotte. I understand that this is your first time being very close to it too, but you need to be patient," he says, looking at Sharara.

He brings his attention back to Adora, "Anyway, do you have the letter for me, Adora?"

"Oh yeah, here! Also, Kayn sends his regards," she says, taking the letter out from her leather coat and handing it over.

"Thanks," says Daki as he reads the letter.

Daki rubs his chin.

I see. So, Sheehan isn't here.

Dara hands Adora a slice of pizza.

"Thanks, Dara! By the way, I'll have to meet up with Charlotte in about five minutes," informs Adora "Should I call her and tell her to cancel, or that I'll be late?" she asks.

Daki looks at Adora, "Where do you guys plan on going after meeting?"

"A few games around here and then the second floor is what was mentioned," she says and bites down on the pizza.

"Finally, a factor of convenience. Give me a minute," says Daki as he closes his eyes and sits back against the couch.

Thirty seconds later, he reaches for a piece of paper and starts writing a swift note. He then folds the paper into a letter form.

"Sharara, take this letter and keep it with you at all times. Never open it and the only people that are allowed to tell you what to do with it are Dara, Kayn, and I, understood?"

"Got it," she says as she takes the letter from him.

Daki crouches and maintains eye contact with her, "Sharara, you are a key component now. I know I can trust you with this. Help me with these tasks, listen to what I say, and I will help you get rid of all your problems,"

Sharara looks at the letter worriedly.

"I promise," continues Daki.

Her face lights up and she smiles at him, "I'll do my best!"

"Alright. Adora, I will be joining you and we will head out together to the meeting. Call Charlotte and tell her that we will be twenty-five minutes late," he informs, heading out of the room.

Daki walks back into the room shortly after, wearing a mask and an open coat with a sword, which is concealed by the coat.

He hears Adora on the phone, ". . . Yeah, I'll be twenty-five minutes late. You guys feel free to play a few games and we will meet then. Thanks for understanding, and I am sorry for the inconvenience, bye!"

"Alright, it's done," says Adora, looking up from her phone, and her eyes sparkle in amusement as they fall on Daki, finding him in unexpected attire.

"Don't laugh," jokes Daki, "And great, all is set. Let's go and I hope there are no more random factors that collide with me,"

Daki walks to Dara and gives him a quick hug, "Stay safe," he bids him goodbye as they fist bump.

"Alright, let's head out," he says to Adora.

The pair walk out to the main street, Adora with Haco back on her shoulder and Daki leading the path.

"You know," starts Adora, "We've worked together a lot before and the people around you put their full trust in you and your plans, some even place their blind faith in them. I have personally not seen one fail yet and with this being the biggest cooperation yet, my interest and curiosity are piqued about what goes on in that head of yours. So, can you please tell me the reason behind your decisions just this one time?"

"Adora, you know I don't answer such questions,"

"I know, but please. Just this once?" she requests with a cute pout, her facial expressions mirrored by Haco.

Daki clicks his tongue and sighs, "Fine, but this is the first and last time. This topic is too broad though. You get to ask me five questions and I'll answer them,"