Looking for Trouble (part 3) (Rewritten March 2025)

Saying nothing either, she wrinkled her nose and pulled Alan inside the women's restroom, where she pushed him towards the sinks.

"Amelia, please—!" he pleaded with a broken voice.

"There's not a single thing you could say that could justify you being here," she said in a controlled voice, although the gleam in her eyes was full of killing intent. She placed her hand on the door for a couple of seconds, before revealing that she had created a rustic black lock, out of thin air. "But I don't want you to think that I'm unreasonable." She chuckled. "So I'll give you ten seconds to explain yourself. Depending on your answer, I may even send you back to Londorus myself. Shooting Stars' HQ is still your last checkpoint, isn't it?"

That's the most terrifying smile I've ever seen!

"T-trust me, I wouldn't be here if I didn't have a good reason!"

"Eight…"

"Hold on! I just want to talk to Marco! I mean, I need to talk to him about—!"

"Five…" she said, forming a ball of fire in her palm.

"Oh, come on! Since he quit the guild, this might be my only chance—"

"Two…" She took a step forward.

"I won't be able to move on if I don't speak to him!" He shut his eyes, ready to suffer the burning of his skin and bones, but Amelia did not throw her spell. She was staring at him with a troubled face.

"What does that even mean?"

"S-sorry, but I can't tell you…"

"I said no bullshit!" Her eyes were as fierce as those of a predator, which made Alan step back.

"I'm sorry, Amelia, I know you're his confidant, but this is something between—!" Alan's voice died as Amelia grabbed him by the neck and lifted him off the ground. His HP dropped considerably as her long nails drew blood.

"Is this all a joke to you?! I barely know you, Alan Warden, but I can already tell that you don't care about anything! You disgust me!"

"W-wh-at?"

"Look at your actions! After what happened to you earlier, you come here looking for more?! And worse of all, even though you know you're useless, here you are, expecting Lord Marco to listen to your charade! If you want to make a clown out of yourself, fine, I don't care! But can you at least think of the consequences of your recklessness first?!"

"W-we're—immortals—here! T-there's—no—conse—!"

"That's what an amateur would say!" she cried, pushing him against the white-tiled wall. "Every time you die, your money gets cut in half. Amass a great capital and you'll start picking your fights more carefully. Without money, you can't gear yourself, can't buy a house, travel, or eat well. Make enemies out of anyone with that laid-back mind of yours, and people will start harassing you, making your stay here a complete nightmare! So I ask you again, why are you here?!"

"I can't tell—!"

She let him go with a grunt. Alan collapsed, coughing and holding his neck.

"Every person that messed with you last night has already quit the guild, so what were you thinking?!" she continued. "Or what? Are you trying to impress your beloved Queen Astrid by sticking it to the man that betrayed her?"

"I-I'm not—cough—trying to…"

"You're so pathetic," she said, showing her canine teeth. "Your lack of self-respect is impressive. Do you think she would let you—" Amelia shut her mouth and shook her head as if she was reprimanding herself.

"I'm not doing this out of recklessness, I promise," he said, standing up. "But thanks for worrying about me…"

"What the hell are you talking about?! What makes you think I care about a loser like you?" she winced, prompting him to tilt his head to one side.

"We wouldn't be here if that was the case." He folded his arms, regaining his confidence. "You brought me here to talk me out of this 'madness' of mine. Am I wrong?"

"Is that right?" she sneered. "Are you telling me you can tell all that just from my actions? What if I'm just luring you into a trap?"

"What kind of trap would this be? You can kill me just by blinking."

"Fine," she shrugged, smirking in a way that terrified him. "If I'm that easy to read to you, tell me what else your 'third eye' can see in me."

Oh, crap.

"I-I-I'm more concerned about what's to come once I find Marco, you know…"

He tried to create some space between them, but the enclosed room only allowed him to move to his right side.

Amelia followed him, like a cat cornering a mouse. "So little me isn't worth a tiny fraction of your time? I thought we were having fun chatting. Am I that insignificant to you? Or do you just hate me that much?"

"Actually… I don't…"

She quickly lifted her leg back. "Say something or I'll kick your balls so hard that—!"

A scene flashed before his eyes: The moment Amelia shielded Marco from Marissa's wrath.

"I don't think you're a bad person, Amelia!"

Amelia froze in her place. "HUH?!"

"Although you killed me several times, I don't hold a grudge against you!" he started blurting out. "You were doing it because of him, right? I could see it in your eyes. Every time you killed me you showed anger, yes, but just because you really thought I had stolen Marco's guild position. I can't see you as an evil person if you care for others!"

"Is that all?!" she cried, still in a kicking stance. He only nodded, waiting for it, but she stepped back, grunting. "...Go."

He slowly opened his eyes. "Really?"

"Yes. I'm done with you. Whatever you say to Marco, I bet it'll be freaking entertaining." 

She snapped her fingers, making the lock on the door combust, but Alan was still in his place, staring at the exit.

"You won't tell anyone I'm here?"

"Just disappear from my sight, Ghost," she said, folding her arms.

(Little Red Burning Hood is in a good mood, huh? Your puppy eyes really worked on her,) Helen said through Party Chat. (By the way, I got your info. You can find Marco in the Sakura Room. I'll tell you how to get there.)

"Thanks, Amelia," Alan said, reaching the open door. "I owe you one."

"Whatever…" Amelia whispered as he stepped outside. After sighing, she opened her palm, and created a small orb of fire that quickly turned black and sprouted wings and insect-like legs. Taking flight, the little creature attached quietly to Alan's jacket.

* * * * * 

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(Do you see a staircase to your right? Go to the first floor.)

(Helen, do you also think I'm a nutcase?) Alan asked as he climbed the stairs.

Alan heard her sigh, even though it was a telepathic communication.

(Well, as our pyromaniac friend already said, why would you risk coming here after what they did to you? Just because you don't hold a great amount of gold and have nothing to lose, doesn't mean they can't kidnap you and ask Astrid for a ransom.) Helen paused so that Alan could reflect on it. (Now that you're under her protection, you hear? You're something else to worry about.)

(Everything will be fine, I promise.) From the first floor, having a wide view of the bar, he found Helen at the far right corner, getting too close to Matthew Berstein's comfort zone. (After all… You're keeping an eye on me for Astrid, don't you?)

From her place, Helen took a second to look at Alan in the distance and throw a dirty look at him. (Who knows? Maybe I just find this whole situation… entertaining.)

He snickered. (I'll be back in a minute. Secure our escape route.)

(Have fun~.)

Alan turned around and checked his new destination. In front of him, a series of doors. He read each sign as he passed them by. Dahlia, Chamomile, Iris… Here it is… Sakura.

He then took a deep breath before storming inside. "MARCO SOUZA, WE NEED TO TALK!"