Stranger danger

Sol smirked as he leaned back against the bar, watching Candy huff and turn away. It was obvious she had some history with the old man at Lover's Bar, but she wasn't ready to spill it just yet. That only made him more curious. Still, he knew better than to push too hard. Instead, he let the silence stretch between them, sipping his drink and letting the tension simmer.

Candy finally turned back to him, her golden eyes studying him with something between suspicion and amusement. "You gonna keep grinning at me like that all night?"

Sol shrugged, raising his glass in a mock toast. "Depends. You gonna keep dodging my questions?"

She snorted. "You're a pain, traveler."

"And you're avoiding the subject," he shot back smoothly. "But fine, I'll let you off the hook—for now."

Candy rolled her eyes but didn't seem entirely displeased with his response. Instead, she leaned on the counter, flicking her tail lazily behind her. "So, delivery boy, you enjoying your new gig? Or are you already bored?"

Sol chuckled. "It's… surprisingly interesting. Didn't think running packages would be this eventful, but the Luminara District has a way of making even the smallest tasks feel bigger than they are."

Candy hummed, tilting her head slightly. "Yeah, that sounds about right. The district's always had a way of drawing people into things they didn't expect."

Sol tapped his fingers against his glass, considering her words. "Speaking from experience?"

Candy gave him a wry grin. "Maybe. But like you said, I'm dodging questions tonight."

Sol exhaled a laugh, shaking his head. "Fair enough."

The bar had started to fill up as the night went on, the chatter growing louder around them. A group of off-duty mercenaries had taken over one corner, their laughter ringing through the space. A few drifters had settled into booths, talking in hushed tones over glasses of something strong. The Cosmic Drift was alive, buzzing with the kind of chaotic energy that made it feel like anything could happen at any moment.

"You sticking around for long?" Candy asked, her voice pulling him back to the present.

Sol glanced at her, considering the question. "Not sure yet. I like the district, but I get the feeling it's not the kind of place you settle down in."

Candy nodded, her expression unusually thoughtful. "Yeah… it's not. But that's what makes it fun."

Sol smirked, raising his glass to her. "To fun, then."

She clinked her glass against his. "To fun, traveler."

Sol finished his drink and reached into his pocket, tossing a few extra credits onto the counter. "For the drink and for humoring me," he said with a smirk.

Candy glanced at the tip and raised an eyebrow before flashing him a sly grin. "Generous tonight, aren't we?"

"Just making sure I get good service next time," Sol replied smoothly, standing up from his seat. He adjusted his jacket and gave her a lazy salute. "See you around, Candy."

Candy's tail flicked behind her as she leaned on the counter, watching him go. "Don't stay gone too long, traveler."

Sol chuckled before making his way out of the bar, disappearing into the neon-lit streets of the District.

As he wandered with Peach perched lazily on his shoulders, Sol let out a long sigh before turning into a dimly lit alleyway. The deeper he walked, the more he subtly dropped a few seeds from his palm, ensuring each one was hidden beneath the illusionary veil he wove around them. He had a feeling he wasn't alone.

After a few minutes, he came to a stop and turned around, his sharp stary eyes glinting in the darkness. "It's not polite to follow someone for so long, you know."

The moment he spoke, figures emerged from the shadows, their aggressive eyes locked onto him. A slow, deliberate clapping echoed through the alley, followed by a deep, gruff voice. "I'd expect nothing less from Lover's Bar's new delivery boy."

A large man stepped forward, cybernetic enhancements covering half his massive frame. The group behind him, a mix of different alien races, all carried the same thuggish air about them. Sol barely spared them a glance before exhaling in boredom. "So, what do you want?"

The leader chuckled, unfazed by Sol's lackluster attitude. "Nothing much. Our boss has some questions for you and would love to have you over for a little chat."

Sol rubbed his chin, pretending to consider the offer. "Hmm, what do you think, Peach? Mom always said not to talk to strangers."

Peach, completely oblivious to the situation, enthusiastically repeated, "Yes, yes! Stranger danger!"

Sol turned back to the group with a lazy shrug. "Sorry, you heard him."

For the first time, the cybernetic man was genuinely dumbfounded. Of all the responses he had expected, this wasn't one of them. He opened his mouth, but hesitated, glancing at the talking bear still perched on Sol's shoulder. His crew exchanged confused glances, one of them whispering, "Something's wrong with that kid's head."

Regaining his composure, the leader's voice hardened. "I'm not asking, kid."

Sol sighed, muttering, "So fucking unoriginal."

He barely moved, only shifting his weight slightly as he pressed his foot down. In an instant, the seeds he had scattered pulsed with energy, triggering an explosion of vines that erupted from the ground. The thugs barely had time to react before they were ensnared, thick tendrils wrapping around their arms, legs, and necks. Some struggled, but the vines tightened, restricting their movements.

The most unsettling part? There was nothing visible around them—only the eerie sensation of unseen forces constricting their bodies, courtesy of Sol's layered illusions.

Panic flickered across their faces as they realized they had no idea what they were fighting against.

Sol smirked, taking a step closer, voice dripping with amusement. "Now, let's try this again—what do you want?"