OCEAN EYES I

On arriving home, Mario asks a lot of questions. He never mentions the race, probably because of his loss. At midnight, Mario gets up to train. Mari eventually wakes up and begins to watch him without Mario's knowledge. When Mario finally finishes, Mari applauds him.

Mari: You've got some clean sword moves.

Mario: You've been spying.

Mari: Spying? Nah. I'd rather call it "watching." I had my suspicions, but now I know who you really are.

Mario: What are you blabbing about?

Mari: Mario Cadel. You're a Daline.

Mario is shocked but keeps his composure.

Mario: Where'd you hear that?

Mari: I have my ways.

Mario: Did Toro tell you?

Mari: No, no. Toro wouldn't tell me something like that.

Mario: Well, you figured it out a bit too late because I'm not a Daline anymore.

Mari: I know. Stupid "lesser twin" issue. I told them it was dumb.

Mario: Told who? What are you even talking about?

Mari: You good at keeping secrets?

Mario: It's not like I have anyone to tell.

Mari: I'm from a house that knows the rules of all the other houses. I'm a Real.

Mario looks at him in disbelief.

Mari: I'm Mari Gransbelle of House Real.

Mario: But that would mean...

Mari cuts in.

Mari: I'm currently third in line to the throne. At least I was, up until the day I walked away from it all.

Mario: You walked away from your identity as a member of the most important house in Malvay?

Mari laughs.

Mari: Yup. Before you ask a lot of questions, let me tell you this. I don't know the confidential stuff, so don't go asking about your father and brother's deaths. If there is one person that hates the royal family, it's me. But now, I'm a hunter, and hunters don't bear the name of their houses. So we're pretty much all the same as you. A lot of people do not know you're the late Lord Mato's son. That's understandable, judging from the fact that you were pretty much never shown to the world. No offense. Remember though, no one can know about this.

Mario: Tch. I heard you before. But just keeping your secret for you seems too dull. How about a duel? If I win, then the whole world gets to know who you really are, but if you win, things stay the way they are.

Mari laughs at Mario.

Mari: A junior hunter challenging a CIT to a duel? There are a thousand and one others who would stand a better chance. I'll agree though, simply to satisfy your desire.

Mario: That's more like it. Winner is decided by last-man-standing rules.

Mari: I'm not doing that. It's too dangerous.

Mario: Guess the world is about to find out the prince is here.

Mari: Fine... but I'm gonna stop the moment your back hits the floor.

Mario: Optimistic much? But I don't think I'm going to lose this one.

Mari: So, your sword against my fists. That's fair enough. Actually, it's far from fair since you're going to lose woefully, but let's just call it "fair."

Mario: Actually, you have to use Kado.

Mari: I'll use it if you put up a good enough fight.

Mario: Enough talk. Let's begin.

Mario rushes at Mari, swinging his sword from left to right, but Mari continues to sidestep him.

Mari: You're the underdog in this duel. Ideally, underdogs don't attack first. They wait for an opportunity to strike.

Mario: Just quit dodging and fight back!

Mari: I'm trying my hardest to drag this fight out, but you're just not good enough.

Mario: Says the guy who keeps dodging.

Mari: You should be ashamed. I'm simply stepping you over.

Mario: Wait till I knock that lollipop out of your mouth.

Mari: All right. This has gone on for too long. I warned you to leave my lollipops out of this.

Mari punches Mario in the stomach, kicks his ankles, and chops his shoulder, leaving Mario on the floor, trying to use his sword to support himself as he struggles to rise to his feet. Mari turns around.

Mari: I've won. Just give up. You're still not fully recovered from the weeks you spent in that cursed forest. Just stay down.

Mario's tone changes and becomes awfully tense, even for him.

Mario: It will never end till I kill you all!

Mari feels a sharp, ominous intent all of a sudden. He panics and launches a lightning bolt at Mario, but misses. The bolt hits a piece of furniture, leaving it completely destroyed. He realizes the implication of his actions and rushes to Mario's side.

Mari: I'm sorry. I just snapped all of a sudden and...

Mario cuts in, excited.

Mario: That was so cool! Your kado attribute is lightning? I guess I was good enough to push you to the point of using kado after all.

Mari is obviously thrown off balance by the incident.

Mari: I'm glad you're okay. Excuse me. I have to go back to bed now.

Mario: What's up all of a sudden? You're not upset, are you? You just won again.

Mari: I'm fine. Just tired. I need to get some fresh air first. So, I'll be heading out for a while. You should get some rest.

Mari walks outside and ponders on what transpired. His mind becomes clouded with thoughts.

Mari: Was that what Toro was talking about?

YESTERDAY, SHORTLY AFTER TORO LEFT MARIO.

Toro meets with Mari. He is leaning on his car as Mari runs to meet him. Mari jumps on him and hugs him tight for a while, as Toro struggles to get him off.

Toro: I see you're as careless as ever, Mari.

Mari: It's been a while, little T.

Toro: I've told you to leave me out of your nicknaming.

Mari: Getting mad, little T?

Toro begins to yell.

Toro: How many times do I have to...

Toro takes a deep breath and calms down.

Toro: Unfortunately, I didn't call you here to catch up. I need you to do me a favor.

Mari: Anything for you, little T.

Toro: I trained a new hunter. Time will not permit me to explain everything. I need you to watch over him for a while.

Mari: Watch over him? Why? Don't tell me you brought in a liability.

Toro: It's not like that. There's something about this kid that's unusual, so to speak. We couldn't wipe his memory, but some people are immune to memory wiping, just like you. So, no surprises there.

Mari: So?

Toro: When I found him, he was helpless, but suddenly I sensed a strong intent to kill. Not too long ago, I noticed it again. I don't want to report this yet because I'm not a fan of DDI's solution to issues like this.

Mari: Fine. I'll help you monitor him and update you if anything comes up. You're making this a big deal.

Toro: He has a weapon. A lethal one. I gave it to him.

Mari: You gave a sword that can probably obliterate anyone to a half-baked junior hunter who has anger issues and a tendency to go cray-cray? That's really captain-like.

Toro: I have my reasons. So, are you going to do it or not?

Mari: I'll do it, but just remember you owe me one.

Toro: That's great. He's probably at your apartment right now.

Mari: My what?!

PRESENT TIME

Mari: I guess I have a lot on my plate this time. But wait a minute. I was so worried and thankful, I forgot something very important. The lightning bolt didn't hit him, even when I was aiming at him. He didn't deflect it, so he must have dodged it. Mari's D-pad beeps, and Mario comes out to meet him as Mari stares at his screen.

Mario: Mari.

Mari: I see it, O. I see it. Ocean eyes, huh.

Yesterday, shortly after Toro left Mario...

Toro meets with Mari. He is leaning on his car as Mari runs to meet him. Mari jumps on