The man in the red suit didn't react much, apart from just staring in their general direction like usual, over a white mask it is easy to notice his eyes were normal, yet completely stationary, not focused nor relaxed.
"Lies!" The merchant screamed, pointing his finger in frustration. "Just mere minutes ago I heard him speak with my very own ears! You vile liars!"
"He's getting on my nerves…" Mei whispered into Esmeralda's ears as the sisters, also partners in crime, exchanged a look wanting to punch him, uppercut.
"He… said what…?" The AAA finally spoke up again, now turning his upper half body towards the merchant. "A team… but swordsman in… heavy armor is deaf… Not very efficient… It seems."
"Lying is… Not tolerable… After causing a… ruckus."
Quickly being caught on by the lie, Pearl tried not to look at Rina, not knowing her exact plan, he was already prepared to fight; even though again they were in enemy's territory, as already criminals. But it seems Rina was not confident either, keeping her smile yet a sweat was seen rolling down as the man in red suit slowly grip his hand in mid air, as if holding a weapon no one could see, meanwhile maintaining a calm standing position.
"Yes! That guy said he didn't want trouble but his horse is battle trained and aggressive so he ORDERED me to move mine! He is definitely can speak fine even if deaf!"
'Dug his own grave.' Rina thought, holding back a smirk.
"He… warned you… it seems…?"
"Why does that matter! Lock them up for lying!"
"The core of… The problem is… The horse, which was… warned and, you did not… listen, lying or not…"
"What… you! You?"
Before he could say anything more or less, the merchant was taken away by two guards in chainmails who got their orders. His voice still resounded as he was escorted out.
"Your boss will hear about this! Do you know who I am! You god damn !#$%&!"
Afterwards, Marc spoke up first, bowing down slightly to show his gratitude and equity the AAA shows. Rina then explained that in order to clear this out, she had to lie to get that man to confess himself, luckily that did not backfire, they were on a very thin string. The man in red didn't react at all like before, just nodding before walking away.
"Refrain from… Causing any ruckus… I hope."
Everyone sighed in relief, Mei went up and praised Rina for her quick yet risky thinking; emphasizing on the quick part only. Before the team began to set up to move again, Pearl got on the back of the carriage and swirled his hand in the air a few times, creating a small window for the team's groceries to fall out.
"This always costs me so much mana, still I prefer it over physically carrying."
Preparing to leave town before the sun goes over their head, a small silhouette quickly appeared and ducked under the carriage, holding on to it as if hitchhiking. Of course being The Freedom Group, they all noticed it and looked at each other, as if to say "No you go check it." Except for Esmeralda who just stared up at everyone and wondered why they all stopped all of a sudden. Soon, Rina shook her head and spoke from on top of the carriage without even bothering to look down there.
"Hello there."
Silence ensued, no one answered as everyone went on as normal, stacking, cleaning, checking gears and all that.
"You feel familiar, weren't you the girl from earlier?"
Being caught so easily, the hooded thief slowly emerged from below, using her eyes to try and locate a tall mage with glasses and blue hair who was checking Marc's sword. She went over and handed him a silver coin.
"The sandwich, thank you."
Mei and Rina already noticed it beforehand, but they decided to not comment on it, could only give the cold man of the group a warm smile.
"In context, that coin is worth more to you than me, and I don't know what you are talking about. I don't like sandwiches."
Refusing to take the coin, Pearl didn't look at the young girl, nor did she try to convince him to take it, she pocketed the coin before pulling out something else from her waist.
[Wanted]
Marc Omal
Pearl Magmal
Mei Magmal
Rina Wenswood
[Sketches included]
[Dead or Alive]
Wanted posters they are, there's none in town as far as the team know so she must have gotten it from some thugs or went somewhere near Sulkos, which might explain her attempt at attacking Mei and Rina earlier.
"Take me with you, or I will call the guards."
"Excuse me?"
"I want to be out of this town, I want to be away but I can not survive on my own."
Pearl, very much confused, stopped whatever he was doing to spend a moment and stare at the young girl, obviously noticing her not in the best shape possible.
"You are not useful to us." He said calmly.
"Hey, can I?" Marc got in before the conversation got worse, knowing Pearl and how he could be too straight forward at times.
"Hello, I am Marc. We can bring you along but… Why do you want to get away? It is very dangerous."
"Mine is Gona, I want to start a new life, but it's hard to make money. You need to help me."
Everyone stayed focused on the conversation while still doing their part. They do not know how to deal with this situation, certainly not wanting to get into another fight, or wanted in another country at that.
Hearing the girl; or Gona's answer, Marc paused to sort out his mind a bit before signaling the team to wait for a bit, not rushing their leave as planned while he sat the young girl down with some cheese to have a chat, like a wise man once said: You may fascinate a woman by giving her a slice of cheese.