Run for it.

"Let's get going," you suggest. "Quickly. We need to find somewhere safe."

"But... there's people out there. Someone might see me."

"Well, would you rather stay here and get attacked by gremlins? We'll be sneaky, using the alleys to get somewhere. I don't know where. Come on, Eva. Just cover up and listen for anyone coming. We'll hide if someone shows up."

She whimpers. "All right. I guess we gotta."

The two of you begin hustling down the snaking paths of the market's back alleys. So far, you haven't run into anyone else, and the gremlins have yet to strike again. Though, that isn't helping Eva's nerves. Your sword continues to glow. Soon, you reach a clearing to where multiple paths lead. Eva perks up and tugs on your sleeve, though with difficulty given her situation. She nearly uncovers herself to do so.

"I hear people," she whispers.

You turn your eyes around the corner to spot three figures mumbling to one another. By their garb, they look to be ruffians of some sort. It's probably best not to get involved with them right now.

"Can't you turn your sword off, Kyle?" she asks quietly.

"Not unless you can calm yourself down," you whisper back.

"What the heck does that supposed to mean?"

You sigh. "It uh... glows around arousal."

Her eyes widen. "What? I'm n-not--!"

The ruffians turn at the noise. You hear one ask the other if they heard something. Retreating behind the corner, you press your back to the wall and hold your breath. Though, when you look to Eva, it seems she's struggling to do the same thing. Her back cheeks press against the cold stone, causing her to shiver. As she covers her body in desperation, she her breathing doesn't exactly hold. Instead, it becomes more of a series of sharp inhales and exhales through her flared nostrils. You worry she's going to hyperventilate at this rate.

"I can hear them coming," she says as she looks up to you with pleading eyes. "Oh gods. What do I do? What do I do?!"

"Shh! Let me think." You glance around. "The barrel over there. Hop inside, and I'll talk to them."

She hustles over to the barrel in question and pops off the top. "D-Don't look!"

You glance away and hear rustling behind you. A moment later, you turn to see the bunny no longer. It's just in time as well, as an elven man turns the corner. He has a shaven head and a nasty scar over his left eye.

"Huh? The hell you doing over here, boy?" he says--voice rough and worn. There's a cutlass in his hand.

"Not much. Just taking a shortcut."

"With your sword out?"

You look to the blade, which is no longer glowing. Thankfully, the barrel is far enough away.

"It's dangerous around here," you say. "Why wouldn't I?"

Two others turn the corner. One is a chubby human man with short black hair, and the other is a human as well, though is a woman. Her hair is long and black, with a purple stripe down to her bangs. You look between them nervously.

"What's going on over here?" the woman asks.

"Just some kid with a really nice sword," the elf replies. "Elven, it looks like. I wouldn't mind using that instead of this piece of trash."

The other man speaks up. "If he's by himself, why did we hear talking?"

This causes the others to look to one another.

"Hey yeah," the elf says. "Who the hell were you talking to?"