Return to the bar.

Though tired, you feel lighter than air--the mystical state known by all men, a period of mental clarity after an orgasm. There's a glow in your cheeks as you return to the main room, though you're not exactly certain how long you've been gone. There's an empty plate in front of Vivi at the counter, and Delphi is sitting back beside it. Meanwhile, you notice a lot of eyes on you once again, though it's different than before.

Vivi is a little flushed, and you hear some snickering around the room. When you approach the counter, the redhead behind it eyes you over with a big grin on her face.

"Oh." You pull a hand back through your hair. "You heard everything I guess, huh?"

"Those girls are loud," she replies.

I don't even care anymore. "Well, thanks again for letting us stay here. You don't even know why we're on the run."

"I don't?"

"Oh, uh... Wait, do you?"

She chuckles. "Does it matter?" Then she reaches under the counter. Wrapped in a sheet is a long object, and she places it down gently against the countertop. "Oh. This arrived for you a moment before you finished. You should open it up."

"For me?" You eye it over suspiciously. "But how--"

"Just do it."

You place your hand upon the sheet and immediately feel a sense of familiarity. As you unravel the gift, your heart flutters. Then you do so faster. Finally, you pull off the sheet to reveal Awakened Lauo still in its special scabbard to fit your suit. You draw it immediately and wield it with pride, though there's a faint pink glow to its metal already. You look right to the redhead as you slide it back into its sheathe. "Who brought it?!"

She laughs again. "You ask so many questions." She leans forward on both her arms, flashing her cleavage as she stares straight into your eyes. "I know a lot of people, Kyle Warren. Some people are on the inside. The name's Rose, and I own this tavern. It's a safe haven for those running from the law, and the guards dare not come this way for a number of reasons. Everybody in Tolis knows this is the most dangerous part of town, and there's a powerful woman pulling those strings. A dangerous, beautiful woman."

You suddenly feel rather intimidated. Clearly, this bartender is more than she seems. "You?"

She bites her lip. "Aren't you a charmer?"

"Is that not what you were getting to?"

Rose stands back up straight. "Somebody I know retrieved it with relative ease. You're welcome. Though now you're that much more in debt to me. When the time comes, I will come and ask for that debt repaid."

"But I didn't ask--"

"I don't need you to ask. I do what I like."

Repeat customers. Sketchy part of town. Someone pulling strings. We really stumbled into something dangerous, didn't we? This must be some sort of gang. Organized crime. I can't tell if she's messing with me or not, but she might actually be some kind of criminal syndicate leader after all. Is that a good thing? She helped me out, but...

"I guess we're criminals too," you say.

She grins and holds out a hand. "I guess you are. If I had to guess, I would imagine Shadow Garden would be more than happy to ally themselves with an actual Demon King, especially one that may be the closest to Tivera's borders... You look confused. I see you aren't from this city. That's the name of the most infamous criminal organization in the empire. Scared?"

You grab her hand to shake. "When I first started my adventure, I'd probably feel the opposite. Honestly when I hear it now, I can't help but get excited by the idea of new allies, even if they are criminals. Maybe it's because the empire branded me as a criminal too. Maybe it's a different perspective I've gained. But to answer your question, no. I'm not scared at all."

"That's exactly what I'd hope to hear from a Demon King. Welcome to the underbelly of Tolis. From what I understand, you need a way to escape the city walls and make your way back home. Perhaps I can make you even more indebted to me."