*Inside Sweet Heaven the place was as busy and rowdier than usual. The waitresses were busy serving customers and Chief had his hands full preparing drinks. Lilith was in the middle of serving a table of four demihumans who were all men and lions*
(Lilith): Sorry for the wait, guys. Here’s your food!
*As Lilith bent over a little to place down the plates, the demihuman on her left side licked his lips while eying her butt. Slowly and discreetly, the demihuman moved his hand to cop a feel of Lilith’s butt. Just when he was inches away from groping it, his hand got immediately pulled by an invisible wire and he fell to the floor with a thud*
(Lilith): Oh my goodness! Sir, are you okay?
(Dust): I wouldn’t worry too much about him, Lili.
*Recognizing the voice, Lilith turned sideways to see Dust with Jin and Hibana entering the pub*
(Dust): Guy probably had too much to drink and felt a little tipsy. Might want to bring him some water to sober him up.
(Lilith): Welcome! Please find a seat and I’ll be right with you.
(Dust): Come find us at my usual spot, Lili. Make sure to bring that smile that I love.
*Lilith blushes red while covering her face with the serving plate to hide her embarrassment as she walked away. As Dust was making his way over to the bar stool, the demihuman who was on the floor let out a silent growl at Dust. The demihuman was preparing to get back up and attack Dust, but when Dust glared down at the demihuman he was soon overcome with fear and the sense of death. He could sense that if he made a move right then and there, he would regret it. Dust and the others passed by the demihuman with no issues and the demihuman returned to his seat to eat his meal as if nothing happened. Dust and the others reached their barstools and sat down. They looked up at the TV to see the news of Jamie Pac being arrested and Constantine being interviewed*
(Chief): Hey there. Haven’t seen you guys in a while.
(Dust): Did you miss us?
(Chief): I missed your money. Though I have to admit you are one of my favorite patrons. I take it you had a hand in the news this evening?
(Dust): Me? Noo~. Now this one next to me.
(Hibana): Retribution arc success! I seek food and drinks to celebrate my victory!
(Chief): Well I got you on the drinks. What’ll it be?
(Hibana): Margarita!
(Dust): Lime cocktail.
(Jin): Ginger beer, please.
(Chief): Coming right up.
*As Chief gets to work on preparing the drinks, Lilith comes up behind them*
(Lilith): What’ll it be tonight, guys?
(Dust): Order whatever you guys want, it’s on me.
(Hibana): Beef ramen!
(Jin): I’ll have the pasta.
(Dust): Chicken wings with some BBQ sauce.
*Lilith writes down their orders*
(Lilith): Coming right up.
*Lilith takes her leave all while winking at Dust and adding an extra sway in her hips as she walked away to get his attention*
(Chief): Do I need to start charging you for ogling my servers?
*Dust turns his attention back to Chief who just set down their drinks*
(Dust): Hey, she came on to me. I can’t help it if I’m that charming.
(Hibana): Careful, we wouldn’t want Lylah to hear about this.
(Chief): Who’s Lylah?
(Jin): Dust’s former student who has a not-so-secret crush on him.
(Chief): You used to teach? I can’t imagine that. Let alone seducing one of your own students.
(Dust): Like I said, I’m a charming guy. Also, Lylah and I are just friends. She just really admires me.
(Chief): I bet. Just be careful Prince Charming. You’ll get yourself in a lot of trouble if you go around charming every girl you see.
(Hibana): Spoken like a man from experience.
(Chief): Oh you don’t know the half of it. Back in my younger days when I was around Jin’s age. . .oh boy. I remember this one red-haired cutie I met who could knock your socks off. She was just as pretty as that redhead walking in.
*Everyone turned around to see the redhead Chief was talking about*
(Jin): Scarlet!?
*Scarlet was wearing a brown aviator jacket with a black shirt, blue jeans, and brown boots. Joining her was Sera, Hua, and two other guys. Sera wore a dark red sweater with black jeans and black boots. Hua was wearing a light blue jacket with black pants and brown boots. The first man they were with was tall and muscular with purple eyes and black hair that was tied into a small ponytail. He wore an orange jacket with a black sweater underneath, beige pants, and brown boots. The second man was an elf with purple hair cut in a razor shag. Unlike the others who were wearing winter outfits he was wearing a purple and white kimono with purple leaves on it. He also wore a black-beaded necklace around his neck. Once Scarlet heard her name, she quickly saw Jin, smiled, and walked over to him excited to see him*
(Scarlet): Jin! So good to see you! Where have you been? I haven’t seen you in weeks.
(Jin): Yeah, sorry about that. I’ve been busy with some knight duties. With the holidays around the corner, the order is trying to get as much work done as possible. Still, it’s great to see you again. How have things been with you?
(Scarlet): They’ve been great! Between the order and Jade coming over to train me I’ve been busy as well. Actually, if you’re not too busy, I was hoping you could perform some maintenance on my spear. I’ve seen a fair bit of action these last few weeks and I’m worried about wear and tear.
(Jin): I don’t mind. But, why me? Don’t they have blacksmiths in the Wall?
(Hua): It’s because she likes it when you do it.
(Scarlet): Hua!
*Scarlet blushes a deep red*
(Hua): What? It’s the truth. She keeps bragging about your attention to detail to everyone. She’s actually got me interested in having you check out my gloves for improvements.
(???): I too would be interested in checking out your wares.
*The big muscular man approached*
(???): I’m always looking for new gear for the field. Oh! Where our manners? I’m Robbie. Robbie Shinri.
(Jin): Yeah, I recognize you. We went to the academy together. I’m Jin Hephaestus.
(Robbie): Yeah, I remember you. We had a number of classes together. Aren’t you the guy who burnt his hand on the dry ice?
(Jin): Does everybody know about that!? Is that the highlight of my academy time?
(Robbie): *Chuckles* Sorry. But you have to admit it was a funny moment. And this guy wearing the kimono is Keanu Soragami.
(Keanu): Hispaka! Naro spu teet qu.
*Jin stared at him confusingly*
(Hibana): It’s Elfen. He said it’s nice to meet you.
(Keanu): Karoon! Karoon! (Sorry! Sorry!). Whenever I get excited I tend to speak in my native tongue. Please call me Keanu. I’m half human/half-elf. I’m from the plains of the Zusashi Empire and serving as a squire in the Blue Dragon order.
(Chief): Ah~, so you’re a member of the Plain Elves.
(Keanu): Oh. You’ve heard of us?
(Chief): Indeed I have. I’ve actually met them a few times.
(Jin): What are Plain Elves?
(Chief): Normally, elves live in forest areas or kingdoms. However, some elves have decided to forsake this and instead live in wide open areas leaving themselves vulnerable to Eclipses. Very dangerous but at the same time they’re skilled fighters.
(Keanu): I was one of the best in my tribe.
(Chief): You must have been if they decided to send you over. I take it you guys are here for the order?
(Robbie): Yes. Here’s our order number right here.
*Robbie pulls a piece of paper out of his pocket and gives it to Chief*
(Chief): Alright, it’s all set to go. Let me get it for you.
*Chief heads toward the back to get their order*
(Hibana): You guys aren’t sticking around? Would have been more than happy for the company.
(Sera): Thanks but we’re on a food run for our orders. We can’t stick around, but thanks for offering a meal.
(Dust): Offer? Who said anything about paying for your meals? I’m not made of money.
*This gets a laugh out of the group*
(Scarlet): So Jin, you think you can squeeze me in?
(Jin): Sure. Drop by tomorrow morning and I’ll knock it out.
(Scarlet): Oh thank you, Jin!
*Scarlet’s body moves on its own and she hugs Jin. When she realized what she did she pulls away blushing along with Jin and both were smiling*
(Scarlet): Sorry. My body just moved on its own.
(Jin): It’s fine! Don’t worry about it.
*Chief comes back out carrying eight bags*
(Chief): Alright, here’s your food. Orders have already been paid for so enjoy.
(Hua): Thanks as always Chief.
*Hua and the others go to pick up the bags*
(Hua): By the way Jin, got any plans for the holidays?
(Jin): Well aside from going home nothing much. Why?
(Hua): Well the Blue Dragon and Red Vermillion Orders are hosting a holiday party. You should join us if you’ve got the time.
(Jin): You sure? Won’t they be upset seeing a Black knight there?
(Hua): Oh no. I’m the organizer and all knights from any order are invited. If anyone’s got a problem with that they can have a nice chat with my ten knuckles. I’ll have Scarlet give you the details and be sure to invite Gael and Alita. I’m sure a certain someone will be happy to see you there.
*Hua gestures to Scarlet before making her way to the exit followed by the others*
(Chief): Ah~, so that’s the young lady you fancy? She’s definitely cute. I can see why you fell for her. Almost makes me wish I had my youth back. You’re going to that party, right?
(Jin): If time permits.
(Chief): Time permits? Listen to me Jin, you’ve got to strike while the iron is hot and keep her interested in you. Don’t make the same mistake I made in the past or you’ll end up like this guy over here.
*Chief points to Dust eating his chicken wings*
(Dust): Don’t listen to him, rookie. But yeah, you should definitely go to that party.
***
*Sometime later, Sweet Heaven was closing up. The chairs had been put on the table, the floor was cleaned, and Chief had just gotten done locking up the safe with the money*
(Lilith): I’m heading out, Chief.
(Chief): Right behind you. Mind turning the sign to closed for me on your way out?
(Lilith): No problem. Have a good night, Chief.
(Chief): Thanks. You too.
*Lilith headed to the door wearing a black coat and turned the sign to closed before walking out and Keanutting the door. Lilith began walking down the street to her home. Once she was out of sight, two shadowy figures began walking toward Sweet Heaven*
***
*Back in Sweet Heaven, Chief locked up the backroom, turned off the lights in the kitchen and sat down on one of the barstools as if he was waiting for somebody. He didn’t have to wait long as the doors opened and in came the two shadowy figures. One was a tall muscular man with short black spikey hair, brown eyes, and a black beard. He wore a grey trenchcoat that covered his body. The second shadowy figure was a small elf girl with golden locks for hair and red eyes. She wore a white bow in her hair, had on a red jacket, and was carrying a white umbrella. Chief let out a sigh unfazed by the two entering his pub*
(Chief): We just got done cleaning that floor, so don’t even think about taking another step.
(Man): Very well. I assumed you followed our instructions?
(Chief): Yeah, yeah.
*Chief stood up from the stool*
(Chief): I’m giving myself up as promised. As you said over the phone, I haven’t told a single soul about you. Although I will say I find this whole situation incredibly underhanded. Going after me is one thing, but threatening to go after my workers is a new low.
(Girl): *Chuckles* Oh come on, you’ve lived long enough old man. You should know the quickest way to get someone to comply with your demands is by threatening them with something they care about the most. Now get a move on. And don’t even think about doing anything stupid. Unless you want something tragic to happen to that girl who just left.
(Chief): Alright. I’m coming.
*Chief puts on a brown coat and locks the door before heading out with the man and elf. The three walked over to a black car and entered it with Chief in the back. He took one final look at Sweet Heaven before the car started driving off*
Author’s Note: A new arc begins and this time we’ll be focusing on the Chief. This chapter is pretty simple, and we get to meet fresh new faces in the form of Robbie and Keanu. Look forward to seeing more of them in the future. It’s always great to see the cast expand and watch this world grow with their introduction. We focus on more laughs this chapter. I always love having these characters interact with each other and take lighthearted jabs at one another. It’s like they leap off the pages and become their own person. So why was Chief taking hostage and who were those mysterious people that came to get him? Check out the next chapter to find out. Thanks for reading and I’ll see you next time.