After the battle had ended Lemon sauntered into the operating room where she immediately walked towards a locker and threw it open to find the doctor within.
"Please, I won't tell anyone, I'll do anything!" he begged before he was pulled out and thrown to the floor.
Lemon reached her hand to the ceiling where the weedling that had been watching jumped on and climbed back into her hair. She looked at Panoi on the table and noticed that her throat was bleeding slightly. Not enough to be serious but enough to tell Lemon that Panoi is unlikely to be the faceless. "What were you doing to this girl?"
"I was just going to do some surger- AH!"
Lemon pointed a thorn to his head.
"I was going to remove her vocal cords!" he squealed.
"Why?"
"Because we were going to hold her hostage and we would need her power to be neutralised." he said.
Lemon had sensed something from another weedling from outside. A hero and some police were on the scene and were making their way through the bar. She needed to hurry this up.
"What was she doing here?" she demanded, grabbing the surgeon by the scruff of his neck.
"To get surgery! She has chronic laryngitis and needs surgery to stop her constant flare ups!" he shouted. It seemed some people in the bar heard it and began to rush to the backroom.
"There, three questions done." said Lemon cheekily as she took out a small bulb and crushed it in the doctor's face exploding into a small ball of gas that the doctor accidentally inhales. "That won't kill you, but it won't allow you to remember what happened here, or anything much for that matter."
Lemon stepped up to the monitor which shows the bar and using her whip, slashes it and any recording devices apart, clearing up her tracks. And just as the hero reached the operating room, Lemon used a ficus infratus to disappear into the ground, no fear of being suffocated by her own plant.
- - -
After she resurfaced, the polyad returned home and asked Tsumi to begin checking for any movements in the local police network. After a few hours, it was found that Panoi was taken to the island's hospital and checked up on. Nothing much has reached the channel outside of a few messages being exchanged but nevertheless, it seems that no one knew that Lemon was there.
Once everything had quieted down, she lounged on the couch and updated Tsumi on what happened during her outing.
"So," the man said, "Panoi is extremely unlikely to be the faceless."
"Yes. I doubt the faceless would waste time and resources having surgeries to fix an issue that was well within its power to repair on its own. The bleeding too seemed pointless." stated Lemon.
Tsumi, relaxed too, holding the laptop on his lap. "Now the question is what she said about being the Polar Eye is possibly related to the kid falling yesterday."
"Couldn't tell." she admitted. "Might've been a coincidence. Hell, Dahlia's whole vision might just be nonsense."
Lemon looked around the house and noticed Dahlia's absence. "Speaking of, where's the sweet child?"
Tsumi hesitated to answer before he just decided that it didn't matter. "She had to go and buy some clothes."
"Ooh, for her date tomorrow?" Lemon immediately started to muse.
"Heh, whatever you think."
- - -
Dahlia compared her clothes as she set out different outfits on her bed. Dahlia did not know what kind of fashion this world has and was overwhelmed by all of the fabrics and styles she had available to her.
Cotton, polyester, leather, linen, nylon, silk, fleece, denim. Some she recognises, others she has only seen on others and on mannequins in the store and a few she's never imagined. On top of this, typically when shopping for clothing, a clerk would guide her through the latest trends but where she was no such person. She had to do it on her own.
In the end she decided to try on what she found to be the closest to what she recognised and took them home with her. One has a longer skirt down to her ankles, coloured a bright purple that reminds her of the dress her mother wore when they went to a marriage. The top was something simple, a soft white cotton button up shirt that covered her arms modestly.
The other outfit she took was closer to the fashion she saw on the stands. A green sundress which matched her eyes and a pair of flat shoes. She was conflicted about this outfit. She knows that one must be without socks or any coverage on the feet or legs to wear this outfit but she finds it.. immodest. She knows she must remain open minded but the thought of entering public without at least tights made her consider the other outfit more.
But if I fail to adapt here how can I adapt to the customs elsewhere?
In the end, she decided on the sundress but wore her Hencacount stockings. She knows the dark blue clashed with the green but she can't stand feeling the wind on her ankles.
Today was Saturday, or rather tonight. It was around four thirty and the sun was still high in the sky and wouldn't fall until seven. She stepped out of the house after saying farewell to Tsumi and avoiding Lemon's teasing and began to make her way to the place that they were meant to meet at.
She walked along the beachfront streets. It was almost summer, yet the academy has no such summer break due to its constant bright climate. Even in winter the tropics remain unchanged besides a few more storms. Of course there was a break then, mostly to give the students a chance to break up the year but it was kind of surreal for the colder climate girl.
The sea air was stronger than ever here and Dahlia couldn't help but drink it up on her way, passing by packing beachgoers and seaside restaurants that were starting their dinner menu. All these sights, sights she can't dream of yet stand before her still takes her breath away.
How much would I have missed if I didn't go with Ms. Karnac? And yet.. I feel guilty having seen this. I wish my mother and father were here; We could all watch this sun set together.
After a walk she reached the place. It was a two story restaurant called The Palms and seemed to be very popular with it appearing already to be packed. It was an open air restaurant with the second floor being a mostly roofless terrace with chairs set up to give a view of the horizon. Talking to the host, he brings her to her seat where Rolo was already waiting for her.
He was dressed formal yet casual with a blazer and a shirt underneath it. His hair was clearly cut today having a noticeable sheen to it that made it appear softer than clouds. She had to admit he looked nice but it didn't really affect her opinion of him. Dahlia sat down and Rolo immediately opened the conversation.
"So you came after all? Not that I doubted you for a second." he said with his head held up by his hand.
"A McD- *ahem* a Novitin never goes back on a promise." said Dahlia as she looked around the space they were in.
The restaurant from the inside was quite nice, the tropical music wasn't intrusive like she had heard in some other places and there was a stage where a band was quietly performing a soft to the ears song about sunshine and rainbows. Of course the heat was still hell but the sun dress surprisingly (to her) made it easier to bear with.
"By the way, you look incredible." Rolo said as he kept his focus on Dahlia.
"Thank you. You don't look bad yourself." she said passively.
"A compliment, wow!", he motioned his hands in exaggerated show of surprise, "Think that might've been the first one, and I'm sure one of many this evening."
The girl almost rolled her eyes at his fake exuberance. "Don't expect more or your hands will swell."
"My hand.. Will swell?" said Rolo confused.
"It's an expression from where I am from." she explained.
"Tell me more about it."
Dahlia holds her tongue. Thinking through what to say and if she should say it.
"It is considered taboo to speak with your hands as.."
Dahlia had told a folk story to Rolo from her homeworld about how a man who had always spoke whilst expressing with his hands. He would convince merchants to hand over their goods, villagers to let him into their homes and even women to become his lovers. That was until he met a nun.
He tried to convince the nun to hand over a golden chalice which she guarded but when he tried to, she raised her hand and denounced the man's attempt. Apparently, he used his hands to cast spells under the guise of expression and she punished the man so by beating his hands until they swelled to the point of never using them again to cast.
"And that is where the expression comes from." finished Dahlia.
"A nun? Is that some kind of old lord where you are from?" he asked but she wasn't sure if it was a genuine question or not.
"Old lord?"
The boy thought for a moment. "Like nobles from kilattel times?"
Dahlia tried to think through what he said and realised he was talking about his world's history but she did take note of the noble part of his query.
"No a nun is a religious figure where I am from."
"Oh." said Rolo, gaining a small bout of curiosity.
The waiter had come for the order and drinks. Dahlia settled for water but upon Rolo's insistence she had decided on sparkling water, whatever that happened to be. She still wasn't familiar with foods and drinks not from her world.
When the water was delivered it was popping and bubbling like it was acid. She hesitated for a moment before drinking it, tickling her throat and almost making her spit it out of panic but her dignity and pride forced it down. Rolo could clearly tell she didn't like it but he didn't want to say anything.
"So Dahlia. Is religion big where you are from?" the boy questioned.
The girl pushed her drink a little bit away. "Yes, it would be."
"Are you religious?"
The question caused Dahlia to pause as she considered the question truly. The Mother of Light, a religion that has enough power to influence the king. The McDernon Castle had a chapel within it that was run and Dahlia had frequently visited but she never felt like she committed to it. Neither did her parents and the inclusion was only to keep the clergy happy. Does she believe that such a thing as god exists? Of course, it has to, where else does the clergy get their power; but does she obey it? She defied them, so..
"No, I am not really." said Dahlia, affirmed but on a shaky tower of confidence.
He smiled. "Same. Never really got all that god stuff. Why waste time on that when you can use that time spent having fun?"
The words were blasphemous. Dahlia knows a few people who would kill Rolo on the spot for uttering such a thing, so carelessly at that. Dahlia even opened her mouth, wanting to stop him in case someone overhears before she remembered where she was. She didn't really have to worry about stuff like that while here so why should care about what is said about them.
"Yes. I can see that as well." Dahlia said much more confidently, in a tone that might be mistaken for agreeing with him but she would never admit it.
The boy kept firing questions at her. "So, what do-"
"I'll have to stop you right there." Dahlia interrupted Rolo. "You have asked me too much, now I want to learn something about you."
"Oh? Finally taking an interest in me?" he grinned.
"Not quite. Just rather not be the one interrogated." she answered.
"This isn't an interrogation." the boy smiled. "Just conversation. But sure, I'll bite."
After another very short drink of water,"What is it that you can do? Your power."
Rolo sat back and flicked his hair, "I thought you got a full look at what I do?"
"Surely your teleportation isn't limitless?" she wondered.
"Of course I get tired after a while.. And one other thing."
"What's that?"
"You'll need a second date if you want to learn that secret." Rolo said as he winked with a laugh.
"Hah.." Dahlia let out in a sigh.
The waiter had returned, their meals delivered. For Rolo it was grilled chicken and for Dahlia it was ribs, much to Rolo's surprise. "Who would've thought the princess would enjoy such a rough meal."
Dahlia did not hesitate to eat. Quickly and formally she sliced the meat off with a knife and collected it in a stack with a fork. It was textbook table manners and Rolo couldn't help but question it.
"Where did you learn all of that? Is your home country specific about table manners?" he whistled, taking bites of his chicken as he listened to her response.
Dahlia talked as she continued to cut, "Yes. It was a required education for me. It was considered.. shameful to lack etiquette."
"Was it a big thing in your school?"
"It was, even if no one really cared about it." she said, a little sourly.
Rolo looked confused and Dahlia could see it, so she took another bite of her meal and continued after she swallowed.
"I was often ignored by a lot of my peers. Even the teachers didn't really care if I did good or bad in anything really. So I worked hard to be noticed but even getting the top grades in nearly everything barely made them bat an eye." she said, not sure where this admission is coming from.
Rolo wanted to say something but he was unsure if he should say it in case it might seem insensitive. "Did you have many friends?" he finally settled.
"No. I had no one but family." she said but not sadly, at least outwardly.
Inside though Dahlia was sombre, remembering how it wasn't that long ago she was sitting alone, only approached to either be given a lacklustre attempt at courting her to gain some of her family's power or treated like a ghost or something alike. The stretches of time when she was at home studying or reading while those her age hosted tea parties and hunting trips… She never felt bad for herself, she was fine with who she was but, she couldn't help but feel like she was wasting time being productive.
Rolo seemed to make a face like he actually cared. "Well, I hope to think I am your friend. And I'm sure Yume and most of everyone else in class thinks the same."
Rolo's reassurance felt nice but Dahlia also had felt this feeling before, thinking everything is alright just because of one person's words. But nevertheless, she remains respectful.
"Thank you, Rolo." keeping cordial.
They continued their meal and before too long everything was gone but the order of a small desert was on its way under Rolo's insistence and so the two continued to talk.
"So, I have told you so much about myself. Why don't you tell me about yourself? You mentioned your father the other day, I imagine he isn't on the island if you are in the dorms." she inquired.
For the first time in this conversation, Rolo seemed to be a bit stunned at what to say. It was only for a moment and was dismissed fast but Dahlia could see that this question was unexpected. Dahlia quickly spoke to rectify her possible mistake.
"I'm sorry Rolo, if you didn't want to talk about this…"
He waved his hands to dismiss her apology. "Oh no it's fine. It's not as if he's dead or anything. Even if he was, it would change nothing about how I feel towards him."
A visible look of concern and confusion showed on Dahlia as Rolo explained what he meant.
"My dad is a snobby, crabby, rich old man who hates that his son is anything other than his carbon copy. He has been harping on me on and on to quit being a hero and go back to being his mini-me. He even became an investor for Polaratus just so he could mess with it." he explained.
Ah, he sounds like my grandfather and mother but how he puts it, it sounds like he's one step further.
Rolo seemed to have said all he wanted to say. He didn't sound annoyed or sad, but he did seem to be frustrated at having to waste words on his father.
"I imagine he doesn't approve of your choice of education?" she asked further.
The boy chuckled a bit. "Approve? He hates it! Even when I'm in the top class in the world for heroes he still thinks it's a waste of time. I did follow what he wanted for a while when I was younger but I hated it."
Rolo laughed a bit before he continued, "You know what I did when I left for Polaris? I did one of those bucket traps."
She wasn't completely sure if she was familiar with their bucket traps so she asked. "A bucket trap? Is that the joke where you place a bucket on the door and when it's opened it drops water?"
He nodded insistently. "Yeah, well, instead of water I used flour and instead of just one door I did it to every door in the house. Kitchen doors, study doors, greenhouse doors; I even did closet doors, fridge doors and every cupboard too!" Rolo chuckled at the memory.
"He had to have the entire staff scout the building to find them all! And when he thought he got them all? He opened his medicine cabinet and bam! More flour!"
Rolo's small laugh at that was joyous and Dahlia smiled a little at how much he was enjoying himself. From then on the two shared their own stories about family, Dahlia making sure that they don't give anything away about her true identity or the fact that the parents she's referring to in her stories aren't her "parents".
She told him about the time her father went on a hunting trip only to come back soaking wet and an antler stuck in his behind. Rolo talked back about how, using his power, kept messing with a bully in fourth grade by placing pins everywhere he sat down.
They enjoyed the dessert, a small slice of chocolate lava cake that was delicious as it was appetising to the eyes and it was eaten quickly. Once the dinner was done, Dahlia got ready to pay for her half of the meal when the boy stopped her.
"Let me pay for it Dahlia!" Rolo said with a smile and a wink.
She stopped him. "I insist Rolo, let me pay for my half."
It wasn't as if she didn't want to owe him anything but because she genuinely did enjoy that and didn't want him to pay for her half of the meal which was arguably more expensive.
The two went back and forth until Dahlia managed to push through and they agreed to split the price of the meal. As both of them stepped out to the pier, the sun was falling onto the horizon and the change from blue skies to an amber fade had begun. The two walked the boardwalk and watched the sunset quietly to the sounds of other restaurants dining.
Finding a bench the two sat side by side and talked.
"I've only been here a few months and I have already grown tired of that sun. But in a good way." said Rolo.
"How do you mean?" asked Dahlia.
He hummed. "Being used to it makes me feel much farther away from where I came from. Like the stress of my family is getting farther away."
"Is your family really that bad?" she questioned.
Dahlia has only ever had her mother, father and grandfather to rely on. They didn't seem to be bothered by whatever seemed to scare off everyone else so naturally she was really close to them. Hearing someone else not have that kind of relationship made her curious.
Rolo nodded. He didn't seem to want to waste another word on them again.
"I want to win the Polaratus." said Rolo.
"So you can prove to your father that you are better as a hero?" she guessed.
"Can't you let me make my dreary vow?" Rolo said in a fake pout. "But yeah. I know he's investing in the Polaratus because of me so he can use it against me and say 'look at how much I invested in this thing you love and you didn't care enough to win'."
"You say that like you're experienced." she noted.
The boy hummed again. "I am. He did it with my sister and painting. Bought out a whole gallery for her to show her art and when she obviously couldn't keep up, he used it to overwhelm. Literally broke her love for it."
Neither of them looked at each other, instead focusing on the horizon and their own voices.
"I believe you can do it." said Dahlia.
"Thanks," he said simply.
"I'm quite serious, I have seen someone do the same as you and it felt like they were unbeatable." she stated, remembering Alice and her teleporting.
She didn't turn to see his face but she was sure he was smiling. Both of them said nothing else until the sun had kissed the ocean. At which Rolo stood up and faced Dahlia.
"Thank you Dahlia for honouring that bet, I know it was bothering you and thought for sure you would go back on it because why wouldn't you? But you didn't." he gleed.
The girl stood too. "I'll be honest. I went only so I could punish myself into trying harder.."
"Ouch."
"But I have to admit. This has felt more like a reward. Thank you Rolo for a nice dinner."
"Wanne have a second one?" he said, a bit too fast.
"...We'll see." she said, genuinely unsure if she wanted another one or not. It wasn't romantic or anything but it was definitely nice to talk to another human being that wasn't family.
The two parted ways. Rolo offered to walk her home but her house was a bit away from the dorms so she insisted on her being fine. On the way home, the sun had fully vanished and the darkness was here, but it didn't feel like anything was any less bright at all.