Kanda sipped through the tea and looked at the counter. It wasn't usual for him to stop by an inn. Marshal Tiedol, his superior, chose the place for them to meet up. He noticed that it is a place where nobles usually hang out.
The silence was broken when a young lady with white locks entered. The crowd started to greet her as if she is a very important individual. "Kanda, its not very difficult to look for you. For someone who wanted to stay away from people as much as possible", Marshall Tiedol arrived with Marie and Miranda.
The three hid their uniform under their coat in order not to scare unsuspecting individuals. "There are reports of people disappearing around this area. Unfortunately, the Asian branch is also asking for our aid. Kanda, can I count on you for this particular mission?", Tiedol smiled. "Do I even have a choice?", Kanda clicked his tongue. "Smile morning, you might find good things when you do so", Tiedol patted his shoulder. "There will be no finder for him?", Miranda asked. "I don't need any", Kanda stood up and went to the counter to pay. It was empty so he waited for sometime.
The white haired woman popped out wearing a generous smile. "Are you paying out already?", she asked and looked at the list. Kanda just nodded, unwilling to spare just few words. "That would be...", the lady's head tilted. "On the house", she looked curiously on Kanda and saw his uniform peeking from his coat. "Thank you for your services", she gave a slight bow. Kanda raised a brow. Most civilians are not informed about their organization.
Street
Kanda walked to find some traces of the enemy. There are few damaged buildings but it doesn't seem to be an act of the monster they are chasing after. He takes it back. Without a finder, he's doesn't have enough patience to ask for information.
"Do you think its really just a rumor? The disappearance is really bothering and yet the mayor doesn't seemed bothered about it".
"Such a pity that they have to die for some reason".
"Didn't you notice? Those who are disappearing are those who lost someone they love. What if they committed suicide?"
Kanda felt irritated enough to shot a glare on the last person who spoke. "Are you alright? You seem to be new in our place. If you're going to spend a night, why don't you stay in our inn?", the white haired lady appeared behind him. There's a huge height difference between the two. Amused by Kanda's Asian feature, the lady kept looking into his sharp eyes. Kanda did the same. It's not everyday that he meets someone with scarlet orbs. He thought it resembled Lavi's hair. "Hmmm?", her gentle voice resembled Lenalee. He kept remembering people. "You guys are soldier, right? Few years ago, this place was caught on a crossfire between two kingdom. There was a bloodshed. Look around, we are the remnants from that battle. So, it's a good decision for you to hide your uniform inside", the lady explained. "Tell me more about that", Kanda finally saw someone who can act as a finder.
The two walk side by side on the pavement. The carriage passed through them. The townspeople kept greeting her. Kanda guessed she's coming from a prominent family. "I'll be dropping by your inn later. I'm looking forward in drinking your own mix of hot chocolate", one old man waved his hand. The lady chuckled. "By the way, I am Eleanor but they call me Elly", she arranged her hair in one side of her shoulder. "I don't give my name", Kanda looked away. "I understand", Eleanor nodded. She pointed the fountain. "A lot of people ponder her about their loses. After staying here for the whole night, they disappear", the lady said in a sad tone. "Did you also lose someone that important to you?", Kanda looked at her scarlet eyes and they were lonely. "I think, one point of our lives, we will", she picked herself up easily and patted some kids playing around the fountain.
"She's such a darling, isn't she?", a middle aged man stood beside Kanda. He removed his hat and gave a casual bow to the lad. "I thought you're sent by her father. You have an aura of a soldier but I guess you're not here to get her", the town's mayor sighed. "Her father?", Kanda was a little curious. "Oh, pardon me. I am also the owner of the inn. You should stay with us. Thank you for keeping her company", the Mayor pointed at the building few meters away from them. Kanda was planning to just stay at the roof to watch the phenomenon on the fountain.
Inn
Eleanor went back at the inn after walking around with Kanda. She heard some cheering as she entered. "Who is up for hot chocolate? Its on me!", she generously smiled at everyone.
A lady wearing a maid's clothes went near her and whispered something. "There are three suspicious people around a while ago. Your father is asking me if I could fetch you", she said with a nervous tone. "They don't mean harm. Plus, one of them will stay here at our inn", Eleanor winked. "Milady, if you want to make your mother stop crying, you should go home", the maid bowed. "I think she haven't wept enough to pay for those innocent blood", Eleanor's cheery face turned dark.
Evening
Eleanor wiped the cups and gently places them in the cupboard. The door opened and the chimes sounded. "Welcome", she greeted and saw Kanda with his ever long face.
"Are you in a mission to spy in this town? I bet you never saw any hints", Eleanor slightly chuckled. The long haired man clicked his tongue. "Its been a long day. I cooked some soba noodles and prepared green tea", Eleanor went out of the counter. She went to the kitchen to fetch Kanda's food. The lad paid using silver coins. "You're loaded with money", Eleanor commented. Kanda didn't respond and started to dig into his food. He realized something in between. He grabbed on the lady's wrist. "How did you know?", Kanda's eyes twitched. "About what?", she tried to grab her hand back.
"What are you talking about?", the lady gulped. "This set of food, how come you know how to prepare them?", Kanda's eyes sharpened. "You seem to be Asian and I happened to learn about your cuisine from a friend. Did that offend you?", Eleanor gave up and allowed Kanda to grab on her wrist. She felt him loosening his grip. "Never mind", Kanda scoffed feeling like an idiot with what he thought about the lady's possible ability. "May I join you?", Eleanor asked for permission. Kanda didn't give an answer hinting the lady that he might not totally dislike the idea. She gracefully sat in front of Kanda.
"Did you find something?", Eleanor asked. Kanda's silent way of eating impressed the lady. He looked elegant as he uses the chopstick and raise his cup to drink. "I don't give information unless it is necessary", Kanda looked at Eleanor's eyes. He is again amused with the shade of blood in her eyes. "Do you want to pluck them as well?", Eleanor said with a straight face. "I am the only one in the family that have these eyes", Eleanor covered her left eye. "Which made me feel lik-", she stopped as she heard a familiar sound. Kanda sensed something off and removed his sword from the scabbard. "Don't follow me", Kanda ordered. He hurriedly went out.
Eleanor wondered why prohibitions are like go-signals for her. Hearing the ringing of the bell, she decided to step out.
Street
As usual, no one is roaming in the street. It was an unwritten rule that no one is allowed to step out when the bell rings. In front of her is a being she cannot explain. "What kind of sick place is this?", Kanda smirked and slashed the monstrous being in front of them. "What-", Eleanor felt like throwing up. "I think I already solved it", Kanda placed the sword back in his scabbard and removed his cloak. "The mystery of this place...", Kanda walk pass the lady. Eleanor saw a piece of clothe on the side of the fountain. "It's the florist's scarf", she noticed.
Soon, group of "akumas", spawns of the Millennium Earl, started to gather. Eleanor grabbed into Kanda's arm. "I told you to stay at the inn. Now you're going to be a burden", Kanda clicked his tongue. "There are...souls inside them. These people are...", Eleanor was interrupted when Kanda threw her on the side. The akumas started bombing them. Kanda sliced off everything but a level-2 released poisonous fumes. "Don't inhale them", Kanda look behind and saw Eleanor with pentacles on her face. He looked away and sliced off the rest of the nuisance.
He wiped his sword and looked at the direction where Eleanor was. Kanda was startled to see the pentacles disappearing. The same thing happened to him. Due to his body composition, he is immune to the pentacles. "You said you can see souls", Kanda repeated. Eleanor tried to stand and nodded. "You are a cursed fellow", Kanda said without hesitation.
Chapter end.
