DanMachi: The Golden Cicada

Looking for an elf.

The waitresses looked at the photo in profound silence before turning towards Ryuu. Her expression was calm, blank, totally emotionless. However, her fingers gave anxiously-gentle taps at the table as her eyes kept continued stuck on the image. With a slow move, she took that little window towards the path into her hands and appreciated it in depth.

"That's... a huge problem," Anya pointed with concern. "What are we gonna do?"

"I suggest that we should go upstairs and" —Lunoire punched her own palm— "that guy."

"And getting the whole Buda Familia into this place tomorrow morning? I don't think so," replied Mia. "Whatever the solution may be, it can't be a violent one."

"But we can't neither let him do whatever he wants," added Syr with resolve. "I made him stay with us so we can be aware of everything he does."

Chloe raised her eyebrows as she heard that, "Nyou girls think it's a good idea? We're purrting Ryuu directly into his eyes."

"He doesn't suspect," added Anya, "I don't think he even know who's searching for."

"He may be lying. Haven't nyou thought of that?"

"Yeah but... I really don't think he's lying. Mewbe he's just... I don't know, an initiated?"

"You two are just making assumptions," Syr interrupted.

"Well, that's all we can do," continued Lunoire. "We know literally nothing of him, and very little of this Familia of vigilantes."

"And that's the reason why we can't let him alone," Mia declared as she raised from her seat. "We need at least one of us to keep an eye over him. We have Cranel as our outsider, but we need someone here who can—"

"I'll do it."

The voice of the great Mia was cut by the soft mumble of the elf. Ryuu let the picture over the table, and respectfully refer to her boss with the gentleness that characterized her. Her eyes were cold, but filled with determination and bravery.

"I'm the one he's searching for. I don't want any of you to get in danger just for me."

"That's crrrazy!"

"You always the same, you dramatic elf!"

Lunoire and Chloe jumped from her chairs, her expressions indignant as if she would've insulted them. Mia, by her part, stood stoics as Syr looked into her with deep apprehension. The big woman in the room thought about it, and then, refer to her assistant.

"Syr. Do you know anything?"

"I... saw him talking with Ryuu when he got to the tavern. I think... I think Anya is right. Maybe he doesn't know who's searching for."

The rest of them stood in silence as their boss processed what was said. Surely, the idea was risky, but trying to hide Ryuu from Cicada's eyes could also raise suspicions. The board was already set, there was just a matter of making a play, and as much she would've wanted to start with a safe move, there's very little one could do when the game is started by the opponent. But the question was still present. Was that man upstairs their enemy?

"All right..." she sigh and looked at her waitresses. "For now, I'm gonna tell you all what're we gonna do. And as long as that guy is with us, we're gonna keep a low profile. Understood?"

Every single one of then nodded in agreement. Even if the doubt was present, they trusted each other's with their lives. At the end of the day, leaving aside their differences and their problems, they weren't different than the Families led by gods and captains. Said this, it was sure that, if anything happened to the blond elf in the room, all of them would jump to her aid. This, beyond reassuring Ryuu, filled her with worries.