Underdepth

Chapter 9: At Ease

The next day, Peppi felt better than yesterday. She tried getting up but Cassia was still asleep. All of Cassia's weight was just FLUMPED on top of Peppi. "Heh heh... Hey sleepy head... Today's your lucky day." Cassia slowly woke up "Hm...? What is it?" "I have a half shift of work today. After I get home, I might consider getting a makeover from you today." Cassia's eyes lit up. She squealed and hugged Peppi tightly "YAY!!! I'LL GET THE MAKEUP AND-" Peppi shushed Cassia. "I said MIGHT. M I G H T. It depends on how I feel." Cassia sighed and looked away. She really wanted to give Peppi a makeover. Peppi then turned her face around with her delicate hand. "Listen, sweetie. I know how bad you want to give me a makeover. So bad that you snuck in my house.... So I have a better idea. When I get home from my half shift of work, trust me, I know you'll be in my house, I PROMISE I'll let you give me a makeover. I can't let how I feel interfere with mi caro's passions!" Cassia felt better. She smiled a bit and chuckled "Okay! Love you, darlin'!" She smooched her cheek, and went back out the window. Peppi waved her off and went to check on Marie. "Buongiorno, Marie! Did you get a good rest last night?" Marie slowly got out the bed. She was already full of energy due to that amazing amount of sleep. "Mm hmm! I feel a lot more better!" Her stomach growled. She normally eats breakfast at this time. "I'm hungry... Is it breakfast time, yet...?" "Actually, it is! I usually go to my shop and eat breakfast. Would you like to go there?" Marie nodded excitedly "Yes, please!" Peppi smiled "Lets go, then! Oh, and don't worry about your pizza from yesterday. I took care of it." She winked. Since Marie couldn't PAY for the pizza, considering she was apprehended, and didn't know how the currency works. Peppi walked with Marie downstairs. Marie had went near the tv and put her shoes on, while taking her time to walk out the house.

Considering how early it is, no monsters were really outside. So except for a 6'1 red hooded figure with four arms. The shadow in his hood also left their fangs exposed, But the shadow only covered their nose and eyes. Peppi opened her restaurant door, she noticed the figure and made a friendly smile "Ah! Buongiorno, Mr. Redman! How are you today?" Redman which was his name apparently spoke in a mid baritone voice "I'm fine, thanks for asking." He looked down at Marie "Oh. A human! What's your name, little girl?" Marie was a bit intimidated by the figures additional arms, but she kept her cool. "My name is Marie..." "Marie? Pretty nice name. My name is Redman. I'm sorta the inventor around here. Not really that much of a big deal." He scratched his hood. Peppi laughed a bit "Oh, don't be so modest! Without that oven you made for me, my restaurant wouldn't have been made! Its all thanks to you, Mr. Redman! Now come inside, I'm making breakfast for us. You came right on time too!" she unlocked the door and opened it for Marie and Redman. They all walked inside and sat at a table. Only Redman was across from Marie "Oh, I'm sorry, if you want me to go to another seat, I can." Marie shook her head "you can sit here, I don't mind!" "Thanks. I usually sit here in the mornings, But I don't mind giving up my seat." Peppi had went to her kitchen to make some breakfast "your food will be ready in a bit, lovelies!"

Redman looked at Marie, but who can tell with that shadow. "So, tell me about yourself, Marie. How old are you?" "I'm 6 years old. I'm gonna turn 7 in two months!" "7! That's a big number. So who do you live with? Dad, grandma, uncle, you know any parents?" Marie froze. No response came from her at all. Redman was a bit worried "Marie? A-are you okay? I hope I didn't do anything terrible..." Marie shook out of it. "I'm fine.. Don't worry, Mr. Redman..." Peppi came out the kitchen with two plates of food. "Breakfast is ready, you two! For Mr. Redman, here's your usual, Donuts and Biscuits. And for Marie, Grilled Cheese!" Oh, Grilled Cheese. Finely buttered toast with melted cheese. It maxes out HP. They both ate happily. "I'm going to the back to check for supplies for today's lunch rush. Its gonna be a half shift for me, so I'm expecting a lot of monsters to come." She went to the back with a checklist for ingredients. Dough, Cheese, Pepperoni, and sauce. As soon as she checked in her cupboards and saw nothing but glitter and sequins. "Why are there glitter and sequins in there, wHO PuT ThIs in mY CUPBOARDS!?" a note fell out, with glitter on it. It was from Cassia. Obviously. "Dear Peppi, I forgot to warn you yesterday, but I needed space to put my fabulous stuff. I'm so sorry for the glitter and stuff sugar pie! I promise it won't happen again! ~Cassia. P.S. Your ingredients are safe, they're in the cupboard next to my sparkly stuff." Peppi had opened the cupboard and there were her ingredients. All neatly placed. "I don't know whether to be mad or happy..."

Marie heard footsteps outside. It was still early for others to be outside. But it sounded like a group of three. She looked outside. She yelped and trembled. "Oh no... Oh please no...." Redman looked at Marie "is something wrong?" Marie was crying "Those people from yesterday made me go to a dungeon, and now they're coming back to get me!" Her breathing was heavy and intense. "I gotta.... I gotta.... I have to hide!" Redman understood Marie's situation "Come on, follow me, Marie." he took her to the back of Peppi's kitchen. Peppi looked at them "what's wrong you two? Is everything okay?" Marie spoke in a shaking tone "Those guys f-from yesterday are coming... Peppi.... I'm scared...." Peppi kneeled down and hugged Marie "Shh, it's going to be okay... Redman, find some way to stall for time until they leave. If they ask you anything about a human, say no. We can't let them find out we have Marie here." Redman nodded "I'm on it, I'll do what I can."

Noila, Julius, and E.C.H.O. walked inside. Noila looked at Julius "you eat here, too?" "Not really . But you said you were hungry so, I'll just go with that. We can't be here for too long though, we gotta move it. The human could be around here somewhere." Julius remained outside while Noila and E.C.H.O. walked inside. Redman walked out the back, unnoticed and sat down near a table. E.C.H.O. somehow noticed Redman. He approached him and began interrogation "EXCUSE ME, DO YOU MIND IF I ASK YOU A COUPLE QUESTIONS?" "Uh... Sure." "HAVE YOU SEEN ANY SIGHTINGS AROUND HERE? LIKE A LITTLE GIRL PERHAPS?" "No. I haven't seen one. And the chances of a human coming down here are very sm-" "YEAH, I DIDN'T ASK YOU THAT. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME." E.C.H.O. walked away. Redman had kept his cool. "ALRIGHT, NO HUMAN HERE." Peppi came out the back "sorry fellas, the restaurant is shutting down early. It was nice having you three!" She led them out. E.C.H.O. was angry "BUT WE DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO EAT YET! WHAT'S GOING ON!?" "Ehehe... Something came up, very urgent. See you!" She closed the door. Noila opened it "Uh... Peppi, about yesterday, I'm very sorry for the queens actions. Had She not been there or made me look for the human, none of this would have happened. I will take my leave now..." he closed her door.