The Death Market *Obi x OC* (COMPLETE)

Paradise

Song: Paradise- Craig Owens

I make my way across the castle grounds toward the greenhouses. When I woke up this morning, Iladriel was gone and I know exactly where she is. She's become attached to Ryuu it seems. I'm not sure if it's a child-like crush or if she's simply curious, but she has been spending a lot of her time over the past three days with him. They're both too mature to run around and play the games most children their age would do but it's still nice to see them laughing and talking with each other. Sadly we're leaving tonight. Our plan is to go back to Molina's to check on them then we're going to the market to see if the tunnel into The Death Market is accessible again. If it is, we will try to track down Torin if he survived and see if he will take her in. If not, I'll have to find another arrangement for Iladriel. She can't exactly stay with me forever.

I enter the greenhouse and hear Iladriel's laughter slightly echoing throughout. I can't see either of them right away, but I can hear Ryuu's voice a moment later then I spot a flicker of blonde hair. Before I can say anything, Iladriel disappears into a row of plants. I sigh and leave her be as I make my way over to Ryuu in the back.

"How is she today?" I ask as he looks up at me.

"She seems rather excitable... and a little predatory."

I feel a slight weight settle on my back and she tells me that I would have been killed if she was an assassin.

"Oh no, whatever shall I do?" I retort dramatically making her giggle.

"Die and surrender your boots?" She offers as she slides down. "Are we leaving now?"

I track her gaze to Ryuu while a light blush crosses her cheeks.

"We're leaving tonight after dinner. I just wanted to check on you since you were gone when I woke up."

"Sorry, I was going to leave a note but I didn't have paper."

"It's okay. Just make sure to try to get some rest and come back before dinner. Don't get in Ryuu's way or in the way of any of the others, alright?"

"I won't! I've been helping, right Ryuu?"

"Y-Yeah. Have you found it yet?" Iladriel's face lights up and she immediately disappears into the rows again. I turn to him with an arched brow and he sighs. "She wanted to help so I would pick an herb without her looking and have her try to find it based off the leaf. She seems to enjoy it."

"Whatever makes her happy." I shrug. "Thank you for spending time with her."

"I-I don't mind at all."

Iladriel and I make it to Molina's cottage three days later. She seemed reluctant to leave Ryuu behind but once she got past that, she was excited to see how Harlowe and Molina are doing. She's hopeful that we can get to Torin and that he'll be alive as well. That's something I'm not too sure of myself but I am not going to tell her that. As we come up the path leading to the door Iladriel runs off ahead and knocks on it. It opens to reveal Harlowe just as Iladriel tackles her to the ground. That can't possibly end well... Do I hear laughter? I make my way up to the door and pluck the blonde off of her and help Harlowe to her feet.

"Hello again Obi. What brings you both back?"

"Iladriel and I wanted to stop by on our way through to see how things were going with you."

Harlowe looks between us before her mouth presses into a thin line.

"We're going to see Torin too while we're out! Ooh and Miss Harlowe I got to meet a boy. His name is Ryuu and-" Iladriel's voice fades as she grabs onto Harlowe's hand and drags her into the cottage.

I grin as Harlowe looks back at me to mouth the word 'help' to me. I'm just glad Iladriel warmed up to her.

I track down Molina in the back gardens and ask her how things are going. Apparently things aren't bad, but Harlowe has been struggling with night terrors so they've been working on a medicine to ease them. She was surprised by Harlowe's knowledge of herbs and poisons but it's made her learning easier. They're still getting used to each other as people though.

"What happened with the little girl?"

"I'm taking her to see if her friend is still around. If not, I have to find somewhere for her to go."

"Her parents?"

I don't meet her gaze and I hear her sigh. "If her friend isn't around, you can bring her to me."

"Are you sure? You already have Harlowe and you don't owe me any more favors."

"They seem to bring out the best in each other." She mumbles as their laughter filters through the open windows.

"It seems so. Iladriel seems to bring the best out of everyone."

"Can I ask where the girls came from? They're rather different."

"Do you know of The Death Market?" I ask and she arches a brow.

"The legendary market for all things criminal? I thought that was just a story to scare children into not wandering off in the marketplaces."

"It's real. Iladriel's parents were part of it and she stayed behind when they were taken so she could wait for them."

"And what of Harlowe?"

"She was the leader."

"Where did you come into all of this?"

"Well, Mitsuhide and I were sent to find a sword that had been stolen and all our leads were turning up empty. I finally remembered the existence of The Market and we went there. I saw Harlowe first but spoke to Iladriel before her. Iladriel took us to Harlowe's cottage to barter permission to stay overnight and from there I got to meet Harlowe. Things didn't go according to plan and..."