A Rosy Thorn

Chapter Two

Once everyone had changed into their outfits, be it suit or dress, Rosette helped Kai tie his tie, and Veto begrudgingly did the same with AJ.

"What's taking gears so long?" Veto frowned, glancing back to the dressing rooms. Kyanite had yet to join the group.

Rosette shrugged, not particularly concerned. She'll be along.

As if on cue, Kyanite emerged from the back and went over to the group. "Sup." She had her suit, though what caught Rosette's attention was the considerably shorter length of her hair.

"So what, you went in there and gave yourself a makeover?" Veto snickered, intending her comment to be insulting. The red tint to her face betrayed it.

Thankfully for her, Kyanite didn't notice. Or if she did, she didn't say anything about it. "Yup," she answered plainly. Leaving the conversation at that, she went to the front of the store and opened the door. "C'mon, losers, we've got a party to crash."

"Still not going to be until tomorrow," Rosette muttered.

Kyanite ignored her. She gestured for everyone to get out. "We'll put the outfits back at the guild until morning. Then I'll drive us to Skylark."

Mildly impressed that the robot's plan made sense, Rosette nodded. "Smart. It's a good idea, does everyone agree with it?"

"I don't trust your driving," Veto grumbled. She glared hard at Kyanite. "Last time you drove, you crashed us into the market."

"Shut it, retard, that was one time."

"How 'bout when you hit a pothole and flipped the van?"

"We got it fixed! And besides, that was the government's fault for having it there."

"There was a sign."

"Well, whatever, that was the only other time!"

"Actually-"

"Would you both be quiet?" Rosette growled, shoving the two apart. "If you don't stop bickering, I'll drive the boys tomorrow and you two will walk."

"Fine," Veto muttered, crossing her arms.

"As you wish, your majesty," Kyanite sneered.

"Woah, wait, you love Rose?!" AJ popped up between the two of them, grinning.

Kyanite stared at him. "What?"

"Like in 'The Princess Bride!' Westley-"

"Never watched it. Shut up."

"But do you-"

"No, I don't love dictionary."

"Aw." AJ looked slightly disappointed.

"Will everyone shut their mouths and focus?" Rosette pulled her gun from its holster and pointed it threateningly. "At this rate, we'll never get back to the guild on time."

AJ yelped, hopping back to stand beside Kai.

"Tch, whatever," Kyanite scoffed. But she was quiet.

Rosette glared at Veto, who had been silently watching them argue. "Anything else to say?"

Veto shrugged nonchalantly. "Nope."

"Good." Hooking her gun back into place, Rosette took place at the front of the group. "Follow me, idiots. If anyone fights the rest of the way, you're walking the hill tomorrow."

Everyone followed after her without a word.

"If we're leaving them at the guild, why are we wearing our outfits now?" Kai hesitantly asked after a couple minutes.

Rosette was going to deny it, but then realized he was right. She shrugged. "We'll change out when we get there."

"Okay."

"Can we go over the plan again?" AJ asked.

"Of course. We'll keep our outfits at the guild once we get there, then we'll return as the sun rises in the morning to get them. From there, Kyanite will drive us to Skylark. Everyone clear?"

Everyone nodded.

"Perfect."

***

They finally got back to the guild. Rosette led them inside, not bothering to hold the door. She went straight to the back of the building, to a locked room at the end of a hall. Entering a combination to the lock, she pushed the door open. "All of us can split up and change out of our-" She turned around to the group, only to find that they'd already gone off. "-never mind. Just like that, I suppose." Shaking her head, she shut her office door and quickly changed into her normal attire, then draped her dress over the back of her chair.

Shortly after, Kyanite kicked the door open without warning and dumped her folded up suit on top of a table, carelessly knocking over several piles of papers.

"Watch it," Rosette growled, bending down to pick them all up.

"I still don't get why you got the office and we didn't," Veto grumbled, throwing her balled up suit on top of Kyanite's.

"Honestly," Rosette muttered, taking the suits from AJ and Kai to set them neatly on her chair. After she assured they were all there, she ushered everyone out of the room and locked the door behind them.

AJ took the folder from her and flipped through it, looking at all the pictures it contained of the thief. "This guy's weird," he noted. "He's blurry in every single picture, like he's always moving."

"It could just be bad shots," Veto pointed out, looking over his shoulder.

"Yeah, but it's every single one. And this one's just a skink!"

Rosette frowned. "What?"

AJ pointed to the last picture. It was a slightly blurry skink.

"Odd." Rosette shook her head, taking the folder back. "I'm sure it's just a mistake. This case seems to be full of them."

"Well, whatever. We know what he looks like, doesn't matter if it's blurry."

Rosette nodded. "You're right. Alright, everything's in order. Kyanite-"

"Van's out back," Kyanite gruffly answered.

"Perfect. Then we're set. Everyone's free to go out now, but we're all to be back here at the sun's rising tomorrow. Understood?"

Various murmurs of agreement rippled through the group.

"Later, losers," Kyanite smirked, disappearing out the back door.

Veto was already wheeling herself out the front. AJ waved goodbye and hurried after her.

Kai turned to Rosette, worry clouding his expression more than normal. "Will this work?" he asked anxiously.

"Of course it will." Rosette put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "It'll be the same as always. We'll catch and kill him without a hitch, then we'll get our pay. Just like normal."

Kai still looked troubled. "Okay..."

Rosette sighed. "I understand your opposition to this job. But there was nothing left to do. You know I don't enjoy this, either."

"I know... I just wish there was something we could do besides killing them."

"We wouldn't get paid if we just tied them up."

"Yeah." Kai nodded, wringing his hands anxiously. "I get it. Can we go home now?

"Absolutely."

Kai nodded again, clutching Rosette's hand and walking with her to the doors. Rosette allowed silence while they headed home.

I will find a way for you, brother.

I promise.