12 Days of Ru'ran

Chapter 5 - Winterveil's Merchants

Lune and Growler walked along the cobblestone streets. Their eyes glancing around Winterveil as the snow trickled from the sky in a unique fashion.

Lune sighed, crossing her arms. "I regret helping already." She muttered quietly. Growler looked over, a browing raising. "Why would that be?" He said concerned.

She sighed. "This was supposed to be an escape from the torment back home. Fighting for our lived constantly and trying to save this world. I thought things would be different here." Her voice seemed saddened. "I just wanted a few days to spend with you and everyone else."

Growler nodded. "Hey, it won't be so bad. You're with me now. I understand the situation is really horrible, but we have to help figure out what's going on before it does reach home." He said as Lune reluctantly nodded.

"Well, how exactly are we supposed to pick up on information?" Lune said, her shoes tapping against the cobblestone. "I don't really see where to start..." She quietly said as she looked around. Growler twirled around for a moment and spotted a merchant selling what appeared to be boxes of chocolates and packages of gummy bears. "Let's try asking him."

Together, they walked along the pathway toward the merchant. "Danke! Would you two like any delicious sweets?" The man said, lifting up dozens of different boxes. He seemed panicked, but it was unsure as to why he was panicked. It was probably due to the fact it looked like he was gonna drop everything.

"No thank you, but we do have some questions if you'd be willing to answer." Growler said as the man rose a brow, laughing. "You don't wanna buy anything, but wanna question me?" The man seemed overly joyful.

Lune rose a brow and looked at Growler. "Look, we'll buy something if you answer our qu—" The man cut her off. "Look, kids, I don't need to answer your questions. If you don't wanna buy anything, then go along with your day. You're wasting my time and your own." He said as he dismissed them and began hollering for willing customers.

Growler and Lune trailed away from the merchant stall. It was rather awkward the man decided not to help. He seemed reluctant to help at all. Instead, they decided to try the other mechants around the town square. Alas, they were met with the same response everytime by every merchant.

"I don't get it! Why won't anyone answer a simple question?!" Lune asked, frustrated and gripping her hair as Growler was pacing back and forth. "It's possible someone set them up to specifically ignore us." He said outloud as Lune tilted her head. "I'm not too sure about that theory. But, there's definitely something being kept from us here."

As they were speaking. Ace and Dove walked toward them. They seemed rather perplexed on everything going on as well. "Lune, Growler!" Dove said as she walked over with a smile. "Have you two found any clues about what's going on?" She asked as Growler and Lune both shook their heads.

Ace sighed. "It seems nobody has anything. We've talked to everyone, but everyone has been struggling to figure out a single thing going on." Lune looked over. "By any chance, has anyone of the merchants spoken to you— Anyone at all?"

Dove and Ace shook their heads. "Pedestrians even try avoiding us. I don't understand what's going on. You'd think they would be nicer here and actually help people." Dove said in sadness.

Lune and Growler folded their arms. He was probably right about being set up. If everyone was being ignored. It couldn't be by coincidence. Someone would have to deliberately do that, but...who?

Dove sighed. "Well, we'll keep searching around. Good luck you two." She said as Ace followed alongside her, leaving Growler and Lune alone. "Hm, so, any ideas, Bee?" Growler suddenly said.