บท 96: Arc 3, Chapter 6: Hartamat

The afternoon Sun forced them under hats, even though the shade of clouds were present. The bricks of whites and browns made the streets.

City lamps of metal blared light onto onlookers, the citizens went about their business as if it was just any other day. "There isn't a building over forty feet," Jotou looked from under a hat made of straw.

The city took up a lot of land in the area, buildings and shops were alleyways apart. The housing area they explored on accident seemed much tighter and alleys were dirt rather than brick.

Bicycles and carts passed, much like Kria; though, the technology certainly surpassed Kria if streetlights were arranged in this manner. "Want to stand under here?" Hotaru called over, a blue parasol she held.

Hotaru approached before Jotou could, lending her some shade. "I'm not sure if I like the heat…" Jotou stated.

"I'm fairly sure you hate the heat."

"Ugh."

Hotaru stifled a giggle, "Don't worry, the province of Cravolta and Cravolta City aren't this hot. Only Galuvit and Alsham are primarily. Northern Cravolta's actually colder than Kria."

"Did the umbrella come with a geography lesson?" the blonde cocked a brow.

"No, that just comes for free; though, if you want to pay me for it, I'm all ears," those ears wiggled.

"With all our money you keep? Sure, you could bury us six feet under and run away with all of it," Jotou rolled her eyes.

"I wouldn't dare invoke the might of the Thundering Blade. Also, feet?"

"Huh?"

"That's an outdated system of measurement they teach in history books. I've heard you use it a few times," a curious grin grew.

"Well, I used it in my old world. I'm in this world now and you still haven't taught me everything; how shameful—hmph," Jotou tried to hide her smile.

Hotaru gave a half-cocked smirk, "Rejuvenate," she splashed all over Jotou's face.

"Hey!" Jotou threw her bangs aside. "Spark," she put a finger on her shoulder as retaliation.

"Ow!"

"Crap, sorry, are you- Hey!"

Hotaru's act was not concealed for long as she formed enough water in her hand to—"Splash!"—across Jotou's face. "There, you're all cooled off," she chuckled, tail wagging behind her.

Jotou shook her head, "Seriously?" she moved her drenched blonde bangs away, "Taking advantage of me like that."

"What can I say; you're really compassionate and caring, but you hide it. Kind of like Fumeko in that regard."

"Speaking of which," Jotou looked to the shop Fumeko had run into for hours now.

"She'll be out soon. Asobi's good with design; though, why she didn't ask me is a mystery. It's not like I don't know."

"Probably because she's jealous."

"What? Why would she be jealous of me?"

'Shit.' Jotou's pursed her lips, realizing she blurted it out… "She thinks you're really, beautiful and responsible and kind and I think that makes her feel a little insecure. At least that's why my paranoia thinks."

How much could she blame on her paranoia before it was the boy who cried wolf… Hotaru's ear bent slightly, "I'm, not sure about that… I mean maybe," her face subtly flushed red.

'Nice save…'

"If you're thinking about what she's thinking… Then those things you said, you must think that of me?" Hotaru blushed to the ground, but her tail fanned the air behind her.

'What mess am I making for myself!?' "Uh…" Jotou faced the other way, reddening herself.

"Drumroll!" Asobi ran out of the shop, illusory drums beating to the side. Hotaru and Jotou snapped out of it and turned to the elf.

'Oh thank hell, saved by the drums.'

"Presenting, the brand new," she rolled out the fake red carpet; pretty much transparent with the amount of sunlight beaming down, "FUUUMEKO NAMORAAAA!!!"

"Ta-da!" Fumeko ran out, showing off her newly cut hair that ended to her upper back, tied up top to give her twin-tails with purple ribbons.

Two locks flowed past her ears a little longer and the hair framing her face still not held back by her headband; but it had been cut shorter.

"How do I look?"

"Nice," Hotaru smiled, "You look much neater. Did the barber teach you how to keep it that way?"

"Some things… I'll figure it out. Jotou?" she flaunted her brown locks.

"Cute; especially now that you seem happier and not mean."

"Uh! You still manage to mock me?" hands on her hips she scolded. Jotou gave a wink with her tongue out.

"Your turn Jotou!" Asobi cheered.

"Uh, I'm happy with my hair."

"You could get cool designs and cuts Jotou. Glitter too! Lots of glitter!"

"I… don't want glitter in my already hard to manage hair?"

"It's fine, I can cut it for you whenever. I'm really good at it; have to compensate for these things nearly blending in," Hotaru held the base of her ears.

"Okay. Time for clothes then!? I'm going to go bye-bye any second now!"

"We should hurry about that then…"

"Actually, since Jotou and I are fine, you," Hotaru dug through her purse, took out two platinum pieces and handed them to Fumek- "No," she instead handed it to Asobi.

"The hell is that supposed to mean wolfy!?"

"It means, you two go shopping. Asobi, make sure nothing's spent on food till you two get clothes. I'll take Jotou and see if we can speed up our travel through the proper channels."

"Why can't I take Jotou and you go by yourself?" Fumeko leered to the redhead.

"What am I, a pet?"

"Hm, pet Jotou sounds like fun!"

"Not the point…"

"Exactly," Hotaru grabbed Jotou by the hand, "She can choose after all."

'Why…' Jotou sighed, "I'll go with Hotaru and you two get new clothes. It's more efficient and we might get on the road quicker; plus, both your outfits will be a surprise to us. Does that sound fair?"

"Logical as always," Hotaru grinned down to Fumeko.

Fumeko glared to Jotou then back to Hotaru, "Fair enough… I'll make sure to get clothes that make you both drop dead."

"I'll make sure she doesn't kill anyone," Asobi's eyes winced. Throwing a couple of rejuvenate spells their way, Hotaru and Jotou made their way through town.

A little direction from some lovely townsfolk, they found the area's only police department. Rounding the corner was the station, some bricks as pavements.

Entering, Hotaru led Jotou to the front, both under straw hats, "Excuse me, we're travellers from Kria who got stuck with the recent travel restriction.

Is there any way to speed up the process or a better estimate to when that will be lifted?"

The bald man in brown garments and the emblem of Cravolta, alongside a smaller emblem of Galuvit, faced up from the front desk. A long scorpion tattoo went down his neck.

Dark skin and one blank eye, "Sorry Miss," his voice high as a whistle, "All travel ban orders came from the minister. Unless you can convince him, we can't doing anything about it. An estimate's been put out for three or four days."

"And where can we find this minister?" Jotou stepped in.

"Oh, he's around the corner, left, straight and at the end is his office, you can't miss it."

Hotaru nodded, "Thank you, we'll take it up with him then."

"No problem Miss. I'm sorry for your troubles, but I hope you enjoy the day here and get on your way as quick as possible. Make sure to try the chocolate," he waved as they left.

"Chocolate? Knowing government officials and how much we can convince them, might have to try it at some point. The days keep increasing," Jotou looked left and right before crossing the street.

"Galuvit's the chocolate capital of the world after all," Hotaru twiddled her fingers, "We should talk to the minister and at least get a pass out of here."

"Hm, then I'll definitely have to try the chocolate," Jotou pouted, "If we can't get out of here through legal means…"

"Jotou," Hotaru faced her, "No. We're not in Kria to bend laws like straws."

"We're a party; if the groups votes yay, then we do it," Jotou shrugged.

"Can I sway your vote to a no?"

"You can certainly try."

"Oh, then I have my ways for sure," Hotaru skipped ahead, tail swaying behind, with her parasol under the savannah Sun.

Jotou knitted her brows, "What does that mean? Hey! What do you mean!?" she chased after.

"Who bothers me at this hour?"

"Sir, the, Thundering Blade and her companion," the guard in full chainmail and a polearm relayed to the minister.

"What!?"

"Apparently they were with an incoming group of travellers heading for Galuvit Town, but were caught in the travel ban. They wish to speak with you to leave sooner," the guard never lifted his head.

The minister put a hand on his forehead, pushing it up to his short spiky tufts of black hair. A green shirt he quickly buttoned, adorning a tie, "Where are they now?"

"In the guest hall sir."

"Provide them refreshments, I shall be out in a minute."

And so a minute passed, Jotou and Hotaru sat on cushioned sofas whilst a fan spun overhead. The guards kept an eye, one of them brought glasses of juice and a plate of chocolates before them. Hotaru's eyes widened…

Walls of white and rugs that Jotou ran her unbooted feet across the cotton of. "Wow, I would not have believed it if I didn't see her myself," he walked out from behind them.

"Thundering Blade, your news spreads wide across Cravolta. It's a pleasure to meet you, I'm Eustace Saady, the Minister of Hartamat," he gave his hand.

They stood up. Jotou shook his hand, "Nice to meet you too, Jotou Howllett; Jotou will do."

"Please, sit Jotou. Make yourselves comfortable," he moved his hand to the other.

"Hotaru Kinoshita, adventurer."

They all sat down, Jotou scanned his face over. A short moustache and an unconnected beard. Perhaps he was around thirty, closer to forty?

"So, I hear you have been caught up in the travel ban?"

"Yeah. We were wondering if you could maybe give us a pass forward. We have an important schedule to follow to Galuvit Town," Jotou sat up.

'Not really that important, but if he thinks this is some important business of the Thundering Blade he might make an exception.'

"I'm so sorry," he threw his hands up, "It's a bit of a conundrum; lots of important people go in and out of here, but unless it's the Princess of Cravolta herself I can't let anyone through."

'Dammit, what's my best negotiator doing… The hell!?'

The plate of chocolate had disappeared, the minister turned his attention to where Jotou looked. The blonde's eyes went wide to Hotaru holding an empty plate.

The wolf-girl's face was in bliss, her eyes closed. Her ears bristled to the sudden absence of sound, her cheeks stuffed full. Her brilliant blue eyes stared back…

She gulped, covering her lips with a hand, "I'm so sorry!" Only then had she realized she finished them all.