Miss Ottavio's eyes scanned Cyril, almost as if she had analyzed the boy completely and saw right through him. She blinked and broke the brief silence with another warm smile of hers, nodding to him. [b]"That's good to hear,"[/b] she said, placing a hand on her hip. Her sheen, black hair fell neatly past her shoulders and at the front, a few strands created curtain-like formations that covered her electric green eyes. Despite the fact that she would be entering her forties the coming year, she had often surprised suitors who believed her to be younger through this. Visibly troubled, she sighed. [b]"I do hope his father returns soon... the boy hasn't had real parents in his life at all."[/b] [b]"GUPYAA!"[/b] Daisuke shouted as he came tumbling down the stairs, barely keeping to his feet. Both of his hands clung to the railing in a death grip as he reached the bottom, breathing heavily as he brought one up to scratch the back of his head. Seeing that Cyril had completed his objective of obtaining eggs, he laughed. [b]"Woo! Mission accomplished! Back to home base for you!"[/b] he cheered, throwing his hands up. He was now in his typical attire which consisted of a basic pair of jeans and a white t-shirt. He wasn't one who could afford to buy flashy clothing and such, so he stuck to the basics. [b]"But we've got one more side quest to do before we continue the main one, friend!"[/b] Miss Ottavio rose a hand to her face and shook her head as Daisuke continued. [b]"Off to the festival!"[/b] And with that, the Japanese boy brushed past Cyril with a hand forward as he surged through the streets. [b]"Like I said, he hasn't had real parents in his life at all..."[/b] Miss Ottavio cringed. --- [b]"A lot of people, you say?"[/b] Vector repeated in a question, tilting his head in false curiosity. [i]Perfect,[/i] he thought. [i]Time to start the show, then.[/i] Vector coughed a few times before patting Fionn on the shoulder, smiling as he bowed respectfully. [b]"Thank you for your guidance, young sport,"[/b] he rose from his gesture, tipping his fedora in accordance. He began to walk away and a corner of his lips rose in a smug grin, raising his hand to wave as his back turned to Fionn and he walked in the opposite direction. [b]"I will someday return to remit your kindness."[/b] --- [center]MOMENTS LATER[/center] [i]So, Fionn Breckenridge was correct.[/i] Vector stood still in the middle of the roaring crowd full of festivity, already annoyed by how loud everything was. He looked around before settling on an alleyway near the central marketplace, digging into the inside pocket of his suit and revealing a box. His ring emitted a strong charge of electrical current as he pressed it into the opening in the box, causing it to open. Followed by powerful Lightning Flames, the outline of a rapier materializing within the grip of his right hand followed shortly after. Raising the sword into the air and over his head, Vector shouted, [b]"Thunder, set!"[/b] Despite it still being a nice and sunny, summer day, a large arc of lightning bolted from the sky and struck the tip of the rapier, coating his entire body in stronger Lightning Flames as the blade acted like a lightning rod. He effortlessly channeled the current from the tip and redirected it down the alley, striking one of the unoccupied stalls and setting it aflame. [b]"Hmm,"[/b] Vector grumbled as he channeled another bolt of lightning to a second stall, also setting it aflame. Soon enough, the fire itself continued to grow and grow, almost as if the entire marketplace was completely suffocated in smoke while the townspeople fled. The rapier returned to his box as the Lightning Flames dissipated, and Vector slipped out of the alley. --- Daisuke hadn't even noticed that there was a fire going on in the festival. He had been too preoccupied attempting to throw miniature hoops around a bowling pin to win a goldfish, and he had thought of the rising temperature and sweat on his forehead as a sign of extreme focus. [i]Must.. win... goldfish...[/i] he thought as he proceeded to throw the third hoop, cut abruptly as the tent he was in came crashing down in flames. [b]"What-"[/b] Daisuke cried as he felt the flames singe the clothing around his shoulder, completely in a panic. He ran through the dismantled tent and, still unknown to the layout of Trespiano, lost himself in the maze-like marketplace that was on fire. He was quick to remember the one important lesson that America had taught him from Smokey the Bear. [b]"STOP... DROP... AND ROLL...!"[/b]