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[ ... Oh. Wait a second, Arsène Lupin?? Like the thief??

Were his parents really big fans or does this have to do with what Nanjo had said about time being off here-- but no, wasn't he a fictional character?

She's going to set that aside for a later time and get to the matter at hand, though. ]

I was looking into the quests and, understandably, none of them are any I can complete on my own.  You and I are from the same color group, so I was wondering if I could borrow some of your time for goose chasing.

[ He's not the only red she's met, but the majority are definitely kids and for a first foray, she'd rather not make them deal with it. ]

[ does fictional characters turning real really surprise you, ms. persona ]

If you'd have my cooperation, I suppose I can give it another go. I will say it's more difficult than it sounds - be warned.

[ it does when he's not actually a demon. Probably. ]

Don't worry, I've wrangled worse. I'll be careful!

[ yet more killer birds, this will be fine. ]

Very well. Shall I go to pick you up?

Unless it's easier for you if I meet you somewhere! But I can probably behave a little and wait.

Yes - wait for me patiently, and I will soon appear to escort you once again. You can save your misbehaving for the evening.

[ if she's going to be flirty, he's gonna do it back, dammit. ]

If you have any sort of gun, I'd recommend bringing it along; a nicely-sized bag would be helpful as well, though I am sure the two of us can carry many geese on our own.

Awwww.

[ but okay fine. Geese!! ]

I should be fine on the gun front, but the bag I have isn't exactly big.  But I'm sure we'll manage!  Looking forward to seeing you, Monsieur Escort!

I won't keep you waiting.

[ and he doesn't!! he remembers where she lives well enough, and he'll be over there shortly, rapping at her door. He looks about the same as last time, minus soggy shoulders and his top hat. ]

[ soggy shoulders are no one's friends. Maya... also looks the same as last time, minus being completely drenched, offering Lupin a bright smile once she's opened the door. ]

Ciao, Lupin! Thanks again for helping me out with this. I owe you one.

[ once again, he's forced to face off with her bizarre choice of clothing....... but he's a gentleman through and through, so his eyes only get caught there for a split second before he's smiling and nodding his head to her in greeting. ]

Oho, already starting on the new languages, I see. Bonjour, Maya. [ he takes a step back, allowing her room to come out. ] It's no problem. I'm always happy to offer a helping a hand, especially to a beautiful woman like yourself.

[ Thanks for not saying anything, truly.

Maya does end up laughing, adjusting the bag she's got draped over her shoulder as she steps out to join him. ]

Even though our first meeting was me looking like a drowned cat? I think between the two of us, you were the better-looking one!

Nonsense - you were lovely like a flower in the morning dew. But I'll humbly accept your kind words nonetheless.

[ a roguish smile. Fortunately, since he's done this once before, he knows the general area where geese can be found, and starts heading that way, beckoning her along. ]

I have to admit that I was surprised to hear from you about this.

[ A FLOWER IN THE MORNING DEW oh my god Lupin, you're hilarious.

Which she would say, but she's going to settle into an easy stride beside him instead. ]

Surprised? Why? I don't look like the goose-fighting type?

[ you mean SUAVE ]

Not exactly. [ he's not sure what the goose-fighting type would look like tbh... a farmer?? ] A lot of people are reluctant to jump straight into doing what that forum tells you to do. I certainly was at first.

[ no she means hilarious. ]

I asked around a lot when I got out of that well, and from what I can tell, the quests were pretty important in restoring things-- or changing things.

But also... [ Maya folds her arms over her chest, nodding-- almost to herself. ]

You don't know a thing is impossible until you've tried it. If it doesn't work, you try something else. Even in a case like this, I want to see how this works for myself.

[ he doesn't know her all that well, but that reply sounds about right for her - still, it strikes a chord with him, and he grins at her. ]

Mm - you're exactly right. I like your attitude. I guess investigating as much as possible is part of a journalist's job, after all.

[ Maya grins back, running a hand over the back of her hair as she shrugs. ]

You're exactly right! A true journalist doesn't let anything stop her from doing what needs to be done!

... Even in this kind of situation where it's just kidnapping geese!

Hahaha! It doesn't sound as impressive when you put it that way. Still, it's the spirit that counts.

[ unsurprisingly, it doesn't take long for the forest to appear on the horizon, seeing as Chroma is surrounded by it. It puts Lupin on edge, as it always does, but he doesn't let it show. ]

Is this going to be your first time in the forest?

Completely! I got plenty of warnings about not going in by myself, so I figured I should probably listen to them for now.

[ "for now"???? ]

... But wow, it still feels as creepy as ever.

... For now.

[ yeah he's not letting that one slip away... ]

I mean--! You know, sometimes circumstances happen!

[ he shakes his head. ]

Listen... I was serious about it being dangerous. Not just physically, but mentally, too. I know journalists like poking their nose into things, but you definitely shouldn't go in alone.

... Right, sorry. Outside of circumstances beyond my control, I promise to bring a buddy.

[ Lupin has helped her out this much, she can listen, if just for that reason. ]

I'll be holding you to that promise. No taking it back, all right?

[ the last thing they need is more people wandering into the woods and getting hurt - and she seems like a good person, so Lupin doesn't want to see her suffer. As they approach the edge of the forest, he takes a small switchblade out from one of his pockets, cutting a vertical line into the bark of one of the trees. ]

... Honestly, this place moves around on its own, so it might not do us much good, but it's better than nothing.

[ he doesn't want to get lost in here. ]

One of those mazes with a mind of its own, huh...

[ apparently she's used to them. But Maya nods, sticking close to him as they step inside.

And in the distance, a honk. ]

Aha!

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