The dwarf's snacks failed to attract a single customer, leading Aya to a desperate decision: they would go straight to the residence of the City of Slaves' ruler.
"Why are we going there? He'll reject you without a second thought," the dwarf whispered, shrinking back in a fit of insecurity.
"We won't know unless we try," Aya replied firmly. "Besides, if you get the ruler's endorsement, your goods will sell out in no time."
Aya reached the door and knocked several times, shouting to get someone's attention.
"Excuse me! Is anyone there? Hello?"
The exterior was modest, but as the doors swung open, a world of luxury was revealed inside. Two servants greeted them with cold stares.
"What is this? Such a racket."
"Quick, just chase them away!"
Then, a man's voice—deep and authoritative—echoed from further inside. Their presence was clearly unwelcome, but Aya refused to budge.
"You heard them. Don't come back. You should know that Master Se never gives so much as a copper to the poor."
"Excuse us, but we aren't here to beg. We're here to pitch a business proposal for this man's merchandise," Ficky said, bracing his foot against the door to keep it from closing.
"Ha? And who are you? Just another arrogant beast-kin," snapped an servant with eyebrows as thin as thread.
Ficky shot a glance at Aya. Startled, she immediately covered her ears. "I didn't hear a thing!" she muttered, looking away to avoid being a witness to whatever Ficky might do next.
"This has nothing to do with being a beast-kin," Ficky continued calmly. "We are simply asking for the Lord's assistance in moving this stock."
Suddenly, heavy, booming footsteps echoed from within. Aya and Ficky exchanged surprised looks, imagining a giant was about to emerge.
"So much noise! Can't you be quiet? You're in front of my home—at least lower your voices! Who is it?!"
A small figure appeared. To their shock, it wasn't a giant or a massive brute. The man was as short as the dwarf—perhaps even shorter. However, his feet were enormous, which explained why his footsteps sounded like a titan's.
"A rabbit?" Aya whispered.
True enough, the little man had two long, twitching ears. The Lord of the City of Slaves was a rabbit-kin. He looked exactly like a rabbit, save for the fact that he stood upright like a human.
"Well, well. I didn't expect to meet two new beast-kin today. Your scent is... pungent. But what are you doing here? Disturbing my peace," he grumbled incessantly.
The two servants whispered into their master's ears. Master Se nodded several times, then turned his gaze back to Aya, Ficky, and the dwarf.
"Spirit-booster snack, eh? I'm not sure I can help, but I suppose I could try."
Master Se turned around and gestured for them to follow him inside to discuss the matter further.
"A chance?" The dwarf's eyes went wide. He hadn't expected an opportunity like this; his heart raced with a mix of excitement and nerves.
"Excellent. Looks like this wish will be settled easily," Ficky remarked arrogantly, a wide, predatory smirk crossing his face. He looked more like a villain than a hero at that moment.
Ficky really can't control his expressions, can he? Those sunglasses are perfect for hiding his eyes, but his mouth gives everything away.
The Drawing Room.
"To be brief: I can help move your merchandise, but there are conditions. Agreed?"
"Conditions? You really have to set conditions for your own people?" Ficky muttered, annoyed.
"If we can discuss the terms, please tell us," Aya intervened. "We might be able to fulfill them."
"Splendid. This won't take long. I am currently in a foul mood, and I wish for one of you to perform music at the theater."
A music theater. Master Se wanted one of them to play for a crowd of invited guests. Aya was no musician, and the dwarf was even less of one. They both turned in unison to look at Ficky. Ficky looked away for a moment, then peeked back at them.
"Fine. I can do it," Ficky said simply.
Another deal was struck. Their mission had doubled: grant the dwarf's wish and satisfy the Lord's condition. Both Ficky and Aya anticipated the payoff in silence.
With this, I can go home even sooner, Aya thought.
The musical performance was scheduled for that evening. One by one, the invited guests arrived, filling the room with a sophisticated, quiet anticipation.
***
Behind the Scenes.
"I'm curious... why are you going to such lengths to help me?" the dwarf asked.
"I'm helping you because I owe you one," Aya replied with a cheerful smile. "And I'll get something in return once your wish is granted."
Aya was sitting at a vanity, trying on various pairs of glasses. Her own had shattered that morning when she fell. She needed them—not desperately, as she could still see things up close—but she felt incomplete without them.
"Does it have to do with returning to your world?"
Aya froze. "Wow. I'm surprised you guessed that."
"Of course. I had a human friend from another world once. He was the one who loved my sweet snacks the most."
"Don't tell me that was hundreds of years ago?" Aya asked, standing up from her chair.
The dwarf flinched as Aya leaned in close, her expression intense. He stepped back, looking a bit intimidated.
"Hey, answer me! I want to know!"
"Ah, well... um, yes. That's right." The dwarf seemed hesitant, which only made Aya more suspicious.
"Tell me the truth. Was he really here hundreds of years ago?"
"E-eh! Yes! Yes, yes! It was hundreds of years ago! He bought my snacks all the time, and he managed to return to his world using a hoard of coins!" the dwarf shouted, his eyes squeezed shut.
The truth was out. Aya heard it—proof that a human had successfully made the journey back. It was amazing, yet terrifying.
Aya sank to the floor, hugging her knees tightly. A chill swept through her the moment the dwarf mentioned the traveler. The chance to go home was becoming more real by the second, yet a strange, gnawing feeling of unease settled in her gut.
"What's wrong, Miss Aya? Are you okay?" the dwarf asked, worried. He moved toward the door to call for help, but Aya grabbed his hand.
"Don't go. And don't tell Ficky about this. I don't want to burden him. I'm just... a little worried about our return."
Aya was still troubled. The dwarf knew the human had "left" with the coins, but he didn't actually know if the man had made it home safely. That was the uncertainty that haunted her.