The atmosphere of the city late in the evening reminded Eda of the night market back home, which might’ve had her feeling nostalgic if she didn’t know how dangerous that place could be for someone who couldn’t defend herself.  She’d managed well enough on that lizard island without most of her magic, but sneaking around through a seedy area like this was territory she was more familiar with in a way that left her feeling less safe than she’d been upon her arrival.  At the very least she could give someone a good whack with the wooden pole they’d given her- no Owl Staff for sure, but it was better than being completely unarmed.

It did little for her nerves, however, and the slightest shuffle against concrete had her whirling around, pulling the hooded cloak she wore for the trip tighter around herself.

Ryuu had never been an expert on animals. Could ducks be domesticated? Probably. But he was sure it took a decent amount of work to make that happen. And a lot of living space. Respect to this kid for doing it- winged animals can be evil.

“Pspspspspspspspsps”

He makes the kind of noise you use to attract cats as he reaches into his grocery bag and takes out a slice of bread. Tearing a piece off, he throws it to the bird. Sweet.

So, this is the place she’s supposed to call home?

Her back sank against the wall outside the townhouse she was expected to stay in, a heavy sigh escaping her. Here, she was allowed to spend as much time outside as she pleased, but...

... She couldn’t feel happy, not when she didn’t have a single person with her. 

Just then, she saw a young boy passing by. He seemed strict, and Megumi instantly fell like he knew much more than her about this place.

“Aw, did you come all the way here just for lil’ ol’ me? I’m touched!” 

It was his usual banter. One second he was here without any of his powers or gadgets. The next, they were back-- at the cost of having to deal with these bozos again. 

Gotta say, really thought I’d never see them again after dealing with Li. Hurts just a bit. Peter thought.

Still, as a line of webbing shot from his web-shooter, pulling the arachnid crime-fighter down like an arrow atop one wielding a shield? Felt good to kick butt. Even if this stuff was temporary, if he had to guess. Still, he was so distracted with his thoughts that his Spidey-Sense was the only thing that warned him of the Demon about to stab him from behind. 

Once Loki had gotten access to the university’s library (nobody has explicitly said that only university students were allowed and besides, nobody has stopped him yet), he had been immediately intrigued by the mysteries section, both fiction and non-fiction. On this particular day, he had been so engrossed in a classic Sherlock Holmes that he almost didn’t notice the boy (around his age) wearing a very fancy cape, which would’ve been a shame to miss. It was a very neat cape.

“where... where am iiiiiii~?” just like always, jem is toughing it out on the dark, dingy streets of a city--- but it’s not his city! that sort of detail is important! he’s not sure why, but it is! 

Shit. This kid looks young. 

Ryuu could acknowledge that the person in question probably wasn’t much younger than he was. But it was still enough to cause concern.

... Or rage. Bringing kids here seems unfair.

“.... There’s another??”

Virgilia looked around hastily with a nervous expression that didn’t match her usually elegant demeanor.

It was another child. Wandering around all alone. Oh, how much she pitied these poor children...! What kind of cruel individual would strand a child out here without their parents?

If it’s like this, it should be up to her to help, right??? So, she approached this child with a worried voice.