Under Surveillance

Rafael had made a play for the girl on the day of their first meeting, using all the charm he could muster, and the pick-up line he'd been saving for a while - since Sofia was so cute, and the longer he had watched her, the cuter and sweeter she seemed.

Dashed again... maybe I was too forward...? Despite being a real Oni... she does seem like quite the sheltered, meek little thing...

It really didn't matter that she had spiked horns, ears and teeth, her fair hair, skin and demeanour attracted his attention, so he felt quite captivated actually.

Ah, and she's so kind and honest, maybe a little shy, but rather pretty...

As his direct offer had been rejected by the young woman, and although after a few more attempts to talk with her had also failed, she then appeared to want to avoid them. But all was not lost, as he thought of other ways to remain near, and after staying on for a couple of days in this cozy, out of the way town, they had happened upon her again - as he'd hoped for.

"I wish you watched me like that..."

Isabella mumbled, sitting alongside him at the local cafe's outdoor table.

"Huh?"

Rafael couldn't bring himself to take his eyes away from the green and gold Sofia Greenstone, who was doing some shopping across the street.

"Never mind."

His sister sighed and took another sip of her drink.

Rafael and Isabella had taken a good vantage spot, to observe the short Oni's activities, which genuinely appeared quite normal; talking friendly with the other locals, shopping, occasionally fumbling when she noticed her close observation - she really seemed a true part of the tiny town to Rafael.

"Do you think she always acts so shy and dainty...? I think it's really cute..."

"Brother?!"

Isabella reeled back with a mix of emotions.

He toiled over another excise to be nearer to her; since escorting had been a no, with the town being so peaceful and all, and paying for her shopping or food was also futile, with a general swap and barter system here for the residents who had skills and needed items, but there had to be something.

She looked to be leaving and was now alone again, so perhaps he'd make the most of this - it could be his best chance.

He got up, ignoring his sisters objection, and not too quickly strode across the street towards her.

Not too forceful... nice and casual...

She clutched her small paper bag closely as she saw him approach, but held fast.

"Miss Greenstone, would you let me carry your items for you?"

"This?"

She shuffled the little light bag in her two hands with uncertainty.

"As the favour..."

She seemed a tiny bit annoyed as he persisted, but yielded eventually.

"Very well then."

Yes...!

As he gently accepted the bag, Rafael did his best to project his cheerful attitude, to put off suspicions, not only from Sofia, but others that could be watching the Trainee Knights carefully too.

"It would be a pleasure to assist you. It is what we aspire to do after all."

Rafael started to walk with her, while she kept her fine green eyes on him.

"We Knights will happily do tasks and keep all the regular citizens safe."

The short blonde tilted her head slightly with her query.

"Is there much need for that?"

"Were you dropped on your head as a child?"

Isabella spoke rudely from behind, as she was trailing them both closely, but the Oni replied to her insult with honesty.

"Mama thought that might have been the case... why do you ask?"

Isabella was puzzled quiet then, and said no more.

I almost forgot she was still here... and she's making Sofia - especially uncomfortable... so I need to drop this third wheel...

Rafael then turned to his following sister.

"I don't think it requires both of us, so you can stay in town."

She glared angrily back, clearly not wanting to leave him be with Sofia, but said nothing.

"Isabella..."

She looked down and away with frustrations, but complied.

The pair continued along the neat street, less hesitantly, while the green-eyed girl seemed a touch more at ease, Rafael stayed positive and tried to engage her in conversation.

"Yes, we Knights do much for those around us..."

"Such as harass and accuse people they meet?"

"I can't apologise enough for that. No we always try our best to help others."

Sofia listened on as he spieled out what Knights were supposed to do, before he started talking about himself a little too.

"I see, that's rather nice of you then."

After some quiet walking on her part, eventually Sofia opened up a little, perhaps now more relaxed or at least not outnumbered, which was more than acceptable for Rafael.

"I always thought that kind of behaviour was just common though..."

She actually showed a smile, which made his heart race a little.

By the time they'd left the townhouses and made it out amongst the outskirts, they were openly in conversation, and after a few leading questions, they'd gotten onto the topic of family.

"So how did you wind up here?"

"I was found and razed here, by a pair of wonderful people.... who treated me like real family..."

"That's nice of them..."

"My parents... were... cheerful, honest and taught me quite a lot..."

She got a little quieter though, like she was missing them.

"Where are they now?"

"They... died in an accident, a little while ago."

She looked away, saddened and distant, like one remembering close and fond people who had departed.

"Sorry... for your loss."

She forced a little grin back his way.

"So you stayed here...?"

He asked, veering away from the sadder topic.

"Yeah, of course, I've been here for all my life..."

Rafael nodded.

"Where else would I go?"

Good point...

"So you enjoy living here?"

"Oh yes, everyone is very nice, and the climate is perfect for growing many plants. And I do have other reasons..."

Rafael was slightly distracted, as he couldn't shake the feeling of being watched again, but assumed Isabella was lurking around again, or another one of their party was tailing them for her, or it could be a local watching him too, but whoever was responsible for the feeling, he didn't give it too much heed.

"Are you thinking of staying in town then?"

She asked with a mix of curiosity and concern.

"Perhaps for a little while..."

He hadn't decided anything properly, but as the others really wanted a bit more time to rest, so it was a golden opportunity.

"Then I can expect to be harassed some more in the future?"

"I really am truly sorry for our earlier actions, and I will pay for that broken window too."

"Thanks..."

Sofia was also partly distracted as something caught her attention as it quickly moved their way, dashing out before them both. Being quite large and heavy sounding, it skidded on the track very near them, for only a moment, under the dark shade of the hanging trees, but then the blur of mass thumped and changed direction, surging directly their way with impressive speed.

Whatever this is - it's dangerous...!

Rafael's reflexes were good, but the humanoid pressed in and casually reached around his partly drawn blade, and flicked him aside like he was a mere leaf.

Rafael twirled through the air, before crunching into the bushes beside the track, upturned, but they thankfully caught him and saved him from injuries.

"Sofia - watch out...!?"

He be-latently warned her, while totally upside-down, but looking about the immediate area, she was already nowhere to be seen.