Editing Leape (section)

== '''8''' ==
''In which Person A falls for Person B, but Person B is too oblivious to realize it''

Dawnward was a seaside city, with bridges and shops in all the right places, people crowding the dirty, cobbled, streets. Women rushed by, their dresses reaching their shins, at ''least'', children either trailing behind them or with their hands grasped tightly. Men sometimes passed by, their arms hooked with a lady’s, their heads usually crowned with a top hat.

It took a whole day of walking to get into the inner city, with how big it was, and by then, Penn just wanted to sit down. His feet hurt. And he was tired of walking. He kept glancing around at the city with awe, but awe was not something that would make your feet feel un-sore from walking all day in uncomfortable shoes.

Most of their outfits looked like what Penn imagined men and women would wear in the late 1800s, but some nearly made him take a step back in surprise. Two young people— a brother and sister, twins, if Penn thought right, were on the side of the road, each doing acrobatics. The boy, looking to be around eighteen, was expertly strumming a quick tune on a ukulele, a grin on his face, black suit only a shade darker than his hair. He looked completely content with playing his instrument while his sister—also in a tuxedo, a top hat atop of her head, both red— juggled several balls up in the air. A showman smile was across her face as she casually juggled balls in the air, moving about as if it were nothing.

Quite a few people glared at the duo as they walked by, but a small crowd was gathered around them, cheering every time the girl did an impossible trick with the juggling balls, a collective laugh rippling across the group when the boy headed them back into a cloth bag.

The two were quite content with their business, and Penn found himself almost drawn to their show, instinctively, to see what happened next. Suddenly, Lethia grabbed his arm and threw herself into a shop, plastering herself against one of the many bookshelves in it.

Gasping for air, her eyes darted about wildly as she took in her surroundings, firmly having pushed Penn against one of the sturdy bookshelves in the shop. Penn opened his mouth to ask what was happening, but she put her finger to her mouth and gave him a stern look.

“Oh— my— word—” Lethia huffed, still gasping for air, trying to calm herself down. She ran her hands over her long hair, trying to flatten it out, as it’d gotten quite staticky in the run over. Lowering her finger, she cast an annoyed look behind her and out the window. “I HATE those guys,” she furiously whispered at Penn, who felt sorry for whomever those guys were.

“Who are… ‘those guys’?” Penn whispered back, brows furrowing, more questions already crowding his mind.

Lethia gave a sigh as if Penn knew nothing. “Those ''guys'' are—” she cut herself off as low voices came from the counter on which sat the cash register. Stealthily moving back, she motioned for Penn to follow, until they were out of whomever was speaking’s view.

“I’m serious, Theophilus! We can ''do'' something about it! You know I’m no environmentalist, but… I mean, seriously!”

The person who had spoken was short and stocky, with curly brown hair and dark brown eyes. Freckles covered his face and partially up his arms, and when he spoke, he was fully animated, as if he were from a cartoon. The person he was speaking to shook his head, a frown tugging at the corners of his mouth.

“Marcus, that simply won’t work. We can’t risk it. You know how ''they'' are,” said he with a wary look around, voice low as he spoke, although Penn got the feeling he was usually quite soft-spoken most of the time. From his close-cropped dark hair and his umber skin to his lanky form, he looked like a volleyball player, the only thing ruining the image being his late nineteenth century clothing he wore.

Marcus gave a groan, rocking back and forth, an annoyed air about him. “Theo! C’mon! This is our chance— ''your'' chance— at making a change! Think of the dragons! Think of Ella!”

At the mention of this Ella, Theophilus stiffened, taking in a deep breath. “Marcus, the answer is—” Lethia stepped out from behind the bookshelf, a small smirk on her face.

“Perhaps I could be of— Penn get yourself out here—” she yanked Penn out of his hiding place, where he stumbled into full-sight of the two “—assistance?”

Marcus gave a yelp and threw himself over the low counter, peeking over it once he was behind it. “Who ''are'' you!?” he asked, only his fingers and from his eyes up visible. Theophilus’ face was stoic and impossible to read, to Penn’s dismay.

“We are— Penn, get ''back'' here— here to help you!” Lethia exclaimed, firmly holding Penn’s arm to keep him from escaping.

“Yes, that,” Penn said quickly, struggling to get Lethia’s hand off his arm, trying to pry her fingers off. He wanted to ''hide''… and maybe buy a book. But mostly hide.

“Why were you eavesdropping on our conversation?” Theophilus asked, stepping forward a few steps. His brows furrowed, demeanor quickly changing from stoic to slightly irritated/wary.

“Well, I—” Penn began, before Lethia unlatched her hand from his arm, spreading her hands in a peaceful way.

“We’re here to help. You’re part of the Ninjas, right?” she spoke calmly, approaching slowly. At the mention of the Ninjas, Marcus’ eyes widened even more and he looked around frantically as if searching for listening devices.

“Marcus, at ease,” spoke a new voice from the back doorway, from which the two boys had entered. “This one is no threat.”

Marcus’ brows furrowed. “No threat!? She just—stepped into the middle of a ''very important conversation!?'' It looks like she’s a threat??”

The girl shook her head, waving a hand dismissively. “Look at her arm closely. ''Closely,'' Marcus.” Marcus squinted his eyes, finally reeling back in surprise.

“You’re—you’re with ''us!”'' he said finally, eyes wide.

Lethia gave a nod, her attention turned to the girl who had spoken up in her defense. There she stood,  the one who had spoken, ebony hair pulled back into a bun. An assertive air was about her as she stood, hands on her hips, daring Lethia to make a move toward her. When Lethia didn’t move, she started forward, reaching out a hand to shake Lethia’s.

“Elizabeth Regent. I take it you’re a new recruit to the Ninjas?” The question was straightforward enough and her tone was agreeable, but her amber gaze was startling and cool.

“Yup,” Lethia answered quickly, nodding. “I’m Lethia, by the way— and that’s Penn.” She jabbed her thumb at Penn, who was looking off in the distance, contemplating his life choices. ''… I really should’ve eaten that sandwich before we left.''

“Nice to meet you. This is Marcus Caus and my—” Elizabeth hesitated a moment. “Friend, Theophilus Kane Knightly,” she spoke, having thought for a split second, gesturing to the two boys. Theophilus gave a friendly nod, while Marcus hopped over the counter to shake Penn’s hand.

“It’s been a second since we got to have new recruits! I can show you around and—” he was cut off by the ever-stoic Theophilus clearing his throat.

“Marcus,” he said in his baritone voice, eyes darting from Lethia to Penn, “Lillian will be arriving soon.” Marcus gave a long sigh, before casting an apologetic look to Penn.

“Sorry, dude,” he said, using slang that thoroughly surprised Penn. “Gotta get ready for Elizabeth’s ''sister'' to come.” With that, he grabbed a broom, casually sweeping the floor, intermittently glancing at Lethia and Penn, who stood there awkwardly while Theophilus and Elizabeth had a hushed conversation. A moment passed before Elizabeth gave the two a bright smile.

“So! We’ve decided you can stay,” she said, clasping her hands together. No smile graced her face although Penn figured she wasn’t planning to kick them out. Lethia started to get openly excited before she continued her sentence. “On one condition. You don’t tell ''anyone'' what you’ve heard… and you go on the quest with us.”

“Yes! That was the plan,” Lethia said, energy lacing her every movement. ''“Obviously,'' we wouldn’t tell anyone. That would mess up you guys’ organization. Right, Penn?”

Penn nodded thoughtfully. “Right. If we did tell someone—” the bell above the door that only worked fifty percent of the time rang, and Lethia leaped around, reflexes as fast as a ninja’s. At the door stood a girl, who, aside from her naturally tan skin and eye color looked nothing like Elizabeth, who Penn inferred was her sister.

Her brown hair was wavy and about down to her waist, incredibly fluffy even down to the tips. She had an adventurous look about her, spurred on by her grin, the effect amplified by her clothes. She wore an ankle-length yellow-and-pink plaid skirt and a pale pink shirt, not unlike Lethia’s, only with small puffs at the shoulders. She had a small, eccentric-looking watch, with gears protruding from every possible surface, and a leather satchel was slung over her shoulder. She was clearly ready for action.

“Elizabeth!” she near-shouted with excitement. “It’s been AGES. Okay, it’s been a week. BUT AGES.” Elizabeth gave a smile at her sister’s greeting, reserved, but pleasant, Lillian’s excitement seemingly contagious.

“Lillian, meet Theophilus— he’s the one I’ve told you about—” Theophilus gave a small smile, giving a cordial wave to Lillian “—and here’s Marcus!” Marcus, who had finished sweeping, took a hat off the top of a bookshelf, where he’d stashed it.

“Mornin’, Lillian,” he said, walking up to her with a slight swagger. He stuck out his hand to the slightly taller girl, introducing himself as, “Marcus Caus, keeper of the books!” He took much pride in his position, and Lillian was listening. ''Really'' listening. In fact, she seemed to be hanging on every word.

Penn took a quick glance over to Lethia who… oh wow. A grin was plastered over her face and she looked almost like she would explode. A look of pure happiness was on her face, her brightly shining eyes giving it away.

“... You good?” Penn leaned over and whispered to Lethia, who gave a grunt, clearing her throat, before she straightened out her dress.

“Me? Oh yes,” said Lethia, eye still on the two, who were chattering, “I’m just fine. Doing absolutely ''fabulous''.” Penn slowly nodded, not quite sure what to make of Lethia’s odd mood. He was saved from having to say anything else by Elizabeth’s voice.

“If you three will follow us,” she said, nodding to her newly arrived sister and then Penn and Lethia. “We have much to discuss.” With that, she disappeared down a dark stairway, which was illuminated by a singular, yellow, lightbulb.

First, Theophilus followed, and then Marcus, Lethia following after Lillian, leaving Penn to take up the rear. He stepped into the stairway, closing the door as he was instructed by Marcus, before heading downward.

The room he entered had a few couches and a fluffy chair, alongside a soft rug and many, many, bookshelves. Three walls were covered with wood, almost as if the room was constructed above ground, the planks reaching from floor to ceiling. There was a singular accent wall was painted a bright teal color, something surprisingly modern, but homey nonetheless.

“Take a seat, any seat,” said Marcus flopping down onto a chair, much like any other seventeen-year-old boy would do. “There’s drinks and stuff in the wall if you want some…” he trailed off. “Or if you don’t, Theo said his mom made cookies.”

Theophilus’ face turned red at this statement. “Marcus— first of all, I made the cookies, second of all there’s so much wrong with that statement, I cannot even begin to correct it.” Marcus cackled in response, to which Lillian gave a grin, clearly trying to hold back a giggle. Marcus didn’t notice.

Five minutes passed before Elizabeth emerged from a hidden door in the basement’s wall. “Okay,” she said, sitting down beside Theophilus, who had saved her a seat. “We have much to discuss.”

“Right on,” said Marcus, bopping his head in agreement. “What’s the first order of business?” he asked as he ripped open a bag of potato chips, labeled Saratoga Chips, passing the bag around.

“The first order of business—thank you, Theo—is to talk about the quest.” A dramatic gasp came from Marcus, who got a scolding look from Theophilus, which he promptly ignored.

“A quest?” Penn inquired, a feeling of something-bad-is-going-to-happen in his stomach. He glanced at his watch, realizing that he had about thirty seconds before the two poofed, thanks to Lethia’s poor time-management skills.

“A quest,” said Elizabeth seriously, leaning forward conspiratorially. “We have to save the city before it explodes. Which starts with saving a dragon and getting its advice.” And just like that, Penn and Lethia disappeared within a split second.