[Coolshaymin]

In what looks like a futuristic market in the Reploid City was a long line of shops. These shops varied from things like Robot Pet Stores, Sigma Mart, Despair-R-Us, Wily's Robot Master Emporium and even a toy store. Some of these were abandoned, some of these were strangely open and running. Though the store that matters in this odd choice of locale was the curry shop that they were invited to. And it fortunately stood out very well among the various stores.

It was a large oriental themed curry shop that looked well built and established. Really made one think how much time, effort and resources was put into this building that was rather large for a restraunt. Regardless, there was large metal doors standing with a Grand Opening Sign hanging up. Most of the building was red to fit it's theme. Well, probably time to check this place out.

Ready?
Start!

[TheSpatialWeeg]

Ah yes, Reploid City. Who would’ve guessed that there were shops that worked here? Certainly not little Rider, that was for sure. Word of mouth had spread about a new curry shop opening just recently, however when she heard if was in the abandoned city…that came up as a big shocker. Regardless of such, she dared herself to go to the mysterious new shop, mostly because of getting tired of the usual stuff. Maybe she’d probably ask them if they could pack a bowl of curry for her and Amitie’s next dinner. That sounded awful dandy!

However, as Rider approached the place, something just gave her that odd sensation of something being...very, very wrong. “W-Why am I getting this odd sense of dread...but also familiarity?” she asked herself. Was it paranoia due to how her missions took a turn for the worst? Or was it a premonition? Eventually, the girl shrugged it off (or at least tried to) and decided to go in.

[Mari]

"No idea~! Last time I came out here to investiage a suspicious cury shop, it turned out to have some really good curry!" Arle replied as she conveniently approached from nearby, making a point to stand close to Rider. Now that they were together she'd immediately slipped into big sister mode. "I was expecting it to be a trap or something, but it turned out to be harmless! Still not sure how they get business here... Honestly, I'm pretty sure this place is swarming with infected every other day of the week." Arle went on to muse aloud, really understating how baffling this entire situation was. "...Wanna come inside with me and find out what's going on?" Arle would go on to ask, offering Rider her hand to hold before leading the way to the reinforced doors. Normally that'd sketch her right out with a restaurant, but once again... they were deep in infected territory. She wasn't going to question this.

[Coolshaymin]

Strangely, when the three entered the normal dining room, there was no one there. No one at the counter and the whole main part of the restraunt was completely abandoned with no one to be seen... though there was a lot of activity coming from the kitchen. And then the doors slammed shut behind Arle and Rider. As if on cue, a painfully familiar sight came flying out of the Kitchen and hit his head right against the large doors. He slid to the ground and remained dazed for a moment as Satan seemed to just recently get smacked around. He was also covered in curry.


"Thank you for your patronage..." Satan said rather dizzily, apparently not that aware of his surroundings. It would also seem the doors locked themselves and who knew how much force they would take to open.

[TheSpatialWeeg]

Rider hugged Arle tight, her grip only increasing in strength when Arle mentioned that the city was full of infected. That...probably sent her on edge already. As they entered the store, it’s emptiness, kitchen noise and doors closing by themselves made Rider visibly shake. And then, suddenly, something flew towards the closed doors, causing a scream to escape her mouth. Of course, all of that fear went away as the thing that just collided with the doors was...Satan.

“...B-big brother?!” Rider asked, in shock about meeting the Lord of Puyo Hell once again. He...he didn’t look okay. She thought of dumping some cold water on him to see if he came back to normal, but she wasn't feeling ready to leave Arle's hug just yet. After all, Satan didn't flew back and slammed into doors because he wanted to...right? 

[Mari]

A mildly bewildered Arle would anxiously pull Rider in and hug her tight in response to being gripped like that. Normally she was very hands off, but it was very obvious to her that Rider wasn't doing this to disrespect her personal space. Arle fumbled for words for a moment before reaching down and slipping one of her arms underneath Rider, pulling the smaller girl up into her arms and bashfully cuddling the other to her body. "Don't worry... I've got you." Arle would murmur quietly, attempting to make Rider feel more secure. Obviously an infected couldn't just walk up and attack her when she was nice and snug in Arle's arms! ...And then Satan came flying out and Arle just sort of grimaced.

(...Viridi damn it.)

Great. Now Satan was here. Just what she needed. ...Eh. Y'know come to think of it this actually wasn't the worst thing that could have shown up just then. She supposed she should be thankful, even though...she...really wasn't. ...Had Rider just called him big brother? Please no... Arle subtly shook her head a bit and strolled up to Satan with Rider in her arms, stopping to hover over him a bit before acknowledging him.

"Y'know for a while I thought you might be responsible for this mess. Right now though, I'm starting to wonder if you're even responsible for your own mess. What is all this, Satan?"

Rather abruptly, a very excited Carbuncle dashed past and casually bounced off Satan's head in the process of lunging into the curry shop.

[Coolshaymin]

"R-Rider?" Satan seemed to snap out of his stunned state upon hearing the smol girl's voice. Oh... This was probably not a state she wanted to see him in. But wait... Someone else was here as well. It was taking a moment to focus but it sounded like...

"It's good to see you are okay, Rider. I was unsure how you were doing on your own in this ruined land. I do not know what I would do if you became injured by those monsters or worst..." Satan began to Rider actually ignoring Arle for a second... Though that did not last long.

"And Arlie, you have even being take care of her while we were apart! Even in my time of need you sensed it and came to help out your fiance! I knew our bonds were strong you are just afraid to show you care~," Satan said to Arle... Seeming to forget about the noise that was going on in the kitchen in the other room. As well as failing to realize he was still dripping in curry.

[TheSpatialWeeg]

Rider was kinda-sorta moved by Arle as the sorceress did not let go of her just yet....then again, she didn't want to leave her grasp just yet. Both approached the rather curry-filled Satan as he began talking. Surprisingly, he directed his attention towards Rider first. Huh, you'd think his eyes be on his alleged fiancée, but...wait..."Huh, h-how did you know I was here, big brother...?" Rider asked, rather puzzled about this knowledge...however Satan began talking to Arle just as she asked her question. Whoops.

Rider stood quiet for a moment...before noticing that the noise in the kitchen did not quell just yet. Cue shivering smol. "Wh-what's going on back there...?!" she tried asking the two responsible adults in the building at the current point in time. Of course, that depends whether or not they would answer her...

[Mari]

...Oh Viridi damn it. Please. Please she wasn't ready to accept that Rider was related to Satan. N-No please. Arle silently resisted the urge to scream in frustration. How could this sweet girl possibly be related to that ... creep?! Arle's expression twisted into a pout and she turned to gently cuddle Rider into her body, giving her a little squeeze to let her know that she was secure and safe in her grasp. Get jealous Satan, this'll never be you. "I'd ask if you're even listening to me but I'm not even sure you're listening to yourself..." Arle replied rather bitterly in response to Satan's remarks, giving him a rather hostile look. She was half-tempted to pick a fight with him, but then again they were out here for a reason and he wasn't particularly relevant to that reason. At least, not that Arle could tell. Then again, when was Satan ever not part of the problem?

"You never answered my question, and all that noise is scaring Rider. Why are you especially yummy today and what's with all the noise?" Arle went on to ask. Noteworthily, she'd said the word yummy with a lack of enthusiasm that seemed to imply sarcasm.

[Coolshaymin]

"Ouch, Arlie. I was getting to that you know. I can't just keep my heroic fiancie and Rider in the dark when they came to help me," Satan replied to Arle before something in her wording seemed to click with him... Did... She just call him yummy? Is that why she was here?... Oh, well, that was disappointing it wasn't because of the other thing... Must of got lost in the mail...

"Well, you see, I was setting up a curry shop outside the taxing limit. However, some foolish ruffians decided it was a good idea to come in and take over. They challenged me to a fight in the kitchen and..."

"They dunked me in my giant vat of curry and completely decimated me... Not my most shining moment... They sent a letter to get some more food. Are you the one that was supposed to deliver it?" Satan explained and asked Arle.

[TheSpatialWeeg]

Rider noticed the light squeeze Arle gave her. She didn't comment on the move, but she began lightly cuddling the sorceress in return in an attempt to calm herself down, blissfully unaware that Arle was struggling with the fact that she used her 'affectionate nickname'. She quietly listened to Satan's explanation as to what was happening...and her face promptly turned into full-on frustration as she heard the 'ruffians'.

Great...simply fantastic. Rider thought to herself as she hopelessly sighed. This would be the third time she engages with a bunch of thieves, and she wasn't looking forward to that. The past experiences weren't very pleasant, to say the least. "...I suppose you want us to help drive them off?" Rider simply asked the Lord of Puyo Hell.

[Mari]

...So this was Satan's restaurant? Good thing she hadn't eaten at it. She didn't trust him to cook for her. Goodness knew where she'd wake up. "...Well, it's a good new smell for you at least." Arle relented somewhat unethusiastically. One could tell that she wasn't very into the idea of helping Satan with his shop. Surely there had to be a hedge in need of trimming somewhere that was more deserving of her time. Then again, it had been a long trip out here. It would be a long walk to find that hedge... Arle's shoulders sagged in defeat. "Nnno... I was just looking for lunch, actually." Arle corrected somewhat hesitantly. "I guess Rider's right though. On the other hand, maybe you should just consider relocating instead. I can't come save your butt every time this happens." Arle went on to remark. Who needed to go stop these villains anyway? Clearly Satan had done something to deserve it.