TRAILING SHADOWS

Niniola sized up Tayo for several minutes. Uncomfortable, he shifted, sheathing his sword slowly. Apparently, this girl was not looking to harm him.

She seemed cool, plus her body was giving off vibes that said I am lonely, be my friend. However, he knew better than to trust appearances.

On the other hand, Niniola smiled, cracking her knuckles. It seemed she enjoyed the silent standoff between them.

"What do you want?" He asked, breaking the ice.

"I want food!" Niniola mimicked.

But he was not pleased. He scowled away, towards the shop. He felt he should be wary of her but he just didn't seem like it.

Yes, he had to admit, she was definitely skilled in Agbara imbued techniques but her reflexes were lacking.

He felt her touch on his shoulders now, soft and tender. 'Damn it, don't get swayed away.'

"Seriously, you should learn manners, boy. You think anyone can just enter a Pawn Shop and come out, not cheated? "

Tayo growled now.

On hearing her call him boy, his whole self had boiled up, anger fuelling his nerves. But then, what she said later on was something that really had merit. He didn't know just a thing about that.

Biting his lower lip, he turned around. "Okay, what do you know?"

Niniola smiled. "There, there. Now we are talking. First things first, you must agree to what I say."

Tayo's eyes widened.

"I mean you have to, if you really want me to pawn your item for a really, really large price. After all, I have your best interest right now." She rolled her eyes, waving her hand dismissively."

Tayo frowned, deeper. "Okay, I agree. What else?"

"Now, Show me what you have to pawn. What is it?" She asked.

"Why?"

"Because I need to know what the face value is."

Reluctantly, his hand dug into his robes while he shot Niniola a searching look, to which she simply shrugged her shoulders. Sighing once more, he brought out the round enameled coin that gave out a faint hue of green light. Tayo held it to light as if to examine if it was an original.

Meanwhile, Niniola's pupils dilated, excitement overpowering her rationality. Her breathing tripled as she forced herself to remain calm.

A soul sensor! To think what she could do with that!

"Whoa… A soul sensor? What are you? Bounty hunter?" She queried. Unable to keep calm anymore, Niniola jerked her hands forward, snatching the sensor from Tayo before he could have a rethink. Simultaneously, Tayo felt a light tugging sensation as the sensor vanished from his soul space within him.

"Well, what's the face value? How many Gold mints can we get?"

"Wait… If I am right, this sensor is set to track the soul essence of a being, right?"

"Yes?" Tayo replied, unsettled.

"Oh my gods! This essence is familiar. You are tracking Sunday. Just who in the Realms are you?"

Tayo froze!

"No, who are you? Tayo replied, getting over his initial shock. He fired up his aura immediately, ready to either fight or flee, whichever seemed palatable. His hands beginning to locate the hilt of his blade.

Niniola was taken aback.

"Why? You mean, you don't know who I am? I am NIniola, the girl who was banished? From Ilu Aganju? strike a bell?" She asked, beating her c.h.e.s.t simultaneously.

"Look, girl. I don't know you. Are you to be some kind of superstar?" Tayo waved his free hand dismissively. "Now, please, give me back the sensor. I need to pawn it. "

"Ok, I take it that you are a bounty hunter. I am looking for him but I have no lead…"

'And you want my lead. Then what?"

Niniola straightened, smiling. "Then we fight for who gets Sunday. Deal ? " She extended her open palm.

Tayo took it, warily. "Deal."

"This means, we keep the sensor? I can get you food easily and even Gold mints. Not an issue."

"Obedi Specials. That's where he is. I think he's held against his will and I don't think both of us alone can get him out."

"Awl…" Niniola m.o.a.n.e.d. "He's captured, so much for 3rd Prime genius. Just great! Sending that boy to Earth all by himself. "

"He's going to Earth?" Tayo asked quietly.

She seemed to be thinking of how to reply him but then decided not to before tugging at his hand roughly. At that, his Esin Onina snorted, making him aware of its presence. He waved at it, dismissively, signaling for it to go out grazing. The horse nodded in understanding, raising a trail of sparks as it galloped away.

"Wait. Where are we going to?" Tayo asked Niniola.

"A place where we can get food." She dragged him off and the duo disappeared into the bustle of the market.

Meanwhile, two masked figures stood side by side at a stall where apples were put on a display. Two Irunmoles stood, side by side, both slender except for the different red and blue belts they respectively had on and plain masks that had the insignia of Moondust Alliance House, a moon with three sparkles beneath.

"Say, that girl there, she's the Niniola?" The shorter one in blue belt asked.

"Obviously, she fits the description properly."

"I agree. For now, we observe. " The red belted one took a bite off an apple. Exchanging looks, they nodded briefly before fading into the atmosphere.

***