Marked in Red (Haiba's Adventure)

“Yeah, let’s go meet up with Miss Samantha,” Haiba replied.

The two found the hare girl waiting for them outside. The blue skinned woman from before was no where to be found. "Did you beat her?" Samantha immediately asked, the anticipation was killing her.

“I didn’t,” Haiba admitted, “She was a lot more powerful than I expected.”

"Aw." The bunny girl said, sounding a bit disappointed. "But I'm sure you'll beat her next time. Did you know you smell different?" She added, instantly pepping up again.

“Thank you, Miss Samantha,” Haiba said, before turning his attention back to Xantha, “Would you prefer to explain what is going on here or at an inn, Miss Xantha?”

"It'll take awhile to reach an inn." Xantha noted. "I'll leave it up to you."

“I guess up here, but let’s head down the mountain a little to get away from the cave,” Haiba said.

The two followed. Samantha staying close, seemingly in an attempt to comfort him. "Even if you don't smell super sweet anymore you're still cute." She said offhandedly at one point in an attempt at a complement.

Not wanting to kill her mood, Haiba took it as a compliment, replying, “Thank you,” and patting her head. Samantha was right to try to comfort him, Haiba was shaken by almost being enslaved, and he apparently wasn’t hiding that fact as well as he thought he was.

Once they were a decent ways away from the cave, Haiba quickly set up camp before asking, “Miss Xantha, could you please explain everything I should know?”

"So first and foremost my goal was always to get at that fruit X had. Disrupting her plans in the process. Unfortunately the only way to do that was to get her to trust me. That's why I agreed to help her lure you here." Xantha admitted, clearly uncomfortable with betraying his trust like this.

“But why me specifically? And why here? Why didn’t she enslave me right after cursing me?” Haiba asked, “And what was that fruit? Why was it going to seal the deal of my enslavement if I ate it, but you seem fine after eating it?”

"I guess she just liked the idea of seducing and enslaving an idealistic young hero. I think she also mentioned that you remind her of another hero she failed to enslave. I can't pretend I fully understand that part... She couldn't enslave you right after cursing you because she needed time to let the mark work it's magic. As for why I'm alright. I don't think I could really explain that even if I tried but let's say I came prepared specifically to dispose of it." As Xantha explained this Samantha didn't even bother trying to keep up. She just focused on cuddling up to Haiba for mutual warmth and comfort.

With those questions answered, Haiba laid out a few more, “Why are you trying to stop Miss X’s plan? And was that plan just enslaving me or is it bigger? Should I be expecting her to try it again? What was with the moths flying out of your mouth?”

"I don't think she'll try again. I'm not sure exactly why she wanted you. But I think she needs a human warrior to do her bidding for whatever reason. And the moths are part of the stuff I can't really explain." Xantha answered.

“This is probably my final question, and may sound repetitive, but how is there stuff you can’t explain?” Haiba asked.

"It's... Complicated. I'm not sure how I'd start. And just knowing about it can be risky. I'm not sure if telling you would be safe." Xantha tried to explain, fully aware how weak it sounded.

“I won’t pry for any more details on that intentionally, but I do have another question,” Haiba says, “Was the fruit the only thing you were after, or are you still going after Miss X?”

"I'd like to keep going after her. But now that I've foiled this plan I have no idea how." The midara researcher told him.

“Please allow me to join you, Miss Xantha,” Haiba quickly replied, “Now that I know of Miss X’s actions, I can’t just sit around and do nothing about it.”

Xantha was clearly surprised. "You really want to come with me? I thought you'd be angry at me for lying to you." She said.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t angry at all, but you lied for a good reason,” Haiba said, “And I can’t just ignore Miss X now that I’m curse free, so please let me assist you in stopping her.”

"If you really want to. I could definitely use the help." Xantha admitted. "Can I come?" Samantha asked. "It sounds important."

“That is up to Miss Xantha,” Haiba told Samantha, “I’m sure there are other things that need to be considered, but I’d enjoy having you tag along to assist in fights that may happen.”

"More backup is good. You can join us." Xantha agreed. Samantha gave an excited jump at the news.

“So, was there more you were going to say before I cut you off with questions?” Haiba asked Xantha.