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After a while, you nodded. <span class="mu-r">“Alright, I’ll do it.”</span> you declared.
<span class="mu-b">“You almost sound eager.”</span> Cat commented.
You shrugged. <span class="mu-r">“Tossa can’t be allowed to carry out her plans. I kinda like these guys.”</span> you admitted. <span class="mu-r">“Besides, bringing squirt along just makes sense. She’s crucial to pacifying Tossa, anyway.”</span>
<span class="mu-b">“Fair enough.”</span> Cat said. <span class="mu-b">“Anyone else you planning on bringing?”</span>
<span class="mu-r">“Yeah. I’m bringing along Callisto.”</span>
A flicker of surprise passed over both their faces. It would appear that they thought you’d take one of them, given their respective professions.
<span class="mu-r">“She’s good at sneaking around, good in a fight, and she doesn’t rely heavily on metal.”</span> you explained, feeling the need to defend your decision. <span class="mu-r">“Cat’s got cybernetic implants, and Prowler’s armed to the teeth in weapons and gadgets. Tossa would sense you both coming from a mile away.”</span>
They exchanged a glance and let out a collective sigh.
<span class="mu-g">“I guess that’s fair.”</span> Prowler added.
<span class="mu-b">“You’d have to convince her to drop the knives.”</span> Cat said.
<span class="mu-r">“I know. I’m still working up the courage for that one.”</span> you replied.
—-------
An hour or two later, you tracked down Callisto, who had been vandalizing an innocent tree with one of her daggers. When you expressed your desire for her to join you on the stealth mission, she seemed just as surprised as the others. She was less excited about having to leave her knives behind, but you both knew that she was far from defenseless without them.
After that, you both went to find Peter Pan. He was, of course, chatting leisurely with Tiger Lily in the early morning. A tiny, sprite-like creature stood on his shoulder. She wore a torn white cloth as a dress, and had a tangle of pale blonde hair that sought to rival that of Tossa’s. She had a very wild appearance, like what you’d expect from a girl who was raised in the jungle.
When Squirt noticed you approaching, she tugged on a lock of Peter’s hair and whispered something in his ear. He turned to face you, and to your surprise, he actually grinned at you.
<span class="mu-g">“Harry! What can I do you for?”</span> he asked.
You didn’t bother correcting him. There wasn’t much of a point anymore.
<span class="mu-r">“I need to borrow your buddy for a little while.”</span> you said, pointing at the small girl. <span class="mu-r">“She’s crucial to our plan for capturing Tossa.”</span>
He frowned and crossed his arms defiantly as Squirt gave you a curious look from behind Peter Pan’s ear. You and Callisto took the time to explain your plan, and slowly, Peter began to nod.
<span class="mu-g">“It just might work.”</span> he agreed.
<span class="mu-b">“Shouldn’t we wait until nightfall to pull this off?”</span> Callisto offered.
<span class="mu-g">“Tossa likes to sleep in. I’ve never seen her get up early.”</span> said a squeaky voice that must’ve belonged to the shrinking girl.
(Cont.)