Some Things Just Can't Be Understood

"Fish." Pheobie replied. "Mushrooms. Asparagus. But I like most everything else"

"I like mushrooms alright, as long as they're not poisonous," replied Maple with a shrug. "Celery is annoying. Did you know it takes so much energy to chew it and digest it that you actually lose calories trying to eat it? I mean, that defeats the whole purpose of eating it in the first place!"

"I know" Pheobie giggled "Which makes it the perfect diet food!"

"Do I look like I need a diet?" asked Maple, referring to his lanky, beanpole-like frame. "What I need is some meat on these bones so I can develop muscles and look like The Rock. Maybe."

"... Who?" Pheobie asked cluelessly.

"The Rock. Wrestling superstar," Maple explained. "He's big and strong and has lots of muscle. Which is what I need. Muscle. You would think that with all the running around I do I would be just a lean machine, but noooo..."

"Do you eat enough proteins?" Pheobie asked. "They help build muscle"

"Well I don't eat as much meat as I'd like to, if that's what you mean," answered Maple. "Usually it's a lot of quick snack food, insant dinners, that kind of thing."

He paused.

"...Yes I know that's not healthy. But I burn most of it off apparently. I don't look like Santa Claus anyway."

"Well, I'll be cooking for you know so you should get better" Pheobie smiled

"That's true," replied Maple upon thinking about it. "So you have Santa Claus where you come from, huh?"

"We have saint Christopher." Pheobie replied. "He grows fat from feasting upon the souls of naughty children that disobeyed their parents."

"...Lovely," Maple answered, clearing needing to explain things better. "Well, our Santa Claus, he's a good guy. One day a year he brings all the good girls and boys toys they wanted. Now if you're bad, you don't get anything but coal, but no soul-eating. Good ol' St. Nick gets fat from all the cookies and milk people leave him."

"Interesting." Pheobie replied. "Oh, look! Its the boy with the cute doggie at the food cart!"

"Eh?" replied Maple, turning to see Dalios at was indeed a traveling hot dog stand. Rolly was staring upward at the hot dog man with a big pitiful stare.

"Ain't givin' you nothin', mutt," the hot dog man replied. "Less your bud here's gonna pay for it."

"What's taking them so long?" muttered Dalios, before noticing Maple and Pheobie nearby. "Oh hey, have you seen Falcon or Raze lately?"

Pheobie crouched down and clicked her tongue for the dog's attention. "Here Puppy!" she grinned

Rolly happily bounced over to Pheobie, curly tail wagging everywhere.

"Well, I saw Falcon earlier by the griffin pen, but he didn't seem to notice us and went on by," replied Maple. "Haven't seen any sign of Razekar at all."

"Hmm...I see," Dalios mused.

"Well, I don't," replied Maple. "Trying to meet up for lunch?"

The white-haired boy just sighed, seeming a little irritated.

Pheobie was back to coddling the dog, still crouched on the ground. "Such a good puppy!" She cooed. she lost her balance and fell back onto her butt. "Oh!" she squeaked in surprise.

Rolly took this apt opportunity to jump into Pheobie's lap and start licking her face.

"Well, I don't know about you pup, but I'm ordering food," said Maple, turning to the increasingly annoyed hot dog man. "Two chili dogs, please!"

"$10.75," said the man.

"Really?" said Maple, as he checked the prices for the first time. "Well then, 10.75 it is."

As Maple fished out some cash and handed it to the man, Dalios also placed an order for two hot dogs, both of his plain.

Pheobie giggled and let the dog lick her face. "I'm still not hungry" She admitted.

"Eh? Well, why didn't you say so?" asked Maple, two fresh chili dogs already in hand. "Oh well, I'm hungry enough to eat both anyway."

Dalios was still waiting for his hot dogs. The hot dog man had to start a new batch, and it would take a few minutes. He gave Maple a nudge.

"Oh, you want one?" asked Maple.

"No, I'm good," Dalios replied, glancing away. "...Look, Maple, you better leave."

Pheobie looked up at the two boys. "What's your doggy's name?" She asked

"Huh? Oh, Rolly," Dalios replied, before turning back to the hot dog stand. He seemed uneasy.

"Leave?" asked Maple. "Why? Is there some trouble here?"

Dalios didn't answer, as he was handed his two hot dogs. Upon seeing the food Rolly immediately snapped to attention and rushed over. Dalios tossed him one of the hot dogs, which the orange pup soon devoured.

"See ya," Dalios answered, walking off with Rolly close behind.

"Hey, wait!" Maple called out, but the kid and dog were soon lost in the crowd.

Pheobie stood up and dusted herself off. "What was that all about?" she asked

"I wish I knew," groaned Maple, munching down on one of the chili dogs. "Maybe I should track down Razekar and ask him. Dalios tends to clam up."

Why would he ask him to leave? They knew well that he was far from a helpless civilian. Even if it wasn't glitch-related, he could still assist in some way with his GS.

"Okay. I'll follow you" Pheobie smiled.