Ban and Jericho weaved their way through Ravens, glaring at any men who got close enough to steal from them. Jericho looked around, nose scrunched ever-so-slightly at the run-down buildings, raggedy people, and overall gross state of the city. Ban was indifferent. He had lived there most of his life. Ravens hadn't changed, and he doubted it ever would.

Of course, it wasn't that bad. Sure, it was the home of criminals and that jazz, but Ravens was just a really poor area of Brittania. People like Jericho, with bright outfits made from moderately expensive dyes, and large swords and a disgusted look on their face, they attracted too much attention. They had money, so they were the main attraction. Who could take the money or the sword first? It was almost a game.

Therefor, Ban told her to stay close, warding off any unwanted closeness or attention from anyone they were unfamiliar with. Anyone sketchy or eyeing Jericho was given a warning growl and glare, and they hurried off, muttering to themselves or glaring back at him.

So pretty much everyone.

They had just gotten back from yet another back alley shop, sketchy and full of (probably illegal) magic, potions, and artifacts. There was a rumor about someone who could bring the dead to life in Ravens, and Ban was hellbent on finding out who.

"Why are we staying here? It's obvious nobody's selling whatever your looking for," Jericho huffed, looking around and recoiling at the group of skinny, grimy men who were eying her from across the street. One winked and she gagged.

"I don't remember asking for your opinion," Ban said monotonously, eyes darting back and forth into every alleyway they passed, checking for any booths or shops. "You're the one who wanted to come with, so stop bitching."

Jericho glared at him, crossing her arms and huffing under her breathe, "Rude..."

She occupied herself by looking around the city some more. At some point they had turned onto a new street, which had more branches than the previous one. She stopped and glared at the oncoming men and women eyeing her as Ban quickly investigated the streets, then returned.

This place is so brutal... Jericho thought as she waited for Ban to finish his exploration, even the kids are stealing and running from getting beat up. This is... this is horrible.

She looked in pity at a young child, all skin and bones, who was scrambling down the street, holding as many loaves of bread they could fit in their arms. A large man, fat and wearing nicer clothing than most of the people there, was chasing after them, swinging a large bat with a beat-red face. Nobody even batted an eye.

She was about to step forward and rescue him, reaching for her sword, but the Fox Sin stepped out just in time, grabbing her arm and stopping her. She glared, and he stared back indifferently.

"C'mon," Ban said, pulling her down the street where the fat man was bounding up.

Jericho eyed the man, who was approaching the two of them. She followed Ban forward, and when the man came waddling next to them, her foot jutted out. He went flying, his face and large belly dragging painfully across the ground as he skidded to a halt. The child he was chasing whirled around, looking form Jericho to the man in unadulterated shock. She smiled smally at him, and he beamed back.

Ban looked at the three of them and rolled his eyes, yanking Jericho along to follow him. When the large man looked up, they had disappeared behind a crowd of people further up the street.

They walked in silence for a while, stopping for Ban to check streets, then returning to walking down the main road. After a while, they both began to notice music playing cheerfully. When they got closer, it almost sounded as if there were a party or festival going on.

"Hey, Ban, where's that music coming from?" Jericho asked, looking around. The sound of loud, cheery music was echoing through the streets now. They were drawing closer and closer to its origin, as the music was growing louder, and they could hear the loud conversation and laughter stemming from it. "Is there a festival or something?"

"They don't have festivals here," Ban replied irritably, but he couldn't deny his curiosity as well.

What the hell is all that noise? He wondered, glancing everywhere- not for back alley shops, but for a party or gathering instead.

"DANCE WITH ME, YOU DRUNK ASSHOLES!!!!"

Ban's entire body seemed to stop functioning. For a split second, the voice echoing out sounded identical to yours.

"It's coming from over here!" Jericho realized, now walking eagerly to the branching street, reaching out and grabbing him.

Ban started to object, but Jericho pulled him along with her before he could say anything, practically dragging him around the corner onto the street. Her eyes widened in joy, a smile making its way onto her face. This was the first event of actual happiness that she had seen here, and it looked amazing. Especially in comparison to the usual dreariness.

There was a large group of people in a large central area, circling around in front of a large tavern. Barrels on top of barrels of ale lined the fronts of the store, and people were constantly refilling pints and large cups. Off to the side of those, empty barrels lay, but there was a group of seven or eight empty barrels on the other side of the group. A whip lay haphazardly on top of the stack, and a person clad in a deep back cloak stood next to them, eyeing anyone who came close. They seemed to be muttering to themself.

A loud squeal, riddled with laughter came from the crowd, and a woman came flying up from the group. She had a wide grin on her face, which was flushed bright pink from sheer amount of alcohol she had consumed. Her usual cloak was discarded off to the side with her whip, and she looked like she was having the time of her life.

"Shit."

Ban was now at the edge of the large crowd, next to Jericho, who was smiling excitedly. He eyed the group of barrels off to the side, now realizing who had consumed all eight.

"Aye!" A giggle came from right in front of Ban, where you had stumbled straight into his chest. You looked up at him with a wide, crooked, and absolutely adorable smile. His entire body nearly shriveled up on the spot. "Hiiiiiiiya mister~"

"Wait, isn't that-" Jericho started, but was cut off by you leaping onto her.

"Jeri-Jeri!!!!" You cheered, hugging her directly into your chest. "I have'n seen you in foweverrrr~"

"Agh!" The Holy Knight apprentice coughed from the sheer force of your 'hug,' pushing you off. You still had a wide grin as you eyed Ban up and down with narrowed eyes.

"You know, Jeri-Jeri, he looks just like my hopeless crush Ban-ee-boo," you giggled, and your gaze faltered ever so slightly as you stared at him. "He broke up with me though..."

"Wait, what..?" Jericho asked, looking at Ban, who was staring down at you with a stony face. When he saw her boring gaze, he darted his eyes away.

"Yuppers! But issss okay! He's going on a big mission to find his dead gorfwend!" You grinned, laughing it off. "If he finds her, I'a make sure to give her a bigggggg talking to! She's a saint fairy- way, way, way, way, way better than me!- but at least I know a goodsie from a bad!"

Jericho was in shock, continually looking between the two of you. Now, she hadn't taken Ban for the committed type, but she thought it might have been possible. She didn't take him for the obsessed typed, though. Dead girlfriend? That's what this was all about? She looked over at the man, who had remorse swimming in his bloody eyes. She, however, felt no pity. He did this to her- why does he care? When he did whatever he did to her, he lost that option.

Ban's entire body seemed to be caving in on itself, his heart aching with unimaginable pain hearing you say these things. After all he had done to you- how many times he made you cry, how far he lead you on- you still only wanted him to be happy. How could someone so genuine and caring exist? He didn't deserve you... not in a million years.

God, why does this keep getting more and more difficult?! He thought angrily to himself, pursing his lips and glaring at the floor.

What a fucking dickbag, Jericho huffed internally.

"Oh, oh, oh! Come dance wiff me!" You beamed, getting back on track. Before either of them could protest, you had dragged them into the circle, where men and women were dancing around in circles. They seemed to be having the time of their life, dancing in front of the elevated wall where the musicians were playing. Two on fiddles, one on a makeshift banjo, another on a beat up cello, and the final using a homemade tambourine. Everyone was beaming, even those in the crowd, who were drinking and laughing as they watched the 'festivities.'

You threw Ban to the side, dancing with Jericho first. You spun her around in circles, laughing giddily as you fell into rhythm with the rest of the Ravens folk. Even Jericho, who was shouting flustered protests and trying to scramble away, ended up giggling and beaming along with you.

They continually switched partners, and you eventually ended up with Ban, who was basically just getting pulled around by the townspeople. He seemed absolutely done with the entire situation, but seeing you so happy and carefree, he couldn't help but smile ever so slightly to himself.

I missed this, He thought to himself, smiling. He looked down at you, without a care in the world and so full of the life he thought you had lost.

And she misses you, said the voice of a young girl, eerily similar to the one he was looking for. He whirled around, looking everywhere to find the source of the voice he longed to hear. He couldn't find it.

"Elaine...?" He asked himself quietly, then choked on his words as he was thrown to a new partner.