You could just feel your brain begin to muddle as you try to think of something to do. You look over at Sollux again, whose face was completely blank. Just as you were about to launch up onto the stage, Kanaya's voice speaks up.

"I'll bid 20,000 gold."

This causes the crowd to go nuts.

"Anyone else?!" the auctioneer calls, but no one replies.

"Sold, to the lovely lady up the front!" he cheers.

Kanaya turns back to you, nodding. You nearly cry, looking back over at Sollux, who was somewhat relieved. You and Sollux once again follow Kanaya as you all head out the back. Once you arrived there, Feferi was still bound and blindfolded. You watch impatiently as Kanaya hands over the money and she's given Feferi. She signals for you to leave, and you do so.

As soon as you were hidden in an alley, the blindfold was removed.

"You came for me!" Feferi sobs, her body collapsing.

You managed to stop her from falling as you unbind her hands and wings. She wraps her shaking arms around you, crying into your shoulder.

"Thank you so much, Kanaya," you smile, "what can we do to return the favour?"

"Well, I thought that'd be obvious," she smiles back, "allow me to come with you."

You freeze for a moment, "you don't even know of our destination."

"Actually, your fuzzy familiar gave me some information as to your destination." Kanaya admits.

You glare at Rose, who was still in her arms. With that glare she slinks out of her arms and back to your side.

"Well, we'll have to ask the rest of the group," but I'm happy to have you come along."

You glance back down at Feferi to see that she was barely standing up.

"Sollux, I don't think she can walk, and I can't really car-"

Before you could even finish, he scoops her into his arms. And with that you all head off to the inn you had been cooping in for the night.

~~~

Kanaya had managed to get a room for the night so you could discuss everything in the morning. They also didn't know that Feferi had returned, so when you wandered downstairs with Feferi at your side, everyone was ecstatic.

"Where did you go?"

"Are you alright?"

Questions flooded from everyone.

"Guys, calm down," you spoke up, "she was kidnapped for an underground trade ring of sorts."

The others freeze. You fee a presence beside you, looking over you see Kanaya.

"This is Kanaya," you introduce, "she's the one who paid for her release."

The others murmur to themselves for a moment.

"And she had requested to come along with us."

"Why the hell would you do that?" Karkat asks, his face scrunched up in confusion.

"That is of my own concern." Kanaya simply replies.

"Hey, the more, the merrier." You shrug.

A few of the members looks as though they were going to protest, but decided against it.

"Alright, we're almost there," you sigh, "let's get going."

You pick your staff back up from where it had been leaning against a wall, your bracelet jangling against your wrist as you do so.

All of you begin to shuffle out of the inn, still tired from waking up. The town was much quieter than it had been yesterday, almost peaceful. Still, you didn't feel comfortable here and couldn't wait to leave. You let out a grunt when you feel the weight of Rose on your shoulder.

"So, what was with last night, huh?" you ask Rose.

'I have no idea what you're talking about.' Rose purrs.

"Well, guess who's not getting any of my food tonight." You huff.

'You wouldn't dare.'

"Too late."

She lets out an annoying hiss before hoping back off of your shoulder. You roll your eyes at her petty behaviour and continue walking, deciding to have a conversation with Eridan to distract yourself from the ever closer Rage Kingdom that loomed ahead.