Peter
*That's a good sign. Dado's smiles lightly, then nods.*

"Thanks. I appreciate it." *He picks up a bag of salted caramels and goes up to the counter to be rung up.*

"And... Thanks for taking care of the princesses. I'm sorry I didn't call you about Maleficent."
Christopher
A rustling sound can be heard from the back room, a sound of hastily sat down wares and clattering tools. At Dado's words, a pale, white snout snakes out from the doorway, bending mid air to turn in his direction, before a pair of eyes come to follow.

"Oho, it is you. Congratulations." A voice says with mild recognition, before turning toward Old Man Cid. The hound places a hand on his own chest, as they speak up, tone off-handed and trying not to interrupt the conversation, "Young sir Chip requests more time with the converter."
Peter
*Dado's eyes widen. Is that-*

"Holy shit, you're-"

*He falls silent, not wanting to get in the way of the man delivering a message to Cid.*
Leslie
"Of course he damn does... Alright. He'll get his time. Although it sounds like you 2 know each other. And don't mention it, Dado. That witch is dead and work to restore our world will start soon. We can finally go home."
Peter
"Yeah. This knight, though, he tanked three Doom from Maleficent casts without flinching!"

*Dado looks Cav's way.* "I never did get your name, by the way. Nor did I get the chance to thank you. Without you, I don't think we could've beaten Maleficent." *He bows his head in respect.*
Christopher
Respectfully, the hound mirrors Dado's movement with a light smile, "You are most welcome. It was the least we could do, to ensure a brighter future for you and your own. It is good to see you alive."

"We answer to the name of Cavall. Are we to assume your's is Dado?"
Peter
"Yeah. It is. Thanks. I, uhh..."

*He takes a breath.* "I've got a question. How'd you end up there? I mean, I went to Hollow Bastion on a mission. But then, you, Alex, the guy with white hair, Olympian showed up. Were you tricked?"
Christopher
Cavall sends what could be an apologetic look toward Ol' Cid for once again interrupting his conversation, before raising a single ear as the other flops low. What was that?

"Tricked? Heavens, no. It would take a great deal to trick _us."_ The hound laughs, before shaking his head, "While we cannot speak for any of the other arrivals, there was an attack in Twilight Town. We had the luck to be the only ones to follow through the portal the Heartless had spawned in from, to investigate their source."

"If you don't mind our asking, was it simply a fortunate coincidence? Or was there forethought to those portals?"
Peter
"The Olympian mentioned something similar about Traverse Town being attacked. I think she wanted to bring as many of us in one spot as she could, then kill us all at once."

*Dado sighs.* "I should probably give the context for what we were fighting."

"All the worlds dying, recently? It's supposedly because of Maleficent. She's been spreading Heartless and having her goons sink worlds."

"She's also been kidnapping 'Princesses of Heart'. Something something pure of heart; I don't really know all the details. Our mission was to rescue them, and if possible, defeat Maleficent."

"The lady who shielded us from Maleficent's first attack after turning into a dragon? That... *Was* Our boss."

"Anyhow, those screams from when she blew fire into the ceiling? Those were the princesses. That's why I abandoned the fight; I needed to heal and protect them. They're safe now."

*Dado bows his head again.* "Thanks so much again for your help. And... Thanks for helping me out when I lost it."
Christopher
"We see." Is all Cavall says at first, staying quiet as Dado explains the situation. Whether this effects them in any away, it doesn't show on his face. Instead, the hound seems serene, calm, as if they either already knew or were simply taking it really well.

_"She_ was your boss? Interesting. Does she fair well, after such a display of power? T'would be exhausting for most, let alone in such circumstances... Hm?" Trailing off, Cavall cants his before nodding, just the slightest, at the explanation of the Princess' rescue. They'd heard as much from them, but to hear from Dado was another thing.

"Ah, yes. Commendable, but the sudden breaking of our ranks put the fight in jeopardy; Without your aid, we barely managed to scrape by when the sorceress raised pillars about the room. It is good that you and that other person saved the princesses, but was it truly necessary for the both of you to go?"

"It is our duty to help others and to right the wrongs we see, wherever they may lie. It is the smiles of the current generation that keep us going, that remind us why we fight in the first place— No, we must thank _you,_ young man."
Peter
*For just a moment, Dado's eyes sparkle. He doesn't quite smile, but the Toon's attitude does bring him comfort.*

"I'm sorry for leaving you all. I... I should've communicated better, or told Alex not to follow me." *He takes a deep breath. He almost got everyone else killed. Again.*

"My boss... She used too much magic." *He ponders how to phrase the next question without breaching information security, just in case. With a secret evil organization running around...*

"She couldn't maintain a seal she put on a powerful darkness, so she used the last of her strength to trap it, sealing herself away alongside it." *Describes the situation well enough.*

"Now, I've been tasked with gathering allies for what *Better be* The final battle." *He squints annoyedly as he elaborates.* "Apparently, Maleficent was being manipulated by someone stronger named Pira. So that's gonna be..." *He sighs, not completing the thought. Sunset, Maleficent, Pira... Why are there so many stupidly powerful users of darkness? And why are they all omnicidal maniacs?*