...I wonder what's going on over there. What with these ears, you'd think I could hear a mosquito fart, but I really can't, not that I wish I could. Even so, I'm pretty curious as to what exactly they're talking about over there. Todd keeps pointing to me, the guys he's talking to keep frowning and stuff, and all of a sudden the mini-wizard appeared.

-And now both Todd and the mini-wizard are coming towards me. Why is the mini-wizard coming along? Why has he got so many things with him? What in the world is going on? I know nothing and maybe that's for the best.

"Yo, Johnny! Uh, my party members kinda wanted to stay here for a night, so we'll just head to the kingdom in the meantime," Todd says as a greeting and summary of what they talked about. Hum, makes sense to me.

...Why is the mini-wizard looking at me like that?

"Hero," the mini-wizard glances at Todd, "I believe what you just said was a tad untrue. They kicked you out. I may not know of your dynamics, but I heard enough. And, Villain? I believe it is you, isn't that so?"

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"...Yes," I say, hoping he isn't mistaking me for anyone. His eyes narrow only slightly.

"Villain, wherever you and Hero are headed to, I shall come along. This is not up for debate, for I shall not accept your views as comparable to mind in any way, shape or form," the mini-wizard says, probably trying to come off as harsh, but, really, I don't see any problem in him coming along? By the looks of it, Todd agrees that this isn't a problem.

"Well, uh, yeah, so Mal will be hanging along for the ride. Mal, this here is Johnny, Johnny, this guy is Mal. And, as you both surely know, I am the great hero, Tobiath!! But you can call me Todd since we're cool."

I lean down my body and reach out my hand. The mini-wizard is a real short guy, so I kind of need to bend my knees just to reach down to him. I could probably shrink, but that sounds tedious and I can't bother. He glances at my hand, his face twisting in disgust. However, he doesn't reject it. Somehow, he is polite enough to shake my hand. Pale bastard. Hand barely fits in mine, and that's not because I'm bigger. He just has very dainty hands.

Bet this guy hasn't seen the light of day in years.

Alright, enough dilly-dadling around, let's get to it!

With no further words, I grab the mini-wizard and unceremoniously plop him onto my back. He scrambles about for a moment, but stops when he realizes my back is kind of slippery and not a good place to run around. I turn to Todd. He already has his arms up, fully ready to be picked up like a cat. For some reason, I do it.

With my companions on my back, I pace around the village until I reach the road. The villagers are kind of following every movement I make, and I hope it isn't because I'm doing anything weird. Or... I don't look that bad, do I?... I know I'm hardly a looker, never been, but... still. Kinda hurts.

Into the forest!