An Unwelcome Holiday

[Jace]

The city was bustling with life, and for the most part, he ignored it completely. He didn't come to the capital, Demas, so he could go shopping. Well that wasn't entirely true, he would be doing a shopping of sorts but for information not clothing. Every so often he would head to the capital to gather new information. Many of his trips were fruitless but he wasn't the type to be deterred by one failure. The information he received sometimes had nothing to do with what he was searching for but it was something he could still utilize. Knowledge was a powerful tool, and people would pay a good deal for it.

Cruentus had visited every major city, and many smaller ones but none were as beautiful as Demas save for Agoue. It had an elegant architecture that even someone like Cruentus could appreciate. Speeders whizzed by far above while people shuffled below. The Mythic wasn't exactly a fan of crowds but he had to make sacrifices to get the necessary information. He also didn't like such crowded places for he seemed to draw a significant amount of attention. Apparently his apparel was out of place in the cosmopolitan city. He had given thought to blending in but immediately rejected the idea. Cruentus wouldn't subject himself to such a low level, he had his pride to maintain afterall.

If there was one blessing from this, it was that he was away from the Tower. More specifically, he was not around that bunch of idiotic Mythics who annoyed him to no end. At least these people just ignored him unlike those Mythics. Cruentus always made his intention for solidarity clear but they blatantly ignored it. The Blood Mythic was sure that one day he would end up killing the lot of them. They absolutely infuriated him, just thinking about it was beginning to raise his ire. He quickly calmed down, reminding himself that he was free of them for the time being.

He had finally arrived at his destination, a rather large apartment complex. Cruentus entered the building, strode through the lobby to one of the turbolifts. He pressed the button for the 50th floor which was followed by a holopad lighting up. The Mythic typed in the four digit code and the lift began to rise. The view from the ascending lift was indeed quite impressive. One could see off for many miles, assuming there wasn't a larger building in the way. He was traveling all the way to the top of the building, specifically to the penthouse.

Upon exiting the turbolift he found two security guards waiting for him. They gave him a rather serious look and then nodded, motioning towards the door. Common procedure would be for them to relieve Cruentus of his weapons, but it just didn't make any sense. Even if he didn't have his staffs, he had the Mythos which he could use to great effect. Aside from that he was one of their employers most trusted 'clients'. Cruentus entered the penthouse suite and was greeted by a rather lavishly dressed man. He was rather eccentric but also happened to be one of the Demas' most successful entrepreneurs.

The Mythic left the complex a little less than an hour later. He had gained some interesting information but not what he had been looking for. The search for his sister had been quite a disheartening one. A famous alchemist kidnapped by the Unum but had faded from the memory of the masses. She had not faded from Cruentus' memory though, quite the opposite. He was with the Mythics for the sole reason of combating the Unum and rescuing her. It was not proving to be an easy task, but then again, he hadn't expected it to be. Cruentus, now back on the street, headed towards his next stop for the day.

[Rugs]

A small smile rested on Kvothe's lips as he made his way through the throngs of people that filled the streets of Demas. Today was a sort of off day. He and some of the others in the usual group of troublemakers from the Tower had decided to take a trip to Demas, since it was fairly near to the Tower, relative to the other major cities of Aiaru. It was a spur of the moment thing, and when word of it reached Kvothe, he'd been more than happy to tag along. The group had split up since their arrival, or at least, Kvothe had split off from the rest of them for the time being. There wasn't a doubt in his mind that they'd all end up running into each other again though, as if there was some sort of magnetism that pulled their paths together through the millions of people that filled the great city.

As always when he wasn't on business that would involve heavy combat, Kvothe was dressed only in his robes, with the only hint of his armor being the red and gold armband that he always wore around his left bicep. For once, his sword had remained behind in the Tower, though Kvothe was far from unarmed, with his staff. And the Mythos. And his hands and feet. Not that he planned on beating some random person up, but you could never be too sure.

For the time being he was alone, save his near-constant companion, Fas. The flickercat strode easily alongside Kvothe, ever watchful for some interesting sight or something to pounce upon. He'd certainly been the subject of a great deal of attention; flickercats were very rare outside of the Culsu swamp, though nearly everyone knew the multi-tailed felines when they saw them. Kvothe was just glad that the sometimes-confrontational Fas hadn't caused a scene. Yet. No, on the contrary, he seemed to be enjoying the attention, especially the way children loved to dote on and play with him, when their parents would allow it.

But for now, the pair walked unhindered, to wherever the Mythos would lead. Kvothe didn't have anything in particular planned for the day, and so now he just drifted, a leaf on the wind, captive to its wills and its whims. As he wandered through the streets lined by the great white buildings the city had become known for, he marveled at the way it reminded him of the city on Ruusan he'd visited, where he met Alindra. That trip had turned into quite the little adventure; one where Kvothe found something he hadn't expected to find. Kvothe's smile grew at the memories and green filled his irises, though deep within, there was an ever-so-slight pang of sorrow. He missed Alindra. Perhaps one day he could bring her here, and show here the world he'd called home for thirty years now.

The feeling of a familiar presence in the Mythos brought him out of his thoughts. There was another Mythic nearby. As he drew nearer to the presence, Kvothe noted that it belonged to a particularly grumpy Mythic. "Looks like Cruentus decided to take a holiday as well, Fas," Kvothe said, as his grin turned slightly malicious. "Let's pay him a visit, eh?"

A few moments later found Kvothe swaggering up amiably behind Cruentus and throwing an arm around his shoulder. "Cruenuts! Long time no see!" Kvothe grinned at the Blood Mythic and silver threads ran through the green of his eyes. "I didn't know you were here too. You shoulda told the rest of us, y'know. Anyway, I've been thinking about something. " He let his arm fall from around the other man's, though he kept a hand firmly on one of Cruentus shoulders. "I know you're always grumpy and all that, and I think I've got the perfect way to fix it." Oh, it was so hard to keep from laughing, but Kvothe forced himself to keep a straight face.

"Cruentus, I think we need to find you a woman."

[A®heim]

A throng of Demas' citizens milled about in the bustling streets. Aiaru had been a lost world, only colonized hardly 800 of its years, and while signs of some ancient civilizations were present, it was impossible to pinpoint just what they were. As such, the crowd was made up of all varieties of sentients, each seeking their livings in the prosperous capital. Beings of tremoundous stature shuffled carefully amongst their smaller neighbors, and a stick.

More of a rod, really.

Magnus clutched his staff closely to him as a forest of boots and legs flooded around. With his loose-fitting Tower robes adorned with the beaded mantle and his large, rounded spectacles, he looked very much owlish. Of course, the wings and beak and talons probably helped that too. It was rare that he ever left the Tower for ventures such as this and the old rishii was starting to remember why. Sure he had visited the great city several times in the past, but his past was a long one and Demas somehow seemed even busier. Developers must have had a ball with such a market goldmine.
Someone nearly stumbled to avoid walking into the slightly rusted staff, spotting it at the last second due to the soft glow emanating from a concave window on the head. The arkanian looked down with an irritated expression only to do a double take on seeing Magnus. Made sense, really. Apart from the odd apparel and walking stick far too large for him, such a "primitive species" was hardly known to the galaxy at large.

Those colonies back on Rishi... They had no interest in his kind. They were there for the exonium, even if it meant collapsing nest spires to follow a vein. The "research scientists" there were no biologists or cultural analysts, they were geologists. Ironically, the pleasant interation came from the shadier characters. Freelance freighter pilots, smugglers, mercenaries, "traders", they would clamber up to his village to trade for trinkets and tell fantastic stories of their travels. The galaxy had become a tainted place, devoid of respect and good will.

Magnus stopped and looked about him. His mind had been rambling again, like some senile old man. The day he started saying things like "whippersnapper", he would start getting really concerned. For now a new issue faced him. An occupied mind was fine within the familiar confines of his library--his subconcious would eventually guide him to his destination--but here in the gridwork of Demas, his subconcious had carefully guided him...

Uh...

Here. Wherever that was. He struggled out of the writhing mass to a weathered stone wall ringing the Demas Aiaru science museum to get his bearings. The wall was a good eight feet tall, but Magnus hardly faltered as he hopped onto the top of his staff then up onto the wall. The metal rod remained perfectly stationary and upright as he did this, remaining so up until he pulled it up alongside him. Right, the museum. The Mythics had been a major asset in its creation, supplying much of the information showcased within. The building itself was built on the foundation of one of the planet's many ruined temples but had since been refurnished in the similar curving architecture of the rest of the city. It might be nice to visit while he was here...

No. No. He needed to find the Maritharum Housing Complex. That's where the message said to be and it was nearly the time he was to be there. He considered for about the 20th time simply flying there, but he couldn't rightly leave his staff and robes in the midst of a busy avenue. Stripping down for flight in public just didn't seem proper anyways. Instead he closed his amber eyes and began to meditate.

Life flowed through cold rivulets all around. Like rivers, they rushed about a thriving hive of a city. In some places, the streams collided with one another, but there was no splash--the two simply merged. It was chaotic. Sensory overload even to his practiced mind. Suddenly, however, a bright beacon shined in the center of his conciousness. Yes! Of course! The way was obvious to him now. His eyes flickered open again. The clawed hand at the end of his wing reached into the folds of his robe...

...and drew out a gps.

Magnus stepped cautiously amongst the crowd's legs, his staff held in one hand and a steadily scrutinized global positioning system in the other. The complex was off the city's centrel corridor, a great groove spanning the entire city. Both sky and ground were flooded with activity. He was close now, if he could only get across...

[Kella]

The city.

Hiss, shuffle, swift, brush.

Irrisorie loved the city.

Murmer, movement, mangle, must.

It lived and breathed.

Shift, sweep, rumble, hush.

Sometimes, Iri came to the city, just to come.

Squeal, squawk, tremble, roll.

Just to stand on the street corner. Let the city noises fill her veins like paint. The noises made a picture. Iri loved the Picture. She loved the city.

She moved now. She flowed with the paint. Trickled through the streets.

Then something caught her. It was like identifying the familiar taste of cumin in a complex dish, or spying the old, sold family car on the road someplace.

Just across the street. Irrisorie waited until green light filled her eyes, and stepped from the sidewalk. She let her mind wander in to focus on the detail of one portion of the painting. One set of sounds.

"Cruentus, we need to find you a woman."

Irrisorie stepped right into the conversation, like slipping into her favorite slippers.

"I'm a woman!" she exclaimed cheerily, happy to be of help so soon after arriving. She wasn't as naive as she seemed, though. She skimmed her eyes up and down Cruentus, as if appraising him for the first time. Something in her eyes looked deeper, though, picking up and examining carefully the situation for all its facets and implications. Her face shifted to one of bemused puzzlement.

"Hmmmmmm no, that wouldn't really work, would it...." her gaze drifted somewhere distant. Who knew what the strange girl was thinking?

She would not let her presence go to waste, however. It simply wasn't in her nature, passing up the opportunity to do someone a bit of good. And Iri knew that, of all people, Cruentus needed some good done to him.

He was very grumpy.

Maybe a woman would soften him up. Probably not. But Iri made herself adamant -- she certainly would not fail for lack of trying.

She gave Cruentus another appraising look. "Kvothe, you are very smart." She nodded for emphasis. "Yes Cruentus, Kvothe is going to find you a woman." Her tone was entirely sincere.

"And I am going to help."

[Jace]

Danger. He had sensed it too late. His thoughts had distracted him, not to mention the multitudes of beings around him. Cruentus attempted to pivot and bring his staff to bear against his enemy, but he was too late. His enemy had landed his first blow....throwing his arm around his shoulder. Cruentus was quite aware of who the person was, and if he had sensed him earlier he would have gone well out of his way to avoid contact. His shoulders stiffened at the touch, he was a person who quite enjoyed his personal space.

"Kvothe" He managed to say with an even voice.

His 'comrade' knew quite well that Cruentus did not enjoy the presence of others, a fact that him and the rest frequently exploited. If it wasn't for the need to rescue his sister, he would have murdered half of them and be the most wanted man on Aiaru. Sadly, one did not always get what they want, a fact which Cruentus was all too well accustomed with.

"Anyway, I've been thinking about something"

Cruentus really wished he hadn't. The man's current expression mixed with his...inappropriate nature meant that nothing good could come from his thoughts, especially when they pertained to the Blood Mythic. He wanted to just walk away but he had not doubt that the Rilan would not make things that easy. It never was with these people.

"Cruentus, I think we need to find you a woman."

His face remained absolutely stoic, not that anyone could see his facial expressions. Honestly, he had expected something worse, not that this wasn't bad enough. Joking had its limits, and Kvothe obviously had no notion of that whatsoever. Cruentus was much more apt to bludgeon the man before him, unfortunately such a large number of witnesses around him somewhat nullified that course of action. Instead he decided he would just try to walk away, but before he could, he heard another voice.

"I'm a woman!" came the distinctly familiar female voice

The Blood Mythic pressed his fingers to his forehead. Out of all the beings in the universe that had to arrive, why in the Mythos did it have to be her?Surely he had done something so undeniably terrible that the gods sought to make him suffer a fate worse than Hell. Out of all those Mythics he worked with, she was without a doubt the most annoying, irritating, and frustrating out of the lot. Cruentus hadn't cried since he was a child, but that might change in the very near future.

"And I am going to help."

Those words had brought Cruentus' nightmare into existence. Throughout all her rambling, he had kept silent and no doubt Kvothe was trying his hardest but his reaction would obviously have been quite different than his own. Either way Cruentus believed it was about time that he distanced himself from these fools before their idiocy affected him. He looked at both of them, first at Kvothe, and then to Iri. Cruentus then pivoted and turned, so that his back was facing them both. He only said one word before he walked away from the pair.

"No"

[A®heim]

The problem with busy people is that they're busy. Truly, I kid you not, and while these times came rarely, even the great/mighty INFOMANCER can get a little claustrophobic. Every one of his senses felt like it was having 1.21 gigawatts run through it, even the ones beyond the standard five. SightsoundtouchsmellthoughtlifefocusMythos. Magnus closed is eyes, willing it all to just...go away...

And got his tail stepped on.

Ouch! The Rishii hopped slightly with a short ruffle of feathers. Hearing no immediate apology from the offender, he turn around and up to give the rude pedestrian one of his signature disproving librarian glares. Cruentus?

There was really no mistaking the Blood Mythic, or really many other of the Mythics by that matter. If they weren't 2 meter tall wolves, mist shrouded psychopaths, bipolar rodents, or covered with enough sharp protrusions to make a magnalui jealous, this might be another matter. As it was, the universe-decapitating glower before him held only the utter desire for defenestration of one particular individual.

Oh look, there's Ms. Schizophrenia and Stabman, too! It's a big happy reunion he seemed to have stumbled on. No wonder Cruentus looked like he was trying to keep from committing capital offense. Still, the chances of running into (or being stepped on by) these particular Mythics without prior arrangement was astronomical. Nonetheless, a pleasant surprise. His tail throbbed, though.

He pulled the afflicted appendage into his robe and curled it around his clawed feet. Sir Algaterra, and dear Iri too? What business brings you to Demas? He had pocketed the GPS--hoping none of the others noticed it-- and removed his spectacles, the latter he began to polish with the ragged brown cloth that never left his pocket. His staff had left his grasp for this and it leaned casually in the crook of his wing--an odd image as it remained nearly twice his height regardless.

Amazing how this group always seems to find its way back together, almost as if the very fibers of fate have weaved themselves about our souls.[/i]

It was more than intuition, or was it? Regardless of whatever path the Mythos had laid out for them, the Rishii couldn't help but feel that this would be far from the last time such a meeting occurred.

On the other hand, it could just be an amazing coincidence.[/i]

[Rugs]

There was always fun to be had when Cruentus was around. True, Kvothe knew the Blood Mythic didn't like the presence of others, didn't like many--if any--of his companions, and would love nothing more than to be left alone by everyone and everything, but the opportunities that arose with him were often just too much to pass up. And this latest little joke of his could prove to be the most amusing one yet.

Cruentus made no outward indication of his ire, but Kvothe could feel it. Or maybe that was the normal grouchiness that nearly always permeated the area around the eternally-moody Mythic. Whatever it was, Cruentus wasn't happy--not that that was saying much; he was less happy than usual, if such a thing could be fathomed.

And then, as if the gods themselves had decided to join in on Make Cruentus Miserable Day, another Mythic showed up. It was, quite possibly, one of the last people that Kvothe could ever imagine Cruentus wanting to see. He dared a glance over at the Blood Mythic, but there wasn't much to see past the covering that always hid Cruentus' face. Kvothe couldn't help the little snicker that came up from within his throat, though.

Irisorrie came up to them, happy as ever. That strange myst surrounded her, as it always did, though only those who could touch the Mythos could see it. "Hey Iri," he called with a wave of the hand that wasn't resting around Cruentus' shoulders.

She came up, and when she spoke, Kvothe realized the situation was even better than he'd thought. Iri had heard his little quip to Cruentus, and she, being the kind soul, ever-helpful soul that she was, declared that she was going to help. Kvothe was struggling not to laugh as more and more threads of silver worked their way through his forest green eyes. This is too good. And to think it was all born of some chance encounter.

Cruentus looked at both of them before freeing himself from Kvothe's grasp and turning to leave. One word escaped his mouth as he left.

"No."

Kvothe chortled as he called the Mythos to him. Surely you don't think you're going to get away that easily, friend, he thought with a devious grin. Threads of the holy energies wove through the air, snaking their way toward Cruentus as he stalked off.

"Ouch!"

Kvothe paused from his weaving and looked up... and then down. A warm grin started to spread on his face. He recognized that voice.

"Magnus!" he called when the old Rishii stepped into view. "Ah, you know how it is sometimes. Had a bit of an off day so I wound up here in the city. What brings you here, though?"

Fas came out from behind Kvothe then and stalked over toward Magnus. Kvothe tried not to grin. Fas never tried to do anything to Magnus, but there was always this strange stalking game he played with him, though Kvothe couldn't say for certain if he thought of it as one... or if Magnus was amused by it, for that matter. After all, Fas was a cat. Magnus was a bird. Instincts and all that.

Fas stopped a few feet away from Magnus before darting off behind Iri's legs and peeking out warily at Magnus, as if no one could see him. His tails bobbed rhythmically behind him, like they would in the wild if he was trying to lure some prey in with them. Kvothe only shook his head and laugh.

"Looks like Fas is happy to see you, as always. Anyway, I've got a bit of a situation on my hands, if you'd like to help." He grinned toothily, first at Cruentus and then at Magnus, before speaking once more.

"See, Cruentus is a poor, lonely soul. We've all tried to help him, but the realization has dawned on me that he needs someone more than us--someone that can be closer to him than we can. Magnus, Cruentus needs a woman, and I've taken it upon myself to find him one, one way or another." Kvothe made a gesture toward Iri then, though he didn't stop talking. "Iri here was wise enough not to let me foolishly attempt this herculean task all on my own, and has offered to help me out.

"Even then, I fear that we may need another helper, someone with the experience that comes only with years of living. Experience that we lack, mind you. So imagine my joy to see you, of all Mythics appear here, in our hour of greatest need!"

The Sword crouched down then, even though in doing so he was still larger than Magnus, and gestured up, toward Cruentus' hidden face. "I mean, look at that poor, lonely face. Could you bear to let Cruentus go another day like that?

"That is why, Magnus, I'm asking you to help us on our journey. Help us find Cruentus a woman."

[Kella]

"No."

That's what Cruentus had said. Now, it was a very simple matter of fact that when Iri decided she wanted something, she would not take 'no' for an answer. By an odd feature of her particular paradigm, she was impossible to discourage. And, so, unless one could convince Iri that she wanted something else that was mutually exclusive to the first want, they would be plagued by her dogged persistence until finally they decided to relinquish that which she was in pursuit of.

In simpler words, Iri was as stubborn as an Ox.

Ironically -- or perhaps not so ironically -- this stubbornness manifested itself as an actual Ox.

Then again, not an actual Ox per-se, but the apparition of one. The massive herbivore was often in charge of getting Iri what she wanted. And so Cruentus would suddenly find himself face-to-face with Biff, one of Iri's familiars. The Ox had massive, bulky shoulders, and his head -- hanging some degree below them -- was at a level that allowed Biff to look Cruentus right in the eye.

Biff pushed his nose forward, an ethereal movement that resulted in a subtle, but quite real, push of the Force. In fact, if Cruentus did try to move past the Ox, he would find himself met with all manner of nudges and barriers, hidden just beneath the hide of the Ox, the subconscious manifestation of Iri's startling potential with the Force.

The crowd seemed completely oblivious to this massive beast, and that was because they were. Iri's influence only spread into the minds of those who were connected to the Force. Perhaps a few vaguely force-sensitives would shudder for a reason unknown to them, but beyond that, none were perturbed.

Iri, noting that Biff was dealing with the problem of the fleeing Cruentus, finally looked at the source of the tickling by her ankles, and noted Fas prowling after--

"Maggie!"

She waved happily at the little Avian fellow. Cruentus, of course, still demanded some attention.

"You ought to be happy Morty didn't decide to come." She grinned at Cruentus. "He tends to shake people around a little more." She demonstrated her point by holding up a hand as if she were to choke someone, and shaking it around. Knowing Iri, one might be wise in the assumption that Morty liked nothing more than wringing necks. In which case, more for Cruentus's dignity than his well-being, he was quite fortunate in having attracted Biff from the girl's subconscious, as opposed to Morty.

Another thought occurred to Iri, and she bent down to Magnus once again.

"You're going to get squished down there!" she said. "You could perch on my shoulder, if you like. It would be an honor, and I'm sure Orpheus wouldn't mind."

As it were, while being granted the honor would have made Iri's day -- or with her attention span, her next five minutes -- declining would cause her no distress. It wasn't possible for her to be distressed. However, that was altogether another topic.

"Maggie," she said, "Would you like to help us find Cruentus a woman?"

[Jace]

"Ouch!"

Cruentus heard the voice, but he couldn't initially figure out where it originated.

"Cruentus?"

The Blood Mythic then focused on the sound, and looked down to spot a rather odd creature.

"Magnus" was all he said

He continued to look down at the diminutive creature. The Rishii was an odd spectacle, especially considering his age. Apparently Cruentus had stepped on him, or well part of him, he hadn't really noticed. Then again, he hadn't noticed the presence of Magnus either which irked him to a greater extent. His irritation was beginning to cloud his senses, and that made him vulnerable. Suffice to say, out of the many things Cruentus considered himself, vulnerable was not one of them.

The Mythic was content on letting the three have their own gathering but apparently that wasn't to someones liking. As he made a move to continue on, he suddenly found himself face to face with a rather odd creature. Its presence was quite out of place which made Cruentus question its existence. Considering his company, he wouldn't be surprised if this was some trick created by the annoying female. That being said, it originated from the Mythos and Cruentus could feel the almost tangible force behind it.

It seemed his 'companions' weren't about to let him just walk away. Cruentus did have some options which would let him do so, but exercising them didn't make much sense given the current scenario. All he could do was stand there and listen to Kvothe explain what Iri and him were trying to accomplish. The Blood Mythic had no time for such antics but there weren't many options available to him. His best course of action now was to find a way to lose the others somewhere during their time together. Once their guard was down, surely it would be easier to escape their clutches.

That was one certainty, the other was a little more bleak. Either Cruentus would end up with a rather large headache or he would become a mass murderer by the end of the day, only the gods knew which was more likely.

[Silas]

Oh the city. Such lovely houses, the buildings which stacked one on top of each other to form massive forms, and stretch beyond all limits of the imagination. Demas was filled to bust with all the people which moved about in it, their eyes only focused on the things directly in their future. Speeders flew by with uncanny accuracy as the lines of them moved along without so much as a grazed the others. In the meantime the young Lorrdian sat mildly upon the seat of a bicycle, her feet slung over to one side so as not to pull the hem of her dress up to unlady-like standards. The Mythos which moved all around her pushed the little peddles that brought her to move, but she allowed her hands to steer. All the while she looked ahead of her with a polite little smile as people crossed in front of her, they moved around her, and they gave her angry stares. That was why she hated this place so much.

These people, all of them, were completely insolent in every way. They had no more moral boundaries than a goat had a diet; it disgusted this woman to her very soul. Still, the breeze was just perfect, and the sun shined warmly from the sky above, which made it a wonderful day.

Today she had little to do in the city but keep tabs on a few of her informants who had yet to give her the weekly check-in, but tea with some of her friends would be a welcome reprieve from the tower. While Abernathyia truly loved the tower in all its Mythic wonder, she liked to stretch her legs a bit to see what the world was really like some days. It pleased her mind to see all the people as they bumbled around in their little life, barely worth living to realise how pleasant hers really was. The misery of other people really was a stress reliever. It was really what brought a warm smile to her face, and brought her to love the staff she held in her lap all the more. Every frown she saw was like another fluffy kitten she could hold, and play with, and cherish for all eternity. Of course until it got run over by a semi-truck, but that was a different story for another day.

“Get the hell out of my way!!” Yelled a man who had come within inches of being run over by her little bitty bike. With all the gracefulness of a Stellar Mythic she subtly pushed him into a puddle, wherein he had no more care for the woman on her bike. Only the soiled state of his attire.

All of a sudden she blinked once. Then again. And again. Perhaps her eyes played tricks on her, but that looked like an ox in the middle of the road in front of her. With a gasp she realised that with it was the most curious fellowship of people she’d ever thought to meet today. Of course it would slow her progress to her informants to talk to them, but it would probably be worth it. The staffs all these characters held signified their place among her people. The Stellar Mythics weren’t huge, so it was incredibly odd that some might be found here. Abernathyia still didn’t understand the ox.

As she rode up, seemingly of the bike’s own will, to the disbelief of some people, she hopped lightly off the vehicle to land on both feet. It continued to ride on a little bit further till she let it come to a light rest against the side of a building. If someone happed to try to steal it she would cut out their heart, and feed it to that ox which stood curiously in front of an incredibly grumpy man with several staffs. The rest seemed to be happy enough, but there stood a scowl on his face, which set him apart from the rest of them. Perhaps he’d be a little fun, especially if she could get him to kill someone or something. That’d be interesting to watch.

“…on our journey. Help us find Cruentus a woman," The other man retorted, with a stupid looking feather stuck out of his hair. She didn’t know what his problem was, but she already didn’t like him.

However, the notion of helping them with the scowling man whom she could only assume was Cruentus curious in deed, and caused her to giggle slightly. “I hope I’m not being rude, but I couldn’t help but hear this young man had a problem,” With a little smile she told them, her eyes full of what she hoped was excitement, but in truth it was more akin to malicious glee, “I’d love to help, I’m sure I know someone who would love to be with you! Plus, I couldn’t not help a fellow Mythic in need!”

With another giggle she moved around to see the rather large ox who seemed to be right in the man’s exit, his look obviously said he’d rather be anywhere but here. All these faces where unknown to her, but soon she’d learn them all. They’d remember her too, hopefully she wouldn’t have to kill any of them. That’d be unfortunate.

[Twysper]

A bright-eyed shadow peered out from the convenient shade of a taller figure. It loved the commotion of the city streets, for it reminded him of his childhood on Nar Shadda. Twisted childhood, no less, but still something he looked on with nostalgia. Math unconsciously ran his fingers across his other arm, feeling a crisscross of scars left by his old master under the glossy jet black fur.

Now was not the time for a remembrance of pain though, for the Stellar Mythics were on holiday! Math actually had money to buy things, and eccentric odds and ends to haggle with. The large, seemingly always hungry pockets of his cargo shorts were stuffed contentedly with said items. Everyone in their little group, that unofficial bunching of the specialer mythics, had split up earlier to wander the city.

Mathathy had headed to the shopping district first. After window-browsing for half an hour, picking up a bright lime green frayed bandanna and a basket of oddly colored fruit the vender had called “rambo-tan,” the Squib had found a little shop specializing in exotic pets. There, amid all the oddities the galaxy had, Math found a Socorroan Tailring.

Or rather, it found his basket of fruit.

The owner evidently had something against keeping animals locked in cages, and so the stock of the shop more or less freely meandered, flew, and scuttled around the facilities. Mathathy did not see the small draconian figure sitting on the edge of his basket, quietly gnawing on one of the circular yet hairy, bright red pieces of produce, until the nice older cashier lady wryly remarked to him that he was being robbed. Math’s response was immediate and dire, dropping the basket of fruit before turning and igniting his crimson shoto lightsaber in the cramped room.

“Die robber! …Where are you?”

“Hey, hey, hey!” The woman yelled irritably, leaning over the counter to look at her small furry customer. “Watch that thing; you’re going to chop someone’s head off!”

“Percisively!” Math made a face, and turned back around to face the cashier, blade cleanly slicing through a nearby set of shelves holding various types of pet food. “Presively… Perceiving…? Mrrrrrrrr… Do you know the right words?”

“How about, TURN THAT THING OFF AND GET THE KRIFF OUT OF MY SHOP!”

“No.”

Mathathyper Chesheervyk suddenly found that he was airborne, his basket of fruit right behind him. Vainly, he tried flapping his arms as he sailed out of the shop’s door, before his rear collided with the pavement. The Stellar Mythic screeched loudly in protest, darting back to his feet again, and rushing towards the shop.

The employee met him at the doorway, and she had now armed himself with a broom.

Math called upon the Mythos to fuel his wiry muscles, and leapt towards the cashier’s head, teeth bared like a tiny demon.

She swung her broom like a baseball bat.

Mathathyper’s eyes went wide a second before he was forcefully repelled from the shop’s battlements a second time. The ground was as unforgiving the second time as it was the first.

“Get out of here before I call law enforcement.” The woman growled threateningly, before primly stepping back inside.

Math, dazed and thrown out on his arse again, flipped her retreating figure the bird.

The Squib stared at the shop windows for a long time, plotting nasty things, before being interrupted by someone tripping over him. The feral roar Mathathyper managed at that moment knocked the already stumbling man over.

Then he was getting back to his feet, brushing himself off. A small hand shot out like a venomous snake, reaching for the fallen figure that had so rudely tripped over him. Mathathy narrowed his luminescent eyes and drew deeply upon the Mythos, using it to bodily hurl the man through the store window before grabbing his basket of fruit and fleeing the scene while giggling incessantly.

A few blocks away, he absently reached for a victory fruit.

However, when he lifted it up to his face, Math found the small Tailring wrapped around it protectively. It hissed at him.

The Squib knew he hadn’t had a good snuff of Etherium for a while now, and so therefore he probably wasn’t hallucinating.

He rubbed the scaly creature’s neck warily, and found it to be concrete. Then Math compulsively squished it in a hug, rubbing the miniature dragon on his olfactory coat of fur. The black scales blended into his inky pelt easily.

The Tailring, for its part, didn’t seem to mind much, as it continued to eat the fruit greedily, oblivious to the being holding it.

Math returned the lizard back to the fruit basket cheerfully. The Squib wasn’t exactly the most intelligent being in the galaxy, but he was far from stupid, and knew that the creature had probably come from the pet shop.

And while far from stupid, he was indeed conceited. In his mind, he had just further one-upped the owner of the store through his own cleverness.

The now cheshiring Squib started to wander through the streets of Demas again. The most prominent thing on his list were missile-launchers for his falcon-class ship. Oh how the accursed Unum would flee when they saw his ship in the distance after that.

Unfortunately, Demas only had a small area designated for buying and selling ship parts, but Math had optimistic faith what he wanted would surely be there.

Incidentally, he was on his way to that particular area of the city when he saw familiar faces. There was Kvothe, and Iri, and Maggie, and Cruentus, and someone else he didn’t know!

Mathathyper started to bound towards the group energetically, before getting a wonderfully mischievous idea. He hefted another fruit from the basket, (much to his new companion’s distress) and flung it at the group.

No, he didn’t stop to aim. Or think.

But there was an old principle he had read about in the Tower’s library; it went something like, “what is thrown, must hit something.”

[A®heim]

Find Cruentus....a woman.... Magnus looked from Kvothe to Cruentus, then cast a warning glance at the Flickercat prowling the edge of his vision. Blasted feline had long ago decided that being an Infomancer doesn't excuse one from being a chew toy. Those tails looped around him and glittered with a light meant to lure and distract prey. The Rishii needed to make it very clear he was not prey and continued staring Fas in the eye until it looked away. Victory. For the next 3 minutes at least.

"Even then, I fear that we may need another helper, someone with the experience that comes only with years of living. Experience that we lack, mind you. So imagine my joy to see you, of all Mythics appear here, in our hour of greatest need! I mean, look at that poor, lonely face. Could you bear to let Cruentus go another day like that? That is why, Magnus, I'm asking you to help us on our journey. Help us find Cruentus a woman."

Having vanquished the mighty kitty cat, he once more turned his stoic gaze to the grinning Sword. You have got to be kidding me. Unfortunately, it would seem that they were perfectly serious, or at least that bull was. Strange thing, that bovine; it was very large (especially to Magnus), yet very few of the passing pedestrians seemed to pay it any mind, most walking straight through it. What were its orig-?

"Maggie!"

Oh. Right.

In her credit, Magnus was touched by her offer to get him off the ground--he had nearly developed an eternal phobia of feet by this time. However, while she intended the best and Magnus didn't wish to deny her an honor, it just wasn't practical. That is quite alright, but I'm not the tiny canary you may think I am, these old bones may be hollow but they're still heavy.

His tail throbbed.

However, being off the ground would be nice. As he said this, he planted his staff firmly into the ground and clambered his way up to the top. There he perched, perfectly balanced, his tail curled around the shaft. From his newfound vantage point, he spotted the newcomer. The face wasn't unfamiliar, and several parts of her garb suggested her allegiance, but Magnus couldn't say he knew her by name. All the same, a Mythic was a Mythic and she apparently wished to help.

...with finding Cruentus a woman. Mythos be damned, what was he doing here? May as well make some introductions, though. The Rishii gave her a formal bow along with his name, position, and his business in Demas.

Or he would have if it weren't for the piece of fruit that came hurtling in his direction. In an act of pure reflex, he sent a cross-current slashing through the air just before the fruit would adorn itself upon his beak. Unfortunately, he didn't put much thought into the fruit's new trajectory.

Oh dear...my most sincerest apologies, Kvothe. He scanned the crowd for the fresh fruit assailant. Nothing- wait...predatory eyes spotted an ancient prey of his own dart behind a pair of legs. Math. Come here please.

[Rugs]

Kvothe could only imagine the ire he might be feeling, were he Cruentus. Here, in Demas, he'd sought out a place away from his brethren, trying to find some solitude, but, as the Mythos would have it, it was the last thing he'd get.

First it had just been Kvothe and Iri. That had probably been more than enough for the anti-social Cruentus, much to Kvothe's amusement. Then came Magnus, and shortly thereafter, Abernathyia, the woman Kvothe only knew in name.

It was a delightful gathering of Mythics. Delightful, perhaps, for everyone but Cruentus.

"Now, Magnus," Kvothe said, barely making an effort to hide his grin or the amusement in his voice, "you know I would never kid about such a thing. This could change Cruentus' very life. That's not the sort of things to play about, y'know." He flashed a toothy grin to Magnus and then turned to glance back toward their grumpy friend...

...and saw a giant... ox standing near them. Curiously, none of the regular passers-by in the crowd seemed to pay it any mind; it only went to confirm what was an automatic assumption on Kvothe's part. Iri. It was becoming second nature, now--if some strange, ethereal animal showed up, it was probably the result of Irrisorrie's incredibly fascinating mind. Strange, how you can grow so used to even a power as odd as hers Kvothe mulled, looking around at the myst that surrounded them. Now it just seemed so normal--something that was as much a part of Iri as those hallucinations. He noticed it, but he never really noticed it.

It was about that time that the next arrival came up. She was an elegant looking woman, riding a bike, of all things. A bike that was pedaling itself, no less. Were Kvothe some sort of superstitious yahoo, he might suspect that the woman was a witch. The signs were there.

She was in a dress.

She had a staff of some sort.

And she was on a bike that was being pedaled of its own volition.

The evidence was irrefutable.

Fortunately, Kvothe--being a sort of witch himself, though not a woman--didn't have his torch or pitchforks, and so there was nothing to be done. Besides, it was readily apparent that she was using the Mythos, just as it seemed that she was one of them. He'd seen her before, though he didn't really know her name... Aberna-something... Aberna... tyia! Abernathyia!

And thus was the extent of Kvothe's knowledge on the woman.

The Sword was in the process of turning to speak when the Mythos whispered to him. He looked up in time to see a fruit whiz by his head, toward Magnus (who was currently balanced on the head of his staff), who proceeded to redirect the fruit...

...right at Kvothe. It arched up through the air and came down, right onto his headpiece. Now, said headpiece looked like a feather, and it was, if feathers were metallic and razor sharp along their edge. When the fruit impacted, it sank down, impaling itself neatly onto the feather until it came to a halt, about an inch over Kvothe's head.

He stood there, dumbstruck for a moment as juice dripped into his hair before fixing Magnus with a flat look. "Why thank you Magnus, glad to know I could hold this for you."

Then Magnus spoke, and Kvothe turned his silver-threaded eyes over in the direction of the offender that threw the fruit.

It was the Squib.

Of course it was, Kvothe thought. Magnus called for Math, sounding all the world like some principal that was about to scold a student. As Kvothe removed the feather from his head, he decided that watching said scolding might provide some entertainment. That would involve making sure Math didn't get away.

And so he reached out, making a lazy gesture in Math's direction that would whip up the air behind him, creating a gentle nudging that should work to push the Squib toward Magnus, rather than away.

"Yes Math," Kvothe said, pulling the fruit from his feather and taking a bite. At least it tastes good. "Do come on over." The grin that Kvothe flashed Math could almost be called malicious. "We'd love to talk to you."

[Twysper]

Math was subtle in the way that lightning was subtle; he went unnoticed only until he decided to impact someone else's world.

And then everyone knew he had struck.

Unfortunately for everyone around him, and unlike his atmospheric counterpart, Math tended to make shocking appearances in the same place more than once.

The Squib's sharp peal of laughter snapped through the air of Demas as he saw who had been victimized by fruit. His large neon blue ears caught Magnus' unamused voice, (though Math wasn't paying much attention to what the Rishii said) and so now is was time to make a clean getaway. Math got as far as turning his furry rear around before experiencing sudden wind resistance, and feeling a small pull on the Mythos in the area.

"HEY!" The reflexive outcry managed to sound both sulky and frantic at as Math was ethereally pushed towards the others.

Sulky, because one of the Mythics in the group was clearly cheating at this game. No fun.

Frantic, because he had no intention of being caught, and was mildly concerned at Kvothe's tone, and the Rishii's predatory gaze.

He started to drag his feet against the force, and fell over immediately when it shoved him particularly hard in the attempt to get him to move.

The Squib practically bounced back to his feet, muttering oaths under his breath as he straightened his garb. Luckily he had managed to more or less save his basket of fruit and new companion from jarring impact by letting go of it early.

This same item Math retrieved off the ground before dusting himself off and trotting forward into the center of the mass of mythics quickly, before someone decided to help him on his way again.

The Squib threw a serious, formal salute to Maggie with his free hand before twisting around to peer at the fruit-stained Kvothe.

"Hi Delinquent."

Mathathyper scanned the figures around him for Irrisorie; she had represented asylum before, as most Stellar Mythics were hesitant to deny her anything.

So naturally, as soon as he spotted the Firrerreo girl, Math scurried towards her before anyone got in a word edge-wise, still clinging to his woven basket of produce.

The small Squib was faithfully scooped up in her arms, and he grinned a mischievous cheshire grin.

Safe.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Shyence, the Tailring that did not know he had a name yet, was still nestled comfortably in the dark basket of so called ‘Rambo-tan’ fruit, munching away cheerfully, when a sudden earthquake caused the contents of his perfect world to shift.

A large piece of fruit rolled on top of one of his partially unfolded wings, and the draconian figure squawked in anger, freeing the trapped appendage before pulling his wing in tightly.

Shyence darkly eyed the particular fruit that had dared injure him, shaking his tail rattles in warning.

Soon enough, the fuzzy fruit shifted again as Math was lifted by Iri.

The Tailring attacked ferociously, sharp teeth biting deeply into its juicy flesh.

Revenge had no sweeter flavor.

Retroactively, Shyence's long flexible tail wrapped around it in a protective, hoarding motion, precisely as Math squirmed in Irisorrie's grip, rocking the basket again.

The Tailring was already peeved that food was attacking him, but now he had to deal with this constant shifting too?

Memories of the cozy pet shop returned. It was nice there. The whole world didn't suddenly move without reason.

But Shyence happened to be a glutton, and so the overpowering thought of plentiful food right here meant that asides from taking a quick peek outside to see what was going on, he had no initiative to leave.

The tiny lizard deftly wriggled through the small gaps left between individual Rambutan fruit, and poked his elaborately crested head into the open outside air.

'Bright light, close eyes!' ran the primitive creature's thoughts as it inadvertently looked into Aiaru's sun.

A second, more careful reconnaissance attempt allowed Shyence to see the big creature with only one curved horn on its head eating his fruit.

The Tailring flew into a rage. Literally.

The speed with which Shyence moved was akin to a striking cobra; one second only his head and scaled neck were exposed, the next, he was darting through the air in a flash of black scales, wings pumping furiously.

Another split second later, the Tailring crashed into the Rambutan fruit Kvothe was holding, latching on with sharp talons and lashing and biting at the Sword's wrist with sharp teeth and whip-like tail.

Mine.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Math realized what was happening a second later, and wriggled anew in Irisorrie's arms, yelling loudly.

"Kvothe don't hurt my new pet!"

[Kella]

Maggie decided to perch on his staff, which really was alright by Iri, because not so very long after, Math showed up. She was more than happy to offer the little fellow sanctuary, cradling him in her arms.

He was so fuzzy!

And he had a new pet! Irrisorie watched with amusement the throwing of the fruit, the landing of the fruit, and the resulting chaos.

"Be careful, Kvothe!" she called, echoing Mathathy's exclamation.

Aberynathia had arrived in the midst of it all, and Irrisorie finally remembered to wave an enthusiastic 'hello'.

She sidled just a bit closer, but in such a way as to not disturb the shuffle between Math and his pet and Kvothe.

"We're finding Cruentus a woman," she explained. "Would you be interested?"

[Jace]

Just when Cruentus had resigned himself to this idiocy as a means of escape, things escalated. When he meant escalated, he meant that more idiots had joined the group. He was beginning to believe that today may actually be the day of his death. There were few other conclusions he could come to. They said that some people suffered slow and agonizing deaths, surely this was such a situation. He closed his eyes and prayed to the gods to be merciful and end this humiliation and pain.

He opened his eyes and still the fools were there, apparently the gods had not heard or didn't care for his plight. The next to arrive was a woman who he had not seen before, or if he had, didn't care to notice. There was something in her enthusiasm that disconcerted Cruentus. Well most enthusiasm tended to put him off, but her friendliness didn't seem to be friendly at all. Then again, Cruentus wasn't exactly an expert on friendship.

Mythos save me! He cried out to himself silently.

This appearance of another had him thinking about the characteristics of friendship. He had just gathered some relevant information from a source not long ago and should be acting on it. Instead he stood standing here, surrounded by retards and idiots. Apparently size was not directly proportional to idiocy, for the squib had arrived. Cruentus thought little of the squib, he was a bigger nuisance than most sometimes. Apparently his arrival had made Kvothe even happier, which in turn made Cruentus miserable.

It was then that it dawned on the Blood Mythic, he had had a revelation. When these idiots were happy, he was miserable and suffered. Thus it stood to reason that the more miserable they were, the happier he would be. If this was indeed true, then all he would have to do was make them suffer, and his irritation would disappear just like that. He kept a note of this epiphany and tucked it away for later use. No doubt it would prove useful in the hours to come.

Cruentus suddenly realized that many of the Mythics seemed to be distracted. The appearance of the other two had taken the immediate attention off Cruentus. His eyes shifted slowly from left to right, scanning his surroundings. Even the insufferable girl seemed distracted, a fact which reflected in her little 'pet'. The Blood Mythic slowly relaxed his body, making sure there wasn't any suggestion of what he was about to do. He shifted his weight ever so slightly to the left, where there was a gap between those around him.

3...2...1

His leg muscles tensed, and with a strong push, Cruentus shot off his feet and ran as fast he could down the street and away from the other Mythics.

[Rugs]

Kvothe watched Math struggle against this pulling in the Mythos with an amused grin. Well, the grin couldn't stay there for too long, else the air of 'hey-you're-in-trouble-now' that surrounded the Mythics that looked down at the Squib might be blown. Instead, he settled for shifting his weight from one foor to the other and giving Math a faux-serious look. It helped that he could feel the juice from that fruit still snaking its way through his hair. Wonderful.

"Hi Delinquent."

Ah, of course, thought Kvothe, I'm the Sword of Deliquence. More and more, he found himself wondering, as time went by, if the furry little thing that stood before them even knew the meaning of the word 'delinquent.' Or 'diligence,' for that matter. He certainly didn't know the difference between the two.

It was then that the idea of finding one of the language instructors in the Tower and setting up some lessons for the Squib popped into Kvothe's head. Yes, the idea of Math stuck learning basic... Basic with a bunch of children was a good one. He'd have to look into that once they got back.

As Kvothe stood there, lost in his musings, he took the fruit from his feather and looked it over. It was a round thing, ripe looking, and one of many varieties that grew out on the Ricosta Island chain. It would be such a shame to waste such good fruit, and since Math (and Magnus) had seen fit to deliver it to him, Kvothe would waste no time taking a bite.

It was sweet. It was good. It also drew the wrath of a dragon.

A tiny dragon that Kvothe could close his fist around if he so chose, but a dragon nonetheless.

Kvothe had just been sitting there, minding his own business and waiting for Magnus to tear into Math, when the tailring came from nowhere and proceeded to assault him. For no good reason. The rambutan fruit dropped to the ground, wasted, and Kvothe yelled out and grabbed the offending dragon and pulled it from his wrist. A series of little pricks marred his wrist now, and blood was slowly starting to trickle from a few of them.

"What in the name of Merdumbledalf's bea-"

"Kvothe don't hurt my new pet!"

Kvothe turned his orange and silver laced eyes to Math, who was in Iri's arms. Then he looked down to the tailring. And then back to the Squib. "This is your pet?" Irritation mixed with incredulity in his voice; irritation obviously at getting bitten, incredulity at the thought that someone would be stupid enough to condemn an animal to life under the Squib.

Kvothe's gaze returned to the dragon that his hand was closed around and sighed. "Take it." His hand opened, and the Mythos carried it to Math, regardless of whatever struggles the thing might try to put up. "Though, if it bites me again, I'll let Fas bit yo-"

The sound of sudden movement caught his ear and he turned to see Cruentus bolting away from them all. "Hey!" Kvothe yelled. "We can't let him get away--he's still a bachelor!" With that, he pushed off as well, running after Cruentus.

[Kella]

Irrisorie giggled at Mathathy and Kvothe. She really liked Math's new pet, a little dragon-like figure. It reminded Iri of her own familiars, except the little dragon was almost as big as Mathathy.

Irrisorie suddenly felt something tug at her eyes, and she spun, just in time to see Cruentus's cloak whipping out behind him. Kvothe's sentence broke off, and Iri felt a word whisper through her mind.

Run.

A laugh like ringing bells swung over the crowd as Iri's toes pushed off the concrete. She pushed Math over her shoulder so he could ride on her shoulder. He was light, and so it wasn't much of a burden.

And oh, how she ran! Iri loved to run. All the world fell together when she ran, her feet drawn to every perfect spot, balance swinging her body through every gap and furrow in the throng of people. A wheelbarrow crossed her path, and she snapped her feet up, catching the edge with her toes and pushing off. For a moment, she was flying through the air, and the wind pushed up under her cloak making it look as if she had wings.

Irrisorie was laughing again as her feet hit the ground, and she continued swiftly after Cruentus. She was faster than he was, and he had so many staffs to carry around, he was a bit encumbered. Iri began to close on Cruentus. It must have been because of all her practice playing tag.

Only a few feet away now! Her hair whipped as the slightest push of the ball of her foot lifted her onto a nearby curb. It wasn't enough to just tag Cruentus, she was going to have to catch him.

Just... a little... further...

When she was just even with Cruentus, Irrisorie pushed off the curb, her momentum carrying her into the air. Her breath she left far behind her as she tackled her target, taking him from behind. Her weight wasn't enough to take him down, so Irrisorrie locked her arms around his neck, and her legs around his hips.

Her breath found her again with a delighted laugh.

Irrisorie may have appeared a slight girl, but she was surprisingly strong, and it seemed that while Cruentus might still have been going somewhere, it was with Irrisorie.

"I caught him Kvothe!" she called, turning back to see where her fellow Mythics had ended up. "You're not getting away that easy," she said matter-of-factly, resting her chin over Cruentus's shoulder.

[A®heim]

The malignant intention didn't spike on Magnus' MythDAR until the small, leathery...thing was already in transit towards Kvothe. Apparently the Sword had angered the projectile gods and was suffering from bad karma as a result. Once again the Infomancer did his best to alter the flight path but this thing was moving much faster than the fruit and the concentration it took just to track it combined with that needed to conjure up a stopping force proved inconclusive with keeping a librarian balanced. Two things happened then: 1) he almost fell off his perch, and 2) a potted plant flew through a shop window several blocks down the crowded avenue.

It was then that he realized that, despite Kvothe's frantic yelps and flailing, the projectile wasn't inflicting any significant harm to him and that it wasn't so much a projectile at all as a creature. A tiny, reptillian creature. Ah! A Soccoran tailring! I haven't seen one of these in person for about 30 years. He hopped down from his perch, tail snaking down its length and curling close around him to avoid further molestation by boot heels, and approached the fierce contest between rilan and beast. A pair of brass-rimmed spectacles were produced and balanced upon his beak as he peered at the dragon which had just taken his place as the most diminutive party member. A small part of him genuinely looked forward to looking down on something for once without the need for vertical supplementation.

It was on an information scout and reconaissance assignment from the high council of elders. He began, clawed hands wrung one over the other in front of him, drawling on about times past despite Kvothe's obvious plight. It wasn't so much that he didn't care as he didn't need to care. From a purely medical standpoint. There was a contact I was to meet on Soccoro--a terribly sandy place--and while I was waiting to meet him, a whole flock of these creatures rose up from a nearby oasis.

And thus it was within the midst of Kvothe's death threats, Math's dives for refuge, Iri's excessive presence, a new arrival, and the promise of an old bird's reminiscing that Cruentus made a run for it. Can you really blame him?

Kvothe immediately gave chase while hollering something about the Blood Mythic's bachelorhood. Iri took off as well, quickly gaining on both diminishing figures. Math, obviously, went with her. Mathathyper, I'm not finished with y-! Don't think you're off scott free! He sighed, left alone once more in a sea of blank, meaningless faces. Kids these days. He looked to Abernathyia--at least he wasn't completely alone, but now seemed as good a time as any to finish the business that first brought him to the bustling city. The sooner he got said business done, the sooner he could return to the Tower and the sweet, sweet solitude the library would provide for him. He bowed in pardon to the Mythic woman, retrieved his staff, and faced once more the throngs of civilization in the avenue between him and his destination.

With another deep sigh and a mustering of will power, he set his sights on the highrise just across from him and stepped in. What followed was a horrific bout of ducking, darting, and swiftly muttered pardons. His tail would unwind from his talons to facilitate the nimble sidestep of a besalisks plodding gait, only to have the same appendage narrowly yanked from beneath a passing cart wheel. Who even uses carts anymore?! What felt like another dozen lifetimes and a few thousand prayers later found the aged Mythic stumbling onto the opposite curve with one wing crossed over his heart--heaving up and down with exhausted breath. He would happily tackle a hundred Unum raiding parties...riding on rancors than to have to cross that avenue. Ever. Again.

The opulent hotel building stood before him. This was the place that curious hand-delivered letter had instructed him to come to. Under any other circumstances, he would have been suspicious of such a request--quite likely an oddly shoddy attempt by the Unum to take out a key member of the Stellar Mythics--but this was hardly the place for an assassination. Citizens and visitors to Demas milled in and out of the glittering revolving doors and giant windows seemed to adorn each and every room. Terrible, terrible place to try much of anything beyond the bounds of legality. With a cautious glance about him and a considerable application of his strength, he pushed through one of the whirling entrances and into the lobby.

[Jace]

Cruentus didn't really think he could have got away unnoticed but it was worth the try. As he ran down the somewhat crowded street, he could sense at least two others in pursuit and one of them was gaining fast. Having three heavy staffs strapped to his back didn't exactly make him a star sprinter. Honestly, he had never had much occasion to run until today. A day he hoped would be over soon, or at least forgotten soon.

Suddenly the Mythic spotted another alleyway, no doubt if he could turn in he could make his break. It was only a few feet ahead, a quick sharp jump to the left was all that was needed to save him from this situation. His pursuers were gaining, he could make it, he had to make it. Cruentus was tiring with every stepped but he forced himself to pick up the pace. He was only a foot away now, one step away from freedom.

I've done it he thought with a sense of satisfaction

He had never been so wrong in his life. Something crashed into him, knocking him off balance but not enough to make him fall. It latched on to him, a grip that clearly would not be easy to shake.

"In the name of all that is holy!" exclaimed Cruentus in medium pitch which was about as loud as he had ever spoken.

"Girl. You are-" and he stopped there. They had already had enough entertainment at his expense.

There she was, it couldn't have been anyone else. There was no other person in the galaxy it could have been. No, she had been sent by the gods to punish him, he was sure of it. Worst of all, being strapped to his back, he had no way to grab any of his staffs and beat her with them. Cruentus managed to stand up straight in an attempt to regain what dignity he could.

The Blood Mythic could sense Kvothe approaching also, his plan to escape had failed. He had fought the Unum multiple times, had courted death over and over again. He had even risked the dangers of Time Step to achieve his goals. This though, for this he was no match. Cruentus was not a man who gave in easily, but he could see no other way.

He sighed and wondered what tortures awaited him.