Izumi frowned as she watched the girl. Sure she seemed nervous for some strange reason, but the fact remained she just pretty much asked Izumi the same question twice. Did no one show her how to small talk before? "It could be better." izumi repeated wondering if the girl had simply misheard her or forgot in the span of two seconds. "May I ask who you are?" Izumi didnt want to seem rude though the question may have come out a bit cross as she contemplated calling out one of her djinn to make her invisible or something so the blue haired girl could go back to her normal ninja way of life. The superiors were known to be merciless to those who failed or got sidetracked.

"That's it?" As she said this, she mentally stored away the wings on her back, so now there wasn't a tent on her back. "Good. This makes things much simpler." Reaching underneath her new shirt/ dress, she ripped off a long piece of cloth from her old shirt and made a make-shift belt.
"Just take a few of.... wait a second. Can you fit a lot of these scales in your bag? This would make transporting and hiding these things easier. You just have to keep them until we find a merchant stupid enough to buy them. Then I'll give you a lot of money. More than enough to cover everything you just bought." She motioned at his new clothes.

Rune's face reddened. "My name is Rune... I'm a friend of Rion's..." she said quietly. She decided to stare at the ground, it was easier to look at.

Ryu was about to flat out say No, until the mention of money came into play. "Fine..." He grumbled taking out the small bag and willing it to grow bigger before he unzipped and began shoving his things to the side to make room. "It better be alot of damn money." Making money was good in Ryu's book, spending it not so much. "And what, your going to walk around like that till then?" Ryu pointed out, dropping the bag beside him in a way that clearly stated he wasnt going to move to help them.

"... I'll go buy a few articles of clothing, thread, and cloth. And yes. Each scale is worth 8 times its weight in gold last time I checked. Probably more by now."

"Alright then." Ryu said simply, pulling at his beading again as it tightened on his arm. It apparently did not like being ignored for so long. The thing had more bloodlust then even Ryu had. "Get to work then."

"Rune?" Izumi repeated as she looked the girl up and down. She certainly didnt seem like the top who would normally approach a complete stranger even if she was with her friend. What had coaxed her into it? "Nice to meet you the Rune. I guess you already know somehow that Im Izumi." She said, attempting another smile before rising and dusting herself off. "I should probably go, Ill let you and Rion talk." She said smiling encouragingly at the girl as she stretched one of her arms to the side and used her otherin order to make her shoulder pop. "Ya'll have fun." And with that She did a light wave and started to retreat again. Her life might not be normal but it made sense. Ever since she decided to pop out and say hi to Rion things had turned out weird. This was for the best. ."

Letting her words glide over him, Zeke simply shrugged at her as he simply continued his small feast. He didn't really care what she thought of him, really, and it was amusing to watch her as she spouted on about... whatever. His eyes followed her movements closely, watching her animated face. "All the insults I threw at you?" He said quietly with a chuckle, and then shook his fork at her. "I'd say we're even with all the insults you threw at me. Nevertheless, I have enough coins to pay for the two of us... I was planning on paying anyways, as any gentleman would. It's simply too fun to watch you squirm." His smile grew wicked as he carelessly gestured at the bulging sac tied securely to his belt. "I have too much money, and not enough time to spend it... If only I could find the perfec weapon."

As he spoke of this, his face took on a slightly dreamy cast and he missed her next words completely. "Did you say something?" He muttered as he sighed, suddenly morose as he thought of the countless towns that he had passed in the past and only succeeding at remember the names for some of them. "Continued... Oh. That." He paused, realizing that the meat pie was now entirely gone at this point. "I thought I was a grandfather, and such venerable men does not dirty themselves with the scum of the city." His words were lofty, though as he eagerly consumed the rest of the drink, he behaved only as a man of youth as he frowned in disappointement - there was never enough liquor.

"Rion's never going to show up, is he?" He asked absent-mindedly as he pushed the empty dish and cup aside. And then that was when the other young man showed up. He was about to say something in greeting, and then Rion had to tell her about that damn cat. "I am still here, you know." He growled once, but unfortunately, neither of the two heard him. He sank into his own thoughts for a second, and the next thing he knew, he looked up and the two of them weren't around any more.

"He's starting to get on my nerves," Zeke snapped to himself as he ordered another drink for himself. He wasn't, however, about to throw a tantrum and leave Estelle alone in the resturant - even though they've never met, he at least had the curtesy enough to wait for her. "First he ditches his girlfriend with me, and now his friend. I'm never going to get an answer from that blasted fool! Do you know anything about the Guardians?! Apparently you know Rion, and he's spouting on about some 'save the world' business as soon as I met him today!" His words rushed out, edged with anger as he looked sharply at Estelle. When he realized that he was losing his temper, Zeke breathed deeply and sighed.

"I'm sorry... where are my manners? Name's Zeke, former compatriot of the orphanage with Rion. And... I didn't mean to be so angry, since clearly it was none of your fault. It's just that Rion's behaviors are bothering me - I never knew he would act so sappy in public. Hmph, should've known..." As soon as he gave his apology, he began muttering to the side about how he was going to beat the boy to a pulp the next time that they meet.

Edit:// Done editing my post.

I was diverted by the Euro Cup. XD

At Arubeil's stern words, Orpheus frowned and parted without a word. He was sickened by the way that Rose slobbered so at his feet; he was more so, however, confused by Arubeil.

Why did he put all three of them on standby? Orpheus felt a hint of weariness in his bones and shook his head at himself. Too many years spent amongst humans had only given him strange facets of their lives - tiredness included. Yet Rose, and furthermore, Shigo? He didn't understand - not that he usually understood more than a fraction of Arubeil's plans anyways, but this was ridiculous. They were more than capable of inflicting damage in the Real World at this moment - maybe it was something about the Guardians...

I'm planning something big. Arubeil's words echoed in Orpheus's head as he sank into his cool, comfortable bed and began to form guesses at to what exactly that 'something big' was.

((Lol))

Izumi sighed as she finally escaped them. She glanced around, pulling at her clothes as if to make the wind stop blowing them and taking what little warmth she could produce escape her.

It was definietly a long night. One of the longest she had in years. A part ofher felt bad for leaving without telling anyone but she knew they would try and stop her. izumi paused as she passed the Mia's ducking quickly so no one could see her now she was defineitly wishing she wore darker colors. It would definietly make her job easier.

Izumi stopped as she turned a corner and leaned against a wall, holding her arms as she sighed. There really wasnt anything to do until morning. "Now I really am thinking too much..."

One of Ayu's eyebrows started to twitch in annoyance. Taking a few calming breaths and ignoring Ryu for now, she grabbed his bag, walked over to the pile, and began stuffing scales into the bag, being careful not to rip the lining of it with the edges of the scales. After getting the bag pretty much full, she closed it, tossed the bag at Ryu's face, and stared at the remaining amount. There was still a huge pile of scales staring back at her.
"... Any ideas?"

Ryu had looked away, for some reason feeling like it wasnt right to watch herin the case she revealed something without meaning to. "Youve got arms." He said looking back in time to catch the bag before it smacked him in the face. "Im sure someone might have something to help you carry it in the village." He said standing up and not noticing as his hood fell of his head again. "Or bury them till you can get something." Ryu added with a sigh as if he couldnt believe he had to explain this to her.

When his hood fell off, she had an amazing idea. Maybe not amazing for Ryu however...
"Ryu, can I borrow your cloak for a while?"

"No" This time there was no hesitation in Ryu's answer as he glared at her. The last time he had let her borrow his hood he had yet to get it back though he really didnt want it seeing as how it was ripped and all. "Ask someone who cares." He said as he picked up his bag and forced it to shrink again. It was so full it didnt work as well and now he could no longer fit it in his pocket.

After a bit of thinking, Ayu withdrew into the large shirt and took off the old shirt she still had on underneath 'in privacy'. When she popped out again, she had the shirt in one hand. Sewing up most of the holes up with strands of her hair, she made another make-shift bag and filled it up with scales.
"There's nothing else I can do unless you or Fayne would be willing to wait here while I buy sacks and clothes...."

Ryu looked away again realizing what she was doing. Obviously the girl didnt have it in her to warn them. "Do I really have a choice?" Ryu sighed realizing he really didnt care one way or another and no longer had anything necessary to do. "Lets go then." He said turning his blank face towards Fayne to see if he was going to come too.

Fayne hesitated for a moment looking at Ayu. He shrugged. Either way he didn't care as long as the scales were dealt with. He saw Ryu stare at him with a blank face, answering with a lbank face of his own. "I could stay here if you like."

"I'll be back soon. So no big deal. But... I just have to make sure nobody, as in the villagers, takes any as 'proof' or to pad their wallets." She dashed away, leaving both of the males to do... what ever they do.
Reaching into her destroyed pants, she pulled out a hidden sack of gold coins. This should be enough.... Seeing the shop that Ryu had been in before, she walked in and started looking through the shelves. The young, arrogant women working the shop were appalled by the horrible condition of Ayu's clothes and thought that this was one of those street urchins here to steal some clothes.
"I'm sorry, but I'm-" Ayu held out her bag of coins and shook it so that the clerk could clearly hear the jingle of metal.
"... You can browse through the entire store! Would you like anything in particular?"
"Do you have any cloth I can look at? Black or red in color."
"Right away ma'am! And here is some hot cocoa while you're waiting~"
It is amazing how fast money influences people...
(( Wow. Ryu is a prude. Who would have thought? Sorry for being gone-ish. Dinner.))

((FIrst time I think hes been called that D: ))

Ryu's eyes narrowed at Ayu as the girl took off leaving them here to gaurd her so called wonderful scales. "Well I guess thats that." Ryu said sitting back down, one knee propping up his left arm as he looked at Fayne. The two had never really talked before and a part of him wouldve rathered it stay that way. "You get that esper yet?" It was a feeble question, one in which Ryu really didnt care what the answer was but it was one that would keep them from being uncomfortable.

Fayne nodded, deciding to remain standing rather than sitting around those scales. They didn't really talk that much which he could stand to have since he wasn't too social in the first place, but talking passed the time. At least it was with someone that he knew rather than a total stranger. "Not yet. The esper's located a small distance from here."

Ryu glanced up at Fayne curiously before looking back down. "guess Rion's forgotten about you in light of this new village." He said leaning against the tree, his eyes shut. "You know if you want...I guess when that thing gets back we could help you find it." Ryu added, thing meaning Ayu. He hadnt really thought about it but helping Fayne seemed like a fine way to pass the time before they left to do what ever the oh so wonderful Rion wanted them to do.

[[XD. Sweet. Better than... *ahem* other things.... *blushes*
Sorry for the one sided dialog here. You know what's going on anyways.... Ayu no likey those clerky ladies.
Ayu: Freakin' busy-bodies.... *steams*]]

Once all of the workers saw how much gold their new costumer had, they were all too happy to help.
"I'll need outfits with no back in preferably dark colors. Do you have that in red? Do you have some black cloaks too? Eh, that fabric is too... blegh. Do you have something with less green? Do you have that shirt with gold accents? No thanks, I don't need more cocoa. Shoes? Oh... Just black boots please. No heel. Do you have any bags? No... Bigger... Bigger.... Bigger... Backpacks maybe? That'll do. I'll take that belt. No skirts please. Yes, I'm sure, no skirts... Look here, lady, I do not need any skirts!! I don't care how good- NO, I do not need a 'man'. I'm fine. Pants please- YES, Pa- No, I am not homosexua- YES, I'M SURE! Those pants, the black ones. No, not the tight ones, the loose- LOOK HERE, WOMAN! I don't care if it is guy clothes! Dress? ... Fine. Not that hideous one. The plain- Yes... Yes I'm sure.... Put it in the b- I don't care about wrinkles! No! No bows. Yes, that cloth and thread. No hair ties... Stop looking at me like that. Yes, I'm a girl and that is not fruit stuck down my s- No, I do not need those. Yes, that's all I need. Here's the money... Good day to you too.... harpies.... maniacs...."
Since she had all her clothes, she stopped by a fruit vendor to grab some sturdy bags and started walking back to Ryu and Fayne, hoping Ryu hadn't run off and killed somebody...

[[edit: DANG, just looked at character pictures and Zeke is BUFF. *stares in awe* And Rose is prett-
*gets gagged by Ayu*
Shhh.... Don't blab EVERYTHING.....]]

((Wow, Fayne and Ryu are in a hurry to ditch the rest of the crew and get Rockwell. Rockwell ain't going anywhere, that ol' geezer never leaves his cave, unless he made a pact.))

Rion got off the tree branch. "Rune, if you want to you can follow me. I need to find Fayne." Rion started walking.

Rune nodded, "I... wasn't s-sure though..." she said. " I-I thought y-you wouldn't l-like it."

((OMG Isnt he? xD I saw that pic and was like =O Holy jeebus like three times the size of Izumi! Poor thing probably broke her neck trying to look up at him.
And ty! You know how long it took to find that pic? I went through my photobucket going "Too sweet...Not slutty enough...too shy..." D: it was killer lol
-posts for the heck of it-))

Izumi had seemed to zone out for a minute as she stared up at the sky until Her stomach seemed to hurt suddenly and the girl flinched. AS if in reaction to it she pressed her hand on it as if the pressure would relieve the pain. But just like that it was gone again. "It couldnt have been that food...could it?" Izumi muttured to herself looking down at her stomach as if the answer was written across it.

Distracted by her wonderment of her stomach, it came as more a shock then it shouldve been when Izumi heard walking and someone speaking. The petite girl walked soundlessly backwards, her hand trailing the wall beside her till she reached the end and Izumi ducked into the alleyway, blending in with the darkness that seemed to comfort and scare her at the same time. She didnt want to be seen and tricked into going with anyone but now her worry for her body made her not want to travel, just yet at least.