Right, so, I think this is pretty much just gonna be cartoon. No particular comic-scene that I want for this so far, though I am looking.


His name is Blunk.

He's not my friend.

And where-ever he is..

He's up to no good.

...The streets of Meridian...

Few of Meridian's inhabitants were seen on the streets anymore. Because the controls had seized their rights before, what with the curfew installed. And also because there was no reason to be out. Though today was different. Out in the groggy attempt the sun was making of daylight was a stall. Filled with unusual items that one daren't question the origin of. Each item seemed rather useful as the small salesman shouted out advertisments, "Real fruit! Delicacy!"

The passling, Blunk, waved various items about, shouting out incorrect uses while wearing a pale pink lacy bra over his head. He held up a VCR. "Magic box of string!"

An Escanor - the species originally named after the British human - stood with his back to the stall, obviously avoiding being seen with the smuggler. He never once gave the being any eye contact, "I've no money, but my sister works in the castle. I have valuable information."

"Trade!" The man turned quickly, pointing to the passlings head.

"I'd like the hat."

...The, not so different, streets of Earth...

Caleb wandered the sidewalks of Heatherfield in a circle round the Silver Dragon, so as not to get lost. He did not hear the scraping of wheels against gravel as skateboards distantly approached. His mind was on other things. Thing. A phone call. What had Will called for? Was it about Meridian? Would she have told him if it was?

He looked up, slightly dazed, as a group of boys swerved past him. "Dude! 3, 60 fakey ollie!" He gulped as one of the boys jumped, the wheeled board twisting beneath his feet. He watched as the other used the board to slide along the side of the bench. It was only once they'd turned the corner that it hit him how large this city was. And Hay Lin had said this place was small. Buildings towered over him, and everything seemed bright and shiny, and the sun! It was huge! How he would cope, Caleb didn't know, but no wonder Will was aggressive all the time, what with the blinding lights that lasted throughout the night apparently.

...Later, in The Silver Dragon Basement...

Caleb scowled into the mirror. He looked ridiculous. He pulled off his hat, just as something scurried past his window. He bent low and picked up a broom from the corner, using the handle to open the small window-latch. The creature fell immediatly into a box and caused the box to tumble to the ground. Caleb circled the box slowly. Again using the broom, he shoved the box to the side, revealing a small recognisable passling.

"YOU!" Caleb lowered the broom, but his anger level only raised itself. "How did you know I was here?" Was he that easily tracked?

The passling Blunk stood up and pat the dust from his hands, pointing then to his ear. "Blunk know lots. BIG secret. Sell Caleb secret?" Caleb pointed the broom handle at Blunk, staring darkly into Blunk's large yellow eyes. "Okay! Secret free! Vathek in trouble! Missing key! Big trouble!"

Caleb raised his eyebrows at this, "The mannacle key? That's impossible!" Caleb recalled hiding the key, while the guardians had been flying, bar Will who ran. Caleb glanced up at the passling, who was trying to slip away. He wouldn't! The rebel leader pulled Blunk up by the feet and literally shook him, allowing all sorts of 'merchandise' fall from his pockets. CLUNK.

"Key not missing now!" Blunk tried to laugh off the tension as Caleb looked dumbfoundedly at the key. "Finder fee?"

"You took the key!" How could natural beings be so foolish!

"Okay, bad decision," The smuggler only shrugged; his nonchalance making Caleb only more angry.

Caleb dropped Blunk, taking the key and studying it in his palm.

"Vathek has saved my life. If I don't return this key, he's a goner."