Chapter Twelve: Picnic

Mira picked up the brush that was beside her and started brushing out the knots in her hair. She smiled faintly as the sound of a wind instrument filled the air, her tail idly twitching to the tune. Kupolo was busy wiping down the furniture but was still dancing the song. The Elvaan closed the song as Mira set her hair brush down and tied her hair back into a low ponytail. "That was beautiful."

"Ha-ha, thanks."

"Mm-hm. Thank you for letting me use your bath tub." Mira put her brush away and stood up, brushing the back of her pants off.

"'Course." Glowatoke smiled back at her as he picked up a thin metal pole and a cloth. "Use it all you like, Mira; I don't mind."

"You're my hero," she sighed happily as she walked up to him and wrapped her arms around his neck for a hug. "I was afraid that I was going to turn into one of those crazy people who have to bathe in the river."

He laughed and turned his head when he heard someone knocking. "Hold on just a sec," he told her as he got up and walked around her and over to the door, opening it and looking down. "Oh, hey! What're you doin' here, Kryv?"

"Invitation." The samurai responded before his eyes moved from Glowatoke to the other occupant in the house. "Wild kitt'n?"

"Hello!"

"Well this makes it easier for me. Y'two wanna come to my house for dinner tomorrow?"

Mira's ears perked up and she walked over to the door, settling between the Elvaan's thin frame and the frame of the door. "Dinner?"

"Yep."

"I like that idea," she tilted her head back to look up at her taller friend. "What about you?"

"If you go I'll go."

Mira grinned, looking back at Kryv and giggling excitedly while she rose onto her toes. "Yes, then!"

"Goodie. Tomorrow, my place, at… uh, two. 'can bring a guest if you'd like."

Mirasaros nodded quickly and Kryv thanked her before giving a curt bow and going back onto the street. Mira "hmm"d to herself before she stepped back inside to pick up the bag she'd brought and then went over to collect her shoes. "You're already leaving?" Glowatoke asked as he shut the door and then leaned against it.

"I am. But I'll see you tomorrow, right?" She balanced on one legs while she stuck her finger into the heel of her shoe to try and work it onto her foot. "Shoo, you're standing in front of the door! And thanks for letting me use your bath tub again."

"Welcome, Mira." He reached down with his long arm and turned the door knob, opening the door and stepping back. "Don't be stranger, alright?"

"Yes sir," she paused to smile to at him before going out the door and going back to where her own home was. She hopped up the steps, pulling out her keys and unlocking the door so that she could get in. Kupanla greeted her happily, just as she always did, before turning around and resuming her job of cleaning up the fire place.

Mira had been in her home for two hours when someone came knocking at her door. She rose from her spot on the ground and opened the door, taking in a breath when she saw who it was. "Drans!"

"Mira," the surprise visitor nodded before stepping in to come inside. He looked around, readjusting his black and purple tunic before turning around to look at the home's owner when the door shut. "You have a stove and a blanket."

"And a box thing. For food." She pointed at the box that was sitting beside the stove defensively as he rolled his eyes and sighed.

"You can't even buy yourself something to sit on?"

"I'll have you know that that blanket is very comfortable."

"Oh, Saros…" he ran his hand through his hair, pushing his hood off at the same time. "You."

"What?"

"Nothing, nothing." He shook his head and raised his hands up defensively. He then looked silently around before shaking his head and looking back at her. "I am not being cooped up in your house all day."

In truth Mira had never taken a liking to the loud bustling crowds. The city itself was massive when it came to the size of buildings but she'd always felt as if she'd been crushed inside of the masses that ruled the streets. She'd always tried to find an emptier place but had failed, even after living within the Elvaan city for several months. It was why it came to her as a surprise when Drans had brought her up to one of the stone towers that overlooked the city.

"You can really see everything from up here," she remarked softly as she leaned forward, her arms resting against the stone balcony.

"Hm," he agreed, his ebony eyes watching the people rushing below them. "Do you like it here?"

She reached up and pushed some hair away from her face, taking some time to put her answer together before she shrugged and let out a heavy sigh. "I don't know. It's hard here, especially with the brutal taxes. We've been to a lot of places but this country is different. It's never quiet, as I've learned, except at night." She looked up at him, tilting her head and folding her hands together. "But even at night it's alive. Just as long as you know where to look."

"Mm." He reached out, setting a hand down on the side of her head so that he could brush her hair back. "I was here once, when I was younger."

"You were?"

"Yes. It was when Wild Bear was trying to convince me to become a Paladin, of all things." His hand slid down from her hair to rest on her shoulder, eyes moving from her face back out to the city. "He wanted to show me how they lived. In this city. He told me it would be a better life. But even though I was still so young I refused. I complained every night for the week that we were here after he would take me to various places." His black eyes flickered between the different faces melting into the crowd. "At the end of the trip I had woken up to find him missing. And if I hadn't ran out the door and somehow found him I believe he had every intention of leaving me. I suppose he felt that someone in this city would take pity on a young Hume child and take them in as their own… and I don't regret the decision of deciding to scream at him to take me back." He pulled his hand back to run a finger across his lower chapped lip. "Even when I was just a child I already had my heart set on what I wanted."

Mira smiled softly and set her chin on her knuckles, readjusting her weight onto her other leg. "Yeah, and you were such a cry baby when you were little. I think you surprised everyone when you just stopped crying and complaining altogether one day."

"Ah, yes. I remember that. Zath even went as far to see if I was sick."

"Hmm," she chuckled lightly, tail swaying. "But you still complain sometimes. And you don't like it here?"

"I hold nothing against the city, only what the city holds." He lifted his chin up so that he could look at a cloud that was briefly blocking the sun. "Humes may be notorious for being apathetic and manipulative but the Elvaan irritate me even more so. Always chiding others. In my eyes they're merely a group of pompous asses and hypocritical. Their own royal family can't even stop bickering amongst themselves. Not to mention that the people here grate on me."

"'The arrogance of the Elvaan, apathy of the Humes, rage of the Galka, timidness of the Tarutaru and the envy of the Mithra.'" Mirasaros quoted and Drans slowly nodded as his eyes lowered. "Not everyone is as bad as you think, though. I've made friends here."

"Don't get too attached."

"I won't. But, I'd like for you to meet them." He looked away from the cloud and at her, his brow furrowed. "One of them is having a dinner tomorrow night and he invited me. He said I could bring a guest."

"I decline."

"Drans!" She pushed off of the balcony and stepped up to him so that she could wrap her arms around his chest.

"What in hell's name are you doing, woman?"

"I'm begging you, Drans. Please come!" She ignored his vocal protest and pressed her cheek where his collar bone was. "I won't let go." She felt him sigh and he stopped, hands resting on her shoulders. "C'mooon, it's free food, isn't it? And you said you'd be here for a few days."

"That's not the issue."

"I know, but— I'm not releasing you until you say yes, stubborn ass!"

"Mira…." He tightened his fingers on her shoulders but the short Mithra wouldn't budge. After seconds ticked by he shook his head and sighed through his nose. "Fine, fine. I'll come to your friend's stupid dinner." He made a soft strangling sound when she squeezed him out of excitement and sucked in air gratefully when she released him. "You," he rubbed his side before pinching the fabric on her shoulder. "Aren't wearing this, are you?"

"No, I have a dress."

"Is it that Windurstian dress?"

"Yes, why?"

"Saros, you can't wear that to a dinner." He informed her with narrowed eyes and ignored her lip pout. "Buy yourself another dress. Don't you complain about spending money, Mithra."

"I can't pick out dresses," she complained back, crossing her arms over her stomach. "I'm fashionably retarded and you know it. If you want me to get a new dress so badly then you pick it. And I'm not rich!"

He grabbed her arm and pulled her back into the tunnels that led back out to the street. "You make it sound difficult, you intolerable woman. If you really have so much trouble then you ask the shop keeper to help you pick out a dress." She sighed and he let her arm go, going quickly down the steps.

"But I have to do missions today."

"No you don't."

"Yes I do."

"No, you don't," he snaked his hand back around her wrist as if to ensure that she wouldn't run off. "If you as much bat an eyelash towards that gatehouse I will freeze your stove."

"Hey!"

"You look so dashing," Mira commented as she turned around, walking backwards and grinning at Drans.

"Hmm."

"Don't sound so troubled," she reached out and rubbed her fingers against the collar of his shirt. It was a black vest with a red long-sleeved shirt underneath matched with baggy black pants. "It's so soft! And it's all black and red. I love those colors."

"Of course you do." He grabbed her hand to stop her from assaulting his shirt, gently pulling on her arm. "Now tell me what your friend's name is."

"His name is Kryv. The other friend of mine who's coming is named Glowatoke."

"Is that all?"

"Well, I'm not sure who else is coming," she admitted, using her free hand to tug playfully on the skirt of her own red dress. It had no sleeves but a high collar and a long skirt. It was tied in the back with strings to give it a simple but eye-catching design. "Maybe his girlfriend Maiev. She's lovely." She pulled her arm out of his grip and turned around, pointing at one of the houses to the left. "That's where he lives. Play nice, alright Drans?" She held up a finger out of warning before she walked up the steps to Kryv's door. It opened before she'd even had the opportunity to knock.

"Mira," Kryv looked down at her and smiled, tilting his head as he noticed the red dress she was wearing. "S'nice dress. Who's the creepy guy behind you?"

"My name is Draslokr."

"He's my friend. You don't mind him, do you?"

"Nah, I said y'could bring a guest." He craned his neck back to presumably look at someone else in the room or to check on something. "Oi, Maiev! Mira and her friend Frazcroker is here."

"Draslokr," Mira corrected, hiding her mouth behind her hand to repress a chuckle.

"Draslokr, right."

"Hey Mira!"

"Atoke!"

"Well," Maiev appeared beside Glowatoke and held out a basket for Kryv to take. "Let's get going then. Hello Mira and- Draslokr?"

"That's his name," Mira chirped as she folded her hands behind her back. "So what're you planning, Kryv?"

"Picnic type deal," Kryv told her before he pushed the door open with his foot. Even he was dressed up, although it was simply some samurai type clothing that was more colorful than usual. Glowatoke was sporting his usual golden tunic with various colors and designs embroiled on it. It was what he usually wore but it simply looked nice enough to be worn anywhere. Maiev was also sporting a dress, a dark blue with a long skirt and sleeves that had lace and was tied at the waist by a ribbon. "Follow me, whippersnappers."

"Hey Mira," Glowatoke stepped up next to her, leaning over so that he could look down at her before he looked over at her guest. "I've seen you before, haven't I?"

Drans gave him a silent shrug and looked over at Mira. "Oh," she held her hands behind her back and grinned. "He was that person that came by my house the first time you were there, remember?"

"Aah, that's right." The Elvaan nodded slowly, eyes drifting upward to see where they were going. "Do you live in San d'Oria?"

"No," Drans answered with a slight shake of his head before waving his hand in a flippant matter. "I travel around." Glowatoke nodded and blinked a few times before clearing his throat and looking down at Mira.

"Is that so? What nation do y'belong to?"

"Wait, Atoke!" Mira pulled gently on the Elvaan's long arm and his attention was switched. "Before I forget- what was that song you were playing yesterday?"

"Ah, that..." he tilted his head back and blinked up at the clear sky before looking back down at her with a smile. "I think you're thinking of the anthem of San d'Oria."

"The what?"

Glowatoke chuckled softly as her as if to remind himself that she was still quite uneducated about the city despite how much time she'd been living in it. "It's a song composed by one of the founders of this city who was said to be a magnificent musician. The entire piece with all of the proper instruments has bag pipes, drums, and various other things. I was just playing a simplified version for the flute that my grandfather taught me before he passed."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I'll have to take you to see San d'Oria's yearly parade when it comes around. They sell fireworks and little candies while performers go down the street in..."

Mira talked with Glowatoke while the group followed Kryv through the winding streets; mostly on the parade and the things that were usually included in it. After ten minutes or so of walking into some parts of the city that Mira wasn't that familiar with before Kryv walked up to a door. He pulled out a key and unlocked it, pushing the door open with his foot after he'd wiggled his key free from the lock's mouth.

"Whoa!" Mira exclaimed as she stepped inside, looking around to see the garden that they had just stepped into. "What is this place?"

"Garden," Kryv swept an arm out as if to give the garden its own formal introduction. "This space was just an ugly spot so I bought it out and put up a fake wall with a door on it to just make it look like a house."

"You did this?"

"Maiev helped too." He nodded and squeezed the Elvaan woman's shoulder and she smiled proudly. "Took a lotta work but with Kupo's help it stays nice and… pretty? S'good place to chill."

"The tulips really are blooming nicely," Maiev commented as she brushed her fingers across some of the petals of one of the violet flowers she was apparently so fond of. "Well come on now, where would you all like to sit?"

"Drans!" Mira grabbed his arm and pulled him over to some tiny white flowers. "Look, it's yarrow!"

"Why are women so enamored with flowers?"

She cupped the groups of flowers, turning her head around to look at him. "You don't remember?"

He lifted an eyebrow and set a hand on his hip, and then his brow furrowed. "No." She huffed at him before she bent her legs to lean over and take a small sniff. Flowers really were heavenly; it was always a welcomed sight no matter where she went. She smiled to herself before straitening her back and following Drans over to where the others had decided to set up the picnic spot.

It wasn't just a normal picnic that the Samurai had planned. He had strange foods, made mostly of rice and various other things that had a definite far east feel too it. Maiev added in her own feminine touches to the meal with San d'Oria specialty foods, along with fresh fruits that had been grown in Ronfaure. Drans didn't contribute much to the conversation but instead sat quietly and ate the food that he was presented with until he was full. The afternoon passed by and by the time the sun was setting all of the food was gone and the group was resting in the shadows of the surrounding houses.

Finally, deciding that it was best to leave before it got too late, they packed up and left the peaceful garden. They took a different route from before and were eventually led over to where the Cathedral proudly stood. Or at least it should have. Instead its windows were dark and empty, like hollow eyes staring out at the rest of the life that was passing by. Even its tall walls seemed to reflect some of the troubles going on inside, as if the walls weren't as pearl-white as they had once been before.

"Have all of you heard about the humbug going around regarding this place?" Kryv asked as he slowly strolled across the bridge that led to the doors of the church. Maiev and Glowatoke followed closely by, coming to a stop when Kryv paused two yards away from the tall doors. He turned around and looked at Mira and Drans who were standing at the opposite end of the bridge and watching the others. "Y'guys coming?"

"I'll stay out here," Mira smiled and shook her head while Drans scowled before he walked over and sat down on the rail of the bridge.

"Come on you two," Maiev implored as she turned around and waved at them to follow her.

"We don't follow Altana." Drans stated dryly and he set his elbows on his knees and leaned on them. "So we're not going in."

"S'good, we don't have to go inside." Kryv grabbed onto Maiev's arm and cut her off before she could even respond. "Might be for the better, they've been having weird things happening for the past few months."

"They actually had someone collapse during one of the sermons," Glowatoke nodded slowly, his eyes moving between Drans and Mira before he looked back up at the church. "It's hard to believe that all of this is happening here. I used to come here everyday with my mom when I was just a kid."

"So the church isn't as 'holy' as it's said to be." Drans closed his eyes and Mira slid down to sit beside him, fingers wrapping around his wrist. "Maybe the water isn't clean."

Maiev yanked her arm out of Kryv's grip, advancing over to where Drans was sitting. "Just because you don't follow Altana does not mean that you have the right-"

"I withdraw my comments," he opened a single ink-black eye and turned it on her. "If it really irks you so." Maiev's lips drew into a thin line and her eyes followed in suit. "There's no sense in me insulting one of the hosts of picnic. So I apologize if I offended you." His other eye opened and he rested his chin on his knuckles. "But I was referring to the water underneath the bridge." He used his free hand to point at the bridge underneath his feet. "It looks polluted."

"I think the problem is more severe than that," Glowatoke stated as he set his hand on the side of the doors to the Cathedral. "They've had strange symbols appearing and for some reason all of the candles won't light. Crystals won't either. Or so I've heard from th' gossip." He sighed and his hand slid off of the smooth surface, dropping limply to his side. "Last thing that San d'Oria needs. People are already suffering badly enough under the high taxes."

"Well, if we're not gonna go inside, let's split." Kryv started walking away and the others followed, a quietness falling about them. Eventually they broke apart to go to their own ways to their separate homes, bidding each other good-bye. Mirasaros and Drans were walking alone together through the now shadowed roads, the stars appearing to light the streets for them in the skies that hung far above.

They didn't speak until they were in the closed walls of Mira's home and Kupanla had teleported away. The curtains were drawn to keep anyone who was still wandering the streets outside couldn't look in. If anyone could see them their backs would be to the window while they sat together on a fur blanket facing the fire, still wearing the clothes they'd worn to the picnic.

"It looks like things won't be boring for you here."

"Hmm, did I ever say it was?"

"I think you did."

Mira stretched her arms up above her head and fell back, stretching her legs out and folding his hands on her stomach. "So what did you think of the picnic?"

"It was fine."

"Draaans."

"Alright. The food was good and the people were fine but I highly doubt anyone took a liking to me."

Mirasaros' tail swung upward from the floor and then laid itself across her belly. "That's because you make them dislike you on purpose, darling Hume."

"I have no reason to make them like me." He answered with an almost bored tone as he stretched his feet out towards the fire. "I don't like people and they don't like me. It's a perfectly good relationship, adorable Mithra."

"Well I like you."

"I know you do," he looked down at her with a soft snort and a raised eyebrow.

"Good." Mira sat back up, crossing her legs and leaning on her knees. "I'd still drag you with me again if I had the choice, I'll have you know."

She could feel him rolling his eyes at her and she leaned over until her elbows were on the floor. She yawned and then laid back down, sprawling out on her blanket and laying down on her stomach. The fire crackled to fill up the space where their conversation was supposed to go. Mira's eyes were closed but her tail's slow up and down motions said that she wasn't asleep yet. Drans remained where he was, although he'd opted for looking at the goldfish on the opposite side of the room. Surely that small fishbowl was cramped.

"I don't know what I should do anymore."

"I almost thought you'd fallen asleep," Drans looked over at Mira, who was on her side and had her back facing towards him. "Why do you say that?"

"Because it's true." Her golden eyes opened and she turned her head to look over her shoulder, eyelids low. "I don't know what I should do anymore. Here." She tapped a single black nail against the wooden floor of her Mog House.

"What do you want me to do about it?"

"Ah, listen, I guess." She'd moved back onto her back, folding her hands over her stomach and looking up at the ceiling. "I don't know. I can't decide or know what my next move should be. It's been months since I moved here and I don't even know what I'm looking for."

"No one else does either." He answered as he reached for a log and tossed it carefully into the flames.

"I know. But that's not it." Her eyes lowered and she heard Dran's finally unbuttoning his vest. "Well, kind of. But am I just supposed to stay here? Do missions and wander around aimlessly?"

"I don't know."

She sighed and returned to laying on her side, curling up and turning her head to where half of it was covered by the blanket. Drans stood up and put his vest away, leaning over his things before he stood up and walked over to the window. It was long into the night before he moved away from the cool glass and back to the fire where Mira was laying motionlessly, save for the gentle rise and fall of her chest.

The morning had arrived, although the sky was still dark from twilight as it waited for the rise of the sun. Mira had woken up to the silence she was used to, slowly sitting up and stretching before looking down and cursing quietly at herself for not changing out of her dress the night before. She stood up and looked to her side, assuming that the space would be devoid of company as it usually was. Instead she was greeted by a mass on the floor and an innocent, sleeping face.

'He certainly looks less threatening when he's asleep.' The cat mused to herself just as Drans rolled from his side and onto his back. She shook her head before pulling her dress over her head and changing into her baggy pants and a shirt. Once she finished dressing she moved across the floor with silent feet that could possibly make the Ninja of the far east and of Norg jealous. She leaned over the fishbowl that she kept on a small round table, pressing her fingers affectionately against the glass before she picked up the small container from one of the boxes propped up near her stove and sprinkled some food in. At least this fish would always be here to keep her company. Until it died.

Another hour had passed before she heard Drans stir. Seconds passed before he yawned, loudly, before propping himself up onto his elbows and blinking at the darkness of the room. Dawn's light filtered in through the small cut in the curtains and his eyes took moments to readjust before focusing on her and staring wordlessly.

"Morning Drans," Mira greeted with a genuine smile before pointing towards her stove. "I made you some eggs. There's toast too."

"I forgot…" he murmured as his brow furrowed and he adjusted his weight to one arm so that he could press one hand against his tangled hair.

"So I'd guessed." She replied after swallowing a mouthful of toast and licked crumbs away from the corner of her mouth. "I kind of forgot that you were here too."

He muttered something unintelligible to himself before he pushed his blanket off of himself and stood up. He walked over to the stove and picked up the plate that had eggs and crisped bread sitting on it before wandering over to the window. Once he'd gotten his eggs onto the toast he looked out the window, head turning this way and that way as if searching for something before he stuck the last of his breakfast into his mouth and put the plate back onto the stove. "Thanks for breakfast."

"You're going?"

"Gotta head back to Bastok." He told her quickly as he bent down and rolled up his blanket.

"Yeah, well, y'got crumbs all over that manly and hairless chest of yours."

"…That sounds like an insult."

"Maybe." She stood up and set her plate where he'd set his before walking over and pulling his blanket away. "Gimme that. Just put a shirt on. San d'Oria isn't known for its warm climate."

"Noticed." He released his blanket before wiping his chest off and then pulling a shirt on. He put away anything else he had out and attached the blanket Mira had rolled up for him onto his backpack. "Okay, I'm off."

"Hold on, hold on!" She stood up with him and grabbed his arm before he could take off, brow furrowing stubbornly. "I can walk you to the gate. You're taking a chocobo, right?"

"Yes, yes." He frowned as he picked up his black tunic, dusted it off and pulled it over his head. He ran his hand through his hair as Mira picked up his backpack and swung it over her shoulders.

The pair walked through the residential area together in peace, crisp air working its way across the chilled pavement. People were waking up and there were a few who were out and about just as the Mithra and the Hume were. As they neared Southern San d'Oria Drans came to a stop, sucking in a deep breath of air and looking over to where the sun was still hiding behind some buildings.

"Mm?" Mira sounded after Drans had stood there without saying anything for a good couple of minutes.

"I think you should take a visit to… ah, what is called? Ghelsba. That Orc outpost in the northwestern corner of the western parts of Ronfaure."

"There?" One of Mirasaros' brows arched and her tail quickened in movement for just a second. "What for? That place is full of Orcs."

"Call it my intuition." He looked away from the sky and continued on his way to the chocobo stables.

"Call it your intuition."

"Just listen to me. If you go good things might happen."

"Ghelsba is kind of, you know, dangerous."

"Didn't you run into Davoi not too long ago?" He countered with a questioning glance.

"Yeah, but I was being- you know, sneaky-like. And paid."

"Mirasaros, have I ever steered you wrong before?"

"You mean like that time with the bees? Or what about-"

"Forget about the bees," Drans snapped with a sideways glare. "Are you going to take my advice or not?"

"Just giving you a hard time," she giggled as they passed underneath the tunnel that led to the stables. "If you really say so Drans."

"Good." He sighed and reached for his wallet so that he could have his money ready.

The smell of hay and chocobos greeted them as the tunnel ended and opened up into a larger area with a tall wooden shack set off across from them. "Give Zath my love." Mira told the Hume teasingly, resulting in a snort and what sounded like sarcastic laughter.

"I'll extend all of your hugs and kisses," he lied with an unhidden roll of the eyes before grabbing his backpack from Mira.

"Come back soon."

"No promises," he swung the backpack over his shoulders, putting his wallet away while he held onto the gil he'd pulled out of it. "Be careful Saros."

"Yeah. You too." Mira sighed and folded her arms across her chest as she watched him disappear behind the doors to the chocobo stalls. When they shut she turned around, looking at a girl who was talking into a linkshell pearl before her eyes drifted to some chocobo who were standing behind a wooden fence. As she passed by she wondered why the fence was even there in the first place. The chocobo could easily jump or trample right over it.

She returned home, at first planning on cleaning out her fireplace until the thought of going to the Ghelsba Outpost became more and more prominent inside of her skull. By, 'take a visit' Drans had probably meant, 'leave right now.' "That annoying, vague little bastard." She groused as she looked down at the armor and weaponry she had set in one corner of her pseudo house.

As soon as she'd switched out of her cloth clothing and into her armor and loaded herself up with her dagger, knuckles, great axe and her other traveling supplies Mira was out the door. She only took what she felt was needed and a little more but not enough to weigh her down. By this time the sun was now visible in the sky even with clouds passing by underneath. Crowds were forming and as usually Mira had to push her way through and avoid being run over in order to reach the gate house.

She headed strait underneath the arches and approached the steps, looking over and smiling at one of the knights who was standing at either side of the gate. "Morning Bi'sou-ou."

"You look like you're going somewhere."

"Ghelsba."

"Wait- what? What the hell are you talking about?"

"'Call it intuition,'" she quoted with a small salute at her temple with two of her fingers.

"Don't go there," the bulky Galka didn't step in front of her to block her path but he turned his body to face her as she walked by him. "Do you know what could happen if you do?"

"Yeah. If I don't come back before nightfall I guess you can you have my stuff. But share with Kryv and Atoke, please. And orphans too, I guess."

"I am not joking!"

At this point Mira had already made it someway through the arches and could see the light of Ronfaure. She twisted her torso so she could look at him and lifted an arm up to wave. "Bye Bi'sou-ou!"

And with that, she left.

Cryptic….