The bar got packed quickly and was for the most part full of regulars. As for the newest patrons, Seifer and his friends were idle and kept away for the most part, staying in the corner though Tifa received some questions about them from the curious but otherwise well-meaning patrons. And in answer to those questions, Seifer would appear brazenly to answer for her or interjected when he thought there was a problem when there really wasn't. But for the most part, he did as he was told and stayed both away and quiet. There was still no sign of the one they were searching for.

Squall.

Tifa walked across the cluttered wooden floor with her arm propped up beside her, extended at the elbow and raised up beside her head. Her hand spread out and a tray sat on her palm. The several glasses atop the tray stayed in place as did the contents of them: an amber drink with a lot of foam. She slowed her pace jostling the drinks further and came to a complete stop before a table.

It was a packed one. There were many who sat around it and some more who even stood. They were a captivated crowd; each one had fallen under the charm of the storyteller; the little old man who regaled and entertained them all with tales of his homeworld and the misadventures he had there. Even Tifa herself had fallen under his spell more than once, and paused a moment now to hear more, as she often would.

"Ah there I was." Darby O' Gill grinned as he sat comfortably in his chair, his arms folded on the table before him. The crowd entranced by his lively words and growing larger by the minute. Given the setting and the crowd, for Darby it was hardly like he left home at all "Face to face with the King of all the Leprechauns." he pursed his lips giddily, his voice thick and lively "And at sunrise no less." he extended a finger pointedly helping to enhance his story "When his powers leave him." he cackled like a hen and the others joined in as well.

"What next Darby?" Ned Land asked leaning over Consielle's chair who nodded with him.

"Yeah, what happened after?" Hookhand asked leaning in opposite them.

"There must be more. More must come." Sir Giles said twirling his moustache. Old and battle tested as he was, he'd prefer the stories of poetry, rhymes and battles of wit, so these were very much to his delight.

"Oh, I'll tell ye." Darby admitted happily as he rocked forward holding his side from his laugh, though as he came forward, he caught a glimpse of someone and shot back up to see Tifa around the group "Oh!" he removed his hat respectfully "Beggin' yer pardon." he said "It seems the refreshments have arrived." he nodded to her as all eyes went to her now.

"And not a moment too soon." she said as she lowered the tray and once she had each of the drinks were swiped from the tray and placed before it's new owner.

"Ah if only we had these a moment before." Darby said "We could've had a wishing song of our own." he said spryly in his sing song like voice "Jus' like how I tricked the King himself." he chuckled again.

She then looked to Darby "So what happened next?"

His laughter died oud suddenly "What happened next?" he repeated as if he couldn't believe it himself "Why I was jus' about to say that!" he admitted cheerfully "Now that I had him at me mercy," he said to Tifa before turning his head around the table to view all who listened "we made an agreement he and I. He-"

Before old Darby could continue on with his stories two bare hands suddenly slammed onto the table rattling the glasses Tifa just passed out; some of them nearly fell over. The table shook and some of the drinks spilled out of them.

"Hey! What's going on here?!" a voice shouted out to accompany the slammed fists. Everyone at the table flinched and backed up, their eyes wide in alarm and even fear. Even Tifa herself was taken aback though she already knew who it was.

At the end of the table across from Darby, Seifer had made enough room for himself. His arms bore down onto the table and by the look on his face he wasn't amused by what he heard.

"Well?!" he snarled tensing up further glaring at Darby. Standing over the old man, Tifa watched on in pure shocked silence. He was acting up again, thinking she was stalled here and needed help dealing with an unruly bunch though that was far from the case.

With her silent it was Darby who answered through a foxy laugh "Ohoho" he let out "Jus' retelling the accounts of King Brian." he told "Yer more than welcome to join in an' listen young man."

"As if." Seifer rebuked him "Little old to listen to fairy tales."

"Ah but this'n be true." Darby shook a finger gleefully, trying to woo him as he had the others, but Seifer seemed even less impressed.

"Doubtful." Seifer snapped, and Darby now clearly took offense, his face dropping and his cheeks puffing out in a pout. But with him taken care of Seifer now turned his gaze to everyone else "Why don't you call clear out." he said not even retorting to Darby at all "You're taking up too much space. And the lady" he finally picked himself up and waved an arm to Tifa "is trying to run a business."

She continued to be silent in her shock, and it showed on her face. Of course, everyone else seemed not to blame her and instead remained looking at Seifer.

It was Hookhand who responded letting out a gruff snort as he got up from his seat. His hook had been pried into the table when Seifer came and surprised them, he gripped at what was beneath his arms which in the case of his left hand meant stabbing it into the table. But now he pried it open and lumbered over to him.

Tifa got over the uncomfortable spot Seifer put her in. She broke out of it and stepped forward in front of him. Protectively she reached out an arm out to place it before him, her hand going to his far shoulder. She then moved her arm back and him with it as she placed herself between him and Hookhand. Seifer was placed fully behind her as Hookhand came before her.

"Where ya going boy?" he called peering past Tifa. Seifer budged trying to go forward to meet him, but Tifa kept him in place. She knew Hookhand wanting to play the piano more than rough people up, but that didn't mean he wouldn't do it here and he wasn't capable of both if given the chance.

"Why don't you go back to your seat." Tifa suggested "Hear the rest of the story. He's coming to the best part." he said urging him to take it.

Hookhands eyes peered to Tifa but then around her to see Seifer. He let out a grumble and another snuff before he rotated back and went back to his seat. She thought she heard something about 'I was too invested' before he took his seat. All the others did the same and Tifa let out a sigh of relief.

"Now where was I?" Darby pondered now that he had their attention again.

With that resolved Tifa stood back up straight and turned around, to give Seifer a talking to about how to deal with customers. Only when she turned around, he wasn't there.

She turned around scanning the rooms to find him and when she finally did her eyes bugged open to see Seifer not behind her, but instead a few feet away hunkered down on a table his fist bearing on top of it as he grilled the occupants of it.

"Let's keep it down over here huh!" he grilled each and every occupant of the table. The glee and fun from the Virginia Company's faces dissolved into confusion as their singing was cut off. Though now they were ready to reply. Ben got up from his seat as Lon stepped up with him.

Tifa's eyes widened, and she quickly dashed over to him.

Ben and Lon were bearing down on him rolling their sleeves up as Thomas got to his feet himself. Seifer, however, didn't budge, no matter how much bigger they were or how many they were, he remained defiant to them; for in his eyes, they were the defiant ones. Tifa lunged forward and put herself between the standoff.

She grabbed ahold of Seifer putting both of her hands on each of his shoulders and her head side by side with his.

"Hey guys!" she said quickly trying not to give them a chance to question who or what was going on "So sorry to bother you. Sit down enjoy yourselves." she took a hand off of Seifer to wave them back to their seats as she took a defensive step back "Sit down, sit." she insisted and waved though their anger gave way to confusion again. They looked to each other and then shrugged. With the urging of their own leader, John Smith they eventually returned to their seats.

With enough distance between them now Tifa put her hand back on Seifer and walked him away.

"What are you doing?" she asked both concern and vexation in her voice. He wasn't even a real patron, and he was already more of a handful than some of the worst she dealt with.

"They were singing too loudly." he told as she led him before her past other tables and towards the counter.

"It's no harm. They're good singers." she said quickly to him as she led him behind the bar and closing the swinging door behind her. She then let him go as she looked down and rubbed her hands "And what about before that?"

"Oh, there were too many in one spot." he complained "How are you supposed to move around and serve all these people?"

"It's no trouble. Besides I like his stories."

"Tsh. Don't tell me you believe that stuff?" he asked in disbelief.

"I've heard it before. Get's better each time." she said releasing him from her grip and settling him behind the counter. She then looked over her shoulder to the two tables having returned to normal after the interruption.

"We're stalwart men and bold Of the Virginia Company!" they sang and raised their glasses together, save one; Lon, who merely tugged at his vest, but sang along none the less. Tifa smiled seeing them enjoy themselves and did so again when she saw Darby's table embroiled in his continued story.

"Isn't there a story you like?" she asked returning to Seifer "One you always like hearing?" she asked as they reached the counter. Seifer suddenly stopped and looking back over his shoulder at her. A deep stare could be seen even from just the corner of his eye. He moved his head away from her at first before finally turning around to face her.

"Yeah.." he admitted "there was one." he said coming face to face with her, taking in a deep breath and puffing his chest out as he did though he remained smaller than her "It was about a sorceress and her knight."

Tifa perked up when he said that. Suddenly her compliment from earlier comparing her to a knight, made her realize he took the compliment so well. But if he was the knight who was the sorceress?

"And what did they do together?" she asked intrigued, always willing to get to know more about the newest people at Radiant Garden.

"She defended her home. And the knight in turn defended her."

"That sounds romantic." Tifa said "and whenever she's in trouble, he'd come and save her." she said assuming and guessing the rest.

Seifer seemed to blush a bit before rolling his shoulders "Yeah, I guess."

"Because you know," she said not even realizing she sounded like Rai when she did "when you say it like that. It sounds almost like my dream." she said as she leaned back against the counter.

"Your dream?" he perked up now, in interest piqued to match hers. She nodded.

"I always wanted a hero to come and save me, if I was ever in a bind." she said, emotion coming into her voice that sounded melancholy and nostalgic at the same time. Seeing and feeling a sense of vulnerability Seifer stepped up.

"Well maybe this is it." he said sliding up beside her. Flicking her hair Tifa looked over to him with a small thankful smile. Little did he know that Tifa already found that person.

"You forget I'm the one protecting you here." she chuckled and when he turned his head away in a huff, she laughed a little more. The two then said nothing as they took in the bar and all its patrons. Each one from different worlds with different backgrounds but enjoying each other's company and stories.

"Gotta give you credit." Seifer said getting her attention. She saw him leaning over the counter to look at the crowded bar "You run a tight shift, just here by yourself."

"Thank you." she smiled at his compliment. She thought she saw him blush even though he was the one who gave it. Tifa turned around to view the bar some more and moved just as quickly as before to pluck Fuu and Rai from some more trouble.

"You better not split on the bill ya' know!" he said before she snatched him up. She returned to the bar finding someone was trying to order a drink from Seifer. With Fuu and Rai in each of her hands, she brought them back to reunite the trio.

"Hey, you got a strong grip lady!" Rai whined as he rolled his shoulder and held it from where she grabbed him. From there she kept the three of them away from the customers and away in a corner to forgo any more incidents, but she did tell them one thing.

"Just keep an eye out for your Squall, okay?"

Seifer nodded to her and true to his word there was no issue with the rest of the patrons. If they found this guy though...

Tifa meanwhile did just as she had before, kept herself busy by wiping the counter or checking the bottles beneath it, but she kept an eye on all things at the same time. As she leaned down behind the counter her head was still above it and she looked up warily at the group of men in the dark corner. A ragged work worn bunch, who were spread across three tables for there were nearly ten of them. She had seen them here before. They kept to themselves mostly, but today would be different. Her eyes ran across the table and each of the men, until she found one who she and therefore Seifer was looking for. Her eyes stopped when she saw the man sitting behind the center table, blending in with the darkness.

"Seifer." she then called out. The boy's attention was easily grabbed when he turned instantly, and she motioned for him to come forward. She followed her command, and she remained in place as if she was doing something else besides talking to him. "Do any of them look familiar?" she asked keeping her eyes and face forward.

Seifer turned just as she did to see the rag tag group in the corner. He eyed each one but each face no matter how hard or long he looked at it was new "No." he shook his head "But they look like troublemakers anyway." his face hardened "And I know how to deal with troublemakers." he took a step forward, thinking himself the bouncer.

"I've always seen him with them." she told as she shifted her hands "He's in the back now. Can you see him?"

He perched up on his toes to peek over them but could see nothing "Not from here."

"Let's go in then." she said standing herself up. She moved over the counter as she had done before. And he moved with her, but she put a protective arm out "Let me do the talking alright?" Smirking, he nodded, but she could see apprehension in his eyes.

The men at the table were oblivious of the eyes on them. For they were occupied with playing and watching their own events unfolding. At the table centered between the other two, three men were placed around its rounded frame.

"I wager ten guinea." Job Anderson said with a leer, looking to the man on his left and then his right. The one on his right then looked from him to the man across.

"I'll match ten guinea." Tom Morgan said as he leaned forward. All eyes were now on the third man who merely rolled his heads and shoulders till they fell back to view the other two.

"Agreed." George Merry said simply with a wry grin. Then all at once each head dropped down, low to their cups. Not the ones they drank out of, but the ones that were turned over and the lifted them up briefly to peer inside at the dice within them. All around them the rest of their crewmates watch in amusement.

"Four fours!" Job stated starting the game.

"Five fives." the third man to agree; George Merry had stated.

"Liar!" Job shouted almost instantly and pointed to his cup. He then hunkered down as George lifted up his cup and the Job looked over to Tom's dice count as well. No sooner had he had Tom pointed and laughed at him and all others in their crowd joined in.

Tifa stepped forward with her hands on her hips, her presence displaying authority. She may not have been as confrontational as Seifer, but she knew how to handle herself.

"And what's going on here?" she said with a voice to match. All laughter and manners within the group stopped as they all turned their heads up to her. They stared blankly as she bore down on them. Eventually, it fell to the one in the red cap to speak once he removed his pipe from his mouth.

"Just a cheerful game of dice." Israel Hands said obediently and bowed his head.

"And what's the prize?" she inquired. Shifty eyes and shadowy silence followed. She knew of this group better than most in the Commitee since she dealt with them more frequently. They were sailors no doubt, but rumors swirled of them being more than that. Pirates. And pirates were always looking for treasure. By all accounts it seemed like the company this Squall would find himself in.

"Just what'll come to us when we come into our inheritance." he told raising his head.

"Aye, inheritance." one other voice agreed, and the others spoke up in a rabble of the two words. Tifa either didn't seem convinced or didn't care.

"Not trying to get out of paying I hope?" she said a bit mischievously. She didn't want to act any different to them or give away any suspicion she had about why she came over.

Israel bowed his head "Of course not, mum." he brought it back up briefly "And here's the proof of it." he said remaining bowed and reaching onto the table to touch the tip of a hat and pushed it forward, revealing some weight to it and once it reached the edge of the table she saw why, for it was filled with coins. She eyed over the black hat and the dull currency before looking to them, each with a polite, but expecting look to them. Though she still sensed something foul about them.

"Well," she began taking a deep breath "you can pay when you're all done." she paused, and they bowed, chattered or banged agreeably "But there's another thing I need from you now." she said, and they all went strangely silent, their complacency turned to curiosity, even alarm "I believe one of you may know my friend here." she said as her head turned down to her side and they looked down themselves to see a young boy walk up all in white, one arm on his opposite's shoulder as he rolled that arm. As if winding up for a fight. The men at the table however seemed more confused by him than familiar.

"Who's this?" George Merry spoke "New cabin boy?" his jest turned to chuckles.

"I'm no boy." Seifer barked back at them and once he did the chuckles stopped from becoming laughter "I'm looking for one of you." he pointed out to them "The one with the scar on his face." For the first time in the group, a register of the familiar came to them. Then they all slowly arched or turned in their seats to look at the one man without a table, but instead sat in a chair leaning against the wall, his hands tucked into his dark pockets. Once all eyes were on him, he raised himself up from his chair.

Unfolding himself from his seat he stood up straight and paused in his movements before he turned his body and maneuvered around and between the tables before he stood before Tifa and Siefer. His shipmates watched him move around them and stopped when he did. His hands remained tucked into his coat at all times. His eyes were fixed on them in curiosity and his white eyes stood out from the rest of his black clothes and dark figure.

But so did what was between those eyes. A terrible scar running across his face.

Tifa's eyes widened when she saw him. This was him! Standing before her and under her nose this entire time. Aghast she turned down to Seifer, seeing him square up and against him. But the look on his features weren't as hard or fiery as they were before. Stiff and solid yes, but not with that youthful liveliness.

"Tsh. What a waste of time." he waved his hand and turned his back to them, disappointment evident in his voice and removal from the conversation. Tifa was shocked by this and watched Seifer go without another word, and Black Dog did so as well, a kind of leer on his face as it titled as the boy left them. His head lifted up as he watched Siefer retreat further from him before he called out and they then went to Tifa.

"Suppose he was looking for something else?" he both said and asked as she looked back to him. As for all the others in his company, their eyes settled onto him when he said that "He should keep lookin'. He'll find who he wants eventually, I'm sure." he said with a half smirk. The other men shifted in their places when he said that, as if they too were looking for an old acquaintance. But whatever they were doing and whoever they were looking for didn't concern them, so Tifa said nothing and walked off to find Seifer.

Outside in the marketplace there was another meeting going on. Two groups of two who stood opposite each other.

On one end there was the fox and the cat who were dressed similarly and plainly as well. Wearing almost rags with patches on them and holes in their hats. They seemed very much a pair, though perhaps not ones you would take for dangerous or conniving. Though that's what made them all the more dangerous. The two were starring off against two others.

One of them was a bulbous man with a mutton chop beard going across his plump cheeks to connect under his nose. He wore a grey bowler hat and a small coat of purple and pink though it seemed far too small on him. His partner in crime was dressed just as strangely for his hat was yellow and poked up higher on his head. And his coat seemed far too big and long on him as he always seemed to drag behind.

The fox and the plump man did all the talking as the cat and the other man merely compared mallets or made silent exaggerated motions to the other.

"So we're in agreement then!" Honest John said leaning both hands onto his cane.

"Ohh, yes, yes, yes!" Gonzorgo said rubbing his hands together greedily his voice rising with each word "Most assuredly so!" Beside both of them, Gideon and Roderigo nodded their heads happily. Though with nothing going on between their ears, if you listened closely, you could hear the rattling of them.

"But first comes the hard part." Honest John mused aloud as he rubbed his chin "To find some stupid little boy." he stated as if he were a problem, but then wiped away such concern "Oh they can be so easily tricked."

"Oh, so easily coerced." Gonzorgo added as Roderigo tapped his hammer into his hand but did so on that last one too hard and hit his fingers which caused him to flap his hand wildly in pain.

"But we must be quick!" Honest John said "The coachmen leaves soon." he said in a low eerie voice.

"Then let us go without delay!" Gonzorgo declared. The groups of two lined up beside each other to create a line of four and then stepped forward rhythmically and then back before strutting forward.

"Hi-diddle-dee-dee!" Honest John sang along with him as he and Gideon twirled their canes.

"And we won't be happy till we get it!" Gonzorgo held his note as he pranced beside them along with the bumbling Roderigo. Their singing faded down the street and they left at just the right time for right as they rounded the corner together, Leon had come into view only a step behind to miss them.

The day at the bar carried on much as it had for the first half of the day. Though less with anticipation and more with a lingering resentment. Seifer was poutier than usual. Disappointed that nothing had come up, it felt like another dead end. But he stayed there for the rest of the day until Tifa locked up.

Then at her request they came back to the headquarters where she said they'd be able to solve the mystery of finding this Squall Leonheart. Night was fast approaching by the time they returned.

Tifa sat in the Restoration Committee Headquarters, at the table halfway in the kitchen and the living room. She filled out a few pieces of paper before her, hunched over as she wrote. Across the table Siefer sat. His posture was dismissive and indifferent, but he kept peeking over his crossed arms to see what she was writing.

She had apologized for leading him on at the bar, but he didn't blame her. So, to make it up to him, she said she'd fill out a wanted flyer for this Squall.

"Paper won't do anything. Only action!" he insisted.

"Paper is how you keep track of everything." she said "And how you get things started." she said leaning down close to him. And with that he followed her and got to see where she lived "Alright." she said with a smile as she put her pen down "That's it." she said feeling they were one step closer to finishing this. Seifer and his friends did not seem as sure of it as her though.

"That's it?" he questioned.

"Yep." she answered "We'll put these up tomorrow."

"I gotta wait a whole day?!" he whined.

"Only a night." she insisted trying to ease him. He silently protested as he leaned back in his seat, brining two legs off of the floor.

"Whatever." he grumbled.

"Aaand" she held the word "Once we find him, I'll help you finish it."

"Oh, I can't have that." he said getting up in protest "Having you get in harm's way, not when it's mine to deal with."

"Well, then I'll be there rooting for you when you do." He grinned when he saw the smile and shine in her eyes "But" she dragged the word out again "that's for tomorrow. As for tonight you better find a place to sleep."

"Oh man!" Rai exclaimed "We were so busy lookin' for this guy we didn't think what would happen if we had to spend the night y'know."

"Well," Seifer said coolly "I'm sure you wouldn't happen to know anywhere where we can stay." Tifa was more than happy to answer.

"You can go to McDuck hotels. He'll be able to accommodate you-whatever the price." she added at the end.

"I was hoping for something a little closer." Seifer said looking behind her and further into the house.

"Unfortunately," she strained and stressed the word before a pause "we're at maximum occupancy." she said. There was room for everyone there. Though she shared a room with someone else.

"If you make the rules, you can break em can't ya?"

"Not if we're meant to follow them too." she playfully scolded him. She then got up and led them to the door opening it for them and allowing the three to venture out into the night. They paused briefly to look back at her, and she waved them goodnight before closing the door, making sure they at least rounded the corner before doing so. Feeling good for doing so much for them she walked back into the house with a content little smile on her face.

But content as she was, the day was over, tomorrow was likely to be longer and she was ready for a good night's sleep.

She entered her room and closed the door behind her. She walked over and fluffed the pillow before walking over to a desk and looked at herself in the mirror. Hunched over in it she took her earrings out from one ear and then the other. She heard the door open, and someone enter behind her. Since this was her room, and one she shared with only one other person she already knew who it was. Regardless she looked away from herself to see Leon enter and close the door behind him. A silent swagger to him. One that was often hard to read, she knew he was busy today.

"Rough day?" she asked perking up at him still looking at him through the mirror.

There was a brief lull before he answered. And when he did, it was a short one.

"Yes." he confirmed dully.

"What happened?" she looked back to him. There was another pause as he removed his jacket and put it in the closet.

"I was trying to find a group of troublemakers, but I just missed them." he said tired and disappointed.

"Maybe I should've asked what didn't happen." she joked. Leon did not join in "Well, I did something good today." she told cheerfully looking back to the mirror.

"How's that?" he asked dryly "Break up a fight?" It was often what she did at the bar, so it was naturally his first assumption.

"No." she shook her head looking at herself in the mirror and his reflection as well "I helped a kid out today."

He stopped from undressing freezing in place and looked over at her strangely "...what?..."

She kicked off her shoes "He needed help." she shrugged "He was looking for someone. Some big bully and I thought I knew who it was."

"But you didn't."

"Well, if you heard who it was, you'd have a few guesses too."

"That so?"

"Hm mmhh."

"So, did you find him?"

"Well- No." she admitted.

"So, you didn't help him." he said turning away "Seems you were as productive as me."

"I thought I did. We just have to look harder that's all."

"We?" he almost froze again but was just slower now still able to process his actions.

"Well, I'm sure he'll be by tomorrow. He certainly seemed interested in me, aside from this guy he was looking for." she teased him. Leon looked at her strangely again as she spoke flatteringly.

"Great." he huffed warily.

"He was sweet." she continued on "A bit overly aggressive, but he was young, so it makes sense he'd be a little bratty. " Leon though he remained undressing himself-taking off the first of three belts- didn't seem as convinced.

"Hm." he let out through a closed mouth, letting her know he was still listening.

"I don't think you need to worry about him. He just wanted to be my faithful knight that's all." she waved a hand and rolled her head playfully, not seeing Leon glance at her curiously out of the corner of his eye before she came back around. Not for her continued teasing, but her very specific choice of words. Ones that caught his attention "But for a second I thought this guy he was looking for was you." she pointed to him" He sounds awful similar."

"I doubt that." he said, already not believing it. And already over her word choice.

"You'd be surprised. He's a big and tall. Quiet with a scar across his face." she stopped to turn back to look at him "Kinda thought it was you at first." she said seriously before she giggled to herself though he did not "If it wasn't for the name, I'm sure you would have gotten mistaken too. But naturally it's not."

"How fortunate." he said his voice sounding opposite.

"Well, trust me you're nothing like this guy." she said reassuring "I mean he gave this kid a scar." she turned away from him, so she did not see that he went completely still. He halted from slipping into the closet further, his arm hanging out into the air aimlessly. "What kind of guy does something like that?" she continued. He dropped his arm "And if he's hanging out here, he might be someone we have to worry about, more so than the guys who you were chasing after today." she said as Leon's face drifted further away from her. He starred off blankly into his closet, but he was truly deep in thought. Her word choice before came back to him, to blend in his mind of this newfound description.

"Who was he?" Leon asked eventually.

"Hm?" she perked up looking at him "This guy?"

"The kid."

"He was young. Blond hair, a scar between his eyes. Had two friends with him; one of them was quiet the other was loud.. and a bit clumsy." she paused as Leon continue to linger there waiting for an answer "His names Seifer Almasy." she finished, and he said nothing to it. Turning over to him she saw he was standing straight. And even though he was hard to read at times, something felt off now. She couldn't say what it was, just something. She stood up and looked to him "Is something wrong?" she asked concerned.

"Hm." he turned "No. Nothing." he said dryly but sounded as if he'd just been shaken awake and then turned away from her.