Damn it all. Sixclaw had been somewhat worried after One-Eye had shot down Deyna's accession to the theoretical hitbeast team, and now those worries had been so terribly vindicated. Although his suit was two sizes too small (at least), the otter was quite large, and cut an imposing figure, the dim yellow lights of the restaurant glinting off the metal plating on the scabbard that held the magnificent Sword of Martin. Putting her irritation and concern aside, Sixclaw decided to attempt a diplomatic approach. "Hello Deyna, I assume you've come to discuss business."

"Er, no. I've come to, ahh. Discuss alcohol." said the otter.

"Hm, well, join the club." said Sixclaw. She looked around, and saw a conspicuous lack of a certain pair of unsavory characters. "Where've Crabs and Red gone to?"

"I had to guess, odds are they went to go fuck in the broom closet." Said One-Eye, his grating, raspy voice cutting through the smoke-filled room. "Ahh, to be young and in love again..."

Sixclaw turned to her... collegue. "Red is older than you."

"I'm aware."

"We are literally on a... business outing. Yeah."

"I'm aware."

Sixclaw narrowed her eyes. "You're absolutely bloody hopeless."

"I'm aware."

A silent moment took over the booth, as Sixclaw looked at her reflection in the wine glass. Dark brown fur, green eyes, and lightly tufted ears definitely gave her a distinctive look. She was fairly thin, and certainly lived up to the name with her unique pawprint.

"Aaanywhore, let's get ta' 'adressin the el'phant in the room." said the wildcat, clasping his hands and leaning forward on the table. The noise awoke Sixclaw from her momantary trance, and she focused in on the conversation.

Deyna wordlessly pointed to the painting above him, which happened to depict a massive elephant crossing a stream.

"No, not that one, He's purely ornamental." said the wildcat. "Now, to business. Sixclaw?"

"As I see it, it's been confirmed from-" Sixclaw begun, removing a scroll from her bag. "This document, confirming the intents of the leadership under... Whoever is in charge in the Utopia to continue the assassination attempts until they eventually manage to hit paydirt."

"Exactly. Sending a team to find this cocksucker is nessecary." said One-Eye, leaning back, a lit cigarette dangling from his mouth. "Sixclaw, you lead."

"Come on, send me along." said Deyna. "This is something I've got to do, and I won't have a rabble of deranged vermin standing in my way!"

Sixclaw reached into her jacket and pulled out a thin, boxy pistol with a long barrel. She placed it on the table and stared Deyna directly in the eyes. "Restrain yourself."

One-Eye raised an eyebrow, and steepled his paws.

Deyna raised his own paws slightly, the universal display of "You win."

"Good. Now we are going to discuss this in a civilized manner, or we will discuss who'll pay your medical bills after I shoot you." said Sixclaw, relaxing slightly and lowering the gun.

"I've a proposal to put to you, woodlander." said One-Eye. "I'll give you what ya been gunnin' for, under one condition."

Now it was Deyna's turn to raise an eyebrow. "That being?"

"You get the other thing you've been gunning for as well; a duel with yours truly." One-Eye stood up, leaning on a carved wooden walking stick. He jammed an unsheathed claw into Deyna's chest, "Come on, Him-That-Dares. I'll see the color of your insides, even with a crutch."

Deyna stood up, and met the warlords gaze. "I accept." The two stayed in that position for a few seconds before Deyna noticed blood welling up and dripping from One-Eye's blank white eyeball. "You're bleeding."

The wildcat put a paw to his face, and growled when it came away red. "Damn it all to hellgates." He dabbed at the offending liquid, before turning back to Deyna. "Sand pit tomorrow. No excuses."

Suddenly a loud crash came from the back of the restaurant, followed by two disheveled-looking cats making a beeline for Sixclaw's table. Crabfang and Red arrived breathing heavily and looking terrified. "Good talk, yes? Excellent, we need to get the fuck out of here." said Red, grabbing Deyna and dragging him and Crabfang out, with a very irritated-looking manager chasing them with a butcher's knife.

Sixclaw looked at One-Eye. "Why did you do that? You know he's going to wipe the floor with you, seeing as you're in this condition."

One-Eye sat back down, and pressed up against Sixclaw. The warlord rested his head on her shoulder for but a moment, before straightening up and giving her a small smile. "Simple. It's a win-win for me. He beats me, he goes to the utopia, gets himself killed. I beat him, he fucks off back ta that shitty old abbey."

"Look, I-" Sixclaw sighed. "I don't want to see you hurt, but Deyna isn't some expendable mook. I don't want to see him hurt either."

"Don't worry, Six, we'll be fine. Besides, out here, you've got to crack a few eggs." One-Eye lit another cigarette, then sat back and contemplated the hilt of his scimitar. "Or kneecaps."