Chisato woke up early the next morning to the wailing of Cornflakes. "Chisato! Hey! CHISATO! WAKE UP!" he squealed at her, bouncing up and down on her stomach to wake her up.

"W-wha.... what's wrong?" she said groggily, trying to push him off her.

"I'm hungry Chisato! I smell food. Please get up so we can go eat. Please please please!" he wailed on.

She sat up rubbing her eyes, then looked down at Cornflakes miserably. She hated getting up and Cornflakes did this every morning. If she didn't get up before he did, and especially if he's hungry, he'd make her get up.

Cornflakes then began to push himself against her, trying, but failing, to push her out of the bed. "Come on, come on, get up! Get up before all the good stuff is gone," he squeaked impatiently.

Chisato moved out of bed slowly, putting her bare feet on the cold hardwood floor, making her shiver. Cornflakes was bouncing around happily behind her on the bed, edging her to hurry up. She gave out a loud yawn as she stretched, then moved over to a large water basin and splashed her face in an effort to wake herself up more. She jumped as the ice cold water hit her face, then washed herself up a bit before getting dressed. Chisato wondered if the others had gotten up yet as she then headed downstairs.

The Inn downstairs was kind of empty as it was still early in the morning. It was filled with the aroma of freshly cooked bread, meat, and other baked goods, giving the quaint Inn a homely feel. Chisato gazed around, then noticed Thoma sitting at a table near the corner of the room. Chisato walked over to join her, ignoring Cornflakes' squeals for attention over at the table piled with food. She sat down across the table from her.

Thoma had a large parchment in front of her, writing on it vigorously with a quill pen. She had a plate of food on one side of her and a small bottle of ink on the other.

"Good morning," Chisato interrupted her.

Thoma looked up briefly. "Good morning," she smiled, then looked back down to her paper work.

"What are you doing?" Chisato inquired, hoping not to sound nosey.

"Taking inventory," Thoma replied as she continued to scribble onto the parchment.

Chisato noticed written down on her parchment a few choice words, such as 'Iron Ore,' 'Red Potion,' and 'Crystal Blue,' all with zenny amounts next to them.

"Where's Aaogan," Chisato asked, wondering if he was even up yet, gazing back briefly around the room to see if maybe she missed him.

"Bounty office," she said. "Wanted to get there early.... Cash in our loot and all..."

Thoma dipped the quill into the small bottle of ink next to her, then made a few more small notes to the side of her parchment. She seemed really into her work.

Chisato didn't want to bother her too much so she decided she might as well grab something to eat, especially with Cornflakes now gnawing at her ankles to get her attention for some food.

Chisato helped herself to the complementary breakfast buffet, getting herself and Cornflakes some food, then joined Thoma back at the table. By then Thoma seemed to have finished up her work as she rolled up the parchment and put it aside.

"So, you plan on going back to the tower today?" Chisato asked as she laid a plate down full of fruit on the floor for Cornflakes. Chisato was half hoping they would go, but the other half was hoping for a break. Yesterday was a bit exhausting.

"Nah," said Thoma as she finally started picking at her untouched food, "I think I'm going to take it easy today and vend some stuff."

Chisato nodded as she placed her plate down on the table and sat down across from Thoma.

"How about you?" Thoma asked.

"Don't know," said Chisato. "Relaxing sounds like a good idea after the day I had yesterday."

Chisato then started to tell Thoma over breakfast about yesterday's events before getting to the Tower; how she had gotten up late and the strange Priestess that had warped her to Geffen. Thoma looked bewildered.

"Well, there's a possibility she teleported next to you," Thoma said, appearing to try and find logical explanations as she shifted around pieces of cut up fruit on her plate. "But then how would she know where you needed to go.... And your name... Very strange indeed..." she trailed off as she bit into a large chunk of melon.

"What's strange?" came Aaogan's voice from behind Chisato. Thoma told him what happened as he placed down a small bag of zenny next to each of them, their bounty from yesterday, and sat down to join them for breakfast.

"Yeah, sounds a lot like she teleported," he said as he cut into the steak on his plate. "
And she probably heard you asking the other Priests for a warp."

Chisato nodded, that had made sense. "But, what about knowing my name?"

Aaogan looked at her for a moment, looking to be thinking on that one as he chewed on a small piece of steak. "Maybe she's seen you before. She could have overheard you say it somewhere" he said finally before helping himself to another piece.

Thoma snickered through a swig from her goblet. "You almost make this Priestess sound like a stalker."

Chisato shifted uneasily in her chair and glanced up Thoma from her plate. That thought freaked her out even more. The last thing she needed was some freaky eerie person watching over her.

"I...still....don't know....what you are....talking.....about...." came a squeaky voice from the floor. Cornflakes was talking with his mouth full of food. "I do not...even remember....such a thing....Gali or whatever her name was."

"That's right!" Chisato exclaimed, picking Cornflakes up from the ground into their view and telling them how he had told her that he didn't even know how they got to Geffen.

"Maybe he was too busy nosing around in someone's cart," Thoma snorted, flashing Cornflakes a look that she didn't forget what he did a couple days ago.

"I was not," Cornflakes said defensively as he then started to wriggle around to get loose from Chisato's hold. Chisato let him go and he immediately bounced away from their view to indulge himself again in his food.

Chisato, Aaogan and Thoma chatted a bit longer as they ate when someone interrupted from behind.

"You're the three who helped me yesterday, aren't you," said a male voice.

Chisato turned around surprised to see it was the Knight from Geffen Tower, only he looked a whole lot better today than he did the day before. He cleaned himself up; his face now washed, along with his short brown hair that was combed neatly on his sides. His teal eyes gave a twinkle and Chisato could have sworn she caught a smile. At first she wasn't even sure it was the same guy. The dramatic change in appearance and attitude was shocking.

"Yeah, that's right," said Aaogan, standing up between the Knight, Chisato and Thoma incase he was going to start trouble. Chisato couldn't blame Aaogan for reacting this way after how the Knight behaved yesterday, though judging from his appearance today, they might be surprised.

"I just wanted to thank you guys and apologize for my rude behavior," he said softly, bowing slightly. " I was a bit out of line yesterday, and I hope you will forgive me for it."

They stared at him quietly for a few moments, dumbfounded. Chisato knew that Thoma and Aaogan thought and felt the same way. How could he go from being a rude jackass to being so polite overnight?

The Knight stared back, looking uneasy as if he was afraid they would chastise him. "Please, I really am sorry," he said again, a hint of despair in his voice. "I owe you three my life. If there is any way I can make it up to you, just let me know" he finished, bowing his head down and keeping his gaze to the floor.

Aaogan patted the Knight's shoulder, and the Knight returned his gaze back up at them. "It's ok. You seem to mean it," he grinned.

"Of course," the Knight said, looking and sounding apologetic. "I know I have a bad habit of losing my temper," he said lowly, his eyes not seeming to rest on any of them but moving around uncomfortably. "I guess, I was a bit embarrassed, at getting my ass whooped. But still, that gives me no excuse to talk to you three the way I did."

Chisato and Thoma exchanged glances, both thinking the same thing. They felt guilty at having suggested to leave him there after he protested so much. They then stood up and joined Aaogan on either side.

"Don't worry about it," said Thoma softly as she fiddled with the Kitty Band on her head.

"Just did what was right," said Chisato, rubbing the back of her head, causing her Halo to lean a bit lopsided.

The Knight smiled at them all, appearing relieved, probably glad they hadn't given him the same attitude he gave them yesterday.

"So, what's your name," asked Aaogan to the Knight.

"My name is Fanged Wolf," he replied "People usually refer to me as the Lone Wolf though. I kind of have a reputation for keeping to myself," he grinned slyly.

"Guess that's a good excuse for your lack of people skills," Chisato said under her breath, not really meaning to say it aloud in the first place.

Fanged looked at her quizzically. "Excuse me?"

"Oh, erm, nice to meet you Fanged," she smiled half-heartedly, extending her hand to him. "My name is Chisato."

"Nice to meet you too, I guess" he said with an unsure grin, taking her hand into his and shaking it lightly.

Thoma and Aaogan introduced themselves as well.

Fanged sat down with them for a bit of food before the four of them headed outside, with Cornflakes following close behind Chisato.

"Well, my friends, I'm afraid I must go," said Aaogan turning to them as they stepped out into the semi-crowded streets of Geffen. "I have someone waiting for my return."

Thoma grinned as if she expected this to come. "Ok Aaogan. Tell Laurel I said 'Hi,'" she said.

Aaogan smiled and hugged her, "Will do."

He then turned to Chisato, "It was a pleasure to meet you Chisato, and it was so nice working with you," he said taking her hand in his and patting it.

"The same," said Chisato, feeling kind of sad to see him go. "If you ever need help again Aaogan, you can count on me," she smiled.

Aaogan nodded. "You bet I will," he said, then let go of her hand and turned to Fanged. "I hope we meet again soon, Mr. Lone Wolf," he said, then gave Fanged a warrior's hand shake.

"I'm looking forward to it," said Fanged.

Aaogan nodded to them all, then walked off with a slight bounce in his step.

"He's going back to his fiancée," Thoma said before they even got a chance to ask.

"I see," said Chisato grinning as she watched him walking away as he looked eager to get to where he was going.

"So," said Thoma turning to Chisato after Aaogan was well out of sight, "did you want to come hang out with me for a while Chisato? Umm, that is, if you're not busy. Vending can get a bit boring at times. And, well, I thought it might be nice to have someone to talk to."

"Sure," Chisato smiled. "I don't really have anything planned. And, erm, be nice to have some company in case that crazy Priestess is still stalking me," she laughed.

Thoma smiled and laughed, "Ok then."

They looked back to Fanged who was watching them both.

"Umm, would you like to come too?" asked Thoma, sounding like she really didn't know what to say to him.

He smiled at them and said, "Alright, but just for a bit. I'll need to head back into the Tower to train some more. I can't slack off now, especially after nearly getting killed. Just goes to show I need more practice."

Chisato rolled her eyes at him, but this time keeping her snide comment to herself. They didn't need to have to go rescue his sorry ass again if he got whooped there once more, she thought.

----

Thoma set up shop southeast in the city on a street most people referred to as "Blacksmith's Row." It got his nickname from the fact that many Blacksmiths set up their shops for forging here, and the fact that the Blacksmith Academy was located on the same street. Many of the smiths could be seen in the company of a Priest or Priestess, as they always said they brought them good luck. Thoma had commented that one of these days she'd find herself one if she ever got around to learning to forge.

Chisato looked at her wide eyed in surprise. "You don't know how to forge Thoma?"

"Well, no," Thoma said, looking a bit embarrassed, turning her gaze away from Chisato and Fanged and pretending to be busy looking for something so they would not notice. "I'm a Battle Smith after all. I can't very well learn to forge if I'm busy killing monsters now can I?"

Chisato giggled, "I see. And you fight so well too. I was impressed when we were at the Tower," she said, thinking back to how well Thoma handled herself in battle. "You don't see too many Battle Smiths these days."

"I guess we are a bit of a rare breed," said Thoma, looking back to Chisato with a pleased look on her face. "Besides, if I had to sit around all day forging and vending I'd probably go crazy."

Chisato looked over to Fanged, who was sitting next to her, as he seemed to be awfully quiet, while Thoma had turned her attention over to a customer. She noticed he was staring at a few magicians who were sitting down near them. It was a female Sage and a male and female Mage talking amongst themselves. At first Chisato thought Fanged was ogling at the girls, for the females where dressed very scantily.

"Fanged, what-" she began to say.

"Shh," he said interrupting her. "Listen to this." He said motioning over to the magic folk, keeping his gaze on them.

Chisato listened in, straining to hear them over the surrounding noises of the city.

"That Wizard is a disgrace," said the female Sage with distain.

"Maybe we should go put him out of his misery," said the female Mage, laughing.

"Yeah, really. I don't know why he would want such ugly things as Munaks," said the male Mage. "I know I wouldn't, especially when I have two lively, and also beautiful, ladies right here," he said sitting between them and putting his arms around them both, looking like he just hit the jackpot.

"Eww, get off me Holy," shouted the blond haired Sage as she threw his arm off her.

"You know you love me Katrina," he said grinning seductively at her.

The blond haired Mage also removed his arm from around her, "You can be such a scrub, you know that," she shouted at him.

"Aww, you know you love me too Cassandra."

The girls both stood up and moved away from him, continuing to talk.

Chisato, Thoma and Fanged all seemed to be listening in now.

"I'd love to go down to Payon Caves and check it out for myself, but I heard he gets really defensive if you try and hurt the Munaks," said Cassandra.

"Isn't there a bounty on his head too?" said Katrina. "Heard he's been causing so much of a disturbance down there that the Payon guards have put out a five million zenny bounty on him."

"Aww, the man just loves his Munaks, is that such a sin?" said Holy, getting up and moving himself closer to the girls again. "He's just a ladies man for the undead. Though I like mine very much alive and frisky," he said eyeing both girls like fresh meat. He then proceeded to grab them both from behind. "I'm feeling really into sisters right about now."

Both girls turned around looking angry and annoyed at him constantly coming onto them. Katrina whispered something to Cassandra, then both turned to him with devious grins.

"FIREBOLT!" they scream simultaneously as they outstretched their arms in his direction. Flames shot down from the sky and hit Holy on both sides, just missing him but singeing his clothing. Holy stood their looking shocked for a moment.

Chisato knew if the girls wanted to hit him directly, he would have been a pile of ashes.

"See, I knew you two had the hots for me," he said winking, shaking off what just happened like it was no big deal. "Now come here and give your man some sugar," he said, moving toward the girls looking for kisses.

Both girls pushed him away and started to walk off in the opposite direction of him in a hurry. He followed in pursuit shouting, "Playing hard to get, I know. Just stop denying your feelings and admit you love me!"

Chisato laughed at it all, she couldn't help it. She heard Thoma and Fanged give a snicker too.

"Geeze, how lame can you be," said Fanged as he watched the hopeless Mage chase after the girls. He then looked back to Chisato and Thoma.

"Don't get any ideas now Fanged," said Chisato as he smiled deviously at them.

"Of course not," he said. "I have a little more respect for myself and others than that guy." Something in Fanged's tone made it sound like what he said wasn't entirely true.

"What was that they were talking about?" asked Thoma as she just finished with another customer.

"Some creepy Wizard in Payon Caves," said Fanged. "Sounded kind of interesting. Wonder why some Wiz would want to hang around with Munaks."

"Maybe he's a necrophiliac," Chisato laughed.

"The only thing I caught was them saying about a crazy Wizard with a big bounty on his head," said Thoma, who had been busy with customers coming and going.

"Yeah, it sounds like a good amount of cash for some crazed Wizard with a fetish," said Fanged.

The three of them looked back and forth at each other, seeming to get the same idea.

"Hey, you think..... Just maybe..." said Fanged warily.

"It would be a lot of zenny split three ways too," said Thoma, sounding really interested in the idea.

Chisato thought about it. Cashing in a nice big bounty for bringing in some psycho guy sounded almost too easy, and with Thoma and Fanged, they would probably be able to do it. She just hoped that Fanged's performance in Geffen Tower when they met him wouldn't be the same today. She snickered at the thought of the Knight being outdone by her.

"Sounds like a plan to me," said Chisato. 'So much for taking it easy today,' she thought to herself.

"Now that does sound interesting," came a soft female voice from close by them. Chisato peered around to see a Priestess sitting nearby, watching them. She had shoulder length dark blue hair with two braids tied in the front, and a pair of Angel Wings protruding from the top of her head. Her dark blue eyes scanned each of them, and she seemed to give off the same eerie feeling Chisato had gotten from Kali.

The three of them stared blankly at her for a moment, though Chisato avoided eye contact with her in remembrance of her encounter with Kali yesterday.

The Priestess stared at them quietly and smiled charismatically, then finally said, "Sorry, I didn't mean to eavesdrop on your conversation."

"It's ok," said Thoma, breaking the silence of the three.

"Yeah, not like we weren't guilty of the same thing ourselves," chuckled Fanged.

Chisato said nothing and sat quietly, wondering if Thoma and Fanged thought the Priestess seemed eerie too.

"So, planning to go investigate it yourselves are you?" asked the Priestess with an amused grin, referring back to the conversation that the magicians had.

"Sure, why not?" said Fanged, shrugging and rising to his feet.

"You wouldn't by any chance have a warp to Payon would you?" asked Thoma who was now standing next to Chisato and packing up her cart, preparing to go.

"Yes, I do," said the Priestess, rising to her feet. "But are you positive you want to go?"

"Well, yeah, I guess," said Fanged. "Why? Are you worried about us?" he grinned devilishly.

Chisato continued to sit there quiet and studied her. She couldn't help but think this was weird. There was something about her that was all too similar to Kali, but almost quite the opposite as well. But what was it? Was this all just coincidence?

"Maybe," the cleric smiled coyly.

"Why don't you come along then?" said Fanged. "A Priestess is always nice company," he said, keeping that same devious grin.

Chisato felt herself gasp, but it seemed to go unnoticed by them all. Not that she didn't agree with Fanged; a healer was always nice to have by one's side, but she seemed kind of creepy.

'But why do you think that?' came a voice from within, almost like someone other than herself was asking the question.

"I don't know," Chisato felt herself say out loud.

"What don't you know?" asked Thoma as she finished loading her stock into her cart and glancing over at her.

"Oh, umm," Chisato said, trying to come up with an answer quickly as not to look stupid. "Just commenting on the fact that we would probably be ok, with or without a healer along, that's all. I mean, us three against a psycho Wiz..... Umm... Never mind...." she said, realizing how weird it sounded.

Thoma chuckled at her.

Chisato tried to convince herself that yesterday's encounter just left her feeling awkward. 'Stop being stupid,' she thought to herself.

"So will you join us?" asked Thoma, turning to the Priestess.

"Sure," the cleric smiled.

"Awesome," said Fanged.

Chisato stood up now and looked around for Cornflakes. She caught him sneaking a peek into Thoma's cart, and yanked him away from it quickly before Thoma found him in there.

"Are you ready then?" asked the Priestess, as she reached into a small bag on her side. "Oh, and where are my manners," she simpered. "I haven't introduced myself. My name is Bleu."

"Fitting name," giggled Thoma, referring to her blue hair and eyes. "I would be Thoma."

"And very pretty," said Fanged, making it obvious now that he was being flirty. "It fits you well. My name is Fanged Wolf."

"And you, my dear?" asked Bleu, looking over to the ever quiet Chisato.

"Chisato Arkain," Chisato said, giving a small smile. Chisato felt somewhat relieved that Bleu had to ask her name and didn't know it already.

"Perfect," smiled Bleu as she pulled her hand from her bag, holding a small blue gem stone.

Bleu chanted on it softly, then threw it to the ground. A bright blue light erupted from the spot it had fallen, then created what looked like a white wind tunnel; a warp portal.

Fanged moved into it first, then Thoma. Chisato, however, hesitated. She stared at Bleu for a few fleeting moments. She wondered if she should ask her something, but then realized she didn't even know what the question was.

"Well, go on now Chisato," Bleu said, waving her onward, "don't want to get left behind now, right?"

"Right," said Chisato, giving her a nod and the moving forward into it with Cornflakes in hand.

She felt the sudden gust of air encircling her body. As it let up, she found she was now on the bridge leading into the city of Payon.