Centri: Sorry for the wait. Had to come up with a fire goddess name by myself.

BW: HEY! I helped!

Centri: Okay, I had to come up with one with BW's help. Anywho, here 'tis. Enjoy Rahne getting super pissed at a friend from another of Pierce's books. -ponders- I wonder if Paige'll ever get to say something...

BW: She'll find a way. She's Paige.

Centri: Good point.

Disclaimer: I own Rahne. BW owns Kate and the name Kaliria. All else is Tamora Pierce's. Happy? Good.

Unexpected Visitor

Rahne felt herself returning to life from the world of sleep and she slowly blinked her eyes opening. She peered out a small crack in her window shutters and groaned as she saw how light it was outside. Overslept. Great. She laid in bed for a moment longer before sitting up, then remembering she had the day off.

Minutes later she was up and dressed, about to go get some pastries from a place not too far away from her lodgings when she heard a voice.

"Nice little place you've got here. Could do with some shiny things here and there, though."

She spun around, immediately on guard. How'd someone get- She cut herself off as she saw the outrageously bright yellow, pink, lavender, and pale blue squares all over the man's jacket, matching slightly with the bangles and multiple other jewelry pieces he wore. What really clashed was his short, gray beard and hair and the copper studded sandals.

"I suppose your wondering who I am?"

"Rather, how ya got here, then who you are."

He smiled at her roughness, as if it were a joke. Apparently he had an odd sense of humor.

"How about both at once? I'm Kyprioth, trickster god of the Copper Isles. As for how I got here…. Well, I kind of appeared, if you get my drift."

Rahne's eyes were wide, and, if she hadn't stubbornly refused it to not do so, her jaw would've dropped open. She tried to say something for a few moments before finally being able to speak, which started with some colorful words, mainly due to her surprise, and then she actually responded.

"So some god-"

"Trickster god."

"Trickster god, whatever. Some god randomly decides to visit me? What's with that? I'm just a puppy! And a terrible one at that!"

"Now, now Rahne. Calm down. You're not 'just a puppy', as you so believe. You've got an incredible gift. If only Kaliria wasn't taking so much advantage of it."

"Who?"

"Can't say, or she'll kill me, dethrone me, whatever. Main point is, someone's using you through something that starts with a 'p', ends with an 'n', and has about four 's'es in it. Figure it out."

He winked at her and disappeared. Let's just say Rahne did not particularly like him at the moment. These included throwing items at the spot where he had been standing, demanding he come back and explain, along with yet another string of colorful words, much longer than the first.

It was evening and Rahne was just coming home from It was evening and Rahne was just coming home from combat practice at the kennel when she noticed something in front of her door, having almost stepped on it. She knelt down and picked it up. It was a note.

Hello there. I've just moved in across the hall. I was hoping that, even though I hear your busy, a puppy at that, that maybe we could be friends? I'm a mage, so I might be able to help you even. Anyway, see you around I guess. –Kate

Rahne raised an eyebrow and shrugged. Sure, why not, right? She unlocked and opened her door, closing it behind her and turned back around only to find a familiar face. Kyprioth's black eyes danced as he saw her annoyance. She almost pointed at the door, but realized that didn't matter. He didn't need to exit through the door. She glared at him, hands on hips.

"Out."

"Figured out my riddle yet?"

"I said get out!"

He dodged a random stone that happened to be in reach that she threw at him.

"Okay, okay, I'll leave!" He threw his hands up in mock defense. "After you answer my question."

"To tell you the truth, I don't give a damn, so no, I haven't. Now get out before I roast you!"

This seemed to alarm him a bit and he disappeared. Putting the note on the table, she sat on her bed rubbing her temples. So much for a relaxing day off.

Centri: Again, review.

Rahne: Or I'll roast you.

Centri: -scolds- You don't roast potential reviewers. Go roast Kypie.

Rahne: Fine. -leaves-