Ianto and Owen rode from the guest house to the markets in the back of a rickety old tuk-tuk. The crowds got thicker and thicker and the traffic got busier.
In the market, there was no way to pretend that they were anything other than visitors, but there were many non-locals wandering around the most central parts of town, so they did not stand out.
"There must be some sort of festival on, Ianto," said Owen as he pointed at a table full of plastic tubs. "It brings all the middle-class hippies out to play. The ones with the cheese, please."
After an hour of hard bargaining, they found a gloomy café with cement walls. A canopy out in the side street led thru to several rows of unvarnished tables. A counter along the back wall was filled with cups of hot tea, the strong smell filling the cafe.
"Get two of everything," said Owen as he sat at a longer table near the window. "Especially biscuits."
Ianto nodded and returned a few seconds later with a cracked formica tray containing four cups of tea. Owen was contemplating what they had bought. Ianto stood with the tray complaining in a low voice to no-one in particular. "What would I do with a carpet?" he muttered. "Unroll it on the glacier and have a picnic?"
Most of the other tables were occupied by local men. The exchanges were so loud and intense, they were able to talk without being overheard.
"Just sit down. You proved your strength of will by refusing to buy furniture." Owen pointed at the small, lumpy pack. "Those canned fruits are perfect."
Ianto replied "The pictures on the outside look tasty enough. I just don't know what's going to be inside."
After several minutes they let the conversation lapse and just listened to the non-specific murmuring all around them. Ianto smiled and remarked aloud "All of life is here." His smile dropped as he spotted two people coming in the door.
"What's up?" asked Owen. He remained calm and did not turn.
"Two tourists just came in," whispered Ianto. "Definitely not locals."
"Just ignore them. We're lucky. You don't look terribly interesting," Owen taunted.
"Don't ask me to be casual and then insult me," he hissed. "I could have been a data analyst for M.I.6. That's Secret Intelligence you know. One step away from official spying."
Owen closed his eyes, suppressing a laugh, but his nostrils betrayed his amusement. "Thank goodness you ended up in Torchwood, Ianto. You would have been the world's worst spy."
"One's a big fella. Looks like he plays rugby or spends too long in the gym," Ianto explained looking over Owen's shoulder.
"Not your type, eh?" asked Owen. "And the other one?"
"Shut up, I'm spying." Ianto stared again. "He's going for the tea counter. Ha; no biscuits for you either, matey. The other one's a girl, woman, young lady."
"God, Ianto. Surely you know the difference by now," hissed Owen.
"She's wearing a big coat, and..." he paused. "Is coming over here." He let his words fade and stared unconvincingly as if they were mid-conversation.
"Hello. It's lovely here," said the voice behind Owen's shoulder. He tensed up, unsure how to explain their presence in the town.
From the corner of his eye he could see that the woman was very pretty. Although her hair was held modestly in a scarf there was a wisp of a curl around one edge.
"My name's Diana" she said, without hostility. "What are you two distinguished travelers doing here?"
"Uh. Just traveling. Around, you know? Looking at things," ventured Ianto.
Owen nodded too, half-turned. "Yes. Traveling. Festivals. You know," he added vaguely.
Diana smiled. "Oh, you're English. I love those accents. Do you know..?"
"I'm not bloody English," Ianto interrupted. "Friends together and all that, but Wales is Wales."
Owen rolled his eyes. "Calm down Ianto. Why don't you try to educate the world, instead of picking a fight with it?" He turned to Diana. "I'm sorry. He doesn't get out much. Am I right in thinking you are from somewhere in North America?"
"Yes," said Diana sitting on the bench beside Owen. "I'm from 'somewhere' for sure. But you two don't look like you're here for the films. Are you planning a little excursion? Maybe you're going up into the mountains?"
"Oh no," replied Ianto, shaking his head. "That sounds dangerous. And hard work. I've come for the films. Like you said."
"You're not on a pilgrimage; looking for spiritual enlightenment then?" she asked directly.
"I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about" mused Owen with a shrug of the shoulders. "Are you looking for something in particular? It sounds like you're looking for something. Just come out with it."
"No. Not at the moment. But I am always on the look-out for something new. Different is good in my business."
Ianto was no good at lying and kept his tea cup around his mouth as if savoring the smells. Diana turned to him and smiled. "I like your friend". Ianto nodded encouragingly without words, the cup still covering his lower face. She continued, "He doesn't show you anything he doesn't want you to know".
Ianto put the mug down with a genuine smile. "You're right there", he laughed, then looked guiltily over to Owen, as if he had let something slip.
"What does your friend do, Diana?" asked Owen, nodding toward the back of the cafe. "He seems like the strong silent type. Is he your minder?" Owen feigned surprise. "Surely not your accountant?"
Diana laughed. "That's a bit rude. I didn't make any assumptions about you guys. I hardly know Karl. But - yes." She nodded her head back to indicate her colleague. "He's a bit protective of me."
Ianto fixed his eyes on the attentive Karl. Some kind of military type. Karl was watching Diana and her conversation closely. Ianto's view of him was briefly interrupted by a person leaving.
But the person leaving had left something behind.
"The bag!" shouted Ianto. He jumped to his feet still pointing at the counter filled with cups. Karl was reaching inside his long coat, revealing his gun, but then he also noticed the discarded messenger bag already glowing from white light within.
"Down!" Ianto shouted as the counter erupted in a ball of flame, and splinters, bone and blood.