Summary: Hugo joins Varian's quest.

"Missed me?" Hugo grinned at the two hopeless idiots in front of him. Their expressions of disbelief priceless.

"You!" The youngest found his words first after the shock of recognition ebbed down.

"Let me join your group. You'll never make it without me," Hugo announced after he'd tossed the totem back to the teen with the goggles on top.

"What? No way!" The little firecracker beside him exclaimed. "What's in it for you?" Accusingly the child pointed his chubby finger at him.

"Strength in numbers I'll guess," Hugo smirked.

"As if!"

Suspicious little brat. But that was fine. Hugo shrugged, it wasn't the welp from the fire kingdom he needed to convince. No. He focused his attention on the freckled cutie across and forced a smile on his face. He just needed a chance. One small spark to latch on to and he'll crawl his own way out of the hole he dug himself earlier today. All he had to do was -

"Do as you please," Goggles said, his voice strangely neutral.

Yong's mouth dropped and so did Hugo's.

"Varian?! You can't be serious after what he just did - he stole the totem! Our totem."

Hugo rolled his eyes, ready to defend himself and work his magic.

"He gave it back though," Varian stated and Hugo blinked.

What was wrong with the guy! This was his line. Why was he doing all the work for him? Did he get a kick out of pulling the rug from under his feet and watching him land on his butt? Suddenly Hugo felt two blue orbs staring at him. They saw right into his very being. He knows, it shot through his head. Hugo took a step back. This would never work, there was no chance he could ever fool-

"Time will tell who you really are," Varian told them ominously.

Was this a threat? Anyhow he wouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth. "Great! Glad we came to an understanding." Hugo put on the charm, doing what he did best. Distraction and deception were his birthrights after all. "Hugo, by the way." In one swift swoop, he mockingly bowed down.

Visibly taken aback the teen replied, "I am Varian. This is Yong."

Hugo grinned at his startled reaction. At least something. "Nice to meet you again. The pleasure is all yours."

Varian groaned at the lame joke.

"So what's with the weird hair-stripe?" Unperturbed, Hugo went on to make himself comfortable among them as the small group continued on their merry way, one more person in tow.

The alchemist regretted all the life choices that lead him to this disaster. He knew a headache when he saw one. Wasn't this supposed to be a solo adventure?