(Fun fact: 'Definition of Purity' gave Ravio the ginormous mug as a gag gift but he took it very seriously and now won't drink his morning coffee from anything else.)

"We'll deal will….. that" Ravio gave a dismissive gesture to the group as they made their way to the table "Later. We have important matters to discuss." He rang a small silver bell at his side and several men in white jackets came forward with gleaming silver covered trays and set them upon the table. They bowed and lifted the lids revealing a sumptuous breakfast array to the wide-eyed delight to all in attendance at the table save for the host who simply pulled a pair of glasses from his breast pocket and set them upon his nose and picked up a tablet from beside his plate while nursing a coffee in a comically oversized mug emblazoned with 'World's Okay-est Boss'. "Now then.. I've made contact with Lorule and it seems that we can make the jump early tomorrow evening. This is better news than expected, also, I've had the city scoured and there are no more traces of monsters. It seems that whatever you all did last night, you did it well enough that there's no more beasties lurking about for the time being. That makes our job somewhat easier."

"Is Dani ok?" Winona interjected earnestly with a mouthful of bagel.

Ravio gave a bright warm smile to the girl. "Yes actually, her leg was broken in several places, but she is alright. She will be brought up to the manor later tonight after she is discharged." Winona beamed and gave a small wiggle of delight in her seat. "Yes! Good News indeed! I've had Valda go ahead and…and..uh- I'm sorry do you need a Spoon?" Ravio stammered momentarily distracted by Four who seemed to be stirring his magma-hot coffee with his actual finger.

Four looked up, startled to actually be called out. "Oh! Uh… no, I'm good." He stuck his finger in his mouth and looked away from Ravio's incredulous gaze, sucking thoughtfully.

"…Right…" Said Ravio slowly. "Anyways.. Since it will take far less time to get everyone to Lorule than initially anticipated. I figured you boys could simply stay here at the house and enjoy a day of leisure here."

"Then…why the clothes?" asked Time, picking absently at the sleeve of his rust-colored cashmere sweater(paired with black slacks and loafers the man looked quite dapper).

"Oh! As a precaution. On the off chance that we need to go elsewhere for the portal to be stable, I didn't want you to stand out any more than you already will." Ravio gave the men a rueful smile. "That may not be something we can help though... Its just that the city is already on high alert for anything that seems off after the attack on the nightclub last night." To illustrate his point, he turned his tablet out to face the rest of the table, upon it was a paused video from a newscaster. He hit play and she began to speak:

'Sources at the scene say that the first explosion came from the bathroom at which time men dressed in dragon costumes came out and began to attack the Halloween revelers with flamethrowers and swords! A few brave souls seemed to take charge of the situation and help usher people out while trying to fight back the attackers. These heroes are as of yet not accounted for, though there is still much rubble to search through after the roof of the club collapsed a few hours ago. We are hoping for the best. One club patron described the scene as such:'

The screen cut to a nighttime scene with a flashing strobe of red and blue in the background. Some commotion was happening, but the camera was focused on a reporter in the foreground interviewing a pair of familiar faces:

"It was Crazy, Man!" The now disheveled and bloody man said. His green body paint was scraped away in several places showing bruises and long angry scrapes. He was caked in concrete dust and many of his glowing rings had either faded out or fallen of. His giant fists were gone leaving a pair of comparatively clean normal looking hands. He was leaning heavily to his side with an arm slung over the shoulder of the barmaid who looked much the same having lost her 'ears' and had a long bloody gash across her scalp that was leaking down one side of her face. She looked resolute and strong despite her injuries and held up her friend with a look of fondness as he spoke to the reporter "It was like the Battle of Helms Deep! These dudes were like fighting the monsters with swords and shields. Epic!" He coughed heavily before continuing. "I really hope they are ok, man…they saved us All." He turned to address the camera directly. "Hey Frodo, my guy.. if you're out there. I hope you're alive. You rock little dude!" He called out. The man looked like he wanted to say something more but was cutoff by the reporter who began to comment on the damage to the structure itself and the current count of casualties. Ravio paused the video.

Time stood and leaned over the device. "Has the portal dispelled? Is it still there?" He asked, addressing the small glass rectangle.

"Uh…it, its just a recording." Mumbled Ravio, "It doesn't work like that. Anyway.. I believe that the portal has probably faded out. They usually can't maintain more that a few hours at a time. It's a tremendous use of energy to even open one. I suspect that Valda may have collapsed the roof to by more time for it to do so, though I haven't heard from her yet."

"Valda did that?" Winona asked surprised.

Ravio stirred his coffee absently and set the spoon aside. "It's possible, rather likely in fact. She has her marching orders. Valda too is from Lorule, she hails from a tribe of Warrior women from the north. She has been under my employ for many years now and is loyal to the Empire." Winona paled visibly at this comment. Ravio quickly added: "Do not doubt her loyalty to you as well though... That woman adores you. She adopted you when she came here to San Francisco and is still the same person you've known your whole life…." He looked up at her with a guilty expression.

"I knew I was adopted…duh," She said flatly. "I was five? You were there, remember? With Valda? When she picked me up.. You said I had a 'lovely voice' and would be a star someday.."

"Y-You remember that?" He asked surprised and sighed. "This is a conversation that I had honestly never hoped to have... I would imagine that Valda feels the same."

"Sort of... Not much." She admitted. "I remember meeting Valda at least. I was little." Winona stared at him. "But… she? She's from Your world... I thought she was from Denmark? But... a-and Danielle?"

"Oh, a Marvelous talent for sure!" Ravio gushed for a moment. "I signed her on to my label while on vacation in Columbia! I Had to! She's an enchantress with that voice of hers.." He preened.

"So…this whole thing.. MY BAND.. We're what?"

"Just that!" Ravio looked at her with surprise and hurt behind his eyes. "An incredibly brilliant musical dynamo. I simply brought the talent Together; You girls are the stars. I just happen to have an eye for quality."

"So… what about Me? Like…what am I doing here? Am I just some dumb kid caught in the crosshairs of some interdimensional alien war because of Valda? Does this mean that I can go home?"

Ravio wrinkled his nose and looked down into his coffee. "Sadly no, dear girl.. There is more at play than what is currently on the table and it would not be safe to leave you here. You will also be coming with us when we depart."

"B-But! That…that.. why?" She stood, slamming a fist on the table. I am so confused! Why! I don't know what's happening! I have a Life you know? Friends... work? My cat! I can't just…" She trailed off seeming to run out of steam as he met her eyes. She slumped into her seat and picked a blueberry muffin off of the tray in front of her, not looking at anyone.

Ravio looked at Winona with an expression of sadness and guilt. "I'm sorry, Winny.. I really am. This was not supposed to happen. But I have a job to do. I Must protect my kingdom… Trust me, you're not the only one who has had to make sacrifices. I will do all that I can to take care of you as well, ok?"

Legend watched her for a moment from beside her. She wasn't eating the muffin so much as picking it apart, peeling first the delicate paper wrapper off and then digging the tiny fruits of one by one with her nails like scabs from a wound. He felt for her…he really did. He remembered the beginning of his first adventure too. Vividly, the ache of loss of the familiar... being forced headfirst into a hostile world that he didn't understand without a choice in the matter. He thought of losing his uncle. the pain… the blood. Hopefully, this girl would not have to suffer so. Especially with the Chain beside her. He decided then that he would make it a small personal mission to ensure that she came out of this ok. Or at least… with as few scars as possible. He shuddered at his own memories and returned his attention to the group