7 Tripping Over a Potential Housemate

Year: 2,734 s.a. Month: Harvestmoon. Day: 20th, Moonday. Time: late morning.

Location: somewhere in Cilphen

Sha'andris was despairing, in style of course. Her day had started really well. As usual Mah'ret had woken and gotten her out of bed. She had breakfast with the Sperado household and plus one. So far so good.

Everything went down the drain when Sperado senior had told her he would be busy and couldn't help her. A quick look to Striwuss had him saying he had work and Sperado junior, well the woman had bailed the moment her brother asked for a favor, so no luck there.

Ash'vley had assured her that with the mapping application that he had downloaded for her she wouldn't get lost. Now back to her current dilemma, Sha'andris woefully regrets not having taken the offer of having Alsaf drive her to her destination. She looked down at the map on her Card looked at the street name. The names were not the same. She looked down on the map again and back at the street name. Still not the same. She leaned on the wall and closed her eyes and counted to ten. 10 seconds later she once again looked at her map and at the street name and closed her eyes. Still not the same.

Her initial bravado that she would find her way and did not need a babysitter was down in the dumps. She looked at her Card and the street again. She had somehow managed to be in the totally opposed direction from where the real estate agency Ash'vley had recommended was. She had to admit it, she was totally and utterly lost. It was mind boggling even with a map! "Goddamn it, this is a curse, there is no way I should be able to get lost even with a map." she was cursing in her mind. She looked back at her map and gave up, she'd go with Ash'vley tomorrow and ask him if there could be a directional assistant added to her card.

- Since I am here and lost might as well look around. – Sha'andris decided.

It was a lovely day after all, no point crying after spilt milk and make the most of the situation. Looking at the shops she meandered through Cephiead. Sha'andris was impressed everything she'd seen so far had been managed and made by students but the quality was there. Compared to some goods back home the goods in Cephiead were of better quality and the price was cheaper too. She lingered in front a jewelry store when one of the necklace caught her attention. It was a simple teardrop style pearl necklace. Nothing to unusual but the color of the pearl. Curious she walked in to learn more about the pearl.

- How may I be of assistance? – a shop attendant immediately came to greet her.

- The blue pearl necklace on display what exactly is it? I have never seen a color like that before. – she asked.

- Ah, the Teardrop, it is not a pearl despite the shape. – the attendant went to the front of the store and removed the necklace from the display. – it is actually the crystallized tears of an S rank Tenebrae, the Shadow Phoenix. – while speaking he set the necklace on the counter to allow Sha'andris to examine it at her leisure.

- A tenebrae? What is that? – she asked distractedly asked looking over the necklace.

- They are creature from the dark world that have managed to cross over and live on our side. I believe that they are also referred to as grimm or darklings in other cultures. – He explained.

- Ah darklings, yeah I see. So how much would the necklace be? –

- 50white gold –

Sha'andris' eyes widened at the price. – why so expensive? – she eventually managed to ask, her voice rough on the edges.

- The Shadow Phoenix is a rare and dangerous tenebrae, it earned its S rank. It is also one of the more gentle tenebrae. So long as you don't attack it or its mate and young it will let you live. These tears are hard to collect as you need to be there the moment they occur and freeze them before they hit the ground. That and Phoenix only occur cry in specific circumstances. Thus making a single tear an expensive material to acquire. – the assistant explained.

- I see. Well thank you for the explanation. –

- Would you like to try it on? – he asked.

- No thanks, I was just curious about the unique shade of the not pearl. –

- Very well. Do you wish to see any other pieces? – the assistant asked, ever the consummate professional.

- No thank you. – sha'andris replied and left the store.

She watched him place the Teardrop back on display and continued her walk.

Year: 2,7334 s.a. Month: Harvestmoon. Day: 20th, Moonday. Time: midday

Location: Ny'mrod guild headquarter.

Stefr'an Ruslian, headmasster of the Ny'mrod guild was warily. eyeing the persons sat across him that were calmly enjoying a cup of tea. Frey'da Sablier a scion of main line of the Duchy of Sablier and her cousin Nah'talia Sablier scion of the cadet line. He waited for a while, seeing as the two were not going to start the conversation he did.

- So what may the Huntsman Guild do for you today? –

Nah'talia Sablier glanced at her cousin who delicately placed the cup she was holding back on the table.

- We just need some information on any breaches that have occurred in the past month and priority booking on any B rank and above breaches that will occur. Ideally an A rank in the next two weeks would be ideal – The main line Sablier scion asked.

Ruslian looked thoughtful for moment. – We can always send you the information regarding the gates that opened on the territory, that is easily doable. However might I remind you that if you wish to book a dimensional gap you need to wait for the Guild to declare that a breach has occurred and then do like any one else pay send a request for it. –

Sablier looked at him with a smile and turned to her cousin. – Talia I think I just heard something funny. He seems to think that I the Ten of Swords and member of a Duchy am like every one else. –

- That and he seems to think that it was a request cousin, not too bright is he. – the scion of the cadet line bantered back.

Ruslian bristled at the implications and the fact that the two continued to banter as if he wasn't present.

- These are the rules. Ladies… - he did not get to finish his sentence as Frey'da Sablier interrupted.

- Rules that do not apply to the members of the Flush or did you simply forget that the two of us hold seats in the Flush? –

He involuntarily gulped, the cousins did hold positions in the Flush. He looked at them, Frey'da had long dark green hair and light blue eyes. Nah'talia on the other hand had short dark green hair and light grey eyes. The cousins shared a lot of similarities and could be mistaken as sisters despite being cousins five times removed. That and the fact that the cutlery on the table was trembling at the suppressed force of Ten of Amethyst Swords and Queen of Emerald Coins. It was also at this moment that Ruslian had an epiphany, these tow could ruin his life both inside and outside the academy. For what wan't an unusual request as the average Huntsman and woman rarely ever stepped foot in dimensional gaps ranked B and above. That usually was the job of the Flush. He refocused on the other people in the room and their winning smiles.

- Well thank you for your time Guildmaster. – Frey'da Sablier said as she and her cousin stood and left, leaving the unspoken words that he would do as told.

Ruslian sat quietly and looked at the now empty seats and and cleared the table.

- Stefr'an are you okay? – a male voice called out from the door.

- I am fine Alli, just had an unexpected and unpleasant meeting. – Ruslian sighed and turned to face his long time friend Allison Ravensholme.

The copper haired male walked in and closed the door behind. He shot is friend a worried look.

- So what did the sand twins want? – he asked plopping down on the seat Ruslian had vacated.

- Nothing unusual, the demographs of last months breaches and book any future B and A ranked gates that show up in the next few weeks. – Ruslian aimed for a casual delivery but the look on Ravensholme's face said he'd missed by a mile.

- Don't they know the rules? No one can prebook breaches. –

Ruslian shrugged – do you want to go tell them that? – but his friend wasn't listening, he had a rather thoughtful look on his face. – talk to me, what do you see. –

- Nothing too concrete at the moment but… how and why do they think that a B or A ranked breach will appear within the next weeks? – Ravensholme pointed out.

That stopped Ruslian and had him be thoughtful too. C and D where the more common breaches and could potentially be predicted. B or A ranked ones appeared on a sporadic base and thus were prized and the rights to the breach always sold to the highest bidder. That the Sablier had somehow found a means to predict them did not bode well for the business of the Ny'mrod Guild.

- I'll send you a copy of the information they requested and some data on earlier breaches too. –

- Thanks Stef. This is year is going to be chaotic the election of Fairchild as president is bringing about winds of change that not many are ready for. May Alde'enor bless us and spare us from what looks to be the beginning of a civil war. – Ravensholme said.

Ruslian looked at him in shock. – surely you are exaggerating, things are not that bad. –

- My friend you should stop trying to play ostrich and look at what is currently going on, these are troubled times and ignorance will get you killed. – with that Ravensholme stood up and headed to the door. – don't forget to send me those reports. – he called out as the door closed behind him leaving Ruslian alone in his study.

- Surely not. Right? – he mumbled to himself

Year: 2,7334 s.a. Month: Harvestmoon. Day: 20th, Moonday. Time: midday.

Location: somewhere in Cilphen.

After having left the jewellery store Sha'andris wandered about aimlessly and she eventually found a park and, settled down on one of benches. Sha'andris summoned a cold drink from her Card a feature she loved to use ever since she'd been taught how to. Watching people mille about Sha'andris cast her mind back to everything that had and was still happening. She took out her files and broke the seal again and re-read them slowly and in more details. She also took notes and highlighted certain areas that raised more questions than answers. Eventually she stopped as she was not getting anywhere. Sighing she rubbed her eyes "Well, this was unexpected. Actually not really. Looks like everything I knew was a lie. Well at least a partial one." She looked to the sky and eventually stood up.

Sha'andris placed her files back in her storage. Looking at her Card an idea came up. She looked for the communication application and placed a call. The telecommunication on the other side rang once, twice and on the third ring someone picked up.

- Hello this is the Folnier residence. –

- Hey Rea, its Sha'andris.

- Andy! How are you? How is Cephiead.? Did you get accepted? Why did you wait so long contact me? – the female on the other side bombarded Sha'andris with questions.

- Rea slow down. I am fine and yes I got accepted. I've been on campus since. Staying at my mentors place as I figure things out and learn things on the academy. Anyways how are things back home? –

- What was the exam on. And how's life on the Campus! Tell me, please? Life here is a bore, my da is rather happy the both of you are gone. He's already looking to selling your orchard. – Rea confided.

- What! The skank! – sha'andris was outraged deliberately not answering her friends first question. There was no way she was telling her best friends about the death and destruction that had occurred during her entrance exam.

- Yeah, sorry about that. – Rea tried to apologize.

- Hey hey, not your fault girl! We are both aware that your father would sell his wife and kids if it got him money and fame, you cannot help who you are born too. But thanks for telling me. To answer your other questions Cephiead is great, very rich, very posh. But this school is cray cray Rea. I read the cardinal rules and you can literally get away with murder if you are ranked high enough on their scale. – Sha'andris explained

- Really? – Rea quietly asked worried for her friend.

- Yeah, but apart from that things are really good here. I will get a monthly pay and the higher my rank the higher my pay. So at one point you could always come to visit. I got my da admitted to the campus hospital and the care he is getting is way better than what he had before and its free. -

Sha'andris continued to talk bout the last three weeks. Starting from the meeting with two members of the Arkanus. Rea was both jealous and envious that she hadn't been there as well. Sha'andris continued with the flight to Cilphen Island and the memorable last day of the Druen'elle Fair. She hadn't participated and she really wished she had but she'd watched the game on the screens with the rest of the non participants. She avoided mentioning her change of status and that she got lost and was still lost.

- Hey Andy do you like it there? – she asked her voice quiet.

- I guess I could grow to like it there. It is not as if I will be welcome back at Lusien. – sha'andris said wistfully.

- Can anyone apply? –

- Yeah but the application period for this year is over, classes have already started, well not really term has already started . Why you looking to apply Astrea? – Sha'andris teased her long time friend. Astrea remained silent over the line for a long moment.

- Rea, is everything okay? – Sha'andris eventually asked. The silence getting to her.

- No not really. – Astrea admitted.

- Hey babe talk to me. You know you can ask me anything. If I can help I will happily do so. So talk too me. –

Astrea was silent as she contemplated her next words. It wasn't as if she had any other options and Sha'andris' call was a blessing.

- I like women and my da found out… lets just say that his reaction was. Well . As expected of a religious man. Please listen to the sarcasm when I say religious. So I have two choices if they can be considered that. Marry in the next few months or death. Accidental of course. It would affect his career. – Astrea hissed out with venom.

- WHAT!!! – Sha'andris' outraged shout turned heads in her direction.

She mumbled a quick apology to the crowd and focused back to her conversation.

- What? – Was asked in a quieter voice.

- Marry or death? Or me liking women? – Astrea said being coy about the situation.

- Yes! Don't care. And stop being coy. You know what I am asking. –

- Oh Andy don't change. – Astrea giggled. Getting serious once again she continued.

- But yeah. Karmione is not know not to be a very open country, you know that. So having a queer daughter isn't good for the image of the chief village. Luckily my ma doesn't agree with him but not enough to stand up to him. Nothing new here. – Sha'andris could almost hear the dismissive shrug Astrea made. – So you are my only choice, my white knight in shining armor. That or Marcus Delaine. –

- Marcus Delaine! That old man? He's had like three wives! All of them died strange deaths. And he has two sons and three daughters all of them your age or older! That Marcus Delaine? Please tell me you mean Marcus Delaine junior? Not that he is any better but he is closer to our age at least! – Sha'andris shouted and once gain attracted the attention of the people in the park. This time she didn't apologize too caught up in her conversation. Sha'andris noticed that at one point in the conversation she had gotten up and started pacing about in anger.

- Yes Marcus senior, death would be preferable but I since I have no intention of dying, I am asking you to hide me for a while… -

- Done! – Sha'andris exclaimed and immediately backtracked. – Humm. I need to do some research. I distinctly remember Ash'vley saying that. Cephiead is closed to all visitors unless they are immediate family. Give me a sec and lemme check. –

She put the call on hold and sent a message to her mentor. While she waited for the reply she took the call again.

- So I have sent for confirmation, I know that for Yule the doors of the academy will open again as there is another market. But I guess it will be too late by then? – she asked.

- Yes, the marriage is scheduled for next month. Just so I don't get strange ideas. Even me staying at your place is looked with a disapproving eye but since my father is a greedy man he doesn't say anything as I have access to the orchard. – Astrea explained.

- I am so glad I included you in the magicks array before I left. –

- Same here. The looks that old man was sending me… - Astrea didn't finish her sentence.

Sha'andris had no difficulty imagining wha her friend was going through. Marcus Delaine had made an offer for her hand when his second wife died, she'd been 15 and so glad her father refused by breaking the man's nose. She even suspected that he had something to do her father's illness the timing had been too perfect. She had to hand it to Delaine Senior, he had tried again and again the moment he learned that her dad was in a coma.

'Beep'

The incoming call startled her out of her thoughts.

- Rea I am putting you on hold again. I have an incoming call. – she hurriedly told her friend.

- Alright. Do you want me to call back? I have your number now. –

- No, no just give me 5 minutes okay? – Sha'andris insisted.

- Alright. –

- Hey Ash that was quick. – she greeted her mentor.

- What happened to meeting the estate agent? I got a call saying you never showed up. – Ash'vley went straight to the point.

- Something came up. – Sha'andris tried to vaguely explain the situation. She wasn't about to admit that she got lost in less than a month again.

- You got lost. Again? – Ash'vley wasn't getting fooled by his mentee.

- Urgh! – She groaned. – that is not the issue at hand. So how do I get someone to live with me? – she pressed.

- I am presuming that you aren't blood related to the person. – he stated.

- Yeah, they are a friend. –

- Marry them or enter in courting contract. That will allow them to come live at Cephiead. But careful if you enter a courting contract you'll need to justify the why. – Ash'vley warned.

- Justify? How? – she questioned.

- You'll figure it out, don't worry. – he said mockingly.

Sha'andris pressed her fingers to her temple. Ash'vley's non answers really got on her nerves. Especially since he always did it when it was something she really needed.

- So if I enter a courting contract for the protection of my suitor it would be accepted? – she rephrased her question, hoping for and answer.

- Maybe? – was the reply. Sha'andris took a calming breath and another. Throttling her mentor would not solve anything.

- Are same gender marriages accepted? – she continued, already had an idea on the answer.

- Yes. –

- Fan-fucking-tastic. A straight answer. Bye – and Sha'andris hung up on her mentor.

- Rea? –

- Yes? –

- I have good news. I have a way to get you to come live at Cephiead. – Sha'andris exclaimed.

- And the bad news. – her friend asked. Sha'andris winced she hated that her best friend was soo sharp at times.

- Well… wouldyouliketoenteracourtingcontractwithme? – Sha'andris rushed out.

- Repeat that again? I didn't catch that. – Astrea asked. So Sha'andris took a fortifying breath and asked again.

- Would you like to enter a courting contract with me? It is the only way to get you away from the old pervert. Well there is another way but I don't think you wanted to avoid one marriage simply to trade for another. Even if in my humble opinion I am the better catch. – Sha'andris babbled. – Rea? – she asked at the silence on the other end.

Astrea was silent, if she was being honest she would jump at the opportunity. But this could and would cause more trouble in the long run. So the question was run from one problem straight into the arms of another or not?

- I agree. – Astrea said.

- Yeah don't worry about it, it was a bad idea… wait what? – Sha'andris spluttered.

- I agree, lets get engaged. – she repeated.

- You sure? – Sha'andris asked slowly.

- Andy, like you said you will always be the better option. – Astrea said.

Sha'andris started to do her funny dance and shouted to all who could hear.

- I am getting engaged. I am getting engaged. —

The park go-ers smiled and wished her the very best and smiled at her antics.

- Alright, so I don't know how this works and getting answers out of my mentor is like pulling teeth. – Sha'andris refocused on her childhood friend.

- Ah! someone after my after my own heart. – Astrea was gleeful about it.

- Oy. – Sha'andris snarked an paled.

- What he knows how to do business. – astrea snarked right back

Sha'andris sighed and despaired. If before she had an inkling that the these two should not ever meet now she was just despairing at the chaos that the meeting between the two would cause. The universe was not ready for this meeting of horrors. She just hope that they liked her enough to give her a head up to get out of the blast zone.

- How dare you, of course I would inform you. – Astrea mock shocked out

- How dare I what? And you'll tell me what? – Sha'andris asked befuddled.

- Whatever you just thought of just now. I am not the devil. – she huffed. – And don't try t tell me other wise, I know you. – Astrea snarked cutting off what ever her friend was about to say. Sha'andris wisely did not comment on how spot on Astrea was.

- So I'll see to the paperwork that I need to fill in and it's getting late over here. Love you. Bye. – Sha'andris rushed out and hung up before her friend turned suitor could answer.

Putting her deck Card in bracelet form Sha'andris rubbed her face. "Shit, this year is going to be a mess" she thought. It was time to go home brooding wasn't going to get her anywhere. She looked at the map and set course to 45 Ethel Drive. Then she thought better and looked to the tower that overlooked the city. Best aim for that she knew that she had better chances of reaching Vesper Tower than reaching Ethel Drive.

Everything was going well until she tripped. She looked to what she tripped on.

- Oh my goddess! Why the fuck are you on the floor? – She shouted as she'd tripped over a person.

- You alive? –

She prodded and poked the body until she got a grunt for a reply and a tail slap. This is when she noticed said tail. For a moment she just stared a the tail and her fingers twitched. 'Would it be considered rude if just touched his tail?' Sha'andris idly thought as she shook the black haired person. With no reply she turned them over. She got a look at them. She noted that the person was male and had horns. Not able to resist she ran a finger on a horn, then another and then grabbed it and pulled gently. 'Huh it is really attached to his head.' She pulled a bit more sharply.

- Hey! – she called when she got a face slap from his tail.

The man didn't reply. She continued shake him until she heard a snore.

- You have got to be fucking kidding me. You are sleeping. Here! On the floor!? –

With each word she slapped him silly. The man still slept on.

- Goddess, how can he still sleep through all of this! –

Sha'andris slapped and shook him some more and just to be sure that he wouldn't wake up she grabbed his tail and yanked it and then dropped him like a sack of potatoes.

- … -

She looked at the man on the floor.

- Don't get paid enough for this shit. – And left or tried to as the man moaned out a few words.

- Urgh. Water. Food. – a rough voice croaked out.

She froze and stomped her way back.

- You! stop playing possum. – She raged at him. She grabbed his arm and proceeded to drag him back to the park and to the water station.

After a few minutes she stopped realizing she was lost and he was heavy. That and the looks she was getting from the passerby was not helping.

- This looks like I am dragging a corpse about. – She nudged him with her foot.

- Hey wake up, I am lost. And I don't even know where to bring you. –

No response so she gently kicked him.

- Hey I am talking to you. –

Still no response from him. Well Sha'andris wasn't the most patient woman. So she moved to kick him harder.

- What in Alde'nor name do you think you are doing? – A feminine voice called out, behind her.

Sha'andris was harshly yanked backwards by the collar away from the downed man. She turned to face her aggressor only to realize there were two people. A male was holding her and a female walked by to the downed man.

- Myele'es!!! – the unidentified female shouted.

She turned to Sha'andris and raged at her.

- What did you do? – she said accusingly.

- Me!? Nothing. – Sha'andris tried to say.

But the girl wasn't listening and got in her face.

- How dare you… -

- How dare I? You have a lot of nerve to say that to me who tried to help this good dam possum. – Sha'andris shouted right back. She yanked her arm out of the hold of the boy with dark grey hair and snake green eyes.

She deftly stepped out of the reach of the two of them and adjusted her collar. She took in the female assailant and noticed she was quite short and had very long hair held in a ponytail.

- I Don't know who you are but tell that possum not to sleep where he damn pleases. People could trip. Fucking common sense. – Sh'andris said her piece, turned and left them, ignoring their calls.

She walked around for a while to calm her anger and the fact that she could she sparks at the tip of her fingers and running through her hair. An hour later she had somehow calmed down her magicks and made her way back to Vesper Tower. She plopped down on a stair and took a breather.

- Urgh. This is depressing. Getting lost, Rea's bad news, tripping on the possum. My magicks has been acting up more and more, especially when I am very emotional. This hasn't been my afternoon. – she sighed.

Her Card vibrated, signaling that she had an incoming call on her coms. She mechanically accepted the call without looking at the caller ID.

- This is Sha'andris Folnier who am I speaking to? –

- Sha'andris, it's Ash. –

- Ash! How was your day? –

Ashv'ley was silent for awhile before he replied.

- You do realize it is quite late and that you did call earlier? –

She was silent for a while and tried to act cool about it.

- Yeah my day was alright. Called a friend and stuff. – she eventually answered ignoring his words.

- You're still lost I guess. – Ash'vley chuckled.

- That is not what I said. –

- Yes but in the time you've been here and you've proven your inability to find your way around on your own. So where are you? and don't pout. –

Sha'andris huffed but answered anyways.

- I am in front of Vesper Tower. –

- How did you find? – he asked incredulous. On her side Sha'andris just shrugged.

- I am both blessed and hated by the Creator. What can I say. – was her deadpan answer.

- Asfal. Will be there in 15 minutes. Place yourself at the north façade. –

- Thanks. –

- No problem. – Ash'vley answered. – oh and don't think I forgot about earlier today. – he added before ending the call.

- Fuuckkk. –

Yes, the next few weeks were going to be everything but calm.

Year: 2,7334 s.a. Month: Harvestmoon. Day: 20th, Moonday. Time: night.

Location: Dusk till Dawn

The bar was busy as usual was per this time of the night. Striwuss was tending the bar on the top floor. He looked over the room and its occupants. The usual customers were there enjoying their evening. Nothing unusual. What was unusual was the ebony haired ambered eyed woman who was sitting in one of the private booths. No the presence of the Parcener to the Windemer Duchy was unexpected yes but not enough to warrant a second look. No what was unusual was her guest someone Striwuss knew she wouldn't be caught dead hanging around her guest. Yet here was Parcener Windemer sitting and chatting with blonde hair, orange eyed playboy Scion Lu'ucien Veralis. Striwuss would pay a lot to hear what their conversation was about. From the looks of it, it looked liked a very serious and important conversation. The Windemer had set up privacy seals that also disallowed one to read lips. This made Striwuss very curious and impressed, not many people thought to set up anti li reading magicks. He turned back to ready a clients drink and when he looked back Windemer had gone and Veralis was now sat at the bar.

- I'll have the Dusk special. – the orange eyed boy ordered.

- Of course. – and Striwuss prepared the drink. – that will be 34GLei if you please. - he readied the Card reader and accepted Veralis' Card, he scanned it and once the payment was through he returned the Card.

- Here you are. –

- Thanks. –

Veralis took his Card back and downed his drink. Done he place the empty cup back down and stood to leave.

- I'll see you at dawn – he called out to Striwuss.

- Our doors are always open from Dusk till Dawn. – Striwuss called back.

After making sure that the other bartenders would hold the fort, Striwuss headed to the locked room and changed out of his bartending outfit. He headed in the showers and then put on a form fitting three piece suit. The suit was black and the dress shirt was on first look black but upon a closer look was actually a very dark red. Fashioning his hair into a low side pony tail he settled for dark brown loafers and went to the lift and pressed on the ground floor button for 30s and entered his Card in the slot that appeared underneath the button,

- Identification in progress. – a voice spoke on the speakers.

- Identification complete. Welcome back to Dusk till Dawn Master Striwuss. –

The doors opened and revealed a massive underground casino filled with people at various gaming tables. He walked past all of that and took a seat in front of the odd pair from before and slid a file across. Veralis took the file and after making sure there was no nasty surprised opened it. The gesture made Striwuss smile if only for a brief moment.

- Are you sure you are ready for this? – Veralis asked as he handed over the files to Windermer to read.

- We pride ourselves for the accuracy of our information, yes I am sure. – Striwuss good-humoredly answered.

- Then this is perfect. – Windemer stated as she placed the documents in her Cad and stood to leave.

Striwuss grabbed her hand to stop her from leaving. – my payment? –

- Will be as agreed, now if you'll excuse us. – she motioned to Veralis to follow her and this time Striwuss let them go.

He watched them go, when they were no longer in his line of sight his eyes slitted and glowed. He lifted his head and moved it as if he was watching something beyond the walls of the casino. After 15 minutes had passed he ordered a drink and his returned to normal. He took out his Card set up extensive privacy magicks and placed a call.

- Did she bite? –

- Hook, line and sinker. –

- Good. –