House of Tempest (part one)

1005 Gemini Temple

Nix normally would have noticed his Swordmaster being late, but he was too busy reveling in the newfound fact that Shadow Sphinx Soup was extremely ticklish. Nix tormented Soup by tickling the soft, black fur on her tummy. The sphinx would make squeaking noises until she had enough then she would [shift] away. Once shifted, Soup would only wait a minute or two before she shifted back and started it all over again.

The smell of stale booze and body odor caused Nix to finally look up at 1015. Chiba had decided to sport a very short buzz-cut. She wore her Inferno armor and had sword hilts peeking over each shoulder.

"Couldn't you have spared ten minutes to take a bath?" Nix stood up and placed Soup on his shoulder.

Chiba frowned at him. "I did bathe."

Nix stared at the old woman. "This week?"

"Um... What day is it?" Chiba clapped her hands together. "Time to go Apprentice!" She stepped onto the platform and paused for him. "Solomon City awaits!"