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[Redcoat]

Anikus awoke slowly. He hadn't been in a proper bed in far too long. He savoured the experience for a while before getting up. As he went about his morning routine--something else he hadn't been able to properly do in ages--he couldn't help but notice hasty footsteps approaching his room. He emerged in his trademark red coat to find out what was going on, and was greeted by Hawk, who appeared furious. She was wearing what appeared to be one of Telchi's shirts, and behind her was Telchi himself, dressed in nothing but his trousers and looking eminently uncomfortable.

"You lied to me!" said the mage, waving an accusing finger in front of Anikus's face. "You, a low-born wretch, dared to deceive a queen into thinking that those... those mere  warriors were royalty?"

Anikus looked at Telchi for a moment, and received only a shrug. Evidently, he was on his own this time. Like a fool, he figured he'd try reason.

"Surely you must understand, your Majesty," he began, feeling just as guilty as last time for issuing her a title, "It was of paramount importance that we extract ourselves from that jungle."

"Then you could have just bowed to me, instead of lying about your positions," said the mage petulantly. "Instead you chose deception!"

Anikus could tell that this wasn't about to get anywhere. Rather than blurting out one of the many strings of obscenities rapidly forming in his head, he decided on a new angle.

"I apologize for my transgressions, madam," he said, hoping she'd appreciate Abelia's code of address and that his own monarch would forgive his cheapening of the same. "But I must appeal to your good sense. Surely, if I had any malicious intent in deceiving you, I would have carried out less forgivable acts by now."

Hawk's eyes narrowed. "You lured me from my kingdom on false pretenses! You're probably conspiring to overthrow me!" Her tone grew deadly quiet. "Who hired you? The Queen Wasp? The leader of the Behemoth herd?" She lowered her voice to a whisper. "The Tree Lord?"

He took a moment to ensure nobody else was in earshot before continuing.

"Her Majesty the Queen Abelia the First in Right of Arkova!" Anikus said, his patience finally coming to an end. "The Crown, which has no interest in impinging upon your kingdom, has sent me on a mission of great importance."

Before Hawk could respond, Telchi put a hand on her shoulder. "I assure you, your Majesty, this man is entirely trustworthy," he said. A blatant lie, at best. "I have never known him to take underhanded action. It would be against his very nature." He forced a smile towards Anikus, although he looked as if he was ready to kill his erstwhile party leader.

Hawk paused for a moment, as if she was considering. At last she nodded, seemingly mollified. "Well, if you were on a secret mission, why didn't you just tell me?" she said reasonably. "We could have avoided all of this unpleasantness." She smiled brilliantly at him, and then quite abruptly glared at Telchi. "I should have you killed for talking out of turn," she said. "Be thankful I am in a good mood." She turned and walked back down the hallway.

Telchi watched her go warily, then turned back to Anikus. "You. Owe. Me," he growled through gritted teeth.

Anikus nodded in acknowledgement and thanks before following Hawk downstairs. Crazy party members or not, they had a mission to complete. The room was buzzing with excitement; the usual breakfast extravaganza was underway. Of course, he had other plans. He sat down next to Vaylos, Sakura and Takeshi.

"Excellent. Let's give them half an hour then, shall we?"

[Lyon]

Kaethe hopped off of Marketta's bed and dressed quickly, lacing up her shirt with a coordination that would have been impossible for her the previous night, She leaned against the doorpost, looking over at Marketta. "Well, are you ready for some breakfast?"

Marketta watched as Kaethe dressed, surprised she was capable of such dexterity at this hour. Stumbling to grab her clothes, she dressed herself, just now noticing she had to actually put something on in order to go downstairs. "Yes. Let's go." Marketta replied, walking up to Kaethe.

"I wonder what they have to eat around here," said Kaethe as they descended the stairs. "I mean, obviously they have good things to drink, but I doubt the rest of the food can live up to that."

"This is a tavern. The common fare isn't very picky." Marketta explained, walking over to an adequate table. "Of course, you could steal a few pieces and we could have ourselves something worthwhile at a restaraunt." Winking both suggestively and mockingly at Kaethe, she sat down.

"Now there's an idea!" said Kaethe, her eyes brightening. "Say, if we went down the street a ways I'm sure that we could find food fit for a king, or emperor, or whatever they have here."

Marketta suddenly recoiled, realizing that she was actually considering this. "No no no, I was just joking! Really, I'd prefer not to get in trouble here. Now what do you want to eat? I think I'll just have something simple." She really hoped it wasn't too late; if Kaethe did anything stupid, Anikus would have Kaethe's, and no doubt her, head.

"Fine," said Kaethe poutily. "If the food kills me, I'm blaming you." She took a look around at what people were eating at the other tables, finally deciding on a flatbread that seemed to be spread with different fruits. As she took a bite, she smiled. "This is actually quite good. Maybe I was wrong about tavern food after all."

Marketta had decided to get the same as Kaethe, this time forgoing alcohol as to ensure she wasn't drunk when Anikus decided it was high time to nearly kill the group again. "I agree. Simple, yet elegant. I wonder if the others are of the same opinion," she wondered, taking a bite out of her flatbread.

"They're probably just eager to get out of here," said Kaethe. "As am I, I suppose," she added reflectively. "Hopefully we depart soon."

Marketta almost choked on her food, perplexed by her companion's thoughts. "Are you kidding me? I enjoy the peace. It's one of the few times where I don't have to fear for my life." Surely the rest of the squad would be grateful for rest, wouldn't they? They had endured being on death's doorstep longer than she had. Maybe they had grown used to being so close to the edge?

Kaethe shrugged. "I'll admit, knowing that you're relatively safe is a good feeling, but I've always been one to crave... excitement." Her eyes sparkled wickedly as she added, "Although peace-time can have its... distractions."

Sighing, Marketta went back to her food. "Everyone here is mad." Admittedly, she hadn't quite understood what that last note meant, but she assumed it wasn't anything good.

Kaethe finished off her breakfast and stood up, stretching. "Well, I'm about ready to hit the road," she said cheerfully. "Another day, another brush with death... are you ready?"

Marketta shuddered, standing up as well. "As ready as I ever will be. Before you do anything brash, maybe we should check in with Anikus to make sure we understand just what exactly is supposed to kill us today." Marketta replied dryly with a weak grin.