Rats!

Arcturius touched his feet down softly on the sidewalk outside of a dive bar. He kept his eyes moving--- this was the slums, after all. No sense in being caught off-guard by muggers. He waited for Almira.

Almira was actually right behind him. "Looking for someone?" She asked.

Arcturius spun around, cloak twirling. "Oh. Hello!" He glanced at the door, "Ready?"

She nodded and raced inside. "Are you kidding? I'm a hunter! This will be easy!" She dragged him in, eager to start.

It was at this point that Arcturius first got a good look at her while he was dragged through a busy bar, tobacco smoke heavy. "Oh, I see. Well, cellar door." He pulled it open, and resisted the urge to shout, 'Go get 'em, tiger!'

Almira dropped to a hunter's crouch, on all fours. Her shoulder blades shifted back a little so she could place one paw/hand in front of the other more easily. Her ears swiveled around as she tried to determine where to strike first. Using her tail to balance herself, she sprang behind a mead barrel, coming back into view with a rat hanging limp from her jaws. She stood up and raised it like prize.

Arcturius blinked, "That isn't as big as I thought they would be." At that, a wall burst apart and a sea of green-furred, rabid rats the size of quantum horses. "Oh," he said softly.

"Ha! Finally decided to show up, eh? Come on, Arc! Let's do this!" She said as she began fighting.

Arcturius jumped into the fray, slinging them into the walls and each other by the tail, not fancying getting near their teeth.

There was a loud death cry as she tricked one into killing one of it's own kind. "See? They're just big rats! No worries!" She extended her claws as she tore their throats open, getting carried away.

Arcturius nodded, snapping one's tooth out and stabbing him in the head with it. He blasted three more with energy.

Almira was getting surrounded, and it made her laugh. She spun around, slashing at them the whole time without getting dizzy.

Arcturius got bored, so he raised a hand and tore the rest apart with a blade of energy. "So," he said, panting slightly. "Want to go get a drink?" He nodded at the ceiling, where the bar was.

"Aye! I can't get drunk though, believe me, you don't want a crazy tiger around." She said, licking her hands, claws sheathed. "Let's go."

Arcturius nodded, walking upstairs, "We've finished," he said to the barkeep. The man grunted and handed them each a pouch of gold and an endless mug of mead. Arcturius studied the glass, "You know, I've never figured out how they make it infinite." He quickly thought of how disastrous it would be if one was knocked over. "Then again, perhaps it's best to keep the magic alive." He shrugged and took a gulp. "So, tell me about yourself, Almira."

She grabbed her mug eagerly and chugged it down. She stopped when she heard his question. "As you know, I'm Almira." She looked proud. "Third strongest on Tsurrin, daughter of the leader of the Ailko Clan! The best fighters on the planet!" She took another drink. "I'm here to get stronger and make a name for myself!"

"Ah..." Arcturius nodded. "I haven't gotten a chance to visit Tsurrin." He muttered something and then said aloud, "You know, for a traveler, I hardly do much traveling."

Her ears perked up. "You should come back with me! I'll be your guide! It's really nice there! Colored rivers and marble caves and the night sky! I know you'll love it!"

"Alright," Arcturius agreed. He blinked, shaking his head, "No, no... I mustn't get side-tracked again. I... need to get back home." He sighed, taking another gulp. "Alright. One trip won't hurt."

She poked him. "Don't forget to reset the chalkboard." She tilted her head. "Where's your home? Are you lost or something?"

"Right." Arcturius closed his eyes, and mentally changed the board.


Arc gulped, "Oh, err... it's gone. Bit of a long story." He waved his hand dismissively.

"Oh, sorry I asked." She said, confused. Almira started feeling lightheaded and put the mug down "Anyways, what now?"

Arcturius stood up, "Well, let's go to that planet of the yours. We'll need to go to the store near here and get some space pods, though."

"Aye!" She stood up shakily. "I hope I'm not still fuzzy minded when we get there. Greater Grandfather will have me grounded and scolded for hours!"

"I'll go get them. You stay and... sober up." He smiled.