<JETMODE> *The following day dawns bright and sunny in contrast to the previous night's events, not that anyone knows from inside the room. Jukka is already awake, running through a few dance steps, and Cinno is sleeping on Cassie.

<JETMODE> *Jukka finishes her routine and trots over to where Jarod's sleeping, giving him a light shake.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod snrks a little bit, then starts and sits up. "What happened?

<TIAMAT> *He's a little out of it in the morning ..

<JETMODE> *Jukka leans over and tweaks his nose, grinning. "Your Whisper ran off while she thought we were all asleep, but for the most part, I thought it was high time we got to work."

<TIAMAT> *Jarod: Oh. *rubs his eyes as the memories of everything that happened yesterday come back* Oh man..

<JETMODE> *She pats his arm and trots away. "I'd offer breakfast, but all I ever learned to cook was stew."

<TIAMAT> *Jarod checks the time and sighs, nodding to Jukka as he gets up. "You're right, we've got a lot to do today -- that's all right, we'll pick something up later. Er, Whisper left already? *concerned look*

<JETMODE> <Jukka> *glances over her shoulder* Early. I doubt any of us could have stopped her.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod sighs again, rubbing his forehead.

<TIAMAT> *Cassie, from behind both of them with a yawn: Whisper kn-kn-knows how to t-take care of herself. *she pats Cinno.

<JETMODE> *Cinno rumbles.

<JETMODE> <Jukka> That's not the point. *she looks a little indignant* But I'll spare you the lecture.

<JETMODE> <Jukka> *after a pause* So, what should our first step be?

<TIAMAT> *Jarod: Probably ... we should probably go to the guards...

<TIAMAT> *Cassie, quietly: Baron Teal?

<JETMODE> <Jukka> *tilts her head* Perhaps so. Would they listen to us?

<TIAMAT> *Jarod nods, then frowns. "They've got their hands full with this whole undead mess. But we can at least ask them to look out for Kender...

<JETMODE> <Jukka> *smiles* Well then. We have a direction, no?

<TIAMAT> *Jarod nods again, looking determined. Cassie scoops Cinno in her arms and stands up. "Great! When do we leave?

<JETMODE> *Cinno yowls. He doesn't believe in merely meowing.

<JETMODE> *Jukka looks at her thoughtfully. "Perhaps one of us should stay behind to see if he comes."

<TIAMAT> *Cassie: ..why are you looking at me like that? *heartbroken look*

<TIAMAT> *Jarod: Aw, Cass, this is your place, isn't it?

<TIAMAT> *Cassie: But..

<JETMODE> <Jukka> Please? It's important that someone stay where he might turn up. *she gives Cassie a very earnest look*

<TIAMAT> *Cassie: ...Yeah...okay... ... Can Cinno stay with me?

<JETMODE> <Jukka> Of course. *smiles winningly at the cat, who hisses at her*

<TIAMAT> *Cassie grins a little and strokes Cinno soothingly.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod mentally sighs in relief that the cat isn't coming with. He looks up at Jukka a little wearily. "Well then. Shall we?

<JETMODE> <Jukka> Of course! *takes his arm and steers him toward the door*

<TIAMAT> *Jarod waves back to Cassie before disappearing outside.

<JETMODE> *It's quiet out there. People appear to be battening down the hatches and staying home, for the most part -- and the undead are.. well .. asleep, or whatever it is they do. Mostly, anyhow. There are a few stragglers in the halls, and a couple of very sleepy guards, but there isn't much activity.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod pauses when they get out into the halls, thinking. "Well ... I guess we should go find Teal. He's probably the most likely to listen to us..

<JETMODE> *Jukka nods agreeably. "I've met him once, and then only for a moment, but he didn't offend my sensibilities."

<TIAMAT> *Jarod nods, then pauses again. "Well, I guess his office is the best place to start. *he shrugs a little and heads for the nearest staircase.

<JETMODE> *Jukka, who still has ahold of his arm, trots along next to him. "I wish I could have met your Kender before he vanished."

<TIAMAT> *Jarod smiles a little weakly. "Well ... you'll get to know him when we find him. I'm sure he's fine. *though he both looks and sounds worried.

<JETMODE> <Jukka> *gives his arm a squeeze* Not to worry. Of course he is.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod and Jukka are heading for Teal's office, but I imagine they don't get that far.

<JETMODE> <guard> *looking a little off balance* Er -- I'm sorry, you can't go down there.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod comes to an abrupt halt and blinks at the guard. "What?"

<JETMODE> <guard> *a little more firmly* The, ah, the area's not secure -- we can't let you down there.

<JETMODE> *Jukka looks at the guard curiously.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod raises an eyebrow. "But all the undead are inactive.."

<JETMODE> <guard> *colors a little* All the same, sir. I'm sorry.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod: Well ... we really need to talk to Baron Teal. Could you give him a message?

<JETMODE> *The guard looks a little pale. "Ah.. actually.."

<TIAMAT> *Jarod, expectant look: .. Well?

<JETMODE> <guard> *flustered* I -- well, I can't -- I'll give it to Clyde, though.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod, blankly: Clyde? Where's Teal?

<JETMODE> <guard> *dismayed at his slip* I -- we.. we don't know. *scratches the back of his head* He's been missing since last night.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod: Teal's MISSING?

<JETMODE> <guard> *shrinks away* D-don't say it so loud -- Clyde's trying to keep it quiet. I wasn't supposed to say.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod sighs and rubs his forehead. "Right. Then ... then tell Clyde that Kender's ... also ... missing.

<JETMODE> *The guard looks relieved. "All right then -- I'll pass along the message."

<JETMODE> *Jukka frowns at him.

<JETMODE> <Jukka> *murmur* Perhaps we should look for your Whisper and tell her about this ..

<TIAMAT> *Jarod: Right... *to the guard* Thanks. ... ... *turns to walk off, muttering to Jukka. "Weird...Teal's gone? But I bet a bunch of people are missing with this scare...the Arena's so big, it's hard to get messages to someone five floors above or below you...

<JETMODE> *Jukka nods. "But.. surely he'd have had contact with his men before now."

<TIAMAT> *Jarod: Yeah, you'd think...

<TIAMAT> *Jarod: Think we should go tell Cassie?

<JETMODE> <Jukka> *thinks about that, then nods* We should keep her up to date.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod nods and starts for the steps!