<JETMODE> *That same day, in another part of the arena -- the entrance, to be specific -- a tall wolf-girl stalks onto the premises, doing her level best to look intimidating. She could almost manage it, if it weren't for a small, yellow-ish bundle of fur and scales hovering just over her left shoulder and alternating between gawking like a tourist and catcalling every other female he sees.

<JETMODE> *The girl is Jynx, a journeyman in the guild called The Wing, from a neighboring country. Her companion is a sort of dragon, Anaya. And they are, in fact, on a job.

<TIAMAT> *A few people shoot an occasional glance at Anaya, but most people seem to be ignoring the duo completely.

<JETMODE> <Jynx> You know, you're not helping. We don't know where to go, and I can't ask anybody, because you're either scaring them or offending them -- so why don't you keep your damn draconic mouth shut a minute?

<JETMODE> <Anaya> I do it out of a deep, undying perversity. *settles on her shoulder and nibbles at her ear* Besides, you'll always be my favorite.

<JETMODE> *Jynx flicks said ear in irritation, then spots a soldier and hurries toward him. "You! Sir -- I could use some help --"

<JETMODE> *Anaya takes wing again, sighing. "I'm starting to wish Rakka HAD come."

<TIAMAT> *Clyde, as the soldier just happens to be, had spotted the duo earlier and was quite obviously trying to get away in case they just happen to do what they just did. He cringes slightly, gives a sigh, then turns to Jynx. "Yes, miss, how can I help you?"

<JETMODE> *Jynx whips out her official badge and waves it triumphantly in his face. "Jynx Crosswell of the Wing -- I'm here to investigate the whereabouts of one Pelna Garian, a notorious pirate and all-around unpleasant bitch. I'd really like to speak to the captain of the guard, if that can be arranged."

<JETMODE> *Anaya, on the other hand, flits lazily about both of their heads. "And if it can't be arranged, she might just beat you up."

<JETMODE> <Jynx> Oh, shut up!

<TIAMAT> *Clyde blinks in astonishment, then clears his throat a little. "I'm...afraid...Baron Teal is...unavailable at the moment. I can, uh, try to arrange a meeting with his second in command, though."

<JETMODE> <Jynx> *stares at him* Aw, you're serious? *groans, stuffs the badge away* I guess it's better than nothing ...

<TIAMAT> *Clyde glances around nervously. "Er...right. Please, uh, come with me. *he turns, stumbling a little, and makes hurriedly for the guard quarters.

<JETMODE> *Jynx trots after him, looking cheered. "Do you know if he can give me authorization to make an arrest on these premises?"

<TIAMAT> *Clyde: Er...I'm not really sure...he might, since the Baron's away... *shrugs a little and leads her through the quarters to a corner office, where he knocks a little hesitantly.

<TIAMAT> *Voice from inside, barking and irritable: What!?

<TIAMAT> *Clyde opens the door nervously. "Er, Commander Tratz, there's someone here to see you--"

<TIAMAT> *Tratz snorts a little. "Yeah yeah, let 'im in."

<JETMODE> <Jynx> *indignantly* Him!

<JETMODE> <Anaya> Well, I'm a him.

<TIAMAT> *Clyde steps aside to let Jynx and Anaya in.

<JETMODE> *Jynx trots inside without hesitation, Anaya flitting through the air behind her, and tugs her badge out again, opening her mouth to give pretty much the same speech she gave Clyde. "I'm Jynx Crosswell of the Wing, and I'm --"

<TIAMAT> *Tratz stands as she enters, blinking in mild surprise. Just as Jynx is getting going with her speech, the door slams shut -- that was Clyde leaving. Tratz pauses, then grins a little viciously. "Oh, I do apologize for the mix-up back there -- it's not every day I get such a pretty visitor, you see."

<JETMODE> *Jynx stops in mid-speech. "Huh?"

<JETMODE> *Anaya lands on her head.

<TIAMAT> *Tratz just chuckles and waves a hand dismissively, then offers it to her. "Viktor Tratz, Commander of the Guards. Now, what can I do for you, Lady Crosswell?"

<JETMODE> *Jynx, taking a moment to regain her balance, takes his hand warily. "Just Jynx is fine ... er, oh! Right. I'm here in pursuit of Pelna Garian -- under full authorization of the Guild of the Wing, but I need to know if I can have authorization to make an arrest on these premises. Sometimes they get kind of territorial, you see --"

<TIAMAT> *Tratz's ears prick slightly when he hears Pel's name, but his charming smirk never wavers once, and he cuts her off abruptly before she can get too far. "Guild of the Wing, eh? The elite mercenary guild -- you must be quite talented to be among their ranks, Jynx."

<JETMODE> <Jynx> Uh? Oh.. er.. *laughs, scratching the back of her head sheepishly* Not really, I mean, it's mostly thanks to --

<JETMODE> *Anaya thumps her in the back of the head with his tail.

<JETMODE> <Jynx> Ow! Oh, er, but what about the arrest authorization?

<TIAMAT> *Tratz raises an eyebrow slightly. "Oh, you needn't be so modest -- ah, the authorization. Yes, well ... I'm afraid that unless the person in question has commited a direct crime against the Arena, Baron Teal is the only one who can permit outside agencies to perform an arrest. I am terribly sorry--"

<JETMODE> *Jynx looks horribly crestfallen. "But.. then.. do you know where he is? I really need that authorization."

<TIAMAT> *Tratz: He is ... ... taking some personal leave. *his smile does waver a bit as he grinds this out, but he relaxes almost immediately. "I suspect he'll be back within a day or two..."

<JETMODE> <Jynx> A.. day or two? But she might be GONE by then! Man! There's nowhere I can find him or anything?

<JETMODE> *Anaya takes flight again, winging his way boredly around the office.

<TIAMAT> *Tratz glances at the dragon, then back down at Jynx. "I'm afraid not ... tell me, have you ever been to the Arena before?"

<JETMODE> <Jynx> Uh? Oh, no, actually, this is my first time. Rakka sent me on a head so he could deal with something back home, but he said I'd be okay for a day or two with the money I had ...

<TIAMAT> *Tratz: Of course, of course. *he grins and puts his arm around her shoulder gently, leading her toward the door. "Tell ya what. How about I show you around a little later? I'm afraid I've got a bit of work to do yet, or else I would now, but I've got this evening free."

<JETMODE> *Anaya suddenly divebombs Tratz, swooping out of the way just in time.

<TIAMAT> *Tratz yells a little, ducking out of the way and releasing Jynx in the process. He composes himself quickly, glaring up at the dragon slightly. "Well!"

<JETMODE> <Jynx> ANAYA! -- I'm sorry, he's a jerk sometimes -- uh.

<TIAMAT> *Tratz clears his throat. "Oh, not a problem -- so what do you say about tonight?"

<JETMODE> *Anaya makes a disgusted noise. "I'm a jerk, and he's a sleaze -- don't tell me you're actually gonna take him up on that invitation --"

<TIAMAT> *Tratz really does glare at Anaya this time.

<JETMODE> <Jynx> Anaya, shut up! Geez! It's not like I've got anything else to do -- sure!

<JETMODE> *Anaya groans.

<JETMODE> <Jynx> Well, you don't have to come.

<TIAMAT> *Tratz smirks almost triumphantly. "Wonderful! Let's meet at ... oh ... Old Fox's. It's on the fourth floor -- you can't miss it."

<JETMODE> <Anaya> *mutter* Oh, that's appropriate.

<JETMODE> <Jynx> *cheerfully* Sure! I'll see you there -- what time?

<TIAMAT> *Tratz waves a hand as he opens the door for her. "How does six sound? I'll buy you a drink, and we'll have a look around -- the Arena's quite a big place, and you don't want to be getting lost."

<JETMODE> <Jynx> Thanks so much -- I'll see you later!

<JETMODE> *Anaya drops to her shoulder, looking grouchy. "He'll probably drug it."

<TIAMAT> *Tratz: My pleasure -- *shoots Anaya a nasty look.

<JETMODE> <Jynx> *laughs* Just ignore him. *waves and trots off*

<JETMODE> <Anaya> *after they're away* He's trouble, and you're ignoring me just because I was rude to him.

<JETMODE> <Jynx> He didn't seem that bad.. even if he was kind of a creepy lizard guy ...

<JETMODE> <Anaya> *sighs* I wish Rakka had come ...

<JETMODE> <Jynx> I wish you'd stop saying that!

<TIAMAT> *About an hour or so before Tratz and Jynx's little date, the lizardman takes leave of his desk and starts up the Arena, not toward the temple at the top, but the large docking bay on the tenth floor where airships can get repaired and refuelled.

<JETMODE> *Pel is out supervising her men, who are busy with loading and unloading supplies. She may be a pirate, but she does take her side job seriously.

<TIAMAT> *Tratz trots through the bay until he spots her ship and gives a whistle when she comes into sight. "Hoy, Pel!"

<JETMODE> *Pel barks a quick order and turns to him, folding her arms. "What's the emergency, Tratz?"

<TIAMAT> *Tratz skids to a stop in front of her, breathing a little heavily. "Got trouble, sweets. Couple mercs come lookin' for ya."

<JETMODE> <Pel> Mercs? *thinks a moment* Oh, well, that's nothing new. Who were they?

<TIAMAT> *Tratz: Tall wolf-girl, called herself Jynx. Hadda little dragon thing with her. Said they were from the Guild of the Wing.

<JETMODE> <Pel> *stares at him a moment* Oh. Them. *rolls her eyes and laughs* The girl never will give up, will she?

<TIAMAT> *Tratz: Ah, y'know her?

<JETMODE> <Pel> Oh, we've been playing this game for several years now. Thanks for the heads-up, though. *grins brightly*

<TIAMAT> *Tratz: .. Sure thing. She can't touch you without Teal's authorization, anyway, and he won't be back for a while. I'll try to keep her busy 'till then so you can get out--

<JETMODE> <Pel> *sharply* Move those damn boxes, don't just STARE at them! *turns back to Tratz* That's so kind of you, I won't even question your motivation for doing me the favor.

<TIAMAT> *Tratz grins easily. "Guess you'll just have to owe me then, eh? *he winks and starts for the exit, waving over his shoulder. "Be seein' ya, Pel, try to stay alive 'till I can collect!"

<JETMODE> *Pel bares her fangs at him -- it might be a grin, it might not. "Later, Tratz."