<TIAMAT> *Shortly after Tratz went to see Pelna, he makes his way easily back down to the fourth floor, whistling a bit to himself. Old Fox's is busy tonight, as it usually is -- like many of the smaller taverns, it's got its own set of regulars who come on a nightly basis, and tonight is no exception.

<JETMODE> *It doesn't take long for Jynx to show up, and -- well -- she hasn't exactly dolled herself up. She doesn't have any other clothes besides what she was wearing earlier. She looks around the crowded bar curiously as she enters, trying to spot Tratz. Anaya is curled gloomily over her shoulders.

<JETMODE> <Anaya> This is a lousy idea.

<JETMODE> <Jynx> Did I ask for your opinion?

<TIAMAT> *Tratz has, by then, ordered a couple drinks and chosen a table off to one side of the bar. He spots Jynx as she enters and waves at her to get her attention, grinning a little viciously.

<JETMODE> *Jynx waves cheerily and trots over to him, sliding into her seat. Anaya hmphs and ignores him.

<TIAMAT> *Tratz's evil grin fades into a pleasant smile as he passes Jynx her drink. "Well, I'm glad you made it! No trouble finding the place, was there?"

<JETMODE> <Jynx> *takes it with a grin* No, not really -- I got a little lost, but I asked for directions after that.

<TIAMAT> *Tratz sips his thoughtfully. "Ah, like I said, the Arena's a big place ... I'll show you around, but why don't we have a bite to eat first?

<JETMODE> <Jynx> Sure, I was getting kinda hungry.. Anaya, you want anything?

<JETMODE> <Anaya> I think I'll chew my own tail off, thanks.

<JETMODE> <Jynx> ... *flatly* Sure, but I doubt it'll taste good.

<TIAMAT> *Tratz ignores the dragon and flags a waitress down. After they place their orders, he settles into smalltalk. "So ... you've come a long way to track down this Pelna Garian ... is she really worth all the trouble?

<JETMODE> *Jynx's eyes widen, and she brings her drink down to the table with a thud. "Absolutely!" Her eyes flash. "I don't care if I do anything else in my life -- I want to take her down!"

<TIAMAT> *Tratz blinks in mild surprise. "My, quite a vendetta we have, isn't it? What did she do, if I may be so bold?"

<JETMODE> *Anaya lifts his head and shoots Tratz a faintly disgusted look, as Jynx's shoulders droop slightly. "You don't hafta tell the sleaze, yaknow," the dragon says shortly.

<TIAMAT> *Tratz snorts softly. "Of course...of course not. My apologies.

<JETMODE> <Jynx> No, it's okay.. *weak grin* She ... she killed my family on one of her raids.

<TIAMAT> *Tratz: Ah... *slightly awkward pause* Oh, I am sorry...And I'm sorry I can't be of more help in catching her, but the Baron will be back soon, and I'm sure everything will work itself out then. *apologetic, almost sad smile*

<JETMODE> *Anaya gives him a long, bland stare, but Jynx wipes quickly at her eyes, grinning a little. "It's okay, really. It's.. it's just really important to me, you know?"

<TIAMAT> *Tratz nods sagely. "Oh, absolutely. Of course, I understand completely. If there's anything we can do to help bring her in -- after the Baron gives his authorization, of course -- please, don't hesitate to ask."

<JETMODE> <Jynx> Sure thing! I'm glad I didn't get totally screwed up my first day here ... thanks for helping me out.

<TIAMAT> *Tratz grins. "Sure, sure, not a problem at all -- ah, look, here comes dinner! *and the waitress does, indeed, appear from behind Jynx a moment later, bearing their plates of food.

<JETMODE> *Jynx cheers a little as her plate's set in front of her, and digs in merrily, occasionally offering a bit to Anaya, who takes it without comment.

<TIAMAT> *Tratz watches her in amusement as he sets in on his own, occasionally making random smalltalk.

<JETMODE> *After a bit of this, Anaya switches his tail and yawns lazily. "So, lizard guy, what's your real reason for wining and dining us?"

<TIAMAT> *Tratz pauses, peering at the dragon. "The name's Tratz -- or Viktor, if you would. And ... I don't know what you mean. *genuinely puzzled look* I simply mean to be friendly, that's all."

<JETMODE> <Anaya> Like hell --

<JETMODE> <Jynx> *sharply* Anaya!

<JETMODE> <Jynx> *apologetic look* I.. I really dunno what's wrong with him the past couple of days --

<JETMODE> <Anaya> *angrily* Stop talking about me like I'm some kind of PET!

<JETMODE> <Jynx> What're you TALKING ab--

<JETMODE> <Anaya> *takes flight, tail lashing* What am I talking about?! I don't know where you get off with this attitude of yours, Jynx -- I thought friends treated each other with more RESPECT. But nooo, if you want to be friends with the lizard instead --

<JETMODE> <Jynx> Stop being a jerk! You --

<JETMODE> <Anaya> FINE -- I quit! I got better things to do than babysit YOU.

<JETMODE> *And, with a flirt of his wings, he shoots out the door.

<TIAMAT> *That little exchange attracted a good deal of attention -- half the bar had turned to watch, and a few whistle and point as Anaya zooms at the door. Things settle back down after that, though, as most return to their own conversations -- or drinks, as is the case for some.

<TIAMAT> *Tratz clears his throat a little nervously. "Well..

<JETMODE> *Jynx turns back to the table with an unhappy blush -- not that you can really tell with her fur. "I'm.. really sorry about that.."

<TIAMAT> *Tratz grins easily and waves a hand dismissively. "Oh no, don't worry about it -- I know how partners can be sometimes, yes...and I didn't mean to get him upset, really ..."

<JETMODE> <Jynx> Oh, he's just really suspicious that way. He doesn't really like anybody much. And.. and now he's mad at me..

<TIAMAT> *Tratz: Oh, come now ... really, I'm sure you two will be patched up before the night is out, eh? Let him cool down for a bit, and this'll all work itself out just fine.

<JETMODE> <Jynx> *dolefully* I guess so..

<TIAMAT> *Tratz: No long faces, now -- cheer up! The night is young, and there's so much to see. I wasn't kidding about not wanting to get lost around here -- if you end up in the wrong bar, you could be in real trouble.

<JETMODE> *Jynx nods, poking at her food. "Maybe.. maybe I should just go back to my room."

<TIAMAT> *Tratz, a little disappointed: Well...perhaps that might be for the best ... I can always show you around some other time, I suppose.

<JETMODE> *Jynx grabs her drink and gulps it down. "Yeah. I'll go. Thanks for dinner -- I'm awfully sorry about that."

<TIAMAT> *Tratz: Of course, my pleasure -- and there's no need to apologize, really. Can I walk you back to your room? Where are you staying, anyway?

<JETMODE> <Jynx> *stands up* Oh.. Sullivan's Bed and Breakfast. It's not very far.. you don't have to, if it's too much trouble.

<TIAMAT> *Tratz stands, smiling pleasantly. "Oh no, no trouble at all. *he leaves some coins on the table, takes a final swig of his drink, and starts for the door, though he stands aside to let her go first.

<JETMODE> *She trots ahead of him a little, and a soldier flags him down with a grin before he can follow. "Hey, sir -- gettin' lucky tonight?"

<TIAMAT> *Tratz freezes, face going rigid. He turns slowly to face the guard, a pleasant smirk crossing his face. "Wouldn't you just LOVE to be in my shoes? Because if you were... *his grin goes feral, and he takes the soldier by the front of his shirt, pulling him close and glaring in his eyes. "...you wouldn't be spending the rest of the week cleaning out solitary with a toothbrush!"

<TIAMAT> *He shoves the soldier back, releasing his shirt, and jogs after Jynx, grinning a little maliciously.

<JETMODE> *The soldier stumbles, looking utterly baffled at this unprecedented behavior. Jynx, on the other hand, turned around at the noise and is watching Tratz curiously. "What.. was that about?"

<TIAMAT> *Tratz: Oh, nothing to be concerned with, just reminding one of the guards of his duties and whatnot. *he smirks as he starts for the bed and breakfast.

<JETMODE> <Jynx> Oh.. *she glances at the shellshocked soldier again and trots after him*