<TIAMAT> *Following Teal's encounter with Genoa and Whisper on the fourth floor stairs, the Baron finds himself standing blankly in the hall below, looking slightly dazed. After a moment or two, he blinks out of his reverie and suddenly trots back to the bottom of the stairs, almost calling out to Genoa as he comes around the corner, but her and Whisper are long gone.

<TIAMAT> *Teal stares up the stairwell blankly for a moment, then utters a growl of frustration and turns on heel, marching all the way back to the guard quarters and sending a couple of lieutenants scurrying for cover when he snarls at them to get out of the way.

<JETMODE> *Just as he rounds the corner, Lao appears seemingly out of nowhere, adjusting his uniform a little uncomfortably and not paying as much attention as usual to where he's going.

<TIAMAT> *Teal, lost deep in thought (and still scowling from the encounter with the two lieutenants), nearly knocks the catman over as he marches into him, uttering a slightly startled whumph and taking half a step back. "Watch it--"

<JETMODE> *Lao catches himself easily, saluting with a faint smile. "My apologies, Baron. I was not paying attention."

<TIAMAT> *Teal, about to respond with something similar to what he said to the lieutenants, pauses, glaring at Lao for a moment. "... Major. Are you busy? *without waiting for a response* Get your weapon and meet me in the training grounds in five minutes." Again without waiting for a response, he turns and starts back toward the stairs leading to the ground floor.

<JETMODE> *Lao's eyebrows lift in surprise, then he gives a liquid shrug and trots off to get his weapon.

<TIAMAT> *Teal makes his way swiftly to the nearest sparring ring, unsheathing his sword and making a few (slightly overpowered) warm-up passes as he waits.

<JETMODE> *Several minutes later, Lao emerges from the building. He's shed his uniform jacket in favor of a light tunic, and his hands, covered now by a set of curving, metal claws, hang loosely at his sides.

<TIAMAT> *Teal pauses in mid-swing, lowering his sword slightly and straightening from his stance as Lao approaches. He nods to the catman as he makes his way into the ring and takes his position on the other side of the circle.

<JETMODE> *Lao gives him a slightly doubtful look, but he also takes his place, tilting his ears inquiringly. "Have I offended you in some way, Baron?"

<TIAMAT> *Teal, flatly: Not at all, Major. *He twirls his sword once and starts circling around the ring.

<JETMODE> <Lao> *following the motion easily* Very well, sir. May I inquire as to the occasion?

<TIAMAT> *Teal: I need the practice! *Without waiting for another response, he lunges quickly, darting in on Lao's side with a low thrust.

<JETMODE> *Lao flicks the thrust away with one claw and darts aside, just out of range. "As you say."

<TIAMAT> *Teal spins, following him around and lunging again, this time sweeping in a close diagonal arc with a low growl.

<JETMODE> *Lao catches the blade with his claws and bounces it away, tail twitching with interest. "With all due respect, Baron, you practiced this morning and did quite well."

<TIAMAT> *Teal takes a step or two back, dropping into a defensive stance and adjusting his grip on his blade slightly. "Can never have too much practice, Lao. Besides, what better way to let out the frustrations of the day, no?"

<JETMODE> *Lao answers the change in stance by darting in to snip lightly at him. "I suppose then I am glad you chose me and not one of my subordinates."

<TIAMAT> *Teal side-steps quickly and brings his sword around in a wide arc toward Lao's backside. "Clyde really wouldn't be much help to me in pieces, would he."

<JETMODE> <Lao> *murmurs* It would be most unkind of you. *hops over the swing*

<TIAMAT> *Teal: Damn. *He pauses to catch his breath. "But you know, sometimes --" But whatever happens sometimes Lao doesn't find out as Teal cuts off and lunges again, a sudden burst of anger sending him charging toward the catman.

<JETMODE> *Lao looks surprised and inquisitive, fending off Teal's charge blow for blow but not bothering to return any. "Did something happen, sir?"

<TIAMAT> *Teal, growling slightly: I saw her-- *He presses Lao harder and faster with each blow, filling the training grounds with the sound of metal striking metal. "I didn't even greet her properly--"

<JETMODE> *Lao continues to take the rain of blows, keeping a careful eye on the wall he's slowing getting backed into. He suppresses a smile. "I see ... were you so rude that there is no possibility for forgiveness?"

<TIAMAT> *Teal: I wasn't RUDE! *lashes out with a vicious uppercut* I mean -- I don't know -- she just walked away --

<JETMODE> *The cat demihuman sidles hurriedly out of the way, tapping Teal lightly on the shoulder as he circles. "If I were to place a wager, I would say she is as confused as you -- but I cannot read her mind."

<TIAMAT> *Teal scowls and spins to follow the demi-human, swinging hard and wide and missing greatly. "And what's that -- what are you suggesting!?"

<JETMODE> <Lao> *blinks, then smiles briefly* You are very upset, Baron. Have you given a thought to why?

<TIAMAT> *Teal, about to lunge again, pauses suddenly, blinking at Lao blankly. "I...I...don't know."

<JETMODE> <Lao> You wish to speak to her?

<TIAMAT> *Teal: Yes. No! *He lets his sword slip from his grasp and clatter to the ground, leanings his back against the fence. "I don't know. I...I do want to see her...but--"

<JETMODE> *Lao slowly removes his claws, setting them down on a bench nearby. "But, Baron?"

<TIAMAT> *Teal sighs faintly, staring at the ground. "But .. I don't know how she feels. And besides...I'm not entirely sure it would be... *searches for the word* ... appropriate.

<JETMODE> <Lao> *thinks about that, then shrugs* You will never know her feelings unless you ask her. *gives him a curious look* Appropriate?

<TIAMAT> *Teal glances up at him. "I...am the captain of the guard, Major. And she...she is a convict -- an ex-convict, now, but still a convict -- she summoned the dragon! .. Could that ever work?"

<JETMODE> *Lao smiles thoughtfully and picks up one of his claws, digging a cloth out of his pocket and running it over the blade. "Whether it works, I think, is largely up to you and her."

<TIAMAT> *Teal gives him a faintly annoyed look, but he sighs and bends over to snatch up his blade, sheathing it at his side. "I apologize for the abruptness of this engagement, Major.."

<JETMODE> <Lao> *inclines his head* I was not busy, Baron.

<TIAMAT> *Teal nods and starts for the gate in the fence, pausing as he pushes it open and glancing back at Lao. "Thank you."

<JETMODE> <Lao> Of course, sir. *smiles briefly* Good luck.

<TIAMAT> *Teal gives him a slightly doubtful look, then nods and starts for the stairs leading down to the offices.