An aura of relief drapes over the warm tavern of Sol's Pass, Dalimoor. The gang's all here, some sat by the fire, some by the bar. The only one by himself is Urema, who is sat on an uncomfortable-looking chair in the unlit corner of the room, with his head resting against a rickety wooden table. He has his eyes closed, but he is not asleep. As the golden light from the fire danced on the insides of his closed eyelids Urema thought about the things he had seen so far. Getting those letters, fighting Demons, seeing an 'Angel of Death', unlocking powerful Psychic abilities that were once difficult for him to control and then seeing an old man tell him that he was Professor Soumei Urema.

Urema's eyes snap open and a tear falls onto the mahogany varnished wood. He'd had issues with his identity in the school he had once taught in. He knew he had taught in a school, because his students had told him what a great teacher he was. And that school was in Gygal, the University of Gygal. He had then had some trouble with his thoughts, and his mind. And they took him for tests in the University itself. Then he found out he had some level of Psychic abilities. And that lead him here.

Now, the rest of the gang were discussing with each other what their next step should be. Aruun is leaning back on his barstool, resting against the bar. The events of their past adventures seems to have fortified in him new courage, as he does not have the twitchy, panicky demeanour they are used to seeing. Running one hand gently along his staff, he looks towards the others.
'It's all over… I don't know what to do now. I can't go home… I didn't run away just to come running back again…' He is lost in his own musings for a moment, before adding, 'I suppose I should look for another job. What are you all doing now?

Kuja grins.
'I don't know about the future, but I know the next two minutes involves TEA.'
Kuja moves like a man possessed from his seat near the fire to the bar to purchase more tea. He comes back with the cup and takes his seat back up again, sat in his arrogant, haughty way.
'What job were you doing before you came here, Aruun?'
He seems almost sincere, almost civil with him.

I is sat with the rest of the group, he has grown more fond of them since they first met. The scars from the battle with Kuja are healing quickly, aided by copious amounts of alcohol.
'The Gods haven't set me any tasks, so I've got nothing pressing. I'll probably claim some bounties around here while I'm in the neighbourhood.'
[You guys make for a change of pace, much more relaxing than normal, heh, except for Kuja of course.]

Aruun turns to Kuja, pleasantly surprised at how neighbourly he is acting towards him.
'Oh, just odd jobs here or there. Casting spells for people, fighting... Demons, mercenary work. Anything that pays, really... err... within reason.'

'Hmm, I don't blame you drawing the line at prostitution. Some people have humiliating and disfiguring diseases. Some people ARE diseases. I can think of a few.'
Kuja looks around the room at no one in particular.

Mystyk has returned from his absence. He walks through the doors and there is something different about him. His eyes look slightly darker, but there is something else about him that seems odd. He walks coldly into the inn and sits next to the bar but doesn't order a drink. He sits on his own, clearly not in much mood to talk about where he has been. But he gives the impression that something major has happened. He sits quietly, thinking what his next plans are. He knows that this group play some part in his fate, as much as he loathes the concept. He closes his eyes and sighs, and growls quietly. He is really quite angry.

'The kid as a...' I shudders. 'Kuja, that's just disturbing. Ahh, Mystyk, welcome back. Where'd you go to? Did the fight get to much for you? Ha.'

Mystyk turns to I and looks at him, before turning away again.
'You idiots have no idea.'

Aruun looks over at Mystyk, slightly concerned.
'Are you ok? You look annoyed.'

'Oh, just ignore him, Aruun.' Says Kuja. 'You're more likely to get a polite answer out of me than him at the moment. At least I have the decency to talk to people.'

Mystyk turns to Aruun, he looks at the kid for a short moment and then says:
'I'm deeper in now. Anyway, what are we doing now? I have a feeling that's not the end. What happened anyway? I take it no-one died.'
[A shame.]
He leans against the bar, awaiting his answer.

Aruun replies to Mystyk.
'No, no one died, actually... that kid with the sock puppet... I think he died. He turned up after you left. It turned out the guy who was sending us the letters was just a lonely kid who wanted to force us be his friends. That's all over now, and we're deciding what to do next.'

Mystyk, after hearing this seems further annoyed.
'My treasure! Ugh, you people. I want treasure, now. You blew my chance at a big score.'
He turns to Aruun.
'Next time I'd be better going alone, you people are too much baggage... But that doesn't change the fact you idiots owe me treasure.'

'Hmph. We owe you nothing, if you want the treasure go take it up with the kid.'
[Go alone, please]

'I second what I said.' Kuja nods. 'We owe you nothing. I hope you do go away. You're more of an arrogant bastard than me, and that's quite a feat.'

Aruun looks slightly annoyed.
'I don't appreciate being called baggage. And we don't owe you anything! Anyway, what do we have to give you? You said you didn't want my staff.'
He holds his staff, the Sphinx's treasure, close to him, almost protectively.

'Aruun, that thing is made of what?' Kuja asks. 'Metal? Plastic? Mythril? I bet you could give him a nasty whack on the head with it if you needed to.'

'Enchanted metal. I don't want to hit anyone, anyway.'
Aruun sighs and glances around the room, his eyes falling on Urema in the corner.
'Hmm, is he ok?'

Kuja looks towards Urema.
'Yeah, he'll be okay. Probably.'
He shrugs, not seeming to care either way.

[You hit me before!]
I walks over to the silent Urema and puts a hand on his shoulder
'Urema, what's wrong?

'Oh, leave him be, I.' Kuja says. 'If he wants to be Mr Mopey, he can.'

Mystyk lets out a short laugh at Urema's expense.
'Looks like he didn't get something he wanted.'
He turns around, and walks over to Urema.
'Get over it, kid, you can't sit around being pathetic all day, unless that's what you're into. In that case, I'm wasting my time. I'll see you fools around.'
He heads for the door, and walks through quite slowly, as if planning his next move.

The door is held by a red force, which snaps it shut, pushing Mystyk back into the room.
'I am not pathetic.' Urema says, as stands. 'I, like all of you, was deciding where I should go... After what I've seen and done here... and the new thoughts and feelings that have been opened up inside of me... I'm going home. Back to Gygal.'
He places his hands behind his back and lowers his head a little.
'I need to learn about a couple of things. Any of you are welcome to join me...'

Aruun stands up.
'I'll go. I might find a decent job there.'
He smiles nervously.
'Just don't hurt Mystyk...'

'I might as well come too.' Kuja says. 'It's not I have anything better to do and anywhere is better than this dump.'

[Please do hurt Mystyk.]
I chugs his drink.
'Count me in, compared to risking my life to save the universe, this is quite fun.'

Urema smiles at the prospect of company on his trip, and turns his head to Mystyk.
'Well, do you wish to accompany me, too?'

'I hope he doesn't.' Kuja says spitefully.

'Um... I don't mind either way.'
A filthy look on Aruun's face seems to suggest that he does.

'Yes you do.' Kuja states. 'I can see on your face that you do. I know I don't want him to come along because he's an arse, more so than me and that's really saying something.'

Mystyk, still stood at the door turns around and looks at Urema.
'I'll come... for a price,' He smirks, 'I want pick of the loot. After all, I'm not going to lower myself to accompanying such amateurs for nothing.'
He turns to the others.
'And for those of you who have a problem, I suggest you sleep lightly. What say ye?'

'You believe I am an amateur?' I scoffs. 'Either you're incredibly cocky or incredibly stupid, try anything on me and I swear you will end up like that kid!'

'Enough!' Urema cries, as the room gives a slight shake and small objects clatter. 'Enough of this...' He gives a small sigh and heads for the door leading to the bedrooms. 'I'll see you in the morning.'

Aruun looks slightly shaken by Urema almost losing his temper like that.
'Urema's right, we shouldn't argue amongst ourselves like this... Not if we're going to be travelling together. Well, goodnight...'
He shuffles off upstairs.
Mystyk looks around. He has a slight smirk on his face when he says:
'I have a night's work ahead of me. See you tomorrow, and try not to have nightmares, children.'
He walks out of the door and proceeds down the road looking for a large house, a mansion, something that someone with more money that he deserves (something that Mystyk plans to rectify) would buy.
I shakes his head at Mystyk. He finishes his drink, pays the barkeep and heads to the exit.
'Goodnight, I require some time alone, but I shall return in the morn.'
I steps outside and back flips onto the roof of the inn. Footsteps can be heard across to roof and fading away.
Kuja sighs with relief that I and Mystyk have left, then wanders off upstairs to his own room.
[I need my beauty sleep, after all.]

The rest of the night passes uneventfully. As the first rays of sun break the through the heavy dusk of the horizon, Urema slowly opens his eyes. He slips the bed sheets off of himself and hastened to his clothes, which had been haphazardly thrown on the floor. After having dressed, brushed his hair and cleaned his teeth he heads downstairs to the main room of the inn, where he sat at a lone stool at the bar.

Aruun slept feverishly, his dreams fragmented and punctuated by disjointed images of monsters and old shadows. As dawn breaks, heavy eyed, he hauls himself out of bed and dresses apathetically. He then slips downstairs and joins Urema at the bar.
'Morning.'

Urema looks up and brushes the overhanging hair from his eyes.
'Good morning.'

Unlike Aruun, Kuja slept well and his morning routine followed in the same way as before- he spent a long time checking his appearance and brushing his hair. Eventually he leaves his room and joins Aruun and Urema in the bar; of course, he buys tea. He sits nearby, in his arrogant way. Compared to them, he seems annoyingly cheerful, a welcome change from his perpetual grumpiness.
'Morning all. Sleep well? Doesn't look like it.'

I enters the tavern, covered with the morning dew. He appears refreshed and relaxed, although very little time has been spent fretting over his appearance. I walks over to the bar, orders a large pint of ale and a large breakfast. Before tucking in to his meal he turns to the group.
'Greetings, just him left to arrive is it? Hmm, kid you look a bit rough.'

Aruun waves his hand airily.
'Oh it's nothing, I just didn't sleep too well, that's all.'

Mystyk steps out of the corner of the room and looks around for everyone.
'A very profitable night, if I do say so myself. Come on people, you can't expect to get anywhere if you just sit here moping.'
He walks over to I.
'Heh, at least you're not like this loser, 'Oh no, I didn't sleep well.' Pathetic.'
He carries on walking past I and goes to sit down near Aruun.
'Are you ready to go?'

Aruun reaches inside his robes, searching for something.
'Wait... My pockets feel lighter this morning. Where's all the junk I usually keep in them?'

Kuja points accusingly at Mystyk, in a lazy way.
'He's the resident klepto.'

Mystyk, feigning a shocked expression turns to Kuja and then to Aruun.
'Me? I'm shocked, truly shocked, you seem to think I care about your crap. I don't. There are bigger scores to be had,' he says and pauses.
[Although some of these are quite nice.]
'So if you'd kindly get over yourselves, we can get to work. I don't want to be around you people for the rest of my... well, for longer than I have to.'
Mystyk walks over past Kuja and in an incredibly subtle way, plants a few of Aruun's things in his pockets.
'Perhaps you should check this weirdo here.' indicating to Kuja, 'he seemed to be fast to point the finger.'

'Yeah, that's it, Mystyk. Pass the blame.' Kuja scowls.
[Jerk. It was probably Urema, I bet he has telekinesis.]

Urema looks offended.
'I haven't stolen anything!' He cries, as he places his hand on his shoulder. 'Hey... where's my scarf?'

I roots around in his sleeves, more of his arm fitting in than it should.
'Black Destiny... three hip flasks, one empty... gold... more gold... caltrops ... shurikens... throwing knives... locator... Hmm everything's there, as I thought.'
[Vorpal storal, so useful. Where would I be without you, Er'shi'gal?]

Aruun looks over at Kuja slightly suspiciously.
'Well... the best form of defence is offence...'

Mystyk turns to Aruun and continues.
'The best offensive is one done in secret.' He says in a slightly thoughtful way. 'Get over it people, you lost things, deal with it. It is the way of the world.'
He walks over to the bar and orders some water. As he sips it slowly, he awaits impatiently for things to get a move on.
[Jeez...]

Kuja looks at Aruun. He seems more amused than offended.
'Yes, I'm sure we're all aware of that. Aruun, I saw what you had in your pockets. I can assure you, you really don't have anything I'd consider worthy of stealing. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need more tea.'
He reaches into a pocket and pulls out a small shiny stone; one that looks suspiciously like the one Aruun had in his pocket. He looks at it carefully, a scowl crossing his face.
'Well, I don't know how this got in here, but I believe this is yours, Aruun.'
Kuja hands the stone to him, then checks his pockets. In them, he finds the other things Aruun reported missing. He looks most annoyed.
'I honestly don't know how these got in here. Have your stuff back, Aruun.'
[I really wouldn't go out of my way to steal those things.]

Urema looks sad.
'Well, I'm not leaving without my scarf.'

Aruun takes his things back a little forcefully.
'It's ok, I suppose they must have grown legs and walked into your pocket themselves.'
Kuja looks at Aruun with contempt.
'Perhaps they did. Or there was some kind of trickery or Magick involved. All I know is that I didn't take your stuff. Whether you believe me or not is up to you.'
'Ok... Urema's scarf is missing too. Do you happen to have that as well, even though you didn't take it?'

Kuja looks about his person for Urema's scarf, but finds nothing.
'Nope, no scarf. Look, I know you don't believe me, but I really didn't take your things, Aruun.'

Urema is tugging at something tucked into the back of his trousers. He pulls and pulls and finds it is a long, black and silky scarf.
'I'm sure that wasn't there when I dressed. Well, I suppose we're all ready to go now.'

Kuja gives Urema a disbelieving look.
'It was there the whole time and you didn't notice? I'm sure I'd notice a scarf tucked into my trousers.'
To himself, he mutters, 'Clumsy boy.'
'Right then, lets go if we're going.'

'I'm glad we're finally going, despite setbacks.' He glares at Mystyk. 'But one thing. Where is Gygal, has anyone thought about transport at all?'

'I'm not sure where it is... and transport?' Aruun asks. 'Does anyone have an airship?'

'I don't,' Urema says, as he holds his hands behind his back. 'But I do know where Gygal is...'

'I do, but I'm not letting you riffraff onto it.'
Kuja looks at them and laughs.
'I'm kidding. She's parked out back somewhere. That's if someone hasn't stolen her or something.'
He gives Mystyk a suspicious look, then takes the keys out his pocket and jangles them about, impatiently.
'Are we going then?'

[An airship... not bad, well at least they have transport now. This place is so remote I had to come here by Manta, but I guess that's going to pay off now.]
'You guys go on without me. I'll catch up'
I throws a small strange bronze object with a crystal set in it to Kuja and walks towards the doors.
'Keep hold of that, don't worry it's safe.'
I leaves the inn and runs off.

Mystyk stands up and watches I leave.
'I'll see you all aboard the ship. I need no keys.' He says and promptly walks to the nearest shadow in the room.
'Don't take too long, I'm sure there's only so much of worth on the ship, and I wouldn't want to get bored.' He walks into the shadow and disappears with a slight smirk on his face.

Kuja looks at the strange object, intrigued.
'Hmm, I'm surprised he trusted me, a so-called thief, with it. Oh, wait, I'm not surprised, on account of I didn't take that stuff. Well, I'm fed up of waiting. I'll leave without you, if you don't hurry up.'
Kuja heads for the door and heads towards his airship, The Destiny.
Urema throws the scarf around his neck and walks to the doors of the inn, before turning to Aruun.
'You coming?' He says, before exiting the inn.

'I'm coming.'
Aruun hastily follows him.

Not one for wasting time, Kuja has already left the Inn and made his way over to where The Destiny is parked. It is difficult to miss, with it being large and purple. He opens the ship up and boards it, expecting the others to follow him.

Urema enters the airship and immediately starts pressing a number of buttons on the control panel.
'Hmm...' He says absent-mindedly. 'You really should get these labelled.'

Aruun sits down on a chair and is immediately thrown out of it with a sound like a spring. Slightly dazed, he tries to sit in it again, and it happens once more.
'Ouch... I don't think your airship likes me, Kuja.'
Kuja runs over to where Urema is and pushes him out the way, pushing some of the buttons himself. He is not pleased.
'You idiot! I don't label them because I know what they are and you don't, so I hoped you'd have the sense to leave something you obviously know nothing about alone. If the self-destruct sequence had gone off, it would have been your fault if I hadn't have stopped it. Really…'

The device I gave Kuja bleeps and I's muffled voice emanates from Kuja's crotch.
'Purple! Why Kuja, why?' He sighs. 'I'll be with you guys right... about... now.'
A zooming noise and a gush of air can be heard passing over the airship
Mystyk walks through the room in a nonchalant manner, and leans against a nearby wall.
'Hm, nice ship. Compensating?'
Mystyk laughs to himself in an arrogant way.
'Anyway, I suggest you get us going, as I've said; I don't want to be stuck with you people forever.'
He walks out of the room in a casual fashion, his eyes passing over every inch of the ship subtly.
[Hmph, I LIKE purple.]
Kuja glares at Mystyk, then addresses everyone.
'Just sit yourselves down, keep quiet and don't touch anything. At all. That means you especially, Mystyk. I know where everything is!'
'Now, where was it we were going? Gygal, you said?'
'Yes, and I was going to take us there myself. But I'll let you fly if you insist...'
At this, Urema takes a seat and adjusts his scarf.

Kuja looks blankly at Urema.
'Right, so you think its okay to just waltz on in here and just fly my ship? By your logic, maybe, but not by mine. Anyway! This won't get us there, will it?'
Kuja grins to himself and pushes some buttons.
'Hooray for auto-pilot. We should be there… ooh, shortly, at least. Now, there's toilets on the left, the fire exit is to your right and the straight ahead are the controls for the death ray. I trust you will all restrain yourselves from trying to find just which button it is.'
Kuja takes his seat, keeping a suspicious eye on Urema.