*The scene opens at night. It is seen as if through someone else's eyes. They appear to be stood at the peak of a large cliff, gazing out at the horizon. Below them is a forest, slightly reminiscent of the geography of Dalimoor Head and Loliusin Hollow, though it doesn't seem to be on Dalimoor.*
Female Voice: Are you gonna jump?
*The person we are seeing through starts a little at the sound of the voice.*
Man: Wasn't really plannin' on it, but you almost made me launch myself off. Don't sneak up on a guy like that!
*Our speaker turns round and we see the woman. She is young, with pale brown hair that the wind is blowing over her chestnut eyes.*
Woman: Sorry. Don't you know what this cliff is?
Man: A tall one. I don't care.
Woman: Don't be silly, you. You don't read the Amyri'ite Scriptures, do you?
Man: I ain't a fan of fairy tales and I'm not in the mood for a story.
Woman: Oh, but you'll be interested in this. They say that Baidow, God of Life, and his son, Solatis, God of Fire and Rebirth, had a strong rivalry. Both were hot-headed and fiery characters that would often fight on this world before life was created, though neither ever came out on top.
Man: Yeah yeah, the Gods never seem to get along in these stories, do they? I guess if you had all that power, you'd wanna throw your weight around.
Woman: I sure would. Yeah, so one day, Solatis asked his mother, Amyrian, to help him finally beat his father. During their next fight, Baidow seemed to have the upper hand, as Solatis didn't appear to be trying. Just when he thought he was gonna win, Amyrian melted the ground around Baidow's legs, trapping him. Solatis laughed at his trapped father, but Baidow simply pulled himself up out of the ground and gave his son a good spanking for his insolence.
Man: Lemme guess, the cliff here was made when Baidow wrenched free of the ground?
Woman: Yep, that's how the story goes. So this place is supposed to help people turn their lives around when things are bad, like how Baidow won even when it looked like he'd lost. But most people who come here with terrible lives just use the high cliff as a fantastic opportunity to commit suicide. *Grins.*
Man: So you thought that's what I was here for? Charmin'.
Woman: Hey, there isn't much else to do up here.
Man: What about you? Were you comin' to drop off?
Woman: *Stands near the edge and holds out her arms.* I was, actually.
Man: You're kiddin'. You're about to kill yourself and you're that damn perky?
Woman: *Steps back towards him.* And you're not about to kill yourself, but you're pretty gloomy.
Man: *Our view lowers, so it seems he has sat down.* Yeah, well… I've got my reasons to be gloomy. I would top myself, but there's no point. It won't change how I feel. Can't enjoy the afterlife when you've had such a shitty living life.
Woman: *Sits next to him.* Yeah, I know what you mean.
Man: Everythin' I've ever had or cared about has been ripped away from me. I've got no home and no friends. I've done stupid stuff even I can't forgive… Life just seems so pointless now, but death even more so. All I can do is sit around and lament.
Woman: You sound a lot like me. My past is pretty hideous and that's why I wanted to end it all… so I didn't have to face it. But if it'll still haunt me on the other side, what's the point?
Man: Lost your perkiness, haven't ya? Better stay away from me. My gloom must be infectious, unless you wanna mope around with me for the rest of your life.
Woman: No… I've got a better idea. *Takes his hand and stands him up.* Why don't we do what this cliff is meant for?
Man: We've been over the suicide thing.
Woman: No, I mean turn things round… start over! If our pasts are bad, who cares? Don't think about them! Let's make new lives.
Man: *Snorts derisively.* Is it that easy?
Woman: It could be if we make it that easy. Just… let go. Just forget. We don't even know each other's names, but that doesn't matter, because they're just tying us down to the bad stuff we don't want anymore.
Man: *Laughs a little, humouring her.* Okay, sure. Who are we gonna be now, then?
Woman: Well, we're starting afresh, but we're still us, just new and improved. So… *Takes a pen from pocket.* Have you got any paper?
Man: Might do… *Feels around in a pocket and takes a scrap of paper. He hands it to her.*
Woman: *Tears it in half.* So we'll each write our old names on a piece of paper… *Writes hers on a piece and folds it in her hand, so he can't see it. She hands him the other.* Don't show me it.
Man: *Writes his name, but he holds his left hand over the paper, so neither the woman or us can see what he's writing. When finished, he also folds it in his hand.* Okay, now what?
Woman: Now tear it into small strips and shake 'em all up in your hands. Then pick out one or two of the smaller strips and make your new name from them. *She rips up hers, shakes them about and takes out two small pieces. They read 'Van' and 'da.'* I'm Vanda. Who are you?
Man: Let's find out. *After tearing and shaking his, he takes only one piece. It reads 'Ryo.'* I guess I'm Ryo.
Vanda: Well then, Ryo, it's good to meet you. Here's to our new lives. *Takes his hand.*
Ryo: Let's hope they're better than our old ones, huh? *Closes his fingers around hers.*
*The two of them shake hands and let fly the unused scraps of paper off the top of the cliff.*

*We join our heroes at Castle Medra one afternoon. Red and Laurenza and Thorn and Kuja have since returned from their respective trips. On this day, some of the gang (namely Thorn, Kuja, Tifanel, Red and Rin) are gathered in one of the chambers. Laurenza enters, going through the midday post.*
Tifanel: Hey, the post's here. Anythin' for me?
Laurenza: Nope, but Red, you've been randomly selected to be eligible to win a brand new dishwasher.
Red: Fantastic. Just what I always wanted.
Kuja: Wow, lucky you. I only ever get randomly selected to be eligible to win fantastic cash prizes, but never a dishwasher.
Red: Lucky me indeed.
Laurenza: Rin, there's a parcel here for you... *Studies the seal on the suspiciously bottle-shaped package.* It says it's from Fine Wines Monthly.
Rin: Oh, fabulous. I've been waiting for this. *Takes it from her.*
Laurenza: And oh, there's something for me here... *Opens up a letter and reads it.* That's strange...
Thorn: What's up?
Laurenza: Listen to this: 'To the Queen of Dalimoor and friends, I hope you don't mind, but her Holiness Galesse passed on your contact details to me. Being the Pope, she has good contacts and can find things like that out quite easily. I know you probably wouldn't want to help me, but you're the only people I can turn to. You're the only people I can think of who'd be strong enough to give us the aid we need. Please come to these coordinates as soon as possible...' They've written some coordinates here. 'This is an emergency.' Signed, 'an acquaintance.'
Red: I hope that this isn't one of those 'funny' joke letters...
Tifanel: I dunno, it sounds like someone's in some kinda trouble.
Rin: I do wonder who could've sent this.
Thorn: Whoever it is, they seem to need help soon. Do you think we should help them out?
Kuja: *Takes the letter from Laurenza and scans it.* Hmm... They mention the Pope and those coordinates are pretty close, relatively speaking, so I'm sure they're asking us to come to Palamoor. I don't know, the last time someone told us to go to Palamoor, it didn't end well. This could be trap.
Thorn: Yes... but it also could be legitimate...
Tifanel: Thorn's got a point. I reckon it's worth answerin' this letter, 'cos if we ignore it, we'll be abandoning someone who needs help. If we go there and find it's a trap, so what? We can handle it.
Rin: Said with all the gallant bravery of a hero, Tifanel. *Nods.*
Thorn: Well, we won't know what the situation is until we go, will we? It's worth a try. It usually is.
Laurenza: Then it's settled. But just in case, I'll ask the others to stay behind. If we need back up, we can always call them.
Red: Sounds like a good idea to me.
*Laurenza informs the remaining members of the gang of the situation and then boards The Destiny with the others.*

*Kuja enters the coordinates given on the letter and the ship quickly sets off towards them. They soon arrive on Palamoor. The Destiny touches down near the base of a cliff and the gang descend the gangplank. Situated on the far side of the cliff is a thick forest and on the near side is small house.*
Laurenza: We've been here before...
Kuja: Yes, Laurenza, we've visited Palamoor before. We actually spent a lot of time on this planet, if you remember.
Laurenza: *Glares at him a little.* ...I meant here, as in this exact area... I'm sure this is the other side of the Kayoko Forest. The Kattsui Village is in there somewhere.
Thorn: The Kattsui? Don't tell Kitzie.
Tifanel: Heh heh, yeah. They'll want her back as their envoy of the Cat God or whatever they thought she was.
Rin: *Turns to Laurenza.* Do you think it was the Kattsui people that sent you the letter, my lovely?
Laurenza: No, I'm sure it wasn't. They don't have such a good grasp on human language. *Looks towards the building. It has a small sign that reads 'Safe House' on it.* Maybe it was the people in there that sent it.
Red: It's very possible. We should check if it was.
*They go inside the house. It is slightly cramped and very untidy, with a strong smell of animals. All but one of the overhead lights is broken, so it is also quite dark. What appear to be several small Demon cubs have made their homes around the room. They are covered with long, green fur and have floppy ears. A much larger one of the same race springs towards them, hackles raised and growling. Kuja's robes appear to start snarling in response.*
Rin: Um, Kuja my friend, I do believe your robes are trying to communicate with the local wildlife...
Kuja: No, don't be stupid. It's just Tabitha. *Takes her out from under his clothes and tries to quiet her.*
Thorn: These creatures... what are they?
Kuja: I'd hazard a guess at some kind of Demon...
Tifanel: A dangerous kind of Demon? 'Cos uh... this one's gettin' pretty close... *Draws his sword.*
Red: I'm not sure, but don't provoke it, Tifanel...
Tifanel: I'm not... I'm actin' outta self defence!
*A voice comes from the back of the room. Three figures seem to have entered from another door, but in the darkness, only their basic forms can be made out.*
Male Voice: That's enough, Fred, they're not intruders. Come here. *Whistles a call.*
*The Demon, 'Fred', bounds towards the whistling man.*
Kuja: 'Fred...?' What a ridiculous name for something like that.
Tifanel: *Quietly.* Says the guy that named his daughter 'Tabitha.'
Red: *Makes no comment on the name of either Fred or Tabitha.*
Male Voice: So I'm not so good with coming up with names. *He steps forwards out of the shadows. He has mid-length green hair that is pulled back into a small ponytail. He is wearing hardwearing overalls that have many tears in them. His clothes and hair are slightly different from the last time they saw him, but it's Emilio of the Hallowed Knights.*
Red: *She looks vaguely surprised to see him.* Oh, it's you.
Laurenza: You're that annoying Hallowed Knights guy... Were you the one that sent me the letter?
Emilio: *Is a little hurt by the 'annoying' comment.* Yes...
Kuja: *Laughs.* Oh, you've got to be joking. As if we'd help you, after all that rubbish you and your girlfriend put us through!
Thorn: What do you need help with?
Tifanel: Geez Thorn, don't waste your time. Let's just get outta here.
Emilio: Wait, hear me out! I'm no longer a Hallowed Knight! After the incident with Pope Galesse, I quit. I couldn't bear the true face of Amyrianism. I never wanted to be with them anyway... Esther forced me into joining. Believe me, she is not a girl to argue with. And she's definitely not my girlfriend. I'm with these guys now. *Gestures the other figures still in shadow.*
Red: So you've jumped from one shady organisation to another... Smooth move.
*A second figure steps forward. This one is a woman with pale brown hair and similar overalls to Emilio's.*
Woman: Hey, who are you calling shady? Okay, so we've got a few lights broken, but that's not unfixable. You shouldn't be talking about Niko's past, anyway. We don't do things like that around here.
Red: We weren't to know that...
Thorn: Would you mind explaining what's going on?
Rin: Yes, that would be courteous. Who is this 'Niko' you mentioned? I thought his name was 'Emilio.'
Woman: No, he's Niko now. Listen, all three of us here have pasts we want to forget. We've all done things we're ashamed of, or seen things that hurt us, so we're starting afresh with new lives as new people. I'm Vanda Uno, he's Niko Doss... *Gestures Emilio.* And that's Ryo Treize. *Points to the final figure still in darkness.* You know, Ryo didn't want you all to come because you've dealt with Niko in the past. It's kind of against protocol, yeah?
Thorn: Oh right, I see.
Tifanel: That's kinda weird, but okay. I'm Tifanel.
Laurenza: Laurenza.
Red: I'm Red.
Kuja: Kuja.
Thorn: Hi, I'm Thorn.
Rin: *Goes straight to Vanda's side, switching on the charm.* And I'm Rinford P. Bancroft, but you can skip the formalities and call me something much more intimate if you like, fair beauty.
Red: *Shakes her head despairingly.* Rin...
Vanda: *Smiles a little and moves away from Rin.* Sorry Rin, but my eyes are for one man only, and it's not you.
Rin: But don't you think that's a little wasteful, sweet blossom? You have two eyes and only one man for the both of them.
Red: Maybe you should give up now, Rin... Before she hits you...
Kuja: More like before I hit him. Can't you meet one girl without throwing yourself at them, Rin?
Tifanel: Yeah, give it a rest for once, Rin. I don't think this is the time.
Vanda: Let's finish the introductions off properly, shall we?
*Vanda and Emilio, or Niko as he's now known, go and shake everyone's hands. The one named Ryo, in a slightly unfriendly gesture, does not move from his spot in the shadows.*
Thorn: *Looks over at Ryo briefly, wondering if he will move from his spot before leaving him be.* So... what was it you needed us for, anyway?
Niko: Well, the three of us have formed a team to help Demons that have been harmed by the Hallowed Knights.
Laurenza: Wow, really? You've certainly had a change of heart, Niko.
Niko: Okay, so I was doing the wrong thing! Let it go, please.
Thorn: Let's not mention it anymore, shall we?
Vanda: That's what we do around here. Forgive and forget... mostly forget. He's making up for his misdeeds now. We take in Demons that have been injured by the Hallowed Knights and nurse them back to health. Also, we try and break up fights that the Hallowed Knights start with them.
Kuja: *Grins nastily.* Why? It could be funny, watching the Hallowed Knights get mauled to death by huge, ravenous Demons.
Thorn: Kuja...
Niko: Really, the Hallowed Knights might seem cruel, but they're not stupid. They are actually quite cunning. They only tend to pick on Demons that are small and weak. *Pets one of the little green Demon pups.*
Rin: How very cowardly of them.
Red: I agree. Though I should imagine they only look small and weak.
Niko: Oh yes, our Fred could probably tear your throat out quite easily, but the young ones are much more vulnerable. The Hallowed Knights would more likely go for Demon cubs because they're less dangerous.
Laurenza: So what exactly can we do to help?
Ryo: *Speaks up suddenly from the shadows.* By turnin' around and goin' back home.
Thorn: *Raises an eyebrow.* What...?
Ryo: We don't need your help. We can handle this on our own.
Niko: *Sighs.* No we can't, Ryo. I'm sorry everyone, but it's like Vanda said. He didn't want you to come because I know you from my past. It's against policy.
Kuja: Well, if our presence is bothering him so much, maybe we should just leave.
Thorn: I know it's against your policy, but if you need us to help then we will. After all, we did introduce ourselves afresh...
Vanda: That's true. More things are at stake than our little rules. So come on, Ryo, stop being so rude. Come out from that corner and be nice to our guests.
Ryo: Hmph... *Steps out towards them. He is dressed the same as the others. He has longish and straight hair that is dark brown in colour. He is also wearing a green bandana, and dark glasses are covering his eyes, even though they're indoors. The gang feel there is something familiar about him, but they can't quite place what it is.* Fine. I guess we could do with all the help we can get.
Laurenza: *Studies him for a moment, then decides she can't figure out if she's seen him before or not.* There we go. That wasn't so hard, now was it?
Thorn: *Nods and smiles.* That's the spirit.
Niko: There's a ruined temple dedicated to Fiaran, Goddess of Ice and Stagnation, around here. It's long since been abandoned and a pack of Manjimau, small and relatively tame Demons like our Fred, has been living there for ages. The problem is that the Hallowed Knights have suddenly decided they want the temple back.
Vanda: That means bye-bye to the Manjimau.
Laurenza: They're going to kill them?
Red: Sounds that way.
Vanda: That's exactly what they're going to do. Now, normally we could handle those praying pricks, but this time they're bringing a friend with them.
Thorn: That doesn't sound good.
Red: What kind of friend? One with poison or the like?
Niko: Oh, he's poison all right.
Ryo: Ruther Philan...
Tifanel: Who's that?
Niko: Warrior-Priest Ruther Philan, the most famous Hallowed Knight of our time… Every Hallowed Knight wants to be like him. He was stationed in a far-away post for a long time, but it seems he's recently returned to the capital. He's the reason we cannot do this alone.
Thorn: I see... He sounds like bad news all right.
Rin: I take it he is quite strong?
Ryo: Too strong for you. You might as well go home.
Thorn: Don't underestimate us.
Tifanel: Your attitude is really startin' to bug me, ya know?
Laurenza: Me too. We're not backing out of this now.
Red: *Nods.* We don't have to help you, you know.
Vanda: Calm down, everyone, we're doing this together. We've got a plan. A little bird told us that Philan's division is striking the temple tomorrow.
Kuja: *Gives her an irritated look.* Sorry if this sounds strangely sensible, but if you know about his attack in advance like this, why don't you just rescue the Manjimau before he comes to kill them?
Vanda: That sounds like the easiest and most logical option, but we really wanna teach these guys a lesson. We're not to be messed with. If we really lay it into them, maybe they'll think twice before going after Demons next time.
Thorn: True, but the Manjimau are the priority, aren't they?
Vanda: They are. Don't worry; we've got it all figured out. Why don't you make yourselves comfortable? Niko and I will fix us all some drinks, then we'll tell you the rest of the plan, okay?
Laurenza: That sounds nice.
Red: It does.

*The gang seat themselves around a table in the centre of the room. Fred the Manjimau is curled up in the centre of it, on top of a pile of papers. Niko and Vanda head through to another room, assumedly the kitchen, to make the drinks. Ryo goes and stands outside the front door, lighting up a cigarette.*
Laurenza: *Speaks quietly to the others.* Not really what I expected. I never thought we'd be helping out an ex-Hallowed Knight, especially to defeat the Hallowed Knights themselves.
Red: I think we can safely say no one saw this coming.
Tifanel: Yeah, but we know Emilio... uh... Niko isn't a bad guy really. I reckon he was just a bit misguided by that Esther woman.
Thorn: I think you're right.
Kuja: She was the kind of girl that doesn't make me sad I went off women.
Laurenza: *Can't help but smile.* Heheh... Yeah, but what about Vanda and Ryo? We know Emilio is using his guise as Niko because he's ashamed of being former Hallowed Knight, but what have they to hide?
Red: I don't know, but they don't seem to be the type to reveal it, whatever it is. Well... Vanda might.
Rin: I believe Vanda is a good person, but I must say that Ryo is quite uncouth.
Tifanel: Yeah, there's definitely nothin' couth about him at all. He's been tryin' to send us packin' since the moment we arrived.
Thorn: I'm sure he has his reasons.
Laurenza: He may do, but there's something else that bothers me about him. I can't help but feel I've seen him somewhere before, but I can't remember where.
Kuja: Now that you mention it, there's a chance we have bumped into one another before. I mean, we have encountered about a million people in all our adventures. I suppose it's hard to keep them all straight.
Thorn: It's true. Maybe we have met him before. I can't quite place him, though.
Tifanel: The fact that he's probably changed his name like Emilio won't help either.
Laurenza: Well, I think there's something suspicious about him. It might be just a wild theory, but maybe there's more to bringing us here than they're telling us. Maybe Ryo keeps telling us to leave because he really wants us to stay, and he knows that it'll annoy us into doing so.
Red: Ahh, reverse psychology at its finest.
Rin: A fine hypothesis, but I believe it would be wise to keep it to ourselves. If we recounted it to our new friends and found it to be incorrect, I feel they would be most offended.
Thorn: *Nods.* You're right.
*At that moment, Vanda and Niko return with a tray of hot drinks.*
Niko: Drinks here. *Sets them down on the table.*
Red: Thanks.
Vanda: *Goes over to Ryo.* Ryo, put that out and come and have a drink. That's not gonna help you quit. Talk about bad things from the past… *Comes back to the table and sits near Niko.*
Ryo: *Throws the cigarette on the ground and steps on it, but doesn't move from his spot by the door.*
Tifanel: *Takes a swig of his drink.* So uh, what's the plan for tomorrow?
Vanda: We'll need to split up, I think. Half of us will infiltrate the temple and rescue the Manjimau living inside. The other half will dispatch Ruther and his Knights. Oh, but one of us will have to stay here and hold the fort, though, 'cos there's a lot of wounded Demons that would be vulnerable if left alone.
Niko: I'll stay here.
Vanda: Good idea, Niko. It'll save you bumping into anyone you used to work with. Ryo will lead the infiltration team and I'll lead the dispatch team. *She looks over the gang.* I'm sure you guys can sort out who wants to go with who.
Thorn: *Nods.* We'll sort it.
*The gang decide between them that Thorn, Kuja and Rin will go with Vanda; and Laurenza, Red and Tifanel will go with Ryo.*
Kuja: Yes, this order seems logical to me. All the men have gone with Vanda and all the ladies have gone with Ryo.
Tifanel: What? Shut the hell up! Like you've got room to talk...!
Kuja: I'm not the one that wears a pink apron. *Smirks.*
Tifanel: ...
Thorn: Kuja...
Laurenza: Let's not start fighting among ourselves...
Vanda: Yeah, we've got enough on our plates as it is. Well, it looks like everything's sorted out. Since nothing's going on till tomorrow, you can all stay the night here. I'm sorry it's not much, but hopefully you'll be comfortable.
Thorn: Well, thank you for your hospitality.
Laurenza: Yeah, thank you. I'm sure we'll be fine here.
*The gang and the trio sort out where everyone will be sleeping that night.*

*A little later, Vanda and Niko are in the kitchen, preparing the evening meal for everyone. The others are passing time in the main room. Kuja is sat near Thorn, looking terribly bored, wishing he'd brought a book. He's idly watching Tabitha, who is curiously sniffing Fred the Manjimau. Rin and Tifanel are drinking beers, which Rin must have brought with him without the others knowing. They're seeing who can finish theirs first and laughing raucously. Ryo is stood by the door once more, watching them rather disdainfully for some reason. Laurenza is sat at the table with Red, studying Ryo discreetly.*
Red: *Notices Laurenza watching Ryo.*
Laurenza: *To Red.* Ryo's looking at Rin and Tif. I wonder why. Is he plotting something?
Red: I don't know. I'd love to know what he's thinking.
Laurenza: Me too. Something about him bothers me...
Tifanel: *Nearly chokes on his beer.*
Thorn: Tifanel, be careful...
Rin: Dear me, Tifanel, you shouldn't have drank that so fast! But never fear! *Whacks him on the back with his cane.*
Tifanel: *Coughs.* ...Thanks Rin, but a pat on the back with your hand would've done! You get a real kick outta hittin' me with that thing, don't ya? *Takes the cane from Rin and threatens to hit him back with it.*
Rin: *Looks nervous.* Now now, you wouldn't hit a man with glasses, now would you?
Tifanel: *Grins.* Oh, wouldn't I? *Laughs and jabs at him with it, making him limp round the room.*
*The two of them run in circles, laughing.*
Thorn: *Shakes head and laughs.* Well, if they're having fun...
Kuja: *Sighs.* But do they have to embarrass us all while they're at it?
Thorn: Well, of course. It's Tif and Rin.
*Ryo appears to take offence to Rin and Tifanel's behaviour and leaves the house. A moment later, Niko and Vanda enter with the dinner.*
Vanda: Oh... where's Ryo?
Red: He just left...
Rin: *Takes his cane back from Tifanel.* Oh my, perhaps he took exception to our foolish behaviour.
Tifanel: Pfft, he probably went outside to be unsociable alone.
Red: Either could be possible.
Vanda: Really, I don't know what's up with him. He's not usually like this...
Niko: It's all my fault. I should not have invited you all here. It must be the fact that I went against our code… But we really need your help...
Laurenza: Let's not start that again.
Red: I agree.
Vanda: Just ignore Ryo being all moody. I'm sure he'll snap out of it.
Kuja: He'd better, or I'll snap something of his.
Laurenza: Shush, Kuja.
Thorn: Yeah, there's no need to be quite so harsh.
Niko: Let's just eat. I'll leave some for him for when he wants it. *He starts dishing up the food and says some kind of prayer.* We thank you, Amyrian, bringer of bounty, for this meal of which we are about to partake.
*The gang stare blankly at him.*
Niko: Um... sorry. Old habits die hard...
Thorn: No harm done.
*They have dinner.*

*Later that night, they all retire to bed. It's a bit of a squeeze, what with the building being quite small and Demons making nests in every corner, but everyone has somewhere to sleep. Rin settles down to go to sleep, but finds himself surrounded by a large number of the Manjimau pups. They all look quite hostile, growling and gnashing their fangs. Rin sits up and smiles strangely. He narrows his yellow eyes. They glitter slightly in the pale moonlight pouring in through the window. His pupils are little more than slits.*
Rin: *Begins casting some kind of spell. Spiky runes are etched into the bed beneath him and dark energy, crackling with purple lightning, gathers in his hands.* Back off, underscum.
*The little Manjimaus retreat quickly. Rin watches them go for a moment, then stops the spell suddenly. He looks confused for a second, as if he's not quite sure why he just did what he did. Elsewhere in the house, someone else is awake. They are sneaking around in the darkness, creeping into each room and rifling through everyone's possessions. The action switches to Tifanel's room. A shadow falls over Tifanel and he is woken suddenly by a slight noise. His fighter's instincts allow him to swiftly grab his sword and stand with its tip pointed at the intruder's neck. In the dim light of the night, he can't see who it is.*
Tifanel: Who's there?
Ryo: It's Ryo.
Tifanel: Ryo, what the hell are ya doin' standin' over me at night?
Ryo: Almost bein' stabbed to death by you, it seems!
Tifanel: Well, whaddaya expect, sneakin' up on me in my sleep like this? For all I know, you could've come to stab me to death! *Presses his sword a little bit closer.* Yeah, I get it… that's exactly why ya came here, isn't it? You didn't want us here from the start, so now you're tryin' to get rid of us!
Ryo: No, I ain't, so you can stop tryin' to run me through!
Tifanel: Then what are you doin' here?
Ryo: *Doesn't respond for a moment.* If I told ya that, you would stab me to death…
Tifanel: *Looks a bit surprised by his response and lowers his sword.*
Ryo: *Leaves.*
Tifanel: *Stands confused for a few moments, then gets back into bed.*

*Ryo leaves the building and leans against one of the walls. He takes out his cigarettes and lighter, and is just about to light up when he notices with horror a section of skin on his arm has become dusty and grey. He gasps and quickly shakes his sleeve over it. Vanda exits the house and approaches him.*
Vanda: Did you just realise how much crap each cigarette puts into you?
Ryo: Yeah… sure. *Puts the packet and lighter away in his pocket.* What are ya doin' out here?
Vanda: I thought I heard someone skulking around. It turns out it was just you sneaking for smoke.
Ryo: Yeah, naughty me. *Slaps his wrist comically and it makes a sound as if he was hitting something much harder. He appears to have hurt his hand in the process as well, but he was only hitting himself lightly, so this is unusual.* Ouch…
Vanda: I didn't think you hit yourself that hard…
Ryo: I… must've done.
Vanda: *Takes his hand and looks at him, a playful smile on her face.* I could… kiss it better if you like…