January 27, 2019, 10:22 pm

With a new companion joining us, we're not able to leave as I'd kinda been planning once we were finished with our tour of the palace. So, instead, we head to a late-night market. The same one that was overcrowded with Desh'mersa fans earlier. This time, when we arrive, the crowd is much calmer, though there's still a decent amount of themed trinkets for sale. Even a little hat that looks like a toque from home. Except the headwear has two little ear flaps on it. I suspect those are more functional than purely decorative like they'd be on earth. I'm almost tempted to buy it for Rufka to see if it works.

Hmmm.

A few seconds later, I find myself talking with the owner of the stall. It costs me an entire iron rank essence, but I'm soon the proud owner of one Desh'mersa themed toque.

While I'm making my purchase, Rufka's eyes keep sweeping the area. On guard for Kellica, I imagine. Or other Taken. Either way, it makes it much easier for me to plop her new toque straight on her head. The jump and spin is almost as funny as the way she gasps when she realizes it was me.

She's not usually such an easy target.

"Yeah, yeah. Laugh it up," Rufka says, reaching up to remove the toque.

But I step forward, tugging it down. Which earns me a look, Rufka focusing her lower eyes on me. It's adorable, so I give her a peck on the lips and finish my adjustments. "There, all sports teamed up."

Her hands drift up to tug on the ears, and a few seconds later, I see the left one flick. Then the right.

It really is designed for K'tharn ears.

"Ugh. I hate these," Rufka says, reaching up to tug at her ears again.

"Well, I think it's cute," I say, holding one of the earpieces out for her to get it fitted properly.

As if agreeing with me, Smoulder emerges from her pocket to leap directly atop Rufka's head. Rufka runs a hand down her face as Smoulder settles in, locking the hat firmly in place.

Failing to hide my smile, I turn away only to notice Kellica approaching. She's staring at Rufka, cause of course she is. Rufka's damn adorable.

Sliding my arm into Rufka's, I turn her towards the Taken agent. Rufka doesn't even flinch, smiling at Kellica as she approaches.

"What?" Kellica starts to ask but she trails off.

Not bothering to give her time to think about it, Rufka reaches a hand forward. "Since we're officially going to be working together, what should I call you? I'm Rufka."

Instead of taking Rufka's hand, Kellica stares at her headwear for another second. When she finally recovers, she states, with the most serious expression I've seen today, "You may use my agent name. The Darkest Arrow to Pierce the Night."

Thankful I was already laughing before she approached, I giggle again.

Rufka's even more amused than I am, given the way her eyes angle and mouth twitches. "Yeah... that's not happening."

"Fine. Then you may refer to me as Kellica of clan Pelmor," Kellica tries, finally realizing she's been ignoring Rufka's hand and reaching to shake it.

When they grasp hands, Rufka pulls Kellica forward a step. "Nah. I think I'll just call you Kell. That's okay, right?"

The taken agent seems startled by Rufka's approach, but I'm still fighting back laughter, so I doubt I'm the best judge.

Rufka continues to interrogate Kellica about her expectations and skills while I sit back. Shortly after it's revealed that Kellica's good at invisibility and... cooking.

Even as Genitha and Tipan are walking up from where they were shopping, Kellica is frowning at Rufka, her lip twitching as she says, "I'm serious. Look, put me in a kitchen with a three-elements burner and I'll make you the best Kultori you've ever had."

"Uhm. What's Kultori?" Rufka asks, glancing in my direction. Though I note she doesn't move her head much, keeping Smoulder properly balanced.

Responding with a shrug, I decide Smoulder needs some scritches. So, while Rufka turns back to Kellica, I float up just high enough to pet Smoulder. She leans into my hand as Kellica explains the dish, "It's a traditional mix of smoked condor meat, veltha root and spices served in a long-bowl. You've seriously never had Kultori?"

Kellica seems legitimately upset by this. More upset than when Genitha told her that she'd have to work for Rufka for two weeks to get a meeting.

In response, Rufka just shrugs. "Nope."

And with that she turns to me. "So, I guess we're not going back to Raz's."

"We're not?" I reply, my attention diverted from Smoulder as I look at Rufka, then over to Kellica.

"Don't really want to spoil the place by bringing a Taken there," Rufka explains, one of her hands coming up to tug slightly at the toque.

Personally, I'm not worried about taking her to Raz's. But I guess if Rufka doesn't want her there, we can always teleport somewhere else... or stay at Tipan's. As I look toward Tipan, she gives me a short shake of her head. Okay, not Tipan's.

"We can take her to Theria's," Genitha states, pointing with a carved object that has spinning bits on it. I'm not sure if it's an attempt at misdirection, cause she's pointing in a direction more south than towards where I thought Theria lives. "In fact, that will work quite well. Perhaps we should arrange for Beth to meet us there?"

"I can just pick them up," I reply even as Genitha starts strolling in the direction she was pointing.

"At a later date, perhaps. We wouldn't want you getting exhausted," she says, turning her head just enough to wink at me.

It takes me longer than it should to realize she's trying to hide my capabilities from Kellica. For some reason, I feel at ease around Kellica. Hmm. Wonder if she has some special ability.

I narrow my eyes, staring at Kellica while trying to discern if there's any magic affecting me. But my mana-sense can't pick up anything. Not that I'm perfect. But even pausing time and inspecting carefully reveals nothing.

As insurance, I decide to attach an IFF tether to her. This way she won't be able to disappear without me knowing where she is. It'll make her easier to teleport anyway. Even as I'm establishing the link, Rufka is talking to the same merchant I bought her hat off. A minute later, she turns around, her grin stretched out to dangerous territory.

With a lightning-fast lunge, Rufka strikes, her hands bringing a warm fuzzy material down over my ears. As I recover from her assault, I reach up to discover a hat that I'm sure is much like her own. Rufka's face droops slightly as she looks at me, reaching up to play with one of the ears.

"Vaus' tits. I forgot... the ears," Rufka says, stepping to the side.

Right. Cause I don't have any. But that doesn't mean they have to stay that way. It only takes a tiny amount of wind magic to fill the hat's ears. But I don't stop there, sending my new cat ears flopping in every direction. Including several that normal K'tharn ears couldn't pull off.

"That's just weird," Rufka states, pulling me in for a quick kiss. She plays with my hat's ear for a moment, trying to twist it away from me. We spend a few seconds playing tug of war with my hat-ear before Rufka chuckles. "But then, that's why're you're not like any-user else."

Unable to keep myself from blushing, I look down to see that her lower hands are holding another of the hats. "What's the second one for?" I ask, using the hat as a diversion.

"Oh, right." Rufka turns toward Kellica, holding the hat menacingly.

Kellica just raises an eyebrow, taking the hat from Rufka and setting it on her head with a couple quick tugs.

I'm unable to hold in my laughter at the way Rufka goes slack jawed in response. She recovers quickly, nodding at Kellica as she paces around her, humming while rubbing her chin. Kellica just stands in place as Rufka continues her inspection. While they're doing that, Tipan returns from making her own purchase. She has a similar hat, though hers has a different team on it.

"Wanted to get in on the fun?" I tease, elbowing Tipan lightly.

"I did. Though I had to search to find one with the South Tribune's logo. They're not as popular here," Tipan replies, showing me the embroidered symbol of three triangles on a circle, all pointed down. "Cost twice as much, but it was worth it. I also got this." She holds up a ring with the same symbol.

"A ring? Didn't know they did rings," I reply, my eyes drifting over to where Rufka is searching through the vendors while Kellica stands just behind her. Pretty sure Rufka is trying to find something that Kellica will be embarrassed by.

"Not just a ring. It's a team spirit ring!"

Tipan's bold statement gets me to turn back to her right as she's slipping the ring on. There's a half second where the colour of her disguise flickers white, almost going out, but then it's replaced by a bright neon-pink and green combination. It's incredibly flashy. And it gets everyone's attention.

Including Genitha's.

"Okay kittens, I think that's enough playing around. We should get going."

Genitha's proclamation stops Rufka who was only two steps away from Tipan with a massive grin on her face. The grin fades as we turn to follow her mum. I slip my arm around her, and a bit of her smile returns as she gives me a quick peck on the cheek.

Genitha leads us towards the Edge, and while Tipan tells us about the Southern Tribune's great win four years ago, I receive a message from Rufka reminding me we shouldn't take Kellica back to Raz's and that her mum thinks we should go to Theria's. Sending her a confirmation, I follow Genitha into a small, abandoned cabin that's perched right at the edge. Once inside, everyone gathers in a circle. Except Kellica, who's standing off to the side, looking at an abandoned mirror that someone left behind.

"Who do you think-"

Kellica is cut off by Rufka who huffs out, "Get your sneaky ass over here."

Setting down the mirror, Kellica walks closer, her eyes darting around the room. "Why are we here? Is this location-"

Before I can get distracted, I pause time, using the moment to check, then re-check my spell. Then once I'm sure everyone is close enough, and everything is safe... I check it again. Twice.

Mostly sure of myself, I send us off to the Standing Stones. The same Standing Stones where we first arrived on Akilo.

The spell goes through without a problem, each of us arriving safe and sound.

I look out past us, and I can't help but smile when I see the giant dinosaur munching on leaves in the distance. My peaceful moment is ruined, by the sound of Kellica losing her lunch.

Ah, well. Not everyone can handle nature.