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[This sedative is working awfully slowly.]

In what felt like a split second, this stranger made it boldly obvious that he didn't hold good intentions. Yuki skidded to a halt and jerked his upper body swiftly to one side to avoid the knife that had been hurled at him, despite the projectile's aim being off, it only narrowly missed its mark. There was little doubt that he wouldn't have been getting up very quickly from that one. He heard a dull thunk from behind him, but thankfully no screams. Either the knife had fallen to the ground, or embedded itself into one of the many inanimate objects dotting the streets. He didn't turn to look, as he was already advancing again on Poke and the man that was struggling to subdue her.

In the stranger's distraction, Yuki was able to close in on them. He reached out for the man's cloak to grab a fistful of the material and roughly pull him away from the girl.

[He had a cloak... I think? I can change it if needed. XD]

-----

After going to get a cupful of water to fill the dish that Poke had set down earlier, Hitsu sat down on the floor as well, apparently deciding that Tobi had eaten enough at least for the time being. He thought so too, it looked like, when he decided it was time to settle down to digest. She watched the dog in amusement for a moment, until Mitsu spoke her name. She looked back to her, and only shrugged lightly at her question. "I'm not sure. I don't want to go back if it means I'm not going to see any of you again..."

She chuckled lightly, "After all of this, I don't think everything could go back to 'normal' anyway." She absently began to look at the floor, "I'm sure we can find a bit of land that nobody has called claim over, somewhere... Villages have to start somewhere, right? Maybe we can build our own, bit by bit." It really did seem like a ridiculous idea, but why not? That way, they could all live in the same area and everyone could be happy... Right? "We could find a territory near a river. Or the ocean." The mention of the ocean made her smile, she really did want to see the ocean someday. "So that Poke can be near the water." She looked up to Blade, and then back to Mitsu. "Where would you like to live, if you could go anywhere on the continent?"

-----

[Attempting some sort of NPC crap here, so if you'd like to join in Rith... Feel free. XD A time skip of any sort is welcome as well, since long RP during the eating part (or lack thereof) is not really important.]

Before crossing the threshold into the hotel, Deacon took a moment to slick back his hair... By licking his dirty palm and running his fingers through his hair. He'd made sure to do this while the young woman wasn't looking in his direction, but it didn't mean a few of the employees still lingering in the lobby were past looking at him like he'd just done something unspeakable. The act worked as intended, though it didn't help him look any classier since he was still the close humanoid equivalent of an unwashed alley cat.

The woman's request certainly gained a reaction that may have been expected; He looked down to her with a cocked brow and questioning glance. Of course he was suspicious. Though, he could play this game as well. He gave a light shrug, "Of course, my Lady." He produced the leather bag from his pocket and offered it to her. No questions, no objections. Once the task was accomplished, he continued to the dining area, and stood in the doorway impatiently.

It was a short wait before someone had come to acknowledge them, but the feline already managed to look irritable. For a brief second the waiter looked over the filthy feline, and it took all of his concentration to keep him from curling his lip at the man. Had he been alone, there was no doubt he would have been refused service, but when the waiter's gaze settled on Elegancia he assumed that she was taking pity on the poor creature. "Two?" He guessed, and retrieved two menus before gesturing them to follow him to a table.

"Arrogant little..." Deacon muttered under his breath. Anything past that was muffled by clenched teeth, but it would be a safe bet to assume that swearing was involved.

Once they'd finally arrived at their table, Deacon pulled a chair out for Ele to sit. As he had done so, he looked up to the waiter, who he found staring at him again. "Is there a problem?"

"Not at all, Sir." The man lied, and quietly laid each menu on the tabletop. "May I start you with-"

"Wine." Deacon interjected, "Bring us a bottle of wine."

Instead of acknowledging Deacon, the waiter looked expectantly at the woman. It was apparent that this man believed that Deacon was the one getting the free meal out of this.

"Hey, fancy boy." Deacon snapped, "You got something stuck in your ears?" Oh yeah. Gentleman.

Luckily she had been able to make contact, but now she knew, with certain dread, that this was all she could have done. She flopped to the ground, not even able to move her arms anymore. Now she was at the mercy of this b*****d.
Looking up, she could faintly see a blur of movement from yuki as he dodged the knife. And jumped forwards towards them. He's trying to save me...

"Yuki..." she said. "I'm...sorry..." And passed out

It was slightly relieving to hear Hitsu say that she was uncertain if they would return. It wasn't a definite answer but it was something to inspire hope. When she asked Mitsu about where she would like to live Mitsu started to think. Where sounded nice? What place gave her the most comfort. Oddly the first thing that came to mind was a void white. At first she thought her mind had gone blank but as she continued to focus she could see the snowflakes slowly drifting toward the already covered ground. "Snow." She found herself saying out loud with no real clarification. Despite how cold it would seem there was a certain warmth Mitsu found in the scene in her memories.

Continuing in her almost dazed daydream she began to add to the picture in her mind. There were a few trees, very bare and dead from the long ongoing winter, lots of rocks, hills, and cliff sides....and a cave. As she continued to imagine what her little world would be like a person she couldn't quite remember but somehow knew very well popped up into her mind. He looked so much like her but there was something different, something about his eyes.

"I uhh..." Finally she realized she had nearly drifted off. "I guess anywhere would be fine." She smiled the thoughts already starting to be suppressed.

Neko began to shift uncomfortably underneath Tobi and as he did so only forced Tobi to pay attention to him. Letting out a bit of a whine Tobi edged a little closer to him and gave him a small lick under his chin. Neko's grumbles slowly turned into a groan, and not a groan of discomfort. As if that was all the incentive Tobi needed he licked him again and got the same sound just a little deeper this time.

"Mmm..yeah.." Neko mumbled softly under his breath in his sleep.

Wagging his tail now Tobi edged that much closer and started to lick the side of Neko's face not leaving an inch uncovered. Neko moved away a little but smiled rather seductively in his sleep. "Now now baby, there's enough of me to-" Neko finally began to arouse from his sleep as his spoke. The 'heavy licking' had brought him around and as he caught sight of the canine coming toward him to lick his face again Neko cut himself off and let out a loud yelp. As quick as a bunny Neko sprang from the bed like it was on fire and just as quickly found himself on the floor in his weakened state.

"W...WHERE THE HELL DID HE COME FROM!?" Neko demanded propping himself up on his side to look up at Tobi on the bed.

Now having the bed all to himself Tobi sprawled out and gave a bit of a yip being sure to roll in the covers a bit. Whether he was just excited or trying to claim the bed with his smell was uncertain.

A few minutes had passed... Atticus ordered some weird-a** bread that tasted like it was stale or something. Supposively, it was supposed to taste that way. Seriously, if this was the 'rich' life, she'd much rather go back to living in a den of thorns.

"So, What are you going to do from here, Riyo?" Atticus asked as he took another bite of his bread.

Riyo raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean? I'm going to keep traveling with my friends, of course."

"Is that really wise?"

See, this is why she didn't like talking to Atticus. Always the party pooper. Raining on what little parade she had. But before she could erupt in his general direction, some old bat made a comment about the ruffians squabbling outside of the restaurant... And how violent it was getting. She took a glance out the window..

To realize that they were her ruffians.

Even Mitsu had taken to giggling at Neko's expense which he found less than amusing. He tried to work his way to his feet but the sudden rush of blood and now lack there of left he a bit lethargic and unable to steady himself. "This is no laughing matter. I was passed out and you were letting the dog have his way with me." Neko growled as he leaned against the bed for support.

As if to give Neko the final blow, as soon as he touched the side of the bed Tobi lunged forward and licked the whole front of his face in one drooly swipe. Completely disgusted Neko glared at the dog and wiped at his face. He didn't have the strength to do anything about it at the moment but oh he would remember this. "Lousy mutt," Neko mumbled coldly.

"Tobi just likes you," Mitsu said softly from the other side of the bed. Apparently she was still a little leery so her voice barely carried. "Tobi." As soon as she called him he was by her side and she sat on the floor beside him wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Well, I don't like him," Neko growled as he pushed himself up onto the bed now that it was empty.

Shifting slightly, Blade rested against the table once more as he spoke with Hitsu. For a moment, he glanced over at Neko with a slight grin, but decided to stay quiet about the whole ordeal with Tobi. He had to wonder though, how aware that dog was of his actions and how Neko reacted to them.

"I've just been wandering around here and there. But no, there's only one. It doesn't really matter if it gets taken or not, but it'll probably just keep collecting dust otherwise."

---

With his left hand in considerable pain still, Shun was forced to lug around the girl with just his right arm. It wasn't the easiest thing carrying around dead weight for sure. And a quick glance behind told him that his quick attack didn't slow down that guy a whole lot.

Not being able to run or move as quickly as he potentially could, he was going to need some cover. Since the guy chasing him was half cat it seemed, some darkness cover may not hinder him a whole lot but he figured he should try anyway.

So as he ran, he brushed the back of his left hand, now bleeding a bit from what happened earlier, against a store's wall. As he did this, he concentrated lightly and uttered a few words under his breath. Before long, darkness began to radiate outwards from the spot he had smeared. This bubble of shadow had limited range, so he did this a few more times here and there to create a larger area.

"Dammit, I knew I should have made a recall point before doing this..." he grumbled to himself.

Mitsu seemed to be content sitting on the floor next to Tobi. She kept her arms firmly around his neck but loose enough so he could breath. Every once in a while she would pass a nervous glance at Neko but other than that she didn't pay attention to him much. She knew he was angry, not just with Yuki but with her over the whole situation.

"Dear God," Neko grumbled as he finally sat in a fairly upright position. It was then that he looked around and noticed more than a few of their companions were absent. "Where did everyone go?" Not that he cared much were Yuki was at the moment. He still owed him a few punches in the face, but where were Poke and Riyo?

The longer that the young woman fumbled with her words, the more amused the feline appeared. Of course he knew that she was lying, she didn't even sound certain of her own excuses, but it really didn't matter where she had come from. Why would it? She was here now, and that was just as far as his care went. "I... See..." He replied with a smirk. He'd humor her, he supposed. Though, really, who would believe such garbage?

"As for me..." He began, once he'd been questioned of his own travels. "I've come from a village far to the west of here... A quiet, sheltered little dirt heap." He waved a hand absently, wrinkling his nose in disgust. "Couldn't take it anymore. I had to get out, see something other than trees for a little while. It gets boring to see and do the same old thing, day in and day out... It was past time for a change."

-----

"Poke went out to find something for breakfast," Hitsu replied when Neko had questioned where those missing had gone, "Yuki went out a little bit later, to bring us back something." Riyo had left right in the middle of the commotion, and Hitsu couldn't rightly recall what she had said. "I hope Riyo is alright, she left in a hurry when you and Yuki were fighting…"

"Why are you angry with each other, anyway?" She asked, looking up to Neko curiously.

-----

Swearing loudly at the realization of just how far behind he had fallen, Yuki struggled to close the distance between he and the man that had snatched up Poke. Adrenaline allowed him to run, to focus on the matter at hand without the realization of just how much this would catch up with him after the fact. Objects and people were nothing more than blurs in the corners of his vision, he was afraid to look away from his target, afraid that if he so much blinked the abductor and Poke would be gone.

From his distance behind, Yuki caught sight of the spell that had been conjured. A growing darkness, seemingly engulfing the light as it expanded and leaving only blackness in its wake. Sure, it could have been dangerous or even deadly, but that didn't seem to slow Yuki down. He ran headlong into the darkness without hesitation.

[I'm leaving it at this, because I need a little more clarification on what exactly this spell might do. XD Is it just pitch black? Is it like a starless/moonless night? Aside from any actual side effects of coming into contact with it, if any, of course.]