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Poke decided not to say anything about riyo's interesting choice of clothes either. Either she said it didn't suit her and get in trouble, or she lied and say it did look good, and get into trouble.

Then...the noises started. It took a second for poke to realize what they were, and she blanched. But while it was disturbing on all levels to even think about the concept, she had to secretly appluad them for being able to do preform such deeds at their age.

She was quick to make her way to the door, previous exaustion forgotten, but stopped as durzo had come in to tell them dinner was ready. "Thank you very much Durzo" she said to him with a smile, but then a look of horror passed over her face as she could still hear the old couple. Grabbing mitsu's arm she was quick to follow neko into the lobby.

Poke had pulled Mitsu out the door before she had been able to focus in on the noises. They moved passed Durzo into the lobby were the air was much cooler and easier to breath. There they stood to wait until the dragon was ready to lead them.

It appeared as though everyone was ready. Durzo nodded and led them out of the bath house and back into the busy streets of the dragon city. Back toward the palace they went but instead of heading for the large structure protected by the outer wall, Durzo led the group to the middle of the garden. Through a maze of greenery they traveled until they happened upon a tent set up along the cobblestone path. The tent was large and open to reveal the long table set up with a feast. Wonderful smells seemed to waft through the air and despite the culture there were familiar foods along with some not so familiar.

The servants of the house were still bringing dishes out and placing them here and there making a presentation out of the smallest thing. There was enough food it seemed to feed a small army or a ravenous group of seven. Goblets were placed at the table settings and filled with richly scented red wine before a servant took a stand at each chair and pulled them out, smiling, waiting for their guests.

Neko had spent the entire walk trying to forget what he had seen and heard. It was like they had raped his mind. If scrubbing his brain would help he was fairly certain he would crack his skull open and give it a try. In the midst of despair over it all a delightful smell caught his nose. Like a cat on catnip, Neko's eyes widened to almost black taking in the sight of all the glorious food. He hadn't realized until now, but he was ******** starving. "Wow...after everything, I didn't expect this."

"Everything smells so good." Mitsu smiled closing her eyes allowing the smell of food to wash over her. Without too much hesitation she actually moved toward a servant and took a seat. Her chair was pushed in and a napkin placed in her lap.

"Enjoy your meal, Miss." The young man said before he walked off.

Neko wasn't far behind in taking a seat though he fought the matter of them pushing his seat in for him. He barely won in the matter and as they were about to place a napkin in his lap as well he snatched it from the servant quickly. "I can take it from here."

"Uh....very good. Enjoy your meal." The servant gave a bow and left.

"So much better..." poke breathed a sigh of relief, partly because it was much cooler here, and partly due that she wasn't near those old people anymore.

As she followed the group, she was able to see the dragon city for the first time. It was huge! Poke kept looking around at the buildings and, even more, the people who were walking in and out of them. Some appeared to be people with horns and wings, while some appeared more reptilian like. It suddenly occurred to her that these must be what was known as a dragon. She hadn't seen one before, but right now she was very impressed. Some of these dragons were almost as big as the buildings!

Soon, she was able to smell something wonderful, and then she could see the gardens as well as a very large tent. She hadn't thought about food in a long time, but now that she thought about it she couldn't remember the last time she had a proper meal. Her hunger was trippled when she walked into the tent and saw just about every dish she could think of, and even more, laid out on the table. It was amazing what these people were capable of; the smallest detail hadn't been missed.

Poke wasn't to rush forward and start gobbling down food though. She could see the fine silverware and the servants bustling about, so she was going to be on her best behavior. Following blades example she walked up to a chair, allowing the waiter to push it in for her and place a napkin on her lap. As she thanked the waiter for doing so she noticed that at the end of the table was a old man. She could tell though this wasn't a ordinary looking man; he seemed to have the presence of strength and wisdom, regardless of how old he appeared.

"Oh, yes, the bath was very refreshing, thank you" she said to him, wanting to be polite. "And this food looks delicious."

For once, Suto was in his lab doing nothing. He merely sat back at his desk, a cup of tea in his hand and dear Flopsy in his lap. A gentle hand stroked the rabbit along its bony back, a tufted of fur flying off into the room. "Oh dear, are we shedding again my pet?" Indeed, Flopsy was shedding, but it was more than just his fur. Large pieces of the taxidermy rabbit were falling off, barely held in place by stitching and glue.

Suto seemed to pay it little mind as he took another sip of his tea turning to look at a report that had been printed out earlier. Just as he had brought the porcelain cup to his lips the door to his lab opened. He paused for a moment to see who would be disturbing him and was somewhat pleased to see Shun. "Ah, you have returned." He took a sip of his drink and set it aside. Picking up Flopsy he gently put the rabbit on his desk instructing it not to go anywhere. After that he stood from his seat to approach Shun. "A little worse for ware it appears....but you are here."

"Right to the point," Suto nodded, the cruel smile twisting his lips. "I like that." Walking back to his desk Suto unlocked one of the top most drawers with a key. "A little birdie has told me the whereabouts of the girl that escaped here as well as my pet." Reaching into the drawer Suto pulled out a bag. It appeared to be rather heavy as he set it on the top of the desk closing the drawer now that he was done with it. "They are with a small group within the walls of the dragon city, Irthos Okarthel, that is in the midst of the desert. I need you to fetch what you can as well as Mitsu. Anyone that might seem...promising." He undid the tie at the top of the bag to let the leather fall away to reveal the gold coins the bag contained. "This is but a small portion of the payment I promise. I will pay twice as much for each live person you bring back."

"Possibly, unless you plan on wandering for days trying to find out where they might go." Suto pulled a map out from under the papers he had on his desk. It was a very old map made of stained hide of an animal that probably no longer existed. Stretching the map out Suto motioned for Shun to join him. Once the lad was close Suto started to point out places on the map. It was easy to tell this map wasn't recent, the larger cities that now surrounded the land weren't there, but there were different places marked out with names written in a language from long ago.

"We are here in the northern area above the desert." He pointed to the area where Galloway should be but instead there was another name in its place. At least the desert looked to be the same. "The group is here," Suto trailed his finger down the leather map to rest on a small area nestled pretty close to the middle of the desert. "They came from a small village in the sand just north of this little oasis." He trailed his finger up. "Its a long journey through the desert to head west back toward their village. The desert fans out and is rather harsh. They could head north and then over but they risk meeting the slave traders in this village, which, they have already met." Suto continued drawing his finger back to the small oasis. "Their safest route would be to head this way." He drew his finger to the east where the land was much closer. "And then up to where the desert isn't as far across and then cross over. Instead of wasting your time tracking them. Meet them there, lay a trap for them."

Suto stared at the map a moment longer pondering over the possibilities. There were countless ways this could work out. His current available subjects were starting to thin and the animal races were far more valuable to his research that humans. "Yes," Suto said absently before he tossed the map aside and went back to his previous reports. "I believe that will be all. If I think of anything else I will be sure to send a falcon your way with news."