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The march had become droll. Monotonous. Tedious. No...it was just damn boring.

Riyel drudged on, as they walked, his mind focusing on the environment, simply trying to keep whatever little focus he had reserved on something of some importance. Because if he kept thinking on what was coming, his thoughts, or even the revelations and surprises that had rose throughout the previous couple of days. His feet trod gently upon the wet path, carefully watching his step to avoid...fecal matter. The group was quiet, about as social as rocks. As soon as the three of them began their walk, it became instantly silent. At first, Riyel welcomed it. But now...well, if something happened it would be comforting as well as a bit of an ice breaker. The area itself smelled horribly, well at first it did anyway. Riyel's sense of smell seemed to become paralyzed. Kind of a comfort, but the initial contact with the stench was than appealing...rather, it was detestable. Other than the sound of running water or the dodging of scum that lay on the surface of...well, most of the general area...there didn't seem to be anything else in the sewer.

Riyel could only look up though, watching Varitas and Nona. Honestly, Riyel still did not know what to think of the other male. The man's appearance and his mannerisms seemed just out of place, foreign if you will, to that of which Riyel had seen in well, most people...he was more ferile, perhaps....wild, or just simply different. Those seemed the best way to elaborate on the man overall. But it was likely that everything about Riyel, Nona, and the rest of the world was probably out of place to Varitas as well. His eyes stayed only on Varitas for a moment longer before pealing away back towards the ground. The path itself was continuing to wind in a long tiring path, which was covered in a shroud of darkness. The lighting was rather dim but hopefully their travels were coming to an end, where they go to meet something that would make the sewer smell quite pleasing, and the entire journey there like walking in a field of flowers where nothing but sunshine and rainbows exist.

But unfortunately, its not something that was going to happen. Simply, they continued their walk with no interaction or any other glances at one another, from what Riyel saw. All that he could do was let loose a simple sigh before he paused, his hand sliding to his neck, where his ocarina and other things were...and it was empty. Rather, the pocket itself wasn't there at all. Riyel's eyes shot down towards his chest, stopping almost immediately, grasping at his neck for the pocket, looking around the area around him frantically for...the one thing that he needed with him. s**t! The thought rang through his mind almost immediately, turning around and looking at the path behind him...wonderful...just wonderful. Looking behind him, he watched Nona and Varitas walk, seeing if they had noticed him stopping...hopefully not. He had to go and get that pouch...he could catch up to them later and quickly...he hoped. Grasping his Gunblade, he turned and began to trod quietly down the path and looking frantically on the floor for that pouch. The leather must have torn through the metal chain, after so many years...he really needed to get a new pouch. Cursing at himself for the stupidity and pushing things back, he continued his search. Hopefully it was not in vain.

A couple of minutes later...and no luck...absolutely no luck at all. Riyel was cursing fluently now, a never ending stream of profanity leaving his mouth as well as his running through his mind. He was about to give up almost altogether, a look of defeat on his face...until he heard a squawk...yes...a sqwuak...and then a squeal. Riyel only frowned in confusion, looking ahead. The sound was coming closer...and it just sounded childish. What is going on now? He thought, grasping his Gunblade nervously...what on earth was heading this way? Hoisting the Gunblade in front of him, he prepared to face whatever monstrosity was moving in his general direction, squawking and squealing loudly down the sewer path. Gripping the handle tighter, Riyel moved forward to prepare to strike if need be. It would be sad. He could die here, with Nona and Varitas not knowing what had happened to their companion. Riyel would simply be dead at the starting gate...a corpse before the real trial began. It's not what you think, Riyel. A voice, Ifrit's rang in his head, Just look. Really, the blonde held no desire to listen to Ifrit's voice at the moment...no desire at all. But what else could he do? Standing awkwardly, he prepared as the noise turned the corner.

A small dragon came waltzing around the corner, floating in the air on small wings. The little beast itself was purple with some slight tan on its underbelly. There was obvious baby fat on it, and its giant green eyes were easily visible. It squawked repeatedly, floating up and down as it continued to move towards Riyel, its disproportionate wings somehow managing to carry it through the air...awkward for Riyel. I told you. Ifrit said, his voice snidely resonating through the recesses of the blonde's mind. "Well sue me. He spat back, watching as the little...dragon finally caught full sight of him, itself landing on the ground gently, making almost no sound at all before squawking again. Icarus! A small voice rang out through Riyel's ears, the sound comparable to that of a small child, a boy actually. "What?!' came the confused response of Riyel, who looked at the little dragon like it was an alien. Icarus! The voice rang once more in his head, Riyel shaking it off. What on earth?....

But almost immediately, Riyel caught something about the dragon...something was in its claws. A pouch. His pouch. Opening his mouth in simple dumbstruck expression, he only watched as...Icarus...began sniffing and looking at him inquisitively. Go get it. Ifrit's voice rang once more, Riyel shaking his head at the two voices speaking in his mind. Just...stop. Riyel begged imploringly, mostly at Ifrit. Surprisingly, the Demon of Fire did not respond, Riyel turning to continue watching the little dragon play with the pouch in its hand. "Give that here." A simple command that hopefully the childish dragon would understand as the blonde pointed at the pouch. Pouch? Riyel almost wanted to smack his forehead...almost... "Yes." He responded, his teeth grinding slightly as he stepped gingerly towards the dragon..."The pouch...Icarus." Hopefully it understood...hopefully.

Icarus paused, looking at Riyel before it gingerly stepped forward as well, an adorable little wobble as it teetered towards the taller Riyel. Icarus only stood about...three feet to it seemed...three foot five or six, so Riyel presumed that he could take the little beast if it turned nasty...hopefully it didn't turn out to be a bigger threat than he found necessary...as he reached out with his hand to grasp the pouch from its hands. Icarus merely stuck its paw out, the pouch almost in reach. Taking another step, Riyel snatched the pouch quickly from its hand, stepping back three times. Good. Eying Icarus suspiciously, Riyel looked down at the pouch, opening it to examine the contents. After a moment came a content sigh, simply thankful as he confirmed the contents. If some of those contents had been lost...Riyel would not have been happy. Play now? Came the voice of Icarus once more. Not even registering what the little dragon had just said, Riyel only waved it off. "Yeah...sure, whatever." But that was not the best response, not at all. Right as Riyel turned to walk away, ignoring the dragon in order to hopefully find his group again, there was a loud squealing as Ifrit simply deadpanned, Incoming. Before Riyel knew it, something impacted quite heavily on point at the base of his back, himself being tackled to the ground, thankfully a clean patch of flooring.

Riyel only cursed as the sound of childish laughing entered his mind, the little dragon playfully nipping at the back of Riyel's neck. Icarus was heavy...surprisingly heavy for a being his size, and Riyel just managed to roll over, tossing Icarus against the ground on its belly. The little monster had knocked the wind out of Riyel, who stood wobbling as Icarus struggled to its feet, a peal of laughter entering Riyel's mind next. Then it hit him...Icarus had said something about 'playing' and...he responded so. Once more, Riyel wanted to smack his forehead in exasperation. He could NOT be doing this right now...with this crazy, childish dragon. The group was probably almost to the meeting point...and Riyel did not desire to be left behind here. Before Icarus could leap to tackle him once more, Riyel raised his hand. The dragon halted, prepared to pounce at a moment with a sparkling look in its eyes. "Icarus....if that's your name...stop." He really hoped the dragon listened to him, and it certainly seemed to, relaxing on its haunches once more. Good.

"Look." he tried explaining, making it simple for the little dragon to understand, "I don't have time to...'play' right now. I need to find my...friends so I don't get lost down here. Do you understand? If...if...if you help me, I'll play with you later, how's that sound." What Riyel figured, Icarus would have a sharp sense of smell and easily be able to help him find his group...because he was behind...far behind, from what he could tell. Icarus, however, paused for a moment, looking at Riyel with a funny look. If he said no...Riyel would not be able to get out of the sewer...without a miracle of course. Icarus continued looking at Riyel, before another thought rang through Riyel's mind once more. We play later....if me help? It was clear that he understood, the tall blonde sighing in relief. "Yes." Riyel confirmed, looking hopefully at his prospective companion. Icarus squawked in excitement before darting off, sniffing the air as he floated away, Riyel scrambling after Icarus, putting the pouch in his pocket while grasping his Gunblade and jogging after his little makeshift bloodhound.

Riyel continued jogging after Icarus, moving through multiple paths that not even he could remember. Apparently, the little dragon had caught the scent of them...or Riyel hoped it was his group. But then again, anyone would do...right? Shaking his head at that thought, Riyel turned another corner before managing to see the back of Varitas and Nona. It had taken...a number of minutes...but apparently Icarus knew what he was doing. And it was surprising that the little brat knew...but before Riyel could say anything to the little dragon, Icarus let loose a squawk before vanishing in a purple light, entering Riyel's body almost instantaneously..."Thanks?" He said incredulously, simply stunned by what had just happened....had Riyel just gained another companion?! Simply shaking his head, confused, Riyel walked quickly to catch up with Nona and Varitas, stepping back into his spot in the group, attempting to look like nothing happened...absolutely....nothing.