Dionysus A strange girl with very dark skin stares at you. She can;'t be more than 12.

• Arlie_B sticks out his tongue at her.

Arlie_B and grins

Dionysus She sticks out hers. It has a ring in it.

Arlie_B he checks behind him, then makes a funny face

Dionysus She laughs, then says, "You have a booger, Servant of Tales."

Arlie_B "I bet you want to eat it." .... "You just said Servant, right?"

Dionysus She giggles, "Eww, I don't eat boogers!"

Dionysus You don't know what language she's speaking, but you understand it. She fails to answer your question

• Arlie_B frowns. "You totally do when people aren't looking! Name's Arlie, to what do I owe the pleasure." he offers a hand.

Arlie_B he stops, wipes his hand, and offers again.

Dionysus She takes it solemnly, "You are chaotic."

Arlie_B "I like to think there is a method to my madness."

Dionysus "Presumption will get you nowhere."

Arlie_B "I don't make a habit of talking to things with 100 eyes, if that is what you mean."

Arlie_B (thought: Fuck, I offered to shake with my sword hand.)

Dionysus She frowns, "You are chaotic, Servant of Tales. There will be a time when you must choose."

Arlie_B "Do you follow the Mouth?" (retcon if Arlie doesn't know about them)

Dionysus "I follow none! The Mouth is all!"

• Arlie_B smiles and relaxes slightly. "Do you know what I have to choose between? Is it steak or chicken?"

Arlie_B "I'll probably choose steak."

Dionysus "No, stupid Servant. You will choose between freedom & true Servitude."

Arlie_B ".. That will be a tough choice. Interesting. Thank you... your name is?"

Dionysus "Some might call me the Desert's Blood, but I think of myself more like a Caterpillar."

Arlie_B "What comes after your cocoon then?"

Arlie_B "And where's the best music composer in this city?"

Arlie_B "Or this land, we need a good song."

Arlie_B he grins. He's not expecting much.

Dionysus "That counts for your Contest?"

Arlie_B "Of course!"

• Arlie_B is still grinning, but his brow is furrowed.

Dionysus "Not the Vagabond Toutant, then. Nor the Windsinger, though he is very good. Not the Master Violinist, either, he's not from here. The Recorder makes no music. Perhaps the one who beat the Devil?"

Arlie_B "He's still alive?!"

Arlie_B he says loudly, then decreases the volume of his voice.

Arlie_B "I mean, he's still alive?"

Dionysus "Of course. Those who beat the Devil are not normal."

Arlie_B "That's.. do you know if we can reach him? Do you know if gossip still reaches him?"

Arlie_B "And, have I gone mad?"

Dionysus She spits.

Dionysus "He guards a treasure beyond measure, in the Islands that span the world."

Arlie_B "So he's near the Reaver Toutant?"

Dionysus "They do not know each other, but yes."

Arlie_B "Then he's guarding the Oboe?"

Dionysus "The Cricket? Yes."

Arlie_B "That hopefully will solve some problems. You've been a big help. I'm sorry for saying you had a taste for boogers."

Dionysus "You were not wrong." She picks her nose, then eats it.

Arlie_B "I've got a million questions for you, if you know so much."

Dionysus "I know only chaos!"

Dionysus And then she turns into a swarm of bats, flies around you, then leaves.

Arlie_B "Chaos is everywhere!"

• Arlie_B ducks in surprise.

Arlie_B then, straightens his shirt if people are watching.