Carth's magical adventure, ROUND TWO, MOTHERFUCKERS!

[Carthrat]

"Aww, look at that. The bitch has a soft spot, after all," says Carthrat, rolling his eyes. "Now, if she'd just *told* us all that, instead of having to pry it out of her..

Now, Rachel. It's not nice to take things from other people if they deserve them. I can always get a ship from somewhere else, it'll just take longer. Maybe alot longer. So I'll leave this up to you. I don't feel like making decisions today."

[Anastasia]

Rachel closes her eyes as you speak, thinking.

"We won't take her ship," she says after several seconds. "What about the bounty, Carthrat," she asks, her voice now strong and firm after a mental choice.

[Carthrat]

"She's worth less than my boots," replies Carthrat, rolling his eyes. "Fine. Go on. Get out. Here's all your crap," he says, chucking it at her.

[Anastasia]

Aya takes her equipment quietly, still shaken up. She sets up, gets up and glances at the both of you one last time before bolting from the room without a final comment.

Once gone, Rachel sits down on the couch with a plop. "One question, Carthrat," she asks quietly, "Which option did you think I'd choose?"

[Carthrat]

"I'd say you would've let her go," replies Carthrat, shrugging. "Why?"

[Anastasia]

"Say, I was curious," she replies. "Now what?" Rachel asks, staring up at the ceiling.

[Carthrat]

Carthrat shrugs. "Don't know.

I havn't introduced you to Tir, yet, have I?"

[Anastasia]

"No," Rachel continues to stare at the ceiling. "Someone you met at the arena?"

[Carthrat]

"I knew him on Earth," replies Carthrat. "He and a bunch of others took my dissaperance as a sign that it was time to scarper.

Didn't know I had so much influence.

We met yesterday. Gonna work out a way to get a ship off this dump. Right now, we're placing bets on ourselves at the arena. We're so much better than most of the losers there that it's a forgone conclusion that we'll double our stakes."

[Anastasia]

Rachel nods. "When do you want to meet him?" she asks, still a touch abstracted.

[Carthrat]

"I'll have dinner with him tonight," replies Carthrat, shrugging. "Wanna come?"

[Anastasia]

"Will it be more noodles," she asks automatically. "Sure."

[Carthrat]

"Actually, I was thinking of Mongolian barbeque," replies Carthrat. "Y'know, it's where you get these huge slabs of meat which you cook yourself.. or is it Korean.. heck, I don't know, but I guess I'll find out!

Anyway, Rachel, you're doing fine. Anything you want me to buy you?"

[Anastasia]

Rachel looks up, licking her lips. "Mmmm, I'm sold," she laughs. "Besides dinner? Nothing at the moment," she replies, smoothing out her shirt. "Maybe I'll think of something after then."

[Carthrat]

Carthrat chuckles. "What do you plan to do for the rest of the day?"