The Bearer of Bad News

"Well, I know you guys don't like it. At all. But there's always those parties being thrown..."

She trailed off, already sure the suggestion would be ruled out.

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Aislin nodded. "And me. It makes me...makes me sort of angry, actually. I sort of want to...hurt Alex." she admitted sheepishly.

Door rolled her eyes. "I'll hold him down for you," she offered sullenly.
Thatch blinked, but remained silent.

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Tremor's eyes closed, he bit his lip. "I thought you might say that," he said softly. "But personally..."--there was a long pause-- "I have no problem with it if it will help smooth things out."

Ariel nodded. "Same goes for me." she said.

Even though she'd never been to one before. (XD)

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Aislin bit her tongue, sorry for having brought it up. "...So what are you guys hungry for...?"

"Do you know when the next one is?" Tremor asked, tilting his head.

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"Something cold," offered Door. "Cold and... I dunno. Or spicy. Cold or spicy. That works."

Aislin looked at Thatch as if to say 'What in Din's name?' but smiled complacently at Door. "Cold and spicy it is." she said, wracking her brain for something.

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Ariel bit her lip. "No, but I can find out. You want to come with me?"

Tremor nodded, apparently done with his lengthy sentences.

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Thatch shrugged, then grinned. "Bug has some pretty good stuff..."

Aislin gave him a look, but was willing to brave it for Door's sake.

"...Sound good to you, Door?"

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Ariel headed for the door. "Alright then. Follow me."

Door made a face, something between a grin and disgust. "Bug's place never sounds good. But that doesn't mean that it isn't..."

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Tremor nodded again, and followed, thinking up a backup plan...

...just in case.

Aislin smiled. "It was...interesting. But good. I'll give Thatch that."

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Ariel looked over her shoulder. "Now, all we have to do is...eavesdrop." she grinned.

Tremor nodded. He was good at listening.

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"That's right," Thatch grinned. "'I told you so' just doesn't cover it in this situation."

Door laughed softly.

Ariel started listening.

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Aislin half-grinned. "Yeah. Okay. Don't make me use your weakness against you. You have to sleep sometime."

Thatch quirked a brow. "Is that a threat? 'Cause I thought I ran across a spider's nest or two while I was walking earlier..."


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... As did Tremor. Not a whole lot to listen to, though...

"Umm, hear anything...?"

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Aislin laughed. "How about...no?"

"There are birds outside arguing about the weather," Tremor said softly, eyes closed. "And a dog who's really hungry out back. But in here? Nothing."

Ariel bit her lip. "Well, go wherever you think you'll hear something. I'll follow."

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Aislin glanced at Door and Thatch, "Do we just go on and eat or find the siblings?"

"Whichever you'd like," Thatch answered.

Door nodded, eerily nonchalant after her ordeal.

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Tremor half-closed his eyes in concentration, listening. "What, precisely, am I listening for, again?"

"A name. A date. Anything. Even if the little shindig isn't at Alex's, if he's out and about with his...fiance...then we can more easily snoop."

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Aislin shrugged. "They're the ones that left. They can scavenge. Let's go."

Trem nodded.

{{Where are Trem and Ariel atm?}}

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"You're eager to eat spiders again, Aislin?" Thatch asked sweetly as Door grinned.

Aislin reached up and patted his cheek. "Nooo, I'll pass on anything that had a thorax at one time in its life."

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[[I was hoping you knew. XD]]

Ariel kept quiet to let Trem pick up on things, listening for things herself.

Thatch grinned. "Okay. Plain and boring for you, then."

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{{Uh... Okay. Let's put them in the street somewhere... I has plan, since Trem's the only one who hasn't really had fun with his talent yet.}}

After a moment he sighed, shaking his head. "This would be much easier if they'd quit talking," he muttered softly.

Ariel bit her lip, looking at him apologetically.

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Aislin nodded. "Yes. Because that's what I am. Plain and boring."

Trem blinked, caught her glance, and shook his head. "Not you. Them." He nodded towards an alley where a pair of rats {{eew}} were arguing over a piece of garbage. "Noisy people, rats."

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They reached Bug's stand, where the owner was nowhere in sight. Steam rose from the rear, and some delectable odor wafted out.

Door took a breath and sighed. "It's gross and amazing all at once."

Aislin laughed. "Half that." she said, making a face.

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Ariel blinked at them, and took a few steps towards the rats, waving her hands. "Shoo! Go on!"

The rats scuttled off, but not after calling Ariel some nasty rat names.

Big-mouthed human.

No kiddin'. Hey, wanna go hit that Bighouse again?

Yeah. Mebbe they tossed ou' another plate or two. Good food there, that Bighouse.

Tremor frowned. Rats didn't usually visit houses on a regular basis... "Ariel. Wait."

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Thatch tapped on the side of the stand. "Hello?"

There was a snap from the rear, and a hissing whine, and suddenly Bug had popped out of nowhere. "Why, hello! Didn't expect you here today, Master Thatch!"

Aislin grinned. Bug always made her smile, for some reason. He was a little...odd.

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Ariel blinked at him. "Yes? Did they say something?"