Renan had been taking a stroll through the capital city, looking for any signs of the man he had been looking for. Thinking back, he remembered all of the good times that he had experienced under this man's guidance. This man had taught him to fence, to hunt, to do all of the things that Renan used to stay alive. Finally, he found where the old man was resting. This man, the father of the boy that Renan had saved just a year ago, was lying here, six feet under the earth. Renan left a flower petal, as he did every month. With a brief glimpse into the past, Renan was reminded of the day that this man died, sick and without proper care. But he got up, and set out on his way. The black bird that had been on the tombstone flapped up to Renan, resting on his shoulder. Passing a group of city guards, Renan found his path blocked. At least, until he pointed out the brooch on the pommel of his foil.

[i] Ah, back when I was with them. How simple it was. Just do your job, Renan. No more. *Sigh,* at least they gave me some decent stuff though. [/i]

As he passed, Renan made a sound not unlike a chuckle, though without tone.

[i] Idiots. Thinking I'm with them. Psh. [/i]

Renan came upon a forest by a river, and, lost in his thoughts, waded through and continued into the wood. Thoughts raced through his mind, recalling his life in the military, that family that he had massacred... That mother, crying as Renan himself carried her child off. This continued for a while, until, Renan felt the oh-so-familiar talons sinking into his shoulder. He looked up, and in the distance noted a pale girl with brown hair disappearing against the horizon. He stopped, for a moment, and thought. [i]What the hell is she doing just out in the woods?[/i] That is until the crow, now flying in wide arcs around Renan, began cawing incessantly. "Is it just me, or do big cats not live in temperate forests?" it said. Renan looked carefully, and just barely made out the form that the crow was indicating. He began a run as the crow landed awkwardly back on his shoulder. "[i] What are you doing? You're faster than me, go catch up!" [/i]Renan thought to the bird, as was his only means of communication.

The bird cocked it's head and widened its eyes, crying in a sassy bird voice, "I ain't dealin' with that. That thing must be a God Damn[b] puma [/b]or somethin'." Renan was unamused. He looked at the bird and thought malevolently, "Screw you Steve," and began a full sprint, the bird now gliding behind him, cawing to the girl in an attempt to gain her attention.