[center][b][u]Collab Between Lost and Skai[/b][/center][/u]

"Another sleepless night sir?" Leo's voice resonated out of the darkness created by the shadow of the throne. Not a moment later Leo stepped into the light, his body in a low bow. "It is not healthy to stay up for as long as you do, we all need rest." 

Iktomi waved his hand dismissively, his eyes shifting to glance down at Leo. "Hali is out in the field, and you are supposed to be down in the tunnels. Someone has to protect this place. My goals would be pushed back quite a bit if it fell. Speaking of which, what are you doing on the surface, Leo? I believe your orders were to stay with the men until the tunnels were complete. Care to explain yourself?" Iktomi's voice grew cold towards the end, his blank eyes focused entirely on the still bowing man. 

"One of our informants in the city told me of a group of mercs. While this normally wouldn't be important enough to tell you directly, it seems that this is more than just a couple of men looking to make a living. The word on the street is that they are planning something big. They call themselves The Golden Mercenaries." Leo straightened himself, meeting Iktomi's eyes without fear. 

Iktomi sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Damn it. That doesn't help much. If we could get someone on the inside we could discover what it is they are planning. I can't sacrifice any of you though, and Alex's 'bugs' only work with a host. Leo you are being reassigned. You are to stay here until further notice. Dismissed." Leo slipped back into the shadows, just as Hali's voice filled his ear. 

"It would appear that it is a very active week, sir. We have spotted a group approaching your location. They have approximently ten members, give or take 2. They do not seem to be hostile, but we can't be certain. What are your orders?"

[i]'Did everyone just jump up and decide that they wanted to test my patience?'[/i] As if to answer his question, his thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. "Are you fucking serious?" Iktomi's mouth slammed shut as he spoke aloud, having meant to keep it in his head. With a sigh his head fell into his open hand. "Come in. Hali hold your position for now."

Arianna took a deep breath as she waited outside the door. She jumped as a loud, angry thought entered her mind. It was Iktomi's thought. She instantly felt as if she were bothering him and bit her lip. Was he busy? Did he not want company? Perhaps Hali or another one of his scouts had seen the men and he was angry about that? With a soft sigh, Arianna tentatively opened the door and stepped in. "If you're busy, Ik, I can go back to my room," she said, looking up to meet his gaze. He looked tired, as if he'd been up all night. He wasn't as happy as he had been when she first entered his home.

Iktomi lifted his head as the door opened, straightening his back at the same time. When his eyes fell upon Arianna he dropped his posture his lips pulled in a slight frown as she spoke. "There is no need for that Ari, and I am sorry for yelling. These last few hours have been a bit stressful is all. I hope you found everything alright, this place can be a bit overwhelming when you aren't used to it... Or when you spend most of your time in the main lobby." 

Arianna smiled sympathetically, moving over to stand near him. "I found my way, thanks to Alex." She looked over his expression. "So, you've heard about the men outside? I heard their thoughts." She tensed lightly after speaking. She hadn't meant to tell Iktomi about one of Castiel's ability. The words just fell off of her tongue so smoothly that she didn't think twice about it. Castiel shifted uncomfortably, letting Arianna know that he was unnerved by how easily she trusted Iktomi.

Iktomi rose out of his throne, though without the grace he had possessed when she had first showed up. Taking a few steps he made his way down the stairs, collapsing in one of the chairs next to the table. His eyes danced over Ari just as she tensed. Smiling softly Iktomi shook his head, gesturing for her to sit at the same time. "You don't need to worry, your secret is safe with me. You already know one of Archania's abilities." Without thinking about it, Iktomi opened his mouth, revealing his incisors turned fang. "I can also produce a venom in my teeth, along with it's antivenom. And yes I heard about the men. I am trying to decide what I should have Hali do."

Arianna nodded slowly, relaxing as he assured her that she was safe here. She sat down with a soft sigh, setting her glass of water down in front of her. "I don't believe they mean any harm. They would have all been thinking about how they would take this building down if they did. They know who you are, though. What they want is a mystery to me." She picked up the glass and sipped the water. It was much more pure than the water she'd been drinking before she found Iktomi. She relished every drop.

"In that case I suppose she can go find out what they want." Tilting his head, Iktomi pressed his earpiece. "Hali I want you to find out what they want. Approach them, but bring your men with you. If they turn hostile I want them eradicated." Removing his finger, he turned his attention back on Ari, his smile growing as he watched her taking a sip. "Did you sleep well?"

Arianna set her glass down, smiling softly. "I slept very well. The bed felt like a pillow." She chuckled at the silly notion, then looked him over. "Did you sleep at all last night?"

Iktomi shook his head, a very tired smile on his lips. "No, I didn't. I couldn't afford to. With Hali on perimeter duty, and Leo in the tunnels, I am the only one capable of defending my home, and you."

Arianna smiled wider, watching him. "You have no need to protect me, Ik. I'm just grateful for the food, water, and shelter. I can defend myself." She grew curious when he mentioned the tunnels. "What tunnels?"

"I am sure you can, after all you have survived for an entire year out there. But while you are here you are under my protection." Iktomi relaxed slighty, taking a sip of water before replying. "For the last few months I have been connecting my main base with the safehouses I have throughout the city. It was slow going at first, but over time we gained a few hosts whose abilities proved most useful."

Arianna nodded slowly, listening as she sipped her water, too. She bit her lips, thinking for a moment. "Where in the city are these safehouses?"

"Most of them are located in the Lower District, and a couple are in the Middle District. I had one up in the wealthy part of town, but I lost contact with them. I haven't had the time to go up there to find out if they are still alive or not." Iktomi tilted his head to the side, curiosity in his eyes. "Why?"

Arianna sipped her water, thinking. She set her glass down and sat up a little straighter in the chair. "My apartment was in the Middle District. I tried going there once, but there was a gang hanging around my neighborhood area. If there is a safehouse there, I could see if they're still there. It they are, then I can wait until they're vulnerable and slip through to look for it. As much as I like the clothes I'm wearing now, I'd like a new set. I'm just wondering if any of my suitcases survived the Void Gate opening." She sighed softly, realizing how silly she sounded. "It's a crazy idea, but there were also pictures of my parents."

Iktomi tapped his chin in thought, before nodding. "That is understandable. Currently though the tunnels do not reach my safehouses there. I will have the men devote some of their attention to those. They should be completed within a few days. For now, though, you can ask Alex to escort you to the clothing room. There should be more than enough options there." 

Arianna smiled softly. "You don't have to divert your men towards helping me. I can wait, since you are kindly giving me clothing." She watched him, wondering if she should go change now, or wait and find out what these men want.

"You are a friend, Ari, I will do everything I can to help you. If you go now there shouldn't be anyone else getting clothes. You don't need to worry about anything. However, since Leo has returned, I do believe I should get some rest." Iktomi returned Arianna's smile, before rising and approaching his throne once more. As he sat down, his eyes shifted back to her. "If you need anything feel free to return. I am sure I will only be getting a little rest anyway. Those men most likely wish to speak with me."

Arianna rose as he did, picking up her glass of water. She wasn't going to waste any water she received while it was so easily found. She smiled, glad that he was going to rest. "Sleep well, while you can." She walked towards the door, but paused near Iktomi's throne. "Would you mind if I sat in here while you discussed? I'm curious. Plus, I could help figure out their intentions if they do not state it all at once."

Iktomi slowly shook his head, eyes half closed already. "I have no issue with that at all, Ari. Two conditions. Try to stay out of my mind, and close your eyes if things turn hostile. I rather you not witness my methods." 

Arianna nodded slowly, although she wasn't as innocent about bloody fights as she had been a year ago. "I will." She smiled softly. "Sleep tight, don't let.. uh... yourself bite your tongue." She chuckled.

"Silly Ari, you haven't changed a bit. Please don't." With a light smile on his lips, Iktomi slowly drifted off into slumber.