[b]"Don't sweat it," [/b]Rika dismissed her weapon, as did Alem, [b]"Now, since you're all dolled up, how about we get you to meet the rest of the team?"[/b]

Alem was less than casual about Asahina's change, and was still processing the power of the weapon that had called to him many nights ago. She appeared less menacing, almost childlike in her innocent smile, and moving her around would be much easier now. His stare had moved off towards the doorway, and not a moment later Rika's stare followed his. They felt something coming towards them with different means. 

[b]"Were you followed?"[/b] Alem would ask Rika and Okal both,[b] "Someone's coming."[/b]

[b]"Impossible, I am notoriously difficult to tail, and I know when I'm being tailed!"[/b] Okal argued with pride. His skills in information acquiring and survival were of legend ...well, to him.

[b]"It's not one of ours, I'd have recognized them."[/b] Rika placed her hands on her hips, head tilted,[b] "They knew to come here, but they couldn't have tracked us by any common means. We were safe the entire way here, I made sure of it." [/b]

Regardless of whom or how, Alem would move to the door and begin drawing stray traces of sand and grit within the barren home. Coming alongside the door, he pressed his ear to the door to try and get a better sense of who was outside. While his detection skills were great, he couldn't identify them without looking at them closely. He could hear ragged breathing on the opposite side. Very few people would know where he made his home within Agrabah, but one casual look over at Okal told him all he needed to know. [b]"One man. He's one of yours,"[/b] Alem opened the door and beckoned the runner inside, [b]"Okal, that's sloppy of you."[/b]

Before Okal could fume and struggle to admit his own slight error, a worn man with even more worn robes had stepped inside and quietly muttered a word of greeting to all inside. His reason for being here - due to a certain honest merchant - would approach him and pat at his side. 

[b]"Deep breaths, deep breaths," [/b]Okal would tell his man as he patted him, [b]"You must have run a long way."
[/b]

Rika cleared her throat to get Okal to start his explanation. Being tailed was an insult to a Masaki, and she wasn't particularly fond of not knowing that this might occur. 

[b]"Right,"[/b] Okal muttered, [b]"I instructed this man to inform me of any new pieces of information. Enemy movements, happenings within the city, whether my wife is still mad at me for forgetting our anniversary..."[/b] he shrugged. [b]"Anyway, what news did you bring? A man running around in Agrabah attracts attention, and should you have brought anyone dangerous with you..." [/b]

[b]
"No, not at all, I took great care in reaching you here."[/b] The runner said, voice hoarse. Looking to Alem, the man brought his hands together, similar to a praying man. [b]"This is big: The palace has lost most of its dogs guarding it, they're attacking our new allies in the city." [/b]

[b]"Allies?" [/b]Alem asked quietly. The man gestured to the strangers of the world, them being Rika and Asahina, who Okal must have gotten him familiar with at some point while Alem was not present. 

[b]"Shit. When a safe house isn't safe..."[/b] Rika headed for the door and stepped outside with Okal in tow, hoping Asahina would do the same. The runner followed, with Alem being the last to move outside. Whistling for Aseela, she had emerged out of a hidden alleyway nearby and hustled up to Alem, being greeted with a gentle rub to her neck.

[b]"Were they holding their own?"[/b] Rika asked the runner, who had nodded feverishly. [b]"Okay, then me and handsome aren't going. If I can get inside and complete our main objective, any battling becomes meaningless. I assume you know your way around?"[/b]

[b]"I've been inside enough times, I can guide us to a certain point but if their layout and security has changed, we'll need Okal's informant inside."[/b] Alem mounted Aseela while Okal would move to mount his camel. He gestured to Aseela, but she shook her head. 

[b]"I'll free-run, I could use a little exercise after the bust in Hollow Bastion. Okal, let them know we're making our move and they can figure out a plan from there." [/b]

[b]"What if they need help?"[/b] Okal asked,

[b]"They won't, and they'll thank us later for moving ahead."[/b] Rika looked to Alem, [b]"I'll follow your lead up top." [/b]she moved to ascend up the nearest building with cat-like precision and swiftness. She turned around and crouched, waiting for anything more. [b]"You in?" [/b]she asked Asahina.

All eyes moved to Asahina. Alem extended a hand for her to join him atop Aseela, who was much calmer beside her now than ever before given her physical change. [b]"It is your decision."[/b] Alem reminded her.