[h3][color=9e005d]Doc Siward[/color][/h3]
Siward nodded slowly, in time with Kel's words, paused long enough to skip a beat at '[color=0054a6]I'd ask to join you-[/color]', and smoothly picked up the mark again after that. [color=9e005d]"Take care of yourself, Kel,"[/color] he remarked, and meant it. Then Siward drained his bowl and stepped away. [i][color=9e005d]I wonder if the man really would have come along, given the chance. I'll keep an eye open.[/color][/i] At any rate, the Keldeo was attending his other companions now.

He hailed Takeo briefly from across the counter on his way to the door. A faint, rapid patter of a run registered in his mind as he approached. It did little to alert him of the coming shock. 

In a moment, the slow, poised stride of the Aromatisse found itself blocked at the entry by an explosive apparition of red fur and hot air. Neither the shape of the newcomer nor his voice quite registered in Siward's mind until his shouting was almost done. [color=ff6060]"-I, Ember, will [i]finally[/i] get my revenge!"[/color]

The heat wave that had accompanied the Vulpix through the door gusted further, flickering into a whirl of thin streaks of cinders and tongues of flame from the wooden floor, which singed and smouldered. [i][color=9e005d]Some kind of... Spontaneous theatre?[/color][/i] buzzed Siward's mind as his feathers whipped in the hot wind. It didn't occur to him that the Vulpix intended to hurt someone; He'd neither capitalised on the shock of appearance nor stopped talking. Ember seemed to be making some kind of elaborate visual pun on the phrase 'hot air'.

A glance around confirmed that neither laughs nor applause had followed Ember's début. The Doc pointed to the fiery vulpine next to him with his cane, using his other hand to point open-palmed at Kel, then the Ditto-Umbreon, then Takeo, then back at Ember, beseeching somebody in the silence to do something about this... Sassy, lost child.

Then he murmured [color=9e005d]"Good luck, tyke,"[/color] sidelong at the Vulpix, adjusted his hat, and left the absurd situation while he had the chance.

There had been [i]plenty[/i] of drama today already.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

It was unseasonably torrid outside. Ember had clearly tried to carry the weather inside with him. Siward recognised the telltale fading of the heat as he left the site of the restaurant; This was no naturally sunny day.

The Caterpie had turned this way, and, given that it held the only somewhat view-sheltered side route on the street, it was clear why. This would be where Mizu had found her and left his message. It was only a short step towards the library and its associated message-place, too. [i][color=9e005d]An experienced fire-wielder would have ignited a fireball early, to bring the simulated sunlight inside with them,[/color][/i] he mused as he strode off. Siward's head still spun from the inexplicable actions of the rogue Vulpix. [color=9e005d][i]Perhaps he wanted to avoid a fire risk.[/i][/color]

The site was empty. Siward eyed the wall.

[color=9e005d][i]Well,[/i][/color] he scraped off the markings with some sand- It was in his colour, meant for none other- [i][color=9e005d]At least Ember's little debacle ensured no chance of that.[/color][/i] He looked over his shoulder anyway, and into the sky. No tails allowed. All clear. The scent he'd left was safely gone.

The message implied that Mizu wanted the Doc to follow, and though he had yet to see the Gabite, he did so, slowly ambling further from the town centre, further away from safety, following the same kind of routes that Devin had first been accosted for straying too near to. Mizu would be watching, or waiting, somewhere nearby, quiet and secluded, and the Doc kept his eyes open for a sign.

[@Lugia][@Shiny Keldeo][@floodtalon]