[h3][color=9e005d]Doc Siward[/color][/h3]
River Plateau. That was familiar enough. The high limestone mesas blocked the horizon, and with it any attempt to search quickly. [color=9e005d][i]I'll organise myself a day trip. We may yet be in for a hike.[/i][/color] Siward made no attempt to follow when Mizu left. Nor did he bid farewell, though the final comment rankled. Perhaps there were arrangements to be made for his visit; The Doc expected to feel eyes on his back, and didn't want to interfere with that. Another trust game.

"Don't fret over this old owl, Mizu," he said instead, half to himself. "Secrecy is my business." He [i]did[/i] value his life, after all. Siward valued that very much. [color=9e005d][i]Well... Enough of that later. I did mean to have a comfortable day today, and I intend to see that through.[/i][/color] And he knew where to go to relax in thought, too.

Not just a boss but a Boss. Siward had read the capital in Mizu's gaze. Something large and bristly was stirring beneath Medburn. The Doc looked up and stared over the horizon where the Stargate waited.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A keen pair of eyes flickered back and forth over the doctor through a colourfully stained window mosaic. The watcher was a Phione, and she wore a tidy, ornate hijab over a tidy, ornate brain with a long memory. [color=00746b]"Look who's back,"[/color] whispered Tala, her tone rising along with her small, timeless smile.

The door opened for Siward before he had a chance to ring the chime. [color=00746b]"Afternoon, Siward. It's been two years since you last pleasured me with your company."[/color]

[color=9e005d]"And my money,"[/color] he replied, removing his hat all the way and making a small bow before handing it over. Tala stowed it in an airtight cupboard along with his coat and cane, where the humid air of the smokehouse couldn't damage the material. The comment seemed bitterly arrogant, but Siward's tone was grateful and Tala humoured him. It was a sign of their closeness that they could be so open about one another's greed.

Siward paid his due and folded cross-legged beside an unoccupied hookah. Tala joined him, though her vice of choice was steaming coffee, not simmering tobacco. [color=00746b]"You should settle, Siward. Melburn is growing and business is good, even for my little lounge. Dungeons stir up refugees and the Guild draws them here."[/color]

[color=9e005d]"As it happens, I've had the rare chance to play a role there already,"[/color] he nodded. [color=9e005d]"With the help of a curious Axew. One Devin to whom I recommended the Explorer's life."[/color] He raised an eyebrow meaningfully. Tala sipped her coffee and returned the stare. [color=00746b]"Did you learn anything from him? That Axew's a newcomer, but he's no vagrant, Siward. Even those who've seen him don't know much about him. Particularly his origins. He was just here one day, with neither friends nor relatives. Two or three others appeared on the same date. A Togepi. A Noibat. There's a rumour that he's the product of some explorer's reckless loving abroad, but it's faint."[/color] 

Siward shook his head and wondered. [color=9e005d]"Ah. A mystery."[/color]

[@floodtalon]