[color=D6CC88]Amuné thought Ethan was being silly for drinking something if he really didn't like it.  It wasn't like food where you absolutely needed it.  Alcohol was a treat, or something like it.  If he didn't like it, someone else at the table would make sure it didn't go to waste.  Not like brussel sprouts, where nobody wanted them but everyone had to eat them.

He told the two newcomers how they met, but Nymira disputed his version.  "Hey, we didn't -- Norman asked!"  She was quick to leap to Ethan's defence.  "If you didn't want someone coming to help then why'd you cook up that ridiculous plan with him?!  /You/ set it up, /you/ tricked us, /you/ wouldn't accept no."  Even if they hadn't really said no, it was still Nymira's doing, the girl believed.  She agreed, they were all friends.  Well.  Almost.  "I'm still not friends with Zander," she grumbled, folding her arms and frowning.  Magi or not, she didn't like him.

Her expression turned to one of confusion as the Dimuran responded.  "Retainers?  We're not retainers, we're travellers.  Even if we're together because it's easy, even you will go off on your own, that doesn't mean we can't be friends.  Travellers team up all the time -- my daddy, he came from a whole caravan of travellers!  And they were all friends and family.  It's better to...be...."  The child's words slowed to a stop as Cecil got to his feet.  His face was blank.  The Machina wasn't always the easiest to read, but he'd been mostly uncertain and doubting himself, from what she'd heard since the awful fight the day before.  Just because he scared her didn't mean she didn't worry about him.  If her Sight was as dangerous as his strength, she'd be doubting too.  She'd hurt when she couldn't trust herself to keep it secret, when it had gotten her family in trouble and when she had to always worry she might slip up and lose Ethan.

The leader of their little band was already on his feet, though he didn't seem so steady, and he was heading after Cecil.  Amuné turned to the arrogant princess.  How would she have felt, if she'd been told that no one cared about her and they'd leave her behind without a thought, back when she'd just been found out, before she'd truly felt safe with them?  The Machina was struggling and confused, and he hadn't sorted things out yet -- how could Nymira say something like that?  How could she sit there and act like it didn't matter, shrugging it off instead of apologizing.  "You're mean!" the girl exclaimed, leaping to her feet so suddenly that Wyth was immediately standing beside her, looking around for anything that might be a problem.  "You just -- how could you?"  Her voice rose and tears filled her eyes.  "I thought you were okay, but you're nothing but a...a big fat meanie!  And I don't want to be your friend anymore!"

With that Amuné turned and dashed after the two that had already departed, almost knocking over one of the approaching barmaids in the process.  Wyth followed her out onto the street, and together they caught up with Ethan.[/color]