In the distance, what feels like an explosion is heard several blocks away from the Cafe. 

[hr]

Several blocks away from the Cafe, in downtown Rheoden, a portal erupts into flames, and two large pieces of burning debris are spit out across the ground. The smaller piece of debris jumps up and makes a leap for the portal, but is caught by the ankles by the larger piece of debris. Both realize with a jolt that they're still on fire, and in an instant, the fire is out, obviously much to the disappointment of the large one.

Both pieces of debris appear to be human once the fire is out - or, at least, the small one currently hanging upside down in front of the large one does. The large one is encased in a flame retardant suit, and is enduring the complaints of his ally with grace.

[color=8493ca]"God damn it, Arturo, let me [i]go[/i]. I have a job to finish!"[/color]
[color=9e0b0f]"Mm m mhmm hm."[/color]
[color=8493ca]"You know what I'm capable of, asshole. That won't happen. Now [i]let go.[/i]"[/color]
[color=9e0b0f]"Mm-mm."[/color]

The small one thrusts a hand into Arturo's hip satchel and pulls out a lighter, which she waves around in front of his face.
[color=8493ca]"I'll take it away if you don't let me g-"[/color]

Arturo lets her go mid-sentence and she crashes to the pavement head-first. The portal is still surrounded in fire, and the roars of what locals in that area believe to be a fire god come through the rip in the universe clearly. He might like fire, but that was the first time anything had ever successfully set [i]him[/i] on fire, and he wasn't about to go back through. He picks the unconscious girl up and throws her over his shoulder, retrieves her now lightly scorched book from the ground, and wanders off. The area appears to be a modern city, made of metal, glass, and concrete - not something he can torch easily, sadly, but definitely a place where he expects he can find a place for his teacher to recuperate.

Arturo realizes halfway down the street that he can't read the language any of the signs are in. He would need Brunhilde to translate for him.

[hr]

A knock comes at the door to the Adventurer's Quest Stop and Cafe, accompanied by the powerful smell of smoke from outside.