[center]Ellard shifted at her back, the sound of wings and Ascot's approach putting him ill at ease. Tabitha raised an eyebrow. [color=FF7F50][i]He said he saw 'em, already. Guess it's different when we're right in front of ya.[/i][/color] An interesting change that she wasn't aware fully aware of, but lingering in the cluttered corners of her mind. [i]We.[/i] She shrugged, stepping aside; unwilling to be the boy's shield against the group with her. [color=FF7F50]"Yeah, somethin' like that. Glad ya came over, I guess."[/color] She motioned in Mike's direction, [color=FF7F50]"Kid's gonna need food."[/color] Then a slight point at the path. If her plan weren't already obvious, Tabitha intended to send the boy the direction they had come from. It was risky, for Ellard, but she figured it was better than whatever was happening to him here.

 [color=c4df9b]"H-Hello...I'm Ellard."[/color]

 He seemed intent on staring at the ground. She eyed him, arms crossing before she turned to Ascot. [color=FF7F50]"Figure he can help us, ya know? Then we can help him,"[/color] shrugging, she continued, [color=FF7F50]"He told me a couple'a things that ya guys should know."[/color] Ellard winced, taking a step in the same direction; looking down the path.  [color=FF7F50]"'Bout the Magician."[/color] That part was quiet, purposefully so. [color=FF7F50][i]Wonder if he can watch us. If he's been watchin' us.[/i][/color] Unnerving to think about, but hardly beyond the scope of what they had experienced in Irriss; or before. 

Oedipus started ranting. She couldn't help but giggle, a little, walking closer to the group; Ellard in tow. [color=FF7F50]"If ya gouge they eyes out, then kill 'em, how they gonna see the life they loved took away?"[/color] Some part of her genuinely found it funny, though she only heard part of it. Another part was more proactive, sliding fingers to the grip of her gifted gun; repulsed by the sound of his laugh. [color=FF7F50][i]It wouldn't be hard. Seems like ya on thin ice.[/i][/color] Tabitha wouldn't be the one to draw the weapon, or pull its trigger, though. [color=FF7F50][i]I'll keep an eye on ya. Might as well. Everyone else is.[/i][/color] Instead, she caught sight of a man. [color=FF7F50][i]In a suit. Wavin'. Like this is some kinda fuckin' meetin'. Who the hell? Fuck.[/i][/color]

 Another unbidden giggle. Ellard shifted at the man's posed question. Dread colored his features, but from where Tabitha was standing the kid did a good job hiding just how deep it ran. Anni, the girl she'd briefly spoken with earlier, spazzed out and made herself and Ascot known. [color=FF7F50][i]Pretty weird that he's the one lookin' out of place.[/i][/color] Mike made his introduction and asked a good question, prefaced by some surprisingly smooth situational direction. [color=FF7F50][i]S'good to have someone like that around. Still, ain't seem like the type I'd get along with.[/i][/color] She only offered her name, and a slight nod of her head.

 [color=FF7F50]"Tabitha,"[/color] she didn't feel like giving much more than that. Instead, she listened for a minute. [color=FF7F50][i]Heard of her, but ain't seen her. Brought here by somethin' that calls her 'mistress'? Fuckin' weird.[/i][/color] Yet, again, not beyond the spread of her expectations. Tabitha  gave a little sigh, tapping her foot, when he produced his Semblance. [color=FF7F50][i]Ain't that great? We gonna end up with more people? How many's that even gonna make? Fuck.[/i][/color] He continued speaking. 

 [color=FF7F50]"Train, for me. Dead on the C-Route. [i]Splat.[/i] Mostly the same for everyone, here. Ya from Lightbridge?"[/color] She didn't like that Zino had referred to the Ghost Girl as 'our mysterious mistress' and it might've shown on her face. She didn't care. [color=FF7F50]"I mean, that ain't all that really happen down there, but yeah."[/color] It was more painful to think of Will's expiration, than her own; easier to make light of her own. Even the memory of waiting on the tracks, fresh as it was, paled to [i]that[/i] thought.

 [color=FF7F50][i]He didn't even get a fuckin' second chance, or a fancy mask. The fuck did any of us do to get here, instead of those other idiots on the tracks? Get lucky?[/i][/color]

 She fought down another unforeseen set of little laughs and straightened herself. [color=FF7F50][i]Fuck. I'm feelin' weird, today.[/i][/color] Ellard was staring at her, having taken a step closer while she was talking. Shame crept up from somewhere deep, as she met his gaze. [color=FF7F50][i]He's still scared, and he's gotta tough choice to make.[/i][/color] For some reason, the boy smiled. She couldn't fathom it immediately, but he was steeling himself. It was a nervous, tenuous thing that twitched at the edges; but he was serious.

 [color=c4df9b]"If you're going after the Magician, I want to come with you!"[/color]

 This time, she did laugh. [color=FF7F50]"I'm gonna send ya the other way. The hell ya wanna tag along with this bunch for? [i]We[/i] don't even really know why we're lookin' for the guy,"[/color] Tabitha shifted, putting her hands on her hips. [color=FF7F50]"Ain't my place to decide that, though. If ya wanna come along, whatever. Talk it out with these folk,"[/color] Enough resistance would drive him more heartily to the idea. She decided to use a trick that had long been a favorite; apathy. Tabitha had taken it on herself to get Ellard to the path, away from Silverbrook, and though she hadn't possessed the foresight to consider food...it was already there. Everything was set. [color=FF7F50][i]S'far's I see, he'll be alright either way. Maybe.[/i][/color] Her job was done. [color=FF7F50]"Ya gotta tell us what's up, regardless."[/color] His look did little but make Tabitha lift her hands. [color=FF7F50]"About him. [i]Magician[/i]."[/color]

 [color=c4df9b]"I know what you meant!"[/color] He turned to the group, putting his hands together before him. Ellard gave them each serious consideration, remaining silent for a moment. Tabitha toyed with the end of her bizarre hat. His voice was lowered, when he spoke, eyes once again to the ground. [color=c4df9b]"But I won't here. If I can go with you, I'll tell you everything. If I can't, I won't tell you anything and I'll head down the Long Walk myself."[/color] The harlequin smiled, a little. Ellard brought his eyes up, focused. [color=c4df9b]"To the Magician."[/color]

 [color=FF7F50][i]Kid's got some kinda guts.[/i][/color] She understood well what he meant. Tabitha Calvicante could see it written all over his face. It was a look of desperation, of cold eyes and a disregard for consequence.[/center]