[b][i]Ashton Andrews and Flame Brooks[/i][/b]

Flame's admiration of Alistair grew all the more as the latter was accepting of who and what he is, but wallowing in said admiration was not the wisest thing; there could still be setbacks for the group as time marched on. And said setbacks were these: The city was under lockdown, the authorities were trying to hunt down bandits and cultists, and their new allies were risking themselves in order to help them. But why? It didn't make sense that people would risk themselves just because their group [i]seemed[/i] harmless. He then leaned to Ashton, asking in a whisper, "Who's Mono? Some sort of high official?"

Ashton wasn't stupid enough to betray his foreknowledge of who Mono was, and so he whispered back, "We can talk about this later, when we're safer." A pause, as he said more openly, "Flame, you're more perceptive than I am. What should we do next?"

Flame said, "I know you'd think this out-of-character for me, but I think we should get permits, [i]then[/i] work for Doctor Donovan; best of both worlds." It was then that he recalled Alistair's reaction to the Doctor and his offer of help, and he guessed the rich kid's most likely choice. His next words were, "Thank you for everything, Mr. Archibald, but it seems that I and Ashton will be getting permits. We'll be going to the Doctor after that, though."

Ashton was surprised, but also knew that Flame was smart; as smart as he is in some respects. "You've learned to trust people more, I see." A smile of joyous approval from the brown-haired boy. "I'm glad."

Flame smiled as well, then gently tugged Ashton to where Aer was. "So, miss adventurer -"

Ashton interrupted, "Her name is Aer Pacifica."

Flame nodded and said, "Miss Pacifica, I think we're just about ready for you and your..." He seemed to notice Wisp for the first time, "Cat-friend to go get permits. After that, we'd like to meet up with Doctor Donovan once more. If it's possible, of course."

It was also then that he realized his mistake, his mistake in allowing the former 'Alistair Group' to abandon the female monk and her companion. At that time, there seemed to be nothing else they could have done, but just because a mistake can be seen with hindsight does not stop it from being a mistake.

"Also," Flame shared to everyone within earshot, "We must be wary of anyone in the attire of warrior monks. In an earlier run, we saw two of them fight a huge demon beast while we ran away. Then three Knights in armor came." He didn't add that those knights had killed him and Alistair before. "We should beware of them as well." A glance at Ashton, "Also, we should keep out of [i]actual[/i] Cultists; do not seek them out."

Ashton nodded at that.