[center][h1][b][color=035096]Cassim[/color] and [color=red]Iago[/color][/b][/h1][/center]

Approaching Paris from the east was a lone man of dark skin wearing a blue silk cloak of foreign make. His hood was down, as the sun was not nearly so overbearing as his homeland, revealing his black hair and silver streak, and rugged good looks. The horse he rode upon trot along the hard dirt path amidst the trees with some level of unfamiliarity, as though it were used to less stable ground. That's because it was a brown Arabian horse, and home was a long ways away. Though the horse had never been this far out before, its rider was no stranger to these lands. Despite that having been more than a decade ago, the path before him had hardly changed a bit, and his memory was a long one. He could practically smell that gourmet French bread, the aroma snaking its way into his no-

[color=red]"Jeez Cassim, how much longer do we have to go?! My wings are KILLING me!"[/color] cried out the red macaw flying by his side, clearing feigning more discomfort than he was actually having.

[color=035096]"Perhaps you wouldn't be so tired i you hadn't abused your shoulder privileges?"[/color] Cassim shot back with a knowing smirk. It was a minor argument they had had, but one he was having fun with.

[color=red]"Look, I'm sorry that guy missed me and hit you in the face with that pie, but how was I supposed to know he can't take a joke?"[/color] Nothing in Iago's tone suggested he was as sorry as he claimed.

[color=035096]"Men rarely enjoy being insulted to their face. I would imagine you of all people would know that."[/color] Cassim spared a glance to the side to see Iago's reaction. The bird's anger did not disappoint, and the thief had to hold in a laugh.

[color=red]"Just what are you implying, Cassim? That I'm a sycophant? A schmoozer? A SUCK UP?"[/color] In an instant Iago's voice changed as he began mocking his traveling companion. [color=035096]"Oh look at me, the mighty and powerful King of Thieves! I bow to no man![/color] [color=red]Bah! Give me a little credit here, I'm just a people pleaser, ok?"[/color]

Cassim rolled his eyes, now looking back at the path. This joke had gone on long enough, he figured. [color=035096]"Very well Iago, I will let you ride on my shoulder for the remainder of our journey to Paris."[/color]

[color=red]"You mean it? Sweet."[/color] Iago swooped on, landing right on Cassim's left shoulder. Using one of his wings like an arm, he wiped his feathery head as though he were sweating. [color=red]"Out of curiosity, how much longer do we have to go?"[/color]

No sooner had Iago finished asking did the pair come to an end of the trees, wherein they could see the city of Paris standing tall and mighty before them. At full gallop, they would cross the city gate in under a minute. Cassim turned to look at Iago, a smug smirk adorned across his face. Iago narrowed his eyes in frustration.

[color=red]"You know, for a best friend I find myself hating you a lot more than I thought I would."[/color] Cassim merely shrugged and whipped the reins, prompting his horse to charge forward at full speed.