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

Cassim rode at a slow, pleasant trot through the streets of Paris, streets that were growing increasingly empty as the sun dipped down below the horizon. The King of Thieves kept his promise, allowing Iago to ride atop his shoulder. He had had all the fun he figured that little game was worth anyway. Now it was time to find some new fun in an old city, to see what had changed in the last ten or so years it had been since he'd set foot here. If things were not radically different, it could still be a wild, romantic land... With a deathly intolerant side hiding just beneath the facade of cheer.

[color=red]"Hey look!"[/color] Iago began, gesturing to a nearby storefront. [color=red]"A baker! What'dya say ol' buddy? Up for pilfering a bit of bread to split?"[/color]

Cassim shook his head, eyeing the baker warily as they shut their doors, clearing staring back at the thief and bird with prejudice. [color=035096]"They've done nothing to deserve it, and times are not as hard as they were in my youth. We can afford whatever meals we need."[/color] Iago shrugged in a "couldn't hurt to ask" sort of manner as Cassim continued. [color=035096]"Besides, Iago, Paris is someplace we must be vigilant. This place has a history with foreigners such as ourselves, especially those with darker skin and connections to magic. Real or perceived."[/color]

[color=red]"Ya don't say?"[/color] the bird responded, leaning on one wing like a shoulder, clearly only paying the minimum amount of attention required.

[color=035096]"I do. Even as recently as only a few years ago, the Romani people were burned at stakes in the name of their God. They were believed to be untrustworthy liars, thieves-"[/color] he gestured toward himself, then back to Iago. [color=035096]"-and practitioners of dark magic."[/color]

This caught Iago's attention, who loudly gulped in fear. [color=red]"Well then, eh, um... Polly want a cracker? Grawk?"[/color]

[color=035096]"Now you're getting it,"[/color] Cassim nodded.

[color=red]"Just one thing, then. If these people are so paranoid about magic and whatnot, how do you explain something like [i]that?![/i]"[/color]

Iago gestured to a dark alleyway, drawing Cassim's gaze. Something was darting around the shadows, but it didn't look normal. Still, it was difficult to make out the details, so Cassim directed his horse a bit closer, grabbing a lit lantern torch from the street. Once a bit closer, the thing turned out to in fact be several things. Three children, carried inside a large porcelain bathtub which appeared to be... Moving? And a, uh. Hm. Er, well.

[color=red]"I see what ya mean, Cassim. Clearly these people have a lot to be afraid of what with the whole GIANT SKELETONS WALKING AROUND! I'M OUTTA HERE!"[/color]

As Iago attempted to flee, the natural reflexes of his human companion reached out and caught the parrot by his tail, preventing Iago from truly fleeing. [color=035096]"Fascinating,"[/color] he breathed out in wonder. He had held the Hand of Midas, stared a giant, city sized turtle in the eye, befriended a genie, and met many a magical creature in his time. There was no fear for this. Only excitement. [color=035096]"I do hope you're not absconding with these children, skeleton-creature. It would be a pity to dirty my cloak in a fight after such a nice day of riding."[/color]