[i][/i][i][/i][i][/i][h2][center][b][color=ed1c24]Novak[/color][/b][/center][/h2]
Novak listened behind the tree to the rat-folk converse.  In particular, they made mention of someone's life being threatened, someone with a title.  Was this the reason why they were hostile to Mie, because they believed she threatened the life of an important Krysa, or an unrelated matter?  He managed to catch the name of the woman- Marushka- and the very relevant tidbit of information that they had proof of this aforementioned threat.

Before he could overhear anything else, Ayumi finally made her move.  Novak remained behind the tree, not actually watching it play out, but he was quite amused and satisfied at the fox's understanding of his words.  One of the reasons the fox was such a valuable asset to Mie was that it was easy to assume she was just a wild animal looking for food.  He had a little concern that she wouldn't get hurt, though- the Krysa, after all, were famed marksmen.

Ayumi ran right by Novak, basket in its jaws.  Evidently she had been successful in procuring it.  The Krysa woman pursued, but tripped and fell over him.  It wasn't the introduction he had anticipated, but he should be able to roll with this.

[color=ed1c24]"Are you alright, my lady?"[/color] Novak asked as he sat there.  [color=ed1c24]"Are you hurt?  You seem to be in distress- do you and your friends need any help?"[/color]

From what he had heard, the basket was carrying the Tsarita's orders.  This was an interesting piece of information, and he was curious as to what these orders might be.  His primary objective was still to find Haruno, but he knew that it was of vital importance to figure out what was going on that had compelled the Krysa to attack Mie's caravan.  If he could endear himself to them, it'd make things all the easier.