Aphrodite smiled. "They make an excellent steak. And I am a big fan of their cheesecake." She winked at Narya with a wide grin.

"None of your business. Obviously, you will now respond similarly. So let's skip that part, and either engage in meaningless small talk or tell me why you came over to speak with me. My attitude does not attract people; it is meant to do that. So tell me, what do you wish to speak of, if anything? Or are you just here to engage me in meaningless small talk?" Artemis said silkily, not removing his eyes from hers.

Axelle smirked.

"You're funny." She said with a sarcastic laugh. "I just want to know why you found it necessary to look at us."

Artemis stared at her. He felt a growing uneasiness. He wasn't used to speaking to people who were as sarcastic as he was. "So I amn't allowed to look at you? That's odd. Of course, you look odd, so I can understand that."

A man walked in the pub. He wore a red cloak, which stood out compared to the rest of the room. He spotted David, and sat down across him. David pointed at his table, and the bartender brought out another glass.

"What's up Ricky?" David said.

"You know it's the full moon tonight, right?" he said. "Everyone's gonna be out, I don't have anything to do. I know you, I know you won't be busy. I wanted to see if you wanted to do something."

"We'll see," said David.

Axelle dropped her jaw.

"I look weird? You're one to talk!" She yelled, slamming her fists down on the table.

"Ah, there we go. You shouldn't be so quick to lose your temper. Calm down," sniggered Artemis, displaying a rare flash of emotion, "Touched a nerve, have I? And I am weird. Why act weird and not look the part?" He nearly smiled, then. "I amn't saying that you are ugly...just, different. Is being different so bad?"

"Steak, eh?" asked Aaron. "It's been a while since I had a good steak." He looked at Narya with a gaze that pre-empted her "Can I have cheesecake" question.

Axelle sat down. "I'm sorry." She muttered, putting her face in her hands. "I suppose it's not bad."

Aphrodite smiled. "Well then, care to sit?"

Kasam entered the pub, Kryoni and Cora by his side. He surveyed the place with an interested look, noting each of the customers down. He nodded at his escorts.

"Kryoni, get me a drink. Cora, find me a private table."

Kryoni scowled and stalked off towards the bar. Cora nodded and cut a meek little path towards the corner of the room. Kasam headed for the table seating Aaron, Narya, and Aphrodite--the table from which he felt the strongest pull of magic. He leaned over, smiling politely.

"Greetings, friends. I am Kasam, and I was wondering if such...fine folk as yourselves might know where I could find--could find travel arrangements."

Kryoni was headed back towards Kasam with two large mugs of the most expensive beer she could find. He caught her eye and motioned with two fingers towards Artemis. She nodded and walked over to where Artemis and Axelle were having what looked to her like a waste of time when they could just as quickly settle the matter with swords. She nudged Artemis's chair with her foot.

"Hey, you."

Artemis opened his mouth to say something unusually sympathetic, when he felt his chair move. He looked around to see a woman pushing his cahir with her foot. "Yes?" he said, arching his eyebrows.

"Good idea," said Aaron, turning slightly red.

"Oy... He's always like this, in case you were wondering. Absent-minded around women who aren't me," said Narya, taking a seat before Aaron could.

Aphrodite smiled, glancing back to Axelle. Looked like trouble, but she could handle herself. No sense getting Axelle mad at her. She sat with them, smiling.

"So what brings you here?"

Axelle, meanwhile, looked up at Kryoni. "What the hell?" She asked the air, staring up.

"Our travels," said Aaron. "We're wandering, seeking fame and fortune."

"And dessert as a main course!" added Narya. "Don't know why I bother to keep trying, though, Aaron doesn't ever let me do that..."

"Traveling? My, that sounds fun." Aphrodite grinned. "And why not? Dessert is my favorite part of the day." She giggled, glancing towards Aaron.