[center][b]Rendezvous Crash[/b][/center]

"My father is a rather busy man..." Bishop remarks softly, recalling back to his capture. Even now he was being held by the Library. Even now, he was likely being interrogated. [i]Or used. Such genius untapped would be such a shame![/i] Quickly dismissing such a thought from Jester, she continues. "...And he does not always have time to tell me what he is thinking. Even in his letters he laments this." It was true, so it was easy to make it work into the web she was crafting. "My father is traveling to meet other potential rebels who have anti-librarian motivations. The more we can throw in their way, the better." She looks at the birds. "...Where did you get all of these? Some of these do not even belong anywhere near this area. They are quite pretty."

“Ah,” Giovani delighted. “They are my pride and joy. A collection like this is impressive, is it not, miss Bishop?”The don was clearly proud of all the animals he had surrounded himself with, and even seemed quite cocky about it too. “It is not many that have both the access and the… Budget, to construct something this magnificent. Why, you can’t find most of these on the market. Feel free to admire them. Perhaps, if we do business, you could afford to have some of your own.”

“Only some? Hmm…” McKenzi ponders aloud, her mind racing. She wasn’t sure how to proceed from here, and confusion momentarily spilled out into her expression. “Mister Giovani…” She starts as she turns and looks at him. “...What was the last thing my father said about me here?” She implied her own ambitions in that statement, though, curiously, even now, a hint of softness in the tone came through with such a question.

Giovani’s smile faded as he recalled Alexander’s words. “He was not sure if you would be joining us. I recall you worked for the Library up until recently, and he hadn’t time to discuss your, loyalties, as we call it in Calacany.” The pudgy man explained, “Although as you stand here, I assume that is the case...”

There was a short silence, if one didn’t counted the shifting of the birds that Vologhn’s threads had unnerved, before the don continued. “Speaking of your father, I had expected him in your stead. Where is Alex, presently? Will he be joining us?”

“My father will be here shortly, in an hour at the most.” Bishop states, a full out lie this time. [i]Careful, he already suspects much. One does not get as large as him without being paranoid of everyone.[/i] “We went off ahead while he spoke with the rebels I mentioned earlier. If he is any further behind than that I will go find him myself and bring whatever message you wish. I’m confident that he will be fine, but…” She bites her lip. “Sigmund, one of my associates from the Library, took it… Personally that I found such a place to be… Restricting. He has been pursuing us, and by association, you. That is what I came to warn you about.” [i]Not bad, but a little dramatic… Guess your father was a little dramatic too, though.[/i] “...As for what, exactly, my father wishes… I do not know for certain here. He was to introduce me to all of this when he arrived as a sort of… Welcoming, into the family again.”

“Associate?” Giovani pondered, his thick fingers tapping his chair. “This isn’t exactly the town where strangers are invisible. I’m sure you noticed, miss Bishop. I expect to hear of Alex soon as well on that note, but I hope that your… Associate won’t cause for any trouble… I hope you’ve not brought trouble onto my turf… I don’t need to tell you it’s important as few people know as possible. Trust is important in our business.” 

“Of course.” Bishop states plainly. “Which is why you may call me McKenzi.” She offers her hand for a handshake one more time. “And I hope we come to know each other better in the future.”

The don studies Bishop’s expression carefully, but slowly extends his hand to hers. “You’re quite different from your father, McKenzi. He criticized me for addressing him by name, and doesn’t have the faintest interest in my birds. I’m guessing that is your mother’s inheritance?”

She hesitates a moment at the mention of her mother. Jester snickers and grins, taking the shape of a poor old woman in robes with a cane, hunched over behind the don. He whispers to the entire group once more, almost as though wanting the rest to know the frustrations he puts Bishop through. [i]Aahhh… Dearie dearest daughter, deadly doom-bringing dealings done, yessss?[/i] McKenzi looks at the ground, her plan stopped momentarily as the handshake ends. “She died in childbirth.” She states plainly, coldly, much more like her father.

“Tragic, I’m sure.” Giovani replied, although his mind seemed a little off. “Now,” He said, as he lifted himself from his chair. Before leaving, the don drew open a drawer and took out a bottle of wine and some glasses. “Help yourself and your associates. You must excuse me, I must use the restroom.” 

And with that the Don left the room, giving the librarians ample time to plan their next move...

[b][center]Hive of Minds[/center][/b]

As Deneaerys made her comment about fire and needing a clear shot, Daniel scratched his chin and nodded, his eyes flitting about the area in thought. He didn't respond to that just then, he had ideas, now, though. [i]"Please tell me you aren't going to light my precious crossbow bolts on fire, cousin."[/i] His uncle asked him. Daniel shrugged nonchalantly, adding nothing but further worry for him.

Hertz' lack of courage was nothing new of common people. They tended not to know how to deal with problems larger than themselves and thus did the natural thing: Flee. Daniel had nothing against that, it was the smart thing to do. After all, who would hate someone just trying to survive if they have nothing to add to the fight? As he received the book from Hertz he quickly flipped through the pages, combing each one for any useful information he could find when they began to travel into the forest. He had lowered his guard while doing this, unwise, a rookie mistake even. Still. The potential for a not-fire-related plan did intrigue him, and he nodded in agreement. [b]"I will listen, but if I feel fire is the only option, I will use it. Nice as this forest is, these monsters are a threat that must be eliminated before they spread further than they already have."[/b]

Still. Their traveling came to an abrupt halt as the Sloth appeared, infested in such a way as to remind him of the many, many other times he had to face insect-sized bastards. He was not equipped to deal with them this time, however. He should have thought of that one too. With a frown he glances to Julius quickly, who held Whiskers the skull in his hand. [i]"Whiskers recommends a tactical advance in the opposite direction. I agree with his recommendation!"[/i] Daniel nods in agreement, though looks to Ramza. They had just wasted one of their three jars of potential bait on a single target. On the other hand, Ramza's wings made for an effective anti-parasite defense. Commendable. More useful than he was at this moment.

[b]"Alright."[/b] Daniel mutters under his breath as he immediately runs away from the parasites, behind Ramza, to the nearest dead tree with a low lying branch. Summoning Război Ciocan with its long reach and solid grip he swings and breaks the lowest branch off by its base, grabbing it as it falls he then turns on his heels and brushes the end of it against Ramza's wings, lighting the end of it aflame. Using it as one would a spear, he shoves it out towards the parasites. Small insects, slower than him, would be vulnerable to fire. [b]"RAMZA! Try to avoid using valuable resources! They are small, slower than us, we can use fire to defeat a swarm this small!"[/b] He then looks at Rugratz. [b]"What is your plan?"[/b] He asks more softly, attempting to understand what it was that Ramza had in mind, but not being able to discern it from what little he could see.