[u][b][center]Collab Between Lost, Anriu, and Skai[/center][/b][/u]

Having returned to her initial post, Hali was greeted by the sight of a woman she had not seen in over a year. Brushing against the headset, she switched its setting, accessing the frequency of Ik's when it is considered 'off'. "Sir, I have spotted another individual approaching our perimeter . It is Arianna; it appears that she managed to find her way here after all. What are your orders?"

A weary sigh parted Iktomi's lips, as he dropped his head into his open palm. [i]'She would decide to show up right now. The blood hasn't even finished drying and I have another intruder to deal with. I suppose it was bound to happen one day.'[/i] Rising out of his throne, he tapped on his ear piece. "I want you to bring her here as soon as possible. She is a friend, so no hostile actions. I have another problem to deal with." Lifting his arms slowly, threads began rising up from the floor and taking the form of small darts aimed at the creature off to the left of the doors. "I have a very important guest arriving shortly. If you do not state your reason for being here within the next ten seconds I will be forced to remove you from this world."

Ariela could taste the hostility in the air. She strengthened her resolve. She had been ready for this; now was her time to act. "Now is that any way to greet an honored guest?" The imp's voice was broken, as if two beings were speaking at once. One of such voices was high pitched and squeaky, whilst the other was low and menacing. "I am here to discuss a possible treaty. Consider me a messenger. Have you perhaps heard tell of the one called Banshee?"

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[u] Arianna and Hali - Elsewhere [/u]

Arianna looked around at her surroundings. She could tell by the change in destruction and damaged street that she was entering the lower class section of Sovereign. Her mind raced as she thought of the day the Void Gate opened. It had really been her first time in the section when she had a real purpose to be there. Unfortunately the wretched Void Gate ruined her day.

[i][b]"Arianna... You're drifting again. You need to focus in this area of Sovereign,"[/b][/i] Castiel's gentle and gruff voice lilted in her mind.
Arianna let out a knowing sigh and brushed her hair back from her face. Of all the objects she found in the rubble, she couldn't find one blessed hair tie.
[i]I'll focus. Just keep me posted if you hear anything. You know your hearing is much better than mine.[/] Arianna replied. By "hearing", Arianna meant his telepathy. It had come in handy with keeping unwanted guests from unexpectedly dropping in on the two.

[b][i]"Stop,"[/i][/b] Castiel suddenly commanded, causing Arianna to freeze in her steps. She instinctively reached for the rapier she had crudely stuck through her belt loop. Surprisingly, the belt loop hadn't been cut after a year of using it as a makeshift sheath. [b][i]"I heard something on your right. It's approaching."[/i][/b]
Arianna turned to face her right side, drawing the rapier and gripping it with both hands. Her eyes scanned every inch of the scene before her. The only disadvantage to the telepathy was that she could never tell if the thoughts came from a human, conduit, or guardian. All she knew was that it was a person, and after her long, hard year, she'd grown to trust no one fully but Castiel.

Hali reached behind her slowly as Arianna turned toward her, rapier drawn already. Removing her own blade, Hali released it. As the sharp clang of steel hitting rubble faded away she lifted her open hands. "I am not an enemy. I work for Iktomi Ascher. As I understand, you are, or were, a close friend of his. He asked me to come and bring you to his home."

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[u]Iktomi and Ariela - Iktomi's Lair [/u]
"When you are forced to sneak into my home you are not allowed to consider yourself an honored guest. Furthermore, you should be greatful that I did not kill you the moment I noticed your presence." Iktomi's voice was void of emotion, his face reflected this tone as he finally turned his gaze upon the diminutive creature. "Treaties are meaningless to me. There are only three positions avaliable to anyone that deals with me. Even someone who has managed to gain a lofty title such as the Banshee. A rare few get to stand at my side as equals; many kneel down before me as servants. The rest get the honor of dying at my hand. You can choose between the last two or get out of my sight."

A strong distaste for this man had already filled Ariela's mouth and mind. He was foolish to think so highly of himself; yet Ariela smiled at this man's blindness. It would prove of great use to her in the near future...

During this time of thought, a great silence filled the place known as Iktomi's lair. Ariela purposely extended this silence in order to increase Iktomi's annoyance. She had chosen where she stood in regards to this man, but for now she simply stated, "I agree.. One such of your caliber deserves worthy servants, one of which I may be destined to become." The imp performed a small bow before floating ever closer to the man named Iktomi, "But what will the spider king do, if the empire he has so painstakingly constructed collapses under its very foundations? You are not the strongest man to dwell within this cage we call Sovereign, and you would be wise to remember that."
With those final words the imp disappeared with a cloud of black smoke. Ariela had reached her limit for the time being. She wondered what the effect her words would have on this surprisingly blinded king.

Dropping his hand to his side, Iktomi released the threads from his control causing them to collapse to the ground in a heap. Falling back into his seat, his head slumped down against his chest. He remained in this position for well over a minute before his neck snapped back and a wild cackle burst through his lips. As the sound died down, his mouth reformed into his trademark smirk. [i]'I never get tired of that Archania. The ones that crawl to me thinking that they will serve any purpose. If I wanted them at my side I would have searched them out.[/i]

[i][b]'This Banshee could prove to be useful though, you shouldn't depose of her. Not yet at the very least. Let her live out her usefullness, and then devour her when that time passes.[/b][/i] Archania's mandibles clicked at the end, looking forward to yet another insect to feed on.