3 ~ Otherwise Known as Astra the Creep

A figure stood at the corner of the road, hood pulled up even though the rain had finally stopped. He smiled as he watched his servant approaching him.

"Well?" he asked.

"She's inside there," he said, pointing to what seemed like a tavern.

Astra looked up at the sign and saw it read The Melting Pot. "Good work," he told his servant. "You're no longer needed. Leave."

As the servant gratefully ran away, Astra made his way to the inn. Looking up at the door, he grinned. "Did you think you could keep running from me forever?" he asked.

"I'm right in front of you," came a reply.

Astra frowned and pushed down his hood, turning around to look into the empty road.

"Behind you," said the voice, clearly bored. "The other one like you was the same. I'm a talking door."

Astra turned around once more. "The other one?" he repeated. "So then she really did come in here. The fool."

"Hey, you're more interested in someone who came in than a talking door?" demanded the door, a little offended.

"A talking door is still a door," replied Astra matter-of-factly. "If you can open yourself, then I may be impressed."

The door swung open.

"Interesting," said Astra as he walked in. "I should get some of you for my house as well."

mMm

Ava was enjoying sitting on the tall woman's shoulder. She beeped! in Fiona's ear. "You're an agent, too?"

Fiona winced slightly at the loud chirp. "No, I am not an agent. I have no allegiance to any government."

Ava was disappointed. She sat back on her tail. "Oh." She was quiet for a minute, then, "Your hair smells nice."

Fiona gave a warm chuckle. "Why thank you, dear." She grabbed a chair from a nearby table and pulled it up beside Tyler. "We can stay here for a little bit, I suppose. I'm in no rush." She snapped her fingers at a passing waiter. "Rum punch, please. Thank you." She turned back to Tyler. "I'm soo nice, aren't I?"

Tyler grinned at her, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Oh, yes. The very best."

"As nice as a cat in water," muttered Megumi, sitting back down on her chair. Her tail was still flicking back and forth in irritation. Still, she thought, glaring at the bounty hunter, more time to figure things out. And if figuring out doesn't work, I'll just have to sharpen my claws. A small smile replaced her glare.

Fiona whispered to the little bird. "Please don't tell me you feel sorry for him, too?"

Ava made a growling sound in her throat that might have been a laugh. "I do not know. I only met him eighteen minutes ago. But I like you."

"One thing I want to make sure of," started Megumi after a moment, still looking at Fiona. "Once you drop him off to whoever's paying you, he gets the noose?"

Fiona shrugged. "I really haven't the faintest idea. I doubt his punishment will be that harsh, though." She laughed. "Although I'm quite sure that whatever does happen to him he probably deserves." She turned to Tyler, pursing her lips in disapproval. "You still can't fight your own fights, can you?" She shrugged again. "Can't say I'm surprised."

Tyler gave her an astonished look. "Can't say you're surprised? And what exactly have you been told about me? If it was Jerre then he was lying."

"I'm not fighting anyone's fights here!" protested Megumi to both of them. "I'm just showing my disgust at your indifference." I should really shut up, she thought nervously, unless I want bad things to happen to me. They usually do when I open my mouth like this.

Fiona rolled her eyes. "I'd rather be indifferent and free than bound by morals."

"Meaning as long as you're fine, who cares about the rest of the world," translated Megumi. "Or did I get that wrong?"

Fiona simply ignored the comment. A waiter returned with the rum punch and set it down in front of the bounty hunter. She nodded her thanks and took a large swig of it.

Tyler looked between the two females. He couldn't say he was upset by Meg's standing up for him, because he knew Fiona didn't care about the girl one way or the other. The bounty hunter wouldn't get in a random fight if she could help it. At least, as far as he knew.

Megumi reached over to take hold of her previous cup of water. Looking down, she realized she couldn't drink this; it was now Ava's used bath water. She looked over at the bird on Fiona's shoulder and scowled.

Ava noticed Megumi's glance and tilted her head. She flew onto Megumi's shoulder instead. "What is wrong? You look mad."

Megumi wondered what to tell the little bird. She didn't like Fiona, so Ava shouldn't either? That just because she felt the woman was an insensitive jerk, Ava should as well? Ava, Megumi realized, was smart and didn't need to have opinions forced on her.

"Don't worry," she told the bird. "I'm fine... ish. Just thirsty for water. Water!" She called out the last part, hoping a waiter heard her order.

Ava frowned. "I thought you did not like water."

"I actually don't," replied Megumi, appreciative of the small distraction. "I used to get the creeps just looking at water. I can somewhat tolerate it now, and drinking it is fine. My throat's kinda dry at the moment."

Ava nodded sagely. "It is because you are a cat."

"I reckon so," Megumi replied to Ava, a little amused.

mMm

The door of the tavern suddenly opened and in walked a handsome man with tiger ears and tail. He looked around and smiled. This reminds me of the Slippery Goblet, he thought, except it's not as dank and dirty. Now, where are you, my little slave?

Megumi's eyes widened to their extent before she pushed her chair back and fell to her knees. Without further ado and completely forgetting the lovebird on her shoulder, she crawled under the table, tail bristled and hands trembling.

Dammit! she thought, he found me!

Ava's eyes had widened as she was jerked around, and she had gripped Megumi's shoulder with her toes, trying to hold on for the wild ride. Once they were hidden, she whispered, "Who is that?"

"Sorry," whispered Megumi, finally remembering the bird. "He's the one chasing after me. Dammit! I wasn't careful... someone must've seen me come in." She could feel sweat dripping down her forehead and rolling down her face.

Fiona's eyebrows arched in surprise at Megumi's odd behavior. "How interesting," she murmured to herself.

Ty meanwhile stared at Megumi in puzzlement and then looked around, trying to find the source of her odd action. His eyes fell on the newcomer to the Tavern.

The source of all this excitement, that is Astra, made his way to a nearby empty table, perusing the room as he walked. He pulled out a chair and sat down. "Some ale here," he called aloud to anyone. "Also, you wouldn't happen to see a young woman come in earlier? One with these?" He pointed to his cat ears.

Fiona overheard the man, and her lips twisted up into a sly smile.

Tyler shook his head. "Sorry, man," he said. "She your girlfriend?"

Astra turned to look at him. "Not a relationship that shallow," he replied with a thin smile as he looked the speaker over. "She is mine."

Tyler hid his disgust with a sage expression, as if pretending he knew exactly what the man meant.

Megumi closed her eyes, trying not to retch at Astra's words. Go away, she thought, just go away! Leave me alone!

Ava cheeped conspiratorially. "I'll get rid of him." She started to climb up Megumi's head.

"Thanks," Megumi whispered, clenching her hands into fists so that they would stop shaking.

Ava jumped into the air and flew over to Astra, landing on his table. "I saw her."

Astra looked at the little bird. "Talking doors, talking birds," he said. "And you say you saw her? When and where?"

Ava made a show of thinking hard. "Hm, I believe it was...yesterday, at four o'clock in the afternoon. She came in, looking very frightened."

The Felie grinned at the bird and reached over to touch her beak. "Did you know I always have a knack of knowing who is lying?"

Ava cheeped and snapped at his finger. "I am not programmed to lie." Which was very true. But she had found a way around her programming.

"That's not nice, little bird," Astra said.

Ava cheeped in annoyance, glaring at Astra. "Dirtbag," she growled.

Megumi opened her eyes. She didn't want to be hiding under the table. She had faced enough enemies, so why did this one make her cower like a coward? I'm not a coward, she thought fiercely. I'm not a coward!

Fiona kept her voice very quiet so only Megumi could hear. She smiled dangerously. "I will tell him where you are if you don't stop interfering with my job."

Tyler frowned at Fiona, kinda not liking her at the moment.

Megumi of course didn't know what to do. She didn't want to be caught; she also didn't want someone to die just because she couldn't stand up for herself!

"Give me a moment," she replied, shutting her eyes tightly so that tears didn't escape.

"Right." She wiped her eyes roughly with her fist. "Don't tell him."

Megumi then crawled out from under the table. "I'll tell him myself."

She stood up, ears flattened and tails bristled, claws lengthened. "I'm not a coward."

mMm

Astra's attention wavered from the bird; someone new was standing at the other table. His smile became predatory. "Hello, my little slave. How nice to see you after all these days."

Tyler thought quickly, trying to come up with a plan. He took his gin glass and hid it in his hand, waiting for the right moment.

"Ava, move away from him please," said Megumi, eyes set on Astra.

Astra chuckled. "How low do you think of me, little slave? Do you actually think I would hurt this sweet bird?" He stood up and looked down at the bird. "Though you are quite rude. Ah, I remember what happened to the last winged person who was rude to me...you do too, right, slave?" He laughed as his hand neared the lovebird, watching the expression on Megumi's face change from apprehension to hatred and back.

"I'm not your slave!" cried Megumi. "And don't you dare touch Ava!"

Ava saw the hand moving toward her and jumped into the air, cheeping loudly. But she wasn't fast enough for the cat man's reflexes. The Felie now stood with his hand gripped around the bird, allowing Ava's head to peek through.

"Don't hurt her!" shouted Megumi.

Astra smiled, though his eyes were as cold as ice. "I can easily squeeze the life out of this bird," he said. "If you don't want that to happen, retract your claws and come here. Otherwise..." His smile widened.

"Fine," said Megumi. Once she's free, I'll do something.

Ava wiggled wildly, trying to squirm out of his grip.

Tyler decided it was time to act. Without pausing an instant, he stood up and threw the heavy glass at Astra's head.

A little shocked, Astra's hold around the bird loosened as he tried to dodge the flying glass which hit his shoulder rather than his head.

Ava swooped up to a rafter, her small belly heaving from adrenaline. That was a close one. She looked down, ready to attack again if the situation called for it.

Astra turned to look at the man who had the gall to throw something at him. "That wasn't the right thing for you to do," he said evenly. The bird was no longer in his grip, but he didn't care about that at the moment. "Who exactly do you think you are?"

Tyler reached nonchalantly for another glass. "Me? Oh, no one special. Just think you're being a little rude, is all."

Astra raised his eyebrows, looking surprised. "How am I being rude when all I am asking is for mine to return to me?"

Alasdair's eyes widened, and he looked back and forth between Meg and Astra anxiously. "Oh, dear, oh dear," he muttered to himself.

Megumi looked at Tyler. "All that stuff you said to me before about not getting involved? Same back at you." He was in enough trouble already; she didn't want Astra chasing after him too.

Fiona had meanwhile been observing the situation with a bored expression on her face, but now she leaned back in her seat and gave Astra a level stare. She didn't care about Megumi, and she really didn't care about Tyler either; but if the latter was stupid enough to get himself in a situation that could get him killed, she would interfere. How else could she deliver him and get her money? Her client did specify that he wanted Tyler alive.

Her smile contrasted the coldness in her eyes as she addressed Astra. "Please don't let Tyler bother you. He's my charge." She shot Tyler a glare that said stay out of it.

Tyler raised an eyebrow, ignoring the women. He normally tried to avoid conflict, but there was nothing he loved better than bandying words with a creep. "You tried to kill an innocent little bird," he said lightly. "That's at least rude, if not downright jerkful."

Ava nodded in agreement.

"He's yours?" asked Astra, looking over at this new woman. He grinned when he liked what he saw. "Shouldn't you take care of your charge better than that? Look at him mouthing off at me right now." He sighed. "No respect nowadays."

Fiona shrugged. "It'd be boring if he always listened." She looked down at the band on her wrist casually, and then back up at Astra. "But he isn't going anywhere." Her lips curved into a satisfied smile.

Megumi knew trouble. Astra was not just going to let things go. I can run away again, she told herself. I've been doing in for a while now.

"Fine, I'll come with you," she told Astra.

Alasdair looked even more worried. "No! Don't do that, Meg!"

Tyler stepped in front of Meg to stop her. "You don't have to do this," he muttered. He was trying to hide a smile, because he had a brilliant plan. Well, he thought it was brilliant.

Without further ado, he walked up to Astra and threw the best punch he had, throwing his whole six foot frame into it.

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