Chapter 25

Sal eyed Rei carefully. He was not fond of what he saw. In Sal's eyes, there was a spoiled, pampered little girl who had never had to fight a day in her life, and had most of what she had gained handed to her. He could tell that Rei had never been an orphan, and would probably be appalled to learn that such people existed. From her demeanor, he could tell that she had worked in some official job--probably not Inner Sanctum because she didn't appear anal enough for that. However, she appeared ALMOST that anal, so whatever it was she did it would probably be something Sal hated.

Rei wasn't impressed with Sal either. She had seen the type before. Technological hot shots who think if you hand them an interface they can fix the problems of the world. Rei had noticed such people always failed at handling real world problems. If you took away their interface, it was almost as though you had taken away a pacifier from a baby--and the result would be the same--they would cry.

It was fitting that they were both seated in this odd house. Any other place would have made no sense. The house sat directly on the border of insanity without falling in. The place was a lot quieter without the Rogue being there, and neither Sal nor Rei cared to break that silence, while both hoped the Rogue would return soon so they could get some answers.

Sal eventually got tired of sitting, and so got up and began investigating some of the objects in the house. Sal noticed a pair of heavy looking swords crisscrossed on the wall, and his hand went to instinctively touch them.

Rei couldn't contain herself. "Do you really think it is such a good idea to go touching things in a strange person's house?"

Sal didn't turn his head in her direction. "So it speaks."

"It speaks, and it has manners, which is apparently something you are not equipped with," quipped Rei.

"Listen Princess," started Sal, "When I need instructions on which utensil I need for dessert I'll be sure to give you a call."

Rei stiffened her body in offense. "I am sure that it would be a nice change from the sort of people you talk to."

Sal didn't reply back and instead let his finger fall along the edge of the sword. It was surprisingly sharp. Sal felt the telltale numbness and pain that accompanies cut flesh. Apparently, the sword was QUITE sharp. Sal jerked his finger back so fast that he disturbed the mount on which the sword rested. He had to dodge both swords as they clanged to the floor.

Rei gave Sal an acerbic look. Neither of them saw the Rogue come in, but both of them startled when they heard him speak.