The skeleton hardly touched anything. Not really surprising to me since he was, indeed, a skeleton. Something told me that I shouldn't be so quick to judge. The regulars left for the morning, leaving only the two monsters left. Since it was so empty, I thought I'd clean up a bit to pass the time. Wiping down the tables nearby, I overheard their quiet conversation.

"Look, Sans, I think we should just drop it. We've searched everywhere we can think already. It's not like they could get so far away that they're completely off the map. These...auto-things- er, cars.. are fast, but you know as well as I do that magic's faster." I heard the soft thunk of the bottom of his glass hitting the table.

Sans sighed, "Riddle me this, cat." The chair made a small creak, as if he'd leaned back in it. I switched tables so as not to seem suspicious. "With all our best monsters on the search party, how is it we haven't found the kid yet, huh? They're soul is strong enough that certain monster's magic should be able to detect it's aura miles away. Probably even across the country." There was a pause, "Felinx-"

"Well that's a name I haven't heard in a good minute." The cat laughed. "I know where you're getting at, Rev. but.. I don't know my own strength in this field yet. My limitations in this matter reached the barrier back when we were under that blasted mountain. Even then, once we were freed, it was like some sort of cage around my magic that I didn't know was there, broke. I don't know how far I can reach, or what else my magic can do now. And with so many souls on the surface..." he trailed off.

"Why not test it then?" The voice seemed so carefree, but there was a serious tone to it.

"It's risky. What if something goes wrong?" His voice rose slightly in volume.

"Then something goes wrong." I could practically hear the shrug in his tone alone. "We need them, Burgerpants. You don't realize what's at stake here."

His friend huffed, "Then explain it would ya?"

I switched tables again to one half behind this Felinx/Burgerpants character. My curiosity getting the better of me, I tilted my head enough so I could spare a glance their way. My eyes only locked with the skeleton's briefly, his right socket twitching slightly in what I can only assume is strained surprise, but nonetheless it rose the hairs on the back of my neck. I quickly averted my eyes and finished what I was doing.

"Tibia honest pal, it's not mine to explain."

There was a pause, and even I hesitated with standing. Was that a pun? That was terrible. Yet familiar rolling with his voice.

"I...need a cigarette." The cat monster stood, as did I. I grabbed my things and made a start for the kitchen as he stepped out. I'd almost made it when Sans spoke.

"We weren't eavesdropping, were we?" His voice was calm, but I hinted a slight dark undertone.

I about stumbled and set down my things, turning, "P-pardon?"

His grin grew, "Nahhh I'm only kidding." He stood, stuffing his hands in his pockets and pushing in his chair with his foot. "Opal, was it?" He stepped a few feet away from me.

"As written on my name tag, yes." I felt a twinge in my chest, lecturing me to be more polite.

"Mhm, and the girl from earlier? Never caught her name."

I hesitated, "Er, why..? And who's asking?" I knew this guy's name already, but it felt like the right question to ask.

"She looks familiar. Annnd," he stepped closer and stuck a hand out. "Sans the skeleton."

The door chimed once, twice, four times. Sans' smile twitched but his hand remained, eyes prompting me to take it. With a small awkward laugh, I took his hand in mine and gave it a friendly shake, "Nice to meet you, Sans."

"Heh, yeah.." he trailed, his voice wavering in an almost anxious manor. He glanced over his shoulder briefly.

I lifted my gaze to a group of men standing oddly spread out across the diner. "I'll tend to you all in a moment." I tried releasing my hand from his hold but he only tightened his grip.

"No ya won't." His voice lowered and he turned to them, pulling me behind him, "I wouldn't take a step closer if I were you." He hissed.

It felt like my vision was missing something. My brows pressed closer in confusion and I focused my eyes. A faint blue aura resonated from the men and there seemed to be a matching spark or glow in their pupils. They all pulled out guns. I blinked and it faded. A sense of fear crawled up my spine nonetheless.

"Sans...buddy...pal...did someone kill their parents or something? They're giving off this kind of Datman vibe here."

"Of all things to compare these guys to, you choose Datman?" There was a hint of amusement swirling in his voice. He stepped back a few, pushing me to do the same. The men mimicked our steps in unison.

"I mean, now that I think about it, these guys really don't follow the description of hot mess billionaire bachelor avenging parents' death by throwing sharp objects at them and lowering his voice. Which, by the way, how can that dude even speak the next morning using that voice all night? A-and-" the aura reappeared in my vision, "you still haven't answered my question!" An arm wraps around my waist and lifts, leaving my surprised self to scream.

"Opal! Hang in there!" His magic flared to life, one eye socket emptying, the other crackling a volatile blue and green iris. He reached out a hand and pushed the group to their asses to buy a second more of time.

"That's not funny!" The dude turns to run with me. I elbow him in the ribs as hard as I can, and swing back a kick where the sun don't shine. Should've brought him to his knees, but only made him stumble, the aura seeming to waver away from him a moment before leeching back on. I don't hesitate to take the stumble to my advantage and twist back his thumbs, causing him to loosen his hold enough for me to slip to my feet. I immediately whirl around and crack a right hook. I'll admit, in one on one combat I may lose to normal physical circumstances, I've never been very good in that area. But self defense, however? Lyndce made sure to teach me a few things after she saved me from my abusive family five years ago.

"Nice hook ya got there." Sans snickered in response to the man dazed on the ground as he rushed my direction. "We need to-" to pops we're sounded, and objects wrapped around his wrists, quickly adjusting to his size and solidifying. His eye goes out and he lets out a strained groan of pain. The men from before were back on their feet and approaching us.

Sans turns to me, sockets still empty, "Game change, pal, you need to go!"

"Wait, Sans, I still don't understand. This...this isn't right! Just met or not, I can't just sit back and let this happen." She stepped in front of him. "Besides, I gotta prove to the old ladies across the street that I'm not actually a bad person who potentially kicked their angry, vicious, heathen of a cat," I felt the warmth and tingling sensation of magic flowing through my veins.

Something familiar...something comforting pulled at the back of my soul, almost urging me to grasp it. I focused on it and did so. I felt a a small spark in my chest and suddenly, a connection to that haven of sorts. "News flash, ya blind hags," My eyes were glowing, I could feel it. "It was a raccoon." My hands erupted in flames. One motive crossed through my mind, seeming to surge through that connection like electricity.

Fight.