Horne's Irish Pub

"Hey, nah. I paid for it. I can afford to spend a few dollars on one beer." Nina told Echo, waving a dismissive hand at the idea of being payed back.

"Naked girl with horns and a scaly tail?" Nina asked, "I can't saw that or a guy named Andrew with her. It's something I feel like I'd remember. Though, we do get a lot of traffic around here." She told Echo, "With the way the city is I wouldn't even know where to start of who to ask."

Echo sighed, she knew it was a long shot, but she had to try. "Also if you happen to see a woman with a large hat, do try to not call in reinforcements, trust me you dont want too many people around when you think you've got her." she said looking back at Nina "Try not to think of her as your traditional mage, even though you'll want to"

Echo's brow furrowed. It was bad enough Andrew was running around unchecked and reportedly corrupted, but to now have Rhemmi somehow wandering in the mortal realm. She was afraid for the first time in a long time. She didn't believe she alone had the potential to stop one, let alone the both of them. Echo wasn't one to back down though, she'd see this through to the end. However sticky that end may be.

"Have you ever thought about your own death Nina?"

Nina was taken aback by the question, she wasn't sure how to answer at first. Emily bringing some of Echo's food to the bar would probably buy her some time.

She hadn't really thought about her death now that she considered Echo's question. Not in the way most people would. She was a soldier, she was raised in a war zone, things like death were a given at this point.

"Nah, not really. I grew up in a place where death was something to expect. We put out milk and cookies for death." Nina answered.

As soon as the food was put down in front of Echo, it began disappearing at an incredible speed. Echo's size was definately deceptive for how much food she could acutally put away. It was almost as if she wasn't even chewing on some of it. She devoured the plates that were brought to her furiously. Lickity split those plates were completely cleaned.

"Ah that's starting to feel better." She sat with a pat of her belly. "I try not to think about it, because the ways I know I would more than likely be killed in, are not pleasent. Most involve being obliterated........... Have you ever thought about being obliterated? Like every single cell in your body being completely destroyed?...... Hah" Echo shuddered as she spoke.

"Now, that? I thought about that. In my line of work I deal with a lot of things of the scientific and magical nature that could do that. I think I'd like a body for my mother to bury at least." Nina told Echo, "What's up with the questions?" She asked.

"I admit, I enjoy them. Not every day people ask me if I thought about being obliterated." She said, glancing towards Echo's food. It was fascinating to see her eat it like that. And a little scary at the same time.

"I just feel....... Like soon I wont be able to have conversations like these anymore" Echo said with a small smile "I'm not afraid of dying...... I'm afraid of being killed by her....... I'm afraid of failing" She said.

The same fate awaited the next course of food as did the first. It didn't last two minutes in front of the young Anthain. She let out a large belch and sighed deeply. "Silly isn't it? How fragile a thing like life can be."

Echo paused for a moment then bit her bottom lip. "Can I stay with you tonight?" She suddenly blurted out

"Uh... I don't know." Nina told Echo, "Are you in trouble?" She asked, barely noticing when Emily put down more food until she felt the burn of a hot plate on one of her knuckles. She might have flinched were she not so focused on Echo.

The questions about death made more sense now. Echo was afraid of it. Nina couldn't remember the last time she feared death coming for her.

"I'm sure my roommates wouldn't mind you crashing."

Echo smiled pleasently "I am glad" she said brushing her platinum hair behind her ear "You have a good heart Nina, I can see that. It may seem silly, but I was testing your heart and conviction"

Echo wolfed down a few more plates of food and sighed after taking a long swig of her brew. "I would only invite trouble and death into your life, but for a few moments......... I would like to pretend, I am..........A normal woman" She said quietly. Echo had never had a normal life, her magic abilities had seen to that. Even amongst other mage's, she was unique and coveted by the dark forces.

"I-I don't know if I'm going to live through the next few weeks, even now im sure one of Them has already picked up on my presence in this city." Echo said looking back toward Nina "I really do appreciate that you would be so willing to put me up thought"

Nina was a good person, there was no way Echo could let her enemies harm her or her friends.

Nina chuckled, "I live and work in Wing City." She told Echo matter-of-factly, "Trouble and death is a possibility every time I go to check my mail." She continued, drumming her fingers on the bar.

"No one ever really knows how long they'll live. Take it from me, it's best not to think about it. You might surprise yourself and live forever." She assured Echo.

"And who doesn't want to live forever, right?" Nina asked the woman.

Echo chuckled nervously "Ahah-yeah l-live forever" she said looking away from Nina and took a swift drink of her beer. How could you tell someone that you had an infinite natural life span, but were still afraid of dying. "Ahem...... I would think there would be some who wouldn't want to"

Anthians were naturally ageless but they were far from immortal, in fact they had they highest mortality rate among most magical beings. Mostly due to the fact they were all but extinct.

Echo did take comfort in Nina's words however, they were.... nice. "Perhaps you are right, just because I have to face-off against two of the most powerful mage's my home world has ever known, but it's best not to think about the hideous ways they can potentially blow me away" She said with a chuckle and a genuine smile

"Exactly. You think you would be the first person to face odds like that and come out on top?" Nina asked the woman, "We surprise ourselves sometimes. I can't guarantee you that you'll win this fight you got, but that wouldn't make it much of a surprise." She said, standing from her seat.

"I need to get to work. I'll catch you later on if you're still around. The pub doesn't close these days." Nina said, "Aye, everyone needs a drink this city these days. Ain't going to get anything better anywhere else." Emily boasted, dropping off more food for Echo.

"Gonna need her not to eat up all of our food. The next convoy isn't for a few days."

Echo smiled and nodded "Yeah i'll catch ya" Echo said as Nina stood "Hopefully" she said swigging down yet another beer and monstrously devouring the food that was being brought to her. Nina had installed a new confidence in Echo, but would that be enough?

There really were nice people in this place and Echo definately didn't want rhemmi to have her way on this place. They seemed pretty strong but right now nothing was for certain.

After eating her fill and nodding to Emily, Echo left the pub to face whatever may be ahead.