Sheri glanced around cautiously before entering the crowded bar, searching the room for Deadblood. While she hadn’t been as keen on the idea of a public meeting as Deadblood, she had to admit there was some advantage to the location he’d selected. It was busy enough that there were plenty of distractions all around to provide a sort of cover, and there was definitely something to be said for the idea of hiding in plain sight.








She finally spotted him down in the back corner, sitting alone at a table with a glass of beer, obviously waiting for her. She walked over casually, and took a seat next to him, waiting a moment to take in the surroundings before speaking.

“Did anyone follow you here?” She asked quietly, eyes still scanning the crowd for any sign of trouble.

“Do you think I’d be just sitting here if that were the case?” Deadblood replied, taking another drink from the glass in front of him. “Give me a little bit of credit, Sheri.”

“Says the man who hasn’t even bothered to move. Seriously Deadblood, you saw how easily I found you that night, you really think continuing to stay at the same address is wise?” Sheri had already relocated from her own apartment, and closed all accounts associated with her as well almost immediately after their encounter the other day, and she’d been incredulous that Deadblood had not done the same. There was having confidence, and then there was foolhardiness, and she saw his decision to stay put as the latter.

“What would be the point? Creaturemania XI is coming up soon, and I’ll be defending my title. If anyone truly wanted to find me, they’d know exactly where to look and when. No point in uprooting and going through all of that trouble in that case. Besides, I’ve told you, let them send whomever or whatever, I don’t care. There’s nothing wrong with taking reasonable precautions, but I think you’re letting it get to you too much.” Deadblood took another swallow of beer, and signaled the waitress to bring over another, as well as one for Sheri.

“And I think you are bordering on downright cocky, Deadblood, but whatever. I didn’t come here to argue with you. What did you want to discuss?”