Maya wrestled her arm free of Raj's grasp. She leveled the wand at him, not wanting to ask or answer any questions. However, as the burled maple shaft extended into proximity of Raj every hair on their bodies stood on end (more like the heebie-jeebies and less like static) there came a notable hum that emanated from a focal point between the wand and Raj's nose. Maya shrank away knowing she was in over her headâ€¦ again.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0080">"Look, I don't know what you are playing at butâ€¦"</span>she looked into his eyes and suspiciously lowered her wand,<span style="color: #FF0080">"You honestly don't know do you?"</span><br/><br/>She took a moment to take in her surroundings and assume a little more "normal" look,<span style="color: #FF0080">"You just bought yourself a phony alchemical signet from aâ€¦ uhâ€¦ I don't know exactly what the point of all of that was but I'm pretty sure he was interested in capturing Arcanites. That blast was meant for whoever put it on; at least I assume..."</span>she came to a realization,<span style="color: #FF0080">"â€¦that you had some clue as to what I was talking about."</span><br/><br/>Sighing she tried again.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0080">"You're a wizard, okay? You've got magic all through you, you're practically sweating magic. You have an innate grasp and you can form it however you like. It isn't a very common gift. Most people are like me and that guy back in the pawn shop. We need a blueprint in order to learn. I'm a collector; I pick up magical items and try to figure out how the spell works so that I can do it. My dad is an alchemist and my aunt is a druid, there's tons of ways to learn but it isn't easy or safe. Most magic users are looking for two things, resources and to eliminate the competition. Things get pretty rough when multiple magic users are in the same room."</span><br/><br/>She glanced back at the shop. Everything<span style="font-style: italic">seemed </span>quiet, but then again everything involving magic had a front of<span style="font-style: italic">seeming </span>quiet, at least in these situations. She shrugged off her backpack and rooted through to find a few "contingencies" that were mostly a bit of chemistry in order to throw off or confuse spell casters. Turning back half expecting Raj to already have disappeared (quite literally) she had to do a double-take.  Maya took the lead this time slipping through back alleys and side streets while continuing her talking.<span style="color: #FF0080">"Look Iâ€¦ I didn't need any help back there, but thanks anyway. It isn't every day you run across a magic user that isn't trying to hurl lightning bolts at you." </span>She stopped her forced march to look Raj in the eye.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0080">"I'm Maya"</span>she explained and gestured to her side where there was a table at a cafÃ©,<span style="color: #FF0080">"And we have a lot to talk about."</span>