Dumas felt his skin heat up in response to Chester’s ‘big strong man’ comment, and he hoped to god that he wasn’t blushing.  It was easy enough to trade insults and sexual innuendos when he was safely tucked away in his office, interacting with a holographic avatar.  But out here on the street?  Faced with a sparring partner made from actual flesh and blood?  The possible consequences of that were suddenly much more immediate and real.  Despite his best efforts to summon it, Dumas discovered that his usual bluster had completely deserted him.  Fortunately, before he could lapse into nonsensical babbling, a woman emerged from the train station.<br/><br/>At first, Dumas felt absolutely certain that the woman was Mari.  Then, as he noticed her skimpy clothes and arrogant swagger, he felt absolutely certain that it couldn’t possibly be Mari.  But it was.  Watching her, Dumas had to fight against his impulse to run over, yank the cigarette out of her hand, and stomp it out on the sidewalk.  What the hell was she thinking?<br/><br/>Dumas turned toward Chester, preparing to vocalize that very question.  But it was immediately postponed when two men exited the train station behind Mari.  Now Dumas had a decision to make -- and he needed to make it quickly.  Should he stay here and look after Mari?  Or pursue two people who might know more about her situation that she did?<br/><br/>“Go talk to her,” he instructed Chester. “Find out what state she’s in and get her somewhere safe.  I’ll catch up with you soon.”  Dumas knew he wasn’t giving the magician an easy task.  What if Mari didn’t even recognize her friends when she was in this state?  But Dumas sincerely believed that Chester could convince a rock to fall upwards, so he trusted him to handle this.  Someone needed to intervene before Mari hurt herself again.<br/><br/>“I’m going after those two.”  Dumas’s expression was grim and determined.  Still, he hesitated for a second, giving Chester a chance to protest or offer suggestions -- but only a very brief chance.  He needed to catch up with the two men before they got somewhere more populated.