"There's always a choice," Altmeyer said, patient and polite as he answered questions.  "I hope you don't feel that I'm forcing you along or trying to assert any sort of authority."  A faint and ironic smile slipped over his lips.  "I knew one girl who kept insisting on calling me 'Boss,' asking for a paycheck after every mission, a few other silly things.  If you go on the quest, you should find the map, but I cannot and would not force you."<br/><br/>His fingers steepled as he finished the second course.  "Of course, if you do require a few things like a limousine or whatever, I can accommodate."  His smile turned to Asami's vague direction at the mention of disrespect.  "None was perceived, ma'am.  Sadly, I don't have information for you."  Another trickle of worry came back to his voice.  "I should, but that's why I'm suggesting the trip to the Sultry Mermaid."  He apparently saw no need to try to apologize again, but still bowed his head.  "Oh, and I should explain: your parents have not made specific requests to me.  I put the mention of your parents within the letter simply to hint at your divine heritage, to make it clear that I knew you were Scions and to let each other know the same."<br/><br/>"I'm not really sure where the name Band comes from with respect to Scion groups.  I expect that Graybeard is a Scion, and I-"  He suddenly paused mid-sentence, seeming to glance around, seeing something that his blind eyes had no trouble perceiving.  "His beard.  His beard is a source of power for him."  The words came so simply, as if he only just realized, or had somehow known all along and just forgotten until this very moment.<br/><br/>He turned to listen to Layla's words, his expression softened to gentle sympathy.  "It's frightening," he agreed.  "I've met plenty of men and women who felt exactly as you do, and I'm sad to say that not all of them have been a perfect match for each other.  Usually I can sort them out within the course of a meal, but, well..."  Specks of self-loathing were starting to arise on his face.  "These matters usually begin with a minor quest, simply finding something minor, so that Fate allows the matter to billow out into something beautiful and to temper the Band with fire and ice so as to allow them to become the gods and goddesses that they deserve to be.  It's something Fate always seems to have in store, and the only real protection is to have someone who can help you weather the tumult."<br/><br/>He gave a gentle sigh, his face drifting away as he remembered.  "Legba told me how so many Scions never seem to find teammates until they've already begun to Fatebind people.  Fate itself starts to tie intricate nets, telling a story full of venom and intrigue, which only draws tighter as they use their gifts to escape the last netting.  All I would suggest is to give the matter a chance, see if you can trust these people in the field, and you're free to go if you see nothing within them worth keeping you around."