Los Angelas, California Train Station

Stepping off of the train, Michael was extremely groggy and stumbled quite a lot around Elata, having not truly 'slept' in several years. The Staff had always induced a breif 'rest period' for him, and now the big and striking looking man seemed to fumble over his feet like a drunkard.

He blinked a couple of times to refocus his eyes.

Then, stowing the Sword of Thunder which Elata had given to him, he turned his attention back to her, pulling a cell phone from his pocket as he did so. "Miss Elata, I must quickly call our group and inform them of our arrival, as we are soon to meet with them."

He was less disdainful of the phone now that he was human, and began dialing the number of his main informant from 'the Misfits', Theresa.

Elata made a small jump and clapped. "Ooo, I'm so excited! It's too bad we're bearing bad news." She kept the smile going this time through thoughts of Ivan. She was proud of herself for making that step. She laughed at him as he walked and took his elbow to steady him. "Here lean on me before you fall over." She walked with him out of the hustle and bustle of the terminal while he dialed a number on his cell phone. He should probably be able to hear this call. He put the phone up to his ear when they were away from most of the crowd and she waited patiently, still holding onto his arm and looking around. This was going to be lots of fun. She needed to start planning Ivan's going away party. She spaced off and rested her head on his arm as he started talking to the person on the other end of the line.

Flipped shut, the phone made a snap as Michael finished talking with his friend and turned back to Elata.

"I think I should begin collecting my Object, before we do anything." He rubbed his beard thoughtfully and peered around, checking his watch. 'Holy shit,' he thought. 'I have a watch?!' It had been so LONG since he was in his human form, he'd forgotten what he had on him when he found the Staff of Hubris.

But now, it was time he earned himself a new Object, one which would benefit him further than ever before. He knew the task, he had memorized quite a few of the Holders' tests beforehand, especially when wielding the Staff.

"Miss Elata..." He began to speak softly, his voice a wounded pride sort of tone to it, but retainin git's allure. "I would like to truly apologize. I treated you poorly before. Yet, it is clear you cared for my brother. Thank you. Thank you very much."

He shielded his eyes from the sun, and they seemed to sparkle with a new light behind them.

"I wish to appear at Ivan's funeral and speak in his honor...but only after I have completed my task. Will you allow this, Miss Elata?"

Elata looked up at him and blushed a little as she wiggled. "Awwwwwwwwww~!" she said before leaping up and giving him a small peck on the cheek. "That was so sweet! Of course I'll wait for you to finish it, he's you're brother after all." She wasn't blushing because she was smitten or anything, but it was quite cute and sweet of him to apologize. Especially since he was so arrogant. "Do you want me to wait while you try the test out? Otherwise I don't know where to go. You could either point me in the direction of where your group stays or i can find a hotel. Your choice." she beamed up at him and waited for an answer. She also mentally ordered him to stop being so handsome. He quickly became less handsome when she remembered he would probably piss her off sometime in the near future. Her thoughts also drifted to the staff. What should she do with it? She knew she should probably put it somewhere. She would most likely do with it what she did with most of her objects. After she had heard tales of corruption of seekers, she made sure to touch her objects as little as possible. She mostly wrapped them up in black cloth and stashed them in a trunk. That way they were with her, but not so far away that they would call out to her. Only when it was necessary would she use them, like when she had to use the swords to fight Muramasa. She beleived this method to be the reason she was a bit more sane than most seekers. Sometimes she would take them out and look at them, and rubbing her scars had become a habit, but other than that she felt relatively normal. She would most likely keep the staff in a safe all by itself. That was probably the best idea.

Holding out his hand for Elata, the bearded, now peacefully handsome looking man grinned in a boyish manner. He took her petite hand and bowed a little for her.

"You may stay in a hotel, my quest is my burden to bare. I will escort you to the Misfits as soon as I return with my new Object. I leave the Staff to you, it is your choise what to do with it." With that, he put on a daring face.

This was the beginning of a sort of detox, Michael realized. Cleansing himself of the Staff, he felt free and true. It showed in his posture, his face, but most of all hisbrown eyes that seemed to now light a smile. He was always a kind and optimistic person, before becoming a Seeker. And it showed, just a little bit, now.

Elata tried her best to ignore how completely charming his actions were. She laughed and took her hand back. "Will you pick a personality dear? This is getting quite confuseing." She couldn't stop her cheeks from getting redder so she turned and picked up her luggage. "Okay! I'll go ahead and stay at the..." she tapped her finger on her chin as she went through a mental list of hotels in Las Angeles. "I'll stay at the Marriott downtown. I'll leave a message with the front desk so you can find my room. I don't have any kind of cell phone." She looked him over carefully. The holder trials could be unpredictable and challenging, more than dangerous. She wanted to remember him well in her mind if he didn't come back. "Please be very careful, and good luck!" she smiled and set her luggage back down to give him a big hug. She knew he would be okay, he was a good person at the core, but possessed the kind of strength needed to pass the tests.