From the folds of busy city chimes a tune reached out, unheard by human ears, but all too

keen to make itself known to one amongst them this chilly night. It pierced concrete, metal, and bone, the divine calling raced to its mark, old Gerald Leto. He, unsuspecting, tripped to a halt grasping his chest. The old man, large as a walrus and dressed in a charcoal three button suit with matching heavy wool overcoat froze on the spot. The tone struck like a blow and resonated profoundly, it was audible honey to his soul, licking his mood clean and mind blank of all other tasks. By Athal, he muttered, turning towards the direction it came from. Did you hear that too? Or was that you my other? But no one was waiting for him, just a stretch of empty sidewalk. Someone must have arrived, he concluded. Changing direction from the hotel, he headed across the street to the Lincoln Park Zoo, a block and a street away. Once there he soon found the source of the melody and for the second time that night halted in surprise. Nay," he uttered, drawing the word out like a sigh. It was as he suspected but not what he imagined. Something had indeed arrived, but what it was certainly had no business being here. Yet there the tree stood and it was like none around it. Where they were slender, arms to the sky and void of leaf, this one was stumpy, the trunk as thick around as a cow and its limbs curled and twisted out low to the ground like an amber octopus. Look at this," Leto proclaimed. I scarcely believe it; the Kasvir Tree, it is here! Stepping from the path he approached it, arms outstretched. He hugged the trunk, pressing his body against it, cheek to the bark. Delightful old friend. He smiled. Oh what impossible joy to see you again. With his left hand Leto searched and let out a grunt when he discovered the mechanism he sought. Vreindschap, the old man commanded, then activated the dial. The tree rumbled in response. Leto stepped back and watched as the truck shifted. Before him in the recesses an opening took shape and within it a door, with a large silver knocker at its center, emerged. The old Ambassador put his hand to it and it clicked, then swung inward. There was light and heat within. "The days and hours I could have counted, but then still I would not know how long it has been since I entered here." Leto said and crossed the threshold. "Will you be who I find? Is this of your doing, my other? Have you finally sent for me?"

He took three steps into a hallway and it was exactly as he remembered. A pentagon shaped space with four doors, in addition to the one he had come in through. There was a multitude of polished wood, as you might expect from a room inside a tree; the floor, the beams, the doors and the molding, all had black inscriptions burnt into them, and everywhere slender roots crept and crawled. Leto breath trembled at the familiar sights. He looked at this hands, they were shaking. Steady on old man, he comforted himself, then inhaled through his nose before slowly exhaling. It smells like home, he whispered. So sorry you had to miss this Leto. It should be you, not I, granted this gift. The door to his right opened and a young man with wild strawberry blonde hair stepped out. Leto startled by the movement made to apologize preemptively for entering so unannounced, but then lost his speech at the sight before him. The man wore only white socks and boxer shorts, which had little Bugs Bunnies printed on them. He also held a TV guide in his right hand and a box of Peanut Butter Patties Girl Scout Cookies in the other, but Leto gave them little heed. Godiva! The young man yelled without looking up. Which channel is showing Stariuss jump again? He rotated the TV guide. Can never figure out how to read these program charts. He was about to reach in the box of cookies when he became aware of Leto who stood five yards ahead with an expression of confused horror. Hey, Tommy Adams remarked, then slowly fished out a cookie and placed it in his mouth. Gerald Leto remained silent, but continued to ogle intently. The color of his complexion was doing all the talking he needed to convey his meaning. Godiva! Tommy shouted again but with more urgency and a hint of wonderment, it was impressive to watch how deep of a red the old man's face could change to. Did you leave the front door open again? Because a very angry looking man has wondered in. He waited for a response and when there was none he sighed. Oh, that's right, she left on that stupid quest for Otto. In my youth! Leto boomed, startling Tommy to attention. I feared that such unabated disrespect may injure the brain. But now, I am positive. Be glad you have missed this my other. None should have to bare witness to such a blasphemous display.

Tommy looked down at himself. Blasphemous display? Thats a little harsh, he responded looking back and blinking a few times just to make sure this wasnt some strange game his mind was playing on him; which did happen from time to time. I take that something," Tommy gestured with his hand at himself, " about my appearance is bothering you? Right you are, boy. Consider where you stand. Here, most holly of sanctuaries. How can you justify such insult? Have you no propriety lad? Propriety? Really? Tommy raised the box of girl scout cookies, pointing the open top at Leto along with a look that implied he should hold that thought for a moment. He then crossed the floor to the door on the left of the one that Leto had come through and from it he produced a long black military style coat with red trim. He placed the cookies and TV guide on a side board, put the coat on, grabbed a cookie then returned to where he stood. Better? Tommy asked with a nod then bit down on the cookie. He munched and analyzed the unwelcome guest with stern regard. Who exactly are you? he contested, a spark of golden light in his eye, giving his gaze the briefest of similarities to a wolf staring into lights. Some of the color drained from Leto cheeks, and grains of salt fell from his face. Leto looked away, hes eyes shifted from left to right. Sir, just at present I am unsure. His voice was softer. I knew but moments ago, when I entered here. I am sure. but now I hardly know." Oh goody! A crazy. Well they all do find my door eventually, Tommy reasoned to himself. Im afraid I cannot put it more clearly. Leto looked up at Tommy. Your appearance Sir, it has discombobulated my personality. Its has all become very confusing. Isnt it just so, Tommy quipped and took a final bite of the cookie. "It's nearly like you are falling apart." Ah you mock, but that only shows that you havent found yourself so yet. A little color bloomed in Letos face. But when you grow up boy, as you someday surely will, then I say you might care for a thing or two. Hold dear to that so it would scrabble the brain to see it harmed. I should think then youd feel a little what I do now? I doubt it. Tommy crossed his arms. "I also doubt that I'll secrete salt under pressure." Well, perhaps your feelings may be different from his. Leto caught Tommys eye with a glare. All I know, it feels queer to me now.

Queer to you? Tommy snapped. Who the hell are you? Tommys eyes flared again with butter white light, a little more salt fell from Leto. They both watched the grains as they bounced across the floor. Leto drew himself up and, finding his voice again, boomed; I think you ought to tell me who you are first. There is something very circular about this, Tommy answered flatly, rubbing a hand over his face. They stood in silence for some minutes. You know of them, do you not? Leto mumbled, staring at his feet. Know who? Tommy responded in equal tone, picking up on a note of the sincerest near desperate tone. The ill dressed hunters? The vested interests? The divine prospectors. Leto articulated. These men of horrid taste, they are who I seek. Or rather their lair. The secrete place they trap from and keep, store and otherwise detain. The hunters city is what he wants me to expose. The hunters city, it that why your in Chicago? Yes of course. What else for but them damnable waistcoats. You are making less and less sense? Leto gave Tommy a wobbled glare. You should heed my words. They hunt all our like, that includes you young friend. I smell magic on you lad, no doubt about that and her army of invisible vested interests forage for our kin and... Leto stopped and grains of salt fell from his face. He stood with his mouth open for three seconds. What was I talking about? You were about to tell me why you are here? Tommy explained. The tree, it lured me to it with her song. It sung? Tommy repeated. As odd of a place I know this to be. I never heard the tree sing. Perhaps that is true, sir. Leto frowned. But know of the things that have slipped my mind, the tree's song I still knew. What kind of things have slipped from you? Tommy's eyes were drawn to the spill of salt on the floor. Names, people, years. It's all leaking from my head. All that remains now are half thoughts, half images but there is no time to gather wits. There is still his work to do. His work must be done. His plan must unfold.

Who's plan must unfold? Tommy asked a spark of interest growing in his eye. Tell me more about his plan? Leto looked up, his eyes watery. "I was Gerald Leto the second, once, the ambassador to earth for the royal court of Arbbratterra. This tree in which we stand, I knew it as the Kasvir tree and it was the property of the royal court or it was last when I saw it. Then it stood in the silent garden with its brothers. It should not be here, not in the world of men. Silent garden? Yes, behind the castle on the floating isle. Letos expression become more lucid as he recalled, as if a part of his brain had just become active again. Floating isle, that sounds interesting. Tommy encouraged. "No finer land is know, sir." Leto confirmed. "I have never made it to Arbbratterra. Is it far?" "Very," Leto answered with absolution. "And always too far for some." The ambassadors eyes glazed, more gains of salt fell. "Stay with me Ambassador," Tommy interrupted. Oh dear. Once more it runs. I fear I may need a chain as I can sparsely keep my mind from wondering." "I think you need more than chain." "Hmm indeed. Now what were we talking about? I heard you mentioned something about an Otto? That wouldn't be Otto Bear would it? How remarkable you caught that, but yes it would." Tommy narrowed his eyes. "This plan you spoke of earlier it isnt his, is it? cause then all of this would make more sense, at least to me. Good heavens no, I havent spoken to old Otto in quite some time now. We were friends once, but it must be sixty years since I saw him last. Good, Hes already got me set to fetch some magical bread from England. I do have other things to do than to run the globe for the professor." "That does sounds like him. Always one to lean on a friend. Tommy frowned at Leto, it was clear something had changed. "Are you thirsty? Could I offer you a cup of tea or coffee? I was about to settle in and watch some TV. An old friend of

mine is about to jump the Grand Canyon on a motor bike. You can stay and watch with me if you like. We could talk more. I beg your pardon? Did you say television? Theres a television in the Kasvir Tree? Its great having famous friends, you never have to visit to see what there up to. You can just watch them on the tube. In fact thats him on the box of cookies over there. Tommy pointed to the box he placed on the side board earlier and was about to say more but his attention was caught by the box. An image crossed his mind, a vision of a new fate was coming to focus. Thats strange. I didnt see that before. Very smart though. Who wold suspect the girl scouts were up to something, no his agent that for sure he said narrowing his eyes. but the little witches want to use his image for more than selling cookies. That could be more trouble more than the glimmer I had seen circling Starius. But that was before but you.... Tommy pointed to Leto. Some how you have changed things. You being here has altered fate. I think it best we be on our way, Ill see myself out. Leto began to leave. Not so fast, Tommy called after him, with a hint of command. Leto turned back. "I beg your pardon? There still is the matter of why you showed up here." "A coincidence I assure you. As I said, I was on my way back to the hotel. The tree's song caught my attention. I meant no harm by coming here." "Coincidence." Tommy responded. "That is very rarely the case. Not on this night." Leto frowned. "I dont follow." What do you know about fate? Leto stance stiffened, he gave Tommy another look over. "No more then the next I'd say, but what about yourself? How well do you know fate." "Quite intimately. Well, enough to know that you being here is because you wanted to be here even if you didnt know you did. Which means fate lead you here. That made inherently no sense to me. Dont worry it usually doesnt but please dont ask me to explain, it will only give you a headache and me a parched throat." Tommy smiled. But trust me I know a thing or two about fate, and she wanted you here. And if fate wants you here there is a reason for it.

"You are an odd fellow Leto expressed his conclusion. Though I think I can place who you are now, Your name wouldn't be Tommy Adams would it? Leto guessed with some confidence. "Good that you know me. That will make things easier." "Ive know of you. You're the new head of the Majitoirum of Fate." "Head, body and soul, I am in fact all that is left of it." I have also heard that you are good at locating items and such. Not really what I do anymore. I am more into event management and fate counseling these days. You know making sure that things stay in balance and all that. Thats a shame. But, since fate has seen it fit to guide you to my door this night, I may be inclined to make an exception. In that case, perhaps we do have something to discuss." Leto rubbed his a hand over his mouth. "Ill take that drink now, but I do hope you have something stronger than tea though. I think I can oblige. Tommy opened the door to his living room. This thing you are seeking, is it some hidden place guarded by hunters with terrible taste? How did you know that? Just one of the joys of being me I suppose. Tommy smiled and followed Leto in to the room.