A couple of Agility Monsters players hang out in the locker room before the upcoming SMACK match, enjoying a good chat while letting the sweat from the warm-up dry. Fundur enters, handing out beer, wearing a kitchen apron.

Fundur: Yo, guys! Know what? I think I saw the boss yesterday.

Ambo: Say what?! Now that's a rare sight! <laughs>

Fundur: Man, it was kind of a weird situation! I saw him cloaked and hooded, in the backyard behind the Cold Snout!

Ambo: <grins> Urinating?

Fundur: Oh, you...

Brumbas: <pally> Come on, spit it out! What was so special that night?

Fundur: Alright: <pauses> He... was NOT the only one there! He was talking to two other people...

Brumbas: Who?

Fundur: How would I know? They all wore dark cloaks, hid their faces and did barely more than whisper...

Trey: <chewing a sandwich> Mmm... hob mib you meben mebobnife bhe boff?

Fundur: He made that squeaking sound, you know? The one he always does when he thinks he knows better but can't really fight back?

Brumbas: Oh, we know that one veeery well. <snickers>

Fundur: I was only taking out the trash... well... long story: Frorin wanted me to learn some kitchen stuff from our uncle Finri who works there...

Kargim: Gettin' bored...

Fundur: Anyway - I heard that sound and thought 'What might Rabe do back here?'. So I went to investigate.

Ambo: What where the three mystery people talking about?

Fundur: I think they were talking about the next match. Something about 'shaving those hairy abominations'...

Ziruin: Wait! Rabe said that?

Fundur: No, of course not! If it was him at all... But he was so small and shifted from one foot to the other - as he always does when he's uncomfortable. Anyway: I think back there in the yard, some arrangement for our match has been made!

Brumbas: <alert> What kind of arrangement?

Fundur: <raising hands and shoulders> I don't know! But it seems to involve quite a lot of money... the one I think was Rabe was really unhappy about it, but one of the dwarves - must have been dwarves by their stature - growled at him. I think he... or she - man, that was a sexy voice, I'd really like to meet that girl - if it was one - in daylight! - well, she growled at the tiny one, saying something like <lowers and darkens his voice> 'You want me, you knew there was a price to pay!'.

Ambo: Sounds to me like he was looking for a hooker...

Fundur: Nah, that was bigger business! And I'm sure she was not the one who got payed - that would be the second dwarf! Didn't talk much while I was there, just listened to instructions. The woman told him some names... two, or three. Don't know. Strange language, made my skin crawl... Oh, and then she added something like: 'When you've finished them, get as many of the others as you can.' She sounded fierce... but still... <dreamy> This voice...

Kargim: That is weird indeed.

Brumbas: <thoughtfully> A female voice, you say? Arranging something that Rabe has it's share with, but doesn't like it... Well, I think that-

Rabe: <enters the room, frantically clapping his hands> Come on guys, it's time! Let's get out there, win and show those chaos fellows who owns the pitch!

The dwarves jump up, cheering. Brumbas glances thoughtfully, then follows the others.