It all felt like a whirlwind as the trio found themselves swept from the familiar chill of upstate NY to the bustling airport in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Gwen had managed to convince Lord Aiden to cover the airfare for herself, Art, and Thistle—though it hadn’t been easy. It wasn't the cost, but more convincing the Baron of the necessity of sending all three, and that it IS a meaningful step in the quest and not a wild goose chase... probably. However, he eventually relented, though not without a condition: Ivan would accompany them.
The flight itself had been an adventure, with the giant dog drawing plenty of stares from passengers and crew alike!
The air in Tulsa is crisp but carried a warmth that had them sweating in their winter coats almost immediately.
Before long, they're piling into their rental van. Ivan promptly claims the back seats for himself, stretching out and letting out a contented huff as if to say, I’ve arrived.
Art, perched in the driver’s seat and fiddling with the mirrors, turns to his friends with a grin. "Can I drive?"