Principality Border

[Storyteller] Day after day passed after passing through the Nanza Barrier. Even though you were travelling with a caravan of Kyle's finest troops, something was eating at your mind. Being "new" to the world, you wanted to see everything and do everything. And of course, everybody told you that the place to be was Meribia. But as you grew nearer, the gnawing grew stronger. Either something incredibly terrible was going to happen, or something glorious and wonderful.
[Storyteller] Riding through the freshly fallen layer of snow, your steed approached that of the leader of the caravan. Cresting the rise of a hill, the caravan came to a stop with you next to the leader. Below, arrayed in festive splender lay the City of Meribia.
* Miriamele smiles.
[Miriamele] At last...
[Storyteller] The imposing stone walls were beautifully decorated for the upcoming Midwinter Festival. Hanging in various directions, this way and that, were long strings. It's hard to tell from this distance, but they appear to change colors in some sort of patter.
[Leader] Beauteous, isn't it?
* Miriamele nods.
[Miriamele] I've never seen anything like it..
[Leader] Come on, the caravan will catch up.
[Miriamele] You're sure we should go ahead?
[Storyteller] He digs his spurs into his mount and charges off toward the city.
[Leader] Of course.
[Miriamele] I guess so..
* Miriamele sends her mare in pursuit of the horseman.
[Storyteller] He smiles at her as the two horses charge through the snow. The light powder flies up behind them in two perfect rooster tail arcs, setting the scene behind them aglitter.
[Leader] Never been to Meribia before?!
[Miriamele] Only in my dreams. ^_^ And I must admit, it's more impressive in reality.
[Leader] And not just in looks too. The Meribian Garrison rivals that of Kyle's Guards.
[Miriamele] Quite the militaristic place then..
[Leader] Not true, not true. They keep out of the way unless needed. Are you going to be staying for the festival or are you just catching a ship? The Garrision is going to be holding a demonstration of their new weapons. Something called "muskets".
[Miriamele] I think I'll be around for a while. ^_^ A visit to a place like this probably won't happen again for a while.
[Miriamele] A "musket"? Sounds...
[Leader] High tech, I know!
[Miriamele] I was gonna say primitive... but I'm sure it'll be interesting just the same! ^_^
[Storyteller] The two horses slow as they round the final bend in the path. The city is even more imposing and impressive from up close. The walls seem to tower high above you. Tracing the edges of the battlements and wrapped around the bars of the porcullis are those colored strands. From up close, you can tell that they are lights of some sort. They're similar in shape to candles, but they don't seem to flicker, nor do they burn the various garlands drapped around them.
* Miriamele glances at the ribbon-strands with a modicum of curiosity.
[Leader] Wait here, if you will.
* Miriamele nods.
[Storyteller] He walks his horse toward the gate, slipping off to adress the guardsmen. After a brief conversation and a hearty laugh, he waves Miriamele forward.
[Leader] Come on. If you're quick, you can go watch the ships arriving in port.
* Miriamele chides her horse into action.
[Leader] The newsteam ship is scheduled to arrive shortly.
[Miriamele] Steam... muskets... Meribia is filled with most wonderous things.
[Leader] That it is.
[Storyteller] Just after she passes though the gates, a young boy walks up to her.
[Boy] Stablin' fer yer horse, ma'am?
* Miriamele looks down at the boy, from atop her horse.
[Miriamele] Yes?
* Miriamele shifts and looks to the leader.
[Miriamele] Stable them?
[Boy] Only half a silver for the whole festival.
[Storyteller] The man walks over to the boy.
[Leader] Put it on Kyle's tab and let the lady be on her way.
[Boy] Yessir.
[Storyteller] The boy runs to the side to grab a stepstool to help Miri dismount.
[Boy] Hop on down, ma'am.
* Miriamele jumps down off of her horse.
[Miriamele] I could have paid for myself... I just wanted to know if we should have stabled them here or not.
[Storyteller] The leader laughs.
[Leader] Kyle has an arrangement. We stable our mounts for free here.
[Miriamele] I suppose that works.
[Leader] Go on and enjoy the city. It was a pleasure having your ladyship along for the ride.
[Miriamele] It's been an honor to have you as a guide. Thank you.

Paria Inn, Meribia

[Storyteller] For the last few days, your father's inn has been in a flurry of activity. Even with the whole family pitching in, there was still more than enough work to go around. The whole place was decorated for the festivities, garlands and streamers tastefully placed by your mother. Your brother Roy, being quite the cook's assistant (aka Momma's Boy), was busy in the kitchen. The larders and icebox were stuffed to capacity, but still more was coming it. This was the best time of year for the Inn. In fact, a good season could set up the family to live easily until the summer. (Not that your father would ever close the Inn for something silly like a vacation.)
[Father] Salah?
[Salah] Yes?
[Father] Are you finished making up those beds?
* Salah nods.
[Salah] Yeah.
[Father] Be a good girl and go gets some money from your mother.
[Salah] All right
[Father] Roy says we're short of fish for those little hors'de'orves everybody likes.
* Salah heads downstairs and into the kitchen where her mother is.
[Storyteller] Your mother is busy cooking up a storm, while Roy helps her. The twins are busy in the common area washing the tables. A few of the regular patrons are scattered about.
[Salah] Hey mommy, I need some money to go and get some fish.
[Mother] Money? Go talk to your father.
[Salah] Dad said to come to you.
[Storyteller] After shifting a few of the pots over the stove, she reaches into her apron to pull out a small sack of silver.
[Mother] Oh, right... Um... Here... That should be plenty.
[Storyteller] Roy looks up from the cutting board, hands smeared with fish guts.
* Salah takes the silver
[Salah] Any particular fish you need?
[Roy] Get the good ones, Sal. From that guy down the end, near Steamship Pier.
* Salah nods
[Salah] Okay, I'll be back as soon as I can.
* Salah walks out of the kitchen, she picks up her cloak before heading out the door.

Meribian Inn, Meribia

[Storyteller] Unlike some of the other, higher class establisments, the Meribian Inn has no special arragements for the Festival. In fact, there are fewer patrons that normal around this time of the year. Most of the thieves, fences, and cutthroats are much to busy pilfering from the massed tourists.
[Storyteller] From upstairs, a gravely voice calls out.
[Manager] Damnit girl! Where the hell is my coffee?!
* Cassandra looks up at the ceiling above her.
[Cassandra] Calm down! I just put it on!
* Cassandra mutters.
[Cassandra] What a jerk.
[Storyteller] Upstairs, the manager shuffles around his office grumbling to himself.
* Cassandra waits until the coffee begins to boil.
[Storyteller] A tall man in a weather-worn rain slicker enters the inn, the dented door bell clanging faintly.
* Cassandra turns around to face the man.
[Cassandra] What do you want, man?
[Storyteller] The man speaks in a soft voice. "I was looking for lodgings for the evening. Most of the other establishments show no vacancies."
[Cassandra] And? What do you want me to do about that?
[Storyteller] He pushes the hood of his slicker back and smiles. Something about his presence is both calming and somehow vaguely frightening.
[Man] I was hoping you could point me in the direction of the innkeeper.
* Cassandra points up.
[Cassandra] The jerk's upstairs. He's a real grouch around this time of the year, so if I were you, I'd watch yourself.
[Man] I will.
[Storyteller] He walks over to her and takes the coffee. "I'm guessing this is for him, no?"
* Cassandra gets an old broom and bangs on the ceiling with it's tip.
[Cassandra] HEY! WE GOT A VISITOR!!! Yeah it is...
[Man] I'll spare you the trouble. Let me bring it up for him. Go on and enjoy the Festival.
[Cassandra] I'm not one for parties...
[Storyteller] He smiles an odd yet soothing smile his eyes seeming to change colors briefly before speaking. "Go, have fun."
* Cassandra looks at the man and mutters.
[Cassandra] Alright....I guess I could take a break.
[Storyteller] The man takes the coffee and walks up the stairs.
* Cassandra picks up her leather jacket from her stool and puts it on while walking out the door, saying to herself...
[Cassandra] That guy's a hottie... I wonder if he'll be staying long...
* Cassandra breathes in the sea air and looks at the ships.

Waterfront, Meribia

[Storyteller] Miriamelle: Wandering down the main street, you eventually turn in the direction of the harbor. The smell of salt and sea lures you onward. To your memory, you've never actually seen the Katarina Ocean before. Actually, you can't really remember ever encountering so much water before.
* Miriamele looks around at various buildings and people, taking in the sights sounds and smell of the city.
[Storyteller] Salah: You make your way to the harbor. You wind a path throught the streets. Although it's not the most direct route, it is the safest.
* Salah walks down towards the pier, following Roy's directions
[Storyteller] Salah: Your few excursions into the city propper with Roy have shown you which places are safe and which aren't. Nearing the Steamship Pier, the crowd grows.
* Salah looks toward the crowd not a particular fond of large crowds.
* Cassandra looks around.
* Salah looks around the pier, searching for fish sellers.
[Storyteller] The crowd seems to be flowing toward Steamship Pier.
* Miriamele makes her way towards said pier.
[Storyteller] As you wander your ways through and around, you hear people murmering.
* Cassandra tries to listen to the people.
[Storyteller] It seems most of them are here just to see the ship; a few of them can be overheard wispering of the ship being late.
[Wisperer 1] That ship is supposed to be unsinkable.
[Wisperer 2] It is winter. Maybe they hit an iceberg.
* Cassandra mutters.
[Cassandra] Unsinkable ship, my ass. Nothing's unsinkable.
* Salah oddly recalls someone once saying that this only the Goddess could sink this ship.
[Storyteller] Very briefly, a feeling of ill omen passes through Salah's mind, but it soon passes.
* Salah shrugs it off and wraps her cloak around her tightly
[Storyteller] A shadow passes over Miriamele, sending a chill through her spine.
* Miriamele looks around cautiously..
* Salah resumes her search for the fish merchant.
* Cassandra tries to walk against the flow of the crowd to the city.
[Storyteller] Cassandra has no such luck at the time, in fact, she's pushed closer to the water.
[Cassandra] Damn you people! Just let me get through!
[Storyteller] Being the only one truely aqainted with the sights and sounds of the city, she's the only one to notice the differing sound of the water.
* Cassandra blinks and looks at the water.
[Storyteller] The waves seem to be lapped up in a frenzy.
* Cassandra mutters.
[Cassandra] I hope that ship isn't gonna be going out in those waters...
[Storyteller] Somewhere overhead, a high pitched screaching sound echos out. Behind them, in the city they hear a loud crash.
* Salah whirls her head toward the city
[Salah] Huh?
[Storyteller] Nothing is easily seen from your present location in the city. You hear a similar sound from a slightly different direction, coupled with another crash... or is it an explosion...
* Salah runs back to the city
[Storyteller] The crowds prevent Salah from moving. It seems as if they're frozen solid.
[Storyteller] Seeming to come up from nowhere, the clouds over the bay darken.
* Miriamele looks up at the darkening sky.
* Salah tries to fight through crowds, failing miserably, she gives up and looks upward toward the sky.
* Cassandra looks at the sky.
[Cassandra] That is not natural...
[Storyteller] An erie sound wafts over the water.
* Salah shivers
[Storyteller] Actually, not so much erie as just out of place. It's a deep thumping sound... Like an object repeatedly hitting the water.
[Cassandra] What the hell is going on here?!
* Salah catiously approaches the water
[Storyteller] The dark clouds seem to move down, thinning as they go, covering the city in a pale, grey mist.
* Cassandra mutters.
[Cassandra] If that guy didn't have such beautiful eyes, I wouldn't have listened to him! I should've just stayed inside the inn!
[Storyteller] Another screeching sound comes forth.
[Miriamele] Damn, I'm not liking this..
[Storyteller] Behind Cassandra, the Meribian explodes into a billion fragments of wood and glass. The sounds and explosions continue to increase in frequecy.
* Cassandra turns around quickly and tries to dodge the pieces of wood and glass.
[Cassandra] Or maybe I shouldn't've....
[Storyteller] Coming out of the banks of dark clouds, all three see dark black ships, rather unlike the common Lunarian variety.
* Salah returns her sights toward the city worrying about her family
[Cassandra] There goes my job.
[Salah] A....siege?
[Miriamele] Invasion? By who?
* Cassandra blinks.
[Cassandra] Maybe that dreamy guy knew what was going to happen and warned me....
[Storyteller] The air overhead ripples as another stream of sound tears past. The disrupted air knocks everybody in the area to the ground.
* Salah looks to the other two women who are looking towards the ships
[Storyteller] As they break out of their seemingly magically induced stupor, the common citizens pull themselves from the ground and begin racing away from the waterfront.
* Miriamele shouts into the crowd!
[Miriamele] Everyone off the dock! Run!!
* Cassandra notices that Salah is looking at her and glares at her.
[Storyteller] More of the dark ships come into view.
* Salah pulls away from the glare Cassandra is giving her and runs towards the city at Miriamele's call.
* Cassandra pushes herself up off the ground.
* Cassandra walks slowly towards the city backwards while looking at the ship.
[Storyteller] It's hard for anybody to make any headway down the main road. It's jam packed full of people.
* Miriamele looks for a back alley.
[Storyteller] The three of you are basically the only ones not yet caught up in the rush.
* Salah heads toward her inn.
* Cassandra looks at Miriamele and Salah and glances back at the ships as she's walking backwards.
[Storyteller] Salah's normal path is blocked by the hoards of people, but she sees an alley off to the side. It just happens to be the same one Miriamele found.
[Miriamele] This way!
* Miriamele races towards the alley!
* Salah heads down into the alleyway.
* Cassandra hears Miriamele and looks in her direction.
[Cassandra] Maybe I can get out of here through there.
* Cassandra runs quickly to the alley.
[Cassandra] Wait up!
[Salah] Who are they? I've never seen ships like those.
[Storyteller] Just as the three vacate the pier, it explodes. The force of the blow knocks the three down in the ally.
* Salah puts her hands over her ears just as the explosion starts.
[Storyteller] Fortuntately for them, the heavy wooden debris flies through their recently emptied space, crashing down the end of the alley.
* Miriamele gets back up on her feet.
[Miriamele] Ships like those?! Hell, this is the first time I've seen the ocean!
* Cassandra falls back and rolls backwards too, hitting her head against a wall.
[Cassandra] Damn, that's gonna leave a mark.
* Cassandra stands up.
* Salah stands up, trembling.
* Cassandra brushes off some dust off of her leather clothing and takes off her gloves for a moment to pull her golden hair back. She takes out a small rubberband and ties her hair back with it. She puts her gloves back on.
* Salah looks at the two taller women and her pony tails became undone when the explosion occurred, she brushes her long light blonde hair out of her face, and pulls part of it across her shoulder. She pulls her cloak around herself, trembling nervously.
[Salah] Wh-what are we going to do now?
* Miriamele scratches her head behind one of her pointed ears; making it obvious that she isn't human. Her hair, short in comparison with your own, needs no re-arranging.
[Miriamele] I'm not sure... But I think my visit to this city is going to be alot shorter than I had originally planned.
[Cassandra] Get out of this hell-hole. I know these alleys pretty well; I'm sure I can get out of this dump.
[Storyteller] The screeches and explosions continue, but the seem to be directed away from the alley. For the moment, you think you're safe.
[Salah] I hope my family is all right.
[Miriamele] You both live here?
[Cassandra] Unfortunately, I do.
[Storyteller] Up ahead, the alley splits into two. One of the directions, heading toward the near wall of the city, is blocked off by a large piece of wood.
[Salah] I live at the inn here, the one that didn't blow up.
[Storyteller] Engraved in the huge chunk of wood are the letters "hip Pier".
[Cassandra] Rub it in why don't you.
[Salah] Sorry...
* Cassandra tries to move the wood.
* Miriamele tries to help.
[Cassandra] My job sucked anyways.
[Salah] "Pier", the ship was destroyed....
[Storyteller] It's much to heavy.
* Cassandra tries to climb over it, watching for splinters.
[Salah] Why not go down the other path?
[Miriamele] I think the other path might be best too..
[Storyteller] The chunk of sign (allong with the debris behind it) are canted at an angle that prohibits climbing.
* Salah walks down the other passageway
* Cassandra sighs and begins walking down the other path.
* Salah trembles
[Storyteller] They walk a bit, then round a corner. Just as the do so, they hear footsteps behind them.
* Miriamele spins around.
* Salah clutches her head
[Voice] Halt! Stop where you are!
* Salah turns around
* Cassandra turns quickly, her hand at her belt, ready to take out her whip.
* Miriamele eyes the source of the commanding voice.
[Storyteller] A pair of large, burly men holding savage looking blades slowly aproach.
[Man 1] You, with the whip... Drop it!
* Cassandra looks at the men and laughs.
[Cassandra] You wish!
* Salah quietly
[Salah] Darkness....
[Miriamele] What do you want?
[Man 2] Just shut up!
[Cassandra] Make me!
[Man 1] Drop the whip or else, girl.
* Salah snaps out of her daze, and looks onward at the men.
[Cassandra] I've been having a bad day. Don't mess with me!
* Man 1 brandishes his jagged black blade.
[Miriamele] If you want us to even consider co-operating, I think you should tell us why we should do what you ask.

Combat! Round One!

[Cassandra] Oooh, the big, bad man is trying to scare me!
[Storyteller] The two men approach.
* Cassandra unlatches her whip and glares at the men.
* Salah steps back letting the other two take care of them.
* Miriamele flicks her wrist, and suddenly she's armed with a few small throwing daggers.
[Miriamele] Fine! If this is how you want it!
* Miriamele sends a group of the small daggers hurtling towards the first man!
[Salah] Be careful!
* Cassandra glances back at Salah.
[Cassandra] What do you think you're doing, you little priss?
[Salah] I have no weapon! I-I can't fight
[Storyteller] Thunk-Thunk-Thunk... The daggers hit the man... 10 damage! He curses as one of the blades catches him right between the bones of his sword-wrist.
* Salah winces as the dagger pirces his skin
* Man 1 grimaces as he tosses the blade into the other hand. He approaches Miri, swinging wildly.
[Salah] Look out!
* Miriamele tries to roll out of the way!
* Man 1 intercepts her roll and strikes Miramele for 7 damage!
* Miriamele lands back a ways.
[Miriamele] Damn..
* Salah walks over to Miri's side.
[Salah] You okay?
* Cassandra coils her whip around her hands, and grins wickedly. She unfurls the whip and lashes it out at Man 1, snapping with a sickening crack!
[Storyteller] Ker-Twack! The lash slices cleanly through his armor and clothing, leaving a brilliant streak of red. Snapped Whip - 23 damage!
* Man 2 tosses an herb to his companion (healing 20 HP) and moves closer to Cassandra.
[Cassandra] How'd ya like that?!
[Miriamele] What? Oh, I'll be fine, miss.

Combat! Round Two!

* Cassandra looks at the second man.
[Cassandra] You want a little of my action?
[Salah] Okay, but don't get cocky.
* Cassandra relatches her whip to her belt for the time being.
[Cassandra] Bring me your best!
[Man 2] Sure thing.
* Man 2 lunges at her, his black blade flashing. He goes to drive it home with much more grace than his injured companion.
* Cassandra tries to dodge.
[Salah] Watch it!
[Storyteller] Cassandra almost gets out of the way of his blow. 3 damage!
* Cassandra laughs.
[Cassandra] That's pathetic!
* Man 1 takes a lunge at Cassandra while she's gloating.
* Cassandra notices the first man and tries to dodge the attack.
* Man 1 sticks her right between the ribs. Critical Strike! 9 damage!
* Salah winces
[Salah] Are you okay?
* Cassandra winces in pain but still has an evil smile on her face.
[Cassandra] Just fine!
* Salah glares at the men.
[Salah] Who are you people?
* Miriamele draws out another, larger dagger, and lashes out at Man 1 again! This is followed up by another quick volley of throwing knives! After which she finishes with another thrust from her fighting dagger!!
* Man 1 easily dodges the first blow, but the throwing daggers trip him up. The final blow from the dagger drives home. 0 damage! 0 damage! 0 damage! Critical Strike - 17 damage!
* Salah winces.
[Salah] That looked painful...
[Miriamele] It could have been better..
* Cassandra creeps up behind Man 2, like a shadow. With a slight chuckle, she moves as fast as lighting, trying to steal Man 2's weapon right from under his nose! With a satistied grin, she returns to her comrades.
[Miriamele] But it'll have to do!
[Storyteller] With his blade in her hand.

Combat! Round Three!

* Cassandra looks at the blade and smiles.
[Salah] Nice trick!
* Salah looks onward at the men.
[Salah] Why are you attacking Meribia?
* Miriamele pulls out a pair of throwing daggers and sends them hurtling towards Man 1!! After letting the small knives fly, she draws her larger dagger and goes in for the kill, opening with a wide slashing arc, and finishing up with a deadly thrust!
[Storyteller] All of her blows land, but they barely seem to faze the man despite his wounded state. 0 damage! 0 damage! 0 damage! 0 damage!
[Salah] Nice try anyway
* Cassandra gives Man 2 a sly look, pulls out her whip, and says cooly.
[Cassandra] Do you want a whippin', boy?
* Cassandra unfurls the whip and lashes at Man2!
[Miriamele] This guy must be made of stone! :/
[Man 1] Or maybe you just throw like a girl!
[Salah] Uh, she is a girl....
* Cassandra glares at the man.
[Cassandra] What's that suppose to mean?! You're going down, punk!
[Storyteller] The whip makes a nice, bleeding welt across his shoulder, again slicing through clothes. 8 damage!
[Salah] But she's done better than you have!
[Man 2] Ooooooooooooh, baaaaaaaaaaby!
* Man 2 lunges at Cassandra bare-handed.
* Cassandra tries to dodge the man.
* Salah blinks at the man.
* Man 2 gets a hold of her, but doesn't manage to do any damage.
* Man 1 turns to the side a bit, cradling his busted wrist as he tries to stick Miriamele.
* Cassandra tries to break loose from the man's grip.
* Miriamele makes ready to parry the attack!
* Man 1 makes his way around her parry. 7 damage!
[Salah] Are you all right?
[Miriamele] Yeah, I'm not out of this yet!

Combat! Round Four!

[Salah] Try taking one at a time!
* Cassandra chants, and a dark aura surrounds her. The aura takes the form of a light mist and floats eerily to Man2. When it reaches Man 2, it enters into Man 2's body and attempts to seep poison into Man2's blood.
[Cassandra] May the powers of darkness sweep into your soul and disentegrate your body!
* Man 2 coughs a bit, white foam coming to the edge of his mouth before he swallows it back... Man 2 is POISioned. 4 damage!
* Miriamele begins a small chant, words of magic flowing fluidly off her tongue.
[Miriamele] Power unbridled! Smite my foes with your fury!
* Miriamele casts Pulse on Man 1!
[Storyteller] The clouds above breifly part. A ray of light shines down from the sky, bathing Man 1 in it's glory. With a sickening burning smell, the flesh burns from his bones; which proceed to distigrate and blow away in the wind.
[Man 1] Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrgh!
[Salah] You-you got him!
[Storyteller] Blub, blub, blub... gurgle... splat...
* Salah covers her mouth at the smelling remains.
* Man 2 retches, then turns tail and runs like hell.
[Miriamele] Yeah! You run! Coward!!
[Cassandra] You mess with us again, and we'll kill you!
[Salah] Yeah!
* Cassandra checks the bodies for anything useful.
[Storyteller] There are no bodies.
* Miriamele retrieves her knives..
[Cassandra] Oh! Before I forget...
[Storyteller] One is dust, the other ran away.
* Cassandra checks the area for anything the bodies might've dropped when destroyed or running.

Victory!

Back Alley

* Cassandra hands Salah the blade she stole.
[Cassandra] This might help.
[Miriamele] I think we'd better go... while we're ahead, and before he comes back with more friends..
* Salah looks at the blade.
[Salah] I can't use this thing, it's too heavy.
* Cassandra looks at Salah as if she's crazy.
[Storyteller] The three make they way through the alley with Cassandra in the lead. They barely escape a few other patrols.
[Cassandra] Heavy? Oh well.
* Cassandra holds onto the blade for future use.
[Salah] Did any of you regonize those uniforms they were wearing?
* Miriamele looks at the blade handed to Salah and weighs it against the strength of her own weapon.
[Storyteller] Eventually, they get to an alley behind a biulding. It's this point that Cassandra no longer knows the way.
[Miriamele] No... I'm not from around here... so uniforms and flags mean all the same to me.
[Cassandra] Okay, well, from here on end, were going by chance...
[Salah] It was rather dark for me to fully see the uniforms, so I don't know either.
* Salah looks around, trying to spot anything fammilar...
[Salah] Hey, follow me!
[Miriamele] You know where we are?
[Cassandra] By the way, since we've bled together, I feel like I could trust you with my name.
* Salah heads down the alley.
[Salah] Yeah, I can see the back door to my home.
[Cassandra] Name's Cassandra Kalikar.
[Miriamele] Yeah, I suppose introductions are in order. I'm Miriamele, but Miri works just as well.
* Cassandra follows Salah.
[Salah] I'm Salah by the way.
* Miriamele tags along.
[Salah] Nice to meet you both.
[Cassandra] Sure, whatever.
[Storyteller] They reach the kitchen alley door of the Paria Inn.
* Salah tries the door
[Storyteller] The door is bolted shut.
* Salah knocks on the door
[Miriamele] Knock?
[Storyteller] A muffled voice calls out.
[Voice] Who goes there?!
[Salah] It's me Salah!
[Storyteller] The curtain in the window moves slightly, then back. The door opens a crack, a familiar face peeks out.
[Roy] Get in here! Quick!
* Salah enters the house
* Cassandra enters as well.
* Miriamele follows..

Paria Inn - Kitchen

* Salah turns to her brother.
[Salah] What's going on?
[Storyteller] Roy quickly locks the door behind them, then slides the heavy table back into place.
[Roy] I don't know. Mom took the twins into the basement when that shrieking started.
[Roy] Dad is out forming up in the square with the rest of the militia.
[Salah] What about Daddy?
[Roy] He said the first thing that they hit was the Garrison Barracks.
[Storyteller] Roy looks out the window again, then back to Salah.
[Roy] Who are your friends?
* Salah waves her hand to Miri and Cassandra.
[Salah] These are friends I met while coming back here, Cassandra, and Mirimele.
[Storyteller] He quickly scans over Miri, then gulps looking at Cassandra's leather clad bod.
[Cassandra] Friend isn't the words.
[Cassandra] Don't stare. It's rude.
[Roy] Um... Well... Anyway... Um...
[Storyteller] He nods, the looks back to Salah.
[Miriamele] We all met, more or less by chance, down at the docks..
* Salah looks at Roy displeasely
[Roy] You girls should go down to the basement with Mom.
[Roy] I'll hold the fort until Dad gets back.
[Salah] How are the guests Roy?
[Roy] Aw damn, I dunno. Most of them were out on the docks.
* Cassandra mutters.
[Cassandra] Ugh. I'm with the snobs?
[Storyteller] Roy walks over toward the basement door.
[Miriamele] Snobs?
[Cassandra] Nevermind.
[Roy] Go on down... Mom's got the herbs and such down there.
[Roy] Get your friends patched up.
[Cassandra] Yeah, since we saved her life!
* Salah nods.
[Salah] All right.
* Salah takes the bow she left on the table and heads down into the basement.
[Salah] Come on.
* Miriamele quietly follows...
* Cassandra follows as well.