"[b]Alleyway Contract[/b]"
[i]Somewhere in Septum[/i]
---
The dust clears, and Marianne finally takes her first look at her newly summoned Servant. Tall, Asian and packing heat...an arrangement that she could get behind, for sure. There's a period of silent observation lasting several seconds between them, but then Rider seems to remember her formal greeting. [i]Partners...huh[/i]. Marianne extends her hand with the intent to shake, leaving a moment between when Rider finishes her introduction and when she starts her own. The instant their hands meet, she completes the contract in her usual clear, relaxed tone.

[i]"Servant Rider, it is a pleasure to meet you at last."[/i]

She lets go of her partner's hand and curtsies appropriately, [i]"I am Marianne Charity Barrett, the one who summoned you here and, indeed, your Master. With this, our contract is completed."[/i]

Having finished her formalities, Marianne turns on her heel and walks purposely towards the girl lying unconscious nearby. With a single, effortless movement, she picks the girl up and swings her over her shoulder. She turns towards Rider and nods upwards, asking [i]"Shall we?"[/i] before taking a few steps back from the closest wall. 

At first, it wasn't exactly evident what she intended to do, but then with a sudden burst of speed she runs directly at the wall. Angling her head upwards to plot her path, Marianne gracefully leaps towards the wall and runs up it a short distance, before making one final jump across the alley to reach a high-up window. She grabs onto the edge of the window with one arm and, after a moment of rest, pulls herself up into the room beyond.

The inside of her Safe house was sparsely decorated and practical, but not without its little touches of home here and there. This room seemed to be the living room, with a few comfortably-looking couches placed around a large, flat-screen television. The room was well-lit, and there seemed to be a bookcase and a Personal Computer placed meaningfully in the corner. In the center of the room, a low-standing table had a few scattered objects on its top, including a pair of handguns and what must have been a detailed map of this district of Septum.

Once inside, Marianne casually walks across the room and settles into a nearby couch, on which she also places her unconscious prey. She lights herself a cigarette and waits for Rider to follow her inside, before casually speaking-

[i]"Welcome to our humble abode, Partner. Any questions?"[/i]