[H1][color=f7941d]Mara[/color][/h1]

Mara froze as the band prepared to play. She was horrified that Elayna wanted her to take the lead. Surely it wasn't her outfit that provoked the dancer to believe there was some semblance of rhythm within the mergirl. Truthfully, when she said she couldn't dance, she meant she had two left feet. She was terrible! Her heart beat in her throat. What was she going to do? The petrified look on her face was enough to convince anyone that she really didn't know what she was doing.

No matter what Mara tried, she could not will herself to move. Even the lively music that started could not convince her to dance. She looked at the dancer, pleading for help.

[H1][color=0072bc]Kest[/color][/h1]

A short lived swell of pride rose within Kest. He was about to ask Veragwen if she was free later or sometime along the festival when a serious matter rose. While the guardswoman was very able, something he had seen first hand, he thought that no woman should fight alone. The large pile of food was placed on the bench while a small bowl of chili and bottle of water made their way into the boy's waiting hands. 
[color=0072bc]"Eat on the way, kid! We have to help her!"[/color] he grabbed Richard by the arm and ran after his beloved.

When they arrived at the alleyway behind Veragwen, Kest spotted a group of ruffians surrounding a girl. It took a certain kind of man to target a lone girl. Especially a group of men. It wasn't fair. He pulled a dagger out of his pack, he always kept one on him. This was no ordinary dagger, though. This weapon allowed him to not only use his speed, but utilize his strength as well. Not many people could use the punching dagger with as much finesse as him. Maybe this was his time to shine for his lovely obsession! Oh! How he wished to walk down the road with her by his side.

The thought of his dreams coming true were suddenly replaced by extreme anger. Kest realized the the victim wasn't just any girl. Mergirls were always targeted, considered weaker than the males. He gritted his teeth and stepped forward behind Vera, completely forgetting about Richard.
[color=0072bc]"I think you guys need to take a few steps away from the lady."[/color] He was not as kind as Vera would be. Given the chance, he would kill these thugs. He didn't hide it either.