She was frightened to go into the city. It had to be done. Of course it had to be done. Cities frightened her. Forests were sparse of people. Temples too. At least, her home had been. Too many people makes too much mess. Eats all the food. People were full of greed. Greed was not her territory. It was not written into her code. Greed was for people who were fortunate enough to experience luxury. Rosa DeLune was not fortunate. Not in any way. Her home had been a place of peace, yes, but not of plenty. There was little food to be had in the Spine of Léva, and much of it was too tough, even for her. She could live off of stolen energy for a long time, but it could not sate the gnawing in her gut that did not let her sleep, and willed her toward death.

As of recently, she could not call herself by name anymore. No, now she had a title. She was Rose, the Thorned One. She could not be touched, for her touch was dangerous. Her name, too, was dangerous. It was not an alias, truly, because nobody knew her name anyway. But it was her oath to Selene. An oath that demanded action tonight. Action, of course, in the city.

Dwarves in the city were friendly enough, but they sneered at her. Perhaps they had a grudge against humans, or maybe elves. Rose was sure they had a grudge against mutts like her. Everyone did, in the end. The city folk had welcomed her in, but judged her with their gazes whenever she was around. She could feel it on her back.So she had spent time in the forested areas outside the city, feasting on whatever game she could find. But the city lights were impossible to miss. That's what it said in the note, something about a light. Rose had received the note when she swore her oath. Apparently there had been a plan in the works for some time. A plan that would be set into action when the white moon and the blue moon hung in the sky together. Tonight was that night, and she could not avoid the city any longer. Its lights flicked on, and Rose was already walking toward where her contact would be waiting.

[i]Are you prepared, Rosa?[/i] Her soul whispered inwardly. When Manos spoke, it felt as though she was talking to herself - such was their symbiotic relationship. Maybe it would feel strange. Supposedly it was supposed to be frightening. But it seemed completely natural to her. [i]Tonight is the first night of the rest of your life. Of our lives. We will learn about the underbelly of the world now, and with time we will incorporate it into ourselves. You'd better not screw everything up.[/i]

Rose shook her head quickly. No, she would not make any mistakes. Manos always spoke dramatically, but he was right. Her past life was over, and nothing would be the same after tonight. In what way, she was not sure, but if these people could help her fight off the ticking time bomb that was her own starvation, that would be enough. She could promise her loyalty to people like that... That went without saying though. She already had promised that very thing. Like snapping a twig under too much pressure, Rose's mind reverted to her usual hunter's mindset, and thoughts fired quickly, like arrows aimed only loosely at a target. Manos' influence calmed her mind and allowed the formation of longer thoughts, but since that was not necessary for survival, it only seemed to happen when he wanted it to. Usually Rose's own mind worked in short bursts.

The city was a bright shade of white. Not what she expected. Was this the signal to light the way? The way was indeed quite light. Perhaps something had gotten confused? Maybe something went wrong. What was she supposed to do if it did? Run? Hide? Attack? Too many options meant that she continued at pace. No way but forward. Priests used to say 'If you move under your own convictions, you will find the strength to pull through.' Rose followed this creed. She was strong. She could make a way. Tonight, she had to make a way.

[i]The meeting is not called off, I am sure of that. We must simply look harder. Use your senses, Rosa. Your hunter's eyes and ears.[/i]

All was quiet, and all was strangely bright. Down the road a bit two people were talking. Nothing out of the ordinary. There were people in cities, and they talked together.

[i]Hold on...[/i] Her partner stopped her train of thought in its tracks for some reason.

Everything was night. Would all the lamps be on? Maybe. Would people be standing on the street? Maybe. Conversation, then? Maybe... But maybe not.

It was easy. Risk free. She was looking for an inn. Lost girl. Arrived in city late. Could force normal speech for a while. She did not know what she was looking for, but maybe someone was looking for her instead? She knew little about the group she had just joined. Would have to bank on chance. Chance, senses, and skill.

Quietly, and outside of direct contact with the light, Rose approahed the pair. The woman offered the man a large sum of money in such a way that it would not be obvious to onlookers. But Rose had been looking for a sign. Something almost exactly like that. This boosted her confidence.

This was it. She didn't know why she knew, but she knew. Maybe Manos figured it out. Maybe he knew what to look for. Either way, this was the man she was supposed to meet. She approached slowly and non-threateningly, though she would be ready to strike if she was attacked, like a snake. She had nothing to say, so she didn't speak. But she looked directly into the larger man's eyes with her own blazing red ones. Something she rarely did. If he was expecting her, he would know what her look and those eyes meant. If he had not been expecting her, he would not. Her eyes would frighten him away. And she would have revealed nothing. For the elf he was interacting with, she spared not a look, nor even a thought. Surely she would be condescending the poor girl with human blood. Perhaps both of the pair were. But it wasn't worth talking to someone who didn't like you. If they were in the same boat, Rose could grow to like her. But if they were not, it was not worth the effort.