[color=green][h3][center]Maire[/center][/h3][/color]

Maire didn't even have a chance to say anything before the little ball of energy just flew off. Literally.  Scratching her head, slightly confused, she just entered the city.  A lot of people ignored her, thanks to her innate calming effect.  Most in fact.  However, drunkards were a different story altogether.  Drunkards did alway seem to ignore the calming aura.  [b]"Oi, yea stumpy wench!  What's your problem! Walking into town, thinking you own it an' all?"[/b]

Maire was thoroughly surprised.  She'd not been insulted as such before.  She was always in a position of respect back home.   The only things she'd ever been called were 'bitch' or something of the sort when she dealt with bandits.  [color=green]"I beg pardon?"[/color] She said, making sure she had heard him correctly.  [color=green]"Is there something wrong with my being here?"[/color]

[b]"You bet your feathery hide I do!  You think you can just w--  Waltz on into the city looking all strange and plant-like when there's a weird invasion in the east!"[/b]  The drunkard said, stumbling halfway through, catching himself on a wall.  [b]"I say no!  Now get!"[/b]

Maire had no real response but a slight shock in her face.  Then a man in heavy armor came up and put his hand on the man's shoulder.  [b]"Ain't ya' been drinking too much?  What would yer' wife say, friend?"[/b]  His voice sounded sincere, and his grip firm, but gentle.  

The drunkard turned and his face turned from annoyance to disappointment.  [b]"Bah, you Star Knights and being right.  Still don't like this tree-head walking around."[/b]  He complained some more before waddling off to Vis knows where.

[b]"I'll make sure she's under careful watch."[/b] The Star Knight said merely to appease the man but shook his head a bit.  [b]"I apologize for him.  Some of the people around here are a bit on edge.  The "Captain" sent me out here to collect ya'.  Said Madam Royce wanted to converse."[/b]

Maire looked him in the eyes, unsure of the man.  [color=green]"Madam. . . Royce?"[/color]  She had to ask.  It was a name she'd never heard of before.  No one from here time at least.  [color=green]"I apologize.  I'm new around here."[/color]

[b]"I can tell.  Never heard of a woman in a dress of feathers and tree bark on her head around here. Or, anywhere for that matter."[/b]  He took a moment to consider that, but shoved the thought away mentally.  [b]"Well, let's not stand around, I'll take you there."[/b]  Maire nodded and followed the man.  She didn't feel anything negative from him, so she wasn't likely in trouble. 

[color=ffb6c1][h3][center]Ante Magnus[/center][/h3][/color]

How did it end up like this?  [color=ffb6c1]"And I'm telling you, I ain't no belly-dancer."[/color]  Not today at least.  Idiots like this came up every once in a while, getting handsy with the goods, in this case Ante.  Pissed her off too.  [color=ffb6c1]"Now bug off somewhere I can't see you."[/color]  Course, the body of a fourteen year old didn't do much for intimidation.

[b]"And you shut your damn mouth.  I know a belly-dancer when I see one!  Why else would you be wearing those clothes?"[/b]  The opposite party said.  While it's true Ante was doing a little dance for pity money, it was nowhere near a belly-dance.

[color=ffb6c1]"And I told you that it's not!"[/color]  

Out of anger or something else, the man put his hands on Ante's shoulders and shook them a bit.  [b]"I've been down south, I know that's a belly-dance."[/b]  He was brave, or just really stupid and in the thought that he could over-power a kid.  [b]"Why don't you admit it?!"[/b]  He was probably a bit drunk.  Didn't matter much to Ante though.

[color=ffb6c1]"Hands off."[/color]  Ante said, gently trying to shove the man away.  Didn't need to hurt anyone if it weren't necessary.  Of course, the aggressor only increased his grip.  The Bladedancer had enough.  [color=ffb6c1]"I said hands off, bozo!"[/color]  Holding back a bit, Ante smacked the guy with enough force in the shoulder to knock him off and then knee'd the guy in his stomach.  [color=ffb6c1]"I know I learned just enough in the caravan ride to talk a bit, but this guy's an idiot."[/color]

Of course, the fighting was noticed by a pair of guards.  [b]"Hey! What's going on here?!"[/b]  One commanded as the other examined the man passed out on the ground.  

[b]"Drunk as can be."[/b]  The second stated as he drew near.  [b]"Taking a nice peaceful nap now, I think we can take a guess."[/b]  He added with a mild chuckle added it.  [b]"What say we take him home like this, I think everyone reminding him he got his ass knocked flat by a child should be punishment enough."[/b]  The first guard shrugged and looked to Ante.

[color=ffb6c1]"I guess he'd never be able to live it down like that."[/color]  The two guards waved Ante off and made their way off into the crowd.  [color=ffb6c1]"What to do now?  Could just find a nice bar or something.  Feels like I've not had a drink in years."[/color]  

From behind, a voice called out.  [b]"You there, child."[/b]  It was commanding to be sure.  A bit on the rough side.  A type of voice Ante was use to hearing.  Still, she couldn't help but roll her eyes as she turned around.  [b]"My apologies for bothering you, but please come with me.  I'm a Star Knight. You have been summoned by Madam Royce."[/b]  

[color=ffb6c1]"I just. . . Star Knight, no, actually. . . Who?  Madam Royce?   Don't know anyone like that.  Does this have something to do with why--.  No, nevermind.  I'm not as smart as Auges, but I'll get to the bottom of this."[/color]  Without much else said, Ante nodded and followed the Star Knight.