[color=FF6347]"As you can see, my master would like to speak more privately with you. If you would be so kind as to indulge him and follow me to the keep proper; you will be given the audience you were sent here for! Do not forget that you are guests in this place, should you choose to enter. In case you did not hear earlier, I am Elegance. Keeper of the keep and Magician's servant. It's one of my many obligations to be certain that no uncouth sorts linger in my master's home!"[/color]

Zino Bertran sighed heavily, wrapping his arm protectively around the older woman. His gloved fingers tightened around her shoulder as the Magician and his assistant spoke. ‘[color=eee0e5][i]What could he need to say inside that he couldn’t say here? And this [/i]Elegance[i]--as she calls herself--she’s certainly not a gracious host.[/i][/color]’ His lip tightened into a thin line as he wondered how many of the others has understood that as a threat. The agents grey eyes stared meaningfully at Ascot, waiting for him to pipe up. 

“[color=eee0e5]The Ghost Girl and Three sent us here. We’ve already died once before… If this were a trap, well…[/color]” He gave a dry, cynical laugh. “[color=eee0e5]It’s a waste of their time and effort. If they trust him, then I trust him.[/color]” Mr. Bertran slipped his hand into his pocket, fingering the handle of his firearm. He was disgusted--fed up entirely with being led around, with constantly being delayed, with being told contradictory and confusing information.

He pushed his way to the front of the group, keeping his arm around Stormy, then dipped his head to the Magician. “[color=eee0e5]Thank you for your hospitality. Perhaps you should teach your protege not to make veiled threats to your house guests…[/color]” Zino narrowed his eyes at Elegance, “[color=eee0e5]Unless they mean to cause trouble.[/color]” By then, however, he has already disappeared. They hadn’t come this far to be disrespected and threatened, especially not by an underling. He made his way past her, paused, and then continued inside.

‘[color=eee0e5][i]I hope they decide to follow me, heh… Some display of courage, Zino. Real smart.[/i][/color]’ The young man looked around the interior of the tower. A large central atrium stretched upward impossibly high, flanked by long hallways dotted with doors. At their intersect sat a lone chair. He assumed this was where the Magician would speak with them. The warm flames of the torches reflected from the polished marble, casting long shadows behind the pair. He thought of Koda and gave Stormy a reassuring squeeze. “[color=eee0e5]Should you sit down? There’s a chair.[/color]”