[center][color=7ea7d8][h1][i]Izzy[/i][/h1] 
[i][url=https://cdna.artstation.com/p/assets/covers/images/001/108/390/large/puppet-wj-3.jpg?1440231098]~the Lost at Sea.[/url][/i][/color][/center]

It was now and only now that Izzy realized the thrumming and sighing beat of the lux that the lantern cast upon them. The heat she felt in her breath was not the doing of the daemons in her drink, nay and again nay. It was the not unpleasant dreamlike glow of the lantern that had heated her inhales and exhales, sobs and sighs. 'Twas true as true could be; it was not a lantern. Nay, it was a [b][i]Lantern[/i][/b].

Steely-blue eyes slipped away from the scraggly haired, yet kind-hearted woman in front of her, and, suddenly the concerns of mortals slipped away as well. Into the unattainable hue of the Lantern's light she now gazed. And slowly, like petals of the readied flower after the rains, this next Ephiphany was about  to blossom. Something about a Lantern and its fire. Nay, not just fire, but Flam--

The crash of the basket to the ground and the yank of her arm brought her away from her Epiphany... was that what it was or was it but mere drunken stupor playing yet again with her thoughts and emotions...? 

She would never know the truth for the concerns of mortals were now the pressing matter at hand; a missing child always made it that way, it did. 

When things settled down and the goat-handling urchin was located, Izzy found she had learned three new things: [i]One[/i], the urchin boy was named Sunny and the angellic North was its mum. [i]Two[/i], these things, these [i]Hollows[/i] were the monstrosities she fathomed them to be; the town was on high alert. And [i]Three[/i]--

The shorter guard bumped into her with intent and importance. Only one blue and yellow clad guard-type stood before her, the one that stared eye-to-eye with the tall drunken redhead had gone upstairs. The shorter guard demanded to know the whereabouts of these 'Hollows.' Steely-blue eyes stared her over with a languid up and down appraisal. Pupils dilated as a sudden glint shone in those red-rimmed eyes. The shorter guard... oh but what meat she had on her; so full figured, sooooo biteable and sooooo cute. 

A slow coy wink captured the gaze of the shorter one. A flash of hot white from between pink lips, a tip of a phantom tricorn hat, a motion so slick and complete. The shorter guard suddenly at first felt Izzy's pale and slender hand at the small of her back, and then like the setting sun, the hand lowered and was cupping at the top of her buttocks as the redhead laughed softly in her ear, after a momentary pause, the hand slipped across to the generous hip, then slid up her side till  dangerously close to her breast, and as the people marched and engines growled, the shorter guard found one of her own hands being held out firmly yet expertly posed. The ensuing  kiss upon her hand was rather gentle and feather soft.

[color=7ea7d8]"Enchanted... ahoy miss, I am the one they call Izzy the... I am Ms. Izzy, the lost at sea. But in this place I am found with you. How funny be the Lady of Whims, no?"[/color] the hand she slowly and gently lowered, but not without first nibbling a fingertip and then biting softly at her own lower lip.[color=7ea7d8] "Of course I will come with you... and come quickly will this lass, if you'd so have me as such... and only if it pleases you..."[/color]

Ahem. 

And [i]Three...? [/i]She wanted that Lantern for her own.

But first thing was first.

[color=7ea7d8]"Now that you are done flirting with Ms. Izzy, let it be known that this 'Hollow' turned up where we washed ashore; beyond the rocky mushroom field thataway, and upon yonder sandy shore. But a single one 'twas all, aye. 

"Oh and angellic Ms. North? Shan't you accompany us?" [/color]