The path to Le Pomme D'Eve was long and winding through the streets of Paris. Danior and the others probably got there by now. Esmeralda turned a corner and started to pass by a nearby alley, when she saw light and heard voices. Djahli stopped beside her, and refused to go further. Something didn't feel right.

Esmeralda carefully glanced down the alley and saw...a rider, non-Parisian, and likely from a land in a faraway place, based on his clothes. He spoke to a tall, thin figure she couldn't quite make out from this end of the alley. Beside the tall figure, she noticed...another horse? One with three strange heads, all of them laughing.

"Stay here, Djahli," Esmeralda whispered.

Djahli gave a brief nod, and stayed put as his mistress investigated. Upon a second glance, Esmeralda realized the second being was [i]not[/i] a strange, three-headed creature, but three children sitting inside...some sort of large tub. And must have heard a [i]really[/i] funny joke based on how hard they were laughing. She stepped closer to get a better look.

[Quote=Tall, thin creature of indeterminate species][color=orange]"So, King of Thieves, what's your business here in Paris? Looking for some rare cheeses to pilfer, maybe? I wouldn't blame you, some of the kinds are just delicious!"[/color][/quote]

A thief, then? One of her own? It wasn't uncommon for thieves, cutpurses, and others of ill-repute to come to Paris to find the Court of Miracles, though those traits weren't required for those of Roma descent. She stood behind the King of Thieves, and from here, saw the darker pallor of his hand. It admittedly eased her.

[Quote=Man from a land in a faraway place][color=035096]"My companion and I are merely travelling for fun, oh lord of All Hallow's Eve. If we happen to discover some treasure along the way, well then who could blame us if we indulge?"[/color] he added with a wink. [color=035096]"Though it sounds as though the circumstances that led you here are the telltale markings of an adventure all their own."[/color]
[/quote]

All Hallow's Eve...? But that wasn't until the fall.

Esmeralda was now close enough to pick out the taller figure. She covered her mouth in a gasp, not because she now recognized the creature as a skeleton - the Court was littered with skulls and bones, being part of the old catacombs - but because of how he stood up and moved on his own, with no indication it was merely a costume.

Her gasp didn't go unnoticed.

From the other end of the alley, Djahli bleated in warning. The children saw her first.

"What do--"

"--We--"

"--Have here?"