As Keepa loomed over her, drool leaking from between its teeth, Violet shouted, "Walter! Duck!" and a brilliant ball of flames slammed into the head. Ruby stumbled back and shielded her eyes. She risked a glance at Violet. [color=red][i]Whoa, did that attack come from [u]her[/u]?[/i][/color] A flush of awe surged through her. Walker took everything in stride, his practiced strikes and efficient dodges betraying a level of skill well beyond par.

Ruby watched with her mouth hung open, bewitched. [color=red]"Golly G. Whillikers...the kite sure knows how to pick 'em,"[/color] she murmured.

Walker was a little less than impressed, though. "Remind me to talk to you three about element of sodding surprise after this!" he shrieked between attacks.

Ruby dove away to the wall and joked back, [color=red]"I'd be surprised if you didn't!"[/color] Besides, she had a few surprises of her own. She armed her pistol and stuffed a flare shot down the barrel. If Keepa's dark body and the dungeon's light-snuffing habit were anything to go on:

[color=red]"Eat this, Dingus Flamingus!"[/color]

She pulled the trigger.