[b]Canada![/b]

The minute you arrive "backstage," as it were, you're surrounded by servants. A Macaw starts sketching your features, a Thornback readies a tablet and stylus, blindfolded Janissaries level laser flintlocks, and the Lynx-- ouch! The Lynx pricks you with a needle to take a blood sample. This is a well-oiled and prepped operation.

Notably, this isn't the only operation going on back here: servants are stacking golden bars in an ornate display, each one stamped with the seal of Caphtor. This looks like another tribute of the city to their god. Still, it attracts your attention for a moment. What is Shamash supposed to do with that, anyway? Nod and order it carried to their chariot?

"Canada Taliv," the Inquisitor says, looking down at a tablet, "you are going to die."

Wow. Harsh.

"Had you offered yourself up to our justice beforehand," the Inquisitor continues, her voice calm and steady, "you would have lived. But Shamash holds your life in their hands now, and they mean to kill you, by all indications. Therefore, as a representative of holy Ereshkigal, I am offering you a bargain. Cooperate with my questions and I will carry out your unfinished business. You fight against civilization out of a misguided desire to protect those around you; give me their names, and I will see them given preferential treatment and protected to the best of my ability."

"Or you can die," the Lynx hisses, "and we will still track the ghost and the magician down. This is a [i]bargain,[/i] flatfoot."

***

[b]Marianne![/b]

Daisy takes the paddle gleefully, and weighs it in her hand for a moment, overwhelmed and awe-struck. "Yes," she breathes. "Yes, yes, yes! Thank you, thank you! I'll... you'll protect me, right?" She's suddenly hesitant, looking over at those struggling figures, two long-limbed Annunaki and one prickly Thornback. "Because they'll be [i]so[/i] angry..."

Her fingers tighten and loosen on the handle. Her breath goes quick and nervous through her nostrils, and one of the Annunaki sisters tosses her hair and makes an attempt at threatening Daisy, despite the shaking heads of her fellow captives. You can even [i]hear[/i] the sneer.

***

[b]Anathet![/b]

It's almost dusk and you're about to leave your lovely little maple grove when Marianne looms out of the shadows and flashes that scary, scary grin of hers. It nearly gives you a heart attack, even with you prepared for Tia to pop up. But, hey, two of the gals here in one place! And you probably don't need Canada to talk with the Seneschal and present your demands, wherever that musclebound beauty is...