Mary noted with approval the two drifters from different worlds coming together as she instructed. It was fun to play with people's expectations, put them in odd situations. Amusing to see how they struggled to maintain themselves and their integrity under the looking glass. A cheap and easy way to get to know people quickly enough. 

[color=ed145b]"Your accent Abigail. Very curious. You must be from the old world, literally and figuratively."[/color] Mary knocked back another shot glass of whiskey. [color=ed145b]"Good anchor point in this coming chaos. Montag should keep you close by, he seems the type to get caught up in bad storms quite easily."[/color] The true meaning of Mary's words and their purpose, only she knew. The weary look on her face and the serious tone she spoke in gave a great weight to those words.

[color=ed145b]"But let's move on to business. We've been jawing for what feels like weeks and we haven't even spoken on what we've come here for!"[/color] Her voice rose suddenly, impatience cracking out of her usual icy composure."

[color=ed145b]"A daughter of an up and coming politician is hosting a fundraising party. It's her first, and a lot of eyes are on her to be a good little poster child for her very important dad. That dad by the way is Thomas Arnault, the current mayor of New Haven. His daughter, Marie Arnault is the real focus for us here, and will be attending this party. It seems her dad did not pay off his debts to a gang that assisted him during the election. So some collectors are coming to make threats to him and blackmail, the usual mafia stuff. All you need to know is one very very important thing." [/color]

Mary finishes her spiel, took another shot of whiskey and a serious look to each person here. 

[color=ed145b]"Marie Arnault is fated to die during this exchange. A stray bullet will hit her heart, unintended. She will die from her injuries in the night. Your job is to prevent that from happening by any means necessary. You will infiltrate the party in a manner of your own choosing and keep Marie alive. Think of yourselves as Miss Arnault's guardian angels."[/color]

Mary smiled at the metaphor, pausing a moment before realizing she had forgotten something else important. She quickly picked back up. 

[color=ed145b]"Ah, yes. If you succeed in preventing Marie's impending death. Then someone else will have to die in Marie's place. You can choose who will be, by simply killing them. Or let the Fates decide. Don't be upset at what the Fates will choose, if you choose not to kill."[/color]

Mary had a smile on her face. She had just laid out a heavy burden of information that now the group would have to wrestle with, no doubt having dozens of questions erupting in their little heads. Such a perfect beginning for them, to descend on the journey that the Fates had already set for them...

[color=ed145b]"I'm assuming you both might have a question or two."[/color] She chuckled to herself, cupping a hand around her cheek and leaning against it, eagerly awaiting.