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In the shadow of the cliff-face, bright crescents of steel flashed under the violet moons’-light. 

Antigone held her twin daggers at the ready as she spoke.  

[b][color=f6989d]“You are the outsider here, [i]rhysh-alir.[/i]”[/color][/b] She said, the Sartoi slur hissing through her teeth. [i]Hornless One,[/i] a trespasser, an outsider.

Her eyes locked on the armed and shielded figure beside the strange creature. She’d definitely seen things like it before, unlike the thing trying to speak. However, she’d never seen one move, didn’t know that they could. The long-inanimate machines were sold for top coin as decorative artifacts, ancient remnants of whatever society had lived amongst the dunes before the first Exiles had arrived. 

It did not rush to attack her, but she suspected it would defend the stuttering creature if she made her move, since the thing readied no weapon of its own. Unsure of the automaton’s capabilities, Antigone opted for the diplomatic alternative. 

There could be something valuable in this discovery, after all.

She stepped forward into the waning moons’ light, lowering her daggers halfway in response to the machine matching her advance.With her restless eyes darting back and forth between them, reflecting the different hues of moonlight, she kept watch on both of them. She noted the sled full of ancient technology near the bizarre pair, more or less confirming to her that the croaking one could utilize the Masari relics. If she could bring this thing into the fold, her family’s ever-growing ‘influence’ in Thermopoli could turn into something much more significant, much more secure.        

[color=f6989d][b]“To whom do you swear loyalty?”[/b][/color] Antigone said with a bit of a sneer, but still lowered her weapons a fraction more. With a flick of her thumb, a ring twisted loose near the hilt of one dagger. Weapon still in-hand, the Satyr flipped the ring like a coin then flicked it in Twitch’s direction. [color=f6989d][b]“Whatever they’re paying you, we’ll give you double in Thermopoli,”[/b][/color] she gave a sarcastic little bow, while her arm gestured wide towards the direction she’d come from, [color=f6989d][b]“the cliff-city within the steppe.”[/b][/color] She clarified and pointed more intentionally. [color=f6989d][b]“Show that ring to any Satyr there and they’ll take you where you need to go.”[/b][/color]  

However the insectoid thing responded didn’t matter much to Antigone. If it accepted her offer, she’d be glad for the easier path. If it denied her… Well, as long as it stood on this world, a creature so conspicuous couldn’t hide from Nessioi’s assassin-cultists for very long. 

Either way, she still had her business at the Black Spire.

A quick whistle from Antigone, and Useful lifted its head. Sand poured from the beast’s fuzzy maw as it crunched down another mouthful. The Satyr leapt nimbly back into the saddle, resting her daggers on her leather-plated thighs. [color=f6989d][b]“I hope to see you there, Strange One.”[/b][/color]