Rat stared at Doll for a long minute while he tried to process what was happening, narrowing his eyes with a hint of suspicion that the boy might be trying to usurp him as the Templar's guide.  His whiskers twitched as the mental cogs turned... the grinding and smoke was nearly palpable.

[b][color=#9e8659]"[i]STHSTHSTH[/i].  Fine!  Rat is Doll-Child's guide,"[/color][/b] he conceded, after losing the staring contest with the child and blinking hard to clear the stinging in his eyes.  [b][color=#9e8659]"Away from underfoot!"[/color][/b] Rat commanded, shaking a fist before scurrying out of the alley and around a corner.  He poked his head back around at them.

[b][color=#9e8659]"Come along.  Come along!  Rat guides you.  Rat is your guide!  First to Drowsy-Cap.  He will know Big-Man, and Shiney-Plates.  Watch!  He will!"[/color][/b]

Rat vanished around the corner again, though he didn't allow himself to get too far ahead of the group.  They were led across town through side-streets and alleys to what appeared to be a residential area, and then to a particular property that towered over the other buildings.  Rat paused as he approached the house his nose wrinkling.  The ground was littered with broken glass, and the shattered remains of a night stand that had yet to be cleaned up.

[b][color=#9e8659]"Here.  It is here.  Rat guides you.  Rat is your guide.  The Nest of Drowsy-Cap.  Sends many packages to Stoneworks.  YesYes.  Rarely leaves,"[/color][/b] he explained, affording them a healthy pause before allowing them past to approach the door... which opened as they arrived.

[b][color=#d9145f]"Thanks for breakfast,"[/color][/b] ID called back inside as she stepped out, closing the door behind her.  She flinched as she turned around to meet the gaze of Rat, and then Doll and up to Maire.  Rat and Maire she recognized immediately from their confrontation at the Stoneworks.  The child... ID had seen him around occasionally in the markets but had never spoken to him.  She always wore her mask and cloak while in town, and didn't really interact with the locals beyond what she needed in the market... something she'd be much more cautious about now since not wearing it had caused so much trouble.

[b][color=#d9145f]"Umm...,"[/color][/b] she flustered awkwardly in the doorway under Rat's hard gaze.  The rodent squinted at her for a long minute, and ID's burgundy eyes flicked towards Maire once.  Did Rat recognize her?  Was this going to turn into yet another confrontation?

[b][color=#9e8659]"Out of the way!!  Here to see Drowsy-Cap!!"[/color][/b] Rat shrieked, shaking the sword at ID.

[b][color=#d9145f]"O-oh!  Sorry,"[/color][/b] she mumbled, though her stance relaxed visibly.  ID gave them a nervous smile as she released the door and moved to step past.