Maire didn't even have a chance to say anything before the little ball of energy just flew off. Literally. Scratching her head, slightly confused, she just entered the city. A lot of people ignored her, thanks to her innate calming effect. Most in fact. However, drunkards were a different story altogether. Drunkards did alway seem to ignore the calming aura.
"Oi, yea stumpy wench! What's your problem! Walking into town, thinking you own it an' all?"Maire was thoroughly surprised. She'd not been insulted as such before. She was always in a position of respect back home. The only things she'd ever been called were 'bitch' or something of the sort when she dealt with bandits.
"I beg pardon?" She said, making sure she had heard him correctly.
"Is there something wrong with my being here?""You bet your feathery hide I do! You think you can just w-- Waltz on into the city looking all strange and plant-like when there's a weird invasion in the east!" The drunkard said, stumbling halfway through, catching himself on a wall.
"I say no! Now get!"Maire had no real response but a slight shock in her face. Then a man in heavy armor came up and put his hand on the man's shoulder.
"Ain't ya' been drinking too much? What would yer' wife say, friend?" His voice sounded sincere, and his grip firm, but gentle.
The drunkard turned and his face turned from annoyance to disappointment.
"Bah, you Star Knights and being right. Still don't like this tree-head walking around." He complained some more before waddling off to Vis knows where.
"I'll make sure she's under careful watch." The Star Knight said merely to appease the man but shook his head a bit.
"I apologize for him. Some of the people around here are a bit on edge. The "Captain" sent me out here to collect ya'. Said Madam Royce wanted to converse."Maire looked him in the eyes, unsure of the man.
"Madam. . . Royce?" She had to ask. It was a name she'd never heard of before. No one from here time at least.
"I apologize. I'm new around here.""I can tell. Never heard of a woman in a dress of feathers and tree bark on her head around here. Or, anywhere for that matter." He took a moment to consider that, but shoved the thought away mentally.
"Well, let's not stand around, I'll take you there." Maire nodded and followed the man. She didn't feel anything negative from him, so she wasn't likely in trouble.
How did it end up like this?
"And I'm telling you, I ain't no belly-dancer." Not today at least. Idiots like this came up every once in a while, getting handsy with the goods, in this case Ante. Pissed her off too.
"Now bug off somewhere I can't see you." Course, the body of a fourteen year old didn't do much for intimidation.
"And you shut your damn mouth. I know a belly-dancer when I see one! Why else would you be wearing those clothes?" The opposite party said. While it's true Ante was doing a little dance for pity money, it was nowhere near a belly-dance.
"And I told you that it's not!" Out of anger or something else, the man put his hands on Ante's shoulders and shook them a bit.
"I've been down south, I know that's a belly-dance." He was brave, or just really stupid and in the thought that he could over-power a kid.
"Why don't you admit it?!" He was probably a bit drunk. Didn't matter much to Ante though.
"Hands off." Ante said, gently trying to shove the man away. Didn't need to hurt anyone if it weren't necessary. Of course, the aggressor only increased his grip. The Bladedancer had enough.
"I said hands off, bozo!" Holding back a bit, Ante smacked the guy with enough force in the shoulder to knock him off and then knee'd the guy in his stomach.
"I know I learned just enough in the caravan ride to talk a bit, but this guy's an idiot."Of course, the fighting was noticed by a pair of guards.
"Hey! What's going on here?!" One commanded as the other examined the man passed out on the ground.
"Drunk as can be." The second stated as he drew near.
"Taking a nice peaceful nap now, I think we can take a guess." He added with a mild chuckle added it.
"What say we take him home like this, I think everyone reminding him he got his ass knocked flat by a child should be punishment enough." The first guard shrugged and looked to Ante.
"I guess he'd never be able to live it down like that." The two guards waved Ante off and made their way off into the crowd.
"What to do now? Could just find a nice bar or something. Feels like I've not had a drink in years." From behind, a voice called out.
"You there, child." It was commanding to be sure. A bit on the rough side. A type of voice Ante was use to hearing. Still, she couldn't help but roll her eyes as she turned around.
"My apologies for bothering you, but please come with me. I'm a Star Knight. You have been summoned by Madam Royce." "I just. . . Star Knight, no, actually. . . Who? Madam Royce? Don't know anyone like that. Does this have something to do with why--. No, nevermind. I'm not as smart as Auges, but I'll get to the bottom of this." Without much else said, Ante nodded and followed the Star Knight.