RP Haven Community

[Elec]

Veshra knows that is virtually impossible to make the group understand. Still, she might as well try. Who knows? Even though the deishling kids are already poised to attack, there is a chance that she may be able to get out of this alive.
Veshra: Um...about what just happened...well...
Sparky: You killed a friend in cold blood! Do you really think we can trust you after that?!
Veshra: No...
She watches as Sparky and Fabreanne hold the deishling kids back.
Sparky: I'll tell you what: We'll let you live IF you get the hell out of here right now!
Veshra: ...
As Sparky is waiting for Veshra to respond, her focus on her is broken when Charlotte puts a hand on her shoulder.
Sparky: For future reference, it's best not to sneak up behind me like that. Now what is it?
Charlotte: I'm pretty sure that I heard something over there.
Up to this point, Charlotte had been trying to make sense of what just happened. As a result she was not as focused on Veshra as some of the others were.
Sparky: I didn't hear anything...but...
The sentence goes unfinished when it is interrupted by a woman's voice...
???: Now this is an interesting situation.
Sparky and the others face the direction the voice came from. They don't see anyone just yet though.
Charlotte: Maybe she's behind that tree.
Kuro: Would this be another of your accomplices, Veshra? How many are there this time?
Veshra: ...I...I don't know.
Laughter comes from behind the tree as a deishling woman emerges from her hiding place. The deishling has sandy fur and piercing dark green eyes.
???: And why would she know? I don't know what that girl is up to, but I know that she isn't under orders. There is no way that I would assign anyone that childish and frivolous anything other than the most menial tasks. I certainly wouldn't have her infiltrate your group.
Sparky: Kyra, I presume...
Kyra: Precisely. How did you guess?
Sparky: Cut the crap! Even an idiot could make such an assumption after what you just said!
Kyra: You're right. There's really no need to exchange pleasantries. The sooner you hand over the relic, the better, huh?
Sparky: I don't have the relic and haven't had it the entire time we've been traveling!
Kyra: So you're going to say that it's at home? Come on. You and I both know you've been in contact with it.
Sparky: With WHAT?! By the way you and your thugs are talking about it, you would think that it was bloody obvious--like it's an item that has the word "Relic" written on it! How in the hell am I supposed to know what you are referring to?!
Kyra is silent for a moment; it has occured to her that Sparky's ignorance about the relic may be genuine.
Kyra: It is a coined pendant that is rumored to have a connection to another dimension.
Sparky: I don't think I have anything like that. I have a few pendants, but most of them are just pendants; nothing special.
Kyra: Don't play games with me! Why don't you save yourself the trouble and just give me the pendant?!
Sparky: Because I don't have it! I can't give you something I don't have!
Kyra: Fine...I guess I'm going to have to take it by force, then.
As the battle engages, Veshra is already making her way away from the group, running as fast as she can to get away from them.

[Elec]

Veshra knows that is virtually impossible to make the group understand. Still, she might as well try. Who knows? Even though the deishling kids are already poised to attack, there is a chance that she may be able to get out of this alive.
Veshra: Um...about what just happened...well...
Sparky: You killed a friend in cold blood! Do you really think we can trust you after that?!
Veshra: No...
She watches as Sparky and Fabreanne hold the deishling kids back.
Sparky: I'll tell you what: We'll let you live IF you get the hell out of here right now!
Veshra: ...
As Sparky is waiting for Veshra to respond, her focus on her is broken when Charlotte puts a hand on her shoulder.
Sparky: For future reference, it's best not to sneak up behind me like that. Now what is it?
Charlotte: I'm pretty sure that I heard something over there.
Up to this point, Charlotte had been trying to make sense of what just happened. As a result she was not as focused on Veshra as some of the others were.
Sparky: I didn't hear anything...but...
The sentence goes unfinished when it is interrupted by a woman's voice...
???: Now this is an interesting situation.
Sparky and the others face the direction the voice came from. They don't see anyone just yet though.
Charlotte: Maybe she's behind that tree.
Kuro: Would this be another of your accomplices, Veshra? How many are there this time?
Veshra: ...I...I don't know.
Laughter comes from behind the tree as a deishling woman emerges from her hiding place. The deishling has sandy fur and piercing dark green eyes.
???: And why would she know? I don't know what that girl is up to, but I know that she isn't under orders. There is no way that I would assign anyone that childish and frivolous anything other than the most menial tasks. I certainly wouldn't have her infiltrate your group.
Sparky: Kyra, I presume...
Kyra: Precisely. How did you guess?
Sparky: Cut the crap! Even an idiot could make such an assumption after what you just said!
Kyra: You're right. There's really no need to exchange pleasantries. The sooner you hand over the relic, the better, huh?
Sparky: I don't have the relic and haven't had it the entire time we've been traveling!
Kyra: So you're going to say that it's at home? Come on. You and I both know you've been in contact with it.
Sparky: With WHAT?! By the way you and your thugs are talking about it, you would think that it was bloody obvious--like it's an item that has the word "Relic" written on it! How in the hell am I supposed to know what you are referring to?!
Kyra is silent for a moment; it has occured to her that Sparky's ignorance about the relic may be genuine.
Kyra: It is a coined pendant that is rumored to have a connection to another dimension.
Sparky: I don't think I have anything like that. I have a few pendants, but most of them are just pendants; nothing special.
Kyra: Don't play games with me! Why don't you save yourself the trouble and just give me the pendant?!
Sparky: Because I don't have it! I can't give you something I don't have!
Kyra: Fine...I guess I'm going to have to take it by force, then.
As the battle engages, Veshra is already making her way away from the group, running as fast as she can to get away from them.

[GeminiSaint]

Kyra: This should knock some sense into you! Paze Nashe!
Sparky: Dodge!
*everyone dodges in various ways*
Fabreanne: I can't believe it! It's my technique!
Kyra: Heheheheh. Surprised, aren't we?
Fabreanne: Who taught you Paze Nashe??
Kyra: That's none of your business! Incendio!!
*Sparky dodges it. Valruz gets Charlotte and leaps aside. Miko, Kuro and Fabreanne don't move. They are unharmed by the fire-based attack.*
Miko: Ha-ha!
Kyra: Shut up, you idiots! You weren't my targets! Sparky, on the other hand... Hail of Lightning!
Sparky: Damn it!
*Sparky counters it with Omni Bolt*
Kyra: I'll tell you something. At first I was after the Mystical Clock!
Fabreanne: Ah!
Kyra: Yeah... I was after you! I would have succeeded in stealing the clock from you if that meddlesome Pawn guy hadn't interferred! He showed up just when I was getting ready to spring to action, and he ruined everything! Now the clock is gone for good, all because of that idiot! But that's past history now. I have since set my eyes on Sparky's relic. The Mystical Clock may be gone, but I'll settle with stealing that mythical relic from Sparky's hands!
Sparky: How many times do I have to tell you that I don't have what you seek for you to understand??
Kyra: Lies after lies. That's all I'm hearing. Sparky, I thought you knew better than to attempt to fool me with such pitiful lies.
Miko: I think you are the one who needs to have some sense knocked into!
Kyra: Enough of this! Hand over the relic! Now! Don't make me get angry!
Sparky: Why? What happens when you get angry?
Kyra: You don't want to know...

[GeminiSaint]

Kyra: This should knock some sense into you! Paze Nashe!
Sparky: Dodge!
*everyone dodges in various ways*
Fabreanne: I can't believe it! It's my technique!
Kyra: Heheheheh. Surprised, aren't we?
Fabreanne: Who taught you Paze Nashe??
Kyra: That's none of your business! Incendio!!
*Sparky dodges it. Valruz gets Charlotte and leaps aside. Miko, Kuro and Fabreanne don't move. They are unharmed by the fire-based attack.*
Miko: Ha-ha!
Kyra: Shut up, you idiots! You weren't my targets! Sparky, on the other hand... Hail of Lightning!
Sparky: Damn it!
*Sparky counters it with Omni Bolt*
Kyra: I'll tell you something. At first I was after the Mystical Clock!
Fabreanne: Ah!
Kyra: Yeah... I was after you! I would have succeeded in stealing the clock from you if that meddlesome Pawn guy hadn't interferred! He showed up just when I was getting ready to spring to action, and he ruined everything! Now the clock is gone for good, all because of that idiot! But that's past history now. I have since set my eyes on Sparky's relic. The Mystical Clock may be gone, but I'll settle with stealing that mythical relic from Sparky's hands!
Sparky: How many times do I have to tell you that I don't have what you seek for you to understand??
Kyra: Lies after lies. That's all I'm hearing. Sparky, I thought you knew better than to attempt to fool me with such pitiful lies.
Miko: I think you are the one who needs to have some sense knocked into!
Kyra: Enough of this! Hand over the relic! Now! Don't make me get angry!
Sparky: Why? What happens when you get angry?
Kyra: You don't want to know...

[Elec]

The group jumps out of the way. Fabreanne casts Dust Storm to shield them from Kyra and hinder her attacks.
Kyra: Lightning Whirlwind!!!
They watch as the whirlwind and the dust storm spells collide with each other. Within minutes, they cancel each other out.
Fabreanne: Darn it.
Kyra, who had been fighting unarmed up to now, pulls out a chainwhip and...
Sparky: Charlotte! Watch out!
Charlotte dodges just as Kyra's whip lashes towards her. Kuro casts Dark Kaze Slash at Kyra, who leaps out of the way. Kyra then counters with Paze Nashe and while Miko tries to help counter the counterattack, both kids end up receiving some minor but painful scrapes on the tips of their ears from what they couldn't neutralize. Within a few moments, the group members are worn out. Kyra, on the other hand, still has plenty of fight left in her. It is pretty clear who has the upper hand at this point.
Kyra: Well it was a good try. Now why don't you hand over the relic?
Fabreanne: We don't have it!!
Sparky: Come to think of it...I had a coin pendant. However, I gave it to Raika. She seemed to be fascinated by it though I had no use for it. I'm pretty sure there's nothing special about it though.
Kyra stares at her in a mixture of shock and rage.
Sparky: Now what? Have you finally accepted that I don't have anything with interdimensional properties in my possession?
Kuro: Why don't you just go and turn yourself in and let them know that Raika is innocent?
The villainous deishling looks at Kuro as though he is out of his mind. A smirk forms on her face and she starts laughing in grim amusement at the boy's suggestion.
Kyra: Why don't I just throw myself off a cliff? Pathetic little creature!
Miko: So you already know what's in store for Raika now...
Kyra: Raika was mainly to be a hostage of sorts in order to increase my chances of being able to acquire the relic from you. However, it seems like it works out pretty well this way as well. And yes, I do have a pretty good idea of what's in store for Raika. And because of that, I'm confident that I won't even have to fight her for the relic seeing that she'll be dead soon.
The group realizes that she's right. Raika's trial has probably come and gone and they have been unable to prove their friend's innocence. From the way things stand, it seems that only a miracle will be enough to save Raika.
Kyra: Well, I guess I'm shall be going! And in order to keep you lot from going after me....Come out boys and girls!
About 20 or so individuals who are working under Kyra emerge from the foilage and surround the group.
Sparky: Oh...shit!
Kyra: I will make my departure now. Have fun!
Fabreanne: Great...
They all watch as Kyra runs off and then get ready to engage in a fight where they are clearly outnumbered.

[Elec]

The group jumps out of the way. Fabreanne casts Dust Storm to shield them from Kyra and hinder her attacks.
Kyra: Lightning Whirlwind!!!
They watch as the whirlwind and the dust storm spells collide with each other. Within minutes, they cancel each other out.
Fabreanne: Darn it.
Kyra, who had been fighting unarmed up to now, pulls out a chainwhip and...
Sparky: Charlotte! Watch out!
Charlotte dodges just as Kyra's whip lashes towards her. Kuro casts Dark Kaze Slash at Kyra, who leaps out of the way. Kyra then counters with Paze Nashe and while Miko tries to help counter the counterattack, both kids end up receiving some minor but painful scrapes on the tips of their ears from what they couldn't neutralize. Within a few moments, the group members are worn out. Kyra, on the other hand, still has plenty of fight left in her. It is pretty clear who has the upper hand at this point.
Kyra: Well it was a good try. Now why don't you hand over the relic?
Fabreanne: We don't have it!!
Sparky: Come to think of it...I had a coin pendant. However, I gave it to Raika. She seemed to be fascinated by it though I had no use for it. I'm pretty sure there's nothing special about it though.
Kyra stares at her in a mixture of shock and rage.
Sparky: Now what? Have you finally accepted that I don't have anything with interdimensional properties in my possession?
Kuro: Why don't you just go and turn yourself in and let them know that Raika is innocent?
The villainous deishling looks at Kuro as though he is out of his mind. A smirk forms on her face and she starts laughing in grim amusement at the boy's suggestion.
Kyra: Why don't I just throw myself off a cliff? Pathetic little creature!
Miko: So you already know what's in store for Raika now...
Kyra: Raika was mainly to be a hostage of sorts in order to increase my chances of being able to acquire the relic from you. However, it seems like it works out pretty well this way as well. And yes, I do have a pretty good idea of what's in store for Raika. And because of that, I'm confident that I won't even have to fight her for the relic seeing that she'll be dead soon.
The group realizes that she's right. Raika's trial has probably come and gone and they have been unable to prove their friend's innocence. From the way things stand, it seems that only a miracle will be enough to save Raika.
Kyra: Well, I guess I'm shall be going! And in order to keep you lot from going after me....Come out boys and girls!
About 20 or so individuals who are working under Kyra emerge from the foilage and surround the group.
Sparky: Oh...shit!
Kyra: I will make my departure now. Have fun!
Fabreanne: Great...
They all watch as Kyra runs off and then get ready to engage in a fight where they are clearly outnumbered.

[Mavrickindigo]

Veshra ran as far away as she could. Not only had her plan backfired, but it totally failed and she was a murderer.

She stopped and fell to the ground, her face crashing to the ground. It seemed like forever before she pushed herself up, spitting out some dirt from her mouth. She went to wipe her chin when she noticed what she had in her hand.

Her eyes widened and her one arm supporting her trembled as she saw the blood-stained dagger in her hand. She remembered the blood, the feel, the taste.

Veshra: Oh God!

She had just remembered she had licked Camillo's blood off of the weapon. The blood she had spilled. She dropped the weapon and placed her hands firmly on the ground to restore her balance, but it was too late and she expelled the contents of her stomach onto the ground.

It took her what seemed forever to grab onto a nearby tree and pull herself up. She felt sick all over, she couldn't go on...

Veshra: No...no more...I can't...

Veshra: But I must. I have to. I promised him...I-

Veshra: I what? Promised a dead man to help some brat I don't even know?

Veshra: I told him not to worry. That I'd take care of it?

Veshra: Well how am I going to do that, huh? I'm not going to be able to go anywhere near anyone ever again. I'm a murderer...

She blinked once then looked upward and onward with a smile on her face.

Veshra: Well...then Veshra will not go anywhere at all...

She teared up and smiled, sobbing.

Veshra: Thank you so much...I need to rest now

She gave a sly smile and reached up, pulling off the wig.

Veshra: Goodnight, Veshra...its time to have some fun...

[GeminiSaint]

At prison.

After having their last meal, Raika and Pizzaz are handcuffed and chained together, and they're put on death row. Literally. They both are taken to a small room where they can do little else but just wait their turn. The two deishling women sit on the floor against a wall. There are guards everywhere. A clock hanging on a nearby wall ticks fatefully. It all looks grim...

Pizzaz: *silent sob*
Raika: Damn it, girl. Don't do that.
Pizzaz: Sorry... *sniff* I didn't want to cry. I really didn't. *sniff* You know, Raika... I always knew this day would come, and I always thought I was tough enough to not care, but now that we are here... Man, why am I acting like this?!
Raika: Hmm...
Pizzaz: I'm a fool... I... *sob* I shouldn't be crying. I should be laughing at everyone instead! So why am I crying?
Raika: ...
Pizzaz: I kinda envy you, Raika. You really are strong. Stronger than me, anyway. How can you be so calm at a time like this? *sigh* I wish I could be like you right now.
Raika: Well, you are starting to scare me.
Pizzaz: S-sorry...
Raika: .oO(I've never seen her like this before. She's a nervous wreck!)
Pizzaz: I'm... I'm scared, Raika... I'm scared.
Raika: Pizzaz... .oO(Poor girl... The sudden realization of death struck her hard.)
Pizzaz: I don't want to die... I don't want to die, Raika!
Raika: Calm down! We're still alive, right?
Pizzaz: But, Raika! There's no escaping this one! We'll be executed in less than an hour! We--
Raika: Shh! Listen to me. I promise you one thing: We are not dying today. You heard it? We are not dying today.
Pizzaz: Raika... But, how?
Raika: *whispers* I'm a ninja *winks*.
Pizzaz: A... ninja? *blinks in disbelief*
Raika: Yup! That I am! *points to herself* I've got everything under control!
Pizzaz: *smiles, then chuckles a bit* Thank you, Raika. I really needed that.
Raika: .oO(But, I was being serious! Well, whatever works. She appears to be feeling a little better now, and that's what counts, I guess.)

[GeminiSaint]

At prison.

After having their last meal, Raika and Pizzaz are handcuffed and chained together, and they're put on death row. Literally. They both are taken to a small room where they can do little else but just wait their turn. The two deishling women sit on the floor against a wall. There are guards everywhere. A clock hanging on a nearby wall ticks fatefully. It all looks grim...

Pizzaz: *silent sob*
Raika: Damn it, girl. Don't do that.
Pizzaz: Sorry... *sniff* I didn't want to cry. I really didn't. *sniff* You know, Raika... I always knew this day would come, and I always thought I was tough enough to not care, but now that we are here... Man, why am I acting like this?!
Raika: Hmm...
Pizzaz: I'm a fool... I... *sob* I shouldn't be crying. I should be laughing at everyone instead! So why am I crying?
Raika: ...
Pizzaz: I kinda envy you, Raika. You really are strong. Stronger than me, anyway. How can you be so calm at a time like this? *sigh* I wish I could be like you right now.
Raika: Well, you are starting to scare me.
Pizzaz: S-sorry...
Raika: .oO(I've never seen her like this before. She's a nervous wreck!)
Pizzaz: I'm... I'm scared, Raika... I'm scared.
Raika: Pizzaz... .oO(Poor girl... The sudden realization of death struck her hard.)
Pizzaz: I don't want to die... I don't want to die, Raika!
Raika: Calm down! We're still alive, right?
Pizzaz: But, Raika! There's no escaping this one! We'll be executed in less than an hour! We--
Raika: Shh! Listen to me. I promise you one thing: We are not dying today. You heard it? We are not dying today.
Pizzaz: Raika... But, how?
Raika: *whispers* I'm a ninja *winks*.
Pizzaz: A... ninja? *blinks in disbelief*
Raika: Yup! That I am! *points to herself* I've got everything under control!
Pizzaz: *smiles, then chuckles a bit* Thank you, Raika. I really needed that.
Raika: .oO(But, I was being serious! Well, whatever works. She appears to be feeling a little better now, and that's what counts, I guess.)

[Lagi]

Valruz: Stay close, Kuzay…if we take them one at a time, we may defeat them.

Fabreanne: Easier said than done.

The soldiers draw closer…when suddenly…

Sparky: Nyah nyah nyah nyah nyah! You can’t kill us!

She suddenly begins chanting that while sticking her tongue out at the warriors. They appear confused. As they look at one another.

>POW!<

>BAM!<

>WHACK!<

Three of the soldiers go down quickly. Sparky is responsible for taking them out.

Sparky: Distraction is the way of defeat.

The rest of the soldiers are shocked at how quickly they were caught off guard. The defenders, not missing a beat, charge into action, swords swinging, spells casted. In moments, it’s over, with only a couple of soldiers remaining. Valruz goes to finish off the last two…

???: Hold!

Everyone suddenly stops in their tracks at the booming voice. From out of the trees comes an immense Orson, draped in a garb that appears to be somewhat ancient, yet clearly military.

???: All of you weaklings couldn’t even stand to take on a ratpack of civilians…I’m disappointed in the lot of you.

He steps towards the ex-cornered defenders, wielding a humongous halberd.

???: It’s been a while, Colonel.

Valruz: No…not you…

Miko: You know him?

Valruz: General Tyber…my former commander.

Tyber: So, why do you side with a group of inferiors?

Valruz: …I am sworn loyal to my Kuzay.

Tyber: HA HA HA! Loyalty! I knew you would fall.

???: That’s quite enough, Tyber.

A younger girl steps out behind him. She’s wearing a business suit and has thick-rimmed glasses. Very corporate in appearance.

Tyber: Ah…kuzay…I did not mean t-

???: STOP CALLING ME THAT!! My name is Josephine, got it?! I swear to goddess, if you don’t stop them, not only will I not get that raise from Kyra, but I will personally shave you bald and leave you in Escatrias!!

Tyber: Yes…kuzay…

The group begins to snicker, even Valruz.

Tyber: Laugh while you can…

Tyber lunges forward.

Valruz: Stand back, Kuzay!

Valruz engages in combat with his former commander, the two exchanging powerful blows, and the very ground appearing to shake beneath them. Miko gets one of the themes she heard in one of Raika’s RPGs involving monsters in her head. Miko shakes it from her head and runs toward the now wrestling Orsons.

Valruz: Kuzay, run! You have to get going!

Miko: But what about you?

Valruz: Just go!

Charlotte: …the bear has a point. C’mon, let’s get going!

They all escape from the area.

Josephine: Y-you can’t leave! I haven’t gotten my paycheck yet!

She tries to whack them with her clipboard as they run past, but she can’t get them to stop.
(OOC- Josephine’s the brains and Tyber’s the brawn, basically)

Valruz manages to get Tyber off of him and the two face off.

Tyber: Die, outcast!

Tyber charges towards Valruz, but the heroic orson manages to grab Tyber’s shoulders, he falls back, and uses his momentum to throw Tyber far behind him.

Tyber: UUAAAAGH!

>THUD!<

He lands in a large puddle of mud, with some thorn bushes encircling it. Valruz grabs his sword and takes off towards the others, leaving a furious Josephine behind.

Josephine: OOOOH! Do I have to do everything myself?!

Josephine stomps over towards Tyber.

Josephine: Get up…GET UP, YOU LOUSY BRUTE!

Tyber recovers, wiping the mud from his face and gritting his teeth as he removes the thorns from his legs.

Josephine: Kyra wanted something from them…and if you don’t get it, I won’t get paid. You understand?

Tyber: …

Josephine: I SAID DO YOU UNDERSTAND, TYBER?!

Tyber: …yes, Kuzay…

[Elec]

Kyra arrives in Aviria and starts asking around about where Raika lives. A villager doing some shopping notices the newcomer, and goes over to greet her.
Villager: Hello, stranger! Welcome to Aviria!
Kyra: Excuse me. Do you have any idea where this person lives?
She shows a picture of Raika
Villager: Ah, the town troublemaker. She was recently arrested for murder, you know.
Kyra: I know that. I'm an old acquaintence of hers. She was always getting into trouble and destroying things. However, I never thought she was capable of sometime as serious as murder. Hence, I was pretty shocked when I read about it in the newspaper. So do you by any chance know where she lived prior to her arrest?
Villager: Yeah, she lived with her brother over there.
Kyra: I was just going to pick something up from her house. I heard she's gonna hang tomorrow.
Villager: Yeah, she lived with him. It's tearing him up, poor guy, but there's not much you can do with firecrackers like that.
Kyra: Eh. Well thanks.
She heads over to the house and knocks on the door.
Kyra: Anyone home?!
Beebi: C-coming!
He answers the door.
Kyra: You're not too fast on the uptake are you? Well...I want to ask about something that this person owned.
She shows him Raika's picture.
Beebi: Why? What do you want? Don't you know she's going to be killed tomorrow!
Kyra: It's a pendant of sorts. I think there's more to it that meets the eye. And I am perfectly aware of that. All the more reason to give it to me for safe keeping. If you don't give it to me.... *pulls out her chain whip* I just may have to take it by force.
Beebi: H-hey! No need to get violent! Just.... come in, come in!
Kyra: Thank you.
She puts her chain whip away and starts tearing the house apart
Beebi: Oh, come on! I just cleaned the place yesterday!
Kyra, irritated: Do you know where your stupid sister keeps her junk?!
Beebi: In her room... but I don't know where, exactly...
He sees that Kyra is already heading towards Raika's room.
Beebi: You can't go in there! She'll... eh...
Kyra gives him a grim smirk.
Kyra: What? Haunt me?
Beebi doesn't reply and watches as Kyra goes into Raika's room and starts rummaging through everything. After a few minutes, she finds a lockbox and brings it out. However, she doesn't know the combination. She could just smash the lock but she doesn't want this whole thing to look too much like a theft.
Kyra: Do you know the combination to this?
Beebi: No. She never told me.
Kyra: Right. It looks old...as though she had it ever since she was a little kid. Surely you had to read it when you first got it. Besides...did you really trust her that much?
Beebi: Well...... I don't think I should tell you...
Kyra lashes out at him with her chain whip; he winces as the metal tears into his arm.
Beebi: Ack!! It's 81710!
Kyra smiles and opens it. Inside is a bunch of keepsakes including the pendant.
She takes the pendant out and then slams the box on the ground. She then pushes Beebi down and storms out the door
Beebi: ......... What a mess...... why did she want that thing, anyway?
He feels some pain on his arm and looks and sees that the whip made a pretty deep gash
Beebi: Great....
He then looks down and sees a piece of paper. He pockets it and heads to the hospital.
Kyra watches him from a distance.
Kyra: .oO(The dumb sap didn't even put up much of a fight...speaking of which, I wonder if he picked up that fake memo I dropped?)
Smiling, she pulls the real one out of her jacket before heading out of town.

[Elec]

Kyra arrives in Aviria and starts asking around about where Raika lives. A villager doing some shopping notices the newcomer, and goes over to greet her.
Villager: Hello, stranger! Welcome to Aviria!
Kyra: Excuse me. Do you have any idea where this person lives?
She shows a picture of Raika
Villager: Ah, the town troublemaker. She was recently arrested for murder, you know.
Kyra: I know that. I'm an old acquaintence of hers. She was always getting into trouble and destroying things. However, I never thought she was capable of sometime as serious as murder. Hence, I was pretty shocked when I read about it in the newspaper. So do you by any chance know where she lived prior to her arrest?
Villager: Yeah, she lived with her brother over there.
Kyra: I was just going to pick something up from her house. I heard she's gonna hang tomorrow.
Villager: Yeah, she lived with him. It's tearing him up, poor guy, but there's not much you can do with firecrackers like that.
Kyra: Eh. Well thanks.
She heads over to the house and knocks on the door.
Kyra: Anyone home?!
Beebi: C-coming!
He answers the door.
Kyra: You're not too fast on the uptake are you? Well...I want to ask about something that this person owned.
She shows him Raika's picture.
Beebi: Why? What do you want? Don't you know she's going to be killed tomorrow!
Kyra: It's a pendant of sorts. I think there's more to it that meets the eye. And I am perfectly aware of that. All the more reason to give it to me for safe keeping. If you don't give it to me.... *pulls out her chain whip* I just may have to take it by force.
Beebi: H-hey! No need to get violent! Just.... come in, come in!
Kyra: Thank you.
She puts her chain whip away and starts tearing the house apart
Beebi: Oh, come on! I just cleaned the place yesterday!
Kyra, irritated: Do you know where your stupid sister keeps her junk?!
Beebi: In her room... but I don't know where, exactly...
He sees that Kyra is already heading towards Raika's room.
Beebi: You can't go in there! She'll... eh...
Kyra gives him a grim smirk.
Kyra: What? Haunt me?
Beebi doesn't reply and watches as Kyra goes into Raika's room and starts rummaging through everything. After a few minutes, she finds a lockbox and brings it out. However, she doesn't know the combination. She could just smash the lock but she doesn't want this whole thing to look too much like a theft.
Kyra: Do you know the combination to this?
Beebi: No. She never told me.
Kyra: Right. It looks old...as though she had it ever since she was a little kid. Surely you had to read it when you first got it. Besides...did you really trust her that much?
Beebi: Well...... I don't think I should tell you...
Kyra lashes out at him with her chain whip; he winces as the metal tears into his arm.
Beebi: Ack!! It's 81710!
Kyra smiles and opens it. Inside is a bunch of keepsakes including the pendant.
She takes the pendant out and then slams the box on the ground. She then pushes Beebi down and storms out the door
Beebi: ......... What a mess...... why did she want that thing, anyway?
He feels some pain on his arm and looks and sees that the whip made a pretty deep gash
Beebi: Great....
He then looks down and sees a piece of paper. He pockets it and heads to the hospital.
Kyra watches him from a distance.
Kyra: .oO(The dumb sap didn't even put up much of a fight...speaking of which, I wonder if he picked up that fake memo I dropped?)
Smiling, she pulls the real one out of her jacket before heading out of town.

[Ricky]

The group, which in the space of one mere hour has lost two of its members, runs quickly down the road to Landrill, with Tyber and Josephine following in hot pursuit.
Sparky: Unbelievable! It's just one thing after another!
Charlotte: W-what about Camillo? We c-can't just leave his body there!
Sparky: Ugh... we'll file a report at the police station in Landrill; they'll send some people to pick him up.
Kuro, gestures at their pursuers: And what do we do about those two?
Fabreanne: I have an idea, but we have to get into town first! Once we get there, Charlotte will take you and Miko to buy us tickets to... where are we going?
Miko: Well, we know Kyra's behind Raika's arrest and everything... maybe we need to find her, or figure out what she's looking for?
Valruz: Kuzay, if it is helpful, I recognized her style of clothing as being native to the city of Watergrail. Perhaps we can learn of her intentions there?
Sparky: Then Watergrail it is!
The group enters town and runs down a few streets; however, Josephine and Tygar don't lose them, as Josephine is spurring Tygar. As they approach an intersection, Fabreanne comes to a stop, panting, and turns to face their persuers. The others stop and look at her in surprise.
Fabreanne: Okay, here's the deal. Charlotte, take the kids and get us boat tickets to Watergrail. Sparky, Valruz, head these two off and lose them in some alleys somewhere. I'll go to the police and report what happened to Camillo and Veshra. We'll meet at the harbor in half an hour. Go!
With that command, Fabreanne casts Disappear, creating a large cloud of black smoke.
Josephine: Blast them! Hurry, Tygar, we're losing them!
The two of them continue towards the cloud of smoke. As it clears, Sparky and Valruz become visible, running down the eastern street. Laughing more out of relief than glee, Josephine spurs Tygar onwards.

Half an hour later, Sparky and Valruz arrive at the harbor, out of breath and looking quite exhausted. Charlotte, who was pacing around nervously, waiting, walks over to them.
Charlotte: H-hi! You lost them?
Sparky, nods: Yeah... took a bit of doing, though. They kept catching us. Finally ducked into a department store and hid in the aisles, and then snuck out when they were looking the other way.
Valruz: I apologize for dragging you into my past.
Sparky: Not now, Valruz. Where are Miko and Kuro?
Charlotte points down the harbor to where Miko and Kuro are sitting on a dock, concentrating on fishing.
Sparky, nods: Good.
Fabreanne, walks up: Is everyone here?
Charlotte: Y-yeah, I think so. How did it go?
Fabreanne, shrugs: It went fine... I told them what happened, that we're trying to exonerate Raika, and how Veshra stabbed Camillo... so now they have her on a wanted list. I had to go with them to find Camillo, though- that's why it took me so long to get here.
Sparky: All right. You got the tickets, right, Charlotte?
Charlotte, holds out six tickets: Yep. The boat leaves in an hour.

OoC: Mavrick, this would be a great spot to introduce a secondary character or have Veshra return in disguise. (This is the main reason I didn't get them to Watergrail.)

[Ricky]

The group, which in the space of one mere hour has lost two of its members, runs quickly down the road to Landrill, with Tyber and Josephine following in hot pursuit.
Sparky: Unbelievable! It's just one thing after another!
Charlotte: W-what about Camillo? We c-can't just leave his body there!
Sparky: Ugh... we'll file a report at the police station in Landrill; they'll send some people to pick him up.
Kuro, gestures at their pursuers: And what do we do about those two?
Fabreanne: I have an idea, but we have to get into town first! Once we get there, Charlotte will take you and Miko to buy us tickets to... where are we going?
Miko: Well, we know Kyra's behind Raika's arrest and everything... maybe we need to find her, or figure out what she's looking for?
Valruz: Kuzay, if it is helpful, I recognized her style of clothing as being native to the city of Watergrail. Perhaps we can learn of her intentions there?
Sparky: Then Watergrail it is!
The group enters town and runs down a few streets; however, Josephine and Tygar don't lose them, as Josephine is spurring Tygar. As they approach an intersection, Fabreanne comes to a stop, panting, and turns to face their persuers. The others stop and look at her in surprise.
Fabreanne: Okay, here's the deal. Charlotte, take the kids and get us boat tickets to Watergrail. Sparky, Valruz, head these two off and lose them in some alleys somewhere. I'll go to the police and report what happened to Camillo and Veshra. We'll meet at the harbor in half an hour. Go!
With that command, Fabreanne casts Disappear, creating a large cloud of black smoke.
Josephine: Blast them! Hurry, Tygar, we're losing them!
The two of them continue towards the cloud of smoke. As it clears, Sparky and Valruz become visible, running down the eastern street. Laughing more out of relief than glee, Josephine spurs Tygar onwards.

Half an hour later, Sparky and Valruz arrive at the harbor, out of breath and looking quite exhausted. Charlotte, who was pacing around nervously, waiting, walks over to them.
Charlotte: H-hi! You lost them?
Sparky, nods: Yeah... took a bit of doing, though. They kept catching us. Finally ducked into a department store and hid in the aisles, and then snuck out when they were looking the other way.
Valruz: I apologize for dragging you into my past.
Sparky: Not now, Valruz. Where are Miko and Kuro?
Charlotte points down the harbor to where Miko and Kuro are sitting on a dock, concentrating on fishing.
Sparky, nods: Good.
Fabreanne, walks up: Is everyone here?
Charlotte: Y-yeah, I think so. How did it go?
Fabreanne, shrugs: It went fine... I told them what happened, that we're trying to exonerate Raika, and how Veshra stabbed Camillo... so now they have her on a wanted list. I had to go with them to find Camillo, though- that's why it took me so long to get here.
Sparky: All right. You got the tickets, right, Charlotte?
Charlotte, holds out six tickets: Yep. The boat leaves in an hour.

OoC: Mavrick, this would be a great spot to introduce a secondary character or have Veshra return in disguise. (This is the main reason I didn't get them to Watergrail.)

[GeminiSaint]

At prison.

A guard comes over.

Guard: Well, it's time.
Pizzaz: What? It... can't be!
Raika: Yeah, wasn't it supposed to be tomorrow?
Guard: There have been some changes in the judge's schedule. The execution has been rescheduled to happen today, in thirty minutes.

Saying no more, the guard opens the cell and more guards enter to fetch Raika and Pizzaz. Just a few minutes later, Raika and Pizzaz find themselves being led -in heavy chains- to the gallows in the main plaza. There are hundreds of townspeople there, as the execution was made public. Judge Morth is also there, watching from a special seat designated for him. He looks grim as usual, but not especially interested in the event to take place within minutes. It was actually all routinary for him.

Raika doesn't seem upset, but Pizzaz does. She eyes the lassos hanging inert from the wooden structure ahead, and a deep fear pools in her stomach, causing her to shiver. She involuntarily slows down her pace, but the guards force her to keep moving on. Raika, in the meantime, studies the whole area carefully. Her eyes eventually set on something, and she grins, but nobody notices that. Eventually, the two deishling girls find themselves standing on the wooden platform, watching the massive crowd waiting below. There are two lassos hanging next to them, one for each of them. The executioner makes some last-minute checks before moving on. The silence is deafening.

Executioner: Any last wishes?
Pizzaz is too overrun by fear to answer, but Raika does.
Raika: Yeah, I'd like to smoke a cigarette.
Executioner: Very well.

The man reaches into his pocket, produces a cigarette, lights it, then gives it to Raika. She smokes it for a couple of seconds, then spits it away unceremoniously.

Raika: You call that crap a cigarette? Oh, please, just get this over with!

The executioner shrugs, then proceeds to wrap the lasso around Raika's neck, then does the same with Pizzaz, who sobs, powerless to do anything about her impending doom.

Pizzaz: *desperate* Please! I don't want to die!
Executioner: Sorry, gal, but I can't do anything about it. Don't worry, though: it won't hurt a bit. It happens so fast that you will never know what happened. One moment you are alive, and the very next moment, *snaps fingers* you are gone, just like that.

Of course, that hardly puts the poor girl at ease. The tactless executioner shrugs in an "well, I tried" kind of way, then proceeds to wrap a blindfold around each of the two deishling girls. Once he is done with that, he makes his way toward the lever... The one lever that, once pulled, will open the trap-doors at the feet of the condemned girls. The man turns toward Judge Morth, who nods his approval, then reaches out toward the dreaded lever. Raika, in the meantime, whispers a countdown to herself.

Raika: *whispering inaudibly* "Six... Five... Four..."

Almost as if in dramatic slow motion, the executioner wraps his fingers around the lever, the crowd holding their collective breath with anxiety. Ominous heart beats resound gravely in the deep, deep silence.

Raika: *whispering inaudibly* "Three... Two... One..."



A massive explosion rocks the place!!! The lit cigarette Raika "rejected" a few moments earlier was deliberately spat toward a nearby carriage full of powder barrels!! Taking advantage of the ensuing confusion, Raika takes the rope off her neck and does the same with Pizzaz. The sandy colored deishling immediately casts a whirlwind spell that sends all guards flying away! Screams, fire and chaos take ahold of the whole plaza! People run in every other way in panic as more explosions ensue! Morth rises from his seat with dumbstruck eyes.

Morth: What... what witchcraft is this?!?

Taking the still chained and blindfolded (and absolutely confused) Pizzaz with her, the equally chained and blindfolded Raika uses the force of her magical whirlwinds to leap high and away! They quickly jump over the city walls, making for a successful escape before Morth's widened eyes! The judge can't believe what he has just witnessed, but he quickly puts himself together and starts yelling orders out loud, practically barking them.

Morth: AFTER THEM!!! NOW!!!

Snapped back to reality by Morth's furious yelling, a dozen of guards hastily set out after the fugitives as quickly as they possibly can.

Meanwhile, somewhere in the forest surrounding the city, Raika takes both her and Pizzaz's blindfolds off. The beige-colored deishling looks as puzzled as one could possibly be.

Pizzaz: What-... Where-... How-... Just-...
Raika: I'll explain later. Now we run!
Pizzaz: A...all right.

Even though they are still linked by an unbreakable iron chain that binds Pizzaz's right wrist with Raika's left wrist, the two deishling girls manage to run reasonably fast across the woods without getting in the way of each other too much. About half a mile behind them, though, the hastily assembled group of guards follow their tracks in hot pursuit...

[GeminiSaint]

At prison.

A guard comes over.

Guard: Well, it's time.
Pizzaz: What? It... can't be!
Raika: Yeah, wasn't it supposed to be tomorrow?
Guard: There have been some changes in the judge's schedule. The execution has been rescheduled to happen today, in thirty minutes.

Saying no more, the guard opens the cell and more guards enter to fetch Raika and Pizzaz. Just a few minutes later, Raika and Pizzaz find themselves being led -in heavy chains- to the gallows in the main plaza. There are hundreds of townspeople there, as the execution was made public. Judge Morth is also there, watching from a special seat designated for him. He looks grim as usual, but not especially interested in the event to take place within minutes. It was actually all routinary for him.

Raika doesn't seem upset, but Pizzaz does. She eyes the lassos hanging inert from the wooden structure ahead, and a deep fear pools in her stomach, causing her to shiver. She involuntarily slows down her pace, but the guards force her to keep moving on. Raika, in the meantime, studies the whole area carefully. Her eyes eventually set on something, and she grins, but nobody notices that. Eventually, the two deishling girls find themselves standing on the wooden platform, watching the massive crowd waiting below. There are two lassos hanging next to them, one for each of them. The executioner makes some last-minute checks before moving on. The silence is deafening.

Executioner: Any last wishes?
Pizzaz is too overrun by fear to answer, but Raika does.
Raika: Yeah, I'd like to smoke a cigarette.
Executioner: Very well.

The man reaches into his pocket, produces a cigarette, lights it, then gives it to Raika. She smokes it for a couple of seconds, then spits it away unceremoniously.

Raika: You call that crap a cigarette? Oh, please, just get this over with!

The executioner shrugs, then proceeds to wrap the lasso around Raika's neck, then does the same with Pizzaz, who sobs, powerless to do anything about her impending doom.

Pizzaz: *desperate* Please! I don't want to die!
Executioner: Sorry, gal, but I can't do anything about it. Don't worry, though: it won't hurt a bit. It happens so fast that you will never know what happened. One moment you are alive, and the very next moment, *snaps fingers* you are gone, just like that.

Of course, that hardly puts the poor girl at ease. The tactless executioner shrugs in an "well, I tried" kind of way, then proceeds to wrap a blindfold around each of the two deishling girls. Once he is done with that, he makes his way toward the lever... The one lever that, once pulled, will open the trap-doors at the feet of the condemned girls. The man turns toward Judge Morth, who nods his approval, then reaches out toward the dreaded lever. Raika, in the meantime, whispers a countdown to herself.

Raika: *whispering inaudibly* "Six... Five... Four..."

Almost as if in dramatic slow motion, the executioner wraps his fingers around the lever, the crowd holding their collective breath with anxiety. Ominous heart beats resound gravely in the deep, deep silence.

Raika: *whispering inaudibly* "Three... Two... One..."



A massive explosion rocks the place!!! The lit cigarette Raika "rejected" a few moments earlier was deliberately spat toward a nearby carriage full of powder barrels!! Taking advantage of the ensuing confusion, Raika takes the rope off her neck and does the same with Pizzaz. The sandy colored deishling immediately casts a whirlwind spell that sends all guards flying away! Screams, fire and chaos take ahold of the whole plaza! People run in every other way in panic as more explosions ensue! Morth rises from his seat with dumbstruck eyes.

Morth: What... what witchcraft is this?!?

Taking the still chained and blindfolded (and absolutely confused) Pizzaz with her, the equally chained and blindfolded Raika uses the force of her magical whirlwinds to leap high and away! They quickly jump over the city walls, making for a successful escape before Morth's widened eyes! The judge can't believe what he has just witnessed, but he quickly puts himself together and starts yelling orders out loud, practically barking them.

Morth: AFTER THEM!!! NOW!!!

Snapped back to reality by Morth's furious yelling, a dozen of guards hastily set out after the fugitives as quickly as they possibly can.

Meanwhile, somewhere in the forest surrounding the city, Raika takes both her and Pizzaz's blindfolds off. The beige-colored deishling looks as puzzled as one could possibly be.

Pizzaz: What-... Where-... How-... Just-...
Raika: I'll explain later. Now we run!
Pizzaz: A...all right.

Even though they are still linked by an unbreakable iron chain that binds Pizzaz's right wrist with Raika's left wrist, the two deishling girls manage to run reasonably fast across the woods without getting in the way of each other too much. About half a mile behind them, though, the hastily assembled group of guards follow their tracks in hot pursuit...

[Mavrickindigo]

The quiet wood's sway sends a wave of silence in peace
the warrior lies cold, one with the earth
his blood returns to the earth which spawned it
circling in the vast complexities of existence

The words were written meticulously with an expensive pen. The ink rolled on the page of the book as the poet saw the body of Camillo laying peaceful, still smiling, unaware of what had befallen to his friends. Just then the sound of footsteps broke the silence.

Fabreanne: He should be up here.

With quick movements, the poet was completely out of site, but was able to hear the scene that followed. The poet waited until Fabreanne and the police cleared up the scene before it made its move, following the Deishling to her destination.

Later

The group got back together after splitting up and regrouping. As they discussed their next move, a rather interesting individual walked up to purchase a ticket. On first glance, one might say it was a woman, but upon further study one might conclude it was a man. Standing tall in his brown suit, he looked rather important. His half-moon reading glasses gave him an educated air while his face, while unmistakably that of an all-too-familiar race to the group, had a more serious and studious look to it. His hair was long and white and tied into a long ponytail. His yellow cat-like eyes were glued to a book as he reached his gloved hand to receive his ticket. The blue-skinned academic then walked to the pier and gazed to the sea.

Poet: Ah...children at play, is there nothing more innocent and more sad in this world...? *his voice sounded male but had a feminine quality to it*

As he said this, Miko and Kuro turned around and almost feel off of the pier as they saw him. They jumped up with looks of rage and sadness.

Miko: Veshra! How could you?

At this sound, the rest turned and ran to the pier, effectively surrounding the poet.

Sparky: What are you doing here, showing your face to us after what you did!

Valruz charged at the poet, but he nimbly dodged by leaping into the air and landing on his shoulders.

Poet: *reading his book* Such a folly it is to jump so harshly to conclusions. Such mistakes could cost you your life, as it is costing your friend.

Fabreanne: What are you talking about?

He casually hopped off of Valruz and turned a page in his book, facing her.

Poet: So you must be the one from the forest. I couldn't help but follow you after I saw Mr. Mario's silent and cold form. I see you all suffer from mistaken identity. I don't blame you, its a common trait for the unenlightened, and uneducated. *he puled out a newspaper clipping from his book. It was of Raika's arrest* I felt it would make an interesting story for my novel: A local delinquent is charged with something she did not do...quite sad. Although from your reactions to me I assume you've met my sister...quite a common reaction. What is it she did this time? *he looked passively in his book*

They all looked at each other in bewilderment, then huddled together.

Sparky: What do you think?

Fabreanne: He seems too much like Veshra

Valruz: Much smarter though.

Kuro: More mature as well

Charlotte: But very cold...I don't think this is Veshra, no matter how well she'd disguise herself. After what she did, she couldn't possibly risk being near us ever again.

Fabreanne: Not to mention why would she disguise herself like that when she's a wanted criminal?

Sparky: A twin brother is quite convenient though...

The Poet sighed as he thumbed through his book.

Poet: Indeed, I cannot write things so perfectly. Is not our world infinitely more interesting than those we create? *he closes his book, takes off his glasses, and turns towards the group.* My name is Karkile Ashran. Perhaps we have many tales to tell each other? *the sound to board rings* And it appears we have a ship to share them on.

Name: Kharkile Ashran
Age: ??
Gender: Unknown (claims to be male)
Species: Sheq'Kral
Appearance: Tall with light blue skin and well-kept white hair tied in a long ponytail. Wears a brown formal business suit and half-moon spectacles and always seen reading a book. His build is very feminine, but he establishes that he's male. He has a lizard-like tail that he wraps around his waist most of the time
Weapon: a hidden dagger in the pages of the book he reads. Is also able to wield any bladed weapon with ease. His pen also has a sharp blade hidden within it.
Skills: A master of disguise but prefers to stick to academics. He is a very rational and well-grounded individual that uses his reasoning and logic more than his desception
Abilities: Able to alter his skeletal structure and skin pigmentation to complete a disguise
Bio: Kharkile comes from a family of Sheq'Kral thieves and spies but he decided to leave for a proper college education. He spends most of his time musing over his poetry and prose but still has a great loyalty to his family. When he hears something happened with his sister, he decided to find out what.

[Lagi]

The group boards the boat. 15 minutes later, it has set sail.

MEANWHILE...

Josephine: OOOOH! Damnit, where did they go?!

Tyber looks around for a few seconds before walking over to a building.

Josephine: Is it my fault? Hmm? Am I fated to be around idiots? Am I fated not to get this raise? This is too cruel!

Tyber speaks not a word and begins to scale the building, leaving large indentations where his paws have gripped the sides of the building. In moments, he's on top of it.

Josephine: ...Maybe I'm not cut out for this...maybe I should get another job...maybe a secretary at Montcorp...no, I'm not THAT good...maybe...maybe I should just open a small coffee shop in town...yeah, that so-

Tyber: Our prey travels overseas.

Tyber is looking out to the harbor.

Josephine: AHA! I knew it! Come on, lummox! I've got a raise to claim!

Tyber: ...>sigh<...yes, Kuzay...

MEANWHILE, BACK ONBOARD...

Valruz takes a seat in one of the cabins, holding his head in his hand.

Kharkile: Ah, a tragic hero, pondering his own purpose...or is it a fallen villain who needs guidance to his end?

Valruz: Shove off, bard.

Kharkile: ...as the bear wishes, though I am not hurt by the Ursarian's pride.

Kharkile walks down the hall to a lounge.

Valruz: .oO(Tyber...why do you show your face again, now, after all these years?)

Miko: What's wrong, Valruz?

Valruz: I-It is nothing, Kuzay.

Miko: C'mon, you can tell me.

Valruz: I told you, I do not wish to trouble you with my past.

Miko: But I wanna know...why does he want you dead?

Valruz: ...

Charlotte: You don't have to hide it.

Valruz: . . .Alright...but only because my Kuzay insists. Long ago, my kind had an empire...we were powerful, we were great...but then, slowly, our borders were drawn closer to our homeland. Many governments assaulted and killed many of our people, taking the lands for their own. Only our homeland, a sacred island out in the ocean, was left untouched. It remained that way for 200 years, until 15 years ago...

15 YEARS AGO...

A younger Valruz stands at attention as his superior passes.

Tyber: At ease, Colonel. This is no time to stand at attention...

Valruz: General?

Tyber: An ambassador from the mainland is set to arrive tommorow afternoon.

Valruz: An ambassador? Here? Why?

Tyber: Our King has insisted that we improve our ties with the mainland...we can't sustain ourselves on this island forever.

Valruz: But what of the tradition?

Tyber: Leave that to the politicians. The point is I want you down there to guard the dock, awaiting my orders. Understood?

Valruz: Yes sir! I'll be there tommorow, to make sure this ambassador gets a proper welcome!

Tyber: Indeed...very good, dismissed.

Valruz walks off to his quarters, preparing for the next day.

Tyber: Oh, and Valruz...

Valruz: Sir?

Tyber: ...it'll be 6 years as of tommorow, right?

Valruz: ...

Tyber: I am sorry...

Valruz: Don't be...there's nothing that could be done.

Valruz paces off.

The next day...

King: Welcome to my Island, Miss...

Ambassador: Forturas. Lily Forturas.

King: A pleasure to meet you...come, I have prepared a feast in your honor.

Lily: Your manners precede your reputation...stories tell of you Orsons being nothing but senseless barbarians.

King: Perhaps we can learn more about one another...our stories made you out to be senseless monkeys.

Lily: Heeheehee...yes, we shall see.

Valruz stands at attention, watching the two talk.

That night, after the feast...

Lily: .oO(Such a remarkable palace...I must report this back home...this land is a treasure, and should be protected...)

???: NOW!

Lily suddenly finds herself in the grasp of Tyber, with a knife to her neck. Valruz rounds a corner quickly with his sword already drawn.

Tyber: Scream and you have a new breathing hole.

Valruz: ...the ambassador? Sir, you told me that it was a traitor wandering the halls.

Tyber: Oh, there's a traitor alright...

King: What's going on here?

Tyber: And there's the traitor, now.

King: What's the meaning of this?!

Tyber hits Lily over the head, knocking her out, and throws her into Valruz's arms. Tyber then brings out his halberd and aims it at the King's throat.

Tyber: You sold us out...you could have regained our glory, but no, you decided to sell us out!

King: I just want peace...

Tyber: You lie! You lie!

King: Please, let me exp-...

>SHLIKT!<

King: Ungh...

Tyber: The trator has been slain...Well, I will be assuming command now...I'll make sure our glory is restored...Valruz, take Lily up to the high tower and lock her up...she's going to be our bargaining chip...

Valruz just stands there, unsure of what to do.

Tyber: Perhaps you didn't hear me, soldier. Do it, and do it now!

Valruz: No...this is wrong.

Tyber: You are not following orders...are you a traitor as well?

The other guards train their swords on Valruz.

Valruz: The only traitor is you, Tyber...don't you realize this is wrong?

Valruz starts to slink back, the swords drawing closer.

Tyber: Take him.

They strike, but Valruz manages to fight them off long enough to make it to the stairs. As he does, a group of palace guards cross his path.

Valruz: General Tyber's trying to take over! Stop him!

The guards nod and dash upstairs. In moments, he can hear swords clanging and cries of agony. However, in moments, another sound is heard...

>FWAVOOOSH!<

Flames begin to spout from the stairwell...someone must have knocked over a torch.

Valruz: ...great...just great...

Valruz hefts Lily into his arms and dashes down to the docks, setting sail in a small boat as the temple burns.

---

Valruz sails out to the Molovaian vessel that Lily had disembarked from and leaves her out on a bench on-deck, before slipping into the boat and sailing for the mainland.

Valruz: They will never believe us...they will see my kind as savages...my kingdom is dead...Tyber, you fool......

Valruz ponders his fate, then decides...

Valruz: 6 years...

---------------------------------

Valruz: I've wandered all that time...and that's how I ended up here...not many of us are left, and now, Tyber won't rest until he's killed me.

Miko: I'm sorry.

Valruz: It's alright, Kuzay...when he comes around again, I'll deal with him.

He gets up, as do the others.

Valruz: Actually, I feel a lot better, getting that off my chest.

Charlotte: Let's join the others in the lounge.

Miko: Good plan.

The three walk into the lounge to "share stories."

[Mavrickindigo]

Kharkile walked into the group's little corner of the boat's lounge and sat down. He thumbed through a few pages of his book. After a few moments, he casually looked up and saw everyone's eyes on him.

Kharkile: If you have something you'd like to say, could you please say it? While I am a fan of dramatic tension, I have to say that in conversation, one must make to the point. Although I suppose what you have is the nagging feeling that I am in fact my sister. Knowing her there is probably nothing I can show you that can prove otherwise.

Fabreanne: That's exactly what's on our minds...you just show up as soon as she leaves after killing Camillo and you expect us to believe that Veshra's twin brother knew exactly when and where to find us?

Kharkile's eyes rose from his book for a split second when he heard of the murder, but then continued to stare passively at his work.

Kharkile: So that's what happened...I see...nonetheless it seems that you are all grossly uneducated in the ways of the Sheq'Kral.

Charlotte: Sheq'Kral? Is that what you are? What exactly is that?

Kharkile stood up and closed his book.

Kharkile: Much of the Sheq'Kral is a secret as we pride ourselves in keeping our identity a secret. For most of my time I look like this. *his skin changed color before their eyes and his face took the appearance of a normal human male.* At least until I decided to go to college. Might as well go as myself, although where I went to school it was necessary as the site of anything non-human is frightening. Did you know that they don't even know magic there? I'm surprised the courts could keep your friend in there seeing as she is a Deishling. But I am rambling. *he coughed a little and returned to normal* my "people" usually work as thieves or spies, never revealing their true forms so as to preserve their secrecy. We're also a very anti-social race. We hardly have any sort of connections to family or friends however we possess an ability to feel when another of our kind is in trouble. I received that physic message recently and found the body of Camillo at the end of it. I could not sense my sister and I had grown worried...if you wish to see proof that I speak the truth, let me show you.

He opened his book and took out a small photograph. It showed Veshra smiling widely with her arm slung around a very well-dressed and very drenched Kharkile. He passed it around to them

Kharkile: My sister is rather...mentally perverse amongst us. She claims to be as distant as many of our fellows but requires attention and affection. Here she just dumped a bucket of lakewater over me while I was composing a sonnet.

Sparky: I thought you said you had nothing to prove you were who you said you were.

Kharkile: Well if I hadn't established a reason for Veshra's oddities, I'm sure that would not have helped in a literary sense...but I am interested in the entirety of the story behind your knowing my sister. Please enlighten me. *he sat back down and picked a pin out of his jacket pocket, opening his book*

[Elec]

<<OOC: Thanks to Ricky for help with the dialog.>>

IC:

The boat arrives in Watergrail and the group disembarks and starts looking around the city unsure of what they should do next.
Sparky: .oO(I'm no longer certain if it'll do any good coming here...but it's the only lead we have...)
Fabreanne: All right, where do we start?
Meanwhile, Miko, Kuro, Valruz, and Charlotte are still engaged in a discussion among themselves. They snap back into reality once Sparky gets their attention.
Sparky: ...Anyway, let's first get a hotel room. We probably will be here for at least overnight.
Fabreanne: Yeah, that's a good idea... but then what do we do after that?
Sparky: .....This is going to sound really dumb but....I don't know.
Kharkile: Ah, wandering about without a plan.
Sparky: You got anything better, pal?
Kharkile: Well why do we not listen to the gossip. I normally detest the art of spying but in this case it may be necessary
Kuro: I doubt most people will be talking about Kyra for no reason...
Miko: Agreed, this city is pretty big for everyone to know everyone else.
Kharkile: Whatever would you know about city life? You live in the forest away from civilization.
The two deishling kids look at each other and then look at him. They then back away a few steps.
Miko: How do you know so much about us?
Valruz: If I didn't know better, Kuzay, I would say that he was a spy himself.
After Valruz says this Kharkile actually looks a bit anxious himself. Fabreanne just sights and tries to act as a voice of reason before an arguement breaks out.
Fabreanne: Enough, enough. Kharkile, how do you know Miko and Kuro live in a forest?
Kharkile: Is it truly of necessity to explain my knowledge?
Fabreanne: Yes, because we've already been betrayed by one of your kind.
Kharkile: Ah such the nature of the unenlightened. My sister has caused you great trouble but please do not be so quick to judge an entire group based on one individual
Kuro: Um...Sparky? Can Miko and I go fishing? Please?
It's obvious that the two kids want to get away from Kharkile.
Sparky: Yeah, go ahead. Just don't get lost.
Miko: Thanks...
The two of them run off immediately. As soon as they're out of sight Charlotte and Valruz turn to Sparky.
Valruz: I think I'll go as well.
Charlotte: Me too. I don't want those kids getting lost in this crowded place.
Without another word, Valruz and Charlotte go to join the kids at the pier. Kharkile turns to Sparky and Fabreanne who are pretty much the only ones that have not run off.
Kharkile: Hmm...I sense that they fear me. Why do I cause them to feel uneasy?
Sparky: You know stuff about them you shouldn't know. That's reason enough in my book.
Kharkile: I do apologize but I mean no ill will to you. If I must explain, observing the masses is a hobby of mine.
Fabreanne: I think you should either get another hobby or pursue it in a more socially acceptable manner.

[Elec]

<<OOC: Thanks to Ricky for help with the dialog.>>

IC:

The boat arrives in Watergrail and the group disembarks and starts looking around the city unsure of what they should do next.
Sparky: .oO(I'm no longer certain if it'll do any good coming here...but it's the only lead we have...)
Fabreanne: All right, where do we start?
Meanwhile, Miko, Kuro, Valruz, and Charlotte are still engaged in a discussion among themselves. They snap back into reality once Sparky gets their attention.
Sparky: ...Anyway, let's first get a hotel room. We probably will be here for at least overnight.
Fabreanne: Yeah, that's a good idea... but then what do we do after that?
Sparky: .....This is going to sound really dumb but....I don't know.
Kharkile: Ah, wandering about without a plan.
Sparky: You got anything better, pal?
Kharkile: Well why do we not listen to the gossip. I normally detest the art of spying but in this case it may be necessary
Kuro: I doubt most people will be talking about Kyra for no reason...
Miko: Agreed, this city is pretty big for everyone to know everyone else.
Kharkile: Whatever would you know about city life? You live in the forest away from civilization.
The two deishling kids look at each other and then look at him. They then back away a few steps.
Miko: How do you know so much about us?
Valruz: If I didn't know better, Kuzay, I would say that he was a spy himself.
After Valruz says this Kharkile actually looks a bit anxious himself. Fabreanne just sights and tries to act as a voice of reason before an arguement breaks out.
Fabreanne: Enough, enough. Kharkile, how do you know Miko and Kuro live in a forest?
Kharkile: Is it truly of necessity to explain my knowledge?
Fabreanne: Yes, because we've already been betrayed by one of your kind.
Kharkile: Ah such the nature of the unenlightened. My sister has caused you great trouble but please do not be so quick to judge an entire group based on one individual
Kuro: Um...Sparky? Can Miko and I go fishing? Please?
It's obvious that the two kids want to get away from Kharkile.
Sparky: Yeah, go ahead. Just don't get lost.
Miko: Thanks...
The two of them run off immediately. As soon as they're out of sight Charlotte and Valruz turn to Sparky.
Valruz: I think I'll go as well.
Charlotte: Me too. I don't want those kids getting lost in this crowded place.
Without another word, Valruz and Charlotte go to join the kids at the pier. Kharkile turns to Sparky and Fabreanne who are pretty much the only ones that have not run off.
Kharkile: Hmm...I sense that they fear me. Why do I cause them to feel uneasy?
Sparky: You know stuff about them you shouldn't know. That's reason enough in my book.
Kharkile: I do apologize but I mean no ill will to you. If I must explain, observing the masses is a hobby of mine.
Fabreanne: I think you should either get another hobby or pursue it in a more socially acceptable manner.

[GeminiSaint]

Varylon forest:

Raika and Pizzaz stop running somewhere in the forest. Having run for several hours non-stop, they are rather exhausted. Sitting against a tree trunk, both deishling girls pant, trying to catch their breath.

Raika: Well... *pant, pant* ...I think we lost them.
Pizzaz: So... *pant, pant* ...are you gonna tell me what all that was?
Raika: What was what?
Pizzaz: Like... how the hell did you save our butts?
Raika: I told you I was a ninja, didn't I?
Pizzaz: But... you had a blindfold, just like me! You couldn't possibly see anything!
Raika: Ninja skills.
Pizzaz: But, the explosion-
Raika: Again, ninja skills. Oh, and I also happen to have a thing for explodey stuff.
Pizzaz: How did you do it, girl?
Raika: I saw a carriage full of powder barrels as they led us to the gallows. I just spat the cigarette they gave me toward it. The rest happened naturally.
Pizzaz: That... That was incredibly risky!
Raika: Risk is my middle name. Well, not really, but you know what I mean.
Pizzaz: So you really are a ninja... Wow, that's cool!
Raika: Yup!
Pizzaz: Who taught you?
Raika: An old friend of mine, Sparky. She taught me everything.
Pizzaz: I see. She must be good.
Raika: Yeah. She can be rough too.
Pizzaz: Well, anyway, what do we do now? Do you have a plan?
Raika: Devising plans isn't my forte, but I can improvise. I think.
Pizzaz: Well, I think first we should do something about our little chain problem. *raises her hand with the shackle around her wrist that's chained to Raika's own shackle, binding the two of them together*
Raika: Oh, right. I forgot about that.
Pizzaz: We have to find a way to cut this chain.
Raika: Bah, that isn't a problem.
Pizzaz: What?
Raika: I'm pretty sure I can cut it myself.
Pizzaz: Are you sure?
Raika: Pfft. I'm a ninja, remember? Come on, let's do this.

Raika puts some stacked rocks on the ground, making two even pillars separated by about half a foot. She instructs Pizzaz to move toward one of the pillars and hold onto her end of the chain firmly and tightly. Raika does the same with the other pillar, thus having the chain taut across the top of both pillars, like a guitar string. Her goal is to perform a karate chop in the space between the pillars, cutting the chain across it.

Pizzaz: Okay, it's all set! Watch and learn, girl!

Raika breathes in preparation as Pizzaz looks attentively. Finally, Raika puts her hand flat and raises it vertically above her hand. Then she strikes!!!

Raika: HYAAAAHHH!!! *karate-chops with all her might*

CLANG!!!

Something broke, yes, but it wasn't the chain...

Raika: FFFF...

Dozens of scared birds fly away at once as Raika drops the mother of all F-bombs.

Some time later...

Pizzaz: There, this should do.

Pizzaz has finished bandaging Raika's injured hand. Raika looks the farthest away from happy. Although her fractured metacarpals hurt like hell, it was her pride what took most of the hit.

Raika: *muttering under her breath* Stupid chain, I'll get them all for this, every single one of them, especially that stupid judge, I'll make them all pay.
Pizzaz: Well... At least now we know this chain is Raika-proof *chuckles*.
Raika: Not funny.
Pizzaz: Sorry.
Raika: Bah, forget it. Miko would have probably said something like that anyway.
Pizzaz: Miko? Is that one of your friends?
Raika: Yeah...
Pizzaz: Don't worry, Raika. We'll find a way to break this chain that binds us together.
Raika: Yeah...
Pizzaz: Hmm... The sun is setting. I guess we have no choice but spend the night here, in the middle of the woods. We should start a fire...
Raika: No. That would give away our position.
Pizzaz: You are right... Damn it. I hope it doesn't get too cold.
Raika: Also, we'll have to take turns sleeping.
Pizzaz: Why?
Raika: So that the one who isn't sleeping keeps watch, of course.
Pizzaz: Wow, you really thought of everything!
Raika: Nah. I just happen to have a lot of experience with this stuff.
Pizzaz: I see. You must have had lots of adventures.
Raika: Yeah, I've had my fair share of them.
Pizzaz: It must be exciting. Myself, I never had any adventure.
Raika: Well, guess what? You are in one now.
Pizzaz: Heh... Yeah, I guess I am.

[GeminiSaint]

Varylon forest:

Raika and Pizzaz stop running somewhere in the forest. Having run for several hours non-stop, they are rather exhausted. Sitting against a tree trunk, both deishling girls pant, trying to catch their breath.

Raika: Well... *pant, pant* ...I think we lost them.
Pizzaz: So... *pant, pant* ...are you gonna tell me what all that was?
Raika: What was what?
Pizzaz: Like... how the hell did you save our butts?
Raika: I told you I was a ninja, didn't I?
Pizzaz: But... you had a blindfold, just like me! You couldn't possibly see anything!
Raika: Ninja skills.
Pizzaz: But, the explosion-
Raika: Again, ninja skills. Oh, and I also happen to have a thing for explodey stuff.
Pizzaz: How did you do it, girl?
Raika: I saw a carriage full of powder barrels as they led us to the gallows. I just spat the cigarette they gave me toward it. The rest happened naturally.
Pizzaz: That... That was incredibly risky!
Raika: Risk is my middle name. Well, not really, but you know what I mean.
Pizzaz: So you really are a ninja... Wow, that's cool!
Raika: Yup!
Pizzaz: Who taught you?
Raika: An old friend of mine, Sparky. She taught me everything.
Pizzaz: I see. She must be good.
Raika: Yeah. She can be rough too.
Pizzaz: Well, anyway, what do we do now? Do you have a plan?
Raika: Devising plans isn't my forte, but I can improvise. I think.
Pizzaz: Well, I think first we should do something about our little chain problem. *raises her hand with the shackle around her wrist that's chained to Raika's own shackle, binding the two of them together*
Raika: Oh, right. I forgot about that.
Pizzaz: We have to find a way to cut this chain.
Raika: Bah, that isn't a problem.
Pizzaz: What?
Raika: I'm pretty sure I can cut it myself.
Pizzaz: Are you sure?
Raika: Pfft. I'm a ninja, remember? Come on, let's do this.

Raika puts some stacked rocks on the ground, making two even pillars separated by about half a foot. She instructs Pizzaz to move toward one of the pillars and hold onto her end of the chain firmly and tightly. Raika does the same with the other pillar, thus having the chain taut across the top of both pillars, like a guitar string. Her goal is to perform a karate chop in the space between the pillars, cutting the chain across it.

Pizzaz: Okay, it's all set! Watch and learn, girl!

Raika breathes in preparation as Pizzaz looks attentively. Finally, Raika puts her hand flat and raises it vertically above her hand. Then she strikes!!!

Raika: HYAAAAHHH!!! *karate-chops with all her might*

CLANG!!!

Something broke, yes, but it wasn't the chain...

Raika: FFFF...

Dozens of scared birds fly away at once as Raika drops the mother of all F-bombs.

Some time later...

Pizzaz: There, this should do.

Pizzaz has finished bandaging Raika's injured hand. Raika looks the farthest away from happy. Although her fractured metacarpals hurt like hell, it was her pride what took most of the hit.

Raika: *muttering under her breath* Stupid chain, I'll get them all for this, every single one of them, especially that stupid judge, I'll make them all pay.
Pizzaz: Well... At least now we know this chain is Raika-proof *chuckles*.
Raika: Not funny.
Pizzaz: Sorry.
Raika: Bah, forget it. Miko would have probably said something like that anyway.
Pizzaz: Miko? Is that one of your friends?
Raika: Yeah...
Pizzaz: Don't worry, Raika. We'll find a way to break this chain that binds us together.
Raika: Yeah...
Pizzaz: Hmm... The sun is setting. I guess we have no choice but spend the night here, in the middle of the woods. We should start a fire...
Raika: No. That would give away our position.
Pizzaz: You are right... Damn it. I hope it doesn't get too cold.
Raika: Also, we'll have to take turns sleeping.
Pizzaz: Why?
Raika: So that the one who isn't sleeping keeps watch, of course.
Pizzaz: Wow, you really thought of everything!
Raika: Nah. I just happen to have a lot of experience with this stuff.
Pizzaz: I see. You must have had lots of adventures.
Raika: Yeah, I've had my fair share of them.
Pizzaz: It must be exciting. Myself, I never had any adventure.
Raika: Well, guess what? You are in one now.
Pizzaz: Heh... Yeah, I guess I am.

[Elec]

After getting directions, the group heads for the police station.
Officer behind window: What can I do for you?
Sparky: We're trying to find somebody. A Kyra Fisher.
Officer: Kyra Fisher...hmm....
Sparky: We understand she used to live in this city. So you think you can look her up?
The officer looks at her as though he's wondering why she's asking this sort of thing.
Fabreanne: The thing is...she's been causing a lot of trouble.
Officer: I see... well, give me a moment.
They wait as he looks through some files. Finally, he comes back to the window. From the look on his face, it doesn't look like he has found anything.
Officer: Did any of the "trouble" you say she caused happen anywhere near Watergrail?
Fabreanne: I don't know... I suppose not...
Officer: That must be why we have no records on anyone named "Kyra Fisher". I am sorry, but we are unable to help you with the amount of information you have given.
Sparky, sighs: All right, thanks anyway. .oO(Dammit...)
They leave the police station and head back for the motel room. As soon as they get into their business suite they sit down and discuss the current situation.
Charlotte: So now what are we going to do?
Sparky: I don't know--I'm not sure if there's anything we CAN do.
Kuro: But we can't just leave Raika to die...
Just then Sparky's cell phone rings. She gets the bulky thing out of the pouch on her belt and answers it. As it turns out it's Beebi. he tells her what has happened so far--about the stolen pendant, and more recently, Raika's escape. After some more talking the conversation ends and she proceeds to tell the group what she heard.
Miko: So Kyra got her pendant I guess...
Fabreanne: Things just keep getting better and better...
Sparky: Yup. And if the pendant does what she says it does, then it could mean trouble. Regardless, Raika's fleeing made her look guilty. Yeah, she's alive and I don't blame her for fleeing when she was about to be taken to the gallows EARLY...but...dammit...
Kharkile: What's this about a pendant? What kind of pendant is it?
Sparky looks at Kharkile. Although she can understand how, since he just now joined their group, that he would be ignorant about the situation. However, the guy has already revealed that he knows much more than he should about what is going on. Moreover, he seems to be worried more about the pendant than the fact that Raika is in even more trouble because of the choice she made in a lose-lose situation. Come to think of it, although he knows what the situation is with Raika, he seems to not care. Everything has gone to hell and this guy is worried about a pendant of all things. He knows a great deal about the entire situation but is entirely removed from it and is focused on what he doesn't know and that's all he seems to care about.
Sparky: If someone else is willing to fill you in about the pendant, then they're welcome to. However, you can forget about having me explain it to you...
She heads back to one of the bedrooms; it seems if she wants to be alone for awhile while all of this sinks in. Fabreanne follows her back. Although she is not sure whether or not Sparky wishes to see anyone, she is eager to try and help her friend sort this out.

[Elec]

After getting directions, the group heads for the police station.
Officer behind window: What can I do for you?
Sparky: We're trying to find somebody. A Kyra Fisher.
Officer: Kyra Fisher...hmm....
Sparky: We understand she used to live in this city. So you think you can look her up?
The officer looks at her as though he's wondering why she's asking this sort of thing.
Fabreanne: The thing is...she's been causing a lot of trouble.
Officer: I see... well, give me a moment.
They wait as he looks through some files. Finally, he comes back to the window. From the look on his face, it doesn't look like he has found anything.
Officer: Did any of the "trouble" you say she caused happen anywhere near Watergrail?
Fabreanne: I don't know... I suppose not...
Officer: That must be why we have no records on anyone named "Kyra Fisher". I am sorry, but we are unable to help you with the amount of information you have given.
Sparky, sighs: All right, thanks anyway. .oO(Dammit...)
They leave the police station and head back for the motel room. As soon as they get into their business suite they sit down and discuss the current situation.
Charlotte: So now what are we going to do?
Sparky: I don't know--I'm not sure if there's anything we CAN do.
Kuro: But we can't just leave Raika to die...
Just then Sparky's cell phone rings. She gets the bulky thing out of the pouch on her belt and answers it. As it turns out it's Beebi. he tells her what has happened so far--about the stolen pendant, and more recently, Raika's escape. After some more talking the conversation ends and she proceeds to tell the group what she heard.
Miko: So Kyra got her pendant I guess...
Fabreanne: Things just keep getting better and better...
Sparky: Yup. And if the pendant does what she says it does, then it could mean trouble. Regardless, Raika's fleeing made her look guilty. Yeah, she's alive and I don't blame her for fleeing when she was about to be taken to the gallows EARLY...but...dammit...
Kharkile: What's this about a pendant? What kind of pendant is it?
Sparky looks at Kharkile. Although she can understand how, since he just now joined their group, that he would be ignorant about the situation. However, the guy has already revealed that he knows much more than he should about what is going on. Moreover, he seems to be worried more about the pendant than the fact that Raika is in even more trouble because of the choice she made in a lose-lose situation. Come to think of it, although he knows what the situation is with Raika, he seems to not care. Everything has gone to hell and this guy is worried about a pendant of all things. He knows a great deal about the entire situation but is entirely removed from it and is focused on what he doesn't know and that's all he seems to care about.
Sparky: If someone else is willing to fill you in about the pendant, then they're welcome to. However, you can forget about having me explain it to you...
She heads back to one of the bedrooms; it seems if she wants to be alone for awhile while all of this sinks in. Fabreanne follows her back. Although she is not sure whether or not Sparky wishes to see anyone, she is eager to try and help her friend sort this out.