[hider][center][h1]Lunara Ransom Demand[/h1][/center]

Lunara on seeing the Yasoi's severed finger, started to feel quinsy. She instinctively put her left hand over her mouth and she also started to feel unsteady, as she had never seen a severed limb before. On noticing that Niallus was next to her she grabbed his are with her right hand to steady herself. [colour=#05DDFB]"Sorry Niallus, I suddenly felt ill on seeing the finger, never seen that before."[/colour] Lunara's Goma cat Miray on seeing that Lunara wasn't feeling well started to rub her face on her leg and stand on her hind legs to get her attention. Lunara on noticing this crouched down and petted her. [colour=#05DDFB]"It's ok Miray, I'm fine."[/colour]

Feeling something grip on his sleeve, From his first glance, he originally thought it was Mahal. But seeing the Goma Cat by her side turns out it was the other one, Lunara. Hearing her apologise for gripping him to help keep her steady. [color=3d5a88]"No, no it's alright."[/color] listening to the ideas that was mentioned by the his fellow biros. When Jamboi mentioned about the diversion. Niallus agreed. [color=3d5a88]"A Diversion would be good."[/color] cupping his chin, pondering on what more input could be added to help.

[color=3d5a88]"If we have a small group looking for Jaxon while the others cause a distraction. I can take part im looking Like Jamboi said, Most of their priorities will be on this meeting, more likely be one high goons and a few lackey’s at best."[/color] Thinking more about it, his gaze turned to Daxon. [color=3d5a88]"Would you be able to provide a description of your son? Or Hair colour, length, height, that sort of thing. Or even how he talks. It can help the group who are searching for him have an easier time."[/color]

Lunara, after pulling herself around, stood and attentively listened to the conversations. To make sure she heard every idea, and information. She wanted to make sure she knew exactly what had happened and what was going to happen.

Lunara picked up Miray so that she didn't get in the way of everyone. While holding and petting Miray, Lunara listened to all of the ideas and suggestions that everyone had intently. [colour=#05DDFB]"I do agree, a well dressed Yasoi is odd, however I'm not judging. But I feel like the disguise idea is good as well, and could be very helpful."[/colour]

She took a moment to think about what she wanted to do, she really wants to be useful. After thinking, Lunara turned and walked towards Ashon, she smiled and asked. [colour=#05DDFB]"I like your disguise idea, would it be ok to join you."[/colour]

Walking The streets, Miray close by her side. Lunara stood close by having Ashon and the others in her view. She took a deep breath, trying to not let her nerves get to her. Having butterflies in her stomach, thinking what if Ashon or Seviin get attacked by a mugger and she's too nervous to act. Before her nerves got the better of her she felt a tuft of soft fur brushing into her hand. It was Miray. Her purring, somehow was loud enough to be heard over the crowd and the small merchants [colour=#05DDFB]"Thank you my friend."[/colour] notice that the group moved on just out of sight, Lunara quickly followed.

Trying her best to pretend to browse and take in the sights, Lunara heard panic. Following where everyone else was looking, it seems that Ashon and Seviin were under attack. Dory who was working with Lunara was already getting into position to assist. [colour=#05DDFB]What can i do?[/colour] she thought, as she tried her best to stay hidden and not to make like she is part of the group. Then as if she understood her, Miray rushed off in front of the group. 

Miray lept towards one of the attacks close to Seviin hissing, biting the attacker in the leg digging  her claws into the attackers leg, after some painful yanks, the attacker managed to pry Miray off of his leg. “Fucking mangy cat!” They yelled, wanting to kick Miray with full force. This was Lunara's time to step in, and she took it. Stepping out of the crowd, removing her chakrams from her waist, ready to fight and assist. 

She then looked at Miray, smiled and said [colour=#05DDFB]"Good girl Miray, bite down harder, show this fool what you can do."[/colour] Lunara then turned to the man with a wicked grin, and pointed one of her chakrams near the man's neck.[colour=#05DDFB]"So what were you trying to do and what did you say about my Goma cat?"[/colour]

While Dory backed off a step, contemplating whether to leave or, if not, which of the two bandits to focus on, her mere presence was threatening enough to send a message to both.

Lunara, however, was not so easily swayed. She remained tense and on-edge, Miray prowling, letting out a low rumbling growl from the back of her throat. While the Palaparese may have pulled her knife back from the spot where it had drawn a trickle of blood, she did not relent. This man had insulted her dear pet and tried to make a fool of her and that was something that no upper-class girl from Ersand'Enise could tolerate, right?

Lunara glanced at Ashon, and held her hand out for the bag of money that was offered. [colour=#05DDFB]"As you say sir."[/colour] After answering she glared back at the man, and slowly moved her hand to kinetically remove the charged chakram from his throat. [colour=#05DDFB]"I'm watching you, so no sudden movements."[/colour] As blood trickled down the Yasoi's neck, she smirked and laughed a little.

However in her head she was freaking out as she had never made someone bleed before. She then said in her head to herself. [colour=#05DDFB][i]Stay calm, Lunara. Don't blow it. You can do this.[/i][/colour] Lunara then knelt down and picked up Miray to check on her, luckily she wasn't hurt.

These were small-time crooks and not the sort of people to risk their necks being defiant or threatening. The people who they were currently tangled up with were rich and powerful and appeared to possibly have support from Ersand'Enise. Much as they might resent those who dwelled behind the white walls, they craved their acceptance, wanted to join them, and feared them all at once. If the yasoi hoodlum currently before Ashon had thought to mock Lunara or rally support, he'd lost that notion at Seviin's casual display of power, Ashon's offer of generous monetary support, and Lunara's and Dory's apparent willingness to kill. 

Meanwhile, the eeaiko who Xiuyang and the priestess had cornered shrugged. [color=7bcdc8]"Eye doon't see thet Eye heve mauch choice,"[/color] he admitted, [color=7bcdc8]"Baut yoo aur sentenceeng yoorselves end praubebly mee too deth oor saumtheng lyke eet."[/color] he pursed his lips. [color=7bcdc8]"Eye waus paurt oof te Broosers. Wee cauntroolled thees paurt auf tauwn oonteel te Colas mooved een aun aus."[/color] He shook his head. [color=7bcdc8]"Yoo send mee elone too taulk too yoor peepel, Eye praubebly die aun te wey."[/color] His eyes flicked Seviin's way momentarily.

The yasoi appeared to have fewer reservations. However, before he could open up and sing like a canary, he had a question of his own. [color=cyan]"Joi muul juu nax yasoi'lex leiz aviin'lex yii?"[/color] [i]"You want me to speak yasoi or Avincian?[/i]


Lunara and Dory seemed to have nothing to say to Ashon's query, and so the yasoi took the lead. [colour=FF3131]"Let's speak in our shared tongue, yes?"[/colour] he replied, thinking that this hoodlum might speak more fluently and have more to say in Mycormish. 

The man nodded. [color=cyan]"Just as well,"[/color] he replied in the language, [color=cyan]"It's better if these meddlers don't hear it all. I wouldn't trust them either, if I were you."[/color]

Lunara listened while petting Miray. [colour=#05DDFB]"So do we have enough information to proceed, and are the other team doing ok."[/colour] she then placed Miray on the ground. Lunara kinetically lifted her Chakrams off her belt, and began to charge them, she then glanced at Miray and said. [colour=#05DDFB]"Ready up Miray. We may have company soon."[/colour]

As she spoke with such confidence, however, the people behind her began to waver and collapse. Miray dragged a half-conscious Lunara away. Ashon staggered and fell to his knees. Dory fainted and Ashon managed a few more steps before collapsing on top of her. The hulking goon grinned malevolently. [color=61380B]"Look behind you, little professional,"[/color] he mocked.

[color=3B240B]"Easier than usual, to be honest,"[/color] the woman remarked, striding forward. [color=3B240B]"But thank you for telling us about the money. Hand it over now and we let you live."[/color] Meanwhile, the red-haired yasoi had flung the semi-conscious youth up to near the ceiling, ready to let him drop. It would've been a good thirty to forty foot fall and he was likely to land head first.

Lunara started to walk with the others, and suddenly out of nowhere Miray started to act odd. Miray started to aggressively pull on Lunara's skirt, to get her to move. [colour=#05DDFB]"Miray, What are you..."[/colour] Lunara started to feel sluggish. [colour=#05DDFB]"Crap, good girl Miray, thank you."[/colour] Lunara then fell to her knees and collapsed, but Miray was able to move her far enough away.

Seviin, however, found herself utterly unaffected by the poison. She knew the scent. It came from Sparknettles, which grew close to her home, and she simply held her breath with the help of the Gift. With a mighty kinetic blast, she cleared much of the poison and took stock. Xiuyang was unaffected. Either she'd figured it out on time as well or she had some sort of resistance. Lunara had collapsed, but her goma cat had pulled her free of danger. Not so for Ashon and Dory, and the priestess rushed into action, setting up a bubble of wind around them to counter the gases.  

Running to their side and kneeling, she reached down and murmured an apology before slapping Ashon across the cheek. [color=F0FFF0]"I am sorry, Moila. You need to wake up."[/color] She tried to clear the bad air from his lungs and his blood and, in a moment, he was sputtering, blinking, and rubbing at his cheek. Seviin turned next to Dory, and the Feskan was unmoving. This one proved a good deal harder to revive, and Seviin had to settle for dragging her away with kinetic magic and setting her near the still-groggy Lunara. 

The big man began gathering energy again for something else [i]huge[/i] and it was clear that he was a real danger. Just as he seemed about to unleash it, however, the second yasoi man - the lanky ginger - froze and contorted. For a second, the youth in his kinetic grasp bobbled and began to fall. Then, he stabilised. Perhaps the others didn't know what had caused it or what it was, but it was Abdel and he had bloodwarped his enemy.

Lunara slowly began to wake up, she noticed Miray snuggling into her, she slowly sat herself up. [colour=#05DDFB]"Thank you girl."[/colour] She patted Miray, while trying to pull herself round. She also started to look around for the rest of the group to find out where they were.

Lunara slowly stood up, and glanced round to see what was happening, she noticed Oksana was on the roof, but she could see someone with her, but they didn't look like anyone from the other group. Lunara decided she would head up there she as had a bad feeling and didn't want Oksana to be alone. [colour=#05DDFB]"Miray this way."[/colour] 

She sprinted to a ladder that led to the roof, placed Miray over her shoulders and Made her way up towards the roof. When she reached the roof she made her way to Oksana, however she was weary of the strange woman in front of her. Miray then jumped off her shoulders.

Then, however, it was a two-on-one. The woman glanced between her two adversaries, taking stock of matters, and... while Oksana had been up there long enough to sense her massive energy draw, Lunara had not. A huge fiery blast came straight for the Palaparese, catching her cold.

Lunara glanced at Oksana, she then glanced back at the woman in front of them. Lunara then glared at the woman when she noticed that she couldn't see Niallus, she shouted. [colour=#05DDFB]"What did you do to Niallus bitch, where is he?"[/colour] Lunara's chakrams began to charge and move around the two of them, Miray also started to hiss, when she noticed her owner getting angry.

There was a fiery blast coming straight for her, but Lunara was too busy posturing and speaking to manage much more than a reflexive half-dodge. The attack sliced through her defences, burning and scalding her, and she staggered back, her clothes on fire. A quick blast of howling cold from Oksana's direction put it out before it could do worse, but a message had been clearly sent: less talking, more [i]doing[/i]. 

[color=DF013A]"Why don't you jump in there and find out?"[/color] the yasoi mocked in a belated response, arching an eyebrow. [color=DF013A]"Or if the little taste you got was a bit much, you can send your cat ahead to scout for you."[/color]

Lunara stood, patting herself down to extinguish the parts of her outfit that got caught by the fireball. [colour=#05DDFB]"Thanks Oksana for the help."[/colour] There was minor pain on one of her arms and shoulder, but nothing too severe. She caught the little taunt that the yasoi was saying, about Miray. 

Miray stood with her back hunched, her fur standing on its end to make herself look more intimidating. A low hum of her hissing and growling could be heard. Lunara began to draw  [colour=#05DDFB]”You'll pay for that."[/colour] she shouted back. Lunara gilded her hand along her waist, with the help of Kinetic magic, one of her Chakrams began to float around her until it floated just above the palm of her hand. As she began to feed more and more mana into it, electricity sparked from the chakram. Once it was ready, Lunara shifted her body into a position where she was ready to fight and without warning she threw the electrical charged chakram at the Yasoi.

Oksana unleashed a frigid torrent towards Lunara, as the girl was caught off-guard by Cherii’s fireball. Whilst those two were locked in a battle of words, a presence lingered at the edge of Oksana's awareness. She evaded the sudden thrust of a rapier by a hair’s breadth, as the illusionary figure faded before her eyes.

Cherii, meanwhile, was too busy to stand down. Lunara appeared to be just a hair shy of a murderous rage and it was all that the sneaky yasoi could do to dodge her unschooled but very powerful attacks. Then, Miray flashed into the picture, pouncing on her and dragging her from her feet. She collapsed onto the roof, thrashing, and began to skid down the incline. 

Then, there were two of her, then four, and then eight, all attacked by identical Mirays! They bumped and tumbled over each other, quickly becoming indistinguishable as they slid towards the edge!

Lunara was shocked when she saw multiple Mirays, this must be her doing, in an attempt to escape. Lunara focused on trying to find the Yasoi through the cats. Getting a glimpse of what looked like her, Lunara gave chase using her Binding to alter the edge of the roof as a makeshift trap in an attempt to catch the Yasoi.

Having been bested but not slain, Arsii knew that he was beaten and, at this point, escape was his only real option. He nodded in respect. [color=2E64FE]"Thank you, and thank you for a good duel."[/color] He flicked a small salute her way and backed up a couple of steps. [color=2E64FE]"You should see a binder for that poison, though. Even the cold can only hold back so long."[/color] With that, he turned and made his escape.

Cherii was not so fortunate. Somehow, through a varied illusion with eight different versions of her rapidly tumbling and eight different goma cats attacking, through the chaos, and in split seconds, Lunara had picked out the genuine Cherii [i]and[/i] managed to alter the edge of the rooftop to stop her escape. 

The girl was [i]scary[/i] good: Zeno-level good. That trick had never failed the yasoi before. Lunara stalked forward, chakrams rippling with static discharge, Miray letting out a growled roar to mark the target and, then, from nowhere, the roof went soft under her feet and she found herself falling through. Only her preternaturally quick reflexes and some kinetic magic saved her, and she scrabbled back onto the roof. Cherii had cast an illusion on the goma cat to make her pounce the other way, and was scrambling free of the trap. 

Meanwhile, Oksana was hard at work on binding the poison away. Her quick thinking and cryogenic magic had halted its freeze but, now, some had slipped through. She began to feel woozy and took a knee rather roughly, world starting to sway and spin. A couple of deep breaths steadied her. She had been through worse, but this was also a display that Lunara could not help but have missed. Two binders would be better than one...

Lunara noticed that she had caught her, and saw that Miray had jumped away. [colour=#05DDFB]"Got you, and clever girl Miray."[/colour] After catching the Yasoi girl, she turned to check on how Oksana was doing as she was worried about her. On turning around she noticed that something was wrong and began to run to Oksana, when she got there she gestured to her, how Esmii had taught her to. "Oksana are you ok, what's happened."

Oksana blinked at Lunara as she pointed to the wound on her shoulder. She had intentionally frozen the blade to prevent the poison, but it seemed like she had failed. She was using her binding to attempt to neutralise the poison in her system as she cursed under her breath.

On the roof, as Oksana and Lunara worked together to successfully draw out the poison, Cherii made a break without hesitation. She was a survivor, not a team player. Arsii did much the same. It was mere moments before they ran into Pepsii, racing in to deal with the others. There was a quick exchange and none could make it out, but they continued in their direction while raced in the other. It was moments before one of the walls deconstructed itself and he stood there beside Ashon. [color=CEF6EC]"Thank you for using only the force we'd have used on you. Please get your people to stand down and so will we."[/color]

After Lunara had helped Oksana heal the wound from the poison, she helped her up and decided to meet back up with the others. She slowly made her way down from the roof with Oksana, making sure they stuck together as she didn't want them to get separated in case of an ambush, because she didn't know if anyone else was around. On reaching the others she said. [colour=#05DDFB]"Hello. Is everyone ok? And what's happened?"[/colour]

Miray's fur on her back stood on end and she began to hiss. Lunara on noticing Miray's behaviour quickly realised that Miray could sense danger. Lunara quickly glanced around and spotted the Yasoi ready to explode. With little time she knew she needed to act quickly. [colour=#05DDFB]"Miray come to my side."[/colour] As Miray made her way to Lunara's side, Lunara knew that this was a do or die situation. With her arms stretched out in front of her she casted a magnetic barrier and strengthened it with binding. She made it as big as possible.

[colour=#05DDFB]"If any of you cannot make a barrier or defend yourself, then you welcome to stand in mine, and if you can help me keep this barrier up then do it."[/colour] You could see that she was straining, however she would not give in, she was going to protect as many of her friends, and locals as she could. She didn't care what others thought of her, she would protect as many people as she could.

When the explosion happened. Lunara never expected it to have such force as it hit her barrier. Miray stood next to her, fear crept upon the poor creature as she was shaking, the Goma Cat tried nuzzling up to Lunara's leg, as a way to calm herself. Lunara however was struggling to keep her stance, The barrier wavered, [colour=#05DDFB]”No…”[/colour] left her lips, the barrier might be able to hold for much longer. Fear started to sink in into her thoughts.

Another memory came to her. The time when she first got Miray as a gift from her father. She remembered Miray being a tiny little thing but full of energy. Lunara remembered how on that first day that she met the Goma Cat, everywhere that Lunara went, Miray wasn't too far behind her. She'll always cherish that day, playing and grooming Miray. But all of that was about to end.

“Don't give up…” A voice said, bringing Lunara back to the then and now. The barrier was still holding, after hearing that voice it felt that the barrier was gaining strength. Lunara was positive that she heard that voice before, perhaps it was a memory of her sister saying those words to her, but it didn't sound like her, instead it was her mother.

The explosion died down, the barrier still held up, throughout that whole ordeal, Lunara wasn't even sure if she was holding her breath or not. she began to pant, falling to her knees, trembling, but also amazed that she survived. [colour=#05DDFB]”I did it.”[/colour] she said softly. Miray went from her side to in front of her owner, nuzzling her face up to Lunara's, purring. Lunara wrapped her arms around Miray, hugging, trying to stop her whole body from shaking.

After the events at the Warehouse, Lunara and Miray quickly made their way home. During the walk back home, Lunara began to think over the events that had happened, almost dying twice, and how she let her anger get the best of her. She knew she shouldn't have done what she did,  she was taught better than that.

On getting home Lunara went straight to her bedroom, she quickly changed out of her burnt clothes, and into something more comfortable. A maid knocked and entered her room, bringing in some food for her and placing it on the table. [colour=#05DDFB]"Thank you, that will be all, I wish to be alone right now."[/colour] The maid quickly bowed and left the room. Lunara ate some of the food, but ended up feeding most of it to Miray.

On finishing her food, Lunara slowly made her way to the bed, she sat on the edge and picked up the clothes that she was wearing. She glanced at where she had been burnt from Cherii's attack, she clenched her fist, and shouted out loud. [colour=#05DDFB]"Why did I lose my temper at this Yasoi? I was taught better than this."[/colour] Miray on hearing Lunara shout, jumped down from the table and ran over to her, she then hopped on the bed next to Lunara and snuggled her. Lunara glanced at her. [colour=#05DDFB]"Ok Miray, no sense dwelling on it now, I need to rest."[/colour] Lunara pulled back the covers and climbed into bed, Miray following after as she got herself comfortable by Lunara's head. Lunara then slowly drifted off to sleep, thinking about what the next day would bring.[/hider]

[hider][center][h1]The Resistance[/h1][/center]

Down by the docks, Niallus blended seamlessly in with the workers. He was big and strong and perhaps he just had that rough charm about him, or maybe it was the fact that nobody could take an Eskandr seriously as anything but a poor labourer. 

Meanwhile, Lunara soon drew attention. The sight of a noble - and clearly somewhat foreign - young woman was not a common thing. In Ersand'Enise it might've been but, here, it made people nervous. Was she from the school? Was she overseeing them? They seemed to work harder in her presence.

The dockworkers, meanwhile, were a roughly equal mix of yasoi and humans and each group seemed to mostly be keeping to itself.  Before long, however, there were raised voices and people began to cluster. 

Those soon turned into shouts and a crowd grew. A group of humans were beating a yasoi woman. It was only the few human women present, of course. Even these rough men had their standards.

Lunara on hearing the raised voices and seeing people running to a certain area, the girl with her cat decided to investigate what is causing such commotion. On reaching the area, she noticed that a group of female human dock workers were beating a female Yasoi. Lunara thought for a moment, [colour=#05DDFB][i]Should I get involved or not?[/i][/colour] However Lunara couldn't just stand by and let this happen.

Lunara made her way through the crowd, saying.[colour=#05DDFB]"Excuse me."[/colour] when finally reaching the centre she walked closer to the woman and spoke in a formal but raised voice, [colour=#05DDFB]"Excuse me, but what do you three women think you are doing? Is this really how this dock runs?"[/colour]

The three of them were rough and common and one had to be pried off. [color=gold]"You fookin' bitch! 'ave another taste o' me shoe!"[/color]

[color=green]"Come on, Sammy,"[/color] A man was saying as he wrenched her away by the shoulders. [color=green]"It's not worth it."[/color] With one last glare, she led herself be pulled off.

All three of them and many of the men regarded Lunara with thinly veiled hostility. 

[color=pink]"We're oh so very sorry, milady,"[/color] She replied, curtsying poorly in rough patched dress, making eye contact with Lunara all the way through the gesture. [color=pink]"Didn't mean to upset our betters."[/color]

A couple of others just about managed to suppress their snickers. 

The humans seemed particularly sore about it, though they dared not say anything. The yasoi hung about awkwardly, only a couple moving to help the slightly injured woman up. She regarded Lunara with wary gratitude as she rose to her feet.

[color=red]"Fckin grifter,"[/color] One of the human women mumbled, under her breath. [color=red]"An' now she gets away with it."[/color] Had she meant for Lunara to hear the comment, or not?

This opportunity was good for him to keep himself blended in. Niallus walked up and managed, slip into the group to help the injured woman to her feet. [color=3d5a88]"Lets try and find someone who can check on her?"[/color] He said to the others, who were also helping move the injured woman. He bowed in Lunara's direction [color=3d5a88]"Forgive us for this display."[/color] avoiding eye contact with her.

[color=d3d3d3]"Hey! What the hell's got into you, man!?"[/color] shouted one of the other workers: a tall possibly Belzaggic man. [color=d3d3d3]"We don't help the enemy!"[/color]

[color=magenta]"It's a good cause,"[/color] growled the yasoi woman, wiping blood from her nose with the back of a hand. Her eyes darted around warily. [color=magenta]"Just wait until they come for [i]your[/i] country next."[/color] She took a couple of steps [color=magenta]"Thanks,"[/color] she grunted in Lunara's and Niallus' direction, shrugging off the helping hands and starting to retreat from the crowd. Some of her fellow yasoi parted for her and a few went with her, but others didn't. [color=green]"It's fuckin' extortion is what it is!"[/color] shouted the man who'd helped 'Sammy' up a minute ago. [color=pink]"Yea, ye keep your problems to yerself!"[/color] shouted the woman who'd bowed sarcastically to Lunara before. The noble girl appeared to be momentarily frozen in indecision by the group's reactions. [color=pink]"We don't want yer trouble 'ere!"[/color])

Lunara raised an eyebrow, not impressed by the mockery display from this person. [colour=#05DDFB]"That kind of flattery won't impress me sweetie."[/colour] rolled her eyes after the person stood while Miray stood ready. 

[colour=#05DDFB]"This matter could have been handled by the people who own the docks, you might have been compensated for bringing it forward, assuming that she is guilty of something."[/colour] [colour=#05DDFB]"Perhaps you'll enlighten me on this situation."[/colour]

[color=gold]"An' who seys we's tryin' t' impress ye's, rich girl?"[/color] retorted Samantha. [color=gold]"Clearly, all that money can't buy ye common fookin' sense."[/color] A couple of others chuckled nervously, but they were beginning to drift away.

[color=pink]"Eh!"[/color] shouted the woman who'd sassed her. [color=pink]"She says we should talk to the people who own the docks!"[/color] The laughter grew a bit. [color=pink]"Then, it's problem solved!"[/color] She made a grand gesture of some sort of explosion. [color=pink]"Poof! Just like that!"[/color]

[color=red]"Listen, [i]*sweetheart*[/i]. Less you're gonna use that big Gift of yours and squish us like little bugs, maybe you should listen instead of just barge in and assume."[/color] She shook her head. [color=red]"Round here, people buy shares in the docks and now it's all the gangs and trading companies that own them. They either support this fucking [i]*extortionist*[/i] you just let go or they're too damned far away and up their own asses to care."[/color] She narrowed her eyes. [color=red]"Now, why don't you go scurrying back in there to your frilly curtains and nice bed and dressing room and let us get back to work until the next time that bitch comes around, hmm?"[/color] The man who'd pulled Sammy back stood beside her, arms crossed. Upon a second glance, Lunara could see that he was half-yasoi.

Lunara looked at Sammy, wondering what she was about to say to her, but her friend seemed to reign her in, he was either a close friend, or a lover perhaps. With the crowd starting to die down. Miray, however cautious she was, her animal urges were taking over as she wanted raw fish to eat. 

[colour=#05DDFB]"Are you hungry my little friend?”[/colour] she asked her furry companion, Miray simply meowed back to her master. 
She looked to Sammy and her friend, [colour=#05DDFB]"Would you like to accompany me, to help feed my cat. As I would like to have a better understanding around here. You'll be compensated for your time, both of you.”[/colour] she said with a little smile. She wanted to ask about the Colas, if they, or another family get called in if people don't pay, but she'll ask that later.

Would Sammy have [i]liked[/i] to accompany this interloper who had come here, intervened in favour of an exploiter and enemy and then threatened her life? The answer there was blindingly obvious. Did she feel as if she had much of a choice? The answer there was every bit as clear. 

With a pinched and uncomfortable smile - for she was an awful actress - she nodded. [color=yellow]"Oh! but... of [i]course[/i]!"[/color] she replied, forcing a note of enthusiasm into her voice that she did not feel. [color=yellow]"I would like nothing better than to feed your... cute... little cat."[/color] She chuckled nervously and shot a look at the man. [color=green]"I will come with her!"[/color] he volunteered. [color=green]"Why, all that you need to know is that the Resistance is just about everywhere there are yasoi!"[/color]

The woman nodded. [color=yellow]"Yes!"[/color] she chirped. [color=yellow]"We don't really know much, as humans. They mostly stay away from us!"[/color]

When she agreed to help, Lunara smiled happily. Even though she could tell that Sammy was holding back her anger and sarcasm. She had seen this from her sister Mahal, when talking to their father. [colour=#05DDFB]"Excellent."[/colour] she stated as she walked closer to Sammy and the man who's name she didn't know yet. 

While walking along the docks seeing the dockworkers back at work Lunara was getting some strange looks from people. She thought about just being honest with Sammy and her Yasoi friend, why she was really here, but she wasn’t sure, perhaps a few small questions could help her. [colour=#05DDFB]"So how long have you two worked here? On these docks."[/colour] she politely asked them, giving them a warm, welcoming smile.

The pair glanced uneasily at each other. [color=green]“Since I was twelve,”[/color] the unnamed man answered, shrugging and sharing no more. [color=yellow]“'Bout six months, filling in for my brother,”[/color] said Sammy. Everything in their body language spoke to their anxiety. They were being led further away from their job and would probably lose pay, and now this girl who had sided against them and threatened their lives was being... suspiciously friendly. They'd grown up in Mudville. They'd all heard the stories. They'd seen what had happened at Moli's, when someone in their town grew too big: the people from behind the White Walls came out to crush them. Were [i]they[/i] next?

Lunara could sense the tension between them all, even though she was trying to ease it with small talk. On hearing their answers she said. [colour=#05DDFB]"Wow that's a long time, and nice that you're helping your family."[/colour] She then thought for a moment, as she was wanting to ask them a question, and she wanted to make sure she worded it right. She then looked at them both and asked them [colour=#05DDFB]"How often does the resistance hustle people for money?"[/colour]

[color=yellow]“How often [i]don't[/i] they, you mean?”[/color] Sammy rolled her eyes. [color=yellow]“They think their cause is the only important thing in the world and anyone who doesn't give every bit of their money not used for food and shelter is supporting the Tarlonese.”[/color]

[color=green]“We're not rich people here,”[/color] her partner shared. [color=green]“Never have been, and the way they ask -”[/color]

[color=yellow]“They're not really asking. You give or they blacklist you,”[/color] Sammy finished. [color=yellow]“We were tryign to stop that when you -”[/color]

[color=green]“When there was a misunderstanding.”[/color]

Lunara thought about what they said, how she stepped in. But with what they were saying to her, that situation could have been worse, more likely they have been made an example of people who didn't want to pay. [colour=#05DDFB]"I apologise for that, but you probably would have been targeted for sure and made an example. Like you I could kill you in an instant,  what's to say they have someone who could do the same."[/colour]She took a sigh, before continuing. [colour=#05DDFB]"I want to help you, by taking you out of the danger that you put yourself into."[/colour]

Whatever they might've responded with next to Lunara's well-meaning but exceedingly patronising comment was lost because of the screams.

[color=FFFFFF]"Help!"[/color]

[color=000000]"Oh, Eshi, someone [i]*please*[/i]!"[/color]

[color=FFFFFF]"Savages!"[/color]

[color=000000]"Murderers!"[/color]

[color=FFFFFF]"Please! Someone! [i]Any[/i]one!"[/color]

They were coming from a nearby street, not very far away at all, and Lunara could sense the energy. Three yasoi and three humans. The yasoi were brimming with energy. Two of the humans were wounded, one of them on the ground. The other was probably a woman who seemed to be standing her ground.

Both Sammy and her unnamed partner seemed to recoil in alarm. They glanced at each other helplessly. What could [i]*they*[/i] do? Then, they glanced at Lunara.)

Lunara on hearing the group of Yasoi's in terror, and seeing two humans wounded on the floor made her feel uneasy, but on seeing Dory she felt a bit more at ease. She glanced at the two people who accompanying her and said, [colour=#05DDFB]"I know that Lady over there. Stay behind me, if things turn bad, run."[/colour] She pointed to Dory while she said everything.

Lunara then looked back at Dory and the group of Yasoi's and asked. [colour=#05DDFB]"What happened here? Is there a problem?"[/colour] She decided to not get too close yet, as she was still unsure of what was happening.

The pair, about to run anyhow, stopped in their tracks and regarded both Lunara and each other apprehensively. She wanted to take them into the line of fire!? She seemed, perhaps, well-intended enough after all, but utterly - even [i]dangerously[/i] - clueless. It was either that, or she was a sadist and they were her latest playthings. She'd twice made it clear that she could kill them effortlessly and, despite her assurances that she wouldn't, the mere act of mentioning it must have been strategic: a reminder of the power balance between them and a clear warning to do as she commanded. Helplessly, they obeyed, trying to stay as far from the action as they could and hoping that they might slip away from this terrifying situation as soon as possible.

Yet, Lunara had made the key mistake of misinterpreting the screams as having come from the yasoi. Instead, it was the humans she found hollering and injured. [color=FFFFFF]"Those murderous knife-ears!"[/color] shouted one. [color=FFFFFF]"They attacked us for walking onto 'their' turf!"[/color]

The man who had been reaching for the fallen gun pulled back, sensing that help had arrived. There were three more humans arriving from the opposite side, and at least one was dressed in the finery of what could only have been an Ersand'Enise student. The tables had turned. [color=000000]"I need a binder."[/color] he gasped. [color=000000]"I need one desperately! Those [i]animals![/i]"[/color] 

The yasoi, who'd paused to listen to Dory's words and were perhaps even considering them, now saw three more humans arrive, cutting off the other end of the street. They panicked in the face of the probable ambush and began to flee for a sidestreet. It was a clear sign of guilt, was it not?

Lunara turned to the two that were with her, she threw them a bag that contained 5 owls in it, and told them. [colour=#05DDFB]"Here is the money I promised you. Thank you for the help, but maybe you two should head on back now. I don't want you to get hurt for my sake."[/colour] She then turned her attention to the men on the ground.

Lunara does have some skills with binding, however she isn't as skilled as some of the other students at the school. She slowly made her way towards the man who was talking. [colour=#05DDFB]"Don't worry, I can help you."[/colour] She kneeled down next to him and began to draw in manas to use binding, to heal the man's injuries.

The both of them nodded, still not entirely sure what to make of her but skewing towards 'clueless good.' then, they were off. They'd hung around long enough to play their role in scaring off the yasoi. 

The injured men, meanwhile, had particularly painful wounds, with four skewer wounds on one, and a combination of second degree burns and peeled skin all up the side of one forearm on the other. They were gritting their teeth now, trying to play tough. [color=000000]"Bloody savages,"[/color] one growled, as Lunara worked on his arm. 

[color=FFFFFF]"We was jus' havin' a bit o' fun an' they [i]*ambushed*[/i] us,"[/color] added the other. [color=FFFFFF]"If it wasn't for you two, we'd probably be dead."[/color]

His arm healed, Lunara began working on his burnt side and he winced. [color=000000]"Can't thank you enough, miss."[/color] He shook his head. [color=000000]"Damned knife-ears just moving in on [i]our[/i] neighbourhoods. Attacking locals: bringing their violence, addiction and filth."[/color]

[color=FFFFFF]"We just wanna keep our streets clean, and our kids and women safe, ya know."[/color]

Lunara had finished with the first and he swung his arm about experimentally, smiling at the job she'd done. The second one awaited, as well as Dory, who'd ran a couple of steps and shouted something in yasoi earlier, or so Lunara could've sworn. She'd used magic just now, too, but the Palaparese had been too engrossed in her Binding to pay much attention so long as it wasn't a threat.

After she had healed the first man, Lunara turned and began to heal the other. While doing this she glanced at Miray who was grooming herself, she smiled and asked. [colour=#05DDFB]"Miray can you keep watch for me.”[/colour] Miray quickly stopped what she was doing and moved towards the first man that Lunara healed, she then began to stand guard.

While she was healing the second man Lunara decided to ask them some questions, to try and get a better idea of the situation. [colour=#05DDFB]"So before I arrived, what actually happened here, and what did you mean, you were just having fun?"[/colour] Lunara then glanced at both of the men, with an eyebrow raised in hesitation, to the story they were telling her, as she felt like they were hiding something from her.[/hider]