Distrust
Jaina Jade

Sheesh
(Melpomene) Dragon Phoenix

Melpomene suppressed her laughter. The likelihood of the woman hurting her was slim, but she did not wish to injure any egos.
P>"You are in a lot more danger than you realize, intruder." Her voice stayed even. "Realize that I am not the stranger here. I can even help you, and am willing to do so. Insult me, or disdain my offer, and you may find yourself in more trouble than you already have. You will not last long on the planet, and your handicapped friend will not be able to handle the punishment, and stay alive."

She glanced over at the elf. "I am different from the full-blooded Liannelsi, in that I am not full-blooded. I am half human. I suppose that's where my compassion comes from. There are others like me. We do not associate with the full-blooded Liannelsi, and there are other foreigners among us. Humans mostly. We can provide shelter for you, and aid you if you wish to leave the planet."

Still warry
Jaina Jade

Backing away from Melpomene, Jaina quietly addressed her companions. "I still don't like this." Marshane started to comment, but paused when Jaina lifted one finger. "But," she continued, "if she intends to fight us if we don't go with her, I suggest we be civil until we figure out what the divisions are here, and which side we want to support, if any. "Unless anyone has any better suggestions, I'm going with this newcomer. And I'm taking Lunzie with me!"

Waiting
(Melpomene) Dragon Phoenix

Melpomene waited as they whispered among themselves. She was nervous, though she didn't show it. You never knew when the convoys would come out and sweep the area.

"I'm afraid we haven't much time." She spoke aloud. "The village is about an hour's walk from here."

Trust is a big scary word.
Zara Jade

Zara's eyes were still narrowed at the statue-being as she walked over to Jaina protectively. She placed a hand on Jaina's arm and squeezed gently. Zara had trouble trusting, but that tended to happen if you lived the way she did.

She reached out with the Force to try and touch the emotions of this statue-being. She couldn't read much, but Zara was good at picking up deceit, and this being didn't have any...yet.

:I think we can trust it," Zara whispered in Jaina's ear, sending the same information along her mindlink with Elyen.

Well. .
Elyen Elf

We'll see, Z. You never know when to trust, but if you don't start somewhere... He shrugged. "We'll go with you, Jaina." Elyen nodded towards Melpomeme. "But if you don't mind, lady, I'm still going to be on guard."

Follow me
(Melpomene) Dragon Phoenix

Melpomene smiled with relief. "Whatever will make you feel better, elf. Which reminds me, I haven't caught any of your names. Come, we shall walk as we talk."

She turned, and as the others followed, she revealed another piece of information. "There is another stranger on the planet. My scouting partner is tracking that one. It would seem the being is headed into the City. Not a good place to go."

She glanced back at them as she walked. "It arrived about the same time as you. Are you missing any of your party? And what are your names?"

Aha. . .follow the leader. . .
Flute Phoenix

Flute watched the byplay between Jaina, Melpomene, Marshane, Zara and Elyen. Looking up at Shalana, Flute looked at the already starting to move off group.

'Ami? Do we follow?'

Introductions
Elyen Elf

"Not that I know of, no." Elyen shook his head as he visually counted the members of the group.

The elf shook his head. It might just be a coincidence. It might even be Lantri. Or it might be the shadow they had seen...

"My apologies for not introducing myself. El." He gave the first syllable of his name, not sure if she really was out to help them. They were strangers on a strange planet, and while the elf was willing to overlook how she knew their language, he was not going to overlook how she had deceived them in the first place.

Hmmm
(Melpomene) Dragon Phoenix

Melpomene smiled at the elf. "Well, I'm glad to meet you El, though I wish it had been on a different planet."

Then she cocked her head to the side for a moment, as if she was listening intently. "My partner tells me the other stranger is a Niagaran female. She seems sure of the terrain, and it seems as if she is heading purposefully towards the City. How strange!"

Before anyone could answer, she stopped walking, and peered off into the distance through some trees. "I have to be sure no one has spotted us. I don't think anyone has, but if we walk into the village with the City sentries following us, it would doom everyone."

Being tracked
(Ventisca) Dragon Phoenix

Ventisca halted in her tracks. She knew something had been watching her for a while, and she didn't like it. No doubt it was one of those harmless, do-gooder, refugee mongrels. And no doubt it would try to stop her from entering the City.

Well, perhaps she would play with it for a while. Ventisca bent over to pick a small flower, and she plucked its petals sadistically as she pondered. She could go find something to eat...or maybe if she kept heading in the direction of the City, it would stop her. She just wanted to do something that would bring it out of its hiding place. For a little fun...

Marshane glanced around the group.
Lunzie Istari

Everyone is here as far as I can see. I'm not sure who the other female is, but she's not one of our group. I'm Shane and this is Lu. 'Shane gestured towards Lunzie as he introduced them. Now, when did you plan on explaining how you think you can help us? We're in a bit of a hurry.

Marshane shut up not wanting to give up any more information than he had already. Ventisca. Lunzie said it was Ventisca we had seen back on Hoth, it has to be her here. He thought to himself, hoping that Melpomene couldn't read his mind.

A ship?
(Melpomene) Dragon Phoenix

Melpomene nodded towards Shane. "There are ways for strangers to leave the planet...possibly similar to the way you came in, but a little more scientific.

"We have certain 'portals' that can deliver people to several different planets. If you were caught by the Liannelsi, they would send you in a portal similar to the ones we use, but you would be in for a very bumpy ride. The Liannelsi do not care for intruders. It would interrupt their way of life.

"Your friend Lu would not be able to survive the Liannelsi portals. That is why I was so adamant that you come with me. And they would send you only to one place, a place they consider the ultimate punishment: Earth. No offense to the humans in the group. I myself was born on Earth, but I guess you could say my gentle nature couldn't handle it." She shrugged, continuing to walk. "We haven't much farther to go, now."

Going in for the kill
(Ventisca) Dragon Phoenix

Ventisca changed direction, and began to wander randomly. She wanted it to seem like she was lost.

It worked. In her pathway, she saw the pristine white statue. The ploy the refugees used to attract strangers, and to reveal to them the ways Liannelsi could trick and catch them. Well, it certainly attracted her, which was perhaps the last thing the halfbreed would want.

She knew Liannelsi were tricky to kill. Torturing them was very simple, but to actually kill them would take some speed and strength. They also had their own magic. Well, she would fight magic against magic if she had to.

So, the magic was the first thing she used. An icy blast of wind rose past her and hit the statue like a hurricane. The statue made no movement.

"Come out, halfbreed!" Ventisca taunted. "I know you're there!"

Slowly the statue melted away to reveal the half-human underneath, with skin as white as snow, and flowing clothing to match. The gender was hard to determine with the distance between them. "So you know our tricks, stranger. Tell me, what has brought you to this lovely planet?"

Ventisca cackled. "Not likely that I would tell you, mutt. However, I do need some practice on my fighting skills, and I do believe you would be a most worthy opponent."

She could see the Liaman (as the halfbreeds called themselves) cringe. "You want to fight? Whatever for? Our ways are peaceful ways. Come, and you will be most welcome among our people."

Ventisca considered. No doubt the Liaman had others tracking Lunzie and her friends. Could they be from the same group?

"Very well, Liaman." Ventisca finally replied. "Your response satisfies me. I will go with yu to your people, and I will not stay long, for I fear that my nature will not be to anyone's liking."
<>At this, the Liaman breathed a sigh of relief. It was not going to try very hard to persuade this one in joining it, because she had a bad nature, but the she had agreed, and promised not to stay long.

"Then, come to me." The Liaman smiled. "I will show you the way."

Ventisca approached the Liaman, a genuine smile on her face. As she got closer, she realized that the creature was not a halfbreed. It was a woman, and her eyes were brown, and her skin was just very pale. But she had done the statue trick. She must have some Liannelsi blood in her somewhere.

Perhaps that's why the young thing was so trusting, so gullible. Any average Liaman would have been very uneasy about Ventisca's attitude.

Yet, this would make it so much easier, and so much more enjoyable.

"About how far is it from here?" She asked innocently. "I'm so tired, and hungry."

"About a half an hour walking, to the west." The woman replied. "It's not a long walk at all when you have some company."

"Of course." Ventisca nodded. "Also, I was with a group of friends, and I have been searching for them endlessly. They don't know I'm looking for them, though. Do you have any idea where they might be?"

"My partner recently found a group. A couple of Niagarans, elves, and humans."

"Exactly who I am looking for." Ventisca grinned sadistically. "You have been most helpful."

She whipped out one of her spiraled daggers, and made the attempt to slash down the woman's side. However, her dagger only met with stone, and hardly made a mark.

Then, the woman was no longer at her side. Ventisca whirled around wildly, looking for wherethe woman had gone.

Melpomene stopped walking suddenly. "Oh no!"

Ventisca spotted her prey standing in the line of trees. "Come fight me you wimp!"

The woman only frowned. "I had hoped for better."

Ventisca growled, and the wind picked up, and steadily grew colder.

"Some magic, Niagaran? I have my own, thank you."

Melpomene faced the others. "The other stranger has attacked. Nothing my partner can't handle, but I have to go to her.

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