"See, Alex?" Serafina laughed, clapping him on the back as he emerged from delivering his message.  "Told you you'd be fine, didn't I?"  As she spoke, she'd kept her javelin moving.  The shaft spun rapidly, hardly seeming to touch her hand as it whirled about.<br/><br/>"We Fioras, we know a thing or two about things," she continued, stepping back a few paces and tossing her spear in the air.  "Like, if you're successful, nobody really cares whatelse you were up to."  Without looking, she caught the spear in her free hand, letting it roll down one tanned arm before it seemed to whirl across her back like magic.  There were shouts and applause, although it was likely the audience enjoyed the sight of an acrobatic, lightly-clad young woman than the juggling.<br/><br/>"And you were successful, right?"  The butt of the spear landed on her foot and she kicked it upwards, letting it land across her back as she bowed to her audience.  "Which means we get a real mission, and a chance to cover ourselves with glory and gil?"  Collecting the cloth she'd sprwad out - and the coins it niw held, she gestured down the street.  "Tell me about it over drinks.  First rounds on me!"<br/><br/><hr class="bbc-hr bbc-hr--3"/><br/>Piero was still yawning and stretching as he joined the rest of the squad at their simple breakfast.  Six hours and fourteen minutes of sleep in tital - three hours and one minute befire his watch, three hours and thirteen minutes after.  He'd done it deliberately, of course, because it made sense to ensure that the warriors were well rested.  But right now he wanted six more hours of sleep and a mug of black tea with honey.<br/><br/>Perching on a log, he peered about.  "Right," he sighed.  "Hang on."  Rummaging through his saddle bags, he withdrew a battered copper kettle and filled it with water.  Placing it on the ground, he raised his hands.  "<i><b>Firette!</b></i>"<br/><br/>For a moment, nothing seemed to happen.  Them steam whistled from the spout.  Grinning, he poured hot water into a chippred mug and added two pinches if dried leaves.  "Anyone ekse want some?" he asked, offering the pot.