Katya's smiled deepened as she moved up the stairs with Esperanza, hips swaying lightly. Xavier was ahead of them, if as Esperanza hadn't so gently suggested he stay downstairs. And she made no mention of it. What was between those two? More than a servant and their employer surely? Was that longing she had seen in the Boulder's eyes? Esperanza had been gentle and warm to him, and allowed him to guard over her like a hawk, but their interacted lacked sexual chemistry so far? Of course, Katya didn't know them, had only observed them for a short while. Amusing herself by observing the two of them now, she shrewdly watched as behind them the drunken man was carried in the room right beside them. That's where they could find him, as soon as he woke from his stupor.<br/><br/>The room wasn't much. Not that she was expecting much from the look of the rest of the inn and the welcome they had received so far. It was small, and could use a thorough cleaning. But it was dry, warm enough, had beds and gave the two of them to speak in relative privacy. On the other side of the wall they could make out the snores and mutters of their intoxicated neighbour. At least they would know the moment he woke. Raising an eyebrow, she met Xavier's eyes bold and unafraid. Even as his words were polite as ever, there was no missing the threat in his expression. Baring her teeth slightly she returned in kind, telling him just as politely. "Good night Xavier." She wasn't planning to hurt his precious charge. That wasn't necessarily her thing anyway, but if she did, his threat wouldn't stop her.<br/><br/>As soon as they were alone, she turned to the girl who wore the same face as hers. Time for answers. Katya just couldn't believe the coincidence of receiving the letter and meeting Esperanza on the same day, on the same gig. She could feel Esperanza's eyes on her, but she waited. There was a pregnant silece before the other girl finally talked.<br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(147, 101, 184)">“Is it true? Is this Ireena your mother? Are we actually sisters then?” </span><br/><br/>Annoyed and disappointed, Katya studied Esperanza's face, still waiting before she said anything. Just testing what the girl might say further to fill the silence. But there was no more. The careful hope in Esperanza's face might have been heartbreaking to another. Katya found she was starting to believe it. Esperanza was either a very good actress, or she was just as clueless about these development as Katya herself. Swearing inwardly, she raked her fingers over her hair. She had been so convinced Esperanza had been part of this plot and that she could provide her with answers.<br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(0, 168, 133)">"Argh.. You don't know anything about this? What a bloody coincidence, you join my crew for this trip and we look exactly alike? Don't you have a family in Krotice, miss Sergovia?"</span>With a sigh she decided to go another route. If they were both trying to figure this, they should information. Be allies, at least for now.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(0, 168, 133)">"This is all news to me. And we need to sort out the lies. Show me the other letter again."</span><br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(147, 101, 184)">"I'm adopted. Nothing remains of the orphanage I came from, no records, no caretakers, nothing. All I have are dreams of this place, dreams calling me back here." </span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(222, 222, 222)">At the mention of the orphanage, Katya looked up sharply. They could've found out about Katya's background easily, but there was something she said. Or maybe the tone she used was believable. Things were starting to click in place, making the idea that they were sisters or at least related more plausible. What were the odd sof two orphan girls in Krotice of the same age with the same face? But then why had no one at the orphanage ever told her anything about a sister? Why was she left behind and the sister adopted? Katya, like Esperanza, had always been told there was no information about her past. But if they lied about a sister, they might have lied about more. Katya didn't have dreams or memories of her life before the orphanage though. As a child she had had nightmares of a dark place. But it could have been anywhere. A sister, fuck a sister. She didn't exactly know how to deal with this information if it were true. Katya had always been by herself and by now she preferred it like that, only taking the random man to her bed when she felt like it. Esperanza took out the letter, passing it to Katya without hesitation and breaking her from her reverie. </span><br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(222, 222, 222)">As Katya rolled out the two letters next to each other bending over them. </span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(147, 101, 184)">"What does your letter say?"</span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(222, 222, 222)"> Esperanza asked her. Katya didn't immediately respond, simply scanning both letters. The wording, the handwriting, the signature. Definitely not the same author. She could feel Esperanza by her side, looking over her shoulder. Finally she glanced at her sister, maybe, and said. </span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(0, 168, 133)">"What are the odds the body your man found is the dead burgomaster?" </span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(222, 222, 222)"> </span><br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(147, 101, 184)">"Seems likely. The letter he had warned the reader to stay away, but the letter you received bid you to come here.</span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(85, 57, 130)">"</span>Someone had purposefully lured her here, had lured them here. Had they known or ensured that Esperanza would come too? Katya chewed on the inside of her lips as Esperanza gave voice to the exact same questions, she had been asking herself.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(147, 101, 184)">"Why were we sent away, and why are we being lured back now? Why aren't we supposed to be here, as the burgomaster's son said?"</span><br/><br/>Katya just looked at the wall pointedly, where on the other side the drunk was sleeping off his drink.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(147, 101, 184)">"Seems like we will have to wait for morning for answers."</span>Whether they were sisters or not, Esperanza had the right idea on that. They would have to try to get to Ishmark once he woke. Katya's mind whirled with all these new, possibly revelations on her life. Still it was easier to focus on the letters and Barovia than think too long on the likelihood they were sisters. It raised  too many of questions of its own. Complicated and painful ones too.<br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(0, 168, 133)">"At least we'll know when he wakes. And the barn guard can lead us to this Ireena, which is where we should go next. If anything I want to talk to this woman. Seems it all comes down to her."</span>Another idea occured to Katya. A slow smile spreading over her lips as she looked at Esperanza again.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(0, 168, 133)">"You know, we could break into his room. See if he has anything on him, that might answer some questions before he sobers up."</span>