<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Crossroads, 2016<br/>The Cottage Inn - 9:24 a.m.</span><br/><br/>Arianna was a little torn. At one hand, it was good to have company so she wouldn’t be alone with the unwanted visitors. On the other hand, though, having more people in there could put more people at risk. Adults, while concerning, were less scary for Arianna, as they could, even if simply normal people, defend themselves. Children like Eliza and her own baby, though, made Arianna feel her blood run cold in fear for them. <br/><br/>She was about to say something, when Kurt’s “Good morning, Ladies” rang in her ears. <span style="font-style: italic">Thank whatever god is around now</span>, Arianna thought to herself. His comment on someone asking for an army made the woman smile and nod. “It seems so. I just think nobody expected one to come so quickly”, she replied, her voice still betraying her tension. <br/><br/>Taking a few steps back - her eyes still locked in the visitors -, Arianna resumed her place behind the counter. Just in case some action happened. Or in case some of the dirty dogs decided to try and step inside, from where he could reach the area upstairs where the rooms and her living quarters were. And if someone did try to get anywhere near her child, there would be hell to pay. “I guess you do have a point, Kurt. And my mother used to say those who think too highly of themselves are often those who can never amount to anything”, she answered to his comment, trying to collect herself and calm herself down. She wasn’t alone anymore, after all. Between herself, Kurt and Ingrid, they should probably be able to deal with the wolves. Hopefully, it would not come to this, though, as Eliza was there and could get hurt. <br/><br/>As the three men left, intimidated by Kurt’s posture, Arianna let out a breath she didn’t even realize was being held. “Thank you so much, Kurt”, she mumbled, feeling her knees weak. “The coffee is strong and boiling hot, as usual. What else will you have?”, Arianna asked, trying to get back in track. “Good morning, Ingrid and Eliza. You will have breakfast as well, right?”, she asked, already moving to set two tables. What was happening to Crossroads? Things seemed to be getting worse by the day. <br/><br/>When Charlotte finally got to the Inn - luckily missing the worst part of the commotion -, Arianna was still shaken and a little pale, but trying hard to pretend nothing had happened. “Good morning, T.T.”, she greeted, trying to smile. “I’m fine, thanks, and Moira is fine too”, the young woman replied. “She’s getting over her cold really quickly”. After this comment, she smiled a little more sincerely. “Thank you so much, T.T. I will definitely let you know, but I’m sure everything is great as usual. How much do I owe you today?”, Arianna asked, starting to feel a bit better. “Come on, everyone, please take a seat, and make yourselves at home while I check on Moira and come right back down - you too, Alex”, she completed before excusing herself and taking a quick run upstairs, and coming back down with her daughter, as the baby had woken up and gripped her tightly when she had leaned to check on her.<br/><br/>“All right, what will everyone have?”, Arianna asked, now relieved that everything seemed to be all right - at least for this morning.</div>