The scream pealed through the air once more. Connor was already running, making his way as best he could through the tightly packed groups of people. He had to get to her. He had to help.<span style="font-style: italic">What are you going to do once you get there? Apologize for intruding?</span>Connor thought to himself. It was true, he was no fighter. Sure he had been trained like everyone else in his family, but that would not be enough. Skills gained from a trainer more determined to harm you than actually help would be of little use in a real emergency.<br/><br/>Connor rounded another tight corner, desperate to hear the scream issue thrice. He wanted a clue as to where this woman in danger might be. He had to be close now....but oh crap. Turning his head upwards, Connor realized his path was blocked by none other than his arch-nemesis: Lady Gelatinous! The only reason Connor knew this town a little was because he had visited here on many occasions with his late mother. Even though the market district was usually crowded with about 85% of the vendors, still more remained to be found in the nearby streets, all ready to prey on unsuspecting visitors or in this case...seasoned veterans.<br/><br/>"Oh herro dere! I didn't expect you to come by todaayy!~" She said.<span style="font-style: italic">Yeah right!</span>he thought. The slippery lady had a uncanny habit of appearing in narrow streets where Connor was likely to pass. The thing was, she could be so nice and convincing you couldn't help but buy one of her items; and you always left with your purse strings a little tighter.<br/><br/>"Lady Gelatinous! So nice to see you." He said calmly.<br/><br/>"And you as well...I dink you will like mah collection...I has sum very special trinkets fo yoouu."<br/><br/>"No thanks," Connor started to say. "I don't think I need any--"<br/><br/>"Oh but come nao! You surely can't expect me to beweve you have...a bweatiful necwace!" Connor looked on in horror as Lady Gelatinous began to lift up a very intricate necklace indeed. It was woven of the finest silver metal, and looked tempered to fit. Still, he wasn't a necklace type of man. Better go with his thoughts so he wouldn't get flustered and confused.<br/><br/>"I'm not sure I'm really a necklace type of guy." He said smoothly. "Now if you'll just excuse me..." But there was no doing that. At that precise moment, the vixen moved forward, swifter than he was sure anybody could believe.<br/><br/>"Nonsense!" She started. "All of mah items are perfect for any suitor! Come now...wet us have a look-see." The fiend was dragging him forward with the strength of an obstinate mule. This would not be easy. He remembered the woman in the distance screaming. He really didn't have time for this. If he could only deft past her...but that was no good. That was suicide. As they drew ever closer to her cart, Connor noticed that all of her items seemed to be constructed of a most fine silver--the collection was gleaming at him and truly was beautiful. "How about dis?" She motioned, pointing to an item a top most of her bangles and other assorted objects.<br/><br/>"Lady! That ring is on the top shelf!" Lady Gelatinous' items were ever changing; she had a different collection each day. As a rule of thumb, the higher the item was on her cart, the pricier it would end up being. It also happened that the higher the item she was attempting to sell you, the more persistent and determinant she became.<br/><br/>"Come nao...you can't puta da price on...perfection!"<span style="font-style: italic">Damn it!</span>he thought. She knew she was right! In any case, buying the ring would get rid of her...if only temporarily.<br/><br/>"Very well...how much would it take me to sport the ring?" He asked, afraid of the answer he might receive.<br/><br/>"I tell you wat...you are good customer. If you promise to come back tomorrwo...I will give you de ring for a trade."<br/><br/>"What trade did you have in mind?" Connor wondered aloud.<br/><br/>"My radiant, ungodwy ring...for a huugg." She said.<span style="font-style: italic">Curses! I knew it!</span>He thought defeated. It always ended up like this. But no choice now.<br/><br/>"Very well," He responded quickly. "I will give you the hug you seek." Connor moved forward and grasped as much of Lady Gelatinous as he could between his arms in a tight, but loving hug. His arms did not touch.<br/><br/>"Ah..." She sighed. "Dis is so nice...dank you Connor. You are always so kind."<br/><br/>"Don't mention it my fair lady. However I implore you, I must be off!"<br/><br/>"Oh but acourse...de wady you heard? She will be waiting two streets from yo weft." She admitted sagely.<span style="font-style: italic">Waiting?</span>he thought curiously, before--<br/><br/>"Thanks!" He called gratefully, taking the ring from her outstretched hand and not dwelling further on her words. Connor now moved past her, amazed that she was able to flatten herself to the stone wall so effectively.<br/><br/>"Remember to come and visit tomorrwo, I wait fo you!" Connor heard her say distantly. He was close now. Nothing more would stand in his way. He was around the last corner, putting the ring on the third finger of his right hand absentmindedly. It fit on with a perfect snug.<span style="font-style: italic">How did she do that...</span>He thought vaguely to himself, before he noticed the scene before him.<br/><br/>"Whoa." Connor exclaimed, not sure what else to say about the images flooding through his mind. The girl that had been screaming previously was dead. Her countenance was frozen with a look of horror, as blood seemed to leak from beneath her dark locks. She was cut savagely across the chest in a crisscross pattern, and more blood than seemed possible was seeping along the pathway. "What happened to you?" He murmured, as he bent down in respect further surveying her. Connor was just considering moving closer when he heard a loud crash behind him on the roof tops. He spun around quickly, and came face to face with a monster.