Jacee stopped quickly, turning her head to face the stranger. Her eyes narrowed as she glanced at the piece of paper he held out to her.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic"><span style="color: #FF0080">Is that?... </span></span>She blinked slowly, effectively masking her confusion. It was definitely the map, there was no mistaking it. The question left was: how did this man come to possess it. It didn't just fall out of her pocket- she had made sure it was tucked securely at the very bottom. Trying to keep suspicion and hostility out of her posture, she reached for the parchment, flashing the man a bright smile, "Thank you! I really don't know what I would have done without that." She pulled the map from between his fingers, stowing it once again in her pocket and giving the man a slow, appraising glance, analyzing his posture, scrutinizing him for any sign of trickery.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic"><span style="color: #FF0080">I don't get it... Why steal the map, only to give it back to me?</span></span><br/><br/>She quirked an eyebrow at him, then turned away, "Well, I should be on my way. Thank you again."<br/>Jacee set off at a quick pace, troubled somewhat by this turn of events. She wasn't keen on strange happenings; they usually brought trouble in the form of hired trackers trying to bring her back home.<br/>A scowl worked its way onto her usually soft features- if she had her way, she'd never see that stuffy, propriety-centered mansion again. Freedom meant more to Jacee Allen than anything else, and she'd gladly cheat, steal, and kill to ensure that she kept it. She'd spent years building Hell's Gate, and once she'd finally taken to the skies, she knew there'd be no turning back. She shoved her hand into the pocket the held the map, further protecting it from potential pickpockets, and marched back to the docks.<br/><br/>She spared Hell's Gate a pitying glance, "Poor love. Don't worry, I think I know just the tick to get you fixed up right. We've an adventure ahead of us, and we need to keep two steps in front of those morons Auntie Jane keep sending after me... Scatty witch." She gave the ship an affectionate pat, then headed up the ramp.