<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-size: 150%; line-height: 116%;"><span style="color: #008040"><div style="text-align: center;">Tessa</div></span></span></span><br/><br/>It was hard to keep from making frustrated sighs and noises at David. He really had no idea how to lie or compose himself to fit in. He spoke before he gave any thought to his words and what they meant for the world they were in. Had he never read anything travel fantasy books? The woman turned to her and asked if she was an orphan. That wasn't hard for her. She was. "Yes, I'm an orphan." She could probably spin a longer yarn if she wanted, but why go past what was true. The woman still didn't seem to believe her, which wasn't surprising with the way David was acting. When asked for her name Tessa responded easily "Tessa." She didn't bother to give a last name, what would be the point.<br/><br/>Tessa was about to try to give some excuse for her 'brother', but Fields was pulled away. She gave a small sigh of relief. Tessa was becoming certain that something resembling magic was active in this world. There had been enough weird stuff. And there was something about that woman that was impossible to resist.<br/><br/>As the pair of them were being led away the girl tried to touch her hair and Tessa pulled back almost snarling at the woman. She didn't like being touched. As she did a spark seemed to crack. Tessa wasn't certain if it shocked the woman or not. "I'm not a duchess. We aren't royalty. We earned the money we have just to get here to the city. We heard it was the best place to be. I'm starting to doubt that from the reception we've received so far." It wasn't Vickie's fault, but Tessa was tired and sore and emotionally exhausted. So much had happened and with no explanation.<br/><br/>"Let me do the talking. You're terrible at this." Tessa said. She hadn't seen whoever David was talking about so she whispered back "What woman? I agree though Mrs. Field is strange and powerful." Tessa thought for a moment. "Vickie, what can you tell us about Mrs. Field and Kara?"<br/><br/>Vickie paused midstep "Oh Mrs. Field is wonderful, isn't she? She's gotten us organized in ways we never were before over the last year. She's magnificent. Kara was a refugee too. She has been here for about two years. But she's very stern. Don't talk back to her. If you do you'll get the worst jobs, like cleaning the latrines." Then Vickie continued on walking.<br/><br/>Tessa blinked. They had magical superhighways but not indoor plumbing? This place was a study in contrast. Tessa thought a bit as they walked trying to figure this place out. They had a couple of leads. The Law had talked to them in their heads, and David had seen some woman who might be their contact. They needed to find the Law before someone else did.<br/><br/>"Oh, another question Vickie do you know a Juliet Brennen? She is a friend of a friend, we were told she might be here." Tessa asked as they neared the end of another twisting hallway and Vickie paused in front of a door with her hand on it.