<blockquote><div><cite>Mina wrote:</cite>"I'm... I'm kinda drunk. D'you mind if I go lie down for a little while?"</div></blockquote><br/>"Oh... yes, of course. Go right ahead." Alyssa steps aside to allow Mina past, mentally crossing her off the list of interviewees. As the redheaded monk disappears back into the ale tent, she sighs inwardly in resignation; given her station for the night, it's likely that most of her potential witnesses are already sharing Mina's current state of consciousness, or lack thereof. Add to those the number too shaken to talk, or drinking their impending nightmares away, and she'll be lucky to get a useful story out of the two score of patrons. All the more reason to be diligent with her current subjects, then.<br/><br/><blockquote><div><cite>Angel wrote:</cite>"Well, other than that thief..."</div></blockquote><br/>Alyssa scribes Celaire's answer into her notebook, drawing several hypothetical lines between her statement and the facts known. Given her placement at the time of the attack, it's likely that the thief she saw was Botch fleeing from Dagnyr- but, did she see anything beforehand? If so, she might have insight into his motivations, or why he was wearing symbols of a dark god just before a demonic invasion...<br/><br/>Before she can ask, however, Alyssa's attention is drawn away by a bellow of command from behind her: Sergeant Ananda! She about-faces, and delivers a salute for her commander, doing her best to hide her consternation behind a mask of seriousness. Her mind races, searching for an explanation or means to hide Vanika before her presence inevitably draws the Sergeant's attention. It won't be more than a few seconds before she notices the ten-foot demoness in a crowd of mortals, and when she does there will be-<br/><br/><blockquote><div><cite>Sergeant Ananda wrote:</cite>"Good work, both of you. Keep it up,"</div></blockquote><br/>-congratulations?<br/><br/>"Y-yes, sir!" Alyssa stammers, delivering a second salute as Sergeant Ananda  turns and departs. She holds the salute until her commander is well on her way, nearly collapsing as her muscles finally relax and allow her to start breathing again - had she been holding her breath this whole time? How or why the Sergeant overlooked Vanika is beyond her, but she's too relieved to question her luck for the time being; all that matters is that the four of them are free of the Sergeant's ire for the time being.<br/><br/><blockquote><div><cite>Vanika wrote:</cite>"She sounds, uh, busy. Whatcha need her for?"</div></blockquote><br/>"Busy?" Alyssa asks. She peers around Vanika and Dagnyr, into the remains of the Wandering Grille where Vanika indicated Sure enough, Larynn is crouched by a heap of pots and pans, gesturing at something underneath - packing her gear to leave, perhaps? Or, more likely, something to satisfy the hungry vanara troop who missed their suppers thanks to the invasion. Either way, it looks like she'll be busy for quite some time. Satisfied that Larynn isn't 'busy' fleeing the scene, and free of Sergeant Ananda's scrutiny, Alyssa allows her urgent tension to slip away as she turns back to Vanika.<br/><br/>"I can ask later, if it's more convenient," she says. "If you would, please let her know that Adjutant Niberos would like a witness statement before she leaves."<span style="font-style: italic">That ought to help compose the situation,</span>she thinks. From her observation, speaking to a known Rubinite watchman tends to ease subjects' apprehension, if only because it means their Domrunian counterparts might not be present. "In the meantime, Miss Celaire, I'd like to hear more about-"<br/><br/>Alyssa pauses, forgetting her request for the moment, and tenses as Sergeant Ananda's departing footsteps come to a sudden halt. As a former pupil, she recognizes the sound, or lack thereof, well: back in the Saints Academy  training halls, a sudden pause meant the Sergeant had stopped to reassess a student whose actions she had overlooked while her attention was divided. More often than not, those moments were followed by particularly fierce browbeatings or worse if the Sergeant found anything not to her liking. Given her present company, it's not hard for Alyssa to guess what's occupied the Sergeant's thought's this time, or where it will lead her.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">No need to panic,</span>Alyssa fibs to herself.<span style="font-style: italic">She could be thinking of anything right now. Besides, it's not as if she'd announce a demon's presence in the wake of an invasion...</span>Her hopes are short lived, however, as Sergeant Ananda's footsteps begin beating a hasty path toward the ale tent. Steadying herself with a deep breath Alyssa turns to face her approaching commander. Maybe there's still a chance to handle the matter quietly, before there's any trouble.<br/><br/><blockquote><div><cite>Sergeant Ananda wrote:</cite>"Would one of you please tell me," she finally says, "what THOSE are" - an accusing finger wavers between Angel and Vanika - "and and why in the nine hells they're not in chains?!?"</div></blockquote><br/>Despite bracing herself a moment before, Alyssa winces slightly as her commander makes her demands with typical Domruninan finesse. It looks like a quiet solution is out of the question, now; after that announcement, it's unlikely that anyone within earshot has missed Vanika by now. To make matters worse, the Sergeant's positioning leaves her caught between two agitated predators, neither of whom is likely to back down, with uncertain regards for her well being... It's to Alyssa's great relief when Angel steps up to speak, giving her a moment to collect herself before she attempts to stabilize the precarious situation herself.<br/><br/><blockquote><div><cite>Angel wrote:</cite>"The reason I'm not in chains is because without my help even more people might have been hurt. And I'm sure that your watchmen can attest that this is hardly some innocent creature I'm digesting."</div></blockquote><br/>"What Miss Celaire says is true," Alyssa says. "Both she and Vanika were of great help in the defense of the city. The creatures inside of them now are -<span style="font-style: italic">were</span>demons who would have injured or killed dozens of civilians if not for their timely intervention. I understand that their appearances may be deceiving, but their actions speak clearly of their good character. To arrest them without cause or evidence would be a direct violation of my oaths as a watch adjutant."