<div style="padding: 3px; background-color: #FFFFFF; border: 1px solid #d8d8d8; font-size: 1em;"><div style="text-transform: uppercase; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCCCCC; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 0.8em; font-weight: bold; display: block;"><span onclick="if (this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display != '') {  this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = ''; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;hide&lt;/a&gt;'; } else { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = 'none'; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;show&lt;/a&gt;'; }"><b>Spoiler: </b><a href="#" onclick="return false;">show</a></span></div><div class="quotecontent"><div style="display: none;">Thank you, Sillyness! I'll do my very best to keep up with everyone here. The story has been wonderful so far, and I'm honored to be able to participate.</div></div></div><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">~~Several Minutes Earlier...~~</span><br/><br/>Something in the shadows of Helix's chamber is ever-so-slightly off. It would take a keen eye to notice the discrepancies: an extra curve on the outline of an armoire; a faint, waving line that might be cast by a floating wisp of hair. It would take an even keener eye to trace those disturbances back to their source, a hair-thin outline pressed into the corner of the room between wall and dresser. It's the only sign of Brady's presence, and one Helix has yet to notice; a fact that pleases her immensely.<br/><br/>Her companion, on the other hand, is somewhat less enthused.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">~Remind me again why we're hiding in our commanding officer's bedroom?~</span>Crew chirps over his mental connection.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">~Simple,~</span>Brady responds.<span style="font-style: italic">~Commander Helix said he wanted me here to meet the new recruits, right? Well, here I am.~</span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">~Yes, but... why are we hiding?~</span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">~Well, I figured I'd wow them with a first impression,~</span>she explains.<span style="font-style: italic">~After all, I'm supposed to be a spy. How are they going to know how great I am if I just walk in when he calls me, like some maid? Besides, I want a chance to look them over.~</span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">~Suuuure... I'll bet you just wanted to ogle the commander again,~</span>Crew snarks back. But Brady is too distracted to notice- the door to Helix's chamber has just swung open, giving her her first look at her new team.<br/><br/>And what a feast for the eyes... first, a lupine warrior, his lithe body accented by the glint of polished chain armor and the steel rivets that accent his dark clothing. Brady can't hear the wolf from her current position, but she can only imagine the noise that outfit must make when he walks... that aside, he's not bad looking, and he has nice eyes- scratch that,<span style="font-style: italic">very</span>nice eyes, as he turns to display his profile, his irises glinting green in the room's light.<br/><br/>Behind the wolf comes another canine, a white-furred vulpine whose ears brush the doorframe. Everything the wolf has, the fox has three times over: he's taller, broader, and much,<span style="font-style: italic">much</span>sexier... a quality enhanced by his state of half-undress, giving Brady an unobstructed view of his sculpted physique. She wouldn't mind spending some time pressed up against that body! Alas, the foxy fox seems to have found a companion already, a young elven maiden.<br/><br/>No, not an elf... a<span style="font-style: italic">human!?!</span>What in the world is a human doing in Lakehaven? Is she a prisoner? A slave? An afternoon snack? Or are there human rebels among the anthro forces? And why is she naked under that sheet? So many questions! She'll have to pull that one aside sometime when she has a chance- maybe for more than questioning! She's always had a taste for blondes...<br/><br/>Last, but certainly not least, comes the leopardess... almost as curious as the human, the feline woman looks decidedly out of place beside her warrior companions. Her clothing, her movements, even the ways she surveys the room as she enters mark her as a noble. Alluring, elegant, and absolutely gorgeous... but definitely no soldier. There must be more to her than meets the eye...<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">~Not bad... What do you think, Crew?~</span>Brady asks.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">~I think you ought to be introducing yourself, instead of gawking at your teammates,~</span>Crew responds.<span style="font-style: italic">~There's no point in hiding, anyway- Commander Helix as already spotted you.~</span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">~Spotted </span>moi?<span style="font-style: italic">Crew, I think you're underestimating me...~</span><br/><br/><blockquote><div><cite>Helix wrote:</cite>“...Though her stealth abilities needs a little work. Brady, come meet your new companions.”</div></blockquote><br/>"Aw, phooey," Brady mutters.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">~Told you,~</span>Crew gloats.<span style="font-style: italic">~Now, will you please drop this camo?~</span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">~Fine, fine...~</span><br/><br/><div style="padding: 3px; background-color: #FFFFFF; border: 1px solid #d8d8d8; font-size: 1em;"><div style="text-transform: uppercase; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCCCCC; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 0.8em; font-weight: bold; display: block;"><span onclick="if (this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display != '') {  this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = ''; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;hide&lt;/a&gt;'; } else { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = 'none'; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;show&lt;/a&gt;'; }"><b>Spoiler: </b><a href="#" onclick="return false;">show</a></span></div><div class="quotecontent"><div style="display: none;">Brady dismisses <a class="postlink" href="http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/powers/metamorphosis.htm">metamorphosis (skulk)</a> \<br/>Brady dismisses <a class="postlink" href="http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/powers/chameleon.htm">chameleon</a><br/><br/>Power points remaining: 76/86<br/><br/>And in case anyone wants to have noticed Brady before she reveals herself... stealth rolls!<br/>Hide: 1d20 (16) + 7 + 15 (racial) + 10 (enhancement) = 48<br/>Move Silently: 1d20 (10) + 7 + 8 (racial) = 25</div></div></div><br/><br/>The outline in the corner slowly resolves itself into a petite green-skinned girl, barely four and a half feet high- five, if one is generous enough to include the oversized cowlick springing from the violet hair atop her head. A striped tail wraps around her body, easily the size of the rest of her combined. The little reptile girl is clad in a suit of well-oiled blue-black leather, tight enough to reveal... that she has nothing worth revealing, unless one happens to have a fascination with beanpoles. A sliver of red crystal peeks from the pocket of the thin vest over her bodysuit; from a certain angle, it appears to glow faintly.<br/><br/>"How'd you know I was here?" Brady asks as she slips out of her hiding place. "I was really careful this time!"<br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold">Character Stuff!</span><br/><div style="padding: 3px; background-color: #FFFFFF; border: 1px solid #d8d8d8; font-size: 1em;"><div style="text-transform: uppercase; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCCCCC; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 0.8em; font-weight: bold; display: block;"><span onclick="if (this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display != '') {  this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = ''; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;hide&lt;/a&gt;'; } else { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = 'none'; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;show&lt;/a&gt;'; }"><b>Spoiler: </b><a href="#" onclick="return false;">show</a></span></div><div class="quotecontent"><div style="display: none;"><span style="font-weight: bold">Character Sheets!</span><br/><div class="inline-attachment">
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<dt><img alt="" height="10" src="./styles/prosilver/imageset/icon_topic_attach.gif" title="" width="7"/> <a class="postlink" href="./download/file.php?id=60521">Brady.rtf</a></dt>
<dd>(7.09 KiB) Downloaded 59 times</dd>
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<dt><img alt="" height="10" src="./styles/prosilver/imageset/icon_topic_attach.gif" title="" width="7"/> <a class="postlink" href="./download/file.php?id=60522">Crew.rtf</a></dt>
<dd>(5.2 KiB) Downloaded 48 times</dd>
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</div><br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold">Picture!</span><br/><div class="inline-attachment">
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<dt class="attach-image"><img alt="Brady (Purple Hair).png" onclick="viewableArea(this);" src="./download/file.php?id=60524"/></dt>
<dd>Brady (Purple Hair).png (13.4 KiB) Viewed 884 times</dd>
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</div><br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold">Theme Music!</span><br/><!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPTblJlTUX4">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPTblJlTUX4</a><!-- m --></div></div></div><br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold">Backstory!</span><br/><div style="padding: 3px; background-color: #FFFFFF; border: 1px solid #d8d8d8; font-size: 1em;"><div style="text-transform: uppercase; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCCCCC; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 0.8em; font-weight: bold; display: block;"><span onclick="if (this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display != '') {  this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = ''; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;hide&lt;/a&gt;'; } else { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = 'none'; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;show&lt;/a&gt;'; }"><b>Spoiler: </b><a href="#" onclick="return false;">show</a></span></div><div class="quotecontent"><div style="display: none;"><span style="font-style: italic">~I knew it was a bad idea.~</span> Crew moaned.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">~You always say that.~</span> Brady sunk lower into the soft cushions of the armchair, half-listening to her father's lecture as he paced across the thick Nulasian carpet of the study. A red octahedral crystal, the corporeal portion of her friend Crew, lay dormant on the cord about her neck, pulsing with a faint light she'd come to interpret as his frowning pattern. She knew that the little psicrystal was flustered, and would have liked nothing more than to pace off his nervous energy, but her father disliked Crew even on the best of days- now, she decided, was not the time to test his patience.<br/><br/>It wasn't fair, really. She'd only been trying to enjoy herself, and the chambermaid had been so eager... and when her disguise slipped, and the girl panicked- well, she couldn't very well let her run around in only garters, could she? Besides, she'd been so hungry...<br/><br/>"Brady?" Her father's voice jolted her out of her reflection, and she quickly drew herself up into a more ladylike position. Her father had stopped pacing and was standing by the mantle, glaring down upon her.<br/><br/>"Brady, have you been listening?"<br/><br/>"Of course, Dad," Brady lied. "But it's alright now, isn't it? I mean, Rieppel patched her up, and put in some fake memories-"<br/><br/>"And suppose he had not?" her father interrupted. "Suppose he had arrived too late to repair her mind? Or her body? It only takes one disappearance, Brady. One maid, or valet, or cook, or stableboy, or even an absent pet can raise the suspicions of the entire household! What do you think would happen if they realized their masters had been replaced by their mortal enemies? We'd be lucky to reach our ghetto den unscathed."<br/><br/>"What does it matter?" Brady huffed. "We'll be out of here by the end of the month anyway, when the real owners come back. Then we'll mindwipe everyone and go back to scrounging in the ghettos until we can find another empty place."<br/><br/>"But we <span style="font-style: italic">will</span> find another," her father said. "For that is the way of the Iguan line: squatters in mansions, scroungers of larders, vagabonds of the highest caliber! What we are<span style="font-style: italic">not</span>," he added, his tone sharp, "are eaters of maids. If you must indulge that bizarre appetite of yours, at least restrain yoursself until we are back in the ghettos. Do you understand?"<br/><br/>Brady slumped back against her chair. "Yes, Dad."<br/><br/>Her father smiled. "Very good, dear. Now, shall we see about fetching a proper supper?"<br/><br/><br/>~~~~~<br/><br/>"What a joke," Brady grumbled from the depths of her featherbed.<br/><br/>"Still upset?" Crew asked. The psicrystal was back in his legged form, pacing about the sheets on four spindly legs.<br/><br/>"You heard him, didn't you? Vagabonds of the highest caliber!" Brady scrunched her face into a near-perfect mimic of her father's wrinkles as she delivered his favorite quote. "He thinks cadging off nobles is something to be proud of, Crew. He thinks it's a way of life."<br/><br/>"Well, you have to admit, it's pretty cushy" Crew suggested. "I mean, this place has everything."<br/><br/>"And <span style="font-style: italic">we've</span> got nothing," Brady countered. "All this wealth, all this cool stuff? We can't even use it without giving ourselves away!" She waved her hand in the direction of her mark's vanity, littered with expensive trinkets and baubles. "I can't wear any of the fancy clothes or jewelry here, because Dad thinks I'll break something. There's a stable full of horses I can't ride in case they catch my scent and panic. And remind me when we last ate something that wasn't boiled potatoes?"<br/><br/>"But your father said..." Crew hesitated for a moment, then drooped. "...that they'd notice if we took anything else. Okay, I see your point, but what are we supposed to do? Your dad calls the shots around here, and Rieppel's behind him a hundred percent. We've got no leg to stand on."<br/><br/>"Then we'll have to run away," Brady said matter-of-factly.<br/><br/>"Of course, we'll just- <span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-weight: bold">run away?</span></span> Brady, have you lost your mind? If your dad catches us-"<br/><br/>"Then we're no worse off than we are right now," Brady said. She gave Crew her best pleading look, widening her eyes just a bit for extra impact. "Come on, Crew... don't you want to try living life for a change? Sure, it'll be hard at first. We'll be on the run from Dad, sleeping on the streets and eating scraps... but they'll be <span style="font-style: italic">our</span> scraps! And we'll work our way up again, until we can live like nobles for real! What do you say, Crew?"<br/><br/>Crew was silent, bobbing slowly atop the bedspread. The light inside his crystalline body flickered a swirled, a sign that he was thinking... and more importantly, that his mind was changing. The light glimmered from red, to orange, to yellow, and finally into green- Crew's "agreeable" personality.<br/><br/>"Alright," he said. "I'm in. What's our plan?"<br/><br/>"We leave tonight," Brady said, piling her belongings next to Crew. A few choice items from the vanity went into the pile as well... for emergency funds, she told herself. "We'll catch the first carriage out of town, and head for the Relian capital."<br/><br/>"The capital?" Crew asked, looking confused. "What are go going to do, pretend to be King Caleb?"<br/><br/>"Hm... Tempting," Brady said. "But I have an even better idea."<br/><br/>"What's that?"<br/><br/>"We're going to do something no Iguan's ever done," Brady said, grinning. "We're going to cadge off two armies at once."</div></div></div>