Those lunatics from the cells below proved enough broken by abuses of the asylum's mistresses that even Danae's alien authority compelled them. A throng of them were cowed into a line stretching beyond Danae's light, and carefully, quietly crept up the pantry stairs behind their commander, tense with the fear of being caught and sentenced to ever worse punishment.<br/><br/>Into the parlor's fiery light, and the tune of music.<br/><br/>♫<em>"Few understand the pain of a woman<br/>Loved by the moon and the comp'ny of knives<br/>There's skill to surviving, out there alone<br/>Knowing from instinct the taking of lives."</em><br/><br/>The promise of freedom afforded by Doctor Blanche's cavorting awoke something. Doctor Blanche did not pause her playing to exchange pleasantries. Instead, the intense focus she dedicated to the music pulled away members of Danae's company, to the other side of the firelight. Despite Zoe's best efforts, Michelle and the wounded Delphine left her for the song of the mad violinist.<br/><br/>♫<em>"Free she may go, tarry her not<br/>And these six are taken in trade<br/>Does maiden or death own this night<br/>When toll to the piper is paid."</em><br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Doctor Blanche has charmed several of your charge</div><div class="spoiler_body">Emma, Delphine, Michelle, Margaret, and two unnamed, shackled lunatics are charmed into joining Doctor Blanche.<br/><br/>Emma, Delphine, and Michelle are only moving at half speed and so haven't gone very far.<br/><br/>Margaret and two lunatics are now with Doctor Blanche.</div></div>