<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/0/03/RosaCandlemass.jpg)</div>Rosa paid close attention to Syndra as she described her skills. Her eyes tracked the movement of the objects and forces Syndra's magic created, and she nodded her approval. "Very impressive," she said quietly, not wanting word to spread to nearby tables. "A magician is a worthy asset on any long journey. One never knows what one might encounter, and a magician can often be the solution to an unexpected problem."<br/><br/>Kye's speech then drew her full attention. Something in Kye's words, or the cadence of her voice, brought a thoughtful look across Mother Rosa's face as she listened intently. "That is a fine skillset you bring, my child. As to your other skills... it is true that the Sisterhood of Shadowbane Plateau is an ascetic order, sworn to poverty, chastity and nonviolence. They will accept no romantic overtures from men or women, and I ask you all to refrain from such offers when we arrive." A broad smile slowly spread across her face. "But I am of the Order of the Midnight Sun, a much more worldly sect of Sarenrae's faithful. I would be honoured to command your domestic service, tonight, and perhaps as we travel."<br/><br/>She hummed and looked from Kye to Syndra. "And you mentioned an advance... does that mean you don't have a place to stay for tonight? In that case..." She slid her room key and a handful of silver coins across the table towards the two women. "Arrange for a meal and a bath to be brought to my room, and we shall see what else you can do for me. I believe I will need some help with my robes. There will be room enough for the three of us, if you both wish to stay."<br/><br/>Rosa now shifted around in her seat to pay attention to the other women. Senna and Curra appeared to have a relationship already, and Thea was getting along with them just fine, bringing an amused chuckle to Rosa's lips. That left Haysel, and she leant across the table towards her, intrigued. "Minerals from the Shadowbane Plateau region? I must confess, I hadn't heard about that, but then, I'm not one for working with my hands. You suggest a partnership, then, that the three of us hire these four fine ladies as our escort together? I can certainly agree to that. You must tell us more about your work as we go... not to mention this clever contraption of yours." She leaned back as Haysel scooped up the clockwork cat, watching it with a fascinated smile.<br/><br/>She watched the interplay between Senna, Curra and Thea with open amusement. "You two seem to work together well," she said, her eyes briefly tracking over Curra's exposed thigh and Senna's wandering fingers. "And you should be good company, if I am any judge of character, which I very much am. A return trip? Hmm... I hadn't actually made our plans from the plateau, but I will probably be moving on to another town or holy site after a few days. If we work together well, I'd be happy to hire you for the next leg of my journey, but it wouldn't be back to Lansite."<br/><br/>Rosa put one hand on the table and the other around Thea's shoulder. "I knew your instincts would find us the right women for the job, dear. I'm sure we'll have a lovely time on this journey. And who knows, perhaps no trouble will befall us. But better safe than sorry, and with such companions, I expect to be very safe, and not at all sorry."