<div class="floatright">(http://www.clydecaldwell.com/jpgs/large_images/azure_bonds.jpg)</div><br/>Observing her human half sister for the first time, Rose might note that the girl moved with the confidence of one who had faced her fears.  Her fitness and ballance spoke of competent skill at arms.  The attractively opened armor might look like a costume but she bore the weight fo true chain on her shoulders.  This was no  rich girl playing shieldmaiden but a competent warrior in truth who still cared enough about her appearence to aquire a magical armor that was flattering.<br/>The redhead met her gaze with a warm and curious smile and Rose couldn't help but be reminded of her youth.  Was she a day over sixteen?  She couldn't be as imature as a flighty noble daugther, but there would surely be some gaps in her experience.<br/><br/>For her own part, there was more than a little awed admiration in Marissa's eyes as she reguarded her elder sister.<br/><br/>*    *   *<br/><br/>The redhead's brow arched to find them joined by a cat girl, but she smiled as she discovered a new aspect of her father's nobility.  Most men would collar the daughters of their cat-slaves and sell them at market--or at best gift them to friends.  She wondered if such an instinct driven being could live up to the responsiblities of a noble, or if her animalistic nature would win over.  Her comand of the arte did sugest that she was intelegent and capable of discipline.<br/><br/>*   *   *<br/><br/>The charming bard elicited a bright smile from the young priestess, and she started to offer him words of welcome.  She trailed off at the thought of briggands and tensed her hip to check the position of her blade.<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide</div><div class="spoiler_body">Passed the first 3 perception checks, but not the fourth.  Can't make Sense Motive 25.  </div></div><br/>As the new elfkin continued to harangue their guide, the redhead bit her lower lips, then flushed softly and started giggling aloud.<br/><br/>She eased her horse up alongside the new girl and held out her hand.  "Hello, Melody.  I'm Marissa.  It's nice to meet you.  This is Rose.  That's Naruni, and this bard is Tolbar."