'When things are looking down is when people need a good dance the most.', Maribelle's dance teacher had taught her, back when she was still learning the trade.  Things were certainly looking down at the moment.  The local lord, Lady Cecilia Laplace, had been attacked by mercenaries and driven from her home.  The rumor going around was that she had even been murdered by them, and the mercenaries, who had since spread out into the surrounding countryside, certainly seemed to believe it.<br/><br/>Maribelle had been dancing in the village square when the mercenaries arrived, trying to both raise the spirits of the people after the grim news about their beloved Lady and perhaps make a little money on the side.  It had been working, at first, but when the men with all the swords had showed up, her curvaceous body and skimpy outfit had caught a few lecherous eyes, and she'd been dragged off to give a 'more private dance' to the three men.<br/><br/>Oh yes, things were certainly looking down.  So, while the men discussed what order they'd be taking their turns in, Maribelle danced.<br/><br/>Her dance certainly worked its magic for a little while, at least.  Conversation dropped off, and the men settled in to watch as she danced around for them, keeping them both distracted and entertained.  It was only a measure to buy herself some time, though.  Nobody could keep dancing forever, and she didn't doubt that, when she eventually tired, she would wind up as easy prey for these men.  Then, the village behind her would face similar treatment, callously ravaged by these uncouth marauders, and-<br/><br/>And suddenly, two warriors, a knight in black armor and a soldier in red, stepped into the camp, immediately moving on the attack.<br/><br/>Having been in the lands surrounding Laplace Manor for long enough to pick up descriptions of the local celebrities, Maribelle had little trouble recognizing the two.  The black knight was Claire Devereaux, a retainer to the Lady Laplace and a slightly eccentric, but otherwise good-hearted man.  The crest on the red soldier's armor, meanwhile, identified him as Aurich of Astora, a local knight and merchant.  He controlled most of the trade in the lands surrounding Laplace Manor, and as a result, his crest was often seen on crates of various different goods being shipped around.  He, too, had a reputation as a good and honorable man.<br/><br/>'When things are looking up is when people need a good dance the most.', Maribelle's dance teacher had also taught her, way back when.  In truth, he had been of the opinion that a good dance was fitting for almost any occasion, and he had passed this philosophy on to his students as best he could.  And given that the dancing girl now found herself looking at the prospect of rescue from these lecherous brutes...<br/><br/>Well, things were definitely looking up.  And so, Maribelle danced.