"Oh... errr... ah... uh."  The server can't seem to find any words, flushing a bright crimson in response to Iolanda's proximity and touch.  He has not quite recovered by the time the beautiful young woman suddenly turns, walking to the door, taking a cloak, and slipping quietly out.  "Muh?"  He finishes, confused.  Shrugging, he turns back to his job, first taking a deep breath to clear his mind of the intoxicating courtesan.  It wasn't the first strange thing he'd seen at the bar, after all.<br/><br/>Stepping out, the night air seems especially chill, crisp.  The temperature had dropped even in the short time the sisters had been inside, and the<em>Bacio l'ubriaco</em>was warm, a strong contrast to the night air.  The bar, however, was kept dimly lit.  Iolanda's eyes have no difficulty adjusting, the few hanging lanterns and the little bit of light coming from windows more than enough to light her way.  Around the corner, into the nearest alley, she just sees the retreating server, his footsteps barely audible, his heavy cloak trailing behind him.<br/><br/>Even moving slowly, it takes little time for Iolanda to reach the mouth of the alleyway.  There, she sees the server, about halfway down the alley, talking to a larger man.  An obvious tough, muscled, bald, dressed in leathers, clutching a length of wood.  Others of similar description slowly file into the alleyway.  Inching forward slightly, Iolanda can hear a few words.<br/><br/>"... but the woman was asking all the questions.  I think she's one of them.  I'll tell the others, you lot stay here."  With that, the server slips between a few of the toughs, disappearing down the other end of the alley, as the toughs stand shoulder to shoulder, their muscles flexing dangerously.  "It's cold."  One says.<br/><br/>Alas, although Iolanda's hiding place is a good one, she is not the only one who thinks so.  A black alleycat, only its yellow eyes visible, yowls at her, announcing its claim on the particular shadowed crevasse they were sharing.  The toughs, their attention drawn, manage to spot the lovely courtesan, and close quickly.  The leader leers dangerously as he brandishes his length of wood.  "So.  You're the one Bernardo mentioned.  Well, you're coming with us, the easy way or the hard way.  Not sure which one I'd prefer."  He shoots a nasty grin at the others, some of whom bark in equally nasty laughter.  Their dark eyes seem to gleam as they close in around her.