“Hey! You guys!” Lorarona heard a familiar voice call. She turned around to see Rikki bounding into the room. “So glad you could make it! Are you enjoying the party?”

“We’re doing our best,” Lorarona reflected. “We think we’ve finally blended in.”

They looked over to see Noninja hobnobbing with a few of the other gentlemen. His movements were split between bowing demurely and gesticulating wildly with his hands, as his audience looked on, captivated. “I think he’s found someone that wants to hear all about ninjas.”

“And I think he’s found his soulmate,” Rikki chimed, pointing in Clancy’s direction. He was chatting with a nerdy, mousy-haired debutante wearing a tasteful but plain dress; both would wince as they laughed.

“You think we should rescue him?” Rikki asked, referring to Miles. He sat on a couch, looking slightly glum, as the silver-haired older woman from the buffet table fawned over him.

“Nah,” Lorarona decided. “I think he’s getting what he deserves.” Her secretive smile returned. “As am I.”

“Oh?” Rikki prompted. “Do tell.”

“I auditioned for the master of ceremonies,” she revealed. “I’m performing tonight!”

“Really?” Rikki guffawed. “That’s incredible! They’re usually so dismissive. What did he say?”

Lorarona cleared her throat and did her best impression. “Not bad, kid. What the heck, I’ll give you a shot. We needed another opening act anyway.”

Rikki giggled. “Coming from them, that’s a resounding compliment! Well done!” Lorarona simply blushed.

“Good evening, Rikki,” Clancy greeted as he arrived. “I’d like to introduce both of you to Desma.”

“Oh, I’ve met Desma before,” Rikki declared, gently taking her hand and kissing it lightly. “Always a pleasure, miss.” She giggled and winced.

“We were just discussing how we’d like to get away from all these people,” Clancy shared. “Maybe find a garden to walk through or something.”

“I’m afraid that’s impossible,” Rikki explained. “The Medochres tore out the garden and put the new theater in its place.”

“Aw, that’s a shame,” Desma pined.

“Did you know this is the old theater?” Rikki revealed, sweeping his hands over the room. “Those curved windows there used to be the stage.”

“How do you know so much about this house?” Clancy asked.

“Oh, please,” Desma teased. “Rikki’s as connected as it gets.”

“I certainly am!” he proclaimed. “I know everything there is to know about the artist community in this city. I grew up surrounded by auteurs and performers! And I saw this house before the Medochres bought it.” He looked sly for a moment. “Oh, the things I could tell you about this family. But I’m not one to gossip.” They shared a laugh.

Desma pricked up her ears. “What is that I’m hearing?”

Rikki turned his head to listen, and smiled. “It means the show’s about to start.”

A servant walked by the door, going down the hallway; she held a crystal goblet, tapping on it lightly with a silver spoon, making a sharp, clear bell-like sound. “Come, everyone!” she called out. “It’s time!” A flood of people pushed by her, all of them heading to the theater. As the crowd thinned, Rikki, Desma, and the team made their way to the show.

They swept their eyes over the pew seating; most of them were marked as reserved. They gawked as they watched Clancy walk right by them, Desma hanging on his arm, as she led them to her reserved spot. They saw other patrons standing near the back wall. “I guess we have to stay here,” Lorarona remarked.

Rikki gave them a concerned look from his seat; he got up and made his way over to them. “See how they are?” Rikki grumbled. “You can’t even sit unless you’re ‘one of them’.” He scoffed lightly. “I’d rather be back here with you guys, anyway.”

“Not all of us,” Miles grinned, pointing to Clancy. He and Desma continued to talk, their eyes locked on each other.

Rikki smiled. “They really seem made for each other, don’t they.”

The crowd suddenly quieted to a murmur; the master of ceremonies climbed onto the stage. “Wonder when I’m on?” Lorarona asked.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” the master of ceremonies announced, “we have quite a show for you tonight. Opening our festivities, for your entertainment…the comic stylings of Lorarona!” There was some light, scattered applause from the audience. “I’m on!” she trilled as she bounded to the stage.

“Break a leg!” Rikki called after her.

“Thank you!” she called out after taking her place on the stage. A wolf whistle erupted from somewhere in the crowd; she turned toward it and scowled demurely. “Now, now,” she countered mirthfully, “it’s not that kind of act!” That brought a decent burst of laughter and some applause. She smiled broadly.

“So,” she continued, “I’m a comedian, presently working as an adventurer. Some people think that’s weird. I don’t…I think it’d be weird if it happened the other way.” Spirited snickers flitted from the crowd. She did an impression of the master of ceremonies’ voice. “Thanks for coming down to the Jesters’ Jamboree tonight! Up next…Taragon the Demon Slayer!” The crowd erupted into guffaws; she stole a look at the MC, who was giggling heavily, covering his mouth with his hand, his eyes closed.

She waited for the crowd to settle down. “I know some of you are adventurers like me,” she continued. “Tell me…what’s the deal when a member of your team dies, huh? Has anyone noticed this? You hold a tryout to replace him, and what happens?” She flashed a manic smile; several deep-throated giggles bubbled from the audience. “Someone of the right experience level, with all the skills and qualities it takes to complement your team perfectly, just shows up out of nowhere! They even seem to have the same personality as your fallen comrade! Am I right?”

The laughter had risen to the point where it threatened to drown her out; she took a moment to cast her confident smile over everyone assembled. “Sure, sometimes there’s a few changes, but it’s like an act being put on by the same actor! I mean, really! We’ve all heard about the River Of Souls, but I swear, we’re seeing some straight-up reincarnation here, people!” The crowd rolled with laughter as she nodded with confident sincerity. “That’s right; I’m making religious jokes. But I think we deserve to ask some questions!”

“Yeah!” yelled one member of the audience; she pointed in the exclamation’s direction. “That’s what I’m talking about!” More exuberant laughter. “It’s easy to spot the adventurers in the audience…they’ve seen this before. Right, fellas?”

Spirited affirmation burst forth, followed by hearty applause. “I’m tellin’ ya, if the Panthea are trying to keep their wills unknown, they’re really flubbing it!”

Rikki and Noninja could hardly contain themselves. “Ye Gods,” Rikki blubbered. “She’s killing it tonight!”