in the galleries above the main dance floor, a shadow seems to sweep in between the dancers cooling off their feet. the finely frocked seem to be a little more chilled than they expected because a shiver and a flurry of snowflakes follow closely in the shadow's wake.

her contacts in the surface world had always been few and far between, and always kept at a distance. not many knew how to contact her, but the roughly and clearly hurriedly scrawled note that was currently concealed in a hidden pocket in her skirts had tempted her from her natural habitat. she had helped the note's author in the past in, shall we say 'Distribution and Disposal', but something about this mention of treasure seemed different. she was tempted, and business had little to do with it.

she sensed there may be people mingling amongst the crowd that she would need to contact. she sighed. she really wasn't good with people. the surface world made her too cranky. usually. nevertheless, she shakes off her human form, dissolving into a dense black fog. draining between the balustrades, she filters down amongst the dancers, seeking out the crew of The Aurora. there are things they need to do.

Noticing how more and more people filled the ball room, Umbra decided he better should tell allof his current drew members the location of where they could discuss strategies and such in private. Wisperig in Webby's ear was easy, he just needed to get to the other person too.

Slowly Cris wakes up. Noticing she was sleeping oddly in the middle of the dance floor. Drool hanging off her lower lip. Ah crumbs.. This is so like the crew to leave her there. I guess its my fault for overdrinking. With a splitting beadache cris notices a note left crumpled in her hands. Apparently the crew is regrouping somewhere. Cris gets up and looks for a way out and someplace with coffee. Soon she will see her crew avain. Boy will they get an earfull for leaving her there. (Grumps)

Asher smiled warmly.

"Lord Ashe, that's a name I haven't heard in a long time." Asher chuckled. "Its wonderful seeing you again . Though you do realize that I will be trying to frame you for my murder the next time I need to disappear. Well... Maybe I won't if it causes the Lovely distress."

He chuckled slightly, before lowering his voice. "I'm incognito, but please. Let's catch up later."

As Asher parted from his friend, he noticed a shadowed lady. Someone who could blend in with the crowd of they wanted. There was something off... About them. Asher felt as if their presence meant something.

[I]As Asher approached them, a note the had plans to give his crew fell from his pocket.[/i]

Country knew if she had been patient enough something would happen, she quickly picked up the note, tucked it in her top and took it to share with the others.

Webby Swipes the note And sticks in her sleeve and disappears to rondeyvue with the crew

Jay woke up under one of the refreshment tables at the edges of the ballroom. She growled at her stomach, which had taken issue with one too many Atebus Surprises. She would probably try to blow up her stomach if she thought that would make it behave. Her foresight was less than stellar, after all.

A shadowy figure materialized just beside her.

"Hmm?" The person had pressed a piece of paper into her hand. Peering at it, Jay fully woke up, and a mad grin took over her face.

"Find the rest of the crew!" she shouted absentmindedly over her shoulder as she crawled back under the table. "It's time for a meeting."

Umbra sighed in defeat. Theyhad eventually reached the hidden location, only to realize that their enemies had been smarter and already were on their merry way - with the loot. "Sorry captain", the deer murmured and sniffed a bit until he strengthened his resolve. There had to be more stashes and next time he would make his captain proud!

"Jay you are magnificent!" Country exclaimed as she looked over their new find. She danced around like a pup, "Oh I just love it when a plan comes together." She took Jay by the hand, "when can we do it again?" her eyes shown like diamonds, you could definitely tell she was hooked to this "little game"

“Great job, Jay.” Arleigh congratulated her captain while walking up to the rest of the crew, with Adaryn and Crevon following behind her. “You’ve done it again.” As she looked around at the crew, her gaze fell upon Country. She was obviously excited. She reminded Arleigh of Crevon, when he learned he could breath fire. All he wanted was to keep doing it. “Is this your first major score?”

"Yes Arliegh it is my first score as a member of a group." Country said with a sly grin. "Most of my work was just little trinkets here and there, I have always been a great pick pocket, but this find blew me out of the water, there was enough to share."

“So, you’re just here for the treasure then?”

Cris sighed in disbelief. Who knee that the treasure was hidden under her nose and by her own pet at that. She hissed at her captain. "Sir, how could you lose something like the note like that??? And you left me passed out!" cris mumbled something about arachnids and biting the captain as she reached for a bottle of rum. The way she drank its no wonder she didnt see the loot under her nose.

"At first yes, it was all about the goodies, but now... I am beginning to become fond of my new found comrades." Country gave a cheesy grin to Arliegh. "Would you enjoy a celebratory dance around the floor my dear?"

"Hahahaha, definitely a true story wife. Also, I'm not sure, Witchy was pretty convincing, and who knows what she gets up to. Anyhow, I better go find my team and get to helping." Reaper snatches the bottle back from Lovecraft before wandering over to the rest of her team and peeking at the mysterious note they received.

“I would, thank you.” As Arleigh and Country danced, Arleigh made a note to herself to talk to Jay about new crew members the next time they were alone.

the dark fog re-materialises in an almost quiet corner of the bar. catching the eye of the bartender with a crook of her finger, the dark lady points at a bottle at the back of the top shelf. it looks like it hasn't been touched in a century. which is probably true. the lady remembers that exact bottle from the last time she had sought refreshment here. "are you sure?!" the bartender's voice cracks with trepidation. she raises an eyebrow in answer and watches him silently as he shakily goes about making her drink.

drawing an engraved silver pocket-watch from another hidden pocket, she scowls when she notices the time. she is sure fun has been happening while she was floating around the feet of the nearby dancers. it has been so long since she has been in the surface world that she has forgotten that time moves at a different pace when she changes form. Time is surely a fickle master. the next time they meet for tea she will have to mention her frustrations.

three things then happened simultaneously. her mind was made up as she snapped the watch shut and slipped it back away as the bartender placed her smoking drink in front of her before slipping gratefully away to the other end of the bar. she sat sipping the concoction and debated with herself over her choice. she had been tempted out of hiding for the treasure, but her recent bout with the shifting of time had left her discombobulated.

shaking her head and poking the bottom of the glass with her straw she assured herself she had made the right decision. as much as she would love to help out her contact, she had some adjusting to do to fit into the team. a sly grin spread as she came to a second decision. just because she couldn't help in the hunt didn't mean she couldn't join the other crew members in some dancing. she chuckled darkly and her nearest neighbour at the bar scooted a little further away.

Country sat down after some much needed dancing. Her tails were all frizzy from the friction and twirling about. She glanced over in the direction of the other group... "I'm ready for another chance at treasure," she thought to herself. Just have to wait it out yet again, she hoped her newly found friends were prepared.

"Excellent work, Jay. You solved that puzzle in no time!" Ruby exclaimed. She was happy that they'd reached the loot so quickly, and looking over at their newest crew member she couldn't help but smile. Country was very excited from her first score and couldn't wait for another opportunity. Ruby, grinning, walked over to Country "Welcome to the crew!" And clapped an arm on her back