Snipes ride to the Moffs villa was a long one by swoop, but it took him through thick forests that would sway in the breeze, creating the illusion that entire mountains were mere subjects of the wind. Tall evergreens made up most of it, the ancient trees lining the paved road, curving with  the the slopes of the mountain. Snipes enjoyed riding a swoop, the air rushing past his head, the knowledge that there was no cockpit protecting him from the pavement and trees and the wild blue yonder that could be seen from some of the higher drop offs. The ride was over far sooner than he would have liked. The guards at the gate took his ID and scanned it, they returned it to him and let him proceed through the high gates, marvelous iron work gates, created by some unknown craftsman, they depicted a man wrestling a nexu to the ground, the nexus hind legs wrapped around his back. Snipes liked the imagery.

From there Snipes was directed to an underground parking garage, he parked it himself at the far end. Snipes pulled the goggles off his head and hung them on a handle bar, it took him a second to get his hair under control again, then the long swoopers jacket came off, and he left it laying over the seat. He smiled at the valet, but found his way to the turbolift on his own. The turbolift was one such that had mirrors all around, Snipes took advantage of this to straighted his uniform. The RAIDERS patch was new, he'd just gotten it the night before, same time he got the squad leader stripes. The gray uniform was starting to look too good on him, too much like it belonged. He closed his eyes in disgust, then the lift dinged and the doors opened.

He was let into the entrance hall and doors soundlessly shut behind him, to his left was the main door, large, wooden, it probably swung open. To his right was another door, about the same size, it too held the image of a man wrestling a nexu. By each door was a butler or some other servant. Snipes strode towards the door with the seal on it and nodded to the butler, handing him his ID without being asked, he checked it against his list, nodded to Snipes and opened the large doors.

The doors, slid slowly apart, revealing a sight the likes of which Snipes hadn't seen in a very long time.

The Grand Hall, and so it was named quite fittingly, was high, Snipes had no idea how high, at least five normal stories, maybe more. Along the sides a third of the way up and again two thirds of the way up were balconies, hanging from each was a long tapestry of blue and silver with the Vast Empires seal on it, and alternately Army and Navy tapestries as well. Snipes eyes went further up, past the chandeliers, past the lone booth at the far end, to the very top, the ceiling was large and domed, with a painting of none other than the man fighting the nexu. Snipes realized finally he was staring and returned his gaze to things closer at hand.

The main floor was already bustling with people, some army officers, some regulars officers, navy chumps, and many civilians he didn't know at all. There was music playing, light, soft, something that refined people danced to. Snipes tried to remember how to be refined, he wasn't sure he ever had been. Still he grabbed a glass of wine from one of the servants and moved to the left side, on that side were open balconies facing the lake and lording over the gardens below.

The muffled sound of chatters became louder as door leading to the Grand Hall opens, he quickly rushes himself toward the banquet table ignoring others who already arrived.

He noticed the one he is looking for are placed at the far end of the table.  Passing every luxurious food, Dez grabs a mug and starts pouring Coffeine from its dispenser.

While waiting for his drink, an unknown Navy officer approached him and tries making a small talk.

“Modest are you? It seems you did not wear all your medals.” Said the officer.
“Modesty is not my nature. I wear only a few medals because I hardly ever directly participate in any Empire’s expansion campaign.”

Dez scuttle away before the officer able to say anything.

Finding an empty balcony on the second floor was easy for him, since others prefer to gather at the hall to extend their web of network.

Dez drops four buttons of Nomex stimulant into his Coffeine and drinks it.

“Ahh. There is no one in the galaxy who could make such a shot. Except me”

After sipping his drink without and disturbance, he began looking at the garden scenery below him. He noticed that the spacious garden filled with various Selonian marble statues and a large maze made of bushes.

“Such a waste, we could build at least three weapon factories on this land. Yet he prefers to use it as a garden which holds no functions other than a mere decoration instead”.

Looking away from the garden, he sees the newly bought Starwind-class Yacht docked on a private starport with no other craft surrounding it. It is known that the Moff have a habit of changing his transportation options every time he can.

“The receipt from the last yacht he ordered still warm and already he bought a new one. Look at that junk. He even does not arm it with cannon turrets.”

Dez takes out his personal datapad and sits on the chair nears him. A slight grin showed on his face as the word FTN shows up after datapad recognized him as the owner. The abbreviation quickly disappear to the background and replaced by GUI menu. And with that, Dez starts to design another vehicle of war.

Alan lounged back in his apartment.  He had just returned from a mission and had been told of all of the new troops his squad was receiving.  He was looking forward to it and then looked over at the pile of paperwork that went with it.  Oh man he thought to himself.

Beside him his computer beeped.  Alan flicked it on and realised that it was an incoming message.  He brought up the message and read it.  An Imperial Ball invitation he muttered as he read.  He looked at the pile of paperwork again and thought that he needed to get some rest time after the mission before endeavouring to wade through the workload.  Getting up he thought to himself now where did I put my dress uniform>

With his quarters being on the orbital platform, Alan strode to the hangar bay feeling ridiculous in full dress uniform.  Entering the hangar bay he looked at both his gunboat and his corellian freighter and decided on the freighter.  Boarding it he quickly took it out and guided it to Moff Verval’s villa.

Landing on one of the landing pads at the back of the villa, Alan exited the craft and made his way to the ball itself.  Entering the room, Alan noticed that several people had already arrived.  The he noticed her, Luckystar.  He remembered when he had gone with Lucky to the last Imperial Ball and she looked just as stunning now as she did then.

Taking a good look around the room, Alan took a mental note of where the bar was located.  He decided that he would be a frequent visitor to it as the evening progressed.

Taking a deep breath, Alan walked over to Lucky and the others that had arrived.

“Hi Lucky” said Alan.

Tanus got out of the speeder that had given him the ride to the Moff’s chateau; the complex was massive. It overlooked a lake, giving almost a surreal sense of existence, and Tanus really did enjoy it. It was stunning to behold. Tanus adjusted his black and red ARC beret and walked up to the front doors, which were massive. Two guards, armed with A280s, stood guarding the doors in full battle armor.

“Identification chip please.”

One of the guards stuck out a gauntleted hand and Tanus gave him his identi-chip. The guard put it in a computer and Tanus heard a faint beep, confirming him access.

“Very good, Sergeant Solvona, You have been cleared. Have a nice night, sir.”

Tanus nodded and gave a brief salute as he walked up to the main doors. A service droid opened the door and gestured to his beret. Tanus smiled and held it to his head.

“No, I’m sorry, but this is part of my uniform. I’ll be wearing it for the night.”

The droid gave a curt nod and turned back to the door, awaiting more guests to arrive. Tanus looked himself over in the mirror: His black service uniform was quite sight to behold, with insignias adorning his upper right breast pocket. His beret was slightly off to the left side and cocked so the edge was slanted down, just above his brow. Tanus had to admit, just as Katrina did, he looked good.

The halls of the Moff’s mansion were very well kept. On every wall it seemed was a piece of history. Tanus noted several portraits of the Moff’s family members, many of them officers in other space navies. Tanus was impressed with his accolades. Tanus heard the faint sound of music as he rounded a corner and saw a band playing some type of Courascanti dance; Tanus couldn’t identify it though. Tanus looked around. He knew many of the people there, including Lucky and Alan.

He grabbed a drink from a waiter and walked over. Alan saw him first, himself holding a glass of what seemed to be ale in his hand.

“Tanus! How are you? God, it’s been a while.”

Tanus shook his hand fiercely and went over to Lucky, who gave him a beaming smile, then a crushing hug. Tanus smiled as she let go. And then they stood there talking, letting the night unfold around them.

Ibram Tyorl shifted around uncomfortably in his dress uniform. He had  had to get a rental out from a a local shop on Tadath...he had then had to get a loan from the bank to cover the costs. 

I'm going to have to write an amazing article to make this worth while. Ibram thought.

He remembered how it all seemed like such a good idea at the time when the CO asked him this morning. Now he wasn't to sure.

Where the hell is Zane?

"Ah, you must be one of the representatives from the VE Today?" the doorman asked him.

"Er..yes. Thats me. Petty Officer Tyrol."

"Yes you're on the list. I believe your Commanding Officer is supposed to arrive at some point. We'll let him know you're here. I'm afraid the hostess is busy entertaining the more...important guests at the moment, but i'll let her know you're here as well."

Ibram tried to look at the list, but the doorman was guarding. No matter, he had his own copy anyway.

"Any sign of my companion?" Ibram asked.

"Crewman ZyCrusis? I'm afraid not, but we'll let him know you enquired when he arrives."

"Thanks." Ibram moved on into the reception area. There were already an impressive array of guests milling about here and there. Ibram was suddenly shy in the presence of so much brass.

These guys could break my career in two. He thought ominously.

He pulled out his notepad and made a few notes. He would have to talk to the hostess at some point.

Suddenly Aleia's voice came into his head.

"Hey, no flirting now. Those high class ladies would kick your ass."

He smiled to himself. He was already missing that crazy girl.

"Someone's looking pleased with themselves." A youngish man said as he came up besides Ibram. He was wearing an army dress uniform.

"Riqimo, but everyone calls me Doc. Pleased to meet you." He offered his hand.

"Petty Officer Tyrol, pleased to meet you." Ibram shook his hand, there was something about the soldier that Ibram connected with.

"Ah, one of the reporters, we were warned about you. Just try not to catch my bad side." He winked.

Ibram smiled, "No promises."

Ibram and Riqimo headed to the bar whilst swapping stories. Hopefully Zane would find him there.

Zane was arriving by a rented Hover Limo. He was representing the VET, and he figured he might as well arrive in style. Zane was dressed in an expensive 3 piece tuxedo. In one hand he held his camera, in the other his gear.

His tux was the an exotic silk, pitch black with blood red trimming. Zane had put on a silver plated half-face mask for the left part of his face. It fit smoothly across, and once applied it made his face look just like it would without all the bionics. His left eye however remained the same.

Zane had made the mask himself, but he did it with little time, making the mask only work for several hours. For now that was all he really needed though. Zane gathered his things up so he was ready to depart the limo.

His Identification Card was tucked inside his coat, among other things.He had the limo take him up to the gates. Zane immediately spotted a few guards, taking note he smiled and waved at the cameras. Getting out he gathered his things, and started towards the entrance he was supposed to use.

"Don't worry Officer Tyrol I am arriving now, I'll be inside in a moment," said Zane.

There was no response, Zane didn't expect one either.Walking to the entrance at which he was instructed to go, Zane noted a few more guards in odd, but strategic places.

Zane walked up to the guard, showed him his ID Card. The guard took a moment to swipe his card through a register, then looked quickly at a list.

"Your clear Crewman ZyCrusis," said the guard with a rough accent he couldn't quite place.

"Thank you," said Zane as he walked through the door and into the Grand Hall or whatever it was.

Zane surveyed the room, noting guards, among other things. Then it only took him moments to spot his companion Ibram. Zane waved as soon as he got the mans attention. Zane was rewarded with a small and weak smile, followed by a wave.

The room was exotic. Everything was expensive. It was an impressive manor too. Zane took it the owner had very good taste in a lot of things. Fine wine was being served, Zane didn't care for it. Instead he took a non-alcoholic beverage and glanced back at Ibram.

Ibram waved for him to come over, awkwardly but Zane figured thats what the gesture meant.Zane took this as a greeting and walked on over.

"What took you so long, trying to make me look bad? said Tyrol.

"Well, something like that I suppose," replied Zane sarcastically.

Zane was surprised that he got a laugh from Aleia.

"Very funny Zane lets just get to work alright?" said Ibram.

"Certainly, thats what we are here for isn't it?" replied Zane.

Together they set up a few cameras, and got to work. After a little while they began to socialize for a moment while waiting for something worth getting caught on camera to happen.

Rizzit tasted his concoction of whiskey and cola. "You know...for something I've never had before this is damned good."

Matthias Snipes laughed. "You haven't changed....you'll try anything once."

"Or twice." Rogueboy interjected.

"This is true." Rizzit agreed. "As long as it doesn't get me killed." Rizzit took another swig of his drink. "Oh Matthias while you're here...meet your new Platoon Commander."

"Say wha? You're retiring?!?!?!" Snipes said in a panicked state of shock.

"No, no. Nothing like that. Fury says he needs me focusing more on my duties for the Phoenix Company. Personally, I just think he doesn't want me having too much fun."

The three laughed. "Well, I see you cleverly managed to avoid being my direct superior once again."

"It was nothing like that and you know it! In the meantime...you must be excited to be back in the crazy squad."

"It was somewhat of a shock that I am back here let alone as the Squad Leader. I still remember all the crazy things we used to do..."

"Used to? We've been back from Yuka for how long? Hell even Fury was getting a bit crazy....but then again he was a crazy at one point in his career himself. Which reminds me...I have somewhat of a surprise for you. Close your eyes if you want."

Rizzit picked up his personal comlink and turned it on. "Send them in." Rizzit turned Snipes' attention to the door where seven people could be seen walking in: Angel, TJ, JR,Otto Vox, MaraJade, the3djedi, and Cyanus. "Behold! The original crazies!"

Snipes blinked. He then looked at Rizzit then back to the seven entering then back to Rizzit once again. "Rizz...how did you?"

"Let's just say I still have my connections. I tried to get everyone you knew here, but I couldn't get a hold of `Strider, Jyse Toklar, or Shadow. However, I think that the nine of us should suffice. At least most of us made it in...I figured that if there was anytime for a reunion it was now. Besides...what would a celebration be without some duct tape. MARA! CATCH!" Rizzit said as he tossed MaraJade a brand new roll of duct tape.

"Thanks Rizz!" Mara said with a gleam in her eye as she caught the roll in one hand.

Finally, a taste of the extravagance the Empire promised upon joining. No fighting, no cots in dirty barracks, no meals packed in air-tight plastic. Tonight it was dancing, sausages on a platter, and lots and lots of pretty lights... not to mention this was all on the house. Who would've thought that one of Vasili's liquor runs through Aeos' room would've resulted in a free night out? “Event Coordinator” the ticket said. Free swag? Maybe. Free date? Probably. Free alcohol? Lord he hoped so.

Dressed as he would normally – a ruffled, lazy, loose suit – Vasili emerged from nowhere onto the Moff's place. A quick flash of the ticket granted him entrance to what he expected to be the best night of his service in the Empire. “Excuse me...” an employee approached him. “Do you have any personal arms to check?” Vasili smiled and walked by, eying a tray of tall champagne glasses.

You've got to be kidding me... I dress up for this and they hand out this fruity crap? I hope the women taste better than the freebies.

Twenty minutes later and he found that the military women at this shindig had more dignity than the ones at his favorite cantina. A couple Squad Leaders, a flygirl here and there, he tried to stay away from any that looked as dangerous as Merrick. No play. No play at all. All this defeat wasn't good for Vasili's confidence. Then he spied the bar. If there weren't any drunk girls there, at least he could get drunk and make himself feel better.

As Vasili approached, he spotted a pretty little number sitting, apparently, by herself. He waved down the bartender as he took a glance at the woman he decided to stand next to. Forced to double-take at the sight of Aeos in a little black dress, suddenly the night just got a lot more exciting.

“Yeah, hi, barkeep, I'll have a whiskey and a whiskey... on her.”

Aeos was forced to double-take as well.

”You!”
“Now, now, darling, no need to make a scene,” Vasili muttered smoothly while daring to cup her face with his one white gloved hand.  Aeos’ own slender fingers bolted around his wrist and pushed his arm away from her roughly.
“Ass,”
“Honey,”
“You’re a prick, you know that?” she muttered in a questioned statement while downing the whiskey he bought for her. Wait…
“And then you have the indecency to buy me a drink on my own tab!”
“Honey, calm down,” Vasili muttered grinning lazily while gently sipped on his whiskey. Quite out of character.
“Don’t you have some babe you have to sweet talk,?” she asked turning her glance away from him, staring down her empty glass. Funny how the wood of the bar’s surface distorted through the glass. Funny…
“Already doing that sweetheart,”
“Men…”
She ignored him.
For a moment he sat silently as well, while staring at her.  Across the building, a new song was slowing starting to ooze through the people as the bands switched. It’s rhythmic pulse of strings , flutes and drums recalled of an exotic lost world.
“No,”

“What?”
“You want to ask me to dance, no”
Vasili smirked underneath the façade of a broken face.
“Oh fine, be that way, go unloved for the rest of your love,”
“Quite happy with it as it is already idiot,”
Vasili chuckled.
“Without a man?”
“Yep,” she muttered flippantly.
Vasili chuckled again at the younger female in front of him.
“You say that now, but wait for a few years, and that baby instinct will start kicking in,”
For a moment Aeos said nothing while she locked eyes with the Navy washout.
“Baby instinct has kicked in already you twit,” Aeos admitted as a bluch crept across her face. The mere thought of an child was like a thousand heavens raining on her heart.
Damn hormones She had to blame something. Because this was most definitely not her character. Soooo not.
“I’m single,”  Vasili winked confidently as he eyed Aeos who gazed at him with a arched eyebrow.
“In your dreams, fly-boy,” she muttered and stood up. He cocked his head to the side while turning in his stool to follow her movements.
Aeos stopped at his side. Her face, dangerously close to his. She could feel his warm breathing playing across the exposed skin of her neck.
“You’re cute, but not that cute,”
A peck to his cheek and she was gone

"I've been looking for you."
Aeos’ grin turned to an face of confusion at the male’s queer actions that followed as he hopped dwon from the balcony.

"What are you doing?" she called out, curious and dumfounded.
"I. . ." Snipes said, picking himself off the ground, "Am exploring."
“Oh, right…”
A few minutes later and Snipes found Aeos next to him on the ground as well.
“Now, girl, what are you doing,”
“Escaping,”
“From?”
“Little boys, who can't take a hint,” she muttered rolling her eyes.

Ibram skirted the various groups of people, taking notes, and admiring the grandeur before him. Yaga Minor lacked what most planets called an “upper class”. There was either the well off, or the not-so-well off.

Either way, mansions such as this were rare, and were usually reserved for the local Moff, but Moff Flennic hadn’t been seen at his mansion in years, especially since the Endor Riots. Ibram spotted Zane every now and then making his own circuit.

They had manned the Cameras for a bit, gotten some footage, but people were more-or-less reluctant to actually be seen on cam, so the two would-be journalists had to give up, and actually mingle.

Ibram stood in a corner as two guests walked by.

“….you think Japheth will show?”
“Who knows, he never turns up to anything these days.”
“True, I haven’t seen him in…..”

Ibram had hoped the CO would turn up at some-point, but so far he hadn’t made an appearance. He guessed “Fashionably late” had a different meaning on Bastion. The XO hadn’t turned up either, but then again C-3 would probably be mistaken for one of the waiter droids.

Aleia would have gotten a kick our of this…the fancy seats, posh drinks, women in their glad-rags….he wished he could have snuck her in somehow. Ibram grinned to himself.

“Don’t look to pleased with yourself pilot, people will think your actually enjoying it here.” Admiral Riel Fury said as he stepped up beside him.

“Sir!” Ibram saluted.

“At ease, this is an informal setting Mr. Tyrol, no need for respect. Although it better be implied.”

“Always sir.” Ibram said. “How are you?”

“Not bad considering. Yourself?”

“Never been better sir.”

“I’ll bet, you tell that woman of yours not to wear you out too much. We need good pilots like you.”

“Very good sir.”

“Right, I have to go get my arse kissed. As you were Mr. Tyrol.”

The admiral walked off, confidently striding through the crowd. Ibram couldn’t help but like the old man, so much like his own father just without the military discipline.

Zane walked over to him. “Not much going on.” He said.

“You’re right, and there’s been a terrible show our side.” Ibram looked around. There were indeed very few Navy people to be seen.

“I’m going to go get a drink, want one?” Zane asked.

“I’m alright friend; I think I’ll have a wonder outside. See if I can’t track down our elusive hostess.”

Ibram worked his way through the crowd, and into the Garden. The Night was still young.

Alan looked down at the small stain on his pants and wondered if it was ever going to come out.  He didn’t mind though, especially after Lucky had wiped most of it off.  He secretly hoped that she spilled some more drink in his lap as he smiled over at her and noticed that she was smiling right back at him.

He had missed Lucky.  Although it had only been several months since he had been transferred out of Paladin to assume his role of squad leader for Iron Horse, he felt like it had been decades.  She was still as lovely, charming and beautiful as he remembered her.

He leaned in close to her and whispered “I’ve missed you”.

Lucky looked at him deeply and replied “I know”.

With that Alan wrapped his hand in her hair and pulled her close.  Their lips met and they kissed deeply.  She tasted so sweet to his lips.  Alan wished that time would stop in that moment.  Time didn’t stop and they slowly pulled apart, Lucky smiled and Alan smiled back.  Taking another sip from his drink he realised just how glad he was that he had accepted the invitation.

It was nice and cool outside as they looked out at Moff’s backyard.  Lucky had commented that she hoped both squads would work together someday.  Alan had always wanted that, ever since he had taken command of Iron Horse.  He still kept tabs on how Paladin was doing and he was extremely happy that Paladin was in good hands under Lucky’s leadership.

Alan wrapped his arms around Lucky’s shoulder and he felt her head snuggling down on his shoulder.  Life doesn’t get any better than this he thought as he gazed down at her.  A cool breeze blew around the balcony and Alan felt Lucky shiver slightly.

“Would you like my Jacket?” queried Alan, “or we could go back inside or back to my ship”

“You flew here?” queried Lucky.

“Sure did” replied Alan.

“Tell me you didn’t fly in that rust bucket of a freighter” joked Lucky.

“Hey” replied Alan, “that’s a fine working piece of Corellian machinery”

“Last time I flew in that I thought I was never going to arrive back in Tadath safely” said Lucky, smiling.

“Why you” said Alan as he started tickling her.  Lucky laughed trying to squirm away as Alan, laughing, tried to tickle her some more.

Sitting under the stars in the reclining chairs, Alan and Lucky looked up at the stars.  Lucky had just suggested that they repaint the ship and remove all of the rust of it.  Alan thought that it was a great idea as it definitely needed an overhaul on the exterior.

"That sounds like a great idea" said Alan as he intertwined his fingers with hers.

Alan looked over at Lucky, still dressed in her evening ball gown.  Damn she looks hot thought Alan.  He decided that they should wait until they were dressed in more casual attire before making a start on the work as he didn't want her dress ruined.  He also looked down at his rented tuxedo and didn't want to return it dirty or ruined.  He was just about to mention that when Lucky spoke.

"Now, we just need to christen her with a good name" said Lucky.

Alan was surprised with her comment and even more surprised when he suddenly realised that he had never named either of his ships yet.  He thought long and hard over why that was as he did relish both of his ships but he could find no reason why he hadn't them yet.

"What about The Lucky Star" he said after thinking for some time on it.

Lucky smiled at him and replied "it certainly has a nice ring to it".

Snipes looked around, he was. . .somewhere in the garden, he knew the general direction he was going, but the hedge maze made it a god damn challenge to get where he wanted to be. Aeos was with him. Equally as confused. She probably cared more about the destination than he did. Snipes was enjoying the night air, the cool breeze. The good things in life. He'd taken off his dress jacket already and thrown it over his shoulder. He was sweating slightly, not just because of the exercise, not just because of the booze, but a combination of both. He wasn't entirely impaired, the whiskey had just given him an additional appreciation of the night. Although that was saying alot. Stars glistened above and the dark mass of the planet obscured some view, although a small part of its purple atmosphere was still being lit by the sun. It gave off a magnificent glow. Snipes liked it, He even liked the walking, it was refreshing. Finally though they reached the center. Not on purpose, but apparently thats where the maze had led them.

There was a great fountain in the middle, that's how Snipes knew they were in the middle, the great stone fountain, the hedges around them and the best view of the stars that had been seen since Snipes decision's to avoid human contact and leap into the gardens. Snipes himself decided to plop himself down on the fountains edge and put his hands behind his his head, leaning back and staring at the stars. Aeos sat down next to him and removed her heels. Snipes imagined they were terribly uncomfortable. He leaned back further, trying to catch more and more of the starry night. He had always liked nights in which the stars shined. They grew brighter as the planet got more and more out of view.

"uhg, what a night." Snipes.

"What a night, for sure."

"Bored?"

"Could be worse."

"Could be better."

"True, you lost?"

"Could be, dunno, lake is probably in a that way direction" Snipes said, swinging his arm around vaguely.

Snipes looked up from his watery, makeshift bed. He was more than a little a surprised. Not that he minded at all. He leaned up and gave Aeos another quick kiss.

"Well, as much as I'm enjoying this, it is getting a little cold." He smiled, wrapping his arm around Aeos waist and lifting her off him as he stood up.

He climbed over the side of the fountain and sat down again and began removing his boots, dumping water out of them. She sat down next to him and leaned against his shoulder. He didn't mind. Snipes was soaked from head to foot and she wasn't much better. He pulled his hair of the ponytail in hopes it would dry faster. The night was wearing on and cooling down a bit, Snipes fished around in his dress jacket and found a metal flask, a quick belt from it helped chase the cold away. He offered the flask to Aeo, she took a drink with a grimace. It wasn't good stuff. She leaned against him again and started shivering, the night was cooling more and they were both wet. Snipes picked his dress jacket off the ground and draped it over her shoulders, then stood up and stretched.

"Well, shall we continue?"

"Why not."

He gave her a hand up and they walked off in another direction, she was still leaning on him. He didn't mind. He wrapped his arm around her waist and it almost seemed like they were helping each other remain standing. The stone paths were smooth and even though, not hard going. Although Snipes didn't have the slightest idea where exactly it was they where going.