Sarinah sat in the court, under the shade of a large tree, watching people go by. She needed time to process what had happened with Rovin last night. It was a wonderful, amazing sensation and experiance, and he stirred feelings in her she didn't know she had anymore. The thoughts were getting out of hand, she felt her cheeks flushing, and with a shake of her head, she bit into the warm flour wrap she was eating, filled with roasted hingle and garden salad. It was delicious.

Sighing, she looked around. What a beautiful day she thought. Some how, her perception of the world had altered a little. Her cynicism was not as strong as it had been a day ago.

Finishing her wrap, she lay back in the grass under the tree and put her arms under her head, watching the sky.

Scarlet was still angry about a few days ago, or more correctly depressed. More then anything else it made her sad. For several days she had been trying to make friends with Fion and now she had to do this. At this point she figured she had better start interacting with her own kind now. Talking to others always ended badly.

Annie seemed to be her closest friend, but Scarlet had no idea where she was or if she was even still alive. If only she had let her come along on that trip... She then thought back to something Annie suggested to her on the fourth.



"Yeah... Fion," Scarlet laughed sarcastically. She hadn't seen any evidence that Fion was even looking for Emme. Yeah, she had ties to the underground, but she still just made her daily business around town. No... She would have to search for Emme on her own.

Suddenly another wick caught her eye. It was odd seeing too many wicks in the Crosstown court, as they were usually shooed away. However, if they were minding their own business, they were generally ignored.

Scarlet walked up to her, "Funny place to just sit and eat fer one of us. Are you able to come here often?" She hoped that didn't sound like a cheesy pickup line.

The dancer had watched the girl coming over to her with slight fascination. She was like a walking candy shop, it was refreshing. Propping herself on her elbows, she shaded her eyes from the morning sun and looked up at the girl.

"Uh, well actually chip, I do come here a bit. Its the wraps, good eatin'." She grinned slyly, amused at the girls introduction.

"I'm warning ye now, I'm currently in a sort of relationship. But I ent sayin' I wouldn't date ye otherwise."

Scarlet burst into laughter, "No. It's not that I don't mind datin' chips, it's just that I was only curious as to why you are here. That's all. Besides that, the one person I do like is away right now and I doubt they know."

Scarlet sat beside her, "I've been stuck here fer so long I feel like a tsat My kint wont be back fer a long time from the looks of it. By the way, I'm Scarlet."

< Why does everyone think Scarlet looks like she should sell candy? lol>

Sarinah nodded, she knew that feeling. Every time Rovin dissapeared she felt empty. But, absence does make the heart grow fonder.



The brunette sat up and shook her hand.

"Hesta Scarlet, I'm Sarinah." She leaned back on one arm, draping the other over a knee.

"I came to Vienda to follow my dreams, but got a little sidetracked." She winked.

"So Scarlet, what do you do? You playin' a bit of vodundun for the humans and gollies? Or are you like me, searching for something but lost along the way?"

"Actually I'm lookin' fer a friend... Or more correctly someone I knew for a short time whos important. Her name is Emme," Scarlet replied. "It's a long story, but I promised a really close friend of mine I'd help Fion find her. It's just Fion and I don't get along very well."

Scarlet pondered going back for Fion and trying to convince her to let her help, but that didn't sound very likely. Fion didn't trust her.

"Basically I'm at a road block unless I can find this girl. She's a blond and normally her hair is tied in the front," she explained.

Sarinah didn't recognize any of the women Scarlet mentioned. Not even in the slightest.



Tapping her knee thoughtfully, Sarinah shifted so she was sitting cross legged. The description was slightly familiar, even if the name wasn't.

"I don't know this girl, but I do recall seeing a young woman like you describe at the Caoja. She was talking with a man who's quite deep into the Party. Triar his name is." Her deep brown eyes looked into Scarlet's meaningfully. She wondered if the young wick knew the code name for the Resistance. Looking around, she lowered her voice and leaned a little closer.

"I work at Cook's Place, and although I'm not in the Party, I hear a lot. See a lot. More than Cook knows." She paused for a moment, realizing Cooks was known for mostly one thing.

"I dance at Cook's, don't be gettin' me wrong chip." Her smile was pure cheek, and she suddenly had an idea.

"Listen Scarlet, you want to find this girl yeh? Well, now bare with me on this, why not play a little undercover?" She cocked an eyebrow.

"It's easy to work at Cook's. You can do a little vodundun, but if I can be brutally honest, eventually you will be somehow integrated far more usefully. Get in there and ask for a barmaid position before Cook can throw you in the deep end. And if you can dance, even better. You'd be surprised at how many dirty little secrets my hips can unlock." She was grinning now, the idea of integrating Scarlet into Cooks was a thrill to her.

"And my pole dance unlocks even more."

"Cooks place, eh? I dunno if I really want a permanent job, but I can try. Unfortunately I'd need to find a slinky dress if I want to dance," she laughed. "My dancin' is really good, don't get me wrong. But the bright yellow shirt and purple head scarf don't make me all that sexy." Just for fun she put her pinky in her moth and posed to look cute.

"I see no harm in givin' it a shot though. And I can always quit when my people come back to town. I just don't want to live here, ya know?" she explained.

"Bye the way, who is this kov Triar and where can I find him?" she asked. "If he knows where Emme is, that would make things a thousand percent easier."

Sarinah laughed as Scarlet posed and nodded.

"Oes Scarlet, we'll get you something nice. One of the girls there is just your size and she was dancing before Cook pushed her in the..well...the more physical direction. She has this really benny red outfit, your name would best describe the colour." Nodding, she gestured to her own.

"It's mostly like this, but the skirt is less high cut and there is this bizarre string wrap thing around her middle. Ah, I will show you."



The dancer faltered then. She was still smiling, but it didn't feel like a smile.

"Ah, be careful what you say Scarlet. Cook has a way of...holding on to you. I've been there four years, Alioe know's how or why, but I can't get out of it. Someone has shown me I can, I'm a prisoner of my own making, but well...money doesn't come easily for me." She looked distant for a moment, then shook herself and looked back at Scarlet.



Waggling her finger, the brunette shook her head.

"He's a Player in the Party, a big one. Right hand man to the boy's up top so to speak. But he is elusive. I couldn't tell you where to find him. He does visit Cooks at least once a month. I ent seen him since the Caoja though. Best thing to do is get your nose dirty. Get some plebes or cadets rip roaring drunk and shake your hips a bit. Then ask around. Someone is bound to have seen him around." Thumbing her lip, Sarinah nodded to herself.

"Get yourself into Cooks tonite, early evening or even late afternoon. I will have that outfit for you, and we will talk to Cook together." Putting her hand on Scarlets shoulder, she shook it slightly.

"Are you sure your ready to do this? If your found out as a..well..a spy, you could get yourself killed. But, if you work your cards right, you can learn a bit about the Party, then use that information to get yourself recruited. Cook has hinted at me once or twice, but I ent getting involved. My future lies somewhere else."

"Then I wont work for him," she said bluntly. "My freedom is my most prized possession. From the sound of it, you girls are his possessions. I'd rather dance pretty elsewhere for my information."



"Oh great. A sly one, eh?" this hardly amused her. "I might need Fion's help after all. Thanks fer the tips." Scarlet looked up at the sky and her thoughts started to drift around. "Do... Do you think if I cleaned up and dressed like a golly that I'd be able ta pass fer a short time in Cook's place? I mean, my mother was... is one. At least if I try to keep my distance from people and just listen?" The suggestion most likely would fail, but she needed to think of something without being controlled.



"No, I'm not. I don't want the job. Talk to Cook, maybe, but that's it. Perhaps I know someone who can help you," Scarlet started to think again. "This party you speak of..." she turned to a whisper, "Is it the resistance?"

Sarinah smirked at the girls bluntness. She could say what she liked, it was another thing she heard regularly from the men who wanted to marry her and take her away when the mead was flowing through their veins. Yes, perhaps she was a possession for Cook, but at least the information and the money was good. And now she knew she didn't need to stick around...



The dancer snorted a laugh slightly.

"No chip, that would probably achieve the opposite of what you want. Gollies are great for the money, but the place gets awful quiet when they are around. Who on earth is going to trust a golly?" She said simply.



Someone who can help me? Sarinah thought. What on earth was the young wick talking about? Shaking her head she ignored the comment.



Raising an eyebrow, the brunette winked, tapping the side of her nose. The girl was on the ball, that was for sure.

"So, you want to come and have a chat to Cook tonight chip? No strings attatched, just have a chat with him about Party business?"

"So you do mean the resistance," Scarlet whispered, trying not to chuckle. "Why not? You'll have to introduce me and stuff though."

"Thanks fer this," She was starting to like this idea. Just as long as she didn't have to work for the guy. "Just don't get me wrong bout workin' fer Cook. It's just that I got out of the tumble business a while back and don't really want to be in it again."

Sarinah nodded. Scarlets past was her own issue, and the dancer wouldn't press the issue.

"Come tonight chip, in the late evening. By that time, Cook should have had a little to drink. I'll give him a heads up before you arrive. Don't be too...noisy about what your there for though, we do get golly customers and they can be slightly nosey." She paused for a moment.

"And don't hit the customers, tell them the girls are in the hot tub waiting for them. I will be on stage by that time, but if you need me, come and see me afterwards." She stood and brushed off her black skirt.

"Good to meet you Scarlet, I hope to see you again soon." Smiling, she turned and walked away, hips swaying.

Scarlet took in all the information and tried to keep it in her head. This was going to be an interesting week and boy did she wish it would stop draining her.

"I'll see you tonight then!" Scarlet called, waving. She then went off to fetch where she had hidden her lock picks, if Tilley hadn't eaten one already in her absence.