with a burst of fridged air, the door of the Owl's Rest permit two newcomers.

The first figure was adorned in tattered animal skins, with long, knotted ash-gray hair and a lanky stride that seemed more animal than human, he exuded an aura of cold and untamed energy. His slouching posture gave the illusion of elongated arms, adding to his odd presence. In one hand, an intricately carved hand axe held white knuckled to his chest, its head held tiny uneven, semicircular gouges, as if the edge was chipped into shape instead melted. What color could be seen of the haft from under elk hide grip, was bone white, and decorated with a black matrix, one that whispered into her mind unheard words not her own. She looked away.

"Room. Ale. No disturbances" The man rasped through cracked lips as he placed two coins on the bar.

Miss Goldstein filled a bitter mug and replied, "I don't recognize this currency, friend. And I oversee the currency exchange here. Do you have anything more local?

"Not coin. Gold. Pure, half ounce each," the stranger growled, paying no mind to the bitter brew. He reached behind the bar, retrieved an untapped cask, and turned, making his way towards the guest rooms with a lumbering gait.

suddenly in a hurry, Miss Goldstein grabbed a key and chased after him, calling out, "You'll be in room number three."

"No disturbances," the man repeated, snatching the key and continuing on his way.

"Wow. That was intense"

Vienna mumbled under her breath "after that mess, He gets to be named dis-axe-ster." When Ms Goldstein returned to the bar, The second man, whom Vienna had forgotten about entirely, was still at the bar, "pardon me miss, I apologize for my gruff friend, we've had a somewhat difficult month". Vienna shifted her head again until she could tune back into the four murder-women's conversation.

"You're the Valkyrie," one of the women asserted, stressing the article "the".

"We're the Valkyrie," Valkyrie retorted, her voice laced with weight, as if this was a worn conversation, and gravitas would win the day. "We're each needed."

"Except that the rest of us are interchangeable and replaceable. You're not."

In a soft voice and a subtle smile, she responded, "I'm replaceable too. Remember, I'm not the first chosen to hold this office, and I won't be the last."

A mischievous glint sparkled in Isabella's eye as she squealed with humerus delight "Unless you swear off boys!"

Vienna heard a whisper. no, not quite a whisper, more like a voice far away, talking from all directions at once. Concentrating, Vienna delved deeper into this stream of gossip, she heard a particular voice, changed by the echoing nature of her location, it sounded alien and ethereal, but clear enough to understand if she just focused, she let her other senses fade, the world falling away, the gentle echoing sloshing of water, like the inside of an underwater cave. She could hear it clearly, the funny voice.

"She's awake! funny, time's tomorrow told me..." Vienna hears the splashing of water. "No, she's still asleep. Wake up little delver, I'm ready." another gentle splash "Tomorrow's parade's unlike any parade you've ever seen!" Another voice, as strange as the first "Sun's parades are legendary for their spontaneity and extravagance, a great time to create connections. False Street really comes alive with vibrant colors, mesmerizing performances, and fantastical creatures, false Street hasn't stopped talking about tomorrow's for ages. Are you ready for your part?"

"I'm not ready, that's time's thing, I just am."

"Even false sky is cracking with excitement, I'll be dressing festively in fires and blood tomorrow! Even your siblings are arriving one by one, Four've arrived already! I do simply love a party! Thank you, thank you for inviting so many!"

"Owls' Gaze, I didn't invite them, I just am." Vienna felt the voice turn to her saying "I just hope you survive fate, Lady Vienna. We're going to be-"

Vienna jerked her head at the sound of her name, smacking it painfully on a rafter. "So great together" the echo of a lingering thought finished the line, as if it were from her own mind.