(S9/Hound/Doc) Despoina observes Marcus through her musket's scope, but when she sees him running at the Centaur who just arrived, she takes her chance and fires at his back. She turns invisible and darts to a new location just behind the tree line.
She sits in her new hiding spot and decloaks. Despoina eyes Eotherd for a moment whispering to herself, "Get up Eotherd, this is your chance."
She returns her attention to Marcus.
Back with the other group, Lumbre feels her strength return in her disabled arm as she slides under Sun-Mi and knocks her down. She then drops her club and grabs the Ren's legs with her paws, proceeding to hop to her feet and fling her opponent toward the couple in a way that they could use their weapons effectively. "Get her now!" Lumbre screams.
(Elsewhere) Far from the carnival and hidden within the forest is the small metal blimp The Flying Duchess. Inside, the Ren Xiongmao Song impatiently hangs from the ceiling net and whines, "Why did everybody have to go to the event!?"
"It was their choice, but Valerie and Gretchen are both proficient fighters," says one of the Mantis guards. "I know, but Ronata could be planning something violent. You remember those constructs right!?" Song replies. A Werecat walks over wearing the broken wooden faceplate of one of the constructs and says, "With people like the Destroyer and Dravela there, she probably wouldn't get an inch if she tried anything rash!"
"Not to mention that if she were to try to attack, Valerie can get that boy back here faster than a blur," says a Giant Ant. A Goblin moves over to the table carrying a stack of cards and asks, "Hey, any of you ladies wanna play a game of Go Mermaid?"
Though skeptical, Song shrugs her shoulders and says, "I suppose so, if anything it'll take my mind off the fact that Mythria will toast our asses should anything happen to her son."
She drops from the net and sets her spear against the table.
Outside, a small wooden bird with glowing white gems for eyes sits atop one of the windows of the airship, listening in on the girls' conversation. It's head snaps from side to side, taking in everything being said.