(Ashley and Callo remain staring at the exhausted lizardmen and zombies scattered around the floor of The Warrior's Rest in stunned disbelief for a moment, until Callo finally breaks the silence.)
Callo: Agent Riot... what should we do?
(Ashley hesitates, thinking.)
Ashley: ...We still need to find out where Sydney is.
Callo: Thank goodness you're taking this seriously. Let's get out of here!
Ashley: Why should we? They don't seem hostile... for some reason. And if anyone knows where Sydney is, it's probably this lot.
Callo: I suppose, but... compulsion? Dancing zombies? This just isn't right, Agent Riot. That girl, Samantha... she was Guildenstern's lover! If Sydney can turn even her to his side, what more could he do to us?
Ashley: What other choice do we have? A Riskbreaker does not abandon his mission, no matter how hopeless it seems. Look - I'll go speak with Tieger and Neesa myself, and see if I can determine-
Callo: Agent Riot!
(Unnoticed by the two of them until Callo's exclamation, a cloudstone has descended behind them. Upon the cloudstone stands Sydney Losstarot, enfolded within a dark cloak.)
Sydney:
(Giving Ashley and Callo a knowing look, he turns and stalks off through the midst of zombies and lizardmen, who rise and bow to him.)
Sydney:
(He throws off the cloak, revealing that he's wearing a black leather and lace bodice, fishnets, high heels, and black hot pants that cover about as much in front as his regular - if such a word could be used - outfit. He begins preening seductively, which makes Callo go bug-eyed. Ashley doesn't seem to care.)
Sydney:
(He steps up to Ashley, smiling a charming smile.)
Sydney:
(Ashley doesn't so much blink at Sydney's words.)
Ashley:
Callo: (eying the zombies and ghouls warily) It might be a good idea...
Ashley:
Sydney:
(Sydney makes his way back through the crowd and climbs up to perch atop the statue in the corner, peering down at Ashley and Callo with a sly smile.)
Sydney:
(Tieger pops out from behind the statue, startling Callo.)
Tieger: Lot.
Sydney:
(Samantha pops out on the other side with a manic grin.)
Samantha: Plot!
Sydney:
(Sydney rises to his feet seductively.)
Sydney:
(Leaping down from the top of the statue, he swings his hips rather suggestively in time with the music.)
Sydney:
(The generals all begin dancing around him.)
Generals:
Sydney:
All:
(Sydney stalks back through the crowd assembled in the courtyard and steps onto the cloudstone upon which he entered, looking down at Ashley and Callo with a smug grin.)
Sydney:
(Sydney pauses dramatically, and Callo leans forward, curious. Sydney smirks, until he notices Ashley fingering the hilt of Fandango rather impatiently.)
Sydney:
(Ashley nods grimly.)
Sydney:
(Sydney pauses dramatically again, then chuckles.)
Sydney:
(The cloudstone begins to rise, and Sydney is lost from view amidst the applause of the zombies and lizardmen, while Callo stares after him in astonishment. Ashley, as usual, doesn't seem impressed.)
Callo: This is by far the oddest case I've ever investigated.
Ashley: You're telling me.
