Scheherazade's Backup Plan

[Bruce Hollister]

The woman looked down at Viktor and smiled, clearly not as afraid as Arcadia was. "I'm not sure what you just said, but likewise, dear. Please, come inside. It's not polite to keep guests out."

She withdrew into the mobile home. Arcadia followed her, keeping a watchful eye on Viktor.

Mr. Sucky struggled in her arms, squealing. The little leech had seen something sitting high in the air...

[Coraline]

Hermes fluttered a little closer, blinking and looking around as he did so. This place was strange to him.

[Viktor Kaiser]

Viktor followed her inside. "Pleaze, forgive, I tend to eaze back into mein home language. I meant to zay hallo miss." He smiled politely.

[Bruce Hollister]

There were four other women in the mobile home. They all looked strikingly like the painted angels, though none of them wore white robes. They were doing various tasks, but looked up when Viktor and Arcadia came in.

"We have a visitor, ladies," the woman said.

One of the women, sitting at the table in the RV, smirked. "Another creature the kitten's dragged in?"

Arcadia flushed, sneering. She set Mr. Sucky on the ground -- the little leech was threatening to struggle out of her arms. The Giggi immediately started squirming for the door, intent on finding something.

The first woman frowned, then composed herself and said, "Sir, may I ask who you are?"

[Viktor Kaiser]

"Mein name is Viktor Kaiser I am a real angel and I vas juzt passing zthrough, mein lover works in zhe club." he smiled. "I do hope zhat I am of no bozer to any of you."

[Bruce Hollister]

The woman gave an elaborate bow. "My name is Alma Aoide, and these are my sisters." She indicated the four other women in the RV, who spoke in turn.

"Beatrix."

"Courtney."

"Deidre."

"Eloise."

Alma grinned. "We are the storytellers of a bygone age, the carriers of culture, and the sworn guardians of beauty. Together, we are Scheherazade's Backup Plan -- SBP!"

Alma and her sisters joined together in a whoop of joy, clapping their hands and cheering. Even Arcadia's mood lifted, the young hunter pumping her fist with excitement.

Mr. Sucky had reached the front door.

[Coraline]

The little bird had perched on the roof, looking over the side of the mobile home for any sort of something familiar.

[Viktor Kaiser]

Viktor was impressed, he had never real seen a display like that before. " I have nevah zeen zomething like zhis."

[Bruce Hollister]

"Guess angels don't have frequent flier miles," Beatrix quipped.

Alma shot her a glare, then turned back to Viktor. "My sisters and I travel across the world, bringing entertainment and happiness to whomever will listen."

"We're like Gypsies like that, y'know?" Courtney piped up.

"We hire local talent, and, thus, our troop grows. Young Arcadia is our bodyguard."

The hunter saluted, grinning.

Mr. Sucky paused and looked up onto the roof of the RV. It squeaked, baring its teeth at Hermes.

[Coraline]

Hermes squeaked silently, staring down at the strange leech thing.

[Viktor Kaiser]

"Gypzies eh? "he smiled. "Vhy I have not heard of zhose zince zhe var."