"It's alright," Mao said, moving forward to comfort the woman. "You have been down here a very long t ime."

"I remember hiding, and then my sisters? and I were going to sleep for awhile.." The women hesitdated "I don't remember anything else, how long has it been?"

Ruvik handed Mao a cloak "I think she might need this," he said looking away as he handed the garment over.

"Here," Mao said putting it around her. "You might be cold."

Xiao seemed to be alternating between fascination at the women and machinery and enjoyment at Ruviks obviously discomfort.

She had moved over to examine the machine that the women had appeared from "This is magitech?" she asked.

The woman took the cloak "Thank you," she said "Are you a rescue party?" she asked. She looked over at Xiao "Magitech? I'm not familiar with the word. It's a hibernation system.. Although I'm not sure why I know that."

"Not quiet...we're adventurers here to explore the ruins," Mao said.

"Ruins?" the winged women said as if testing the word "This is a lot to take in," she said as she stumbled against Mao as her legs seemed to give from under her.

Mao did her best to help her.

"Thank you," the winged woman said "I think I'm still weak from the hibernation."

Xiao who had been fumbling around with the machine pulled a metallic staff from the pod that the winged women had been in, "This might help, you can lean on it," she suggested as she passed it over. "We need to come up with a name for you as well, we can't just all you, you after all"

"Hmm. How about Heather?" Mao said.

"Heather?" the woman said and then repeated it "Heather, yes I like that," said Heather and she took the staff from Xiao "Thank you," she said as she stood leaning on the staff.

"I like your wings," Mao said. "I've not seen people with wings before outside of myths."

Heather flexed her wings "A myth? how strange," she said "Then much time must have passed.." she said softly.

**

In a distant land, Emperor Alcanice sits on his throne his council before him "The project must be completed on time, everything depends on it." he said.

The minister for magitechnological sciences stepped forward "Yes, your majesty. But we will require a more complete genetic sample. The ones we have are too degraded to be of use."

The Emperor sighed "Very well, then we shall dispatch agents to acquire the sample for you. But there will be no more excuses.

**

((OOC: You get a Fabula point))

"Do you live nearby then?" Heather asked Mao.

"Yep! Don't worry, we'll take good care of you!" Mao said.

Xiao had gathereed some parts from the now broken machine and the defeated mechanical Guards "Well we've got enough things that we should make some decent coin for all this," she said grinning at the others.

Heather nodded to Mao "I'm not sure how I can repay you for your kindness..." she said "But I'll find some way."

"Don't worry about it!" Mao said. "It's only natural to help someone out like this."

"Then thank you," Heather said, "Would we be able to go outside? I'd like to see how much has changed"

"Certainly! My fiance can help you up the rope. He's very strong," Mao said.

Ruvik nodded in agreement, as the group headed back towards the rope, Heather was moving slowly leaning on the staff "Fiance, how wonderful and you work together?" she asked.

"Oh yes," Mao said smiling. "And this is my sister."

Xiao waved cheerfully "I look after these two, they'd be hopeless without me," she said. Heather nodded gravely clearly unsure how to react to that.

The group reached the rope and the group climbed up slowly, with Ruvik helping Heather.

"After you, dearest sister," Mao said, smiling.

Xiao looked at Mao for a moment and then began to quickly scamper up the rope.

Mao followed.

The upper levels of the dungeon were the same as usual for the treasure hunters, but Heather was looking around confused "This doesn't seem familiar at all.." she said.

"It's likely been a very long time," Mao said. "It's been like this before even my grandfather came here."