Carnivals were a good source of money: Esmeralda knew that from experience. And knowing that, she had packed up early, and set up her little stage at the end of a row of food stalls. Not that her stage was particularly fancy: smooth plyboard set on the ground served as her platform, and the open carry cases of some of her friends' instruments, lutes and flutes and a clarinet or two, were used as receptacles for the audiences' money.

All morning long, the outcasts had been playing their music, generating interest. But Esmeralda waited and waited to dance, holding out until the parades had passed, so that crowds would flock.

As she waited though, she noticed the pale woman with the long red hair, and grinned over at her.

"Enjoying the carnival? Have you had a dance yet?"