We're wrapping things up roleplay wise now, with Mary's adorable solo roleplay up next. (Well, now.) It's her only solo for the mission- and it's quite good.

 
Mary looked around and surveyed the situation they were in. "I've got to figure out what we're going to do to get out of this mess. Mary, this is a fine kettle of soup you have gotten yourself into this time," she said to herself.

Earlier, she looked at the bat and saw how uncomfortable he looked being around humans and decided that she needed to get him out of there. She walked over to where he sat huddled in the corner and said, "My friend, I know you don't like being here so would you mind going out and scouting the area and watch out for any potential threats? I will take care of things in here." The bat cocked his head, babbled a response as if he understood her, placed his hand on his chest, stood, spread his wings and then he was gone.

Mary smiled and said, "Like Wildfall might say, 'Sounds great, bring me back a donut roll.'" She chuckled as she thought about Wildfall and how much she missed him.

Mary couldn't allow herself to dwell on missing Wildfall. She had to think about the things she could do concerning the situation at hand. She looked around and saw Dottie sitting alone and crying so she walked over and sat down beside her to try talking to her and calm her down.

"Dottie, I know this is hard on you being here and your little girl out there alone, but I'm sure she's fine. Tell me about her if you don't mind," said Mary as she put her arm around Dottie to comfort her.

Dottie looked up as Mary sat down and said, "Thank you Mary, I'm worried about her. Her name's Pete and she's only six but she acts a lot older. Being an only child, and me having to work so much, she's often alone for long periods of time. She plays with some of the kids but they tease her a lot because she doesn't have all the stuff they have. She never complains and tries to amuse herself." Dottie then started chuckling. "Her amusing herself is what got us in this predicament. Pete had been playing with the kids and got bored so she went exploring on her favorite hill and found the snake den. Being the inquisitive child she is, she was in the pit playing with the snakes. That's where Mr. Penno and I found her. We were on our way back to town when this force field appeared and started closing. Luckily Mr. Penno was able to get Pete out before it closed. Now, if you don't mind my asking what're you doing in here and how did you get in here?"

Mary started telling Dottie the story, ".... then I put my hand on the barrier and got this horrible shock; at the same time a crack appeared and it really freaked me out. Thinking that I caused the crack, I moved away from the crack as my friends Wildfall and Bristle tried to open it further but had no luck. I returned to the crack, put my hand back on the barrier, heard a noise from above and found my bat friend coming to try to help me." Mary paused to catch her breath and continued, "My bat friend motioned for me to put my hand by his and the energy from both of us caused the crack to open a little further. Long story short, I started to get sucked thru the crack and the bat grabbed me to try to save me, but he got sucked in as well and the crack closed. Now you know how I came to be here.

"If you're doing okay, Dottie, I'd like to go take a look around here and see what I can find to help us get out. I'm sure Mr. Penno will keep you safe, after all he's been doing a pretty good job thus far," said Mary as she stood up.

"Yes, I'm fine now, thank you for your kindness, Mary. We'll be fine. Mr. Penno's taking good care of me and keeping us both safe. YOU be safe too," replied Dottie as she stood to hug Mary.

Mary turned to look at them both and walked out the door, looking to make sure the coast was clear and eased her way around the edge of the building. There was no one in the immediate area but she could hear a noise further down what had once passed for a street. She looked around at the numerous dilapidated buildings and the mansion. The noise seemed to be coming from near the mansion, so Mary started toward the sound. As she left the safety of the building, she saw a figure jump into an open door in the next building. Being curious, Mary followed and was surprised to find a wounded town guard cowering in a corner of the building. She walked over to the guard and saw that he had several wounds about his body. He was barely conscious so was unaware she was even there. His clothes hung in shreds so it was easy for Mary to check the how badly he was hurt.

Talking to the guard in as soothing a voice as she could muster, she said, "Sir, lay still and let me help you." The man seemed to hear her and stopped struggling. Mary used the water she had with her to clean his wounds, most of which were superficial, and stitched up the wounds that were bigger. She sprinkled some yarrow on the wounds to help stop the bleeding and wrapped the sutured wounds with sage leaves and strips of cloth that she had in her bag.
"Now I need to make you some tea to drink to help your pain. Just lay there and rest, I'll be right back," Mary told the guard as she got up to go get some hot water to make the tea. Mary went back to the building where Dottie and Mr. Penno had set up camp and said to Dottie, "I need a cup of hot water to make some yarrow tea. I found an injured guard next door and patched him up as best I can but want to give him some tea to make sure he rests. This'll act as a sedative and healing agent too."

Dottie rushed over to get the cup and hot water and asked Mary, "Is there anything I can do to help? We should bring him here where we can look after him better."

Mary nodded and replied, "Yes, if you and Mr. Penno can help me get him here, that'd be great. That way we're all together and can more easily defend against enemies."

"I don't think that's a good idea bringing a stranger here. He'll just be a drain on what few resources we have and what if he attacks us in our sleep?" argued Mr. Penno as he continued, "Also having him here'll just draw attention down on us from the wrong people."

Dottie turned on Mr. Penno and said, "Would you rather he lay over there and watch him die or bring him here and help him heal? Then we'd have another person to help protect us and besides it's the right thing to do." Mary nodded her head in agreement with Dottie.

Mr. Penno knew he was outnumbered so he nodded and walked over to where Dottie and Mary stood. Taking the cup and adding some crushed yarrow leaves, Mary led Dottie and Mr. Penno to the building next door. When they got to the guard he was trying to get up. Mary quickly went to his side and said, "Sir, we're here to help and are taking you next door where you can rest properly and we can care for your wounds better. First drink this tea and then we'll move you."

The guard looked at Mary, took the cup of tea and drank it quickly. He managed to get back on his feet and, with the help of Dottie and Mr. Penno, was able to stagger to the bed waiting for him next door. When he got to the bed, he collapsed into a deep sleep.

"Thank you both for helping to get him here. He'll sleep for a while now and we should also take turns sleeping. I'll take first watch," said Mary to them. Mr. Penno and Dottie both nodded, walked over to the other beds and laid down to sleep.

Mary sat beside the guard watching him sleep and thought back to when Wildfall was badly injured. She'd watched him sleep too and wished she were with him right now.

What could this guard have encountered in here that could cause these kinds of injuries? What dangers are we up against?

Citing "good, story strong, and (the ability) to create natural dialogs," this is the perfect piece for Mary. It shows off her insecurities and worries but also her determination to help people, even if it means taking a risk to herself. She really is quite the hero in the making, isn't she? Voter Ichiro said he was happy to see this piece. In his overall comments on Mary, he mentions her "coming out of her shell" and calls this mission arguably her best mission so far. (It's her third.) "Just so much improvement," in his words.

We're only a few pieces away from the Finale! Before we move forward, I'll quickly add that I enjoyed seeing Dottie and Penno here as well. They worked out pretty well in Mary's solo which makes sense as she helped come up with and write the two for this Rollover and last.