-Warning: The following message may contain extreme randomness.-

K.M: Diane's turn to do the disclaimer! And soon I have to go to the mall and be forced to wear girly clothes by my friends! –Gags- Save me! –Is dragged away by rabid group of friends-

Diane: Drama Queen… -shakes head- Well, Karissa M. owns none of Tamora Pierce's things. So don't ask her for anything. Or sue her; that would be bad.

K.M: -Runs screaming in a dress-

Daine: Oh, Shut up! They'll take you to the book store when you're done anyway!

K.M: YAY! BOOKS! –Points staff at person reading this- Now I shall write! Write like the wind, I shall!

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Alanna was the first to stand up and greet Kari, "Hello, I'm sorry we didn't have time for proper introductions before, I'm Alanna of Pirate's Swoop and Alau." The girl shook her hand nervously, looking at the Lioness with wide green eyes.

Kari opened her mouth dumbly then shut it again, not finding anything to say. Alanna laughed, "You didn't seem to be at loss for words when we first met."

The girl blushed, "Milady, I didn't know who you were then."

Raoul pushed Alanna out of the way and crouched down so Kari didn't have to bend her head all the way back just to see his face. He offered a large hand, and Kari shook it with her much smaller one. "Raoul of Golden Lake and Malorie's Peak, nice to meet you Kari."

"You're bigger than I imagined, Milord! Not meaning to be rude!" She added the last part hastily.

Kel laughed at that, "That's what I thought when I first met him." She did the same as Raoul, making it easier for the girl to see her. "Keladry of Mindelan," She laughed when Kari's eyes grew even larger, "They might pop if you're not careful."

She blushed and nodded, "Sorry, Milady, it's just that all the sudden I'm walking right into a legend, a story of some kind… (A.N: Or a Fanfic…)"

Kel nodded, "It's all right, I know the feeling." She patted Kari on the shoulder and straightened herself. "I look forward to getting to know you better." She joined Raoul and watched as Neal strode forward.

"Nealan of Queenscove." He said, obviously expecting Kari to be impressed. The girl stared at him blankly.

But she curtsied muttered a, "Pleased to meet you, Milord."

Neal shot glares at the snickers emitting from the other occupants of the room. "I know I am not as… renown, as most others here, but I still hope that we may get along." He seemed to add more dignity to renown.

"Of course, Milord Nealan!" Kari curtsied again and smiled at Neal, obviously oblivious to his wounded pride.

Neal walked gracefully to Kel's side, nudging her to make her stop grinning broadly. Dom flashed his cousin a grin and stepped forward to greet Kari, he held out his hand, "Domitan of Masbolle, at your service, tiny one."

Kari glared at him for this, "I'm not that small! Hardly tiny!" She blushed at the outburst, and covered her mouth. Kel looked at her in sympathy, and thought of re-teaching the girl some Yamani ways.

Dom laughed and patted her on the head, much to Kari's displeasure, "No, I suppose you aren't. But all the same, I'm at your service."

Kari nodded, and shook his hand, sizing him up as she had the rest, and then watched as Buri came forward. "I'm Commander Buri, of the Queen's Riders. Though I suppose I have a title now, Buri of Golden Lake and Malorie's Peak."

"You're Commander Burriam? I-" She stopped whatever she was going to say.

Thom laughed, "I bet what she was going to say was, 'I imagined you taller.'" Kari blushed and decided that her bare feet were extremely interesting.

"That's okay, I don't mind." Buri smiled warmly and joined her giant of a husband.

Thom smiled, "And that leaves me, though we've already met, I'm Thom of Pirate's Swoop." He pulled the key out of his pocket, "I believe you'll be wanting this." He held it out to her.

Kari bowed and took it, "Yes, very much so, Milord." She seemed to forget that she was in a room full of people as she tried to fit the key into the collar, she chewed her tongue in concentration. (A/N: I do that a lot…)

Daine laughed and took it from her, "Let me do it." Kari nodded, but kept fidgeting as Daine knelt down to unlock it. "Hold still! Silly little goose." She finally unlocked it and the collar fell to the ground with a 'thunk'.

Kari rubbed her neck, "It feels weird to not have something there…" The spot where it had been was very pale, especially compared to the rest of her tan skin, but it was also red, and slightly swollen from the earlier abuse from the collar.

"I'm sure it will take some time to get used to, but it will be a good adjustment." Daine smiled and stood up. "Now, let's see about some new clothes.

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K.M: I'm really sorry it took so long! I had to stay off the computer cause of grades, and wrestling season ended so I couldn't get on on Sat. while my parents were at tournaments.

Thom: -Shakes head- Excuses, excuses….

K.M: I will kill you. I swear I will, so run now Thom, but I will kill you! Mwah HA HA HA HA!

Read & Review!

P.s: Sorry it's so short!