Lurbe here. Again. No doubt you can tell the difference atwixt our styles by now, but for all the waffles out there: Pixi wrote the first two paragraphs.

How Pai Was Saved by the Daring Young Klaos Blackadder from His Brother Frank

Athough the cup lovingly dubbed by Zho, Panaku, and a lot of late-night booze as the Chalice of Corruption remained snugly in the possession of Talon - the group's designated pack mule, although he preferred to be known as a 'sumpter', whatever that meant - the Am Fah managed to retain some sadistic pleasure in leaping down from the roofs as they so often had when they and the group were enemies. Of course, aside from some burns, scratches, and narrowly avoided 'deaths-by-large-rocks', the guild of thieves and the party of travelers more often than not crossed paths, nodded greetings, and left with relatively little injury from their little pranks.
Of course, this had led to Pai's learning to swear more loudly and unnecessarily than she usually did, and had added very much to Klaos's exasperation at being grabbed and hugged in fright every time an ebony-clothed man - often some long-lost sibling of his - decided that this might be an apt time to rappel down from the rooftops to say hello.

The first time this happened, of course, was way back as young adventurers in Sunqua Vale: On a harrowing journey through the white-capped mountains. After having battled Yetis, Sensalis, and, once, a Lesser Gasp, the group could see in the distance the banners that marked their arrival into Kinyang Province. Rushing towards it, Pai was caught unawares by a
group of Crimson Skulls. As she and the henches struggled to dispose of their enemies, Klaos slowly ambled towards the scene; pausing for a second to call out, "Good to see you again, Frank; how's sis?", and to wait for a response ("Not bad, last I saw her, but her group has moved out."), Klaos easily dispatched of 'Frank' with a fatal blow from his (Takhayuun's Pincers). "Sorry, Frank," he murmured, "But you got a bit too close to my girl there for comfort." Pai stared at him in disbelief, which cost her: a ranger cut her down as she was turning back to rejoin the fray. Klaos thought for a second. Another second. A third. As Sister Tai desperately tried to heal their fallen comrades, Klaos outlined his plan to her: "I'll distract them; you heal the others and run as fast as you can into the Province: they won't follow you there." So saying, Klaos bravely -recklessly, actually- charged the remaining Crimson Skulls, crying "Jao! Jao!"

The world went black. Klaos could hear faint noises. He was drowning. He opened his eyes, but around him was all black. He turned his head. Nothing. Just darkness. Suddenly, he felt -rather than saw- the arrival of a light above him and a bit to his left. He rolled over and turned to face the light, which barely penetrated the murky depths. Frantically, he began moving his arms and legs; swimming towards the glow. The light flickered. Klaos felt his strength wane. But lo! It appeared again on that distant horizon. Klaos gave a furious kick and reached out to grasp the whiteness. He felt a hand slip into is own, pulling him up from the cold ocean. The world went black. Klaos could hear faint noises. He was suffocating. Klaos turned over, and felt something wet and cold underneath him. 'Snow', he remembered, 'It's snow.' He opened his eyes. His vision blurred, then slowly cleared out. He was on his back. In the snow. Surrounded by -

"What took you so long?" Pai was so relived to see her old friend back, she ignored the jibe, and threw her arms around his neck.
"Jao," he murmured smoothly "Did you miss me?"
Pai giggled, "Silly boy! No. But look: we made it to Kinyang Province."
"That's nice," said Klaos, and fainted.