Welcome to town!

[Brian]

After a moment, the boat comes to a smooth halt, and the auto-cables moor it between the other two identical craft.  The prerecorded voice doesn't come on, but the gangplank does automatically descent.  At the pier, an open (and very solid looking -- bank-vault-type solid) door awaits.  It's large enough for Balrog and the Gargoyle to walk through side-by-side, but from the boat you can see nothing other than a crimson-carpeted stairway leading up.

"Keen!"  Despite his excitement, Action Kid is not the first one on the pier.

[Bjorn]

The Gargoyle has no such hesitation, and descends from the pier, his claws making an unpleasant screeching noise on the metal surface.  "Ain't getting anywhere by waiting," he rumbles.

[Ragnar]

"I suppose that's true," mumbles Dwight, as he climbs out of the boat, wincing slightly at the high-pitched screech of claws-on-metal.

[Brian]

In short order the group disembarks, the ship's engine self-powers-down, and the vault door is crossed.  Within is a thick, plush red carpet that appears to be spilling down the stairs ahead.  The stairs go up probably about three stories, and are wide enough to accomodate a flung buffet table.  This comparison is backed up by the fact that lying on the floor just inside the door ... is an overturned buffet table.  Along with a number of spilled dishes, which are splattered around messily.  At the top of the stairs, the indisctint sounds of an argument can be heard.  One voice is low, rumbling, and petulant.  The other is high-pitched, nearly a shriek.

Action Kid looks decidedly nervous, and stays just behind the Shoveller.

[Ragnar]

"Hmm," says Dwight, taking in the surroundings, "it looks like 'Bob's Big Boy' and 'The Shrieker' caught the earlier boat. I hope we're not interrupting something."

[Bjorn]

"Let's find out," the Gargoyle rumbles.  He makes his way to the stairs, and then hesitates.  "We're coming up," he shouts out, "and I want to be clear that I'm not a demon!  Just so no one jumps the gun or holy water or anything!"

[Brian]

The feminine voice snaps, "Look, they're already here, you idiot!  Get the backup table, and I'll try and stall them until the room is set up!"  A moment later, Foxglove peers over the top of the staircase and looks down at the would-be-heroes (and side-kick).

"Hi there!" she says cheerily, before she freezes, blinking with a smile stuck on her face.  "Uh.  You're sure you're not a demon?"

As everyone watches, the woman in the skintight black-and-red bodysuit begins to fade from sight, until only a ghostly outline remains.  "Really sure?"

[Bjorn]

"Yes, really sure!" the Gargoyle snaps, and the momentary irritation makes the fire behind his eyes and teeth surge for a moment before he calms himself down again.  "Very sure.  Yes.  So, uh, hi.  I'm -- uh, we're here for the interview?"

[Brian]

"O...oh," Foxglove replies after a moment.  Then her eyes -- barely visible as they are, go to the buffet table lying next to the heroes, and she winces.  "Um...."  Behind her is a slowly rising, but furious clamor, and scattered throughout it is the sound of voices arguing, and the scraping of something large or heavy -- or both -- being dragged across a floor.

"Sooo....  How did you enjoy the ride to the Stone?"

[Bjorn]

"It was, uh, okay," the Gargoyle rumbles.  "Comfortable.  Kinda slow, though, if you don't mind me sayin'.  Uh, is this a bad time?"

[Brian]

"No, no!" she protests quickly, her smile showing, even if she is mostly faded.  "Everything's--"  She glances behind her and winces at the sound of another crash and more heated arguing.  "Fine!  Just fine!"

[Edward]

The Shoveller raises an eyebrow.  "I...see."

[Ragnar]

"Um," Dwight puts forward tentatively, "do you need, uh, help with anything?"

[Brian]

"No, no," she says quickly, reappearing (somewhat -- she's still a bit fuzzy in the middle, though her outline is clearer).  "Um, so, why don't you tell me about yourselves?"

[Bjorn]

"I'm the Gargoyle.  I'm strong, and tough, and, uh..." he waves a hand at himself, as if to convey, 'What you see is what you get.'