The door creaked open, and instead of Lyan, a disheveled and slightly drunk mercenary stumbled into the House of Roses. His unsteady gait and bleary eyes immediately killed the hopeful atmosphere that had filled the room.
The women's expressions shifted from hopeful anticipation to disappointed annoyance. "You've got to be kidding me," Xena muttered under her breath, her dark orange hair swinging as she turned to face the intruder.
Josephine, ever the leader, stepped forward, her emerald eyes narrowing. "And who might you be?" she asked, her voice dripping with irritation.
The mercenary blinked, swaying slightly. "Name's Rolf. I just came for a drink," he slurred, looking around in confusion.
"You gave us false hope," Belle said quietly, her pink-purple hair framing her delicate features. "We thought you were someone else."
Rolf frowned, trying to focus. "False hope? I just walked in. What did I do?"
