Gasps of shock and confusion echoed through the cozy interior, a restaurant and downstairs inn jam-packed into one rectangular space. Bystanders and guests of food, shelter and company began to gather around the newly drenched arrival and whisper concerns for her health and safety, and in the center of the growing crowd two women were attempting to break through.
"Move along!" one shouted above the small-town buzz. "Please, excuse us! We need to get through!"
Neither woman could blame the people of Willow's Landing for being so initially curious and bewildered by an informal arrival such as this, but neither of the topics were concerning to Koyo and Jocelyn and the two would stop at nothing to reach the cold stranger.
Once allowed the freedom to kneel by the newcomer's side, Koyo, a small woman from the Far East, placed two of her fingers along the girl's neck.
"Pulse seems alright," she judged with a confident grin. "Eyes are moving, skin is a healthy color...I think all she needs is a warm meal and a fire to sit by."
"Good." The opposite woman, Jocelyn, pulled out a small coin purse from the pockets of a silk dress and handed them to the man in charge. "We'll take the suite tonight, Brandon."
"Of course." The man willingly took the money and placed it within his register, gesturing for the three women to make their way upstairs. "I'll give Flannigan a call too, just in case."
"Great, thank you so much."
Koyo, completely uninvolved in the conversation, placed her hand gently behind the stranger's neck and lifted her head just a bit. "Hello," she said softly. "We're going to help you. Can you sit up, please?"