An ornamented wooden panel slowly creaked open, and Christiane and the
couple at the bar turned in amazement as two (rather dusty) black cats
slinked out, soon followed by two human forms.

Cecily looked the same, but more relaxed. Her long wander through the
House had been interesting. Although she still hadn't found what she
was looking for, she had found the Laboratory- and Samantha.

Samantha's long black pigtails were braided with silver streamers, and
she wore a short silver lab coat and her big black boots. A pair of
red goggles perched on her head, and various mechanical things beeped
and whirred from her large pockets.

The two girls looked around in surprise and dismay.

"What happened here?!"