<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 12 (filtered medium)"><style></style></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Ok. I am both confused and excited. Who is the Ragman? I doubt it's just a hallucination. It's a real person?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Chris<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>The Lurking Fox<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> mkguild-bounces@lists.integral.org [mailto:mkguild-bounces@lists.integral.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Jack Moore<br><b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, December 02, 2014 7:15 PM<br><b>To:</b> mkguild@lists.integral.org<br><b>Subject:</b> [Mkguild] Birth III<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>AN: Any thoughts yet?<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>There was a bite in the air and the ground was slick. The underbrush and colors <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>of the trees crackled against the gray clouds. I stole away into the woods, grateful for the <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>few minutes I had. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>I can remember every time I've gone into the woods. There is something <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>liberating and terrifying about them. These I felt even more that way. Lovely and dark, <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>the water dripping off branches created a cacophony. I hopped up onto a long and tried <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>balancing on it.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>"I wish I could stay out here." I tried walking along the top of the log, only to <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>stumble. I hopped down again. "Why do I have to do this? I don't know…."<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>A bird shrieked above me. I glanced up in time to see a red-shouldered hawk take <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>off from a branch and fly away. "Ulysses could catch you. You may be bigger but he's <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>faster. I've got my glove…"<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>Ulysses was my red-tailed hawk. Much like Holofernes, he was named by Nemo. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>I didn't know the name but I liked saying it. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>I had my hawking glove with me, not with me at that moment but at the camp. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>There is nothing quite like the thrill of watching your bird lift off and from there rise to a <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>high pitch into a steep stoop.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>"Ulysses will be released soon." I mumbled. "I wish he could take me with <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>him…"<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>When you live your life as I do, being alone may be a blessing or a curse. Mostly <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>it depends on if you can block your own thoughts out. If you can't, you spend the time <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>surrounded by beauty you can't take in because your worries are pounding away inside of <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>your head. If you're lucky you will get small distractions to block out your thoughts, <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>before they come crashing back.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>The hawk was one such distraction. As it took off, my gaze stuck with it. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>"You're lucky. You don't have to worry about anything do you?"<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>I sat down on the log. Now my mind turned to the cursed valley itself. You'd <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>never have to leave would you…<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>Isenport is a lovely place, a wonderful port and a place where goods and <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>information pass through regularly. It's a place where people die in bar fights and sailors <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>kill the hookers they've knocked up. From there, I could know about the rest of the <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>world by listening to rumors that came through.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>I had actually heard of Metamor Keep, though what I heard made no sense. The <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>people turn into animals. No they turn into children. No the city can't stay the same size. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>No it's under assault and there's a magic snow storm. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>All nonsense of course. I knew it was.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>"Are we meeting with someone from the cursed city?" I mumbled. "Well if that's <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>the case, why does this meeting have to be a secret? What could we even offer them?" <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>Money. "What could they offer us?" Lots of things.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>I hopped back up. "What is my father thinking? He's going to get us killed."<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>I started walking along the edge of the log again. "I'll just tell him I'm not going <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>on…and then what? I have to go back eventually." A hawk screeched again. I looked <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>up to see it fly against the sun, framed by a break in the trees.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>"Beautiful." I whispered as I watched the bird fly above the trees. "I want to go <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>with you." I looked away, back to the long. I walked to the edge and pause.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>The log stuck slightly over the edge of a ravine. A large rock jutted out of the <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>water soaked bottom. The log wobbled when I stood on the edge.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>"I want to go with you…" I hovered on the edge of the wood. "Can I go with you?"<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>Let us go to the next scene. Now, gentle reader, comes the strange part. I know <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>you're questioning all the detail; it will make sense later. This section though I'm not <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>sure how to explain. I'll just tell you about it as it happened.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>I awoke to find I was laying on my back. I was very warm and now in a room of <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>white stone. Alabaster. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>"Hello Jack."<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>"My name is James."<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>"So you say." I glanced over my body, no blood or torn clothes. Slowly I stood <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>up. I looked around. The room was circular and smooth, clean white alabaster. Behind <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>me was one entrance way. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>In the center of the room was a massive table, covered in crystal figurines. They <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>shone in the light, hundreds or maybe thousands of them. Maybe tens of thousands, <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>every time I looked I couldn't see the size. Some were animals, some were people, all <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>were exquisitely carved. "It's a wonderful collection. Not mine; it does not belong to <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>anyone." I looked up.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>Sitting behind the table was a…figure in a massive coat, hat, gloves and scarf, all <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>raggedy looking. This pile of rags covered the figure so well, I couldn't see their face. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>They held a large flute and had their chair positioned in front of the second entrance way.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>"I've been waiting for you." The rag man said. "You took a long time, very <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>rude."<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>"I'm sorry?" I slowly approached the channel, still glancing around. "Where am <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>I? I fell and hit my head…"<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>"You are in a place." I frowned.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>"Wonderful answer. Why am I here?" I picked up one of the figures from the <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>table. A fox, looking worried. It had something human about it.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>"That one's not yours."<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>"I like foxes." I mumbled. The crystal radiated warmth. With some reluctance I <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>placed it back. My hand was drawn to another figure, a child holding a pointy stick. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>Along the neck of the figure was a thick crack.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>"Getting closer." The ragman said. "Still not for you."<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>"It's cracked." I said. "It's gotta…gotta get fixed. Wow I'm tired."<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>"I'm not surprised. It's not easy for you right now. If you want to fix it I'd <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>suggest trying later."<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>"Don't know how to do, uh, do you forge crystal? Or…okay how do you fix <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>crystal?" The ragman laughed.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>"Wow you don't know many things." I put the child down and took a closer look. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>Now I could see many were flawed with cracks over the eyes or missing ears. Some had <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>cracks over the eyes or seemed to be a mesh of genders. Why do they look so beautiful?<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>My hand reached out again. Finally I picked up a small one that seemed…odd.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>It was a lizard man, maybe a dragon man with a massive frill along the neck. It <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>held in its hand another pointed stick.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>"You have found yourself." The ragman said.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>"I hit my head." I said. "Is this real?"<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>"Could be." I sat down in a chair that appeared under me. "Uh thanks."<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>"I wouldn't want you thinking me a bad host Jack." The ragman said. "Mostly I <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>brought you here because I wished to meet you. We will speak more later, before the <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>unpleasantness."<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>"Still not my name."<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>"Let me ask you something Jack, what do you want to be?" I frowned.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>"That's a stupid question."<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>"Is it? Do you want to be transformed?" <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>"I want to be someone whose not got a head injury and talking to…what do you <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>call them? People who aren't there?"<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>"You believe me to be a hallucination?" The ragman shook his head. "Well I <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>suppose you can't know I am. Everything I'm saying could be a lie, especially the lies."<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>"Is there a point to this?"<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>"To force questions." The ragman said. "Transformation is a wonderful thing. It <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>allows us a chance to become who we want, to change who we are. If you never learn to <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>question, the effect shall be lost."<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>"I'm not interested in transforming."<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>"Aren't you?" The ragman tilted his head. "Strange. I suspect this too shall <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>change."<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>"Why are you dressed as a rejected series of swatches?" I asked. "I could sew <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>better clothing than that."<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>"Aren't you supposed to be the masculine, modern son of a lord, not interested in <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>feminine arts." I frowned. "I'm just observing. I'm amazed. You've been allowed to <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>learn a skill of your choice."<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>"What does that mean?"<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>"Just that I question if you're an actor in your own life." The ragman said. "Well <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>it's really of no matter. If you're not, you'd best learn how to be."<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>"Let me out of here you freak!"<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>"I also wouldn't use that terminology. You can hurt people's feelings you know." <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>The ragman's blew into his flute, creating a high pitched whine. I grabbed my ears. "It's <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>still out of tune."<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>"What are you talking about?"<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>"Nothing much. It's time to go." The ragman reached out and tapped the wall <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>with his flute.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>Instantly the room began to tilt. The table and chairs and figures didn't slip. I <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>did. I grabbed at my chair as I began to tumble out.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>"What do you think you're doing!?"<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>"Helping you along." The ragman said. "If you don't get a little push you'll never <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>move forward." The room turned until the table was suspended sideways. I held onto the <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>chair for dear life.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>"Help me!"<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>"I am." The ragman grabbed a crystal figure from the table. "Bye-bye." The figure smacked me between the eyes. My fingers slipped free.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>My scream echoed as the lizard figure and I spiraled into the abyss.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2848"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2848"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'>AN: I enjoyed writing this scene. Anyone who wants to guess at ragman, feel free to do so.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1417565627438_2571"><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></div></div></body></html>