<html><body><div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;font-size:16px"><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr">AN: And more from the adventures of Jack the living asshole.</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr"><br></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr">Trust III</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr"><br></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class="">Fun fact, I had come to Metamor three months after the Assault. Why does this matter you may be asking?</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2479"> </span>Because the Assault had left the Keep very broken, very burned and very much in need of repair. </div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2482"> </span>"This is the brothel?" I moaned out loud. "This place wouldn't pass as the worst whore house in all of Isenport!" Maybe because it wasn't a whore house twit. </div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2485"> </span>The Jolly Collie stood in front of me. Or rather, the soon to be re-opened Jolly Collie. For now it was a burned out, roofless shell, with many different forms walking around it. </div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2488"> </span>They're repairing it, it'll be back soon. I moaned again. Relax, be glad they're getting fixed up.</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2491"> </span>"What's with this place?" I collapsed against a wall. "Every place is burned, all the buildings need to be fixed up. This place is a shit hole." I began to work my claws against the wrappings on my feet. "I need out of here."</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2494"> </span>People walked around me without a glance. It was as if the crowded streets and burned buildings were not enough to deter them. I sat down (careful to avoid sitting on my tail) and watched them.</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2497"> </span>"What keeps them going?" I asked myself. "They're all doomed. They should abandon this place." A coyote and a rodent of some kind stopped and looked at me. The rodent looked like they wanted to say something. "Oh get lost!"</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2500"> </span>The rodent looked taken aback while the coyote just glared at me. He whispered something into the saucer shaped ears of the rodent, not that I could hear, and the two walked off.</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2503"> </span>A predator and pray, interacting together. Not the kind of thing you'd see in Isenport. I pulled my knees into me. Lightbringers and Followers in the same city. Something you definitely wouldn't see in Isenport. I curled my tail in as tight as possible. Aren't you supposed to be doing something?</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2506"> </span>"Yeah. I need to be going home." I closed my eyes and opened up the world in my head. My thoughts took me south, far south of everyone here.</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2509"> </span>Now I was human, well dressed in my doublet and tights. Now I strolled the streets of Isenport.</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2512"> </span>I was on Pudding Street, one of the winding streets that came into existence due to the ill-lined houses. The buildings were a collection of wood against white wash stone, thatch roof and poorly cleaned windows.</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2515"> </span>"And I'm home." The ache in my heart lessened, but it stayed with me. A gnawing at the edge of my mind. I pushed it aside and began to stroll about my streets.</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2518"> </span>And these were my streets. This city was my city; I would rule it one day in the name of the Empire. "I am home. I am home."</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2521"> </span>Pudding Street was the street of bakers, confectioners and others who's trade lay in preparing delicacies. The scents wafted about me, leaving me light headed. I steadied myself against the wall.</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2524"> </span>"I am home." The people milled about him, a variety of colors and body types mashed together. Yet they were all human. Not a claw or feather in sight, not any children lecturing grown men. All human.</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2527"> </span>All was right again.</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2530"> </span>"Stand back, stand back!" My guards yelled out. Everyone knew who I was, their future leader, their protector and guardian. And the people followed.</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2533"> </span>"I am home." I whispered as the masses parted for me. The people's eyes were filled with admiration and respect. I waved at them and they cheered. </div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2536"> </span>"Excuse me." I pushed this voice out of the way.</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2539"> </span>"I am home." The sun burned into my scales. "No, no scales. I am home. I am-"</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2542"> </span>"Excuse me sir!" </div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2545"> </span>The daylight shattered. Once again I was far from home, locked in a strange land. I glanced up, to see something I hadn't seen in a long time.</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2548"> </span>A human woman, blond and with green eyes. Her face was wracked with concern. I forced a smile.</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2551"> </span>"Uh hi. I'm okay." She outstretched her hand, in a thick work glove I noted. I took it and she pulled me up. "Wow, you are strong as an ox."</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2554"> </span>"I work as...well I suppose a lumberjill is the term now." She smiled, "My name is Aaryn."</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2557"> </span>"I'm James." I mumbled. She nodded and gestured at my face.</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2560"> </span>"Any idea what kind of reptile you're becoming?" I shook my head. "I personally like snakes."</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2563"> </span>"I don't like any of them." I mumbled. </div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2566"> </span>My hand trembles now as I write this but I'll continue none the less. I can never fully repay you Aaryn.</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2569"> </span>"Well you'll adjust." She smiled. "I adjusted to being a woman. But I know that look."</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2572"> </span>"What look?" I asked.</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2575"> </span>"The look of a man who could use a drink." She said. "Come on, I'll take you to the Mule."</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2578"> </span>"The what?" Aaryn laughed.</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2581"> </span>"You'll see." She took my arm in hers and led me away. I didn't pull free until we entered Keeptown.</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2584"> </span>"You used to be a man didn't you?" Aaryn nodded.</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2587"> </span>"I did. But that was a long time ago." She shrugged. "The male form never suited me anyway. I can still swing an ax, that's all I need." I nodded. "What about you, what brought you here?"</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2590"> </span>"I...I was...brought here by my father." I gripped my skirt. "Self-absorbed son of a bitch. I uh...got injured..." It was all my fault. "And I ended up unconscious for so long, the curse got me."</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2593"> </span>"So what was your Father? A merchant?"</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2596"> </span>"Something like that." I muttered. We passed under the shadow of a badly damaged building. I paused for a second. "What's with this?" Aaryn frowned. "This, why are so many houses burned and stuff?"</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2599"> </span>"It was the Assault." I shrugged. "Yule time Assault? Some people call it the Winter Assault?"" I shook my head. "You've not been here very long have you?"</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2602"> </span>"Just about three weeks." I said. Aaryn sighed and nodded. "What?"</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2605"> </span>"The Assault, oh Gods I don't know where to begin." She rubbed her temples. "Where are you from?" We resumed walking.</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2608"> </span>"I'm from Isenport, in Sathmore." I said. "I was...I didn't leave Sathmore much." Aaryn nodded.</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2611"> </span>"What do you think of Metamor so far?"</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2614"> </span>"I've not had the best introduction. It's just-YOW!" A passerby stepped on my skirt and by extension, my tail. I leapt up into the air, briefly causing the scarf around my neck to come free. Aaryn's eyes went wide.</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2617"> </span>"So that's what you're becoming." I scooped the scarf up and rewrapped it. "There's no shame in that."</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2620"> </span>"So says you." I snapped. "I'm becoming a monster. I don't want this! This..." We stopped again. "This form, I want it to stop and I want to go home."</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2623"> </span>"You poor sad thing." Aaryn mumbled. "They messed you up badly didn't they?" I frowned and took off walking again. Aaryn scrambled to keep up. "Relax, relax I'm just asking."</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2626"> </span>"They didn't do anything to me." I mumbled. "Never mind, tell me about the Assault. Why would anyone want to attack this place?"</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2629"> </span>"You do know who is to the North right?" I shook my head. "Nasoj? Great evil? End of your way of life?" No I had no clue who that was. I truly was that ignorant in my youth.</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2632"> </span>"Is Metamor valuable?" I asked.</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2635"> </span>"Beyond a shadow of a doubt." </div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2638"> </span>"And someone tried to attack it?" Aaryn nodded. "I assume you guys won?"</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2641"> </span>"As best as this can be called winning." Aaryn said. I looked around at the twisted and burned street.</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2644"> </span>"I wish this place would be burned to the ground." Is what I didn't say. I wanted to say it but I couldn't do it. These people can survive anything.</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2647"> </span>"I'm glad you won." I mumbled. We resumed walking in silence. I fell into a haze and only emerged when Aaryn was shaking my shoulder.</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2650"> </span>"We're here." The building we stood in front of was not a building. It was smashed pieces of a building, held together by hope and a tent over the top. I looked over at Aaryn.</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2653"> </span>"You're joking right?" </div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2656"> </span>"Not at all. This is actually great." Aaryn said. "The Mule was smashed to pieces but they've started to rebuild."</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2659"> </span>"As this?" I asked.</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2662"> </span>"You'd be surprised." Aaryn said. She frowned. "I wanna get a drink too...but I'm needed somewhere else."</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2665"> </span>"So you brought me here and just dump me?" I asked.</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2668"> </span>"I brought you here because you need a drink." Aaryn said. "Get a big one for me lizard boy." I smiled. She's actually really cute, isn't she?</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2671"> </span>I waited until Aaryn had walked away until I went into the Deaf Tent. </div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2674"> </span>The Deaf Tent was deafening. Yes, shocking. It was what you would expect from a bar (people, drinks, mazers, bar) but without certain things, like chairs and tables. People were crowded around whatever they could set a drink on, talking and laughing.</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2677"> </span>The tent was smoky and dim, crowded despite the time of day. I walked forward slowly. They're all looking at me. I need to get out of here. I pushed these thoughts away; I did need a drink after all.</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><br></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class="">When you don't know who runs a bar or how much a drink costs, there are many ways to find out. This was my way.</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2378" dir="ltr" class=""><span class="" style="white-space:pre-wrap;" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1437068029275_2681"> </span>"Hey, hello!" I grabbed the arm of the first passer by and pulled out a couple of coins. "How drunk will this get me?"</div></div></body></html>