Year 25

“Look, I dunno anything about what that old bastard does in his spare time, I just pay my rent and mind my own business.” You say.

The militiamen give you a look like they don’t quite believe you.

“Just an innocent in all this eh? Bullshit. Trobart says you’re a rogue through and through.” One of them remarks.
“Yeah, and one of your neighbors, Randi I believe? She says you even have ties to the Crimson Talons.” Another adds.

You nearly want to laugh, but you resist since you don’t want to piss off the militia unnecessarily.

“Really? You’re going to believe a whore and some guy that sells alcohol illegally in his basement? They’re just trying to save their own asses by making false accusations! You turned my room upside down and didn’t find ANY stolen goods. And if I was a Crimson Talon, do you really think I’d be living in the shithole that I’m currently living in?” you answer.
“Didn’t say you were a Crimson Talon, just said you had ties to them. And if you think just because we didn’t catch you with anything that you’re off the hook. You deny that you’re a criminal, but as I said, it’s obvious that you have no visible means of support, so you have to be doing something illegal.” A militia officer says.
“How do you know I don’t have a proper job? You’re just making baseless assumptions.”
“Am I now? I don’t think so. I think it’s obvious that you’re just some second rate pissant sneak thief that is so pathetic at your own lowly trade that you managed to avoid our eye for so long. In fact I can imagine you probably TRIED to join the Crimson Talons, but they just kept you on as an associate bitch because you weren’t good enough to be a real member.”
“Interesting theory. Is this going somewhere?”
“YOU’RE going to be going somewhere if you don’t shut the fuck up and listen closely to my offer!” the militia officer exclaims, getting in your face.

You sit back in your chair and remain silent. The militia officer continues to stare at you assessing your every tell your face might be giving off.

“It’s like this criminal scum. You’re on our fucking list now. I’ve got your name, I’ve got your ass. Your best bet would be to just get the fuck out of this city, but I know you. You probably think you’re smarter than me. Well you ain’t and you’re gonna get caught. Maybe not now. Maybe not even next year, but you WILL fuck up. And when you do, I’m going to make sure they put you in the smallest hanging cage we got. Believe that.”

The militia officer then pulls back a bit and adopts a less combative stance along with a calmer voice.

“Now, all that being said…we do have bigger fish to catch and if you did… say have ties to the Crimson Talons then MAYBE you might know where their hideout is. If you helped us with something like that, then well maybe I might be inclined to not keep such a close eye on you.”

Well it’s times like these that make being a criminal not so much fun, though honestly as the years have been going on, you’re starting to wonder why you ever thought it was fun in the first place.

You haven’t really much contact with the Crimson Talons since Zalmora visited you that one day asking you to join. All you did hear is that Tom isn’t in charge anymore and was killed by one of the more aggressive members who took over. Word says he’s a real tyrannical asshole, which might explain why none of the Talon members that have gotten arrested haven’t actually ratted on him themselves.

It also explains when you have bumped into a couple of their members randomly in the taverns, they’ve been less than friendly and warned you to stay out of their territory. (Which you most certainly have been doing for years now)

You do know that their headquarters is still in the same location. You don’t know why the militia doesn’t know where it is though given how they’ve increased their own activity as of late. The militia can be remarkably blind at times.

“Look, if I did have dealings with the Crimson Talons, I’d help you out, but I just don’t associate with such people. Apologies.” You say.

The militia officer doesn’t look pleased by your answer, and you sort of wonder if he’s going to end up throwing you in jail anyway, but he lets you go.

“Okay then, but remember I gave you an out today and you turned it down. Be seeing you soon criminal.”

You get up from the chair you’ve been sitting on for who knows how long and walk out the door, though not before one of the militia shoves the back of your head. It’s frustrating, but any dealing with the militia that you walk away from is a victory.

From the militia barracks you make your way back to the Welcome Mat, which is practically destroyed at this point. At least it is on the inside. The law-abiding inhabitants (Or at least the criminal ones that didn’t get caught) are busily trying to gather and clean up the mess the militia made of their homes. You imagine Trobart, even with his ratting bullshit on you isn’t going to be able to keep this place any longer.

You enter your own ruined room where upon Elana comes out from whatever hole in the wall she was hiding in and squeaks at you.

“Hey Elana, glad to see they didn’t get you girl. Now let’s hope they didn’t get anything else either.”

You find a chair that wasn’t destroyed and check the hiding spot you have in the ceiling of your room. After checking and pulling out your small locked container you breathe a sigh of relief. Your small savings are still intact.

You’ll be needing it too, because everything else was taken. Your weapons, your tools, everything that you use or need in your profession. Granted it wasn’t a lot, but it’s still a loss. You’ll also be needing to find a new place to live.

As you’re pondering your next move, your door with the broken lock opens up. It’s Virgil and he appears to be sober for a change.

“Damn, they really did a number on yer room too I see.” Virgil says.
“Yeah, but it’s still my fucking room. What the hell do you want, I don’t have any money so you can go get drunk.” you say.
“And I wasn’t askin’. Sheesh, I was just coming in here to see if you were around. I wanted to apologize for bothering you all the time for money actually.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah…I mean I dunno if you noticed but I haven’t been around as much lately.”
“Hmm, I did notice a reduction in our usual encounters over the past month.”
“I’ve been trying to get my life back together. Get myself right with Joachim again. Part of that is me apologizing and trying to make amends for all the times I bothered you.”
“Oh yeah? You got a bag full of coins for all the times I gave you money for booze?”
“No. I wish I did. I know how you like money…I might even give you a lecture about that, but I’m not really in any position to do so. I first need to get myself right with Joachim and then I might be able to guide others into his light like I was supposed to be doing in the first place.”
“Not sure if you preaching at me is any better than you hitting me up for booze money.”
“I’m sure to you it isn’t, but I’m here to apologize anyway and if there is something within my power to help you, just let me know.”
“Well, thanks I suppose. Can’t really think of anything I need from you though, unless you got an idea of a new cheap place to live at that isn’t completely a shithole.”
“Not really, unless you want to sleep in one of the poor rooms at the Church of Joachim. That’s sort of where I’ve been staying lately. Would have been living there before, if I hadn’t gotten asked to leave for my...weakness. Guess I might be living there for good now. Just as well. It was time to move on.”
“Don’t think that’s going to work out for me, but thanks for the offer.”

Virgil nods and then says something about Joachim’s blessing be upon you.

You finish packing up and when you’re only a few steps away from the Welcome Mat, it suddenly occurs to you. Your family’s old inn. It’s still abandoned. You could easily stay there and that would at least save you some of the costs.

“Should have thought about that in the first place.” You say and make your way to the inn. Of course as you begin to do so, you realize you’re being followed. That officer wasn’t fucking around when he said he was going to have eyes on you all the time.

It takes some time, but you end up losing them, but now you’re practically on the other side of the city! If this is how it’s always going to be, it’s not going to matter where you stay.

Maybe it is time to leave Klyton, which you suppose you don’t mind since things haven’t been the greatest here, but you just hate being chased off like this.

Of course there’s always the option the officer suggested.

You don’t really have any loyalty to the Talons, so if it did help you out in the long run, well it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. It might even help you with less competition around that is actually making it harder for everyone else. Ever since the change in leadership, the Talons have also been selling Yellow Devil which has been causing a bit of a minor crime wave, what with all the extra junkies running around causing problems. (Even at your stomping grounds, the University)

Of course being a rat is a pretty damn serious offense in the criminal world (Even if it goes on all the time) and if the Crimson Talons ever did find out, it probably wouldn’t go well for you.
> You rat on the Talons
Well, ratting on the Crimson Talons probably isn’t the worst thing you’ve done…

You go back to the militia barracks where you’re immediately stopped by some of its members who ask what you want. When you tell them that you want to speak to the officer in charge because you have information on the Crimson Talons, they tell you to wait while someone goes and gets Captain Branik, who apparently was the one interrogating you earlier.

Doesn’t take long before you see this captain, who gives you a mildly smug look.

“Well, look who’s back. Thought you didn’t know anything.” Branik says.
“I just remembered some details that slipped my mind.” You retort.
“Hmm, well out with it then, and if your information is any good then we will have come to an understanding.”

You give out what you know of the Crimson Talons, but specifically their headquarters location. He says something about how he can’t believe they’ve been there the whole time. You also mention the secret sewer tunnel that leads from outside the city. Branik seems especially pleased by this information and mentions he’ll send people through there as well when they move in to attack the place.

“This of course is all going to take a little time to put together and confirm, so in the meantime I’d like you to stay in the city. You know, just in case you’re lying and this isn’t some sort of set up.” Branik says.
“What? What would I possibly gain by setting you up for anything? YOU told me to help you!” you say.
“Yes, but you didn’t do it right away and even managed to disappear from the militia’s watchful eye for awhile. I can’t know if you haven’t already tipped off your Crimson Talon buddies or something more sinister. So to put those concerns to rest, I just need you to stay within the city so that I may easily get a hold of you until this is all over. Be thankful I’m not just throwing you in a cell.”

No good deed…

It’s the best deal you’re going to get at this point and really you have no idea now if the captain is even going to hold on to his end. Meanwhile you’re probably still going to be having these militia assholes following you all over the city, which you can’t even leave now!

You just leave shaking your head at the entire situation.

You honestly don’t know what to do with yourself. You suppose you could live on your savings until all this shit blows over, but again you have no idea when that will be and if that asshole captain is even going to give you a break.

You still have to find a new place to live and you suppose squatting in your family’s old inn is out now seeing as it’s more trouble than it’s worth.

Lacking any better ideas, you decide to go to the Church of Joachim that Virgil suggested. At least it will be free.

There are actually more than a few in the city, but you figure Virgil was talking about the one closest to the Welcome Mat so that’s the one you seek out. It’s probably the biggest one anyway due to more poor folks in the area sponging off the charity that the church provides.

When you get there you find that it’s feeding the beggars day. Great now you have to put up with that smell along with whatever religious shit that’s going to be preached at you.

You see Virgil serving up bowls of swill and approach him since you figure he knows where the flop room for the poor is.

“Hey Virgil.” You say while trying not to get in the way of the hungry beggars who are eagerly taking their food and leaving.
“Hello. Surprised, but glad to see you. I’m a little busy at the moment, but what can I do for you?” Virgil responds.
“You said I could stay here awhile? Having sort of a problem finding a place to live at the moment.”
“Oh sure. We have space so you can stay as long as you like, but erm…”
“But erm, what?”
“Well I know you’re not exactly poor beggar or destitute mother with children and Brother Thadius is sort of a stickler for the rules.”
“So what are you saying?”
“Well, maybe if you could donate to…”
“ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?!” you exclaim at which point Virgil tells you to keep your voice down.

“Virgil, you TOLD me that you wanted to make amends to me or whatever and you also TOLD me that I could stay here for free!” you say.
“Actually I never said it was free…(Sigh) but I suppose it is true, I might have given you a false impression. For that I am sorry. However, you could still stay here for free, but it would still require something of you.” Virgil says.

You at first think Virgil is going to tell you to get him a bottle of alcohol or maybe ask you to steal something. You’re just counting on religious hypocrisy to rear its head, so it’s a bit surprising when he asks you:

“If you could help me serve these bowls of soup, that I think would be enough to allow you to stay here for free.”
“Wha…are you…(Sigh) fuck it. Fine.”

You spend the next few hours serving swill to dirty, smelly beggars, bums, and the destitute. You can’t believe it’s come to this.

About the only think that breaks up the monotony is you have to throw out a Yellow Devil junkie who gets a little aggressive with the others. Normally you don’t get excessively hostile to the point of violence unless its necessary, but you’re in a foul mood due to current events. Just as you’re about to really kick his ass until Virgil stops you.

“Hey, hey, easy! He’s had enough; look he’s going now. And I think you’ve had enough too. Thanks for your help; you can find a space on the floor in the sleeping area in the back of the church.” Virgil says.

You don’t say anything and just head to where Virgil said to go. When you enter the room, it isn’t quite as bad as you thought it would be. Apparently most of the beggar types actually prefer sleeping in their own personal areas on the streets rather than a relatively clean church. Go figure.

What you do see more of is “regular poor folk.” Families who have obviously suffered some hardship causing them to be homeless for whatever reason. You imagine their faith in Joachim keeps them going that things will get better. The fools.

You find a corner to be in, make a pillow with your bag and try to get some rest despite the sounds of children and people nearby. You can regroup tomorrow, you always do.

Next day…

You head to the university seeing as you don’t have anything better planned at the moment.

Of course as soon as you start heading that way, militia is on your ass already. This is ridiculous. It’s like they suddenly have some sixth sense of your whereabouts. You try to lose them a couple times and while you do succeed, it once again has taken you out of your way to your destination. Eventually you manage to get a carriage and ride to the university. From there you get to work.

All is going relatively well, though you do catch sight of more than a few wandering militia. You aren’t sure if they’re there specifically for you or just the usual.

On your way through one of the many student-gathering areas, you suddenly hear someone call out your name. You turn around and get a surprise.

“Yvette?” you answer.
“Glad to see you remembered me. How have you been?” Yvette asks.
“Um, I’m okay. And yourself? You probably graduated and are some sort of powerful wizard by now.”
“On the graduation part yes, on the powerful wizard bit, well that’s debatable. I’m sort of teaching and doing independent research on possible new spell components. It’s a really good thing that the wizard college has such a generous benefactor on the Klyton Council. Otherwise, I’m not sure what I’d be doing with my life.”
“You’re a wizard, surely there’s no limit to what you could do.”
“I suppose in some ways, but I guess I just like what I get to do now…is something wrong? You seem a bit distracted.”
“No, nothing’s wrong. I’m just surprised to see you, let alone you even talking to me. Last time I remember you were pretty pissed at me.”
“Oh. That. Yeah, I always meant to apologize to you about that, but I couldn’t find you. I asked Dr. Gossey, but she said she didn’t know much about you outside the times you helped her. I only knew your first name, but I didn’t know what your area of study was. I must have went through a lot student lists, but never could track you down. I even tried some divination magic, but nothing turned up. Though I never was very good at that. Still, it almost seemed like you never even went here.”
“Heh, yeah…wow didn’t realize you looked for me. I’m really flattered.”
“Well I gave up after about a year. I figured you probably graduated by then…so what are you doing here then? Are you teaching now too? What was your study anyway?”

Yvette is flooding you with questions that you weren’t really prepared to answer with well thought out lies. She’s being pretty friendly though and given how things have been going, it’s nice a change. You sort of wonder about the fact that she looked for you for a year. Obviously, she had more in mind than just to apologize.

If you’d known that, you would have made more of an effort to seek her out too, rather than just fucking a whore that looked only vaguely like her a few times.

Well, hopefully better late than never…

“Okay, I’m just going to come out and ask. Were you interested in me back then?” you ask.
“Um…well…” Yvette stutters.
“I’ll take that as a yes.”
“Well wait no. I mean yeah, but…oh I’m not very good at this.”
“Calm yourself then just speak your mind.”
“Okay. Well, I didn’t NOT like you. I mean I liked all of our time together up until Kelium died. Between that and worrying about my report, your kiss sort of caught me off guard. After my report was a success, I had time to think about your advance and while I would have preferred something less aggressive, I can’t say that I entirely disliked it. Actually it might have even helped my report.”
“How’s that?”
“Yes, at the time I was so pissed at you that I ended up telling my superiors the story we agreed upon as well as adding that it was all your fault that things didn’t go as planned. Since I was so mad at you, it came off as believable hence a successful report. I was actually going to thank you for that too.”

You laugh a bit.

“Well glad it helped I guess. Though I suppose my question is and again this might be a long shot, but are you still interested in me?” you ask.
“I dunno. I mean it was years ago. We still don’t know much about each other. I suppose the answer is the same as it was back then, I wouldn’t be opposed to seeing you. I’m currently unattached. I have a bit of trouble meeting people that aren’t also magic users and the few I do seem to get scared that I have magic powers.” Yvette answers.
“What about other wizards?”
“Hah, yeah…well after going out with a few magic users in the past, that has not gone very well. I’ll just leave it at that.”

You’re doing okay so far, but here’s where the problem is going to come in, your real life.

If you pursue this relationship, you are going to have to change your life severely because you are entirely sure that Yvette is definitely not going to be good with your roguish ways.

Oddly, this isn’t completely unappealing to you. Granted you’ve had an okay day here at the university, but how long before the militia gets more savvy and starts watching your movements here a lot more? You still can’t walk to most places without them around and again you still don’t know if they’re going to hold up their end and leave you alone after they bust up the Crimson Talons.

When you really think back to what you’ve managed to accomplish as a rogue you aren’t sure if it’s worth it anymore. All you’ve been doing is going through the motions because you don’t know any other way.

But if you really put your mind to it, you’re a resourceful guy; you probably COULD do something different if you wanted to.

In any case, you still need to know how you’re going to deal with Yvette. You could just tell her the truth about your life, which would prevent a possible shitstorm later, of course it could fuck up things now. Especially since you’ve basically been lying to her up until this point.

Of course if you’ve been lying to her all this time, you could just continue doing it and hope for the best. You could still try to change your life, but just not reveal your past.
> You lie to Yvette
This relationship, if there is even going to be one is on shaky ground already. You can’t imagine the truth really helping you out here.

“Yvette, I think before we go any further I should reveal something first because it’s only fair that you know.” You say.
“Uh oh.” Yvette responds.

You explain that not long after your job with Dr. Gossey, you had to drop out of college because your parents suffered hardship back home and you had to help them out. After burying them both, you tell her there was nothing for you left in that one horse town, so with what money you had from selling the property you returned here. You tell her that you’ve actually only just recently returned hoping you could maybe find work here at the university and re-attend classes in the meantime on a work-study type program, but you haven’t had much luck.

You go on to say, you’re sort of giving up on the whole college thing and just trying to find ANY job since your savings are running low.

It’s a bullshit tearjerker story that you threw together at the last minute.

Naturally Yvette still being the trusting soul you figured she would be, she swallows every line of it.

“Oh I had no idea! And I had treated you so terrible before all that happened!” Yvette exclaims.
“Don’t worry about it. It’s not like you could have known. Shit happens.”
“I suppose, but still. I guess that’s explains why I couldn’t find you.”
“Well I’m here now, if you’re still interested of course. I mean I’d completely understand if you weren’t.”
“Gee, I mean it would look pretty shallow of me if I said I wasn’t…not that I’m saying that. It’s just it seems like you have a lot of other things you need to take care of before entertaining the idea of us going out together.”
“Heh, trust me, you’ve been the single light during this dismal period, so you can bet I’m going to make the effort to spend time with you. I think I might have a lead on a job actually though, so if you could, maybe wait for me a little while longer? We could just meet up here and spend time until I get my shit together. Would that be acceptable?”
“I suppose that would be nice. Yes, okay. You can usually find me in the magic college dorms or the college itself. Probably best if you go to the college since the dorms have some security that could be problematic if you aren’t a wizard type or with one.”
“Okay, great. Gotta go now, but before I do, may I have your permission this time?”
“Permission for what?”
“To kiss you of course.”
“Oh. Um, well okay, but just on the cheek this time!”

You move in and give Yvette a quick peck on the cheek causing her to smile a bit which you return before you take your leave.

You make your way back to the church as quick as you can, you don’t even bother worrying about the squad of militia following you around. It’s time to call in that big favor Virgil says he owes you, you just hope he can deliver without some stupid stipulation this time.

You find Virgil speaking with a couple of the poor folk about the light of Joachim or whatever.

“Virgil! I need your help let’s talk.”
“Huh? But I’m in the middle of spreading the word of Joachim.”
“Yeah, well you got all the fucking time in the world to do that. These folks aren’t going to get any less desperate within the hour so just talk to me now and be done with it.”

Virgil sensing that you’re going to be as obnoxious as you can be until he speaks with you excuses himself and goes to see you.

“You know, you’re taking advantage of my kindness.” Virgil says.
“Yeah, just like you took advantage of mine when you were begging me for coin during your drunk days. Look, I’m just going to ask for a simple favor, one that will actually get you out of your hair in the long run. Can you get me a job?” you say.
“A job? What do you mean?”
“A job man! A job! Like you go there, you do some shit and then you go back home and eventually they pay you for all the shit you did. You repeat until dead or fired.”
“YOU want a REAL job? Are you sober?”
“Completely.”
“Wow. You continue to surprise me. Maybe Joachim’s light really has…”
“Oh no! Don’t start with the religious shit. I just know you have people coming in and out of this church all the time and not ALL of them are the charity cases. Some of them are just here to pray or attend services or whatever it is you lot do.”
“True, but what are you getting at?”
“Well I know you religious types have tend to have tight knit communities. Surely you know someone who might be able to give me a job.”
“Hmm, maybe. But is there anything in particular you’re looking for?”
“Obviously something befitting of my talents!”
“Sorry, but I think thievery is off the table.”
“Hey I used to sell stolen items too.”
“Hmm, wait a minute. You uh, used to pick locks right?”
“Sure did and if I may say so myself, I was pretty damn good at it.”
“Okay, I do know someone. He’s an older man by the name of Ned and is a locksmith by trade. I think he’s looking for an assistant.”
“Huh. Guess that would be a good fit.”
“Yeah…too good in fact. You aren’t going to use this as some way of breaking the law are you?”
“If I was, do you think I’d tell you? You’re funny. But if it puts your mind at ease, then no I’m not. I can’t leave the city, the militia watches me all the fucking time, and I’m living in a damn church. Obviously my life style has NOT been successful. Time to change it up, especially since I might have a second chance with this girl I like. Yes, I said it. I’m doing this for a girl.”

Virgil smirks a bit.

“What’s with the grin?” you ask.
“Joachim works in mysterious ways. Maybe you don’t see it or choose not to, but his influence is there. Little steps to righteousness and perhaps in more time you…” Virgil says before you interrupt.
“Will you get out of here and just go get me that job! And don’t tell him the truth just say I’m an engineer down on my luck or something.”
“You want me to lie?!”
“I want you to fulfill your damn promise without a bunch of bullshit tacked on to it! Now you do what you gotta do, you can always ask Joachim for forgiveness afterwards.”
“(Sigh) Very well. I just hope you’re being truthful in all this.”

With the plan set in motion things turn around fairly quickly. In a few days you get the job as an assistant to the locksmith. Turns out he’s a good old guy. Tends to talk a lot about his dead wife and his runaway daughter who he hasn’t seen in decades, but you suppose you understand he has a great sense of loss and wants to vent to someone. You’re just glad he doesn’t ask too much about your life or get too religious on you.

The pay is…adequate. It’s at least enough to get yourself a new cheap place and keep you in the basics. In the meantime the militia is still following you around. They’re probably wondering what the hell you’re up to.

In the next month, you go see Yvette who is expecting you since you wrote a letter ahead of time. You meet and catch up on what the pair of you have been doing over the past few years, or rather in your case LYING about what you’ve been up to. You still try to keep the lying to a minimum but keeping the topics either light or focusing on her activity instead which is easy since she really likes talking about her spell stuff. (Which to be honest you don’t completely grasp all of it)

Within the next few months big news in Klyton hits when its announced that the Crimson Talons have been officially taken down. Captain Branik gets an award from the council and exclaims how brave his people were as they stormed the Talon hideout. Apparently they didn’t take any of them alive though you get the impression that if any did surrender the militia wouldn’t have been the type to just accept it anyway.

You don’t get any official word from anyone saying that you’re off the hook let alone any thanks that you were the one that gave the information of their hideout. You do notice that the militia doesn’t follow you around like it once did, so you take that as a sign that you must be off probation so to speak.

Still, though you’ve managed to “be good” for a few months now and things are going good with Yvette and your new job isn’t even all that bad even if it’s a little boring at times.

There really isn’t any need for you to go back to your old ways. Maybe it’s time to give this new life a longer try.
> You time passes...
Year 27

“Is it too expensive?” Yvette asks.
“Well we could afford it, but I shudder to think what the ongoing property tax is going to be like.” You say.
“I suppose…but it’s so nice!”
“Maybe, but it’s also a security hazard. I mean the locks on these doors are just pathetic. There are windows everywhere, which would allow for any thief to break into. There isn’t even any fencing around this place. We’d have to spend more money just to secure this place better.”
“You are really paranoid sometimes. You always think someone is going to break in someplace. This is a good neighborhood and ever since the Talons were eliminated the crime rate has gone down anyway.”
“That’s no reason to be off guard. I’m just saying that as a locksmith I have some experience in these matters.”
“Or maybe you’re a thief!” Yvette laughs and teasingly pokes you.
“Yeah you got me.” You joke back, finding her comment humorous in a completely different way than she does.

You then embrace Yvette and kiss her during the bit of playfulness. She then places your hand on her stomach. It’s not visibly noticeable yet, but your son or daughter is in there.

You never thought you’d be in this position, on the verge of marriage with a baby on the way. So much has changed that it’s hard to believe, but everything is good or at least everything save for one thing.

You still have yet to meet Yvette’s father. (Yvette’s mother unfortunately died while giving birth to her) You’ve managed to avoid it for a long time. Part of that was because it wasn’t like Yvette was in a hurry for you to meet him either. She’d mention him in passing at times, but she always gave the impression that he was a rather distant and cold man who only paid for Yvette’s college out of the barest sense of parental duty.

Still, the man is her father and the fact you got her pregnant BEFORE you married her is something you’re going to have to deal with because Yvette just couldn’t bear to keep a grandchild from him a secret.

You know that while he isn’t on the council, he does something important in the government, which is something you generally try to avoid. However, it’s better to get this over with.

“I think I should go meet your father.” You say.
“Oh. Now?” Yvette asks.
“The sooner the better.”
“I suppose you’re right. It’s just; it was a nice day before you brought that up. Are you okay going alone? I just met with daddy again a few days ago and he was as unpleasant with me as ever.”
“Does he yell and threaten you? I mean you’re a powerful wizard, I would think that would be a deterrent.”
“You always keep saying that and I’m not. But anyway, as I said he never does any of that and short of him hitting me which he would never do, it’s not like I’m going to cast a lightning bolt at my father for being a jerk. He just was very disapproving. I mean I suppose I get it…but…”
“Yvette, look don’t beat yourself over it. I want you to stay in positive spirits okay?”
“Okay. But anyway, he should be home right now. Takes most of his work home with him. I don’t think he gets along with a lot of people there either.”

Parting ways with your beloved, you head to Yvette’s father’s home which actually isn’t too far away from where you were looking at potential houses.

When you arrive it isn’t a mansion, but certainly nice place befitting of someone who works high up in the government.

You knock on the door and half expect a servant of some sort to answer, but instead an older man with dark circles under his eyes, thinning white hair and what is probably a permanent scowl answers the door. His eyes look you up and down and he even makes a little snort sound as if he’s clearly unimpressed by you.

“Uh Mr. Franklins?”
“Yeah?”
“I’m…”
“I know who you are. You’re the lowly sneak thief rat who somehow managed to fool my trusting daughter into going out with you. And not only that, but you got her pregnant with your criminal seed before you even had the decency to marry her.”
“I…”

Before you can even answer this, the old man manages to catch you with a left to your jaw. You fall on your ass and hold the side of your face. The old man packs quite the punch.

“Okay. I probably deserved that.” You say.
“Pfft. YOU deserve much more than that, however what’s done is done. When you’re done befouling my porch with your presence, you can come inside and befoul that too.” Mr. Franklins remarks.

You pick yourself up off the floor and follow Yvette’s father into his house. He sits down in a comfortable chair and just as you’re about to do likewise, he tells you to stop.

“No. You don’t get to fucking sit down. You stand there and listen to what I have to say, because I’m not going to repeat myself. Now, before I begin, don’t bother trying to lie to me. As I said, I know who the hell you are. Who you REALLY are. Just because my daughter only recently told me about you, doesn’t mean I wasn’t keeping an eye on you before. I did my research. I’m a little foggy for a few things on your past, but that doesn’t matter. I know that you are…or I suppose WERE a thief of little importance in this city, which you aren’t even a citizen of. It seems the only reason why you stopped is due to pressure from the militia and meeting my daughter again. The first reason I’d dismiss as simple cowardice since you ratted on the Crimson Talons in order to catch a break in the first place. However, the second reason, well that one takes a little more examination.”
“If you knew all this why not warn your daughter ahead of time?”
“Pfft. Like she’d listen to me. Besides, by the time I did find out about all this, you and her were together for at least a year, and I knew she was in love. It was in her eyes. Never seen her so happy when she was with you. I know it now more than ever just from how she spoke of you to me. Attempting to break you up at that point would have crushed her and now would be unthinkable. And all of that’s on me for not paying attention sooner and having you removed from her life.”
“I guess thanks for not having me killed?”
“Who said anything about killing you? I said removed. I could have just had the militia kick you out of the city and had you exiled. I’m not a fucking murderer.”

Yvette’s father grabs a bottle of wine near his table and pours himself a glass, taking a drink before he continues to lecture you.

“Now here it is. Contrary to popular belief, I love my daughter. It may not seem like I do, but it’s true. I just want her to be happy and apparently you make her happy. My point is, I believe you love her too because despite your lies about your past, you haven’t gone back to any criminal activity and I’m guessing now that you’re trying to put down roots you probably won’t be going back to your old life because YOU know that you struck gold when you met my daughter and you’ll do ANYTHING not to fuck that up.”
“True.”
“Hm, which is about one of the few redeeming qualities about you that I can tell so far. (Sigh) Look, I’m not a complete hard ass, but even with your good intentions I still can’t shake the feeling you’re going to fail my daughter spectacularly in some way in the future. Human nature is flexible only to a point and at some point you are probably going to snap. Maybe you won’t, I don’t know. But I’m going to give you an out right now.”

Mr. Franklins suddenly gets up and goes to a drawer, grabs a bag and tosses it to you. You open it up and find diamonds. Flawless diamonds. There has to be hundreds of them here. This is a fortune that you couldn’t even begin to imagine. There is also an odd shaped key and a piece of paper.

“That is more riches than you need for your lifetime assuming you’re not being a complete idiot with it. That key and deed are to a place in Jicol which is on an island not far from Hessla. You can probably take a ship to there. Granted I haven’t been to the place in years, so I don’t know what condition it’s in, but with those diamonds I’d wager you could fix the place up. Take them both and never return to Klyton.”
“But…”
“Yvette? She’ll cry over you for a long time, but she’ll carry on if only for the sake of your child. She’ll probably blame me and I’ll give her reason to. Better that I disappoint her than you. And your child? It will be taken care of, that you can be sure of. Even if my daughter refuses my help to support it, I can pull strings to still help her.”
“And if I refuse?”
“Then I suppose I’ll have to hope that you prove me wrong.”
> You take the loot
You love Yvette, but ultimately you guess you love yourself just a little bit more.

You think about the sort of life you would have if you did marry Yvette. You’d be an average working class slob with a family. While maybe there is some appeal to that over your old life, this offer is really making you rethink that maybe you were just settling for what seemed easier at the time when things were low.

If you married Yvette you’d also have to keep up your lies to her about your past along with worrying about whether or not you’re going to piss off her father enough for him to expose you. Can you really live a satisfying life with something like that hanging over your head?

When it comes down to it you suppose you’ve always wanted the easy life and this about as easy as it’s ever going to get for you.

“Fine, I’ll take your offer.” You say.
“I knew you would.” Franklins says a bit smugly and hands you the key.

You look at your newly acquired pay off, before putting it away. You’re already having mixed feelings about your decision.

You have mixed feelings about your decision all the way to Hessla where upon your main concern is finding safe passage to Jicol since you don’t want to linger very long here with the fortune you have on your person.

Of course you think about going right back to Klyton several times, but by the time you do get a boat ride to Jicol you realize you’re at the point of no return.

“Just do it.” You say to yourself as you board the ship.

The ride to Jicol is uneventful even though you half expect to get attacked by pirates or something similar along the way. A small part of you even hopes you do because you sort of think you’d deserve it.

Eventually you disembark at Jicol and based on the directions that Yvette’s father provided you take your next steps in finding your new home along with familiarizing yourself with the city, which seems a lot less “orderly” than Klyton though definitely more so than Hessla. Despite your rather dour mood, you still keep on your guard.

You soon find the place you were looking for and it’s very average looking. Certainly better and bigger than any place you’ve ever lived (including your parents old home) but it’s no mansion. Just as well, you probably wouldn’t know what to do with a place that size.

You try your key in the door and enter.

You aren’t sure how long Yvette’s father has let this place go unused, but the first thing you notice is the severe dust everywhere. After checking everything it isn’t too bad, except for maybe some fixes on the roof and the qweepa nest you notice in the basement. (And they aren’t friendly like Elana was.)

Still even with those problems you’ll have more than enough money to do whatever you want in the forseeable future and that really is the problem you suppose. What DO you do? You don’t need to work and you don’t even particularly want to go back to pursuing your criminal career again either. You’ve been out of practice for a couple years now and why potentially mess up what you have?

You can’t just sit around moping and beating yourself up about your decision either. The whole point of making this decision was so you didn’t HAVE to worry about Yvette and your unborn child anymore.

You decide the best way to do this is with whores.

After about a month you’re slowly becoming more accustomed to living like a wealthy degenerate. You do nothing but eat, drink and fuck whores whenever you can, which is pretty much all the time.

Sometimes you still think about Yvette, but eventually those thoughts of her disappear altogether not wishing to dwell on how you most likely broke her heart and what “could have been” if you stayed. You justify your actions that it was better this way for her and you.

By the time you’re thirty you’ve gotten fat. Not just average fat either, but like grossly fat. You’re a big fat bastard.

You’re also a pimp. Given how much time you spend with whores and how relatively fun you are, you eventually managed to convince a few to work for you, rather than one of the many brothels in the city. After all, your home is a lot nicer thanks to all the work you had done to it and you’re well off enough to allow them to keep more of their money.

This works out for you since it provides a steady income (Negating your fears of going completely broke because you were spending so much) and finally gave you something to do with your free time. You still sometimes think of your parents and your sister and how they might be doing. You hope they’re all doing well.

Despite being limited to just one sex position that won’t result in a whore’s death it’s all in all a good life.

Probably won’t be a very long one given your weight and indulgences, but then you probably beat the odds already.

Your days as a rogue are over.


Year 27

“Is it too expensive?” Yvette asks.
“Well we could afford it, but I shudder to think what the ongoing property tax is going to be like.” You say.
“I suppose…but it’s so nice!”
“Maybe, but it’s also a security hazard. I mean the locks on these doors are just pathetic. There are windows everywhere, which would allow for any thief to break into. There isn’t even any fencing around this place. We’d have to spend more money just to secure this place better.”
“You are really paranoid sometimes. You always think someone is going to break in someplace. This is a good neighborhood and ever since the Talons were eliminated the crime rate has gone down anyway.”
“That’s no reason to be off guard. I’m just saying that as a locksmith I have some experience in these matters.”
“Or maybe you’re a thief!” Yvette laughs and teasingly pokes you.
“Yeah you got me.” You joke back, finding her comment humorous in a completely different way than she does.

You then embrace Yvette and kiss her during the bit of playfulness. She then places your hand on her stomach. It’s not visibly noticeable yet, but your son or daughter is in there.

You never thought you’d be in this position, on the verge of marriage with a baby on the way. So much has changed that it’s hard to believe, but everything is good or at least everything save for one thing.

You still have yet to meet Yvette’s father. (Yvette’s mother unfortunately died while giving birth to her) You’ve managed to avoid it for a long time. Part of that was because it wasn’t like Yvette was in a hurry for you to meet him either. She’d mention him in passing at times, but she always gave the impression that he was a rather distant and cold man who only paid for Yvette’s college out of the barest sense of parental duty.

Still, the man is her father and the fact you got her pregnant BEFORE you married her is something you’re going to have to deal with because Yvette just couldn’t bear to keep a grandchild from him a secret.

You know that while he isn’t on the council, he does something important in the government, which is something you generally try to avoid. However, it’s better to get this over with.

“I think I should go meet your father.” You say.
“Oh. Now?” Yvette asks.
“The sooner the better.”
“I suppose you’re right. It’s just; it was a nice day before you brought that up. Are you okay going alone? I just met with daddy again a few days ago and he was as unpleasant with me as ever.”
“Does he yell and threaten you? I mean you’re a powerful wizard, I would think that would be a deterrent.”
“You always keep saying that and I’m not. But anyway, as I said he never does any of that and short of him hitting me which he would never do, it’s not like I’m going to cast a lightning bolt at my father for being a jerk. He just was very disapproving. I mean I suppose I get it…but…”
“Yvette, look don’t beat yourself over it. I want you to stay in positive spirits okay?”
“Okay. But anyway, he should be home right now. Takes most of his work home with him. I don’t think he gets along with a lot of people there either.”

Parting ways with your beloved, you head to Yvette’s father’s home which actually isn’t too far away from where you were looking at potential houses.

When you arrive it isn’t a mansion, but certainly nice place befitting of someone who works high up in the government.

You knock on the door and half expect a servant of some sort to answer, but instead an older man with dark circles under his eyes, thinning white hair and what is probably a permanent scowl answers the door. His eyes look you up and down and he even makes a little snort sound as if he’s clearly unimpressed by you.

“Uh Mr. Franklins?”
“Yeah?”
“I’m…”
“I know who you are. You’re the lowly sneak thief rat who somehow managed to fool my trusting daughter into going out with you. And not only that, but you got her pregnant with your criminal seed before you even had the decency to marry her.”
“I…”

Before you can even answer this, the old man manages to catch you with a left to your jaw. You fall on your ass and hold the side of your face. The old man packs quite the punch.

“Okay. I probably deserved that.” You say.
“Pfft. YOU deserve much more than that, however what’s done is done. When you’re done befouling my porch with your presence, you can come inside and befoul that too.” Mr. Franklins remarks.

You pick yourself up off the floor and follow Yvette’s father into his house. He sits down in a comfortable chair and just as you’re about to do likewise, he tells you to stop.

“No. You don’t get to fucking sit down. You stand there and listen to what I have to say, because I’m not going to repeat myself. Now, before I begin, don’t bother trying to lie to me. As I said, I know who the hell you are. Who you REALLY are. Just because my daughter only recently told me about you, doesn’t mean I wasn’t keeping an eye on you before. I did my research. I’m a little foggy for a few things on your past, but that doesn’t matter. I know that you are…or I suppose WERE a thief of little importance in this city, which you aren’t even a citizen of. It seems the only reason why you stopped is due to pressure from the militia and meeting my daughter again. The first reason I’d dismiss as simple cowardice since you ratted on the Crimson Talons in order to catch a break in the first place. However, the second reason, well that one takes a little more examination.”
“If you knew all this why not warn your daughter ahead of time?”
“Pfft. Like she’d listen to me. Besides, by the time I did find out about all this, you and her were together for at least a year, and I knew she was in love. It was in her eyes. Never seen her so happy when she was with you. I know it now more than ever just from how she spoke of you to me. Attempting to break you up at that point would have crushed her and now would be unthinkable. And all of that’s on me for not paying attention sooner and having you removed from her life.”
“I guess thanks for not having me killed?”
“Who said anything about killing you? I said removed. I could have just had the militia kick you out of the city and had you exiled. I’m not a fucking murderer.”

Yvette’s father grabs a bottle of wine near his table and pours himself a glass, taking a drink before he continues to lecture you.

“Now here it is. Contrary to popular belief, I love my daughter. It may not seem like I do, but it’s true. I just want her to be happy and apparently you make her happy. My point is, I believe you love her too because despite your lies about your past, you haven’t gone back to any criminal activity and I’m guessing now that you’re trying to put down roots you probably won’t be going back to your old life because YOU know that you struck gold when you met my daughter and you’ll do ANYTHING not to fuck that up.”
“True.”
“Hm, which is about one of the few redeeming qualities about you that I can tell so far. (Sigh) Look, I’m not a complete hard ass, but even with your good intentions I still can’t shake the feeling you’re going to fail my daughter spectacularly in some way in the future. Human nature is flexible only to a point and at some point you are probably going to snap. Maybe you won’t, I don’t know. But I’m going to give you an out right now.”

Mr. Franklins suddenly gets up and goes to a drawer, grabs a bag and tosses it to you. You open it up and find diamonds. Flawless diamonds. There has to be hundreds of them here. This is a fortune that you couldn’t even begin to imagine. There is also an odd shaped key and a piece of paper.

“That is more riches than you need for your lifetime assuming you’re not being a complete idiot with it. That key and deed are to a place in Jicol which is on an island not far from Hessla. You can probably take a ship to there. Granted I haven’t been to the place in years, so I don’t know what condition it’s in, but with those diamonds I’d wager you could fix the place up. Take them both and never return to Klyton.”
“But…”
“Yvette? She’ll cry over you for a long time, but she’ll carry on if only for the sake of your child. She’ll probably blame me and I’ll give her reason to. Better that I disappoint her than you. And your child? It will be taken care of, that you can be sure of. Even if my daughter refuses my help to support it, I can pull strings to still help her.”
“And if I refuse?”
“Then I suppose I’ll have to hope that you prove me wrong.”
> You give back the loot
You have to admit, there is a small part of you that finds this tempting. A part of you that you thought you had abandoned, but as this bribe attempt has proven, your old nature is still there. Always looking for the easy way no matter what.

Maybe Yvette’s father is right in that respect, but if you do fail, it isn’t going to be today and it isn’t going to be over this. You’re refusing and perhaps that’s proof that you aren’t the same person anymore.

“Yeah, not taking this. If you want me gone then you’re going to have to do it yourself. I’m not going to make it easy for you and disappear voluntarily, just so it can ease your own conscience that if I took your bribe then you somehow did the right thing because I was a scumbag thief anyway.” You say and toss the bag on the chair.

Mr. Franklin nods.

“Very well. You’ve made your decision and I’ll have to live with it. Inform Yvette That I begrudgingly accept that you are the father of my grandchild and acknowledge that you’re at least competent enough to be a husband to her. Also that whether she wants me to attend the blessed event or not, I will pay for the entire wedding and whatever else she requires, but I want it to be at a church of Joachim, not one of those Dorna temples or whatever that goddess those wizards pay homage too.” He says.
“Didn’t know you were a follower of Joachim.” You respond.
“Of course I am! All right thinking folks are! I can only hope that some day my misguided daughter finds the light. Just because she was gifted with magic doesn’t mean she has to kneel before a false goddess.”
“I don’t think she does actually. I mean I know sometimes she says a few prayers, but I’ve never known her to go to a temple or anything.”
“Ugh. I suppose that’s slightly better. And I don’t expect you’re a follower of Joachim’s light either. Probably a completely godless heathen.”
“I dunno, I’ve been to the church of Joachim a few times. Even been a long time friend with a priest of Joachim.” You say embellishing the truth as usual, Mr. Franklins probably doesn’t even believe it, but he hardly cares at this point.

“Now obviously I’ll keep your secrets, but I hope for your sake you can maintain your own lies because if you DO hurt her, physically, mentally, emotionally, or whatever I will make it my personal mission to make your life a living hell. And again, I don’t even mean death though you’ll be begging for it by the time I’m done.” Franklins says.
“Understood.” You reply.
“And you are not off the hook with me. Which means if I need your help with some matter, I’m going to call upon you and I will expect you to comply without complaint!”
“What is it that you want me to do exactly?”
“Nothing right now. In fact I’m not even sure how someone like you could even help me given my considerable resources. So maybe I’ll never call on you for help. However, the real shits and giggles is YOU won’t know until that day I do. Have fun living with that possibility.” Franklins says with an amused tone. It’s probably the first time he’s sounded upbeat.

Franklins then dismisses you and tells you to get the hell out of his house.

Well that certainly wasn’t exactly the meeting you were expecting. You suppose it went better than you expected, but worse than you hoped. You just know that old bastard is going to call on you for a favor one day.

Still, you need to focus on the here and now and not what might never come and despite everything, you have Yvette’s dad’s support, if not his respect. You have a wedding to prepare for and all that other family stuff coming up.

With this final “nail” in the coffin so to speak, it would seem that your life has taken a completely different turn. You can’t imagine ever going back to your old life again.

Your mother and father would probably be proud if they knew about any of this. (You assume that they aren’t really dead.) You wonder what your sister would think, but you believe she would be happy for you.

Looks like your days as a rogue may have come to an end.
> You time passes…
Chapter 3B2: The More They Stay The Same

Year 30

You knew this damn day would come.

You had to make up an excuse to Yvette and Trinity of why you had to meet with him, but you’re fairly certain that they didn’t think anything more of it. Just bonding with an in-law over security advice of the newest and best locks right?

Your daughter Trinity did want to come with you, but you told her it would be boring adult stuff and she could visit grandpa another time. You hate lying, but what choice do you have?

You hoped and thought that you probably wouldn’t ever be important enough for him to call on you for help, but here you are about to knock on his door.

You knock on the door and it opens right away.

“Took you long enough. Come in.” Franklins says turning his back to you to as soon as he opens the door.

He takes a seat and for a change he tells you to do likewise.

“Okay, since I don’t want you here any longer than necessary, let’s get to it. I need you to break into some place.”

You didn’t expect this.

“What?” you ask.
“You got fucking wax in your ears? I need you to break into a place and steal something important.” Franklins remarks.
“You do realize I haven’t done that in years right?”
“Yes, I’m fucking aware. You’re an average slob with a regular job and family. However, I know damn well you aren’t out of practice because you’re a fucking locksmith by trade.”
“True, but…I’m not understanding this. I thought you didn’t approve of my previous occupation.”
“I don’t, but desperate times call for desperate measures and besides all that, YOU owe me a favor and this is probably the only way I’m going to be able to call it in. Besides, you’ll be going up against pure evil, so what you’re doing is for the greater good…well I hope Joachim sees it that way at least.”
“Wait, pure evil? What the fuck? Look, I don’t want to step out of line here, but I need to ask some questions.”
“You don’t want to step out of line, but you’re already stepping out of fucking line by asking damn questions!”
“Yeah, and I think it’s fucking valid if you’re sending me up against pure evil! I mean as you’ve pointed out several times in the past, I’m not a damn hero. I was a lowly criminal who is now a working class slob. I never was a fighting type to begin with and tried to avoid it if possible. Nevermind the fact that I’m married to YOUR daughter and father to YOUR grand daughter and I’ve made sure to never hurt either one of them. Seems like this is asking me to potentially do just that at best and just getting myself killed at worst.”
“(Sigh) Fine, I suppose you should know in case you need some extra preparation.”

Franklins pours himself a glass of wine and takes a drink before continuing.

“Okay, do you know who Mr. Reynolds is? Surely you must have heard of the man given that you were a thief at one time.”
“Yeah, he’s a loan shark. My family actually was in debt to him once when they owned an inn here. Never met the man personally though since I tried to avoid being in debt.”
“Hmm, interesting. Well in any case, the man is more than just a loan shark. He’s an embodiment of evil in this city and needs to be stopped from getting on the Klyton Council which he’s been making plans to do.”
“Okay? So if he’s all that bad, why don’t you have him arrested or something? You’re always telling me you have connections.”
“Yeah well those connections aren’t good enough to get him and he’s got connections of his own. Doesn’t help that anyone that might speak out against him aren’t just intimidated by him, but are also intimidated by those two goons he hangs around with. One of them being his equally demonic son and weird looking ogre.”
“You really don’t like this guy do you?”
“No, because despite him being an obvious evil piece of demon shit, he has been gaining a following that genuinely likes him now. In fact the asshole is probably more popular than I am among people who actually pay attention to politics.”
“That’s hard to believe.”
“Ha ha. But make no mistake, this is no laughing matter, which is why in the next few days, you’re breaking into his place of business and stealing a hexagon shaped container that he keeps a record of all his dealings in. Don’t bother trying to open that though, you’d need magic. Just bring it back here.”
“Okay, so got any idea where he keeps it?”
“No, but I imagine he’ll probably have it in some sort of safe. Don’t know where that would be either, but it has to be close since I can’t imagine he’d keep it in a bank and would definitely want it close to him.

You start laughing.

“What?” Franklins asks.
“You’re asking me to go steal something that is apparently magical and you don’t have any idea where this item is in the place. Not to mention if this container is magically sealed, I have to believe he’s probably got it in some sort of safe that has magic protection as well if its that important. That means I’m going to need special tools for that job and more time to acquire them.” You answer.
“You work as a fucking locksmith!”
“Yeah and while the old guy I work for doesn’t ask me too many questions, I can’t just start taking specialized magic lock breaker from the job without some explanation, unless you’re asking me to steal those too…”
“Look I don’t give a shit what you gotta do! You need to get into that evil fucker’s office and grab the container and get it back here!”
“I dunno, you keep going on about evil, but all of this seems pretty fucking shady. I mean granted I don’t doubt that Reynolds isn’t an asshole given the stories I’ve heard, but how is what you’re planning to do any better? Seems pretty hypocritical that you gave me grief about my background and here you are a self proclaimed follower of Joachim scheming to…”
“DAMNIT MAN DON’T YOU KNOW ANYTHING? I just told you the man is DEMONIC SHIT!” Franklins stands up to shout at you.
“Wait…you weren’t just saying that as a casual description of how much of an asshole he is?”
“NO. He’s a fucking DEMON. Okay, perhaps half demon, but he’s demonic shit and MY kind have been fighting his for a lot longer than you could ever think about!”

Franklins suddenly sits back down and begins cursing to himself and you feel like you’ve heard more than he meant to tell you.

“What exactly do you mean your kind…wait, are YOU human?”
“Yes! No! Fuck! I hate to lie! (Sigh) Damnit, I didn’t want to get into this…I’m half celestial.”
“Celestial? So like an angel? YOU’RE an angel?”
“No you idiot. I just told you I’m only half. Just like Reynolds is only half demon. Doesn’t matter though, we are mortal enemies as has always been the way.”
“Wow. You don’t hear about angels too often.”
“Well maybe if you attended the church of Joachim, that wouldn’t be the case you faithless heathen. As I said, I am only half celestial. My foolish father gave up his otherworldly home to be with my mother…but we’re getting off topic…”
“Wait a moment! Then that means Yvette…”
“Yes, she has celestial blood as well. It’s probably why she has magic potential. It’s probably also why she was always a bit on the trusting side. I never got any of that, all I got was a strong sense of right and wrong and fairly good health all throughout my life. Never been sick once. Better than nothing I suppose and before you even ask, no she doesn’t know any of this and you better keep it that way.”
“I don’t get why you wouldn’t tell her though.”
“Because it’s a fucking burden knowing that’s why! Because I know I have to live up to some damn ideal that I can’t hope to achieve. Hell, my own father didn’t achieve it and HE was a full blood! I know Yvette and if she knew about all this, she would have wanted to go out on a crusade to right wrongs and all that bullshit with her magical powers and promptly gotten herself killed in the process. Better that she be a good person in her own small, but safe way.”
“She might have surprised you and done great deeds or something.”
“Oh and you’re the expert on good behavior now?”
“Okay, fine I don’t know shit about it. But what about Trinity?”
“She would have celestial blood too obviously. Though in her case, I’m sure it’s been diluted so much with your lowborn mortal blood that she isn’t going to have any potential powers and will most likely just live as a normal human. Lucky her.”

You can’t believe all this new information that’s been dumped on you. It doesn’t seem real, but Yvette’s dad has never been one to lie and if he is indeed half angel like he claims, you guess it’s hard for him to even do so directly. (Omitting the truth and spinning it, is a different story apparently)

All of this still doesn’t change the fact that he’s asking you to do a job, because he doesn’t want to get his hands dirty. Still seems hypocritical to you, not to mention dangerous now that you’re apparently going to be involved in some secret holy war.

It occurs to you that you could just refuse. He just admitted all this stuff to you. Now you have a secret. What’s he going to do? You know he not going to kill you or even set it up in such a way that would happen. Have you exiled or get rid of you in some way? You don’t see that happening either. Not now.
> You help Franklins
Maybe you’re just cautious, or maybe you actually have become a better person, but a deal is a deal. You agreed to help in exchange for his silence so that’s what you’re going to do. Doesn’t mean you’re going to like it though and it certainly doesn’t mean you’re going to go through with it like how Franklins would have you do it.

“Okay, a deal’s a deal and I’ll do your dirty work, but I’m going to ask why don’t you just do the obvious.” You say.
“What?” Franklins asks.
“Kill the bastard. I mean you got militia connections. Surely it wouldn’t take much.”
“I’m not using the people who are supposed to be keeping law and order around here as my own personal hit squad.”
“Given some of the interaction I’ve had with them and how they massacred the Crimson Talons, most are bullying assholes anyway. They’d probably love an excuse.”
“Be that as it may, I’m not going to resort to such tactics…hmm do you know any assassins?”
“What? Why? Because I used to be a thief? I know you claim to know all about me, but if that was really true you’d also know I didn’t hang out much with other criminals, let alone professional assassins. If you want one of those, go seek one out yourself, you certainly got the means to do so.”
“I’m not associating with anymore criminal scum than I have to. It’s bad enough I have to deal with you.”
“Oh fuck you hypocrite. You don’t seem to have any problems with me risking my life breaking into some place, which is run by a half demon. Or maybe you just don’t give a shit? You’ll win whether I succeed or get myself killed in the process right?”
“I am not trying to get you killed. I was just under the impression that YOU were very skilled in your…trade. If you don’t think you can handle it, then fine. I’ll figure something else out.”
“So you can harass me later? I’m not going to have this hanging over my head…” you start to say before you’re interrupted.
“You don’t have anything hanging over your head! Not anymore. I mean I just blabbed a big secret to you and you didn’t even try to use it as leverage against me to weasel out of our deal, which I half expected you to do. At this point I can’t even claim the moral high ground anymore. As far as I’m concerned you’re free of your obligation. You’re obviously better than I previously believed you capable of. Congratulation, now get out of my sight.”

That’s a pretty strong statement coming from him. You know that had to be hard for him to admit.

“(Sigh) Look, I’m still willing to help, but I’m still not understanding WHY you can’t just use the militia to kill Reynolds. If he’s as evil as you keep claiming, isn’t it better that you just get rid of him as quickly as possible before he can do any real damage?” you ask.
“Because it’s a slippery slope. Sure, you may even be right. I abuse my power to eliminate an obvious evil. No harm done. What about next time though? Maybe the next person isn’t demon spawn. Maybe he isn’t even as bad, but is just in my way. Will I resist the temptation? I don’t know and neither do you. I sometimes look at this city and even though it’s probably one of the better bastions of civilization in this forsaken land, I sometimes still see the decay and rot underneath. It’s always there even to a minor degree. Part or the curse of being half angel I suppose, but I’m trying to maintain what order I can without lowering my own standards and I’m already failing horribly at it. I can’t afford to fail even more.” Franklins remarks.

Franklins goes back to his drink and you search you mind of a way to help while still trying to fall within his weird angel guidelines. (Or maybe it’s just his own weird personal code that he’s placed upon himself for misguided reasons)

“The two goons Mr. Reynolds has. Why don’t you have them arrested? I know you said Reynolds has influence, but I gotta believe his two thugs are probably shady enough that they could at least be held on suspicion right?”
“Well…Reynolds’ son has been a minor suspect in some suspicious murders. As for the ogre, I think he’s busted up a few bars. While I’m sure the militia could hold them both for a little while, maybe even a week, but they would be out in a very short period. And I guarantee they won’t turn on Reynolds if that’s what you’re thinking.”
“Don’t need them too, just need them out of the way since I’m betting at least one of them is acting as an on duty guard even when his office is closed. I think with them out of the picture, it will lessen the risk to pull this off. I just need more time than what you suggested.”
“Wait, you’re still going to do it?”
“As I said, a deal’s a deal. You didn’t say shit about my past to Yvette, so I’m going to do this favor for you. Besides, I’d be lying if the challenge isn’t stirring up old interest at this point. Just let me know when those two goons are out of the way. I’ll be working on shit from my end until then.”

Franklins is so surprised by your helpfulness he doesn’t even have any snide comments towards you for the rest of your time you speak with him. He’s got some reservations about what you propose, but he says if you think you know what you’re doing, he’s going to trust you.

You leave Franklins place wondering if you’ve maybe lost a bit of your mind for agreeing to this task, but then you realize, you were probably just getting a little bored.

Still, a lot is riding on your plan and you have to be very careful because this isn’t just you now. It’s your whole family you could potentially lose. It doesn’t make things easier that part of this plan indirectly involves Yvette.

You don’t exactly keep up on all of Yvette’s magic studies and such, but you know that she was recently working on something relating to invisibility. Of course you’re really going to have to approach this carefully or this is going to make things infinitely worse. The only reason why you’re considering it is because quite frankly you haven’t exactly been as active as you used to be and have probably gotten slightly out of shape.

If you’re invisible however, it takes some of the pressure off of things like not having lightning reflexes and the quickest feet any more.

Later as you’re settling down for the night, you address the subject to Yvette who is reading something in bed as she usually does.

“So, uh…you mentioned something about working on something related to invisibility?” you ask.
“Huh? Yes I am.” Yvette says not looking up from her book.
“I remember you mentioning something a week ago or so about it. Is this a new spell or potion or something else?”
“It is a potion actually or rather an attempt to strengthen the existing formula.”
“Something wrong with the old one?”
“Yeah, invisibility potions are hard to make due to the ingredients, which means they’re rare to begin with, but the bigger problem is they have never been very effective.” Yvette says now looking at you.
“What, like they only turn you invisible and your clothing is still visible or something like that?”
“Hah, that can happen with the wrong ingredients, but the main obstacle is they don’t last very long. Usually ten seconds tops. Most wizards won’t even bother making them due to the long, tedious process involved for such a short payoff. I’ve been trying to figure out a way to extend that to at least a half hour.”
“So is it easier to just cast the spell?”
“Yeah, but only on yourself. Casting the spell on others can really take it out of you as far as upkeep is concerned. It’s probably why the research on the potion was made. So…why all this sudden interest in my work? You don’t tend to ask most of the time.”
“Well to be honest when you speak to me about this stuff, it usually sounds so complicated that I feel sort of dumb.”
“That’s ridiculous! You are most certainly not dumb! I mean you had the intelligence to go to Klyton University at one time. I always said you should go back and finish your degree in…engineering wasn’t it?”
“Yeah I just don’t have time for that now. Besides, I’d rather spend my free time spending it with Trinity rather than in a class room.”
“You are an attentive father.” Yvette says with a smile.
“I try, but anyway I was also asking because I was wondering if you could help me in a job.”
“Oh?”

You explain to her that some government associate of her father wants some elaborate security system, because he doesn’t want any militia guards assigned to his house. You aren’t exactly sure what it’s all about, something about death threats from an unknown ex-government worker. He says he isn’t worried, but it couldn’t hurt to update his security so he asked for you and he wants the best.

You explain that you want to test the security you’re installing will be good against someone who is invisible.

“Shouldn’t the locks still keep them out? I mean even if someone is invisible, they aren’t intangible.” Yvette asks.
“True, but just in case they still manage to get in, I’ve actually have been working on something that detects movement. I guess it’s experimental, sort like what you’ve been doing.” You explain.
“Huh. I didn’t know. Well I mean I suppose I can help, though I’m not sure how.”
“Well you said you made a bunch of potions of invisibility. Just give me about ten of them and I’ll…”
“Wait. Are you going to drink them? You can’t just drink ten invisibility potions one right after another! You’d get sick!”
“Well you said they didn’t last long. I’ll pace myself. Wait, haven’t you been making progress on the formula?”
“Um, yeah a little bit. I created one that last up to around twenty minutes give or take…wait you don’t want to try that do you? It’s only in the experimental stages and I’ve only tested it on qweepas! You don’t know how many died before I got that right! Its a good thing the university has an infestation of the critters otherwise I might have run out of easy test subjects.”
“Well I trust you. Just give me a couple of those improved potions and…”
“A couple?! No, if you were going to get any, you’d get ONE. And I still don’t think that would be a good idea.”
“You’re going to have to test it on humans at some point right? I could help you with this, while you help me!

Yvette thinks about that proposal for a moment.

“Well…I suppose it could speed things along…but I dunno…I’d never forgive myself if something went wrong. But if you want to risk it, I’ll give you one like I said.” Yvette says.

This is a question of how fast do you think you’ll be and whether you want to risk drinking something that could quite possibly turn you into a purple frog with a cat head or just outright kill you instantly.
> You take the experimental potion
This whole thing is a gamble, might as well go big.

“I’ll take the experimental, as I said, I trust your abilities and this will help you with your own research. Don’t worry.” You say and give Yvette a kiss, though she still seems a bit worried.
“Maybe I should go with you when you do this.” Yvette says.
“No! I mean, no because this guy doesn’t want anyone else around who isn’t directly working on this and he still has to work shit out on his end and get things prepared. You know how these government types are with their hurry up and wait shit. Chances are, it’s going to be a sudden thing that I’m going to have to drop everything I’m working on at the time. I just want to have the potion when I do need it.”
“Hm, well okay. I’ll get it for you tomorrow when I come back from work. You don’t need it sooner I hope.”
“Nope, like I said, it’s going to be awhile.”
“Okay, but if I make progress in between that time and discover something wrong I don’t want you drinking it!”

Well now you just hope that doesn’t happen before Yvette’s father lets you know that Reynolds’ goons are both out of the picture.

As it turns out, you don’t have to wait too long and Franklins is pretty efficient in that regard. He informs you that from what he heard, Reynolds protested very loudly about his son and the ogre being arrested and has already claimed that he is going to make sure heads are going to roll for this slander and injustice. Franklins tells you his name predictably came up in the blame game, so he wants you to go get that container before Reynolds starts acting on his threats.

You gather up some extra supplies from work. Ned isn’t really going to notice and the guy is practically on the verge of willing you his place of business when he dies anyway. Even when you say you need one of the special magic lock breakers he hardly bats an eye and just tells you to be careful with it since they’re very hard to acquire, let alone make.

Later that week when you finally have everything you need and feel prepared, you tell Yvette that you’re going to be working a little late on this paper pusher’s security since this is the moment. She’s of course still worried about you, but also slightly eager to find out what you’ll experience and reminds you to tell her everything.

You linger around in the neighborhood where Mr. Reynolds maintains his place of business. In the old days you might have been a little concerned about getting mugged in the area or running afoul of some sort of thugs while you wait, but things are lot more cleaned up without the Crimson Talons around and the militia keeping on top of things. Probably just as well that you gave up your profession when you did…so to speak.

Eventually Mr. Reynold’s place of business closes down for the day and unfortunately just as you figured he doesn’t leave. Probably has a whole living area to himself in the building, which means more caution is going to be needed on your part while you search for a safe because you’re going in totally dry.

You decide to do this the old fashioned way and stealthily break in and only use the potion if you get into trouble. You’re still a bit hesitant to use it after all.

One thing you wish is there that there was a back door to the place, but you looked around earlier for one and no luck. Not even a window, or least not one you could easily climb up to. As the streets become less populated, you head to the front door and work on the lock. It’s actually not difficult and you’re in pretty quickly.

You have to put yourself back in that calm mentality when you used to do this before, but it’s a lot more difficult because there are so many things that could go wrong. That’s not even counting that this guy is a half fucking demon. Who knows what sort of powers he really has?

You do your best to press forward and just get on with it. You’re just glad you had the forethought to go to the bathroom before you did this.

You sneak about his office first, hoping that maybe he keeps a safe in here, but so far all you’re finding is locked drawers with papers and not much else. You do find a fancy looking pistol under his desk. Its way nicer than the one you have at home and has multiple barrels, (You sort of wish you brought it with you) probably a custom job. You figure since you’re here stealing shit anyway, you take it.

You eventually finish going through everything you can in the office area and that’s when you realize you’re going to have to search Mr. Reynolds’ living quarters.

You give yourself a few moments to mentally prepare yourself and then head through a door where you see some stairs going up and down. You forgot that there might be a cellar to this place. Hoping that the safe might be down there, you decide to try it first.

The cellar isn’t cluttered like you’d think it would be. In fact there isn’t much here at all other than a few tables and chair. Though it looks like there are also some shackles and several what could only be torture instruments down here. For deadbeats and others that get on Reynolds’ bad side no doubt.

Just as you’re about to give up, and resign yourself to searching in the demon’s inner sanctum, you spot a small hidden door in the floor. Upon closer inspection, it’s definitely a safe of some sort.

“Shit, this isn’t even state of the art.” You say to yourself and start trying to open it with your regular tools. You don’t believe that you’re going to be so lucky to find what you’re looking for, but when you finally get it open, you’re pleasantly surprised.

“Yag is certainly smiling on me today.” You say even though you’ve never been one to place too much stock in the gods, but really is a good stroke of luck. You take the black hexagon container and place it in your bag. Time to leave.

You start walking up the stairs and then suddenly one of the steps breaks and your leg nearly goes through it. It’s all you can do to try to hang on to the nearby railing so you don’t hurt yourself any further even though you still take a tumble backwards. You’re just lucky you didn’t break your leg or your neck, though you aren’t so lucky in that you were completely silent since you did shout in pain briefly before stopping yourself, not to mention all the other noise.

You’re sure that probably got Mr. Reynolds’ attention. If he wasn’t awake now, he is now.

You quickly stand up from the bottom of the basement stairs and already hear noise coming from above your location.

“I hope this works.” You say and take out the invisibility potion and drink it. You feel a strange sensation and half think that you’re going to fall down the stairs from the temporary wooziness. (Though maybe some of that is from the fall)

You look at yourself, or at rather your hands and arms and even in this torch lighting you can’t see them anymore. A further glance down your body and you can’t see that either. You’re guessing it is working.

You’re about to make your way back up the stairs, but then that’s when you see a figure standing at the top of them. Mr. Reynolds is there with what looks to be a musket.

“I know someone’s down here, you might as well come out now and make this quick.”

He’s aiming downward, but hasn’t shot you yet. It’s a clear line of sight so the potion must definitely be working. However he’s in the way and you aren’t going to get past him as he makes his way cautiously down.

You back up deeper into the basement and figure you might be able to sneak around him. The problem is he isn’t moving much further in and is now just standing near the bottom of the stairs pointing his weapon into the darkness.

“Got all the time in the world. The longer you make me wait, the worse it’s going to be for you...hmmm….let me guess…whoever you are, you’re working for Franklins aren’t you? Yeah, it all makes sense now with my two loyal workers being recently arrested.” Mr. Reynolds remarks.

He keeps looking around from his position like he’s trying to see something, but it’s not that huge of a basement and if you weren’t invisible you wouldn’t have many places to hide.

Still, this potion isn’t going to last forever and you really aren’t sure if you’re going to be able to sneak around him.

Of course, you do have that fancy pistol of his that you picked up. Though you weren’t here to assassinate the guy, you were just supposed to steal from him and who knows if bullets are going to work on him? There’s also the fact that you haven’t actually killed anyone since Klint and it isn’t like it’s a major part of your nature though this is a desperate situation, just like it was with Klint.
> You sneak around him
In your heart you’ve always been a thief, never a killer. You’re going to sneak around him.

You move forward cautiously as Reynolds continues to squint in your direction. He can’t see you as far as you can tell.

“There you are!” he suddenly shouts and fires directly at you.

You feel the burn of lead going into your body and damaging vital organs before falling to the floor. You moan and groan in pain while Reynolds advances on your position. He stands back as he looks on the floor in your direction.

“I figured someone was playing hide and seek. Unusual invisibility you have there. Usually potions don’t last that long and if you were a wizard, my shot would have broken your concentration and I doubt there is another wizard lurking nearby. It’s a good thing these ol’ eyes can detect heat if one is close enough.”

It’s clear that Mr. Reynolds still can’t quite make everything out, but it’s good enough that he can see you well enough and starts roughly grabbing at your hands, which are attempting to go for his fancy pistol that you stole.

You are strong enough to resist, but only initially. Mr. Reynolds eventually manages to grab the pistol and in the ensuing struggle he shoots you with it. This time the shot is fatal.

The last thing you hear is Mr. Reynolds cursing that he’ll be unable to get any more information from you.