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 shoot Reynolds
You think how this guy is half demon and probably is the asshole that Franklin made him out to be. You then think about how this is the same guy who messed with your family over their old inn. You also think about how you want to get out of this alive. And finally you think about your wife and daughter and how you want to see them again.

Yeah, fuck this guy.

You step slightly to the right of where he’s pointing his musket and fire the pistol. The first shot hits him the chest and predictably he lets off a shot of his own before falling down.

“Shit…fuck…invisi…” he starts to utter before you move closer and put a couple more shots into him, this time his head. He doesn’t die immediately, instead he makes these horrible inhuman noises and begins flailing about. He tries to even wildly hit you with his musket, but you’re far enough away and empty your pistol which you nearly drop due to the heat it’s giving off.

Reynolds stops making his ghastly dying sounds when enough of his brains are on the wall. Seeing that he isn’t breathing anymore or moving, you quickly step over his body and hurry up the stairs and out the building.

Along the way, you smash the pistol against a wall and start throwing pieces of it in various trash bins and drains in the street as you head back to Franklins place. You’re a paranoid mess the whole time, thinking that someone is watching you and forgetting that you’re still invisible. Eventually you realize you’re able to see parts of your body again so you guess the potion is wearing off or worn off. Good thing its late and aren’t too many folks around otherwise just suddenly appearing like that might have caused some shock. Doesn’t help your worry and paranoia though.

When you get back to Franklins’ home, you beat on the door until he answers. Upon answering, you promptly vomit on his front door step and his shoeless feet.

“What the fuck?!” he says.
“Apologies….ugh…it all caught up to me…I guess…” you say still feeling a bit queasy and coughing.
“(Sigh) Shit…well I hope you have good news at least.”

After a bit of clean up, you finally sit down and are calm enough to tell Franklins everything, but the first thing you do is hand him the container as promised. He seems so pleased by this that you telling him a problem cropped up doesn’t even seem to bother him.

“Did he see you or something? Don’t worry about that, when the shit he’s been involved in gets out, nobody will even believe him since he’ll be arrested right away.” Franklins says.
“Um, yeah I don’t think that’s going to happen.” You say.
“What are you on about?”
“Well as I said, there was a problem…and there was nothing I could do about it.”
“Okay, now you’re starting to concern me, what the hell do you mean?”
“I mean I shot him.”
“You shot him?!”
“Several times actually.”
“He’s fucking dead?”
“Um, pretty much. Yeah.”

Franklins lies back in his chair exhaling deeply almost in shock.

“Um, nobody saw me though. I was invisible the entire time.” You add.
“Well thank Joachim for small favors. How were you invisi…you know what never mind. (Sigh) Shit. Well…I guess this doesn’t even matter now. Damnit I didn’t ask you to kill the guy!” Franklins says.
“It wasn’t like I had a fucking choice! I fully intended on just stealing that container, but shit happened and I was put in a position of either completing this shitty job or possibly being Reynolds’ victim! Besides isn’t this better? I mean hell he’s completely gone now!”
“I…I guess so and I don’t shed any tears obviously. But let’s just say I really wanted him alive so I could see the look on his face when I took everything away from him and he could do nothing about it.”
“Well if it’s any consolation, the expression on his face when he died was pretty horrific, though not nearly as bad as his screaming.”
“Shit, what the hell did you do exactly…again never mind. Well I’m still going to hang on to this for safekeeping. Maybe there is still information inside that might be of use. As for you, if you weren’t seen I guess you’re good too. Though if something is coming your way I really will try my best to give it a detour. Now, you’re SURE he’s dead right?”
“Unless he can regenerate from severe head wounds and missing brain matter, yeah he’s dead. And again, he didn’t see me since I was invisible the whole time.”
“Well if the worst happens and he is still alive, I still got this container. Okay, well I guess you better get home. I trust you have a good story for Yvette.”
“I have a story. I told I would be working late, but she probably didn’t think it would be this late.”
“If you have any problems I suppose you can incorporate me into the excuse. I’ll back you up. Anything else?”
“Yeah, I’m not doing anything like this ever again. Not for you, not for anyone.”
“Good, because I’m not asking. And thanks. You’re a better son in law than I could have hoped for. Maybe you’re a godless heathen, but you stuck your neck out and even killed a demon spawn in the process. That’s gotta for something when judgment day comes.”

At this point you take your leave and hurry back home as soon as possible. Naturally it’s very late so everyone is asleep. You attempt to get into bed silently, but your sneaking skills fail to evade Yvette’s notice even though she was asleep.

“Hey…you’re home…you were gone all night.” She groggily says.
“Yeah, and I’m pissed about it too, the bean counter was an asshole that wanted everything done a certain way and…ugh…I don’t even want to think about it right now.” You say.
“Well don’t then. I’m just glad you’re here now. Come closer to me, you’re too far away.”

You move closer in the bed so Yvette can cuddle up against you. Normally you tend to like staying a bit free, but after tonight, you’re all for Yvette’s warm soft body.

“Oh, did you use the potion?” she asks as she starts drifting back off.
“Yeah, worked pretty well. I couldn’t see my own hands when it took effect or anything else on me. I think it lasted about the time you mentioned too.”
“Huh…that’s odd. You should have still been able to see yourself and just been invisible to others. Hmm, guess that’s a side effect I didn’t know about, considering Qweepas can’t actually speak. (Yawn) I’ll have to make a note tomorrow.”

With those words, Yvette returns to her sleep and you’re in her arms again where you definitely want to be and are glad you were able to return to.

Sometimes you hate the fact that you’ve had to lie on occasion to her about things, but there is no way you’re losing this life. Not now.

Your days as a rogue are definitely over.


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 regular potions
Hopefully, you won’t have to stay invisible for long because you’re not going to risk the experimental.

“I’ll just take several of the regular ones.” You say.
“Okay…but I’m not giving you ten! I’ll give you three and that should be more than enough and I still think it’s a bad idea to drink so many right after each other, so don’t blame me if you get sick.” Yvette says.
“Three?! But...(sigh) fine. So when can you get them for me?”
”I’ll get it for you tomorrow when I come back from work. You don’t need it sooner I hope.”
“Nah, he still needs to organize some shit on his end. 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 potions when I do need them.”

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.

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. Reynolds’ 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 potions if you get into trouble. You only have three and they don’t last very long 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 one of the invisibility potions 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, and don’t see any difference. You can’t even tell if it’s 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.

You probably could sneak by him or maybe you could just shoot him with the pistol you acquired, but your immediate concern is staying invisible since you’re sure that your time on that is about to run out. You take another potion and chug the contents.

No sooner have you done so when you start to feel incredibly sick to the point where you actually feel a cramping in your stomach. Yvette wasn’t joking about how quickly these can cause sickness when drunk immediately after each other.

You try to prevent yourself from retching and begin to go for your pistol since you know you’re going to give your position away by making retching noises.

You unsteadily fire at Reynolds and hit him just before your vomit all over the floor. You hover over your own puddle of sick gagging and not really noticing if you actually killed Reynolds or not.

At least not until feel the impact of a shot go into your face causing you to fall backwards.

Somehow you’re still alive, but between the pain and the sickness of the potion, you end up falling unconscious.

Eventually your wake up and find yourself tied firmly to a chair. Your still have a slightly queasy feeling, your face still hurts very badly and you can only see out of one eye.

But all of that is the least of your problems when you see the blurry image of Mr. Reynolds standing nearby next to the table full of torture instruments.

“Glad you’re finally awake. Now we can get started. You know, you really are a spitting image of your father…well except for the new hole in your face. How is he doing anyway?” Mr. Reynolds says.
“Mgh, wai…t…gh…” is about all you can groan right now.

“Well, doesn’t matter I suppose. I’ll find out everything I need to in a day or so I imagine. Not that I really need to since I already know you’re working for Franklins. I swear that old hypocrite couldn’t do something himself so he gets his lowly son in law to do it for him. If I were in your position I’d be really pissed at him right now. This is all his fault you know. He seems to think because of my heritage that I have some sinister plan for this city when that’s far from the truth. All I want to see is it to achieve its fullest potential.”
“Ple…ase…I…won’t…”
“Won’t what? Tell anyone you were here? Tell Franklins? Get revenge? Of course you won’t because you won’t be leaving here alive. Really the only reason you’re still breathing is because I want to find out a few more things about your loved ones before you die. You committed a crime against me. Not only did you shoot me in the fucking shoulder, but you tried to steal some very personal and valuable property. Now I’m going to take EVERYTHING from you. I know you have a wife and daughter. They will be easy enough to find, though I can imagine Franklins will realize with your disappearance that something has gone wrong and will do everything in his power to protect them, so it might not be easy to get to them first. So let’s start with your parents and their whereabouts…oh I do hope they are still alive…”

Mr. Reynolds begins his torture and you try to hold out for as long as you can, but eventually you fail and tell him everything.

Your failure unfortunately still doesn’t involve your immediate death. Mr. Reynolds keeps you alive in his basement where eventually his son (who gets out of being in militia custody) takes over the routine torture and he’s not as nice as his father was…

You are completely broken by the time Reynolds tosses your mother and fathers’ heads at you. You never thought you’d see them again, and certainly not like this.

You don’t even have any tears left to grieve.

It is a small mercy that your body just gives out before Reynolds can do the same to your wife and daughter.


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 refuse to help
If this was something reasonable maybe you’d be more willing to help, but this hypocrite is going to get you killed. Hell, maybe even on purpose.

“I’m not doing your dirty work, especially given how the way you treat me. I’ve already proven myself to you for years now anyway.” You say.
“(Snort) So you want credit for acting like you should be acting anyway? Franklins replies.
“No, I’m just saying I’m not going live in fear of your blackmailing anymore. You want this done, you need to do it yourself, hypocrite.”
“You should watch how you speak to me.”
“Or what? You’ll expose my past to Yvette? I’ll take that risk, then she can find out everything that YOU’VE been keeping from her. You two are only just now on better speaking terms thanks to me. What happens when she finds out the truth? You think she’ll ever want to have anything to do with you again? I mean shit; you knew about me being an ex-criminal and didn’t tell her immediately. That would be grounds alone for her to be pissed at you, let alone this new information about her being part angel. You going to also deprive your grand daughter of her father as well?”

Franklins just sits in silence with a stare that could kill if it could. (Fortunately, he didn’t say he had those sorts of celestial powers)

“Now you got two options. You either let me go out that door and leave me alone in peace where upon we will never speak about this ever again or you can go ahead and try to kill me at some point and if you go that route, you better make sure you get it right. What is NOT going to happen is you telling me what to do like a puppet.”

Franklins continues to stare at you in silence. You half expect him to get up and try to kill you with his bare hands, but he doesn’t.

“Fine. Go. This is my fault for placing trust in someone of your low moral fiber anyway. Oh and don’t worry, your miserable life is safe.” Franklins says dismissively.

You aren’t sure about this at first, but given that Franklins isn’t even prepared to kill Reynolds who is a mortal enemy and demon to boot, you get the impression that he’s telling the truth.

You head back home and try to forget about everything that transpired. Even though you’re supposedly in the clear now, you still have a feeling of worry for the next few months.

Still, you try to keep your mind occupied with your every day family life, which continues as normal with no odd deviations.

By the time a year passes, your concerns of any reprisal by Franklin are nearly gone.

Year 32

You have mixed feelings about all this.

Most of them negative about this situation of course, but somewhere in the back of your mind, you always knew this day would come. Maybe not like this, but something like it.

“Stop here.” Franklins remarks to the carriage driver and two of Franklins men grab you and throw you out of the carriage.

You have no idea where you are all you do know is you’ve been riding for quite awhile, so you can’t be anywhere near Klyton anymore. Maybe somewhere to the north? The air is a lot colder, but then you’re naked so it would be slightly chilly no matter where you were.

You hear the sounds of footsteps approach as you attempt to stand back up. A boot to your side kicks you back down, followed by a hand roughly taking off your blindfold. You see Franklins staring down at you, even in your beaten and naked state you’d try to attack him if you could, unfortunately your hands are firmly tied behind you.

“I should have known after reading about Reynolds winding up dead a year ago that you decided to abandon your so called code completely. Guess you took my advice and decided to do your own dirty work after all.”
“Well let’s just say I saw the point of view on one of your crude arguments that fateful day. Plus as you pointed out, he was part demon and killing him was after all in my duty as a being of higher morality and conscience.” Franklins responds.
“Still deluded I see. Snatching me up with nobody around and dragging me way the hell out…wherever we are just to kill me seems a bit complex though. Couldn’t you have just had me killed quietly in the city? I’m sure you have the means of disposing of a dead body.” You say.

Franklins smiles a bit and pulls out a knife.

“You still don’t get it. I didn’t abandon any code and you’re not dying here…well at least not by my hand.” He says and tosses the knife next to you before continuing.

“This is exile. I told you I’m no murderer. I’m giving you a chance to live.”
“A chance to live? I’m fucking naked in the wilderness!” you shout.
“Yes, but you still have a chance. Call it punishment for all those years you freely stole from hard working folks. If you live, well then I guess Joachim has seen fit to absolve you of your sins.”

You shake your head.

“You’re right. You haven’t changed at all. You’re still a fucking hypocrite hiding behind some code to justify your actions.”
“…perhaps…but then I am only part human. I have my flaws that Joachim will surely judge on that day of reckoning.”
“You might want to be on the safe side and just kill me, because if I DO survive this, I’m coming back for you.”

Franklins at this point chuckles.

“No, I don’t think you will. First of all if you do come back to Klyton, I’ll definitely know about it and I WILL have you killed for the punishment for returning from exile is death in accordance with the law. Second, even if you do manage to sneak in, don’t think you’re going to somehow get my daughter on your side. I’ve already taken care of that. Right now she knows everything about you and believes you’ve fled the city due to being under suspicion of several crimes.”
“She’d never believe it!” you exclaim.
“She already does. Thanks to you, I have a better relationship with her now and she’s never known me to be a liar. Besides, it’s not lying…you were a thief.”

You start cursing Franklins out, but he’s unmoved.

“I’d save your strength. Night will be coming soon and there are worse than wolves out here. Goodbye son in law and don’t worry about Trinity, I will of course make sure she, along with my daughter are well looked after.”

With those last words, Franklins gets back in the carriage and takes off.

The first thing you do as you watch the carriage disappear in the distance, is maneuver yourself to try to cut your ropes with the knife that Franklins provided.

You still have no idea where you are; there isn’t even a road nearby. Franklin’s carriage apparently had heavy duty wheels to endure the rough wilderness.

You struggle to cut your ropes, but it’s a tedious process and not easy. The cold is nipping at you and the light is going out. To top it all off, you think you hear something making noises in the distance and it doesn’t sound like a wolf.

By the time you get your hands free, what was making that sound has gotten closer.

You don’t know what it is, but all you see is its eyes and teeth before it manages to chase you down and devour you.


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 tell her the truth
Best to start a new life with a clean slate.

“Yvette, if we’re going to be together I fell like it’s best if I tell you EVERYTHING.” You say.
“Oh?” Yvette responds.
“Yeah, okay where to start…”

You go into your past, though you still leave out a few details. (Like having to leave your town for murder instead of theft) In general you’re truthful though. You’re rolling the dice here and while you’re explaining, you aren’t sure how she’s even taking it.

“I just wanted to lay it all out there because I’m ready to turn over a new leaf. I want a life with you and I want that life to have no secrets between us.”

Yvette still says nothing; her face just has an expression of shock on it.

“Yvette?” you say.
“Um…yeah. Well…yeah…” she starts to say.

This isn’t good.

“Yvette, please say something.” You say.
“What do you want me to say? This is pretty damn serious! I mean how CAN I trust you? Up until THIS moment you’ve lied about everything!” Yvette responds.
“But I’m not lying now! I’m telling the truth here. I’m no longer going to be a thief, I’m going to go look for real work and…”
“Look, I can’t deal with this right now. I’ve got other things on my mind and running into you was a surprise to begin with. Obviously it was a mistake to even admit I had some faint feelings for you at one time. I have to go.”
“Well can we talk about this again later?”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea. Look, if you ARE serious, then by all means turn your life around and become a productive member of society. I don’t even think you’re that bad of a person…but I can’t be with someone I can’t trust and I can’t trust you. Goodbye.”

And there it is again. Doing the right thing and getting no accolades, just a kick in the fucking face.

Disappointed with how this entire miserable day has turned out you head back to your place Joachim’s church (With the militia following you the entire time of course).

You spend the next few days on your usual routine of sneaking around trying to lose the militia as you perform your work at the university. You might as well considering you can’t leave the city. If things actually been different with Yvette, you probably would have tried to find a real job, but now? What’s the point?

You figure it’s free to sleep and eat at the church so you might as well just endure it until the Crimson Talons finally get busted and the militia backs off your ass so you can leave this fucking city.

One day in your corner of the church sleeping area, your light sleeping reflexes kick in and you grab a little arm reaching at you.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing you little thief?” you say to the little girl who you’ve just grabbed. She looks at you with wide eyes, but doesn’t scream surprisingly.

“Nothing! I’m not a thief and I wasn’t reaching for you, I was just trying to pet Pink Eyes!” she says.
“Pink Eyes?” you ask.
“Yeah, the funny rat with big teeth by your head.”

You turn your head slightly and see Elana sniffing near you. It would seem she located you. You release your grip on the girl’s arm who stands back as you slowly sit up rubbing your eyes. Elana squeaks a few times and finds a less open place to be.

“You’re lucky I stopped you kid. Elana here isn’t just a regular rat, she’s a qweepa and she also doesn’t tend to let people just pet her. In fact she’s more likely to eat your fingers.” You say.
“She didn’t do that with me. When I saw her, I gave her a little piece of bread I had from breakfast and she nuzzled my hand a bit after she ate the bread. Then I played with her a bit before she ran over to you. Is she your pet?” the little girl asks.
“Yeah I guess you could say that. Though apparently she’s a little traitor if she’s being nice to anyone that feeds her. Guess I’m no position to speak ill of rats though. Wait, did you say you already had breakfast?”
“Yeah, it’s almost time for them to serve lunch now. I sometimes wake up in the middle of the night and see you creep in here. Do you have some sort of night job?”
“Something like that. Where are your parents?”
“My mom’s out looking for work. I…um don’t know who my dad is.”
“Oh. Well I got stuff to do, so off you go kid.”
“Can I play with Pink Eyes while you’re gone?”
“Um…yeah sure I guess if she isn’t chewing your face off. I wouldn’t call attention to her though, not sure what the animal policy is in this place. And if she doesn’t want to be fussed with, then I’d leave her be. Like I said, she isn’t usually this friendly to other people.”

You leave the little girl and Elana and step out of the church before Virgil or some other Joachim follower can ask you to do anything. 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 and this time they don’t just follow you, they actually come up to you and start throwing their weight around.

“Hey criminal scum, we’re on to you.” One of them says.
“Yeah I know that already. Been through all this with your captain.” You reply.
“No, I don’t think you fucking understand!” he says again, pushing you hard this time.
“What the hell? I’m not doing anything!” you exclaim.
“Bullshit! We know where you’ve been going even though you THINK you’ve been eluding us. You go up to that fancy university. Whatcha going up there for? I know it ain’t to take any fucking classes. We haven’t caught you in the act yet, but it won’t be long.”
“Aren’t you supposed to be taking down the Crimson Talons?”
“Don’t you worry about that. They’ll be facing justice soon, just like YOU will be. Seein’ you soon asshole.”

And there it is, final proof that the militia consists of a bunch of unyielding dicks that are not going to EVER leave you alone. You truly have to get out of this city.

Your original plan was to wait until they finally took out the Talons, but they seem to be taking their sweet ass time about it. You suppose if you really wanted to get out, you could take the sewers and leave through the secret exit that the Talons use to get in and out of the city with no fuss.

Yeah, seems like a plan, though you figure you’ll wait until it gets darker. In the meantime you head back to the church.

When you arrive back to your sleeping area you see that little girl playing with Elana and giving her some of her food. Looks like even your pet has abandoned you. Though considering you’re leaving soon, it’s just as well she seems to have found a new owner.

Lacking any more motivation to do anything until tonight, you decide to get some more sleep.

Later…

You suddenly grab a little arm reaching for you.

“Girl…you REALLY need to stop doing that!” you say waking up and letting the girl’s arm go.
“Please, my mom is missing and I dunno who to ask for help!” the little girl says frantically
“What?”
“My mom, she hasn’t returned! She ALWAYS returns before now! She promised she’d never stay out late like this again and I know she wasn’t lying!”
“Alright, alright, calm down. What the hell happened?”
“My mom…”

At this point the little girl starts breaking down in tears and some nearby folks trying to sleep start shushing you.

This certainly wasn’t anything you had in mind to deal with right now. From what you can tell it’s pitch black outside. You slept way longer than you intended to and now you’ve got a little girl begging you for help.
> You get out of the city
This is sad and all, but you’ve got more important problems. Besides the girl’s mother is probably a whore and is just out later than usual to make more coin.

Still, you need to calm her down because she’s making a scene and waking everyone up.

“Shhh. Shhh. Look, do you know where you mom might have went or where she goes to look for work?” you ask.
“I dunno, mostly the taverns?” the little girl asks.
“Okay, I’ll go check every tavern in the area then okay? You just stay here and try to get some sleep, or I dunno…play with Elana.”

You quickly gather your belongings and bid the little girl goodbye. She looks hopeful at you, but you can only imagine that her disappointment is going to be even greater when you don’t return. Hopefully her mother does show up.

You leave the church and make your way to the closest sewer entrance that you know of. Fortunately even this late the militia aren’t patrolling quite as much and it’s easier to sneak around.

You descend into the foulness that is the sewers and begin your slog through it and eventual freedom.

Along the way you just hope you don’t run into any Crimson Talons. While you doubt if they have heard about you ratting on them since the militia hasn’t made their move yet, but still, you’d rather not bump into them since they’ve gotten more territorial lately anyway.

Your thoughts also briefly go back to that little girl and how you feel sort of bad about just leaving. You should have at least been up front with her and told her you couldn’t help her, rather than giving the girl a little bit longer for false hope. Then again, the last time you told the truth it didn’t go so well either.

You’ll just be glad to leave this damn city behind.

At last you start to see the literal light at the end of the tunnel as you approach the sewer exit leading to the outside. You have no idea how the hell the Talons slog through this day after day, though you suppose they won’t be doing it for much longer.

This thought has never been truer than it is right at this moment.

No sooner have you made it half way to the exit when all of a sudden several militia men enter through it. You stop in your tracks when you see them.

“He’s warned them! Kill the bastard!” one of them shouts.

You immediately turn and run. Several shots ring out along with shouting. You catch a bullet in the arm, but manage to keep going. It doesn’t matter though since the militia already has men coming from the other tunnels as well.

Today of ALL days is when they decided to storm the Crimson Talon hideout. It figures.

In fact the only place to run to is the Crimson Talon’s hideout!

Avoiding the militia now seemingly coming from every fucking tunnel, you immediately run to the hideout and start banging on the door to be let in. Even now, the irony that you’re begging for the Talons to help you after you ratted on them in the first place isn’t lost on you.

“Open the fucking door! It’s a raid!” you start shouting.

There isn’t any answer other than a couple of “what?” or “Who’s banging on the door?”

“Come on open the fuck up, it’s…ugggh! SHIT!” you shout and get shot in the back. This time the wound is fatal.

You collapse at the door, which still stays firmly shut until the militia comes stomping over your body to batter it down.