<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/0/02/Hayden_hawkens_12.jpg)</div><br/>They were talking about the Paradise casino.  Tears-Asunder had seen the signs for the place, but her brief stint in dealing with such places had been irritating.  When she lacked any identification to prove herself an adult (granted that the sun had revolved less than 18 times around the Earth since her birth, but her body was far from that of a child), they put a red dot on her hand to mark her as such before allowing her inside.  Just as well: the nasty beverages she wasn't allowed smelled terrible, and her memories said that they tasted even worse and would numb her brain.<br/><br/>A lot of people around had already clearly had a few of those drinks.  They were betting down money on things which were more random than anything else, then getting frustrated when they didn't get any better.  Obviously it was because of the intoxication.<br/><br/>Another man had offered her a thousand dollars for sex, but she didn't have any money and certainly wouldn't have paid him for the privilege.  That was one of the more confusing aspects to the affair, but perhaps he was quite talented.  Or maybe a thousand dollars just wasn't as much to most people.  Still, she didn't have much interest if he wasn't kinfolk...though she couldn't help but harbor a bit of curiosity towards the idea.  Homid did seem much better set for sexual encounters than Suchid, anyway.<br/><br/>Her attention was suddenly caught as another delicious meal was brought out, and this time given to her.  A bright smile overtook her face as she chowed down, using her hands and completely bereft of table manners but obviously enjoying herself.  It was delicious; she'd have to find out a lot more about this dish.<br/><br/>Life was so different from what she remembered; sometimes it was very difficult to keep up.